Aiyana smells like vanilla and fresh jasmines on a warm summer afternoon; it's addicting, enticing, and I want to do nothing more than run my nose along her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. The growing distance between us doesn't seem to help either. She's trailing behind me, nimble fingertips playing with the zipper of her bag, her head downcast, as we approach the public toilets of Selfridges.

The silence is bearable, but I assume the lack of conversation is due to Wednesday evening. I wasn't kidding when I said I spent all night reading Aiyana's journal; she was an artist in more ways than one. And after that Naruto re-run, I knew something had shifted between us.

Because when she smiled at me the following morning, it wasn't just a smile. It was a this-is-for-you-and-you-only type of smile; her smile a little softer, a little sweeter, a little prettier.

And I wouldn't want it any other way. I wanted all her smiles, all her laughs, all her fucking touches-all of it.

She's still in her uniform, change of clothes in hand, ready for the evening where about to spend with the crew. I halt when I come to a stop in front of the single use unisex toilets. Aiyana peeks behind me when I gesture towards the door. I'll be waiting outside. Call me if you need help,I murmur.

A snort slips past her lips, rolling her eyes. If you're trying to sneak a look, it's not going to happen, Savestano,she says, plump lips curling into an innocent smile, her small palm patting my bicep.

I crack a sarcastic half-grin. You've woken up beside me in far less clothing, Sen. Why would I need to sneak a look when you show off for my eyes only?

Her eyes widen a fraction, her shoulders slumping as she pinches my arm-I don't have the heart to tell her she's not as intimidating as she seems-and feign irritation. She juts her lower lip, knitting her brows together and harrumphs, Acquaintances, Judah. Acquaintances,she repeats slowly, teasingly and with conviction, nudging me out the way until she's stepping into the restroom. Besides if I did need help, you'd be the last person I call.

I nod along to her words, feigning agreement and cross my arms over my chest. Her eyes flicker to my hoodie clad arms, the material tightening around my biceps, before her gaze drops. She sticks her tongue at me childishly and shuts the door behind her; my gaze now on the cream door, instead of her small frame.

A half-suppressed laugh tumbles past my lips at her antics, tipping my head back as I await her presence. However, it's barely five minutes into her changing session when my phone lights up with a text message from Aiyana.

💌 🐣psins me to say tjis , but i ned helo

💌 🐣i'n sruxk

💌 🐣but dint lpok at ms. i'n in bea

What an idiot.

✉️no

💌🐣rude

💌🐣hurry uo

I release a shallow breath and begrudgingly knock on the door. I hear the sound of mumbling and objects dropping before the handle rattles. I don't understand why you didn't get changed in your-my words get caught in my throat when Aiyana eventually opens the door, the top of her head peaking out from her jumper.

She manages to curl her small palm around my wrist, yanking me quickly into room before slamming the door shut. It catches me off-guard, and before I know it, I'm wrapping my arms around her waist as we stumble into each other. Her arms are in the air, fiddling with the clasp of her necklace as she attempts to unhook the material caught in-between.

Nor does it help that her lacy bra is on full display, and I'm eating that shit right up. I blink slowly, noting that she's changed out of her skirt to a pair of black skinny jeans and her heeled boots remain unchanged. My eyes dance along the curve of her hips, my thumbs rubbing circles into her side and over her smooth brown skin-remembering how it felt to have her pressed against me-to her chest. She was softer than anything I've experienced.

The mint lace material cups her full breasts perfectly, and I have to choke out a cough at the sight, feeling the thin material around my groin tighten.

A boner right now was very impractical, and my self control was beginning to thin, slowly melting away.

Can you-can you stop staring at my boobs and help me out?She muffles out, her voice muted by the material of her jumper.

I clear my throat in caution and nod my head, What got caught?

She inches a little closer, close enough for me to grab hold of her small body, close enough for me to press my lips against her neck. Her sweet summery scent fogs my mind as she points to her gold necklace.

This stupid thing,she grumbles. If my necklace breaks I'll be in some deep shit.

