The Freshman (College Years 1)

“I know. It felt good.” I shrug, owning it.

“You were a little out of control too.”

“You make me excited.”

“Oh, I know,” he says dryly and I smack his shoulder. He laughs. “It was good.” A pause. “It’s always good.”

“So good,” I say on a sigh.

We remain quiet. The curtains are still parted, showcasing a gorgeous view of the Las Vegas city lights, and I think about how I should close those curtains soon because when the sun comes up, it’s going to be brutal.

But I don’t move. It’s like I can’t. Tony doesn’t move either. We’re too content. Too tired.

“Sophie sent me a congratulations text,” he admits, his voice whisper-soft.

I stir against him. “Really?” Hearing her name used to fill me with intense jeal

ousy, I’m not going to lie, but I started reminding myself that I have Tony now, not her. And then I realize what he did to her, how he shut her out and she broke up with him because she felt like she had no other choice. Now I just feel sorry for her. That she didn’t get to keep him. Enjoy him more, like I do.

But that’s okay. He’s mine now. I love him.

And he loves me.

“Yeah. She saw me on our local news. I think her parents saw it, actually. She told me she’s happy for me,” he says as he rakes his fingers through my hair.

“That was nice of her.”

“I thought so too. I just wanted you to know. Didn’t want to keep it from you.” He stays quiet only for a moment. “My mom says I’m on a karmic voyage of discovery, how I’m reconnecting with people and finding closure with some of them.”

My hand goes still on his stomach. “That’s…interesting.”

He chuckles, the sound rumbling in his chest, against my ear. “Right? She’s become very spiritual lately. Reading all sorts of self-help books.”

“She gave me that set of affirmation coasters for Christmas,” I remind him.

“Exactly. Burning candles and collecting crystals. You should see her Buddha collection. She has a lot of them,” he says. “We’re not even Buddhists. She says she likes the vibe they bring to the house and yard. Looking at them gives her peace.”

“Whatever helps bring her peace. I won’t judge.” My eyes fall closed, finding my own peace with this gorgeous, thoughtful, smart man lying beside me.

“I told her the same thing.” He drops a kiss on my forehead. “Thank you.”

My eyes pop open. “For what?”

“For giving me a chance. For sticking by my side. For tolerating my bullshit.”

“Um, right back at you,” I tell him, my hand starting to drift once more. “I’m ridiculous sometimes.”

“So am I,” he says, sucking in a breath when my hand settles gently over his burgeoning erection.

The guy never stops. It’s one of my favorite traits of his.

“I love you,” I murmur as I begin to stroke him.

“You’re just saying that so we’ll do it again,” he accuses, and I can hear the laughter in his voice.

“Is it working?” I ask innocently.

“Always,” he murmurs.