Chapter Seventeen
~Summer~
I blink awake, heat enveloping my back, my mind catching up as I remember I’m at Xander’s. I try to sit up, but an arm tightens around my waist, its owner tugging me closer. My heart accelerates into overdrive, as I sneak a peek over my shoulder to confirm, yep, it’s him. Not that I was expecting anyone else. I just certainly didn’t peg him as a snuggler.
It’s clear he’s still asleep by the soft snores escaping him, but I’m not sure what I should do. He mumbles, his waist pushing into my bottom, my mouth forming into a big ‘O’ as it becomes clear he’s sporting some serious morning wood. I try and scoot my middle forward, which results in him dragging me back, with more unintelligible mumbling coming from him as he grinds into me.
Shit. Heat pools between my legs. I clench my lower lip between my teeth as I ponder what my next move should be. Before I have time to figure it out, his hand starts to drift up my stomach and curls around my breast. Double-shit. His fingers caress over the top of my nipple, now starting to turn into a hard peak. Is he seriously doing this in his sleep? His breathing is still even and shallow, his exhales warm against my neck where his face rests.
My body reacts blindly, my back bowing into his cupped hand, an unconstrained moan tumbling from me. His grip tightens as his hips thrust forward, his lips hot and firm, suddenly pressing into my neck. His length throbs against my ass, my skin flushing at my increased pulse, my hips grinding back into his.
A soft moan vibrates against my neck, and my center clenches in response, my body and my mind falling under his spell. I twist my head and seal my mouth over his, fireworks exploding under my lids at the contact. My body follows suit, turning, my bare legs tangling with his jean clad legs as I wrap my arms around his head to kiss him harder. His tongue sweeps inside, and I swear, I can taste hints of the smoky flavor of the bourbon we drank last night.
I’ve dreamt of being in his arms again for the last month, but it’s nothing compared to the real thing. His mouth slides off mine and begins to trail down my chin, peppering small kisses in a path towards my neck.
“Xander,” I pant, as he moves lower, his body freezing at the sound.
He sits up abruptly, his hair askew, eyes flaring wide as recognition seems to occur. “Summer!”
“Xander?” I whisper.
“What are you doing?” He scoots back on the bed, putting space between us.
“What am I doing?” I mimic, feeling like a parrot. I can feel my face coloring in embarrassment at his rejection. “What are you doing? You’re the one who was wrapped around me when I woke up!”
His gaze darts around the room as if the answer lies somewhere in the periphery, then back to me. “I’m sorry.” He stutters, shoving himself up and off the bed, his arousal still apparent. “I couldn’t get comfortable on the couch, so I came in here to sleep.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “Just sleep.” He reiterates. “I didn’t mean for that—” He waves a hand over the bed where I’m sitting, “to happen. My body was on auto-pilot.”
I frown. “Why are you fighting this so hard? It’s not like we haven’t already slept together? The rules have already been broken. You obviously want me as much as I want you.” I dare to nod to his swollen length, still bulging under his jeans.
“You know why.” His tone firm. “You are my student now. You weren’t then.”
“I’m a god damn adult. Then and now.” I retort. “Not a child in high school, or even college. This is graduate school. I think at this point we’re mature enough to understand consent and all that it implies.”
He’s silent for what feels like forever. “It’s against the University’s policy for a professor to sleep with a student, no matter their age.”
“So?” I shrug, challenging him. “You’re suddenly the prince of morality?” I scoff. “We both know better.”
He lets out a growl, an actual growl, his head falling back onto his shoulders. “Do you think this is easy for me?” His deep blue gaze locks onto mine, desperation in his voice. “I’m trying to do the right thing here, Summer.” He shakes his head. “And believe me, it doesn’t happen often, but you deserve more than me.”
“Why don’t you let me decide who and what I deserve?” I chide. “The only thing wrong here is the fact that you continue to treat me like a child.” My hands clench into fists. “Like a little girl.” I remind him of his favorite nickname for me, my mouth in a grimace.
“You are most definitely not a little girl.” He grumbles.
“Then stop treating me like one.” I plead.
“Summer, what exactly is it that you want from me?” He paces a few steps closer to the bed. “Sex or a relationship? Because, I don’t do relationships. I haven’t in a very long time.”
“I assumed sex was the only option.” I state, doing my very best to look him straight in the eye with all the fake confidence I can muster.
