She nodded, biting her bottom lip. “Can I sit up? Flip us over?”
I squinted at her before I did what she asked, staying inside her as I turned us over.
She sank down on me, her green eyes dark and hazy as I disappeared inside her. I dropped my gaze to where we were joined together, her hips rolling as she took me deeper. My heart pounded against my rib cage when she dragged her nails down my chest. We were one, and it still wasn’t close enough.
I sat up, my clumsy mouth finding her nipple and sucking it between my teeth as we rocked back and forth.
“Is this good?” she whispered, wrapping her legs around me like a vine. “I’ve never done it this—”
“Shh, I don’t want to know,” I grunted out, cupping her cheek as I dragged my thumb down her swollen lips. “Good? You’re a fucking goddess.”
“I thought I was a superhero,” she teased before turning her head to suck my thumb into her mouth.
“You’remysuperhero,” I whispered, my hand twisting into her hair before I brought her mouth back to mine. She clenched around me, her legs shaking as she whimpered into my mouth.
Sweat dripped into my eyes as I spilled into her, my body tight and rigid but afraid to let go.
She met my gaze with a sleepy smile before wiping the damp hair off my sticky forehead. “Right here, right now,” she cradled my cheek, “is pretty perfect,” she pecked my lips. “If only you could make an egg on a hot plate.”
I laughed, running my fingers through her tangled hair. “The deli makes a good egg sandwich. They should be open now.”
She crinkled her nose. “I have a pair of leggings in my bag, but can I borrow a hoodie from you? I can take a walk with you, unless you want me to go home because I can just get dressed—”
I pressed my finger to her lips. “The last thing I want is for you to go home. Hoodies are in the top drawer.” I motioned to my small dresser in the corner. “Pick whatever one you want.”
Her eyes danced as she shot up, draping the comforter around her as she rummaged through the drawer. A pathetic thrill ran through me at the thought of her in my clothes.
“Yankees—perfect!” She held it up, flashing a big smile before throwing the shirt on the bed. She stilled when her eye caught something else. I followed her gaze to the other side of the drawer and cringed, realizing what she probably found. “And you still didn’t fill this out, yet?”
My heart plummeted when she dropped the folder of internship forms onto the bed.
“After eggs and coffee, I’ll fill it out with you. Howie said the program starts at the end of January, so you have to get cracking if you want a chance. Let me use the bathroom a minute, and we can get going.”
I said nothing as I watched her gather her bra and underwear where they’d been scattered on my floor and stepped into the bathroom.
Fuck.
I rolled over and stood, tasting bile in the back of my throat as I braced myself for the best thing to ever happen to me to end right after breakfast.
20
Victoria
When I steppedinto Anthony’s bathroom and slipped his sweatshirt over my head, I was on a huge high that came crashing down the moment I came out and spied Anthony’s clenched jaw. He turned away as he stepped into his sweatpants, giving me what seemed like an ice-cold shoulder.
“Hey,” I whispered, running my hand down the tense muscles of his back as I came closer. “Are you okay?”
He nodded without meeting my gaze and pulled a T-shirt over his head.
“Hey, what’s wrong? I can go if you like,” I pretended to pull Anthony’s hoodie off, trying to nudge a smile out of him.
He grabbed the bottom of his sweatshirt and pulled it back down, kissing the back of my head. “I just think filling out those forms is pointless. I’ll enjoy the prize money and accolades and just leave it at that.” He kissed my forehead. “I don’t know about you, but after a busy night, I’m starving and ready for an egg sandwich.” He pulled me by the hand, but I wouldn’t budge.
“You don’t know until you try. Come here.” I led him back to the bed, the corner of my mouth lifting when I surveyed the mess we’d made of the sheets. “It’s scary to put yourself out there, especially when it comes to what you create. I applied for this internship at school that’s usually only for graduate students, but sometimes they make an exception for undergrad. I know they’re probably laughing at my application right now, but I had to try.” I cradled his face. “Just try. If he says no,” I shrugged, “totally his loss.”
I caught a smile curving his lips before he averted his eyes from my gaze.
“Listen, if this doesn’t pan out, it means there’s something even better out there. I believe in you.”
