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Summer

I nip at Connor’s perfect lips and pull back. “You should study.”

Connor groans, trying to pull me back in, and I laugh, covering his lips with my fingers.

“Study with me?” he asks.

I drop my hand. “Sounds goo?—”

“Naked,” Connor interrupts.

I laugh. “Big guy, what did we just decide?”

He sighs heavily. “I already regret it.”

“You won’t when you get your results in January. I’ll go get my notes,” I say, slipping from his lap.

Connor stands and closes the window. “I’ll walk with you.”

I shake my head. “You should get started. I’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll get one of my brothers to walk you.”

I turn to face him, placing my hands on his chest. “Connor. I can walk across campus on my own. I’ll text you when I get home and when I’m walking back.”

Connor stares at me, consideringly, his jaw working.

“Con, what’s going on? Nothing has happened in weeks. Even the authorities have scaled back.”

Connor exhales. “I know. I just… I’m sorry that I’m being crazy. Text me, and I’ll see you soon.”

I give him a quick kiss. “I love you, and I’ll bring lunch back with me.”

Connor smiles. “I love you, too.”

“I’ll be back in an hour.” I wink at him and leave the house.

No sooner am I out of sight of the Morningstar House when I receive a message.

Connor

58 minutes.

My lips twitch, and I send a selfie of myself blowing him a kiss.

Connor

There’s my super hot girlfriend.

I’m about to lock my phone when I get another message, this one from the stranger.

I look up, uselessly scanning for him, but there is no one around. It seems everyone has started bunking down in preparation for finals.

Fuck. Does that mean he watched Connor and me fuck outside the gym? Surely not. Surely, even he would not cross that boundary. But then I remember that time in the library when Connor had his head between my legs, and I felt eyes on me. I remember not hiding myself from view. I stood there, turned on by being watched. Did I think it was him? No. It was just anonymous eyes that ended up not being there. Fuck, this is different.

He doesn’t reply right away, and I feel myself getting angrier with every moment that passes.

My anger cools, but just a fraction.

I can feel the waves of anger still flowing from me, but I know I am not really angry with him. My rage is directed inward.

Fuck. Anyone else you want to alienate today, Summer? I exhale heavily before replying to him.

He doesn’t respond, and I know he won’t message back. Sadness replaces anger, and I am more disappointed than I should be.

Alice looks up from the couch when I enter. “I’m studying at Cons. Want to come?” I ask her, gathering my books.

“Actually studying? Or studying his dick?”

I sigh. “No sex until after finals. So actual studying.” I shove my books in my bag and grin at her. “And if it were the latter, I wouldn’t be inviting you.”

“Wait. You without sex?” Alice gapes at me, her eyes wide.

“For three and a half weeks. Yup.”

“Welp. This is going to be hell for both of us. You are… not the most rational when you’re not getting any.”

I flip her off. “It’ll be fine. Let’s go. I need to pick up sandwiches on the way.”

Alice links her arm through mine as we walk to the sandwich place. “So why no sex?”

“Con says it’s too distracting. And he’s a senior, so these results are even more important.”

“Fuck. How much sex were you having?”

I lift an eyebrow, looking at her.

She shrugs. “Like ballpark.”

“Maybe a couple of times a day.”

Alice looks at me skeptically. “It’s definitely more than that.”

“It’s an average, Al. Sometimes it’s more. Sometimes it’s less.”

“Damn. I feel like a nun,” Alice ponders as we walk into the deli.

“Why?”

“Because I’m good if I get it three times a week. Maybe you are part succubus.”

I laugh and order the sandwiches.