Page 115 of Study Buddies

“What?” She leaned forward, curious.

“See, he really wanted you to keep that bedroom.”

“But it’s his?—”

I held up my hand. “I’m not disagreeing with you. But from his point of view, he wanted it to be yours, so he couldn’t suggest that you two share the bed because in his mind, that would be him inviting himself into your bed.”

“But it’s his bed!”

“Not the way he saw it. So, he was too much of a fucking gentleman to ask to share your bed. So when you suggested sharing Jayden’s, he felt he couldn’t object.”

Her jaw had dropped. “So what did you say?”

“I politely and calmly explained to him that he was being a fucking moron.”

She laughed. “You two have the most interesting dynamic.”

I shook my head a little ruefully. “And I bet you never thought that I’d be the more rational one.”

It was a flippant remark, but she took it seriously. “I wouldn’t have when I first met you, but I’ve seen how Lucas sometimes loses his mind when you’re around.”

“He does when you’re around, too, just in a different way.” I checked my watch again.

Her cheeks pinked. “Thank you for telling me.”

Again, I winced inwardly. I’d never share the secrets of a guy on my team or in my frat, but with Lucas, all bets were off. But hell, while we were on my least favorite subject, I put my hand on her thigh and leaned in close to whisper in her ear. “I know that you two did more than just sleep next to each other when you stayed in that hotel. It was written all over your face, you bad girl.”

I pulled back and smirked when I saw Tori’s mouth in a perfect O of surprise. But I didn’t give her time to dwell on it. “We’ve got three minutes left, and it’s my turn.”

Her mouth still gaped open, and I wanted to kiss it so badly. But finally, her jaw snapped shut, and she nodded.

I took a beat, trying to think of how to start. “Do you trust me?”

Speech finally returned to her. “Um… yes. Mostly. Within reason.”

I laughed. “Good answer. But let’s test that.” I cupped her face, then slid my hand down her throat to her chest. Then I hooked a finger in the V of her neckline right between her breasts. I held her gaze, not losing eye contact. I slowly pulled on the fabric, drawing it away from her soft skin. “Do you trust me not to look down?”

Her face flushed, but she held my gaze, nodding.

I wondered how far she’d let me go. I pulled the neckline out farther, feeling the fabric stretch.

Tori’s breathing grew louder, and I could feel the movement of her breasts through the vibrations on the fabric. But she kept her eyes on mine. Shit, maybe she trusted me more than I trusted myself. If I looked down now, I’d see everything. It had been obvious that she wasn’t wearing a bra with the dress, not with the thin straps. It probably had some kind of built-in cups,but with the neckline gaping open, I’d see down to her navel at least.

But with a superhuman effort, I managed not to look. I just held her gaze, not hiding the hunger in mine. Her breathing was even heavier, and I knew her pulse was spiking, but she didn’t give into it. It was so damn exciting, knowing that this was affecting both me and her—but neither of us acknowledging it.

Finally, I let go. She broke the eye contact, exhaling loudly as she looked away. Her hand rose to her chest, patting down the fabric.

“If you let me dothat, then this next part won’t be so bad,” I said roughly. It was just so damn hard to keep control of myself when she was around.

“What is it?” She stared at me with those intense, dark eyes of hers. It was like she could see right through me.

I reached into my suit jacket and pulled out a black cloth. She stared at it, and I could see the possibilities—none of them good—flashing across her face. I tried to hide my grin.

“What’s that?” she asked, like it might bite her.

“A blindfold.”

Tori leaned back. “No fucking way.”

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