Underneath It All (7 page)

“Yes, please.” I looked up to him, his blue eyes met mine. The raging storm outside was forgotten for a while.

Reeve slid his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

“This will keep you warm and less afraid,” he said and kissed me.

My fear evaporated like dew in the heat of the moment. Everything was blurry and the world spilled away. I relaxed and let my lips move with his.

His kiss became more insistent, his hands under my shirt, running the length of my back.

He carried me and walked into the room without breaking the kiss. He put me down on the bed and
climbed on top of
me, kissing me hard and passionately. My heart was frantically thumping in my chest, caught in a torrent of pent up desire fighting for release.

He bit my bottom lip, demanding entrance I graciously granted. Our tongues clashed against each other in a playful dance inside my mouth.

His lips left my mouth and moved to tickle my ear with the tip of his tongue, running it on the outer shell. I gasped. He left my ear, trailed kisses to my jaw and traveled down my neck kissing and nibbling on the sensitive skin, softly blowing on the spots his tongue touched, making me shiver.

I squeezed my eyes shut as the ecstasy flowed through my veins and whimpered happily as he gave me a love bite. The distinct bulge in his pants brushed against my own. The wonderful friction was torture, but I was enjoying every minute of it.

Reeve slowly pulled back and looked into my eyes. He plopped down on the bed beside me and pressed his forehead on mine. “That’s all for now. You’re still weak. You can’t handle me,” he whispered.

I chuckled, leaned over, and kissed him gently on the lips. I rested my head on his chest and tangled our feet. “Just stay.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

I lusted after him. I lusted after his kiss, his body, his touch, and I was convinced that after this night I would lust after him for the rest of my life.

I fell asleep with Reeve’s strong arms wrapped around me, listening to the steady beat of his heart and the whistling sound of the strong wind outside.

Chapter IX

Wildfire

I was woken up by the sun’s rays filtering through the curtains. I hadn’t slept for that long since I was a teenager, surprisingly enough. I turned to Reeve’s side of the bed only to find he was not there.

Where could he be?

I saw a note on the bedside table. I took it and read:

Agata,

I hope you’re feeling okay. I’m off to work; sorry I didn’t wake you up. You were sleeping so peacefully; I didn’t have the heart to do so. Feel free to take a shower and get comfortable. There are towels in the cabinet, and I’ve set out some clothes that seem like they might be your size. You don’t have any idea how happy it makes me feel to see you sleeping in my bed. I’ll be back for lunch. I can’t wait to see you again.

Yours,

Reeve

I smiled after reading the note and grabbed the pillow that Reeve used. I blushed and buried my face in the pillow as the flashback of what happened last night came back to tease me. It was completely wonderful. I tried to shake it off, but to no avail, especially since his scent lingered on the pillow I was hugging.

I found a pair of jeans, a shirt, and some underwear folded neatly on the bathroom shelf. I wondered where he’d gotten them, but got in the shower and was grateful nonetheless.

I went out of the room and sneaked into the kitchen to find something to eat. I opened the fridge and leaned in to look for food. I was about to move from there when I heard an unfamiliar voice echo in the doorway.

I turned to peek and see who arrived, and saw someone set all of her stuff on the kitchen counter. She walked out into the living room and plopped onto the couch next to the dogs. “I missed the L.A. weather. Do you wanna go visit Amanda?”

I didn’t say anything.

“Brother?”

I stayed leaning on the fridge when I heard footsteps behind me.

“Hey, did you hear me?” I heard the voice say and I hit my head on the fridge.

“Damn.” I yelped and rubbed my head. I looked over and froze at the amused girl before me.

She shot me a weird look. “Who are you?”

“Hi,” I greeted, waving awkwardly.

“And you are…?”

“I-I’m Agata.”

We stood there for a minute in an awkward silence until it broke when Nana’s sudden bark made us slightly jolt. We both laughed at the same time.

Yet the laughter died down and it was awkward once more. About a minute passed before she asked, “Are you my brother’s girlfriend?”

I bobbed my head from side to side. “Kind…of.”

Her face beamed and she lunged toward me for a great big hug. “I am so pleased to meet you! I’m Rogue, his sister.”

“I’m pleased to meet you, too,” I squeaked, cheeks flaring up in embarrassment.

