Waiting on Forever (16 page)

I chuckle to myself. For someone who is supposed to be a big tough football player, Matt is such a girl with his little hearts. But as comical as it is, I love it and I’d be lying if I said my insides aren’t floating on cloud nine every time he does it.

Yup, I did it. I replied with a heart and it feels fan-freaking-tastic. I think we’re slowly inching our way to saying those scary, no chance of turning back, three words. It’s still mindboggling and almost imaginary that Matthew Jacobs could love me–the artsy nerdy, no friends and loner–Leah Bennett. Every day I wake up and wonder if today’s the day I pinch myself and discover that my hearts and flowers fairy tale dream is over.

“MJ?” Landyn asks next to me.

“Huh?” I answer, wondering what he’s talking about while moving the volume setting to silent on my phone.

“I’m assuming by the big giddy grin on your face that MJ just texted you.”

Oh fuck. I am one of those dumb girls!

“Nope, my gynecologist,” I answer with a smartass smirk.

“Ugh, TMI. I shouldn’t have asked.”

I laugh, seeing the disgusted look on Landyn’s face. It always amuses me how weirded out guys get when you talk about the gynecologist when really you know that every single one of them wishes they could see that many vaginas in one day.

As Landyn’s savior, Meredith–also known as Professor Conklin, but she hates being called that–walks in, interrupting our conversation and starts class.

“Alright guys, we’re going to be taking advantage of this beautiful fall weather and focus on some outdoor photography. I want you to team up with someone and come up with a Falling into Autumn collage on your presentation boards. You can do whatever you want with it, but use that as the theme. You’ll have today and Thursday to work on it during class, and I want it finished and turned in by the beginning of next Tuesday’s class. You may use any resources and the dark room in here if you’d like. As always, the room will stay unlocked until the buildings lock up at night. Any questions?”

We all shake our heads no.

“Alright, get to it.” She claps her hands together and smiles.

Glancing over at Landyn, he’s already looking at me with a “
wanna be my partner”
look.

“Oh, I suppose,” I answer with an overly dramatic sigh.

He arches an eyebrow and says, in a sarcastic tone, “Wow, could ‘ya calm the enthusiasm? It’s a little much.”

Chuckling again at his humor, I open my notebook to a clean sheet of paper and click the top of my pen so I can start brainstorming ideas of what direction we’re going to go in with our project.

“So, when I think of the fall, I think about falling leaves. How ‘bout you?” I ask.

“Um, do you always plan your pictures out in advance?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

“I just take pictures and base my projects on what I’ve taken,” Landyn says, shrugging his shoulders.

Typical guy.

“Yeah, I like to have a plan of action and an idea of what I’m trying to capture.”

‘Ya know–be organized.

He nods his head like he’s impressed. “Probably not a bad idea.”

Giving him a knowing smirk, I continue. “So, it’d be kinda cool to do like a movement collage. Like catch the leaves falling and moving in the breeze.” I start to ramble ideas.

After I write a few things down, I look up to Landyn to get his input, but he’s just leaning towards me, watching me write. It takes him a second to realize I actually was kind of asking him a question–looking for his feedback from what I said. Since we’re partners and all, I figured allowing him to give his opinion would be the polite thing to do.

“Oh. Um…yeah, that sounds fine. Sorry, I was just listening–I didn’t think you were actually looking for my input.”

“Are you calling me controlling?” I ask defensively.

“No, no. Not at all. Like I said, I’ve never had a game plan when taking pictures, but yeah, this is cool,” Landyn answers genuinely.

I look at him apprehensively. I really suck at this partner thing. I’m used to doing everything on my own, by myself.

“Seriously, Leah. It’s a great idea. I might actually get an ‘A’ on this assignment,” he jokes, calming my nerves.

“Okay. Well, I think we’re done then. Time to take some pictures.” I close my notebook and hook my pen over the front of it.

We both grab our cameras and drape them over our shoulders as we make our way outside. Just as Meredith pointed out, we are having some out of the norm warm weather for the fall that I am not complaining about. It’s already common knowledge that I’m not a fan of the cold and it makes no sense why I live in Upstate New York, known for cold temperatures and ugly winters. Maybe I should have thought that out a little more when deciding on a college.

The one thing not on our side today is the breeze–there isn’t one and with our theme being movement, well, we kind of need a little bit of some wind. We walk around for a bit, taking random pictures, before stopping at a pile of leaves that have been raked together.

“Hey, I’ve gotta an idea,” Landyn says like a light bulb has just gone off in his head.

He bends over, grabs a handful of leaves, and tosses them in the air–falling leaves!

“Look at you using that ole noggin of yours,” I joke, nudging his side and impressed with his discovery.

Being the wall of muscle he is, Landyn doesn’t teeter even a smidge from my push, but laughs at my attempt. “MJ needs to put some muscles on those bones,” he says, squeezing the top of my arm.

