Tempting(25)

The rest of the week, Nathan ignored me in class. We were back to before. And since I was still licking my wounds, I wasn’t eager to jump him like an animal in heat anytime soon. That didn’t mean my attraction turned off. If anything, the way he ignored me only heightened my desire.

Did I mention that he was right in calling me stupid? Because he most definitely was.

As that week passed into the next and I understood more clearly that Nathan was most definitely not interested (could have been the way he ignored me when I asked for help on an assignment that made that crystal clear), I did something really, really, really stupid. Because like Nathan said, I was a stupid girl.

I kissed Leo. And then I told him to go away.

Confused? Tell me about it.



I hadn’t meant to kiss him. Famous last words.

It’d been a Wednesday, more than a week since Nathan so callously—but reasonably—booted me from his house. Leo had brought over a couple bottles of wine while he explained my math work to me. Perfect set up, right? Wine? Check. Dim lights (err … lights turned off to save money on the electricity bill)? Check. Math with my completely platonic male best friend? Double check. A recipe for romance, for sure.

Except it wasn’t romance that led me to lean over and plant my lips on his.



* * *



I took a long gulp, draining the bottle of moscato Leo had deposited in front of me.

“So if x is less than negative two, you can assume that x plus two is less than zero.”

I rolled my eyes and leaned against the couch at my back. The hardwood under my ass was beginning to be almost comfortable. “There shouldn’t be letters in math.” I rolled my head to the side, looking at Leo with one eye open. The wine hit me quickly on my empty stomach, making him look a little fuzzy.

“You really need to pay attention, Adele, if you want to pass this class.”

A hiccup bubbled up in my throat but I held it in with puffed cheeks. After letting my cheeks flatten I said, “Maybe I don’t want to pass this class, Leo.”

“I’m pretty sure the terms of your scholarship require you pass the classes you take.” He said it mildly, not even close to the level of inebriation I was.

I waved a hand dismissively. “Scholarship, smallership. Got any more wine?”

“I think you’re set tonight.”

Another hiccup. This one released itself as I tried speaking, making my voice high-pitched and distinct. Belatedly, I covered my mouth and laughed. “Oh, don’t be a party pooper, Leo. Gimme wine.”

Leo began packing away his things and I was struck then that he was leaving, which meant I’d be alone.

“No,” I began, stumbling to my feet. I held the couch for support as my legs wobbled and the room spun. It was harder being drunk in dim lighting. Everything looked so far away.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Leo mumbled as he slung his backpack over his shoulders.

“Come on, Leeeeeeo.” I reached a hand out for his jacket, fell against him clumsily. I squeezed his jacket in my fingers. “This is real leather,” I murmured. “My jacket isn’t real.” The feeling made me a little sad and my level of pathetic shot up ten points.

“What are you talking about?” Leo tentatively placed his hands on my upper arms as I leaned into him, breathing him in.

“You smell good,” I said on an inhale, the spicy aftershave and mint entering my senses. “Do you wear glasses?”

“I don’t need glasses.”

Thinking of Nathan, I held Leo. “Some people wear them anyway. Maybe you should. You could pick up chicks.”

Leo laughed, the rumble causing my cheek to brush against the hard metal buttons on his jacket. “I don’t need help picking up chicks.”

“You always chase the same girls. A bunch of Daphnes.”

“Her name was Darcy.”

I rolled my eyes again, but he couldn’t see. “Whatever. Stupid name. Sounds like the name for a poodle.” I giggled. “A dog.” I giggled harder, and still he held me.

“Do you need help to bed?”

“I wish I had a dog.” Images of a curly, fluffy little animal, someone who would love me unconditionally, made me yearn for something unattainable. Everything I wanted was unattainable.

“Get a dog then, Adele.” I only barely registered the annoyance in his voice as he tried to maneuver me to sit on the couch.

“I can’t. Landlord says no way, Jose.” I pouted, looking up at Leo. “Why do I live in a crappy apartment in Dorchester?”

“Because you’re a poor college student.”

I blinked, then held my eyes tight to keep the room from spinning. “Oh, yeah.”