Forever Mine (Roommate Duet 0.5)(12)

That comment alone has me roaring with laughter. Hunter’s twenty-three, fresh out of college, and working his way through all the single ladies in town. I can’t say he was always like this, though; at least not until she barged into his life and made it hell.

“Do whatcha gotta do,” I tell him, slapping his shoulder. “Just please, use a condom.”

“Pff,” he scoffs, pushing off my hand. “Don’t gotta tell me twice.”

“Thanks, I owe ya. Text me when you get home so I know you made it safe.”

“Sure thing, Dad,” he mocks.

I turn toward Savannah and see how glazed over her eyes are. She’s beyond drunk at this point.

“Savannah,” I call, grabbing her attention. She spins around and nearly topples over. I step forward and quickly catch her elbow before she can faceplant the table next to us. “C’mon, let’s get you back to your room. Where’s your purse?”

“I don’t n-need a babysitter, Hayden.”

The corner of my lips tilts up slightly at the exaggerated way she says my name. Even in drunken distaste, I’ve missed hearing it come from her lips.

“Sav, it’s time to call it a night.” I effortlessly pull her into my arms. “Before some drunken douchebag takes advantage of you.”

She giggles for some reason, but I’m quite sure it’s the alcohol. I don’t know if she always gets like this, or if she can’t handle her liquor, or if she got drunk because of me—in fact, I don’t know a lot about her habits anymore—but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let her wander off and potentially get hurt.

“Donny can take me,” she argues as her body melts against mine.

I tilt her chin so she’ll look into my eyes, and that’s when I feel it. The heart racing, rapid breathing, would die for her feelings I’ve tried so hard to erase rush through me. Ten years of heartbreak, and I still want to pull her mouth to mine and claim her.

“Donny’s making out with the bartender and elbow deep in margaritas,” I explain, popping a brow.

“Damn,” she mutters, and I can feel her back arching into my embrace.

With my hand wrapped around her waist, I help her find her purse. She waves at Donny before we make our way out of the ballroom, and I let him know I’m taking her.

“I don’t remember you feeling this hard in high school,” she blurts out as soon as we walk onto the elevator.

My eyebrows raise at her admission, and I smirk when her face turns red.

“I mean, you got buff. Like your muscles. Are hard.”

Holding back a smile, I nod. “I work out with the football team a lot.”

“Oh, duh!” She slaps her forehead, and it actually makes her take a step back. “Shit, whoops.”

“Do you always drink this much, Sav? Or was tonight a…special occasion?”

“Also, you got scruffy!” She moves her hand to my chin and twirls a finger in my beard. “You didn’t have facial hair like this back then,” she blurts out.

I burst out laughing. As much as I’d prefer her sober so we could talk, I’m amused by this side of her. We were too young to drink when we were together, though we did sneak into some parties where getting drunk meant a red Solo cup of beer and a couple of shots of J?ger. I’m about to speak when her fingers brush along my neck, and the softness of her skin sends an electric current through me. Fuck me.

“Well, I was eighteen. A lot has changed since then,” I remind her.

“Right.” She awkwardly pulls back, and then mutters, “This is the slowest elevator ever.”

“What?” I turn and look at her.

“Shit.” Her face turns red as she squeezes her eyes shut. “I didn’t mean to say that aloud. Sorry. It’s not because of you. I mean, yeah it is, but I really have to pee. Or throw up.” Her nervous chatter makes me think that she’s as affected by seeing me tonight as I am about seeing her.

The doors fortunately open, and I rest my hand on the small of her back to guide her through. I walk us in the direction of her room, then ask for her room key.

“It’s in my purse,” she tells me, giving me permission to go through it.

I dig around like a hurricane for it and finally see it at the bottom. Once I pull it out, I realize I grabbed a condom with it.

“Uh, here you go.” I hand the purse back. “And this.”

Her eyes widen, and she quickly snatches it from my fingers. “That’s not mine.”

“Relax, Sav. I’m not a cop.” I snort-laugh, but she’s not amused.

Once I get the door open, I hold it open for her and flick on the lights.

“It’s Donny’s. He thinks he’s funny, putting condoms in there and stuff,” she tells me as we make our way inside her room.

“Well, I’m relieved he’s using protection.” I hold back a smile because I know she’s embarrassed. It’s not like we’re kids anymore, so she really has no reason to be.

Savannah tosses her purse on the dresser, and I set down her shoes. I walk to her and can tell she’s trying really hard to steady herself while she sways. As she catches herself, I quickly grab her waist.

“Let me help you get undressed. I promise not to look.” I grin, trying to hold eye contact.