Unwanted Stars by Melissa Brown Page A

intentions and I was pissed at myself for doing so. Campbell clutched my chin between his fingers, turning me to face him again.
    "This wasn't just sex for me. You know that, right?"
    "Yeah," I said, trying to sound casual, dismissive even. He rolled on top of me, stroking my hair, forcing me to look him in the eyes.
    "This is only the beginning, you know. I want more with you. So much more."
    "Me too," I could feel him breaking down my resolve.
    "Brilliant," he whispered as he placed a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose, just as he did nine days ago in the streets of Rome.
    He lay down beside me, and his breathing evened out within a few minutes as I stared up at the ceiling, threading my fingers through his hair, watching him sleep and hoping I wasn't setting myself up for the heartbreak of my lifetime.

"We need to get out of bed," I said after glancing at the clock on a lazy Saturday morning.
    Campbell groaned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, squinting at the clock.
    "It's almost noon," he said. "Must've drifted back to sleep."
    Rolling over, I straddled him and pressed my hands to his bare chest. God, he looked beautiful in the morning light that streamed through my bedroom window.
    "Again?" he said, with wide satisfied eyes. "I thought you'd be knackered by now. I think we set a record last night."
    "Three times?" I scoffed. "That's hardly a record."
    "Oh, really ?" he said, flipping me to my back. "Then maybe we should go for four?"
    His lips created a trail from my neck down to my bare chest. He cupped my breasts in his hands, massaging gently.
    "Nice try." I smirked. "I have shit to do today. And you're going with me."
    "Hmmm...I'd much rather stay here. In bed. With you." He wiggled his eyebrows like the nerd that I was discovering he was.
    Hottest nerd I'd ever seen.
    " I'm not gonna lie. This body needs a rest. And food. I desperately need something to eat."
    "All right," he said, brushing the hair from my eyes. "But later we discuss breaking records."
    "Deal," I said with a laugh, pushing him on his back again. "I have to run errands. And you're coming with me."
    "If there's one thing all men hate, it's errands."
    "I know. But you're going to suffer through it."
    "For you, Auden, I would suffer greatly," he said, suddenly looking serious as he peered into my eyes, tucking my hair behind my ears.
    "It's just a little shopping," I said, feeling uncomfortable. "You'll survive, I promise."
    Pushing myself out of bed, I walked to my tiny bathroom and turned on the hot water.
    "Join me for a shower?" I asked.
    "I thought you'd never ask," he said, literally jumping from the bed and running to me. Men look so ridiculous when they run naked. Seriously. Pay attention next time. Hilarious. But Campbell made anything look good. Even running naked with a very large erection.
    Laughing as I climbed into the already scalding hot shower, Campbell was close behind me, holding me by the hip as he stepped in. My head tipped back and the water poured through my hair, down my shoulders, and onto my torso. When I opened my eyes, I saw Campbell watching me with the tiniest smile on his lips.
    "What?" I asked with an uncomfortable clearing of my throat.
    "You're beautiful."
    He placed one hand on my cheek as he studied me, first my forehead, then my cheeks. His eyes continued to make their way down my body. Normally I'd want to punch a guy for analyzing my body in such a way, but not this time. This time it was unbelievably sexy...and hot. The look of appreciation on his face was genuine. He didn't just like what he saw, he was in awe of me.
    And I've discovered that having someone be in awe of you might just be the best possible feeling on earth. But this is me, and my smart-ass ways can only be settled down for so long.
    "You know you're not getting laid, right?"
    He shook his head before pulling me to him, his hand hooking around my waist.
    "You're so cheeky. I love it," he said, turning me around by my hips and taking my spot