The Naughty List (The Naughty List #1)(50)

My sneaker slid into the wood panels as I began to climb, fighting back my urge to cry. I just wanted my sweetie. I wanted to pull it together.

As I reached the top, I steadied myself and grasped the bottom of the window. Locked. I exhaled. I tapped my fingers on the glass. Why did I feel so nervous? Did… did I think someone was in there with him? The thought nearly made me lose my balance. Just then, the window slid open, startling me.

I screamed.

“Tessa?” Aiden asked, poking his head out the window and looking around. I was clutching the lattice, adrenaline pumping through me.

“You almost made me fall,” I whispered, trying to catch my breath.

Aiden scratched his head, staring at me, confused. Then he held out his hand. “Get in here,” he said. “You’re going to kill yourself.”

The minute my hand fit into his, I felt an immediate sense of relief wash over me. I let him help me inside his room. Once in, I watched as he reached behind me, closing his window. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. Kettle corn! The boy was half naked and looking fantastic.

I ran my hand over his stomach as he came to stand in front of me. He smiled softly, but his eyes were squinted, drowsy.

“Let’s go to bed,” he exhaled, taking my hand from his body and pulling me forward. But the minute he sat on his bed, I nearly jumped on top of him. I was on my knees next to him, covering his mouth with mine, tangling my fingers in his hair when he pulled back, breaking our kiss.

“Tess,” he whispered, his eyes still closed. I paused, looking down in his face. I didn’t understand.

“What?” I was panting, feeling desperate. Panicked.

“Baby,” he said, looking at me before taking me by the hips to sit me on his lap. He wrapped me up in his arms, holding me as he rested his chin on my shoulder. “I’m super-tired. It’s like two in the morning.”

“So?” When had the time of night ever affected my boyfriend’s stamina? Cheese and crackers! What was happening?

He chuckled. “Look, I’m glad you’re here. And I’m sorry we fought earlier. I want you to stay, baby. I’ve missed the shit out of you… .” His voice was raspy, sleepy. “But my mom’s home.” He collapsed back on his bed and then opened his arms for me to join him. I stretched out next to him as he snuggled up behind me, resting his mouth against the back of my neck. “She’s going out of town tomorrow,” he murmured, tickling my skin and sounding halfway to sleep. “We’ll be together then.”

I swallowed hard, not just because I had tingles that were going unsatisfied, but because I was relieved. I was happy to be in his bed. I was happy to smell him, clean and natural.

“I love you so much,” I said, but I was ready to cry before I finished.

“Mm…” he said, brushing his lips against the back of my neck. “Stop talking, baby.”

“Tell me you love me first.” I needed to hear him say it. “You have to tell me.”

Instead, he took me by the shoulder and turned me toward him. “I love you, Tessa,” he breathed, putting his mouth over mine like he was proving it. “I love you. I love you,” he mumbled into my lips again and again. And every time he said it, I tried to pull him closer.

I knew he must have felt it too. Felt that we were losing each other.

I successfully ignored Christian through history class. He “pssted” me once, but I didn’t flinch. Kira was going wild, dying to know the details of the mission. But I told her that Christian waited in the car. I hoped she wouldn’t ask him his version of the night.

When I left class, I practically ran to my locker to meet Aiden, but he wasn’t there. He never seemed to be there anymore.

“Hey,” Christian said from behind me as I stood, feeling lost, at my locker. I exhaled and turned around.

“What?”

He smiled, his cheeks a little red. “Your recorder,” he said, holding it out.

Oh. I’d forgotten about that. “Thanks.” Okay, that was a little embarrassing. Not all of his interactions with me ended with a kiss.

“There’s some good stuff on there,” he mumbled. His brown eyes met mine, and I felt that same uneasiness I had the night before. “I’ll see you at lunch, Tess.” He pressed his lips into a smile and walked past me down the busy hallway.

I stood for a minute, not sure how I felt about it. I mean, I didn’t want to see him again, but jeez, at least he was making an effort. Albeit a completely overboard, slightly scary effort. Still, I wished Aiden would try this hard to see me.

Before the tardy bell could ring, I jogged ahead to class and promised to get my attitude right-side up. I’d tell the Smitten Kittens tonight. SOS was over.

I waited at my locker before lunch, watching as the halls slowly emptied. No Aiden. I waited even after the bell rang, hoping he’d come trotting down the hall, all apologetic for not finding me earlier. Instead, he just didn’t show. I dropped my head and made my way to the lunchroom.

It was packed as I paused at the door, looking over the room. It smelled like sloppy joes, one of Aiden’s favorites. He was there at the table, adorable as always in track pants and a T-shirt. But a sharp pain twisted in my chest as I noticed Chloe. She was sitting in my spot, next to him, with her hair pulled up into a high ponytail. They were laughing.