“Would you reread something, or would it be something new?”
“I don’t know yet. I’ll find something.” She smiled, and I leaned forward and kissed her again. Her pencil dropped from her hand, and she groaned.
“You are so good at that.”
“I try,” I whispered and kissed her again.
She groaned once more, wrapping her arms around my neck. I deepened the kiss, then reached around and gripped her by the hips, picking her up. Her eyes widened as she pulled away slightly.
“How did you do that? You are so freaking strong.”
“Just you wait,” I winked and then leaned forward, biting her lip before I kissed away the sting. She wrapped her legs around my waist as I carried her to the bed. I gently set her on the mattress before I stripped her, ever so slowly. First her pants, then her top. She groaned as I lapped at and placed kisses along her body, trying to take in every inch of her, savor every breath. She lay naked before me as I stripped off my shirt and leaned down, bending myself between her legs as I looked my fill. Her pussy was wet, inviting. I lapped and licked, spreading her folds.
“You’re so pretty. So wet.”
“Only for you,” she whispered.
“I’m going to have to do a better job, then,” I said before licking and sucking more. I ate her out as she came, licking her clit as she rode my face. She came twice in an almost unending burst before I finally pulled away and flipped her onto her stomach. She groaned and pushed against me, but I reached out and smacked her on the ass. She shivered before pressing into my hold, and I slowly rubbed away the sting.
“You like?” I asked, being careful with her. Oh, so careful. I always would be. No matter what happened between us.
“I do,” she whispered.
I spanked her again before reaching around and plucking at her nipples. I twisted harder than I had before, and she let out a shocked gasp. She froze, and I did the same.
“Too much?”
“No. I just…wow. I think I liked that.”
“Good, then.” I did the same to the other nipple, and she let out a shocked gasp before moaning. I slid my hand between her thighs, cupping her. I knew she was even wetter than she had been before. It seemed my little Nessa liked this. Good.
I rubbed my jean-clad cock against her heat before reaching around for the water bottle I had set near the bed earlier. I opened it, grateful for its insulated metal, and pulled out an ice cube. I rolled her onto her back, and she widened her eyes.
“What are you going to do with that?”
“You’ll see.” I gently rubbed the ice cube across her nipple, and she let out a shocked gasp, immediately putting her hands above her head. I nearly came at the sight; at how she submitted to me, even though that wasn’t what we were doing. We didn’t have that kind of relationship, and I wasn’t ready for anything like that, but we were playing and being safe. That was all that mattered.
I slowly played with her nipples, using the ice and my warm mouth to send her over the edge again, but it wasn’t until I slid the ice between her folds, and she bucked against my hand, that I knew she was mine. She came again, and then I stripped quickly as she shook, her entire body pink and flushed. I slid a condom over my cock, spread her thighs, and pistoned inside her.
She arched off the bed, and I latched onto her mouth, pinning her hips to the bed as I pounded into her. She groaned, scratching her nails down my back, and I knew I would treasure those marks for as long as they lasted. Hell, I would probably feel them far longer than they were ever in evidence. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t do anything. All I wanted to do was have her forever. And because that couldn’t happen, I pushed away those thoughts and kept going.
I was fucking happy. And Nessa was mine.
I followed her orgasm as she clamped down on my cock and did my best not to think about what would happen after the semester and the year were up. I kissed her again, rolled to the side, my back to the door, and just held her as we both came down.
Tanner walked in at that minute. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I shouted and then growled.
Nessa giggled and pushed herself against my body as I slowly wrapped a blanket around us both.
I glared over my shoulder at my roommate.
He had his hands over his eyes and was cursing. “Shit. You didn’t notice that the power was out?”
I looked around. It was indeed dark. “Not really,” I said, still balls-deep in Nessa.
“Well, fuck. The power’s out. A storm’s coming. Batten down the hatches, or I guess you’re doing your own battening down. Not that it’s a euphemism, but I’m going to make it work. Fuck. I didn’t see anything of you, Nessa, but I’ve seen way too much of my roommate now.”
