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“Nah. As president of the fraternity, who has a responsibility for all the expenses, I’m just concerned because we’re paying for this bus by the hour, and we spent a good thirty minutes with everyone loaded on here, waiting for your ass.”
“You wanna dock me for being late or something?” Nick pulled out his wallet. “What do I owe you?”
It was very evident, despite the teasing banter, there was tension between those two. Justin was scowling as he raked his eyes over Kenzie, who acted as if she was oblivious and stared at her drink in her lap. Then Nick leaned in and devoured her mouth. Soon, people were howling and catcalling as they went at it–—everyone except Justin, who seemed very pissed.
Axel slapped Nick on the shoulder, keeping a wary eye on Justin. What was going on?
The bus was in motion, and everyone moved on to something else, settling into conversations again. Throughout the ride, I found out Nick and Axel were both members of the Pike fraternity and were close friends who shared a house with two other friends who happened to be teammates, as well. Kenzie was very nice, and you could tell she and Nick were very much into each other. They were sickeningly sweet to one another, and I was kind of jealous, wondering what it would be like to be in a relationship. A real relationship.
After checking in at the Four Seasons, we filed into the elevator. We all stepped off together on the ninth floor. Nick and Kenzie’s room was on the same floor as ours but on the east end of the building. “Meet you down at the lobby in thirty,” Nick said, striding off with Kenzie stuck to his side, as if he was on an urgent mission.
“I won’t hold my breath, man. I know y’all are about to go make a baby.”
I raised my eyes in surprise at Axel, while Nick held his middle finger in the air without looking back.
“It was a joke, Hardcore.” Axel slid the keycard into the door and pushed it open, waiting for me to pass by. “Damn, you really don’t get out much, do you?”
Self-conscious that I was alone with this man, who was basically the poster boy for every person who had a pulse and a sexual fantasy, I stepped into the room. I needed to remain calm, but I couldn’t when I saw the king-sized bed with a fluffy white comforter and thousands of pillows.
“What’s wrong?” he asked and dropped down on the edge of the bed.
“There’s only one bed.”
“Uh-huh.” He glanced down at it. “One giant bed.”
“I thought we would have doubles.”
“We aren’t at summer camp, Nat.” He scratched his chin absently.
“I know.” I spread my fingers over the plush comforter, trying to cover my nervousness, worried he would have certain expectations. “It’s fine.”
“Hey.” I felt his hand close over my shoulder. “You’re anxious. Talk to me.”
I drew my hand away from the bed and crossed my arms over my stomach. “I’ve never been on a date before. I’ve never been with anyone before… intimately.”
“Oh.” I could feel his eyes on my face, but I refused to look. “Never? As in never ever?”
“Never ever.”
“So, you’re a virgin.” He sounded like he garbled marbles while getting the words out.
I hung my head in embarrassment as several quiet seconds passed by.
“I see.” He slid his index finger under my jaw, lifting my chin and coaxing me to meet his gaze. “You have nothing to worry about. I didn’t ask you to this formal to sleep with you.”
I was both relieved and puzzled. “Whydidyou ask me?” Frankly, anyone would’ve jumped at the chance to go out with Axel. The reason he blackmailed me into going and was spending a large chunk of money on my car and other expenses on me didn’t add up.
“Maybe I just wanted to go and have fun.” He shrugged. “And not have to worry about fulfilling someone’s false expectations or leading them on.”
What did that mean? “You don’t think I have any expectations? You don’t worry about leading me on?”
This time he smiled, and it seemed genuine. “Nope. You would’ve never agreed to this if I hadn’t twisted your arm, remember? And I don’t take advantage of virgins. Not my thing. So, you really have nothing to worry about. Think of this as a business transaction without sex being involved. We both get something out of this without the pressure of having to be emotionally available.”
“Oh.” Why did my stomach feel like I swallowed a boulder?
“Anyway, if it makes you feel better, I’ll put pillows between us. Make a barrier.”
“No. That’s not necessary. I can handle this… sleepover.”
