I grabbed my bag off the floor and carried it out of the room. Like I expected, the living room and kitchen was crowded with people.
“You sure you can’t come?” Rachel asked as she opened up our fridge.
I went over to the coffee pot to see if we had any more coffee left from this morning. I smiled to myself as I figure there were at least two cups left in it. “I wish,” I lied. I really didn’t wish I co
uld go. The idea of shopping right now didn’t appeal to me, and I liked the idea of having the apartment to myself for a little while.
“It’s going to be cold,” Troy murmured as he stepped up beside me in the kitchen smelling of soap, his hair was still damp from his shower. “I can make you a fresh pot.”
I shrugged. “I can nuke it.”
“Go sit and bust out those books,” he gently nudged me towards the living room. “I’ll make you a fresh pot.”
I smiled up at him. “Thanks.”
“We don’t have time to wait,” Jemmy whined as Gavin and Sierra came into the apartment.
“We’re still waiting on Terrance, Kade, Micah, and Patrick,” Remy stated as I sat down on the couch and pulled out my English book.
“Do you want anything while we’re out?” Jemmy asked as she pulled out Noah’s lap top.
“No thank you,” I smiled gratefully at her.
“You got all your work done already?” Jax asked Jemmy skeptically.
“I got a B and C on my quizzes, and I turned in my paper,” Jemmy hedged as she fiddled with her purse. I knew from the way she was avoiding eye contact that the paper was probably full of fluff. She knew Mr. Bates was there to monitor us and not grade us.
Jaxson crowed with laughter, and I smiled at him. He looked more relaxed than I had seen him since we returned last week. Maybe the nap we took together helped him as much as it helped me. “So, in other words, you’re going to have to rewrite it when it returns with a big fat F.”
Jemmy shot him a murderous look. Luckily, Jace saved her from further ribbing—or so she thought.
“Okay, let’s load up and give some peace and quiet to Blake,” Jace clapped his hands as he came out of his bedroom. Then he looked over at Jemmy. “Dad’s not going to be happy if you fail that paper.”
“I’m going to rewrite it,” Jemmy rolled her eyes as she opened the door, eager to escape.
Hours later, I was satisfied to see how much head way I had made with my paper. I was able to retake two of my quizzes and take one of my test I had been putting off, too. I was studying for one of my classes when Drake came into the apartment.
I looked up, slightly startled. He had on his chef coat, and I remembered that he had skipped the excursion out to work in the kitchens. Since he began assisting in the kitchens the DFAC had become considerably better. He was working more as a trainer than a chef, but he was definitely back into his element.
“Hey there.” He smiled at me. “How’s it going?” From his intonation, I knew he knew I was struggling.
I sighed. “Does everyone know how bad I was doing?”
He chuckled as he sat down on the couch next to me. He removed his glasses and leaned back to look at me. I stared into his beautiful eyes and almost forgot about my ire and our conversation. “You know Pops gets weekly reports on you from Mr. Bates and the school. He did suggest that we give you some time to focus on school work.”
“Well, I made some good head-way today. I should be completely caught up by Saturday. Are you guys ready for the Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow?” I put down my book and turned slightly towards him. I reached out and ran my hand through his hair.
The desire to be with him rose within me. I needed a release from the tension that had been boiling within. He closed his eyes under my ministrations.
“Almost,” he said. “It’s going to be an early morning. I’m just glad we don’t serve breakfast or dinner tomorrow. Just the thanksgiving meal. You should get back to work,” he opened his eyes, but I knew he was in no hurry to move away from my fingers.
I got up onto my knees and straddled his lap. “I need to take a break.”
His eyes darkened with desire as he shifted beneath me. “What did you have in mind?”
I kissed the corner of his mouth, then I nibbled the side of his neck until I gently captured his ear with my teeth. I heard his breath hitch and felt his reaction beneath me.
“What did you think I had in mind?” I husked.