20. Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Ronan

C losing the bedroom door behind me, I walk into my room, taking my towel off and tossing it onto the floor. I open my drawer and pull out some briefs, dragging them up my legs. I stride over to my bed and plop down, shimmying down until I'm comfortable.

Grabbing my phone, I smile when I see the picture on my lock screen. It's a picture of Oliver and me from our trip to Joshua Tree a few weeks ago. We had so much fun on that trip, spending time together and getting to know one another better. The few weeks since then have flown by. We're in the final stretch of the semester and I can't wait till it's over.

We're so close yet so far.

My phone vibrates in my hand, my body jerking upright when Noah's name pops up on my screen.

"Noah!" I yell, smiling when his soft chuckle comes on the line. "How are you?"

"I'm good. Really good, actually."

"Hell yeah. I miss you."

"I miss you, too," he says with a sigh. Noah has been with his parents since the start of winter break and I've missed him like crazy. We've still talked here and there, but it hasn't been the same to not have him here. "How have you been?"

"I really have been good." I admit. Even though it sucked not having him here, there are other aspects of my life that have been amazingly good.

"Oh, yeah? Tell me."

"I met someone."

"You did?" he squeals loudly then continues. "Who? Do I know them?"

"Uh, you kinda do." Ripping off the Band-Aid, I say, "It's Oliver. Oliver Carson."

"Oliver? Carson? Why does that name sound so familiar?" He pauses before another screech hits my ears. " Professor Carson? That Oliver Carson?"

"Shhhh," I tell him, as if he was in the room and someone could hear him. "But yes, him."

"Wow. I go away for a few months and I miss all the juicy things. How long has this been going on?"

"A few months?" I tell him, lying back down on my pillow .

"Months? Why didn't you tell me?" I can hear the pout in his voice and I smile, missing him even more.

"You've had other things to deal with," I say softly, not wanting to draw too much attention to why he went home.

His sigh comes before his words. "Yeah, I guess so. Okay, tell me about him."

"We started talking a few months ago, and we made it official a little while ago. Noah, he's amazing." I gush. "He's perfect for me, the way we click together. He gets me like no one else has ever gotten me." He huffs and I quickly add, "Besides you. But I can't date you," I joke.

"Yeah, that would be too weird. But damn, Ronan, I'm happy for you. I really am. And I can't wait to see you guys together. I haven't seen you with a boyfriend before, so I'm kind of excited about that. I'll have to get used to not calling him ‘ Professor ,' though."

"So, uh, speaking of seeing us together. Are you planning to come back anytime soon?" I ask cautiously.

"Actually, yes, if I have some help." His voice perks up, and I can tell he's excited about something.

"What do you mean, have some help?"

"Well, I wanted to surprise everyone and come to graduation. But I was hoping you could come pick me up from the airport."

"Yes, of course," I rush out, a grin overtaking my face. "You know I would do anything for you."

"Thanks. I haven't told anyone yet. I really want to surprise Asher. He has no idea I'm even thinking about doing this or coming back yet."

"He's going to love it," I say, knowing it's the absolute truth. Asher has been missing Noah like crazy, and I know he's going to be so emotional to see Noah is back. "Just let me know what you need from me and I'm there."

"Thanks, Ronan," he says quietly. "Now, tell me more about Oliver and what's going on with you and him."

"Well, we went out of town a few weeks ago and it was a ton of fun. We hiked and even went to a farmers market."

"Ooh, I know how much you love those."

"I know, it was a great time. Apparently, the literature department is having a fundraiser coming up in the next week. Oliver has been invited since he's a professor. And then Dean Grey invited the students who are currently in the literature program. So, I'll be going to that. It's going to be weird as hell, but I'm kind of excited?" I question, not knowing whether I'm excited about the actual event itself or more about being able to see Oliver in a suit.

"I'm sure you'll have a great time. And this will do great things for your future. Are you going with Oliver?" He asks, causing me to sigh.

