Romancing the R.A. (Campus Crush series) (5 page)

He laughs and tosses his dirty clothes into the bottom of his closet, right on top of the shoes. “You can sit down, you know. Make yourself comfortable.”

Sit. I only had two options: his desk chair or the bed. I chicken out and slump into the chair.

He wrinkles his brow. “Isn’t that seat wet from my swimsuit?”

As soon as he says it, it registers why there’s a sudden coolness seeping into my jean shorts. “Totally wet.” I stand up and look at the dark mark on my butt. “Well, that’s not embarrassing at all.” I roll my eyes, unable to believe what a complete idiot I’m being. I’m alone with Andy in his room. This is what I wanted, so why am I acting so freakin’ lame?

He laughs. “I’d loan you a blow dryer, but I don’t have one.”

My underwear is sticking to me in the worst way. “Maybe I should go. I brought a blow dryer with me.”

His face falls. “Oh. I understand. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

Are we still talking about my wet shorts? “On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t go just yet. I mean, your shirt was wet earlier, thanks to me, and you didn’t change.” I shrug, trying to look casual and act the way I think a college co-ed would. “Besides, it would be a little embarrassing walking out of here like this. Right now you’re the only one who knows about my stupidity.” Of course, he’s the last one I want to see it.

He laughs again. “Afraid you’ll get a fun nickname like Wet Pants before you even officially start the semester?”

“You could say that.” That and I have no desire to leave his room.

“I might have a pair of sweats for you to change into until your shorts dry.”

Wear his clothes? That would require me getting undressed. Here. In his room.

“You could change in the bathroom. It’s just down the hall to the right.” He heads for his closet and rummages through it. When he turns around, he’s holding a pair of navy blue sweats. “They’ll be huge on you, but they should work.” He holds them out to me. No way will they fit. I place them up against my body, and the legs continue past my feet. We both laugh. “Okay, maybe not.” He steps closer, closing the distance between us. “Does this mean you won’t stay?”

Decision time. Am I willing to risk getting hurt by the first guy I met on campus?

He reaches for my face and gently brushes a few strands of hair behind my shoulder. I shiver at his touch. His eyes fall to my lips, which part slightly as if inviting him in.
God, just kiss me already!

He steps back, and my heart sinks into my stomach. What happened? Why did he stop? Did I do something? All I know is I’m devastated he didn’t kiss me. I search his eyes for some clue, but he turns away before I find one.

“So, you said you’re undecided on a major?”

What the hell is that? We’re making small talk again? “Um, I might be leaning towards art.” The words come out as awkwardly as I feel.

He sits on the bed. “Do you paint, sculpt…? Sorry, I don’t know what else there is. I have no artistic ability whatsoever.”

“I prefer to work with charcoals. You know, doing sketches, but I paint as well.” Thank God the words are just tumbling out of my mouth because I can’t make any sense of where this conversation came from or where it’s going.

“Why are you undecided then?” He pats the bed next to him.

I still can’t believe we’re talking. I should be in his arms, kissing him. “I don’t want to get your bed wet from my shorts.” I’m not sure why I’m arguing with his invitation, but my mind is a jumbled mess right now.

“It’s my fault your shorts are wet so it’s only fitting.”

No, my shorts are wet because I’m a fucking coward. Maybe that’s why he didn’t kiss me—because I chose his wet chair over his bed. He probably thinks I’m an inexperienced little high school senior. He pats the bed again, and this time I don’t hesitate. I sit down, angling my body so I’m facing him. I just want to touch him, but I’m not sure if I should make the first move so I bring my knee up so it’s leaning against his. “My parents don’t want me to major in art. They want me to pick something ‘I can actually use one day’.” I make air quotes to show those are their words, not mine.

Andy shakes his head. “Screw what’s useful. I’d rather have a job I love, even if it doesn’t pay as well.”

“Then why are you majoring in business?” I’m calling him out, trying to figure out if he’s for real or not.

“I want to own a restaurant one day. One that serves nothing but omelets, every kind imaginable.”

“Omelets? I would’ve expected you to say a frozen yogurt shop.” I lift my eyes, meeting his gaze, challenging him.
I’m right here. Just kiss me!

“I’m not really in it for the yogurt. It’s all about the sprinkles.” He smiles, and his hand finds my knee, tracing circles on it. “Now, if I could find a way to use sprinkles in an omelet, I’d be all set.” His touch sends goose bumps down my legs, which he acknowledges with a smile.               I slide closer to him on the bed. “Why aren’t you majoring in cooking if that’s what you really want to do?” What I really want to know is why he’s touching my knee when it’s clear he wants to be touching more than just my leg.

