All Chapters of Grooming Our Love: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Soda sat hunched over the kitchen table, a bag of ice pressed against the back of his head. He winced, a low groan escaping his lips."You passed out?" I asked, crossing my arms. "First time seeing a human?"He rolled his eyes, a dramatic sigh escaping him as he glanced over my shoulder. I didn't need to follow his gaze. I knew exactly who he was checking out: Michael.The man didn't do anything wrong to him. This bitch overreacted and ended up giving himself a swell on his head, hoping Michael would be his knight in shining abs."I was expecting you to open the door, Natty," he grumbled, "but my virgin eyes beheld heaven embodied by that beautiful man!" He looked up at the ceiling, biting his lip, a mixture of lust and interest in his eyes. "He was practically naked! Trying to flash me, I tell you.""You must have hit your head harder than you think," I said, clicking my tongue. "Look, uh... I can't meet Ben. Can you do me a favor and show up to him instead?" I batted my eyelashes, my

"Girl, are you living in a cave? Haven't you seen what's going on in the internet?"Lying in bed, clad only in a robe, I knew I needed some serious relaxation after yesterday's stress-fest.I patted my face mask, making sure it was still firmly in place.Laura insisted on a video call, and all she did was question my awareness of the world.After that parking lot meltdown with Michael, I cursed him in every language I knew for making me cry. And he didn't even chase after me, didn't even say he was sorry. It had been ages since I'd shed a tear, probably months, ever since I swore off watching "Tinkerbell and the Legend of the Neverbeast" ever again."Laura, I'm not interested in looking at my phone this morning. I'm trying to relax. I don't want to show up looking all wrinkled and stressed for my upcoming projects," I explained – or rather, excused myself while adjusting my headband."Are you serious? Bitch, you're famous!""I know that." I rolled my eyes."No, I mean, your name is tre

"We are so not getting in your car!" I exclaimed, already picturing us headed to the garage. "Let's just go back to the garden." I tried to pull him by his shirt, but he swatted my arm away and stood with his hands on his hips. "I'm driving you back to your house. You do skin care, face care, or whatever you call that. I've got a lot to do; I have work tomorrow. What we came here for is done, so let's go," he said with finality. "You are so square," I snorted, placing both hands on my hips. "You said we were going to have a wonderful night in your bed?" "I never said that." He arched his thick eyebrows. "Yes, you did," I insisted, but immediately hesitated and looked away. "Maybe it was just my imagination. But! You have no right to just bring me back home. You’re responsible for taking me on a date." I lifted my chin and gave him my best smoky glare—the kind of stance I pull whenever I flirt with someone. I knew no one could resist me. "So, take me to a museum, to the park

MICHAELShe's cold, so cold that I'm shivering like a fucked up tropical bird crash-landing in the Antarctic.After fucking her right, I wasn't able to leave her weak in the knees.Damn it!"Natasha..." I called out, waking up from a nap, her scent still lingering on the pillows.She's not beside me anymore, but the residual warmth on the bed is a testament to her presence.The clock shows it's a quarter past nine in the evening. I've made love to her more than once, leaving my mark inside her more than five times. I've given her my all.That's going to leave an indelible mark on her for the rest of her life.The sound of a spoon stirring in a cup reaches my ears. The aroma of creamy coffee fills the air, tantalizing my senses.Pushing the covers off, I pick up my neatly folded boxers from the foot of the bed and put them on.In the kitchen, she's sitting on one of the stools, her eyes looking lost.Did I frighten her?She knows everything. How? But does it matter? It's a relief, in a

MICHAEL"Why are you still here?"I found myself sprawled out on her bed, engrossed in a book I found from her drawer. My hands were tucked under my head, serving as a makeshift pillow, legs lazily crossed, and, frankly, stark naked."And where on earth are your clothes?" She inquired, her tone laced with surprise and a hint of annoyance as she stepped into her apartment.It was mid-afternoon, signaling the end of her work shift.Damn clock must have been malfunctioning because it felt like I had been waiting an eternity rather than a mere four hours.Upon leaving the diner, I was disappointed by her continuous avoidance. She didn't even spare me a single word.She can be sweet, she can be seductive, and, damn, she can be cold as fuck.If I weren't so smitten with her, I would've asked for a divorce by now."My clothes are outside, drying in the sun," I replied, lifting my leg and playfully wiggling my toes at her. "Since I forgot to bring extra clothes, I have no choice but to wait u