by Jami Wagner
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It is. Do you want me?”
“Tripp …”
“It’s a yes or no question.”
“I—”
“Don’t think, just answer.”
“Yes.”
The word is barely off my lips before he kisses me. I know we are standing in the hallway on campus, but I don’t care. I kiss him back and hold him tight. It can be this easy if we let it. If I let it.
The clearing of a throat is like a bouncer yanking me off of Tripp.
Mr. Turner stands in front of us, shaking his head.
“Two things,” he says. “First, control the PDA. Not everyone wants to see it. And second, I wanted to let you both know that your first essay submissions were both very compelling. The view you each of have on the journalism program is refreshing. I look forward to seeing what more you have to submit.”
“Thank you,” I say. It sounds strained. I’m torn between being happy and nervous.
“That’s great to hear, Mr. Turner. Thanks,” Tripp says in his calm and cool voice.
Turner nods and then heads down the hall.
I stare at him as he leaves. I never thought Tripp wasn’t smart, but never did I think he could be the person I need to worry about when it comes to this program.
“I know what you’re thinking, and you need to stop.”
“I just feel like everything I’ve worked for is slowing disappearing.”
“It’s not. You’ll get it.”
“If you’re so sure about that, why even keep submitting papers?” I ask. The challenge in my tone is clear. He shifts to stand straighter.
“Because despite the fact I think you’ll get it, I could have a chance.”
“I’m confused here. Do you want to keep making out with me or not?”
His chuckle gains the attention of a few students around us.
“I think you know the answer to that,” he says and wraps his arms around my waist to kiss me again, but I pull back.
“Seriously, Tripp, I don’t see how this could end well.”
“It’s a chance I’m willing to take,” he says right before his lips claim mine.
***
I should really be leaving if I want to get to work on time.
Tripp’s hand slips under my shirt and is about to slide under my bra when I finally find some self-control and push him up.
“I need to be leaving,” I say.
“Two more minutes,” he says and kisses me again. I fall for it, the same way I have all week. Since class, when Turner complimented us both on our papers and Tripp told me how much he likes me, I can’t seem to stop making out with him.
I’ll tell you what, the storage room at work is probably my favorite. Turns out, I’m a big fan of fooling around in places where we could get caught. Which did sort of happen. She didn’t see it, but Brandy isn’t stupid. She knew what we were up to.
“For real,” I say and scoot out from under him and off the couch. I adjust my shirt and jeans and slip my flats on.
Tripp groans and sits back but smiles while doing both.
“I’ll see you at the party after work then?” he asks.
“Yep.” I grab my bag off the counter before I go. Tonight is the first of many Halloween parties on campus. I’m going as a therapist, the pre-Harley Quinn goes crazy kind. White jacket and all.
I make it to work in record time and am just settling in to study when Brandy pops in to say hey.
“I was beginning to think you’d call in,” she says, folding her arms on the countertop and giving me a knowing look.
Why she would think this? “I’ve never called in,” I say.
“I’d start. Especially with a man like yours at home. I’d never get out of bed.” Brandy’s brows do this weird dance thing, and I have no words. “Hold up,” she says. “You two have had sex, right?”
Again, I have no words. The fact I look down at my homework instead of answering her probably doesn’t help.
“Girl, what? How have you not climbed all over that by now?” she asks.
“I just … we haven’t,” is all I can come up with. I’d talk to Kass about it, but that would mean telling her more than she already knows. I’m not so sure that’s the best idea right now, and talking to Brandy isn’t such a great idea either.
“You have a guest waiting,” I say, thankful someone walked into the gym to save me.
Brandy hurries to her side, and once she’s gone my heart sets into full-on jackhammer mode. I mean, I know sex will happen. I just don’t know how soon he expects it.
My mind is in a mess. I want to have sex with Tripp. I just don’t want to tell him it’s my first time, and that alone is probably a good reason to wait, but I really don’t think I want to.
I spend another hour thinking of Tripp. I really need to get my act together or I can kiss that scholarship goodbye.
Tripp
The party has been in full swing for about an hour now. The minute Lennox walks in those doors, I’m stealing her away to sneak in as much touching, kissing, or whatever I can get with her.
“Have you told Winston about your crush on Lennox?” Mark asks, nudging me.
I sip my beer and shake my head. “I’m not thinking it’s the best thing to do until Lennox and I decide to tell more people. I don’t think she’s even told Kass.”
“You’re joking, right? After the last party, there is no way Kass doesn’t know. If you two want to keep this on the down low, I suggest not drooling over each other in public.”
“We aren’t you and Kass,” I say, laughing.
Mark cringes, but he doesn’t comment. He changes the subject instead. “So Winston tells me you haven’t missed a class in almost two weeks. That’s a record. I’d say Lennox is rubbing off on you.”
Or all over me, any way you want to put it.
