Cayden and I woke up together the next morning, our bodies interlocked and interwoven. I couldn't tell where I ended and she began.

Part of it still felt like a dream. I was certain she wasn't really there with me, but I knew she was. I could feel her breath, smell her hair product and cologne. I knew she was with me and I wasn't just making it up.

I snuggled in closer to her. Even though nothing was really permanent, this felt like a good step for us. It felt like a real step, toward being an actual couple. I didn't know if that was what Cayden wanted, but I was realizing that was definitely what I wanted. It was a waste to pretend I didn't. Trying to keep things casual was no fun when one person desperately wanted it to be anything but that.

In the early light of the morning, I made my decision—Cayden and I had to be serious, otherwise, I needed to cut it off. I wouldn't take her being half in and half out anymore.

-

I dozed off again and woke up still in Cayden's arms. The sun was brighter and it was later in the morning. I didn't remember falling back asleep but I was glad I had, I loved sleeping with Cayden.

Then, I quickly realized—we were sleeping at my house. It was daytime again. My roommates were almost definitely home, and if they see Cayden here they will definitely tell Sebastian—I mean who's to say they didn't go out with him and his friends last night?

"Cay," I whispered. "Cayden,"

Cayden shook her head, slowly waking up. "What's going on?"

"It's the morning," I said. "My roommates are going to be home soon, if they're not home already,"

The words don't seem to register at first, but I can see it on her face when they do—the chance that we could get caught and Sebastian finding out, sinking into her head. "Oh no."

"You need to get out of here," I said. "I'm sorry."

Cayden groaned a little. "Or we could just spend all day in here." She pulled me into her and held me close.

"Cay," I said and then started laughing a little bit, unable to resist her charm. I knew I needed to put my foot down, but what harm would come from another kiss? Or more time in bed with her?

Cayden pulled me in for a sleepy kiss, smiling at me.

"You are going to get me in trouble," I whispered, and she shrugged.

"I'm worth it," she said, and I kissed her, pulling her into me.

I agree, I thought.

"But really, we are going to have to figure this out because my roommates cannot see you," I said as Cayden kissed me once, twice, three times.

"Fine," Cayden said. "But you have to come with me."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I'm taking you out." She brushed her fingers over my cheek. "We should go somewhere together."

I felt a rush at the suggestion, realizing she was basically implying it was a date. Part of me wanted to ask for clarification, but it didn't seem worth it. I knew what she was saying.

But, as excited as I was, when she said that, I immediately thought back to Kori. I felt a little bad about how things had been going with her. She'd barely even crossed my mind since Cayden came back into my life and I felt like that wasn't fair after the date we had. But maybe that was just the essence of casual dating—you saw people here and there and didn't owe anything to anyone except basic kindness. I didn't owe Kori anything. Especially if Cayden was the person I really wanted to be with. It would be cruel to string Kori along if Cayden was who I wanted.

But still, I felt bad about it. I'd dropped her so quickly, it was so clear that she'd been a rebound in my mind.

I looked at Cayden, wondering if I was making a mistake rushing into this. Maybe I should keep my options open. For all I knew, Cayden could've been doing the same thing.

Or maybe she wasn't, and I was the one who was adding unnecessary drama by having gone out with someone. Was I supposed to tell Cayden? Or would that just end up hurting her?

"You want to take me out?" I asked, my voice light and flirty. "What do you have in mind?"

"Maybe something easy," Cayden said. "We could take a walk somewhere. I don't want to do a movie or anything—I want us to be able to talk."

"Yeah, you want to talk to me?" I teased. "I can't believe you want to hear my thoughts. And here I was, thinking I was just some piece of ass..."

"Oh, shut up." Cayden laughed. "Now, get up and get dressed. We have some sneaking around we have to do."

I obliged, getting out of bed and giving Cayden a little bit of a show along the way. She watched me carefully, looking like she was ready to devour me. Her stare made me a little nervous, but I liked it. I liked having her around. Something about her made me feel safe and sexy, even though we hadn't known each other that long.

I quickly threw on a black athletic long-sleeve shirt with matching leggings before throwing my long brown hair up into my usual ponytail. Once I was ready, Cayden got up and threw on her sweatshirt and sweatpants from the day before. I watched her carefully, taking in every part of her body. I loved watching it, I loved seeing her move. She was so beautiful. And every part of her was perfect.

Once Cayden was dressed she walked over to me, putting her hands on my waist. "This sneaking around thing is kind of sexy," she said. "I like being able to see you and know that you're all mine."

"Oh, I'm yours?" I said.

"I wouldn't complain if you were."

"Hm," I said.

"Hm?"

"Just interesting," I said, my eyes tracing her face. Something between us already felt different after the conversation we'd had last night. It was a kind of closeness that I'd never felt with anyone before. I hadn't realized how hands-off and emotionally distant my previous and only relationship was until Cayden came knocking down all of my walls. Her being so vulnerable with me really meant something.

But I couldn't help but worry that maybe I was letting her in too easily. Words didn't really mean anything. People left all the time. They could leave whenever they wanted without real consequence. They could lie to make me happy for the time-being, only to be just as inconsistent as they'd always been. It was hard for me to tell with Cayden.

But I knew I needed to at least give her time to prove herself. I was skeptical, but it wasn't completely fair to her. Most of my caution rooted in Sebastian, not in Cayden's actions—even if Cayden had been the one who was inconsistent and hard to reach and could occasionally be extremely cold.

"Where'd you just go?" Cayden said, looking at me. She brushed my hair away from my face.

"Just thinking," I said. "Nothing important."

"Okay," Cayden said and looked at me before leaning in to kiss me. "Ready?"

"I think so," I said.

"Time to sneak around."

"You're such a nerd."

Cayden smirked at me. "I'll follow your lead."

"You just want to see my ass."

"I'm not denying it."

I shot her a quick smile over my shoulder before walking to my bedroom door to check if anyone was home. I glanced out and only saw Jade's car, but that didn't mean she was home. Living in New York means so many things are within walking distance or she could've easily used an Uber.

"Jade? Jaci?" I yelled, waiting for the usual enthusiastic response they gave me whenever they were all home. But only silence greeted me.

"We're good," I said and we walked out quietly. As we were walking, Cayden reached out her hand and squeezed my ass, almost making me laugh. "Stop," I mouthed to her, and she gave me a playful shrug in response.

Cayden came up from behind me and pulled me close to her body, kissing my neck. She ran her hands up to cup my breasts, almost making me moan. I was a little embarrassed by how quickly she could overtake me like that—one kiss and she was the only person I could think about. She was the entire world.

"Vi Vi? Is that you?" I heard and Cayden and I jumped nearly a foot apart.

Fuck.