Chapter 3: The Night Everything Changed

A day ago was our one-year anniversary.

That date glared at me from my calendar, circled in red. I’d told myself it would be the night everything finally clicked.

I’d wanted to sleep with Wendy for a long time.

If she hadn’t been so traditional, I probably would’ve tried my luck the very first day.

Not because I’m some creep, but because she’s just that beautiful—like she stepped out of a classic movie. Even curled up on my bed in sweats, eating Cheetos, she looked like she belonged on a movie poster.

Kissing, hugging, touching her slim waist—it just wasn’t enough anymore.

So I planned a candlelight dinner and cracked open a bottle of wine.

The cheap chardonnay tasted like lighter fluid, but it made the string lights over my window look almost romantic. I set out plastic cutlery, queued up some sappy ballads, and tried to drown out my nerves.

After two glasses, I was buzzed and brave.

My hands were shaking, but the warmth in my chest made everything seem possible. Even the rain outside sounded romantic instead of just cold.

I grinned, pulled her onto my lap, held her waist, and kissed her neck.

She giggled, her hair falling in my face. The heat of her skin made the room feel like summer.

"Babe, let me tell you a secret."

She smirked. "What secret?"

Her voice teased, daring me to say something crazy. The wine made me bold.

I leaned in and whispered, "First time I saw you, I wanted to kiss you until you cried."

The words hung there, embarrassing and honest. I waited, half-expecting her to pull away, but she just blushed deeper.

She pinched my waist, laughing. "If you ignored my face, would you still like me and chase after me?"

She tried to sound playful, but her eyes were searching. I cupped her face, brushed her beauty mark, and shook my head teasingly. "Nope."

I kissed her forehead, hoping she’d see the joke under the sting.

Wendy, embarrassed and annoyed, grinned, then bit my shoulder—hard.

"Ow! Babe, what are you, a vampire?" I yelped, more surprised than hurt. She just laughed, her hair falling in my face.

Then the bite turned into a kiss, and finally she soothingly licked the bite mark.

She looked up, eyes a little hurt. "So you really fell for me because of my looks. If you met someone even prettier, would you like them instead?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper. She wanted me to say something reassuring.

I brushed her hair back. "No way. I like you the most. Only you."

While coaxing her, my hands were already sneaking under her shirt.

I whispered, "Babe, I want to see..."

The air was charged, my palms sweaty. I swallowed, hoping I wasn’t pushing too fast.

She held my hand down, her gaze playful. "See what?"

She arched an eyebrow, always quick with the banter. I didn’t answer, just lifted her onto the table, my hands sliding up her slender legs.

"Babe, you’re so beautiful."

It came out soft, almost reverent. She bit her lip, cheeks pink.

Her breathing quickened. She pressed my hand, her voice soft: "Alex, don’t tease me."

She looked at me like I held the world. It was terrifying and amazing all at once.

I held her bare foot against my abs. "Then, babe, do you want to tease me?"

Her foot was cold, the contrast shocking. She hesitated, then pressed closer, testing boundaries.

Wendy stared down, shy, not moving for a long time.

Her whole body tensed, breath hitching. I could almost hear her heartbeat.

I got frustrated, pulled down her skirt, about to lift her off the table—

But she suddenly locked her legs around my waist. "Alex, you want to run now? Too late."

It caught me off guard. I stared at her, unsure whether to laugh or kiss her again. It was the first time she’d ever taken control.