Why does she want to take her clothes off?

Ross George Peterson, I have learned is his full name, likes books which is most definitely a common interest. And as we're walking to Matthews, or dawdling behind the others who are walking ahead i'm wearing his hoody he's looking down at me with those blue eyes. He's a whole head taller than me and he's even holding my hand. I don't believe he has stopped touching me since we were sitting together in the park. We are discussing pride and prejudice as Rach occasionally looks behind at us rolling her eyes. He's walked straight into my life, demanding my attention and I find myself unable to let him go as of yet. All of his advances are welcome.

Yet i am thinking about the kiss, I shouldn't be it was a dare. Matty didn't ask to kiss me or anything he just went along with it and he wasn't even particularly willing. His apprehension, I could feel it. I'm so embarrassed, I must have appeared really into it whereas I know that he wanted to pull me off of him. That will not be happening again.

It feels as though he is very much deliberately trying to not look at me. At least Rachel's pleased by that.

Matty let's us all into his place deliberately not watching me and the way Ross is still wrapped around me. We take a seat in the living room and I spy a fireplace and bookcase.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. It's Tom. Just what I needed.

"Switch it off" Rhea complains at me. Openly showing the distaste on her face.

I'm sitting with Rhea and Malachi on the couch. Malachi has his arms placed around her shoulders and she is leaning into him. The rest of them are making shots in the kitchen. Ross told me he would be right back. Attentive isn't he?

I look at the damn phone. It's a message from Tom saying he's sorry for calling me and that he would leave me alone from now on. I laugh to myself, well maybe if he actually did just that instead of dropping by or texting or calling to tell me that was what he was planning then things might actually work out for both of us as individuals.

I slip my phone back into my pocket. I'll decide when I'm more sober what to do about that situation. Rhea is pleased that the phone is away and passes me my drink. The alcohol choice majorly upgraded once we got to Matty's. Rachel went straight to the drinks cabinet. I noticed that she knew where it was and what she wanted to drink. Matty seemed slightly on edge with her invading his home in that way. Seeing me deliberating and not wanting to help myself he asked me what I like to drink shyly without looking at me whatsoever. I eyed the Malibu and asked him if I could have a small shot with some lemonade and he poured me a drink.

In the kitchen I can hear Rachel laughing about something and Ryan warning Pippa not to have too much more to drink. I can hear Pippa's snark replies back to him. Rachel bursts back into the room with a tray full of shots in little red plastic cups. I notice Rachel has refreshed her makeup as her lips look even more barbie pink than they did before.

Ross follows in and confidently sits with me, arm around my waist as he did before. He's so attractive, he's wearing his t-shirt again and it shows off his impressive biceps. I'm getting so distracted by him. This is unlike me, it's like my hormones are raging and I have no control.

It's getting cooler now, and I'm glad we're indoors. The sun has completely set. I notice Matty's house although not large does have an open fire place. I love fires, something about the flames captivates me.

"Let's play strip poker" Rachel whines

"we can't just sit around drinking." She complains

"Ugh my sister is here" Ryan complains

"Well don't look at her then you perv" Rachel says harshly to him.

"Fine, I hear no objections, we're playing" Rachel says.

"Poker? how do you play?" Rhea asks

Pippa launches into the rules of the game.

"We can just play 21 if you like and whoever loses takes off an item of clothing" Rachel suggests. Why does she wanna take her clothes off so much?

"Okay I'm in" I surprise everyone. Why the hell not, if she can be this confident so can I. Plus I know I'm wearing my red underwear-it helps. Ross shifts next to me, that's another thing, imagining seeing him undressed is an incentive.

"Matty is there someplace I can just freshen up" I ask him. He gets up and begins lighting the open fire almost reading my mind from earlier. He tends it and works hard to get it going.

"freshen up!" Rachel laughs, she's exasperating.

"I love this girl she comes out with such posh phrases" Rachel laughs again.

Just when I thought we could get along.

"Yeah sure upstairs, 1st left" he replies matter of factly not at all shocked by my asking.

I needed to get out of that room. I climb the stairs one by one concentrating on not falling on my ass. The drink has hit me. Strange how you can feel normal one second and then trashed the next. However I believe I am still coherent, I think. What is wrong with me volunteering for drinking games! I decide that Tom and I are definitely through this time, why not throw caution to the wind?

First on the left, I turn into the bathroom. I wash my hands and clean up a little. I don't lock the door, clearly I'm drunk and have forgotten how to do it. I nick some hand cream, probably Matty's mums. I noticed she's got some nice sprays too and I try one out. It smells gorgeous and I thank her mentally. I rummage through my purse, finding my lipstick I apply some in the mirror and a bit of bronzer. I look at myself in the mirror, that will do. I also pop a mint from my bag into my mouth to freshen up a little, I'm not used to drinking.

I hear a light tap on the door and it rocks open. I smile at the image of Ross standing in the doorway leaning on the door frame his biceps practically bulging out of his top.

"Checking up on me are you" I laugh

"I just wanted to check you didn't get lost" he retaliates all innocence.

"Or that you hadn't passed out" he admits.

I have really only just met him but I feel like I know him. I feel like I've known him forever, perhaps it's the drinking clouding my perspective.

He steps towards me, places my hand in his. Impulsively I pull him slightly towards me. His eyes widen. I'm feeling brave.

What's great about guys like Ross, is they know what you want, they are up to the assignment and they don't overthink following through. He doesn't have to be told twice, he moves to me taking his large hands around the small of my back. I lean in and kiss him slowly on the lips. He smiles pulling away slightly.

"You taste great" he teases.

It must be the mint I just had, I think idly. Wondering when he is going to puts his lips on mine again, and my main thought is that I need them kissing me.

Sensing my urgency he crushes his lips into mine. We kiss passionately, he gives me his all. And he doesn't pull back from me, his hands are running up my back around my neck and in my hair. I moan slightly against his touch. He catches my lip and bites down on it gently and playfully. I'm about to explode. He pulls away.

"You're absolutely stunning" he says looking at me holding my chin within his large hands.

He is all man in this moment, direct and charming.

I look away, shy.

He gently moves me back to looking at him.

"I mean it" he says simply. His eyes, staring into mine.

I smile sweetly and kiss his lips lightly with my own.

"let's get back down there before Rachel comes looking for us" I chuckle.