New Love

Ray stepped into Leonie's flat, letting the door swing shut behind him. He always knocked, but never waited for a reply. Their friendship, which spanned years despite both being only eighteen, had built an unspoken comfort between them.

The flat was silent as he entered, save for the distant hum of traffic and the rhythmic whir of the pedestal fan unsuccessfully fighting the 35-degree heat of the day. Leonie didn't answer his knock, but that didn't bother him. It was the middle of the day, and as he passed the bathroom, the open door confirmed it was empty. He figured it was safe to continue.

As he climbed the single step into the lounge room, the faint scent of...... of her, reached his nose. He was never quite sure if it was a perfume or what it was, but Leonie always had a very subtle, yet pleasant, smell to her. The fan spun lazily in the corner, its efforts futile against the oppressive heat. His eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering through the sheer curtains. And there she was.

Leonie lay stretched out on the couch, her face peaceful in sleep, her arms resting above her head. Her summer-weight dress clung to her skin, damp with sweat that glistened in the muted sunlight. The fabric had ridden up slightly, exposing her upper thighs, and her thin cotton panties were clearly visible, snug against her form. The soft rise and fall of her flat stomach matched her slow, even breathing, the dampened material of her dress sticking to her braless chest.

Ray hesitated, caught by the unexpected intimacy of the scene. Looking more closely, he could see the air from the fan must have been doing some cooling, because her nipples were visibly hardened beneath the clinging fabric, and the sheen of sweat emphasised every contour of her body. Her relaxed legs were parted naturally in her sleep, and the thin cotton material of her panties clearly outlined her lips beneath it.

He swallowed hard, unsure whether to wake her or retreat. His instincts or right and wrong fought with the vision of loveliness before him. They had always been comfortable with each other, but was standing there looking at her in this stage something she would be comfortable with? In this vulnerable moment, he couldn't help but feel the stirrings of something unfamiliar--something that made him shift his weight uncomfortably.

As he finally decided to leave, she moved, and he was rooted to the spot. She rolled on to her side, closing her legs, and suddenly, the scene was not erotic anymore. Leonie opened her eyes, looking at him. "How long have you been here?"

"Just walked in. If you're sleeping, I can go."

"No, don't go, silly. I wasn't planning to sleep. It's just so fucking hot!"

"Yes," he agreed, though thinking of something else, "Hot is exactly how I would describe it too"

Leonie sat up, her dress sticking to her back as she pulled it away with a grimace. "What time is it?" she asked, glancing at the clock, but not really looking.

"Just after three," Ray replied, his hands now firmly in his pockets, trying to hide his raging erection.

"Three? Crap. I was supposed to call Sophie about tonight," she said, swinging her legs off the couch and standing. She adjusted her dress absentmindedly, pulling it from her breasts and stomach, only for it to stick back there immediately after. She tried tugging it down her thighs, perhaps feeling a little exposed, but that, too, was not a huge success.

"We're still on for the pub, yeah?" she asked, looking at Ray.

"Absolutely," Ray said, watching her move about the room. "Though if you wear that dress, you might cause a scene."

Leonie glanced over her shoulder, confused. "I'm not likely to wear this thing. Look at me, I'm soaking wet!"

"I thought you were," Ray smiled, enjoying the fact that only he knew what he was talking about. "You know, sometimes the simplest things get the most attention."

She snorted a laugh, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous." She laughed, still thinking he was talking about fashion. "Sophie wants to meet around seven, so we've got a few hours to kill. It's too hot here. Want to grab some food somewhere cooler, or are you just planning to sit there and melt?"

"If I am staying here, I don't plan on melting," Ray said smoothly, his eyes flicking to hers for a moment before looking away, careful not to linger too long.

Leonie opened the fridge, the light from inside creating a clear view of her near nakedness beneath the dress. He shoved his hands back in his pockets.

"Well, unless you've got some miracle plan for air conditioning, I don't think there's much we can do. Want a Coke?"

"Sure," Ray replied, leaning against the wall. "And maybe a cold shower."

