The icy air bit at my skin as I waited, my heart pounding with anticipation. It was a Saturday
morning, and the world felt still and quiet, except for the frantic beat of my
own heart. He was coming. I took a deep breath and dialed his number, my
fingers trembling slightly. "I'm at the door," I whispered into the phone, my
voice barely a breath. "Open up." He responded with a simple, "I am at your door." His voice, warm and deep, sent a shiver down
my spine. I could almost feel his presence through the phone. Excitement surged
through me. I grabbed my towel and rushed to the bathroom, eager to be ready
for his arrival. The hot water cascading
over me washed away the chill of the morning, and I emerged feeling refreshed and
invigorated. I slipped into my silk kimono, the fabric soft against my skin,
and sprayed on a light, floral perfume, a scent I knew he loved. As I opened the door, a radiant smile spread
across my face. He stood there, his dark eyes shining with warmth, holding out
a single, perfect white rose. The delicate petals were a stark contrast to the
harsh winter landscape, a symbol of hope and beauty. "For you," he murmured,
his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. I took the rose, its
fragrance filling my senses, and smiled sheepishly, my cheeks flushed with
warmth. I gave him a kiss, and to my surprise, he refused to let go of my lips,
as if they were the only anchor in a storm. Our lips were locked together,
breathing in the sweet urgency of the moment. With a swift motion, he used his
back foot to close the door, sealing us in our own world. The air was thick
with anticipation, electric and intoxicating. I started by pulling off his blue
denim, the fabric sliding down his legs, revealing the taut muscles beneath. He
helped me remove my kimono, the delicate fabric falling away to leave me in
nothing but my lace panties. I felt a rush of exhilaration as I continued to
pull off his white t-shirt, my fingers grazing his skin, igniting a fire within
us. We unlocked our lips just long enough for the shirt to pass over his head,
but as soon as it was gone, our mouths crashed together again, hungry and
desperate. In a moment of playful spontaneity, I dropped the single flower on
the center stool, its vibrant colors contrasting beautifully against the
backdrop of our passionate chaos, creating an unexpected yet stunning piece of
decor. Right there in the living room, we surrendered to the most pleasant
romance, losing ourselves in each other, the world outside fading away. But
just as the intensity reached its peak, the door creaked open. Ham's instincts
kicked in, and he quickly covered himself with his denim, the sudden
interruption forcing us to disconnect. My heart raced, a mix of embarrassment
and exhilaration flooding through me as we exchanged wide-eyed glances, the
thrill of being caught hanging heavy in the air.
Mel's
retreating figure was a silent scream of exasperation. The air hung heavy with
unspoken tension as Tony's gaze, cold and accusing, remained fixed on Ham. I
felt a pang of sympathy for Ham, his smile faltering under the weight of Tony's
scrutiny. "Clean up," Tony barked at me, his voice laced with an undercurrent
of displeasure, "We'll have breakfast together." "I'm sorry, bro," Ham mumbled,
his apology laced with genuine regret. I was simmering with frustration, a
simmering volcano of anger at Tony's intrusion, his lack of respect for my
space, my life. "Tony, why do you just barge into my house without even
calling?" I demanded, my voice rising with each word. He looked at me with a
mixture of disgust and annoyance. Picking up my discarded kimono from the
chair, he flung it at me with a sharp, "Wear that." I caught it, my heart pounding with a mixture
of anger and humiliation, and went straight to the kitchen, my head shaking in
disbelief. Ham, still visibly uncomfortable, remained rooted in his spot, his
shirt still clinging to him. He shyly picked up his trousers, the ones we had
carelessly tossed on the wall, and hastily pulled them on. "I'm sorry, bro," he
repeated, offering Tony a sheepish grin, his guilt etched on his face. Tony,
his eyes narrowed, simply grunted a response and excused him with a wave of his
hand. As Tony retreated to the visitor's room, his phone pressed to his ear,
Ham seized the opportunity. He quickly
dressed, his movements jerky, his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and
relief. Then, he rushed up the stairs,
his footsteps echoing through the house, seeking refuge in the sanctuary of the
shower. Mel and I were in the kitchen, laughter bubbling up as we skillfully
crafted tacos, the aroma of spices mingling with the rich scent of coffee.
"But you guys should really try to lock your door sometimes," she
teased, chuckling lightly. A wave of embarrassment washed over me, but I masked
it with a laugh, brushing off the comment. "Is he your boyfriend?" she asked,
her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she glanced at me, a playful smile dancing
on her lips. "Hmm... I don't even know," I replied, my heart
fluttering at the thought. "There's just this connection we both feel
about ourselves. I think I like him, though." "And does he like you
too?" Mel pressed, her tone earnest, as if she needed reassurance. "Sincerely,
I think so, but he hasn't said he wants to be with me, though. But everything
about us speaks it loud... He bought me a flower today," I said, a shy
smile creeping onto my face. I adjusted myself, pretending to be cold, but
inside, I was warm with the thought of him. "I love him. I don't know if
he loves me as much too..." My voice trailed off, a hint of sadness
creeping in. Just then, Ham walked in, his presence lighting up the room.
"I love you more than you know," he said, his voice sincere. I stood
up, unable to resist the pull between us, and gave him a soft kiss. "Heyyyy!!
