by Hughes, Maya
“I told you I’d find a place.”
He shook his head. “I should’ve known you’d have the inside track on the quietest spot on campus.”
“Where I study, it’s like this all the time—not in the post-apocalyptic, people just disappeared in the middle of what they were doing kind of way, but more in the no one has been here for years kind of way.”
“What exactly will you have us do once we get to this quiet spot?” His teeth scraped against the skin at the side of my neck.
“It’s a good place to talk.” I let out a shuddery breath as he sucked on my throbbing pulse point. Squeezing my thighs together, I tried to focus on what I’d been saying and doing. Too many days had passed without feeling his touch.
“All you want to do is talk?” He tightened his arm around me, running his thumb across my shoulder. Even through my coat, I could feel every stroke.
I licked my lips and nodded. “You need to tell me about your Christmas.”
“Sure, I’ve got a slideshow on my phone I can show you.” He released me and took my hand.
“Really?”
“Unfortunately, yes. My mom and dad put one together every year, like a little year-end review. They email it out to us and then we go through it on Christmas Day. I always thought it was weird, but it makes more sense now.”
“Why?” I searched his face for the answer.
He squeezed my hand. “I’ll tell you later.”
“I want to see the slideshow. I’m sure it’s awesome.” I grabbed for his phone.
He lifted it up high. “We’re not watching my family Christmas slideshow. Take me to your lair to have your way with me.” Reece wrapped his arm around me, kissing the side of my face.
The elevator shuddered, the doors groaning open like they had been asleep for a hundred years.
“What if we make a wager?” I tapped my finger to my chin.
He squinted and looked at me out of the corners of his eyes. “If this gets me naked again, I’m all for it.” His grin was as infectious as a yawn.
“After the slideshow.”
He grumbled beside me.
The elevator rumbled and shook, carrying us to the third floor. Ancient elevators were par for the course in libraries like these. The back of his hand brushed against mine, my need for him blooming deep in my stomach and spreading throughout my body. Drawing it out, we savored the need to delve into one another like diving headfirst into a surging surf.
“Here’s the deal.”
“I’m listening.” He crossed his arms over his chest. The thermal under his coat stretched tightly across his muscled body.
“Whoever gets to my study room first gets to decide what we do once we get there.”
“You want to race me.” He shook his head like I’d placed a bet on a horse they’d be putting down after the race.
I stuck out my hand. “Deal?”
His lazy smile was a sexual ambush. My heart flipped and he slipped his hand into mine, his fingertips brushing against the inside of my wrist. “Deal, Wild Child.”
A sizzle of pleasure rolled down my spine whenever he said that. I could be wild with him.
The elevator doors opened. I tugged my hand free from his grip and bolted, clearing the retreating doors before they fully opened.
“But I don’t know where your study room is!” he called after me.
Glancing over my shoulder, I laughed at the wide-eyed look on Reece’s face. “I know!”
His lips curled up into a happy predatory smile as he took off after me.
I ducked down one of the aisles of the stacks. Our game of cat and mouse was the release we needed. Where else was better to do so than a deserted library? My home turf.
The heavy muted thud of his footsteps on the dull carpet sent a shiver up my spine. I slipped around the far end of a shelf and tiptoed farther back toward my study room. I saw his shadow pass by through the gaps in the books on the shelves as I ducked down lower.
My heart hammered in my chest and I slammed my lips together to keep from laughing. Sliding my coat off, I threw it into the next row of books to distract him and took off in the opposite direction.
His footsteps thudded behind me. “All you’re doing is getting yourself less clothed for me,” he declared in a singsong voice.
I duck-walked along the stacks, cursing my sense of direction. I was on the wrong side of the wide walkway between the two halves of the room. Peeking out from the end of the row, I made a break for it. I got halfway down the aisle with the door to my study room in sight.
Maybe it was cruel of me, but the thought of getting to take my time flipping through the family slideshow while he came out of his skin beside me made the chase worth it. It would be just as hard on me as it was on him, but who didn’t love a little delayed gratification?
Within seconds, like a serial killer in a movie, he grabbed me and lifted me off the ground. I yelped and tried to make a break for the study room. He dumped our coats on the floor. The hum of the fluorescent lighting overhead was our only company aside from the books on the shelves, but a new arrival made himself known, pressed against my back.
“I told you I’d get you.” He spun me around, lifting my hands and pinning them above my head.
His hand snaked down between us and tugged up my shirt, exposing my skin to the cool air in the room and his heated touch. My hands pressed against the cool, metal shelves. My fingertips brushed against the spines of the books. A shiver shot down my body as Reece’s hand dipped into the back of my pants, cupping my ass.
“I figured a head start would help.”
He took his hand out and worked quickly, unbuttoning and unzipping my pants and shoving them down my legs. I broke out in goose bumps as the cross breeze of the room glided across my skin. It had absolutely nothing to do with the crazy amounts of hormones rushing through my body or the six-one football player undressing me in public.
“Not when you’re the prize.”
His fingers slid along my stomach, sending shots of pleasure rolling through my body. He shoved the front of my shirt up and over my breasts, exposing my bra. Dropping a kiss onto the top of each cup, he stared at me like I was the altar and the service was about to begin.
