A part of me wants to give in.
A part of me wants to push him away just to prove a point.
And another part of me is wondering and worrying that I’m going to regret the best night of my life on that cruise ship.
Rob’s eyes fly open, and he grabs my wrists maybe a little too tightly, and I can’t help recalling how he held my arms above my head, his grip this tight or maybe even tighter, holding me in place with just one hand as his other hand caressed and loved my body.
He leans down closer, his lips coming dangerously close to my ear. I can feel his hot breath as he asks, “Are you afraid to kiss me here because you know we won’t stop and will have sex right here out in the open for everyone to watch?”
Fuck. He knows just what to say to turn a girl on.
But it also sounds like a well-rehearsed line, and I focus on that part as I yank my wrists free from his grasp and take a step back away from him.
All I can do is stare up at him, unable to talk because he might very well be right. From the moment we first touched on the cruise, we couldn’t stop. If it hadn’t been toward the end…
And sex outdoors. The thought of being watched, of putting on a show…
Maybe he’s right. I’m not dressed like a slut, but I do dress in a way that guys like. I don’t dress that way for them. The clothes are comfortable, but I also know they’re going to look. I don’t discourage it.
“I’m leaving,” I announce.
“You’ve said that before.” He’s smiling as he crosses his arms, and I stare at his muscular arms. Bicep porn. Shit. He’s laughing, and I’m sure he knows why I’m staring, and a part of me hates that he makes me feel so vulnerable and stripped bare.
“You’ve stopped me.”
He says nothing, but his stare, the heat of it, keeps be pinned in place for far too long before I blurt out, “Have a nice life.”
“Really? Is that what you want to say to me? Come on, Katie. You can tell me anything including and not limited to your wildest dreams.”
I shake my head emphatically, hating that his words are making me conjure all kinds of images that involved him and me and our naked bodies all tangled up together…
“Katie! There you are!”
I turn around and step away from Rob, hoping to break whatever spell he’s woven over me. Robyn Bracken is rushing over, and she hooks her arm through mine.
“Let’s go,” she says, ignoring Rob completely, and I allow her to lead me away.
Do not look back. No matter what, do not look back.
I’m tempted to, but I don’t give in.
“You look like you needed to be recused,” Robyn says. “I never would’ve thought Rob Blackwood of all guys would be all over a freshman like that, not on the first day at least.
“Rob Blackwood,” I repeat, having just learned his last name.
“Yeah, he’s a legend on campus.”
I eye Robyn and try to read her facial expression. I can’t tell what she’s thinking about Rob, and I don’t know if I want to know, especially once she stiffens.
“A legend, huh?” I ask.
“Oh, yeah.”
“Legend because of how many girls he’s been with?”
“Among other things.”
I furrow my brow. “He’s into guys too?”