New Leaves, No Strings (Austin Erotic Romance Series)

by C. J. Fallowfield

  ‘So no erotica and no Vin?’ I asked with a heavy sigh.

  ‘No.’

  ‘Ok let’s go for laughs instead.’

  We looked at each other and said in unison ‘Stepbrothers.’

  Wednesday

  I spent the morning in the library again, but this time with Lexi. There was no sighting of Milo, or even more disappointingly Gabe, but we’d got English after lunch. I’d decided to play it casual, with my hair down, jeans, my high tops and a wraparound black ballet top to hug my breasts. As Lexi and I walked down the corridor I could feel the men’s eyes on us.

  ‘Hey Mia looking good, hey Lexi,’ nodded one as we passed by him.

  ‘Who the hell was that?’ I asked Lexi, as I did a double take.

  ‘I think you snogged him in freshers’ week, but who cares? We can afford to be choosy if they’re going to throw themselves at us,’ she grinned.

  ‘I’m too bloody choosy,’ I muttered. ‘The only two I’ve got eyes for are already hooked up.’

  As we turned into the lecture hall there Gabe was, seated at his desk opposite mine. He looked me up and down before smiling and winking at me again.

  ‘God damn it Lexi. I’m going to have to start wearing Tena Lady liners if he keeps doing that, he gets me really horny and wet,’ I groaned as I took my seat. She smiled and turned to talk to Andrew, who looked surlier than ever, classic Lexi fodder.

  I sat up straight and looked around the room and finally spotted Milo and waved. He smiled and waved back and I saw Gabe frown. It was too hard to concentrate, I could feel him from across the room, his eyes boring into me, undressing me. I drank swig after swig of water, as I tried to keep the heat building up inside me at bay, but I felt all light headed again.

  ‘Sir, please may I be excused for a minute?’ I asked in Mr Jenkins direction as I stood up. I caught Gabe’s gaze and stumbled as my legs went weak, just catching the table in time to hold myself up.

  ‘Miss Page, you’re no longer at school. You’re an adult and are free to come and go as you please, as long as you don’t keep disrupting my lectures. You also seem to have a problem remaining upright each time I see you, so please watch your step. I also prefer Mr Jenkins, not Sir.’

  ‘Thank you Mr Jenkins,’ I answered as I quickly glanced at Gabe again, before swaying out of the room. My legs felt like jelly and it was a long way to the nearest bathroom, I trailed my fingers down the wall as I walked to keep myself steady. I took one of the dextrose tablets that the Nurse had recommended I carry and sucked it whilst I clung onto the bathroom sink. What was he doing to me? I’d never had such a physical reaction to anyone like this before, excluding Tyler, I was only twelve after all. Even though I fancied Alex, he didn’t turn me into this quivering bloody wreck every time I saw him, or make me wet with anticipation. Damn gorgeous Gabe and his bloody gym sculpted girlfriend. I splashed lots of cold water on my pink cheeks and threw open the bathroom door.

  There he was, propping himself up against the wall outside. He looked so sexy in scruffy faded blue jeans. He had on a pair of onyx converse trainers and a fitted black shirt that hugged his form and showed off his muscular broad shoulders. His chest tapered down to his slim waist and I was looking back down at his crotch again before I knew it. I inhaled sharply, his body looked insane. I was already getting visuals of how he would look without the clothes … lying on top of me … all hot and glistening, wow.

  ‘You ok? You didn’t faint again did you? I didn’t hear the toilet flush,’ he asked looking concerned, snapping me back to reality.

  ‘You stalking me now? Bet your girlfriend will be really happy with that.’ I tried desperately not to look into his stunning eyes, but it was futile, I just couldn’t help myself. I crossed my arms as I stood facing him, to cover my stiffened nipples. Why did they keep doing that around him?

  ‘Ermmm yes. Sorry about that, that was awkward.’

  ‘Why would it be awkward?’ I shrugged. ‘It’s not like we’re anything.’

  ‘It’s not like you could fit me in even if I was single, what with ex-boyfriend Kai texting you and that Ian Somerhalder lookalike waving to you in lectures,’ he snapped. He sounded annoyed and scowled at me. Christ he was even hotter with that scowl.

