The Kiss

Nate? What do you want from me?”
    *
    He opened his mouth to reply, but she went on.
    “I mean, it’s okay if this is just what happened yesterday. It was great, and it was the first time that I—Well, it was great.” She’d lowered her eyes and was now talking to his chest. “But if that was all, I’m okay with it. Not that I want more. Or that I don’t want it.” Her cheeks got more flushed by the second.
    He chuckled, and she narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you dare laugh. I just want someone to be honest with me, for once. I want them— you —to tell me, Eliza, it’s been fun, but I don’t feel that wa —” Her eyes widened when he tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her to him. “Don’t you dare kiss—”
    He silenced her protests, smashing their mouths together, pressing her body to his until she stopped trying to withdraw.
    By the time he let go, her gaze looked dazed. “I told you, I want you. Weren’t you listening? I want you for good. I want a relationship. Holding hands on our way to breakfast and secret words that make only the two of us crack up.” To demonstrate what he was talking about, he took her hands in his. “You said you wanted something real. You and I can be real. Can you handle that?”
    *
    Could she? Could she take him on his word and be with him after he’d ridiculed her so many times? “What about Greg?”
    “Not really my type.” She arched an eyebrow, and it was his turn to avert his eyes. “I’m not hanging with him anymore. Should have stopped sooner. I’m sorry, Eliza, I really thought I was doing what was best. When I got him to leave you alone, I thought that was it. I’d piss you off a while longer and then get off your case.”
    “You got him to leave me alone?” She narrowed her eyes.
    “I sent him an unsigned note, saying I knew he’d been doped in one of the games and would tell if he didn’t start treating you well. It was the game that got him his athletic scholarship. He’d lose it all, if anyone found out.”
    It was too much for her to digest. She’d accepted that, by being a jerk, Nate had meant to get her mind off her grief over her relationship with Greg. That he’d been her protector just seemed too much. It made her reevaluate everything she’d considered a given in her life. “You—All this time!” She shook her head.
    “Me. All this time. Can you handle it?”
    She cupped his chin and lifted it so he’d face her. “Can we take it slow?” She didn’t mean the sex; there was no taking that slow, after the revelation the previous night had been. It would just be hard for her to open up to him after everything.
    He nodded, and she knew he understood.
    “Hmmm…”
    “Ah, come on.” He squeezed her hand gently. “I’m dying here!”
    “I can handle it.”

Chapter Fourteen

    Eliza looked at her watch.
    Nine twenty three.
    If her boyfriend didn’t get his cute little ass to her dorm soon, they’d lose their reservation. Didn’t he know you’re not supposed to stand up your girl when you’ve promised a classy night out?
    She grinned. One month together. Who’d have thought it possible? Certainly not Greg. Her grin widened at the memory of the jerk’s reaction when Nate had walked her to class for the first time. His eyes had almost bulged out of their sockets. He’d tried to cover it up—had approached them, smirked at Nate, and said, “Nice work.” He’d even raised his hand for a high five. Nate had ignored him completely.
    Bill had walked up to them during the first break that same day. “Tall, dark and broody said a miracle happened—only he used different wording.” His smile was genuine when he patted Nate’s back. “Make sure you don’t mess this up, dumbass.” Eliza had been exhilarated; she’d have hated for Nate to lose all his friends because of her.
    With the exception of Krista, her own friends had been shocked but supportive. If she was sure about her decision to be with Nate, they were happy for her, and that was all she needed to really be happy. With her boyfriend.
    The knock made her jump. She grabbed her purse and rushed to the door. They’d make it to dinner, after all.
    Or not.
    Nate stood at her door wearing dress pants and a tight black T-shirt that made him look absolutely edible. The yummy smell that reached Eliza’s nostrils wasn’t coming from him though, but from the bags he held, that were filled with Chinese food.
    Eliza did a double take, unsure whether to be