Chapter 5

PIPER

He’s reeling me back in. This is so bad. I know it. If Ethan knew who he was making out with in the dark right now, he’d probably flip. I should’ve known better. Why didn’t I stop this when I realized who it was? If I’d told him who I was, he would’ve maintained his distance. Tried to get us out of here instead of making conversation. Instead of kissing me the way I always dreamed he would. I could do it now, tell him who I am and stop this. Maybe pretend that I’m just now realizing who he is. I open my mouth, and poise the words at the tip of my tongue that’ll send all of my hopes crashing to the ground.

“Don’t go,” he pleads.

And—crap—my insides melt some more. I want to hold onto the sound of his voice. The way he’s asking me to stay like he really means it. I wrap my mind around that. The prayer that Ethan McKay might actually know it’s me that was on the receiving end of his kiss and he wants me as badly as I’ve pined for him. I let myself believe it for a minute longer, growing closer and closer until I’m leaning against him again.

The thick ridge of his cock presses my belly. Jesus, he’s huge! I have no clue what I’m doing or what I’d do with that if given the chance and yet, my panties are becoming wet at the prospect. Ethan wants me.

He steals a kiss. Quick and sweet but effective nonetheless.

“I could get used to that,” he says.

“You shouldn’t,” I breathe, taking in everything about this moment. Once the lights come on, he’ll take it all back. And I know it. But I’m a glutton for punishment, taking a kiss of my own.

He kisses the corner of my mouth. My jaw. Up to my ear. “Tell me your name.”

I freeze.

“Tell me who you are,” he urges, kissing me again. I accept it. In this moment, I’m greedy that way.

Again, I make up my mind to tell him who I am, knowing what the outcome will be. But the way things are now, the way we can end our very short-lived basement tryst, is far more appealing than him knowing it’s me he’s been begging, kissing, and needing in the dark, and having to see the look on his face when he rejects me.

I take one last kiss. “I can’t. I’m sorry. I have to go.”

“Wait,” he says. “Then meet me again. Tomorrow night.”

“What?” I don’t know what to say.

“Library basement. Meet me there at ten in the archives room.”

“You’re crazy. In another hour, you won’t even remember me. You’ll be surrounded by gorgeous girls and I won’t even register for you,” I reply.

“Try me,” he says, huskily. “If that’s the case, and I don’t show, who else will know?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know, Ethan.”

“Just think about it. I won’t turn on the lights. I just…I want to see you again. Or not see you.”

I smile, loving the way that sounds. Hearing Ethan say he wants to see me is too good to pass up. I nibble my bottom lip.

“You’re thinking about it,” he says.

“You’re very persuasive,” I breathe out. His warm breath hits the side of my neck before he kisses it.

“I can be more persuasive,” he says, kissing me again higher this time. His mouth trails a path to my lips, and he hovers, never making full contact.

“Unless you’d rather just tell me your name,” he says again on a low breath.

I almost give in. The first letter is on the tip of my tongue when I swallow it.

“Then agree to meet me.”

“Maybe,” I say quickly, fighting the urge once more, even though all I want to do is kiss him all over again. I’m close. My body resting against his. Then I feel the slight vibrations indicating a text.

“You have your phone,” I ask, in disbelief.

He laughs. That’s right. Laughs. “Yeah.”

I shove at his chest trying to pull away, but he stops me, as I fume, “How often do you do this? Are we even trapped?”

I shouldn’t be pissed. This was everything I’ve wanted. Ethan begging for my kiss. Holding me the way he is. Making up some ruse to keep me all to himself. Hell, I’ve got a secret of my own. He doesn’t know who I am. But it stings to know the truth: that he does this sort of thing all the time. And I’m just another girl.

“What,” he asks, like he doesn’t know.

This time I’m able to I pry my body away from his, then trip all the way up the stairs, as I try to run. He’s calling after me to wait, to come back, and I’m banging on the door, praying he doesn’t move. I don’t want him running up the stairs behind me. Because I don’t want him to see who I am, but also because I don’t want him to see who he’s fooled. The door swings open, and I push past the person standing there, forcing my way through the crowd. When I look over my shoulder, Ethan isn’t behind me. That stings a little bit too.