“But—”
“No buts. He’s nice and I like him.” She stared Cory down. “I think I’m going to head up now. Thanks for the study session.”
“Want to come to the party over there with me?” Cory asked, pointing behind him. “It’s supposed to be fun.”
“No, thank you. I have plans already.”
She did?
“All right.” Cory hugged Carrie close. “Good night.”
“Night.”
Carrie headed to her dorm room alone, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn’t want to watch her drink herself stupid tonight. I wanted to drink myself stupid, in my quiet, empty apartment. Cory mumbled something under his breath as he passed me, and then headed toward the party raging a few buildings down.
My phone buzzed, and I took it out of my pocket as I headed toward my bike. Want to start our movie fest tonight? I’m in the mood for a sleepover…
My eyes went wide. You want to have a sleepover? At my place?
Barely a second passed before she replied. Why not?
I could think of at least ten reasons “why not” off the top of my head. Every single nerve in my brain shouted no. Screamed it was a bad idea. Even so, I typed: Sure. Be there in five.
I waited the required time and walked up to her dorm door. Or, the one she showed me was her dorm door. She stood there, wearing the same outfit she’d had on earlier but holding a bag on her shoulder. “Hey.”
I caught my breath at the sight of her, her eyes shining as she smiled at me. I swore she got more beautiful, more irresistible, each time I saw her. I took her bag from her and slung it over my own shoulder. “Hey, yourself. How was your night?”
“Good. Marie is at a party, so my dorm was quiet for once. I studied with Cory until a few minutes ago since we have our first exam on Monday, but he went to the party. Now I’m with you.”
Thank motherfucking God for that. “So, I’m not your only friend anymore?”
“I guess not.” She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t even know if Marie is my friend. I think we just kind of deal with each other. We get along and all, but we’re really different.”
I’d say so. I had seen Marie come out of at least three different guys’ rooms during the week, but hadn’t seen her crack open a book even once. “Yeah. Not all roommates are instant friends like in movies.”
“I guess not.” She stopped at my bike. “I like her, but she’s not my friend. Not like you are.”
I swallowed hard. “Not like Cory, either?”
“Cory is nice. I like him.”
“There’s that word again. Nice.” I flexed my fingers on her bag. “Future boyfriend material?”
She stole a peek at me and her cheeks went all pink. “I have no idea. I’m not really into planning out that portion of my life. If I find someone I like, it’ll happen. Until then, I’ll focus on my studies, and keep my lips to myself.”
I tried to ban the memory of her mouth on mine from my memory. Tried to forget how much she’d seemed like she liked me as she moaned into my mouth. I failed. Miserably. “That’s a very mature way to think of it.”
“If you say so. I just call it common sense.”
I sat down on the bike and handed her the helmet I bought for her. She looked at me with wide eyes, as if no one had ever bought her a fucking present before. “Did you buy this for me?”
“I did.” I shrugged and slammed my own helmet over my head, more to hide from her scrutiny than anything. I liked having her on my bike, so I bought her a helmet. Nothing more to it than that. “If you’re going to be riding with me, it makes sense for you to have one.”
“I’ll pay you back.” She pushed the helmet down on her head. “How much was it?”
“I don’t want your money.” I booted up the kickstand. “Now hold on tight.”
“But—”
“Just close your eyes and relax.”
I revved up the engine, bringing the bike to life. I waited for her to argue, like usual, but she didn’t. And when she wrapped her body around mine, laying her head on my shoulder, I closed my eyes. For a second, I pretended she wasn’t my boss’s daughter or my assignment. Pretended I wasn’t lying to her, and that she wouldn’t hate me when she found out the truth. For a brief second, I let myself enjoy the way she felt pressed up against me, her body all soft and willing.
I inhaled deeply, memorizing her scent. She smelled amazing, even when fresh out of the ocean. It haunted me daily. She taunted me daily, without even trying. I wanted her.
Too bad I couldn’t have her.
I opened my eyes and pulled out onto the road. I took my time on the ride there, taking as many back roads as possible for the short ride. This was the only period I got to feel her arms around me without feeling guilty as hell about it. The only occasion I was permitted to touch and be touched. If I had my way, we’d drive around all night long.
But I didn’t.
When I pulled up at my place, I killed the engine and sat there for a second, not moving. Interestingly enough, neither did she. As if by some unspoken agreement, we held each other. It wasn’t until a truck drove by that either one of us moved. She dropped her arms from around my waist and removed her helmet.
I took mine off too and our gazes clashed.
She was so beautifully off limits that it hurt. Her hair was sticking up, she had no makeup on, but she looked abso-fucking-lutely perfect. She licked her lips and didn’t drop my gaze. “Thank you for the helmet,” she said softly. So softly I almost didn’t hear her. “And the ride.”
“Don’t mention it,” I said, my voice gruff.
I slid off of the bike and offered her my hand. I should stop doing that. As a matter of fact, I should take her home right now, before I proved myself unworthy of trust—hers and her father’s. But sending her away now would only hurt her feelings, and the last thing I wanted to do was that. She would hate me once she found out who I really was.
I didn’t want to hurry the inevitable along.
She slid her fingers inside of mine, her fingers so small and dainty, and I held on tight. Right or wrong, I didn’t want to let go. I wanted to hold her close, cherish her, and continue to show her how fun life could be when you spend your time with the right person. I wanted to show her everything.
“Why are you so quiet?” she asked, darting a quick look at me. “Is something wrong?”
Shit. How long had I been quiet? “No, nothing’s wrong.” I led her up the walk toward my small studio apartment. “I’m just tired.”
“Oh. Do you want to cancel?”
Yes. “No.” I unlocked the door. “It’s nothing a little bit of coffee won’t help.”
“No beer tonight?” She nudged my arm.
“Not for the nineteen-year-old. Your father would kill me if he found out I was giving alcohol to a minor.”
“You don’t know him and he doesn’t know you.” She rolled her eyes. “I think you’re safe.”
My heart squeezed tight. “Not if he has security watching you like you said.” I hated this game. I hated lying. I hated not telling her I was the security watching her. “I’m not going to jail for supplying a minor with booze.”
She huffed. “What’s the good of having a friend who is older than twenty-one if he won’t get me drunk?”
“I’ll tell you what I’m good at,” I said, stopping and slinging her over my shoulder. “I’m good for surfing, riding a bike, and carrying your cute little ass around.”
She giggled and tried to squirm free, but I tightened my grip on her thighs. I liked her in this position. I had a great view. “Put me down!”
“Nope.” I juggled her weight and my key, finally managing to open the door to my apartment without dropping her on her perfect little ass. “I’m keeping you forever. Tell your bodyguards that, nice and loud.”