Chapter 9

9

Adison

He’s right. There’s no way I can sleep in that rickety old chair and the hardwood floor — even with a blanket— would be uncomfortable.

I’m not afraid of Rush. I’m more afraid of myself.

I’ve made it a rule that I don’t date the students assigned to me. I’ve had some good-looking guys I’ve tutored, but I’ve never had this sort of feeling— about any of my students or any guy for that matter. There’s just something about him— about when I’m with him. Rush is a magnetic force that I’m drawn to, as if by instinct. He’s attractive, charming, and a good listener. He checks all the boxes that I never knew I had created in my head.

And how does he always smell so damned good?

There’s no way I’m getting back to the dorm anytime soon, so I may as well make myself comfortable on Rush’s bed and try to get some sleep.

Rush grabs a crutch leaning against the wall and makes his way to the bathroom. I hear the toilet flush, the water run in the sink, and he returns to the room. He makes a stop by his dresser and offers me an oversized T-shirt. I gladly accept it and make my way to the bathroom to change. The shirt is loose and hangs almost to my knees. I consider leaving my shorts on but decide to take them off. I do leave my panties on but remove my sports bra. By the time I get back into the bedroom, Rush is under the blankets. I can barely make out his bare chest.

I adjust my pillows and lay on top of the comforter.

He chuckles. “You’re gonna be a lot more comfortable under the blankets, you know.”

I get my pillows the way I like them. I lay down on my back and fold my arms across my chest. “Nope. I’m good.”

“At least get a blanket.” He shines his cell phone toward the closet. “There’s an extra blanket on the top shelf. Left side.

I find the quilt and bring it back to the bed.

“My gram made that for me.”

I snuggle under the soft cotton. “Yeah? That was nice of her.”

We’re quiet. The only sound is the howling of the wind and the pelting rain hitting the window. A few sirens can be heard in the distance.

I close my eyes, but sleep won’t come. I stare at the window as the rain makes mesmerizing patterns on the glass.

“You asleep?” Rush's voice is a whisper.

“No.”

“How can someone as sexy and good-looking as you still be a virgin?”

I turn my head to look at him. “You don’t know that I’m a virgin. I never said I was or wasn’t.” I gulp air to fill my suddenly depleting lungs.

“You are.”

“You don’t know that.”

“You said you never had dates in school. Your mom wouldn’t let you because of your heart condition.”

My cheeks burn.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed.”

“How do you know I’m embarrassed? It’s dark in here.”

His mouth finds mine in the dark. I gasp at the gentle contact of his soft lips. My body tingles as electric shocks surge through me.

“I think you’re beautiful,” he whispers.

No one has ever talked to me like this— touched me like this. I want to trust him, but I’m afraid to put my heart out there and risk heartbreak.

He runs his calloused hands through my hair.

A pleasant ache fills me and for the first time in my life, I’m beautiful. I’m not the girl with the bad heart. I’m not the girl who can’t do things her friends are doing. I’m a woman being touched, cared for, and protected.

I melt into his touch. The closeness of his firm chest. We deepen the kiss. The only sound in the room is our mingled breaths and the rain as it patters against the windowpane.

Those butterflies return in force as his hand moves on the top of the T-shirt and his fingertips find my breast.

Rush groans. “No bra,” he whispers.

The hardness of his erection pushes against my leg.

Oh my gosh. Holy massive cucumber!

But I’m not scared when I’m in his arms.

He slips his hand under the oversized T-shirt. His calloused fingers skim my breast. Want and desire draws the breath from my lungs.

“I don’t want you to stop.”

He chuckles. “I don’t want to stop, but?—"

He draws away from me.

I gasp. My body misses the warmth. “Why are you stopping?”

He lets out an audible sigh. “If I don’t get myself under control now, it’ll be even harder to stop later. I don’t want to push you into something you don’t want to do.” He brushes the hair away from my face, his fingertips barely graze my already sensitive skin. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“You’re not taking advantage of me. I want this. I do.”

I won’t beg, but I know what I want.

“I want to touch you… touch you everywhere.” He rubs the back of his neck, almost as if by occupying his hands, he can keep from touching me.

I wrap my arms around his neck and press my lips to his. His hot mouth envelops mine. I can’t get enough of his mouth. Of him.

When his hand reaches the waistband of my panties, my chest tightens.

Please let him touch me there. I need this so much.

“Okay?” His voice is a whisper, and his warm breath caresses my cheek.

I guide his hand to the place I need him most. His fingers expertly brush my folds.

I’m in heaven.

“You’re wet.”

I moan, but I can’t speak as my body ignites and every muscle tenses in anticipation of what he’ll do next.

I can barely take a breath before he brings his lips to mine— our tongues dance in a melodious style as if rehearsed a million times before. Our kiss is demanding. Almost as if somehow the kiss will extinguish the fire that burns inside of me.

My body tenses as if I’m on the edge of a cliff. Ready to plunge into the warm and deep water below.

I reach the summit of my existence and grip the blanket tightly as my body convulses in satisfying gratification. His deft fingers continue to work me until I’m spent, and my body is pliable in his arms.

I try to catch my breath. “I want to touch you ,” I whisper.

Lightning flashes on occasion and illuminates the room. He slides off the boxer briefs.

I swallow hard when I get a look at him. I reach for him, and he chuckles. “Go easy. It’s not going to take much for this to end before it even gets started. You do that to me, Adison. I lose control before I even start.”