Tanner slammed the door on his way out, and I looked down at Nessa before we both laughed.
“Well, then,” Nessa said, blinking up at me. “I don’t know if I can be embarrassed anymore.”
“Ah, well, I’ll probably feel this later.” I leaned down and kissed her. “We should probably make sure everything’s okay.”
“Maybe. Or perhaps we can just stay under the blankets and forget the rest of the world.”
And as much as I wanted to do that, as much as I knew she wanted to do that, we both got up after a moment. Still, I held her close.
I was fucking falling for her, and I knew it was a damn mistake.
After all, Nessa wasn’t for me.
Chapter 15
Nessa
* * *
I shelved another book and smiled at a customer, my head aching. I hadn’t slept the night before, homework taking a toll. It was my fault. I’d gotten lost in my book and had written three chapters back-to-back, putting out as much of my grief and frustration as I could. My heroine might not be on the same journey, as she was dealing with the fae and dragons, but I had personal dragons to slay. Not that I was sure I could eradicate them. But perhaps I could try. Or I could at least organize those dragons and fae into little boxes so I could find my path. Either way, I had worked on my book when I probably shouldn’t have and had gotten behind on my homework. That meant little sleep before this morning. I didn’t have classes today, only a full shift and then a girls’ night at the house. We didn’t get to have them as often anymore, and even then, Mackenzie was new to them.
At our old house, before we had lost Corinne, we’d had full-fledged girls’ nights at least twice a month where we had a theme, awesome food, and just hung out together as we talked about boys and life and classes. Discussed movies that we wanted to watch. We sometimes even made it to the living room to watch some. We simply enjoyed one another. All of that female bonding and life was everything. Corinne had been a huge part of that. She had been the first to suggest it and had pushed us to do it more often. And then she died, and everything had changed. Although, that wasn’t the only reason.
Mackenzie and Elise were spending more and more time at the guys’ house, their relationships with Pacey and Dillon getting more serious with each passing day. I had a feeling one or both of them would end up engaged by the time we graduated. I didn’t see a problem with that as my parents had gotten involved during college. Planning your future with someone that you loved while making sure you met your goals and plans at the same time was something worthwhile. Difficult, but practical. I wasn’t doing that. I ignored the slight twinge I felt in my heart. I focused on the connections I had while trying to make plans for a future I wasn’t sure about. Miles wouldn’t be in that future. That much I knew.
“You’re thinking hard again,” Everly said as she walked towards me.
I looked over at her then and smiled. “My brain can’t quit sometimes.”
“No worries. You were thinking hard enough that you missed the fact that your shift ended ten minutes ago.” I looked down at my phone and blinked. “Oh. I didn’t even realize.”
“You didn’t. But now you can go and spend some time with the girls and eat pizza or whatever you guys do to e
njoy yourselves.”
“Mackenzie and Natalie are craving butter chicken and vindaloo.”
“Really?” Everly asked, her eyes wide.
“Yes, we have a few recipes, and our neighbors gave us some spices since they know what they’re doing while we’re still learning.”
“I’m jealous.”
“If we have any leftovers the guys don’t get to first, I’ll bring you some.”
My boss smiled at me. “That sounds like a plan. Or I guess you can just come over and cook it at our house someday.”
“I didn’t say I was the one cooking tonight,” I said with a laugh, shaking my head.
“True, true. Have fun. I will see you on Monday.”
“Sounds good, thank you.” I kissed her cheek and grabbed my stuff to head out.
