Page 104 of Study Buddies

My fingers kept gliding over the panes of his flat stomach, and I had to force myself to stop. Then curiosity got the better of me.

“Have you been working out?”

He laughed softly, and I felt his breath stir my hair.

“Not as much this year, but last year I spent a lot of time at the gym. Everything was just so fresh and raw with how things ended with Natalie, and I found that working out helped. When you’re pushing your body to its limits, it leaves less time to brood.”

“Wow. I didn’t know you spent much time at the gym.”

“Guess it took a while for the results to show.”

“Honestly, I didn’t notice last year, but I did this year.”

“Only because I’m lying next to you in just my underwear.” His tone was rueful.

“No, it’s not that. I noticed the first week of the study group. You look good.” I was glad we weren’t looking eye to eye when I said that.

“Last year was a bad year overall, but I found working out kind of addictive. If we ever get the basement cleared, Kyle’s idea of putting some gym equipment in there isn’t a bad one. Doesn’t mean we have to use it at the same time.”

If I got a vote, I was all for him continuing to work out. His abs felt so good under my palm. His bicep was too firm to make a comfortable pillow, but it still felt good to be nestled against him, skin to skin. Or nearly so.

“Can I ask you another question?” I ventured.

“Sure.” He squeezed my shoulder. “If we can’t ask questions in the dark, in bed, when can we?”

“Was she… was Natalie your only girlfriend?”

The muscles of his stomach clenched, and I was afraid I’d upset him. But after a moment, he nodded.

“I went on a couple of dates before I met her, but yes. She’s the only woman I’ve ever slept with, if that’s what you’re asking.”

I could feel my cheeks heat up, but somehow the darkness and his closeness were making it a little easier to be honest. “Yes, it was.”

“Can I ask about your dating history—or whatever you want to call it?” His body tensed.

“There’s not a lot to tell. I’ve never been in a real relationship like you have. I went out with a couple guys last year. Nothing ever came of it.”

“Yeah, I remember you telling Amanda about one of them. And before you came to Langley?”

“There was a guy in high school, my senior year. We, um…we slept together twice. It was… I don’t know. It was over very quickly. Not quite how I imagined it would be.”

“So not exactly the first time every young woman dreams of?”

“Not unless she dreams of doing it in the guy’s childhood bedroom while his parents barbecued out back.”

Lucas winced. “Ouch.”

“The barbecue was good, though.”

He laughed, and I snuggled closer to him, my head resting on his shoulder. His breath hitched briefly, and I could feel his lips lightly touch my hair.

It was weird, but it felt less awkward being pressed up against him like this than it did lying two feet away.

And now that we were so close, I wanted to be even closer.

“Lucas?” I whispered.

“Yes?”

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