by Cala Riley
She frowns a moment before pulling out of my grip, setting the washcloth and ice on her nightstand.
“Maybe you should go,” she whispers.
“Please.” I reach out, grabbing her hand. “Let me hold you for a little while longer.”
She looks at our hands for a moment. “Okay.”
She pulls out of my grasp to grab some clothes, excusing herself to the bathroom, taking the ice with her. When she comes back, she throws her dirty clothes in a hamper in the closet before making her way back to me.
I take in her appearance. In the black dress was sexy as fuck, but she looks even sexier now in a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top with her hair piled on her head and a face free of makeup.
Fuck, this girl would look sexy in a damn potato sack, I’m sure of it.
“Take off your shoes and move over.”
I do as she asks, watching as she climbs into her twin-sized bed beside me. She pushes me until I’m lying on my back, pressing her face against my chest. I don’t hesitate, pulling her into my body, letting her wrap herself around me.
I lean down and kiss the top of her head before running my hand up and down her shoulder.
“You can only stay a little while. We aren’t allowed to have boys sleepover,” she mumbles.
“Okay. Only for a little while. Got it.”
Then there’s silence. I listen to her breaths until they even out and I know she’s asleep. I consider getting up then, but I don’t want to wake her.
Just a little while longer.
I tell myself as I let myself drift to the comforting sounds of her breathing.
12
Cassi
Everything wasn’t perfect with us, but Xavier and I had taken a step in the right direction.
There are times when I still feel like I’m walking on eggshells around him when it comes to Tinsley, but that’s my issue, not his.
I need to come to terms with my own feelings and learn to move on from them. Tinsley isn’t a threat to me.
Xavier made that clear when he chose me over her.
“Adra, my beautiful girlfriend. What are you doing?”
I smile as I feel his breath fan across my face.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” I whisper.
He glances down at my book before pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Haven’t you studied enough? Come on. Come play with me.”
I look up at him, rolling my eyes, but I know I’m not going to deny him.
I can’t help it. Whenever he’s near me, I want to be as close as I can to him. I feel like I’ve become addicted to him. Addicted to the way he makes me feel. The way my blood sings whenever he touches me.
“Okay,” I whisper back.
That sexy smirk fills his face as he moves around me to pack my bag for me. I don’t even bother trying to help as I watch him. Once my bag is packed, he puts it over his shoulder, grabbing my hand.
He starts to half run through the library, making me giggle.
A chorus of “shhh” echoes out, making me slap my free hand over my mouth. Once outside, he pulls me down the steps and to the side of the building.
Then he presses me into the wall, his lips crashing to mine.
He wastes no time opening his mouth to me, so I take what he is giving me, losing myself in the feeling of him. His hands come up, cupping my face as he presses even closer, a small bite from the brick wall behind me pressing into my head.
Once I’m completely breathless, he finally pulls back, his own breath coming out in a pant.
“What was that for?” I manage to get out.
“I fucking missed you.” He grabs my hand pressing it to his hard dick. “I need you, Adra.”
I squeeze him, a moan slipping from his lips causing a rush of heat to rush to my pussy. I can feel myself clench around the empty space, begging for his dick to be there.
I glance around, seeing that where we are is shadowed in darkness. I have no idea what time it is, but the sun must have set hours ago, the activity on campus dying down. Not a single person mills about.
Feeling brave, I unbutton his pants. He reaches down to stop me, but I shake my head.
“I need you inside of me right now, Avi.”
“People might see,” he warns.
I smile. “Isn’t it exhilarating? The thought of getting caught.”
I didn’t know I liked that kind of thing until this moment. As soon as the words leave my mouth, I feel myself growing hotter at the thought. I know if he reaches down, he would feel how drenched my panties are.
“Fuck,” he curses. “I don’t have a condom on me, baby.”
I bite my lips. “I’m on the pill. I trust you. Do you trust me?”
He presses a kiss into my lips. “Fuck. Are we really doing this?”
He asks the words, but his hands give him the answer. They dive down into the back of my yoga pants, gripping onto my ass as he grinds himself into me.
I latch on to his neck, kissing and biting.
“Are you fond of these pants?” he asks.
“Not particularly, why?”
Then I hear it. The rip of fabric as I feel his hands between my legs.
“Those were too thin, anyway. Way too easy to rip.” He breathes in my ear as he pulls himself out of his pants.
Before I can say a word, he picks me up, pressing my back against the wall. Then he pushes aside my panties, lining himself up at my entrance.
He looks up at me with lust-filled eyes. Then he thrusts in.
This is the most primal thing I’ve ever done. All I can feel in the moment is the pressure of him rubbing against my walls as his chest creates the perfect pressure against my breasts.
His pace is punishing, his hands on my hips digging in, causing a delicious amount of sting to go with my pleasure, causing me to climb higher and higher.
