Page 9 of The Nice List

We’ve joked about me getting on the nice list, but the more I get to know her, the more serious it becomes to me. I want tobe good to her. I want to be goodforher. My reputation never bothered me before, but I definitely don’t want it to damage hers as a new student at T.U. I just don’t know how to avoid it without keeping our relationship a secret.

That’s where my mind is when I drive my bike through the break in the trees before slowing to a stop. I put the kickstand down as I kill the engine before reaching up to remove my helmet out of habit. When I remember that I put it on Livvy, I drop my hand to squeeze her thigh that’s still pressed against my hip.She’s really here with me.

“Wow,” Livvy gasps out in surprise when we climb off the bike and she sees the view from my favorite spot. “You can see the whole town from up here. It’s so pretty.”

“I know,” I agree even though I’m not looking at the town lights below us. My view is so much prettier.

We sit on the ground, leaning against a fallen tree, talking about anything and everything for the next several hours. It’s like so many conversations we’ve had these past six months. Only this one is so much better with her sitting next to me instead of sixty miles away.

When the conversation turns from her finding a work study job like Alexis did, I sigh, knowing that I need to broach this subject before her sister gets back from her weekend getaway.

“What’s wrong?” Livvy asks, obviously feeling the way my body tensed.

Our eyes had already adjusted to the dark, but I can see her face so much better with the sun lighting up the sky from behind the mountain. Her pinched brow is all I need to get the words out.

“Speaking of your sister,” I say before clearing my throat. “It’s probably not a great idea for her to know about us.”

I brace myself for her to get upset or angry, but she shocks the hell out of me when she throws her head back and laughs.

“No shit,” she says when she finally stops laughing. “She’ll just make it her mission to keep me away from you and there’s no way that’s happening.”

“You laughing at me,pretty girl?” I say with a smirk “Here I was, trying to benice.”

I shake my head with mock disappointment, but Livvy knows me well enough to know that I’m not offended. She also knows how to push my buttons.

“Sure.” She giggles. “You were beingniceby suggesting that I’m just a dirty little secret.”

“Oh, I’ll make you dirty, alright.” I lunge sideways, tackling her to the ground before straddling her hips and tickling her, just to hear her laugh again.

Livvy

I don’t know exactly what I expected Cory to do with my jab about him making me a dirty little secret but tickling me until I’m about to pee my pants wasn’t it.

I was honestly just relieved that we were on the same page where my sister’s knowledge is concerned. I know we can’t keep it a secret forever, but I want us to have the chance to be together without Alexis constantly breathing down our necks. Besides, sneaking around while we figure our relationship out could be fun.

I laugh and wiggle, feeling his solid weight on top of me. The weight that I’ve waited six long months to feel on top of me in a completely different way.

“When I said that I wanted you to tackle me in the woods, this wasn’t what I had in mind.” I lift my hands to playfully swat at him as I try to catch my breath.

The air between us shifts when Cory grabs my wrists to pin my hands to the ground beside my head before I can smack his chest. His hands move to lace his fingers with mine. His breathing increases to match mine as he leans closer. Just before our lips touch, he jumps to his feet, pulling me to stand with him. The sudden momentum has me crashing into his chest.

“You’re killing me, Liv.” His voice is raspy when he wraps his arms around me. “I want you so fucking bad, but I want to do this right, more.”

I pull back to look at him and the earnestness I see in his eyes make mine prick with tears. “You are doing this exactly right,” I say before going up on my toes to press a chaste kiss to his mouth.

It’s not nearly enough to satisfy me, but it’s all I can manage without dragging him back to the ground.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come snuggle with me?” I tease when Cory lifts the helmet from my head.

He shakes his head with a chuckle. “You’ve been up for almost twenty-four hours. You need rest, and you definitely won’t be getting any the first time we’re in a room together with a bed.”

I scoff. “You’ve been up just as long as I have. You need rest too, and something tells me that you won’t get any if you leave. Come on,bad boy.” I take his hand and start walking toward my building.

I smile with triumph as he follows me with a resigned sigh before mumbling something about pure torture.

When I wake up, I know that Cory is gone before I even open my eyes. I can tell that it’s at least late afternoon by the light coming through the window. I let my eyes drift around the roomuntil they land on a note propped against my water bottle on the desk beside my bed.

I’m sorry you’re waking up to a lame note instead of my handsome face, pretty girl. I had to go get ready for work and didn’t want to wake you after keeping you up all night. Thank you for the snuggles. I’ll be back for more of those after I close the bar. -Your BB

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