I followed his gaze. Cara looked incredible in her pink strapless dress. Aaron had his arm wrapped around her waist. We walked over to join them.
“Hey!” Cara pulled me into a hug. “This is awesome, isn’t it?”
“Definitely.”
We talked for a while before everyone moved to the tables for dinner.
Dinner was exactly what you’d expect a fraternity dinner to be like. Lots of shouting and drinking, with some laughter mixed in for good measure. I enjoyed the meal, glad I’d managed to sit next to Cara.
Cara and I chatted while we waited for the waiter to clear our plates. “I’m glad you came. I know he is, too.” Cara nodded to Reed.
“I hope so.”
She leaned over. “So, are you guys officially together now? I know you said you were going as friends, but it doesn’t seem that way.”
“I don’t know what we are.”
“But you’re sharing a room, right?”
“Yes, it’s crazy. Tonight’s going to be a test.”
“A test?”
“Of what happens when we’re in a bed together…”
Cara squealed, attracting both of our dates’ attention.
Aaron laughed. “Dare I ask what that was about?”
Reed ran a finger down my blushing cheek. He came to my rescue before Aaron could press for more details. “Do you want to dance?”
“I’d like that.”
He took my hand and guided me onto the dance floor as a slow song started. He held me close and led perfectly. Someone had taught him well. I leaned my head on his chest. I loved how strong it was. I’d never thought I’d want to be with a guy that built, but there was something so comforting about him.
The next song was fast, but Reed still kept me close. We danced for hours, only stopping to have a couple of drinks. We didn’t drink much, though. I don’t think either of us wanted to get drunk.
Reed put a hand on my shoulder as a song ended. “Are you ready to head back?”
The night had flown by. I couldn’t believe it was after midnight. “Yeah, I think so.”
Reed smiled. “Me too.”
We said goodnight to everyone. Cara leaned over to whisper, “Have fun.”
Aaron added his own comment. “Don’t get too crazy, you two.”
Reed took my hand, and we walked to the elevator. I wrapped my free arm around myself. Even though it was nearly winter, cold air blew out from the vent. I was grateful when Reed put an arm around me. “Does that help?”
“Lots.”
“Good.”
We went straight up to our room, and Reed closed and locked the door behind us. “What did you think of the party?”
“It was fun,” I said honestly. I tried to swallow my nerves. It was one thing to spend time in our room when I knew we’d have to leave. This time, we wouldn’t be leaving until morning.
“I thought so, too.”
I sat down on the edge of the bed and kicked off my shoes.
He did the same. “You look gorgeous tonight.”
“Yeah?”
“That dress could kill a man, but you already know that. Normally, it would have driven me mad.”
“It didn’t work?” I tried to dial down my disappointment.
“Oh, it worked, but at least I knew there was a chance I’d get to take it off you.” I tried to hide my shock. Had Reed just said what I thought he did?
“Only a chance?” I turned toward him.
“Is it more than a chance?”
“I’d say so.”
“Good.” He leaned over and brushed his lips against mine. I thought that was it, until he started moving his lips gently at first and then faster. I sighed, and he groaned. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long.”
“Me too.”
That was all he needed to hear. He returned his lips to mine, quickly deepening the kiss. His tongue pushed into my mouth, and I gladly welcomed it. My hand tangled in his hair as one of his hands slid down my shoulder toward my chest.
He broke the kiss. “Your lips are so soft. Just like I imagined.”
“Your hands feel as good as I’d imagined.”
“Good.” He unzipped my dress, untying the halter straps at the same time. The top fell onto my lap. “Mission accomplished.”
“There’re still more hurdles.” I rose to step out of my dress. Normally, I’d have been trying to cover myself up, but I liked the way his eyes devoured me.
“Yeah, I guess there are.” He stood and unclasped my strapless bra, letting it fall on the floor. “I don’t know what I did to get this lucky, but I swear I’ll keep doing it.” He reached for me, but I stopped him. I slowly unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it aside before pulling his white t-shirt over his head.
As soon as he was shirtless, Reed gently pushed me down on the bed. He put his mouth on one of my br**sts. I moaned. He moved his lips to my neck, gently stroking my stomach with his hand. He moved off me long enough to get out of his pants and boxers.
“You weren’t kidding about the big part.”
“No, I wasn’t. We make a good pair, don’t we?”
“What do you mean?” I reached for him. I missed him touching me. I ran my hands over his arms, unable to believe I used to think he was too muscular.
“I’m hung, and you’re stacked.” He pulled off my panties and tossed them. “If college doesn’t work out for us, we can make movies.”
I laughed, pulling him down on top of me. He moved a hand between my legs, his lips leaving tiny kisses from my neck on down. “On second thought, if we make movies, we can just keep them for ourselves.”
“No movies.”
“Okay, no movies.” He kissed my lips before moving to reach into his bag. He pulled out a package of condoms.
“Someone thought he was getting lucky.”
“Don’t you mean knew?”
“Is this really the time to get cocky?”
“It’s the perfect time.”
He kissed me again, first on the lips, before moving to my earlobes, my neck, my stomach, and he continued his trail down. I thought I couldn’t take anymore. “Reed, please. I want you,” I pleaded. I tried to keep my expectations to a normal level as he moved over me. I closed my eyes—waiting. He thrust inside me, and I knew it was going to be different. We moved together perfectly. I opened my eyes, and he watched me intently. I didn’t worry about being quiet. I didn’t care who heard. He brought me over the edge, and I could barely breathe as he reached his own climax. We lay there panting, neither of us saying a word.