A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime(87)

Smiling briefly over at Skov, I rush back to my seat, Crew following after me. I’m mortified he mentioned the lollipop thing, but no one else knows what it means.

Just us.

And if I’m being honest with myself…

I like that we have a secret, only the two of us can share.

“We still getting together tonight?” he asks once we’re both seated and Skov is trying to con more people into giving their presentation early. “We have a lot to catch up on.”

“You’re right. Like where you were earlier today.” I let my emotions shine through, my irritation obvious.

It doesn’t even faze him.

“I can’t talk about that now. Maybe later? Like tonight?”

This is a moment of truth. Agreeing to see him later means our “relationship” is most likely going to progress.

Sexually.

Am I ready for it? Is this what I really want?

“I’ve missed you,” he adds when I still haven’t said anything.

I lean in closer to him, not wanting other people to hear me. “I can’t believe you brought up the lollipops.”

“Blow Pops are now officially my favorite candy.” He’s smiling. Actually, it’s more like he’s— Grinning.

“It was embarrassing,” I whisper.

“No one caught on, Birdy. Don’t worry about it.” He slouches in his seat, something he does often, and I hate to admit it but, he does it really well. Why do I find his sprawling so attractive? “You’re cute when you blush.”

“You used to hate me. Is that why you still torture me?”

“I don’t hate you anymore,” he murmurs, his gaze warm. “I actually kind of like you.”

I arch a brow. “Only kind of?”

“Do you still hate me?” he asks, avoiding my question.

“When you do stuff like drag me up in front of the classroom and mention one of my most embarrassing moments, yes.” I sniff.

“Most embarrassing? Really? I thought it was hot.”

I’m growing hotter just thinking about it.

“Been thinking a lot about a repeat performance,” he continues. “Though we don’t have to involve candy this time.”

I glance down at my desk, letting my hair fall forward. I’ve been thinking about doing it again too. I’ve been curious about his body. As in, I want to see it.

All of it.

“Don’t get shy on me now,” he teases.

Turning toward him, I brush my hair away from my face. “You know I’m shy.”

“Shy and sexy. A good girl with a secret bad side. I like that about you, Birdy.”

“Really?”

He nods. Changes the subject. “I wish we could get out of here for the weekend.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“I’m sick of this place.” His voice drips with disgust. “It’s been a rough week. Today was brutal.”

I wish I knew what happened, but I’m sure he’ll eventually tell me.

“This week has been…a lot,” I agree.

His hot gaze lingers on me. “Would you run away with me for the weekend?”

I laugh at his joke, but he doesn’t laugh with me. His expression remains deadly serious.

Wait a minute.

“You actually want to run away?”

“We could leave tonight. Come back Sunday.”

“What would I tell my parents?”

“Nothing. You wouldn’t tell them at all.”

I glance around the room, watching as Skov goes over an outline with someone. She’s not paying attention to us. No one is.

“Finals are next week,” I remind him. “We can’t just leave. We need to study.”

“Really, Wren? You’re going to turn me down to study?” He arches a brow.

“I’ve never just—ran away before, Crew. My parents know where I am, at all times.”

“Tell them you’re going out of town with a friend, because that’s what we are, right? Friends?” His sly smile reminds me we are anything but friends.

“I’m not an impulsive person,” I say primly.

“Sometimes we need to change it up. Come on. I’ll make a couple of calls. Find us a hotel somewhere.”

“In the mountains?” The words slip from my mouth as if I have no control.

“You want to go to the mountains?”

I nod. “That’s what I originally wanted to do for my birthday. Go on a little trip with my friends.”

“Let’s do it then. We can leave tonight. We can use the plane if we have to. Hopefully it’s available.”

My family is wealthy. We have money. But we don’t have a plane.

The Lancaster wealth is unfathomable.

“I don’t know…” My voice drifts and a soft gasp leaves me when Crew settles his hand over mine.

“Come on. Just say yes.”

I stare at him, conflicted. If Daddy found out I went away on a weekend trip with a boy, he’d be devastated. Especially if that boy was someone like Crew.

Angry.

Disappointed.

And I never want to disappoint him. Especially after the promise I’ve made.

But that promise is starting to feel more unimportant, the longer I spend time with Crew.