Page 142 of Fostering Chemistry
I blinked in surprise. “How can you say that?”
“Because when you’re not good at something, then you owe it to yourself to practice again and again until you are.” His eyes lingered on my lips as he said that, and my body heated.
“Such dedication.” I smiled up at him. “I wouldn’t mind practicing a little more now.”
“Tempting, but I know you have to study for your test. Can I hang out in here while you do? I’ve got some research to read for student council.”
“Always trying to change the world for the better.”
“You know it.” He kicked off his shoes and climbed onto my bed, and I loved how comfortable he was doing that. We’d come a long way from the day we’d flipped the mattress. I settled back at my desk, but I kept sneaking peeks at him. His face was so intense as he read from his phone. “Study,” he said sternly, finally catching me.
I did. For a while. But all there was really left to do now was to read through my notes again and again, memorizing as much as I could.
And I didn’t need to be at a desk to do that.
“Scoot over.”
Aaron did, and I stretched out next to him on my side. When he lay down too, I rolled over so we were lined up perfectly, my back against his chest. Studying in a spoon position? That was definitely preferable to sitting at a desk.
For a while, I read my notes while he read on his phone, which was now propped up on my shoulder. Every so often, he’d bury his nose in my hair and inhale deeply. And each time, shivers would radiate through my body, and I’d forget schoolwork for a while.
Then the notebook was plucked out of my hands. “Break time,” he whispered in my ear. But when I tried to turn around to face him, he just pulled me tighter against his chest. I relaxed against him, loving the feel of his body nearly surrounding mine.
“I’m so glad you moved in here,” he murmured.
“Me too.” My voice was quiet as well.
“More than glad. What we’re doing… it’s not traditional, but it works somehow.”
I knew he meant the four of us, not just the two of us. “It makes me the luckiest woman in the world.” I said it lightly, but I honestly did feel that way. “Will it bother you, at Christmas?”
“What do you mean?”
“With your family. With me going as your girlfriend.”
“Youaremy girlfriend.” He kissed the side of my neck. “I’m just not your only boyfriend.”
Guilt hit hard. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean…” But what could I apologize for? Not for falling for three amazing men. I couldn’t help that.
He squeezed me tighter. “Nothing to apologize for. As I said, it works. I get an amazing girlfriend, and I’ve become closer to two good friends. What’s not to love?”
There it was again… the L word. Not as Cody had used it, but still, my heart beat faster.
“If, um, it ever doesn’t work for you, please let me know.”
“Mia, I know you feel like you’re taking advantage of us somehow, but I promise, you’re not. For the third time, this works. If I have to tell you that one more time, I’m going to tattoo it on your ass.”
That made me smile softly, but it also reminded me of the tattoo covering the scars on his arm. I wrapped my hand around his and pressed it to my stomach.
We were quiet for a while, both of us lost in thought, presumably. And then his mouth was at my ear. “I love you, Mia.”
My heart stopped for an agonizing moment, then restarted at double pace. I tried to turn, but he seemed content to hold me against him forever, and I couldn’t say I didn’t mind very much. Maybe it made it easier for me to say it. “I love you, too.”
“You don’t have to. I know it’s too soon.”
I tugged his hand up to my mouth and kissed it. “Actually, it’s too late, because I already love you. I was just afraid to say it.”
“Me too.” He traced my lower lip with the pad of his index finger. “But don’t tell the others, okay? Not yet.”
