TWENTY-TWO
DAKOTA
“Logan?” I called out, closing his bedroom door behind myself.
We just had dinner, and while the rest of us gathered in the living room, he disappeared.
Chase had kept his word and talked to the guys about what happened at the party. It didn’t change how disappointed they were in me, and my punishment resulted in no parties whatsoever.
But, based on what happened two weeks ago when they woke me up with mind blowing sex, I think it was safe to say the disappointment didn’t run as deep as I thought.
“You weren’t in your office—are you in the shower? Is that the shower?” I asked, and my hand flew to my eyes. “I’m not looking, I swear,” I called out, with my other arm out in front of me as I felt my way through his room.
“Sure you can come inside,” I heard him say, his voice dripping with sarcasm, and I rolled my eyes, continuing to take slow steps toward where his voice was coming from.
“I just want to let you know that—” I was cut off when my palm landed on something warm, and most importantly, hard. I froze for a second. Then, my hand patted the hard surface. I smirked—my hand still covering my eyes.
“This wall feels…” I trailed off, running my palm down his obviously muscular chest.
“Dakota.”
“Not looking,” I reminded him, and he stepped forward.
“I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Are you kicking me out, chest?” I asked, running my fingertips up and down his washboard abs.
He slipped an arm around my waist, pulling my body up against his, and I was taken aback, feeling him kiss my ear. “I’d never kick you out.”
I smiled, and he peeled my hand from my eyes.
“And you don’t have to cover your eyes.”
I nodded. “I know.”
I placed my hand on his waist, then slid it down to his hip. “Oh. Good. You’re covered,” I sighed, feeling the towel wrapped around his hips.
A flicker of deviance appeared in his eyes before he yanked his towel off, tossing it somewhere. He grabbed the back of my thighs and lifted me onto his shoulder.
“Logan!” I couldn’t help but laugh. “We need to catch up—”
He gave my ass a light smack. “Not yet. You’re joining me in the shower first.”
“I thought you already showered.”
“Nope.”
He carried me into the steam filled bathroom and lowered me to the ground. Gripping the hem of Kaden’s oversized t-shirt that I was wearing, he pulled it over my head and dropped it to the floor.
A deep yearning glowed behind his eyes as he took in my naked body. With his hand on my hip he turned me and hugged me from behind. He buried his face in the crease of my neck and I chuckled, feeling him tickle me.
We slipped underneath the warm stream of water and I turned around in his arms. His hands cupped my face before he pressed his lips to mine and I smiled into the kiss. My arms snaked around his neck and he pulled me closer, eliminating the space between us.
Reluctantly, I broke the kiss, blinking rapidly with the water droplets on my eyelashes. “You said shower, Professor Hale,” I playfully narrowed my eyes and reached for his shampoo bottle.
I squeezed some on my hand and he swung a sturdy arm around me, lifting me off the ground. My legs wrapped around his waist and I smiled, lathering up both hands before running them through his hair.
After our shower, he carried me back to his bed, lowering me steadily. I held my towel tightly to my chest and he found himself on top of me.
Affectionately, he brushed a damp strand of hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. When our gazes met, it felt… different. Something heavy hung between us, and my silly heart was fluttering in my chest.
“What?” I smiled, breaking the tension filled silence.
His soft gaze felt like a gentle touch. “You’re the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on,” his tender voice drifted into my ears and goosebumps rose on my skin.
A deep blush must have coated my cheeks because my face heated up instantly and he smiled, almost as though he was amused.
“And I love how a simple compliment turns your cheeks pink,” he added, and suddenly I was feeling brave.
My arms wrapped around his neck. “And what else?” I playfully pressed.
It didn’t take him long to answer, amusement lingering behind his eyes. “I love the way your eyes glisten every time you’re talking about the things you love,” his thumb brushed over my cheekbone. “I love how perfect you are for us.”
His hand shifted, and he slowly brushed his thumb across my lips. “And most importantly…” he trailed off. “I love you.”
My smile wavered, sincerity lighting up his soft hazel eyes. He loves me…
Slightly, my lips parted to speak but he stole a tender kiss, his soft lips making my body melt into the mattress. My hands lifted to hold the sides of his face, as our tongues found a sensual rhythm.
My lips slipped from his and I trailed soft kisses up his jaw, stopping at his ear. “And I love you,” I whispered, a bashful smile tugging at my lips.
Without wasting a second he gripped my hips, flipping us over and my yelp emitted into the room before I chuckled. Straddling his lap I rested my palms flat on his chest for stability, but my heart melted at the doting smile on his lips—a subtle twinkle in his eyes.
Leaning down, I pecked his lips.
“Again,” he kept his eyes on my lips and I smiled, giving him a chaste kiss. “Again,” he breathed and I chuckled, watching him mirror my smile.
I kissed him longer, and with so much passion that my body burned for him. His strong arms enclosed me, and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else but here. With him.
My chest pressed to his and I could feel each beat of his heart against mine. Our heartbeats aligned, thumping rhythmically.
