Dorian grinned as he pulled his clothes back on. They were only minutes away from the time they had to leave the room.
He opened the window and used one of the provided sprays to air out the room a bit. Then, he glanced over to see Emma doing her best to clean up with tissues.
"You're so cute, Emma. Relax. If it's really like you said—more like a hotel—then the cleaners will handle it."
But she shook her head, still focused on wiping down the surfaces.
Dorian sighed and took a seat, checking his watch. It read 9:54.
"Well, I for one enjoyed today to the max. What about you, Emma?"
Just saying that made the heart gauge rise again. It had filled two hearts and was creeping into the third.
"Yes… I loved it too. Just—please, and I mean it—don't tell anyone about this."
Dorian sighed. He hadn't taken her for such a serious girl, especially after seeing how passionate she had been.
"Don't worry, it isn't like I have many people to tell this to; I didn't even get your friend's phone number, so you don't have to sweat it."
Dorian saw how she stopped moving her hands when he mentioned Reese.
"Definitely not her, alright! She will try her best to make a move on you; I saw it in her eye… Too bad, though, you are mine."
She gave him a wicked smile that made Dorian flinch a little.
"Fine... just please tell me you finished cleaning. I want to get in a kiss or two before we leave."
Emma, however, turned bright red and began wiping even more fiercely.
"Guess it can wait then… So tell me… when will our next date be?"
Emma looked up this time with a sad expression, and all Dorian could think was how fast she shifted moods.
"Well… I'll have to work most of this week. And while I did say I get off early… I also have a few things I need to take care of. I only made time today because I rearranged some stuff. So in short—wait for me, please. I really will make time. Just… wait for me, alright?"
Having finished cleaning, Emma checked herself out using her cellphone to make sure she looked perfect. She then walked toward Dorian, as if ready to receive the kiss he had asked for earlier.
Sadly, someone knocked on the door before they could.
"Well… that's all the time we had, my dear," Dorian said with a half-smile. "Let's go. I'm sure the taste of your lips won't change in the parking lot."
He took her hand and led her out, helping her slip into her leather jacket as they went. Her skin was still slightly glossy from their earlier workout, and Dorian didn't want his new girl catching a cold.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Emma looked ready to bolt—and with good reason.
Norman winked at her with a knowing smile as he spotted them leaving. Dorian simply waved awkwardly as Norman sent him a playful air kiss.
Emma yanked on Dorian's hand, pulling him harder toward the exit, her face now burning red.
"Was I loud? Did we move too much? What gave it away, Dorian?!"
As they neared her motorcycle, Emma began grabbing at her hair, clearly distressed. Dorian gently wrapped an arm around her waist, lifted her onto the bike, and kissed her. Their lips locked just long enough for him to steady her nerves.
"What gave it away?" he teased. "Well… just booking a room on the second floor with a guy probably did the trick. I don't think they heard anything. I didn't—and trust me, I wanted to hear those…"
He leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"Sweet, lovely moans."
He felt her shiver as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Alright, fine… I've calmed down. It's just—this all happened so fast. My heart's still pounding. I'm not even sure if what happened in that room… really happened. Was that really me?"
She looked up at him and then slowly licked her lips.
"It was totally you. Now let's save the rest for next time, Em. Take me to the nearest convenience store; I really need to grab something for breakfast."
Dorian then helped her with her helmet before putting on his own.
The ride back was far more comfortable this time.
Unlike their earlier trip, he clung to her gently, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin near her shoulder, just enough to enjoy the closeness and the scent of her sweet, flowery perfume without leaning his weight on her.
He loved the skinship.
After picking up what he needed and being dropped off, Dorian waved to Emma, who clearly didn't want his aunt to see them together.
Dorian was of the same opinion and even separated himself on the way back, making it seem like the bags were the reason he put distance.
"Well then, send me a message or call, Em. I'll be waiting."
He didn't see her face, but he was certain she was blushing under that helmet as she rode off.
Dorian then turned and gave a small wave toward one of the windows—he knew someone had been watching him.
He didn't even need his keys. His aunt opened the door before he could reach for them.
"Good to see you didn't forget the groceries, Dory. How was your trip?"
Dorian paused for a second, thinking about how to answer, when a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"Let me help here, 'Dory.' I don't want you losing one of your routes, so I'll just smooth things over a bit—just enough to keep her on it."
Dorian's eye twitched at that, but he spoke up before his aunt grew suspicious.
"Well, I went to check out a spot where some of the local students hang out after class. Also got a look at the campus surroundings, so I guess I'll be ready when the semester starts. At least now I won't get lost."
His aunt stared at him for a few seconds longer than she should have.
Dorian couldn't help but wonder—what exactly was Yamir doing?