The Balancing Game Ch. 02

Rachael paused before continuing, "I still live with my best friends from college. They assure me they'll still reach out to me when I move, but I don't know if I believe them. They're great, but I just don't have a good track record. Good things don't happen to me when relationships of any kind are involved."

Carson looked up at Rachael. "I can't believe you get it. You're the first person I've met that actually gets it. You're perfect." Carson smiled at Rachael. No kissing, no flirting, just a smile. Rachael felt it was genuine and smiled back.

They finished their pizza and settled down to watch Thor. Well, they tried anyway. Carson was the first to feel frisky, but Rachael picked up on it no problem.

About halfway through the movie they weren't watching, Rachael's phone rang. She broke away from Carson and looked at the caller ID. She grimaced.

"Roommates?"

Rachael sighed. "Yeah. Here we go."

Rachael answered the phone, "Hello?"

"Hey," replied June, "Where are you?"

Here goes nothing, Rachael thought. "I'm at Carson's house."

"Carson... Who—"

"Rach, are you on a date and you didn't tell us?" Rachael heard SJ's voice from the background.

"Uh, maybe?" Rachael cringed and looked at Carson. He smiled and motioned for the phone. He didn't want her getting yelled at. She walked over to him as June kept talking.

"Well, uh, be home by bedtime, okay? I guess we'll talk to you later?"

"Um, I think Carson wants to talk to you?" Rachael handed the phone to Carson.

"Hi there. I'm Carson. I just wanted to let you know that she's with me and I have good intentions." He smiled at Rachael and she smiled back. He's a dork. No, He's my dork.

"Um, hi Carson. I'm glad to hear that?" June replied.

Sensing the awkwardness of the call, Rachael grabbed the phone back. "Hey, so I'll be back by 1, yeah?"

"Yeah, I guess..." June replied.

"Rach, where are you?" SJ asked from the background.

"Oh, um, I'm at his place." Rachael looked up and smiled at Carson.

"Address?" June was back on the line.

Rachael rolled her eyes. "I'll text it to you, kay?"

"Okay...but you better be here by 1 or I'm calling the cops!" June harshly stated.

Rachael rolled her eyes again. "Yes, mom. I'll be home by 1."

"Well, someone's gotta watch out for you. Talk to you when you get back."

Rachael smiled, glad the conversation had less lecturing than she anticipated. "See ya – bye!"

Rachael got off the phone and flopped on the bed.

"Sorry that was awkward." Rachael looked up to see Carson with an 'I hope I didn't fuck anything up' look on his face. She smiled.

"It was going to be awkward regardless. I told you, my roommate is very conservative about everything. I'll tell you more tomorrow whenever we get done having our 'chat' tonight."

Carson smiled, relieved Rachael was okay. "Sounds like a plan. But you may want to set an alarm. We have a tendency to get distracted."

Rachael laughed. "Good point."

They spent the rest of the night cuddling with Thor on in the background. Carson was really tired from work and fell asleep fast with Rachael in his arms.

Rachael just laid down next to him, feeling safe. She listened to his heartbeat for a few hours, completely content with being awake, so long as she was in his arms. Is this real? Does someone care about me? Does someone actually want a relationship with me?

The thought slightly troubled Rachael, as they never talked about anything beyond the next day. It worried Rachael because she didn't want this to be a hookup. She wanted something long-term. But while she was in his arms, she was able to push the thought away.

Rachael fell asleep for about 15 minutes before the alarm went off at 1. Rachael groaned as she got up to turn it off. Carson shifted slightly, but barely moved. Rachael went up to him and began kissing and biting from the nape of his neck up to his ear.

"Baby, I've got to go," Rachael said softly.

"No, stay," Carson said as he pulled her into him, "I want to wake up with you in my arms."

Rachael put her head on his chest for a minute. "I know, baby. But I already am going to have a rough time with June as it is. I need to go."

Rachael made another move to get up again, but Carson pulled her into a kiss. Rachael melted into him for a bit before finally pushing him away. She didn't want to, but it was best. For today, anyway.

"Let me walk you down," Carson murmured sleepily. He and Rachael walked hand in hand to her car. Carson gave her a goodbye kiss, then Rachael headed home for what she figured would be a huge interrogation.

