Page 94 of The Fallacy of True Love
You’re perfect.
I gave in to the urge to reach for her. For a second, she froze, and so did I. Not wanting to pressure her, I moved back, but she leaned toward me and we were soon kissing. It felt like diving off a cliff and landing in a cloud—exhilarating and comforting at once. Then she was on me, the sheet falling between us so her taut nipples pressed against my chest.
“Shit.” Pulling away, Maya muttered, “You need to go.”
“I can stay longer.”
“Next time—” Her eyes went wide.
Hope lit up inside me. “Next time, huh?”
“Forget I said that,” she answered quickly.
“Too late. I’m holding you to it.” I kissed her again. It was a gentle meeting of lips that seemed innocuous compared to everything else we’d done, and yet it resounded deep in my chest.
She drew away from me, lifting the sheet to cover her breasts. “Time’s up, Manila.”
Back to Manila. She was putting her walls back up, pretending I was just some passing stranger.
But I wouldn’t let her. “This isn’t just a hookup, Maya.”
“That’s all I’m looking for.”
“I’m not some random you met online or at a bar, someone who’s just looking to get off. I’m in this for you. I was always just in this for you.”
“You’re looking for a rebound.”
“If I had been, I would have gone for someone convenient. Someone I could forget,” I said. “The distance between us is far from convenient, but you make me want to go out of my way to see you. To be with you. You’re under my skin, Maya. You’re branded into my brain, and I could never forget you.”
Swallowing, she moved her gaze past me. “You should go.”
“Not until you believe what I say.”
“Alonzo. I can’t do this now.”
The plea in her voice killed the argument on the tip of my tongue. “Fine. Let’s talk about it another time.”
“We said one night.”
“We didn’t say just one. I would have all of them if you let me.”
“I’m leaving on Friday.”
“I know. I just—give me these three days.” I grimaced as my brain corrected me. “These three nights.” I had a shift tomorrow, but I’d find a way to be with her. I would give up sleeping if I had to.
A debate seemed to play out across Maya’s face. “What about your classes?” she asked, frowning. “You said you could randomly get called for recitations.”
“I can study in the mornings. Who needs sleep?”
She shook her head. “I won’t be the reason you get low grades. I’ve already taken up too much of your time.”
I’d resent my degree even more if pursuing it meant I had to give up being with the people who mattered to me. Putting my hand on her cheek, I said, “We only have three more nights, Maya.”
“We were just supposed to have one.”
“Is that enough for you? Because it’s not for me.” Not even close. I searched her face, needing to find a sign that she felt anything remotely close to what I felt for her. This desperate need for more. More time, more conversations, more…Maya.
She closed her eyes.
