The building was nondescript, and Cole paid the cab driver before hopping out and collecting our luggage. Because his hands were full, I followed behind, wringing my fingers while the elevator climbed floors.
“You okay?” Cole asked, his voice low.
“Fine,” I replied. “A little tired.” He smirked, the jerk, because of course I was tired from our weekend activities. He had years of experience on me, which meant he had the stamina.
The elevator dinged and I followed Cole down a hallway until he stopped to unlock a black door. He swung it open and let me walk in first. It was small, but like I suspected, he had a recliner in one corner with a reading lamp and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. Everything else was minimalist: dark wood cupboards in the kitchen with chrome finishes, a desk against the wall with a rolling chair, dark brown leather sofas in the living room, and hardwood floors that went from the kitchen through the living room and down the passage to a master bedroom.
“It’s not much,” Cole said from behind me. “But it’s home.”
The inflection in his voice told me he was nervous about what I would think, and the fact that my opinion of his home mattered at all made me happy. Images of us living together flitted through my mind, but I swatted them away, not wanting to get carried away.
“I really like it,” I said over my shoulder before walking deeper into his apartment. I was staying with him for one night, even though spring break only ended the next day. We’d agreed it would be better for me to be in my dorm by midday, before students arrived and flooded campus and the dorms.
Cole stepped inside and pointed to the hallway. “Master bedroom is down the hall. Bathroom is there too.” This time I followed him into the bedroom, taking in the large king sized bed, navy bedding, and light gray walls. “I’m going to change,” he said. “Do you want to order us some takeout? The menus are all next to the fridge. Pick what you want.”
“Wait.” I grabbed his arm and stretched onto the balls of my feet. I didn’t know why, but it felt like he was already pulling away, and I didn’t like it. I pressed my lips to his and wrapped my arms around his neck. He squeezed my ass, lifting my sundress to stroke my skin. I sighed and felt my nipples harden in my bra. I wanted him again, and judging by the groan from deep in his chest, he wanted me too. Maybe he wasn’t tired of me just yet. I jumped when he slapped my ass, and then I giggled.
“Woman, you’re going to kill me,” he muttered against my mouth, clearly torn between pushing me away and pulling me closer. He was hard in his jeans, and as alluring as it was to have him fuck me in the shower—again—I’d discovered the benefits of making us both wait. He was tired. I was tired. We had plenty of time tonight. But at least I left him wanting.
I left him to get cleaned up and ordered some pizza, figuring it was the easiest option. He was still showering when the pizzas arrived. When he joined me in the living room, he was wearing nothing but gray sweatpants. No shirt, just pants that revealed carved pecs, defined abs, and the glorious Adonis V. He combed his hands through his damp hair, making his biceps bulge. I was staring, without shame, because Cole was a beautiful man. Eventually, I snapped my attention back to the pizza boxes and started plating the slices.
“Smells good,” Cole said, opening the fridge.
I grabbed both plates and got comfortable on the rug on the floor. “How do you not have a TV?” I asked, looking around. I took a bite of the cheesy pizza and licked my fingers. When I glanced back at Cole, he was leaning on one arm, watching me. He did that a lot, especially when he thought I wasn’t paying attention, but I always knew. Not only could I feel the heat of his gaze, but my body responded, too. My stomach would tighten and my breasts would tingle, and now that we’d already had sex, I’d unknowingly rub my thighs together.
“Haven’t bothered to invest in one because I don’t have the time to sit and watch it,” he replied easily, taking a bite of his own pizza slice. “If I’m not grading papers, I’m either writing or reading. Or teaching.” He smirked.
“Too bad.” I chewed and swallowed my food. “I was hoping we could Netflix and chill.” Everybody knew what that meant, even girls like me who were virgins until they were twenty years old. Cole chewed thoughtfully, his gaze never wavering from mine.
“There are so many other ways to stay occupied, Zara. And I’ll tell you, watching television won’t be one of them tonight.”