“Oh.”
“What about you?”
“You know I’m not having sex with anyone.”
He coughed to cover his laugh. “I meant dating.”
“Oh. No.”
We’d reached his car and he unlocked the doors. “Do you plan on dating anyone else?”
“Do you?” I countered.
He spun me, pressed my back against the car and leaned into me. “Look, I haven’t dated anyone since you came into my life. I don’t plan on dating anyone as long as you remain in my life. And I will say, the thought of you with anyone else makes me want to do things to them that will make what you did to me this morning seem like foreplay, but I won’t stop you from dating other people. Honestly, I still don’t think I’m the right person for you and part of me hopes you realize that before it’s too late. If you find a guy, the one who is right for you, then that’s the guy you should be with.”
I kind of felt like I’d already found that guy but knew he wasn’t ready to hear that. With my hand behind his neck, I pulled his mouth to mine. His lips were warm and soft as I kissed him. “Thank you,” I whispered. Then flicked my tongue over his lip ring.
“Dammit,” he groaned as his body instantly responded.
I did a poor job suppressing my grin. “Just wanted to make sure everything was still working.”
He stared at me a second then shook his head. His mouth slowly pulled into a grin. “What am I going to do with you?”
I had a few ideas.
Chapter Eleven
“Hello?” Mason said. “What’s going on with you?”
“Huh?” I glanced up from my laptop.
“You haven’t been around all week. You sit in class staring off into space. You’re acting weird. What’s the deal?”
Ryder. He had my mind and body wound up. We’d hung out every night for the past week. Doing everything from dinner to watching movies at my dorm, we’d spent a lot of time together, but other than some heavy kissing, he hadn’t pushed for more. And I wanted more.
Professor Adams wrapped up his lecture and I whispered to Mason, “If I tell you something, promise to be cool about it?”
“Yeah, you can tell me anything.”
Class was dismissed and I glanced to where Noah sat. He took off with some friends. Since the day I saw him with Ryder and Paige, he hadn’t spoken to me.
Mason gathered his books and waited for me to do the same.
I slipped my stuff in my backpack and attempted a casual tone. “Ryder and I are dating.”
He stiffened. “You’re what?”
“Dating.” I made my way down the auditorium stairs.
Mason followed, but his tone was strained. “Ryder.”
“Yep.” I exited the classroom and picked up the pace, ready to get outside and away from people who might hear whatever he was about to say.
“How exactly did this come about?” He pushed open the heavy metal exit door and held it for me.
“We’ve been talking a lot lately. We’ve spent every night together this week.” I slipped past him, tossing a glance his way as I did.
“What?” Mason’s eyes bugged.
“Not like that.” My face warmed and I glanced around. “I mean we’ve gone to dinner and hung out, things like that. Dates.”
“Is he your boyfriend?”
“No. Just dating…for now.”
We’d joined the flow of traffic along the sidewalk, but Mason halted and crossed his arms. “I don’t like it.”
I rolled my eyes and turned to him. “You don’t have to. But you asked, so I’m telling you. I’m not asking for your approval or permission.”
His arms fell limply to his sides. “I just don’t want you getting hurt.”
“I don’t think it’s his intention to do that, but that’s the thing about dating, sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t. Never know until we try.” I shrugged. “I’d like for you to be happy for me, but if you would rather not hear about it, I respect that.”
“No. It’s not—Crap. I don’t want you hiding things from me. Look, if you’re happy, I’m happy. But if he does anything to hurt you—”
“Mason, you have to let me do this my way. Which means you can’t be threatening the guy.” I placed my hand on his shoulder. “I appreciate you caring. Really I do, but if this is a mistake, it’s my mistake. And, for now, I’m really happy. I like him a lot.”
“Hey.” Ryder appeared and wrapped his arm around my waist. “Want to grab lunch?”
I dropped my hand to my side, wondering how much of our conversation he’d heard. “Sure.”