“Are you looking for something to eat?”

I nodded.

“You better. You look so pale. Come on, let’s have breakfast together.”

She grabbed my hand and had me sit down at the kitchen table.

“I’m guessing you expected me to be a bitch, right?”

Rogue laughed as she walked over to the cupboards and pulled out a couple of bowls and spoons. She placed them at our respective table settings before she walked over to the other side of the kitchen to where all the cereals were kept and pulled out a box.

I opened my mouth to speak but thought better of it. I didn’t want to say anything that might offend his sister.

“Don’t worry, you won’t offend me,” Rogue said, as though she could read my mind. “As you can see, I’m a pretty happy person, so it’s very rare that I get offended.”

“I see; you are a happy person,” I agreed with a little laugh. “Very, very far from Reeve.”

“I heard that. Don’t worry, I won’t tell him.” She grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge and sat down in her seat across from me. “
Bon Appétit.
” She smiled fondly as she poured the contents into the bowls and started chomping down.

“This is the first time Reeve has brought a girl in his house.”

I coughed out. A little blush crept up my cheeks as I blinked a few times, unsure of what to say.

I noticed Rogue looked a lot like Reeve—olive complexion, long black hair, and sapphire blue eyes; but unlike him, she was talkative and persistent. She was so full of life.

“So where did the two of you meet?”

“Uhm…Reeve is the dean of our college at Gates.”

“You look so young to be a professor. You know…I imagined that female professors are like old grumpy women who wear thick glasses and move around their classes clutching a book on their chests.”

I chuckled at her statement. “No, I’m not one of his staff. I’m…I’m one of the students,” I admitted, quite hesitant.

Her eyes went wide. “OMG! That’s exciting! Tell me everything.”

Our short time of getting to know each other felt like we had been friends for so long.

I could talk to her about anything. She was a fabulous girl who wasn’t afraid to tell you what was on her mind, plus, she was one talkative chick who would give a conversation worth the time. I loved her already.

“No way! You gotta be kidding me!”

“Yes, really, we’re not a thing. I mean, kind of but really we’re not. I wish we were, but he seems so…I don’t know. He’s kind of difficult to read sometimes.”

“I know, right? I know he can be so grumpy, scary, creepy, and dangerous at times, but he has a huge heart. A huge, cold heart.”

I spent the next few hours talking and listening to Rogue. I didn’t realize so much time had passed by until it was time for lunch.

“I want to get to know him, but he’s not the type who will share something about himself.”

“He’s reserved and mysterious, huh?”

“Most of the time he’s cold and distant though I know he cares.”

“He was never like that.” Rogue’s voice dropped.

“What do you me—”

“Am I late for the tea party?”

“Oh shut up and give me a hug.” Rogue extended her arms for her brother.

“So what did I miss?” Reeve asked.

“Nothing much.” Rogue shrugged. “I’m just giving your ‘girlfriend in training’ some tips so she will pass the test.”

“Hey,” I scoffed.

“What is it you called her?” Reeve sounded amused.

“Girlfriend in training?” Rogue winced as if trying to remember what she said and turned her head to the side so she could see my face. “I’m outta here!” She ran like crazy out of the kitchen.

Reeve walked up to me and hugged me from behind. He sniffed and buried his head in my shoulder. “So how are you feeling?”

“Much better.” I smiled.

He rested his chin on my shoulder and kissed my cheek. “Good to hear that. It seemed like you and Rogue were getting along just fine.”

“She’s very nice.” I turned around to face him. “Thanks for taking care of me.”

“I love taking care of you.” He instinctively swept a piece of hair behind my ear. I smiled at the gesture and our eyes locked for a minute before I looked down. “What’s wrong?”

“I have to go back to the dorm. I’m sure my friends are now looking for me. I still have an experiment to finish, and if I turn in one more late assignment, Professor Lee told me he would fail me.”

“Can’t you just be sick, stay here with me, and miss the class tomorrow?” Reeve asked as he planted kisses on my neck.

“I don’t think so,” I said as I tried to resist his charm.

“Come on, you’ve only missed, like, two classes. You’re excused because you’re sick.”

