Tutoring the Player (Campus Wallflowers #1)(56)

“I want you.”

“I want you too.” The words fall from her trembling lips. “We should hurry and find Liam.”

Not a lot I wouldn’t agree to right now if it clears the path for sex at the end of the night. I swipe my access card and hold open the door for her. The arena is silent. I check the locker room first, shaking my head at Daisy when I come out.

“He’s not on the ice either,” she says. “Is there somewhere else here?”

“No.”

We walk down the tunnel to take another look anyway. I glance around at the empty seats. Daisy leans into me. The pressure of her small body against mine is a comfort.

“We’ll find him.” She links her arm through mine.

We check the weight room and then head back out into the cold. I hold on to Daisy’s hand, swinging our arms lightly, as we make our way back to the heart of campus.

“What made you decide to come back to Valley so early? Besides boredom, of course.”

“Hmm. I’m not sure.” She smiles like we’re in on the same secret, then her eyes widen. “Oh my gosh. Do you not remember asking me to come back?”

“Uhhh…”

She groans and mutters something about being embarrassed as she tries to hurry off again. This time I have her by the hand, so she doesn’t get far.

“What did I say, and when did I say it?”

She faces me, avoiding eye contact. “The night before Christmas Eve.”

“I talked to you on the twenty-third?” I was wasted that entire day simultaneously trying to remember Mark and forget the horrors of the day. I definitely don’t remember talking to Daisy.

“Yes. You were at someone’s house. You didn’t know whose.”

“And I asked you to come back early?”

“Yeah, in hindsight, it’s obvious you were drunk and not thinking clearly.”

“I have some of my best ideas when I’m wasted.” I circle my arms around her waist. “And I’m damn glad you’re here.”

“You have to say that now,” she mumbles, but I get a smile out of her.

“What else did I say?”

“Not much. You were pretty drunk and sad.”

I nod—no use in denying it. I miss Mark. He was my best friend. We shared so many good times together, and it’s fucking sad that he’s gone.

“I asked if you needed me to come take care of you.”

“I hope I said hell yeah.”

“Not exactly, but you did say something about wanting to see me in my white panties again.” She shakes her head. “I can’t tell if you really liked them or you’re mocking me.”

“I’m not mocking you.” I drop my hands down until I’m cupping her ass. “Are you wearing them now?”

“I don’t know. Guess you’ll have to wait and find out.”

“Damn. We need to hurry this up.”

She laughs as I pull her down the sidewalk. The library is closed, but we go in the study rooms in the engineering building, then the laundry room and lounge in Freddy. I’m fresh out of places to look for Liam and growing more distracted by the girl next to me every step.

“I’m sorry,” she says. “But I’m sure he’s okay.”

“Yeah.” I’m not sure but saying as much won’t help.

“Have we looked everywhere?” There’s a hopeful lift in her tone.

“Yeah. Fucking finally.” I stop. “Get it. Fucking, finally.”

Her eyes light up. “Finally!”

We jog toward the stairwell. I stall on the last set of stairs. So close to being inside of her.

“Why are we stopping?” The whine in her voice assures me she’s as excited as I am.

She stands on the step above me, making her a few inches taller.

Guilt claws at me. Liam likes her, and that should stop me, but everything with Daisy feels fleeting. Like as soon as we give in, whatever this crazy thing is going on between us will be over. She’ll wise up and move on. We’re a moment in time. And I’m starting to wonder if that’ll be enough.

“Just wanted to look at you.”

She holds my gaze in the quiet stairwell. When I can’t take it another second, I blaze past her, pulling her with me onto the fifth floor.

Halfway down the hall, I lift her into my arms so I can kiss her sooner rather than later. She wraps her arms and legs around me and attacks my mouth with the same enthusiasm ripping through my body. I fumble for the door handle and lose my grip. She slides down my body, rubbing against the length of my dick.

Oh, damn, that feels good. I register that the living room is quiet, so I assume everyone took off and walk Daisy backward toward my room.

I peel her out of the coat, and it hits the floor. Her fingers fumble for the button of my jeans as I sneak both hands under her shirt to unhook her bra.

We make another stop against the doorjamb. I press into her until she moans.

Someone clears their throat, and lazily I move my mouth from Daisy’s to see Liam sitting on the couch with both brows raised.

He’s here. Good. Except he looks like shit. And oh fuck.

“Liam!” Daisy exclaims. Her arms shoot down to her sides, and she stands tall.

We tear apart. Liam’s still glancing between us with a curious expression.