She lets out a small laugh through her tears. “No. Thank you, though. You are the third person tonight to offer that.” She sniffles. “It’s going to sound stupid.”
“Lay it on me.”
She sighs as she starts to cry harder. “My boyfriend and I broke up a few days ago. We were together a long time, so seeing him with someone else hurts. I don’t want it to hurt, but it does.”
I step closer, holding open my arms. “Can I hug you?”
She steps into my arms without question, letting me wrap my arms around her. I feel her slide her arms around my waist as she starts to cry harder. I hold her through it all. I let her get out all of her tears on my chest while I try to push the anger I feel inside me down. I could strangle Kyle right now.
When she is finally all cried out, she pulls back, looking up into my eyes. “I’m sorry. I got your chest all wet,” she whispers as she uses the sleeve of her sweater to swipe across her nose.
Using the hem of my T-shirt, I gently wipe her cheeks. “No apology necessary. I’m happy I could be of assistance.”
She smiles. “I should sneak out before he sees me. If he sees my eyes all puffy, he will know he won. I can’t have his ego getting any bigger. I don’t even think these tears were truly for him.”
“What were they for then?” I can’t help but be curious.
“The loss of what I thought we had. Honestly, it’s a relief not to be his girlfriend anymore. Still doesn’t help my pride, though. I took a real hit.”
I don’t like how dejected she looks. She is strong. She will get through this, but I have to do something.
That’s when a crazy idea enters my head.
“Do you trust me?” I ask her.
She tilts her head. “I know we barely know each other, but oddly, I think I do. At least a little bit.”
“Good. Take your hair down,” I demand.
She does as I ask, her eyes no longer sad. They now look inquisitive.
I reach out and run my hands through her hair. I hold her face as if I were going to kiss her as I let my fingers mess up her hair.
Her breath catches as she looks up at me.
Then, I reach down and run my hand across her lips, smearing her lipstick a little. Using the bit on my thumb, I rub it over my own lips. It takes everything in me not to suck my thumb in my mouth to see if I can taste her on it.
I undo my belt, leaving it hanging.
Leaning into her, I whisper, “Just a little more.”
Rubbing my face against hers, I smile when she giggles as the little bit of stubble I hadn’t shaved off today rubs against her skin.
When I pull back, I am happy to see her look thoroughly ravished.
“Was your goal to make me look like a whore?” she asks, but there is no bite to her tone.
“No. Not at all,” I tell her.
“What is your plan then?”
I hold out my hand, loving when she places hers in mine. “I’m giving you the most coveted position on campus.”
I open the back door and step inside. No one notices us right away, which is good. It can’t look fake.
“Oh yeah? What is that?” She raises her voice to be heard over the music as we make our way into the living room.
I lean into her, saying into her ear, “My girlfriend.”
