“You’re mine, Vixen.” His eyes darken with a territorialglare. He leans in close, his breath sending shivers down my spine. “Mine.”
“Rise and shine, beautiful lady!”Leah chirps. She pulls the curtains open so quickly, I feel like a vampire being burned by the sunlight. I roll onto my back and pull the blankets over my head.
“Ugh, go away!” I grumble, the sound coming out muffled. I can’t shake my dream. This year is going to be hell if I can’t get my fantasies in check.
“Nope, not happening. I’m like a bad rash. You can try getting rid of me, but I’ll always come back,” she teases, and I can’t help but smile at her strange choice of analogy.
“Besides, the guys are going to be here in twenty minutes to take us to breakfast.”
I groan, pulling the blanket off my head. I pick up my phone, seeing that it’s nine in the morning. I groan louder. Leah grabs my hands and pulls me up like a rag doll. I’m still in my dress and fishnets, clearly too inebriated the night before to undress myself before hitting the hay.
I take a good look at Leah and realize she’s already dressed, hair done, makeup on and ready to take on the whole damn day.
“Please tell me you woke up like that?” I wave my hand up and down. Leah giggles.
“I’m up every day at six a.m.” My eyes widen. “The world doesn’t stop while we’re sleeping. I like to get a head start on my day, so I don’t miss anything. Life’s short, you know?” she explains, and I purse my lips.
“Oh, wise one, you are.” I nod my head. She winks at me. A knock sounds at the door, and she all but skips to open it. Leah swings it open, and my breath hitches.
“Mornin’, coffee?” Austin smiles and holds out the steaming cups in his hands.
“Doesn’t anyone sleep around here?” I groan, flopping onto my pillows.
“Ah, not a morning person?” Austin muses, plopping down on the end of my bed. I scowl.
Austin nods his head. “Some things never change, huh?” He smirks, handing me my coffee. “Drink, it’ll help.”
I take the cup from him and give him the best normal smile I can muster.
“Thanks.”
I take a sip, and he’s right. It does help. “Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be ready to go,” I tell them and slip out of bed to throw my hair in a ponytail and put on something somewhat presentable.
Exactly ten minutes later, Kash arrives, and we’re out the door.
Our waitress escortsus to our table. Leah slides into the designated booth, and Kash follows right after. I sit on the opposite side of them, and Austin scoots in next to me. Our knees brush against each other, and my heart stutters. That slight touch alone sends heat between my legs, and I clench my thighs together, trying to put some distance between our bodies. He scoots in closer and stretches his arm around the back of our bench, surrounding me, like it’s such a natural position for us. It’s taking everything in me not to lean into him.
The waitress takes our drink order and disappears into the kitchen.
“Today is our last day of freedom before we submit ourselves to academic torment for the next few months,”Kash says as a matter of fact. “We need to do something to commemorate the beginning of our year,” he continues.
“What do you have in mind?” I ask him.
“Well, Gremlin, I’m glad you asked.” He smiles at me mischievously. Leaning back, he pulls a flyer out of his pants pocket. He opens it up and puts it on the table before us. “What better way to start our year than to attempt to make memories we’ll likely forget.” He beams.
Beer Pong Championship Party - Dorm B260. Bring your beer, bring your skill; if you don’t have either, stay home.
“Well, that leaves you out, Kash.” Austin quirks, snatching the paper off the table. Kash grabs the flyer out of his hands. “Put your money where your mouth is, my guy. We’ll have you waving a white flag by round two,” he states confidently.
“We?” I question.
“Yes, we.” Leah jumps in, gesturing with her thumb between herself and her brother. “The Morgan family is extremely competitive. We can’t team up with just anyone,” she explains. “No offence.”
I chuckle. “None taken.” I look to Austin. “You think we can take them?” A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.
“The dynamic duo, back together again,” he says, and my heart warms at his statement.
We order our breakfast and spend the next hour eating and talking about everything under the sun. We’re just about to leave when Austin leans towards me, his voice soft and low, the heat from his breath tickles my ear. “Come for a drive with me.” Sitting back, he waits for my response. My lipspart slightly, and I nod my head in agreement, unable to form words from how close his face is to mine.