She tossed him the can, rolling her eyes. "You can have a shower if you're that hot"

He grinned, cracking open the Coke. "I think I really need one"

Leonie laughed, not catching the subtle emphasis in his tone. She walked close to him, leaning in close, smelling him, "You don't smell bad to me, but if you want to, you know where it is"

Ray wanted nothing more than to take all of his clothes off in her flat, but it was not the bathroom he wanted to do it in, and it was not for a shower, either

"It's okay, I won't bother. I'm only going to get hot again," he said, meaning, of course, something more like 'I could lose the erection in a shower, but it's only going to come straight back'

Leonie lingered near him for a moment. Her head tilted as she studied his face. "Suit yourself," she said with a shrug, her casual tone laced with the faintest hint of amusement. "But don't complain to me if you pass out from the heat."

Ray chuckled softly, taking a long sip of the Coke, grateful for the distraction. "I don't think it will be the heat that causes it," he said, his voice steady despite the storm of thoughts swirling in his head.

"Oh, yeah?" she said, stepping back and perching on the arm of the couch. "Then what? That time we hiked up to the lookout, and you almost keeled over because of the effort?"

"Hey, I didn't keel over," he said, pointing at her with the can. "I was just... pacing myself." But her comment had made him think how much he had enjoyed walking behind her on that hike. Her shorts were so short and tight he occasionally got a glimpse of her underwear as she took big steps over divots in the ground.

"That view was spectacular, worth the effort," she said.

"Best view I have seen on a hike,"

"So tell me," she teased, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "Why did you end up sprawled out in the shade, begging me to sit with you and share my drink?"

"I seem to remember you were happy to share," he replied, his tone light but with a hint of something more beneath the words. "You always take care of me." He couldn't bring himself to tell her the real reason he wanted her to be on the ground next to him.

Leonie laughed, tossing her hair back. "That's because you'd probably die without me. You're hopeless."

"That I am," he agreed, his eyes meeting hers for a moment before he glanced away, setting the now-empty can on the counter. "So, what's the plan for tonight? Just the pub?"

Leonie shrugged, her fingers idly brushing a stray thread on her dress. "Sophie said she might bring her cousin along. He's in town for the weekend. You cool with that?"

"Sure," Ray said, though his mind immediately wandered. He couldn't imagine anyone coming close to occupying the space Leonie held in his world. "As long as he doesn't cramp our style."

Leonie grinned. "Our style? What style is that, exactly?"

"Oh, you know," Ray replied smoothly, his voice dropping slightly. "The way you always end up dragging me onto the dance floor, and I pretend I hate it, but you somehow make it worth my while."

"Somehow?" she teased, raising an eyebrow. "Gee, thanks."

"You're welcome," he said with a smirk, leaning against the wall again. "I've got skills, Leonie. Can't deny that."

Her laughter filled the room, light and genuine. "Alright, Fred Astaire, let's see if you still think that after a few drinks tonight. You'd better be ready, though. No slacking this time."

Ray smiled, his heart pounding as he watched her. "I'm always ready for you."

Leonie's laughter faded, her expression softening as her eyes lingered on his. For a split second, the room seemed to grow quieter, the hum of the fan and the distant sounds outside fading into the background. She tilted her head, her brow furrowing slightly as if piecing together a puzzle she hadn't noticed before.

"Always ready for me, huh?" she said, her tone playful but slower this time, her words hanging in the air.

Ray felt the weight of her gaze, his pulse quickening as he searched for a way to deflect. "Of course," he replied smoothly, pushing off the wall and giving her a crooked grin. "You never know when you'll need me to rescue you from your own plans."

She rolled her eyes but didn't break eye contact. "Rescue me? Please. I'm the one always dragging your sorry arse out of trouble."

"True," he admitted, taking a step closer. "But you're also the one who makes it worth getting into trouble in the first place."

Leonie blinked, her lips parting slightly as if to respond, but no words came. Instead, she reached for her Coke, taking a sip and giving herself a moment to regroup.

Ray leaned back against the counter, fighting the urge to say more, to push the boundaries of their banter further. The last thing he wanted was to cross a line, but her hesitation, the way she looked at him just now, made it impossible to ignore the current shifting between them.

"Anyway," she said finally, her voice lighter as she set the can down. "You'd better not back out tonight. I need someone to keep Sophie's cousin entertained if he turns out to be boring."

"Consider it done," Ray said, forcing himself to match her tone. "But only if you promise to save me at least one dance."