"No. We haven't gone public with our relationship yet because of all the things that can come from it. I don't want Oliver to lose his job, and he doesn't want to risk me not getting my degree on time. It's a risk we aren't willing to take yet."

"Being in secret has to be hard."

"It's been very hard, but I love Oliver, so it's worth it." Noah gasps and I smile. "Yeah, yeah, I know. You leave and everything about me changes." Noah's soft cries come over the line and I sit up quickly. "Are you crying? What's wrong?"

"I'm just happy and upset. Happy that you're so happy and in love, but upset that I wasn't there for it."

"Well, you'll be here soon, so that's all that matters."

"Yeah, I guess. So, tell me what else is going on with you." He hiccups from crying, and I shake my head at his antics.

Noah and I spend the next hour on the phone, talking and laughing. We inform each other of things that have been going on while also making plans for him to come back home. Once we hang up, I grab my things to head over to Oliver's house to spend the night.

It's the night of the fundraiser and I'm nervous as hell. Pulling at the neck of my shirt, I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I don't know why I said I would come to this thing. There's no reason for me to be here, besides the fact that I'll get to see Oliver all dressed up. We decided to get ready separately and then planned to meet up afterward.

I'm standing over in the corner of the room when he walks in through the door, and my breath leaves my lungs instantly. Fuck, he's so damn gorgeous. He's wearing one of his signature three-piece suits, but it looks different outside of the classroom. He's wearing gray pinstripe pants, with a matching vest and jacket. I can't see the shirt, but he's wearing a gorgeous coral-blue tie. His red hair is styled perfectly and his matching beard is trimmed as well. My man is sexy as hell and I can't wait to tell him and watch his beautiful face pink up from my admiration.

Nothing makes me harder than watching my confident man shy up for me. The way he's so reserved, but gives in to me. The way he follows my commands word for word, or when he doesn't, the way he listens when I scold him. I've always had the need to be in control in the bedroom, and Oliver gives his up so beautifully.

My eyes are glued to him, watching him walk from one person to the next, shaking hands and telling them hello. This confident man in front of me is so different from the man in the bedroom, but I'm obsessed with him just the same. I can imagine his deep voice introducing himself, his confidence and freckles having them hang on his every word. Taking a sip of my drink, I scan the room before my eyes are drawn back to him. He's commanding the room; every head turns toward him and I smile brightly knowing he's mine.

He walks up to the dean and shakes her hand. My brows furrow as I watch the dean introduce him to the guy next to her. Oliver nods his head, extending his hand out in invitation. The other man takes it, holding onto him a little too long. He starts talking, his grip still holding on for dear life. I watch as the dean walks away, and the man stays there talking to Oliver. He steps closer to Oliver, while I watch Oliver subtly step back. My hand clenches, the cup in my grasp crumpling easily.

I've never considered myself the jealous type, but watching this man flirt with Oliver has my hackles rising. I want to storm across the room and stake my claim. Grab him by the collar and yank him away from that guy. But I can't. Not here and not now.

Oliver lifts his head, looking around the room. I know exactly who he's looking for when he smiles softly at me. I nod my head in acknowledgment, smiling back at him. The guy in front of him says something to him again, capturing his attention away from me.

I take another sip of my drink, my eyes trained on them. The man doesn't get closer and once he walks away, Oliver's shoulders sag and he glances at me.

"You okay?" I mouth to him, hoping that he can read my lips.

When he nods and tilts his head in the direction of a hallway, I take the hint. Setting my crumpled cup down on a nearby table, I walk across the room, making my way toward the hallway. Passing by Oliver, I run my finger across the small of his back, needing to touch him for just a moment. His body subtly melts into mine in the brief second of contact.

I pull at my suit jacket, looking around the room, making sure no one else is headed in the same direction I am. Once I reach the hallway, I head farther down, away from the sounds of glasses clinking and voices talking to one another. It's darker at the end of the hallway, so I aim for that spot, turning in place and leaning against the wall to wait and see when Oliver will come.

