Co-Ed(47)

“No shit-talking during movie-night,” Finn said in a tight voice, flashing me one of his smiles while Leo looked down at his lap, put the soda in one hand then grabbed my hand and squeezed.

At first, I thought it was because he was trying to reassure me.

Then I realized it.

The way he looked at me.

The way he tensed in his seat.

He wanted me to reassure him.

So I did. I squeezed his hand back and smiled.

He nodded then jerked his head back toward Knox, who had gone completely silent behind us.

Until the door to the suite slammed.

“Where’d he go?” I asked the room.

Nobody answered.

I moved to get up, but Slater held my legs tight. “Let him go.”

“But—”

“I said let him fucking go.” Slater turned up the volume.

I held Leo’s hand the rest of the movie.

And when Finn noticed, he wrapped an arm around me, and they kept me close.

I’d often wondered what it would be like to have crazy protective big brothers. I suddenly knew — only it hurt to look at all of them at the same time. They were protective, they were fierce.

They were mine.





Chapter Thirty-Two


Knox

“Hey,” I said dumbly when Shawn ran back in to the suite after what appeared to be a grueling practice. It had been less than twelve hours since I was inside her, since I’d tasted her, felt her body tighten in all the right places. Damn it, I wanted more. And all I had was a “hey”?

“Hey, yourself.” She was a bit out of breath.

Exhaustion looked good on her. Damn good. It would only look better if a workout with me had been the thing that had exhausted her. Her cheeks went pink as if she knew that I’d suddenly thought up a list of every single pink thing on her that I wanted to lick.

“I have to teach Human Anatomy today. Want me to give you a ride?” That sounded good, not desperate. I just wanted to be next to her, even if it meant I couldn’t be kissing her skin. I’d just seen Slater take off, so it would be an easy way for us to talk.

Because if I knew anything about women, it was that they had to talk after sex.

And no chance in hell was I letting that talk be with any of the males currently at her beck and call.

Fuck no. If she wanted to talk about sex between us…

It was me.

Or the wall.

“You look upset.” She tilted her head then held up her finger, ran into her room, and came back a few seconds later with her messenger bag, a cute red beanie that she shoved over her pretty hair, and a bottle of water. She held up her hand again, dashed out of the room and returned with another bottle and tossed it to me.

“I’m not upset.” I smiled and unscrewed the water. “And thanks.”

“Glad you’re not upset, and even more thankful for the ride. I was about to be five minutes late, and the last thing I need—” She pulled her hair over her shoulder while I took a long sip of water. “—is for the TA to spank me over his desk because I’m not on time.”

I choked on a mouthful of water, nearly spewing it out into the air.

She winked.

“Shit.” My hoarse voice came out louder than I thought. “You realize all I’m going to be thinking about is spanking you, right? For an entire damn hour?”

“Oh, I’m counting on it.” She eyed me up and down then focused her attention right where I wanted it.

I’d never gotten so hard so fast in my entire life, and I was wearing the tightest damn jeans on the planet.

“Thinking about it now?”

“I have a very vivid imagination.” I put my hand on the small of her back while I carefully adjusted myself then walked her down the hall and out of the building. “In fact, I’m imagining your naked body spread out on that very same desk with your legs wide open just begging me to take you.”

She stumbled on flat ground.

I caught her elbow and whispered, “Two can play that game.”

“Yeah, but can we both win?” She tapped her chin with her finger.

“As long as I’m inside you, and you’re screaming my name, I think that’s what they call teamwork and winning, don’t you?”

She licked her lips as her eyes drank me in like the only thing she wanted to do was me.

Forever.

God, I’d missed that feeling.

The feeling of being wanted.

The electric pulses of magnetic lust that pounded around two individuals whose hearts raced too fast. I could almost hear her heart taking flight while blood pinked her cheeks… and other places I desperately wanted to kiss.

Later.

After class.

I sighed and looked up. “It’s going to be the longest day of my life, isn’t it?”

“I have a two-hour break after Human Anatomy.” She shrugged a shoulder while I opened her door and helped her in, and because I lacked all sorts of self-control, I kissed her.

Softly.

Not because I was getting paid.

Not because she had a broken heart.

But because I’d wanted to.

And it was the first time in years I’d done something selfishly.

I loved it.

Needed it.

My heart sped up a bit as she licked my lower lip. How she got her mouth so damn soft I’d never know.