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But I found my feet carrying me away, leading me out of the library as I locked up, feet pointing toward Lex’s apartment.

I didn’t have his number to forewarn him.

I didn’t have candy or flowers—I stared at a neighbor’s yard and stole a pink rose, tightly coiled but ready to bloom. I had a flower.

I didn’t want to be alone.

Chapter Seventeen

Lex

It was nine at night when a soft knock drew me from my stupor as I watched some leprechaun horror movie with Gio and Syl. They fussed at me for not responding to my texts, but I had to give them some of the details.

So, in my pajamas—an old library club shirt and tiny shorts, I answered the door, heart skipping a beat. The movie noises halted as I heard Gio and Syl talking smack, but I couldn’t contain myself as I saw Zeke standing there with a single rose and a half smile on his face.

I leaped into his arms, legs hooking over his hips the moment that rich scent of old books—the one Gio told me was probably something toxic—penetrated my nostrils.

I moaned into his mouth and didn’t care my cock was obscenely hard or the fact that given a few errant movements, said cock would be jutting from a waistband or a pant leg. He held me by my ass, and we tumbled in onto the couch, kissing feverishly until Gio and Syl’s jeering drew my attention to my still-open laptop on the coffee table. “Ugh… Something— something came up.”

Syl laughed and Gio fake gagged as I leaned over and shut the laptop.

“Friends?” Zeke asked between kisses.

“Mhm.” We devoured one another’s mouths, sucking tongue, biting lips. I didn’t even want sex, just the closeness.

“Did I interrupt?” He pulled away, panting.

“Movie night.” I cleared my throat, belly full of butterflies for him, like we hadn’t seen one another five hours ago.

“I can leave.”

“No!” My voice cut sharply back at him as I cleared my throat. “No. I want this right now.”

He reached down to tug my short’s leg and let his deft fingers wander, tucking my cock away into a less obscene display. “Let’s calm down. If they’re still up for it, I’d love to meet them. Watch the movie?”

Lex hesitated. “I’ve not told them about—you know.”

“That we’re dating?”

“No… Well yes kinda. I haven’t told them about the spooky stuff… Magic and the like.” I cleared my throat, and he nodded.

“I can behave.”

“It’s not you I worry about.” I whined as he placed a single kiss to my forehead.

“Whatever you want.” His voice, so soft and sweet. “Let’s watch a movie. No need for sex. Let’s get to know one another better.”

“Is that all you came over for?” My voice wheedled as I stared at him, confused.

“I wanted to be with you. I was lonely.” He seemed genuine, and my heart ached, and my sore ass reminded me I probably wasn’t ready for more. Hell, my entire body was sore, aching, like my insides had been rearranged.

We ended up opening my laptop to sign back into the group chat, camera on. “Sorry, guys…”

They had the movie paused and were still laughing.

Gio laughed. “Classes start back soon. Let’s make the most of my time off, okay?”

“They were making the most of it. But if we’re interrupting you two… Don’t let bros come before blows.” Syl leaned into his monitor, which gave us a panoramic view of his face.