I knew I wasn’t going to last long the moment he pulled me from the library, but I didn’t know it would feel like this.
As I hear voices float to me from somewhere nearby, my pleasure hits its peak, sending me over the edge.
I moan, but before the full sound can get out, Xavier presses his lips to mine, swallowing it as he pistons a few more times before he stiffens.
I can feel the heat of his cum as it pours into me, making me spasm around him.
He holds me against the wall as we both come down, my ears ringing while my brain remains foggy.
I don’t know how long we stand there like that, but when the sound of laughter filters to us, we both startle.
I look to the side and see a group of students moving past the front of the building, not paying us one bit of attention.
Xavier doesn’t waste any time though. He pulls out, moving my underwear back in place before slowly lowering me to the ground. Once he’s sure I’m steady, he puts his dick away, looking down at my pants.
I look down and see the rip he made.
I look up, smiling at him. “Worth it.”
He shakes his head, grabbing my bag. “Let’s get you to my car before anyone sees you. I might kill a man if he lays his eyes on what’s mine.”
“Yours?”
He grins at me. “Yes. You’re mine.”
Fuck if that doesn’t make my heart soar.
Xavier
I’m getting real used to waking up with Cassi in my arms. Every morning she’s with me, I wake up and admire her beauty. She’s the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Most people want a gorgeous view outside their door, but me? I could live in a box and as long as Cassi is next to me, I would have the most beautiful view.
She’s not only beautiful, but she’s got an amazing personality as well. Her kindness knows no bounds. She is feisty as well, but not scared to show her more vulnerable side. At least not when she’s with me.
I see what Jack has been telling me this whole time.
She’s one of those girls that once you meet them, you know they’ve changed your life irrevocably. I will never be t
he same.
That’s why I have to keep her. I meant what I told her earlier.
She’s mine. I refuse to share her with anyone.
She moves, drawing my eyes back to her face. I smile as I see her eyes flutter open.
“Are you watching me sleep?” she asks.
I chuckle. “You caught me.”
“I’m really starting to think my original thought of you being a serial killer might have been right on the money.”
“Maybe, but keep rocking my world the way you do and you won’t have to worry. You’ll be safe from me.”
She closes her eyes, shaking her head. “You’re silly.”
Her alarm goes off next to me. I grab her phone, turning it off.
“I need to get up. I told my parents I would be there for breakfast.”
“I don’t want you to go.”
She leans up, kissing me.
“Don’t you have to catch a plane or something.”
I shrug. “No. I’m staying here.”
Her eyes look confused.
“It’s Thanksgiving week. You’re not going home to spend it with your family.”
I look away from her. “My family isn’t really like that.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“Stay here.”
“The dorms are shutting down.”
“I got a hotel room, don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
She leans up, looking down at me. “You’re being serious?”
I pull her to me, pressing my lips against hers. “I’ll be fine.”
She shakes her head. “Of course you will because you’re coming home with me. I can’t believe you were going to hide this from me.”
She slips from bed, pulling on a pair of pants under my T-shirt and her shoes.
“I wasn’t hiding it. It just never came up.”
“Yeah, because I assumed you were going home.”
“You know what they say about assuming.”
She huffs, “I didn’t think about it. I should have invited you sooner. Get a bag ready, you can stay in Ryan’s room.”
I get up and walk to her. “It’s okay. I’m fine being alone.”
“You might be, but I want you to come. Honestly. Please?”
“If you’re sure they won’t mind.”
“They won’t. Get packed and pick me up in an hour.”
“You’re awfully bossy.”
She leans up, kissing me. “You love it.”
As I watch her walk away, I realize. I think I do.
13
Cassi
“Mom. Dad,” I call out as soon as we walk through the front door.
Dad greets us at the door. He smiles brightly, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
This is why I avoided home. I feel guilty for the pain they’ve felt.
“Hey, Cass. I’m so happy you’re home. Is this the young man you said you were bringing with you?”
He wraps his arms around me, looking over my shoulder, I assume staring down Xavier.
I pull back. “Daddy, this is Xavier. He’s my boyfriend.”
“Xavier, this is my daddy, Jerry.”
“Mr. Davis, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You’ve raised one hell of a woman.”
My dad instantly smiles, taking Xavier’s hand. “Thank you, son. We like to think we did an okay job.”
Just then, Mom comes out from the kitchen. “Cassi, you’re here.”
She walks over to me, also hugging me before turning her attention on Xavier.
“This is the boyfriend.” She pretends to whisper to me, but he can hear every word. “He’s cute. Good job.”
“Hey, woman,” my dad warns.
“Oh, hush. It’s great to meet you. Why don’t you go into the living room with Jerry while Cassi helps me in the kitchen?”
“Of course, ma’am.”
I chuckle, knowing he learned that from Jack.
Once in the kitchen, my mom turns to me.
