The Perfect Emotion (13 page)

I reach his desk and write a quick simple note to tell him that I went back to my dorm. Desperation to ask him to call me hangs from my fingertips, but then I conclude it is better for him to make that decision on his own. He may have regrets in the morning. I say a little prayer that is not the case and then place the note on the pillow beside him.

As quietly as I can, I slip out the bedroom door and down the steps.  Before I exit I notice one of his roommates on the couch with a familiar auburn haired girl.  Reese’s shirt is pulled over her bra and her mouth is wide open.  I cringe as I walk out the front door. 

I roll over half awake, but immediately pull from the light sleep I was in because I don’t feel Katherine’s body next to me.  Even though I had been up every so often just to check that she stayed and was still here I’m not surprised that the other side of the bed is empty now.  I don’t dwell on my reality too long before I jump up to head out the door.  She can’t have left that long ago because I was just up and checked.  Grabbing my phone before I leave my bedroom I curse in a panic.  I text her quickly in the hopes that she’ll respond right away.  The thought of her walking around campus alone at this hour scares the shit out of me.   She’s a smart girl so I know that she didn’t take the short cut through the side streets and alleys.  I’m just about to head down the stairs when I hear one of the other doors open.  I look over and Matt is looking at me. 

“Kate, she left.” That’s all I say before I bolt down the stairs.

I come through the family room and see my other roommate passed out on the couch with Reese.  Good, maybe she has finally gotten the point.  Hopefully, she’ll move on. 

Racing down the front porch steps I hit the pavement in a sprint. I’m running and feeling the panic rise in me when I don’t see her. I’m worried that she is out walking alone at this hour, but I’m also worried that she is already pushing me out. I need to catch her before she reaches her dorm room. If she heads into her dorm I don’t know how I’ll manage to wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow could be too late.

The campus is eerily quiet at this hour.  I make sure to stick to the main streets.  Milwaukee’s a small city compared to Chicago, but you still have to be careful.  The campus is brightly lit though even at this hour and I’m grateful.  Pulling Reed’s sweatshirt up to my nose I inhale deeply.  The smell of him consumes me.  God, I love that smell.  I pull out my cell and see I missed texts from Maggie.  Even in her drunken haze she was worried about me.  She’s staying at Brandon’s tonight, which is what I knew would happen all along.  I smile at their silly games, but I feel guilty for not texting her to let her know where I was.  Then I get a text from a number that is familiar, but I haven’t saved it to my phone. 
Shit.

Where r u? Reed

I don’t want to slow my pace to text him back and resolve to text him once I’m through the doors.  Before I even reach the doors though I hear footsteps at a fast pace behind me.  I turn with a worry in my gut, but am relieved minimally when I see Reed’s face.  He’s in his jeans and a t-shirt with no coat and I feel responsible. He’s breathless when he latches onto my shoulders and forcefully pulls me into his chest.

“Why?”  He asks through his heavy breaths.  It’s evident that he woke worried about me.

“I wanted to give you space, in case …” My words trail off because it’s difficult to finish my thoughts.

“I don’t need any more space. I’ve had enough.” He huffs out a deep breath. “Fuck. You scared me. Don’t run from me, Katherine.”

“Are you sure?” He pulls me back and raises his hands to my cheeks and pierces me with his stare.

“Do I look sure?”  I stare back and all I see is worry, concern and something more…

“Yes.”

“Don’t doubt that.”  His tone is confident like always mixed with a sternness. 

“Okay, I’m sorry.”  He presses his lips to my forehead and then trails them at a slow graze to land on my lips.  At first it’s forceful and then as if it’s difficult to pace himself his tongue glides teasingly slow against mine.  When he starts to pull back I move in to keep us connected.  I push my tongue more aggressively into him and he groans into my mouth.  I run my hands up and into his hair landing them around his neck. Then I drag my teeth on his bottom lip and he mumbles out a curse.  His hands grip onto my hips under my coat and the sweatshirt.  I kiss my way across his jaw and the stubble tickles my lips and tongue. Flicking my tongue at his earlobe I then graze my teeth. He grips me tighter and throws his head back.

