“Evan!” His name came out on a gasp, and she leaned into him, as though she couldn’t keep herself upright anymore.
Reaching around her, he shut off the water and took the glass out of her hand, turning her to face him and kissing her mouth, his hands braced on the counter behind her. God, he couldn’t get enough of kissing her. Her lips, the slight hesitation that was there every time before she capitulated and kept up with him, the way her hands gripped him. Yesterday it was his hair. Tonight her hands had made their way inside his jacket, and she clutched his shirt like she might drown if she let go.
He could make out with her, just like this, all night long. Except there were other places he wanted to kiss, to taste, to feel. To see how she reacted to his hands and his mouth elsewhere, when just this had her pupils dilating and her lids heavy, her breath coming fast and shallow, complete with little gasps and moans of pleasure.
What would she sound like when she came?
He pressed his hips into hers, letting her feel how much he wanted her. Letting go of the counter, his hands went to her back, pressing her closer to him, his fingers slipping under her shirt, skating across her bare skin. He wanted to see that silky expanse, watch his hands run over it and see the goosebumps he raised with his touch before kissing them away. Did she get darker in the summer? The thought of her in a bikini had him grinding his hips into hers even harder. He had to see her. All of her. Now.
His hands lifted, running up her sides, forcing her arms up as the fabric bunched. She broke the kiss, her eyes sharp now, focused on his face. He met her eyes, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “I want to see you. Please.”
After what felt like an eternity, but was really no more than a breath, she nodded and lifted her arms. Her shirt slipped off over her head, leaving her in a black satin bra, holding her breasts like an offering just for him. He ran his fingers over the tops of them, teasing along the edge of the cups, before caressing them fully, his mouth finding hers again.
Getting braver, her hands found their way under his shirt, and the graze of her cool fingers on his skin made him shiver. His hands roamed over her bare skin, wishing her bra was gone, and his shirt was gone, to feel her skin to skin, but he didn’t want to break the kiss or take his hands off her to take care of those things.
Layla seemed to have the same idea. Her hands came out from under his shirt, pushing the jacket off his shoulders, forcing his hands away from her for long enough to get it off. Then her fingers went to work on his buttons, and the only reason he didn’t intervene to hurry the process along was because he got to keep kissing her and touching her while she undressed him. He cradled her face in one hand, tilting her head so he could have access to her neck and jawline once more. When he nipped at her skin, her fingers faltered, fumbling with the buttons.
She finally managed to get them undone and pushed his shirt away from his shoulders, once again forcing his hands away from her. He broke the kiss this time, watching her as he peeled the shirt off his arms, enjoying the way her eyes roamed over his chest, taking in his arms, the tattoo of a compass rose on his left pec. Her fingers brushed over it, and he groaned when her lips followed, starting on his tattoo and moving over his chest.
His hands went to the clasp on the back of her bra, deftly undoing the hooks. She stilled as the band around her ribcage loosened, her hands going to the cups of her bra, holding them in place. He met her gaze, one corner of his mouth tugging up, and he referenced a conversation they had last week. “Gender equality, right? Free the nipple?”
Laughing, she shook her head, but took her hands away, the straps slipping down her arms and letting the bra fall. Unable to help himself, his hands immediately went to her breasts, holding them up. They filled his hands, and he had big hands. He ran his thumbs over her already stiff nipples, golden brown and just a few shades darker than the rest of her skin.
He needed those nipples in his mouth.
Before she could react, his hands were on her ass, and he lifted her onto the counter next to the sink once more, barely missing the full glass of water sitting there, forgotten. Much better. He only had to bend slightly to run his tongue around her nipple, holding her breast up for his attention with his hand, flicking the taut peak back and forth before latching on and sucking hard. Then he did the same thing to the other side.
She gasped and shivered, her hands clutching at his hair as he paid attention to her breasts. The kitchen was not the ideal place for this. But he was too lost in her to try to move it somewhere better, like the couch. Or her bed. Hell, if it weren’t so hard, he’d settle for the floor. Anywhere he could have her laid out for him so he could worship her body like it deserved.
But he couldn’t tear himself away from her long enough to make something like that happen. He was too hungry for her, especially after getting cut short last night, and then spending the last couple of hours trying to be civilized, having conversations about school and literature, when all the while he wanted to strip her bare and sink inside her.
His mouth moved back to hers, and his hands drifted to her waistband. Still kissing her, he moved to one side enough so that he could undo the button on her jeans and slip his hand inside. Her fingers wrapped around his wrist, and he stilled. When she didn’t tug his hand back out, he worked his way farther inside, over her soft curls, sliding between her lips, his middle finger entering her to the first knuckle. Enough to feel how turned on she was, and gather her wetness to move it up and around and over her clit.
She shuddered under his touch, her hands tightening around his arm as his fingers played over her, dipping inside her again, pressing farther inside, out again and over her clit, repeating the motions over and over.
Breaking the kiss, he pulled back to watch her, wanting to see what she looked like as she got closer to the edge and tipped over. Her eyes were closed and her lips parted, all pink and swollen from his kisses.
