Page 83 of Echoes of Us
Heat flooded her cheeks."You've been awake?"
"Mmm."His hand slid lower, tracing patterns on her hip."Watching you sleep.Counting these."His fingers brushed one of the marks he'd left on her collarbone, sending sparks through her even as embarrassment colored her cheeks darker.
"Cole!"She twisted in his arms, meaning to scold him, but the sight of him in her childhood bed made the words die in her throat.His dark hair was a mess from her fingers, stubble shadowing his jaw.He looked impossibly right here among her old stuffed animals and academic trophies.
His eyes darkened as they traced her body."You know," he said conversationally, "we should probably shower before-"
"Absolutely not."But she was fighting a smile now."My parents' bathroom is right next door."
"Then we'll have to be very, very quiet."His hand slid up her thigh.
"Cole Westwood!"She caught his wrist, trying to look stern despite the laugh bubbling up."We are not having shower sex in my parents' house."
He grinned that wild, uninhibited smile that made her heart flip."Fine.But I'm going to need you to wear something with a high collar today."His thumb brushed another mark on her neck.
Reality started creeping back in as they dressed, stealing glances at each other like teenagers.Ashley's heart felt too full watching Cole button his shirt from last night, straightening his collar in her mirror.
"I should head back," he said softly, catching her eye in the reflection."Before your father decides to show me his gun collection."
"He doesn't have a gun collection."
"No?"Cole turned, pulling her close."Then I definitely got lucky."
She pressed her face into his chest, breathing him in."I'll come back today," she whispered."I just need to talk to my parents first.Make sure they understand..."
"That you're not running away anymore?"
She nodded against his shirt.
His fingers tilted her chin up, and the love in his eyes made her chest ache."I'll be waiting."He kissed her softly, then deeper, until she was clutching his shoulders to stay upright.
A floorboard creaked in the hallway.
They broke apart, both fighting grins now."Go," she whispered, pushing him toward her window."Before my mom 'accidentally' walks in."
"Your window?Really?"
"Unless you want to explain to my father why you're sneaking out of my room at dawn?"
Cole glanced at the door, then back at the window."Point taken."He swung one leg over the sill, then paused."Ashley?"
"Hmm?"
"Last night..."His expression turned serious."I meant everything I said.About us figuring this out together."
Her heart squeezed."I know."She kissed him once more, quick and sweet."Now go before you break your neck on my mother's rosebushes."
His laugh followed her as she closed the window behind him.She stayed there watching until he disappeared around the corner, her fingers pressed to lips that still tingled from his kiss.
When she finally turned around, her mother was standing in the doorway with two cups of coffee and a knowing smile.
"So," her mother said, offering her a mug."I take it Harvard's off the table?"
* * *
The familiar gatesof Yale looked different somehow as Ashley pulled into campus that evening.Snow still dusted the gothic spires, but they didn't loom quite so ominously now.Everything felt...lighter, like she was finally choosing this place rather than being trapped by it.
Sarah was waiting on the steps of their dorm, a knowing smirk playing on her lips."So," she drawled as Ashley climbed out of the car."Cole Westwood climbing out your bedroom window at dawn.Not exactly how I expected this to play out."
