The flimsy paper boarding pass sits on the counter taunting me as the attendant waits for me to place my luggage on the scale. All I can think of is Tillie, warm and soft in my bed. We’ve been inseparable for weeks, growing closer with every conversation, our connection stronger than ever as I helped her catch up with her studies in the class that got between us. It turns out, since I wasn’t officially responsible for Tillie in any way, as long as we kept it under the radar, we were able to keep seeing each other.

I might’ve dressed up as a professor for Halloween, but a guest lecturer is a very different thing from a visiting professor. I just got to talk. I didn’t have anything to do with grades.

The ache in my chest is larger than I’ve ever experienced at the memory of her tender kisses, the scent of her hair, the taste of her skin. God, I don’t want this to be the end, but I can’t rid myself of the sense of dread I feel with every second that passes. If I leave now, I may never see her again.

“Sir, I need to get your baggage tagged,” he says, annoyance clear in his tone.

I’m not ready to leave. I don’t want our early morning farewell to be the last thing we say to each other for months. I don’t want to risk her doubting us in my absence. But what have I given her to help ease her worry about us? Nothing.

She’d been beside herself that she couldn’t come with me and offer a proper goodbye. But this morning she had an exam she couldn’t miss, and I promised I wouldn’t contributing to her losing focus. Glancing at my watch, I sigh, visualizing her taking her seat, ready for her exam. She’ll be done before I’m even in the air.

“Sir,” the attendant says again.

I lock eyes with him and purse my lips, knowing this is going to fuck up my entire schedule but not giving a damn. “I need to change my ticket.”

The people in line behind me grumble, but this is important. This is my entire future and I’m not going to let anything get in the way.

An hour later, I’m in a taxi, a mile from the sorority house, heart hammering so hard I worry it might burst. Adrenaline courses through my veins as I raise my hand to knock on the door.

“Jude?” Tillie’s voice hits me from behind like a tidal wave causing me to turn to face her.

She’s gorgeous in a yellow sweater and a plaid skirt. Fuck, I had her last night but I want her again—right now.

“What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be on a plane.”

“I couldn’t leave. Not yet.”

I rush down the porch steps because I can’t be with her like this and not have her in my arms.

“Why?” she asks, her beautiful eyes staring into mine.

“I couldn’t leave without you knowing how desperately in love with you I am.”

Her face breaks into a beaming smile, the absolute happiness radiating from her telling me she feels the same. “God, me too, Jude. I just didn’t want to say it because I was worried it was too soon.”

I pull her close, her body fitting next to mine perfectly and then I dip my head and take her mouth with mine. My tension eases as soon as she’s against me, lips on mine, hands in my hair. I kiss her like she’s the only thing I need to keep me alive. Then she pulls back and the door opens, revealing Stacy, the mother hen of the sorority.

“Well, what do we have here?” she asks, grinning.

“It looks like I have a visitor,” Tillie says.

“I see.” Stacy hitches her purse on her shoulder and walks onto the porch. “Well, I’m sure you know the rules, Tillie. No boys on the second floor…but I’m leaving and there’s no one else here.” She winks. “If I don’t see it, it didn’t happen.”

We both watch as Stacy walks down the stairs and past us. She doesn’t look back, and once she’s out of sight, Tillie practically drags me inside and up the stairs to her room. I toss my suitcase into a corner of the bedroom as she closes and locks the door.

Then we’re lips and tongues, harsh breaths and passionate moans as we tear at each other’s clothes until the two of us stand naked in her small room. I glance around and take in the single bed, desk and dresser.

“No roommate?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “We’re locking the door and I’m keeping you prisoner until I can sneak you out.”

My lips trail across her collarbone and down to the swell of her breast as she sighs in pleasure. “You keeping me prisoner sounds fucking fantastic. But I don’t know if you’ll be able to stay quiet enough for your housemates to think you’re alone.”

“I don’t care,” she whispers, the last turning to a moan when my fingers slide into her slick pussy.

“I want to fuck you, then make love to you. I’m going to keep you in this bed all day.”

“Promise?”

I lift her until she’s got her legs wrapped around my hips and my rigid cock is nestled against her soft, warm pussy. “Fuck, yes.”

Laying her back on the bed, I don’t waste any time. I position myself at her entrance and thrust hard and deep, making her cry out. Her nipples are hard points, begging for my mouth, so I oblige. I take one between my lips and suck before teasing it with my tongue as I roll my hips in steady long movements.

She’s close already, I can tell by the flush creeping up her chest, the clenching of her walls around me, and the death grip she’s got on my shoulders. With one well-placed thrust, I hit her spot and send her careening over the edge on a scream of my name.

Without warning my own release hits me, unearthly pleasure cresting and causing me to spill jet after jet of my orgasm inside her.

“Fuck, Tillie,” I groan, pulling out and rolling over before nestling her into my side. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too. I don’t want you to go.”

“I know.” I think of the new ticket I have and my heart sinks. “I have to. I’m leaving tonight. I should’ve changed it right after we met, but I was an idiot.”

“Tonight?”

I nod, then slide out of bed.

“Where are you going?” she asks.

“I have something for you.” I rummage in my bag and produce an envelope, nerves running on high. This might be too big a step, but I have to try.

I hand her the paper and watch as she pulls the ticket from the envelope. “London? You got me a ticket to London?”

“For Christmas. I want you to come spend the holiday with me.”

Her smile is wide and the ache in my chest eases. “Thank you,” she whispers. “I don’t know what I’ll tell my parents, but I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

“Tell them you’re with the love of your life. Tell them you found your forever and I’ll always care for you.”

She jumps off the bed and throws her arms around me. “I will. I’ll tell them I found the man I was meant for and I’m never letting him go.”

I kiss her then, long and slow, and I know, she’s my present, my future, and everything in between.