Page 28 of Bleeding Hearts (Pine Valley College #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

I guess I should feel embarrassed in the early morning light as I watch Lally move around her room, but why? I finally got to be with the person I love, and there is no shame in that. The look in her eyes has changed from baseless lust to something deeper, which makes me smile.

I’m not ashamed as I climb naked from her bed and walk over, pressing up on my tiptoes to kiss her softly. “Morning.”

“You’re finally awake.” She wraps her arms around me and kisses me until I’m breathless. “Get dressed, and we’ll get some food before class.”

“Are you going to walk me there?” I tease.

“Hmm, I suppose I should.” She fake shudders. “Knowing you, you’d get lost or something.” She releases me and smacks my ass. “Shower and get ready. You’re already late.”

“Someone kept me up all night,” I retort as I step past her.

When I reach the bathroom door, it shuts in my face as her hand slams against it, her mouth brushing my ear. “You loved it, baby. Now stop being a tease and take a shower before I decide to bring you back to my bed.”

When she steps away, I’m breathless, so I hurry into the bathroom and close the door as her laughter chases me.

That woman will be the death of me.

I shower as swiftly as I can, using her body wash, feeling far too pleased to smell like her. I use her toothbrush and makeup before heading out wrapped in a towel. “Here.” She hands me some clothes, her eyes sweeping down my body and heating. “They aren’t really your style, but they’ll do.”

“Thanks.” I slip on my bra from yesterday but go without panties since she ruined them.

I don the shorts and the oversized shirt she gave me.

The shirt looks edgy, falling off one shoulder, and when I look in the mirror, the words “Tacos & Tits” reflect back at me, making me shake my head with a laugh.

She turns to face me, her eyes narrowed. “No, you need a jacket.” She gives me a hoodie. “Wear this.”

“But it isn’t that cold,” I whine.

“Alice, I don’t share, so put on the jacket,” she warns.

I do as I’m told, secretly pleased when she zips it all the way up before she pushes me to her bed. Lally takes the towel from my head and grabs her hair dryer. I lean back as she dries my hair then braids it for me before kissing my cheek. “All done.”

Standing, I turn to see her, my arms spread out. “Do I look okay?”

“You look beautiful,” she replies with a soft kiss as she passes by. Grabbing our backpacks, she throws them over her shoulders and jingles her keys as she opens the door. “Come on, baby. I’m starving, and if you don’t feed me soon, I’m going to eat you.”

“Promises, promises,” I mutter as I follow her out.

“Two breakfast bowls, please. No egg or sauce on one,” I order, paying before Lally can. She eyes me as we walk over to our seats to wait. “What?” I ask.

“You know my order.” She shrugs. “It’s cute.”

“I know everything about you.” I grin. “Haven’t you heard? I’m a little obsessed with you.”

Leaning over the table, she pinches my chin and kisses me. “And so fucking adorable,” she whispers against my lips just as our food arrives.

Lally leans back like nothing happened, and we eat in companionable silence, but I can’t stop staring at her. I even reach out and pinch my arm to make sure this is real. It’s what I’ve wanted for so long, and now she’s here, and she isn’t running or pushing me away.

She’s here, and she’s mine.

When we’re done, she clears the table, takes my hand and bag, and then walks with me to my class.

“You started some new classes, right? I remember you telling me one night when I was drunk.” She winces in shame as I tighten my hold on her hand, grinning at those we pass. I make sure everyone notices she’s holding my hand.

Mine.

No one else’s.

She slept with others, but she’s never cared about them or walked them to class. Lally is mine, not theirs.

“I did. I really like my painting class. It’s a lot of fun, and I think I’ve found my talent.

” I don’t dare admit I’m always painting her, since she already thinks I’m infatuated.

She might start getting concerned if she saw how many sketchbooks and canvases are filled with her image.

I could start a fucking gallery and call it the Lally show.

“That’s good.” She looks proud as she tugs me closer and kisses my head, a gesture that feels so natural that I have an insane urge to cry. “I’m really happy for you.”

I stand taller before I slump, remembering her confession. “And your classes?”

“I’m trying to get back on track. I really am. My teachers are kind and have cut me some slack. If I manage to stay here, I think I can still catch up and do well. I just need to focus,” she replies. “You might have to keep me in line.”

