Page 17 of Lust
My mother never missed the opportunity when a cute boy called on me. She invited him to this party and asked him to be my dance partner. In Mary’s eyes, Tobias was high caliber boyfriend material, a prime prospect because he was from a family like ours.
I shrugged. “If I had my way, I would have gone to Stanford. But my family insisted that I attend college locally.”
“But you seem like such a rebel. Can’t believe you listened to your family just because they asked nicely.”
I scoffed. “No one asked nicely. Haven’t you met my brother? He can steamroll over anyone.”
I assumed Tristan would’ve relished sending away his most troubled family member, but he vehemently protested my idea of going out of state for college. With the backing of our parents, he twisted my arm into attending a local university.
Streaks of lights from the fissure of the boxwoods cast on Tobias’ face, disbelief painted onto his mien. “So… it was your brother then who wanted you to stay?”
My brows furrowed. “I mean, it was everyone in the family, but Tris truly pushed for it… I guess,” I admitted slowly, trying to recall the exact conversation.
If I remembered correctly, Tris appeared in my room one night, listing all the glitches with attending college three thousand miles away.
“Hmm.”
“What?”
Tobias rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “No… it’s just, so explain this to me. Tristan isn’t really your brother, is he?”
“Excuse me?” I halted in place. More like, I came to a screeching halt. It felt like a snub, an insult, but I didn’t know why.
“It’s just… you guys aren’t blood-related….”
“Blood isn’t the only thing that makes someone your family.”
Tobias appeared taken aback. “Umm, sorry that came out wrong. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
Shit. Why was I being so defensive?
“I’m being too sensitive.” I shook my head. “I guess it’s because I-I don’t look like the rest of my family… so when people bring it up….” I looked around, searching for the right way to explain.
He smiled. “Let’s forget about this topic. I think our previous conversation was much more interesting.” Raising my hand, Tobias kissed the back of it. I nearly gasped from the minute contact, wondering if he’d judge too harshly if my knees gave out.
“What conversation was that?” I breathed, distracted by my fantasies surrounding Tobias. Nothing serious, only a slight future with two dogs, a white picket fence, and five kids.
Yes, I know! I know. Pump the damn brakes, Sara.
But when you had been lonely for so long, all contact was kinder than meant to be. It was easy to lose yourself on a whim and imagine what your babies with the handsome stranger might look like one day.
No one other than my family members had touched me in years. This small act of intimacy made me want to weep over how badly I had craved sensual touches, insignificant as they might be. I wanted to experience the thing only a man could make a woman feel—desire.
Tilting my face, I stared at Tobias’ mouth.
So tempting.
So inviting.
He pulled me closer on cue, my chest bumping against his. A hint of his cologne wafted into my nostrils, making me dizzy with want. His hot breath on my cheek tickled, and I unintentionally held my own in fear of a stronger reaction.
“You’re so beautiful, Sara,” he murmured.
The last thing I could focus on was a witty response. “Okay.” The atrociously ridiculous word tumbled out of my mouth, though Tobias didn’t seem to care.
And just like that, his lips were on mine, his body vibrating with meaning.
Adrenaline pumped through my veins, lost and enamored. Two strong hands circled my waist to crush me against his chest, and I barely had the time to wrap my arms around his neck to keep myself upright.
