Page 108 of The Breakaway

Rob locked the door and closed it, then handed me the toilet cleaner.

“What—” I let out a yelp of surprise as Rob squatted down and reached an arm around my backside, scooping me off the ground. “Rob, I can walk.” When I realized he wasn’t going to set me down, I wrapped my legs around his waist, riding him like a baby koala.

Rob walked toward the front door. I reached down and turned the knob, and he dropped his hockey bag in the entry. We both kicked off our shoes, then he insisted on carrying me up the stairs.

I tried to hide my face as we passed the living room, but I wasn’t fast enough. "You're late!" Rory shouted, and the other guys hooted and hollered. "I thought for sure you two would've been back at it right after the game!"

"Go give her the Thompson special!" Axel called out.

Rob turned and flipped them off, and I buried my face in his shirt. He laughed, taking the stairs two at a time. He wasn’t even winded by the time we reached his door. My heart pounded as he pushed it open and carried me inside.

I dropped the toilet cleaner.

He turned and pressed me up against the door after it closed, then reached down and locked the handle. “You’re sure you don’t need more time?”

I ran my hands through his hair, and he tipped his head back. “I’m sure.” I lowered my head, kissing his cheek, then dragging my fingernails over his stubble.

Rob slowly lowered me, and I let my legs drop, my feet planting themselves on the floor. “Do you have early rehearsal?”

I shook my head. “Wednesday, remember?”

He pressed his hands against my hips. “It always used to be Tuesday.”

I arched against him, pulling at the zipper on his hoodie. “New semester. New schedule to memorize.” I unzipped it, sliding my hands across his bare stomach and chest. “Do you have anything in the morning?”

Rob grunted. “I’m pretty sure I just came down with the flu.”

I laughed, but before I could give him some lecture about being academically responsible, his lips were on mine.

It was like every kiss we'd shared over the past two weeks, but this time, it was amplified. Like the volume had been turned up on a stereo—every note vibrated through my bones. His lips were warm and insistent, and he tasted like mint.

“I love kissing you,” I whispered, my hands still trying to memorize every rise and fall on his torso.

“Good.” Rob hissed air through his teeth as I toyed with the waistband of his sweats. He pulled me away from the door, fumbling with my shirt. I helped him get it off and goosebumps lifted on my skin. “Are you cold?”

“A little,” I admitted.

Rob flicked back his top sheet and comforter, then looped his fingers in the belt loops of my jeans. He undid the button, his hands unsteady. I may have changed into new, lacy underwear I bought with some of my scholarship money. That counted as “educational pursuits,” didn’t it?

Now that I stood in the shaft of light from his window, Rob took a good look at me. I stepped out of my jeans, trying not to be self-conscious at the way my stomach rolled a little as I bent over.

“I’m going to get a space heater,” he said as I dropped to the mattress and slid under the covers. “I don’t ever want to stop looking at you.”

I leaned forward and tugged on his sweatpants. “I can think of a few things that might change your position on that.”

Rob took off his hoodie and pants, then slid into bed next to me. This time, I didn’t turn my back to him. He threaded his legs with mine, bending one knee and lifting until it stopped. I let out a puff of air, closing my eyes as pleasure rippled through me at the contact.

Rob’s fingers traced lazy circles over my ribs. "What do you like, Shar?"

I swallowed hard, my mind racing.What did I like?I'd never been asked that question before. How embarrassing was that to admit?

"I don't know," I admitted, my voice tight.

Rob's eyes softened, and he brushed his thumb over my cheek. "Perfect. We can figure it out together." He leaned in and kissed me softly, then pulled back with a grin. "I like experimenting. Collecting data."

I laughed, my nerves easing. "You and your backup plans.”

Rob chuckled, his breath warm on my skin. "You have no idea."

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