Chapter 1: Introduction
The dorm room was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, casting long, dancing shadows across the cluttered space. Zane sat at his desk, a fortress of books and notes surrounding him, his eyes scanning the pages with a mixture of determination and dread. His heart pounded in his chest like a trapped animal, a familiar sensation that always accompanied the onset of his anxiety.
He was trying to study for his upcoming psychology exam, but the words on the page swam before his eyes, refusing to be absorbed. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one more panicked than the last. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, a sure sign that his anxiety was getting the better of him.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but it was no use. Just as he was about to give up and flop back onto his bed, the door to their dorm room swung open, and in walked Teal.
Zane froze, his breath catching in his throat as he took in Teal's appearance. She was dressed in a dark, form-fitting leather corset that accentuated her slender frame, paired with a black lace cami that peeked out at the top. Her purple-streaked hair was tied in a messy bun on top of her head, and her makeup was bold and dramatic, with dark eyeliner and deep red lipstick that made her look like a gothic princess.
She was carrying a stack of books in her arms, which she tossed onto Zane's desk with a flourish, sending a cascade of papers fluttering to the floor.
"Hey, roomie!" Teal exclaimed, her voice as bright and bubbly as her appearance was dark. "I've been looking all over for you. I thought you were going to be in the library, but then I remembered that you're a hermit crab and your shell is right here." She grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she took in Zane's flustered state.
Zane, meanwhile, was struggling to find his voice.
He opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a croak. Teal's laughter filled the room, a sound as warm and inviting as a summer breeze. "Oh my god, you're blushing!" she exclaimed, her eyes dancing with amusement. "That's so cute. You look like a little lost puppy."
Zane felt his face grow even hotter, if that was possible. He stammered, "I-I'm not a puppy, Teal. I'm just...nervous."
Teal's expression softened, and she nudged him playfully with her elbow. "Don't worry, babe.
I'm not gonna bite—unless you want me to." Teal winked, her smile playful. Zane's face turned a shade redder, if that was even possible. Teal laughed, a sound that was both infectious and reassuring. "Come on, Zane. You know I'm just messing with you. You're like the little brother I never had."
Zane managed a small smile, grateful for Teal's easygoing nature. She had a way of making him feel at ease, even when his anxiety was at its peak. "I know," he said, his voice steadier now. "I just...I can't help it.
School makes me feel like I'm drowning sometimes. If it wasn't for people like you—Teal, I mean…"
Teal leaned against the edge of the desk, her leather-clad arms crossed. "Oh, so now I’m *people* who save you from drowning? I like the sound of that." Her smile turned sly. "But let’s be real—you’re the one who actually knows this stuff. I just come in here looking like a goth Barbie to mess with you."
Zane’s fingers drummed lightly against his notebook, his gaze flickering toward Teal’s chest before darting away.
"You, uh, you look... different today," he managed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Teal chuckled, pushing off from the desk to stand upright. "Different good or different bad?" she asked, her tone light and teasing. She knew she looked good, but she also knew Zane was too shy to say it outright.
Zane hesitated, his cheeks flushing again. "Just... different," he settled on, his eyes meeting Teal’s for a brief moment before skittering away.
Teal grinned, enjoying the way Zane’s nervousness made her feel powerful. She liked that she could make him blush with just a few words and a suggestive look.
It was a small thing, but it made her feel alive in a way nothing else did. She leaned in just enough to catch the scent of his cologne—something subtle, woodsy—and it made her pulse quicken in a way she wasn’t ready to examine too closely.
"Alright, study time," she announced, clapping her hands together. "No more hiding behind your books like a sad little gremlin. We’re getting you through this exam, and then we’re raiding my secret stash of chocolate-covered espresso beans."
Zane blinked at her, momentarily distracted from his anxiety by the thought of caffeine and sugar.
"Espresso beans?" he asked, his voice small but hopeful.
Teal nodded, her grin widening. "Yep. The good stuff. Not those cheap, waxy ones from the vending machine. These are imported from this little shop downtown—dark chocolate, espresso powder dusted on top. They’re basically liquid courage in bean form." She plopped down onto the edge of his bed, her boots thudding lightly against the floorboards. "So, professor’s a real nightmare, huh?"
