Hanging by a Moment (From this Moment Book 1) (6 page)

As I lie there I hear Luke’s breathing slowly even out and I know he has fallen asleep. I glance at him over my shoulder and see he is sound asleep with his head resting on his forearm. My eyelids are heavy from the tears earlier and before I know it I am asleep next to him.

****

Ethan’s beautiful face hovers closely over mine, his warm breath on me as he lowers his full lips onto mine, kissing me sweetly. Soft and slowly as his tongue slips between my teeth, dancing ardently inside my mouth, sending mind blowing ripples throughout my  scorching body.

His warm hands reach up to gently grip the sides of my face, holding my head in place as he deepens his kiss, pouring his passion into me.

He helps to position me so my legs are on either side of his hips - straddling him. My hands, hungry to touch him, reach out and slide down his hot finely chiselled chest. I feel the rapid beat of his heart under my finger tips as they move lower down to his rippled tummy, slowly stroking rock hard abs. I rest my hands inches above his erection. I feel him hot and firm pressed into me as he groans.

His kiss becomes more urgent, with his tongue plunging deeper into my mouth as his one hand travels to my back, forcing me closer to him until I am pressed onto his chest. His soft lips suck me feverishly along my jaw, travelling leisurely to my neck, up to my ear, sucking on my earlobe.

I want him so much. I want to see him, see what I do to him. I open my eyes to drink in the sight of him. It’s dark in the room but the bright glow of the clear white moon, shining through the window, provides enough light to make out his features. I look at his beautiful face, my fingers skimming down the side of his jaw.

Such a beautiful face.

But it is not Ethan’s.

I jerk my head back as I push off against him, scrambling to the couch. “What the hell, Luke?” I ask panting, my voice unrecognisable.

His expression freezes and his eyes are wide. “Why the hell did you kiss me?” He asks in a hoarse voice.

I wrap my hands around my chest. “You woke up and made a grab for me.” I accuse.

He shakes his head. “Princess, I don’t go about stealing kisses from sleeping maidens. I prefer them conscious... I want them to remember every
delicious detail
.” He winks at me. “Now go back to your side and stop trying to have your way with me while I sleep.” He chuckles as he rests his head on the back of the couch, closing his eyes.

I’m left with an eyeful of his rippling muscles that are still moving hard and fast as he tries to calm his breath down.

My anger seethes as I hear him laugh quietly.

Looking around me for something to hit him with, I realise I am indeed on his side of the couch almost on top of him.
Triple fuck!

This means I made a grab for him.

I cringe, praying for the ground to open up and swallow me up whole. I look away as my cheeks heat.

My subconscious falls off her bed laughing. Pointing her forefinger at me, she screams...
you want him
. This has got to be the most embarrassing thing I ever did. I can almost hear the angels above rolling in laughter.

I stand up and pull my twisted blanket up from the couch, folding it neatly before placing it on the coffee table. I cannot stay here tonight... not with him. What if I make a grab for him again? No! I do not trust myself. What the hell is wrong with me? I have never done something like that before. I can never look Luke in his beautiful blue eyes again. Picking up my bag from the floor, I turn towards the door, ready to leave. I can’t stay here. That creepy voice is back...
afraid you going to jump him again?

“Don’t be ridiculous to leave now.” His voice startles me. “It is pitch dark outside and not safe to walk back to the dorms.” I look over my shoulder to see he is awake and watching me.

“Thanks for your concern but the big bad wolf is in here. In this room. So I’m guaranteed to be safe outside.” I throw at him and turn towards the door.

He sighs. “Don’t go! Who is going to protect me if some deranged female jumps me while I sleep?” I hear him shuffling behind me. “Quit being a drama queen and get back here. I’ll handcuff you to your side of the couch if you think that will help.” He chuckles at his own joke. This would have been funny if it was not poking fun at me.

I move towards the door just as he steps in front of me. He shakes his head. “Stay. I’ll leave instead.” Grabbing a T-shirt from a bag lying in front of the television, he slips it over his chest. He moves towards the door, unlocking it and without another word steps out into the darkness, closing the door behind him. Once again he walks out on me.

