Page 71 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

“Rad . . .” Her eyes turn down, and her head follows.

“I’m right here, Tealey. Right here with you. You’re all I want.” She looks up, so I beg, “Please believe me.” When I have her full attention, I kiss her cheek and whisper, “I’ve waited a lifetime to be with you.”

Any anger that she was harboring in her eyes disappears. I don’t get one of her beautiful smiles, but her fingers fold around my hand. “I really don’t know what kind of deal you two have made, but the truth always comes out, so I’m going to give youthe benefit of the doubt. Tomorrow, I want the full story with both of you sitting there. But tonight . . .”

“Anything, Tealey.” I brush her hair behind her ear, still holding her hand to me.

“I just want it to go back to how it was before Marlow said anything.” Taking her hand from mine, she then stretches her arms around me. “I can’t say when I started having feelings for you, but I can’t stop them either. All I can ask is that you please don’t hurt me.”

Engulfing her in my arms, I kiss the top of her head. “I won’t.”

She looks up, her chin on my chest. “I don’t need a rushed response. I want you to think about it.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I pull her closer until she’s standing between my legs. “I don’t need time to figure it out. I already know the answer. You’re giving me a chance, and I won’t blow it. I promise not to hurt you, Tealey.”

A gentle smile finally slips into place, and she says, “After what just happened, is it wrong to want you to stay?”

“What does your heart tell you?”

Her smile blooms brighter. “To kiss you again. What do you think I should do?”

“I think you should listen to your heart.” She leans in, and I cup her face. We come closer with only an inch or two between us, and I say, “I need you to make me a promise.”

“Okay.” Her breath is heavy, but her expression is light and playful, intrigued by the suggestion.

“If I stay, you’re going to have to promise you won’t ravage me.”

Already laughing, she rolls her eyes as she pushes away. I catch her hand and pull her to my lap, wrapping my arms around her. She tilts her head as giggles escape her. “You’re ridiculous, Welly. You know that?”

“I do know, but women find me irresistible. What about you?”

Rubbing the back of her hand along my cheek, she says, “Utterly irresistible.” This time, she cups my face and kisses me. When we roll back on the bed with her on top of me, I know. I just know . . .Tealey Bell is going to be the death of me.

23

Rad

The problem with lies is they multiply.

Sneaking out of Tealey’s room just as the sun begins to rise, I almost make it to my room before everyone wakes.Almost . . .

“What are you doing up so early?” I whip around like I’m a burglar busted. Cammie’s eyes are still tired, but her smile–unsuspecting,thank God—is there.

“I, uh, wanted to watch the sunrise.”

Looking down the hall through the window, she says, “It’s just rising.”

“Yeah, it was great . . .” I reach for the doorknob to my room. “I’m going back to bed. Seen one, you’ve seen them all. Good night . . . technically morning.” I slip into the room and shut the door, ashamed of all the lies I’m caught up in. What am I doing?

I have this thing with Marlow hanging over my head that needs to play out. Also, I figured Tealey and I would be taking it slow until we figure out what we’re doing. I know neither wants to alienate us if things don’t work out. That means I need to findsome time to talk to her privately today before we get carried away, which I’m finding is way too easy to do.

Until we can have that conversation, is it worth lying to everyone to be able to be with Tealey?

Hell-to-the-fucking-yeah.

Okay, Wellington. Settle the fuck down.

That feels like an entirely impossible task, considering I just spent hours kissing my dream girl until our lips went numb. Not really, but as soon as I had the chance to hold her in my arms, I took it. I don’t think I’ve slept that well in years. The short number of hours don’t matter. I found peace wrapped around her.

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