Zane exhaled, his shoulders relaxing a fraction. "Yeah. He's one of those types who loves making people feel stupid in front of the whole class."
Teal scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Sounds like my ex-boyfriend. Absolute waste of oxygen. But hey—you’ve got me now." She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "So. Psychology exam. What’s the worst that could happen?"
Zane swallowed hard, his fingers tightening around his pen. "I could fail. Or worse—he calls on me and I blank out completely. My mind goes completely silent, and then I just—"
"Start reciting grocery lists?" Teal interrupted, deadpan.
Zane blinked. Then, despite himself, a tiny laugh escaped him. Exactly that."
Teal grinned, satisfied with the small victory. "There we go.
That’s the smile I’ve been waiting for." Teal reached out, her fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from Zane’s forehead, tucking it behind his ear with a tenderness that caught him off guard. For a moment, neither of them moved. The air in the room felt warmer, charged in a way that wasn’t just from the summer evening outside.
Zane’s breath hitched—not from anxiety this time, but from the unexpected contact. He didn’t pull away. Couldn’t. Teal’s touch was warm and firm, grounding in a way he hadn’t known he needed.
She pulled back first, clearing her throat lightly. “Okay, superstar. Let’s get you prepped.
What’s the first topic on the docket?" Teal asked, her voice brisk and businesslike now, as if to dispel the tension that had briefly filled the room. She reached for one of the textbooks on Zane's desk, flipping it open to a dog-eared page.
Zane, still feeling the phantom warmth of Teal's touch on his forehead, took a moment to gather his thoughts. "Uh, well, we've been studying the different psychological theories of personality. Like, Freud's id, ego, and superego, and Jung's archetypes."
Teal wrinkled her nose, her lip curling slightly. "Freud, huh? That guy had some serious mommy issues.
And don't even get me started on Jung's 'shadow self.' I mean, who hasn't had a bad day and wanted to just...let their inner demon out to play, you know?" Teal's eyes sparkled with mischief as she spoke, her voice laced with a playful sarcasm that Zane couldn't help but find endearing.
Zane chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't think that's exactly what he meant, Teal."
Teal waved a dismissive hand, her purple-streaked hair swaying with the motion. "Eh, semantics. Besides, who wants to be all 'well-adjusted' and 'balanced' anyway?
Where's the fun in that?" Teal leaned back, her eyes scanning the textbook's contents. "So, Freud's a perv, Jung's a drama queen, and we've got... what, a dozen other theories to cram into our brains before tomorrow? Sounds like a party."
Zane sighed, rubbing his temples. "I wish it was that simple, Teal. I really do. But this stuff... it's important. It's like trying to understand people, you know? Why we do the things we do, why we feel the way we feel. It's all so complicated."
Teal's expression softened, and she reached out, giving Zane's arm a gentle squeeze.
"Hey," she said softly, her voice lowering just enough that the playful edge had faded into something more genuine. "I wasn’t trying to make light of it. I just… I know how much this stuff weighs on you. And I hate seeing you stressed like this.”
Zane swallowed, his throat tight. No one—no one—had ever noticed him the way Teal did. Not his parents, not his professors, not even his one-time lab partner who had once told him that anxiety was just an excuse for not trying hard enough.
"You don’t have to—" he started, but Teal cut him off with a sharp shake of her head.
"I know I don’t *have* to. But I *want* to." She sat back, crossing her arms loosely over her corset, the dark leather creaking slightly as she adjusted her posture. Tell me what’s got you tangled up in knots right now. Is it just the exam? Or is there something else gnawing at you like a rat in the walls?"
Zane hesitated, his fingers tightening around his pen. The truth was a fragile thing, something he rarely let himself voice—especially not to someone who looked like Teal did, who moved through the world with such easy confidence.
But there was something about her, about the way she looked at him, that made him want to try.
Zane took a deep breath, his eyes flickering away from Teal's gaze. "It's...it's not just the exam," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's...everything. The pressure, the expectations...I just feel like I'm drowning. Like I'm not good enough, not smart enough, not...anything enough."
