My Rebound (On My Own #2) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,32
that? With only a look, one breath, I felt as if I could find my feet.
Nessa’s phone buzzed, and I pulled myself away from Pacey’s gaze and blushed, having forgotten that she was even there.
That wasn’t a decent way to act like a friend.
“Crap. It’s my project partner,” she muttered. “I have to write a book this semester,” she muttered.
My eyes widened. “A book?”
“Yes, but you have to write it with a partner. Where you’re critiquing, and you guys turn in the same project. It’s a ridiculous class, and I hate it. Plus, my person works full-time and is going to school full-time. I like them, they’re brilliant, but they have like thirty minutes at a time where we can actually work together.” She shook her head. “So, I need to go meet them. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you for sitting and listening to me. I’m sorry I cut into your study time.”
She looked between Pacey and me and shook her head. “No, this is exactly what we needed to do.” She leaned down and kissed me on the top of the head and then did the same to Pacey. He rolled his eyes, even as she blushed.
“Well, on that awkward note, I’m heading out.”
With Pacey walking her towards the door, she left, and I settled back into the couch and looked at my textbooks.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to study.”
“Come on up to my room,” Pacey said, and my brows lifted.
“Excuse me?”
He smirked, but his eyes were kind. “Miles has his study group coming in about ten minutes, and they’re going to be loud and obnoxious. Not because Miles is, but because of who he works with. We’re going to make a proposal for you, and we’re going to need quiet to do it. So, come on up to my room. I promise not to do anything nefarious. Unless you ask.”
I swallowed hard and pressed my lips together. “Oh,” I whispered.
“Well, that’s nice to hear. Come on.” He helped me pack up my books, did the same with his, and then led me up to his bedroom.
This was so odd, but it shouldn’t be. I had been in this hallway countless times before with Sanders. I had even followed Dillon into his bedroom with a box before as a surprise for Elise. But here I was, walking into Pacey’s bedroom.
Pacey didn’t have the largest room in the house, but he had the next biggest size. He had a large, king-sized bed, along with a small sitting area, and the bathroom looked gorgeous.
“You could fit three people in that tub.” My face heated.
“I think Tanner may have tried in his tub, and it might not have worked out,” Pacey said with a laugh.
“Did he ask to borrow your tub?”
“Yeah. Uh, no, and nobody’s having sex in that tub but me.”
And now I was thinking of Pacey naked in that tub, having sex with some random girl. I pushed that thought from my mind.
“Oh,” I whispered.
“Yes, oh. I suppose we should stop talking about sex since that’s not going to be part of our whole rebound.”
I whirled on him, my eyes wide. “Really? You’re just going to blurt that out like that?”
“I figured it’s time that we try.”
“Try what?”
“Saying what’s on our minds. Let’s get you through this plan, and then maybe work on some homework.”
“Yes, that would probably be good.”
He stepped forward and brushed my hair from my face. “What is on that mind of yours, Mackenzie?”
I swallowed hard, shivering at his touch and telling myself that this was silly. I was in a weird place, and me wanting Pacey like this was wrong. This wasn’t in our plans, wasn’t in the cards. And yet, since when had my plans actually worked?
“I was thinking about you naked in that tub,” I said softly, and Pacey’s eyes widened, his pupils going wide.
“Oh? Well, if I’m honest, I was thinking about you naked in that tub with me. Is that wrong?”
I swallowed hard, shaking my head.
“I don’t think so. But I thought we weren’t going to do the whole sex thing.”
He cupped my cheek, his thumb running along my cheekbone. “We don’t have to. Or we can be friends who lean on one another when we want. I want to be your friend, Mackenzie.”
“You are, Pacey.”
“Now, what do you want?” he whispered.
“I want to forget. Will you help me forget? Just for tonight?”
Pacey studied my face, and then he lowered his head and kissed me.