It was nice having Everly around because I missed my mom. I knew she couldn’t be my mom age-wise, but she just had this presence that soothed like my mom used to have. I missed her so damn much. She had been everything to me. Some days, I still couldn’t believe she was gone. It felt like just yesterday she had been reading the first draft of my book and smiling, not necessarily pushing me but being my support system and my pillar for pursuing a career as an author and an English professor. I didn’t have any lofty dreams of getting a seven-figure contract right out of the gate with a movie deal and an astronomical print run. No, I didn’t think that would ever happen to me. And while it would be wonderful and would help my bills and the medical bills that came from Mom, it wasn’t reality. I just wanted to see my book on bookshelves. That was something on my path. I also wanted to learn and create and watch others do the same. Maybe it wouldn’t be a job that made me millions, but it could hopefully create a life for me.
At least, that’s what I hoped.
I pulled into the gas station near the exit off the highway and got out to fill my tank. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled, and I frowned and looked over my shoulder. Nobody was there, just a few people either filling up or walking into the convenience store. I frowned and shook my head. I was just tired and feeling things. Yet why did it feel like somebody’s eyes were on me? Not that it could happen. Someone’s gaze, not their eyeballs. I groaned at my weird editor joke and quickly finished filling up my gas tank. I pulled into the driveway, got out, and grabbed my things before heading in. The house smelled of spices, warmth, and bread. My stomach grumbled, and the girls looked over at me from the kitchen. “You’re here. We haven’t burned anything yet,” Mackenzie said.
Elise shushed her. “You know better than to jinx us.”
Natalie laughed. “We already had to call the neighbor. When they didn’t pick up right away, we called Aiden.”
“Aiden helped?” I asked.
“Yes, because we have a recipe, but we wanted to make sure. He helped us through the beginning parts. The neighbor’s recipe was very detailed, and when they called back, everything was great.”
“I’m glad we haven’t burned down the house yet.” I cringed. “Okay, should I go outside and spin in a circle or something?”
“No, but here’s some salt,” Natalie said, her expression serious. “Seriously, throw it over your shoulder.”
“The whole shaker?”
She sighed. “Nessa, you know the rules.”
“I do,” I said as I sprinkled some salt onto my palm and tossed it over my shoulder.
“Better now?” I asked.
“Marginally. We may have to go out there and dance naked later.”
“I didn’t say I was dancing naked,” I said with a laugh.
“That will get the neighbors talking for sure,” Elise said as she handed over a drink. “We’re just doing champagne tonight. Is that okay?”
“That sounds amazing.” I reached and took the glass from her.
“We haven’t started yet. It’s our first glass.” Mackenzie held up hers. We clinked glasses and grinned.
“To girls’ night,” Natalie said, beaming.
“To girls’ night,” I whispered before taking a sip. The bubbles burst on my tongue, playing down my throat as I swallowed. “This is good stuff.”
“It’s one of Dillon’s brother’s favorites. Not the expensive bougie kind, but one we can afford,” Elise said on a laugh.
“Yes, because I’m poor. Remember?” I said with a wince.
The girls all knew my financial troubles, and while I never hid them from them, it still felt weird. I knew Natalie and even Elise came from families with far more money than mine had. Mackenzie did, as well, but she was more on my family’s level.
Natalie, though? Natalie was out of this world in the circles her family lived in. Yet, she was still our Natalie. One of my best friends.
“Okay, let’s go over what we have tonight,” Mackenzie said as she set down her glass, clapping her hands in front of her. “We have way too much food, but that’s good because you know the guys will probably end up wanting to eat us out of house and home later if they stop by.”
Natalie’s head shot up. “I thought it was girls’ night. Guys don’t come to girls’ night,” she said and then winced. “Wow, don’t I sound like the sad little lonely virgin left at the table?” she said dramatically, putting her hand on her forehead.
I crossed my eyes. “Oh, stop.” I looked at Mackenzie. “They’re not coming, are they?”
“They were told they weren’t invited,” Elise said primly. “However, we know them. Right?”
I sighed. “I told Miles it was girls’ night. He’ll probably actually listen to me,” I said.
“Miles is the good one,” Natalie grumbled. “I bet you Tanner will be the one to push them all here.”
