Wrecked (The Blackened Window) Read Online Free

live there, but I don’t really want to talk about my family. Do you want to get a drink before you go home?”
    “Weren’t you the one just telling me to go home and rest?” I smiled again.
    “Well, kinda.” He drew the words out, a fake whine. “You need to take a break from studying, fo’ sho’.” He was actually a little silly for a minute. “Let’s get a beer. I know a place.”
    “Another night, okay? You were right. I’m just really exhausted and want to go home, take a shower and get in bed.”
    “Oh. Well, I guess we could do that instead.” He smiled with a laugh in his eyes.
    I just gave him the look, the flirty, I-can’t-believe-you-said-that-but-I-kinda-love-that-you-did look and the thought of him in my bed put a flutter in my stomach. I laughed, “Maybe next time, Boss.” He stilled for a second and smiled, as I added, “This next building is mine.”
    He pulled to the curb in front of my building and turned the car off, getting out. As I fumbled in my purse for my keys, he got my bag out of the trunk and came around to my side of the car, holding his hand out for me. I took it this time, but he didn’t let go once I was standing and he walked me to my door, holding my hand.
    “Thanks for the ride home. I’ll see you next week for tutoring,” I said, feeling awkward again. I didn’t really want to invite him up. It wasn’t a date, but it was hanging in the air—the atmosphere of expectation, of more pending, the feeling of ‘What’s next’? Will he ask me out?
    “No, you’ll see me in the morning for a ride to school.” He handed me my bag, and when I took it, he brushed some of my hair out of my eyes. “Your eyes are a perfect steel gray, with bits of white and silver. I’ve never seen that color before. Very pretty.” He wrapped the tendril of my hair around his fingers, with just a touch of tension pulling at my scalp. I stood still under his touch and gaze, holding my breath, aware of his hand, of how close he was. He pulled my hair just a little as it ran through his fingers, letting his fingertips trace my jaw to my chin.
    “Thank, um… Thank you,” I stammered, as he pulled his hand away. He visibly took a breath and looked down, resolving something for himself.
    “See you in the morning,” he said, turning on his heel. “Goodnight.” And he was walking away.
    That was a little abrupt. “Goodnight.”
    He didn’t look back as he walked to his car. Once I was through my entry door, I glanced out one more time and saw him watching me. He held my gaze for a moment before he got in his car and drove away.
    He was hard to read. Bossy, but sweet, a little funny, private. I was thinking about him and the strange evening as I got in the shower. He was definitely fun to look at. I couldn’t place it, there was something compelling about him, enough that I could shake off how forward he was, or maybe even like it. As the water washed over me, I was aware of my response to him… Something chemical, a hormonal surge of attraction that was most certainly based on something subconscious or pheromonal.
    I wanted him to touch me, more than he had. I was vaguely shocked at myself for feeling this strongly after only knowing someone for a few hours. In undergrad, I had dated the same guy for a few years, but there hadn’t been very much sexual heat between us. Not like I felt after one night of studying with Xander. I knew it wasn’t right, but the thought of any kind of propriety was easily brushed aside. I wanted to kiss him. I wondered what he looked like naked, what his cock was like, how he’d fuck.
    The warm, almost hot, water felt great despite the southern heat. Lathering up my hair, I imagined him running his fingers along the back of my neck, standing behind me and pushing into me. His fingertips running under my jaw line with just a little pressure on my throat. Fuck. My nipples were getting tight, my breasts felt heavy and my breathing was shallow, thinking of