Page 28 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

I brush my nose along hers, angling, just in case she wants more than I’m giving. “Truth or dare, bumble bee?”

“Truth,” she rasps.

“Can you handle this?”

She looks me over slowly, glances at the movie, then to me. I rub my thumb over the back of her neck and into her hair. “You’re distracted.”

“Says the guy who’s ignoring the movie and is … hard. Raging hard. Did you stuff something in-”

“I’m not confused, Sky.” I brush my fingers over her jaw as her breath fans across my face. Her perfume is so intoxicating, and so is she. So sweet, honest and responsive. But I could live a thousand lives and never deserve her. “I’m a fucking idiot.”

Chapter 8

Sky

I swallow hard. I’m so lost right now. I’ve haven’t been this close to anyone but Bonnie in years, a lot of years. And none of those people compare to Ash. His hands on me, looking at me like I just might be the best and worst thing to ever happen to him. But that heat … holy shit, the heat.

I feel something like lava in my belly, heading lower, and I feel like I shouldn’t be wearing pants. I’m burning up, burning under his gaze, and I don’t know what to do. He asked me if I could handle something, and I still don’t know what he means.

Ash adjusts me ever so slightly, so I’m half on his lap, my forearms against his chest, that same hand tangled in my hair as he rubs my thigh that’s draped over his legs. Is that my whimper or his?

“Say something,” he orders, but his voice is low and husky and like velvet on my skin.

Since when does he smell so good? It’s soft, a barely there kind of smell that makes me want so much more. A little bit of spice, maybe something like leather? I lean closer and feel his breath across my jaw, stroking just under my ear.

I lick my bottom lip, and he groans, hand tightening on me. I wrap my fingers in his shirt to push him away, but … but his lips look so soft and inviting. My heart is leaping out of my chest, thundering against my ribs, and his hardness kind of feels good against the inside of my thigh.

“You have to open your mouth and say something, Sky.” His eyes sharpen. “Or I’m going to do something so fucking stupid.” Why do I feel like the ‘stupid’ he’s talking about is probably better than any ‘smart’ thing I’ve ever done?

“Ash,” I breathe.

His nose brushes mine, then the ghost of his lips across my jaw. “Please.”

Just that word, all breathy and ragged, like he’s actually begging, does me in. I lean forward, then hear a honk outside. I squeak and look at the front door nervously. His fingers tighten in my hair.

Oh god. This isn’t a dream. I’m on top of Ashton Warren. Hell, I almostkissedAshton. After just one day together? How stupid am I? I know better.

“Jesus, Sky.” He rests his forehead against my shoulder. A shiver dances down my spine, and I swallow. “That was too close.”

I run my fingers through his hair after a moment. It’s dry, soft, crazy soft actually. I massage both hands over his scalp, pulling at his hair lightly. Ash rubs the back of my thigh, and the biting grip of his fingernails on my neck softens.

He moves his head to my chest, giving me more access, so I keep running my fingers through his hair. Then, since I’m apparently allowed, I slowly stroke along his neck, then over his shoulders. They’re tense as hell, but maybe it’s muscle and not knots.

“That feels good,” he whispers.

I jerk my hands away, holding my arms up while keeping my elbows against my side. What am I doing? I can’t forget who he is and what he put me through. He apologized, but is it enough?

Ash just turns his head to the side and hugs me, both arms around my waist. His lips press to the inside of my shoulder.

“I thought you hated me.”

“I do.”

“I like the way you hate me, then,” he amends. The silence stretches between us until he grabs one of my hands and puts it on his head.

It’s too cute and too … him. I smile to myself and brush through his hair again. Big bad, slutty boy next door likes to have his head pet. “You’re giving me amo for later.”

“Worth it.” He rubs his head into my hand.

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