Leonie smirked, her confidence returning. "Deal. But you're buying the first round."

"Anything for you," he replied, his smile lingering even as she turned away, her attention now on tidying up the living room.

As she moved around the room, Ray couldn't shake the feeling that something between them had shifted, subtle but undeniable. Whether she felt it too or dismissed it as part of their usual banter, he couldn't be sure. But for now, he let the moment pass, content to follow her lead and see where the night would take them.

Leonie grabbed her Coke again, taking another long sip before setting it down with a satisfied sigh. She fanned herself lazily with one hand, the sheen of sweat on her forehead and chest catching the light. "You know what? I'm done with this heat," she said, standing and tugging at the hem of her sweat-soaked dress. "I'm taking a shower."

Ray watched her as she stretched, her dress clinging to her body in all the right places. He quickly averted his eyes, staring intently at the now-empty can in his hand. "Good idea," he said, his voice a little too casual. "I hear cold showers are great for cooling off."

She looked at him, her lips curling into a smirk. "Oh, it won't be a cold one," she said, heading toward the bathroom. "I like it hot... but not this kind of hot."

Ray froze, his grip tightening on the can as he processed her words. Was she messing with him, or was there something more to her tone? He couldn't be sure.

At the doorway, Leonie paused and glanced back at him over her shoulder. "No peaking," she teased, the playful glint in her eye unmistakable.

"Wouldn't dream of it," he lied. He would certainly dream of it!

She laughed softly and disappeared into the bathroom, throwing her panties and dress out the door and calling out "Could you throw those in the basked for me?" the sound of the door bouncing against the jam, but not latching. A moment later, the hiss of the shower filled the silence. Ray let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair as he stared at the bathroom door. Slowly, he walked toward the door, picking up her clothes and walking toward the laundry, unable to stop himself from raising them to his face and smelling them. The smell made him throb, and he did not know how he was going to lose this erection.

Then her voice came again, muffled but unmistakably clear. "You should feel how good this shower feels."

Ray's heart nearly stopped, his brain scrambling to decipher her tone. Was she teasing him, or testing him? Or was this just another one of her casual quips that left him floundering in its wake?

"I'm sure it feels wonderful," he called back, keeping his voice light.

Her laughter rang out over the sound of the water. "Ray? Don't melt out there while I'm gone."

He shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He was totally confused. For the first time, he did not know what she meant in the things she said, and as much as he was interested, he was also a little terrified.

Ray lingered in the laundry for a moment, taking deep, steadying breaths as he dropped Leonie's clothes into the basket. His pulse was racing, and his thoughts were a chaotic mix of desire and guilt. This was Leonie--his best friend, his anchor. But today, everything felt... different. She felt different.

He wandered back toward the lounge, but his feet seemed to have a mind of their own, stopping just outside the bathroom door. The faint scent of jasmine soap mingled with the steam seeping through the small gap where the door hadn't latched completely. The sound of water cascading down her skin played in his mind like a forbidden melody, stirring thoughts he tried desperately to push away.

"Ray?" Her voice startled him, breaking through his spiralling thoughts. "I think I left my towel on the couch. Can you grab it for me?"

He blinked, looking toward the couch where a neatly folded towel sat, mocking him with its innocent presence. His throat felt dry as he grabbed it and stepped back toward the bathroom.

"Here," he said, holding the towel just inside the door, careful not to look. The sight of her discarded dress and panties had been enough to throw him earlier; he wasn't sure he could handle anything more. "Got it."

"Oh, thanks!" Leonie called out, the shower hissing louder as if she'd moved under the water again. "Just toss it in the sink. I'll grab it when I'm done."

Ray hesitated for a moment before stepping into the steamy room, avoiding the mirror that threatened to reveal her silhouette behind the frosted glass. The heat in the air was almost suffocating, wrapping around him like an invisible force that made his pulse thunder in his ears. He dropped the towel onto the sink and turned to leave when her voice stopped him again.

"Ray?"

"Yeah?" he said, his voice strained.

"Do you ever wonder what people really think about you?" she asked, her tone curious, almost contemplative.

The question caught him off guard. "What do you mean?"

"Like... do they see you the way you want to be seen? Or do they see something else?" The sound of the water softened, as if she'd turned away from the spray.