He shrugs. “Probably for the same reason you aren’t majoring in art. My parents wanted me to have a degree that was more versatile. I’m minoring in cooking, though. Timberland doesn’t offer cooking as anything more than that anyway.”

“What made you come here then?” Our shoulders are pressed together now, and his hand finds the hem of my shorts.

“Full ride.”

“I thought you said you didn’t get any special treatment because your dad is the dean?” It’s like we’re having two conversations, one with words and one with our bodies, which are dying to get to know each other better.

“I came here on a swimming scholarship. My dad became dean
after
I enrolled. He took the position after my first semester.”

“Makes sense.” What doesn’t make sense is why he hasn’t kissed me yet.

“Are you testing me?” His tone isn’t accusatory, just matter-of-fact.

Am I? Maybe I do want to make sure the guy who’s driving me so crazy is really a
good
guy. “Sorry. I’m not the most trusting person, I guess. The guys at my school are…Well, I don’t spend much time worrying if what they say is true.”

“Because you don’t buy any of it?”

I nod, realizing how awful that sounds. He’s going to think I’m a stuck up bitch. “I’m not—”

He holds his hands up, and I immediately crave his touch again. “You’re careful. You should be. No need to defend it. You wouldn’t believe how many naïve freshman I see come through here.” He shakes his head. “I don’t understand why girls just throw themselves at guys or why they trust any guy who says he likes her.”

Or opens a door for her? What is he trying to tell me?

“Most guys aren’t boyfriend material. It’s not what they’re after.”

Not what
he’s
after? Am I supposed to read into this or not? I’m sure he saw where this was going a moment ago.

“I like that you don’t trust people right off the bat. People should have to earn your trust.”

God, I’m going crazy. What is he trying to say?

He cocks his head. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No. I’m just trying to figure you out. Are you warning me about what most guys are like or is this really about you?”

He sighs. “Shit. I’m such an idiot.”

I wasn’t expecting that. “What do you mean?”

“I shouldn’t be telling you this in my room. You must think I’m some pervy R.A. who hits on incoming freshman.”

I had dismissed that thought before he started all this confusing talk about trust, but now I’m not so sure. “I don’t want to think that. I guess that’s why I’m asking.”

“I’m not like that.” His eyes say it all. He means it.

“Good.”

“Fuck.”

“What?” How is that not a good thing?

“I just screwed myself over, didn’t I?” He runs his hand through his hair.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

He lowers his hand, placing it on mine. “Because now if I try to kiss you, you’re going to think this was my plan all along. That I really
am
like those other guys and I’m scamming you.”

“But you’re not.” It’s not a question. I don’t doubt he’s a good guy, and all I want is for him to kiss me. Well, maybe not
all
I want, but it’s a start.

“No, I’m not.”

He’s not going to kiss me. I can tell. He’s afraid I’ll think he’s lying if he does.

“I guess there’s only one thing to do,” I say.

He takes his hand off mine and nods. “You’re going to check into your room.”

“Yeah.” My heart pounds. “But not until after I do this.” I lean forward, gently placing my lips against his.

Chapter Six

He’s stunned at first and doesn’t move. I start to pull away, thinking I’ve made a huge mistake, but then I feel Andy’s hand on my lower back, pulling me closer. His lips part, and he deepens the kiss.

Every inch of me is on fire. Andy’s an incredible kisser, but the position we’re in is awkward. I reach my hands up and bury my fingers in his hair, which prompts him to lift me onto his lap. Much better. Our bodies are pressed so close I can feel every inch of him. My lungs are screaming for air, but I’m not willing to give in to them. I’ve been dying to kiss Andy ever since he first smiled at me, and I’ll be damned if I’m backing away that quickly.

His hands move up my back to my hair, and he pulls my head back gently exposing my neck. His lips trail down my jaw and to the nape of my neck. I bite my lip to stifle a moan, but it manages to slip out anyway. Andy slowly eases off, opening his eyes to see my reaction. I debate pulling his lips back to mine, but for the moment I drape my arms around his shoulders and just stare into his baby blue eyes.

“Wow.”

He can say that again. “Yeah.”

“I can honestly say that’s the first time I didn’t have to make the first move.”

“And it’s the first time
I
ever made the first move.”

He smiles. “Then I’m honored.” He leans forward and places a single kiss on my neck. His hips rise under me, and I know exactly where he’s hoping this is going to lead. My body is screaming for his touch, but I don’t want to be
that
girl. The one who goes off to college and sleeps with the first guy she meets. As much as I want Andy, I can’t do this right now.             

I slide off his lap and look at the clock on the wall. “It’s almost dinnertime. I guess I should go check out my room and find Julia.”