“Being responsible isn’t as hard as it sounds,” I say. The lack of money part still sucks, but I’m doing just fine. I applied for a credit card last night. The way I see it, I’m going to get my money back eventually. When I do, I’ll just pay off any debt I happen to create in the next few years. Plus, a charge card also means that if Lennox needs something, I can get it for her. Minimum payments will be a piece of cake.
“Does she know that you get all your money back in three years at the most?” he asks. The question throws me off. I hadn’t forgotten about the money, but telling Lennox … well, that never occurred to me.
“I don’t think it matters. She wouldn’t care.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yeah, money or no money, nothing will change between us.”
“But she hated you when you had money.”
I narrow my eyes at him. Is he serious right now?
“I’m just saying that everyone acts differently when it comes to money. You’re looking at a guy whose father only sees people as money, and because of that, I see how it changes people.”
“Well, Lennox isn’t your dad. Neither am I. Why are we having this conversation?”
“Because I think—holy shit,” Mark says, his eyes springing wide. I follow his gaze and spot Lennox and Kass standing in the doorway. I inhale deep. Don’t act stupid. Don’t act stupid. It’s extremely hard to do when Lennox’s lean, perfect legs are on display and have the attention of every man in the room. I’m starting to see why Mark is always all over Kass. He wants to make it clear she’s not available.
Lennox scans the room. It’s only when Kass points toward us that her entire face lights up. Thank God Winston isn’t here. Her eyes say everything, and I’ll tell you what, I like her just as damn much.
The girls weave through the crowd until they reach us, and Mark wraps Kass in a hug, kissing her like always. Lennox and I just stare at each other. I don’t know about her, but the way her eyes focus on me sure feels a whole lot more intimate than if I kissed her right now.
“Sheldon Cooper, huh? I never would have guesse
d,” Lennox says with a wink.
“Do you want something to drink?” Mark asks the girls. Kass nods.
“I’m good,” Lennox answers.
Mark pulls Kass toward the keg, and I pull Lennox in the opposite direction.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere private,” I tell her.
Her laugh only makes me walk faster.
I find an empty room and close the door quickly. My lips are on Lennox’s just as fast. I swear her lips are like morphine. I want more and more. She weaves her hands into my hair and tugs against the strands, fueling me to kiss her harder. Her back meets the door, and I don’t waste any time gripping her thighs to straddle around me. A moan sweeps past her lips as she leans her head back, giving me full access to her neck and collarbone. I pepper kisses down until I have to pull back the front of her white lab coat. Moving her hands from my hair, she undoes the last button and we let the coat drop to the ground.
“You are the sexiest therapist I’ve ever seen,” I tell her between kisses.
Surely, there is something other than the door to fool around against. There is a long table and bunch of chairs. In the corner is a small sofa. Without putting her down, I walk us to the couch.
I sit with her on top of me, my hands resting on her hips. I feel the dress she’s wearing rise to my fingers and see the glimpse of her black underwear. She’s watching me. It’s fucking hot, and when my cock moves under my jeans, her gaze finds it. Her breathing picks up and on an inhale, I kiss her. She rises slightly to deepen the kiss, giving me space to slide my hand between us. Her groan of approval is all I need when I touch her there.
“God, you’re wet, and I love it.”
She responds with another moan as I move her panties to the side. I slide one finger in and then two. Her head falls back, and her nails dig into my shoulders.
“Oh, wow,” she says, slowly lowering her gaze to meet mine.
Her hips move over my hands, and soon they start to move faster. My thumb sweeps over her clit, and that’s when she falls against me.
“Oh my God, Tripp,” she practically purrs into my ear and I’m ready to explode.
When her movements slow, I remove my fingers and adjust her underwear. She grabs my chin to make me look up. She kisses me harder than ever before, and I can’t imagine life without her. Which then makes me think of what Mark just asked me. Would she care? I mean, I should tell her about it, right?
“What’s wrong?” she asks when I pull back. That panicked look from the night I first kissed her is back. I should really start picking my moments better.
“I have to tell you something, and I know this timing sucks, but I’d rather tell you now than wait.”
“Okay.”
“I’m only cut off from my money until I turn twenty-five. After that, the trust my grandfather left me kicks in.”
“Oh.”
That’s all she says.
I try to search her face for more, but it’s too dark to give anything away.
“‘Oh’ as in, ‘oh well’ or ‘oh’ as in … what?”
She climbs off me before she answers. “I’m not sure.”
Shit.
“Well, what did you think the moment I told you that?”
“I don’t want to say.” She looks away from me.
“Just say it. We can’t make this work if we aren’t honest.”
“That you’ll leave me and pretend like this never happened once you have money again.”
Ouch.
“You really think I’d do that?” I ask.
“Well, none of this started until you needed a place to live. Had you not been put in that situation, I don’t think we’d be right here.”
She has a point, but hopefully she sees I’m not that guy anymore.
“Well,” I pause because I want to get this right, “I think that no matter how this happened, I’m glad it did, and no amount of money will change the way I feel about you.”
“That’s easier to say than to do.”
“Then you’ll just have to trust me.”