Teal was silent for a moment, her expression softening. Then she reached out, her fingers brushing against Zane's cheek, tilting his head up so that their eyes met. "Hey," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
"Look at me, Zane. Really look at me." He did, his soft brown eyes meeting hers, and she could see the vulnerability there, the fear that he was trying so hard to hide. "You are enough, Zane. You are more than enough. You're smart, and kind, and one of the most genuine people I've ever met. You just need to give yourself a chance to see that."
Zane's breath hitched, and for a moment, Teal thought he might cry. But instead, he took a deep breath and nodded, his shoulders straightening just a little. "I...I think I needed to hear that," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Teal's heart gave a little squeeze, seeing the raw vulnerability in Zane's eyes. She wanted to reach out, to pull him into a hug and promise that everything would be okay. But she knew better than to push. Instead, she offered him a small smile, her thumb brushing gently against his cheekbone.
"Anytime, roomie," she said, her voice soft. "Now, let's get back to work. We've got a mountain of psychological theories to climb, and I'm not about to let you fail this exam."
Zane managed a small smile in return, and Teal felt a warmth spread through her chest at the sight.
It was in that precise moment—between the quiet understanding and the flicker of genuine connection—that Teal realized something unsettling: Zane wasn’t just her shy, anxious roommate anymore. There was something deeper now, something tender and unpredictable. She tried to shake it off, focusing instead on the stack of books between them.
"So," Teal said, clapping her hands together briskly, "Freud’s creepy baby stuff is out. Jung’s ‘shadow self’ is fun but irrelevant. Let’s talk about the *real* important stuff—like why people binge-watch bad reality TV instead of studying."
Zane laughed, the sound light and free, and Teal felt a spark of satisfaction.
She loved making him laugh, loved seeing the tension in his shoulders ease just a little. It was a small thing, but it was something.
"So, what's your theory on that, then?" Zane asked, his eyes flickering to Teal's with a newfound curiosity. "Why do people do it? Binge-watch, I mean."
Teal grinned, leaning back against the wall, her boots propped up on the edge of Zane's desk. "Well, I'm no Freud, but I've got a few ideas. For one, it's a way to escape. Life's hard, you know? School's stressful, jobs suck, and sometimes all you want to do is just...check out.
Reality TV is like a drug—it's trashy, it's dramatic, and it's a hell of a lot more entertaining than most people's real lives. Plus, it's easy. No thinking required, just sit back, relax, and let the drama unfold." "I never thought about it that way. But you're probably right. It's definitely more entertaining than some of the stuff I have to read for class."
Teal grinned, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Exactly, babe. Now, tell me—what's your guilty pleasure show? Don't worry, I won't judge.
We all need our little escapes, especially when life gets too heavy." Teal said, tossing a piece of licorice into her mouth from the stash she'd pulled out of her corset pocket.
Zane hesitated only a second before admitting, "The Bachelor. I know it's ridiculous, but there's something about the drama that gets me. All those emotions just... exploding."
Teal paused mid-chew, her purple-streaked eyebrows shooting up. "No kidding? The Bachelor? That's adorable." She waved a hand dismissively before adding, "But in my defense, I only watch the reunion episodes. Watching exes scream at each other while wearing sequin dresses?
Now that's my kind of entertainment," Teal said, her grin widening as she leaned back against the wall, her boots still propped up on Zane's desk. "So, what's your favorite part? The rose ceremonies? The hot tub make-out sessions? The inevitable breakdowns in the confession room?"
Zane felt his cheeks flush again, but this time, it was from amusement rather than embarrassment. "I don't know, I guess I just like seeing people be...passionate. About anything, really. It's like they're not afraid to feel things, you know?
Even if it's messy or embarrassing or...or raw. It's like they're living their lives without holding back, and I guess that's something I can't help but admire."
Teal nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I get it. It's like they're giving themselves permission to be vulnerable, to feel things deeply. It's something a lot of people are afraid to do, especially in this world where we're always supposed to have everything together, you know?"
Zane looked at her, surprised. "You...you really get it."
Teal grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Well, duh. I'm not just a pretty face, you know. I've got depth. Layers.
I’m all about layers.
Teal’s boots hit the floor with a thud as she scooted closer, her corset creaking softly against the chair. The scent of leather and vanilla clung to her, wrapping around Zane like a quiet promise. She reached for another espresso bean, rolling it between her fingers before popping it into her mouth. The crunch was satisfying, the bitter chocolate melting into something rich and smooth on her tongue.
