Page 14

REID

W hen I finally blink awake, every muscle in my body aches like I’ve gone ten rounds in a boxing ring.

The furnace at my back makes everything hurt just a touch less though.

All those broken things inside of me shift around, like they’re trying to fit back together without any glue.

I wiggle deeper into Dante’s arms since he’s asleep and won’t be able to judge my clinginess.

After last night it’s hard for me to rectify pulling away, fleeing his bedroom like I’d planned.

Dante’s arm tightens around me in his sleep, as if he just can’t help but hold me close.

That’s nice. But if I let him keep cuddling me, I’ll fall back asleep, and with the way the sun is filtering through the curtains, it’s definitely time for me to wake up.

If I sleep too late, then I’ll have absolutely no shot at sleeping tonight.

It takes me ten excruciating minutes to wiggle my way out of Dante’s arms. When I roll out of bed, his arm instinctively reaches out to seek my warmth. I haphazardly shove a pillow toward him, which he cuddles against his chest with a pleased sigh. I will not find that cute.

After tugging on my underwear, I grab one of Dante’s hoodies from a chair in the corner and slip it over my head.

The house is eerily quiet as I tiptoe down the stairs.

I assumed everyone was still asleep but one of Dante’s roommates is standing at the stove making what appears to be French toast. The oven is also on and the room smells heavenly.

My mouth instantly waters. I haven't eaten a real meal in days.

“Morning,” the roommate calls without turning around. “I’m Jacob.”

“Coffee?” I ask, voice still sleep rough.

Jacob nods to his left where a very fancy-looking coffee pot gurgles. I take one of the mugs already lined up beside it and fill it halfway, then root around in the fridge for creamer. Sugar’s on the table, so I tip in a decent amount once I’m curled up in one of the wooden dining table chairs.

A timer goes off and I watch as Jacob bends over to take something out of the oven.

Two things actually. He pulls out what looks like a quiche and flaky biscuits, plus fucking French toast. It’s like a goddamn breakfast from a movie.

Jacob slowly pours himself a cup of steaming coffee before joining me at the table.

He’s a good-looking guy. Dark brown hair, a couple of days’ worth of scruff on his square jaw, and the kind of veiny forearms that make for very good art.

“So you’re dating Dante?” Jacob asks nonchalantly.

I sputter around my sip of coffee. Jeez, warn a guy. “No. Not dating. Just… it’s casual.”

“Hmm.” Jacob skewers me with a look that would make a weaker man squirm. “He’s never had someone back at the house before. Usually just hookups at the club.”

“Uhhh…”

“Just saying. He’s dating you even if you aren’t dating him.”

“It’s very nice of you to cook for your roommates,” I say, desperately needing to change the topic before I lose my mind.

Jacob rolls his eyes affectionately. “If I didn’t cook, Hayden would never eat.”

“Oh… are you guys?”

Crimson paints Jacob’s cheeks as he furiously shakes his head. “No, I would never date a roommate. We have too many entanglements. Plus Parker, he’s my twin, he’d probably kill me for fucking with the dynamic .” Jacob uses air quotes when he says “dynamic,” which seems a little funny to me.

“Roommates date,” I point out.

Jacob scoffs. “Sure, but not our kind of roommates.”

That’s weird. “Huh?”

Jacob shakes his head again, then climbs out of the chair, looking the very picture of a defeated man with slumped shoulders and an air of resignation.

I stare transfixed as he dutifully fixes us both a plate of quiche with a biscuit on the side.

I really want some of that damn French toast though.

Quiet settles over us while we dig into the food which is mind-bogglingly delicious.

My stomach doesn’t know whether it should be pleased or outraged that I’m finally eating.

Halfway through the meal, a sleepy Dante stumbles into the room.

He grunts at Jacob while taking the empty seat beside me.

Hooking his foot under my chair, Dante drags my chair closer until he can wrap his sleep-warm arm around my shoulders.

The weight of him somehow instantly relaxes me, despite my lizard brain knowing it shouldn’t.

Jacob disappears from the table and returns moments later with a mug of black coffee and a plate for Dante.

I let Dante keep his arm around me, his thumb gently sweeping over my bicep where his hand hangs.

He seems to perk up after coffee and breakfast, but his eyes stay closed while he relaxes back into his chair.

The two remaining roommates silently file into the room.

I watch with curiosity as Jacob fixes two more plates and mugs of coffee.

One of the other roommates appears to be Jacob’s twin, the other is Hayden from the night before.

