“Whoa!” He held up his hands. “Didn’t mean to ruffle feathers. I would really hate to flunk just because I saw something I shouldn’t.”
“Jack,” Lisa warned.
“No, it’s cool.” Jack shrugged like he didn’t have a care in the world. “In fact, it’s perfect… too damn perfect. I’ll catch you guys later.”
He whistled as he charged down the hall, shoving his hands into his pockets like he hadn’t just acted a bit off.
“Well, that was fun.” Lisa gave me a wide-eyed look and unlocked her door. “Did you know you’re gaining a roommate?”
“I may have heard through the grapevine she’s really hot.” I followed her into the room. “Then again, that means I’ll just have to double my efforts to keep myself from mauling her every time I see her.”
Lisa froze then turned ar
ound. “Every time, huh?”
“Your look of complete satisfaction with yourself isn’t helping.”
“Should I pack a bag?”
“Thought you’d never ask. Grab what you need, and I’ll help the guys pack you up later this weekend, alright?”
She went into her room and returned fifteen minutes later with a large duffel and the rest of her books stuffed into her book bag. I took the heavier one and double-checked that she locked the door behind her, and then we made our way down the stairs. At that point, I didn’t even care if other students saw me. Then again, the campus was so big it didn’t really matter, and hell, even if someone saw me helping a student move, I’d just deny it, or maybe I’d claim it and quit so I could be with her twenty-four-seven. It wasn’t like I needed a cover anymore. It was blown, and I was officially ready to move on.
With her.
“Oooo, you brought a truck today,” Lisa said, running toward my new Ford. “And it’s red. I think you like red.”
“I like red because you like red, though I got this last year. Now hop in. We’re going to get takeout before I take you home.”
“Home.” Her hand hovered over the handle. “I like the sound of that.”
I sighed, wishing I could pull her into my arms and kiss her senseless. “Me too, Lisa. Me too.”
****
Lisa wanted Thai even though she’d had a sandwich with Jack. When I’d asked her why Thai, she’d said it was just another food that apparently Taylor had destroyed. I didn’t mean to pry, but honestly, I was curious. Curious about her past, not that it would change my opinion of her. I was pretty sure that’s how you know you’re falling for someone — when you want the good and bad, when you want everything, regardless of how horrible, how dark. You want it all, because at the end of the day, it’s still them.
“Did he kiss you here?” I pulled down Lisa’s sweatshirt and placed my lips on her shoulder.
With a shudder, she closed her eyes and nodded.
“Here?” I tapped her collarbone and kissed, lingering against her skin because it felt so good against my tongue.
Another nod.
She was quiet, sleepy. Then again, I’d fed her enough food to put her in a coma. We were sitting in front of the fireplace downstairs in the family room. It was one of the only fireplaces I had that wasn’t gas; the real thing was more soothing to me, the sound of crackling wood like my white noise. All the lights were off, but I liked it that way because my focus was totally on her and nothing else.
“Let’s just assume…” Lisa shuddered, burrowing her head in my neck. “…that he touched and claimed everything he thought was his.”
“So… everywhere.”
She said nothing.
“I’ll have to fix that.” I tilted her chin toward my lips. “I’ll have to make new memories with those lips… and make sure that nothing touches your skin that isn’t good, that doesn’t feel good. And, Lisa, if you ever say no, I’ll stop… you need to know that. I want you. I want you so damn bad sometimes I think I’m actually going insane, but… my desire for you will never trump your need for me to go slow. Understand?”
Tears pooled in her eyes as she whispered, “Kiss me again.”
I kissed her mouth, then her neck, slowly blazing a trail back down to that shoulder I couldn’t get enough of. And when her sweatshirt restricted me, I peeled it off her body, revealing a tight white tank top. With a curse, I sat back and stared. “You’re beautiful.”