Page 167 of Always Love You More

“Thank you,” I tell him as he steps into the hallway.

I focus back on the worksheet in front of me, trying to cram for a test on Monday. There are about a million other ways I’d rather be spending my Friday night, but since I’ll be working all weekend, this is the only time I have to study.

It’s nights like these, when the numbers in front of me start to blur together, that I think about dropping out. My promise to Johnny, sometimes it’s the only thing that keeps me going.

My eyes automatically snap up when I hear a laugh from the doorway, startling when I see Jameson.

Has it been that long already?

He motions to the book in front of me. “You look like you wanna murder the thing.” He drops his gaze, lingering on the pencil I’m biting.

“You would be, too, if you were trying to solve this shit,” I whine. “I’ve been on the same problem since you left.”

“Good thing you’ll never use calculus a day in your life,” he says, leaning against the doorframe.

“Tell that to Newton,” I mutter.

“Huh?”

I shake my head. “Issac Newton, he invented calculus. Well, him and this other guy, Leibniz.”

He snorts. “Why the fuck do you know that?”

I shrug. “I don’t know.”

“You’re such a nerd.”

“I am not,” I say, standing.

“Just ’cause you don’t look like one”—he drags his eyes up my body, slowing on the cleavage my crossed arms are pushing up—“doesn’t mean you aren’t one. You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met.” He takes a step forward. “Only makes you hotter.”

I tilt my head as he closes the distance between us. “You like me for my brain then, huh?”

He drops his voice as he slides his hands up under my shirt, causing my arms to fall, then drags his fingers along the band of my bra. “Among other things.”

“Hmm,” I breathe. “And what other things do you like about me?”

His hands continue to explore as he presses his body closer to mine. “I’ll show you later,” he answers before stepping back.

I sag forward, instantly missing his touch. “Later?”

He motions to the door. “Food’s gonna get cold.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“What? You can be patient, can’t you?”

“You’re such a fucking tease.”

“Gotta pay you back for all the times you’ve done it to me.”

“I’m not a tease,” I shoot back.

He raises an eyebrow.

“What?”

“You ever seen yourself?”