Page 28 of Seven is Swell

“Oh, it’s fine, I suppose.” He pulls a notecard out of his back pocket and hands it to her. “Here; I know we’ve talked a bit in class, but this should cover the stuff we haven’t gotten to yet.”

“Do you want to stay for dinner?” I’m really hoping he says yes, because I get the feeling he needs to spend more time with Delaney. “I made plenty. Honestly, I probably madetoomuch, I just wasn’t sure what to do because there’re so many people around here.”

Wilford looks to Delaney before answering me. I notice that they both have their elbows resting on the back of the couch, and her hand is over his, clasping it lightly. “Yeah, you wanna stay?”

“I wouldn’t want to impose. Bonding time is sacred.”

“You guys are supposed to be pretending though, right?” Adam asks. “Seems like it’d be a good opportunity for you to see how this works. I promise none of us will whip our dicks out until after you leave. Unless you’re into voyeurism.”

“Adam!” Delaney chastises. “You’re gonna scare him off.”

At that, Wilford chuckles. “You sure I won’t be interrupting? I don’t want to overstay my welcome. I really did come by just to give you that notecard. Here, I have another one for you to fill out,” and he passes another one to her that already has promptswritten on it for favorite food, favorite type of music, basic information like that.

“I’ll fill this out one condition.”

“What's that?” Wilford asks, swallowing loudly.

“You stop trying to avoid me on campus.”

“Oh, you noticed that did you? Heh heh. I… fine. The truth is, you make me nervous. I don’t know how to explain to you that I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. People like you aren’t nice to people like me for no reason. Is this some sort of social experiment?”

Delaney tilts her head a little and her fingers tighten on his. “Wilford, I genuinely like you as a person. That’s all there is to it.”

“Are you absolutely sure about that? How much room for interpretation is there? Have you really thought about that statement in depth?”

She leans forward slowly, broadcasting her intentions. She leans forward, and I watch raptly, as her lips brush across his cheek gently, and he damn near swoons. His hand flies up to touch the place she kissed, and he’s trembling. “What was that for?”

“I told you. I like you,” she says simply. “And yes, I noticed you avoiding me. Pretty hard not to do. I don’t know if the singing thing embarrassed you, but you should know that was the highlight of my week. I loved it very much.”

“You did? Truly? You didn’t think it was lame?”

“No,” she affirms. “Absolutely not. It was sweet and thoughtful and fun.”

“Okay. Now I feel silly. I could have just spoken to you, couldn’t I have?”

“Always,” she reassures him.

Jackson stalks forward and leans over, planting his hands on the back of the couch. He’s right above Delaney. “Don’t think you’re getting out of our conversation just because you have a friend over.”

August sidles up beside him. “We need to know what’s going on. We can’t keep you safe if we don’t have all the facts.”

And then the sliding glass door opens. What is this, everybody shows up at once day?

“Fear not my love, your most astounding and favorite mate of all time is here in the flesh!”

Delaney’s eyes fly over and then she squeals and vaults herself over the couch and into Leo’s arms. “You’re here!”

“Technically, I’m always here. It’s just whether or not I have a working dick. I mean…you’re beautiful. Shall we?”

Delaney’s eyes light up and I know she’s getting excited and has completely forgotten all about everyone in this room because Leo is her elusive mate. I don’t think I’m going to remind her that we’re all definitely still here, and Wilford isdefinitelytoo polite to remind her, Adam is probably dying to see her naked again, and Jackson and August seem to enjoy watching her do just about anything. I wonder if that’s why they became her bodyguards. How far does the bodyguarding go? Makes you think, doesn’t it?

“This is all true.” She jumps into Leo’s arms and wraps her legs around his hips, whipping her shirt off and flinging it behind her as she starts to kiss him.

Maybe I was just with Adam, but the sight of all that skin on display is seriously hard to not react to. Especially when shestarts running her hands all over Leo, he reciprocates, and she starts to make eager noises as she kisses him.

It doesn’t escape my notice that Wilford grabs a throw pillow and covers his crotch, which is awkward because it’s got a kitten wearing sunglasses on it. I kind of enjoy watching him during just about anything because his reactions are so entertaining.

Wilford looks like he can’t decide if he should watch Delaney and Leo, close his eyes, or run out of the room screaming.

---