I cock a brow as my fingers tighten against my palms. It’s taking all of my self-control not to reach out and grab hold of her. “You were there the entire time?”
“Yes.”
“Did you mention that you’re still a virgin?”
A choked-out gurgle of distress bubbles up from her throat. “Of course not! Why would I tell one of my professors that? It’s none of his business, and it’s certainly none of yours!”
“Actually, if you’ll remember correctly,” I remind her, “you made it my business.”
“That was a mistake.” Anger and resentment swirl through her dark eyes.
“Trust me, it’s just one of many.”
Confusion flickers across her features as her brows slant together. “What does that even mean?”
How can I begin to answer that question when it can’t be with the truth?
How do I tell her that as close as we are physically at the moment, it’s not nearly enough? That I want to feel the heat of her naked body pressed against mine. That my cock is so damn hard, it’s painful.
The one girl who has always been off-limits is the very same one who drives me fucking crazy. She’s the one I secretly fantasize about when I’m alone in bed at night. I’m not proud to admit that she’s the one I conjured up in the past while screwing other girls. Just being in her dorm is dangerous and I damn well know it. It won’t take much to shove me over the edge. And if that happens, there’ll be no way to come back from it.
The feel of her warm breath drifting across my lips is too much of a temptation. It’s all I can do to stand rooted in place and inhale her sweet scent. One that smells suspiciously like—
My eyes widen. “Have you been drinking?”
Guilt flickers across her face as she sucks in a shuddering breath.
“Since when do you drink?” My temper skyrockets. “I’ve never known you to take even a sip of alcohol.” It’s one of the reasons I don’t get wasted like most the guys on the team. I know how Elle feels about it. Just like I know the reason behind that choice.
“It was one glass of wine,” she whispers.
Even though her hands are still splayed against me, I force my way into her space until I can feel the sharp rise and fall of her chest pressed against my own. As close as we are, it’s still not enough.
Deep down, I know it will never be enough.
My eyes narrow. “Was that asshole trying to get you drunk?” I’ll fucking rip his head off and shit down his throat if that turns out to be the case.
She shakes her head almost frantically. “Of course not. It was one glass. That’s it.”
“You’re not even of legal age. The restaurant had no business serving you alcohol. You realize they can lose their liquor license because of that, right?”
“You’re overreacting, it wasn’t like that at all.”
“Then explain to me what it was like, because I want to know.” I can just imagine him sitting next to her, pouring her a glass, encouraging to drink it down so he could ply her with more. A red haze clouds my vision.
The guilt flickering in her expression vanishes as her lips thin and she shoves her palms against my chest. A soft grunt escapes from her as she tries to force me back a step. “I don’t owe you any explanations!”
I don’t budge. Her strength is no match for mine.
“The hell you do.” I shackle my fingers around both wrists, pulling them from between us before forcing her hands behind her back. The movement makes her spine arch, and her breasts thrust forward until they’re pressed into my chest. “I’m not going anywhere until we hash this out.”
“I’ve already told you that there’s absolutely nothing to talk about.” A frustrated growl leaves her lips as she twists against me, trying to break free from my hold. Little does she know that all her squirming does is excite me more. If I’m not careful, she’ll realize how turned on I am. “You’re making a big deal out of nothing. It was dinner. That’s it.”
“Christ, Elle. Please tell me you’re not that naïve.”
Her chin lifts as I force her closer. “Maybe you should trust me to know what I’m doing and to take care of myself.”
“How can I do that when you don’t even see that this fucker is trying to seduce you?”
“Seduce me?” An abrupt laugh tumbles from her lips as she shakes her head. “You’re crazy.”
Like hell I am.
Her gaze searches mine. Whatever she sees there is enough to have the mirth in her expression dying a quick death.
I’ve spent so many years longing for this girl. Wanting to touch her. To stroke her soft skin. To simply breathe her in. I’ve done everything in my power to keep my attraction tightly under wraps so she wouldn’t realize that it exists.