Page 46 of Off Limits

He turns over his shoulder to look at me; anger blazing in his blue irises. “That’s not even a little funny.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. Though maybe Weston has girls in the shower once a week.”

“I have no idea what he does or doesn’t do in here, but I’m getting sick of fixing this damn thing.”

“That may be so, but I’m certainly enjoying watching you fix it.”

Smirk planted on his face, he spins around, and puts one hand on the wall, the other on the vanity, and leans in so his lips are against mine. “Oh, really?” His muscles strain as they support his weight. It sends tingles through my body, a shiver racing down my spine and a throb settling between my legs.

“I think we should finish what we started in the shower,” he says against my ear.

Before I can answer, one of his hands swoops under my legs while the other hooks around my back and he scoops me up, carrying me out of the bathroom, leaving our towels behind.

Cornell’s campus is just as beautiful as I remember it from when I was younger. Gorgeous buildings with sprawling areas of greenery, though covered in snow in February, bring back all the joy it had when I first toured it. The architecture is simply stunning. It had taken my breath away the first time, and it doesn’t fail to do that again.

Lochlyn holds my hand as we walk around campus. At first, I pulled away, looking around us. Then I remembered nobody here will care. I keep my fingers linked with his, leaning into him. It’s a cold day, so I cling to his arm to steal his warmth.

“I can’t believe you wore your Converse.” He looks pointedly at my shoes.

“What? I love them!”

“Shay, it’s winter. You need boots.”

“I don’t like boots. I like my Converse.” Though, I will say, on long walks like this, my toes do freeze a bit by the end. And encountering snow or ice could result in disaster, as I’ve fallen more than once. But I adore the shoes too much to toss them, even just for the season.

“You grew up and live in New York. We get snow. A lot of snow. You need boots.” His tone is nothing but disapproving.

I shrug. “I’ll be okay.”

“I’m buying you boots before next winter.”

“No, you’re not! I’m fine. And if I need boots, I can get them myself.”

“Nope, I’ve already decided. I’m not taking any chances with you.”

As we walk around campus, he tells me about his classes, the buildings, anything he can think of. Heads turn to follow him everywhere. It doesn’t matter if we’re inside the campus center or out in the cold, he’s watched. I also notice a few angry glares from women, and a man or two, as we walk hand in hand. He’s completely immune to it.

It’s not until we run into a very attractive brunette that he takes note of how he’s looked at.

“Lochlyn, hi,” she says as she tucks some of her long brown hair behind her ear. She has the biggest puppy dog eyes I’ve ever seen, clearly very smitten withmy boyfriend.

He has a tight-lipped smile and gives her a nod. “Leslie.”

“It’s nice to see you. I don’t see you much around campus anymore.” She hasn’t even glanced over at me even though my fingers are connected with his and I’m hanging on to his arm.

“I live off campus now.”

“Oh. That sounds nice. I was thinking, if you’re ever free for—"

“Leslie, I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend.” He pulls his hand from mine, sliding it around my waist, his thumb hooking into my belt loop. “This is Shay.”

When her eyes finally turn to me, they’re filled with hatred. The old phraseif looks could killimmediately comes to mind. I’d assuredly be dead, right here in the middle of campus.

“Hi, nice to meet you.” I extend a hand, but all she does is glare at me before storming off.

“Friend of yours?” I ask, turning my head up to look at Lochlyn.

He runs his hand down his face and starts walking again, leaving his thumb in my belt loop. “Leslie. She and I had a history class together freshman year. We talked in class, if we saw each other outside of it. Very minimal, hi, how are you type stuff. I knew she had a crush on me early on. She asked me out for coffee like once a week. I always turned her down.”

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