Page 71 of Boards & Betrayal

"Tom," I whispered, not sure if it was a plea or a warning.

He responded by pressing closer, his lips brushing against the nape of my neck. "I've got you," he whispered back.

The heat between us intensified as his hands moved higher, caressing and teasing until I could hardly stand it. Every touch felt electric, every movement deliberate and full of intent. It was like he was mapping out my body anew, claiming it in a way that left no doubt about his desire.

I turned to face him, water streaming down both our faces. His eyes were dark with want as they met mine. Without a word, he lifted me slightly, pressing me against the cool tiles of the shower wall. Our bodies fit together perfectly; it felt like coming home.

His mouth found mine in a searing kiss that left no room for hesitation or doubt. The water continued to pour over us as we lost ourselves in each other once more. The world outside ceased to exist; there was only this moment—raw and unfiltered—where nothing else mattered but us.

Time seemed to stand still as we moved together under the spray, each touch and kiss deepening our connection until it felt like we were one person instead of two. When we finally emerged from the shower, breathless and spent, I knew that whatever came next didn't matter because we had this—this undeniable bond that neither time nor distance could break.

Right now, I was content to just be with him.

"Are you sure you have to go to class?" Tom asked as he dried me off, his hands lingering on my skin.

I laughed, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the towel. "You're not sick of me yet?"

"Impossible," he said with a scoff, shaking his head like the idea was absurd.

I rolled my eyes but didn't comment. The thought of him getting tired of me felt like a distinct possibility, especially after Nick, and it was a fear that lingered at the edges of my mind.

"Don't you have work?" I asked, trying to shift the focus away from my insecurities.

"Not till the afternoon," he said. "And even then, that's debatable."

I laughed again, a sound that felt foreign and wonderful coming from me. "You're a bad influence."

"That's what I'm hoping for," he murmured, his voice low and intimate.

Drying off became an unspoken dance between us—his hands moving with deliberate slowness, mine mirroring the same pace. Each touch seemed to say what words couldn't: I didn't want to leave.

The thought of going back to my routine—classes, assignments, the mundane grind—felt like a cruel jolt back to reality. I wanted to stay in this bubble we had created, where time didn't matter and nothing else could intrude.

"You don't really have to go," Tom said again, his eyes searching mine as if willing me to stay.

My heart ached at the thought of leaving him behind. What if this was just a fleeting moment? What if I never saw him again?

"I have responsibilities," I said, trying to convince myself as much as him.

He nodded, but didn't look convinced. "So do I. But sometimes you have to make time for what really matters."

I bit my lip, torn between what I should do and what I wanted. Staying here felt right in ways that defied logic or reason. But I couldn't shake the fear that leaving would mean losing this connection we had rekindled.

"I don't want to leave," I admitted softly, the vulnerability in my voice surprising even me.

His hand reached up to cup my face, thumb brushing against my cheek. "Then don't."

In that moment, all my fears and doubts melted away. For now—for this morning—I would let myself be happy.

"Ally, I want to see you again," Tom said firmly.

My heart skipped a beat. "Really?" I whispered, barely trusting my voice.

"I know it might be… a lot," he continued, his eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation. "I know you just got out of a serious relationship, but… I…" His voice trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging between us.

Before I could respond, he pulled me into a passionate kiss. All my doubts and fears melted away as his lips claimed mine.

I dropped my bag, my hands finding their way to his hair. The kiss deepened, our tongues dancing in a rhythm that felt both familiar and new. His hands roamed my back, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us.

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