by Emma Tharp
"I didn't have time to put it on. Don't worry. I'll wear it," I say, but I doubt that I ever will unless I know I’m going to be around my parents.
"Good. I look forward to speaking to you later," Dad says before he marches away, his chest out and chin held high.
"What's your father's problem?" Gavin asks as soon as Dad is out of earshot.
I hate the sadness in his navy eyes. I’m sure he didn’t like it when I introduced him to my father as my lab partner, but the truth is I don’t really know what we are. And sharing anything personal with my dad right now isn’t an option. Gavin isn’t a trust fund guy like Hunter. That’s who my dad wants me to be with, somebody just like him.
I shrug and pull Gavin’s arm back around my shoulder where it belongs. "I don't think he ever wants to see me happy."
"I want you to be happy.” Gavin stops to stand in front of me and cups my cheeks in his hands. “I’d do just about anything to see the way your smile lights up those pretty eyes.”
My heart fills up with some of the happiness that running into my dad stole away.
I go up on tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips. "Good, because you do make me happy."
Gavin smirks at me, and I love the mischief in his eyes. “I’m so glad to hear that. Now, let's go to your place because I really want to make you smile. In private."
The entire drive back to the sorority house, he nips at my ear, or licks the column of my neck. His agile fingers caress me at the apex of my legs, working me up to the point of pain. It’s a good thing there isn’t much traffic on the road. I could get us into an accident.
As soon as we’re back at the sorority house, he follows me to my room and I close the door behind us. With him here, standing in front of me, the pull is intense.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect from you today.” Gavin’s gaze is hungry as he tugs my sweater off over my head. “But I’m glad we’re back here.”
He’s right. I’ve been waffling. He must’ve felt it when I left his place yesterday. With the light of day this morning, I knew the way I ran out on him was messed up. I let fear take over. My behavior last night was stupid, and I regret it. I couldn’t wait to see him in the lab this morning, to erase how I acted and start again. Now is the time for me to prove to him I want this too. I can’t ignore the pull between us, and I don’t want to. It doesn’t matter what my dad says or does, Gavin and I deserve this chance.
“Me too.” I yank off his shirt and toss it to the ground. I can’t help but stare at the beautiful landscape of his broad shoulders, chiseled chest, and tight abs.
As I pull off Gavin’s jeans and boxer briefs, an aching tension builds between my legs. God, he’s perfect, every hard inch of him. His piercing navy eyes stare at me while I gaze at him. I can’t be bothered by being embarrassed. My body wants his too much to care.
He wastes no time peeling off my jeans and thong. As soon as he’s finished, he pulls me to him and fuses his mouth with mine. He only stops to unclasp my bra.
I’m absorbed in the feel of the full length of his powerful body pressed to mine. He’s tall and strong, and every part of me wants to be consumed by him.
He drops kisses at my pulse point, then all the way down to my nipple. He sucks one into his mouth, and I moan, tipping back my head.
“Your body is amazing,” he says before he drags his mouth to my other nipple.
Funny how I was just thinking the same thing about him. “Yours is too.”
He lifts me under the legs and sets me down on the bed, as he eases my legs apart. “You like it?”
How could I not? What woman wouldn’t?
I lie back. “You’re hot, Gavin, and you know it.”
He licks my clit, sucking it into his mouth. “Do you know how sexy you are?”
I grip the sheets and cry out his name.
“Especially when you do that.” His eyes are dark and intense as he watches me writhe under the insane pleasure of his mouth.
He has pulled me to the brink with his tongue, but I’ve never had him in my mouth. I crave the sight of him coming apart from me sucking him off, but I’ve never done it before. Ever.
I’m not going to overthink this. It’s time to let my body take over.
“Lie back,” I say and ease myself to a sitting position.
“You want me to stop?” Gavin asks, a slight pinch between his eyes as he lies back on the bed.