“Mmm,” she hummed, eyelids fluttering in exaggerated delight. “These things are dangerous, by the way. Like, actual stimulants.
I hid these in my makeup bag before customs because I knew if CPS confiscated them, I’d legitimately murder someone. Teal says, breaking time, “Wait—you were gonna ask her out? The girl you kept blushing about every time you talked about your psychology study group? Oh my god, babe, tell me you did it.
Spotlighting her with a dramatic flick of her wrist that sent her purple-streaked bangs sweeping across her forehead, Teal locked eyes with Zane, her expression shifting from playful to thoroughly invested in this story.
Zane’s fingers twisted together like live wires, the notebook abandoned in favor of this emotional confessional. He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously above the neckline of his oversized hoodie.
Yeah, I—he exhaled, sharp and shaky—I did it. Last Thursday after class. She was at the campus coffee shop, buried in some thick textbook with a highlighter in her mouth like she was trying to commit academic murder.
I waited until she looked up—like, genuinely looked up—then I just... blurted it out. “Hey, um. Do you want to go out sometime?” My voice cracked on the “out” like it was being chiseled out of granite.
Teal let out a sound that was half gasp, half cartoonish howl. She clapped her hands once, loud enough that two people in adjacent booths jumped. “Zane! That’s fantastic! What’d she say? Please tell me she said yes.
Teal's eyes were wide, her hands clutching at Zane's arm like she could squeeze the answer out of him. Zane, meanwhile, was looking at his hands, his fingers still twisted together like he was trying to wring out the memory of that moment.
She... she laughed. Zane's voice was barely above a whisper, his shoulders slumping as he spoke. Teal's hands fell away, her expression softening into something that was almost pitying. Oh, Zane. I'm sorry. That's... that's rough. But hey, at least she didn't throw her coffee at you or something, right?
Teal offered, trying to soften the blow with her usual sarcasm. I mean, considering the way you were sweating through your hoodie, I was half-convinced the rejection was gonna come in the form of a full-blown panic attack.
Zane let out a weak laugh, the sound barely escaping his throat. "She laughed," he repeated, like the words tasted bitter on his tongue. "Not like... a funny thing. Just this... sharp little sound. Like she thought I was kidding. Or worse—like she pitied me."
Teal's expression darkened, her brow furrowing as she leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees.
The playful spark in her eyes had vanished, replaced by a look Zane rarely saw—one of genuine concern. She reached out, her fingers brushing against Zane’s wrist, grounding him in the moment. "That's bullshit," she declared, her voice firm but gentle. "She didn’t get to laugh at you, Zane. Not like that. You put yourself out there, and that takes more courage than most people have in their entire lives."
Zane swallowed hard, his throat tight. He knew Teal meant well, but the memory of that laugh echoed in his mind, a cruel reminder of his own inadequacy. "It doesn’t matter," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"She didn’t have to say yes. I just... I wanted to try. To see if I could do it. Be normal. Like everyone else."
Teal's grip on his wrist tightened, her nails digging into his skin just enough to ground him in the moment. "Hey," she said, her voice firm. "You *are* normal, Zane. You're just... you. And that's more than enough. You don't need to be like everyone else. You need to be like *you*. And that's amazing."
Zane looked at her, his soft brown eyes meeting hers, and Teal could see the vulnerability there, the fear that he was trying so hard to hide.
"You are enough, Zane," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You're smart, and kind, and one of the most genuine people I've ever met." Zane took a shaky breath, and for a moment, Teal thought he might cry. But instead, he exhaled slowly—long and dramatic—and said, "So help me, I'm going to die a virgin."
Teal nearly choked on her espresso bean. She coughed, pounding her chest with her fist before wheezing out a disbelieving laugh. "Oh my god, you *little* disaster." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, still laughing. "I mean—damn, Zane, where did *that* even come from?" Teal rocked back against the wall, shaking her head.
