Chapter 7
FOREST
It’s not the first time I’ve woken with Aria snuggled against my chest, but this morning, everything is different.
I’m hard, and it’s not just morning wood. It’s her scent, the sound of her breathing, her hand splayed open over my abs. Mostly, it’s because her leg is thrown over mine, and her thigh is nudging against my cock.
My gaze drifts over her smooth skin, her lips, her button nose. A smile spreads over my face when the realization hits that we’re actually doing this. We’re dating.
Aria stirs, and then she stretches out, the length of her body rubbing against mine, and it makes my cock strain against my sweatpants. I turn onto my side, facing her so I can hide my hard-on.
“Morning,” she mumbles sleepily.
I press a kiss to her forehead and pulling back so I can get up, I say, “Morning. Time to get up, or we’ll be late for our first day.”
Aria shoots up, a smile spreading over her face. “It’s our first day!”
I let out a chuckle and walk to the bathroom. I relieve myself and brush my teeth before I go back into the room. Aria’s left, probably to get dressed. Heading to my walk-in closet, my eyes scan over the clothes. I grab tan cargo pants and a charcoal button-up shirt.
After showering, I slip on the clothes, and I’m busy combing my fingers through my hair when there’s a knock at my door.
“Come in.”
The door opens, and Noah steps inside with two coffees. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah.” When he hands me a cup, I say, “Thanks.”
“Listen,” he lets out a deep breath. “I want to apologize for last night. Carla has a way of getting under my skin.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me.” I place my hand on his shoulder. “I just didn’t want the two of you getting into a fight in front of the other students.”
Noah shakes his head. “It’s like she has a direct link to my last nerve.”
I let out a chuckle. “It’s her specialty. If she knows something bothers you, she zeroes in on it like a heat-seeking missile.” Seeing the worry on Noah’s face, I ask, “Do you want me to talk to her?”
“Nah, it’s nothing I can’t handle. I just wanted to make sure everything's cool between us.”
“Of course.”
I take a sip of my coffee before I walk out with Noah. Aria’s bedroom door is open, and I find her in the kitchen, busy preparing coffee. She glances up, and when she sees the cup in my hand, she says, “Shoot, I was just making you coffee.”
“I’ll have it,” Carla says as she comes up behind me. “Hey, cuz,” she grins at me and blatantly ignores Noah.
Hana, Mila, and Jade join us in the kitchen, and when everyone’s ready, we all file out of the suite. Walking out of the building, I instantly notice how Noah, Mila, and Jade hang back.
Aria slips her hand into mine, and I link my fingers with hers. When we near the lecture halls, I glance at Carla, “I’ll catch up with you. I’m walking Aria to class.”
“Okay.” Carla waves at us before catching up to the rest of the group.
I turn my attention to Aria and ask, “Are you excited?”
“For?” she hesitates but then asks, “Us dating?”
I let out a chuckle. “I was actually referring to your art classes, but now I want to hear your answer about us dating.”
She pulls me to a stop, and then standing on her tiptoes, she wraps her fingers around the back of my neck and pulls me down to her. When her mouth touches mine, I move my arm around her waist and pull her against me.
Aria’s lips brush against mine, and her tongue skims over my bottom lip before she pulls back. She sounds like a sexy siren as she whispers, “Yes, I’m excited.”
I shake my head and begin to lean down. “Hell no. You can’t tease me with half a kiss.” I crash my mouth against hers and finish what she started.
When I’ve kissed her thoroughly, I grin down at her. “Have a good first day, babe.”
A smile splits over her face, and knowing she’s happy because of me fills my chest with warmth.
“I like when you call me babe,” she admits.
I press another quick kiss to her lips, then I murmur, “My babe.”
Her eyes look like sparkling water as she says, “Always.”
ARIA
Whatever doubts I still had this morning are gone after Forest walked me to class. Every time his eyes met mine, I could see he’s serious about us, and Forest never backs out of something he’s fully invested in. It’s one of the things I love most about him.
My day is spent trying to pay attention in class and thinking about Forest and me. It’s still surreal that we’re giving a relationship between us a try, fake or not. Part of me worries we’re moving too quickly, and I’m super confused about the new feelings. Then I remember his kisses and the sincere expression on his face, and I’ll find myself swooning.