Can't a guy ever win?

“Did I tell you how good you look in that top?”

“It’s a new one. Do you like it?” She stood and twirled before him with a smile. It was a tank top with spaghetti straps and girly frills edging around the bottom. She’d bought it from a girl who usually brought clothes to their office to sell on credit to the staff.

His eyes hooded in appreciation and he was glad he wore loose cargo shorts rather than tight jeans. She’d said red was her favorite color; this was a deep wine and it suited her glowing creamy skin to a tee. His gaze glommed to her as she sprawled back beside him. He opened the canned beer she had just set beside him and took a long cool drink.

“I watched the clips of Bolaji’s do, and you were by far the prettiest girl there.”

“Don’t you think you’re biased?” She held his gaze as she swallowed from her glass.

Edward shook his head and gulped the drink. It was a struggle not to follow her rippling throat down into the shadowed cleavage molded into pouting shape by the bodice of the top. They were seated on a sofa in her aunt’s sitting room and though that lady was supposed to be out, he still didn’t feel very comfortable with those kinds of thoughts in his head.

“Maybe it's time to go if you're ready; the literary club fills up quickly as you know and November meetings are more popular since they’re the last of the year." She avoided his eyes and he guessed she was also feeling the heat of their mutual desire.

He only grunted, his hand reaching out to her of their volition. He snagged her waist and pulled her to him. She wanted to stop him but just physically couldn’t. She was captivated by his touch and when he kissed her, she became weak. She wasn’t certain how far she was willing to let him go, but her whole body was practically aching for him and she kissed him back for all she was worth. She didn’t turn her face away when he pulled away to look at her. He framed her features with his large palms and her eyelids drifted closed.

She met him halfway as he bent his head to kiss her again. Her lips parted in welcome, even as she felt his hand move down her ears to her collarbone and then lower. He caressed the top of her heaving breasts for a while and then slid his fingers beneath the bodice of the top to touch her breast. It was a bold, unexpected and delicious caress that sent the moist heat swirling between her legs, and she moaned against his lips. His weight pressed her into the sofa and the heat of his chest encompassed her. Forcing herself to rise above the drugging haze of his caresses, Gladys pushed him back and turned her face away. It took her a minute to catch her breath then she stood and said the first thing that came to mind.

“Aunt Isioma will soon be back. Can we leave now?”

Edward flopped back on the sofa, while his eyes said spoilsport. He replied after catching his breath. "I just don't understand you. How can you stand there so calmly?"

"Edward, if I've told you once I've told you..."

"We’re in your aunt’s house? But this is the only place you’re ever alone with me or in public.” He was frustrated and didn't mind showing it. Can't a guy ever win?