Chapter 32: Sheets (Carter's POV) I woke up the next morning before her. She was fast asleep beside me, her hair down and splayed out, a few strands across her face. I brushed them back while she continued sleeping soundlessly, hugging the pillow. I pushed her hair to one side before tracing circles on her bare back. She shuffled before turning her head to face me, slowly opening her eyes. I won't say much about last night. Either she's really loud, or I'm really good. I'd say the latter. But I really just wanted to make sure she was okay and completely willing. I asked a few times in the beginning if she wanted me to stop but she said no each time. She seemed to enjoy it a little more than I would have expected, or she's really expressive. Can't say I complained. My mind kept flashing back to last night. She was so beautiful. She is so beautiful. I could never get enough of her. She placed her hands over my eyes before I heard shuffling. I presume she's sitting up. "Give me a shirt," she mumbled. "I can't do that with my eyes closed," I smirked. She sighed in defeat before removing her hand while lying back down, pulling the covers up. I got out of bed and opened my closet, grabbing a shirt. I slipped my briefs on before falling asleep last night. She only had underwear on. She held her hand out but I wouldn't give it to her so easily. "Carter, no," she whined. "Alex, yes," I laughed, "And you didn't mind being naked last night," I smirked. "We were having sex last night," she retorted. "We could do that again," I leaned in. She snatched the shirt and sat up hugging the sheets, her back towards me before she slipped the shirt on quickly. I lay back down, staring at her while she stared out of my window. "What time is it?" she asked, lying back down. "I think it's like eight," I said. "Why are you awake right now?" she asked, squinting a little at the brightness of the sun peeking through. I shrugged in response while she scooted over and lay beside me, resting her head on my chest. "I want ice cream," she mumbled. "You want ice cream?" I chuckled. "You didn't let me get any last night," she whined. "I have chocolate and vanilla," I said. "I want chocolate," she said. I sat up on the edge of the bed while she climbed onto my back. I took her down to the kitchen and seated her on the counter where she jumped. "Jesus, that is cold," she said, putting her hands under her thighs. I laughed while getting her a scoop. "More," she pouted. "Ice cream for breakfast? I don't think so," I replied. "It's not breakfast if I go back to sleep," she said while taking the bowl and spoon from me. "Sure it is," I replied. "Why?" she frowned while holding the spoon in front of me. "Because it's still the first thing you ate when you woke up," I said, eating the spoonful before standing between her legs, running my fingers through my hair. "I love you," I said, grabbing her face and pulling it down while I kissed her forehead. "I love you," she said, enjoying her ice cream. Once she was done, she placed the bowl down and I put it in the sync. She had her arms outstretched, waiting for a piggyback ride back up to my room. She climbed on and I took her up there. She got off once I shut my door and tied her hair up. "I'm going to take a shower," she said, "Wanna join?" "Can I really?" I asked, surprised she would offer. That is if she was being serious. "Yeah," she said slowly, "No funny business, though. It's just a shower," she narrowed her eyes at me. "Okay," I nodded. "Ooh, can we take a bubble bath?" she grinned excitedly. "I don't have a tub," I shrugged. "The guest bathroom does," she retorted. "As you wish," I said, following her into my bathroom while she grabbed the toothbrush that she used the first night she spent here. She had started keeping it beside mine. I'm pretty sure if I combined all the things she's left behind, I would have a drawer of her things. I should do that. "Have you always been like that?" I asked while grabbing my toothbrush. "Like what?" she asked. "Shy in the streets, sexy in the sheets?" She jabbed her elbow into my ribs and I winced. "Was that too hard?" she asked, seeming worried. "No, I just like it when you care," I smirked. She rolled her eyes and we brushed our teeth before heading to the guest bathroom. "Vanilla," she beamed at the body wash while turning the water on and adding lots of bubbles. "Close your eyes," she said. "Why? I've seen you naked now," I frowned. She shot me a pointed look and I obeyed, turning my back to face her, only turning back when she said I could. "Are you not going to close your eyes?" I asked. "You didn't ask me too," she giggled before turning her head the other way while I stripped the one item of clothing I had on before climbing in. "Oh, my God. It's hot," I said while turning the water off once it was full. "You'll get used to it," she said while blowing bubbles around. Some flew back to her and settled in her hair while she giggled. "Alex, are you one of those people who take scorching hot showers?" I asked. "I think most girls do," she laughed. "Why? Isn't it… hot?" "That's the point," she laughed, "It's relaxing," she shrugged while hugging her knees. We stared at each other for a really long time. "You look so cute," I chuckled, making her smile. "You do too, you have bubbles in your hair," she grinned. "Wonder how that happened," I said sarcastically while leaning forward and kissing her. "Did you have fun last night?" I asked. "At the party? Yeah," she teased. "Not at the party." I gave her a pointed look. "Yes, I had fun. I had loads of fun. I think you did too," she smirked. "I think you had more fun than I did," I retorted. "Really? You moaned my name," she chuckled. "No, I didn't," I argued. "Sure did," she taunted me further. "You moaned my name too. Numerous times. You even yelled it," I smirked. She splashed me before looking at the bubbles she had in her hands. "You have experience with girls," she stated, her smile smaller. "Can't say I don't. But now I can use it to please the girl I love," I replied and her face lit up like a Christmas tree, making me chuckle. "I'm never going to get used to hearing that," she laughed. "What do you mean? Hudson never told you he loved you?" I asked. She slowly shook her head. I stared at her as she rested her chin on her knees. I've never been in a long-term relationship, but even I've had someone tell me they love me. "Well, I love you," I said. "You might have to remind me that you do every once in a while," she chuckled awkwardly. Otherwise, she'll stop believing it. "I can remind you every day." I grabbed her hand, drawing circles in her palm. She smiled at me before we fell back into staring at each other. I really do love her, I'd do anything to prove it. I watched as she ran around the kitchen counter while laughing. "Alex, you can't have all the cookies," I laughed. "Yes I can," she sang while eating another one. We made cookies together and she has yet to give me one. "This is illegal!" I huffed before running over from the right only for her to run to the other side from the left. "Then I'm a criminal," she grinned. I ran from the right but turned to the left when she did and caught her shirt, well, my shirt, and pulled her closer. "Now I got you. Give me a cookie," I huffed. "No," she shook her head, closing the jar. "I made those," I stated. "No, you didn't," she scoffed. "I tried to, but you wouldn't let me," I whined. "Because you burned the first batch." She gave me a pointed look. That's true, I did. "One cookie," I said while picking her up and seating her on the counter. She narrowed her eyes down to slits and stared at me with a scrutinizing gaze. I leaned in to kiss her and when our lips met, I stole a cookie. "Asshole," she mumbled against my lips before I pulled away. "Ouch," I laughed, placing my hand on my chest. She wrapped her legs around my torso and her arms around my neck, pulling me in before locking her lips with mine. The front door opened moments later and I pulled away while she hopped off, pulling my shirt down lower. "Dad, hi," I said, my eyes wide. "Mr. Reed," she squeaked. I let out a chuckle and she smacked my arm. My dad simply shook his head while laughing before going into his room. "You're such an idiot," she whisper-yelled before running up the stairs and to my room. I grabbed the cookie jar and followed her up while laughing. . . . .