A few people are nodding now, actually listening.
"So on December twenty-third, we're hosting a charity hockey game. It's players from the Wolves and firefighters from Station 42. And it's going to be epic. All proceeds go to the shelter. Plus, there will be adoptable animals there, so if you've been thinking about getting a pet, this is your chance."
"I volunteer for the cause," Devon chimes in, and I could kiss him right now. "I work at Frank's Bar downtown. We're hosting fundraisers there too, pretty much every night until Christmas. Come by, have a drink, meet some of the animals, and help us save this place."
"We'll post all the details online," I add, pulling out my phone. "What's the best way to reach you guys? Is there like a campus group chat or something?"
A girl in the front raises her hand like we're in class. "There's a Facebook group. And an Instagram. I can share it."
"Perfect. Send me the links." I rattle off my Instagram handle and immediately regret it because my DMs are about to explode, but whatever. It's for a good cause. "Share it with everyone. Tell your friends. Tell your foes. This shelter is special, and these animals deserve a fighting chance."
The crowd is definitely engaged now, some people already typing on their phones, probably posting in real-time.
Crisis averted. Panic transformed into purpose.
Devon's grinning at me, eyes bright, and I can tell he's impressed.
Good. I was going for impressed.
"Alright," I say, clapping my hands together. "That's all I got. Thanks for coming to my TED talk. And seriously, come to the game. You won't regret it."
The crowd starts dispersing, people chattering excitedly. Devon grabs my arm, tugging me down the hallway.
CHAPTER 28
DEVON
"THAT WAS..." I'm still processing what just happened when we finally reach my door. "Smooth."
Ace lets out a chuckle. "I panicked."
"You panicked smoothly." I unlock the door, pushing it open. "Also? Super fucking hot when you take charge like that."
"I don't know…"
"I'm serious. You standing there, all confident, rallying the troops for a cause?" I pull him inside, closing the door behind us. "That did things to me. Anatomical things."
He laughs, and the sound fills my small dorm room, making the space feel warmer. "You're ridiculous."
And then we're kissing, his mouth claiming mine with the kind of urgency that makes my knees forget their primary function. My back slams into the door, making it rattle in the frame, and his hands are already moving, fingers digging into my waist before sliding up under my hoodie. The first touch ofhis palms against my bare skin makes me gasp into his mouth. I'm grabbing at his shirt, yanking the fabric, trying to get it off him or rip it off him, whichever happens first.
We stumble toward my bed, a tangle of limbs and urgent touches, shedding clothes as we go. My hoodie hits the floor. His shirt follows. My jeans get stuck on my ankles and I have to hop awkwardly to get them off while Ace watches, amused. "Shut up," I mutter.
He raises his palms. "I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking it."
"I was thinking you're cute."
That stops me mid-struggle. "Oh."
"Yeah. Oh." He steps closer, now just in his boxers, and helps me with my jeans, sliding them off with significantly more grace than I managed. "Better?"
"Much."
We're both down to our underwear now, standing in the middle of my tiny dorm room, and the way he's looking at me makes my skin feel too tight, like it can't contain everything I'm feeling.
He reaches for me, pulling me close, and we kiss again, slower this time. His hands slide down my back, over my ass, squeezing, and I press closer, feeling his cock hard against my hip through the thin fabric of his boxers.