The whole way back Rachael was smiling from being with Carson, but also worried about June. Why does June care so much about it anyway? I know she loves me, but god, can't she just let me live a little?

Before she entered the house, Rachael sent Carson a text.

Rachael: Made it home safe. Goodnight baby. :)

Carson: Goodnight, babe. :) And good luck!

Rachael walked in the door acting as if nothing had ever happened. She nonchalantly kicked her shoes off and headed to her room. June was staring her down from the living room, but Rachael tried walking by and ignoring her.

"Don't you dare go to bed and not talk to me!" June said threateningly, but also in a joking tone because she knew Rachael would never just blow her off like that.

Rachael did an about face and took a seat in the chair across from June. She could still feel her damp panties, and that made her smile. Rachael stared at the floor in front of June, not wanting to look her in the face. "Hey there. What's up?"

"Um, well you lied to me, for starters." June said angrily. Rachael cringed as she felt her stomach drop. She could tell June was hurt by this. She just didn't want the fucking lecture. She didn't want to lie, but she did. Time for the consequences.

"I mean, we were supposed to go on a walk. It was kind of the truth..." Rachael shrugged.

"No," June spat, "You lied to me. I had no idea where you were. I trusted that you were taking care of yourself. What if he was some creepy guy from the internet? What if he tried to rape you? We had no way of telling the cops where to find you!"

"Well I didn't throw all caution to the wind, for starters!" Rachael fumed, "I talked to him before anything and decided he was okay. We started the day jumping his car. He had the evening planned, but his car broke down. But this was a good way for me to meet him and not be in harm's way. We didn't just march straight up to his place!"

"Okay," June still had a hard edge to her voice, but it softened a bit. Rachael figured that wouldn't last long, "Well, how long did you talk before you met him?"

"I mean, I started messaging him yesterday—"

"Yesterday?! Jesus, Rach! How far did you go? I assume you both at least kissed. Probably had a make-out sesh. Did you do anything you'll regret?"

Rachael was bristling now. "First off, we talked almost the whole day yesterday, if that makes you feel any better about how we met. Secondly, no. I don't regret anything. Yes, we made out. We got a little touchy feely and our shirts came off. But that's it."

June was enraged. "You let him take your shirt off?! You combined way too many steps for physically just meeting this guy today!" Rachael rolled her eyes. Here goes. The triangle talk.

"Do you even remember the triangle? There's a lovers corner, a friendship corner, and a boyfriend/girlfriend corner. It needs balance for a good relationship. You totally ignored two corners with him! Not to mention you combined the first kiss with the make-out sesh with taking your top off!"

Rachael rolled her eyes again. "First off, I felt like an awkward fuck when I first kissed him. I'm glad we made out. It gave me practice. Secondly, I didn't let him take my shirt off. I asked him to."

Rachael looked to June who was still fuming, but out of words for the moment. Rachael bet she was a bit surprised. Rachael was sick of being the 'good girl'. She never talked about relationships with anyone, so no one ever knew that she had another side to her.

It was another divide. And Rachael didn't know how to balance it. But Rachael liked this side. It made her feel free.

"Can I at least tell you what I think about him?" Rachael pleaded.

June sighed. "Yeah, alright. First, though, what do you not like about him?"

Rachael was tired of rolling her eyes. "Well, he smokes weed. He didn't around me, but I didn't like the fact that he did. It smells bad and I know it's still technically illegal here. He has pain though, so he did it to help with that. He can't afford surgery on his messed up shoulder yet."

June stayed silent, but Rachael saw her eyes harden. Rachael continued to talk about Carson, but the rest was all very good. She talked about all the nerdy things that Carson was into, and she could see June's face lighten up at Rachael's happy mood.

See? I was paying attention to who he was, Rachael thought to herself. I didn't just pick the first guy I found. I know I need someone into the same stuff as me and someone who will stick around. I at least know Carson is the first. Hopefully the second too.

Rachael was a little worried, but she pushed it aside as she went to bed. They had agreed to meet tomorrow. She would see him then. Everything was okay. She was safe, right?

**********

Rachael woke up the next day to another text.

Carson: Good morning beautiful. :)

Rachael: Good morning, baby. :)

Carson: God, I love it when you call me that. :)

Rachael knew he was smiling on the other end, just as she was. If she could make him smile by just calling him baby, then she liked it too.

