You're the Reason - J. Nathan Page 0,29
trying to find reasons to be around you.”
“You don’t even like me,” I countered.
He ignored my words. “Your smart mouth and witty comebacks keep me on my toes, and I can’t wait to hear what’s coming next.”
“I don’t even like you,” I continued.
“And the fact that you’re trying to ignore me and make me jealous with Ryan is eating away at me.”
“What does that even mean?” I asked, at a complete loss over what was happening.
He lowered his hands and cupped my cheeks. They were warm and shockingly gentle. “That means I’m gonna kiss the fuck out of you right now.”
My breath hitched as his mouth descended on mine. His tongue licked across my lips and, as much as I wanted to fight it, my body betrayed me and I let him in. My arms wrapped around his shoulders as my tongue tangled with his. I arched into him and I couldn’t stop. This was a fight of wills. And neither of us was giving up. His hands drifted from my cheeks, down my sides, and around to my ass. Shamelessly, I rubbed against him. He groaned into my mouth. When we couldn’t get close enough, he picked me up and my legs wrapped around his hips. He twisted us around and slammed my back into a shelf of books. The sound of books falling to the floor echoed around us. We laughed into each other’s mouths, but neither of us pulled apart. My fingers tunneled into the back of his hair as I controlled the kiss—the best freaking kiss I’d ever had.
“The library is closing in five minutes,” a librarian announced over the speaker system. “Please gather your belongings and exit now.”
Chase pulled out of the kiss first, leaving my lips deliciously numb. His forehead dropped to mine as our chests heaved in tandem. “Holy. Shit.”
His response elicited fluttering in my belly, but my brain warned me—like bellowing sirens going off in my head—to slow down. “Now that you got that out of your system, can I go?”
He lifted his head so he could see my face. “Are you serious? Because from where I’m standing with your ass in my hands and a hard-on for days, I’d say we’re just getting started.”
I closed my eyes, having no words for what he’d just said. It was all so freaking confusing. I hated him. And he hated me. So, why was the kiss so amazing? “It’s gonna look a little strange to walk out like this,” I said. “So, I think you need to put me down.”
His low chuckle sent crazy vibrations through my nerve endings as he lowered me to my feet. “Come on.” He grabbed hold of my hand and linked our fingers as we walked through the stacks toward the elevator. “Let me walk you home.”
The word home created a giant cavern in my chest. I lived with Chantel. “I’ll be fine.”
He growled. “Why must you fight me?”
“Why must you act like my bodyguard?”
“Oh, I’d gladly guard your body,” he said, stopping us at the elevator and kissing me again.
I released his hand and pushed him back. “Not here.”
His brows dipped as I pressed the button for the elevator.
“I live with Chantel.”
“I’ve been honest with her. She’s the one who doesn’t understand that we’re not together.”
“Well, this,” I motioned between us, “Is not going any further until she knows in no uncertain terms that you two are not together nor will you ever be together.”
“I’ve tried.”
I cocked my head. “No, you’ve sent her mixed messages.”
He inhaled deeply as the elevator arrived and we stepped inside. “It’s complicated.”
“Then explain it to me.”
I watched the internal battle play out in his eyes. “I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“I will tell you. I just need time.”
“Take all the time you need. But until then…” I motioned between us again. “This can’t happen.”
His lips twisted regrettably as the elevator came to a stop and we walked out of the library. We stayed silent after that, both of us with our own thoughts.
Fifty yards or so away from my dorm, I stopped. “I can make it from here.”
He nodded, understanding my concern. “Thanks for showing up tonight. I really didn’t think you would.”
“It was the right thing to do.”
He nodded, and I could see he hoped our night would end a little more exciting. But he had a girl who thought she was his girlfriend. The same one who would not take the news that I was spending time with her “boyfriend” very well.
I turned