CHAPTER 10 After an hour and a half, we finally wrap up the meeting. But no one really leaves. Someone connects their tablet to a speaker, and music starts playing. People lounge around, talking, laughing, and just hanging out. Naseera is chatting with Jacob, Elias, and Anastasia from the disciplinary committee. Jason is with Melissa—the assistant head prefect—and Rebecca, the sports prefect. I don't know what they're talking about, but they seem to be having a good time. I head to the kitchenette to grab a bottle of water and run into Theodora—my roommate from last year. We fall into easy conversation. She tells me about her vacation to Vietnam, where she finally met her estranged extended family. Her mother had been disowned for getting pregnant before marriage—to a white man. But they've finally settled their differences, and Theodora got to meet her grandparents for the first time. I tell her how happy I am for her, and we keep talking, catching up. I miss her. We had a great year together in the dorms. ---It's around 11 when people finally start heading out. Naseera tells me a bunch of them are going to the lake and invites me to come along. I decline, saying I'm tired. By the time the place clears out, it's just the two of us. I hesitate, unsure if I should leave. Then Jason comes up behind me and hugs me. "Hey." "Hi." I relax into him. "Come, let me show you around my humble abode," he says, tugging me along. "I've been here for over two hours already. I've seen all there is to see." "You haven't seen my bedroom," he teases, winking. I roll my eyes, but I let him pull me inside. ---His room is bigger than mine, with a desk and a king-sized bed. "No fair—your bed is huge," I say, kicking off my shoes and flopping onto it. It smells like him. I sneakily take a deep breath against his comforter. His laugh follows me before he joins me on the bed. "Why do we always end up in bed together?" I ask, realizing the pattern. "You're always in bed," he replies. "And I'm wherever you are." I slap his shoulder, making him chuckle. We start play-wrestling, rolling across the mattress. I end up on top of him. He brushes my hair back. "You're so beautiful," he murmurs. I don't know how he can see me when I can barely see him. The only light comes from the window, casting soft shadows across his face. It highlights his eyes. His mouth. I realize I'm staring at his lips. I want to kiss him. I want to kiss him so badly my lips tingle. I lick my lower lip, my mouth suddenly dry. His eyes track the movement. He leans in first. Or maybe I do. I don't know. But suddenly, we're kissing. His lips are warm and soft against mine. I let out a moan when his tongue swipes across my bottom lip. He takes the opportunity to slip his tongue into my mouth, deepening the kiss. His hands grip my waist, fingers pressing into my bare skin where my top has ridden up. My own hands tangle into his soft, silky hair. He sucks on my tongue, and I arch against him, desperate for more. His hands slide lower, gripping my ass. When I pull away to catch my breath, he trails kisses down my neck and collarbone. ---"This can end whenever you want it to," he whispers against my skin. I can't think straight. My whole body feels hot and tight with need. "Should we stop?" he asks. I shake my head. His eyes search mine. He must find what he's looking for because he suddenly sits up—lifting my top over my head, then unclasping my bra. I shiver, completely bare from the waist up. My breasts aren't huge, but they're not small either—just enough to fit perfectly in his hands. Jason's never seen me naked before. But the way he looks at me—like I'm the most exquisite thing he's ever seen—makes me believe it's true. He ducks his head, taking my nipple into his mouth. I gasp. Sparks explode behind my eyelids. His teeth scrape against me. His tongue lavishes me. The pleasure is so intense I start grinding against him, desperate for friction. He groans against my breast, and the wetness soaking my panties becomes unbearable. I sit up slightly, shoving down my jeans. He's still fully clothed. But I'm too far gone to be embarrassed. I'm moaning, panting, so close to release— And then he stops. "What are you doin—" Jason flips us over, pinning me beneath him. He peels off his shirt, and I finally get a good look at him. I've seen him shirtless before. But this—this is different. Pressed against me like this, he leaves me speechless. His body is all lean muscle and sharp angles. His abs make me crave ice cream—so I can lick it off him. My gaze drifts lower, following the cut of his V-line, then stopping at the bulge in his pants. When I glance back up, he's already watching me. His eyes are dark with desire. "Pull off your underwear," he orders. "I want you naked. Now." My breath catches in my throat. His tone sends a surge of heat through me. My fingers tremble as I hook them into my panties and push them down. I hope—against all odds—that this isn't a mistake.