Page 98 of Scars of Anatomy
“And what kind of reward, exactly?”
My grin is sharp as I grip her hips. “I was thinking something along the lines of you . . . right here, in my bed.” Swiftly, carefully, I roll us over so she’s under me, mindful of the limited space provided by the twin mattress. “Like this.”
Her big eyes stare up at me, and her dark hair is splayed across my pillow. The image is so perfect I burn it into my memory to remember for a long, long time.
In awe, I lean down and seal my lips to hers, kissing down her neck, sucking on that tender sliver of flesh at the crook of her neck where her shoulder meets it.
“How did you do on the final today?” she asks, breathless.
“Wow, I love it when you talk dirty to me,” I mumble sarcastically against her skin.
She giggles, playfully shoving my shoulder. “But really, how did it go?” she asks, suddenly serious, concern in her eyes.
I huff, moment over. Of course she would be thinking about that right now.
Lying down on top of her, I make sure to put most of my weight on my forearms on either side of her so I don’t absolutely crush her. “It was fine.” I shrug.
She looks at me skeptically.
“Seriously, Finch.” I chuckle. “I think it went well. I have a pretty great tutor, you know.”
That causes a smile to tug at her lips. “So does that mean I get a reward?” she asks, a glint in her eye.
I grin, hovering my lips just millimeters above hers. “What do you want?” I ask huskily.
Her teeth sink into her bottom lip as she looks at me, her eyes shifting between my eyes and my lips. “Remember when you said for the next bet I could set the wager?” she asks, nervously fingering the collar of my shirt.
“Uh-huh.”
“Well, what if I said I want to go to Florida?”
I blink, surprised. “Florida?”
She nods. “Over winter break. I’ve never been to the beach before, and maybe we could go see your grandma.”
My body stiffens.
A flash of worry crosses her face as she senses my unease. “We don’t have to see her or interact with your mom whatsoever,” she insists hastily.
I will my body to relax. “I don’t know, Finch,” I admit, still uneasy.
Her bottom lip juts out in an adorable pout. “Please? You said to come up with something crazy, something I’ve never done before. I want to go to the beach. With you. Seeing your grandma was just a suggestion.”
I let out a sigh, contemplating. I haven’t been to Florida in forever. That place doesn’t hold any good memories for me, and the thought of taking her there unnerves me a little.
I have a feeling, in her head, the trip will be some sort of nostalgic bonding experience. That it will make me see where I grew up with fresh eyes and reconsider.
Looking at the hope in her eyes, I realize maybe going back won’t be so bad if it’s with her.
And I made her a promise, after all, that she could set the wager. I won’t back out on that.
“Fine. If you get an A on the final and I get a B, we’ll go to Florida,” I bargain reluctantly.
A wide grin breaks across her face. “Really?” she asks excitedly, her voice rising a few octaves.
I chuckle. “Really. So you better hope you didn’t flunk,” I tease.
She rolls her eyes, looping her arms around my neck and drawing me closer. Gladly, I reconnect our lips and kiss her eagerly.