Rachael: Well, I love it too, baby. :)

C: You drive me crazy. ;)

R: You drive me crazy too. ;)

Rachael felt like she was in high school, but isn't this how relationships were supposed to be?

R: When do you want me over? When does your work shift start?

C: Well, I work at 3 today. You can come over any time before that. I can't wait to see you. :)

R: I can't wait to see you either, babe. :) I have to take care of my dogs and eat breakfast/lunch, but I'll be over shortly. SJ and June are both at work, so I shouldn't be too late.

C: I'll be waiting. :)

Rachael smiled as she went about getting ready. She decided on a tank top and sports shorts again because Carson didn't seem to mind. It's not like her top would stay on anyway!

As Rachael pulled into his lot, she saw Carson waiting for her with his award-winning smile. She couldn't help but smile as she parked her car. Carson came and leaned in for a long kiss. He bit her lip, knowing it would drive her crazy.

"Ready to go upstairs?" She couldn't stop looking at Carson as he smiled at her.

"Yeah," she breathed.

As they were walking up, Carson looked at her. "Have you eaten yet?"

"Yeah, babe. I told you I was going to. Have you not?"

"Not yet, but I have some pizza in the fridge."

Rachael rolled her eyes. "Well you're eating as soon as we get up there or you're going to be too distracted."

"I'm already distracted," he murmured to her. Rachael blushed at the comment. "And I don't know why you thought what you were wearing yesterday was bad. It showed off all of your curves babe. Just like today." Rachael blushed again. He liked it?

Carson opened the door and tried to drag her to the bed. Rachael giggled. "Food. Now." She tried to brush past him, half hoping he would assert control and kiss her anyway.

"Just one kiss," he pleaded. Rachael obliged, allowing a few kisses.

"Food." Rachael broke away, hating having to do so, but knowing he would miss lunch if she didn't make him eat. She liked taking care of him, but she wasn't thrilled that she had to be the one to stop all the fun. Plus, he could have eaten before she got here...

Rachael shrugged it off. She was expecting too much. Self-control is hard. But she did wish he had more of it.

Rachael tried to brush past him again, only this time he grabbed her and pushed her against the door, pinning her there. Rachael started breathing heavily. Control. Finally!

Carson began kissing her in earnest. "God, I've always wanted to do that to someone," Carson breathed in her ear.

"Maybe I was trying to get you to," Rachael replied breathily. Carson pulled back slowly.

"Oh, that's no fun, babe."

Carson let up his grip and went back to heating up his pizza.

Why can't I keep my damn mouth shut? Rachael thought to herself. He was finally doing what I wanted!

Rachael sighed and moved back to the couch. Carson joined her and ate his pizza. They talked about random topics. Rachael liked this time with him. She felt very connected to him. She always worried about their relationship when they weren't together, but she always felt better when they were together.

Carson got up to put his plate away and went to the TV to put Thor back in so they could 'try to watch it'. Rachael smiled. She wasn't sure they would.

Carson was thinking the same thing and turned down the lights as he joined her on the bed. He climbed over so he was on top of her. He started by kissing her and biting her lip, causing Rachael to inhale sharply. Every time! she thought to herself.

He moved to her neck and kissed her up to her ear. Then, Carson pinned her wrists to her side, not allowing her to move. Rachael was so turned on!

"Is this okay?" Carson looked down at her. Rachael didn't know how he couldn't tell! She was smiling and breathing so heavily!

"Maybe," she said, trying to be smart about it.

"No," Carson replied, "I need a yes or no."

Rachael frowned. But it made sense. Verbal consent is good. She would try to remember that in the future. "Yes, baby."

"God, I love it when you call me that." Carson went back to kissing/biting her neck. Rachael was in heaven. Finally, he took control! Rachael kept opening and closing her hands, trying to move but being unable to. She loved it.

But just like that, it was over. Carson let up and pulled her so she was on top of him. She didn't mind this either, but it definitely didn't cause her to go weak like being pinned did.

He began squeezing her breasts, so Rachael was quickly pulled from that train of thought as she felt the sensations he was creating. He brought his hands down to the hem of her shirt and pulled it off her, followed by her bra. She helped him with his shirt as well.

Rachael smiled. She loved not having to wear a shirt. She felt free. Not to mention she loved the skin-on-skin contact! Carson pushed her up so he could suck her nipples. Then, he slowly moved his hands down to her ass and began massaging it.

