TWENTY-ONE ROWAN

TWENTY-ONE

Rowan

I KEEP a respectable distance from Arabella because I think that’s what she wants and also—I need it. I need to figure out what I’m doing with her. What we’re doing with each other. My problem?

Every time she gets close, I can smell her. When our gazes meet, I’m reminded of the hazy glow I saw in her dark eyes last night when we kissed. And when I stare at her mouth for a fraction too long, I’m smacked with the urge to kiss her again.

And never stop.

It’s dangerous, having her around. Why did I agree to my mother’s suggestion again? I felt sorry for Bells. Imagining her stuck on campus bored out of her mind and with no one to talk to. I hated the idea of her alone. Despised it.

Now she’s in my house, hanging out with my mom, laughing with my brother—and Beau has been a sullen little asshole since the moment we left campus so this feels major—and charming my dad. It’s only Saturday night and she fits right in like she’s been coming to my house for years during the holiday season. It’s weird. It’s also pretty great.

Terrifying. Absolutely, one hundred percent terrifying.

Dinner is in an hour and I’m in my room, hiding. From Bells, from my parents, from everyone because I feel awkward. I don’t know how to act after last night, and while we had a good conversation earlier and she forgave me for pissing her off, I don’t know where we stand. I asked for a reset and she agreed. We’re taking it slow.

I can’t forget the kiss or the sounds she made when my tongue first touched hers. The feeling of her soft body beneath mine. And then, when she got mad and stripped naked? That was a wild moment. One that is burned in my brain for all eternity. I want to see her naked again under better circumstances. Touch her everywhere with my hands and my mouth and my—

My phone rings, the distinct sound letting me know I’m getting a FaceTime call, and when I check to see who it is, my best friend’s name flashes across the screen. I go ahead and answer it, leaning against my headboard as I wait for Callahan’s face to appear. I hold my middle finger up to the camera as my greeting and when he finally appears, I see he’s doing the same exact thing, revealing the giant grin on his face when he drops his hand.

“What’s up, asshole?” he asks me with a laugh.

I stab my finger in the screen’s direction one last time before I give it up. “Are you trying to rub it in that you’re on vacation while I’m stuck here where it might snow tonight?”

He’s sitting outside on a balcony and I can see swaying palm trees behind him and the sparkling blue ocean just beyond. Cal is wearing tropical print swim trunks and his skin is a faint red, his nose about three shades brighter. Someone forgot to apply enough sunscreen. “Snow? That sucks, dude.”

“Tell me all about it. What’s up?”

“Wanted to check in. See how things are going with your—guest.” He lifts his brows in question, and all I can do is shake my head.

“Everything’s fine.” I clamp my mouth shut, not about to reveal all that happened last night. “We only got here yesterday.”

“I realize that. Has she already won over your parents?”

How did he know? I keep my expression and my tone completely neutral. “They like her.”

“I’m sure your mother loves her. I know how she is. This being the first time you’ve brought a girl home. Your mom is in heaven.” Callahan’s grin grows, if that’s possible. “They’re probably planning your wedding already.”

“Shut up.” I’m groaning, hating how accurate he is. “I don’t plan on marrying her.”

“Yet.” Callahan laughs. “It’s okay. You can admit it to me. You’re into her.”

My mind drifts. I am into her. It’s hard to admit out loud but I am. “We’re taking it slow.”

“Who? You and Arabella? Seriously? I was just giving you shit.” The shocked expression on my best friend’s face is downright comical. “You’re going to give this a try?”

“Yeah.” I swallow hard. “You think it’s a mistake?”

“No. Not at all. I say go for it.”

I need to change the subject. All this talk of me and Arabella is making me sweat. “How’s Mexico?”

“Beautiful. Hot. Lots of hot girls here too.” He laughs. “Your sister seems like she’s having a good time.”

“I’m sure she is.”

We make small talk and eventually Callahan ends the call because his dad lets him know they’re going down to the pool. The one with the swim-up bar, Cal was sure to point out. Considering the legal drinking age in Mexico is eighteen, Callahan is having the time of his life getting drunk legally.

I decide to take a shower to look my best for dinner. For Arabella. The moment I step under the hot spray of water, my mind drifts, filled with thoughts of Bells naked. The perfect shape of her tits. Those hard little nipples. I didn’t want to stare too long at her pussy but I have a faint, shadowy memory of it. It wasn’t completely bare but it was framed by slender thighs. Her legs are long, and I can imagine her wrapping them around my hips when I slide inside her for the first time …

Opening my eyes, I glance down at my hard dick, curling my fingers around the base. I did this last night too. Jerking off to ease the tension that builds inside me whenever I’m around Arabella. Knowing what she looks like naked doesn’t help my plight. Learning the taste of her lips doesn’t either.

With a groan I lean against the cold tile wall, stroking my shaft. Losing myself in the sensation, imagining it’s Arabella who’s touching me. Encouraging me with softly spoken words and that mysterious smile on her face. She’d fall to her knees in front of me and part those lush lips, wrapping them around the head of my cock and pulling me deeper into her mouth. She’d suck and suck, her tongue dancing, her fingers gripping me tighter, a low moan sounding deep in her throat. She’d love every minute of this, her eyes sparkling with the knowledge that she’s giving me so much pleasure.

Bells is a giver. I just know she is.

It only takes a few minutes accompanied by my vivid imagination before I’m coming in my hand. I bite my lower lip to restrain the groans that escape but the sound echoes against the tile walls and I wonder if anyone can hear me.

Fuck. I hope not.