“I can do that,” I tell her as I look at our joined hands.

I wonder if this will last. She hasn’t been drinking recently, but it can’t be easy. What if she slides back into her old ways? I don’t think I could let her go back to how we were before, but I have to hope that she can get through this with me.

I’m so lost in my thoughts, I don’t even realize we are outside of my building until she pulls me to a stop. “Earth to Alice,” she teases.

“Sorry, I was miles away.” I force a smile onto my lips so she doesn’t worry. Lally already has enough to deal with. She doesn’t need my insecurities as well.

“Alice!” I turn to see my friends calling me, and I hesitate, glaring at them. I wanted a moment with Lally, but they wave me over, and I curse in my head.

“My friends,” I say, waving them away with a glare before my eyes land on the other girls who are watching us closely. “And your conquests.”

“Look at you being all cute and shit.” Turning my face to her, she smiles down at me. “Be good in class, baby. I’ll meet you on the benches for lunch.” She kisses me hard and deep, until I’m panting and leaning into her. “Was that a good enough show for them, or should I feel you up a bit as well?”

I nod, unable to speak since she scrambled my brain.

“Go on. I’ll see you later.” She slides my bag onto my shoulder and turns me while I remain frozen in shock. Laughing, Lally pushes me forward, and I finally move. I look back at her the whole way, and when I get inside the doors, she finally walks away, and I can’t help but smile.

It soon fades when I turn to a crowd of curious faces.

Narrowing my eyes, I feign confidence as I hoist my bag higher. “What? Never seen someone as pretty as me? Shocker.” I push past them and head to class, refusing to let any of them ruin this for me.

Lally is finally mine, and I’m not letting her go.

Classes passed way too slowly, or maybe I was just eager to get out. I hurry outside after giving an excuse to my friends, hoping she’ll be waiting like she promised, but when I see the benches, my heart sinks.

Lally is there, but a girl is with her and practically sitting on top of her, obviously flirting. As I march over, I overhear the girl talking.

“Sarah, remember? We could go back to my place and revisit old times . . .” She drags her nails down Lally’s arm, and I see red when Lally flinches and moves away.

Slamming my bag down on the table, I glare at them, jealousy coursing through me.

Lally puts her hands up, her eyes wide as she watches me nervously. “Alice,” she starts, but I focus on the girl. I consider ripping off her fake nails and scratching her pretty face with them. She touches Lally like she’s hers.

She isn’t. She’s mine!

She finally looks from Lally to me, wearing a clueless smile as her head tilts. “Hi, I’m Sarah?—”

“I know that,” I retort with a pointed look. Her smile fades as she glances from a pale Lally to me.

“Oh, you must be Alice,” she begins.

“I already know that as well. Stop telling me useless information and tell me something I don’t know, like why you are clinging to my girlfriend.”

Her mouth pops open. “Girlfriend? Lally?”

Leaning across the table, I get in her face. “Yes. She’s my girlfriend, so get those cheap nails off her and fuck off before I decide to stop being nice.”

She pulls her hand back and stands, glancing at Lally again.

“Don’t look at her,” I snap. “She can’t help you. In fact, no one will be able to if you aren’t gone in the next three seconds. One.”

Her eyes widen. “Listen?—”

“Two,” I continue as I roll up the sleeves of my borrowed hoodie. “Three.” I stride around the table, and she yelps and runs away as fast as she can. I’m watching her go when a hesitant hand touches my arm.

“Baby,” Lally murmurs.

“Don’t baby me,” I snap, tugging my arm away.

“I didn’t invite her. She just sat down.

I didn’t touch her, I promise,” she explains as she grabs me again, and when I try to move away, she yanks me down.

I fall into her lap, and she wraps her arms around me, resting her chin on my shoulder as I sit stiffly.

“I promise, baby. What more can I do to prove it? You’re wearing my clothes.

You stayed in my bed. I walked you to class and held your hand.

I told you, I don’t see anyone but you.”

I grit my teeth, saying nothing.

“Baby, you’re so fucking sexy when you’re jealous,” she whispers wickedly.

“Nope, isn’t going to work,” I warn her, trying to stand again, so she drags me back down. Her lips sweep over my neck, and I force myself not to react.

