by Nana Malone
She sat back. "Yes, I know. And you're missing the point."
As much as Shane was enjoying the exchange, he redirected the conversation. "It's all about how you create the chemistry. It's more than just the physical. It's how you vibe and flow off each other. It's the dance as you try to figure out if you find the other person attractive. If you want to spend time in this person's company or not.
The rest of the class passed without incident, but he found it increasingly difficult to keep his eyes off of Tris. When it was over, everyone packed up and filed out. But she hung back.
He swallowed hard. "What's up, Tris?"
"Uh, just I had a question about the assignment, go out and hit on someone and document it."
The idea of her out with her friends hitting on some random dude irritated him. But it was none of his damn business. "Yeah?"
"I was wondering if I could use an instance from the past?"
The mental image of her sucking on his bottom lip planted itself firmly at the forefront of his mind, and he cleared his throat. "Yeah, that's fine. As long as it demonstrates the first step of attraction through to sealing the deal, then yeah. Feel free."
"Great. Good class."
Yeah, perfect. Just perfect.
Chapter 6
Tris tried to calm her thundering heart rate as she and Sydney walked to their room. It didn't matter how many times she told herself Shane was off limits. Her body refused to listen. And she was afraid that after that little display in class, everyone knew there was something going on.
When they shuffled into the dorm, Xia bounced out of the bathroom, hair half dry. “’Sup, party people? Tris, why do you look sick, and why does it look like Sydney’s laughing about it?”
Sydney grinned even as Tris groaned. “Dude, you missed it. Mr. Lover Lover put the moves on Tris to demonstrate a point in section today.”
Xia’s eyes bugged. “Please tell me you recorded that shit.”
Tris glowered at the both of them. “You guys are not funny. It was bad enough I practically drooled all over him.”
Syd shook her head. “It wasn’t that bad. Besides, I was drooling over him. And let me just say, he so wants to get on that!"
Tris groaned and plopped onto her bed. "Syd, you realize that he's still our RA, right, and our TA?"
Xia rolled her eyes and agreed with Sydney. "Forbidden fruit just makes it all the hotter. Besides, we saw how he looked at you at the party. He looked like he wanted to kill someone when Kasey was all over you. I mean, he was all Thor protector and shit. It was hot."
Yes hot but also embarrassing for her.
Syd shook her head. "You thought that was hot? I got to watch him hit on her in class. All smooth and shit. I was ready to toss my panties at him."
Through a laugh, Tris said, "He was demonstrating a point, Syd."
"Whatever. It wasn't about what he said, it was about how he looked at you from the moment you walked in. That man was all about you. Even when he tried to keep his eyes off you, it didn't work out too great for him. He's so totally into you."
"Doesn't matter. Please see earlier comment about forbidden. He'll get fired or something, and that would be wrong."
Syd grinned. "Only if he gets caught."
Lord help her from Syd's machinations. "I'm not that girl, you guys. I can't just jump him. Besides, I tried that already."
"Yes, you can," said Syd. Then, she narrowed her eyes. "And what do you mean you tried that already?"
So totally busted. She hadn't told them about her failed attempt at seduction in the car yet. Grabbing a pillow, she hugged it to herself. "I, uh sort of asked him to teach me all about sex."
Syd wasn't letting it go. "You mean all theoretical, like in class?"
She swallowed hard and winced. "More like practical application."
Xia's mouth dropped open. "When. Was. This?"
"And why didn't we get a 911 to deconstruct immediately?" Syd added.
"It was the night of the frat party. He drove me home, and I just sort of blurted it out like a moron. But to be fair, I was so drunk. I knew what I was saying, but it was like I couldn't control any of it just pouring out of my mouth."
Even Syd covered her eyes in embarrassment solidarity. "You didn't."
"I did. I practically begged the man to take me through the A to Z of sex. He, of course, politely declined."