“So how have you been? We haven’t seen much of you since school started.”
I sit at the counter, watching as she preps for tomorrow’s feast.
At least with Xavier here, there will be four people again.
My chest pangs.
“Yeah. Sorry. I’ve been busy with classes. When I’m not in class, I’m either studying or with friends.”
She throws me a small smile. “Or with that boyfriend of yours?”
I nod my head. “Yes. I spend time with him too.”
She waves a knife in my direction. “You better be being safe. Not that I wouldn’t love to be a grandmother, but it’s still a bit early for that.”
I cover my face. “Oh my god, Mom. Seriously?”
She throws a towel at me. “Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, young lady. I’d hate to have to whoop you in front of your hottie.”
“Please don’t call anyone a hottie again. That’s disturbing.”
She laughs. “I’m glad you kept that humor of yours. So tell me more about what’s been going on? How’d you meet Xavier?”
I cringe, not wanting to tell her the exact story, but settle for some semblance of the truth. “We met at a party.”
“Yeah? Sounds typical for college kids nowadays. You’re being safe at these parties, right?”
I can see the worry flit across her face. My heart feels sliced open.
I whisper, “I don’t drink anymore.”
Her eyes tear up. “I didn’t mean it like that, honey.”
“I know, but still.” I feel my own eyes prick. “I’m going to go give Xavier a tour of the farm. Call me if you need help?”
She nods silently, now lost in her thoughts.
I know the feeling. It’s been a while, but I used to get lost in my grief often.
I stop in the hallway, out of view, to press a hand to my chest.
You can do this. You’re strong.
I keep saying it until I feel more myself again.
Then I found the man who helped me find my strength.
Xavier
Yesterday was interesting. Once we got to Cassi’s family home, I was ushered to the living room with her father to do ‘men things.’ Or at least that’s what he told me it was when we got there.
What he really meant was sitting there watching some old western on TV while the ladies were in the kitchen.
It felt a bit archaic to me. I would have preferred been in the kitchen with Cassi. Then again, I would have preferred been anywhere with Cassi.
Then she came in and I wanted to pull her into my arms.
She forced a smile while she joked with her father, but she couldn’t fool me.
I saw the sadness in her eyes.
So when she asked if I wanted a tour of the farm, I said yes.
I let her lead me around, telling me all kinds of stories of her childhood. Then, when she finally let the tears come, I pulled her into me, holding her until the sun went down.
Dinner was awkward as hell, but mostly because I could see how each of them were caught in their own heads.
If I had to guess, Cassi hasn’t been home much lately.
The silence didn’t bother me though. I was more worried about Cassi. I could tell she was uncomfortable. That’s why I pulled her into her room after dinner.
“Xavier, my daddy will kill you if he catches you in here.”
I frown. “I don’t think he’d notice, Cass.”
She sighs. “I’m sorry. I haven’t seen them in a while. I was hoping they were better like me.”
“It’s okay. No need to apologize. Are you okay?”
She smiles up at me. “I am. Having you here helps.”
“Good. I’ll always be here then.”
“Thank you.” She hugs my middle.
I debate my next words, but eventually decide she needs to hear them.
“Have you ever thought about what they are going through? I mean, not meaning you don’t know, but you said you were hoping they would
get better, but did you consider why you got better?”
She pulls back, looking up at me. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, what changed that made you deal with your grief better?”
She smiles. “I met you.”
I shake my head. “I don’t think meeting me is going to help your parents, but a change would. I feel like you’re tiptoeing around their feelings, scared to make it worse.”
She bites her bottom lip. “I feel guilty. I feel like I caused all of this.”
“I know you do, which is another topic for another day, but maybe they need some kind of change to help them move through their own grief. Have you considered that they may be careful around you as well?”
I can see her considering my words. “No. I didn’t. I’ve been so caught up in my life, I haven’t considered them at all. I’ve been selfish.”
I pull her head to my chest. “Maybe a little selfish, but you were working on you. Remember what I told you before? You can’t help someone else if you aren’t in the right place to help yourself.”
“You’re so smart.”
“I know.”
She pulls back, slapping my chest.
“Do you take your own advice with your parents?”
I avert my eyes, taking in her rooms instead. I smile at the photos on the mirror of her and Ryan. I see a couple with Jared, but I decide not to dwell on them. I’m here with her, not him.
“It’s different with them.”
“You don’t talk about them much.”
I trail my finger across the top of her dresser. “Not much to say. They aren’t the best parents.”
“Do you miss them?”
Shocked by her question, I turn to face her. “What?”
Her eyes are soft. “Do you miss them?”
I think about her question, not knowing how to respond.
“Do I miss them?” I repeat, her head nodding. I let out a heavy sigh. “I miss who they could have been. They were never really parents to me, so to say I could miss them would be a lie. I can’t miss something they aren’t.”
