Page 71 of Between Steel and Secrets
“Who’s to say I’m even going to have sex with you? We could just share a bed. Sleep.” I diligently fold my arms across my chest, and he smirks.
“I’d be okay with cuddling you again.” His hands firmly plant on my hips, and I feel the butterflies go wild inside me.
How does the man, whom I’ve hated all my life, have the ability to make my insides warm and toasty? One kiss, and I’m craving a lifetime more.
It doesn’t make sense, but I nod and lean in, brushing my lips against his.
“But in all seriousness, Bristol, if you get sick of me and decide we’re not worth one weekend together, I won’t be mad. You can call it off at any time. I’ll buy you a bus ticket or drive you back here. Whatever you want.”
One weekend, to figure out whether we can survive liking each other or will kill one another.
Sixteen
Liam
We grab breakfast in town then ride the bus back to Evergreen University. I carry Bristol’s backpack, which contains an overnight change of clothes and her medicine. I’m not sure what else she stuffed inside, but I swear it’s like she’s stuffed a bag of bricks in there, so she can to see how much weight I can carry.
When we reach town, I lug her pack over my shoulder and escort her off the bus. “This is our stop.”
“I know.” Bristol returns a look that tells me this isn’t her first time on campus.
Obviously.
I ran into her in the coffee shop, but that was during the summer, months ago. She could have forgotten how to get to my campus.
Turns out, she knows her way around. She leads me off the bus and takes a hard right in the direction of my house.
I hurry to catch up with her, my arm slipping around her waist, giving me the opportunity to touch her, and I’m curious if she’ll push me away.
She hasn’t so far, but I’m sure if I give it enough time, the enemy within her will pounce at me.
“How do you think your friends are going to react when you do the walk of shame?” Bristol asks, nudging against me as we walk.
I’m not sure it’s on purpose, her movements sway just a bit, like she can’t quite keep on the pavement.
“I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, it’s not like we even had sex. I never so much as got to touch your breasts.”
Bristol snorts. “You sound disappointed.”
“I am.” I bat my eyelashes at her, and she wrinkles her nose.
“Maybe you’ll get lucky tonight.” Her eyes widen at the realization of her words. “I mean, maybe you’ll get to touch my breasts if you’re a good boy.”
“When am I not good?” I smirk and let my fingers dance across her hip.
She shivers and pulls away. “That tickles.”
“Bristol Greyson is ticklish.” I laugh, the excitement bubbling within me at the realization that the girl will squirm and laugh from a simple touch. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see uncontrollable laughter escape from that girl’s lips.
“Yes.” She narrows her eyes at me and stays just out of my reach. Bristol fumbles with her feet onto the grass, and my arm is right back around her waist, pulling her forcefully against me, keeping her upright so she doesn’t fall.
“If you tickle me, Moretti, I swear to God?—”
“You’ll what?” The temptation is overwhelming, but I know how much Sophia hated being tickled as a kid, and Mom made it very clear that no means no.
But honestly, the idea is entertaining, and just threatening her with it is fun.
“I’ll chop off your dick,” she warns with an evil smirk.