My cell phone vibrated somewhere in the room but we ignored it, twice, until the person called for a third time.
With a groan I climbed off his lap, scanning my eyes around the floor.
Noticing the device peaking out of my pocket, I mindlessly reached down to grab it and headed back over to Logan.
I sat down before bolting back up. “It’s my mom!” I gasped before answering the call. “Hi, Mommy,” I smiled, and she spoke with concern but cut herself off.
“Sweetheart, what did you do?” she questioned in suspicion as I caught my breath.
“Nothing,” I answered, shaking my head. I shot Logan an apologetic look, but he shook his head, planting a kiss on my cheek before disappearing into the bathroom.
“You only call me ‘mommy’ when you’re guilty.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I didn’t do anything,” I smiled defensively. “You okay? What’s going on?”
“I wanted to ask if you could have dinner with us sometime, but then I got worried because you weren’t answering and that’s not like you.”
“I was studying,” I lied. “And of course, I’d love to,” I agreed, getting off the bed.
I left Logan’s room, heading over to mine.
I missed her. I missed waking up and seeing her. I missed talking to her before bed. I missed her presence. I knew that someday I’d have to leave, but I didn’t think it’d be this soon.
My mom was my best friend, and nothing and no one would change that. I needed this phone call. I needed her.
* * *
“Look who finally decided to show up,” Solace announced as I approached her, Asher and Daisy at our usual spot. “And she’s glowing?”
Daisy giggled. “Does Mr. Muscle from the party have anything to do with this?” she smirked as I found my seat beside her—opposite Asher and Solace.
“Maybe I’m just happy because I have the most amazing best friends in the world,” I shrugged. “Ever think about that?”
“Oh, he fucked you good,” Solace grinned and my face dropped. Daisy erupted into a contagious laughter and Asher seemed appalled by this conversation.
“Not denying it is even worse, D,” Asher added and I opened my mouth to speak but shut it immediately.
“Maybe he did. So what?” I shot back.
“Slut,” Solace emphasized and I reached over to slam my hand over her mouth.
“Stop!” I laughed and she wiggled away from me with a huge smile.
“Does he have a brother…?” she trailed off and I didn’t miss the shift in Asher’s demeanor.
“Or a cousin?” Daisy chimed in.
“Or a sister?” I finished for Asher but he flashed me a half-assed smile before looking down at the water bottle in front of him. What just happened? “It’s time for class, let’s go,” I changed the topic of conversation as I got up, swinging my bag over my shoulder.
“Ah, yes. Professor Logan Hale here I come. Literally,” Solace fanned herself and my head snapped to her. “Kidding,” she pecked my cheek and Daisy hid a laugh.
We made our way to Logan’s classroom and for once, we weren’t late. Logan and I had somewhat gotten better at the longing gazes, and the heavy tension whenever we were in close proximity. So, therefore I’d say class was a success.
After my first two classes I slipped into the library, heading straight to the back. I needed to catch up on some assignments and this was the perfect place to do so.
After getting through a decent amount of work, I couldn’t help slowly lower my head on the table. I yawned, getting comfortable. Just five minutes.
I awoke to the sound of tapping against the table. My head snapped up in fear—realizing I had completely fallen asleep.
I let out a breath of relief seeing Chase sitting opposite me with his pointer finger tapping the desk.
“Oh, it’s you,” I lazily smiled. I reached forward to grab his hand but he pulled back, slipping his hand into his pocket and my brows drew together in confusion.
Something flickered behind his eyes and I looked around. Right. Public library.
“Last aisle,” he nodded and I fought back a smile before getting up. Thankfully, the library was huge and very few people wandered near the back.
I slipped into the last aisle, feeling his arms snake around my waist seconds later.
“What are you doing?” I asked, feeling him pull my back to his front.
“Shh” he cooed into my neck.
“You’re going to get into trouble if they catch us,” I whispered, trying to pull his hands off me. “And I need to get back to Julian to talk about his sloppy catching skills before the next tryouts.”
I could’ve sworn he grunted with disapproval. “His hands roam too much.”
“He’s a male cheerleader who has to catch me so that I don’t crack my skull in half,” I whispered. “As long as his hands are roaming to catch me, I really don’t care.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Well… do you want to be a male cheerleader and catch me?” I mused and he looked mortified by the suggestion. “Exactly,” I said, whipping around so that my hair whipped him in his face.
“Wear that cheerleading uniform for me later and I’ll let my hands roam,” he stepped closer to remove any and all space between us.
My clit definitely heard that.
His hands slipped to my ass and he squeezed, pulling my front to his. With a swarm of butterflies in my stomach, I batted my long eyelashes at him. “Yes, professor.”
A satisfied grin played on his lips before he lowered his lips to mine.
Hating my next move, I planted my hands on his chest and pulled away. “I’ll see you at home,” I whispered.
Sneakily I exited the library and someone grabbed my wrist, pulling me into one of the classrooms and shut the door behind us. Logan.