Page 58 of Deafened By Silence
“Clay, I don’t need the details. I know your character. I know you protect me when I don’t have to ask for it. I know you’re a good man.” Her hands drag down my chest, settling over my heart. “I know I feel safe when I’m with you.”
Her certainty shatters me. This time, when I kiss her, it’s not careful. It’s desperate. My lips tremble against hers, my hands clutch her closer like I might drown without her. My heart claws for hers, a lifeline in the dark. Her hands explore me too, nails dragging lightly down my chest, skimming my abs. She tastes like caffeine, intoxicating and addictive.
I fist the hem of her shirt whilst my other hand tangles in her hair, thumb brushing over the cool disc hidden beneath her skin. She breaks the kiss, eyes fluttering open, and for a breathless moment, we just stare. Her innocence cages my fire, taming it into a single flame I can manage.
“I hate that you’ve seen me weak,” I rasp.
“I’ve never seen anyone so strong.”
No more words are passed, nothing left to be said. I roll her onto her back, bracing on my forearms, caging her beneath me. She hooks her legs around my waist, locking me to her, pulling more of my weight down until there’s nothing left between us. With the heightened emotions clashing in my chest, an erection should be impossible. But with Harper spread across my sheets, her pink hair fanned out like a halo, I’ve never been harder.
My thumb drags along her jaw, tilting her lips up so I can claim them again. Own them. This time, when her fingers clutch my hair, I don’t retreat. A shudder runs the length of my spine, the thin material of my pants doing nothing to hide my hard length. But I don’t want to hide it, I want her to feel it. Feel how she captivates me, how I am merely a man at her mercy.
Her hands roam my back, stroking every tense line of muscle, worship and torment in each slow caress. I’m unraveling, piece by piece, and I can’t bring myself to stop. Travelling down to slipbeneath my waistband, she brushes the tip of my dick just as the door bursts open.
Jerking upright, a vicious rage bleeds into my veins as the freckled-fuckface I didn’t expect to see for at least two days rushes into the room. Throwing his bag onto his bed, he storms back and forth in an angry pace whilst muttering to himself.
“Fuck’s sake Kenneth! I thought you’d be gone until Wednesday!” Kenneth freezes mid-step, his head swiveling toward me like he’s just noticed the scene. Me, positioned over a girl with a beautiful soul to match her outer appearance. The moment has well and truly evaporated as Harper wriggles out from beneath me giggling, although my blue balls fail to see the funny side.
“Hey, I’m Harper. We’re in the same bio class,” she smiles kindly with her hand outstretched. Kenneth takes it in his sweaty grip, a strangely predatory grin sweeping across his face.
“Yes, you are. Kenneth Dockerson. It’s a pleasure to be properly introduced at last.” His hold on her hand lingers a beat too long, spiraling this encounter to a level of awkward I refuse to sit through. Especially when my dick is aching to be set free. Grabbing a hoodie and sneakers from under the bed, I pull Harper beneath my arm and usher her out the room. I’ll deal with Kenneth the Cockblocker later.
Right now, there’s a gorgeous girl by my side and a free taster session about to start in the food technology department.
“Come on, we’re going to get some dinner.”
Chapter Thirty Five
Dinner in the catering area became a fully fledged party when Clayton walked me back to my dorm, discovering Addy in the throes of another messy break up. I swear she goes through partners faster than I go through cups of coffee.
At least this time, instead of crying in a heap, Addy is on the cheery side of lone drinking, a plastic bag filled with wine bottles at the end of her bed. Dragging Clay inside to help her drink them seemed like the responsible thing to do. And somewhere between giving Addy relationship advice I have no experience with and rubbing shoulders with Clay, a plan was hatched. A day trip, fueled by liquor and desperation to get off campus.
“Come on, Sleeping Beauty,” I tug at the covers wrapped around Addy’s body. “You told Clayton we’d meet him in the parking lot in twenty minutes.”
“Head. Ow. Leave me,” Addy mutters, dragging the cover back over her face. I shake my head at the ceiling. This was her plan, to take us to a small, private beach she saw online. The drive alone is going to take up most of the morning, so we stupidly agreed to leave at dawn.
After one last attempt to get Addy back from her sleeping death, I abandon her. Clayton is already waiting, his beanie tugged low and hands shoved in his jeans pockets. His usual, worn military jacket is doing nothing to protect him from the chilly air, but he straightens and smiles when he sees me.
“Where’s Addy?” he asks, looking behind me at the closing door.
“Hungover,” I roll my eyes. “Although, I’m starting to doubt she ever intended to come anyway. Looks like it’s just us, if you still want to go, that is?” Clay blinks a few times, his shoulders drawing up to fight off the breeze.
“Oh, yes. Yeah, I’d love to.” He clears his throat and runs a hand over his beanie. “I’ll grab the keys to the truck.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll drive,” I smile, swirling my keys around my finger. I don’t wait around for the protest, skipping over to my cherry red Audi. Oh, how I’ve missed driving my baby. I should get out more, but with the town so close to campus, I haven’t found the excuse to.
Shedding my thick sweater for the drive, I drop into the driver’s seat and watch Clay fold himself into the passenger seat, his knees brushing the glovebox. My Audi is many things, but generous with legroom isn’t one of them.
“Uh, hang on,” I lean over him to fiddle with the seat lever, attempting to push his seat back further. However, with Clay’s muscular weight, I need to jerk the lever a few times before the seat shoots back, taking my arm with it.
“Ahh!” Clay half grunts, half hisses, his entire body going stiff.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” I gasp, removing my elbow from where it artfully pounded into his crotch. Hovering my hand over his privates, I scramble for a way to help. “Is there anything, I mean, do you need…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Clay insists, although his face is a shade redder than my car. “Just drive, I’ll be alright in a minute.” I know I shouldn’t laugh, but there’s something inherently funny about a man squirting in his chair, trying to cushion his dick while there are tears springing to his eyes. I cover my mouth with my hand to hide my smile.
“I amsosorry. I was just trying to give you more room.”
