Page 56 of Praise You

“No. We haven’t gone public with our relationship yet because of all the things that can come from it. I don’t want Oliver to lose his job, and he doesn’t want to risk me not getting my degree on time. It’s a risk we aren’t willing to take yet.”

“Being in secret has to be hard.”

"It’s been very hard, but I love Oliver, so it’s worth it." Noah gasps and I smile. "Yeah, yeah, I know. You leave and everything about me changes." Noah's soft cries come over the line and I sit up quickly. "Are you crying? What's wrong?"

"I'm just happy and upset. Happy that you're so happy and in love, but upset that I wasn't there for it."

"Well, you'll be here soon, so that's all that matters."

"Yeah, I guess. So, tell me what else is going on with you." He hiccups from crying, and I shake my head at his antics.

Noah and I spend the next hour on the phone, talking and laughing. We inform each other of things that have been going on while also making plans for him to come back home. Once we hang up, I grab my things to head over to Oliver's house to spend the night.

It's the night of the fundraiser and I'm nervous as hell. Pulling at the neck of my shirt, I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I don't know why I said I would come to this thing. There's no reason for me to be here, besides the fact that I'll get to see Oliver all dressed up. We decided to get ready separately and then planned to meet up afterward.

I'm standing over in the corner of the room when he walks in through the door, and my breath leaves my lungs instantly. Fuck, he's so damn gorgeous. He's wearing one of his signature three-piece suits, but it looks different outside of the classroom. He's wearing gray pinstripe pants, with a matching vest and jacket. I can't see the shirt, but he's wearing a gorgeous coral-blue tie. His red hair is styled perfectly and his matching beard is trimmed as well. My man is sexy as hell and I can't wait to tell him and watch his beautiful face pink up from my admiration.

Nothing makes me harder than watching my confident man shy up for me. The way he's so reserved, but gives in to me. The way he follows my commands word for word, or when he doesn't, the way he listens when I scold him. I've always had the need to be in control in the bedroom, and Oliver gives his up so beautifully.

My eyes are glued to him, watching him walk from one person to the next, shaking hands and telling them hello. This confident man in front of me is so different from the man in the bedroom, but I'm obsessed with him just the same. I can imagine his deep voice introducing himself, his confidence and freckles having them hang on his every word. Taking a sip of my drink, I scan the room before my eyes are drawn back to him. He's commanding the room; every head turns toward him and I smile brightly knowing he's mine.

He walks up to the dean and shakes her hand. My brows furrow as I watch the dean introduce him to the guy next to her. Oliver nods his head, extending his hand out in invitation. The other man takes it, holding onto him a little too long. He starts talking, his grip still holding on for dear life. I watch as the dean walks away, and the man stays there talking to Oliver. He steps closer to Oliver, while I watch Oliver subtly step back. My hand clenches, the cup in my grasp crumpling easily.

I've never considered myself the jealous type, but watching this man flirt with Oliver has my hackles rising. I want to storm across the room and stake my claim. Grab him by the collar and yank him away from that guy. But I can't. Not here and not now.

Oliver lifts his head, looking around the room. I know exactly who he's looking for when he smiles softly at me. I nod my head in acknowledgment, smiling back at him. The guy in front of him says something to him again, capturing his attention away from me.

I take another sip of my drink, my eyes trained on them. The man doesn't get closer and once he walks away, Oliver's shoulders sag and he glances at me.

"You okay?" I mouth to him, hoping that he can read my lips.

When he nods and tilts his head in the direction of a hallway, I take the hint. Setting my crumpled cup down on a nearby table, I walk across the room, making my way toward the hallway. Passing by Oliver, I run my finger across the small of his back, needing to touch him for just a moment. His body subtly melts into mine in the brief second of contact.

I pull at my suit jacket, looking around the room, making sure no one else is headed in the same direction I am. Once I reach the hallway, I head farther down, away from the sounds of glasses clinking and voices talking to one another. It’s darker at the end of the hallway, so I aim for that spot, turning in place and leaning against the wall to wait and see when Oliver will come.

He doesn't leave me waiting long, coming a few short minutes after I get there. He strolls down the hallway, commanding the little bit of space we have around us. He stops short, standing in front of me, the scent of coconut all around him. He smells like Oliver and my dick plumps up at how good he looks.

I look behind him, making sure that no one is in the hallway with us before grabbing him around the waist and shoving him up against the wall. Crowding into him, his breath hitches when I run my nose alongside his neck.

"Fuck, Oliver. You look so damn delicious all dressed up for me."

His hands settle on my hips, pulling me closer, aligning our cocks in our slacks. Wanting to feel a little friction, I grind into him, his hands tightening against me. He stutters out a breath, dropping his head against my chest.

Trailing my hand up his side, I lean toward his ear and whisper, "So fucking sexy, the way your body responds to me. The soft pants leaving your lips are driving me crazy. The way your eyes lit up with desire for me. You're so fucking perfect, Freckles. So damn perfect for me."

Oliver glances up, smiling at me. "I love you."

"I love you, too." His hand wraps around the back of my neck and pulls me closer to him.

"Kiss me," he whispers. His eyes twinkle with love and admiration. I never tire of looking into his eyes and seeing the amount of warmth and devotion that shines back at me.

"Here? Are you sure?" I ask, knowing we're in a very public place, but also knowing my amount of restraint is very little and if he gives me the go ahead, I won’t say no.

"I'm sure."

As soon as the words leave his lips, I'm on him. Plunging into his mouth, I take what's mine. All the sounds of the room drown out even more until all I hear are his soft whimpers and groans. Our kiss is rough, but not dirty. We kiss, lick and suck at one another before I pull away resting my forehead against his. Both of our chests are rising rapidly, both of us trying to catch our breath.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," a soft feminine English accent hits my ears and my body locks up tight and freezes.

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