by Ellie Wade
Tilting my body back so I’m facing him, I ask, “What are we doing here? I mean, obviously, this is all new to me. I just need to know where we stand.”
I hold my breath, waiting for his response.
“You want to have the talk now?” He chuckles.
I shrug. “Yeah, or soon.”
I get the feeling that while this is my first experience with something resembling a relationship, it’s Leo’s first experience as well. While he’s more seasoned in other areas, I think he’s new to the whole dating thing. That thought both elates and frightens me. Maybe he’s not cut out for monogamy, which would suck because my heart couldn’t take anything but fidelity.
“Are you worried?” he asks.
“A little bit,” I admit. “I’m not cut out for casual hook-ups, Leo. I need to know where you stand before I get in too deep.”
He kisses my forehead. “How about this? You are the only girl these lips will touch.” He peppers kisses down my cheek to my neck. “You are the only girl these fingers will touch,” he breathes against my ear as his hand glides into my panties.
Two fingers enter me, and my body hums as he pushes them in and out. He presses his thumb against my bundle of nerves as his fingers continue their movements, making me feel things I can’t even explain. I claw at his arm as the sensation in me builds.
“Leo,” I pant.
He nibbles on my earlobe. “Yeah, baby?” His husky whisper is warm against my neck, causing a torrent of goose bumps to erupt across my skin.
My hips greedily rock into his hand.
“Oh, you’re so responsive, Alma. You and I are going to have so much fun.”
My breath hitches, and I cry out as my body convulses.
Leo kisses my face, neck, and collarbone as I come down from the incredible high he just gave me. He shuffles under the sheet and removes his boxers.
“Now, my hands will own you.” He kisses my palm. “And your hands will own me.” He moves back the sheet and leads my hand onto his length.
I gasp, staring at my grasp on him. He’s soft and silky against my palm, and touching him there is fascinating. My heart beats wildly against the walls of my chest.
“I don’t know what to do,” I admit weakly.
He lets loose a seductive grin. “Just move, baby.” His voice is hoarse.
I strengthen my grip on him and pump my hand up and down. Leo’s eyes roll back, and his tongue peeks out to lick his lips before he pulls his bottom lip in between his teeth. I work my hand faster, encouraged by his body’s reaction to my touch. His leg muscles flex, and his breathing goes ragged.
Without opening his eyes, he slips a hand under my nightshirt. Cupping my breast in his palm, he groans and pushes his pelvis up into my hand. I squeeze harder and pump faster. I moan as he pinches my nipple between his thumb and forefinger. The feel of his hand on my breast and the sight of his body coming undone are intoxicating, and pulses shoot up between my legs, as if I might come again just from this experience alone.
“Alma.” My name leaves his lips as hot white liquid covers my hand.
I don’t stop moving until he drops his hand from my breast with a sigh of pleasure.
His gaze, happy and sated, captures mine. He cradles my face between his hands and pulls me toward him until our lips meet. “That was so good, baby,” he says between kisses. “Promise me all of your firsts. I want them all.”
“Okay.” I kiss him.
“Promise me.” He pulls my lip, and I moan into his mouth.
“I promise.”
His lips press against mine one more time. “Let’s get cleaned up.”
“I really need to run back to the dorm and take a shower before class,” I say.
“Take one here. I’ll take it with you.” He quirks an eyebrow.
“I don’t think I’m ready for that.” I force a laugh.
Our wet bodies, completely naked? Yeah, I’m definitely not ready for that.
“All right, fine.” He kisses the top of my head. “You shower here, and I’ll grab a shower in one of the other bathrooms.”
“Okay,” I agree.
Leo leaves me alone in the master bathroom, and I struggle to shower quickly because this is the most incredible shower I’ve ever experienced. It’s like my own personal massage.
After I’ve showered, I throw on my clothes from yesterday and look at the time. If I hurry, I can make it back to my dorm for a clean change of clothes and still get to class in time. If these sleepovers become a regular occurrence, I need to think about leaving some clothes here.