“No.” Even though I’ve never been this way before, bold and shameless, something about Gavin has me eager to try new things and please him. Wanting him has turned me into a daring, sex-crazed girl who I don’t recognize, but I like her.
With only the slightest amount of trepidation, I take a deep breath before straddling Gavin’s face, centering my sex over his mouth.
“Oh, yeah,” he growls right before sucking my clit with so much suction, my head spins and my nipples draw tight.
I dip down and rest my chest on his belly. My entire body is hyper-charged with excitement and anticipation. His erection is thick, long, and hard in front of me. Before I take what I want, I drag my nails along his thighs and run them up and down. Gavin shivers and sucks me harder.
I cry out before I circle his hard length with my hands.
I pump his velvety soft skin up and down. My mouth waters with wanting to taste him. Slowly, I drag my tongue all the way up his length, and swirl around the head.
“Damn, Stella,” he hisses.
I pull him all the way in with hollowed cheeks. He’s so big, it doesn’t take much before he hits the back of my throat. I relax the muscles of my jaw, because I don’t have much of a gag reflex, and I’m able to take him all in.
I’m rewarded by a rough moan before his greedy mouth fuses with my clit and one thick finger thrusts inside me. He digs his fingers into my ass, somehow pushing me closer.
When I fondle his balls and suck him deep inside, the lean muscles of his belly tighten. He’s more rigid and engorged now. This level of control is addicting and I love every second of it.
He teases my clit, licking it slow and soft, then fast and hard. I’m overcome with desire. I haul in a breath and tense while I ride his face. My thighs squeeze around his head as molten-hot waves of pleasure sweep through me. I relentlessly move my hips as my orgasm ripples from my core to my limbs.
He bucks his hips, filling my mouth. I stroke him with my hands and suck him with deep pulls. I want to take him where I am.
His breaths are ragged as he drives up into my mouth. So close to the brink, his thrusts deepen as he fucks my mouth, all while his tongue dives inside me. He’s pushing me closer to another orgasm in the aftermath of my first. The sensation makes me wild and ready to go again.
We’re both racing to the brink. I writhe, while he pumps into me. It happens so fast; I don’t see it coming. I pinch my eyes closed, seeing stars, as my body is racked with another pulsing orgasm.
I open my lips and with just the right amount of suction, I grip him with firm pressure and take him to the hilt. His tangy taste and male scent spur me on. His breaths get ragged and I know he’s consumed with need and ready to come any second.
A deep, guttural groan rips from his chest before he bucks his hips and slides home, exploding and emptying into my mouth. I take all of him, swallowing every last drop.
He grips me by the waist and pulls me so we’re lying next to each other. Our bodies are warm and pliant as we embrace.
“That was fucking amazing,” he says. His voice isn’t entirely steady.
“It was.” I don’t tell him that this was my first time giving head.
He trains his navy eyes on mine before pulling my hand to his mouth and kissing my palm. My heart swells at the sweet gesture from this broody hockey player. It fills me with something that I can’t put words to.
“You’re going to be my undoing, Stella.”
How right he is. I’m right there with him. I’ve never felt this way and I don’t want to let this go for anyone or anyt
hing.
As I close my eyes and let bliss and contentment pull me under, an intrusive vision of my dad’s sour expression today as he stared at Gavin darkens my mood. I can’t imagine what he was thinking, but I know it wasn’t good. A pit forms in my stomach. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before Dad calls me to give me a piece of his mind.
It doesn’t matter what he thinks.
I vow to myself, right now, that I’m going to be with Gavin, even if it upsets my father. This is what I want. He is what I want.
I’m so tired of my dad and the constant pressure. I’m a good daughter and don't deserve to be treated like I have flunked out of school and still live at home. So what if I’m not dating Hunter or someone like him. A self-entitled, stuffy, trust fund jerk who thinks they're God's gift to women because his parents have money.
If I don't live up to my parents’ standards, will they disapprove, or cut me off? I’m nineteen. I’m an adult and I don’t need their approval.
