by E. L. Todd
She pushed the return cart past my table then cast a smile at me.
I looked up and smirked back.
Then she disappeared into the sea of bookshelves.
I abandoned my table then moved through the aisles, trying to find her. She was placing history books on the middle shelf, her eyes concentrated on her work. Since spring had arrived, she wore long skirts and dresses. She looked stunning in anything she wore, but the bright colors brought out her eyes.
I moved behind her then pressed my hands on either side of her, caging her in.
She stiffened but didn’t react, knowing it was me.
I pressed my lips to her ear. “You look pretty today.”
She grinned from ear-to-ear. “You say that everyday.”
“Because it’s true.” I gripped her hip then turned her around. Then I pressed her back into the bookshelf.
“Someone could see us,” she whispered.
“Makes it more exciting that way.” I pressed my chest to hers and kissed her gently. One hand moved into her hair and the other wrapped around her waist. I liked her small size compared to mine. She made me feel giant.
She melted into me and returned my embrace. Her arms circled my waist, and she kissed me with more passion. Her tongue slipped into my mouth.
I shivered involuntarily.
When it became too heated, I pulled away. “I’m getting a little too crazy.”
Her cheeks blushed. “Me too.”
“I guess we’ll pick this up later.”
“Okay.” She finished stacking her books.
I walked back to my table and sat down. I adjusted my jeans because my hard-on was uncomfortable. The idea of not having sex for a long time was frustrating, but if that’s what Beatrice wanted, I wouldn’t try to change her mind. I hadn’t gone more than a month without having sex since I was sixteen, but now I’d gone almost a year. It was torture.
I got back to work and stopped thinking about Beatrice. Whenever I did think about her, I didn’t get anything done. Finals were coming up and the year was almost over. Graduation was looming ahead, and my time in Cambridge would be over soon. I hadn’t talked to Beatrice about it. Where would we live? Would we still be together? She mentioned getting accepted to law school in New York. If that’s where she attended, that would be perfect.
Hours passed, and Beatrice finally clocked out. When she headed to my table, I blatantly stared at her, watching the way her hips swayed. She had a natural elegance to her. Her back was always straight and her shoulders were back. She sat across from me and gave me a heart-melting smile.
“How was work?” I asked.
“Distracting.” She gave me a pointed stare.
I shrugged. “I can’t figure out why…”
She smiled then opened her bag. “You haven’t checked out anything in a while…”
“Nothing interests me, I guess.”
“Not even ancient Barcelona?” she said sarcastically.
I smirked. “I only checked that out so you would think I was sophisticated.”
“I know,” she said. “But I just thought you were a loser.”
“Ouch.”
“But a cute one,” she added.
“That’s better.”
She rummaged in her bag then pulled out an envelope. She put it on the table and sighed.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“My letter from Harvard—for law school.”
My smile fell at her serious tone. “Open it.”
She sighed. “I’m scared.”
“Beatrice, you aren’t scared of anything,” I reminded her. “And that’s what I like about you.”
“I just know how unlikely it is I’ll get accepted…”
“You got accepted into undergrad. I think your chances are good.”
“Maybe…”
“Come on.” I pushed the letter toward her. “You were already accepted at New York, so you’re safe. Now there isn’t as much pressure.”
“I guess.”
I stared at her and waited for her to open the letter.
“Okay.” She ripped it open then skimmed through the lines. Then her eyes fell and her breathing stopped. Her eyes lost their light, and her lips were pressed into a frown. Without announcing the verdict, I knew the result.
“I’m sorry, baby.”
She put the letter down. “I actually thought I would get in.”
“They don’t accept many students,” I said gently. “I’m sure they seriously considered you but couldn’t fit you in.”
“Maybe…” She folded the letter then returned it to her purse.
I moved to her side of the table then put my arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be alright, baby.”
She leaned her head onto my shoulder and closed her eyes. “It doesn’t feel as bad when I have you.”
I kissed her hairline then sat in silence with her. “New York is a great school.”
“Yeah…”
“And I wanted to move there anyway. My entire family is there.”
“I guess it worked out.” She still sounded sad.
“Have you been to the city before?”
“No,” she whispered.
“You’ll love it. There’s always plenty to do.”
“I’m sure there is.” Her voice was lifeless.
I rubbed her arm and tried to think of something to make her feel better. “How about some ice cream?” My mom always took me when I had a bad day.
She shifted her weight. “I like ice cream…” There was a smile in her voice.
“Then let’s go.” I grabbed my stuff and hers. “We’ll get a big sundae and split it.”
“No, I’m getting my own.” Her playful mood was back.
I laughed. “Whatever you want, baby.”
***
“What do you want?” Dad barked over the phone.
“A favor.”
He sighed. “What now?”
“Why are you always a dick when I call?” I asked.