I met Mackenzie’s and Elise’s gazes. But, once again, we didn’t touch that. I had no idea what was wrong with her and Tanner. But it seemed they seriously did not like each other.
“If anything, we know Pacey’s the one who puts them all together,” Mackenzie said, and I nodded. “Pretty much.”
She smiled, and I returned it. We were good now. Especially now that I was with Miles. Things weren’t strained when it came to Pacey and me. Yes, I had been an idiot, but we were all over it, and Mackenzie and Pacey were just so freaking cute that it didn’t matter anymore what feelings I thought I once had for him.
“Anyway,” Elise said, “they may show up for food later. But they’re not allowed to stay. I promise. This is girls’ night. We talk about guys. We don’t let them inside the house.”
“So, we’ll shove to-go boxes at them through a crack in the door. Maybe throw it at them.”
“Oh, good, then we can clean up the mess later because it’s not like any of us have any aim.”
“I have aim,” Natalie said. “I was captain of my softball team, thank you very much.”
“Then we can go to the emergency room because you’re going to beat Tanner to submission,” I said with a laugh.
Natalie’s cheeks pinked. “I didn’t hurt him. Much. I mean, I can’t get in trouble and go to jail for hurting him. I have priorities.”
“That is true,” Mackenzie said. “Okay, now chop-chop, let’s get everything into the living room. Nessa, you’re wearing far too many clothes. Go get in your pajamas and take that bra off.”
“I feel like the guys all just groaned somewhere hearing that,” I said dryly, and Elise grinned.
“The guys might be expecting teddies and pillow fights, but they’re going to end up getting pajamas with holes in them, no bras, and facials.” She coughed. “I mean, you know, the face stuff. The creams and stuff.” She kept stuttering and rambling, and we all started laughing. “I mean actual face creams and firming serums. Oh my God, why does everything facial-related that isn’t sex-related sound like it’s about dicks?”
I laughed so hard my side ached as I made my way to my bedroom, champagne in hand. I took another sip, feeling far happier than I had in a while. No, that wasn’t true. Miles made me happy. And as if I had conjured him out of thin air, my phone buzz
ed, and I looked down.
Miles: I’ll keep the guys away as long as I can, but they know there’s good food there, and I know you’re making a lot. We may be there in about an hour. I’m sorry, babe.
I grinned, humming a bit and a little warm from the champagne and just seeing his name.
Me: I’m sure I can let you in through the window. You need to be quiet.
Miles: Babe, we both know that you’re the one who’s never quiet.
I blushed and pressed my thighs together. Damn, that man.
Me: Okay, fine. I guess you can gag me.
Miles: Damn it, now I have a hard-on in the kitchen, and the guys are staring at me.
Me: You’re the one who started it. I guess I’ll see you soon. Make sure Tanner doesn’t annoy Natalie.
Miles: I don’t know what’s up between the two of them, but I’ll make sure he doesn’t annoy her. And, frankly, he has to work tonight, so I don’t even think he’d show.
I winced, even though he couldn’t see me.
Me: That will make things weird if it’s the three of us couples and Natalie is by herself.
Miles: Shit. We won’t come inside. If we even show up at all. I’ll convince the guys or something.
I sighed, frowning as I quickly stripped off my clothes and put on my pajamas.
Me: No, I want to see your face. Which is probably a mistake. But yes I want to see you.
Miles: That makes me happy to hear. We’ll figure something out. And we won’t make Natalie feel bad. I promise.
Me: Good. I’ll see you soon.
Miles: Not soon enough.
I bit my lip as I set my phone down and shook my head. I was getting in far too deep, too quickly, when it came to Miles, but that was fine. I’d work things out. I would find a way to pay for the next semester, even if working two jobs killed me. But I would not lose this feeling. This sense of happiness that I had had nothing to do with champagne. Though I knew it couldn’t only be about Miles. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.
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