  ‘Presumptuous much? Even if you were single, who says I’m interested?’ I bit back. If only he knew how interested I really was. I’d never been so physically attracted to someone, never had the desire to rip off someone’s clothes, but he was doing things to me, things I’d never felt before.

  ‘I think we can both stop pretending and admit what’s really going on here, don’t you?’ he asked running a hand through his gorgeous blonde locks.

  ‘And what do you think’s going on?’

  ‘You’re as attracted to me as I am to you. I knew it the first time we looked at each other.’

  ‘Ok I’ll admit that you’re easy enough on the eyes,’ I replied feeling myself blush as I blatantly lied. He was so much more than easy on the eyes. I could feel a magnetic pull to him, I wanted him to grab me and press his body against mine while he kissed me fiercely.

  ‘Easy on the eyes? Is that all you think of me?’ He looked shocked, stunned even.

  ‘Attraction’s not all just about looks for some women you know.’

  ‘Ok, so what do you look for in a man?’

  ‘Well a nice body helps.’ I scanned him quickly again, super confident his was amazing, I’d love to run my hands over it. O god he had another erection, was he ever soft? I reluctantly tore my eyes away, he looked big, very big and I felt my core clench at the thought of it inside me.

  ‘Well you’ve already told me that you find my butt amazing. Trust me, you’ll be happy with the rest of the package,’ he responded with a big grin on his face.

  ‘You’re pretty confident aren’t you Gabe?’

  ‘I work out a lot for swimming, so a good physique comes with the territory,’ he shrugged. ‘Don’t take my word for it, come and see for yourself. I have practice 6 ’til 8 Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and I may as well be naked for what protective cover my speedos give me. I’d welcome the opportunity for you to inspect me thoroughly. What else?’

  ‘What else what?’ My mind had drifted again at the thought of his naked body glistening with water, with a tiny piece of material straining to hold his substantial package in. I went all hot again and was sure my knickers were getting wet.

  ‘We’ve established you like the look of me, but what else are “some women” attracted to?’

  ‘A nice smile, kind eyes and someone who’s respectful of women.’

  ‘Check, check and check,’ he responded with a grin.

  He definitely had that whole nice smile thing down. ‘Funny,’ I said with a half-smile of my own.

  ‘I can be funny too. Anything else? Money?’

  ‘Why would money be on the list?’

  ‘Isn’t it? It is with most women. Aren’t they attracted by rich powerful men?’

  ‘I like confident self-assured men, but attractions about so much more than how much they earn or spend.’

  ‘So if I drove a Porsche you wouldn’t be impressed?’

  ‘I’m not denying I like nice cars, who doesn’t? But if I had to choose between a really nice guy who only had a push bike, I’d chose him over an ok guy with a Porsche.’

  ‘Ahhhh, but I bet the fact that he drove a Porsche would mean you’d notice him before the guy with the push bike.’ He stood up straight, seeming excited at our banter. I’d not realised just how tall he was, until now. What was he? About six foot? Six foot of prime real estate that I was seriously interested in having a number of viewings of.

  ‘When I met them for the first time in say a club, or here at Uni, how would I know whether they had a Porsche or a push bike? It’s all about the person and in this case bike man would win.’ I could feel myself heating up sexually even more as we sparred, this was another new and unexpected feeling.

  ‘Hmmm interesting. So we
’ve pretty much established that I tick most items on your list, as I also own a push bike.’

  ‘Regardless of you telling me that you meet my list, and not letting me decide for myself Gabe, I don’t like to get in the middle of complicated.’

  ‘Complicated? How’s it complicated?’ he asked looking puzzled.

  ‘You’re seeing someone,’ I said with raised eyebrows, thinking damn you.

  ‘What if it was uncomplicated? Would I have to deal with Kai and the Italian stud?’

  ‘Interesting, so you think he’s a stud?’

  ‘Well you obviously do the way you were waving and smiling at him, pushing out your breasts,’ he snapped.