“Like I said before, you never call me unless you want something.”
“But that’s what families do,” I said.
“Only turn to each other when they need something?” he asked incredulously.
“The favor isn’t for me, actually. So you can calm the hell down.”
“And whom is it for?” He was more calm.
“My lady.”
His mood changed. “Well, that wonderful girl can have anything she wants. Name it.”
“Hey,” I said, offended. “Why will you grant her wishes without hesitation, but when I ask for something, you give me hell?”
“Because I actually like her,” he snapped.
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”
“What is it, Conrad?” he pressed.
“She was rejected from Harvard Law School.”
“Oh.” He was quiet for a while. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“She was accepted into New York but I can tell she doesn’t want to go there. Her heart was set on Harvard.”
“And where do I come in?”
“Talk to the dean.”
He sighed. “I don’t have any power over that.”
“Dad, come on. I know you guys golf together.”
He sighed again. “If I did something to get Beatrice in, then that would force them to kick out another student in her place. That’s not fair.”
“Have them add one more student to their roster,” I said. “Please, Dad.”
“Whoa…you’ve never said please before.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’ll do anything you want.”
He chuckled. “My yard has been looking shabby…”
I ground my teeth while my dad enjoyed this.
“But I see a flaw in this scheme of yours…”
“What?” I asked.
“Aren’t you moving to New York?”
I breathed into the phone before I answered. “Yeah…”
“And would
n’t it make your life easier if you just let her go to New York?”
“That isn’t what she wants.”
My dad paused. “You really love this girl.”
I didn’t deny it.
“And what will you do if she does attend Harvard?” he asked.
“Stay here and look for work in Boston.”
He sighed. “I was looking forward to seeing you more often, but if that’s what you want, I understand.”
“So, are you going to help me?”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Hold on,” he said with a laugh. “You owe me, kid. I expect payment for this. Now that I’ve asked the dean for two favors, he’ll ask two from me.”
“That’s fine,” I said immediately. “I’ll do whatever you want.”
He chuckled. “You’ll be hearing from me.” Then he hung up.
***
Dad called me the next day.
“What’d he say?” I blurted.
“She’s in. She’ll get a letter in a few days.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. I was glad I was giving Beatrice what she wanted. When she got her rejection letter, she looked like the world had ended. She worked so hard to be the best lawyer she possibly could be. It broke my heart to see her dreams shatter. “Thank you.”
“I did it for her. Not you.”
“I’m grateful, regardless.”
“You keep her around, alright? Your mother and I have fallen in love with her.”
“That makes three of us,” I said quietly.
“Then keep it up.” He hung up without saying goodbye.
I put my phone away, feeling excited for Beatrice.
***
A week later, Beatrice burst through my front door as I stepped out of the shower with a towel around my waist. “I got in! I got in!”
I stopped in the hallway and turned to her. “That’s great!” I tried to act surprised even though I already knew what was coming.
She held the letter out to me. “Harvard said there was a mistake. I’m in!” She jumped on her toes and squealed.
I smiled while I watched the happiness spread across her face. “Congrats, baby.”
She ran into my chest so fast she almost knocked me over. “I’m so happy.” She wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed me.
The air was pushed out of my lungs. “I…am…too.” I tried to laugh but she was squeezing me so hard.
She loosened her grip and pressed her face against my chest. “I’m so excited.”
I was still a little wet but I returned her embrace anyway. My arms hooked around her waist and I held her close to me. “You should be. You earned it.”
She looked up at me and kissed me hard. Her hands moved up my chest and to my shoulders. She hadn’t been shy about her attraction to me. She touched me in sexual ways without fear.
I liked it. “Let’s go out and celebrate.”
“Okay.” She bounced on her toes again.
“Just let me change.”
She practically skipped back to the living room, waving her letter around.
I smiled while I watched her. Then I headed into my room to get ready.
***
I finished everything on my plate and left it as clean as it was before food was placed on it. “That was good.”
Beatrice only ate half of her dinner, which was normal. “It was.”
The Italian restaurant was busy tonight. Waiters constantly swarmed past us. I normally drank wine when I went out to dinner, but Beatrice hated wine. I refrained from ordering it.
Beatrice couldn’t stop talking about attending Harvard. Her excitement hung on every word, and she could barely sit still. Her eyes were wide and bright, catching everyone’s attention in the restaurant.
I really wanted to move back to New York, but Harvard was important to her. I could make the sacrifice. Besides, I had no idea what I was doing with my life. It made no sense for Beatrice to move there just for me.
“I’m going to be the best DA anyone has ever seen,” she said firmly. “Those jerks won’t know what hit them. Criminals will have bounties for my head.”
My eyes widened. “I sincerely hope not.”
She smiled. “I wouldn’t be doing my job right if no one wanted to kill me.”
