I took a step toward her and then another. My fingers clenched at my sides. Just one kiss, harmless really, in the grand scheme of things.
“Nixon! Are you in here? Is she okay?” Chase’s voice sounded from behind me.
Panicking, I backed up and slammed the door as he rounded the corner.
“Dude.” Chase slapped my back. “Why is your shirt off?”
“Uh…” I scratched my head. “It was wet.”
“And you’re staring at the door like you want to hump it because… it’s going to magically grow lady-parts, or what?”
“Shut up.” I pushed him away and scowled.
“Dude, it’s fine. Remember Tex and his weird fascination with Mrs. Butterworth?”
“He was ten.” I gritted my teeth. “And she’s fine, by the way.”
“Mrs. Butterworth?” He grinned.
“Trace.”
“Ah, the hotter of the two. Good to know.” He plopped down on the couch. “And everything’s taken care of. I did a little bit of threatening, there were tears, a few hiccups, the usual.”
“Hiccups?”
“They came after the tears — more of a gasp, Chase, no! type of hiccup, which is a hell of a lot better than a black eye, if you ask me.”
“Like that girl would have punched you.”
“Girls are like cats, completely unpredictable and scary as hell when cornered.”
“Been attacked by a cat recently?”
“Whatever. They’re creepy. Stop getting off the subject. How’s our girl?”
I growled.
“Just checking to see if you’ve marked your territory, which apparently you have.” His jaw flexed. “Anyway, you should grab her some clothes.”
“And while I do that, go grab her a new uniform.”
“Already called one in.”
“Really?” My eyes narrowed. “How do you know her size?”
“I’m a manwhore. I know sizes.” Chase smirked. “I’ll go grab the goods. Try to keep it in your pants.”
I rolled my eyes and ran into the bedroom to grab some clothes. I wasn’t really sure what her size was, but Mo had left a few clothes from her last shopping expedition here on campus, just in case she needed them, whatever that meant. I found a pair of jeans, a sweater, and some lingerie, thinking it would have to do, and went to knock on the bathroom door just as it swung open, revealing Trace in nothing but a damn towel.
She collapsed against my body.
My fingers dug into her shoulders, and her nose smooshed against my chest. My breathing was erratic as blood pounded through my body at an epic speed, demanding I tug the towel and push her against the closest object that would hold both our weight and a hell of a lot of movement.
“You need something?” I whispered into her ear. My lips grazed its’ wetness. My knees damn-near buckled at the touch.
“I need…” Her voice cracked. “…um, I need something to wear.”
“Hmm…” I gently pushed her away and glanced at her towel. “Are you sure about that?”
She quickly looked down.
“I’ll find you something. Give me a few minutes.” I tucked the clothes under my arm and went back into the room and exchanged the sweater— What the hell was I thinking? I switched out the bra size too and returned.
“So…” Suddenly nervous, I scratched my head. “…I, um, I guessed on the sizes, and I honestly didn’t want to offend you by guessing too big or guessing too small, which is why it took me five years to pick something out. So don’t get pissed if I was wrong, okay?”
She let out a little laugh. “Okay, I promise I won’t get mad.” She took the clothes and went back into the bathroom.
Nervous, I waited in the main living area, my eyes watching the TV but not really soaking everything in. My ears were perked, ready for any noise emerging from the bathroom that would give me an excuse to run to her rescue again.
Soon, the door opened, and Trace walked out.
“Better?” Needing something to do with my hands, I reached for my water and took a sip.
“Squeaky clean.” She sighed. “And I’m happy to announce that no drowning took place in your bathroom.”
I smirked.
She cleared her throat, making the silence more awkward. “Well, thanks for… everything. I’ll just go back to—”
“You aren’t going anywhere until classes are dismissed. You still have two hours to burn. So make yourself at home.” I pointed to the couch.
“But…” She held up her crap uniform. “I need to get these cleaned and…”
I swore, stood, and grabbed the uniform. I took aim and tossed it in the trash. “Done.”