Page 89 of Bright Like Midnight (Savage U)

Chapter Twenty-two

Amir

Ispentonesemesterin a dorm and vowed never again. Even with how cushy the suites were at Savage U, I’d been claustrophobic.

But once Zadie let me into her room, I had no desire to leave. Then again, her room containedher. It smelled like her, and everything was soft and girly…like her.

We’d spent the day kissing and talking and quietly fucking. One of her suitemates left food for us by the door, so we ate, kissed, fucked, and talked some more.

She showed me the last poem she had received, more than two weeks ago. This time, someone had bastardized an Eminem song. I was beginning to think, and Zadie was too, these poems were from some kid with a crush. Some socially awkward geek thought my girl would be impressed by pitiful love notes.

It was late, near midnight, and I was starving. “Is there any food in that little kitchen out there?”

“There’s some snacks.” She ran her palm along my stomach. “Are you hungry? Do you want me to go get you something?”

“I’m good. I’ll find something to eat. You look too good in that bed for me to let you out.”

She was comfortable here, even sweeter than she normally was. That might’ve been because we’d broken down most of the walls between us.

I wandered out into the quiet living area to the minuscule kitchen, opening cupboards. They had one stocked with snacks, and I grabbed some granola bars. My stomach was going to be eating itself by morning, but I wasn’t going anywhere until the sun rose.

I found a bottle of water in the fridge, stacking it on top of the granola bars. I turned to go back to Zadie’s room and found Helen standing in her own doorway, arms folded over her chest.

“You should let her go.”

I set the bars and water down and mimicked her stance. “Not an option. And not your business. She’s not a child. She can make her own decisions.”

Helen stalked across the small living space, stopping a foot from me. “Zadie isn’t a child. She’s an incredibly intelligent woman. She’s also good. I don’t know many good people, and I have a feeling you don’t either.” Her fingers curved into a claw near her middle. “I have this instinct to preserve that goodness because it’s so rare. But you…well, you’re going to suck it away. Because I know you, dude. You might like her and want her, but when it comes down to it, you’re a leech. You’re going to suck and suck her goodness out until you’re fat with it and she’s a shell.”

“That’s what you think?”

Her eyes narrowed. “That’s what I know. I’m not going to let you do it, you know.”

I clicked my tongue. “You’re so wrong.”

“Am I? I don’t think so. But let me tell you this: if you in any way hurt her or cause her harm because of the way you choose to live your life, I will burn your goddamn house down. And I mean that both literally and metaphorically.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to Zadie.” I swiped a hand across my jaw. “I appreciate your concern for her, which is why I’m going to let the threat you just laid down slide. But just because I’m with your friend does not mean you have a free pass to disrespect me. You need to think before you speak to me.”

She rolled her eyes and slowly raised her middle finger. “Get over yourself, Amir.”

I couldn’t even hold back the laugh that burst out of me. “Get the fuck out of here, Helen.”

“You’re in my suite, dick.”

“That’s right.” I scooped up my snacks and water. “And I have a girl waiting for me. Nice catching up.”

Zadie was sitting on the edge of the bed when I came back to her, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, asking me a question with her big blue eyes.

I tossed the granola bars and water to the side to cup her head and tilt it back. Every time I looked at her face, at the way round and soft played with smooth and angled, I got caught up in her. It was a true fact, I’d never seen anyone prettier than Zadie. After a day in her room, no makeup, only a little sleep, she still looked like this. Sexy, pretty, sweet…fucking everything.

“No worries, mama. Helen was just explaining how it is.”

“How is it?”

“You have a good friend.”

I pushed her back on the bed and crawled over her, caging her body with mine. But it felt like I was the one who was caged. My skin was two sizes too small, my insides restless, pacing, needing, always fucking needing around her.

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