Page 86 (1/2)

Nikolai didn’t pressers danced over my skin in the softest of caresses

"It took a long tirade level, but Patricia helped ht up the c word"

"College," Nikolai supplied

I nodded "The idea of college scared me in ways I couldn’t even deal with I really wanted to make her proud of me, but I knew there was no way I could do it"

"What changed your mind?"

“Forceful proof, reme as I added, “Proof that it was possibleproof”

I found ainst Nikolai My eyes fell to the dark hair on the arers over his skin as I said, "One day when I arrived at our tutoring session, Patricia said ere going on a road trip Not far, of course Just to Lawrence There was souest lecture at the University of Kansas"

"Clifton Hayes," Nikolai offered

“Clifton Hayes," I acknowledged "I'd heard of him, of course, who hadn't? But as far as I was concerned, he was from another planet with all the money he had I don't really re to do with market risk Afterwards, a lot of the students went up to ask him questions, but his assistant waved the Cliff wasn’t the social butterfly back then that he is now,” I joked

Nikolai laughed and said, “I guess not”

“Anyway, before I knew it, Patricia was dragging one I tried to stop her, but h "I was already practicing the speech I'd have to tell the cops after I was arrested for being party to accosting Clifton Hayes himself But Patricia, she just yelled Clifton's name—she called him Cliffy, actually—and hell if he didn't look up and almost smile"

"Smile?" Nikolai said doubtfully

I laughed again and nodded "Sed hilanced over ed her back"

“Now I know you're full of shit," Nikolai said and then he took advantage of my position and dropped his head so he could kiss me It started off as a soft kiss, si my shoulder and neck for the past hour, but it didn't take long before I was sifting rip on him as his mouth owned mine I let out a moan of protest when he broke the kiss

"Story first," he said before he dropped a quick kiss to my nose