Free Never Wanted More by Stacey Mosteller Page B

that's even possible, especially when he pulls off his hoodie. He pulls it off by doing theta very guy thing of grasping the back and pulling it up and over his head causing his royal blue t-shirt to ride up exposing his abs. Holy six-pack! He's perfectly toned thanks to basketball and I'm pretty sure I'm drooling at seeing the sight again so soon after the gym.
    After he removes his hoodie, he grins at me knowingly as he pulls his shirt back down and sits beside me. "If you want a closer look, I'd be glad to arrange it," he murmurs in my ear, distracting me momentarily with thoughts of getting very close to those abs. His quiet chuckle brings me out of my fantasies and I know my face is flaming. "I'd really love to know what you were thinking just now."
    Oh shit. There's no way I'm telling him what I was thinking. No way in hell! "Nothing!" I squeak. "Can we please just concentrate on Algebra?" Let him say yes. Please, please let him say yes. Otherwise, I might die of mortification. What in the world is wrong with me? This is absolutely insane.
    "Sure babe," Wyatt says with a laugh, "I'll let you concentrate on Algebra, but don't think I'm letting you off the hook. I'll get you to tell me eventually." Flashing me a smug grin, he pulls my book over so that it's lying between us as he lays his other arm along the back of my chair. I sit ramrod straight for the remainder of the tutoring session, unable to concentrate on anything but the smell of Wyatt's cologne, his minty breath and the arm that brushes my back every time I start to relax.

Chapter 12

    Wyatt collapses onto the couch beside me at his apartment, and stretches his arms up behind his head before they land spread out on either side of him. Of course, that means one arm is behind me, so I sit up a little straighter, trying to keep from touching him.
    "What are you doing for spring break?" he asks, turning to look at me intently.
    Our eyes meet and the intensity in his makes me squirm. "Nothing. My choices are here at school or at my parents, so I'm staying in my dorm."
    He sits up quickly, his arm narrowly missing my head when he moves it to grasp my hand. "You can't stay in the dorm by yourself for a week."
    "Why not?" I don't know why he sounds so alarmed. Staying in the dorm is a much better option than going home.
    Wyatt sighs exasperatedly, "It's not safe Peyton. It's spring break week, which means almost everyone will be gone. Bad shit happens, just look at Annabelle."
    I don't want to discuss Annabelle with him, I don't know how he even knows about that. It happened before college, and it's not something she volunteers to anyone, and neither does Scarlett. I don't think Kat even knows, so she wasn't the person who told.  
    "I'm not Annabelle," I say with a scoff.  
    Alright, even I know that's a stupid thing to say. But, it bugs me that he's trying to protect me. It bugs me, but it's also nice that he cares enough to want to protect me. Jeez, I'm even beginning to confuse myself.
    Of course, Wyatt isn't privy to my inner monologue, so he doesn't know I'm already kicking myself for thinking that. He opens his mouth to say what I'm sure will be a reprimand, so I throw up a hand in my own defense, stopping him before he even starts. "I know okay? That was completely uncalled for. I get it, you don't have to yell at me."
    His eyes soften immediately, "I wasn't going to yell at you."
    "That's probably worse." I can't stop the small grin that appears with my words. I don't know what it is about him, but no matter how shitty I'm feeling, Wyatt always makes me feel better. He's a lot like Scarlett, he doesn't let me push him away, and he doesn't let me get away with my shit. I intimidate most guys and I like it. I never have to worry about anyone getting too close, the problem with Wyatt is I want him to get closer. I don't know why I feel such a pull towards him, but I like spending time with him, I like just being around him. Their apartment is full of people