cure chapter 1

“Hmm.”

I stirred at the touch on my shoulder, nuzzling my face against something firm and broad. Warm. Nice. I’d been at a bar with friends, catching up over drinks… hadn’t I? I couldn’t have had that much to drink. Well, at least they didn’t leave me on the street. I’d have to thank them when I woke up. As I shifted my head, I felt a warm, soft earlobe beneath my cheek. The pillow was wonderfully wide and warm, sleep tugging at me.

Tap. Tap.

Something nudged my shoulder again.

“Ugh, what? Let me sleep.”

“…You can sleep now? After doing this to me?”

Huh? My ears perked up at the low, seductive voice. My friends were all women. Since when did they have voices like that? The image of their sweet faces paired with such a deep baritone was so absurd I started giggling.

“Hee hee…”

Suddenly, someone pinched my cheek, hard. “Ow! What was that for?” I blinked, trying to focus.

“‘What was that for?’ Are we on a first-name basis now?”

“Hey, that voice really doesn’t suit you. Cut it out.”

“‘Hey’?”

What was with her today? I turned my head, and then froze, staring at what was right in front of me.

“Uh… what is this?” I poked the smooth, rock-like surface. It twitched. Why was a rock moving? I rubbed my eyes, thinking I was still drunk, when the voice came again, from somewhere above me.

“Now that you’re awake, perhaps you could get up?”

“Huh? Talking rocks now?” Intrigued, I pushed myself up to get a better look. My jaw dropped.

“Wha…at…the…?” My view widened as I sat up, taking in a broad chest, sculpted abs… It dawned on me that I hadn’t been snuggling a rock.

“Whoa… what is going on?” I clapped a hand over my mouth, a sudden sense of vulnerability washing over me. I slowly looked down. A thin slip. That was all.

“Wh-what?” I’d never done anything like this, even drunk. Panicked, I grabbed the nearest fabric and wrapped it around myself. “How did I…? Why is it so dark in here?” And why were there candles instead of electric lights? My eyes darted around the dimly lit room, finding nothing familiar, before settling back on the man beneath me. I glanced at my hand, remembering the feel of his skin, then back at his chest, then back at my hand again. I craned my neck, trying to take in the situation, my gaze drifting towards where his face should be. No way…

“Um… Look…”

“Hmm?”

“Did I… um…” Did I just ravage you? I couldn’t bring myself to say it, swallowing hard. His answer was mercilessly clear.

“Yes. You climbed on top of me.”

“……I did?”

“You even took my shirt off. Don’t you remember?”

“Oh…! I’m so sorry! I don’t usually… I mean, I’m not like this! I… I’ll get off. I’m so sorry!” I babbled, scrambling to get up. I couldn’t just keep sitting on him. What if he… twitched? Not that things weren’t awkward enough already. Just as I started to move, he caught my makeshift wrap, pulling me forward.

“Whoa!”

“I said it’s fine.”

Beautiful eyes. The candlelight illuminated his eyes, a mesmerizing grey. I stared, transfixed, as he drew my hand back to his chest.

“I didn’t mind.”

“Oh, you didn’t… you didn’t mind.”

“No. So, shall we continue?”

“Yes, continue… No, wait! Continue what?” I’d been echoing him mindlessly. Suddenly, my fingertip brushed against a muscle, making me jump. I recoiled, my backside hitting the edge of the bed.

“Careful. You’ll fall. Come here.” He sat up, concerned, and started to reach for me. But there was a problem…