I glanced over at the closed door to my study room. We were close.
“You’re not going to make it. This place is deserted—how about we add another first to your list?”
“Which one?” I licked my dry lips.
He popped the button on his jeans, and their muted thud on the floor sent rippling waves of pleasure shooting through my pussy.
“You’ll figure it out.”
Dropping his hand from my wrist, he cupped my ass, lifting my legs so they wrapped around his hips. The hard, insistent nudge of his cock against my slit sent a shudder through the two of us. My body was on fire and I ground myself against him.
The two of us froze the second his thick mushroom head pushed inside me.
“Oh shit.” I moaned and held on to the shelves behind me.
He squatted down while holding me and shook his wallet free from the back pocket of his jeans on the floor. It dropped to the ground as he freed a condom from the leather confines. Tearing it open with his teeth, he rolled it on, holding me up with one arm. He was raw power and muscle, and I was more than happy to have a front-row seat to his next demonstration of athletic prowess.
In one smooth, solid thrust, he embedded himself in me, stretching me to my limit and stealing my breath away. Reece hissed as I tightened my legs around him and ground myself in small circles.
I looped my arms around his neck, holding on and frantic for the sweet taste of him and the orgasm I teetered on the edge of. The shelves clanked and rattled behind me.
He squeezed and massaged my ass, never letting our bodies apart for more than a second. Sweat beaded on my skin. Dipping his knees, his thrusts changed direction and he rubbed the spot inside of me that lit me up like a New Year’s Eve fireworks display
. I bit down on his shoulder. My mouth filled with the salty taste of his skin. My muffled yelp was buried in his shoulder and he kept slamming me down onto his thick cock. He pressed his face against my neck and groaned. He expanded inside me, triggering another wave of pleasure that sent my eyes rolling back in my head.
Panting, he lowered us both to the floor. Our coats made up a makeshift nest for our recovery. He draped my coat over me and laid me down on his chest.
“I don’t think I figured out which new addition that was to my list.” I ran my finger over his chest.
He chuckled, his body vibrating under me. “I’ll have to keep trying until you figure it out then.”
I lifted my head. His breathing slowed and he lay back with his eyes closed and eyelashes reaching for the ceiling. I traced my fingertips over his cheeks and eyelids.
He propped his hand behind his head and stared down at me. “I’ve got something for you.”
“The slideshow?”
He shook his head at the hopefulness oozing out of my voice. “Just wait until you have to sit through it next Christmas. Then you’ll be sorry.”
Next Christmas. I couldn’t wait. He shifted me to one side and reached under him. “I needed to return this to you.” The long silver chain and pendant swayed back and forth as it dangled from his hand.
My throat tightened and my eyes filled. Blinking them away, I sat up. He draped it around my neck, closing the clasp and kissing the back of my shoulder. “It was always yours and it’s always been true, but I wanted you to have this.” I glanced over my shoulder and kissed him. Sinking deep into that kiss, I was ready for round two.
There was a faint ding. We both broke apart and stared at each other.
“Was that—” The rumbling rattle of the old door creaking open confirmed my worst fear. We scrambled to get our clothes back on, the muted thud of footsteps getting closer every second.
With my pants buttoned, I shoved my arms into my coat, and Reece grabbed the condom wrapper on the floor, shoving it into his pocket. Holding hands, we walked down the side aisle toward the elevator and nearly ran into the only other guy on the whole campus who thought now was the best time to go to the library.
He jumped and nearly spilled his coffee. I laughed, burying my head in Reece’s shoulder, and we ran for the elevator. I could feel the guy’s eyes on us as we speed walked to get out of there. Once inside, he looked over at me.
“You know your coat’s on inside out, right?”
I glanced down at the lining of my coat, which was, indeed, currently on the outside. Shoving at his shoulder, I shrugged it off and flipped it right side out. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was just happy he didn’t see your underwear sticking out of my pocket.” He tugged at the bright blue edge of the lace poking out of his jeans.
Someone had set a flamethrower to my cheeks. Reece kissed the side of my head. “Let’s go, Wild Child. We’ve got some celebrating to do.”
Epilogue
REECE
I sat on the bench with my elbows resting on my legs. There couldn’t have been a more perfect first season in the pros. The stadium vibrated around us. The stands were a living organism fed by the yardage gained on the field, a sea of green and gold. Sweat dripped off the tip of my nose. Scanning the crowd, I spotted them. No one wanted the sky box tickets; they wanted to be right in the action.
Seph was easy to spot in her red coat, a bold move in a crowd all clad in green. She had her hair up in a crown of braids I couldn’t wait to take down later. Unraveling them and letting her smooth, caramel strands run through my fingers was a post-game ritual I never wanted to go without.
Mom and Dad sat beside her, their arms wrapped around each other. After a long talk with my dad, we’d finally started to mend the rift that had been there since I picked up a football. I was lucky they weren’t making out. They’d come to every home game this season.
Blinking back the moisture in my eyes, I waved to them.
