Chapter 10
Morgan
Nate and I fall into a pattern of lunch together every afternoon that we have class. We study whenever Nate suggests it. I always agree, even though I feel like I’m doing fine right now. I want to do better than fine—and I want to spend time with him.
It’s Friday and, while we eat, he’s trying to convince me to come over tonight. I’ve stopped questioning why he wants me to spend so much time with him. Maybe he likes helping me.
Though, since Sunday when he made the comment that I was ‘something better to look at’ than Maya, I’ve caught him staring at me quite a few times. It only makes me crave him more.
Jen was right, I’d totally take whatever he offered, significant other or not. Which means I’m going to live out eternity in hell. I need to get home soon to drop the bomb on Alex.
My friends think a phone call is enough. Normally, I would agree. But the two times I’ve spoken to him this week, he seemed abnormally down.
His arm isn’t healing and they’ve been pumping him full of antibiotics, worried about the recurring infection. The least I can do is show up and do it face-to-face.
“Nate, I told you it’s girls’ night. We’re staying in.”
“Can I join?” he looks so hopeful when he asks. He’s good at puppy dog eyes.
“No way, Jose.”
“Well, I had to try. Since tomorrow’s the SIX party, why don’t I just meet you at Omega and walk over with you?”
“Sure. I should have my paper done by then. Would you proofread it?”
I know he’ll say yes, but I’m almost afraid of his opinion.
“Of course. I’ll do that on Sunday morning, if that works? Then you can edit and revise in the afternoon.”
“Thanks, Nate. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Coach Daniels gave me a job. I’m keeping score for the intramural games, sometimes working the athletic desk, and any other odds and ends he needs.”
“Congrats. We’ll celebrate Saturday.”
“Oh, Nate, making minimum wage isn’t much to celebrate. But if you need an excuse to drink, I’ll be your girl.”
Nate scratches his chin scruff and says, “Deal.”
Holy hell, how he’s looking at me. I involuntary squeeze my legs together. If we were alone I think I would throw myself at him. Would he take what I offered? I fantasize about it the rest of the day.
***
“This band is awesome!” I yell over the music so Nate can hear me. It’s hard to hear because we’re close to the outdoor stage.
“Agreed,” he shouts.
Most of the campus has shown up for the SIX’s annual fundraiser. It’s for cancer research and Persimmon students are very good at supporting local causes. They have a donation bucket at the foot of the stage and it’s already been filled twice.
We’ve been jumping around for hours and dancing. It’s been fun. I can’t believe Nate is totally sober and willing to dance. Most of the guys here are either standing around talking or wrapped around a female. But Nate’s a great dancer, so maybe he knows he’s not going to embarrass himself. Unlike me.
I’m a terrible dancer. I kind of hop around and pray that I don’t roll an ankle or knock someone unconscious. I try to mimic some of my friends’ sexy dance moves and it always turns out comical.
I embrace it, trying to work with the body nature gave me. I know it doesn’t move fluidly like Rebecca’s or Jen’s. Luckily, nobody cares.
The next song starts and it’s slower. Thank, god. I need to catch my breath. I’m sweaty, so I quickly pile my hair up on top of my head and secure it with a ponytail holder. Which is no easy feat, considering how much hair I have.
When I lower my arms, and turn to the side, I catch Nate staring at me. I bite my lip, not sure how to react to the seriousness of his gaze.
“Come here,” he commands as he reaches for me.
I go into his arms willingly. I rationalize that when a slow song plays at a party, it’s kind of a requirement to slow dance with a partner. Mine just happens to be super-sexy Nate Stevenson.
Nate wraps both arms around my lower back. His hands are precariously close to my ass. I don’t dare tell him to move them up. In fact, my body is screaming for him to go lower and take a handful.
I put my arms around his neck. He’s tall, but he’s hunched a little to make it easier for me to reach him. Nate sighs and rests his chin on top of my head as we sway slowly to the beat of the song.
I inhale and close my eyes, enjoying his scent and the feel of his arms around me. I snuggle into him, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Because it sure feels that way right now.
Nate
If she brushes up against my crotch again, she’s going to feel my erection. I’m not opposed, but we are in public right now.
I pull my arms away from her back and take her hand. Morgan looks up at me, questioningly, but she doesn’t say anything.
“Come on,” I say, stepping back towards the sidewalk that leads to the Tau house. I still have a hold of her hand.
“Where are we going?”
