Free Matchplay by Dakota Madison Page A

two of us were dating.
    He grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles. “Do you have any idea how special you are?” 
    I shook my head. “I’m glad you think so.”
    After the meal, Aaron insisted on walking me back to my dorm. He grabbed my hand and held it tightly. I wondered if he was going to take advantage of our bargain and collect his kiss.
    The night was lovely. The temperature near perfect and the sky was filled with twinkling stars. Aaron couldn’t have ordered a better evening if he tried.
    “Would you like to dance?” Aaron asked.
    “But there’s no music .”
    “It doesn’t matter.” He took my other hand and spun me around.
    We both started laughing. Could he be more cheesy?
    Then his expression got serious and his gaze intense. He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. His kiss was soft yet expectant. When he released me, I could tell he wanted more. So did I. I bit my lower lip and looked up at him.
    “You are so damn sexy .” 
    It surprised me. I had never thought of myself as sexy. People had mostly called me cute or sweet but never sexy. 
    He leaned down again and this time, his kiss was laced with desire. He parted my lips with his tongue and explored my mouth. I know it probably sounds like a ridiculous cliché, but my knees actually got weak.
    When I looked at Aaron, he was giving me a huge grin. “I know what you’re going to say.”
    “What?” I challenged.
    “That I only bargained for one kiss.”
    “True. And I still need to collect that information on your Cassatt. But your kisses are addictive, so I really didn’t mind.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “Addictive, huh? I like the sound of that. Does that mean you can’t get enough of them?”
    “Something like that,” I teased.
    “Well, I wouldn’t want to deprive you of them then,” he said as he leaned in and kissed me again.
     
    ***
     
    I was in bed thinking about Aaron and the way he kissed me when Olivia tried sneaking in.
    “I’m not asleep,” I said so she didn’t waste her energy on b eing extra quiet.
    “Do you have insomnia?” she asked as she flung her shoes off. They landed under her bed but she didn’t seem to care. “You’re always lying in bed awake.”
    “Something like that.” I propped myself up on my elbow and faced her.
    “Things with Marney are starting to get scary,” she admitted.
    “Scary in a good way or scary in a bad way?” I asked.
    “Scary in a scary way.” She plopped down on the end of my bed.
    “I need a little bit more information.”
    “I think I’m falling in love.”
    I sat up. “But that’s good, isn’t it?”
    “I guess so. I’m just scared about how my family will react when I introduce them to my girlfriend, especially when they’re always talking about me one day coming home with a boyfriend.”
    “I think you should tell Lucas first and then maybe he can support you, or even help you tell your parents.” I didn’t know her parents, so I didn’t know if that was feasible but I did know Lucas. I thought he would be supportive.
    Olivia nodded. “So will you be supportive and help me tell Lucas?”
    “Of course .” I gave Olivia a hug.
    She got up and flopped on her bed. “So, what was keeping you up again tonight? Please don’t say it was Aaron.”
    I didn’t respond.
    She waited a long moment then said, “Well?”
    “You just told me not to say it was Aaron.”
    “Oh for God’s sake, what is it with that guy? I mean, I know he’s hotter than hell and richer than dirt but he’s also a scumbag, who will break your heart and not even blink.”
    I gulped. I really wished Olivia would give him a chance but I knew why she wouldn’t. I still had some nagging doubts about him, too. “He kissed me,” I admitted finally.
    Olivia shot up from her bed. “That’s bad . That’s really bad.”
    I nodded. I knew I was in trouble. I was starting to have ser ious feelings for Aaron and that meant he could really hurt me. “I know you don’t understand