  ‘I don’t need to push, unless you hadn’t noticed I think they stand out perfectly well on their own,’ I said indignantly. He seemed jealous of Milo, was he really jealous?

  ‘O don’t worry, I’d noticed, it just seemed like you wanted him to as well.’

  ‘Jealous are we?’ I teased.

  ‘And you weren’t when you met Julie? I saw your face when she said the word girlfriend. You’re avoiding, you’ve not answered my question.’

  ‘Which one? I feel like I’m on University Challenge,’ I said as I turned and started walking back to the English hall, it was too much being around him, bantering, the sexual tension was unbearable. I’d sensed that playing hard to get would make him want me more and was glad of the opportunity to spar without consequence. Kai would get into a temper and all the others were too willing, too keen to try to please me, which bored me. I figured the harder I made it, the more he’d want me, but not much chance of anything happening. Not with me and my bloody morals standing in the way.

  ‘God you’re infuriating,’ he said as he caught me up and walked by my side. ‘Are you seeing either of them?’

  ‘No, I’m not seeing either of them.’

  ‘So someone else then?’

  ‘No, not at the moment, but I’m quite enjoying all the attention I’ve been getting since I moved here. I might want to keep my options open.’

  ‘Options open?’ he gasped, momentarily thrown.

  ‘What’s wrong Gabe? Used to having your pick of women? Do they usually throw themselves at you?’ I teased.

  ‘Yes, they do,’ he said in all seriousness. He looked surprised that I’d even questioned the fact that he was hot property, seriously hot property I thought.

  ‘O, so now I can add cocky and arrogant to your list of characteristics. They’re such attractive qualities Gabe. Sign me up, add me to your groupies list, I desperately want you now.’ I heard a frustrated sigh and I looked at him running his hand through his hair again, this seemed to be his frustrated tell. ‘Are you ok Gabe? You’ve gone very red.’

  ‘I’m just not used to having to work so hard for a result.’

  ‘Hmmm, that doesn’t bode so well either. Mental note, no staying power.’ I slowed down as we approached the lecture hall door, I wasn’t quite ready to walk away quite yet, I was enjoying myself.

  ‘I can assure you that I’ve no problems in that department,’ he snapped. His eyes had gone a stormy blue as he glared at me, he was annoyed. Annoyed and so damn hot.

  ‘That you know of.’

  ‘That I know of?’ he uttered, looking completely shocked again.

  ‘Woman are very good at faking at it. Have you never seen When Harry met Sally?’

  ‘I think I’d know the difference between faking it and the real thing Mia. Trust me, no one has ever had the need to fake it with me thank you. Now answer the question.’

  ‘Which one?’

  ‘If I were single are you available?’

  ‘But you’re not single, so why does it matter?’

  He sighed again and did that thing with his hair ‘Jesus christ Mia, you’re seriously hard work. Ok, hypothetically, if I were single are you available?’

  ‘In what capacity?’

  ‘What do you mean in what capacity?’

  ‘I’m not looking to be someone’s possession Gabe.’

  ‘Then what the hell are you looking for Mia?’

  ‘No strings attached mind blowing sex.’ I surprised myself at how easily it came out, Lexi would’ve been proud of me. She’d told me to be direct, to make it clear and I just had. He stared at me, his mouth wide open for once.

  ‘No strings attached mind … blowing …’

  ‘Sex,’ I finished his sentence for him as I felt my cheeks burning. He just stood looking at me with a stunned expression on his face. Stunned and very turned on. I flicked my eyes down again and saw he was still hard, if anything it looked even bigger, if that was even possible. I smiled to myself, it seemed I affected him, the way he did me and I liked that.

  ‘You expect me to end a relationship for no strings attached?’

  ‘I don’t expect you to do anything Gabe. You’re the one pursuing me and pushing me for answers. You asked me what I wanted and I’m telling you, as I might be interested if you were single, it’s not my problem that you’re not. I’m sure I can soon find someone else who is.’

  ‘If you go around telling men that all you’re interested in is no strings attached sex, how many do you think will lie about their availability just to take advantage of you?’ he asked frowning.

