Page 42 of False Assumptions

Chapter Eighteen

“What are you doing in here?” Evan hung his hands from the doorframe above his head as he stood in the doorway to Layla’s bedroom. Clothes lay all over her bed, a few falling onto the floor, an open suitcase on one side. Layla stood by her dresser rummaging through the top drawer. “I’m not sure what you think we’ll be doing, but I promise you don’t need that many clothes.”

She looked at him with wide eyes, then she dropped her gaze back to the clothes in her hands before turning to stuff them in her suitcase. Her hair fell over her face, blocking his view. But she cleared her throat. “If you say so. I’d rather have enough for the week, though. What if we decide to go somewhere every day?”

He grunted, and she glanced at him. Not wanting to argue, he stepped into the room, picking up one of the T-shirts threatening to fall off the bed. “Can I help?” He’d been anxiously waiting for her to finish class for the day, and now she was taking even longer. Was she not as excited about this week as he was?

Shaking her head, she plucked the shirt from his hand, folding it and laying it in her suitcase. “No, thanks. I’ve got it. I promise I’ll only be a few more minutes.”

He groaned and flopped down on the bed. “That’s what you said fifteen minutes ago.”

Narrowing her eyes, she tugged some of the clothes out from under him. “And lying on my clothes is super helpful. That’ll definitely speed things up.”

When she reached across him to get something from his other side, he grabbed her wrist and pulled until she fell on top of him, trapping her with his arms.

She struggled for a second. “Evan! Let me up. I’m trying to finish so we can go.”

But she calmed down when his hand slid up to the back of her neck, bringing her mouth to his. At his kiss, she relaxed, opening for him, stroking his tongue with her own, her hands clinging to his shirt instead of pushing away. His free hand slid down to her ass, gripping it, pulling her against his own hips, grinding his pelvis against hers, enjoying the little bit of friction he could get from her like this. But damn, he didn’t want clothes between them anymore.

He’d been hands-off since Tuesday. They’d kept to their usual schedule of him taking her to school and back, but he’d limited himself to kisses and a few caresses when he couldn’t help himself. It had seemed like a big concession for her to agree to come stay with him for spring break, and he hadn’t wanted to push her too hard for too much.

That’s what he’d told himself Wednesday. And then last night she was hanging with Elena and her friends for a girls’ night. He’d been disappointed that he hadn’t gotten to spend the evening with her, but since he’d monopolized her free time for the last several weeks, he figured he could deal with a night away. Plus, he’d get her in his space for over a week.

Now he finally had her all to himself. And she was stalling with the packing. He’d hoped she’d have her stuff together this morning when he picked her up. She’d kicked him out early last night when he’d come over after she’d gotten home, claiming that she had to do laundry. He’d offered to stay and help, but she’d laughed and said, “I’m sure I can imagine the kind of help you’d offer. I don’t think it’d actually end up with my clothes clean, though.”

He’d given her a wicked smile, hoping she’d change her mind, but she was a stubborn little thing. He was getting impatient. Tuesday’s interlude had come nowhere near satisfying his desire for her. And he had a feeling that after a week together, he’d only be hopelessly addicted.

Gentling the kiss, he pulled back, letting his head fall back on the bed again so he could look up at her. Her hair fell over one shoulder, a little mussed, and she’d never looked sexier. “What’s wrong, Layla?”

“What do you mean? You stopped kissing me. I was enjoying myself.”

He chuckled lightly. “That’s not what I’m talking about. Why are you stalling with packing so much? Just throw some stuff in a bag. If you forget anything you can either borrow something of mine, or we can come back and get it. I live ten minutes away. It’s not like we’re going to camp in the wilderness and need to have all our supplies.”

Her eyes slid away from his. “I’m not stalling. I just … I’m still getting used to all this. You. I don’t know what to expect this week.”

He pulled her down for another kiss, this one longer, more demanding, ending with him tangling his hand in her hair to tug her head to the side so he could nip at her neck and soothe the sting with his tongue, then pulling her ear close to his mouth. A fine shiver ran through her as he whispered in her ear. “A lot more of that. I promise you won’t need that many clothes. What’s in your suitcase is more than enough. Let’s zip up your suitcase and go now, okay?” He pushed his hips into hers. “I want you in my bed, and I don’t want to wait much longer.”

When he let her pull back, her dark eyes met his, and she nodded. She had to clear her throat before she could speak, and that fact made him proud in a primitive part of his brain. “Can I get my toothbrush and stuff from the bathroom at least?”

He grinned. “Of course.” He slid her off his body, sitting up. “Get the rest of your stuff.” Leaning in, he gave her one more scorching kiss. “Hurry up, though. Or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you out, bag or no bag.”

Her eyes widened, but she took him at his word and made quick work of getting the last few things she wanted. When it looked like she might start dithering again, he flipped the lid of the suitcase closed and zipped it up. “Do you have your phone charger? Any other electronics or books you need? Get them now. I’ll take this out and be right back.”

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