Authors Note: Back again with another update. :)

Some of the following chapters are the original chapters I had up a few updates ago, but had replaced. But some things have been added or removed, so please read them even if you think you already have.

Small warning: this chapter has some slight adult themes. I know I have the story rated M, but just wanted to mention it to be safe. Also, it's my first time writing anything remotely "adult turned", lol, so hopefully it's okay. (blushing)

Chapter 39: Eavesdropping

A few hours later…

Zak and I were still sitting in the bean bag chair playing 'Tomb Raider'.

We had both gotten up a few times to get something to drink, or for washroom breaks.

I had suggested once or twice that Zak could stay in the bean bag chair if he wanted, and I could sit on the couch, but his only response would be to pull me down to sit with him again.

It was probably a little more than "just friends" behaviour, but I couldn't deny that I liked sitting with him.

It made me feel comfortable and safe.

We had both taken turns playing over the past few hours, but Zak seemed content to let me play most of the time.

It felt really nice to know that he was content just to be there with me.

As I was focused on a particular tricky part of the game – sneaking around in trees and bushes in the darkness, and silently taking out human enemies with a bow and arrow – I suddenly felt Zak give the bare skin on the back of my shoulder a gentle, lingering kiss.

I couldn't stop my eyes from widening slightly in shock as I watched the screen, but I also found myself biting my lower lip slightly.

Before I could ask what the kiss had been for, I felt his breath move along my neck, and then stop near my ear.

"I really missed you, these past two months…" Zak breathed near my ear.

I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"I missed you too…" I breathed, noticing my breathing had become slightly faster.

I felt Zak's smile against my ear before I felt him lightly brush his lips down along the length of my neck, moving over the strap of my tank top, and then gently kissed the top of my shoulder when he reached the other side of the strap.

I could feel my focus quickly shifting from the video game to the unfamiliar sensations Zak was causing me to feel.

It felt like I was experiencing a hundred different sensations at the same time.

Fear. Nervousness. Anxiety. Curiosity. Anticipation. Excitement.

Desire.

I couldn't stop the quiet gasp that escaped my lips when I suddenly felt Zak lightly kiss my neck.

When he was given no indication from me to stop, Zak kissed my neck again, this time more firmly.

I forgot about the game entirely and closed my eyes, absentmindedly tilting my head to one side.

Zak moved further up along my neck as I tilted my head to the side, kissing every inch of my now heated skin, that he could find.

I could hear and feel him breathing more heavily.

I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body when Zak stopped his kisses to lightly suck on the pulse point of my neck.

I couldn't hold back the quiet moan that escaped my throat.

I heard Zak intake a deep breath.

"You sound so sexy…" Zak breathed, before he hungrily kissed my neck again.

A part of me was saying I should stop him, before things went any further.

But another part of me was telling that voice to shut the hell up.

"Zak…" I breathed, trailing off, unsure of what I had wanted to say to him.

I felt one of his hands reach up and gently cup my jaw on one side of my face, gently turning my head to look at him as he lifted his head from my neck to look at me.

I had never seen anything sexier in my life.

His eyes were dark with lust, his lips parted and wet, his cheeks slightly flushed.

I licked my lips slightly, finding they had gone dry from my heavy breathing.

I could see my own lust reflected in his eyes.

So when he slowly leaned forward and gently kissed me, I didn't stop him.

I gently kissed him back, a little hesitant at first, but as I started to feel more comfortable, I intensified my kisses along with him.

I lightly tossed the PS4 controller aside and slowly and carefully turned around to face him, straddling Zak's lap with his help, and rested my hands on the sides of his neck.

Zak's arms wrapped around me as he kissed me more passionately, taking my lower lip between his teeth and lightly tugging on it, causing me to let out a quiet groan.

I felt Zak's hands stroking over my back through my tank top, but when he heard me groan, his hands moved down to my hips and he pulled my body more firmly against his.

I gasped quietly into our kiss when I felt his arousal pressing against me.

Suddenly, I heard a key turning in the front door and the door quickly opened, causing me to jump slightly.

"Well, well, are-" I heard Cheryl start.

"Shhh! She's asleep!" Zak hissed quietly.

What the-

"Oops, sorry," Cheryl said, lowering her voice and quietly closing the door.

It was then the realization hit me.

I had been dreaming!

Bloody hell…I thought, my face flushing.

I was still sitting with Zak on the bean bag chair, but I was turned sideways on his lap, my head resting on his chest and my arm loosely draped over his torso.