Leo is in the bedroom, showered and dressed, when I exit the bathroom.
“You ready?” he asks with a tilt of his lips.
“Yeah. I have to stop at my dorm on the way to change my clothes.”
We retrieve our backpacks from the living room and head out.
“How about I grab us some coffee and breakfast while you go change? I’ll meet you at your dorm and walk you to class.”
“Okay.” I smile like a fool, so happy.
“Do you want a muffin? Egg burrito? Breakfast sandwich?” he asks.
“I’ll do a scrambled egg and veggie burrito,” I say.
“Great. See you in a minute.” Leo hurries off toward the diner, and I walk toward the dorms.
Quinn is still sleeping when I get back, so I quietly change in the bathroom.
“Hey. Where were you last night?” she asks, half-asleep from her bed when I exit the bathroom.
“I have a lot to tell you.” I grin as a soft knock raps against the door. “I’ll fill you in later.”
She stretches her hands over her head. “Sounds juicy. Can’t wait.”
I open the door to see Leo standing there.
“Ready?” he asks, handing me an insulated to-go cup of coffee.
“Yes,” I say, closing the dorm door behind me.
We’re quiet as we walk to my first class while we each take bites of our breakfast burritos. I’m not sure if it tastes incredible because of the situation I’m in—happy with Leo—or if it’s legitimately the best burrito in the world, but I have to stop myself from groaning with every bite.
As we approach my first class, I stop and face Leo. “I just want to clarify,” I state. “I am only kissing and touching you, and you’re only kissing and touching me.”
“Yes.” He nods.
“So, basically, what you’re saying is that we’re dating. I’m your girlfriend, and you’re my boyfriend.” I chuckle as Leo’s face twists into something resembling pain.
“Would we use those terms though?” he protests, scrunching up his face.
My head falls back in laughter. “Yes, we would. Unless you want to take back the first part and give me free rein to kiss some—”
He halts my sentence by abruptly pressing his fingers to my lips.
His stare is predatory. “Do not finish that thought, Alma.”
“So then, you’re my boyfriend?” I quirk up an eyebrow.
He rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, fuck it, I’m your boyfriend.”
“Great.” I giggle and stand up on my tiptoes to kiss him.
He kisses me several times—short, chaste kisses—and I love every one.
“I’ll see you later.” He kisses me once more.
“Bye.” I spin toward the building, and if not for the hot coffee in my hand, I would skip the entire way.
EIGHTEEN
Leo
After finishing my last class of the day, where my douche bag of a professor decided to assign an additional paper for shits and giggles, I pull out my cell phone to text Alma.
Dinner?
Her response is almost immediate.
I’m just going to grab something from the cafeteria. I have to tutor in thirty minutes.
When will I see you?
After? I work until 8 tonight.
Okay.
So, you want me to come over to your place?
Unless you want me to fin
ger you in front of your roommate, I’d say that’s a good idea.
Leo! So vulgar.
You love it. Don’t pretend you don’t.
Whatever. ;-)
See you tonight.
See you! xo
I resist the urge to tell her that I miss her and that I’ve been thinking about her all day. I already agreed to a label this morning. There’s only so much new-relationship shit I’m comfortable with in one day.
I do miss her though. It’s stupid really. I’ve managed twenty-one years without her, but now that I have her, I can’t go an hour without wishing I were with her. I wonder if she’d quit her tutoring job if I just gave her a bunch of money. I have plenty, and she obviously needs it, but I have a feeling that if I offered Alma money and asked her to quit her job, she’d be pissed at me. She seems like the type of girl who likes working and making her own way. Nah, I think it’s wise to wait a bit before offering her money and asking her to give up her independence to spend all of her free time with me.
Damn, I’m needy AF in a relationship. Who knew?
On my way past the frat house, I stop by to see Ethan. He’s in his room, sitting on his bed, laptop open.
“Hey. What are you up to?” I ask him.
