Chapter 11: Temptation in the Parking Lot

I was startled too, quickly stepping back.

"Uh, sorry."

"Are you looking for me?"

Derek looked at me, unable to hide his amazement.

"You look pretty good dressed like this."

"No, I’m not looking for you."

I got anxious, my eyes starting to turn red again.

Derek laughed, then shook his head helplessly. "Lila, don’t be that ex, okay? It’s not a good look."

"Really, I’m not. I’m waiting for someone."

"Fine, you wait. I’ll go."

Derek clearly didn’t believe me, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening. "Still so stubborn."

He answered Rachel’s call and turned to leave.

And I could barely stand.

I could only crouch down and wait.

When Caleb arrived, I stood up happily. "You’re here!"

But my legs gave out, and I almost fell to my knees.

He quickly reached out to steady me, but I fell right into his waistband.

Mmm.

So it wasn’t just the gray sweatpants making it look big.

My cheeks burned, my eyes filled with longing.

"Lila, are you alright?"

"Caleb."

I grabbed his arm, my palm hot and sweaty, my fingertips trembling. It felt like my skin was too tight for my bones. "I want to."

He seemed to pause for a second.

I’d already pounced on him, hugging him tightly.

Our bodies fit together perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle.

Caleb’s whole body tensed.

His Adam’s apple bobbed hard, his jawline tight.

"Lila."

He held my hand, his voice low and hoarse, coaxing me gently. "Be good, not here."

He shot a nervous glance around the parking lot, as if expecting a nosy RA or campus security to roll by any second. A dog barked somewhere nearby, and I could hear the hum of the streetlights clicking on.