He grunts. “And then you slept with her.”
“Once.” I run my hand through my still-damp hair. “We’re friends, Dad. I asked her to the game because she’s my friend. And us hooking up has nothing to do with my game.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t like it.”
“Noted.” I turn to go because he’s starting to piss me off, but then he says my name. I turn back around.
There’s genuine concern in his eyes. That’s the thing about my father. He’s hard on me sometimes, but it always comes from a place of love. I’ve never doubted that. When the whole situation went down with Sara, he acted like my dad first and a coach second.
“I love you,” he says. “And I want the best for you. And a relationship is not the best thing for you right now.”
“I already said we’re not dating.”
“She’s wearing your jersey, son.”
“Hundreds of people in this stadium wore my jersey tonight. Maybe thousands.” Although he does have a point, even if he doesn’t realize it. Bex is wearing my jersey because I gave it to her. I went to the bookstore on campus and picked out the one I liked best, and then I wrapped it up like a present and left it at her door. It’s the one I wanted Darryl to see her in. The one I wanted to see her in.
He sighs, rubbing at his jaw. “You said her ex was threatening her?”
“He’s an asshole.” I remember the way she flinched, the bruises on her wrists, and feel my stomach tighten. “But you don’t have to worry about me.”
He studies my face. I meet his eyes, even though part of me wants to look away. He must like what he sees in my expression, because eventually, he nods. “As long as you don’t let yourself get caught up in her.”
“I won’t. It was a one-time thing.”
“Good.” He pulls me into a hug, slapping my back so hard it stings.
I might have convinced him, but in my heart, I’m not so sure I’m going to be able to keep this casual.
Later, back on McKee’s campus, Sebastian stops his car in front of one of the many beautiful old brick buildings. He glances over his shoulder at Bex and Laura. “This is it, right?”
“Yep, thanks,” Laura says, opening the car door. She looks back at Bex with a teasing curve to her smile. “It was nice hanging out with you guys. I’ll see you inside, Bex.”
Bex waits until Laura disappears inside the dorm building before undoing her seat belt. “Walk me to the door?”
“Like you have to ask.”
She smiles. “Bye, Seb. It was fun spending time with you and your sister today.”
Seb gives me a look as I get out of the car, which I ignore. So what if I sound like I’m actually her boyfriend? It’s not real. I told Dad the same thing. It’s just the polite thing to do since she was my guest to the game today.
According to Seb, she had a good time. It would have been fun to see her react to the plays on the field, since everyone has a different style when they’re into it. Some people scream and clap, and others stay silent, pleading with the football gods for each play to go in their favor. As soon as the game ended, I wanted to see her and drink in her reaction.
She must have looked so pretty, her eyes lit up with excitement.
I take her hand as we walk in the direction of the dorm building. “Hey, you painted your nails purple. That’s cute.”
“Laura insisted.”
“Did you actually have fun?”
She smiles. “Yeah. I knew you were talented, but this was next level. You’re incredible on the field.”
Pleasure sings through me. “Thank you.”
She ducks her head, blushing. “I’m sure you get that all the time.”
“It means more coming from you.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“You look good in my jersey.” I brush a lock of her hair back behind her ear. “Pretty girl.”
“James,” she whispers.
I kiss her.
She makes a hungry little sound, running her tongue over the seam of my lips. My hands find her hips, pulling her close. My father’s voice echoes in my head, and I know he’s right, I know I shouldn’t. There’s no one around but my brother. No one to fool.
But I can’t help myself.
“Come inside,” she says.
I can’t say no.
22
JAMES
After texting Seb to tell him to go home, I let Bex walk me to her building. She’s up on the third floor, and every time we reach a new landing, she pulls me into a kiss. I’m still pumped up from the game, and my blood is flowing hotly. By the time we reach her door, I’m halfway to hard. If she told me to get on my knees and eat her out right here, I’d do it without hesitation.
I want her in that jersey and nothing else, stat.
She stops with the key in the doorknob. “This is still just sex.”
“Definitely.”
“We’re just exploring our attraction.”
I nod against her neck as I kiss it. “Show me inside.”
She has a shy look on her face as she opens the door, revealing a little living area-slash-kitchenette. The couch has a pink throw over one of the arms, and it’s covered in pillows. I’m not sure how anyone manages to sit on it, but finding out isn’t the goal. I want to know which of the doors leads to Bex’s bedroom.
She stands on her tiptoes to kiss me. I wind my arms around her, urging her up; she jumps into my arms and wraps her legs around my waist. Holding her in my arms like this, smelling her vanilla perfume, has me so desperate to be skin-to-skin with her again that I shudder. “Which bedroom is yours?”
“Right.” She kisses me deeply, nipping at my bottom lip.
I open the door, fumbling for the light switch. The overhead light comes on, revealing a neat little bedroom. There’s a bed in the corner, made perfectly with a floral-patterned quilt, Albert the stuffed bear plopped down against the pillows. In the opposite corner, there’s a desk covered in books and papers, plus lots of photography on the walls. I want to look at them more closely, because I’m sure it’s her own art and she hasn’t let me see any of it yet, but right now, I’m too turned on to stop and ask.
A thick area rug on the floor softens my footsteps as I walk us over to the bed. I set her down, but instead of settling back against the bed, she kneels, hanging onto my belt loops.
She licks her lips.
Her eyes are bright as she undoes my pants.
“Bex,” I say hoarsely.
“I’ve been thinking about this ever since you got to taste me,” she says as she pulls out my cock. Her hand strokes my length, and I gasp. “This is okay, right?”
“Fuck yeah it’s okay.”
She runs her nail down my shaft delicately. “Good.”
When she puts her mouth on me, she does so experimentally. I push my fingers into her hair, tugging her closer. It takes all my self-control not to pull her onto my dick. I don’t want to choke her, but fuck, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sexier sight than her on her knees, mouthing at me.
She swirls her tongue over the head, then takes me into her mouth properly, massaging my balls with her hand. They’re tight, aching; already I’m on the edge of blowing my load. When I tighten my grip on her hair, she moans around my cock, and I squeeze my eyes shut, seeing stars.