I let out the deep breath I’m holding and make my way back to the couch. His blue blanket is all crumpled. Reaching down I pick it up. It still feels warm. I gather it up and wrap it around me, smelling his unique minty fresh scent on the blanket. I rest my head on the back of the couch and drift off to a restless dreamless sleep.

Chapter Five

The cafeteria is quiet when Brit and I arrive for lunch. My head feels like there is a heavy metal band jamming inside and my sleep deprived gray eyes are bloodshot and sensitive. I am glad we are alone as I have a chance to fill her in on Ethan’s letter. She spent last night with Travis in his room and I missed her this morning. She and Travis opted to have breakfast at Starbucks.

Her voice is laced with sympathy. “Now that is a sign that you need to move on. Not everyone is going to abandon you, just the ones that are not good enough for you. I’m not saying go jump the first guy you find...”

My face betrays me, blushing furiously a deep red colour under her scrutiny.

Her blue eyes very nearly pop out of its sockets.  “
Oh my God!
What did I miss?” Her hands fly over her mouth.

“Argh!” I groan. I fill her in on the embarrassing details of last night, cringing all the way from the hair on my head down to my toes.

She roars with laughter, wiping away the tears from her eyes with the back of her hands. “You sneaky little man whore. I need to give you some lessons in the
fine art of seduction
. You probably scared the shit out of him.” Her entire body is shaking with laughter.

I narrow my eyes at her. “Well he seemed to enjoy it as much as I did.” I remind her.

“Maybe your subconscious is telling you something.
You want him.
” She sings out.

I can tell she is enjoying every bit of this. I playfully shove her.

“So, how was your first kiss even if you claim to be half asleep?”

And for a second time in a matter of seconds my face betrays me. I feel my face burn with the blood rushing to my already heated cheeks, as I recall my first kiss with Luke was two days ago outside his dorm room that he shares with Trav. I look away unable to maintain eye contact with Brit.

“Why are you not looking at me?”
she asks.

Forcing my eyes to look at her, I see her blue eyes widen for the second time.
“No fucking way!”
She slams her tiny hand on the table. “That was not your first kiss?” She cocks her eyebrow and jabs my arm with one perfectly manicured nail. “You’ve been holding out on me. Spill it, missy!” She orders me.

“Ouch.” I proceed to fill my best friend - who I share everything with - on the details of my first kiss with Luke. “I’ll definitely give him an A plus for his kissing skills.” I wink. “It was out of this fucking Universe! I have never been kissed like that before. Damn he’s like... all hot and sexy... ooh.” I confess to Brit who hungrily eats up all the details I’ve been sharing with her.

“Next thing I know you’ll be telling me you already had sex with him.” She laughs.

“Shut up. And no. I still need to apologise to him over my bad behaviour.”
What on earth do I say?
This is going to be so embarrassing. I mean how does one even word an apology for what I did? I have royally fucked up. He probably thinks I’m bat shit crazy.
Bat shit crazy for him,
my subconscious reminds me.

“Luke comes across as an understanding type of guy. Don’t sweat it.” My best friend, ever my champion tries her best to make me feel better. “I mean the guy should be thanking you.”

I look at her with my eyebrows raised.

“Oh come on... admit it. You need to stop selling yourself short. You are a total babe. And he should be glad...
you jumped him
.” She breaks down into another fit of giggles.

I swat her. “Oh, Brit, what do I do? I’ve messed this up. Luke must think I’m some kind of nut job.” I cover my face with my hands too mortified to face the mess I’ve made.

“Give him some credit, Em. That guy is so into you.” She wastes no time beating about the bush.

Yeah right!
What even makes her think that?
He rooms with Travis and guys talk,
my subconscious reminds me.

Before I can reply, I sense Travis and Luke walk into the cafeteria. The raised hair on my back is a dead giveaway. My subconscious braces herself for another round of
Comedy Central
. And I feel my heart rate jump, reaching for the sky. This guy is proving to be hazardous to my health.

Brit nudges me gently and I turn to look at her. “Your man is here.” She mouths to me.