I felt one of his arms securely wrapped around me, and could faintly hear the sound of his fingers pressing buttons on the PS4 controller.

I must have fallen asleep watching him play.

Oh god…I hope I didn't say anything or make any sounds in my sleep…I thought.

My face felt like it was on fire.

Thank God Zak was too engrossed in the video game to notice.

"How is she doing?" I heard Cheryl ask, her voice still low, but significantly closer.

"She seems okay, other than her voice," Zak said, somewhat sadly. "How was work?" Zak added as he continued pressing buttons.

Neither of them had noticed that I had woken up, so I stayed as I was and kept my eyes closed.

I faintly heard the sound of the couch cushions being sat on.

"Good, thanks, but it was a busy and long day," Cheryl replied softly. "How long have you been here?" Cheryl added.

I felt Zak shift slightly, probably turning his arm to check his watch.

"A little over five hours," Zak answered.

Five hours? I must have been asleep at least an hour…I thought.

My neck was going to be stiff when I decided to move.

"Playing video games that whole time? Lucky you," Cheryl teased.

Zak laughed quietly.

"Not the entire time. I brought over some homemade soup for Ali for lunch," Zak said.

"Aww, that's so sweet," Cheryl said.

She was a real sucker for sweet and romantic gestures.

"Thanks," Zak said quietly, shyly.

I had to force myself not to smile.

"So have you two kissed and made up?" Cheryl teased.

Oh god…I thought, thinking about the dream again.

Zak laughed quietly.

"You could say that. We've decided to be friends for now," Zak said.

"I'm glad. She…really missed you," Cheryl said.

Shut up Cheryl!

"I really missed her too…" Zak admitted softly, and I suddenly felt his head gently resting against mine.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling slightly.

Thankfully, neither of them noticed.

"Do me a favour?" Cheryl asked.

"I don't do sexual favours, sorry," Zak replied, trying not to laugh.

I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing.

"Oh haha," Cheryl said, laughing. "But seriously…I understand that to get more involved, you need her to open up. Can you just promise me…that you'll do your best to give her time? I really think she wants to open up to you, she's just unsure how to. She's been rejected so many times before…" Cheryl explained.

God love you Cheryl…

I felt Zak shift again, I think to turn his head to look at Cheryl.

"I'm not going anywhere this time, regardless of how long it takes. I promise," Zak replied softly.

Oh Zak…

"Thank you Zak," Cheryl said softly.

"No problem," Zak replied.

"Well, since you're here, do you want to stay for dinner?" Cheryl asked.

There was silence as Zak thought.

"How about we order in pizza? My treat. Ali should be okay with that, I think?" Zak suggested.

I was touched by his concern for me.

"That would be awesome…today was tiring. And I think so, pizza's soft enough," Cheryl responded.

"Alright. Order what you want and I'll pick it up, I should head home to let Gracie out," Zak said.

I heard Cheryl stand up.

"Bring her over here if you want, I don't mind," Cheryl said.

"Are you sure?" Zak said.

"Positive. She's a sweetie," Cheryl replied, as I heard her walk into the kitchen. "Would you mind if I invited Aaron over?" Cheryl added, sounding a bit shy.

"Not at all, he's a sweetie," Zak replied, mocking her voice.

Cheryl burst out laughing.

I couldn't suppress the giggles that escaped my throat.

"What the- have you been awake this entire time, Missy?" Zak asked, looking down at me and acting mad.

Cheryl laughed more.

"Maybe…" I said softly, as if afraid I'd get in trouble.

"You sneaky little minx," Zak replied, and I suddenly felt one of his hands start tickling my side.

Minx…

I squealed with laughter and squirmed, and immediately regretted both.

"Ow! Ow…" I couldn't help but say, speaking softly and reaching up with one hand to hold my neck.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry…" Zak said in a pained voice, immediately stopping his tickling.

"It's okay," I replied softly, slowly sitting forward and carefully moving my head around, to ease the stiffness from my neck.

"Here, maybe this will help," Zak said, and before I could turn and look at him, he sat forward too and leaned down and lightly and gently kissed one of the bruises on my neck.

I nearly fell off the bean bag chair and onto the floor.

"No shenanigans in my living room!" Cheryl jokingly called from the kitchen.

Zak laughed.

I would have laughed too, if I hadn't of had that dream.

I felt my face turn beet red.

"Better?" Zak asked, with a smirk on his face.

"You have no idea…" I replied quietly.