Page 78 of Constantly Cotton

He wasn’t willing to go dating again, but he would really like a friend.

And that’s exactly what he was thinking when he walked down the steps of the classroom building, heading across the street for the on-campus student housing, and saw the dark-haired guy in the chinos and the plaid shirt, leaning against the red sports car.

Cotton came to a complete halt, all his breath stopping in his body as Jason raised his head and smiled.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” Cotton said, remembering—barely—to look both ways before crossing the street. He walked right up into Jason’s space, ignoring propriety, ignoring his fellow students streaming to their cars and dorms. Jason wasthere, and he looked good—fit and tanned and fully recovered, his warm smile showing the crinkles in the corners of his eyes.

“You got homework this weekend?” Jason asked, like it was the most logical thing in the world.

“Some,” Cotton admitted.

“Could you do it somewhere else?” he asked, biting his lip.

“Hell yeah. Let’s go.”

“Do you want to pack a go-bag?” Jason laughed, and Cotton shook his head.

“I’ll fit into your clothes,” he said confidently. “I’ve got my laptop, I’ve got my books. I’m not giving you a chance to get away.”

Jason laughed some more, tilting his head back and letting the sound wash over them both. “Pack a go-bag,” he said softly. “We can’t have sex the whole time. We’re having dinner with friends.”

Cotton squeezed his eyes shut, giddy, floating, ecstatic. “Where are we going?” he asked.

Jason brushed his lips quietly against Cotton’s, and Cotton sighed, wanting to fall into the kiss but keenly aware that once he did they’d be having sex in the back of the sports car right there, where it was parked, and that wasn’t the impression he was trying to make.

“Pack for two days,” Jason whispered. “Including swim trunks. I’ll have you back Sunday night.”

“Okay.” He tasted again, and Jason slid his tongue in enough to make him moan before Jason pulled back.

“Go,” Jason said. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

He was.

FOR Awhile, they just drove, the Maserati handling like a dream as they cleared the congestion near the suburbs and hit the open road. Cotton tilted his head back and let the wind blow through his hair, taking in the sun on his face and power of the car. And the man at his side.

After an hour Jason stopped at a hole-in-the-wall taqueria for them to eat, and they started talking. Jason told him what had happened with Deavers, and how Talbot had pretended like Jason had never left his post in the desert, and how Jessica was so pleased with Cotton’s progress so far.

“Your sister’s a great teacher,” Cotton said, enjoying his carne asada salad very much. “She’s making me remember why I liked school in the first place.”

“Has she said anything to you?” Jason asked. “About me?”

Cotton shook his head. “Nope. If I hadn’t realized who she was when the paperwork showed up, I wouldn’t know we knew someone in common.”

Jason winked. “She might be more human after you graduate. Three years?”

Cotton let out a breath. “Yeah. Seems like forever.”

“You don’t have to spend it all at the dorms,” Jason said.

“What does that mean?” Cotton’s heart began to thrum.

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes,” Cotton said, unequivocally.

“Then wait a little. I’ll show you.”