"Oh, Zane, you're killing me here. I mean, I've never been a straight girl, so I don't know how they work, but I'm pretty sure that's not how it's supposed to go." She laughed, a sound that was warm and infectious, despite the topic at hand. "I mean, I've had my fair share of awkward moments, but that... that was something else." She reached out, her fingers brushing against Zane's wrist, a comforting gesture that was becoming more and more familiar. "But hey, at least you tried, right? That's more than most people can say. And who knows—maybe she's just having a bad day, or maybe she's got some weird fear of hoodies or something. Stranger things have happened." Teal grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Besides, you're not going to die a virgin, Zane. I won't let you.
Not like that," Teal said, her voice firm but gentle. "You're not a pity date, Zane. You're a catch. And if you were gay, I'd totally date you myself." She grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief, but Zane could see the sincerity behind her words. He felt a warmth spread through him at her words, a comfort he hadn't known he needed. "Thanks, Teal," he said, his voice soft. "That...
that means a lot, actually," Zane admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked down at Teal's hand, still resting on his wrist, and felt a strange comfort in the contact. It was warm and firm, grounding him in a way he hadn't known he needed.
Teal's smile softened, and she gave his wrist a gentle squeeze before pulling her hand away. "Anytime, roomie," she said, her voice light but genuine.
Zane nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
"I guess I just...I don't know how to do this, Teal. I don't know how to be normal, how to talk to people, how to...how to be seen." His voice was barely above a whisper, his eyes flickering away from Teal's gaze as he spoke.
Teal's expression softened, and she reached out, her fingers brushing against Zane's cheek, tilting his head up so that their eyes met. "You don't have to be normal, Zane. You just have to be *you*. You're not alone in this, you know.
I'm here."
Zane’s hoodie slipped off his shoulder, the fabric pooling around his upper arm in a way that made the room feel a little warmer. Heat flooded his cheeks—not from shame this time, but from the sudden awareness of Teal’s gaze on him. She was staring in a way she never had before, her dark eyes tracing the slope of his collarbone, the curve of his neck where his pulse jumped visibly beneath warm skin. His black lace cami stretched across his chest, the fabric clinging just enough to make the fabric of his hoodie’s shoulder look like it had been painted there.
Teal’s breath hitched, just for a second—something raw and unguarded flickered across her face before she cleared her throat and forced a smirk that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Whoa, babe—you’re a *whole* mood tonight,” she said, her voice cracking a little higher than usual.
“Is that... a *girl* top?” Teal’s eyes widened, her gaze flickering down to Zane’s chest, where the black lace of his cami peeked out from beneath the hoodie. She leaned in, her purple-streaked hair falling over one shoulder as she checked it out, fascinated to discover this side of Zane. “I mean, I knew you were hiding a wild streak under all that anxiety, but damn, Zane.
You’re like a little goth princess tonight,” Teal said, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she took in Zane’s appearance. She was lounging on his bed, her leather-clad legs crossed at the ankle, her purple-streaked hair fanned out behind her like a dark halo.
Zane blushed, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his hoodie. “I-I guess I just wanted to...try something different,” he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t usually dress like this, but...you always look so confident in your clothes, Teal. I wanted to see what it felt like.”
Teal’s smile softened, and she sat up, her boots thudding against the floor. “Aww, Zane. That’s sweet. But you know what? You don’t need to dress like a girl to be confident. You’ve just gotta be you, babe.
I wear leather and lace because I’m a twink who devours dick, it kinda hits different on you though, shyboy."
Teal’s words came out as a laugh wrapped in a purr, the kind that made Zane’s stomach flip inside out. He froze mid-fidget, the hoodie trembling between his fingers like a startled animal. His blush didn’t just deepen—it *reached* somewhere new, somewhere low and electric, his chest tightening beneath layers of black fabric.
Zane’s breath hitched—not from shock, not exactly, but from the sheer *boldness* of it. Teal had never spoken to him like this before, not so directly, not with such careless precision that it somehow left no room for gentle misunderstanding. It wasn’t cruel. It wasn’t even flirtatious in the way Zane usually read flirtation—it was honest. Raw. Unfiltered.
