Page 21 of Never Let Go (Forbidden #1)

Chapter Twenty-One

LAUREN

A fter my workout, I towel off the sweat before spinning toward the window, that unsettling ‘I’m being watched’ feeling happening again.

I get up and walk over, looking out into the dark, but all I see is my reflection staring back at me. I shiver, anxiety pooling in my chest.

It’s fine, everything’s fine.

Finishing up for the night, I grab my bag, and head out to the dressing room. Removing my phone from my bag I notice a message from Brad:

Brad

Hey, Lauren. Are you free tomorrow night? Thought we could grab dinner while we go over the assignments

I am free tomorrow and he seems nice. I could do worse. Caleb isn’t an option, so I text Brad back:

Sounds great

Brad

Awesome! I’ll pick you up at 8.

I order an Uber, which was my original intent when I pulled out my phone, and head to the entrance. Steve’s in his usual spot behind the desk, I give him a wave, but don’t stop.

I get back to the dorm and Sydney’s sitting on the sofa eating ice cream, piquing my curiosity—Sydney only ever eats ice cream when something’s wrong.

“Everything okay, Syd?” I ask as I place my bag down and curl up next to her, resting my head on her lap.

“Uh huh,” she mumbles around a mouthful of cookie dough. “We still going to my parents for Thanksgiving break?”

I jerk my head up. “Yes! I haven’t seen your mom and dad since we got here.” The excitement clear in my tone.

I absolutely adore Sydney’s parents. Dave and Cynthia Johnson are mom and dad goals.

They welcomed me into their home with open arms and I love spending time with them.

Dave’s a retired fireman and Cynthia’s an ICU nurse, she only works part time, says she can’t give up the job completely or she’d end up killing Dave.

“Okay, I’ll let them know we’re still going,” Syd says, giving me a nod. “Are you working tomorrow night?”

“No, I’ve got the night off, but I’m meeting up with Brad.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who the fuck is Brad and why am I only just hearing about it,” Sydney yells, placing the carton of forgotten ice cream on the coffee table .

I blush. “He’s a TA. He’s helping me catch up on some assignments for Professor Anderson.” Automatically my mind goes straight to Caleb, but I push them away.

Nope. Absolutely not. Go away.

“Girl! Is he hot?” She winks and wiggles her eyebrows at me.

“Shut up,” I laugh. “He’s… cute. I like him, he seems nice.” I shrug. Brad doesn’t fill me with butterflies like Caleb does but at least he’s a safe option and won’t get me kicked out.

Sydney’s hounding me with questions by this point. “Where is he taking you? What time is he picking you up? He’s picking you up, right? What are you weari?—”

“Syd,” I yell, but I’m still laughing. “Slow down. I don’t know where he’s taking me. He’s picking me up at eight, so yes, he’s picking me up, and I have absolutely no clue what I’m wearing. Probably the same as usual… jeans and a hoodie.”

Sydney sits there, mouth agape, staring at me, before she jumps up shouting, “Abso-fucking-lutely not. I will allow the jeans but the hoodie is not happening. I’ll grab you something to wear.

” She rushes out of the living room and into her bedroom.

“I will not have you looking like some… heathen,” she calls.

“Alright, Tan France,” I giggle. “Whatever makes you happy.” I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me.

“I saw that, bitch. Don’t you roll those pretty green eyes at me. You’ll be thanking me tomorrow when you’re having a string of orgasms.”

I get thrown into a visual episode of Caleb and I in his office.

I completely zone out, reliving every detail as if it was happening all over again.

My thighs clench together and I have to bite my hand to stop the whimper that wants to escape.

I remember his hands gripping me tightly, the way his cock felt as he thrust into me, over and over again.

The way his tongue had me seeing stars?—

“LAUREN!” Sydney shouts, distracting me. “Girl, are you okay?” she asks gently, placing her hand on my arm. Sydney knows this happens on occasion and that I don’t like to talk about it.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I mumble. “I’m gonna… go and lie down.” I force a smile and all but run to my room.

As soon as I get there, I grab my trusty vibrator and get into bed. I lift my T-shirt and bra up, rolling my nipple around and pinching it slightly, sighing at the contact. I take my other hand and move it down into my sweats, placing a finger on my clit and rubbing in slow deliberate circles.

“Does my girl want my cock in her cunt?”

Images and sounds of Caleb flood my senses and all I can think about is him. I can feel his touch on my skin, his gentle hands as he grips my hips.

“I love the way you feel around my cock.”

Shit! It’s like he’s here with me, like he’s whispering in my ear.

I’m so wet, the vibrator’s easing in and out smoothly, the tip hitting my G-spot, the sensation causes me to lift my hips off the bed, trying to chase the feeling.

I bite my lip to stifle my moans of pleasure, thinking of Caleb’s tongue on my clit.

“Come for me, baby girl.”

I cry out into my hand, as I climax, my body shuddering with the aftershocks.

Coming down from my high, I remove the vibrator and throw it down next to me.

I shouldn’t have been thinking of Caleb but his was the only face I could see when my eyes were closed, the only voice I could hear.

And that thought alone scares the shit out of me.