He dips his head, his mouth briefly brushing mine—just enough of a tease to leave me flustered. “Thank you. So do you.”
His outfit is simple yet effective. He’s wearing a black cashmere sweater and charcoal gray slacks that show off his powerful build. He’s freshly shaved, and his dark-brown hair is a bit of a mess on top. As if he’s run his fingers through it continuously. Was he nervous? If so, that’s adorable.
“Do you play a sport?” I ask suddenly, and it’s such a random question that we both set loose little laughs into theair between us. His smile sends a jolt of serotonin straight to my brain, so I add, “You’re from the UK, so I assume rugby and … water polo?”
“Tsk, tsk, my American friend. One can’t forget footy and horse racing. What would the King think of your oversight?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I say with an exaggerated, old-timey accent. “Tell that guy I’ll throw his tea straight into the Boston Harbor if he gives me any lip.” I know the smile on my face is too wide and goofy, but I can’t contain it when Connor closes his eyes and looks up to the sky, silently asking God for patience. “But seriously. You’re like, really fit. What gives?”
Even in the half-light of dusk, I spot his cheeks darkening with a little blush. “Well, thanks for that,” he says, interlacing our fingers and leading us down a dirt path branching off the courtyard. “I’m not a team sport kind of guy. Solitary pursuits only to achieve this god-tier physique.”
“Wouldn’t wanna make the other guys jealous.”
“Precisely. I run and lift weights. The past few months, blasting my music and working up a sweat felt like survival techniques, you know?”
I give his hand a squeeze before rising up on tiptoes to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. “That’s all over now. Let’s not talk about problems tonight. Just enjoy the time together.”
“You’re right. It’s been a good day.” His eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles, and I step away, though I keep our hands linked. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” I let him lead me along the path, and he walks a little slower so I can keep up with him.
“You’ll see.” He smirks. I bet he looked just like that whenhe was a little boy. Full of mischief and trouble, no doubt. “It’s a surprise.”
“Oooh, I can’t wait.” My stomach jumps in anticipation.
We make idle chitchat as we head deeper into campus, catching each other up on today’s gossip around Wickham. I bring up Abigail and Priya’s dorm room study date, and he sends me a knowing look.
“Those two are never apart.”
“They obviously care about each other.”
“I don’t know if Abigail Roth has enough of a heart to really care about anyone,” he says. “But I 100 percent believe she’s as horny as the rest of us. I would bet you two whole donuts that one or both of them is naked right now.”
“I’m not taking that bet because I’m sure you’re right. Buttwo whole donuts? What kind of bet is that?” I haven’t really seen this silly side of Connor before. The world has been weighing heavy on his shoulders, I guess, and now that the weight has been lifted, he’s … different.
Still damn cute.
“One donut is low stakes. Two? You’ve got to have the courage of your convictions for a two-donut bet.” Connor chuckles.
The realization that there’s still so much to discover about him sends a hot thrill of curiosity down my spine. How wry is his humor? How dry is his wit? How salty is the skin just behind the waistband of his pants? Curiosity will make me an excellent student for my new favorite subject.
I haven’t known Connor for long, but the feelings spinning through me? Tornado strong. The eye of the twister is the hope that our date will afford me the opportunity to get myhands (and lips … and tongue) on him. I sip in a breath of cool night air in an effort to quench my thirsty thoughts.
We end up at one of the last buildings on campus. It looks like it’s been here since the dawn of time. Constructed of faded, crumbling brick, the three-story structure is covered in a thick layer of ivy.
“We’re going in here?” I gesture toward the building.
“Just wait until you see it.” The promise in his voice has me excited, and I’m practically giddy as we run up the two flights of stairs. By the time we’re at the top of the building, standing in front of a large metal door, I’m a little breathless from the climb and my entire body is tingling.
“Here we are.” Connor opens the door, and I walk onto the rooftop, which has been transformed into a greenhouse. There are plants and flowers everywhere, with the walls and roof constructed of steel beams and glass. The air is humid, and it smells like fresh dirt mixed with sweet, green, floral scents. “What do you think?”
I turn to him, noting the smile on his face. The nervous flicker in his gaze. He wants me to love this—and I do.
I so do.
“It’s beautiful.” I throw myself at him, and he catches me, his arms tight around my waist. “I love it.”
“Good,” he murmurs against my temple, his lips brushing my skin. “I wanted to share this with you because I’ve always loved it, too.”
