Page 15 of Stay
What becomes obvious is that I’m not the only one affected here.He draws in a ragged breath as we silently hold each other’s gazes. Heat and hunger fill his eyes as my legs nearly buckle.
“I love you,” I whisper. “Let’s move in together. I want to quit college, marry you, and have lots of babies. At least four. Maybe five. How does that sound?” I trail my fingers over his chest, enjoying the play of hard sinewy muscle.
His arms snake around my body, hauling me impossibly close. My nipples pebble against his strength and my brain become a little hazy from the intimate contact. My eyes widen because his chest isn’t the only hard thing I’m feeling…
Oh my…
“I think that sounds pretty damn fantastic. Let’s do it,” he murmurs seconds before his mouth crashes onto mine. I expect the slide of his lips to feel forceful, almost punishing, but they’re not. In fact, the caress is soft and?—
Before it can go any further, I jerk away from him and bark, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Heads snap in our direction as my heart pounds and skin prickles with awareness. And my lower regions…
They’ve snapped to attention as well.
Crap.
His lips quirk at the corners as his eyes crinkle with humor. “Um, I was kissing the girl I’m going to marry. Why? What did it feel like I was doing?”
He’s way too cool and collected.
And I am so not…
This is the part where I act like a child by screeching in annoyance before stomping away. “We arenotdating, and we are certainlynotgetting married!” Guess that one backfired. My breasts are still tingling and feel achy from being pressed against all that delicious strength.
And that kiss…holy hell.
My fingers fly to my lips as his laughter follows me.
The bastard.
“I’ll be seeing you around!” He shouts as I vacate the area as fast as possible.
I don’t bother to glance back before flipping him the bird. This has not been one of my finest hours. As I stalk away, embarrassment slides through me. Why does this guy have such a knack for bringing out the worst in me?
Better question—what am I going to do about it?
I have the sinking feeling that avoiding him will be impossible.
Somehow, I think that kiss sealed my fate.
5
CASSIDY
“Cassidy, your four o’clock is here.”
With my nose buried deep in a calculus book, I murmur, “Great Lisa, send him back.”
Lisa, our sort-of-receptionist, hovers in the doorway for a few moments until I’m forced to glance up and meet her wide gaze.
Only then does she mouth, “He’ssoooohot.” As if to add emphasis, she rolls her eyes.
I roll mine in response before shaking my head. Also for emphasis. Lisa thinks most guys aresoooohot. I’ll admit, sometimes she’s right. And sometimes she’s wrong.
Very, very wrong.
But I suppose beauty is in the beer goggles of the beholder...or something like that. Not that Lisa usually drinks on the job. Although, sometimes I seriously have to wonder.
