“It’s way better than the dorms,” she says. “It’s nice to have my own room and bathroom, and the other girls are pretty nice. My mom was a sorority member back in the day, and she always dreamed I’d join one day too.”
“I bet she’s proud of you,” I tell her.
She grins and points at one of the framed photos on her dresser. It looks like her high school graduation. She’s in her school’s robes, sandwiched in between her mom and dad while she holds up her diploma. Her mom is an older version of her, and her dad is beaming at the camera, answering the question of who Van gets her dimple from, and he’s clearly proud of his wife and daughter. His hair is darker than theirs, and he’s wearing glasses and a dress shirt and slacks, making him look like the supervisor I know he is.
“I get my computer skills from them. They’re even worse than I am,” she says, making me laugh.
“That’s very hard for me to believe,” I say, grinning when she nudges my arm with hers. There isn’t much space between us, and when my eyes drift down to her mouth, I know I need to back up or risk making a complete fool of myself. Savanna has probably had guys lining up to date her since she was in high school. She’d probably laugh her ass off if she knew I was constantly teased in school for being a tech geek. I’ve always been able to hold my own in a fight, but having Sasha as a cousin guaranteed I never had to when I was younger. My one and only romantic partner in life has always been my right hand. The shame I feel at that has me turning away from Savanna’s slightly parted lips while I shut her computer and then hand it back to her.
“I should get going,” I tell her. “I’ll bring you my old computer in the morning, okay?”
She seems surprised when I stand and reposition the strap of my messenger bag.
“Okay. I have a class at ten, but I’ll be here before then, or I can meet you later. Whatever’s easiest.”
I know all about her educational psychology class, and the path she always walks to get there, but I don’t mention any ofthat. She doesn’t need to know I watch her constantly. I’ll save that revelation for another day.
Even though there are a million things I need to be doing right now, my feet are rooted to the fluffy pink rug on her floor because leaving her is the last thing I want to do. She stands up, and even though she must be around five-six, I’m still a good seven inches taller than her. It’s a nice difference, though, and I know if I were to pull her close to me, she could nuzzle against my neck perfectly.
Stalling for time, I say, “Thanks for sneaking me in.”
“Thanks for taking a look at my computer, and for letting me borrow your old one.”
“Sorry I couldn’t bring it back to life. Maybe if I’d gotten my hands on it a year ago, it might’ve had a chance.” I can’t help but grin and add, “But I doubt it. It’s in pretty bad shape.”
She gets a horrified look on her face before she asks, “What if I ruin yours? What if I accidentally break it?” Her eyes dart to where George is lying on her bed. “You’ve seen firsthand what I’m capable of.”
She’s not wrong. The woman is definitely capable of killing a laptop, but I don’t want her worrying about it, so despite all my instincts to keep my baby safe, I pat my leather bag and ask, “Would it make you feel better if I showed you a few things?”
The dimple in her cheek is clearly visible with the smile she gives me, and when I pull my bag free and start to open it, she sits down and pats the seat beside her. She’s lit up with excitement as I pull out my computer. Everything I have on here that I don’t want her to see is well hidden, and there’s no way she can hurt it if I’m right here with her. At least that’s what I tell myself as I open it and prepare to let someone else touch the machine that feels very much like a part of me. I’ve always been absurdly protective of it, and I’ve never liked the idea of anyone poking around on it. Sharing it with Savanna feels likeI’m baring my soul to her. I could strip down naked right now and not feel as exposed as I do when I open it and then set it on her lap.
As uncomfortable as it makes me, I do it for her.
Something tells me I’d be willing to do just about anything for her.
Chapter 4
Savanna
The weight of Niki’s laptop sits heavy on my thighs, and I’m too afraid to touch it, so I just sit and dart my eyes to his.
“I don’t know what to do,” I admit.
His lip quirks up a tiny bit before he says, “Believe me, I know.”
I laugh, even though I’m mortified that he saw the disaster that is my poor dying laptop. Niki carries his around in a beautiful, leather bag and clearly knows how to use the thing, and it makes me nervous just holding it. I’m having a hard enough time holding everything together with him in my room. Having him here, sitting next to me with my bed right behind us, it’s a lot to take in. I’ve never had a guy in here, and I never once thought I’d have one in here as gorgeous as him.
I try not to stare at his nose ring when he leans in closer. His laptop instantly wakes up as he drags his thumb over the trackpad. The scent of him fills my nose, and while he types in what has to be the longest, most complicated password I’ve ever seen, I discreetly breathe him in. I’m pretty proud of myself when I don’t whimper, and I’m so focused on how sexy he is thatI almost miss the way he angles the screen and looks into the camera while pressing his thumb against one of the keys.
“Did your computer just scan your face and your fingerprint?”
Unlike George, Niki’s laptop is insanely fast, and it doesn’t make any funky noises while it works. The screen in front of me shows a vivid image of the night sky, vibrant stars covering a very uncluttered desktop.
“I have a lot of security on here. If someone tries to force their way in, it’ll erase itself.”
“Holy shit,” I whisper. “I’m not touching it. What if I accidentally hit the wrong button and everything disappears?”
He grins and angles the screen back towards me. “You would have to know a lot about computers to do any real damage.”
