Dance for Me

My thumbs trace over his strong forearms that are wrapped securely around my waist, following the map of thick veins as I watch stars collide on screen. I swear these programs could make a person go insane. Everything is a doomsday scenario. But I’m more concerned with whatever is going on in Ransom’s head than my possibly imminent death.

“You’re thinking pretty hard there, champ,” I say to distract myself from the morbid thoughts circling in my brain. “Feel like sharing?”

His chest rises up and falls back down heavily, and he gives me a little squeeze. “I was just wondering what you might say if I invited you to come to di

I twist in his arms to look at him. “I thought we were keeping us quiet for now.”

His dark eyes pool with confliction. “I know, but we won’t be on campus. Technically, we wouldn’t even be going out in public.”

“But a di

Slipping out from behind me, I roll onto my back as he positions himself above me. I wrap my legs around his hips and stare up at him, momentarily stu

Brushing my hair behind my ears, he says, “My parents don’t have to know the circumstance of our relationship. They just want to meet you.”

“Oh, my God, you told them about us?” I’m floored and a little horrified. I only just told A

“Only that I had met someone. My brother is coming to town next week, and they’re having a little di

An introduction and a welcome home di

My brows scrunch together. “Stop looking at me like that. You know I can’t say no to you when you look like a whipped puppy.”

“Is that a yes?”

I take in his wide, knowing smile and shrug because there’s no sense in trying to deny him. Not when he looks so adorable. “You know it is.”

Rocking his pelvis against mine, he reawakens the passion I thought we’d knocked out earlier that morning. I tighten my legs around his hips, pulling him even closer, and he presses down into me, his arousal evident through his jeans. “They’re going to love you.”

“Well, they’d better,” I say lightly, “because I’m awesome.”

His chest rumbles with laughter. “Damn right you are.”

I tilt my head, my lips pursing as something occurs to me. “Does this mean I’m your girlfriend?”

Leaning down, Ransom kisses me softly. “Do you want to be?”

“I think I do,” I say, lifting up to run my tongue along his jaw.

He groans, moving his head to the side as I continue on down his neck. “Then it’s settled. Now put your hand down my pants and play with my cock.”

“I’m not even your girlfriend for two minutes and already you’re demanding things of me,” I tease as I release the button on his jeans. “I hope you don’t think this means you own me.”

“Oh, baby,” he growls as I take him into my hand. “I’ve owned you since the moment I laid eyes on you. You just didn’t know it.”

***

As far as being Ransom’s girlfriend goes, it’s pretty unremarkable. In fact, it’s just what I imagine being in a relationship with a regular guy my age would be, just with a dash of cloak and dagger crap. Dating on the DL means we can’t be seen together outside of class, and if we cross paths in public, it’s a simple, quick hello and we’re on our way. Going into it, I hadn’t realized how hard it would be to actually be with him, but it is. It so is.

After spending the rest of the day together, Ransom suggested that I get out of the house and reco

Already, trust is a major factor.

Another thing that’s not normal about us: I don’t have any way to contact him. No number. No address. Outside of the classroom, I have no earthly clue how to get in touch with him.

“Are you kidding me?” A

“A secret one,” I whisper harshly over the table. Maybe discussing this over lunch in the cafeteria first thing on a Monday wasn’t such a good idea. There are students everywhere.

Leaning over her steaming cup of vanilla chai tea, she says, “It sounds more like a booty call. You can’t seriously tell me that you’re okay with this.”

No, I can’t. I thought I was okay with it, but I’m begi

I think of how Ransom looked at me this morning in class. Nothing that would be obvious to an outsider, but I recognized that look in his eye, the subtle, secret smile recalling memories that only he and I share. It almost wiped away the worries that have been worming their way into my psyche.

God, I’m an idiot.

Poking at my tuna salad, I can’t meet her eyes. I feel defensive, like she’s attacking me, even though she hasn’t said one word against me. “You don’t know him. He’s sweet.”

“Sweet? He’s sweet? Honey, seriously, pull your head out of the sand. This may have been cute before, but it’s not now. He’s just another man abusing his power. Instead of turning a blind eye, you need to be asking yourself how many other girls he’s done this with.”

My gaze snaps up, and my mouth curves down. I could hurl the same words back at her about her relationship, but I leave the dying argument lying on the table between us. There’s no sense in getting into a fight over something that I know Ransom wouldn’t do. But even as I think it, I question how certain I really am.

Despite where we started, as far as I know, Ransom’s one of the good guys. He’s been upfront about everything right from the start. There’s no reason to search for deception. But who’s to say that there isn’t a trail of teary-eyed girls laid out behind me? What if I’m not the exception to the rule? The thought is unsettling and I move to change the topic.

“How are you and Jason doing?”

A

Something in her voice catches my attention. It tells me to follow up, and I do. “Some things? What does that mean?”

I don’t miss the way her gaze skitters around the room, nor the way she chews her bottom lip like it’s candy. When she finally looks at me, she’s wearing this strange expression that makes me nervous. “Jason accepted a job in California…and he asked me to go with him.”