I shake my head before looking up to see Luke’s eyes fixed on me as he takes his usual seat opposite me. His baby blue T-shirt makes his eyes look even bluer. The fabric is stretched across his broad chest and shows off his incredible pectorals. The very same ones I had the pleasure of exploring.

My insides are all gooey as I remember the events from last night, the way his soft lips felt against mine. His warm hands touching me. The feel of his skin under my finger tips. I bite on my lower to lip to stop myself from moaning. Shifting uncomfortably on the hard plastic chair, I try to remember how to eat.
Food on fork, lift fork and place inside open mouth, then chew.

My emotions are scattered. This thing I feel for Luke is driving me crazy and I cannot help it. I steal a glance at him from beneath my lashes and find blue pools still pinned on me with a smile tickling the corner of his mouth. I focus on my food.
Eat,
I order myself.

I wonder if he is amused at me for my rather unladylike behaviour last night or perhaps the remote possibility that he enjoyed what happened between us as much as I did. I look up again and I am disappointed when I notice he has turned his blues to concentrate on the food in front of him.

I have lost all control of my eyes as they focus on him chewing his grilled cheese sandwich.
Lucky grilled cheese sandwich.
His slim elegant fingers wrapped tight around the bread. Oh how I wish those fingers were wrapped around me, touching me.

A nudge on my shoulder gets my attention and I glance at Brit. “We’re going to take a walk outside. See you guys later in class.” And with that she and Travis get up and walk out of the cafeteria leaving Luke and I alone at the table.

I have to apologise to him and this makes me feel like lead. I nervously exhale before looking back at Luke trying my best to find the words I need.

I moisten my lips. “Um... I’m sorry about last night.” I blurt out looking at his handsome face.

He does not look up at me nor does he say anything. His expression is unreadable as he continues to eat his sandwich. I continue. “It will never happen again.”

Silence.

His lack of response knocks flat my earlier thought that he actually enjoyed kissing me. I wish he would just say something. The silence is killing me.

After what seems like an eternity, he pushes his tray away from him and focuses his attention on me. His blue eyes twinkle.  “Never, say never, princess.” He takes a sip of his water, his eyes never leaving mine.

I gape at him with my mouth open.
What... did I hear that right?

He made it sound like there will be more kissing between us. Oh shit... perhaps he thinks I will attack him again. Bloody asshole! Here I am trying to apologise to his royal arrogance and he makes fun of me in the most embarrassing way possible.

I can feel my temper flare. And I’m going to set him straight. I spent too long wasting precious time trying to figure out why Ethan walked away from what we had. And now that I have finally let him go, I vow to never get caught up in waste-of-time-good-for-nothing guys who are not worth the effort it takes to shave my legs.

“That’s right because the next time I do kiss a guy, it will be someone I actually like.” I snap at him. So much for trying to be civil and apologise to him.

His blue eyes bore into me and I see a twitch on his clenched jaw.

He frowns as he rubs his chin as if in deep thought. “Can we call a truce here, seeing that we have already slept together and...” He smirks as he shakes his head. My mouth drops to the floor in horror. “You did
attack
me?” He looks at me feigning mock horror.

“Repeat that ever again and I will
attack
you. With a knife.” I grunt back at him. My heart nearly springs out of my chest as his lips relax into a super sexy boyish grin, instantly melting me.

He looks so beautiful right now. And all my earlier anger evaporates in a blink.

He extends one hand towards me. “Truce?” His head tilts to the side.

Reaching up to take his hand - mainly because I’ve been craving further contact with him - I tense all over. I feel that all too familiar warm tingling sensation spiralling inside me as our hands wrap around each other. My skin burns all over and I feel that electrical spark that Jane mentioned coursing through our hands.
Yes, we sure can light up the Northern Hemisphere.

It takes me a moment to find my voice. “Truce.” I smile back at him.

His blue eyes twinkle.

He walks me to our next class which we share and Mr Jones has set up a movie for us today highlighting the different leadership styles. As soon as the lights are switched off, Luke leans in close to me, engulfing me with his minty freshness and whispers softly into my ear. “Are you going to attack me again in the dark?” His warm breath leaves goose bumps on my neck. He chuckles as I elbow him in the ribs.