I nod. "I like the Halloween idea. We should find you a costume."
"And go to Holden's party?"
"He is your best friend."
His brow scrunches in distaste.
"You should get over it."
"Yeah." He places the dishes in the sink. Returns to the table for the rest. "Don't have much of a leg to stand on anymore."
"He's a good guy."
He motions maybe.
"He treats her well. You know he does."
"I can deny it," he says.
This time, I shoot him the really look.
He nods yeah, really. "You want to talk about Holden? Or you want to talk about coming on my face?"
"The Halloween costume," I say.
"You'd rather discuss that?"
"Your dad is still home."
He nods true. Drops the rest of the dishes in the sink. Motions to the coffee. You want another?
"Let's go out for it," I say.
I don't have to add so we can be alone. He gets that right away.
"And maybe… we'll look for a costume while we're out."
"Uh-huh."
"I love Halloween."
"I know."
"And I'm going to someone's party in some kind of sexy outfit. If you're not there, I'm sure—"
"Don't fucking say Patrick," he says.
"He'll be there," I say.
His brow furrows. "I have an appointment."
"After."
He shakes his head. "Can't wait until after. I need to make you come now."
"Right now?"
He nods yeah.
It's tempting. Very tempting. But not with Gabe upstairs. "What time?"
"Are you going to schedule me in?"
"Do you have to go to work?"
His eyes flit to the clock. "An hour. Let's go to your room. Play music. He won't hear."
"He's already suspicious. And he…" I don't know what Gabe will say, but my parents will flip if they find out Oliver and I are… involved. There goes their blessing to stay here. And here comes a bunch of extra conversations with Allison. No thanks. "My parents…"
"Yeah." He shakes his head. "You know how distracted I'll be at work? Looking at that chair, remembering you coming on my cock?"
"And I won't?"
"It's not right in your face."
"Trust me. I'll be thinking about it."
"Yeah?"
I nod.
The water upstairs runs. Oliver sighs with relief. Motions come here.
I do.
He wraps his arms around me. Pulls me into a slow, deep kiss. "You taste so fucking good." He shifts his hips so I can feel his hard-on.
"Ollie—"
"I know. After." His hand slips under my t-shirt. Up my side. Over my breast. "Just this."
"Fuck."
He toys with my nipple as he scrapes his teeth against my lower lip.
I reach for his hair. Tug at his dark locks as I rock my hips against him.
We kiss until the running water stops.
Then he steps back. Smiles a smile of pure evil. Pure I have you right where I want you.
He does.
But I do too. "After work."
His eyes stay glued to mine. "Maybe."
"Maybe?"
He nods maybe. "Or maybe I like making you wait until you're begging for it."
Fuck.
We dress. Go out for coffee. Fail to keep our hands off each other.
Ollie says goodbye with a long, slow kiss. A kiss so hard and deep it sets me aflame. I stay at the coffee shop with my European History text book.
I struggle through my reading. Even after a second iced Americano.
Then I head home. Grab my car. Force myself to concentrate at my chemistry study group. This is my major. This is what I actually need to know.
It's just so much less interesting than Oliver's hands.
Or his lips.
Or his eyes.
Or that sound he makes when he comes.
God, I need that again. That low deep groan that's equal parts demand and gratitude.
It's different than other guys. We're different. Equal.
He cares about what I need. He's fascinated by what I need. The way he looks at me…
Shit. I completely miss a question from my lab partner. I try to stare at her. To focus on her glasses. They're a transparent red. It's a bold choice. Classic and trendy at the same time.
It suits her.
And the answer is Tin.
Somehow, I make it through our session, get into my car, drive to Inked Love.
On a Sunday evening in late fall, parking is slightly less horrible than usual. I find a spot six blocks away. Speed walk the entire distance.
My skin warms as I step into the shop. It's not the change in temperature—it's always cool in here, but it's already cold outside.
It's him.
Ollie is finishing up with a client. A short guy sitting in the teal chair. The chair where he made me come.