"God, I love your ass."

Rachael was surprised. "Really? I'm always self conscious about it." Carson stopped sucking to look up at her, but continued to knead her ass.

"Why? It's amazing?"

"I don't know. It's so big!"

"And that makes it great!" Carson smiled.

Rachael let out a small laugh and Carson pulled her into a kiss. Then, Carson grabbed her suddenly and flipped her onto her back, pinning her arms. Rachael inhaled sharply and her breathing became shallower as her arousal increased. Holy shit, she thought. She was so wet right now!

"I take it that that was a yes?" Carson smiled.

"Hell yes!" Rachael grinned. Much to Rachael's disappointment, Carson pulled his hands off shortly after he pinned her. However, he began moving his hands up and down her stomach, so she was finding she was okay with it.

She could see the lust in Carson's eyes as he began to kiss her stomach. It was so sensitive, Rachael felt herself jumping at every touch. "Like that?" Carson asked. He moved his mouth to her nipples again, giving them attention.

"Bite me," Rachael breathed, pulling his head down on her nipple. Carson picked up on the hint right away and began increasing the pressure. It felt better, but it wasn't enough for Rachael. "I'm not fragile, baby. You can go harder!"

Carson increased the pressure as Rachael let out small gasps. Carson sat up after only a little bit of time. Rachael looked up at him questioningly. "I don't want to hurt you babe."

Rachael tried to keep from rolling her eyes. "I'm not fragile babe. Couldn't you hear how much I liked that?" Carson smiled, but went to kissing her stomach.

One of Rachael's nipples did hurt a bit, but she loved the feel of it. The biting made both of her nipples so much more sensitive, so it felt amazing when he would accidentally brush up against them!

Carson moved from her stomach down lower. He pulled at her waistband in question, but she moved his hand. Later, she thought. When I feel a bit more comfortable with our relationship. It still nagged at the back of Rachael's mind that he was going to leave, but she pushed it away.

Carson brought his head up and moved down on the bed. Rachael began to sit up, but Carson quickly grabbed her legs and put them up on his shoulders. Then, he began licking her through her shorts! Rachael knew she was wet enough he could taste her. It made Rachael blush.

Then Carson started nibbling on her outer lips causing Rachael to let out a 'yip'. It felt so good, but she couldn't help but jump every time. It was a pleasurable, short-lasting pain every time he nipped at her. She wasn't even sure if she'd call it pain, except she couldn't find another way to describe the feeling! It was amazing!

Unlike her nipples, Carson didn't relent here. "Mmhmm. I can taste you. You're so wet for me baby!"

Rachael felt a mix of embarrassed, happy, and slightly upset. She was happy her could taste her, but she was embarrassed and a bit upset that he had to do this through her shorts. She just wasn't sure how she felt about taking them off yet. At least he's accommodating? Rachael thought. But she still felt bad about it.

These thoughts washed away when he began nipping at her again. "Do you think you could feel me too, babe?" Rachael looked wide eyed up at him. "Through my shorts. Just feel me."

"How?" Rachael breathed out. "Show me what you want." Carson moved so he was directly above her again. He pulled her hand to his cock and had her grip it underneath.

"Keep a bit of pressure and move your hand up and down." Carson showed her by moving his hand on top of hers, then he removed his hand and let Rachael continue.

Rachael was staring as her hand moved up and down over his bulge. He was so hard! And for her! She grinned as she looked from his bulge to his face. His mouth was open and he was most definitely enjoying it!

Carson pulled away and laid down, pulling Rachael on top of him. Rachael began rubbing him through his shorts again.

"Here," he grabbed her hands and moved them downward, "Occasionally come down and squeeze my balls." Rachael obliged. "Fuck, this feels good!"

Rachael was so happy that she could do this for him. She may not be ready to move to the next step, but she wanted him to enjoy it as much as he could! She loved hearing the sounds he made.

"Babe," he said in between breaths, "Are you sure you haven't done this before?"

Rachael laughed. "No babe. Just for you." He pulled her hand off him and brought her back up for a kiss.

They spent the rest of the morning either making out or talking. Eventually, Carson had to leave for work, so Rachael went back home. She was happy, but she found herself thinking of him often. She didn't want to wait until tomorrow to see him.