He leaned close to her ear. “Fuck, Layla. You look so sexy like this. I can’t wait to see what you look like when you come. What you feel like all wrapped around me, shuddering just like this.”
She stilled. And she tugged on his arm, pulling his hand out of her pants. He kept it on her belly, and she let him, her fingers still wrapped around his wrist. When her eyes opened, they looked almost sad. Not the hazy, lust-drunk look he’d been hoping for.
“Evan.” His name was a plea on her lips. But not the, “I need you to fuck my brains out right now,” kind of plea he wanted. No. Instead she said, “We have to stop.”
He swallowed. Disentangled his wrist from her grip. “I’m sorry. I thought—You let me—I’m sorry. I must’ve read things wrong.” He took a step back, looking around for his shirt. “Um, I’ll go then.”
“Wait, no. Evan, please.”
Shirt in hand, he stood. She had one arm across her breasts, but she held the other out to him. “You don’t have to go. Don’t leave like this, at least. You didn’t misread anything. I like you. I’m just not ready—yet. For that.” Her eyes looked back and forth between his. “Is this an all or nothing deal? If we don’t have sex tonight, it’s over?”
Stepping back in front of her, he gripped her face in both hands. “God, no. No. I thought—when you said no, I took that as never. I’m not used to waiting.”
She let out a shuddery laugh. “And I’m not used to moving this fast. It’s only been twenty-four hours since you first kissed me. I’m still trying to catch up to the fact that you want to be more than friends.”
He smoothed his thumb over her lips and kissed her again. “Do you want me to finish you off? I know you were getting close.”
“No.” She wrapped her fingers around his wrists again, tugging his hands away from her face. “I was getting close, but no. Let’s not do that right now.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.” He was disappointed she’d turned down his offer. Even if he went home with blue balls and had to jerk it in the shower, that didn’t mean he needed to leave her achin
g and needy.
“I’m sure. It wouldn’t be right for me to let you do that when I’m not able to reciprocate. Yet.”
Her eyes were full of promise when they met his. And that gave him more hope that his feelings weren’t one sided. He still had a hard time figuring her out. She’d go along with him and make him think they were on the same page, and then do this to him. But he could give her time. Even if it might kill him and give his right hand more of a workout than he’d prefer.
“Okay.”
She pushed on his chest, and he stepped back, letting her slide from the counter. Finding her shirt on the floor, she scooped it up and slipped it over her head, making him sigh as she covered her perfect breasts. At least he had a pretty good chance of seeing them again. It was just a matter of when.
“When can I see you again?”
She gave him that narrow-eyed stare she was so good at.
He grinned. “That’s not what I meant. I like spending time with you. I mean, if you wanna do more than hang out, I’m up for that. But I’ll take whatever I can get.”
“Mmhmm.” Her eyes fell to his crotch. “I’m sure you are up for that.”
Laughing, he pulled his shirt back on, doing up the buttons, then reaching down to adjust himself unashamedly. No point trying to hide something so obvious. But the unintentional sigh that escaped from her when he buttoned his shirt made him smile. She didn’t like him covering his chest anymore than he liked her covering hers. Good to know.
After he picked up his jacket, he took her in his arms again. “I am going to go now, though.” He looked her over, taking in her tousled hair, flushed cheeks, and bright eyes. “You’re far too tempting like this, and I can’t promise to be good if I stay.”
He kissed her before she could respond, long and slow, savoring it, savoring her. Part of him was glad she stopped him. Their first time needed to be in a bed. Not hard and fast on the kitchen counter like it would’ve been otherwise. He wanted to take his time mapping every inch of her with his hands and his mouth. And denial only added to the anticipation, making it even better in the end.
So he would wait.
“Call me when you get up tomorrow, okay? We’ll get lunch or something. Sound good?”
She nodded, still looking dazed from his kiss. Good. That’s how he wanted her. With one final kiss, he stepped back and let himself out.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Layla didn’t know whether she was more surprised that Evan didn’t get mad on Saturday when she stopped him or that he wanted to have lunch with her on Sunday when she called. And invited her to his apartment afterward. She hadn’t been sure about going to his place, thinking he’d probably have it set up for seduction, but he’d chuckled, the low sound over the phone warming her.
“Don’t worry. Carter and Elena will be there. They want to have a Mario Kart tournament. You game?”
“Um, I’m not very good at video games.”
“That’s okay.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “It’s just for fun.”
“Okay. That sounds good.”
He’d picked her up an hour later. She’d had more fun than she’d expected playing video games with Evan’s roommate and his girlfriend. Carter—Daniel, as Elena called him—had been welcoming and friendly. Elena had too, but she kept giving Layla knowing looks every so often when Evan would get her a drink or run his hand down her back. Especially when he leaned in for a kiss.
The casual affection still caught her by surprise. Not so much the little touches. He’d been doing those for the last couple of weeks, now that she thought about it. It was the introduction of kissing that threw her off. And he touched her more. But thinking back, she felt stupid for not realizing his interest sooner.
