#5

**LIA**

"But I got here first; you can't do this to me," I whined with mock indignation.

Drex chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I get dibs on the bed because... I paid most," he stated, his tone almost teasing, and he held his head high in mock triumph.

"No fair," I protested, pretending to pout as I stood up and dramatically stepped out of the bedroom. Drex couldn't help but smile proudly, his eyes dancing with amusement, as if he'd just won a playful contest. I heard the bedroom door close behind me. How could he treat a lady this way? I playfully muttered to myself that I should be the one enjoying the comfort of that bed right now.

Resigned to the couch, I checked my phone once more – it was already 8:50 PM. Closing my eyes, I attempted to find solace in sleep, but it remained frustratingly elusive. Checking my phone again, it displayed 9:30 PM. Why couldn't I sleep? My mind seemed to be racing with thoughts, and the minutes dragged on slowly.

After battling with my inability to sleep, I reluctantly got up at 10:00 PM. I decided to check the fridge for any kind of relief. To my delight, I found my favorite drink – beer. I grabbed three bottles, thinking that a couple of those should be enough to help me doze off. I couldn't help but giggle to myself, contemplating the irony of turning to beer for a good night's sleep.

Balancing the cans in my arms, I returned to the couch, set them down, and made myself comfortable. I folded my legs into an Indian-style seating position, cracked open one of the cans, and took a long, satisfying sip. The sweet, burning sensation flowed down my throat, offering a welcome distraction from my restlessness.

Just as I started to enjoy the calm of the night, Drex emerged from the bedroom. His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of me sipping beer on the couch. I found myself slightly embarrassed but couldn't help but smile, too.

"Couldn't sleep too, huh?" he asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

I nodded and managed a small, knowing grin. "Yup."

Drex, seemingly intrigued, asked, "Can I join?" 

Smirking and defensively, I replied, "Yeah, sure. Just get your own beer. These are mine."

Drex, a glint of curiosity in his eyes, went back to the fridge and emerged with four cans of beer. He settled on the floor in front of the couch I was occupying. We didn't need words to understand each other – just the sound of beer cans being opened and the faint fizz of bubbles escaping.

After we each finished our final can, the room seemed to take on a surreal glow. Even Drex appeared to be bathed in a soft, enchanting light. He suddenly jumped to his feet, moving with an enthusiasm that caught me off guard, and his playful antics made me laugh. He joined in, sharing in the infectious mirth.

When our laughter finally subsided, Drex sat down beside me, and I dropped my legs from the couch to a more comfortable position on the floor. Our eyes met, and the world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us.

My thoughts raced – what was happening? I'm not normally like this.

Drex broke the silence, starting with a compliment that made my heart flutter. "Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you are? Especially... under the moonlight?"

I couldn't help but smile at the unexpected flattery. "I am?" I asked, my gaze locked on his.

"Very," he answered with sincerity in his eyes.

"Thanks," I replied, feeling a warmth spread within me. My fingers toyed with a loose strand of hair, but he stopped me, his touch gentle as he tucked the errant strand behind my ear. I smiled at him, a hint of shyness in my expression.

Our closeness intensified the connection between us. Drex's voice became more intimate, and he leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on my lips. "I want to kiss you right now. So bad."

My heart raced, and I couldn't resist the magnetic pull. "Then do it," I whispered, my eyes fixed on his lips, longing for the connection.

With no more hesitation, Drex closed the distance between us. Our lips met, and it was electric. His kiss was passionate, his lips moving with a blend of roughness and tenderness. I surrendered to the intensity of the moment, our mouths exploring each other as the world outside faded into insignificance. Drex's tongue sought entry into my mouth, and I granted it willingly, the taste of beer mingling with our shared desire. It was a deliciously intoxicating blend, and as the kiss deepened, it was impossible to resist the chemistry between us.

Yum!