Silence fills the room. I don’t press her though. I don’t want to convince someone to be with me. I want them to want it on their own.
“Okay,” she finally says.
Standing, I pull Lennox up and kiss her forehead. “I’m kind of crazy about you, did you know that?” I ask.
God, I love her laugh.
“I guessed as much,” she says. “A feeling like that can only work both ways, right?”
“Right,” I say and wrap my arms around her.
“We’d better get out there or Kass and Mark will know something is up. Or worse, Winston will show up before we have a chance to leave this room.”
“Good point.”
The rest of the night is long. Winston had to bail because of some exam he needs to study for, so worrying about him catching us wasn’t needed. Which is a good thing because I’m pretty sure the look I give each guy who hits on Lennox says it all. Doesn’t matter though. When we get home, she’s all mine.
Chapter Twelve
Lennox
I need to ask a sex question.
I glance quickly to my left. Winston is focused on the book in front of him and is scribbling notes as if he only has seconds before someone is going to steal his pen.
That’s normally me, but like I said, I have a sex question.
Slowly, as to not draw attention, I pull out my phone. I check the volume button to make sure it’s on silent—we are in the library, after all—and then I send off a quick text.
My cell vibrates, and I swear it’s like a blowhorn in church.
I glance up. Winston is still focused on the books in front of him.
Kass: I’m just forcing myself to read this lit book. What’s up?
Me: It’s about Tripp.
Kass: Screw literature. What about him?
Me: Well, I was thinking that we might … you know.
Kass: If you can’t even type out the word sex in a text, should you be doing it?
Solid point.
Me: Fine. I just don’t know how to go about it. I want to be good at it. I mean, I’m ready to have sex.
“What the hell? Who are you having sex with?” Winston’s voice startles me, causing my chair to screech against the floor.
“What?” I ask dumbly.
“Are you planning to have sex?” he asks, pointing at my phone. I cringe. That was not his library voice.
“Hey, guys!” Tripp joins us, taking the seat across from me. “What’s with the faces?” he asks, dropping his backpack onto the table.
“Nothing,” I answer quickly.
“No, not nothing,” Winston says. “Did you know she was seeing someone?”
Tripp’s gaze finds mine.
I shake my head.
“No” is his simple answer.
“Well, she clearly is. How do you not know?” Winston asks as he leans back, folding his arms across his chest.
Tripp just shrugs.
Winston groans and turns to me. “Look, if you’re having sex, I mean, are you being careful?”
Oh, kill me now.
The chuckle from across the table is all I can focus on.
I swear to God I won’t be mad if this building catches fire right now and I don’t make it out. Shoot, I’m sweating so bad one would think the blaze was already in full swing by now.
“Should I leave?” Tripp asks. He’s sporting a cocky grin.
I hate that I like it.
I shrug and find the corner of my notebook interesting. “No, stay. How’s work going?”
“It’s fine. You two can continue your conversation; don’t worry about me.”
“We were done,” I say.
“Exactly, because it’s not happening,” Winston adds.
“You’re not her father,” Tripp says with a laugh. “You don’t have to be so protective.”
His observation of Winston stings a little. Winston finally l
ooks up, catching my gaze. This isn’t the first time someone has told him he’s too protective. Some days I think I’ve confused the possibility that Winston has feelings for me with his need to do exactly what I’ve always assumed: He wants to protect me as if he were my brother.
There is still so much Tripp doesn’t know about me, and I’d like to keep it that way as long as I can. Until I’m ready to share it with him.
“Anyway.” I attempt to change the subject again.
“Anyway … you’re her roommate now. Keep an eye out.” Winston says, adjusting himself in his chair to face Tripp.
“Sure thing,” Tripp answers.
“Do you two never talk at home?” Winston asks.
Lately? No. Between all the kissing and touching, there isn’t time for conversation.
“We talk, but not about this stuff,” Tripp says. “But maybe we’ll start since it sounds like I need to be aware of what my roommate is up to.” I cover my growing smile with my hand while Tripp chuckles. “Or who she is up to.”
“Dude,” Winston groans and slugs him in the shoulder, “don’t say that.”
“What? I’m just joking.” Tripp laughs, and to be honest, I do too.
But Winston doesn’t respond. I have no idea how long we sit here before Winston clears his throat.
“Okay, well, I want to be done with this subject, so my last piece of advice is this: Don’t do anything because you have to. It should be right and he should be the right guy. Especially for your first time.”
My eyes spring wide at the last two words, and now Tripp is staring at me with what I think is the same expression I have. It screams “holy hell.” Thanks a lot, Winston.
“So,” he continues, clearly oblivious to the mental breakdown I’m having and Tripp’s state of shock. “Are we all going to Plum’s for dinner, or do you two have to work again? And are they scheduling the two of you at the same time on purpose, or what’s the deal?”
“We’ll be there,” I say before Tripp can answer.
Winston gathers his things and heads to class. Leaving me alone with Tripp.
Dang it.
“Anything you want to say?” he asks, holding back his smile.
“Nope.”