"You clean up well," Tate commented when glanced up from a pile of books as I took the seat next to him.
"Thanks. I have a chemistry exam coming up next week that's going to kick my ass. I need at least an hour and then we can get something to eat, if you're still up for it." I pulled out my books, trying to ignore how good he looked sitting there beside me.
"I love science and math. Let me know if I can help at all." He pulled his book toward him, but continued to watch me.
"Thanks." I popped in one of my earbuds and flipped to the section I was supposed to have memorized already. It was going to be impossible to study with him staring at me. I glanced over at him and lifted my eyebrow. "What?"
"Nothing. Just admiring you. Is that alright?" He reached over and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ears.
"Nope. Study and leave me be. We're just friends, remember?" I winked before glancing back down at my book.
"About that..."
"Hey, it's okay. I'm good with friends. I think I just thought something else was starting to happen, but it was just me being stupid." I shrugged, but didn't look up at him.
"There is something else happening, but I think taking it slow would be smart. You don't even know me, Val."
"Yeah, and you think you know me, but you haven't the slightest clue who I am." I looked up at him, loving the intensity of his stare. "I'm not my father."
"I know. I'm sorry I assumed that." He leaned over and touched my face, pulling me closer as his lips brushed by mine. "Forgive me."
I pushed into the kiss, not thinking about anything other than memorizing the way my chest lit on fire with nothing more than his touch. I'd been infatuated with a few guys in my time, but never had I felt so overwhelmed with the desire to know someone.
His tongue pressed deep into my mouth, and I turned my head, opening up for him and groaning softly at the sensation of having him take ownership of our kiss. His fingers tightened just a little before sliding down to cup my neck while he continued to explore my mouth. His deep breathing left me panting right alongside him, and I could think of nothing but getting out of the library or finding a private reference room.
He finally broke the kiss and sat back, his eyes glossy and chest lifting and falling quickly.
"Wow. And, I almost fucked that up last night. See? This is why I was kicking myself." He chuckled and pulled my chair closer to him before wrapping an arm around the back of my shoulder and pulling the book to rest in front of us. "Let's get this done and get the fuck out of here. I've wanted to kiss you since the first night I met you. It was even better than I thought it would be. I want more."
"So greedy." I moved up toward the table and hoped it wouldn't be too obvious that I was hungry for far more of his time, his attention, and his kisses.
Just knowing I might get it left me panting far beyond what was called for from our simple kiss.
Chapter 16
Tate
Fuck, the kiss was so far beyond anything I imagined it to be. Her lips were soft, her tongue wet and tasting like mints. A million things went through my mind as I sat beside her and tried to focus on the words on the page in front of me. My idea of taking things slow flew out the window, and I couldn't stop trying to figure out how to turn our lunch date into a long afternoon of tasting every inch of her. She
didn't seem like the kind of girl who would jump in the sack with me, but after that kiss, I knew she was starting to feel the pressure of wanting more than what we'd experienced thus far.
I was impressed by how quickly she caught on once we got into the rhythm of working together on her chemistry stuff.
She closed the book and smiled at me in a way that had my body reacting, yet again.
"Thanks for today. I wasn't sure if you were going to get the boot this morning when you snubbed me again at the track or not. I'm glad you didn't." She stood up and chuckled.
My eyes moved up the line of her body, enjoying the way her hair hung around her shoulders and framed her beautiful face.
"Me, too. I swear I must be PMSing. I'm not usually so damn emotional." I stood up and checked my phone before walking down the long stairs in front of the library toward my bike. "I'm driving, if you're okay with a bit of wind."
"A bit? It's freezing out here." She gave me a look before pointing across the street. "Let's just grab a sandwich at Barney's. It's close and delicious."
"Alright. That works." I shoved my hands into my pockets in hopes of not reaching out and taking her hand like I owned her. Doing so at the party was appropriate, but not now. "So, if you're nothing like your dad, then are you like your mother?"
"Ha!" She rolled her eyes and let out a long sigh. "God, I hope not. My mother leaves everyone feeling suicidal. The woman has a way of making sure no one in the room looks, feels, or is better than her."
"Ouch. That has to be hard during the holidays." I opened the door to the sandwich shop and held it open for her.