Page 59 of Trust Me

“You know I do, brat.” I laugh, enjoying the sight of her carefree and laughing under me.

“Stop, please,” she pants, breathless, so I cease my attack.

Our eyes lock, her lean frame under my bulky, large one. It strikes me then how perfectly we seem to fit together.

Her hand comes up to my beard, stroking it as I’ve come to learn she likes to do. “I like you, too.”

I don’t respond. Instead, I show her with my lips how much I like her.

We spend the rest of the day like that, kissing, laughing, and talking in bed after venturing into the kitchen for breakfast where Jasmine makes us pancakes.

It’s the best morning I’ve had in a long time.

Chapter 25

Jasmine

The past week has been different.

School is still school, and I still spend my free time studying, doing videos for my channel, and hanging with Camille between classes.

But now I sleep in Elio’s bed every night, where he gives me countless orgasms from his fingers and tongue.

His lips are on mine whenever we’re home. We work on my channel, coming up with ideas together rather than Elio doing the internal stuff on his own. It’s been amazing, having now reached twenty thousand new followers and making more money from some sponsorships I landed.

I can barely process it still, unable to believe that it finally happened. If you had told me this three years ago, I would’ve laughed in disbelief.

But somehow, we ended up crossing paths, and I couldn’t be happier. The feelings I tried so hard to push away under the guise of pushing him away with my smart mouth are finally able to be set free, and it feels so damn good.

I’m a bit guarded still, don’t get me wrong. This is all new to me. And I would be lying if I said this doesn’t scare me. I’ve never felt these feelings before, and navigating them along with my relationship in general is going to be a challenge.

There’s so much to figure out, but I’m trying to take it day by day.

I want to enjoy my last year of college while I still can.

Although I wanted to keep our relationship a secret, I did tell Aurora and Camille what’s been going on between Elio and me since he cut his work trip short last weekend. I went to Camille’s apartment above mine the other day and video chatted with Aurora so that she could find out at the same time.

They both squealed with joy, Aurora chanting that she knew it while Camille kicked her legs against the sofa. To say they were both happy is an understatement.

It’s exactly how I feel, wanting to pinch myself to make sure it’s real. I finally had my first freaking kiss, with the guy I never thought possible. I can’t believe we’re dating. The fact scares me when I think about it too much because the things he makes me feel are intense, demanding to be felt even when I try to push them away.

But you want to know what scares me even more? This lunch date I’m on with my parents.

It’s been going well so far, as we catch each other up on our lives, but as my mother swallows a bite of quinoa salad, the look on her face tells me that it’s about to take a turn that I don’t like.

“Jasmine, have you been thinking about where you would like to apply post-graduation? Or are you considering a master’s degree? That would be wonderful actually.”

Setting my water down, I grapple with what I want to say while I push my spoon around my empty bowl of soup. “I haven’t yet. I’ve been so busy with midterms. Senior year courses are a lot of work. Can I think about it over the holidays and give you an answer after?”

My father speaks up, setting his napkin on his finished plate. “I think that’s a great idea, Jas. Sit on it and don’t rush it. It is the rest of your life, so think carefully about what you want to do.”

I smile at my father, hoping he understands how grateful I am for him. While he still pushes me to be the best and backs my mother up with her wishes for me, he also urges her to look at things differently.

“I suppose that’s smart,” she agrees, sipping her own water. “I’m really proud of you, my one and only.”

My one and only. My mother uses that as a term of endearment all the time, but I don’t think she realizes how much it makes me resent it. Because it’s the reason I’ve been forced to do what they want all my life. Not wanting to fuck up their wishes for the only child they could have.

“Thanks.” I smile back, forcing the cheerfulness I know needs to be in my voice.

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