He gently wiped me off and then tossed the washcloth onto the floor. “There. Now where were we?” He lay on top of me again, between my legs, our spent cocks pressed together.
As he brushed hair from my forehead, he said, “Tell me more about letting your guard down.”
With a smirk, I said, “Well, between you, Evan and the tequila, I didn’t care about showing affection at the bar.” It had felt right.
“No one from school would have seen us.” He softly kissed my cheek and then rubbed his nose against mine. “We were safe there.”
“Yeah, I suppose I need to stop being so diligent. Even if someone from school had been there, they probably wouldn’t know I’m tutoring you.” My entire body relaxed into themattress as if my anxiety had completely left my body. He calmed me like no other.
“So, when the semester is over, you’re willing to be my boyfriend?” His gaze locked on mine. “Because that’s what I want.”
I breathed in deeply. Holy hell, for once, I didn’t get nervous about it. “Yes, I am.”
“And I can tell my roommates about us?” The corners of his lips curled.
“Well, yes.” Where was he going with this? I dropped my teeth into my lower lip.
“And maybe you’ll come to Austin with me for Christmas? I want you to meet my family. Especially my parents.” He parted his lips. “I mean, you could visit for a few days and then go home to your dad, maybe?”
Fuck. My father. “Uh, yeah, maybe.” Tension returned to my chest with a vengeance. He couldn’t know about this. But how would he unless I told him? “Let’s see how things go.”
“Okay.” He laid his head against my chest and, smiling against my skin, he said, “I can hear your heartbeat.”
It was beating for him now. Oh my God, I’d fallen so hard in such a short amount of time. Is this how it felt when it was your person? The one you were meant to find in this messed-up world? I hugged him and kissed his hair while staring at my ceiling. Had my father ever felt his way about my mother? My eyes stung. Had she ever known a feeling like this? I gritted my teeth. How had I gotten so lucky if she hadn’t?
“Hey, Colton.” He raised his head and kissed me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I croaked and swallowed through the clenching in my throat. “You should go home now. It’s getting late.”
“But…what if I stayed the night? We had such a?—”
“What would you tell your roommates?” Fuck, good feeling gone. Why did my fears always win? I studied him.
His brows furrowed. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” With aheavy sigh, he lifted off me and sat on the edge of my bed. “But when the semester is over, we’re having a sleepover.” As he peeked at me, the hint of a smile teased his lips.
“Yes, once the semester is over.” He wasn’t taking it too hard. I thought through my week. “I need to work on my thesis tomorrow, anyway.”
“Sure.” He ambled around the room, picking up his clothing and dressing. After he dressed fully, he said, “Walk me out?”
“Of course.” I left the bed and slipped on my briefs. Grabbing his hand, I strolled with him through the main room and to my front door.
He stopped and faced me, cupping my cheeks. “Colton, I want you to know something before I leave.”
“Yeah?” My heart raced as my gaze locked on his. This felt like a confession. Was I ready?
“I’m falling for you, Colton Reed. Tonight sealed it for me.” He claimed me in a kiss so full of emotion, it stole my breath. As we parted, he said, “You don’t have to say it back. I know you might not be ready. ButIam.”
With emotions exploding inside me, I blurted, “I’m falling for you too.” I blinked a few times. Oh my God, I’d said it out loud. “I don’t know what you’ve done to me, Tex, but it’s working. My walls are no match for your charms.” It was the truth.
“I’m so happy to hear it.” He planted another deep kiss on my mouth, wrapping me in a bear hug, and then opened the door. “I’ll see you when, Tuesday?”
“Yes.” It seemed so far away. “I’ll make sure we have extra time.” As he left, I closed my door and then leaned my back against it and scrubbed my face. “Holy fuck.” I was in it and there was no way out. But then, I didn’t want a way out.
The next day,I worked on my thesis at my dinette when rapping cracked through the room. I jumped and glared at mydoor. Who the hell was it? Did I have a package I’d forgotten about?
I strolled to my door and opened it.
Sara stood on the landing, her lips pressed into a thin line. “You lied to me.”