“Before you say anything more …” Ollie reached under his pillow. “You said you were willing to open up to me, knock down a wall …”
“Cut out a door,” I corrected with a finger in the air. “Don’t push your luck, Masters.”
Ollie laughed. “Alright, ‘cut out a door.’” He pulled a book out and handed it over.
I dangled it above my head. “The Notebook? The movie was based on a book?” A groan left me and I handed the book back. “No, I don’t read.”
“First of all, I’m going to read to you … and second, I saw you in the mess hall withTo Kill a Mockingbird. Do you pretend to read to attract guys like me?”
“It was an assignment from Dr. Conway. I don’t read for pleasure.”
“Then it’s a good thing you won’t be the one reading.” He lay back against the pillow and opened the book, then looked up at me with a crinkle between his brows. “Something’s missing,” he muttered, and slipped his arm beneath me, dragging me closer to his side. My face fell into his neck as a giggle escaped. “Ah, much better. Now, quiet, Mia. I need to read.” Ollie kissed the top of my head as the rest of me melted beside him.
He flipped past the acknowledgments to the first chapter titled “Miracle.”
The moment the first sentence fell from his lips, I shifted my attention from the black ink inside the book to him, taking in the way his lips moved as his eyes danced along the page, flitting from one end to the other. His angelic voice remained steady as he ran his fingers lightly through my hair with one hand and held the battered book in the other. Ollie was captivating, and I was afraid if I turned away, even for a split second, I’d miss a beat—miss a word from his lips, and miss a blink of his thick lashes as he lost himself in the world the author had created.Absolutely breathtaking.
We stayed like that for hours, him reading, and me listening to his every word, every syllable as it rolled off his tongue. Enchanted by the words of Nicholas Sparks, but only because they were spoken with his sound of grace. It wasn’t only Ollie’s accent making the story come to life; it was the way he enunciated each word with a slow elegance.
I buried my cold feet between his legs, craving his warmth, and Ollie paused for a moment to press his lips to the side of my head before returning to the page. The rain picked up at one point, then slowly faded as it played of its own accord against the window. My lids grew heavy, and I fought against them, but eventually, Ollie’s poetic voice got the best of me.
It was Dean Lynch over the intercom who woke me, and my eyes opened to see Ollie’s chest slowly rise and fall with the open book sprawled across it. I tilted my head from his chest to see his face, and he silently slept with his mouth slightly parted, and I smiled to myself.
A part of me wanted to stay beside him and pretend time didn’t exist, but the rational side of me knew I couldn’t hold on to this moment forever. Carefully, I moved out from his hold, making sure not to disturb him.
Ollie’s hand sprang to grab my arm, and pulled me back on top of him without opening his eyes. I buried my face into the crook of his neck and giggled.
“Let me live in this moment for a bit longer,” he whispered.
Breathing in his skin, the mixture of coconut and sandalwood created a weak marine breeze. Turning to his side, the open book fell between us and his arms tightened around me. “It’s safe to say, you don’t talk in your sleep.” His eyes were still closed. It was a possibility if he opened them, a reality check would pour over us like the rain outside.
But only if he opened his eyes.
“That’s a relief.”Stay strong, Ollie, for both ofour sakes.
Ollie opened his eyes, folded up the book, and stuck it under his pillow.
“Best nap ever,” he confessed, and moved the hair from my face. His hand lingered around my cheek and he traced his thumb over my bottom lip. “You haven’t got a clue how bad I want to kiss you right now, but I’m trying not to be selfish … for the sake of your wellbeing and all.” A small smile tugged on his lips.
It was torture for us both. I could see it on his face, him falling for me. My reflection stared back through his green eyes, and for a split second, I saw myself the way he saw me, and I was beautiful. I’d warned him. I’d told him before we kissed not to fall for me, but it appeared the heart had a mind of its own and these things you couldn’t control.
And now it was me without the control.
I inched my lips closer to his, and Ollie took in a sharp breath.
“Mia …” He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head as if it were too much.
“I’m letting the moment happen the way it’s meant to. Whatever you’re doing to me, I can’t stop it.” I brushed my lips against his soft ones as I spoke, which wasn’t satisfying my need for him. “Most of my time with you is either spent fighting some internal conflict or trying to comprehend what’s happening to me. I don’t even talk like this, Ollie. Why am I even telling you this? What have you done to me?” I smiled despite my frustration.
He pressed his forehead to mine as his breathing staggered. The refreshing mint in his breath sent shivers up my arms. “I’m utterly gobsmacked. I have no words right now. That is whatyoudo tome.”
Caving, my traitorous lips crashed with Ollie’s, and the rest of my body betrayed me. My disloyal hand was in his hair as my unfaithful breath became his. Every part of me abandoned me, and I could do nothing about it. I belonged to him.
His lips parted in dire demand and as soon as his warm tongue flicked against mine, a moan freed itself between us. I didn’t know if it had come from him or myself, but I didn’t care. Yesterday’s flames picked up in a frenzy as his warm hands found my bare skin at my sides, warming me in more ways than one.
Ollie pulled away and wet his lips. “I hope … no, I’mprayingyou’re not toying with me right now,” he said breathlessly. “Mia, tell me you’re not fucking with me.”
Shaking my head, I couldn’t grasp what he was saying. Here I was, telling him exactly what had been on my mind moments ago, more than I had ever admitted to anyone. “I don’t know what you want me to say.” I searched the question written on his face. “Look me in the eyes, and you tell me if I’m playing with you, Ollie.” Honestly, I didn’t know what he’d find. Truth, possibly?
