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“That sounds perfect,” he mumbles lazily. “We could fly around the world, choosing a different spot each night or each couple of weeks if that’s too hectic. You could write and I could read, and we could find all the cute little spots to eat that the locals never reveal to the tourists.”
The vision he conjures is so wonderful, so perfect, so lovely my throat grows tight.
I remember the moment he saw me on the dance floor and winked. Remembered the utter joy of being seen.
This is like that but on steroids, a thousand times better.
“Tell me something else you want to do,” I insist, curling against him, never wanting to leave. “This getting to know each other seems like fun.”
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
PAISLEY
When I wake earlyon Monday morning, I’m still on an endorphin cloud from the day before. My skin buzzes everywhere Conner touched me. His exploration was so thorough, that means most of me tingles.
The previous night, on the way back to my room, I’d grabbed a few snack bars from the vending machine, not wanting to deal with James in the cafeteria first thing.
Not a solution that will last for long, but it’s the best I can manage for today.
Instead of gaining time from skipping breakfast, I waste it dithering about whether to put on underwear until it’s almost time for class.
Without, I finally decide, then abruptly change my mind before I even get a step outside my room, breaking into a cold sweat at the thought of someone else finding me bare. Retreating inside again, I drag on the biggest pair of knickers I can find.
Conner probably didn’t mean it. Just a command that slipped free during the excitement.
Even if he did mean it, it’s not as though he can check in the middle of class with everyone watching.
I balance my books in one hand, the snack bar in the other, and head along the hallway. Marnie and James emerge from the cafeteria just as I pass by, and I flinch away before I can catch myself.
“Not joining us for breakfast this morning, Paisley?” James asks while I avoid his gaze.
“Late night,” I explain to Marnie, holding my bar up as proof. “Just grabbed a snack instead. You want to walk to English together?”
She kisses James goodbye, a peck that he turns into a full-on tonguing. It’s like the intrusion is inside my own mouth as I stand by, trying to hold myself together.
By the time he finishes and moves away, my insides are wretched with nausea. My eyebrow twitches and I press my fingertips against it, trying and failing to make it stop.
We fall into step, and I scrunch my wrapper up, half the bar still inside as I throw it in the nearest bin.
“Hey,” Marnie says, pulling at my elbow until I stop walking. “I’m sorry about Saturday night. I promise next time, I won’t let James distract me.” She shifts her feet. “I know you don’t like him.”
“It’s not him I don’t like,” I flagrantly lie. “It’s the way he treats you that bothers me.” Sick of holding everything in, I pull her into a proper hug, needing the comfort from her as much as I need to give it. “You know I’m always here for you. Even if you’re fond of such terrible company.”
She laughs and some of my unease lifts.
We’re still friends. I’ll get better at avoiding James the longer I try it, and we’re going to English class. My two favourite people in the world will be trapped in a room with me for an entire hour.
Sheer heaven.
I take my seat, biting my lip as Marnie immediately slips into the role of guardian extraordinaire, protecting innocent schoolgirls from being preyed upon by their sexy-arse teachers. When I lean as far back in my seat as I can, I catch the twinkle in Conner’s eye before he stands in front of the class, giving me a blessedly long view of his mouth-watering body.
I could continue the game forever, the rewards being fair payment for the effort, but Marnie’s already giving me the side-eye. I snap into Monday drowse mode as cover for the discreet hum echoing throughout my body.
“Marnie? Paisley? Erik?”
At my name, I sit bolt upright. What’s happening?
“There’s a program through Auckland Uni that I think might interest you. I’ve made appointments during fourth period to discuss it individually. You all have free study in that time slot, is that right?”
