Such a Naughty Girl (Hot Creeps #2)

Chapter Twenty One

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

IZZY

Jason wittered on as he walked me back to my dorm. The date hadn’t been terrible, as such, but failed to ignite anything much inside me. Despite the golden leaves, the fall chill failed to bring the romantic flair it usually did.

Most years the influx of pumpkin spice and super-sweet rom-coms had me feeling all starry-eyed, looking around the men on campus and imagining falling in love. Nine months on from losing my virginity, I still awaited anything coming close to theexcitementEmmett had brought.

His hand on my lower back didn’t send tingles through me. It sat there like a ball of limp lettuce as he escorted me up the stairs.

We neared my room, relief filling the space where nerves should be.

I zoned back into Jason’sconversation, feeling like a terrible person for my wandering attention. He’d brought me a single red rose and paid for dinner. He deserved better than a date who had her head in the clouds.

‘I had a fantastic night, thank you,’Jason said, his hand sliding down from my spine to catch my fingers in his.

My door loomed beside us, watching over me like myjudgementalfather. I’d given it plenty ofopportunityto judge me in my search for something that would match the pleasure I’ddiscoveredin Emmett's snow-surroundedcabin the previous December. The guys weren't bad at it, per se, their jigsaw pieces just didn’t quite match mine. Sure, we could lock together, but there were awkward gaps andoverlappingedges.

‘Thanks for walking me back,’I replied,extractingmy hand from his and fishing my keys from my purse.

‘Izzy.’His fingers were on my jaw, his lips covering mine before I could move away. Numbly, I accepted the kiss. I’d accepted a lot over the past months.

Jason’s tongue invaded my mouth, still tinged with garlic and the bitter tang of beer.

A wave of nausea hit.

Pressing my key-filled hand against his chest, I separated us.

‘Sorry, Jason, this isn’t working for me. It’s not you. You were the perfect gent. There’s just something missing.’

His eyes widened, and it was like I’d kicked a puppy.

‘It’s only been one date?—’

Iinterruptedhim, not needing an argument to add to my night. ‘It only takes one date to know sometimes. I’m so sorry. I’ll happily cover the meal.’ I’d had enough men think that paying for dinner meant I owed them something. There was only one cock I’d suck in exchange for cookies, and he was nowhere near my campus.

‘No, it’s fine.’Jason’s shoulders sloped, his hands moving to his pockets.

By the time I made it into my room, I was exhausted. Turning them down was almost more work than letting them sleep with me.

My shoes hit the wall as I kicked them off, stripping to my underwear andcollapsingonto the bed.

Often, my father checked in with me on a Friday, but my phone had nonotifications. It had taken him two months before he could look at me after he saw me with Emmett. Things were still strained after months had passed.

He hadn’t disowned me, so that was a plus, I guessed.

Every time I visited home, I had to drive the same route through the wood-lined road, and each time I wanted to stop. To find that same spot where my car had got stuck, and I’d stumbled upon a world I couldn’t forget.

Did Emmett’s mind fill with thoughts of me as often as he took over my head? Were his dreams plagued with heated moments andunfettereddesires? Did he ache like I did?

Nights were the worst. During the day, I could distract myself withcourseworkandconversation. In the dead of night, I was his once more.

He’d asked me to come back at Christmas, but had he meant it?

Showing up on his door might end with him laughing at me. Thinking me pathetic for being twenty and obsessed with a man double my age. He’d probably forgotten all about me within a few days.

He might have found someone else who’d moan prettily for him. Who’d do rotten, dirty things for his cookies.

I didn’t need cookies anymore.

I needed Emmett.