He doesn't leave me waiting long, coming a few short minutes after I get there. He strolls down the hallway, commanding the little bit of space we have around us. He stops short, standing in front of me, the scent of coconut all around him. He smells like Oliver and my dick plumps up at how good he looks.

I look behind him, making sure that no one is in the hallway with us before grabbing him around the waist and shoving him up against the wall. Crowding into him, his breath hitches when I run my nose alongside his neck.

"Fuck, Oliver. You look so damn delicious all dressed up for me. "

His hands settle on my hips, pulling me closer, aligning our cocks in our slacks. Wanting to feel a little friction, I grind into him, his hands tightening against me. He stutters out a breath, dropping his head against my chest.

Trailing my hand up his side, I lean toward his ear and whisper, "So fucking sexy, the way your body responds to me. The soft pants leaving your lips are driving me crazy. The way your eyes lit up with desire for me. You're so fucking perfect, Freckles. So damn perfect for me."

Oliver glances up, smiling at me. "I love you."

"I love you, too." His hand wraps around the back of my neck and pulls me closer to him.

"Kiss me," he whispers. His eyes twinkle with love and admiration. I never tire of looking into his eyes and seeing the amount of warmth and devotion that shines back at me.

"Here? Are you sure?" I ask, knowing we're in a very public place, but also knowing my amount of restraint is very little and if he gives me the go ahead, I won't say no.

"I'm sure."

As soon as the words leave his lips, I'm on him. Plunging into his mouth, I take what's mine. All the sounds of the room drown out even more until all I hear are his soft whimpers and groans. Our kiss is rough, but not dirty. We kiss, lick and suck at one another before I pull away resting my forehead against his. Both of our chests are rising rapidly, both of us trying to catch our breath.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," a soft feminine English accent hits my ears and my body locks up tight and freezes.

My eyes lock with Oliver's wide ones and I see the panic behind them. Panic that's because of me. Because I was too weak to keep my hands off him for one night. Slowly backing away, I put my hands into my pocket. I turn toward the voice and internally curse when I notice it's Dean Grey.

"Good evening, Dean Grey." I say, glancing quickly at Oliver who's clearly freaking out.

"Hello, good evening." I can tell she doesn't know who I am, which might be a good thing and means we didn't actually get caught. "Oh, Oliver, just who I was looking for. Timothy McGee with the scholarship foundation has arrived and I would love it if you could come talk to him for a few minutes." She glances between us quickly, then focuses her attention back on Oliver.

"Yes, of course Dean Grey. I will be right there." Since I know him so well, I can hear the shakiness in his voice, but I'm hoping she doesn't pick up on it.

"Thank you," she turns to walk back down the hallway, but not before giving me another glance of curiosity.

As soon as she's out of sight, I make my way closer to Oliver, but he puts his hand up, stopping me.

"We'll talk about this later." He pulls on his suit jacket, fiddling with the hem. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before looking at me. "I love you, but I have to go. "

"Okay," I say softly. Oliver doesn't kiss me goodbye, which stings, and I watch as he strides away from me.

Not wanting to make things worse, I quietly slip out of the side door, hoping no one sees me leave. I can't be around other people right now, especially with how broken Oliver looked.

All I had to do was keep my hands to myself for one night and I couldn't even do that. I might have ruined his career for an impulsive decision. Stepping out into the cool air, I stop on the side of the road debating where to go. Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I tilt my head back and sigh. A raindrop falls on my cheek and I laugh out loud.

Of fucking course.

Turning down the street, I start walking toward Oliver's apartment, my suit getting soaked from the downpour of rain that starts. This night started out beyond my wildest dreams, only to crash and burn right in front of me. I'm not sure where Oliver's head is at right now, but I can only hope this doesn't ruin what we've started.