“So you’re saying if someone else walked in and saw you naked-”
“First off, how’d they get in? You and Mom have the only other keys. So yeah, I’m probably panic like crazy and start throwing paint cans or something.”
“Assuming you knew them?”
“Then maybe… I’d have to yell at them to get out until I dressed. That’s what people do, right?”
I gave her a look. “That’s precisely what I’ve been trying to explain to you for years.”
“No, you’ve been trying to tell me that’s how I should react around you specifically. And when it’s you, I just don’t mind that much.”
“You know that’s backwards, don’t you?”
Kylie cocked her head. “It’s not, I don’t think. I get why you’d think that. But, like, I think most girls don’t want to be seen naked by most guys. Most people generally. There’s just a select few they’d maybe be ok with, or even like.” She shrugged. “You’re in my select few, is all.”
I leaned back and closed my eyes. “Is it because you think I wouldn’t think inappropriate things about you?”
“I’ve never really thought about it that way, one way or the other.”
“Oh.”
There was a silence, broken only by the music and sword-clangs of an action scene emanating from the tv.
“Do you think inappropriate things?” Kylie asked.
“I don’t want to answer that.”
Another pause. “Do you try really hard not to?”
I nodded slowly. “Yeah.”
Her fingertips brushed my cheek. I opened my eyes again. She had an odd look on her face, like she was examining my soul.
Abruptly she turned forward again and settled back into her seat. That was it. Nothing else from her, no further statements either accepting or condemning me.
I waited a bit longer, then rose from the bed. “I should probably go.”
“The movie’s not over.”
“Ky, I’ve seen it almost as much as-”
“The movie’s not over!”
Kylie grabbed my arm and dragged me back down. She curled up against me in a way she didn’t normally do, just to hold me in place, I assumed.
It was an acceptance of sorts. That was the way I took it. Maybe she didn’t have the words, but she wanted me to stay. Maybe just wanted to make sure I didn’t take off to never return out of embarrassment. She’d have to be the one to invite me over in that case, and she’d hate that.
I put my arm around Kylie and held her loosely. We’d never really cuddled much, and if not for the mildly sexual thoughts still bouncing around in my head, I probably would have enjoyed it immensely. As it was, it was still nice.
I noted that because of the way she’d moved to latch on to me, Kylie’s shirt had hitched up in the back. Part of her butt was visible. Once I’d noticed it, it was hard not to look.
Gently and carefully, I grasped the edge of Kylie’s shirt and tugged it down. The way it was caught under her, it didn’t really go anywhere. My gentle hold slipped, and all I really accomplished was to brush her ass with my fingers.
Kylie gave me a curious look.
“Your shirt’s pulled up a bit,” I said.
“Oh.”
She turned back to the movie. I’d hoped for at least a token attempt at covering herself, but apparently not.
Her butt taunted me. I knew it was there, uncovered, with nothing stopping me from looking except my own sense of propriety.