Unfortunately, that’s not an offhanded joke. The guy is dead serious.
There’s no way in hell I’m going to tell him about Crosby. Ryder had a front row seat to my relationship with Andrew and its abrupt demise. It’s only given him more ammunition to hate the football players. I would never point it out to him, but his teammates are just as bad when it comes to the groupies, and he shouldn’t try to pretend otherwise.
“Is this about that guy you’ve been texting with? The one Sasha’s worried about luring you into the sex trade?”
I roll my eyes.
Hard.
It takes effort to keep my voice light. “I’m sure you’ll be thrilled to know that it fizzled out.”
His expression softens. “That’s probably for the best. What did you really know about him?”
Only that he was a really great guy. Probably the most decent one I’ve ever met. But there’s no point in releasing those words into the atmosphere. That fledgling relationship is over.
What I’m loath to admit is that hours later, I can’t stop wondering if I made the right decision. There have been too many times to count when I picked up the phone and scrolled through our messages as an ache grew in my heart.
Did I really choose Crosby over Chris?
Am I insane?
Unable to sit for another moment as all this churns through my head, I rise to my feet. Maybe stretching my legs will help refocus my attention.
“I’m going to get a drink of water.”
He jerks his shoulders before grumbling, “I guess I’ll get back to this boring-ass shit.”
“If you want, I’ll quiz you on it when I get back.”
“Awesome.” He holds his hand up before circling his finger in the air. “Yay. Can’t wait.”
My lips tremble around the corners as I take off. I love my cousin to death, but he’s never been one to hit the books hard. It makes me curious as to what’s changed. Especially since this is our last year before graduation.
As I weave my way through the stacks, both guys push their way back into my thoughts. No matter what I do, nothing banishes them for long.
Once I reach the water fountain, I grab a long drink before retracing my steps.
Just as the table I’ve been camped out with Ryder comes into view, strong fingers lock around my wrist. A gasp falls from my lips as I spin around before finding myself staring up into nearly black eyes framed by thick, sooty lashes.
My breath catches, getting clogged at the back of my throat.
Crosby.
I blink. It’s almost as if my thoughts have conjured him up.
His grip on my wrist disappears before his fingers wrap around my upper arms, forcing me backward until my spine hits the bookshelves. Before I can say anything, his mouth crashes onto mine and metal drags across my lips as he nips at me. That’s all it takes for my brain to click off as I give in, allowing myself to get swept away on a sea of sensation. His tongue delves inside to mingle with my own. There’s something so dominant and commanding about the way he takes control of the situation.
Of me.
I would be lying through my teeth if I didn’t admit how much I love it.
All the doubts that had been popping up in my head disappear with that one kiss. I have no idea what will happen between us, but in this moment, I realize that I need to see this through. Maybe it’ll end disastrously, and I’ll be chock-full of regrets, but walking away no longer feels like an option.
He pulls back just enough to growl, “I missed you today.”
It takes effort to swallow down the pleasure that sparks to life within me. As much as I want to keep the words trapped deep inside and play it cool, they tumble free in a torrent.
“I missed you, too.”
“I hope you realize that this morning wasn’t a fuck and flee situation.”
My lips quirk at the corners before I give a tiny shrug, not wanting to admit the truth. “I wasn’t sure.”
He angles his head, capturing my lips again before nipping at the lower one. “I assumed you wouldn’t want Sasha to know I spent the night in your bed. I meant every word I said.” His gaze searches mine. “You know that, right?”
A shiver of awareness scampers down my spine as I silently acknowledge that it wouldn’t take much to fall into…something with him. And that’s a scary prospect. Even though I’m mentally trying to pump the brakes and slow things down, it’s not working. It feels as if I’m careening out of control. If there’s one guy I should be wary of, it’s Crosby Rhodes.
“Hey.” His brows slant together, drawing me back to the moment. “What are you thinking about?”
I run my palms up his chest and stroke the hard muscles that lie beneath the T-shirt.