Page 36 of Stay
He chuckles as if the reason should be obvious. “Because you’re all I’ve been able to think about since I met you. Whatever secrets you’re keeping, you can trust me with them.” The smile fades as a serious expression replaces it. “I won’t hurt you.”
Here’s the thing…I can’t jump blindly off the cliff with him. Even if he makes me feel like I want to. “I need some time.”
He pulls me a bit closer. It’s nowhere near close enough to be flush against his body, only enough to tease me with the heat of him. “I can give you that.”
The corners of my lips tentatively slide upward.
Here’s a guy who has seen me lose it and isn’t running for the hills. It makes me wonder if I can really trust him.
“Are you coming to our party Friday night?”
“I think so. Brooklyn has only mentioned it a few dozen times.” Probably more. If I have to hear one more word about Austin, I’m going to be sick.
He grins. “I’m sure she has since I asked Austin to make sure his new girl brought her roommate along.”
I chuckle as his fingers squeeze the tops of my shoulders again. An arrow of heat shoots through me.
I glance away, watching as a car speeds past us. “I should probably get back to the dorms.” I need to shower and get ready for class.
“How about I run back with you?”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to do that.”
The sun shines down on us, warming our skin. People from neighboring houses are sliding into their cars and leaving for work or school. It’s perfectly safe for me to be out running by myself.
One side of his mouth quirks. “I want to.”
That’s when I realize it’s not a safety issue for him. He wants to spend more time with me.
“Okay,” I concede, knowing I’ll enjoy the feel of him at my side.
We take off, jogging back to my dorm, which is about a mile and a half away. I’m sure he has to slow his pace, even though I try to quicken mine. Neither of us speak, instead we listen to our iPods. When we finally arrive in front of Washington Hall, the girls’ dorm, I turn to him, my chest heaving.
When I’m finally able to form words, I say, “I’ve just started running again. I’m a little out of shape.” It’s almost embarrassing that I used to run five miles in less than fifty minutes, three times a week, to keep my stamina high.
“You don’t look out of shape.” His gaze slides over my body.
If my cheeks hadn’t already been heated from our physical exertion, he would have seen the hot blush scorching them.
“How often do you run now?”
I suck in another breath as my heart continues to jackhammer. “Three times a week. Usually Monday, Wednesday, and Friday around six thirty.” I actually want to double over, but there’s no way I’m doing that in front of him.
He nods, stretching his calf muscles. “Would you like some company?”
I’d love to spend more time with him…
“I won’t be able to keep up with you,” I admit, “I’m not fast enough.” My brows draw together as I take a good look at him. “You’re not even breathing hard,” I accuse.
That is so unfair. I’m practically ready to keel over and he looks as if he’s been out for a Sunday stroll. Even worse than that—it was only a mile and a half.
So pathetic.
He flashes a grin, showing off his dimples. And just like it always does, something warm slides through me at the sight of them.
“I run and lift weights four times a week. Plus, we’re on the ice every day but Sunday,” he chuckles. “I’d better be in good shape, or my hockey career would be over with pretty damn fast.”
Still unsure, I warn, “You won’t get much of a workout if we run together.”