Ray swallowed hard, unsure where she was going with this. "I guess it depends on the person," he said, leaning against the doorframe, his back to her. "Why? What do you see?"

There was a pause, just long enough to make him shift uneasily. "I see someone who's always there for me," she said finally, her voice soft but with a hint of something he couldn't quite place. "Someone I trust."

The words hit him like a wave, both grounding and confusing him further. "Well," he said, forcing a chuckle, "good to know I've got something going for me."

Her laughter echoed again, light and teasing. "More than you think, Ray."

He felt a flicker of courage, daring to push back just enough to keep the moment alive. "Careful, Leonie. Keep saying things like that, and you'll give me ideas."

The sound of water shifted, and he swore he heard her smile in her voice. "Maybe that's not such a bad thing."

Ray's breath caught as he stared at the doorframe, the weight of her words pressing against his chest. He couldn't tell if she was playing, testing him, or something else entirely--but whatever it was, it left him utterly undone.

He left the doorframe behind, and made his way to the lounge room, sitting on the couch where she had been sleeping. The water turned off, and a few moments later, the door open. He caught the movement from the corner of his eye as she entered the room and turned to look at her.

"Feel better?"

"In a way," she said, standing there still wet, wrapped only in the towel he had given her, her slightly curly blonde hair still dripping water.

She walked toward him, slowly, his erection threatening to burst through his jeans, and he shifted uncomfortably.

"In what way?" he asked, trying to create something of a disruption to his thoughts and her movements.

"I feel clean," she said.

"That's a good thing, then."

She lifted her leg over his, a quick flash of pubic hair as she sat in his lap facing him, wetting his jeans.

"Clean is good, yet I want to feel dirty Ray,"

Ray said nothing. Leonie leaned in and kissed his ear, licking it gently before nibbling it between her teeth, whispering in his ear, "When you brought my towel in, did you peek at me in the shower?"

Ray gave up trying to hide his erection. It was now impossible. "No, I didn't. I SO wanted to, but I didn't because you said not to."

"Awww, how sweet. I would have peaked at you," she said. "I'd like to peek at you now, may I?" she laughed, reaching between them and squeezing his erection through his jeans,

"I worry about our friendship, Leonie,"

"I think we have proven our friendship is safe. How about we test our sexual compatibility?" she looked at him with a face that was the most desirable thing he had seen.

Ray's breath hitched as her hand lingered, her fingers pressing firmly against the strained fabric of his jeans. Her gaze was unwavering, her blue eyes alight with mischief and desire, and for the first time, he couldn't find the strength to look away. His hands hovered in the space between them, unsure whether to pull her closer or push her away.

"Leonie..." he began, his voice low and trembling. He wasn't even sure what he wanted to say, and it didn't seem to matter. She silenced him with a soft hum, leaning in again until her lips brushed the corner of his mouth.

"I've seen the way you look at me," she whispered, her breath warm against his skin. "Don't pretend you haven't thought about this."

Her words sent a jolt through him, and he swallowed hard, his hands instinctively finding her hips. The damp towel beneath his fingers felt impossibly thin, barely a barrier between his skin and hers. He squeezed lightly, testing her reaction, and was rewarded with a faint smile and the subtle press of her body against his.

"I won't pretend," he admitted, his voice barely audible. "But this is... unexpected."

Leonie laughed softly, the sound vibrating against his chest. "Unexpected? Ray, I've been waiting for you to notice me like this for months."

Her confession left him stunned, his heart racing as she shifted in his lap, her towel loosening just slightly at the edge. The damp heat of her pressed against him, and he couldn't suppress a low groan, his fingers tightening on her hips.

"Months?" he managed, his head spinning. "I--how did I not see it?"

"Because you're sweet," she said, brushing a strand of wet hair from her face. "And maybe a little oblivious. Do you think I go hiking in shorts that tight with just anyone?"

She leaned in again, this time capturing his lips in a kiss that was soft at first, a gentle exploration that quickly deepened. Her fingers threaded through his hair, tugging slightly as she moved against him, and Ray's hands slid up her back, pulling her closer. The kiss was everything he hadn't allowed himself to imagine, and it left him breathless, his reservations crumbling under the weight of her desire.