Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 629(@200wpm)___ 503(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
This course is good for her too. Before Noah, Ari always secretly hoped she could one day be just like her own mother—blessed with the opportunity to stay at home with her kids and raise a family. Thankfully, that is the exact life Noah can give her down the line. All the random classes she’s taking with me will help her with that, seeing as she hopes to be able to teach them to read and write before they go off to school. And like her mom did us, be their study partners the years that follow.
Even if I was to become a mother one day despite the challenges in my way, I don’t think I’d be cut out to be a stay-at-home parent. It takes a very special kind of person to dedicate your life in that way, and I’m just not sure I’d be up for the job. Maybe that’s part of the reason why I want to run some sort of facility, to know that there is one more safe place for kids who do have working parents to go and still feel the warmth a home should bring.
“Go ahead and break off with your partner for the rest of class,” Professor Gilroy says, pulling me from my thoughts. “I’ll be making the rounds, so if a question comes up, flag me down and ask. Confusion will not be an excuse for late work.”
My smile falters, and I look to Alister, only to find he’s already staring at me and who’s to say for how long.
“This class is important to you.” Not a question.
I can’t help but scoff as I shift my legs in the chair so they’re angled toward him and flip my notebook open. “Reality reminder, Alister? I’m not an athlete waiting around for something bigger than what college has to offer. All my classes are important to me.”
“Cameron, I didn’t mean—”
“I know,” I sigh. “Let’s just not talk about our future dreams and aspirations, all right? I was supposed to be doing this with my best friend.”
“And now you’re stuck with me.” He’s not being an ass about it. In fact, he looks a tad remorseful, his next words confirming as much. “If it means anything, I feel a little bad right now.”
My smile is sad. “You seem to do things you regret quite often.”
Shame falls over him. “More than I’d like to admit, Cam, but I am sorry I took away your fun for this class.”
“But not sorry enough to offer to swap,” I guess.
His grin is a bit sheepish and a low chuckle escapes.
“And now I’m stuck doing it with a guy I’m not sure I can trust with my grade.”
He leans forward then, all hints of remorse wiped from his face, something wicked washing over him. When he speaks, his tone is low and raspy and only loud enough for me to hear. “Can’t trust me with your grade, but you can trust me with your body?”
I match his movement, meeting him halfway until we’re way too close to be considered appropriate for class. “Trust is not a word I would use for you. Do I know I can give you my body? Yes. Any other part of me?” I lift my brows, shaking my head.
“Giving me your body. That’s trust, is it not?”
“No. It’s not. It’s a bad decision I knowingly and willingly made.”
“I’ll take you anyway I can get you, you know.” He stares into my eyes. “If that means you only come to me when you need someone you can give your body to, then so be it.”
“Nothing has changed, Alister.” I sit back, cursing myself. “God, none of that was fair to you. I was being selfish, and I’m really sorry about that.”
“I’m not.”
I frown at him. “You should be. Clearly, I gave you hope where I’m not sure there is any. I shouldn’t have led you on like that.”
“We had sex.” He grins. “That’s like the opposite of leading me on.”
A low laugh leaves me, and I look away a moment, slowly facing him once more. “I’m just trying to apologize for any confusion that night might have caused.”
“There’s no confusion, only clarity.”
My brows snap together. “See?” I whisper. “You think it means something.”
“At the very least, it means you still want me.”
I chew the inside of my lip, considering something. “How honest do you want me to be with you?”
He has the common sense to tense at the question, taking a few moments to consider what it is exactly that I’m saying. He looks around, and I wish the professor would come over and interrupt us already. Tension tugs at his eyes, but he nods. “Tell me.”
Nerves tangle in my stomach, a towing sensation I try to push away but can’t quite manage to. I don’t want to be vulnerable with this man, not after everything, but maybe I need to be. Maybe he needs to hear it.