“Shenanigans? If you mean hanging out with my band, then sure.”
“I already told you not to worry about sugar coating things. I can handle it. I know we’re not officially together.”
“Whoa. Who said anything about that?”
“Uh, it’s an assumption.”
“Then let’s just get this out there. The thought of another guy touching you makes me sick.”
“Makes you sick?” I pulled my knees up to my chest.
“Yes. And I’m not sleeping with anyone else either. I think we can both handle waiting a few weeks. I know I can, especially if you send me that picture. And if you don’t send it, I’ll just be miserable. It doesn’t mean I’m looking for something else because face it, Cara, where else am I going to find someone like you?”
His words got me. There was real emotion behind them. Emotion I wasn’t used to having addressed toward me. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe he was just really good at making a girl believe she was special. I decided to return it with humor. “You mean a girl with perfect tits who fucks and runs?”
He chuckled. “You don’t fuck and run with me anymore, and yes you have perfect tits. So, are we on the same page now? No one’s sleeping with anyone else of the opposite gender. You want to get close to your sorority sisters… who am I to stop you?”
“Chase!”
“Sorry, couldn’t resist. But is that a deal?”
“Yes, but then full disclosure time.”
“Oh dear. Please, I haven’t even been gone twelve hours.”
“Chase, don’t even go there. I told a friend I’d go to a date party with him so he didn’t have to face an ex alone. I didn’t think you’d care what I did.”
“That was nice of you. I do care, and I’ll be jealous, but end up in your own bed that night and we’re good. What night is it anyway?”
“Next Saturday.”
“Lucky guy.”
“No complaining. You got lucky three times last night.”
“I did, didn’t I? Can we make it four the first night I’m back?”
“At least four.”
“Damn, you’re going to kill me. How the hell am I supposed to go to a show with a tent in my pants?”
“Hold on one second.” I opened my laptop and found the picture I was looking for. I was wearing my favorite bright pink bikini. I sent a quick email over to him. “Check your email.”
“Dear lord.”
“Yeah… so where’s my picture?”
“It’s there.”
I refreshed my email. I grinned when I opened the picture of him sitting shirtless while playing the guitar. He had the same intense yet content expression on his face that he’d had when he played for me the night before. “That’s acceptable.”
“Acceptable? Next time I’ll send you one with no pants on.”
“Yeah… that’s probably going to get flagged by the school filter.”
“Then I’ll text it.”
I could just picture him wriggling an eyebrow. “Call me when you get back to your room or wherever you’re staying. I don’t care how late it is.”
“Won’t I bother your roommates?”
“They always stay with their boyfriends.”
“You sure? You need your beauty sleep.” He didn’t sound like he meant it. He wanted to talk to me again.
“Just call. If I don’t pick up, assume I’m sleeping.”
“One last question and then I’ll let you go.”
“Yes?”
“What do you sleep in? That is when you’re not in bed with me.”
His words had my whole body warming. “Usually a cami and shorts pj set.”
“Are you wearing that now?”
“Not yet. I’m still in jeans.”
“You look great in jeans.”
“I’m wearing the same ones I was wearing that night on the beach.” Those dark jeans were now my favorites.
“Your ass looks good in those.”
“Glad you think so.” I smiled. “Have a good show.”
“Have a good night doing whatever it is you’re doing. If you get a chance, try to have a naked pillow fight with your sorority sisters for me.”