“The best thing about math is its consistency. Four plus four isn’t going to suddenly equal twelve. But life isn’t even and orderly. I know that. No one knows that better than farmers. Temperature and rainfall amounts vary from year to year. Even using reliable methods and caring for the soil, some years yield less than others. Don’t even get me started on insect and fungus levels.”
I grin when a chuckle escapes her.
“What I’m saying is I understand that life is unpredictable, that even if you wanted to, you cannot control the outcome.” Her gaze dips to my lips again. “But after being confused because I thought I had it right, I need a little certainty.”
Understanding clicks into place.
“Ask me anything, Kenz. I’ll tell you the truth.”
Kenzie’s eyes snap to mine. “Earlier, when you said we needed to go home, when you stood between me and that man, was it because you didn’t want to be seen with me?”
“What? No.” My forehead bunches. I thought she’d finally ask about my longstanding crush, not about what happened at the bar. “I wasprotectingyou from him.”
She nods, biting her lip. “I thought so, but I wanted to be sure because Aaron was embarrassed to be seen with me.”
I want to fist my hands and tell Kenzie what a narcissistic, conceited scumbag my teammate is, but that’s not what Kenzie really needs to hear.
“I’m not embarrassed to be seen with you. I think you’re wonderful.”
“Oh.” The word drops softly from her lips.
My heart feels like it’s exploding as my gaze traces the delicate features of her face. I’m two seconds from spilling everything, telling her that I’ve liked her from the second she tenderly changed Banks’s dressing last February, that living with her the last year has been an absolute joy and immense torture at the same time. Then I’m going to ask her to come to tomorrow’s game. I want to see her in the stands again, cheering her heart out.
But Kenzie rests her palm on my chest, and all thought falls away.
“In that case, there’s another thing I want to try.”
Chapter 17
Kenzie
Idid not haveKiss my Roommateon myDo It Scaredlist, but I really should have because the spike of anxiety careening through my veins as I bring my lips toward Trevor’s is nearly incapacitating. It seemed easier at the sports bar because he’d initiated. Sure, I tempted him, but he took that first step. This time, I’m the one putting everything on the line.
I’ve never been the one to lean in first.
It’sterrifying.
Trevor watches me, his eyes falling half-closed as I shift until I can feel his breath on my skin. The second our lips brush—lightly, gently—a sigh escapes him. It sounds like relief braided with awe.
I’mnot a person who inspires awe. Most of the time, I’m overlooked. I’m functional and necessary, like the math I complete to make people’s lives easier, but I’m rarely admired. Even with Aaron—
No. Don’t bring him into this.The admonishment rings loud through my head.
Already, this simple kiss with Trevor feels more significant than anything I’ve experienced with anyone else. A strong pulse feels like it’s vibrating through me—a distinctbeforeandafter. I lean back slightly to get my bearings, and Trevor makes a low, disappointed sound.
That unexpected sense of power zips down my arms. I’ve never in my life felt so desirable while wearing a simple white tee and shorts, my hair unstyled around my shoulders. I set another chaste kiss on his lips, testing the limits of my newfound prowess. Trevor responds with a masculine grunt I like entirely too much.
Before I have a chance to think, Trevor pulls me across his lap sideways, sending Banks skittering.
“Sorry, Banks,” Trevor murmurs while cupping my face with both hands.
He doesn’t sound the least bit apologetic for displacing our cat.
I half-expect Trevor to devour me with the way he’s looking at me, but he strokes a thumb across my cheek, exhaling a puff of breath when my lips fall apart. He looks like he wants to saysomething but then changes his mind, replacing words with an intensity I feel crackling between our bodies.
Trevor brings his lips to the edge of my mouth, placing a soft kiss there before skirting his lips across mine. My pulse thuds at the base of my throat, and suddenly, I’m done with teasing touches. Sinking my nails into his shoulder, I slide my other hand behind Trevor’s head to bring his lips to mine. I barely give him a second to adjust before deepening the kiss. If his groan is any indication, he doesn’t mind my impatience.
Everything is frantic in a fraction of a second. Trevor’s hands run down my back, over my hip, tucking me even closer. I’ve never kissed anyone with this kind of helpless urgency, and if Trevor’s erratic breathing is any indication, neither has he. Broken sentences slip from his lips, sending liquid heat pooling low in my belly.
