God, this woman.
Lara Smith knows exactly how to make me lose my mind.
I take a breath, forcing my voice to steady, trying not to scare her off like the last time.
"Chibi… I just want to talk. I know I'm drunk, but I can talk."
I look into her big brown eyes — slightly narrowed, lips parted, clearly holding back some sarcastic comment just waiting to stab me.
Of course.
"You sure?" she asks. "Because your standing balance doesn't seem very promising."
I don't know if I should get mad at her…
or kiss that smart, wicked mouth into silence.
Instead, I sigh and rest my head on her shoulder, breathing in that cocoa scent of hers.
"Please… let's talk. For old times' sake, Chibi."
Great.
Now I'm begging.
This alcohol is loosening my mouth with words I never use.
My arms move on their own, wrapping around her waist — fitting perfectly against her curves.
God… just tell me she's meant for me.
"Oi, drunk pervert, stop hanging on me. You're heavy."
I can't help the drunken laugh that slips out.
Only she can make me angry one second and then laugh the next.
I close my eyes as I hear her keys jingling.
She practically drags me inside, to somewhere warmer than the damn corridor.
She drops me onto something soft — a literal cloud for a second —
Oh. Couch.
My legs are half hanging off and there's barely space to move.
"You know…" I mutter through my drunken slur,
"…you could've dropped me on the bed. That would've been more… comfortable."
She scoffs.
"Well excuse my manners, your highness kitten. But I don't carry a drunk ass to my bed."
My body is relaxing, but I can't sleep.
Her legs brush near my knees. Her cocoa scent wraps around me.
She's close.
"I want to talk, Chibi… talk."
"How about you first enter a state of consciousness, and then we talk?"
I feel her warmth move away, and something inside me panics.
I reach out and grab her forearm — gripping firmly, but careful not to hurt her.
"Don't…"
I force my eyes open. Heavy. Burning from alcohol and sleep.
Her face is flushed.
God, those blushing cheeks… I could die happy right now.
I pull her toward me, catching her imbalance with my own body.
Perfect.
"What are you doing, Raven?" she whispers.
I chuckle, arms tightening around her, settling her warm weight against my chest.
"You only use my name when you're off balance," I murmur.
"Have you ever noticed that?"