my lip, I skate my gaze away. “So do I have to meet your parents? Are you going to meet mine?” I gulp the lump forming in my throat. “Look, I’ve—I’ve never had a real—”
I gasp. Crap. I wasn’t planning on saying it, but then before I was aware, it was half out. Too late now. It’s difficult to continue.
Closing my eyes, my words burst out of me all at once. “I’ve never had a relationship before, okay? I don’t know what I’m doing here. If I’m going to do it with you, we need to outline every expectation, or I’ll suck at this.”
Silence follows my awkward admission. I crack my eyes open, wary of peeking.
Connor has his lips pulled to one side as he considers me. He reaches out, tangling his fingers with mine, playing with my hand. My breath turns shallow as he drags his finger over my knuckles. It feels nice.
“Not yet,” he says, watching my reactions while he touches me. The soft caresses get my heart beating erratically. Whatever he sees makes him nod. “We’ll take it slow. With the way you were texting me, I thought…never mind.” His expression turns curious and calculating. “Have you ever been kissed?”
I shake my head, breath hitching.
He hums and cradles my face with both hands. “Do you want to be kissed?”
The timbre of his voice curls around me. I can’t believe I ever brushed it off because I thought I was talking to Wyatt. The answer was right in front of me all along. Connor didn’t modify his voice to hide it.
That deep voice does things I don’t understand to my insides. It’s the same tone he always used on the phone. The dark, sensual voice of my dreams.
Do I? My throat constricts. It will be my first. Connor will rob me of all my real firsts with this fake relationship.
My lashes flutter as his thumbs glide over my cheeks. He doesn’t stop. The rich sandalwood and spicy scent wraps around me as he steps closer, angling his face toward mine.
This is crazy. I should still be angry with him for yesterday, even with the apology I can’t get over how he made me feel overnight—being the person both behind my soaring heart and the one to send it crash landing into the ground.
But his touch is so soft and gentle. I picture how his lips might feel on mine and an ache tugs in my chest. I do want it.
“I—yes. But I don’t want it to be fake.”
Those gray eyes trap me for a long beat. I think he’s going to kiss me anyway as his breath fans over my lips. My whole body feels alive, calling out for him.
Then he eases out of my space, back to business in a cool, collected tone. “No kissing. Okay. What about other PDA? It’ll be hard to convince people we’re suddenly together if I can’t act like your boyfriend. Can I still text you?”
I’m dizzy from the almost-kiss not happening. “Like holding hands? That’s fine. Um. I don’t know about texting. I didn’t know it was you. Obviously.”
A rumble sounds in his chest.
“Wyatt,” he bites out.
I’m no expert, but he sounds kind of jealous. My brows hike up. That can’t be right.
“Fine. I’ll leave it up to you. Ball’s in your court.” Connor grants me a cocky smirk. “Just like we started, with that hot little pic of your nightie you sent me.”
Flustered, I sail right over the fact that text was never meant for his eyes. “What about when and where? Is this just for school?” I can’t see why his reputation hinges on having a girl by his side—me, specifically. “Or outside of school, too?”
His expression closes off. “It’s whenever I say it is. You’ll do as I say and you’re going to behave. Don’t think you can get away with a long leash.”
“So I’m just supposed to be at your beck and call when you need me to be your doll?” My eyes narrow. “That’s not fair. I’m not some toy to pick up and toss aside when you feel like playing with me. I have a life.”
In a blink he’s in my face, growling as he corners me against the lab table once more. My throat throbs with my fluttering pulse, a spike of fear lashing me.
“And I own it now.”
Twelve
Connor
This is all some kind of trick to outwit me.
I’d bet anything on it.
What my little mouse doesn’t get yet? I’m not letting her escape the