SWNOVELS The Forbidden Freshman: Chapter 43
Ethan Galloway is an Olympic god. If sex was a sport at the games, he’d win the gold medal. I am sure of it.
As my languid, sweaty body flops against his chest, I can’t help yet another triumphant laugh. “Round three was also great. The judges are, once again, very impressed by your performance.”
His chest rumbles beneath me, his hand gliding over my naked back and nudging me closer to him. I curl my leg up over his thighs and snuggle closer.
It’s like three o’clock in the morning, and we’ve yet to sleep. How am I supposed to drift away when the hottest human on the planet is lying naked beside me?
His lips brush my forehead as he nestles into the pillows and rests his cheek against mine. I close my eyes, floating on this languid, post-sex cloud. It’s a pretty awesome feeling, and maybe I can fall asleep this way.
Until Ethan murmurs, “So, this whole publicly breaking my heart thing. What’s happening with that now?”
I sigh, cringing as I rise on my elbow so I can look down at his face. I trace the line of his jaw and stop at the tip of his chin. “They recorded you outside the house, so… that kind of covers it.”
“And…” He searches my face, his expression serious. “They kicked you out anyway? What happened?”
I shrug, then nestle back against his chest.
“Mick, come on. Why were you outside the library?”
I press my lips together before releasing a soft sigh. “I left. I told Aimee she can shove her sorority up her ass. Even though I knew I’d already lost you, I couldn’t stay in that place.”
He lets out a surprised laugh, then squeezes me against him, kissing the top of my head. “You haven’t lost me.”
I swallow, not wanting to think about how monumentally I may have screwed up my future. Wrapping my arm around Ethan’s stomach, I cling to him, reminding myself what I’ve gotten out of this whole shit show.
Him. And I never want him doubting how I feel about him.
“You know I…” I hold my breath, having to resist the urge to avoid my feelings and actually let a few of them out. “That night we first met… I had just told the girls that I wasn’t gonna do anything so cruel. I didn’t know this Ethan Galloway person they were talking about, and I didn’t care who he might have pissed off. I walked out… and then bumped into you.”
“Should have asked for my name, huh?”
I laugh against his chest, loving the way he’s playing with my hair. The sweet, soft movement of his fingers is both thrilling and comforting.
“So, why’d you go back, then?”
“I needed a place to stay. I…” Wincing, I have to fight to get out the truth. “My mom and her fiancé are paying for my education. One of the conditions was that they wanted me to join Sigma Beta Mu. I had to do whatever it took, and… I tried. But I shouldn’t have done it. I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“You didn’t.”
“Yes I did. That look on your face.” I lift my chin so I can catch his eye.
He kisses the tip of my nose. “That’s when I thought it wasn’t real. But I know it is now.” He smiles. “When did it become real for you?”
“I don’t know, probably when you called me Mickey Mouse.”
He laughs. “That was right at the start.”
“I know!” I flick my hand up in mock exasperation. “And then I had to pretend like I wasn’t into you when I was around the girls and then lie to myself when I was with you, saying how this was all for the sorority. It’s been a serious nightmare.” I climb on top of him, my breasts squishing against his chest as I gaze down at his gorgeous grin. I want to smile and be playful about it, but there’s a somber note to my voice. “Tonight… when I saw your face, when you thought I didn’t mean any of it, I just… I couldn’t stay in that house.”
The look in his eyes is enough to melt my heart, and then he goes and tucks my hair behind my ears. “I never thought you fit in there anyway.”
I grin and snuggle against him, pretty sure using him for a mattress would be a damn comfortable sleep. “You know, you’re way comfier than the concrete outside the library.”
“I better fucking hope so,” he growls and pokes me in the side. I jump, letting out this embarrassing squeak when he finds my ticklish spot.
“Oh really?” His eyes take on a playful glint as he goes for it again.
“Ethan,” I warn him, grabbing his finger, but he’s too strong.
I soon find myself in fits of laughter, pinned beneath him as he tickle-tortures me until the heat between us rises once more.
His hot tongue is soon painting my nipples while his deft fingers glide over my curves.
And let round four begin.