Higher (The University of Gatica #3) (3 page)

By the morning, they were both physically exhausted. Somehow Carter kept his promise and they did not have sex. How he managed to hold back earned a new stripe of respect from Jani. She knew there were several points in the night where she had begged him, and he had not let it happen. They fell asleep when it was already starting to get light out.

Jani snuggled against the soft comforter and pillow. A delicious smell of bacon cooking filled her nostrils. She rolled onto her back, pleasantly sore from the physical exertion the night before. She smiled, her eyes still closed, as she stretched. She had liked Carter last night before they dropped Aileen off, but now she seriously liked him.

She heard Carter moving around in the kitchen and sat up, wrapping the sheet around her naked body. She felt shy in the bright sunlight lying in his room, even without him in there.

His room didn’t have the messy appeal that hers had. His clothes were folded and put away or hanging in his closet. She half imagined a couple pairs of speedos hanging on hooks or lying in the corner on the floor. Only her panties and bra lay there – one on the bedpost, the other in the corner. She didn’t want to know how that happened.

The room was pretty bare: a bed, dresser, closet and two Ikea-style shelves on the far wall with plaques, a glass trophy, and some photos. Goggles and swim caps sat on the far side of the lower shelf. She wondered who were on the pictures; she couldn’t see from the bed.

Jani grabbed her bra off the post and slipped it on. She raced over to her panties and put them on also. “Crap!” she whispered. Her blouse and skirt were lying somewhere downstairs. She moved to the dresser and skipping the top drawer because she figured it would be full of socks and boxers, she checked the second.
Bingo!
The top shirt on the side closest to her had a swim meet logo design on the front folded part. She pulled it out and slipped her arms through it. Downy fresh scent waffled through the heavy smell of bacon as her head came through the top.

Her feet stepped silently across the wood floor. She smiled when she heard Carter singing downstairs. She picked up a silver pair of goggles and ran the rubber over her fingers. They were tinier than she imagined and the silver was shiny enough to be a mirror. She checked her reflection and quickly set the glasses down. Her hair seemed to have grown a mind of its own. She pulled the band she always kept on her wrist beside her watch and pulled her hair into a messy bun. It was better than crazy-head.

The pictures on the shelf were team photos and a few individual ones of Carter racing. Someone had taken the time to make black and white pictures and frame them in silver – the same color as his swim goggles. Maybe an old girlfriend. Did he have one last year? He hadn’t mentioned it, but then again, what kind of guy would talk about an ex while trying to hook up with someone else? She hadn’t asked the first time they fooled around, and it never crossed her mind the second time.

She covered her hand with her mouth. What if he had a girlfriend and had messed around with her? Her eyes swung around the room trying to see any hint of something girlish. She couldn’t find anything but the possibility of the pictures. Shoot, he could have a sister who made them for his birthday or something like that. She was silly to jump to any conclusion. She could just ask him if she really wanted to.

She stood in the middle of his room undecided if she should head downstairs or stay here. She moved to his bed and quickly made it as neatly as she could before going to the kitchen. On her way through the living room, she noticed her skirt and blouse hanging on the back of the sectional.

“Sleeping Beauty awakes.” Carter whistled when she stepped into the kitchen. He wore a gray t-shirt, basketball shorts and a pair of flip flops. He stood behind the sink drying a frying pan and pointed it at her. “You look way better in that shirt than I do.” He smiled appreciatively.

She twirled and laughed. “It’s the black lace bra underneath. If only there was a wet t-shirt contest going on somewhere this morning on campus.”

Carter leaned over and kissed her hard on the lips. Jani had the sudden fear of wondering what her breath smelled of. She hadn’t brushed her teeth last night or yet this morning. Carter didn’t seem to mind whatever it was. When he went to butter toast that popped, she moved over to the pitcher of orange juice and poured a glass.

It was deliciously sweet but thick, with pulp.

“I just squeezed that this morning.”

She smiled, appreciating his effort and unable to tell him the pulp made her gag reflex want to spring into action.

“Breakfast is ready.” He rubbed his hands together. “I hope you’re hungry.”

He carried two large plates over to the nook-bar style table built into the wall of the kitchen. He set one down in front of a stool and set the other by him. “I went with scrambled because I didn’t know if you liked sunny-side up or over-easy.” He jumped up and went to the fridge. “You need ketchup?”

“I’m good. Thanks.” She sat down and waited for him to come back.

He kissed her again as he passed. He grabbed a piece of toast and bit into it as he sat down. “You have no idea how incredibly hot you are in that shirt. I can’t stop staring.” He chewed and grinned wickedly at her. “Those are the most fabulous never-ending legs I have ever seen.” He touched her bared knee.

“They’re skinny.” The long shirt only covered her butt on the underside. It stopped where her legs hung off the bar stool.

He shook his head, shocked at her comment. “They are not! They are sexy. Long. Toned. Muscular. Hell, did I mentioned long? I love that part.”

She smiled. “You’re very talented.” She took a bite of the scrambled eggs. They were fluffy with cheese grated and now melted inside. “These are yummy.”

“Thanks. I thought you were referring to my talent in the bedroom.” He winked at her.

“I was.”

Her instant reply made him hesitate a moment.

She reached out and touched his forearm. “I actually meant that you have the incredible ability to compliment me. It blows my mind some of the things you say.”

“Really?” He grinned, all proud of himself. “So you’re suggesting I start taking notes on the comments I make towards women?”

“Exactly. You could write a book on what turns women on. I, of course, would get forty percent royalty. We can become insanely rich together.”

He let out a low laugh. “I agree with the insane part. The rest is just crazy.”

“Literally.”

“Huh?” He raised his eyebrows before rolling his eyes. “Lame, Jane. Really lame.”

She laughed and grabbed a piece of bacon. “So tell me something about you I don’t know.”