“And therein lies the problem.” He scoffs, shaking his head, pacing again. “You aren’t the kind of girl to have casual sex, Summer. Especially with the likes of someone like me.” He chuffs again for good measure. “No matter what you may try to make yourself believe.”
“I believe I’m perfectly capable of having sex without a relationship.” I defend.
His nostrils flare, one side of his mouth curling into a feral grin. He prowls around the end of the bed, his eyes gleaming and dark as he stares at me, stopping when he’s directly beside me. He leans down, his hands landing on each side of me, his arms caging me in, his face an inch from mine. I rear back until my head hits the pillow, a small gasp of shock escaping me. He looms over me, staring at me with an intensity that has me fidgeting beneath him, the heat from his body radiating.
“Is this what you want?” He taunts, closing the last inch between us, using his teeth to nip my bottom lip, his tongue swiping over the sting. I whimper in delight. His eyes dart to mine, as I nod my consent.
“Say it.” He demands. “Tell me you want me to fuck you.”
I inhale a sharp breath, then stammer out my plea, feeling like a beggar. “I, I want you to have sex with me.”
He shakes his head, eyes hardening as he pushes away from me. “You can’t even say the word fuck, let alone handle me doing it to you.” He stares down at me, blinking twice, his mouth set in a firm line. “Get dressed. You need to eat something.”
“But—” I protest, but he puts a hand up.
“Enough.” He turns and storms out of the room. “Enough for now, Summer.”
I stare dumbfounded as the door slams shut behind him. At a loss, I do as instructed and get dressed, pulling on the leggings I was wearing last night, but leave his t-shirt on. It’s comfy and it smells like him. I check my reflection in the mirror hanging on a far wall, trying to tame my hair, staring at the bruise on my cheek. I need a hair tie, but of course, without my bag, I have nothing. I guess I should consider myself lucky that I at least still have my phone, and only this bruise. It could have been so much worse.
I realize I need to pee, so creep out of the bedroom as quietly as I can and tip-toe to the bathroom. I can smell food cooking, and my stomach grumbles in response. I hate that he was right. Again. I am starving and need food. I go to the bathroom, do my best to cleanup with the brush and soap I find in a drawer, and then venture to the kitchen.
He pauses when he sees me, his gaze sweeping down my body, one corner of his mouth crooking down as his nostrils flare.
“What did I do now?” I glower back at him.
He shakes his head. “Nothing. Come sit.” He motions to one of the stools at the breakfast bar.
I sit, and he slides a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of me. Steam is still rising off the eggs, the scent heavenly to my empty belly. “Thank you.” I smile over at him.
“Do you need more Advil?” His fingers reach out for my cheek, but fall short of brushing it. “I’m sorry this happened to you.”
“I’m okay.” I offer a shrug. “And it was my own fault. I shouldn’t have gone down the alley. I know better.”
“If they find who did it, I’ll kill them.” He snarls, my eyes popping wide.
“Xander-.” I start, not really sure how to respond to his statement. He just nods, turning away. “Coffee?”
“Yes, please.” I answer, happy to change the subject, shoveling a forkful of the eggs onto a piece of toast before taking a huge bite. I hum in appreciation. “Yum.”
He chuckles, a small smile finally gracing his face, only adding to his beauty, and my heart does a little flip. Yeah, sure I can have sex with no attachments. Who am I kidding?
“Cream or sugar?” He lifts the mug in question.
“Both.” I manage between bites. I can’t seem to stop eating. I smile in gratitude when he places the cup in front of me. “Aren’t you having something?”
“This works for me for now.” He lifts his coffee. “I usually don’t eat until later in the day.”
I scan his body and can’t help but wonder if that’s how he stays so lean. His hair is all rumpled, making him look even sexier, my mind starting to drift off to places it shouldn’t.
“Stop looking at me like that.” Xander grumbles, striding out of the kitchen.
I shrug, more to myself. I can’t help it if he’s eye candy. I’m hungry. I chuff out loud at my own thoughts, startled when Xander is suddenly standing beside me.
“Here.” He sets an open computer in front of me. “I know your laptop was taken, but you can use mine to contact your credit card company and whomever else about your stolen property.”
“Thank you, Xander.” I state sincerely. “That’s really nice of you.”
“I can be nice.” He mutters, walking away, then stops, his back still to me. “Can you do me a favor?”
My brow kicks up in curiosity. “If I can.”
“Call me Alex or Alexander.” He twists his head to glance back at me. “Xander is for work.”