A sharp call, loud even over the frenzy of the crowd, drew my attention. With his hands cupped around his mouth, Nix shouted down to me, his voice carrying despite the uproar. “It took you three games to make your first touchdown. I’m so disappointed.” His wide grin showed he was anything but.
“Why don’t you get your ass down here then?”
He shrugged and threw back, “I’ll leave that to the professionals.”
“Excuses.”
The game ended with another win for us. If we kept this momentum going, it could be a banner season with hockey and football each securing a championship for Philly. I darted in and out of the locker room as quickly as I could, no press conference for me. If I never had to do one again, it would be too soon.
My parents, Seph, and Nix waited for me in the hallway.
“You ready?” I slipped my hand into hers. Bringing it up to my mouth, I kissed the back of it.
“Yeah, my mom texted me that they’re almost to the hotel. I wish they could’ve gotten an earlier flight to see you play.”
“There’s plenty of time for that, and we’ll be in Seattle later this season. I can have them roll out the red carpet for them.”
“Just make sure you don’t eat any of the baked goods Aunt Sophie brings tonight,” she warned everyone.
“Sweetie, you were wonderful.” Mom kissed me on the cheek and squeezed me.
“Great game, son.” My dad hugged me and clapped me on the back. “Keep playing like that and I’ll have a steady supply of fudge pies for you at the house.”
“I feel like you’re trying to fatten me up.”
He laughed and wrapped his arm around my mom’s shoulder.
“He’s trying to get them out of the house. He’s been stress baking, so there’s about ten in the fridge already—not that I’m complaining.”
My gaze snapped to his and he said, “It’s my problem, not yours. Keep doing what you’re doing. I’m proud of you.” He blinked like he had something in his eye and tightened his hand around Mom’s shoulder.
His words hit me right in the chest and I nodded.
“Everyone ready to eat?” Nix rubbed his hands together.
“Now you sound like Berk.” We walked out of the stadium. Splitting between cars, we got to the restaurant. I slipped my hand into Seph’s on the center console. She took her eyes off the road and smiled at me.
No matter how many times she did it, it was like the first time, a feeling like rays of sunlight hitting your face after a dreary day. I loved this woman more than I’d ever thought possible.
“What’s up?” She squeezed my hand. That reassuring gesture let me know she was there for me and would always be there for me.
“Nothing, I’m just happy classes are over so you got to come to my game.”
“Who’d have thought I’d be busier than you this year, Mr. Pro Football Player?”
“You’re lucky I keep a clean house and I’m an excellent cook.”
“I am lucky.”
* * *
SEPH
Getting to the restaurant, I spotted my Aunt Sophie right away, and I did a double take when I looked at the person beside her. Mom! It was a complete transformation. Aunt Sophie’s hair was dyed a light green, almost a teal, and Mom’s usually light brown hair was a bold, deep red.
I’d never gotten the whole Is this your mom or your sister thing, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if people thought I was her mom from the way she looked. When Aunt Sophie and I had gone to my house together, I hadn’t known if my mom would come with us. I’d barely convinced Reece to stay behind at the hotel—and by barely, I mean I hadn’t. He’d waited in the car outside the house in case there were any issues.
I walked in the front door. “Mom?” I stood in the middle of the entryway, calling for her, which I’d never done before. Aunt Sophie stood beside me.
The hurried but muted rush of her coming down the steps was the only sound in the whole house, aside from the ticking of the grandf
ather clock in the living room.
“Seph, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” She stared at me wide-eyed like she’d expected to find me with a limb hanging off my body. “Sophia, what are you doing here?”
“I’m here to do what I should have done years ago. We’re going.”
“Where are you two going?” Her gaze bounced between us and she wrung her hands in front of her.
Stepping forward, I grasped her arm gently. “Not me and Aunt Sophie, Mom—the three of us. I’m staying in Philly. I’ve gone over everything with Dr. Huntsman. I’ll graduate at the end of next year and finish my PhD there.”
Mom glanced over her shoulder. “But your father—”
“Has no say in what I do, or in what you do.” I slid my hand down to hers. “Come with us, Mom. He has no power over you, and I’m not going to let him ruin our lives anymore.”
“Helen, what’s all this noise?” My father stepped into the entryway, and every muscle in my mom’s body tightened like a gazelle caught in the crosshairs.
“Why hello, Arthur.”
“Sophia.” My mom jumped at his sneer.
“Is that any way to greet your sister-in-law, you insufferable prick?”
My dad’s eyes widened and his face turned beet red. “Get out of my house.”
“Gladly. Helen, let’s go.” Aunt Sophie opened the front door.
“Helen.” As if the warning tone in his voice that had been ground down into our brains wasn’t enough, he dropped his hand onto the back of her neck. She sucked in a sharp breath and I let go of her hand.
Funneling every harsh word, scornful comment, and memory of bruises, I planted both my hands in the center of his chest and shoved him. He stumbled back and banged his back against the ticking clock. “You don’t get to do that ever again. You will never lay a hand on her or me again. In fact, after today, I never want to speak to you again.”
He stared at me like I was a stranger, which was exactly what I wanted him to be to me.
