My chest tightens with an emotion I can’t quite decipher, the meaning behind my tattoo starting to crumble since she walked into my life.
I roll onto my side, blindly reaching for her. My arm lazily hooks around her waist, and I realize she’s standing at the edge of my bed.
“Hi,” I rasp, pulling her closer and burying my face in her stomach, smelling a familiar soap and shampoo.Mysoap and shampoo.
Damn it.Damn it. She smells likeme, and for some reason that ignites something primal and possessive deep inside of me. She must have stolen my shower caddy and snuck off to the shower earlier this morning while I was asleep.
She giggles softly, carding her fingers through my hair. “Hi,” she whispers, leaning down to place a kiss on my cheek.
I hum in contentment, feeling a sense of peace and satisfaction I haven’t felt since, well, ever.
“What are you doing up?” I ask, my eyes still blissfully closed, heavy with sleep.
Her fingernails continue to gently graze over my scalp, sending a shiver down my spine.
“I still have the final for my other section of Professor Cooper’s lab,” she reminds me. I completely forgot about it.
I groan in protest, tightening my arm around her waist. “No.”
She giggles sweetly. “No? Come on, I have to go,” she urges me gently, managing to slip from my hold. “And I need this,” she mutters under her breath, her fingers grazing my wrist and hand as she slips her hair tie from my wrist.
Before it can slide up and over my fingers, I capture the small band in my fist, holding it hostage. Blearily, I blink open my eyes to stare up at her beautiful face, her cheeks rosy and hair damp from her shower. Her long caramel-colored locks cascade over one shoulder, the ends dripping onto one of my sweaters, which adorns her torso.
“Not until you kiss me first,” I state, tilting my lips up in offering.
A small, amused smile tugs at her lips before she leans down and presses them to mine. I kiss her lazily, lovingly, letting go of the band to cup her cheek in my hand. Savoring the kiss, not wanting it to end anytime soon, I slide my hand back to tangle my fingers in her wet hair, gently fisting the dark strands, deepening the kiss.
She giggles and hums against my lips in protest, eventually breaking free. “Bronx,” she whines adorably through a string of giggles, an infectious smile on her face. “I’m going to be late.”
I attempt to wrap my arm back around her waist to prevent her from leaving but she steps back quickly, escaping my hold.
My arm hangs limply off the mattress, and I let out a dramatic huff, causing her to laugh. I peek up at her through my lashes, and watch her tie her hair up in a ponytail.
“I should be done around eleven today. Would you maybe want to meet me around that time and do an early lunch?” she asks, suddenly a little shy, making me smile.
“Of course, baby. I’ll meet you outside of Professor Cooper’s office,” I promise.
She smiles, a light blush spreading across her cheeks. “Okay, I’ll see you later. I love you.”
My grin widens. “I love you too,” I state, watching her slip out the door.
I roll over onto my stomach, hooking my arms underneath the pillow and smiling into it, satisfaction thrumming through my veins. I let out a long, contented sigh, replaying last night’s events in my head, wishing I could hold her just a little longer.
Last night was perfect, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. Sure, I’ve had sex countless times, but last night—with her—I craved something more. It meant something more.
Ultimately, I think what we both craved wasn’t sex, but intimacy. To be wanted, touched, looked at, adored—to have our actions speak louder than words can. We wanted to be vulnerable, to fall all in and have a sense of security, safety. Trust.
My eyes flutter closed, and I drift off to sleep for another hour or so, a smile on my lips, thinking about her.
>> <<
I walk into the science building, grinning cheek to cheek, nothing able to sour my good mood. I take a left down the hallway lined with professors’ offices, and take a seat on the bench closest to Professor Cooper’s office.
Five minutes later, I hear a door creak open and Olivia’s melodic, cheerful voice floats down the hall as she bids Professor Cooper goodbye and wishes her a good break. She slips into the hall, her mouth spreading into a grin as soon as she spots me, a slight skip entering her step.
I stand and extend my hand to her, reeling her in as soon as her hand lands in mine. Our chests press together, and she stands on her tiptoes, winding her arms around my neck before molding her mouth to mine.
I smile into the kiss, gripping her hips and pulling her that much closer. “Hi.”
