Page 61 of Kiss Me in the Dark
“Nah.She’s my roommate’s ex.I think she was just trying to use me to make him jealous.”I shrug.He nods, seeming to understand.
“Name’s Elias, by the way.”He extends his hand, and I shake it, noticing how his grip is both soft and firm.
“Cameron,” I reply, and we drop hands.
We stand there, looking out at the quiet night for a moment.
“Enjoying the party?”he asks.
“Not really.Parties aren’t my thing, but my roommate’s best friend dragged me here.I guess frat parties just…aren’t what I thought they’d be.”I laugh a little, shaking my head.
Elias chuckles too.“Same.I don’t do parties either.My brother’s a frat guy and insisted I tag along.Said I ‘needed to have some fun.’”He glances over, and our eyes meet.I swallow and quickly look away, feeling a bit flushed.
Is it me or the beer?I stare at the drink in my hand and take another sip.
“Parties really are overrated, aren’t they?”Elias says.“It’s always the same shit.Drink, dance, maybe make out with a stranger, repeat.”He smirks.
“Exactly!But somehow, people think that’s real fun.”I laugh.
“Doing the same thing every weekend?Nah.I’d rather read a book, study, or just hang out with people who actually give a shit about you.”He gives a small smile.For once, someone gets it.
“Same.I’d rather bury my nose in a book too.But around here, that basically labels you as a nerd.”I chuckle, and he laughs with me.
“What’s your major?”
“Political science.Freshman.”
He raises an eyebrow, seeming impressed.“Didn’t expect that.You don’t often find good-looking guys who want to dive into politics.”
I feel my cheeks heat up and look away.“What about you?What’s your major?”
“English.Junior year.”He watches me as he says it.
“Oh, I wouldn’t have guessed,” I say, letting my gaze wander over him.He’s lean, not exactly athletic-looking like Fox, but still…charming.Really charming.And he doesn’t look like he’s older than me that much.
“Yeah, I’m not actually from here,” he says, smiling.
“Wait, really?”
“Yep.I go to Evergreen Heights University.Just visiting for a week while on break.My brother’s here, in his senior year, and he never stops talking about this place and I thought ‘What the hell?’Guess I’d check what all the fuss is about.”He laughs, giving me a soft smile, and in the low light, I’m almost certain he winks at me.Is he…into guys?
“There’s definitely a lot going on here,” I say with a small smile of my own.He chuckles, biting his lip.“I can’t promise you anything interesting though.”
I drain the rest of my beer and toss the can in a nearby bin, the buzz really starting to kick in now.
“So, are you offering to give me a tour?”he asks, that smirk back on his face.
I can feel my face warming as I reply, “If you’re up for it.”
His voice drops.“I’d be up for a lot of things.”He steps closer, and before I know it, he’s leaning in.My pulse spikes as his hand lifts to my cheek, and my eyes start to drift closed, waiting for the kiss.
“What the hell is going on here?”Fox’s voice cuts through the moment like a blade.I pull back instantly, nearly stumbling.
“Who the fuck are you?”Fox sneers at Elias, glaring at him.
Elias turns to Fox, raising an eyebrow.“A friend.And who are you?”
“I’m the guy telling you to leave.”Fox glares at Elias with barely restrained anger.