“What? I am far from a wimp–thank you very much. I’ve been known to kick some Barbie asses, I’ll have you know.” I stand straight, confident with my hands on my hips.

“Kidding,” he responds, holding up his hands with a grin on his face. “I wouldn’t doubt that you could kick some ass.”

Damn straight!

“So anyway, tough guy…this could work, right? For falling leaves,” he says, picking up another handful.

“Yes, it definitely could. Good find.” I smile.

I take a whole roll of shots of falling leaves as he throws handful after handful in the air. Before we know it, it’s only a few minutes before the end of class, so we make our way back to the art building to get our things in the classroom.

“So uh, I’ll probably see ‘ya back at the house tonight?” Landyn asks once we step back outside to head towards our next classes.

“Yeah, probably.”

“K, cool. See ‘ya later, Leah,” he says, his hand on my lower back as we come to a fork in the sidewalk.

“See ‘ya.” I smile before heading in the opposite direction.

The day carries on pretty uneventful. My classes are long and boring on Tuesdays with nothing but dreadful prerequisite courses that I really could care less about. Coming out of my third class, I check my phone to see if Matt has texted or called or anything that would make my blank face brighten and giddy for him.

Yay–missed call!

Holding down the voicemail key, my stomach flutters as I wait to hear his message.

“Hey Babe. I’ve gotta quick break, so I’m wondering if you wanna meet and get a bite to eat. Call me.”

Looking at the time of his call, it was only a minute ago. I quickly press the send button twice to call him back.

“Hey Sweetcheeks,” he answers on the second ring.

I smile at his greeting. “Hey.”

“When’s your next class?”

“In forty minutes.”

“Ah, shit. You’ve got the jeans on that make you ass look amazing.”

“These jeans make my butt look good?” I respond, glancing over my shoulder to check my ass out. “Wait, how do you know that?” I scrunch my eyebrows, confused.

Feeling two big hands slide around my waist and a warm breath tickle my neck, making every hair on my body stand as a heated surge spreads through my veins. He whispers seductively in my ear, “Because I can see it and I want it.”

Holy fuck. How does he do this to me?

Closing my eyes and exhaling deeply, I try to contain my overactive hormones that are screaming to be pleasured. His voice and touch ignite me within seconds.

I can feel the grin on Matt’s face, pleased with how he is affecting me as he gently pecks the fold of my neck then spins me around so I’m facing him. “Hey baby,” he greets me, wearing the same proud grin that I felt against my skin.

Raising an eyebrow and glaring at him playfully, I answer with a hint of attitude, “Don’t start what you can’t finish.”

He throws his head back and laughs while keeping his hands on my hips. “Oh, I intend to finish, but you’re gonna to have to wait until later,” he answers in a low husky voice with his face only inches from mine.

This time I play it off like I could take it or leave it. But let’s be honest, my underwear is soaking wet right now and my clit is pulsing so hard that I try to make it stop by clenching my butt cheeks together.

“Eh, we’ll see,” I say, giving a fake yawn. “I’m actually kind of tired and think I might call it an early night.”

Rolling his eyes and shaking his head with a smirk, he wraps his arms tightly around my neck, pulling me in close before gently kissing my forehead. I wrap my arms around his waist, snuggling into him and letting my body melt into his arms.

Kissing my forehead again, he loosens his hold on me and looks down with heartfelt eyes. “Missed you today.”

My body goes weak and all I want to say is
I love you
in response. Seeing those big hazel eyes looking down at me the way they are makes my heart swell with an overwhelming flow of emotion.

“You okay, Babe?” Matt asks, probably wondering what I’m thinking as I stare at him with a grin on my face.

Knowing that it’s too soon to tell him those three words, I do the next best thing. I push up on my tippy toes and press my lips hard against his, not even worrying about who can see us. His hands immediately come to my face, holding me close while his tongue wraps with mine, soft and sensual. It’s the most passionate kiss we’ve ever shared. No words are needed to understand how deeply we care for one another. Our lips and tongues move and slide in sync, transferring mounds of passion with each movement.

Resting his forehead against mine, his eyes still shut, he inhales deeply. “Why did it take so long for this to happen?” Matt whispers softly against my lips.

“Because you were too much of pussy to ask me out,” I whisper back with a grin.

He softly chuckles to himself then opens his eyes and studies my face with the sweetest grin. “What a fucking idiot I was,” Matt says, still smiling into my eyes before kissing my nose and lacing our fingers together. “Let’s go get something to eat.”

Chapter 21

I told Matt I’d be as his house when he was done with practice and knowing that he probably has been done for at least a half hour, I figure the nice thing to do is text and give him the heads up that I’m running late. Matt is always doing sweet little things for me, so tonight I’ve decided to do something nice for him and I take a quick detour to the grocery store before making my way to his house.

With my bag-o-fun in hand, I walk right in, now a regular here. I’m greeted by all the guys who are sitting around in the living room shooting the shit, watching the only thing that is ever playing on the TV–Sportscenter.