“Hey, man. Not much. Just finishing up these discussion questions for my Lit class,” he says.
“I was gonna order a pizza. Want to eat and play some Siege?” I ask.
“Yeah. Sounds dope. I have, like, three more questions, and then I’ll head over.”
“Okay.” I nod and turn to leave.
“Meat Lovers!” Ethan calls from his room as I descend the steps.
“Got it,” I yell back.
Exiting the frat house, I cross the street as I pull up the pizza place’s website and quickly input our order. Sliding my cell in my back pocket, I dig for my house key when I see that my front door isn’t all the way closed. I know I closed and locked it this morning.
I hesitantly push the door open and step in. I scan the space for the high-ticket items. My computer, video game shit, TV—it all sits untouched. So, I wasn’t robbed.
There’s movement upstairs. I grab a knife from the kitchen and take the steps two at a time. Leaning back against the hallway wall, I inch my bedroom door open.
“What the fuck, Tiffany?” I yell when I see her sprawled out on my bed, naked.
“Hey, sexy,” she coos, rubbing her fingers in between her wide-open legs. “I brought you a present.” She tilts her head toward the end table, where a clear bag of white powder sits.
She’s clearly already started without me. Her pupils are so dilated that her baby-blue eyes are almost black.
“Fuck,” I mumble, putting the kitchen knife on my dresser. “How did you get in here?” I snatch up pieces of her clothing from the floor.
“Your spare key, of course, silly. Now, come fuck me. You haven’t called for a while. I miss you—your cock especially.”
Tiffany was one of my regular fuck buddies. She and I had a lot in common. We liked to get messed up and screw. She was never clingy or needy, which made her a great lay. A couple of months ago, I would have been balls deep in her already, but I’m trying to change.
Her limbs start to quiver as she works her fingers faster, masturbating on my bed.
I throw her pile of clothes at her. “Stop. Get dressed. Get out.” I pick up the baggie of powder. “Take this with you.”
“Are you serious?” she asks, confused.
“Yes, Tiff. I’m seeing someone. You can’t just let yourself into my house and take your clothes off. Get dressed. Now.”
“Leo,” she whines.
I know she’s horny as fuck, but that’s not my problem.
“Now!” I bark out. “I need you gone.”
“Fine,” she gripes.
As soon as she’s off my bed, I pull off the sheets and comforter. I have to wash them before Alma comes over.
Before leaving the room with the pile of sheets in my arms, I turn toward Tiffany. “Don’t come back. If you let yourself into my house again without my permission, I’ll call the cops.”
“Asshole,” she growls.
Inside the laundry room, I shove the linens into the washing machine and add extra soap. The thought of Alma’s beautiful skin anywhere near Tiffany makes me physically ill. I turn the washer to the Deep Clean and Sanitize setting and start it up.
Ethan’s setting up the Xbox when I return from the laundry room.
“Tiffany sure ran out of here fast,” he notes, humor in his voice. “Things not go well in the bedroom?”
“She fucking broke in here and got naked on my bed. I came home, and she was just in there, rubbing herself off,” I scoff and shake my head.
“And?” He snickers.
“And I made her leave.”
“Why?”
I look to Ethan with a scowl. “What do you mean, why?”
He raises his hands in confusion. “You love that shit. You told me that she was the best fuck you’ve ever had.”
“I’m not into her anymore.”
“What?” Ethan asks in disbelief, and I ignore him.
“I have a girlfriend,” I say casually as the doorbell rings.
Grabbing my wallet, I pull out a couple of fifties and open the front door. The delivery dude hands me a large pizza and a two liter of Coke. I press the fifties in his hand and kick the door closed behind me.
I toss the pizza on the table and fetch two glasses from the kitchen cupboard.
“What do you mean, you have a girlfriend? Who are you? And what have you done with Leo Harding?” Ethan jokes.
“You know Quinn, that tiny blonde? I think she came with Gabby and Bethany to the first frat party. She’s a Sigma now.”