That was Teal. She said what she thought, no matter how blunt, no matter how unexpected. Like now, sprawled on Zane's bed, her eyes flicking over him, taking in the black lace cami peeking out from under his hoodie. "You know what, Zane? If you wanted to be a girl, that'd be kinda... hot," she said, her voice low and thoughtful, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. She leaned back, her purple-streaked hair fanning out behind her, eyes never leaving Zane's face. "I mean, don't get me wrong, you're all kinds of adorable as is. But there's something about you in... this," she gestured to his outfit, "that's just... different."
Zane's breath caught in his throat, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson. He hadn't expected that. Not from Teal. Not about him.
"You know, I've never really had a...a friend like you, Teal. Someone who just...accepts me." Zane's voice was soft, his eyes flickering away from Teal's gaze as he spoke. Teal's expression softened, and she reached out, her fingers brushing against Zane's cheek in a gentle, comforting gesture. "Well, get used to it, babe," she said, her voice warm. "Because I'm not going anywhere.” Teal's voice was warm, her eyes soft as she looked at Zane, still sprawled on the bed beside her. "And you know what? You're not so bad yourself, shyboy. You've got this whole... vulnerable thing going on that's kinda... cute." Teal reached out, her fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from Zane's forehead, tucking it behind his ear with a tenderness that caught him off guard.
Zane's breath hitched—not from anxiety this time, but from the unexpected contact. He looked at Teal, his soft brown eyes meeting hers, and for a moment, neither of them moved. The air in the room felt warmer, charged in a way that wasn't just from the summer evening outside.
"Teal you look super pretty laying like that," Zane blurted out, his cheeks flushing immediately after the words left his mouth. He looked away, embarrassed, but Teal just laughed.
“Oh my *god*,” she wheezed, flopping onto her back on his bed, kicking her boots off. “You’re *gay*, aren’t you? You little shit.” Zane’s face burned so hot he felt dizzy. He tried to stammer out a denial, but Teal didn’t even let him finish. “Don’t lie to me, shyboy,” she purred, rolling onto her side, propping her head up on one hand. “You just admitted I’m pretty, you’re wearing a *lace cami*, and you blush like a tomato whenever I get too close. Admit it—I’m *gay porn in human form* to you.”
Zane’s mouth opened and closed. He could feel his pulse hammering in his throat. Teal watched him with dark amusement, her tongue tracing the inside of her lower lip as she stared at his mouth.
Then, with deliberate slowness, she rolled over onto her stomach and lifted herself onto her elbows, arching her back just enough that her leather corset stretched taut against her chest, the laces biting into the soft curves beneath. The motion was unmistakably intentional—like she was presenting herself to him, testing the weight of the moment.
Zane’s breath hitched where he stood frozen by the foot of the bed, his hoodie still slipping off one shoulder, his chest rising and falling in rapid, shallow breaths. The air between them had shifted from playful teasing to something heavier, charged with the kind of tension he usually only felt when reading poetry alone in his room. It made his hands tingle with the urge to do something—touch her arm, step back, or simply stare. He did none of those things.
Teal’s voice dropped into something lower, huskier, when she spoke again.
“You know, Zane, I’ve been thinking...” She paused, letting the words hang in the air, her eyes never leaving his. “I’ve been thinking about all the things I could do to you. If you were into me, that is.” She leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “Like, I could make you my nervous little slave, all tied up and at my mercy. I could teach you things, Zane. Things you never even imagined.”
Zane’s breath caught in his throat, his eyes wide with a mix of surprise and something else—something Teal couldn’t quite put her finger on. But it was there, in the flush of his cheeks, the dilation of his pupils, the way his lips parted just slightly. It was desire, she realized, and it sent a thrill through her, a spark of electricity that made her heart race.
*Maybe* he was into her. *Maybe* he was just a virgin blushing at the idea of anyone touching him. Teal sat up, letting her corset creak as she shifted on the bed, her dark eyes locked onto Zane’s lips. She wondered what it’d be like with Zane’s lips wrapped around her dick.
Zane couldn’t breathe. The air in the room thickened, pressing against his skin like warm honey. His pulse hammered in his throat, his fingers curling into tight fists at his sides as he stared at Teal. She was looking at him—*really* looking at him—in a way she never had before. Her gaze was heavy, laden with something he’d only ever seen in porn or in daydreams, something that made his stomach flip and his cock twitch against the soft fabric of his hoodie.
He had no idea what to do with his hands.