Crushed (Rushed #2) by Gina Robinson Read Free Book Online

stupid and reached for his hand. I stopped myself just in time. "Can't wait for the sequel now, can you?"
    We spilled out of the theater, laughing and picking apart the weak plot points of the movie.
    "You're a harsh critic, Morgs," Dakota said with admiration in his voice.
    "Not harsh. Just discerning. Despite its flaws, I enjoyed it. The storytelling swept me away."
    "Me too." He stuffed his hands in his pockets as we walked up the street toward campus.
    There was no way I could grab it without thinking. He saved me from stupidity. But I was almost insulted by the clear message that he didn't want to touch me.  
    We took a different route back from the theater than we would have from the counseling center. No rape alley for us.
    I didn't know what compelled me, but I had to ask: "Is your heart very broken, Dak?"
    He stopped and stared at me, frowning slightly, like he was puzzled.  
    I didn't understand his confusion. I prompted him. "Alexis sleeping with your best friend?"
    His face was dark and unreadable. "Yeah, it was a stab in the back. But then, he saved you. So I guess we're even."
    My heart pounded out of control. Saved me? Like that mattered to Dak, other than he wasn't going to jail for vehicular homicide. I felt myself blushing in the dark. "That's an evasive answer."
    "He and I are still tight. He asked the prosecutor for leniency on my behalf. We've forgiven each other."
    I didn't understand it. Nobody did. But he didn't elaborate. I started walking again.
    I caught him off guard. It took him a few steps to catch up with me. "Alexis and Zach belong together." His voice was soft and understanding, like he was trying to avoid a landmine that was me and my tender feelings for Zach. "I'm over it." There was a long beat of silence. "You?"
    "I'm over him. I kind of have to be." I took a deep breath and blew a white cloud of it out. "Being with Zach was always just a fantasy, anyway."
    We both let it drop. He walked me all the way to the end of the walkway in front of my house. For an insane moment, I wanted to kiss him, and he looked like he wanted to kiss me.
    His hands were still jammed in his pockets. "I'll be by to pick you up at seven thirty tomorrow morning. Be waiting for me."
    On impulse, I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. His cheek was cold, and bristly with stubble. He smelled like that damn cologne he always wore. I had a flash of having sex with him and steeled myself against the inevitable lust attack. I didn't want Dakota. I couldn't afford to care about him. He wasn't my type. Why did scent have to bring back memories like it did?
    Without waiting for his reaction, I turned and ran up the walk. At the door, I finally looked back at him. He was exactly where I'd left him, waiting to make sure I was safely inside. How sweet. And I don't mean that cynically.  
    I called out to him and gave him a safe-arrival wave.  
    His face was in shadow. It was hard to tell, but I imagined he smiled. He did, in fact, nod before he turned and walked away.
    A ridiculous smile popped up on my lips. I was grinning like the first time a guy had given me a secret Valentine. I was still smiling when I let myself in and nearly ran into Alexis.
    I skidded to a stop, and she stepped out of the way just in time to avoid an embarrassing collision.  
    I knew from the look on her face she'd seen me with Dakota. What did she want from me? She couldn't have both Dakota and Zach.  
    I caught her off guard by smiling sweetly. "I've been a bad big. We should do coffee. Get to know each other better. Sunday morning. The College Grind. I'm buying."
     

Chapter Five

    Dakota
    When I got back to the frat, it smelled like Friday night, or maybe I should say early Saturday morning—of smoke and beer, sweat and perfume. The floors were sticky. Guys were passed out on the sofas. The pounding sounds of sex emanated from rooms along the hall as I made my way to the presidential suite and turned a blind eye to any infractions or