Her best friends stared at her for a long moment. Finally, Xia tried to make her feel better. "I think it's important to focus on the positive. Which is, you want him. That's not something to ignore. It's a pretty big deal for you to be attracted to anyone. That's progress, right?"
"Big deal or not. Not going to happen. Can we just drop it, guys? The more I think about him, the crazier it makes me. Right now, I'm blaming it all on the alcohol."
"Okay, T-Pain," chortled Syd.
Tris wasn't in the mood to be teased. "I blame it on the shoes too. I put those things on and thought I was invincible. Turns out they're evil shoes, convincing me I could be Syd for a night."
Syd sighed. "Okay fine. We'll drop it if you want. We just want to see you happy and laid, that's all. You should be experiencing every part of college. And if you don't want those shoes, I'm taking them."
Tris didn’t even consider it. They were too pretty to give up. “Speaking of experiences, I officially signed up for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.”
Neither one of her friends spoke for a long moment. Then they reminded her why they were friends in the first place. Xia started talking training plans and nutrition. Syd started talking about gear, from shoes to camelbacks to running outfits. Tris just stared at them.
Xia shook her head. “Honey, you don’t get it, do you? We’re ride or die. Even if we don't agree with what crazy idea you have, if it’s what you think you need, then it’s what you need. We’ll do everything we can to get you there.”
Tris sniffed in an attempt to ward off tears. "Thank you. Oh, and as far as college experiences go, thanks for the hangover the other day, guys, it was really fun. I appreciated it."
Her friends just grinned at her.
"All part of the ride," Xia said.
Tris threw a pillow at her then jogged to answer her ringing cell phone. "Hello?"
There was silence on the line, but she could hear someone breathing or maybe faint static. And icy chill ran over her skin. Maybe it was someone from Trinidad? The connections were never great. "Hello? Anyone there?"
More silence.
The hairs stood up on the back of her neck. Tris hung up and stared at her phone. She'd been programmed to trust her instincts and not dismiss them. She knew what to do at this point. She was supposed to call her father and let him overreact. But that was the last thing she wanted to do.
It would mean the beginning of her new free life would be cut short. And she didn't know if it was anything yet. Maybe a wrong number. Maybe a bad connection. No, she wasn't calling her father. Not when she had another avenue to approach.
"Who is it?" Xia asked.
"Wrong number." She shoved her phone into her back pocket. I'm going to head down to the cut for a minute—I am in desperate need of a smoothie. You guys want anything?"
Sydney headed into the shower and shook her head.
Xia was plugging in for a Skype session with her parents. "No thanks."
Tris slipped on flip flops then headed the three feet next door and knocked on Shane's door.
He opened it on the first knock, almost like he'd been expecting her. "Hey, Tris."
What was she doing here again? She licked her lips nervously. "Uh, hi."
His dark brows snapped down over those beautiful clear blue eyes. "What's up?"
She shook her head. "It's not—it's probably nothing, but you said to call if I felt hinky or anything."
Shane stepped aside. "Come in and tell me what happened."
She followed him in. Like the other night, his room was immaculate, nothing out of place, not even the books. On
his bed sat a book, and she could make out the outline of where he'd been lying. "I—it was just a phone call."
"When?"
"A couple of minutes ago." She sighed. "I feel stupid now that I'm saying it out loud."
"This isn’t stupid. It’s my job to listen to your concerns."
His voice was firm and commanding, and she blinked up at him in surprise.
He shook his head. "I'm your RA. If something is bothering you, big or small, I'm your guy. What was said on the call?"
"That's just it—nothing. Not even heavy breathing really. It could have been a bad connection from Trinidad, I guess, but it felt like someone was there."
"Okay." He nodded. "First thing in the morning, we get you a new number."
"Oh, no. My dad will freak if I change my number or my phone. I think he's bugging the thing."
