Out in Spring (Out in College 6)

“I’m sorry. What did I say?” Ned asked with a grin.

“You told me you had sex with someone else. And you said ‘if,’ like you didn’t know it’s a foregone conclusion that we’re totally gonna do it. And do it often.” I kept my tone light, then picked up his bag and slipped it over my shoulder to give my hands something to do.

“Unless I missed something, neither of us is a virgin, Logan. And yes, I want to do everything with you, but…”

“But what?” I prodded, pushing a strand of hair from his forehead and caressing his cheek.

“I don’t want to assume anything. And I don’t want you to think I’m drawing hearts around your name in my notebook and planning our future. I like you and I don’t want to scare you,” he said softly.

I scoffed then cast a wide-eyed look around as I slipped my hand in his, pulling him toward the elevators. “This is a terrible place to bring someone you don’t want to scare. I bet there are black widows in the corners behind the pile of desks and maybe even a body somewhere around here.”

Ned chuckled, but he didn’t protest when I wrapped myself around him, raining kisses over his face before pressing my lips to his for a long moment. He sighed happily and rested his arms over my shoulders. “I’ll protect you.”

“Thanks. I’ll be fine as long as you’re with me.” When he cocked his head in surprise, I continued. “In case I wasn’t clear, I like you too. A lot. I’m not scared, Ned. You can put a heart around my name if you want.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.” I kissed him again, then bit his chin playfully. “Now, I’m really hungry. Let’s grab something to eat.”

I slung my arm over his shoulder and listed a medley of on-campus dining choices as I pushed the elevator button.

Ned hummed politely, stepping inside the car when the doors opened. “Anything’s fine with me.”

“How about a burger?”

“Sounds good. With fries?”

“Of course. Extra ketchup for me, none for you,” I added, squeezing his shoulder affectionately.

Ned beamed. The look of absolute adoration in his eyes was an intense aphrodisiac. And I’d do pretty much anything to keep it there for as long as humanly possible.

5

Ned

If anyone had told me I’d willingly agree to a quasi-relationship with a closeted jock, I would have assumed they were high. I’d only had a couple of boyfriends, but they’d felt real at the time. We met each other’s friends and family and we did couple-y things in public. We went on dates, had sleepovers, and sometimes even held hands. Things Logan and I couldn’t do without alerting the entire school that we were crazy, madly infatuated. To be honest, it kind of sucked.

Keeping my hands to myself wasn’t easy. Logan was the sexiest man on the planet. No joke. He was so handsome, and he didn’t seem to know it. He either never looked in a mirror or maybe he didn’t see what everyone else did. He was oblivious to gawking girls and extra-flirty waiters. I think he assumed people were attracted to his sport, not him. If so, he misjudged his own charisma. His smile alone could make my heart stop. And when he touched me…let’s just say it didn’t take much to get me on my knees.

I was a ho for him. All it took was one hungry stare, and I’d find myself looking frantically for a private place to stick my tongue down his throat. Library quickies, make-out sessions in his truck, and occasional hand jobs in an empty bathroom on campus…whatever I could get. It was fun for sure; however, after a couple of weeks, the niggling fear of getting caught made me more anxious than ever. It was getting to Logan too.

“I told Troy about you last night,” he announced, propping his right arm over the bench as he stretched his long legs in front of him.

“What did you tell him?”

Logan glanced sideways and smiled. “You sound nervous. What do you think I told him?”

“Knowing you, it could be anything,” I said with an affectionate huff.

He waggled his brows, but he didn’t bother arguing. Logan was quirky, to say the least. He had a ton of energy and a wicked sense of humor. And with a little more time on his hands, he was pure mischief. The fun kind.

“True. I told him that I like you and that we’re…ya know.” He circled his wrist meaningfully.

“That we’re what?” I prodded.

Logan snorted when I tried to copy his brow waggle. He smoothed the lines on my forehead but avoided eye contact when he continued. “That we’re…seeing each other. I think that’s the right phrase. Isn’t it?”

I melted a little at his sweetly vulnerable tone. I liked that Logan was careful with me. He didn’t assume anything. He took the time to ask questions and get to know me.