Page 54 of The Substitute

My eyes flick down toward his groin despite knowing the table is blocking my view.

“You want to see what you do to me?”

I nod quickly, but when he doesn’t say anything, I look up to find him waiting for something.

“Yes, I want to see.” The words are breathy, but I don’t care.

He smiles at me, and it makes butterflies flutter in my stomach.

“Come here.”

The command in his voice and the dominance in his body language have my full attention. I’m around the table next to him in a heartbeat, but he reaches for me, settling me to straddle his lap.

Every breath I take is him. My heart is beating a rhythm to his name, and it’s taking all my pitiful self-restraint not to rub my entire body against him like a damn cat. Sliding my hands into the hair at the back of his neck, I roll my hips, and he groans.

“Again.” He grips my hips, and I put more effort into the movement, circling and rolling over him. Fuck, it feels amazing to know I’m turning him on, that he wants me as much as I want him. I can’t believe I’m doing this in public, but honestly I’d seen so much worse in the cafeteria.

“Now,” he begins, and I know this was a trap so I can’t get away from his stupid questions. “Does it bother you that I showed up when you didn’t ask me to?”

“No,” I groan, just wanting to get this over with.

“And now for the truth.”

“That is the truth!”

“Nope. There’s more to it. It’ll be a lot easier for both of us if you just tell me.”

“Ugh!” I drop my head back on my shoulders. “I like that you showed up.”

“But?” he prompts.

“I don’t know how to accept it.”

“Do I need to remind you I don’t do anything I don’t want to do?”

My shoulders droop, and I drop my head toward my lap. “No.”

“Sounds like I do.” He lifts my chin with his fingers.

“That’s not it.” I sigh and try to find the words. “I guess it’s the motivation behind it that I struggle with.”

“Wanting to see you, spend time with you, isn’t a good enough motivation?”

“Uh, no, not really.”

“Your self-esteem sucks.”

I huff out a laugh, but it’s not really funny. “I know.”

“You are worth the effort. I enjoy being around you, or I wouldn’t be here. Do you understand that?”

I shake my head, not because I want him to compliment me or something, but because I really don’t.

“I want to spend time with you. I like you. I like getting to know you and I’m going to keep doing it.”

“It’s not about pissing off your brother?” I ask careful to avoid his eyes.

He grabs my chin making it so I have to look at him. “No. It’s only about you and wanting to be here with you.”