Shane ran a hand through his hair. "Okay, uh, we'll get you a new phone with a new number, one you only give to your friends. A prepaid burner. That's the one you carry around with you. Leave the one your dad gave you here in your room most of the time. If it's anyone other than home or your parents, don’t answer. Do you mind leaving it with me for the night? I have a friend in engineering; maybe he can trace the call."
"Is all that necessary? I'm going to feel really dumb that you went to all this trouble."
He stepped directly in front of her, forcing her head back so their gazes met. "You came here for a reason right?"
And that reason didn't involve hopefully catching a glimpse of him half naked. Right? "Yeah."
"What was it?"
She squared her shoulders. "Because it felt like something."
"And you didn't want your dad to go ballistic. So let me look into it. If it extends past my RA abilities, we'll call the police and your father, deal?"
She could live with that. For now. But what she didn't tell him was the real reason that she'd come over. That because, like an addict, she wanted to feel the buzz of electricity in her veins.
Chapter 7
Shane knew the proper protocol for this situation. What he should do was get Tris safely ensconced in her room, and then call Caleb. What he needed to do was start that trace on her phone, right the hell now. What he was supposed to do was keep his hands off her.
Except none of those things made sense to him right now. In his conscious mind he knew there were orders to follow, but he didn't really give a shit. Tris sucked in her bottom lip and traced her teeth over it.
Oh, hell. She was so beautiful. To make matters worse, he cared about her. There was something strong, but a little bit sad, about her.
"I'll be fine. I promise."
Now was the part where he was supposed to step aside and let her go back to her room. Or, perhaps, when he made an excuse and made himself scarce. His assignment was clear, and it didn’t include touching her. If he touched her, he would jeopardize the only thing that was keeping him even right now, keeping him sane. He needed this job, needed Caleb. You need her too.
When was the last time he’d done anything for himself? Instead of the smart thing, he did the very stupid thing. He ran a thumb over her cheek, and she sighed.
Don't do it. Follow the rules.
But following the rules his whole life had only made him miserable. Fuck it.
When he dipped his head, her lips parted. He paused right before sliding his lips to hers, giving her an out, giving her time to run, to walk away. To help him be a good guy.
Instead, the sound of her rapid panting filled his head, and the mix of her perfume mixed with the smell of her strawberry lip-gloss muddled his brain. Thinking wasn't on the agenda.
He slid his hands into her hair at the nape and pulled her forward into the kiss. Like an addict going through the worst part of withdrawal and finally getting a hit, he moaned at the contact. It was like his first taste of summer after being in an arctic wasteland for years.
Tris's arms looped around his neck, and she stepped into him, melding their bodies together. His free hand snapped around her lower back, and he encouraged her to press herself against his body. The booming pulse of his heartbeat made him throb all over, like his skin was alive with the thrum of electricity.
Tris made a soft mewling sound at the back of her throat, and he couldn't think, couldn't block out the need, desire, and lust he'd been fighting since he met her two weeks ago.
Frustrated with the height difference, he bent his legs slightly to give him enough leverage to pick her up. She gasped in surprise, but then wound her legs around his waist. He took that opportunity to angle his head and kiss her deeper. Licking into her mouth, he left no part of the warm depths unexplored in the desperate need to consume her.
Hands on her ass, he held her tight against his hips. With her strong thighs, she clamped her legs around him and lifted slightly, rocking against him. Any working brain cells he had shorted with the roll of her hips and her fingers in his hair.
Gently, he laid her on the bed and followed her down, careful not to put his full weight on her. When he rolled them to their side and wedged his leg between hers, she lifted her hips into him, and a shudder wracked her body. Shane gritted his teeth against the spike of need. The ever-growing devil on his shoulder screamed at him to take, plunder, taste, sink into her.
From her hips, he slid his hands up under her T-shirt, over the smooth expanse of her back. The contact made her arch into his caress, all while her tongue responding to his. Matching him, exploring all on her own. When she sucked on his tongue, he growled, desperate for more. He wanted everything she had to offer.