Don't try to play your lovey-dovey here... I'll just call Tony over then,"
Mel interrupted, her laughter ringing out. The mention of Tony sent a jolt
through us, and we quickly pulled away from each other, Ham bursting into
laughter as he left the room. I licked my lips, turning to Mel with a playful
smirk. "Call your Tony... he just bosses me around like a kid. I am an
adult!" I protested, crossing my arms defiantly. "Of course you are,
but he is your big bro... He loves you and is only trying to protect you,"
she assured me, her tone gentle. "Do you call that protection? He doesn't
even like Ham. Like, why will he not like Ham?" I said, my voice rising
with frustration, the threat of tears pricking at my eyes. "Ham is a cute
dude. He's so hot." The words tumbled out, a mixture of admiration and
desperation, as I felt the weight of my emotions swell within me. "Mel,
can you convince Tony to love Ham?" I asked, my voice tinged with a mix of
hope and desperation. The air between us felt thick with unspoken tension, and
I needed her to help bridge the gap. Tony was protective, almost too much
sometimes, and I couldn't shake the feeling that his mistrust was misplaced.
"I guess Tony is old enough to know who is who. He always says he doesn't
trust him. He thinks they might have known each other from some improper
place," I continued, my heart racing at the thought. Mel raised an
eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Where is he from?" she asked, her
tone turning serious. "I've never asked," I replied, feeling a pang
of regret for not digging deeper into Ham's past. "But I don't think he is
a bad guy. I mean, he is just hot! There's no way he'd know anything about
me."Mel sighed, her expression softening. "I get it. But you know how
Tony is. He thinks Ham is pretending to love you just to get something from
you. It's frustrating."I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. The
thought of Ham using me, of his affection being fake, was like a dagger to my
heart. But every time I looked into his eyes, I felt a connection that was
undeniable. We finished cooking, the kitchen filled with the delicious aroma of
our meal. I watched as Mel expertly plated the food, her movements graceful and
precise. I took the bowls from her and carried them to the dining table, my
mind racing with thoughts of Ham and Tony. "Alright, time to call
them!" I announced, my voice breaking the heavy silence. I called for Tony
and Ham, my heart pounding as I anticipated their arrival. As they sat down
around the dining table, the atmosphere shifted. Ham's presence was magnetic,
drawing my attention like a moth to a flame. I caught his eye, and a spark
ignited between us, a silent conversation that only we could understand. Tony,
ever the vigilant guardian, glanced between us, his expression unreadable.
"You guys better not be planning anything," he warned, his voice
laced with protective annoyance. I shot him a playful glare. "Relax, Tony.
We're just here to eat!" I tried to sound casual, but the tension in the
air was palpable. Ham chuckled, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.
"Yeah, Tony, lighten up. We're just sharing a meal." As we began to
eat, the conversation flowed, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the
unspoken feelings swirling in the room. I couldn't help but wonder if Ham felt
the same way about me as I did about him. Would Tony ever come around to see
that Ham was more than just a pretty face? Would he ever trust the bond that
was growing between us? The morning was still young, and with every bite, I
felt the weight of my emotions pressing down on me, a mix of hope and
uncertainty. I couldn't shake the feeling that this breakfast was just the
beginning of something much more complicated and beautiful.The air crackled
with tension as Tony's gaze locked onto Ham, suspicion swirling in his eyes. He
wouldn't let it go, this constant scrutiny, this disbelief that Ham could
possibly be anything but a wolf in sheep's clothing. "So, Ham," Tony
began, his voice laced with skepticism, "how long have you known
Jayde?" Ham, ever the picture of calm, smiled serenely, as if unfazed by
Tony's probing. "Oh, we've known each other for a few weeks now," he
replied, his voice smooth as honey. Tony's lips tightened, his skepticism
undeterred. "A few weeks, huh? And how did you two meet?" he pressed,
his eyes never leaving Ham's face.Ham's casual reply, "We met through mutual
friends," hung in the air, thick with unspoken tension. Tony's eyebrow shot up,
"Mutual friends? That's interesting. I don't recall Jayde mentioning you
before." Ham's laughter was strained, "Well, we didn't really talk much about
our personal lives at first." Tony leaned forward, his gaze intense, "Listen,
Ham, I don't mean to be rude, but I get a weird feeling about you. A feeling
that's hard to shake." Ham smirked, a flicker of something dark in his eyes, "Oh?
What kind of feeling?" Tony's voice dropped to a low growl, "The kind that
makes me think we've met before. There's
something familiar about you, something... unsettling." Ham paused, looking
taken aback, "I don't think so." Tony watched Ham's face, his gaze unwavering, "I'm
sure of it. There's a history between us, Ham. I can feel it." I interrupted
Tony, my voice sharp with frustration, "But stop it. You're being rude. He's
just a friend!" Tony looked at me, his eyes filled with concern, "I'm just
trying to protect you, sis. I'm not sure I trust him." Mel calmly held Tony's
hand, "Tony, let's not make a scene." Tony sighed, his shoulders slumping
slightly, "Fine. But Ham, I want you to know that I'm watching you. Every move
you make." Ham smiled, a chillingly calm smile, "I understand." Tony, still suspicious, leaned back in his
chair, "So, Ham, what do you do for a living?" Ham hesitated, a shadow crossing
his face, "I'm a... businessman." Tony's eyebrow shot up again, his disbelief
evident, "A businessman? That's vague. What kind of business?" Ham laughed, a
forced, hollow sound, "Well, I'm involved in various ventures." Tony's
skepticism was palpable, "Various ventures? That sounds like a cover story." I
defended Ham, my voice rising, "But stop it! You're being unfair!" Tony looked
at me, his expression softening slightly, "I was just trying to get to the
truth, sis. I just want to make sure you're
safe." Mel, ever the peacemaker, tried to steer the conversation back to safer
ground, "Let's focus on enjoying the evening." Ham smiled and said He
understands. The conversation ends with an awkward silence, with Tony and Ham
exchanging a tense glance. As the conversation ends, Tony's eyes narrow, and he
can't shake off the feeling that he's met Ham before. He looks at me, I was
oblivious to the tension, and felt a surge of protectiveness. He knew he has to
uncover the truth about Ham, no matter what it takes.