Page 7 of Wildcat
SCARLETT
Two hours passlike a video montage. Jade and I sing our hearts out to 90s and early 2000s songs. I even do a little Backstreet Boys for Leo. We talk, we laugh, we get handsy, and now, now I’m back at his place. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Thank Jade and her insistence that I need hot Leo to fuck some confidence back in me.
Though, I’d be lying if I said I was here only because my best friend wants me to move on. I want to, too. No, Ineedto. I’m tired of driving the hot mess express.
And Hot Leo… yeah, he’s the kind of guy you rebound with. He’s like vacation sex personified, and I’m hoping to leave here tonight with a fabulous post-vacation glow and renewed belief in men and relationships.
“You live here?” I ask as he opens the passenger side door for me. The house is in a big, gated residential neighborhood.
He nods and takes my hand to help me out of the sporty car. I know cars, thanks to Rhyse, and this is a nice one.
“I was expecting a cramped apartment you share with like ten other guys or maybe a grungy dorm room.”
“Sorry to disappoint,” he says with a grin. “Though my buddy Ash lives across the street.”
“You drive to campus every day from here?” We’re at least twenty-five minutes away. And yeah, this neighborhood is amazing, but getting to campus for classes every morning is a pain. I know because I’m supposed to be doing it. My parents only live about five minutes away, and as far as they know, I am making the drive to campus every day instead of sleeping in and then going to Jade’s or downtown to practice my photography.
“Uhh…” For the first time tonight, he lifts the hat from his head and runs his fingers through the light brown strands. It’s thick and a little unruly. He rests the tattered hat back on top of his head. “About that.”
Oh no.I stop walking and check my pocket to make sure I have my phone for the Uber ride I’m five seconds away from calling.
“I do go to Whittaker, but I am not a full-time student. I’m mostly online.”
“You don’t have an eight o’clock class tomorrow?” I ask dumbly.
“No, but I do need to be up in…” He tilts his wrist to check the time on his watch. “Three hours for work.”
“Is your name really Leo?”
“Yeah.” He steps to me and places each of his big hands on my hips. “Wanna see my driver’s license?” He twists his face up into a horrified expression. “Scratch that. I have the worst photo of all time.”
“Well, now I absolutely have to see it.” I rest my hands on his chest. “I don’t care if you aren’t a full-time student. Or that you live with your parents.” I look behind us to the beautiful house. His parents have money, that’s for sure. The car, the house—it’s all way too nice for someone his age. His interest in finance makes sense now, too.
It feels a little weird that he brought me back here, but maybe his parents are gone on vacation or something. It doesn’t look like there are any lights on inside. Maybe they’re just asleep like my parents most definitely are.
“I don’t—” he starts, head cocked to the side like he’s considering how to phrase the next sentence.
I stop him by pressing a finger to his full lips. “I live with my parents too. Temporarily, if I can ever get and keep a job. We’ll move out someday, right?” I laugh softly to myself. “Who am I kidding? On my current track, I’ll be lucky to have a good job by the time I’m thirty.” I give my head a shake. I need to stop opening my mouth and giving this guy more reasons to call this off. “All I mean to say is, I get it. This time of our life is about figuring it all out.”
He kisses me then. Soft lips slant over mine, and for a few moments, it’s tender and gentle, and holy shit, I wonder if he can feel it. Never mind, there’s no way he doesn’t feel the ground shift beneath us like I do. His head tilts, his mouth opens wider, and I copy the movement. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, and then it isn’t tender anymore.
We fumble toward the front door and inside, breaking the kiss only when absolutely necessary. Down a long hallway and toward the back of the house, he leads me while his hands roam over my body. The back wall of the house has large windows that look out into a back yard with a pool that sparkles in the moonlight.
“Is anyone else home?” I ask when his hands slide under my tank top.
He shakes his head to the side slowly. “It’s just us.”
Well, that’s a relief.
“Can we get in the pool? Is it heated?”
Nodding, he leads me out the back doors. “Anything you want.”
Woah.
“Leo, this is amazing.” I kick off my shoes and walk into the water. It’s one of those zero-entry pools and takes up most of the yard. There’s also a hot tub and patio area with a TV and a big outdoor sectional.
He watches me wade in, smiling as I turn in a circle, taking it all in. When he still doesn’t come in, I slowly walk back to him. “If I had a place like this, I’d never leave.”
