Page 159 of Their Naughty Student
“I haven’t figured out where I’m going to live,” he said, as though I needed an explanation.
When he led me to the bed, another sob tore at me.
“Sit,” he commanded, the single word clipped.
I sat on the edge of the mattress.
Cav bent down, removed my shoes.He moved over to the mirrored closet doors, rummaged inside.When he returned, he was carrying a T-shirt.HisT-shirt.
After taking my clutch and setting it on the single bedside table, he slipped the shirt over my head, then pulled me to my feet.While I slid my arms into it, he worked my dress down, allowing it to pool at the floor.Then his warm arms settled me into the bed.
“Please don’t leave me,” I begged, not caring how I sounded.
His eyes perused my face momentarily, followed by a reluctant nod.When I shifted over, he crawled in behind me, his arms warm and secure as they encircled me.I gripped his forearm, holding him tight, letting his presence settle me.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, tears streaming from my eyes.I was a blubbering mess, and I hated myself for it.I wasn’t the sort to break down like this, to allow all the emotion to escape.If I’d learned anything from Zeke, it was that you kept it all in, bottled it up, never showing weakness.
Unfortunately, that was how I felt.Maybe not weak, but definitely hopeless.
Cav’s lips brushed my neck as his arms tightened around me.“I’m sorry, too.”
“For what?”I blubbered.
“For interfering.”His voice was soft, warm.Tormented.“I had no right.I never should’ve gotten involved that night at the club.”
I turned my head, needing to see him.“Please don’t say that.Don’t make it sound like a mistake.”
He propped himself up on his elbow, stared down at me.“It was, Jamie.”
“No.”Pain, fierce and hot, shot through my chest.“Don’t say that.It wasn’t a mistake.”
Remorse filled his gaze, and I knew he was regretting what had happened between the three of us.I didn’t want his regret.
Not thinking, I leaned up, pressed my lips to his.I wanted to be closer to him.
For a brief moment, I was.Cav kissed me back.It could’ve been instinct or the simple need for affection.Either way, the kiss deepened, our tongues hesitantly brushing.Seconds turned to minutes, our lips fused together as I turned in his arms, moving closer.
When he jerked back, I stared up at him.
Neither of us spoke.Not with words, anyway.Our eyes, on the other hand, spoke volumes.I could tell he was searching for answers, and I was doing the same.I needed this man.As much as I needed Edge.It certainly didn’t feel like a mistake, being here with him, having him hold me, kiss me.
When I thought he would ask me to leave, Cav exhaled sharply, then dropped back to the pillow.He nestled me against him as he rolled to his back.I inched closer, resting my head on his chest as his hand came around, his finger teasing my hair as he brushed it back from my face.
“Sleep,” he said softly.“We’ll talk more after.”
I didn’t want to sleep.Or that was what my mind said.Clearly my body had other plans because not too long after, I drifted off, safe in this man’s arms.
CAV
She smelled like him.
That was my first thought as I came awake.
The sun was peering in the wide window, slipping between the buildings of downtown Chicago.When I got back here last night, I hadn’t bothered to close the curtains, and it wouldn’t be long before the room was flooded with sunlight.
I cut my eyes to the right, peering down at Jamie, where she slept on my chest, one arm flung across me.I loved that she was so close, had been for the last few hours.
Unable to resist, I caressed her arm with my hand, her smooth, soft skin under my fingertips.
