Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 138775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
“I don’t know, but it does for me, too.”
I sighed loudly. “This is ridiculous.” But since I was nowhere near sleep, we might as well talk. “Thank you for driving down here with me.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“You didn’t have to. I mean, as we said before, last night was… what was it again? Overwhelmingly uncomfortable?”
“Yeah.” He hesitated. “Tori—”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned Natalie.”
He let out a breath of air. “I said some things I shouldn’t have also.”
“Mine was worse. I should’ve just spoken for myself rather than for a woman I’ve never met. I’m very sorry for dragging up such a painful subject.”
“That’s not on you. I bring it up practically every time I see Kyle. I just can’t help it.”
“I wish… I wish things were better for you two.”
“I think that’s a wasted wish at this point.”
Hearing him say that hurt. His relationship with Kyle had nothing to do with me, but… they were both my friends. I liked them both. And I hated that they were always at each other’s throats.
Lucas was staring straight up at the ceiling, but he shook his head in a bemused way. “We should really get some sleep. We’ve got to drive to Macon tomorrow—and then drive all the way back home.”
“Yeah.”
There was silence for about two minutes. Then I heard his voice again. “Have you ever felt less like sleeping?”
I laughed. “Not that I can recall. What should we do? You’re the smart one.”
“Only about school. Very much not about this situation.”
There was more silence, during which I tried that relaxation technique where you ease the tension in one muscle after another. However, perhaps I was doing it backwards, because I was just getting more tense.
“I do have one idea,” Lucas finally said.
“What’s that?” I was hoping that great brain of his had come through somehow.
To my surprise, he rolled onto his side, facing me, and lifted the covers between us. For a moment, I thought he was letting me look at his chest and abs again—which I was more than willing to do—but then he patted the mattress next to him. He wanted me to slide over.
“I figure that if it’s going to feel weird anyway, I’d rather have it feel weird with you close by rather than over there. If that’s what you want.”
Without giving myself time to think, I scooted over. His nearness made my pulse race, but it somehow felt less awkward than before. My head rested on his bicep up near his shoulder, and I pressed against his side, feeling his warm, smooth skin against me. There wasn’t really a good place for my hand—I couldn’t very well put it on his legs or boxers—so I rested it lightly on his abs. Those taut, ridged abs that I’d never seen before, let alone touched.
His arm wrapped around my shoulder, and he held me close.
My fingers kept gliding over the panes of his flat stomach, and I had to force myself to stop. Then curiosity got the better of me.
“Have you been working out?”
He laughed softly, and I felt his breath stir my hair.
“Not as much this year, but last year I spent a lot of time at the gym. Everything was just so fresh and raw with how things ended with Natalie, and I found that working out helped. When you’re pushing your body to its limits, it leaves less time to brood.”
“Wow. I didn’t know you spent much time at the gym.”
“Guess it took a while for the results to show.”
“Honestly, I didn’t notice last year, but I did this year.”
“Only because I’m lying next to you in just my underwear.” His tone was rueful.
“No, it’s not that. I noticed the first week of the study group. You look good.” I was glad we weren’t looking eye to eye when I said that.
“Last year was a bad year overall, but I found working out kind of addictive. If we ever get the basement cleared, Kyle’s idea of putting some gym equipment in there isn’t a bad one. Doesn’t mean we have to use it at the same time.”
If I got a vote, I was all for him continuing to work out. His abs felt so good under my palm. His bicep was too firm to make a comfortable pillow, but it still felt good to be nestled against him, skin to skin. Or nearly so.
“Can I ask you another question?” I ventured.
“Sure.” He squeezed my shoulder. “If we can’t ask questions in the dark, in bed, when can we?”
“Was she… was Natalie your only girlfriend?”
The muscles of his stomach clenched, and I was afraid I’d upset him. But after a moment, he nodded.
“I went on a couple of dates before I met her, but yes. She’s the only woman I’ve ever slept with, if that’s what you’re asking.”