My mind is no longer focused on all the things that could go wrong or are going wrong. I’m not focused on whether he likes it, or what he’s feeling as his lips brush against mine. No, I’m thinking of how much I enjoy the taste of him, how I’ve been longing for him since he kissed me on our date. My body is ignited, that part of me I thought was long dead, is suddenly awakened by him.
Losing all sense of time and place, what was once a sweet kiss turns into a scorching need. Without thought, we both press our bodies closer together, my arms wrapping around his waist and pulling him close.
An embarrassing whimper leaves my throat when his hands fist in my hair at the nape of my neck, my mouth opening slightly, and without hesitation, his tongue glides against mine.
Nothing could have prepared me for the sensation that is created by our tongues twining together in a playful dance. I am utterly consumed in him. Seconds melt into eternity in his arms and I can die happy having had this moment.
Just as the thought crosses my mind, the sound of a group of guys’ laughter drifts across the fountain as they head across campus, presumably to Ridge Hall—one of the four dorms on campus.
Acting like I’ve been caught red-handed, I jump away from Jaxon not wanting to be seen making out with him in the middle of campus. Both of us are breathing heavily and he takes his cap off before running his hands through his hair and placing it back on his head.
A blush spreads across my cheeks and I turn my back to them as they cross by the fountain. Ready to escape the embarrassment crawling through me, I scramble to grab my items. Ever observant, Jaxon places his hand on the small of my back and leads me in the opposite direction the guys are walking, taking me back to my dorm like he said he would before we got…distracted.
“Are you okay?” His hand rubs up and down my spine in a gesture of comfort.
Snorting, I admit, “Just embarrassed. I’m sure I’ll survive.”
“And how do you feel about everything else?” His arm settles across my shoulders, pulling me into his side and I melt into his embrace with a sigh.
“That…was unexpected.” There’s more that I want to say, but I’m internally cringing, grimacing as I spit out the words. “I’m not sure I ever wanted to come up for air, and probably wouldn’t have if those guys hadn’t shown up.”
His response is immediate and stern. “I’m glad they saw. Now they know not to mess with you because you’re my girl.”
Why oh why does that possessiveness have me melting inside?
Chapter Thirteen
Jaxon
Baseball practice has been ramping up the closer we get to playing our rivals at Liberty College. Coach is committed to two-a-days for the foreseeable future, and again, I have to grit my teeth. We are all exhausted, but the results of our hard work can’t be denied.
So far, we’ve had an undefeated season. With less than half a season left, we’re laser-focused on the championship.
The only thing cutting through my haze of baseball and school is Candi.
We went on our second date last week at Honey’s, the fifties-inspired diner that’s decorated in bees and honeycombs that IknewCandi would love. After dinner, we walked around town and ended up in the gazebo in the center of the town square. There was no big festival or event, but that didn’t matter. Just like the bench in the middle of campus in front of the fountain, the town square is our spot.
The more time we spend together, the more I get to know her and all her little quirks. I’ve also come to learn that when it comes to Candi, I can’t keep my hands off of her.
Knowing she’s inexperienced, I’m trying to take things slow, but the moment our lips touch, it’s like a switch is flipped and there’s no denying the electricity between us.
She hasn’t talked about it yet, but I suspect I’m the firstanythingfor her. Her first date, her first kiss, her first boyfriend. We haven’t put a label on it yet, but she’s the only person I want—or have ever wanted—this much.
Tonight, Candi’s spending time with Polly since I’ve started to take up most of her free time and they were feeling the need for a ‘roommate date’. Whatever that is.
They are heading into Lake Elkins, a town thirty minutes away. It has a movie theater with more comfortable seating and a wider variety of movies to choose from compared to Rose Prairie’s dismal two-screen hole in the wall. I guess Polly has been craving Chinese food, and Lake Elkins is the closest place with that as an option.
So, instead of spending my night with Candi, I’m stuck playing video games at Trevor’s. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was here, a night that I’ll never forget because it brought me her.
“What the fuck, Gavin!” There’s no party going on tonight, thankfully, but the way that Julian, Trace, and Gavin are yelling at each other makes me wish there was something to drown them out.
Trevor walks into the game room, hands full of beer, and offers me one. He knows my rule about no drinking during the season, but he offers one anyway.
“Hell no, man. We’re midway through the season.” Gavin grabs one and pops the tab before leaning back and gulping the entire thing. Part of me wants to call him out on this shit, but it’s really none of my business. As long as he doesn’t drink before our game in two days, I’ll let it slide.
Trevor shrugs, “Thought it was worth a shot. You’ve gone all dull since you started spending time with that chick.”
Gavin lets out a distinguished belch. “Yeah, what’s going on with her? All I can think of is how scared she was when we moved her in and during Cupid’s Shuffle.”