“Oh, yeah. She’s hot.”
“Well, not her. You remember her roommate? Little tan brunette? She didn’t stay long that first night.”
“If I recall, you made fun of her virginity, and she stormed off,” Ethan says, quirking up a brow.
“Yep, her.”
“That’s who you’re dating?” He seems shocked.
“The very one.”
“Why? She doesn’t seem like your type.”
I grab a few slices of pizza and throw them on a plate. “Oh, she’s not. She’s way too good for me, but I’m really into her. So, it is what it is.” I shrug, sitting on the sofa.
Ethan sits across from me with a plate full of pizza. “Have you slept with her?” he asks before taking a big bite.
“Actually slept? Yes. Fucked? Not yet.”
“Just be careful, man,” he tells me through a mouthful of pizza. “Girls like that are different. They break and don’t bounce back like the Tiffanys of the world, you know?”
“I know. I’m not going to break her.” The words feel like a lie.
He shakes his head. “Okay, well, cool. If you’re happy, I’m happy for you.”
“I’m trying,” I say.
“Well, good. You deserve it, man.”
NINETEEN
Alma
The past three hours of tutoring ticked by at a snail’s pace. Is this what dating Leo is going to be like? Counting down the moments until I can see him again? I’m sure it will settle— a little at least. It’s new and exciting now, but eventually, kissing him won’t be such a novelty. Maybe.
I stop by the dorm to grab a change of clothes, so I don’t have to do it in the morning if there’s not time.
“Hey, stranger.” Quinn sits atop her bed, flipping through a magazine.
“Hi,” I say, so excited she’s here.
“Was that Leo’s voice I heard in the hall this morning?” Her eyebrows rise in question.
I knew this was coming.
My throat bobs with a swallow, and I answer without hesitation, “Yes. We’re dating.”
“You’re dating?” Her voice squeaks.
I hold up my hands. “I know what you’re going to say. Yes, he’s rough around the edges, but I’
ve really gotten to know him, and he’s so great.” I steeple my fingers in front of my face, my grin wide. “I think he’s been through some heavy stuff, which gives him that rude exterior, but when he lets his walls down, he’s so wonderful. I really like him.” I say the last part in hopes that she won’t chastise me too much.
I know what she’s thinking, and I know what Amos is going to think when I work up the nerve to tell him. Leo was a jerk to me—on several occasions. I shouldn’t be with someone like that. But I know Leo, and those asshole moments of his aren’t who he is.
“I don’t know what to say.” Quinn frowns. “I don’t want to rain on your parade because I can see you’re really excited, but I’m worried about you.”
“I promise, it’s good. He’s different than he was. I’m being careful and taking it slow, so I don’t get hurt.” Perhaps that last part is a bit of a stretch. In Alma world, things are moving at record speed.
“Well, I’m not your boss. You know what’s best for you, and as long as you’re sure you’re being careful … and I get it. He is, like, so hot.” She fans herself.
I’m relieved that the roommate interrogation wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been.
“I know, right?” Opening my dresser, I pull out some clothes for tomorrow. “What are you up to tonight?”
“You’re looking at it. What about you? Are you packing?” she asks, amused.
“Going to go hang out with Leo.”
“So, just bringing clothes in case your hangout lasts all night?” Quinn chuckles.
“Yeah, something like that.” I say. “Let’s got out this weekend if you’re free.”
She nods. “Okay. Sounds like a plan.”
I say good night to Quinn and then start toward Leo’s house. The closer I get, the more excited I become. God, I’m pathetic.
Reaching Leo’s front porch, I knock, and he calls out for me to enter. I step inside, and he’s sitting on the sofa with his friend Ethan. They’re both holding video game controllers in their hands.
“One second, babe. I just have one more … boom.” He makes the explosion noise, sounding triumphant as Ethan grumbles.
“Fucker,” Ethan says under his breath and sets the controller by the console. “See ya,” he says to Leo and starts toward me. “Bye, Alma.” He winks before walking out the front door.