Page 130 of Bad for Me

The past semester has been eventful for many reasons. For one, I wanted to come to Graveston so I could finally have a family. But Woods wasn’t the only family I gained. Marleigh and Cadence are my best friends, and even Brin has grown on me. Since they’re stuck with me for the next three-and-a-half years, I know the bond we have now will only get stronger.

Another “eventful” development, however, is that there’s also been talk that’s made me think the gossip at the beginning of the year wasn’t about me and Woods after all. In a way, though, I’m still thankful for the rumor. I have no doubt it saved us from acting stupid and getting caught. With what I’ve learned about this school, something tells me that getting fired and kicked out would’ve been the least of our worries. Woods was right when he said this university is full of secrets, and I don’t think my friends and I will get through even half of them by the time we graduate. I’m not sure I want to.

In the end, every clandestine moment has been worth it. The forbidden nature of our relationship could have ruined us before we even began, but it was quite the opposite. I craved every private, calm respite with him.

One thing that worked in our favor was the fact that people found out we’re stepsiblings. It made sneaking around much easier since we conceivably had a good reason to hang out. We even got to spend Thanksgiving break together, where I did in fact win the argument of parade over football.

Dinner with my family as a whole, however, was more...interestingthan anything on TV. But getting my mother’s blessing and seeing all of us finally under the same roof and enjoying each other’s company meant the world to me. I think it meant a lot to Woods too. I even got to tease him for smiling once or twice in front of someone besides me.

I wish he was here smiling for me rightnow. The hostess sat me at a small, white tablecloth-covered table for two in the middle of the restaurant. I’m anxious as hell being this out in the open with him as a couple for the first time, and I can’t help but feel like a sitting duck all by myself.

“Sunshine,” I hear my stepbrother’s voice before I see him. The deep croon that he always uses when he calls me my nickname warms me to my core, and his grin when he says it melts me into a puddle.

He wears that grin now as he navigates the other tables and heads straight for me. He’s wearing the same tweed blazer he wore for our exam today, and it screams hot professor. His messenger bag is slung over his shoulder like he just came from work, and his black hair is a slight mess. I imagine him furiously carving his fingers through it at his desk while grading papers.

Curious eyes lift from their meals to watch him as he nearly sprints toward me. Learned self-consciousness makes my fingers tremble on my glass of water. I try to push away the dread of getting caught, but it will take time to break the habit.

When he gets close, he lets his messenger bag slide off his shoulder and drops it beside the seat across from me. I expect him to settle into his chair, but instead, he kisses my temple, sending desire fluttering in my lower belly.

“You’re right where I wanted you, baby.” His lips brush the shell of my ear, making me shiver with pleasure. Amber and spice envelop me, and I lean up to kiss him without a second thought.

“That’s it, sunshine,” he murmurs against my lips. “Let’s show the world you’re mine.”

He takes my hand before I can process what he said and gently twists it above my head. The motion effectively twirls me up from my seat in one full turn. Our movements feel like a seamless dance, so smooth and quick, that the skirt of my gold, A-line dress flutters around us like it was made for this picture-perfect moment.

I’m breathless when he brings me to a stop with one arm around my waist. He tugs me to his chest, and I instinctively grip his lapels to hold on. That instinct came just in time too, right before he smirks down at me as he tips me backward and gives me a scorching kiss.

The whispers in the crowd turn to cheers and whistles, making all of my insecurities disappear. I shouldn’t have cared what people think, but it’s hard not to when the wrong people could ruin your life if they found out your secrets. The crowd’s encouragement emboldens me, and I wrap my arm around Woods’ neck to fully kiss him back. Everything around us melts away as he growls in appreciation. His approval vibrates through me, sending desire straight to my core.

The room erupts in applause, something I would normally find cringy, but we’ve been in hiding for so long, I’m soaking in all the attention right now.

When we break apart, the last thing I want to do is sit back down and stay in this restaurant. But he rights us both and pulls out my chair, helping me settle in. As he takes his seat across from me, I’m still trying to catch my breath. Though the pride beaming from his smile, and the carefree happiness crinkling around his eyes, both make it hard to remember why oxygen is so damn important.

God it feels good tofinallybe this out in the open with someone I love.

My heart stutters to a stop.

I’m in love.

My eyes widen at my internal confession, and my pulse races, making me hyper-aware of every feeling and sensation that swirls inside me. As much as I’m brimming with excitement from the revelation, I have to swallow to keep from blurting it out. I’ve never fallen in love before, but if this is what it feels like, I don’t want to screw it up by admitting it out loud too soon.

Woods doesn’t seem to notice as he tugs something out of his messenger bag before plopping a booklet on the table between us.

“It’s official, Miss Gable,” he announces. “I submitted the class grades for this semester. As of thirty minutes ago, you are no longer my student, sunshine.”

My eyes widen at the big red letter at the top, but then I bark out a laugh. “Geez, Woods, you couldn’t have at least used a green pen?”

He scowls. “Do you want the ‘A’ or not?”

“Of course I do!” I snatch the booklet up and hold it to my chest like he’ll take it from me. “It’s about time you gave me an A!”

He shrugs and takes a sip of his water. “It’s about time you earned one. I couldn’t give my stepsister special treatment, you know. Not that kind of special treatment, at least.” He winks, and I snort even as my lower belly flips.

“Gee thanks. Considering it’s the only ‘A’ you’ve ever given me, now I feel bad for the students you hate. How many glasses of whiskey did you drink to get through the rest of the exams?”

“Let’s just say you’re lucky I’m not wasted right now. All but you and about five of your other classmates are complete idiots.” He smirks and points at my paper. “You wrote this last essay on Austen to spite me, didn’t you?”

I give him a cheeky smile. “Guilty. I know how much you loved our first class. Ever since you assigned us that first essay, I thought it’d be poetic.”

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