Tutoring the Player (Campus Wallflowers #1)(80)

Her words hit me right in the chest, and I let out a long breath. Circling my arms around her waist, I lift her and spin around like I’m a kid on a sugar high. I am. On my sweet Daisy. When I put her down, she tilts her face up and I bring my mouth to hers.

I can’t get close enough or kiss her deeply enough. I missed her so damn much. Tangling my hands in her hair, I groan as she sucks on my tongue and claws at my back like she’s struggling with the inability to meld our bodies any tighter, too.

“This dress is too big,” she complains. “I can’t get any closer.”

I glance down to the lacy layers bunched up between us. “In my fantasies, it was much easier to get under the skirt and still kiss you.”

She laughs. Damn, it’s the best sound.

“Be my date?” She inclines her head to the house.

“I left my suit and tie at home.”

Her gaze sweeps over my jeans and tee, backward hat. With a smile, she says, “You’ll do.”

The rain starts as we are running inside—a hard downpour that soaks through my shirt. She pulls me through the kitchen and into the living room where people are standing around in groups, others dancing.

Her friends are in the middle and that’s where she leads us. They scream and hug her when they see our linked hands. Then Daisy pulls me closer. She rests her hands on my shoulders and I wrap my arms around her waist. She lifts the hat on my head and sets it on hers.

“My hats always look better on you,” I say. “Even when it says, ‘I heart MILFs.’”

“What?” She takes it off and reads the front.

“You still have my other one,” I say by way of explanation.

She shakes her head. “I love you, but I’m going to burn this hat.”

But for tonight, she wears it. We dance, we kiss, she introduces me to some of her friends I haven’t met yet, and it’s perfect.



Later that night, Daisy is naked on top of me, a pile of red lace beside us. The rain stopped almost as soon as it started, but the cold front it brought with it makes the tree house chilly and breezy. The clouds block out the moon and stars, but the lights in the tree house shine down on us.

“We should go in before you fall asleep,” I say, and pull the blanket up around her shoulders.

“Just a few more minutes.” Her eyes are heavy and voice thick and quiet. “I missed this place. And you.”

“All right.” I let my eyes fall shut and I take a deep breath, breathing her in and relaxing. “Just for a few more minutes.”

Or as long as she wants, whichever comes first.





36





DAISY





“Wow.” Jane’s eyes are wide with excitement as the final buzzer sounds. “That was amazing. And they won!”

“Have you never been to a sporting event?” Violet asks her.

Jane shakes her head, making her platinum blonde hair move around her shoulders.

“Not even in high school?” Dahlia asks.

“Hellooo,” she says. “Fellow wallflower here.”

Jane pulls a mini bottle of vodka from her bra to pour into her drink and then passes it to Violet.

“If you two get me kicked out of my boyfriend’s game, I’ll kill you.” I shoot a glare at them and return my attention to where Jordan is celebrating with the rest of his team.

“Ooooh. Your boyfriend,” Dahlia teases.

It never gets old. Who knew a silly label like boyfriend could feel so awesome?

“The game is over anyway.” Jane stands. “And you’re going to want us tipsy if we’re going to the hockey party.”

“I don’t know,” Vi says. “The more I drink, the less I filter what comes out of my mouth.”

I take the cup from her and chug half of it. My throat burns, and I cough as I hand it back to her. “There.”

Am I nervous that my friends are coming with me to a party at McCallum’s apartment? Yes, yes, I am. But they’re doing their best to be supportive, and I can’t think of anything better than spending a Friday night with all my favorite people.

By the time we make it to the party, Jane has produced a bigger bottle from her purse, which she also shoves in her bra. She and Violet are giggling as I push open the door of the hockey guys’ apartment. The same couple that was making out behind the door the last time I was here is at it again.

“Sorry,” I say as the door nearly hits the guy in the back of the head. He doesn’t so much as look up. That’s real dedication.

We get a few looks from girls sitting in the living room. I recognize some of them. They don’t look any friendlier than last time, but I care a lot less with my squad behind me.

“Wow,” Jane says for at least the hundredth time tonight. “I’m at a college hockey party.” She has no chill. I don’t know if it’s a super-rich person thing or what, but she walks into the apartment and squeals like she doesn’t care that anyone can see how excited she is.

Jordan lifts a hand from the dining room table. His mouth pulls into a smile, and my stomach flips. I start in his direction.

He’s on his feet and coming toward me in quick steps that mirror my excitement. Scooping me into his arms, he kisses me hard. I melt into him. I didn’t know I could feel like this about someone. When he’s around, I just can’t stop smiling or feeling like my heart might burst.