Chapter Forty-three
“Are you going to get into trouble for having me up here?” Thayer whispered into her ear.
Her key scratched against the door when Thayer wrapped his arm around her waist. “If you let me concentrate and open this damn door, we won’t get caught,” Severine whispered back.
The key finally worked, and the door opened widely. Thayer shut the door behind them as Severine took her coat and boots off. The heat was always too much in the dorm room, but right now it was perfect for her chilled body.
Severine walked to Thayer. “What would happen if I came at you with everything I had?”
He raised a brow and leaned against the wall with anticipation. Severine wanted to say that it was all a game, but she was starting to crave these encounters with him. There could never be small portions with him.
“I’d be ready. Hell, I’m ready right now.”
Her fingers laced around his neck. Her lips met his softly. Everything in Tennessee was based on greed and the desire to overwhelm. And even though those feelings were still there, Severine wanted slow. She wanted to kiss him at an unhurried pace.
One. She barely pulled back.
Two. Her lips kissed his neck and cheek slowly.
Three. Thayer cradled her face. When she looked up at him, she saw impatience in his eyes. His lips landed on her own, soft but demanding. Severine breathed through her nose and stood on her tiptoes.
Her selfish side rose to the surface as she moved her tongue into Thayer’s mouth. When he left her room tonight, she wanted his preference to be only her.
His hands would only want her skin. He’d only fit perfectly with Severine.
A moan escaped her lips, and Thayer tilted her head slightly to the side. With more demand in his kiss, Severine’s excitement raised a notch.
Thayer guided her back to her bed. Her hands were clenched around his sweatshirt. When she fell back onto the bed, she made sure he followed.
Quickly, he yanked his sweatshirt and shirt over his head. His legs trapped her from moving, as he stood above her quietly. His eyes drifted down to her shirt, and with one hand, he flicked open the lowest button on her shirt. Severine kept her hands firmly on the sheets beneath her and watched his face as another came open.
And another. And another.
Thayer’s hands moved aside the open fabric, and he played with the last button. His movements were lazy as he stared at the small object with dedicated concentration. She was going insane, completely losing any rational thoughts. He finally looked at her, and at the same time, the last piece keeping her clothed was broken away. Everything was a defiant challenge between them. All the verbal gauntlets she had thrown at him before seemed to be hitting her straight in the face. She was close to losing this battle.
Maybe he knew she was going to throw a white flag between them. Maybe that’s why he moved the thin black strap of her bra aside and kissed the upper part of her breast. Maybe. But it didn’t explain why she let him.
She lifted herself up, and Thayer moved slightly away, giving her enough room. He didn’t hide his disappointment. He was giving her a chance to leave. Thayer was giving her free rein to call her boundaries between what felt amazing and what was too much out of her control.
Severine stared at the man in front of her. One that everyone thought they knew so well. Thayer looked close to breaking.
With part of her shirt and bra strap hanging down her arm, she moved above him and straddled his lap. Her shirt dropped to the ground, her bra chased quickly after. Thayer’s hands wrapped around her waist making her feel delicate, craved...
His lips made contact with her skin. Finally, it felt good to lose.
* * * * *
It was four a.m. Severine covered the clock and looked at Thayer. He was supposed to leave last night. She grabbed hold of his shoulder and slightly shook him.
“Mmm?” He groaned.
“Thayer, it’s four. You should probably go,” Severine whispered against his back. He tensed up and finally nodded.
Severine moved away first and went to her closet for a robe. For the first time, she’d use it.
“I can’t even move, I’m so tired.”
“You can stay here. But it will be a bitch to sneak you out tomorrow.”
“Nah, I’ll go now.”
His body was covered, and he stood to his full height. “I don’t like leaving and sneaking around.”
Severine nodded. “I know.”
He dug through his pockets for his keys, and with a gruff voice, he spoke, “I can’t wait forever, Severine.”
All breathing after that comment was out of the realm of possibility. She gave him the truth. “Maybe I’ll never be able to trust,” Severine admitted.
Thayer nodded and combed a hand through his hair. “You’re better than that, though. You’re way too f*cking durable to run away from us.”
Severine knew his words were bait for her to latch onto, but everything she was saying was the truth. What if she really couldn’t trust again?
He looked almost disappointed. Severine sat on her bed and clutched the front of her robe close to her heart. “This all makes me ache.”
His eyes dissected every move. “Then don’t run.”
“It’s not that easy, Thayer.”
“I can’t keep walking away from this like nothing is happening.”
“I’m not bulletproof.” Severine stood and wrapped her arms around his waist. She leaned her cheek against his chest. Through the layers of clothing, she could feel his heart beating wildly. “If I was, I would’ve never been hurt by Macsen. I just need time.”