Falling For The Mob

32 Friends

I slightly shove her and watch her smile grow a bit brighter. "You need to eat something."

Her cheekbones are more defined, as if she hasn't had a proper meal all week. "No, but I will take that shower. In contrast to what you may believe, I am fully aware of my body odor."

When she steps into the shower, I give her a pair of sweatpants and an oversized T-shirt. Finding her on my doorstep had me completely forget my own exhaustion, but it is finally catching up.

Finishing up with a few things, I hear the bathroom door open behind me. Seeing her dressed in sweats is one of the strangest things I have ever seen, but I choose not to comment.

She smiles softly as our eyes meet. Her entire body slouches, making her look much more relaxed than she was when I found her. She looks softer, sweet almost.

Taking place on the couch, she begins tugging at the blankets and wrapping them around her for comfort.

"Sam, no, I was only kidding." Taking her hand in mine, I pull her off the couch and begin dragging her to my room. "You can sleep in my bed." Her eyebrow cocks up again with that same smirk. "No, not like that, you perv." I chuckle. "We can cuddle."

This time, it's her turn to laugh, something I have never heard before. So far, I've only gotten smirks and a total of five proper smiles where I see those dimples, but never have I actually heard her laugh.

"Zoë, I do not cuddle." Her face straightens up, suddenly trying to be serious.

"Well, too bad, my house, my rules. Last time I checked, you were good at cuddling, so that's what we're doing."

Squinting her eyes a bit, she steps closer to me. "Really, Dr. DeLuca? From that entire night, the part you remember most is how good I was at cuddling?"

She's baiting me. Briefly, her eyes land on my lips, not even trying to hide her intentions. "Yes, from that entire night, cuddling was the most memorable part. Now get in." I shove her down with a laugh, not giving her the chance to distract me the way she was trying. I think what she really needs is rest, and I won't let her use sex to avoid it.

She flops down on her back and stretches her arms out invitingly. As I crawl into her embrace, she tightens it comfortably and begins running her fingers through my hair.

I am fully aware of the situation I put myself in, being this close to her, but right now, she needs a place to feel safe. Friends do this for each other, that's all this is. Right?

"Night, Sam."

"Good night, love." She replies, purposely laying her accent on thick, knowing how affected I would be.

Sam

I still detest the feeling of clothing while I sleep, yet I slept better than I expected.

The space next to me is empty but smells of lavender shampoo. The sky dusks as it bathes her entire bedroom in a warm orange glow with long shadows. I must have slept almost ten hours, which is surprising. Even on a normal day, I only allow myself eight hours tops.

My exhaustion must have gotten the better of me, as I was finally able to rest for more than a few hours.

Our agreement was just sex, and I plan on sticking to that as soon as I gather myself. Someone like Zoë should not get close to someone like me. I can only get her killed or disappoint her by the mere fact of who I am. In my confused haze, I somehow found myself on Zoë's doorstep, but even that was a mistake. My plan was to stay on the couch or not fall asleep. Against my better judgment, I came here, but I know I must be careful.