walking you to class, Palmer. I know today is the anniversary of . . .” He leans forward, gripping his cup so tight, I expect it to explode. He doesn’t finish his sentence, as if it’s too painful to acknowledge.
We watch each other for a minute, neither of us moving or uttering a single word. Like a standoff, we are choosing to challenge the other. I want him to leave. He wants to stay. The greatest war ever raged is happening between us right now.
“You won’t win. Now get dressed, or else you’ll make me late.” Marek leans back in his chair.
I snatch my socks and skirt from the table and head for the bathroom. The door springs back open as I close it. Marek’s large hand is the culprit. He stands boldly in front of me with hungry eyes, taking up too much space. His blues sparkle with desire.
“I said to get dressed, Palmer. I didn’t say to do it behind a closed door.” His tongue reaches out, running over his bottom lip.
“Marek,” I whisper.
His fingers dip into the side of my sweatpants and lower them until they fall to the floor, pooling at my feet. When he falls to his knees, shock rolls through my heart. He helps me step out of the material, then grabs the black socks, working them onto my feet. He stands and lifts me onto the counter, tucking himself close between my thighs.
“You have no idea, do you?” His lips graze mine, and his hands dip into my hair.
“What?” I ask, tightening my legs around him, loving the way he feels there.
“How weak you make me.” He wastes no time capturing my mouth with his. His tongue dances and plays nicely with mine, giving just enough pressure to prove how badly he wants me. Through our lips, he whispers, “See, you’re going to make me late.”
When he moves away, putting a little bit of space between us, I miss the warmth his large body brings. He bends back down and slips the skirt onto my legs and lifts it until he can’t anymore.
“Jump down, baby.” A sweet kiss on the cheek is all it takes to make me putty in his hands. I do as he says, and he turns me around, roughly bending me over the counter. The skirt tightens on my hips as he raises the zipper.
A cool breeze hits the back of my thighs. A sting radiates over my ass, and I jolt upward.
“Did you just spank me?” I grin, hating myself for how much I enjoyed the sharp intrusion.
“You don’t stay first in the class by being lazy.” He turns his back, bold and domineering, and leaves me to finish getting ready. “Don’t make me late again, Palmer.”
What the fuck just happened?
Marek does as he promises by walking me to class. Along the way he ignores everyone who attempts their hardest to grab his attention. Every so many steps, I sense he’s paying far more attention to me than anything else. His sly smile matches mine when we are caught eyeing each other. There is a thunderous wave of whispers as we make our way through campus. Sidelong glares prove something everyone believes.
We don’t belong next to each other.
“Ever notice how much this place looks like Hogwarts?” I slow my steps and set my stare on the highest peak of the row of buildings. With strong and distinct lines and architecture, this place is unbelievably historic.
“What are you doing, Palmer?” Marek back-pedals to where I’ve stopped in the center of the sidewalk and pulls on my arm.
I hold my ground. “I’m appreciating what I have.”
“Let me guess, this is some sort of rambling from losing your sister? Some lesson her short life taught you?” He steps up to me shoulder to shoulder, and we both take deep breaths as if we share a set of lungs.
“Do you have to be so crass all the time?” Marek Hawthorne would be struck down by the devil if he showed a glimmer of sensitivity. That is one thing I’m certain of. Bosses don’t tend to appreciate lax employees.
“It’s what I’m made up of.” He elbows me, and I follow him towards the lecture hall. “That and other things.”
“Please, divulge these other attributes that make you who you are because I don’t quite understand you.”
“Funny from a girl who spreads her legs as thin as my patience without batting an eyelash.”
“I was trying to live a little, for a second, trying to understand.”