Study Partners

Maya pointed at an equation, trying to focus. "So if we carry the two..." she began, but her voice trailed off when she noticed Jordan wasn’t looking at the book at all. He was looking at her. Her heart fluttered. They had been friends since freshman year, study partners through countless exams. But tonight something felt different in the air—warm and charged. "Maya," Jordan said softly, "can I tell you something?" He reached up to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. The gentle touch made Maya’s breath catch. "What is it?" she whispered. Jordan’s cheeks flushed, but he held her gaze. "I... I really like you. More than a friend." Maya’s lips parted in surprise. She had imagined this moment so many times. Instead of answering, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. The textbook slid off Jordan’s lap, forgotten, as he kissed her back. The kiss was sweet and a little clumsy, both of them smiling too much to properly concentrate. Jordan cupped her face in his hands, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. Maya sighed happily and scooted closer, ending up half in his lap. In a tangle of nerves and excitement, their studies were abandoned altogether. Jordan’s hands found the hem of Maya’s sweater, and when she nodded her consent, he lifted it over her head. She shivered as the cool air hit her skin, but Jordan’s awed expression as he took in her lacy bra made her feel hot all over. Maya tugged at the hem of his t-shirt and he quickly pulled it off, revealing the lean torso she’d caught glimpses of during basketball games. They moved to the bed in a flurry of kisses and quiet giggles. Maya lay back against his pillows as Jordan hovered over her, both of them breathing hard. "Is this okay?" he murmured, fingers grazing the waist of her leggings. "Yes," she breathed, "please." With trembling hands, they finished undressing each other. When Jordan finally settled between her thighs, Maya let out a soft moan at the intimate contact of skin on skin. He entered her slowly, pausing when she tensed momentarily—this was new for both of them. She relaxed as he stroked her side soothingly and the discomfort gave way to a building pleasure. Jordan began to move in gentle thrusts, and Maya wrapped her arms around him, marveling that this was real. Their noses bumped and they shared a laugh even as their bodies found a mutual rhythm. It was tender and a little awkward and absolutely perfect. Maya felt pleasure spiraling within her. Jordan must have felt it too because his pace quickened slightly, their breaths mingling in gasps. When Maya came, she bit her lip to muffle a cry, clinging tightly to Jordan. He followed seconds later, a shudder running through him as he buried his face in her neck. They stayed entwined, the only sound the rustling of sheets and their slowing breaths. Jordan lifted his head, eyes shining. "Sorry we didn’t finish the chapter," he joked softly. Maya laughed and pulled him down for another soft kiss. "This was much more fun," she whispered. Curled up together under the blankets, textbooks forgotten on the floor, they knew they’d ace whatever came next—as partners in every sense of the word.