Page 76 of Obligation
“Ahem! This isn’t a brothel,” a stern voice scolded.
Carissa jerked her mouth from Bradley’s. Mortification swept across her face, heating her cheeks and neck. She buried her face against Bradley’s chest, too embarrassed to see who had walked in on them.
“Sorry, ma’am,” Bradley said and cleared his throat. “We’ll gather our things and get out of here.”
“Yes, I suggest you do. Sooner rather than later.” The woman huffed, the sounds of her heavy, disapproving footsteps becoming fainter with each step she stook.
“Oh, my God.” Carissa giggled. “That wasn’t embarrassing or anything.”
Bradley laughed, eased back, and once again took her face into his hands. “Let’s get your copies and then get the hell out of here, huh?”
She nodded and took a deep breath to calm her erratic heartbeat. When Bradley stepped back, she eased off the table, but her entire body was like heated rubber, and she honestly worried she might not be able to stand upright on her own. How on earth did he do that to her? Even in the very early days of her relationship with Danny, she’d never reacted this way.
Carefully, Carissa walked over the copy machine, her entire body throbbing with need, and gathered her copies. “I have to drop these off at TOP first. Then I’ll prove you wrong about that stupid shirt.”
Bradley had his backpack slung over one shoulder, looking as cool and collected as he had when they’d walked in. Was he not the least bit affected by what they’d done? She’d felt his erection—no way he wasn’t as flustered as she was.
“Or you’ll prove me right.” He winked.
She rolled her eyes. “C’mon, playboy.”
“Playboy?” He grinned, his dimples flashing. “Hmm. I like that better than my lord.”
“Of course you do.” She tossed him a flirty smile over her shoulder, then exited the library.
From the quad to Greek Row was only a ten minute walk. The sun was high in the sky, the air warm. Carissa strolled at a leisurely pace and enjoyed the weather, something she hadn’t done in far too long. Bradley was in step beside her.
“So, you have a sister. Younger or older?” she asked.
“Older. I have an older brother, too. I’m the baby of the family,” he said.
“Do you get along with them?”
Bradley nodded. “For the most part. I’m not as close to my sister as I am to my brother, but we don’t hate each other.” He chuckled. “What about you? I mean, I know you have a twin brother and an older sister.”
“Yeah. Cory gets on my last nerve, but I love him.” She smiled wistfully. “And I’m really close to Cayla.”
“That’s good.” He shifted his backpack to his other shoulder, then reached down to take her hand, lacing their fingers.
She glanced down at their joined hands, then back up at him. “Is this part of your master plan, too?”
His grin was downright devilish, and his eyes sparkled in the sunlight. He lifted their clasped hands. “Is this okay?”
“Yeah,” she said, warmth spreading up her arm.
“Good.” He kissed her knuckles before lowering their hands. “So, what’s it like having a twin?”
“Annoying as hell.” She laughed. “We don’t have that weird twin thing everyone always talks about, though.”
He raised a brow, amusement playing across his face. “Weird twin thing?”
“Yeah, you know. Having that weird connection where you know what your twin is thinking or feeling before they do. Or you can feel their pain.” She tilted her head in contemplation. “I mean, I know him very well, so I can always tell what he’s thinking or what kind of mood he’s in, but I guess I could say the same about Tiff.”
Bradley nodded as she spoke, but he never once interrupted or tried to cut her off. He simply listened, which was refreshing.
“Sadly, you’ve seen firsthand what my relationship is like with my father. But what about you? Do you get along with your parents?”
“Yes. My mother has lived in Texas her whole life, so she lives and breathes southern hospitality. She’s the nicest woman anyone will ever meet—until you cross her. Then watch out.” He laughed. “And my dad… he’s incredibly smart and fair. He taught me everything I know about business.”
