“She’s seen our texts?” Zach asks.

“Long story,” I say, waving him off and sitting up.

“He is so cute! Can I have him?”

“No!” Zach and I shout at the same time.

“I don’t even think we’re allowed to have pets here, but I want him so badly.” She sticks her fingers in the cage, giggling when Marshmallow licks them. “He’s like the greatest thing ever.”

“He’s probably hungry. I need to feed him.”

Zach goes to move off the couch, but I lay my hand on his arm, stopping him.

“It’s late…” I start.

“I know. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I’ll gather up Marshmallow and we’ll head home so you can rest before class tomorrow.”

I should let him leave…should let him gather his things, give him a lingering kiss, and allow him to walk right out that door.

But I can’t.

“Do you want to stay the night?”

His eyes widen, and I’m not sure if I’ve asked something I shouldn’t have.

I barely know the guy. Yeah, we’ve been talking for a month now, gone on a date, and have kissed a few times, but we haven’t known each other that long.

It’s too soon for sleepovers…right?

“Would it weird you out if I said yes? I’ll sleep on the couch, I’m just not sure I’m up to driving home right now.”

“It’s only as weird as we make it.”

“But we’re us…which means things could get weird. I mean, you did ask me about masturbating last week.”

“Hmm…fair point. Let’s shake on it. No making it weird.” I hold my hand out, waiting for him.

“Deal.” He clasps my hand in his and pulls me toward him until our noses are nearly touching.

“I bet you’ll smell different when you’re sleeping. That’s not weird, right?”

Zach’s lips twitch. “Not at all. I hope you don’t mind that I sleep naked.”

“I hope you don’t mind that I sleep in a mumu.”

“I bet you’re dead sexy in that mumu.”

“I bet your penis looks smaller out of those tight jeans than in them.” He cracks a full smile this time and I know I’ve won.

“Stop being freaks and come let this sweet angel out so I can feed him and go to bed,” Zoe demands, interrupting whatever it is we’re doing.

Zach pulls me closer until his lips are brushing my ear.

“I can prove otherwise,” he whispers before pulling way. There’s this expression in his eyes, like he’s holding himself back from saying more, from wanting more.

“I—”

“Come on already!” Zoe interrupts.

Zach stands, giving me one last glance full of desire.

My body thrums with want. It’s already not fair that his kisses set me on fire, that a simple touch from him drives me crazy—but his words too?

If Zoe wasn’t in the room, I’d waste no time pushing Zach back down on this couch and straddling his lap, kissing him until we were both burning for more, teetering on the edge of exploding. I’d march his sexy ass right back to my bedroom and have my way with him.

“D, look! How cute is he!”

But there’s Zoe and her loud, interrupting mouth. Tack on my own insecurities about rushing into whatever it is we have going on, and yeah, nothing is happening. I won’t be stripping down and having my way with him any time soon.

I heave a sigh and drag my body off the couch, busying myself with grabbing spare blankets and pillows from our tiny linen closet.

I feel so stupid making a bed on the couch for Zach. Why can’t I be brave enough to invite him into my bed? Why can’t I go for what I want?

Because you jumped the gun before and look how that turned out.

Oh yeah, that’s why.

“That for me?” Zach asks after securing Marshmallow inside his cage.

“Yep. I even gave you my favorite pillow.”

“Liar.”

“True.” I push my long brown hair back behind my ear and glance up at him before flitting my eyes away. “So…”

“So…”

“Right. I’ll leave so you two can bone or whatever it is you’re about to do. Night, kids.” Zoe gives us a finger wave before retreating down the hallway.

Neither one of us move until we hear the click of Zoe’s door.

Then it’s an awkward shuffle of feet, a stiff hug, and mumbled good nights.

What. The. Hell.

I make my way to my bedroom, confused as hell.

As I’m about to twist the knob, I’m spun around, hands encasing my face and lips crushing to mine.

