Page 31 of Off Limits

“I was worried. I hadn’t heard from you all day.”

“Sorry, I wanted to surprise you, part of why I didn’t tell you about this plan of Chelsea’s. I had my morning classes and then packed a bag. I left straight from my afternoon class.”

“This is so unnecessary. But I’m very happy you’re here.”Elatedis a better word, but I don’t want to seem too eager, too desperate. Though I’m absolutely both of those things.

“I really want to kiss you right now.” The twitch of his hand tells me he wants to touch me as well.

“I want that too.”

“So, how far do you think we can push this?”

“Hm, I don’t know. Lots of eyes. I can’t exactly disappear, being the birthday girl. Right now, it just looks like we’re talking, standing close to hear over the noise.” I take the tiniest step closer.

“So, I probably shouldn’t slide my hand into your back pocket?”

“Probably not the best idea.” Though it would be very welcome.

“And pulling you against me? Also bad?”

“Doing it here? Yes. The actual act itself? Never.” Oh, what I wouldn’t give for that right now.

“Are you staying with Chelsea tonight?”

“No, actually. She has Bren here. She so kindly offered me your room.” With a quirk of my shoulder, I put my hands toward him, as though in offering.

His brow knits together, and he takes a step back. “She has Brendan staying, afteryourparty?” He looks around for a moment, taking in the alcohol. “Did he buy all this?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“For your underage party?”

“I told Chelsea I didn’t want it, but—"

“Excuse me.” He cuts me off, putting his hand on my arm as he walks away. My gaze follows him as he tracks down Chelsea, grabbing her bicep, and spinning her around. They’re a few feet away, but I can hear small bits and pieces. Looking at Lochlyn, anybody can see that he’smadwith his clenched fists and puffed out chest. The scowl is just an added touch.

“The fuck, Chelsea?” One little blip.

“A party, Loch.” Another one.

Somebody turns up the music and I can’t hear anymore, but I see them both gesturing wildly. At one point, Lochlyn waves his hands at me, and for a second, I think we’re in trouble, that Chelsea has figured things out.

It’s not so much that Lochlyn’s against underage parties. He’s not even twenty-one himself and he’s certainly taken us to our fair share, even hosted a few. I think it’s more that it’s a party for me and I don’t drink. Or that Brendan’s the one who bought the alcohol. Or that he didn’t seem to know he’d be here to supervise. Possibly all of the above.

When he stands in front of me again, I can feel the anger rolling off him as he glares after Chelsea and Brendan. But when he turns back to me, his gaze softens, and his body loosens as he reaches down and takes my hand in his.

“I think I bought us the ability to sleep in the same room tonight.” A smile graces his lips as he talks.

“Oh, really? How’d you do that?”

“First of all, I yelled at Chelsea for the alcohol. It’s fucking moronic of her. Then I yelled at her for having Brendan staying on your birthday and making you sleep in the other room. I made it very clear to her that I’mnotgoing to be sleeping on the couch and that if she’s not going to send Brendan home, that she’ll have to deal with us sleeping in the same room.”

“Really? What’d she say to that?”

A mischievous smile spreads across his face. “She made me promise to keep my hands off of you.” Looking around to see where Chelsea is and to make sure we’re not being watched, he slips his fingers into my front pocket and pulls me closer. “I walked away before promising any such thing. Because I have absolutely every intention of putting my hands all over you.” His mouth is right against my ear, and his words are coated with that huskiness I love.

I stifle a moan at the thought of his hands on me, a throb settling between my legs.

Looking into his eyes, I see the burning and desire I feel through my entire body. “Come outside with me. For five minutes.” His voice is low and strained, a hint of gravel.

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