She turns around, back facing me, as I attempt to untangle the thread of her jumper and the clasp of her necklace. My fingertips graze her skin, goosebumps trailing across the surface, helping her out of the thick material. I swallow thickly, feeling my throat run dry, eyes flickering to the bra-the colour compliments her supple skin beautifully-and I want to do nothing than taste the sweetness.

I gather her hair to the side, feeling her ass rub against me, and have to refrain from releasing a low groan. My hand drops to her hip on instinct as I eventually release her necklace, lifting her jumper until she's free. I grip the soft material, meeting her gaze when she turns around, hand out to retrieve the item of clothing.

She bites her lip, crossing her arms over her chest timidly. Uh, thanks,she whispers out, clearing her throat before lifting her head.

I nod in acknowledgment. The tip of my tongue darts across my lips, moistening the area, as she lifts her head, our gazes colliding once more. My hands are still on her hips, her eyes dropping to my lips at the action.

Neither of us attempt to move.

God, she's so fucking small.

Aiyana's eyes are light, sparkling in mischief when she continues to look up at me. Her hair falls in soft waves around her shoulder, framing her face. And weirdly enough, I was beginning to notice subtle details that I've never noticed before-despite our inability to keep our hands to ourselves-she's got a beauty mark under the corner of her right eye, and another on her chin. A miniature scar on her cheek, but it doesn't make her any less beautiful.

Quite frankly, and as cliché as it sounds, Aiyana Sen has to be the most stunning woman I've laid eyes on. Not only in the sense of beauty, but her attitude and personality were equally attractive. And as much as I hated to admit it, I was truly and utterly screwed.

So, so fucking screwed.

My palms trail up her sides, thumbs digging into the side of her breasts, feeling the lacy material beneath my fingers as she gasps in surprise. She jolts at the action, her jumper pooling at our feet as she rests her palms on my shoulders, fingertips digging into the flesh. I can feel her hardened nipples brush against my chest, watching as she bites down on her lip.

I'm afraid she's going to draw blood, so I lift my hand and cup her cheek, thumb pulling at her lower lip. And maybe I'm reading into it too much, but she relaxes into my touch.

She's close. Too close.

Her breath pulses against on my neck warmly. Before she has the chance to move back, my fingers grasp her hair, tugging at the silky strands gently, her gaze flickering from mine to my lips.

A heartbeat passes and I'm lowering my lips to hers. Aiyana releases a soft whimper of pleasure as our lips meet, her fingertips gripping the material of my hoodie ever-so-tightly. I slant my face, the tips of our nose brushing, as I attempt to sink my lips more firmly into hers.

My spare hand moves from her side to her round ass, gripping the flesh with enough force. She arches her back and presses herself closer, a breathy moan sounding from the back of her throat.

Fuck, she responds to my touch so well.

When my palm grazes the back of her thigh, Aiyana's quick to get the memo. I lift her from the ground as her legs wrap around my torso, locking her legs, her heels digging into my lower back. My palms remain firmly on her ass, our lips moving against one another in a wet, sloppy kiss until our tongues meet.

She tastes like strawberries today.

My lungs burn for air, but I don't want this to end. Because if I pull away now, that's all I'll get. She whimpers again, and the sound ripples through me. Our tongues swirl with hot demand, our bodies clinging onto each other for more. The kiss becomes more feverish, the lust and anticipation building as we battle for air.

At this point, my boner was too fucking painful, and when Aiyana involuntarily rubs against it, I have to force down the urge to take her in this fucking restroom.

Aiyana Sen has me at wits fucking end.

Friends don't kiss like this-scratch that, friends don't fucking kiss at all-this isn't what friends do. Friends don't kiss, not unless there's feelings involved.

We pull away, breathing heavy.

Her hair curtains our faces as she presses her forehead against mine, legs still locked around my torso. Friends don't... friends don't kiss like that,she whispers breathlessly, licking her swollen lips. Friends don't kiss at all.

No,I breathe out, No, they don't.

Looking down at her flushed, rosy cheeks, her puckered lips, swollen from our passionate kiss and her bright doe eyes staring up at me, I come to the conclusion that I wouldn't mind doing this again... and again... and again.

Because Aiyana Sen is chipping away at my heart, and I'm more than willing to let her.

SURPRISE

SO YJAT HAPPENED FINALLY