“Jesus, we have to stop, Kate.”

“Why?” I whisper in his ear.

“Because you’re not ready for this and pretty soon I won’t be able to stop myself.” He gently pushes me away from him. I bite down on my bottom corner of my lip and shift my feet with insecurity taking over.

“Trust me, Katherine, I want you… all of you.”  He reaches for my hand and starts to walk us towards my dorm.  “I’m staying with you tonight.  I need you next to me.”  He says with confidence and finality. 
Who am I to argue? 
Then his hand latches onto my pinky and I lean into him with a smirk on my face feeling reassured.

Once in my dorm I go into the bathroom and change out of my clothes leaving only my underwear on and Reed’s sweatshirt.  I wash my face, brush my teeth and comb my hair out, which is more difficult than usual.  Taking a deep breath I open the door and see Reed stretched out on my bed. 
Well, isn’t that a welcomed sight.  God, what college girl wouldn’t love Reed sprawled on their bed? 
My eyes trail over his long lean figure and land up at his eyes. He sits himself upright and shakes his head no. His hands run over his face and through his hair.

“Seriously?  You’re killing me.”

“Who me?”  I say shyly. 

“Come here, Katherine.” As gracefully as I can, I climb onto the bed and lay on top of him.  He hugs me to him and runs his hands through my hair.  I press my face into the crook of his neck and slide my tongue up to his ear.  His hands move to my thighs and his fingers gradually make small circular patterns that tingle.  Goose bumps cover my skin.  He kisses the top of my head and then rolls me off and puts us in a spooning position again. 

“Reed?”  I say questioningly.

“Sleep, beautiful girl.”  His hand moves to latch onto my pinky and he brings it to his mouth to kiss. 

“I’m glad you’re here.” I say softly.

“Me too, baby, me too.”  My breathing starts to calm and I stifle a yawn.  “Oh, don’t think I’ve forgot that I still get to ask my question.”  I stiffen in his arms and hold my breath.  “Tomorrow.”  I relax again and fall asleep easily.

My eyes open to a squint at the sound of the door opening.  Maggie roughly makes her way in.  When her eyes meet mine and she sees Reed wrapped around me from behind they go wide. 

“Hi, how are you?” I whisper softly.

“Hung over and miserable.”  She whispers back as she digs through her medicine bag.  “You look to be doing pretty good there though?”

“Mmm, yea I guess so.”

“I’m sorry, I’m going back to Brandon’s.  I just had to get some Advil, but later you better spill it girlfriend.”  I try to hide my giggle as I watch her make her way to the door.

“Bye Maggie.” Reed’s husky voice cracks before she slips out.

I shift around in Reed’s arms and drape myself as close to him as possible. My hands reach under the hem of his shirt and I rub his back. My outside leg bends up and over his top leg resting just below his hip.

“Mmmm, I like waking up like this.” His voice is sexy with the husky tone rolling off his tongue.

“Me too.”  He kisses the top of my head and drags a hand up my leg landing just below my easily accessible hip.  I try to grind myself against him and immediately feel his hardness.

“Oh God, I forgot what you were wearing.”  He squeezes my thigh and then moves it off of him.  “I’m strong Katherine, but not that strong.  You have to get some pants on.”  He smacks my ass and then rolls over me to head to the bathroom. 

I get myself up and pull on a pair of black leggings.  Then I sit at my desk to wait to get into the bathroom.   Reaching for my phone I decide that I am going to save Reed’s number into it.  When I slide it on I see I missed a text from my mom that she is leaving in another hour.  That doesn’t give me a lot of time to get packed up and even less time to spend with Reed.  I already know that it is going to be really hard to leave him.