Boarded by Love (Bellevue Bullies 1)

He laughs as he wraps his arm around my shoulders. “I think it’s sweet he threatened to break my kneecaps and throw my body in the Red River. He cares for you.”

“Oh, sweet baby Jesus, I’m so sorry. He is sorta overprotective of me.”

Jude continues to chuckle as we start to walk toward my dorm. “Again, I think it’s endearing. To kill for someone means you love them more than you love yourself, and that’s special. You’re special, Claire.”

“So you’ve said,” I flirt as I lean into him.

“And you know I don’t lie.”

I smile as I hide my face in his shoulder, and when I see my building, my heart falls into my stomach. I don’t want this to be over, but I know Skylar is back in the room. She texted me during dinner asking if it was safe to return, and I gave her the green light since I knew I couldn’t keep her from her own room. Still holding my hand, he walks me up the stairs and then all the way to my room before he pauses in front of my door.

Reaching for my phone, he takes it and does something and then his phone rings.

“Now we have each other’s phone numbers. I should have done that the first time I met you.”

“I would have kicked ya in the balls.”

He laughs and I smile as he brings me in close for a long, toe-curling kiss. Threading my fingers through the short hair on the side of his head, I lose myself in the kiss. This could very well be the last time I see him, feel him like this, and I have to enjoy it. I just have to. As much as I believe he won’t ever call me or see me again, I can’t help but feel he will. I don’t know if it is my stupid hopeful need, but I trust him. Again, not sure that is a good idea, but I do.

Parting, he nibbles on my bottom lip before he whispers, “I’ve never had such a great first date.”

“It was the best.”

“I’ll see you soon?”

“You have my number.”

“And you have mine.”

I bite into my lip and he smiles before crashing his lips to mine again. Moving in unison, we kiss for what seems like ever. I could never get tired of the way he feels against me, and when he pulls away, I actually feel lonely without him.

“Goodnight, Claire.”

“Night, Hey Jude,” I say as his face brightens. I grin as my hand finds the handle and then I push it open, almost falling into my room, but to my delight, I catch myself before crashing to the ground. I send him one last grin before waving and shutting the door. Leaning against it, I lay my head against the coolness of my door and let out a long breath.

Did that just happe

n?

“So?” I turn to find Skylar watching me. “The room smells like sex and mint, and I am so freaking jealous that you banged Jude. So jealous. Was it good, at least?”

A dreamy look comes over my face as I basically float to her bed, falling on top of it, not caring one bit for her books or notes. “Oh Skylar, good is not the word. Perfect is more like it.”

“Oh man, I bet it was. Is he hung?!”

Breathless, I say, “Like a Clydesdale!”

“Mother of God,” she whispers and I nod quickly.

“It was amazing and perfect and ugh, as much as I want to believe there will be a second time, the doubt is there.”

“Yeah, I get what you’re saying. Jude isn’t a one-woman man, babe. I hope you remembered that going in.”

I nod as I sit up, letting out a breath. “I did, but Skylar, the way he looked at me, the way he treated me and talked to me, it just seems different.”

“You’re hot, babe, believe me, I know this. But Jude just isn’t take home to Phillip material. He more than likely won’t even text ya, which is shitty ’cause you’re amazing.”

My heart sinks because I think deep down I know that is the truth.