Trust in Me(15)

            Reaching over, I tugged on a strand of soft, black hair. “You know I can’t, sweetheart. Maybe next time.”

            “You suck.” But she smiled as she hip bumped me.

            “That I do.”

            We headed toward her car and when she caught her heel on a patch of loose gravel, I caught her arm, steadying her. “You haven’t been drinking tonight?” I asked, eyes narrowing. “Right?”

            Moonlight sliced over her face as she tipped her head back and let out a throaty laugh. “No.” She smacked my chest. “And what if I did? Are you going to let me spend the night?”

            “I’d put your little ass in my truck and drive you back to your dorm.”

            Her eyes rolled. “That sounds like a lot of fun.”

            We stopped behind her sedan and I pulled her in for a quick hug. “Text me when you get back to your dorm.”

            She laughed again, pulling back. “Seriously?”

            I shot her a look. “You know I’m serious. It’s late. A lot of people fucking suck in the world, so text me.”

            “And if I don’t?”

            My eyes narrowed. “You will.”

            “Okay. I will.” Steph laughed as she backed toward the driver’s door. “See you later, Cam.”

            Stepping back, I watched her pull out of the parking spot before I turned and headed back. Halfway across the parking lot, I looked up toward Shortcake’s apartment. There were no lights on, and I bet she was already tucked away in her bed. Did she wear long-sleeve shirts to bed? Or did she sleep naked?

            An image of her naked, her coppery hair spread out around her like a halo, invaded my head.

            My cock swelled to life once again.

            “Dammit,” I muttered.

            It was going to be a long night.

            Thursday morning was IHOP morning, or at least that was what Ollie had deemed it when he rolled out of bed and busted up into my room. Snatching my cap off the arm of the couch, I saw Steph’s rubber band on the coffee table and rolled my eyes.

            Super important.

            Ollie was already outside and I as approached the door, I caught the scent of rain in the air. As soon as I closed the door behind me, I realized he wasn’t alone.

            “Avery,” Ollie said. “Cam told me your name.”

            Mental note to self: punt kick Ollie in the balls later.

            There was a pause and then, “Oh. So . . . um, you’re heading to—”

            “Yo douchebag, you left the door open!” I smacked the cap on, rounding the stairs. Below, I got an eyeful of how Avery’s blue jeans hugged her ass. Nice. “Hey, what are you doing with my girl?”

            Ollie grinned up at me, but my attention was trained on Shortcake. The girl had to be wearing little or no makeup, because her face was . . . fresh. Natural. I liked it. Her gaze met mine and then flickered away.

            “I was explaining to her how I go by two names,” Ollie said.

            “Oh yeah?” I caught up with them, dropping my arm over her shoulders. Her feet tripped up, and I tightened my arm, tucking her against my side. In the back of my head, I thought she fit perfectly. “Whoa, sweetheart, almost lost you there.”

            “Look at you.” Ollie hopped down the stairs like a frog. “Got the girl tripping all over her feet.”