Chapter 64
Catherine’s POV
Exams have been going great so far. In order to avoid drama, I’ve been locking myself up in my room with books. But all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so here I was on a Sunday evening, feeling bored.
And just at the perfect time, my phone buzzed twice against my thigh. I glanced down and saw Collins’s name flash on the screen.
Collins: Hey, baby. How are you holding up?
I sighed, leaning back against my pillows.
Me: I’m fine. Just tired of reading. Felt like doing something else.
He replied instantly.
Collins: Yeah, exams will do that to you. Besides, you’ve been studying too much.
I smiled faintly. Of course, I had to, if I wanted to keep my record of maintaining an A result.
Me: Anything for a good result. What about you? How have you been holding up? How’s your mom?
Collins: I’m good, she’s good too.
Collins: Actually… I was hoping we could talk about something real for a second.
That got my attention.
Me: Okay?
Collins: You remember you told me you weren’t ready for sex?
That message made me very curious.
Me:
Collins: I respect that, really but we are dating and I can’t just stay without doing anything, you know? I’m a guy, Catherine. I’ve got needs.
My stomach knotted. The message blinked at me like a warning light.
“Needs,” huh?
I didn’t want to seem naïve, but I also didn’t want him to think I was some ice queen.
Me: You mean like kissing? Cuddling? Stuff like that?
Collins: More like… the other stuff. You know, exploring. Making out. Touching.
Collins: Nothing crazy, just things couples do.
I bit my lip, reading it twice.
Maybe he was right.
Maybe that was normal.
And maybe if I focused on him more, the stupid, dirty thoughts I was having of Julian would get out of my head.
Me: Okay. I guess I’m ready for the other things, as long as it’s not sex.
A minute later, another text popped up.
Collins: You sure? Because I’ve been horny as hell these last few days. You have no idea how bad a blue ball hurts.
My eyes widened.
Blue ball? I knew what that meant. Was this turning into a sex chat?
Collins: What are you wearing right now?
He sent another message that made me open my mouth and close it back. My eyes darted around the room like there was someone else to help me answer.
What kind of question was that?
Me: My pajamas? And a hoodie?
Three dots appeared. Then—
Collins: 😂 You’re so bad at this. You’re supposed to say something sexy, babe. You’re killing my vibe.
I groaned and covered my face with one hand.
God, this was embarrassing.
My first time doing something remotely like this, and I was apparently failing miserably.
Me: Sorry? Should I change my answer?
Collins: Nah. It’s cute that you’re clueless. Kinda turning me on.
Collins: Here, let me make this easier.
A “view once” photo appeared on my screen.
My thumb hovered over it before I finally tapped.
It was Collins in nothing but boxers. The image only stayed for a few seconds, but it was long enough for me to see the outline of his bulge pressing against the fabric.
That bulge was huge. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would like, uncovered.
Right then, completely uninvited, Julian’s face flashed in my head and my stomach twisted. I was now comparing his dick to that of Collins’s.
I slapped my forehead immediately I realizing how far my mind had wandered of. Goodness gracious, why the hell was I thinking of him now?
Collins: You like what you see?
I blinked back to reality, my fingers shaking slightly as I typed back.
Me: Yeah. You have a nice physique.
Collins: Good. Now it’s your turn. Send me something sexy.
My brain stalled.
Me: Something sexy? Like what?
Collins: Surprise me, anything you think can get my dick hard.
Shit! I dropped the phone onto my bed and groaned into my pillow.
What the hell did he mean by “something sexy”? I wasn’t some lingerie model.
After a few long minutes of pacing, I peeled off my hoodie and hesitated. My top was just a fitted bra top, nothing special but it showed my collarbones and a bit of cleavage. Maybe that counted as sexy?
I stood in front of the mirror, holding my phone up.
“God, this is so stupid,” I muttered, snapping one quick selfie before I could chicken out.
I checked the photo at least ten times.
Was it too plain? Too simple?
Would he think it was sexy enough?
My heart thumped so loud it drowned my thoughts.
Screw it. I was doing this.
I attached the photo, closed my eyes halfway, and hit send.
Then I immediately threw my phone across the bed like it burned me.
“Okay,” I muttered, pacing the room again. “It’s done. You did it. You are officially not a coward p>
A few seconds later, my phone chimed.
I scrambled to grab it, expecting Collins’s reaction.
Collins: Still waiting, babe 😉
My brows knitted. Waiting?
I looked at the chat thread again and that’s when I saw it.
My stomach dropped to my knees.
The last sent message wasn’t under Collins’s name.
It was under Julian Vaughn.
“Holy shit,” I whispered, staring at the screen like it could undo itself.
I hadn’t even realized I’d clicked on the wrong chat. His name was right above Collins’s in my inbox.
The photo had the small lock icon beside it. “View once p>
It couldn’t be deleted from my end.
“Oh my God. No. No. No p>
If he opened that— I was dead. I was so dead. So done for!
My brain scrambled for solutions. Only one option made sense to me; get to his phone before he saw it.
I yanked my door open and bolted down the hallway.
Julian’s door was slightly ajar. My pulse hammered as I pushed it open and stepped inside.
“Where the hell is your phone I muttered, looking around frantically.
It wasn’t on the desk. Not on the bed either, then I spotted it on the dresser, next to his wallet.
I rushed over, grabbing it fast. My fingers shook so badly that I almost dropped it while swiping up the screen.
No lock screen notifications. Thank God. He hadn’t seen it. I was just about to search through the messages when—
” What are you doing in my room? “
Julian’s voice came from behind me, unmistakably pissed.
My entire body froze instantly.
Oh… fuck me!