But rejecting the need for their approval could also mean losing their financial support, which is going to make college a hell of a lot harder. I don’t even want to think about what that would look like, but I might be about to find out.
Eighteen
Gavin
The smell of coffee and maple syrup hangs heavy in the air at the Hot Waffle Restaurant. I carry the coffee pot around and refill customers’ mugs. But only to half of the restaurant. I’ve been avoiding the other half because the dean, Stella’s father, is here with her mom.
From the corner of my eye, he has been checking me out all morning. It prickles my skin and raises the hair on the back of my neck. The guy is throwing out bolts of tangible tension, and sending up red flags in my mind. Clear signs he wants me to stay away. I’m going to do just that.
This morning there’s a pancake breakfast fundraiser that our team is hosting at a local restaurant. It's the team's job to serve breakfast and pick up afterward. Most of the team is here looking tired, hungover, or both.
My shoulders sag in relief the second the dean escorts his wife out of the restaurant. I wish I knew what I ever did to the guy to cause this reaction in him. I suspect it’s because of Stella, but I refuse to let him get me down today, especially after last night.
I join Justin at a table to help him clear it. “What’s up?”
"Seriously, dude. Why do you look like that so early in the morning?" Justin asks as he fills a bus bucket full of dishes.
"Like what?" I toss a handful of forks in the bucket.
Justin narrows his bloodshot, heavily bagged eyes at me. "I don't know. You haven't been able to wipe that stupid grin off your face all morning."
He's right; I haven't. I showed up refreshed after an amazing night’s sleep with Stella in my arms.
"It's because of Stella." I lift the bus bucket and carry it back to the kitchen.
Justin follows behind me with his hands full of glasses.
"I knew it. Good for you, man.” He sets the cups in the sink and washes his hands. “I think we're done picking up. Let's join the other guys. I'm starving."
I empty the dishes into the dishwasher and clean my hands.
“Thanks,” I tell him, unable to stop smiling.
We go back to the dining room and join the rest of the team that is sitting at a long table in the middle of the restaurant, enjoying some complimentary breakfast.
"You are never going to guess who Stella's father is," I say to Justin as I grab a plate and load it with pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs.
"Who?"
"He's the Dean of Boston College."
Justin's eyes widen as he fills his fork with eggs. "Oh, really? I've never met the guy."
My stomach sinks remembering the glare on his face when he left this morning and caught my eye.
"I did. Yesterday. He didn't seem too impressed when he took one glance at me with my arm slung over his daughter's shoulders and my big shiner. It kind of looked like he wanted to take me down. And he was here, glaring at me all morning."
Justin lets out a roaring laugh and nudges my arm with his elbow. "No kidding. That doesn't sound good."
I set my fork down and chug half a glass of water. "I know. Stella told me her dad is a bit of a hardass. I’ve only been around the guy twice and I think he’s more of an asshole."
"It shouldn't matter if you guys are into each other. She's not going to let her father's opinion of you change how she feels, right?"
I shrug. "I fucking hope not. I think I'm falling for her."
Justin runs a forkful of breakfast sausage through his syrup. "Good for you, man. Don't let her father get in your way. You guys are adults. Fuck him."
Yeah. Hopefully he doesn't get in our way. We haven't been together long, but the way she makes me feel when we're together is something I've never experienced before, and I don't want to lose that. Somehow, we just fit together, and I'm the happiest I've ever been.
Jett clears his throat and gets all our attention. He’s sitting on the opposite side of the table, right next to Coach Cohen. "Hey, guys. Have any of you met the new physics professor?"
A few of the guys chime in. Some have, some haven't. I don’t know who they’re talking about, but now I’ll keep my eye out for her.
"Yeah, she's hot." Miles raises his eyebrows. "With that long curly red hair. She's a total bombshell."
Jett nods and nudges Coach Cohen's arm. "Yeah. She is. and I caught Coach eyeing her up yesterday in the dining hall."
