Co-Ed(25)

“Let’s leave your roommate out of this.”

“Ah, because you hate each other?”

I looked away. “Something like that.”

“Uh-huh. All right, I’m waiting then. What will it be?”

I grinned. “Friends means I can’t kiss you.”

“Exactly.” She looked triumphant.

“Hmm…” I tapped my chin then moved closer and trapped her against the wall, my hands on either side of her. I pressed in. “…let me think about it for ten seconds.”

“Ten seconds, huh?” She grinned wide. “All right, one—”

I swept down, tasting the two on her lips, followed by the three, four, five. I tasted each number as if she was speaking it against me, like they were a drug. I craved more. I sucked on her tongue and pressed mine against hers in an act of dominance then I ran my hands up and down her ribs.

“Nine.”

I groaned as she melted under my touch.

Fuck. “Ten.”

“Friends,” I said breathlessly. “I think that will work out just great, don’t you?”

Her swollen lips parted as she dumbly nodded her head and said in a much more confident voice than I thought she’d have, “Yeah, sure, sounds great. Friends.”

“Super.” I licked my lips, still tasting her there, and closed my eyes so she wouldn’t see the truth in my eyes, or my reaction. Hell, anyone could see my reaction if they just looked down; even tight jeans couldn’t hold me back.

Her cheeks went bright pink before she ducked under my arm.

I fell in to step beside her. “So, friend, should we get a drink?”

She looped her arm in mine. “Only if it’s not cheap beer.”

It was so familiar. The situation the same.

The girl different.

The hair on the back of my arms stood on end when I looked toward the door and saw Slater’s look of disgust before he turned on his heel and walked away.

Hell.

It was different.

It had to be.

Because nobody could survive that twice.

Especially not a guy like me.

“Yeah…” I shook off the bad feeling. “…let’s go into the kitchen.”

I wrapped an arm protectively around her while girls around me pouted as if they’d just lost, which in a way they had.

Guys checked her out even more.

And I was suddenly thankful that I had Leo and Finn to surround us, to encircle and protect her when I couldn’t.

Because I knew something she didn’t.

Being my friend?

It wasn’t good for her.

It was bad.

But I couldn’t stay away.

So, I would take what I could get.

“Shower Girl!” Leo shouted and pulled her in for a hug. “How’s my second most favorite person on the planet?”

“Thirsty.” She winked.

“Atta girl! Don’t worry, you’ve got us watching out for you. We’ll keep you safe.”

The sentence hung between the three of us like a fucking curse because we all knew, when it had really counted…

We’d failed.





Chapter Sixteen


Shawn

As per their promise, I only had a few drinks and Alexa and I made it home safely; only after she’d left for her own suite did I discover that my roommate had officially locked me out.

I banged on the door.

Then stomped my foot.

I’d forgotten my keys and texted Slater to leave the door open for me. What part of open did he not understand?

I tried again.

Leo and Finn were already walking into the suite. Leo pulled out his keys as they shuffled by, yawning loudly, while I was ready to break the door in half with my bare hands if need be.

“Locked out?” Knox said from behind me.

“Yes,” I growled. Then I called out, “Slater, you’re dead to me!”

Nothing.

Knox sighed and put his hands on my shoulders. They felt heavy as he steered me away from my own door and toward his.

“No, no, no, no, nope!” I dug my heels in. “I’m not sleeping with any of you. I don’t even care if it’s a friendly sleep. Not happening.”

“Cuddle-bug.” Leo winked when Knox forced me into the room. “There’s room for two.” He pulled back his white duvet.

I made a face.

He actually looked hurt.

Either that, or he was still slightly drunk.

“Take my bed.” Knox pointed. “I’ll sleep on the floor.”

Finn and Leo’s eyebrows both shot up to their foreheads at alarming rates.

“No.” I scratched my head. “I can take the floor. No problem. Actually, I can sleep out in the—”

Knox covered my mouth with his hand. “Take the bed. I just washed the sheets yesterday. Sleep.”

And that was it.

He was already grabbing a pillow and blankets and putting them on the floor. Then the lights were off.

I was still gripping my cell like a lifeline, fully clothed in the middle of what felt like a seriously intense male harem.

“Um…” I swallowed my nervousness. “…all right.”

I flipped off my shoes, crawled into nice cool sheets that held a hint of fresh-scented laundry soap and a bit of Knox’s spice then slowly pulled my skirt off. I kept my top on and laid my head against his pillow.