She slid one hand between them, and alarms bells rang in his skull. He wanted to ignore them, but he couldn't. With a herculean effort, he pulled back, his lips tingling. "Do you want me to stop?"
Tris shook her head, and her tongue peeked out to lick her lips.
"You have to look at me when you say that. So I'm sure."
She dragged her eyelids open and met his gaze with dilated pupils. "Please don’t stop. I just—"
Shane cut her off when he nipped at her bottom lip. She rocked into him again, and he clenched his teeth against the onslaught of need. Through gritted teeth he asked, "You just what?"
She ducked her head.
"Come on, tell me, I want to know."
"I wanted to touch you..."
With his blood on fire, it took him a moment to register what she'd said. Touch. She wanted to touch him. Oh. Yeah, he was so down with that. Shifting slightly, he reached behind and dragged his T-shirt off, tossing it somewhere on the floor. "Touch me all you want."
Her eyes flared a little, and then she tentatively ran her fingertips over his pecs. Oh, hell yes. Just the promise of her hands on him made his skin tight and itchy. To keep himself from pushing too hard, too quickly, he rolled onto his back and tucked a hand under his head.
He kept his other one free and played with her hair, the thick heavy strands falling over her shoulder.
She smiled a little as her fingers traced over his abs. She was like satin, and he could die just like this and be happy. With her teasing him and driving him so crazy he might explode with need. She shifted her touch lower, and his hips rose involuntarily as he squeezed his eyes shut.
Immediately, her touch was gone, and he felt too cold. He forced his eyes open again. "What's the matter?"
"The look on your face. It's like I'm hurting you."
Reaching out for her hand, he placed it back on his chest. "No, I'm just fighting to keep myself under control."
"So you don’t mind?"
"I mind if you stop."
She traced a thumb over his nipple, and his cock went rock hard. Fuck. His body felt like one giant hormone with her touching him like this.
She repeated the action, and he cursed low. A slow smile spread over her lips, and she bent over his chest. The feel of her lips to his pec made him freeze. But it wasn't until her pink, satin tongue peeked out to tease his nipple that his control snapped.
He flipped them easily and settled himself between her thighs before rolling against her. He knew there were only two possible outcomes: come in his jeans, or end up with the worst case of blue balls known to mankind.
He wanted her like he'd never wanted anything in his life. But he wasn't going to rush. Her touch was too tentative. She didn't have a lot of experience, and he wasn't going to push and take more than she was ready to give.
"Do you mind if I get a turn?"
She shook her head.
He lifted her T-shirt and hovered over her belly button. He softly blew on the expanse of soft brown skin. She raised her hips, and he tried to focus on what he was doing, not what she was presenting for the taking.
Leaning close, he kissed her softly, and she moaned. Sliding his hands up her torso, he slid her T-shirt with them, exposing more of her to his view. He wanted to see in the light. Not the muted darkness of his room. He wanted her in his apartment, splayed on his bed. He wanted to take his time, exploring her body, making her need him.
When his thumbs grazed the underside of her breasts, she arched her back into his caress, and he kissed his way up her stomach.
His hands trembled as he slid them up her torso, cupping her breasts. Full and ripe, they filled his hands. With his thumb, he traced over her nipples. Through the lace, her tight nipple peaked. Mouth dry, he wanted to taste her. He wanted to make her nearly as crazy as she was making him.
"Shane..." Her voice was thready and panted as she arched into his caress.
Fuck, she was beautiful. What he was doing was way over the line. But he wanted her more than he'd ever wanted anything in his life. The need blurred everything, and he couldn't even see the line anymore. All he could see was her. "Tris," he whispered.
Gently, he plucked at her nipples, and she moaned low, sliding her hands into his hair. She tried to guide him up, and he knew what she wanted. Knew the tension that was coiling inside her. Because it was also threatening to break him apart.
His mouth dry, he leaned over her and lifted her T-shirt over her breasts. Dipping his head, he closed his lips around one of her nipples and tugged.