“All I see is you, baby. I’m yours. Girlfriend, huh?” she teases.

“Well, aren’t you?” I ask, growing concerned that I misread the situation. I turn to see her face. She’s smiling softly, her eyes bright.

“You didn’t ask me.” She arches a brow. “Ask me nicely.”

I glare at her. “Fine. Lally, will you be my girlfriend?”

“Only if you stop sulking.” I narrow my eyes, and her grin widens. “Yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.” She pulls her phone out and logs into her socials, quickly changing her status to reflect that she’s in a relationship with me. “Now everyone knows. Is that good enough, baby?”

“It’s a start,” I mutter, relaxing a bit. “You let her touch you.”

“Next time I will run away while screaming that I’m taken, okay?” she teases, kissing my neck and making me shiver. “I meant what I said though. You’re so sexy when you’re jealous, all fired up like that.”

“I’m still mad,” I tell her, but I relax back, and her legs part, forcing my thighs wider.

“Hmm, we can’t have that. How about I make it up to you?” she croons in my ear.

“How?” I whisper.

Her hand slides under my stolen hoodie, into the stretchy shorts she loaned me, and cups my pussy. “With what I’m good at, of course.”

“Lally.” I cover her hand, my eyes wide as I meet hers over my shoulder. “We are in public.”

“And?” Her smirk is slow as she slides her hand farther between my thighs. “No one can see, and you need this, baby, so be good and part your thighs for me.”

I glance around, but no one is paying attention to us. Looking down, I notice the hoodie is hiding her hand, as is the table, so I reluctantly part my thighs. Nervousness only enhances my desire, especially when she circles my clit.

“All that shyness and protesting and you’re wet for me.

You have to trust me, baby. I’ll always take care of you.

” She bites my earlobe, and I gasp as I slide farther down as her fingers press into me and curl, stroking my walls.

I try to keep my eyes open, even as my cheeks heat.

I attempt to act normal, to control my breathing, but the more she touches me, the harder it gets.

She pushes me higher as she grinds her palm into my clit, forcing a whine from my throat that I try to stifle.

She tugs the hoodie down to hide what she’s doing, nipping my ear. “Shh, you have to stay quiet, baby, or we’re going to be found out, okay?”

Nodding, I try to control my breathing and noises, but all that nervous energy dissipates when she slides another finger inside me.

I roll my hips as much as I dare, chasing what she can give me.

Each thrust presses my clit against her hand, and the friction has my eyelids wanting to slide shut.

My desire burns so bright and hot, I’m surprised I don’t combust. The idea of being caught, of being seen, only makes it grow stronger.

“That’s it, my good girl. You like being out here where anyone can see us. You like the idea of being watched,” she purrs, her voice dark and possessive. I bite down on my tongue until I taste blood and nod in response, unable to speak as I chase the high growing inside me.

“Do you want me to smell like you all day so everyone knows whom I belong to?” she asks. “Because I do. I want to feel your cream on my fingers all day. I want to smell you until I can be inside you again.”

“Lally.” It bursts from me louder than I meant to, and she chuckles, biting my neck even as she speeds up her hand.

I close my eyes as I try to stop my cry when I come. My cunt clenches around her fingers, my clit throbbing in time with my pounding heart. My legs jerk as I slip lower. I’m sure everyone would know what’s happening if they took one look at me, but as pleasure claims me, I no longer care.

When it’s finally over, I slump back into her, shuddering and panting. Removing her hand from my shorts, she fixes my clothing and holds me in her arms as I ride the aftershocks.

“Good girl. Next time you doubt us, remember what I’m willing to do to prove that I’m yours and you are mine.”

I hear her suck her fingers clean, and my cheeks heat as I sit up and grab my bag. With shaking hands, I take a drink of water before busying myself with our lunch. Her hand wraps around my throat, and she turns me until her lips meet mine in a devastating kiss.

She holds me as I pull out the sandwiches I bought earlier, my cheeks still hot, but I pass her one, and she eats one-handed, holding me with her other. I can’t help but smile in satisfaction, especially when I see people whispering.

I even see someone snap a picture of us cuddled together.

I sit up taller, knowing my face is etched with a possessive, happy expression but Lally is worth it. After all the fighting and heartache, we’re together now, I won’t let anyone split us apart.