Gem in the Rough

"Did you know that you just pull me in? I can't stop thinking about you." Kieran's eyes are shut, his head against the back of the couch, while making his confession. I guess he had moved in the few moments I'd been in my own thoughts.

"Is that a bad thing? I feel it too."

He opens one eye and grins. "No, I don't think so. I just don't know if I'm ready."

"Ready?"

It's silent for a few moments before I feel his warm, rough palm on my bare thigh. It's like all my senses are ignited when he touches me. All I can feel is his hand, all I can smell is his beautiful manly scent, and all I can see is him in front of me, the rest of the world invisible.

"Is it okay that I'm touching you?"

I let out a deep breath and lean closer, whispering near his ear. "Is it okay that I want you to touch me more?"

Kieran's eyes open, his blazing blues stare into my dark brown ones, a slight growl coming from his throat.

That growl will be the death of me.
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Gemma is a junior in college who is focused on work and school. There's no time for anything else according to her father and it begins to weigh on her heavily. Another thing that's heavy is Gemma's weight. Her body image has improved since going to therapy but just like anyone else, her insecurities are still there. Gemma is confident, yet shy; organized yet anxious. She's the epitome of an overweight college student with daddy issues. And mommy issues. Just issues in general.
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Kieran is a junior in college who is focused on surviving. There's alcohol, sex, and anything else that can keep him out of his own head. Kieran is from a small town that holds a dark part of his past and he's doing anything he can to forget. He is moody, goofy, and mysterious. He's also so much more than anyone thinks.

When Gemma and Kieran cross paths, it's a twist of fate that will change their lives forever. Join them on their journey to self-discovery and finding love for themselves, and for one another.