This has the guys whistling and letting out catcalls.
Coach Cohen rolls his eyes and pops a piece of bacon into his mouth.
Poor Coach. We've been harassing him all season about his dating life. It seems we've made it our mission to hook him up.
"Why don't you ask her out, Coach?" Miles asks. "She doesn’t wear a wedding ring."
"Do it," Justin chimes in. "Isn't it time for you to get back in the game?"
Coach shakes his head and wags his finger at us like he does during practice. "Thanks, guys, for your concern about my dating life. But the only room I have for love in my life is for the game."
I know how the guy feels. That's what I used to think. Man, how wrong I was.
After the pancake breakfast, I head back to the hockey house for a long nap, but before I lie down, I send Stella a text.
I hope you’re having a good day, beautiful.
She sends one right back.
I am. Can’t stop thinking about you. Excited for our date tonight.
My chest heats up and the smile that I can’t seem to wipe off my face grows.
Me too. I’ll pick you up at seven.
When I wake up, I do some homework, then shower to get ready for my date tonight with Stella. It's our first official date. I wear a pair of dress pants with a shirt and tie. Being on the team, I dress up for all of our games. My hands fumble with the silky fabric of my tie. I've never been this excited to get dressed up before. Sure, I'm worked up before games, but this is a different level.
I can't help the nerves and adrenaline that spike on my way to pick her up. Wining and dining a girl isn't exactly something I've done before. Not that I think Stella needs that. I just want to do it.
When she opens the door at the sorority house, I bite my lip and let my gaze slide from her beautiful face down her insane body. She's in a black dress that hits mid-thigh, exposing the smooth skin of her toned legs. And she's in heels. Fuck me, they’re sexy.
"You look amazing,” I say, before I pull her into me to give her a deep kiss, full of appreciation and yearning.
When she pulls back and gives me a dazzling smile, she eyes me up and down. "Do you know how hot you are?"
I shake my head. No, I don’t, but I’ll never get sick of her saying it. "Come on. We better leave now before I drag you to your room and we miss our dinner reservation. Are you ready?"
"Yes. Let's go. I'm starving."
We walk to my car and I open the door for her. Who am I? Sh
e’s turning me into a gentleman.
"I like your car," Stella says as she fastens her seatbelt.
"I worked my ass off during high school to save money for college. When I got the scholarship, it eased some of the financial burden off my shoulders so I splurged on getting a new car that would be reliable while I'm at school.”
My car is no BMW like hers. It's a base model Honda, but it's new and I got a deal on the lease before I came to Boston.
"I love it," Stella says and rests her hand on my thigh. Even the slightest touch from her has my blood pumping.
"Thanks."
When we get to the restaurant, the hostess shows us to our table. The place is bright and smells amazing. It's not really fancy, but it's higher end than the campus food we’re used to. I've never been here, but it has great reviews.
We take our seats and the huge smile on Stella's face lights up her pale green eyes, and squeezes my heart in my chest.
"Thank you for bringing me to dinner. I love the food selection. Such hip takes on American cuisine," she says, as she scans the menu.
"That's exactly what the reviews said. I think I'm going to go for a steak." The description of the peppercorn sauce has my mouth watering.
"I want to try the chicken Marsala."
As soon as our waiter stops at the table, we place our orders.
"What’s that big smile for?"
I think I already know, but I'd like to hear her say it.
"I'm really happy, and I have you to thank for that."
My heart lights up like a fucking Christmas tree. "I am too."
"I think we’re good for each other. I want you to tell me all about yourself. Don't leave out a thing."
Our waiter stops by the table and drops off our sodas and a basket of steaming bread.
How much of my truth am I going to share with her? The last time I opened up to her, she seemed to close down on me, but things have changed between us. I feel it every time we’re together.
"Where do I even start? I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania. It was just my mom and me. No brothers or sisters, and I never met my father. My mom worked two or three jobs for as long as I can remember. I was home alone all the time, fending for myself."
