Chapter 2

I don’t even bother to answer and instead just laugh. I may not have dated at all in high school, but Sara sure did. Her sex life more than made up for my lack of one. I may not have gotten to experience anything myself, but I sure did get to hear some funny stories!

We happily stuff our faces for the next several minutes, and when we’re back in her room, she grabs my arm and pulls me into her bathroom.

“You’ve got to do this face mask with me. It’s an overnight mask, so we have to wear it for like ever, but it’s supposed to be awesome. I ordered it from France a few weeks ago but it was out of stock. It finally got here today, and I can’t wait to try it!”

I look at the fancy glass jar but can’t understand a word that’s written on it. When I open it, I’m surprised by how good it smells, like something from a tropical island. The dark green color of it is definitely at odds with its amazing smell.

While Sara starts to slather it on her skin, I pull my hair into a messy bun and laugh at her now very green skin.

“Don’t laugh. You’re next,” she says, handing me the jar.

I spread the thick, clay-like substance on my face as Sara fidgets next to me.

“So, I kind of have something to tell me, but I don’t want you to freak out.”

“What?” I say, already worried by how nervous she looks.

“I heard back about the study abroad thing. They accepted me.” She gives me a small grin, but I can see how excited she is by the news. She’s just holding back for my sake, and I hate that she feels like she needs to do that.

I give her a big grin and squeeze her shoulder since I can’t pull her in for a big hug with our faces like this.

“I’m excited for you,” I say, making sure she knows how much I mean it. “I’m going to miss you like crazy, but Italy for an entire semester!

You’re going to have so much fun!”

She seems so relieved by my excitement, and the big smile she gives me lets me see exactly how much she’s looking forward to it. I knew there was a good chance she’d get accepted, so it’s not like it’s a complete shock. I’ll miss my friend for sure, but the real reason I’m upset is because now I’ll have no excuse to see Mr. Mancini.

I try to act normal, but not even the scary movie can take my mind off how miserable I feel. When Sara mentions she’s getting hungry, I quickly offer to run downstairs and grab us some cookies. She smiles, pauses the movie, and immediately starts scrolling through all her social media accounts. I take my time heading downstairs, knowing that she’ll be happily buried in her phone for however long I take.

Once I’m downstairs, a deep voice pulls me out of my melancholy trance. My heart skips a beat when I silently peer around the corner and see Mr. Mancini talking on his phone by the window. He’s thrown his suit jacket over the side of the couch and unbuttoned the top few buttons of his white dress shirt. He’s also rolled up his sleeves, giving me an amazing view of his toned, tanned forearms.

I always forget to breathe when I first see him. He’s so fucking gorgeous. His dark hair looks like he’s just run his hand through it, and the stubble on his cheeks just seems to accentuate his chiseled jaw. Without seeing me, he turns toward the window so I’m getting more of a side view, but it’s enough to make my body react. My nipples are hard and my whole body is buzzing with the need to be touched. I can already feel how wet my panties are getting.

I scootch back a little more, hiding my body in the shadows of the hallway while still peeking into the room so I can see him. The call has something to do with work, and he doesn’t sound pleased. He’s completely absorbed in the conversation, and without giving myself time to think, I slide my hand into my pajama bottoms and under my panties.

If this is one of my last chances to see him before Sara leaves, then I want to make it a good one. This memory is going to have to last me a long time. His broad shoulders hold my attention as I slide a finger into my very wet pussy and start to fuck myself as quietly as possible. Already my knees feel shaky and when I bring a finger up to circle my clit, I have to bite my lip to keep from moaning.

The sound of his deep, sexy voice washes over me as I move my hand faster. I’m so close. I lean against the wall to help support myself and try to keep my breathing as quiet as possible. When he turns his head enough to give me a clear view of the sexy line of his neck and his exposed upper chest, I can’t help but scoot closer in the doorway so I can see him better. The smooth expanse of muscled chest mixed with that strong forearm that’s lifted to hold his phone is enough to make me cum hard against my hand. Pleasure races over me, threatening to consume me and make me fall to my knees, but I manage to keep myself upright.

Right as I’m coming down, I give my clit another rub that sends a jolt of pleasure through me that’s so strong a soft moan manages to escape. I freeze, completely terrified, and when Mr. Mancini starts to turn his head, I want to die of embarrassment. It all happens so damn fast, and in just a second, he’s looking at me. His eyes widen in surprise when he sees me leaning against the doorway with my hand buried in my pants.