9. Tessa

9

TESSA

I touch my fingers to my lips, still feeling the lingering buzz of Jace's lips on mine. I'm not entirely sure what happened. One minute we're agreeing to a truce, the next we're furiously making out in the library stacks. I leave, feeling like I'm in a daze.

But as a few days go by, I start to feel like maybe the boys are serious about the truce. Things have shifted between us. I see them around campus more often now—sometimes by accident and sometimes we start to seek each other out. Against my better judgment, I've even started spending time with them.

Alec and I keep going to the café in the mornings at the same time. At first, I was hesitant to approach him but when I saw him sitting in the corner, poring over some notes, I felt a magnetic pull. He caught my eye and waved me over like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Studying?" I ask, sliding into the seat across from him.

His eyes flicked to mine briefly before returning to his notes.

"Something like that," he mutters, giving me a tight-lipped smile.

It should feel awkward. Alec Montgomery isn't the kind of guy to share a latte with, but instead, I find myself intrigued as he pushes the paperwork toward me. "Can you tell me what I'm missing here," he says, a frown on his face. "I'm trying to figure out how I can fit a group study session into my schedule, but I can't seem to find the time."

I smile and glance over it, impressed with how meticulously organized he is. Running a finger along the page of his planner, "You have a martial arts class twice on Wednesday here," I say, pointing to it. "I don't think you meant to write it twice."

Alec's lips quirk up into a smile and I feel my heart flutter at the sight. "Thanks, I was wondering why my schedule seemed so jam-packed this week."

We continue talking quietly and I wonder if maybe we don't always have to be at each other's throats.

Later that day, Jace shows up at the library again. I'm at my usual spot, a table tucked away in a quiet corner near the back when he slides into the chair next to me with his trademark grin.

"Fancy seeing you here," he teases, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

I roll my eyes but can't help the smile that blossoms at the sight of him. "I come here all the time, Jace. Unlike some people, I need to study."

He laughs, leaning back in his chair. "Maybe I just came here for the company."

Something tingles in my body at his words. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and get back to working. He's mostly silent, letting me study but every so often we exchange a heated glance, or I catch him giving me a tiny smirk and my cheeks feel flush with heat. It's almost enough to drive me to distraction, but I find myself not minding either. It's like he truly does just enjoy my company. Butterflies erupt in my stomach when he gets up to leave, stroking his hand across mine with a soft brush and a lingering glance.

When I'm heading back to my dorm, I almost run into Devin. He's balancing a tray of food while trying to walk backward as he explains a ridiculous story about goats in a supply closet to some Sigma pledges. Laughter bubbles up inside me at the sight and he turns to see me, giving me an exaggerated wink and a bow.

"You're ridiculous," I tease, feeling warmth wash over me when he gives me a soft smile in return.

"I am the most ridiculous," he agrees, starting to juggle the tray. I laugh harder, wondering if he's going to drop the tray, but he executes the juggling move perfectly and then takes another bow, to a polite smattering of applause. If I'm one of them, no one needs to know.

I leave, almost wishing I could have stayed to talk to Devin more, but I have a class soon.

I don't have to miss him too much though because that afternoon, when I'm in the student center working on a calc assignment, Devin shows up almost out of nowhere.

"Need help?" he asks, leaning over the table with that familiar cocky grin.

I raise an eyebrow. "You know calc?"

He shrugs. "Maybe a little."

To my surprise, he jumps in and solves the equation with ease, as though calculus comes naturally to him.

"Wow, can you help me with these other problems?" I ask, suitably impressed.

For the next hour, he patiently explains each set to me, breaking it down in a way that finally makes sense. I don't feel like I'm as lost as usual. "God," I groan, leaning back in my chair once we finish the last of the problems. "I'm so glad to be done."

"Glad I could help," Devin says, a smile on his face. I stretch out my neck and look up at him, grinning.

"Who knew a mathematical genius was hiding behind a clownish persona?" I tease.

"I'm not just a pretty face," he says, winking at me. My cheeks flush as I wonder what else I might have gotten wrong about him.

"I should head back to my dorm," I say, standing up. Devin stands up with me.

"I'll walk you back," he says, sending tingles off inside me.

I nod. "Sure." I'm trying to sound calm but my voice cracks a little. Devin and I start walking together and as we get closer to my dorm, our bodies seem to draw closer together as well.

"Do you want to come inside?" I ask, reaching for my keys. "Just for a few minutes?"

Devin nods, following me in as I drop my books off on my desk. He lounges on my bed and I find myself sitting next to him, the tension between us palpable.

Before I can speak, Devin turns and his lips press against mine, giving me ample time to push him away, but I find myself unable to stop him, craving the intoxicating scent that follows him around. I press back and my heart thumps in my chest as he lays me back on my bed, straddling my waist as we continue to kiss.

As our mouths move together, I feel the familiar spark of arousal coiling in my gut. I don't know what it is about these boys that brings out my primal side, but every time I'm near them, I find myself aching to have more.

Devin's lips move down to my neck, mouthing at the skin there in a way that has my toes curling. His hands roam my body, pushing up my red plaid skirt until it's pooled around my waist. My thighs fall apart as he shifts down the bed, kneeling between them to trace softly over my panties.

"Are you sure about this?" I ask, leaning up on my elbows. This is the furthest we've gone and I don't want him to regret it.

"Let me taste you," he murmurs, tugging the lace briefs downward. I let my head loll back as he nips at the skin of my thighs, pressing wet kisses up and then mouths at the space between them.

I'm trembling now as he surges forward, parting my pussy lips with broad fingers. It's all the warning I have before his lips latch onto my clit, sucking hard as little explosions go off under my skin.

"Oh God!" I whimper, clutching at his hair. Devin's not only skilled in mathematics but he's got a talented tongue, which he puts to use now, making me see stars.

He sucks and mouths at my clit, a finger pressing against my entrance as my hips buck under him. Using his other arm, he holds me down across my belly as he continues to eat me out with the fervor of a man possessed.

"Yes! Right there!" I cry out when he finds a spot that sends me reeling. "Don't stop, oh God don't stop!"

He drives his tongue into me over and over, relentlessly pushing me closer and closer to the edge. I'm not going to last much longer like this, not with the way he alternates between soft licks and rapid flicks of his tongue.

I curse as slick dribbles between my legs, mixing with the wet saliva on Devin's tongue, feeling wetter than I've ever been in my life. His fingers press deeper inside me and I can't take it anymore, throwing my head back as I release all over him.

He continues to lick me through the aftershocks until I'm so sensitive it's almost painful. I pull him up and press my mouth to his, tasting myself on his lips. It's somehow got me even more turned on.

"I have to go in a few minutes," Devin admits, tone apologetic as he sits next to me against the pillows.

"That was incredible," I breathe out. "I'll have to return the favor sometime."

He flashes me a wink and I let out a little shiver, arousal pooling inside me once more.

"Thank you," I tell him, watching as he heads to the en suite to wash up before taking off.

I lay back among my pillows, a grin on my face. Maybe this is the beginning of something brand new.