That made me uneasy. “Please don’t talk like that.” My voice came out aggressive and cold. I didn’t mean to be rude on her special night, but her words made me sick to my stomach.
“Sorry,” she said quickly. She picked at her food again.
She and I hadn’t talked about our future together. Did she assume I was staying here with her? What was she thinking? Perhaps I shouldn’t ask her when she was in such a good mood, but I needed to know. “What does this mean for us?”
She moved her gaze to mine. “You and I?”
“Yeah.” I rested my elbows on the table while I stared at her.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Well, you know all my friends and family will be in New York after graduation. There’s nothing for me here but you.”
She stared at my face and the sadness emerged. “I know. I assumed we would do a long-distance relationship. Two hours isn’t that far apart.”
“It’s too far for me,” I said honestly.
“Oh…” She flinched at my words. “Are you…breaking up with me?” Panic was in her eyes. She looked like she lost the world.
“No,” I said immediately. “Not at all. I assumed I would live in Cambridge with you.”
She relaxed. “You would live here just for me?”
“Why wouldn’t I? You think I can live two hours away from you?” I was eager to be with Roland again, but I couldn’t be apart from Beatrice. My best friend would understand that.
She stared at me, unsure what to say.
“I just hoped…that maybe…you might like to live together.” I watched her reaction. “It doesn’t make any sense for us to live apart at this point. You’re the only person I’ll know in Cambridge.”
She played with her fork and looked down. “I…I don’t know.”
“That doesn’t mean we have to speed up our physical relationship,” I added. “It wouldn’t change anything.”
Her shoulders relaxed visibly. “I still don’t think I’m ready for that.”
We’d been together for a year, so I was hurt. Well, it’d only been official for about a month, but I counted all that previous time. “I understand.” I tried to act like her response didn’t hurt my feelings. “I don’t mind having my own place.”
She looked into my eyes, and when the intensity became too much, she looked away. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” I said immediately.
“So, what will you do here?” she asked.
“Look for a job in Boston,” I answered.
“Even though all your friends are in Manhattan?”
“We can move to New York when you’re done with school. It’s not the end of the world.”
Emotion was in her eyes. “I can’t believe you would do that for me. I know how close you are to them.”
I shrugged. “You mean more.”
Beatrice tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking nervous. “I don’t know what to say…”
“Don’t say anything.”
“I would just go to New York but—”
“You don’t have to explain yourself,” I said firmly. “Seriously, don’t. You belong at Harvard. I don’t have a problem with that.”
She sighed. “You’re so sweet, Conrad.”
“No.” I looked into her eyes. “I’m just in love.”
Her cheeks blushed and a slight smile formed on her lips. She never told me she loved me, but I knew she did. But I was eager for her to say the actual words. I would just have to be patient and wait until she was ready.
***
“The year went by so fast,” Theo said. “I can’t believe it.”
“Neither can I,” I said.
Theo caught my sadness. “What’s up with you?”
I told him about Beatrice and how I arranged for her to get into Harvard.
“You did that?” he asked incredulously. “And she has no idea?”
“Nope.”
“So…she thinks Harvard, the most prestigious school in the country, accidentally forgot to admit her? I thought this girl was smart?”
I smirked. “I think she was just so excited to get in she didn’t think about it.”
“Sounds naïve to me…”
I shrugged. “Not really. But we all have our moments.”
“Does that mean you’re going to live in Cambridge?”
“Yeah,” I said with a sigh.
He eyed me. “It sounds like you aren’t too excited about that.”
“Because I’m not,” I said honestly. “All my friends and family are in New York. The only thing here is Beatrice. I’ll just be passing time while she finishes school. And she’ll be so busy, I doubt we’ll hang out much.”
“Then why not just do long-distance?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I can’t be away from her.”
He shrugged. “Well, it sounds like you’re stuck. Is she amazing in bed, at least?”
I didn’t parade my personal relationships around like most guys. “She and I aren’t having sex.”
He stared at me like I was crazy. “Sorry? I don’t think I heard you right.”
“You heard me, Theo.”
“Umm…are you sure?”
“I think I would know if I was getting laid or not,” I snapped.
“But…” He couldn’t process it. “What? You’re the biggest manwhore I know. It’s crazy enough that you settled down with a girlfriend, but for one that’s not even putting out is insane.”
I shrugged. “She’s extremely conservative.”
“Like, how conservative?”
“I’m pretty sure she wants to wait until marriage.”
His jaw dropped and he looked like he might have a stroke. “You can’t be serious…”
“I am.” Unfortunately.
“And you’re going to stick around?” He sounded incredulous.
I shrugged. “She’s the one.”
He cupped his face and stared at me like he didn’t know me. “I can’t even process that.”
I crossed my arms over my chest.
“I don’t think I could do it… If Alex told me no sex until marriage, I’d be gone.”