“What do you want to know?”

Can I marry you?
“Well, I know you can cook—”

“Only breakfast. Lousy at dinner. Except for pasta. I can make pasta.”

“You know how to impress a lady…”

He moved his chair closer to her. “That depends on the lady.”

She set her fork down and used her fingers to count the other things she liked about him. “You have an incredibly sexy body, breathtaking blue eyes, and a beautiful, perfect smile. You’re an All-American, and you’re mister popular.” When he looked ready to argue, she quickly spoke again, “I know you’re an All-American because I saw the pictures and plaques in your room. You’re mister popular because the quarterback of the football team came to your place, and he knew exactly who you were.”

“That doesn’t make me popular.”

“It does in my book,” she joked. “I know who our school quarterback is, but he doesn’t have any clue who I am. Tyler Jensen only knows me because we went to outdoor nationals together last year and he’s interested in my roommate.” She winked at him. “You sir, are mister popular.”

Carter bit into a piece of toast and watched her as he chewed. After he had swallowed it, he gulped down some orange juice, still observing Jani from behind the glass. He set it slowly down on the counter. “So… does that mean you’re impressed? That is my goal, you know, to amaze you.” He swiveled his bar stool chair so he could rest his elbows on the breakfast nook counter and flashed her a cocky grin. “I mean, I’m pretty sure I impressed you last night, but I’m not the sort to brag.”

She threw her napkin at him and laughed. “You’re not arrogant at all!” She stole the last piece of bacon off his plate and as she bit into it, she said, “I had fun last night. Thank you.”

He stared at her, his mouth hanging open slightly and a confused look on his face. He didn’t know what to make of her comment. Apparently most girls probably gushed about how great he was. Jani, on the other hand, was an athlete as well and street smart. She liked him but had no intention of letting him know flat out. He would have to do a bit of chasing if he wanted to hang with her. He knew how to play the game, and so did she.

Carter closed his mouth and cleared away the dishes. He closed the dishwasher with his foot. “Do you have to train today?”

She shook her head. “Sundays are usually off days. What about you?”

“I should hit the pool for a few laps, but it’s not a necessity. I’m competing next weekend so a rest day won’t hurt. Do you want to do something?”

“Is it here?”

“What here?”

“The swim meet.”

“Oh, yeah. As a matter of fact it is.” One side of his mouth curled up. “Are you going to come watch me? Or are you competing?”

She shook her head. “We don’t start until January. There’s one meet in December before the holidays as a season opener, but we don’t go hard until January. Then it’s basically every weekend.” She considered his first question. Maybe Aileen would come with her. Football had an away game. “What time do you race on Saturday?”

He moved to the calendar hanging on the wall. There was a nail with photocopied papers hanging on it. “I’ll have to check the schedule. I’m not sure what races I’m all doing. Do you want me to let you know?”

“I’ll have to give you my cell phone number then.” She loved how they could tease and banter each other so easily. “You aren’t going to start stalking me?”

He tapped his chin with a long, perfectly manicured finger. “The thought did cross my mind. However, after the restraining orders from my last five girlfriends, something tells me I should try and resist the urge.”

“You’re crazy.”

He watched her with a confidence Jani found extremely attractive. “You’re not too far behind.” He straightened. “So what do you want to do? Do you have to head home or are you interested in hanging with me?”

Nothing sounded more appealing than spending the day with Carter. Except for one thing. “I should head home and shower.” Okay, maybe two things. She also had a paper due tomorrow.

“You can do that here.” The wicked, sly grin returned.

“AND change.” She tugged gently at the shirt she wore. “As much as I love your top as a dress, I’m not wearing it out in public.”

“Who says we have to leave the house?”

Low in her abdomen a swirl of excitement mixed with built-up longing warned her to do as he suggested or suffer the consequences.

The front door banged opened. Jani jumped off her chair in surprise. Her eyes darted across the room as she tried to find a way to escape upstairs or a place to hide.

“Carter?” A booming male voice echoed from the hall. The stranger sniffed loudly. “Did you make bacon?”

Carter checked his watch and rolled his eyes. “My roommate,” he whispered to Jani before moving to the hallway, perfectly positioning himself so Jani had a direct path to the stairs without having to pass in front of his roommate. “Wayne! You’re back early. I thought you wouldn’t be here till tonight.”

“Nah, I was bored.”

Jani stood, unsure if she should say hello or slip behind Carter. What if he didn’t want Wayne to know she was here?

“Wasn’t your sister getting married?”

“Nope. That’s three weeks from now. Yesterday was some party pre-rehearsal waste of time.” A heavy bag dropped to the floor. “I’m missing conference for it. Coach is going to be ticked I’m not on the relay.”

“Oh, hell. I forgot. That sucks.” Carter leaned back slightly so his head popped around the wall. He looked at Jani with an amused face. “You going to try and find a cupboard to hide in?”

“What?” Wayne asked, apparently confused. His face appeared beside Carter’s. “Why hello! Now I know I smell bacon.” He playfully punched Carter in the shoulder. “Nice to meet you, tall glass of water. I’m Wayne.”

Jani knew her cheeks were burning, but there was nothing she could do to stop it. Wayne hadn’t lived with Carter last year. She hadn’t recognized his voice or now his face. “Hi. I’m Jani.”

“You don’t swim,” Wayne stated.

“She’s on the track team, idiot.” Carter moved back into the kitchen.

“I jump.” She sounded like the idiot, not Wayne. “High. I high jump.”

Wayne slipped by Carter to get into the kitchen. He glanced over at the countertops. “You guys ate all the bacon?”

Carter nodded his head. “Make some more. There’s half a pack in the fridge.”

Wayne moved to the refrigerator and opened the door. He disappeared from view as he leaned half inside it.