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After a while, her eyelids feather open, and our gazes collide. In that moment of intense connection, the music and people pushing in at the edges fade to the background until it’s just the two of us.
Until she’s all I’m cognizant of.
Instead of giving in to the harsh need that pumps through my system, I say in a tone that comes out sounding far gruffer than intended, “It’s time to go.”
She blinks before glancing around with a frown as if reluctantly waking from a dream. “I don’t know where Carina is.”
Instead of looking for her roommate, my attention stays pinned to her. “I haven’t seen her for an hour or so.”
“We caught a ride here with Wolf, Ford, and Madden.”
“I’ll drive you home. You can’t walk alone at this hour.”
When her brows slant together as if trying to come up with an alternative solution for the predicament she now finds herself in, I wrap my fingers around her wrist and tow her through the crowd.
“Did you bring a jacket?” There’s a thick stack of them in the living room on an armchair.
“No.”
I shoot her a scowl. “It’s cold out. You should have brought one.”
Irritation flickers across her face. “I’m not a child. Stop treating me like one.”
No, she certainly isn’t.
“You can wear one of mine,” I grumble. Once we reach the entryway, I stop and point a finger. “Don’t move a single muscle. I’ll be right back.”
She rolls her eyes.
Since that’s probably the only response I’m going to get, I jog up the staircase to the second floor before turning down the hall. With a quick flick of my wrist, I throw open the bedroom door and grab the midweight jacket I pulled out a couple weeks ago when the weather turned colder. With the navy coat in hand, I retrace my steps. For all I know, Juliette could have ducked out once I disappeared up the stairs. She’s stubborn that way and clearly doesn’t want me telling her what to do.
Everything inside me settles when I catch sight of her in the entryway. As soon as my feet hit the last tread, I slip the thick material around her shoulders before carefully maneuvering her arms through the sleeves. The coat is ridiculously big on her. Her fingers don’t even peek out of the cuffs. If I didn’t already realize how much smaller she is than me, I sure as hell do now.
I can’t deny the deep sense of satisfaction that fills me at the sight of her wearing something of mine. I want all the assholes who’ve been staring at her to understand that she belongs to me.
Even though that’s not necessarily true.
I shove those disturbing thoughts away. “Ready?”
She nods before stifling a yawn.
With my arm wrapped around her shoulders, I steer her through the front door and down the porch steps to the cement walkway that cuts a path through the swath of lawn. My truck is parked a couple houses down the street. I click the locks before wrapping my fingers around the handle and popping it open. Juliette slides inside before burrowing into the jacket.
“It’s cold,” she whispers, teeth chattering.
“Yup.” It’s only one of the reasons she isn’t walking her ass home tonight.
I jog around the hood before settling next to her and starting up the engine. When she doesn’t make a move to click her seatbelt into place, I lean over and stretch the fabric strap across her chest. Her sleepy gaze fastens onto mine. I’m close enough to hear the hitch in her breathing. With our faces scant inches apart, it wouldn’t take much to close the distance and crush my mouth against hers.
For a second or two, I consider doing exactly that.
What would the slide of her plush lips feel like beneath mine?
An internal war erupts in my brain. Deep down, I know it’s a shit idea. I’ve secretly wanted this girl for years. Probably a decade, if I’m being completely honest with myself. It’s the reason I’ve always been so adamant about keeping my distance and not spending time around her.
No matter how much I craved it.
A couple months ago, I’d actually congratulated myself on making it this far without crumbling under the crushing need I feel for her. Now, we’re a little more than a semester away from graduating and going our separate ways.