“I need a drink. Plus, I told you we’d celebrate your new career at the athletic center. You’re moving up in the world, Monday.”
“And you’re still an ass,” she jokes.
I dig this girl’s moxie. Most people don’t speak to me like this. I’m used to intimidating others, either because of my size or because of my intellect.
Despite Morgan’s somewhat reserved demeanor, she gives as good as she gets. I want to find out if that applies to all areas of her life.
Like, if I kissed her hard, would she reciprocate? If I pulled on her hair, would she, in turn, grab mine?
I hold her hand as we walk to Tau. I notice her looking down at our hands, then back at my face. The corner of her mouth quirks upward.
“What?” I ask.
She lifts our entwined hands and gives me a pointed look.
“You were holding hands with Jen earlier. Friends hold hands, Morgan.”
“So, you’ve held hands with other friends?”
“Sure.”
“Male friends? Like Chad or Drew?”
I attempt to keep a straight face. “All the time. Totally normal.”
“That is so hot.”
I laugh. “No, no it’s not. You and Jen holding hands, however? Very hot. What else do you two do?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“Yes, I would. That’s why I asked.”
“Oh, my god, you’re serious?” she sniggers.
“Only if you have something to tell me. If you do, then I’m totally serious and would really like to know. Maybe you can draw a picture? Label it?”
She laughs loudly and I smile as I hold the front door open for her. I enjoy making her laugh. I let go of her hand so she can walk in front of me.
I don’t bother trying not to watch her ass as she walks. In fact, I plan several moves to eventually get my hands on it.
When we get to my room, she takes her usual spot on the couch and kicks off her flip flops. I really like that she’s comfortable here and has a favorite spot. It’s odd, how in less than two weeks, she’s in my life and under my skin like this.
I close the door and walk over to the fridge. I open it and point inside. “What would you like to drink?”
“You pick. I’m not in the mood for anything in particular.”
“Oh, you really shouldn’t let me, but I will.”
I grab two shot glasses and pour us each a shot of Knob Creek. I also grab two beers and set them on the coffee table.
I sit next to Morgan and pick up the shots, handing her one. “Cheers, Monday.”
We clink glasses and down the shots. Morgan smacks her lips like she really enjoyed it.
“Day-am, Nate. That was mighty smooth. I might have a finger or two in a glass after this beer.”
“You like whiskey?”
Nobody likes whiskey, especially females. It’s for taking shots, not sipping. I’m the only person in this frat that I know of who takes pleasure in sipping on a glass of straight liquor.
“Whiskey? Damnit, Nate. I thought you were smart. That was bourbon. There is a difference. If you want to be friends with anyone from the state of Kentucky, it’s kind of an unwritten law that you know this.”
“Then I’d better figure it out if I want to be your friend?”
She has no idea how friendly I want to be. She’s lucky I haven’t tackled her to the ground yet.
“Yep.”
“What if I don’t want to be your friend?”
“Then, by all means, keep fucking this up,” she laughs.
When she notices that I’m not laughing with her, her face blanks.
Morgan clears her throat. “Not funny?” she asks.
I shake my head no. For the first time, there’s an awkward silence between us.
“You don’t want to be my friend?” Her voice is small. I need to be careful I don’t push her too far.
I shake my head again and she grimaces.
“Oh. Wow. Well, then maybe I shouldn’t be here,” she stands up and takes a step towards the door. I think I hurt her feelings, which wasn’t my intention.
“I broke up with Taylor,” I announce to her back. Morgan freezes in place.
I stand up and move close. I’m only inches from her when I tell her, “It wasn’t fair to her, so I ended it.”
Morgan exhales and her head tilts forward.
“What wasn’t fair, Nate?”
“Turn around and I’ll tell you.”
She hesitates and my instinct is to grab her and force her to look at me. But that’s not how I envisioned this, so I force myself to be patient.
Slowly, she turns. Her eyes are still on the floor. Is she afraid of what she’ll see when she looks at me?
I wait her out. A few seconds go by, but it feels like minutes. Finally, she raises her head and meets my stare. I had intended to talk it out with her, but the look in her eyes is more than I could have hoped for.
The jolt of lust and emotion I feel when she looks at me, with such longing, is my undoing. I do what I’ve wanted to do since she flashed me in the Harrelson Building.
I grab her and pull her flush with my body while at the same time backing her up against the wall. Every cell in my body is awake. Because of her.
I’m not gentle. A primal instinct inside me wants to own this girl. And I will. The second our lips touch, I know I’ll never be the same.