Page 96 of Stay
“He,” she sets her fork down before making exaggerated air quotes with her fingers “claims that Mandi was hanging all over him and wanted to whisper something in his ear, but kissed him instead.” Her lips flatten before she tacks, “Which is when I oh-so-conveniently walked in.”
“Do you believe him?”
“I don’t know. He keeps swearing that he’s not interested in Mandi and had no intention of kissing her.” She huffs out a breath. “The last thing I want is to spend time worrying that he’s screwing around behind my back.”
I can understand where she’s coming from. No one wants to feel like a paranoid, jealous bitch. Nothing ruins a relationship faster than distrust.
“I still have a hard time believing he would throw your relationship away by messing around with another girl. Especially out in the open, where it could easily get back to you.”
Her expression turns thoughtful. “I guess that’s true.”
“Are you thinking about giving him another chance?”
I like Austin, and them together.
“I haven’t made any decisions.” She shrugs. “I told him that I needed time to think about it.”
“You should take as much time as you need to sort out your feelings.”
A smile trembles around her lips. “I’m just not sure how much longer I can hold out. Sex with Austin is seriously hot.” Her eyes take on a mischievous glint as she warms to the subject. “Have I mentioned the amazing things he can do with his tongue?”
I lift a hand to stop her. “Unfortunately, you have. And I don’t need to hear about it again, thank you very much. Once was more than enough.”
A chuckle escapes from her. “Oh, come on, Cass. You can give me all the sexy details on Cole, and I’ll dish about Austin. We can compare notes.” She waggles her brows. “Maybe exchange some ideas.”
Eyes widening, I sputter, “No way!” Then I add, “Absolutely not!”
When she dissolves into a fit of giggles, I consider the possibility that she’s messing with me. Although, knowing Brooklyn…probably not. She’s already given me the lowdown on several guys she’s been with this semester. I have to avert my gaze every time I run into one of them around campus.
Just as my shoulders shake with laughter, a muscular body slides onto the bench next to me. Surprised, I find myself staring into Cole’s golden-hued eyes. Not a heartbeat later, he leans over and smacks a kiss against my lips. Even though it’s nothing more than a peck, it’s enough to get my blood pumping.
“Hey.” He pulls away enough to flash a smile at me.
“You’d disappeared before I got back this morning,” he murmurs.
The heated look filling his eyes tells me exactly what would have happened had I stuck around.
“Yeah, I had to take off and study for a test.”
He reaches out and grabs my bottle of water before taking a long drink. My gaze drops to the column of his throat, watching as the muscles constrict with every swallow.
How can that be so sexy?
“How’d that go?”
My attention snaps back to his face.
His lips lift into another smile as his fingers gravitate to mine, tracing delicate patterns across my skin. A thin shiver works its way through me as he continues to play with my hand.
I clear my throat and focus on the question. “Good.” His nearness has my nervousness draining away. It’s just so easy to be with him. “It went really well.”
He closes the distance between us before kissing me again and whispering against my lips, “Are you going to stay over tonight?”
Desire flashes in his eyes as an answering heat flares to life in my core. For someone who wanted nothing to do with sex a few short months ago, he’s flicked a switch inside me. I want him all the time and I love that he’s so openly affectionate. I never thought I’d be someone who enjoyed PDA.
Turns out that I do.
My gaze flicks to Brooklyn as Austin slides in next to her. Even though his lips curve into a hopeful smile, her scowl is enough to knock the expression off his face.