Parker isn’t as built like Jacob, a little wiry, but just as strong, his chin sharper.

I wonder how many people think they’re identical, but to me it’s easy to see their differences.

Hayden though, he’s a Greek god if I’ve ever seen one.

All golden-blond hair, tanned skin, and a smile that veers into terrifying with how unearthly it seems.

He is kind of weird though. Maybe even veering into creepy territory.

All four boys have one thing in common; hotter than fucking sin.

Parker and Jacob give off similar vibes to Dante, but not dangerous enough for me.

I can tell underneath that veneer they’re probably sweethearts.

Whereas Hayden is just old-school hot. But it’s the way Jacob looks at Hayden that captures my attention, especially when Hayden leans his chin against his propped-up hand and picks at the quiche.

“Don’t like it?” Jacob asks haughtily.

“It’s fine,” Hayden mumbles.

“Consuming only sugar is bad for your brain.”

Hayden spears Jacob with a thunderous sort of look. “I’m eating the damn eggs, aren’t I?”

“It’s too early for arguing,” Parker mumbles around a biscuit. “Plus, we have company.”

I lean further into Dante’s embrace in hopes of going ignored. But Hayden’s head sharply turns to sweep his gaze over me. He takes in my messy hair and Dante’s hoodie hanging off of me. Dante protectively tightens his hold on me enough for Hayden to notice it.

“Morning, Reid,” Hayden says with forced enthusiasm.

“Morning,” I echo with my own pasted-on smile.

“Weird vibes.” Parker leans across the table to steal the half-eaten biscuit off Hayden’s plate. He tilts back in his chair, reaches into the cabinet, and pulls out a jar of Nutella. After smearing the biscuit with it, he plops it back on Hayden’s plate. “There ya go, boss.”

Hayden grins widely as he eats the biscuit.

Jacob scowls first at Hayden, then at his twin, who just shrugs under the scrutiny.

Everything gets more tense when Jacob stands, grabs the French toast I’d been eyeing, and promptly without further ado plops it in front of Hayden, who sends an absolutely disarming grim up at Jacob.

Oh, that grin could melt me. Dante’s obviously hadenough of them because he clears our plates, then hurriedly hustles me back upstairs.

Maybe he wants a second round before I go back home.

But Dante just closes his bedroom door, then backs me up against the hardwood to kiss me thoroughly. Oh. His fingers dig into my hips to tug me up higher, making it easier for him to lick into my mouth. Just as I’m about to offer to get on my knees, Dante abruptly pulls away with a pained groan.

“I’ve got too much homework to do today to be distracted by you,” Dante mumbles before swooping back down to kiss me softly once more.This time his kiss lingers in a way that curls my toes against the cold hardwood floor. Yikes.

“I’ll go.” I shove him away and move around his room collecting my scattered clothing. I tug on my pants, but when I go to remove the hoodie, Dante stills me with a hand on my arm.

“Wear my hoodie home. ”

My nose instantly wrinkles. “Is this your way of marking me. Ugh, caveman.”

Dante instantly flushes and urgently avoids my gaze. “No, it’s just too cold outside for that damn leather jacket to be warm. I have enough hoodies to spare.”

I hum but don’t argue. I grab the aforementioned leather jacket from his desk, then head toward the door to leave.

“Reid?” Dante calls out.

I spin back around to face him. Dante wiggles his fingers for me to come closer, and the urge to say no is right on the tip of my tongue, but instead my body goes without a single ounce of fight.

Dante kisses me again, then noses down my neck to my shoulder.

Pain sluices through me when he bites down hard, surely hard enough to break skin.

Dante wears a pleased-as-punch grin when he pulls away. That fucking?—

“You always kiss me before you leave,” Dante orders.

A shiver slips down my spine at his words. Pleased by catching me off guard, Dante spins me around with his big hands on my hips, and expertly guides me down the stairs.Almost as if he’s done this before.

“Bye, Reid!” three voices simultaneously call out from the kitchen.

Dante’s fingers tighten on my hips as he hurries me out the front door.

Cold whips me in the face, but the sun is pleasantly warm.

I expected Dante to point me in the direction of my house, then tell me to get to walking.

But Dante only slings an arm over my shoulders and joins me on the short walk home.

I can feel my face heat up from his proximity and his attention, but I also can’t seem to make myself care.

“You’ve got class tomorrow morning, right?” Dante asks to make conversation. I know he has my schedule memorized, just like I have his memorized.

“Yes.”

“You want coffee? I’ll meet you in the quad.”

“Fine.”