Page 109 of The Fallacy of True Love
I ducked my head inside the car and told Kuya Lito to take care. Then I closed the door and turned to Maya. “You thought I was leaving.”
“You were mad.”
“I was disappointed,” I said, still feeling the sting of her rejection. “That doesn’t change the fact that I want to be with you. If this is the only time we have left, I’m not wasting it.” I paused. “Unless you want me to leave.”
“No.”
“Good.”
When we got to her room, she tugged my shirt up, but I stopped her. “My turn.”
She opened her mouth like she was going to argue, and then she seemed to change her mind about it. “Fine.”
Maybe she was making up for taking the lead last time, or maybe she was giving me this chance because she couldn’t give me a bigger one. Whatever the reason, I was taking it.
Keeping my eyes locked on hers, I put my hand on the side of her neck, lining up my thumb under the curve of her jaw. She blinked and her pulse raced beneath my touch. But she didn’t protest. Instead, she slanted her head the slightest bit to the right, tipping it up.
I leaned forward and kissed her slowly. Taking my time to memorize the softness of her lips, the way her breath hitched as I deepened the kiss. Her arms circled my neck, and I wrapped my free arm around her waist and pulled her into my body. She felt lush and alive and so fucking mine.
My blood rushed through my veins as her lips opened for my tongue, and it was the sweetest torment I’d ever felt. She answered my every stroke with her own, meeting my desire and multiplying it tenfold.
I could stay with her like this forever—just me and her, in our own tiny corner of the world.
Too soon, she broke the kiss and stared up at me. “We said we’d only do this if you study.”
“I will, later.”
“You shouldn’t let anyone distract you from your goals.” She directed the words to me, but I wondered if she was saying them for her benefit too.
“You’re not a distraction. You’re inspiration.”
“Your studies are important.”
“They are, and they’ll be here after you leave.” Seeing how her lips flattened further, I said, “I’ll study while you’re sleeping. If that’s not enough, I’ll make up for it during my next class. You’re important to me too.”
“Alonzo.”
“You arguing with me won’t change the truth.”
“You’re turning this into something bigger than it is.”
“I’m not. It’s not just big—it’s monumental.” I cupped her face and held her gaze, hoping she would see the reality of my emotions in my eyes. “I’m gone over you, Camaya Cruz.”
“I told you not to call me that,” she whispered, her eyes soft. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“We all get hurt one way or another.” I caressed the slope of her cheekbone. “I’d rather wipe out chasing an epic wave than miss out on what could have been the ride of a lifetime.”
A smile tugged at her lips as she shook her head.
“I thought you’d like that.”
She sighed and put a hand on my waist. “Don’t blame me for your decision.”
“Never.” Taking that as a go-signal, I dipped my head to kiss the spot beneath her ear.
Shivering, Maya released a breath and craned her head to the side to allow me more access. I took advantage of it, peppering kisses down the slope of her neck before stopping right above her collarbone. I traced it with my tongue, and the taste of her skin made me dizzy with want.
I needed weeks to savor every inch of Maya.