“Yes, and on the third time I get kicked out ‘cause I’m no longer sick.” I placed my arms around his neck, pulling him closer while his hands were finding their way down my back and onto my ass. “Better luck next time.”

Reeve nodded with a smile then smashed his lips into mine.

We were interrupted when suddenly Rogue emerged in the kitchen.

“Ooops, sorry to interrupt. I gotta go, Reeve.”

“No, no, it’s okay. I’m going.” I flushed scarlet with embarrassment knowing Rogue saw us kissing.

“You sure?” he asked.

“Absolutely. Thank you.”

“It was nice meeting you, Agata; hopefully I’ll see you around,” Rogue said.

“For sure.” Reeve was the one to reply.

***

“Good afternoon, Dean.” Several students greeted Reeve as we stood in front of my room waiting for someone to open the door. It was around 3:00 in the afternoon and students were out and about in our dorm.

I insisted he just drop me off, but instead he walked me up to my room which made me feel uncomfortable.

He leaned down and kissed my cheek, making me blush even more, and the look on the faces of the senior girls became even more taunting.

Reeve turned to look at them and shot them a devious glare. The crowd dispersed but I was afraid the events of the day would spread like wildfire throughout the campus.

He chuckled, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him, resting his chin on my head.

Suddenly the door of my room opened. “Gats!” Tats’ eyes widened and she eagerly stepped forward to hug me.

“I believe this girl needs a little more scolding.”

“Allow us, Dean.” Tats smiled at him.

“I’ll see you around.” Reeve bade goodbye and stomped out of the dorm.

As soon as Tatiana closed the door she said, “We need to talk.”

My heart pounded loudly at her words.

“Have you been out of your mind lately, Agata Ferrero?” Tatiana’s voice echoed throughout our room.

I placed my bag on the counter before joining her by the couch.

“You’ve been foolish and you don’t care at all.”

“I know, right?”

“Reeve told us that you joined the sorority.”

“Yeah, but I quit.”

“Good thing you came to your senses. Christ, Agata, we’re graduating. Joining the sorority will just mess up everything you worked hard for.”

“I know. Sorry, Mother Superior.” I began to laugh hysterically.

“Not funny! Don’t you ever do that again,” Tats warned. “By the way, your lipstick is smeared.”

“What?” My thumb graced my lips trying to wipe off the smeared lipstick. Tatiana giggled.

“It isn’t actually. I got you there! Anything you would like to tell me?” Her expressive eyebrows shot up in question.

“I engaged in some kissing with Reeve.”

Tats’ smile turned to a huge grin.

“Reeve Gates put me to sleep last night. He kissed me and when he pulled me close I could feel his uhm…”

“Hard on?” Tats questioned amusingly. I nodded. She screamed, making me slide back in surprise. She squirmed eagerly on the other end of the couch. “So did you have sex with him?”

“Of course not.” An automatic reaction, and I quieted to think about it more. “I mean, I can’t say with complete certainty that it would never happen but it’s definitely not happening soon if I can help it. It’s just when he kisses me, I disappear for a moment into a trance.”

“Look, don’t be so pressured about it, just see where it goes.”

“I know,” I sighed. “It’s just…I wish I knew him more.”

“Don’t worry, you will.” Tats cheered me up. “Now I need details,” she demanded.

***

That night I was left alone in our dorm. The three of them were off to the Pre-Thanksgiving party thrown by the student faculty.

They prohibited me from going and suggested I stay and just rest for the night.

I stripped down to my panties; threw a shirt on over my head and climbed into bed.

My phone rang, displaying an unknown number.

“Hello? Who’s this?”

“Agata.” The voice on the other end answered. My stomach plummeted at the unmistakably deep resonance from Reeve’s voice.

“Hi,” I took an audible deep breath. “Where did you get my number?”

“I’m your dean, Agata, I know everything about you.”

“I thought so.” I immediately caught myself smiling at the sound of his voice.

“Did you attend the Pre-Thanksgiving party?”

“Nope. I just stayed in bed.”

He went quiet for a second. “What are you doing, Agata?”

“Uhm, just…lying in bed,” I stated the fact, unknowingly allowing him an opportunity to explore dangerous territories.

“What are you wearing?”

“Seriously?” I giggled at his question and the playful tone of his voice.