Evan dropped her off at her apartment on Sunday evening, walking her up to her door but refusing her invitation to come inside. Instead he’d kissed her breathless against her door and left with a cocky smile on his face. She’d called Alyssa after that to fill her in on the new turn of events. They hadn’t talked in almost a week.
Alyssa had cackled when Layla got to the kiss on Friday. “I knew it! I knew it all along. Didn’t I say he liked you before? And that I thought you liked him?”
“Yeah, yeah. You were right. You called it. Feel better now?”
“Ha! Yes!” Alyssa gloated. “I’m glad you finally admit it.”
Layla couldn’t help smiling and shaking her head at her friend. “Are you done?”
“Yes. Okay. I’ll stop now. Tell me everything.”
After a complete rehash of the weekend, Alyssa had let out a low whistle. “It sounds like that boy’s got it bad. Be careful with that one.”
“I am. I’m always careful.”
Alyssa sighed. “Yeah, that’s what I mean. I mean be careful with him. You’re always careful with yourself, and that could blow up in your face here. He’s putting himself out there for you, letting you set the pace, and inviting you to hang out with his friends. Guys only do that when they’re serious. Don’t string him along if you’re not interested in him long term.”
Brows cinched in consternation, Layla processed what her friend was saying. “You make it sound like I only do casual flings. But you know I’m not like that.”
“Nooo. That’s not what I mean. It’s just that, it takes a long time for you to let people know you. You’re kind of a loner. Which is fine. I get why you are the way you are. But some people get frustrated and give up because you assume the worst. Don’t assume the worst about him. Give this a real chance and see where it goes.”
“I thought I was.” Layla couldn’t keep the defensiveness out of her voice.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to make you mad. I just want you to be happy.”
“I’m not mad. Just … confused. You make me sound like the next Unibomber.”
Alyssa laughed. “No. You’re not a crazy guy in a shack sending bombs in the mail. That’s not what I mean. I just don’t want you to end up as a crazy cat lady.”
“Well, that’s not high on my list either.”
“Good. We agree, then.”
“Um, I guess so.” Layla wasn’t sure what she was agreeing to, but Alyssa changed the subject, so she let it go.
Monday, she and Evan continued their normal routine where he picked her up for class. They spent time in the library after her last class going over the details of their presentation for World Lit the next day, then went and grabbed some dinner. Evan once again declined her invitation to come inside. She felt a little conflicted about that.
Part of her was happy, because it meant he respected her desire to take things slow. But part of her was frustrated, because she liked making out with him, and since he’d proven that he wasn’t just interested in getting in her pants, she wanted to move beyond chaste kisses in public and hot goodnight kisses at her door.
Their presentation went well on Tuesday. They made a video using newspaper photos to set the political and cultural background and clips from the movie made from the book to illustrate important points. Dr. Rankin looked pleased, asking interested questions, and giving them both a smile and a nod when they finished. Theirs was the last presentation of the day, so everyone filed out as soon as they were done.
In the hall, Evan wrapped his arms around her and picked her up. “That was awesome. You rocked that presentation.”
She smiled up at him as he set her down. “You weren’t so bad yourself.”
“Not so bad?” He looked mildly affronted, but grinned back at her. “I was awesome too, and you know it.”
Layla laughed. “Yeah, okay. You were awesome too.”
“That’s right I was.” His grin stretched wider. “I’m always awesome.”
Smiling, Layla pushed up on her toes and kissed him. The laughter on his face died away, and he grew serious, his eyes searching her face. Then he kissed her again, slower and deeper, all heat and promise. It dawned on her that this was the first time she’d initiated a kiss. But she’d b
ecome more comfortable with him, with them as a couple. The idea had settled into her brain and body, and the truth was, she felt better, more grounded, with his arms around her. His lips on hers made her feel different, better, than she did otherwise. Than she remembered feeling ever before when she’d been kissed. Evan made things different.
She didn’t like change very much, so it had taken her a few days to catch up. But she appreciated that he’d given her the time to do that.
When he broke the kiss, he threaded his fingers through hers and tugged her down the hall. “Come on. Let’s go celebrate a job well done.”
“Celebrate?” A smile stretched across her face. “What did you have in mind?”
He stopped, his eyes smoldering as he looked at her, his thumb rubbing over his lower lip. Unf. That gesture alone had heat pooling between her legs. Those lips were so talented. And she’d discovered on Saturday that he was very good with his hands. She wanted to find out just how good.
Tugging her closer, Evan took a deep breath. He bent his head close to hers and pitched his voice low. “I know how I’d prefer to celebrate. But I’m not sure you’re ready for that yet.”
His words had her shifting her feet, trying to discreetly rub her thighs together. She licked her lips and swallowed. “I think … I might be interested in seeing what you have in mind.”
His eyes widened, pupils dilating, and his hand cradled the base of her head as he pulled her in for a bruising kiss, his lips firmer and more demanding than they had been, his tongue seeking hers, searching her mouth, giving her no quarter. When he pulled back, his chest heaving, she could feel him long and hard against her belly.
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