Co-Ed(36)

Knox groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I mean, we’re not even sure he’s had his V taken.” Leo nodded seriously.

Knox threw a pillow in Leo’s direction.

“Rumor has it that the day he cuts his hair,” Finn said in a reverent voice, “will be the day he’s met his Delilah, his love, but also his downfall.” He snapped his fingers. “Hey, you’re good with sharp objects, aren’t you, Shawn?”

I laughed and felt instantly sorry for Knox.

“So, enough about me.” Knox cleared his throat. “What’s your story? Lonely transfer with a very masculine name, set up with Slater, of all people…”

“Eh, what the hell,” I muttered. “I’d put every ounce of energy into sports and studying, refused to even go out because it could mess with my nutrition and my game, got to the point where I was losing too much weight and nothing was fun anymore. Let’s just say going through serious seasons of depression isn’t fun. I’m still on a light medication.” I gulped. “And you know, ex-boyfriend— Apparently, my skin color was a factor. Who knew? Sorry I got a bit serious with you guys, but I promised my parents that if I could transfer, I’d try, you know, the whole fresh-start thing. But practice has been killing me, and my classes are a lot harder than I thought. Slater was the first real friend I made next to Alexa. That’s kind of why…” Warmth flooded my face. “…why I went out the other night when another girl invited me. I just— I don’t want to be that girl anymore, the one who says no then spends the night in her dorm depressed and falling asleep at eight to Friends.”

All three guys stared at me with new admiration in their eyes, or at least it felt that way.

Finn cleared his throat. “Knox falls asleep to Friends every night, so I wouldn’t worry about being the weird one of the group.”

Knox grinned over at me. “That may be true.”

“If it makes you feel better,” Leo said in a serious voice, “we don’t let people in to our little group often — too much jealousy from the ones with ovaries — but you’re an athlete, which makes you almost like a dude… with really nice boobs.”

“Uh, thanks?” I laughed.

“My pleasure.” Leo winked, earning a smack on the chest from Knox, who was standing and making his way over to me.

He held out his hand.

I stared at it first then took it. “Where are we going?”

“We’re going to the kitchen so I can teach you how to work the microwave, and if you pass with flying colors, we’ll work on tying your shoes.”

“Be still my heart,” I said0 in a bored tone.

“We’ll get the movie ready,” Leo called.

The door shut behind us.

Knox released my hand.

I didn’t like it, not at all.

His hair was wild around his shoulders still. I wanted to touch it again but restrained myself, just barely.

“So…” I needed to fill the silence with my voice so I didn’t do something stupid like ask if I could touch his six-pack. “…is that why you keep your hair long? Waiting for the right scissor-happy woman to stumble into your arms and snip-snip?”

He laughed and looked at me over his shoulder. “It’s a rumor, something I love toying with every second I can get. Once I was in class and brought scissors up to my hair. Two girls next to me let out screams. One passed out. It’s a clear sign I’m off the market, apparently, and it’s just that traumatic to some of our clients.”

“Because they want you?”

“Because the idea is that they think they can have me,” he admitted. “Not that it matters. Eventually, they find their match through the app and forget all about me, but it keeps them coming back. Every girl thinks they’re the game-changer. None of them are.”

It felt like a slap to the face.

I nodded even though my body felt numb.

I hadn’t realized he’d moved until he was standing right in front of me, touching my shoulders, dragging me against his chest, and tilting my chin toward his mouth.

Warm lips descended, sending my body into a flurry of excitement and danger as I snaked my arms around his neck.

It should be intimidating, kissing this man.

Instead, it felt right.

We fit.

He moaned into my mouth when I flicked his tongue with mine, and when I tugged his hair, he lifted me by the ass onto the counter, dragging his lips down my neck until he was out of breath, his head inches from my breasts.

“Guys?” Leo opened the door. “Popcorn ready?”

“Almost,” Knox barked in a hoarse voice.

I frowned. “You haven’t even put it in the microwave.”

“So?” He kissed me harder.

He made me forget more than the popcorn; he made me forget about everything but the pressure of his lips, the taste of his mouth, and the way his body heat seemed to make my temperature spike to dangerous levels.

We broke apart when the door opened again.

This time it was Finn. “Dude, if you’re going to stay out here and get naked, fine by me, but at least feed us before the show.”

My face felt like it had been lit on fire.

Knox grinned as he pressed his palm to my cheek. “So beautiful.”