Free Until You Believe Me by Lindsey Woods

that game. "Nope, just a boring old day at school. Not quite as glamourous as Super Construction CEO. I'd love to sit and boss around the little people all day. All I do is mold the young minds of our future."

    His laugh was low and growly and utterly sexy. He got up and walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me. He was warm and his skin was soft, I just closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling.

    It was much too soon before he released me from his arms.

    "I'm planning on leaving here in the next hour. I need to drive down to the beach to bid a job for the fall. I won't be back until Friday. But I needed to ask you something."

    To see his face go from playful to serious kind of freaked me out and made me nervous.

    "Ok? What is it?"

    He reached in his pocket, holding something in his hand and placed it in mine. "I want you to come up on Friday when you get out of here. Let yourself in, I'll be home that evening. I want you to spend the weekend. Now I say that in the most non sleazy guy way. You're more than welcome to stay in my room alone...or not. I just want you to stay the weekend. No expectations, I just want to spend time with you. Uninterrupted." His face was slightly drawn with his eyes casting a nervous glance.

    The key felt weighty in my hand. My chest felt slightly heavy at the thought of a weekend of interrupted Connor time. That was a lot of time for uncomfortable boundaries to come up. On the other hand the thought of not leaving him was enticing.

    "What time will you be in on Friday?"

    "No later than seven, I'll make sure."

    "Be ready to eat when you get in."

    His face lit up as the words left my mouth. He leapt up and hugged me tight and my feet briefly left the floor.

    "I hate the thought of being gone until then but knowing you'll be there when I get home will keep me going. Thank you." He smiled down at me, every line on his face was from his bright smile.

    "Please be safe. Keep me updated on how you are, where you are. Where are you staying?" I suddenly felt nervous, thinking of him a couple hours from here. He didn't need a nagging mother but the thought of him being out of this bubble I was so used to was a little frightening.

    "I'll just be in a hotel. I'll be sure to keep you in the loop. Besides I can't get hurt, I have Friday to be ready for."

    I put my hand on his chin, making sure he was looking at me. "I mean it, be safe. I will freak out if I don't hear from you. Regularly. Like tonight when you get in. If you come in with one hair on your head out of place I will murder you and whoever is responsible." I let go and backed a little away from him.

    "I do believe that was an entirely sexy manifestation of your feelings for me. Which makes me extremely intrigued about this weekend." His eyebrows danced on his face and I felt myself blush. I smiled, knowing he was teasing me, but deep inside I felt a nugget of nervousness? Inhibitions? Fear? I quickly pushed it aside knowing I had 2 more days to live with it.

    "I'll let you get out of here, I'll see you Friday night." I hugged him tight, breathing in his cologne and listening to his heartbeat.

    "Until then Madison." He bent and gave me a soft kiss that put goosebumps all over my body.

    I smiled as I left the trailer.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 11

    Thursday was the worst day of the week. I had gotten a text when Connor had gotten settled last night. Waking up today knowing I wasn't going to see him made it hard to get out of bed. It had hardly been any time at all yet I felt out of my routine not stopping to see him.

    Class went as usual, I had to dodge some questions from students who had heard through the grapevine about my notes yesterday. Thinking of the notes only made me feel more lonely. I hated to admit it but I missed him. I hadn't realized that I had truly started to care about him until he wasn't