Page 70 of Oar Than Friends

‘I’m not arguing with you about the bill. And before you try to lecture me on equality, one day you’ll out-earn me as a doctor when I’m still a classics student, so if you really want to pay, you can do it then. But today, this is mine.’

She breathed in deeply, her lips pursed slightly as she did. ‘Then I get to plan our next date.’

I grinned, I should have known I wouldn’t get away with this so easily. But I could concede, especially as I wanted to know what she’d come up with.

‘Deal.’

‘Thank you, Oz. This was really kind of you, I’ve loved it.’

‘You’re welcome. Me too. Now I need to get you home before you turn into a pumpkin.’

Her expression saddened as she stood up. ‘I’m going to miss the pumpkin pie this year. It’s nearly Thanksgiving.’

‘Probably for the best if you’re spending it with a cadaver all day,’ I whispered in her ear as she put her arms through the sleeves of her raincoat I was holding. ‘Can you not go home for it?’

She dropped her head with a little shake. ‘No, it’s a Thursday, and I have classes. Man, I’ll miss the pie.’

‘You’ll have to get some when you go home at Christmas. Ask your mother to save you a slice.’

‘Uhhuh,’ she nodded quietly, ‘yeah, you’re right.’

As we reached the car, and I held the door open for her, she stopped with her hand on the frame.

‘Oz?’

‘Yes, Kate.’

‘Are you driving back to Oxford?’

I shook my head, ‘No, I’m staying at Olly’s. He’s away. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure that no one sees us together and I’ll drop you in the same spot I met you.’

She looked down, I could just make out her lips rolling. ‘Do you want to stay with me? I could sneak you into my dorm.’

My heart sputtered, and I closed my eyes praying for all the strength I needed. I’d tried so hard not to think about what she would be like naked, what it would be like to run my tongue along the curve of her spine or watch her fall apart under me; and since I’d had my hands on her arse while her legs wrapped around me it had been near impossible. But I also knew it couldn’t be rushed.

She deserved better.

She was still looking away, and I caught her chin in my fingers to bring her back to me.

‘Yes, Kate, I do, more than anything. But I’m not going to. If I stay we won’t be getting any sleep, and we both have practice tomorrow. When I stay it’ll be when our weekend is free, because we are never leaving the bedroom. I can promise you that. You and I will be spending an entire weekend in bed.’

She tried not to show it, but I could see the disappointment dulling the sparkle that had been present when we left the pub. I also tried not to be happy about it, because while I was dancing inside that she’d asked me, I also wasn’t going to publicize it.

‘Kate, I like you, a lot.A lota lot. You’re at the point ofconsuming me, when I’m not rowing I’m thinking about you. So believe me when I say, going to bed alone tonight will be one of the hardest things I’ve done, but I promise you we’ll be staying together soon and when we do I’ll make the wait worth your while. You can count on it.’ I held her eyes until she finally smiled at me. ‘That’s better. Now get in, please.’

As I drove us away down the bumpy hill, my hand resumed its position on her thigh, and the goodnight kiss when I dropped her by Downing might have been my best yet.

*

Oz:

Sleep tight, Yankee Doodle. Get planning date two. And make it a good one. X.

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