Page 93 of Stay
“So fucking beautiful,” he whispers against my heated flesh before adding, “and mine.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, wanting that sentiment to be true. I’venever wanted anything more in my life. In a short amount of time, Cole has come to mean everything to me.
He plunges his tongue deep inside my body as he rubs the pad of his thumb against my clit in tiny circles that make me feel as if I’ll burst out of my skin. A moan escapes as I come undone and splinter apart. Even after my body settles, he continues to stroke my oversensitive flesh with both his fingers and mouth until I can’t bear another moment of it.
“I need you inside me.” I want him to fill me up until he’s all I can think about. All I can remember.
With one last kiss pressed against my pussy, he rolls away, grabs a condom from the nightstand, and crawls up my body. Once his cock nudges my entrance, he sinks inside me one inch at a time until he’s buried deep, filling me to the brim. Our gazes stay fastened as he begins to move.
“I think I’m falling for you, Cassidy,” he whispers before taking my lips with his own. The way his body rocks against mine makes me feel like we are connected in the most intimate way possible.
When he finally comes, I follow him over the edge. Even though my body is exhausted by our lovemaking, my mind is restless with what still needs to be said.
After returning from the bathroom, I strip off the oversized T-shirt he’d given me and crawl naked into bed with him. He gathers me up in his arms and presses me against his chest, where my head settles. The steady beating of his heart fills my ears. It takes everything I have inside me to gather my courage. As much as I don’t want to ruin this perfect interlude, I can’t allow everything to linger between us any longer.
“Cole?” I whisper into the darkness.
I still, straining to hear any sound.
“Cole? Are you awake?”
The question is met with silence. Not a moment later, his deep, even breathing fills the void and I realize with a sinking heart that he’s already fallen asleep. For a long time, I stare at the ceiling before finally drifting into a restless slumber.
When I wake the next morning, the sheets beside me are empty and Cole is gone. There’s a piece of paper propped up on his nightstand that lets me know he’s at an early morning practice.
I rub the sleep from my eyes and stare at the note before flopping back onto the pillow. My intention had been to get everything out into the open so I could finally breathe again. Instead, we’d tumbled into bed, and I’d allowed myself to get wrapped up in his body and the way he makes me feel. A shiver dances down my spine even remembering the delicious way he had played with my body.
Irritated with myself for prolonging the inevitable, I throw an arm over my eyes and wonder if I’ll ever find the courage to tell him. The longer I allow my past to linger between us, the more difficult it becomes to force out the truth.
25
CASSIDY
“Hey, Cassidy, wait up.”
Not recognizing the voice, I turn at the sound of my name. My muscles freeze as I catch sight of Luke trotting toward me. Unable to move, I hitch the brown leather bag higher onto my shoulder as if clutching it for dear life.
When he reaches my side, he flashes a bright smile as if we’re lifelong friends.
“Hey.” Even though it’s difficult, I force my stiff lips into something that hopefully resembles a smile as my heart jackhammers a painful staccato beneath my breast.
“I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Why?
My mouth turns cottony, making it impossible to swallow. What could we possibly have to say to one another?
Nothing good. Certainly nothing I want to discuss. Especially with him.
“Are you headed this way.” He nods in the direction I’ve been walking.
It’s tempting to shake my head and take off down another path. Idon’t want to spend another moment in his company. Already my chest is tightening.
I open my mouth to lie and hear myself blurt instead, “Yeah.”
He gives me another smile as if totally oblivious to the tension that permeates the atmosphere. “I have Poli-sci in ten minutes.”
“Econ,” I respond grudgingly as my mind races, trying to figure a way out of this mess.
