Bared Souls - Ellie Wade Page 0,33
I squeeze the toothpaste on the bristles and bring it to my mouth.
He watches me in the mirror with a shy smile. I grin back.
After brushing my teeth and using the bathroom, I shoot Quinn a text to let her know that I won’t be back tonight before I climb into his king-size bed. He gets in after me and moves toward me until his front is pressed against my back. Wrapping his strong arm around my waist, he draws me in tight against him. He cradles me, our bodies a perfect fit.
I’m comfortable, warm, and sated, and sleep finds me fast.
Just as my dreams are pulling me under, his voice, full of sorrow, whispers, “I’m sorry,” into my hair.
SIXTEEN
Leo
When I wake, she’s gone, but the smell of her still lingers on my sheets—a reminder that she was here. Last night proves I’m a bigger asshole than I thought I was. I’m going to taint her innocence with my bad intentions.
I’ve been a semi-functional human being for three weeks. Why do I think that’s sufficient enough to pursue someone good, like Alma, when I’ve lived twenty-one years of being straight wrong? I’m weak. My father made sure I knew that at a young age. I’m not strong enough to walk away, not from her. So, I’ve convinced myself that I can be better—for Alma.
Maybe I can hold my shit at bay for a while, but it will creep back up. It always does. The level of baggage that someone like me brings to the table will drown her and beat her down until she breaks.
Yet I’m selfish. I’m an asshole, and I want her. Scratch that. I need her. I don’t understand why she has such a strong hold on me, but I’m positive I can’t walk away now. Not anymore.
Grabbing my phone from the end table, I check the time. Shit. I’m going to be late for my first class. Old me would’ve said, Fuck it, but new, phony me knows it’s better to show up late than not at all.
I have several classes to get through, and then I’ll see her at tutoring. I wish I could see her now, but I’m positive she’s already in her class.
As I get closer to Alma’s tutoring office, I wipe my palms against the front of my jeans. I’m nervous as hell to see her. What if she’s come to her senses? More importantly, why am I a weak-ass whiner when it comes to Alma, and why am I not bothered by that fact?
I turn the handle and step in. Alma’s already here. She stands from the table as I close the door behind me. She’s nervous too. I don’t blame her. She never knows what she’s getting with me. Angry? Jaded? Aloof? Kind? Charming? I treat her differently every time I see her, but that ends now. After last night, I decided that if she wants me, then I’m going to pursue her because I’m a selfish fuck.
I drop my backpack on the floor and step toward her. “You were gone this morning.”
“I had class.” Her voice shakes.
“I had a great time last night.” I cup her face in my hands.
She releases a breath, relieved. “Me too.”
Bending down, I pull her face to mine and kiss her. She splays her hands against my abdomen and leans into the kiss. I pull away and place a kiss on the tip of her nose. A small smile forms, lighting up her brown eyes. With the sun shining in through the long windows of the office, I can see tiny flecks of gold scattered within her irises.
“We really should exchange cell phone numbers,” I say, dropping my hands from her face. “I wanted to text you all day.”
“Yeah, it’d be helpful,” she agrees, more upbeat than she was moments ago.
We swap phones and type in our numbers.
Pulling up her name, I type, I miss you, and hit Send.
Her phone buzzes, and she reads the text, a wide smile crossing her face. “I’m right here.”
“I know, but I miss your lips.”
She playfully smacks me. “Later. We should probably do some work. I am getting paid to help you after all.”
“Later?” I tease, quirking an eyebrow.
“Maybe, if you’re lucky. Now, get out your work. Focus.”
I do as commanded and let Alma help me on an assignment. To be fair, she pretty much does the work, and I stare at her. Have I mentioned she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen?
“I think we’ve done enough.