Bender (The Core Four #1)(28)

“Beautiful?” He made it a question, but he wasn’t offended by the slightly feminine compliment.

My head was tipped back, and I was looking into his cerulean blue eyes. I knew my chest was moving up and down with my breathing because he glanced down and then back up again. Luke brought his hand up and pushed his fingers underneath my long hair and behind my neck. We’d kissed before, but it was always short and sweet. This felt different. The way he was looking at me, I could tell he wanted me. His fingertips were lightly stroking the sensitive skin on my neck. I watched in awe as he slowly bent forward and pressed his lips to mine. It was soft at first, but when I sighed, he pulled me to him and melded my body to his. My eyes fluttered closed, and I let him set the pace. His tongue ran along the seam of my lips, and I opened, granting him access. The warmth of his mouth was inviting, and he tasted like the potato chips we had earlier. I licked the little bit of salt that was lingering on his lower lip. He groaned at my exploration. His kiss was adoring and passionate. It made my body respond in a way that was begging me to let him take me back home and do whatever he wanted to me. But was I ready to go there? In this moment, my answer was yes. He was attractive, kind, and he’d done nothing but made me feel wanted. This wasn’t like some high school relationship where I needed to take things slow, because I was still a virgin and wanted to save myself for marriage. I’d already been with three other guys before, and now I was in college. I was an adult, and this felt right. I made the decision quickly. Before I could chicken out, I pulled back slightly, with my eyes still closed.

I whispered to him, “Come home with me. I need to be with you.”

He pressed his forehead to mine, his breathing labored. I could feel how aroused he was against my stomach. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to think this has to go any further right now.”

I opened my eyes and saw the bright shining blue of his watching me. “Positive.”

He blew out a breath and leaned back. “Let’s pack up and head out then. Besides, it’s getting pretty dark.”

I nodded, and we walked back to our picnic area and cleaned up. When we got in the car, he took my hand and kissed my knuckles so tenderly. I smiled at him, and we started making our way back to my apartment.

On the way there, my mind wandered to Camden. I hadn’t really taken him into consideration when I made the offer for Luke to come stay the night with me. Was it wrong for me to bring a guy to the house with the intention of doing more than just hanging out? As quickly as that thought came into my mind, I brushed it aside. Of course it was. But Camden had already brought home at least a half a dozen girls and never once thought if I’d care that those tramps were in my space. He did whatever he wanted, so I was going to do the same. My only hesitation was when I remembered the look that Camden gave Luke in the kitchen. I didn’t want any repeat episodes of a pissing match. In fact I was hoping that he would either already be in his room, or that he’d have left to go do something and wouldn’t even see us.

As we pulled up to the apartment, my nerves kicked in. It shouldn’t be bothering me so much that I was bringing someone home. We walked up the steps to my front door, and I quietly unlocked the door. I was trying to be as discreet as possible. If Luke had noticed what I was doing, he didn’t indicate it. I looked at him over my shoulder, and he smiled at me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he looked a little nervous himself. What did he have to be nervous about? Luke was perfect. Perfect body, perfect looks, perfect moves…hell he was even a perfect kisser. Maybe I was just reading him wrong.

As we stepped inside, it was notably dark, but I heard a faint beating noise from upstairs. Camden must be up in his room listening to music. I closed my eyes and exhaled. Thank God! Grabbing Luke’s hand I weaved him through the downstairs, and we climbed our way up to my room. When I pulled out my keys, Luke raised his brow in question.

“Don’t ask,” I mumbled.

Just inside my door I turned on the light and shut the door behind him. He was standing still, taking in my personal space, but his brows were furrowed.

“What’s the matter?”

“Where’s your bed? In fact, where’s all your furniture?”

I shrugged. “I’m still saving to get it all. When I moved out of my mom’s house, I didn’t take any of my things with me besides my clothes. It’s really not a big deal.”

He regarded me carefully. “But you’re sleeping on an air mattress, Keegan.”

“Yeah, I know. Is that a problem?”

“Well, yeah. I can’t believe that Camden hasn’t even offered to buy you furniture. A girl like you shouldn’t be staying in a room with nothing in it. In fact, I’d be happy to go and buy-”

I held up my hand and cut him off. “No, you’re not buying me anything. Now can we move the subject on to something more pleasant? Otherwise I’m going to lie down and get some sleep.” I didn’t like that he was even offering. What was it with all these boys trying to fix me?

He’d been standing with his hands on his hips, trying to assess if I meant what I said. I raised my brow, silently goading him to try me. As quick as he could turn me on, this subject had been a mood killer. His graceful square jaw ticked as he clenched his teeth. I could see the war battling within him to be the hero here, but I didn’t want a white knight. I wanted him to look at me like he had out at the park. I wanted Luke take me in his arms and be with me. Whatever his decision was, he’d made it. Stepping forward he grabbed my elbow and slid his hand down until he reached my hand. He pulled me to him and wrapped my arms around his back.