Page 45 of Saving Barrette

He looks up, scanning the courtyard and then they land on me. I’m given a different smile than they received, and if I look closer, I can see his breathing change. He swallows, his brow pinches together, an emotion passing over his features and then he fidgets, shoving his hands in his pockets. I haven’t seen him in three days, and I think it’s done a number on both of us. Our last conversation didn’t go very well, and I’m curious to see what happens now. Will he tell me it’s over?

I wasn’t expecting him, but my heart thuds louder knowing he’s here, for me. “Hey,” I say, approaching him.

“Hey.” He exhales, slowly and reaching for my hand. Our fingers brush, a jolt coursing through me. “Sorry I haven’t been around.”

“You’re busy,” I add. “You don’t need to explain.” Over his shoulders, I notice those same girls who were taking pictures with him watching us.

Reaching inside his hoodie, he pulls out a bag of Sour Patch Kids and holds them out. “I brought you a treat.”

I rip the package from his hand. “You know the way to my heart.” I hold them to my chest, but my eyes drift over his shoulder again.

He turns, glances at them and then turns back to me. Wrapping his arm around me, he buries his face in my neck, breathing in. His cold nose hits my already chilled skin, and I shy away from the cold but laugh. “I missed you,” he whispers with a rough edge, his words rocking through me when his hand around me tightens. I can’t explain it, but a rush hits me. An emotion only he gives and I crave.

Joey walks ahead of us by a step, laughing. “Night, B. See ya tomorrow.”

“What about me?” Asa teases, smiling at her.

She turns and winks at him. “Bye, Asa.”

His gaze moves to mine, a boyish smirk plastered on his face. “She likes me.”

I roll my eyes. “Everyonedoes.”

At my dorm, I unlock the door. The moment we’re inside, I turn to face him, thinking maybe I might share my candy, but his arms wrap around my waist, his mouth seeking mine. With his foot, he kicks my door shut behind us and never breaks the kiss. His breathing catches, his lips on mine.

Okay, no candy. Only kisses. I can work with that for sure.

I sigh into his mouth, the taste of him so much better than sweet and sour. His tongue slips in my mouth, his head twisting and deepening the kiss. I reach up on my tippy toes trying to match his six-foot frame but fail miserably.

His hands slip from my waist, down the swell of my bottom and then the backs of my thighs. Before I know it, he hauls me up flush against his body. Instinctively, I wrap my legs around his waist, melting into him.

Asa moves to my bed where we fall together, him on top of me. His heat warms me, our breathing heavy, his kisses heavier. It’s hot, hard, and years of want poured into each one.

With a groan, he pushes his hips into mine, needing friction. His mouth is everywhere and so are his hands. With a grunt, he pushes my hoodie up, his warm hands finding the bare skin of my stomach. Without breaking his kiss, he lifts slightly, holding himself up by his elbow. Traveling his hand lower, he reaches inside the front of my jeans. His mouth pulls away, panting against my lips when he finds the wetness. My eyes close, squirming at his touch. It feels so good.

His fingers work faster, and I grip his wrist, my body arching at the amazing friction he’s creating. Every moan I give, he groans or grunts, letting me know he’s getting just as much out of it.

My back arches off the bed and takes everything he’s giving me as my orgasm rushes through me. He kisses me, swallowing my whimpers and pleas for him to never, ever, ever stop.

“I won’t,” he growls against my lips, kissing me so possessively and desperately it makes me feel whole.

His mouth is still on mine, and we’re both breathing ridiculously hard now. He’s practically busting through his jeans. Moving his hand to the mattress, he pushes his hips into mine, the roughness of our jeans sending a shiver through me when his hardness meets my sensitive center.

I sigh in his ear, kissing the spot below his ear. “You’re so good at this.”

He chuckles, the sound breathless, his mouth finding the hollow spot above my collarbone. Before I know it, he’s pulling his sweatshirt and the T-shirt beneath it off. Roughly, he works my hoodie off as well. Drawing back, he gets his jeans down past his hips and then begins working on mine. I help him out and shimmy them off and toss them on the floor beside my bed with my panties.

There’s no “do you want to” or hesitation. I reach for his shoulders, needing his heat back. Asa reaches between us and eases himself inside me. “Oh, God.” He groans, his breath hot and heavy, crashing against my lips.

He holds still. He gives me a minute to adjust, his eyes on mine. I squeeze mine shut. He fills me completely, stealing my breath with each thrust. If only he could make me whole with this alone, but it’s enough, for now, to have him like this.

Behind my closed lids, I push the flurry of feelings building and hold onto him anywhere I can.

“Look at me,” he begs, and I didn’t realize I broke eye contact with him.

I open my eyes, drinking in his body, the way his shoulder muscles flex as he moves above me. I flatten my palms against his chest, sighing, my eyes fluttering closed again.

“I said look at me,” he whispers, lowering his chest to mine. My hands fall away, and one of his moves to my cheek. “Don’t be afraid.”

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