Tongues tangle together. Breathing is secondary in this moment. All that matters is the feel of his lips on me, his hands tangling themselves in my hair, the way his body crushes against mine.

“Invite me into your room, Delia.”

I nod and push the door open.

He saunters inside, grabbing my hand and pulling me with him so fast I can barely get the door closed. Before I know it, he has me on the bed, hovering over me with a grin matched only by Casanova himself.

“I’m not here for sex, Delia, just so we’re clear, but I would like to sleep next to you tonight, if that’s okay. We can snuggle.” His dimple appears. “Naked.”

I giggle and push at his chest until he rolls off and onto the bed. “You keep telling yourself that. I’m wearing pajamas.”

I push myself off the bed and make my way to my dresser. I grab my sexiest set of pajamas—ultra-short shorts and a sweater that hangs invitingly off my shoulder—ready to take them down the hall and into the bathroom to change.

Then an idea hits me.

I might not be brave enough to sleep with Zach yet, but I sure as hell am brave enough to tease him.

Huh. Guess I am stripping for him after all.

Standing right there in front of my dresser, keeping my eyes focused on the blank wall, I slowly lift my shirt over my head.

At first Zach doesn’t say anything, not a peep.

I unhook my bra.

“Oh hell.” His voice is hoarse, and it sounds hot as hell.

Slowly, I pull the straps down my arms, dropping the garment to the floor at my feet. I hear a shuffle and know he’s on his feet now.

I slide my oversized nightshirt over my head, running my hands down my sides, settling them on my hips—just for a moment—before pushing my lounge pants to the floor. I’m standing there in nothing but a shirt hanging off one shoulder and my underwear that expose a whole lot of ass.

“Shit.”

Another shuffle of feet.

I can feel the heat radiating off him; I know he’s close, his stare making me sweat.

I take my time pulling my shorts off my dresser, waiting to see what Zach will do…if he does anything at all.

“Delia, please.”

I finally push my feet through the tiny shorts and pull them up over my calves, my thighs, until finally my white cheeky panties are covered.

Zach has me enveloped in no time, his front to my back, and I can feel every inch of him. His erection throbs as it sits almost perfectly between my cheeks. His hands ghost up my sides and I know there’s no way he missed the goose bumps that cover my skin.

He slides my thick curtain of hair to the side, exposing my neck so he can place his soft lips on my skin. Giving gentle kisses, he makes his way from my shoulder and up the side of my neck until his mouth is grazing my ear.

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me right now, Delia? Any idea how much I want to strip you of those clothes you just put on? Because I really fucking want to.”

He spins me, his face only an inch or so from mine.

My chest is heaving, and he’s so close that every time I take a breath, my breasts rub against him. My nipples are straining against the thin fabric, begging for attention.

“I can’t do any of that. We haven’t even officially defined what the hell it is we’re doing. I want to be the asshole right now. I want to fuck you until you’re limp with exhaustion, want to make you say my name over and over again, but I’m not the asshole. I’ve never been the asshole. We’re not ready for that step.”

He steps into me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me up on my tiptoes.

“But two can play the teasing game.”

Releasing me, he backs up and strips off his shirt then shucks his jeans.

I burst into laughter.

“If you think you’re going to Slytherin to my bed with those on, you’re wrong. I only allow full-fledged Hufflepuffs in there.”

Zach glances down at his underwear and hangs his head. “Why did I have to wear this pair today? Why?”

“What? I think they’re hot.”

“You think my Harry Potter underwear are hot?” I nod. “You are my dream girl.”

I grin and shake my head as I make my way to my bed. I do my best to straighten the covers before pulling back my side and climbing in.

“I think you were right earlier.”

“About?” he asks, standing on the other side.

“This bed isn’t big enough for two. I think we’ll have to snuggle.”

He smirks as he slides in, getting as close to me as possible. I don’t hesitate to match his movements—though I probably should. I should be weirded out that Zach’s in my bed. I shouldn’t gravitate toward him like I do.