  ‘I’m not going around broadcasting the fact thank you. I’m very choosy, so no one will be taking unwitting advantage of me. You asked me what I wanted and I’m telling you. I’m very attracted to you, but I won’t be the other woman for any guy.’

  ‘And I’d never do that, it’s dishonest and disrespectful. I believe if you choose to be in a relationship, you should commit and not cheat.’

  ‘That’s very admiral of you Gabe. Still I don’t want to be the cause of any break up, not with unrealistic expectations of what I can offer.’

  ‘So if I were single, you’d want a no strings relationship?’

  ‘I never said I wanted a relationship,’ I reminded him. ‘If you’re really that unhappy with her, you should leave. Don’t use me or anyone else as an excuse.’

  ‘I wasn’t unhappy, I thought I was perfectly bloody happy until I saw you,’ he replied with another sexy frown. ‘I knew the moment I saw you that I wanted you. Believe me Mia, women come on to me a lot and I’ve never felt the need to follow up while I was seeing someone, but this …’ He exhaled and gesticulated the space between us. ‘I’ve never felt this sort of attraction to anyone before. I can’t stop bloody thinking about you. I just needed to see if you felt the same, before I even contemplate hurting her, she’s a really good person.’

  ‘Then stay with her Gabe, there’s a lot to be said for really good.’ Did he just say he can’t stop thinking about me? Him thinking about me? I looked up at him wishing he’d just ignore me, dump her and rip off my clothes and have wild, hot, frenzied sex with me.

  ‘What if I want more? What if I want you?’

  ‘Attraction’s sometimes just attraction and there’s nothing substantial to hold it all together. I can’t promise you any more than that Gabe.’ I was cursing him internally, he’d just said he couldn’t stop thinking about me and now he was telling me he wanted me. Could this be any more frustrating.

  ‘Other than the mind blowing sex?’ he smiled.

  ‘Well that goes unstated,’ I said as confidently as I could, while blushing at the same time. ‘Seriously though, don’t jeopardise a perfectly good relationship, a lot of people would be happy to have that. I’m really not worth it.’

  He stood staring intently at me, I could see him trying to process our dialogue and come up with a response. Why was I being so protective of his relationship and denying want I wanted? I did want him, if there was ever a guy I wanted to lose my virginity to, to be fucked by, he was the one. I needed him to know it, clearly and unequivocally or I’d forever kick myself for the lost opportunity.

  ‘Gabe?’

  ‘Yes,’ he sighed.

  ‘If you were ever single at the same time as me though, I’d really
love to have sex with you.’ I stepped away, embarrassed at my boldness and put my hand on the door.

  ‘Christ you’re infuriating. I could throw you over my knee and spank you,’ he growled sexily behind me, making my body quiver. I looked back at him, over my shoulder.

  ‘Now that I could definitely see myself liking,’ I said with a smile and an wink, that came from nowhere and even took me by surprise.

  I quickly walked through the door into the English hall, letting it close behind me and left him outside, with a complete look of astonishment on his face. I sat down besides Lexi with shaking hands and quickly popped another dextrose tablet in my mouth. She raised a questioning eyebrow at me and we both looked around as Gabe swung open the door and walked over to his desk opposite. His cheeks looked like they’d been firmly smacked their hue was so pink.

  ‘What just happened? You’ve been gone ages,’ whispered Lexi. ‘He looks like he’s about to explode.’

  ‘I was playing hard to get, then decided maybe I was playing too hard to get. So I channelled you and made it clear I’d have sex with him, if he were available.’ Lexi looked at me impressed and took a swig of her water. ‘And I may have just given him the impression that I like to be spanked,’ I added casually. Lexi spurted the water out over the desk.

  ‘Spanked?! You’ve read those bloody books too many times.’

  ‘Yes maybe so, but look at him Lex. He may have wanted me before, but now he really wants me.’

  ‘What about the girlfriend?’

  ‘He said he was happy with her, so I’ve made it clear that I’m not doing anything while they’re together, but it’s so frustrating. He said he can’t stop thinking about me and that he wants me. It’s so hard,’ I sighed feeling a seriously horny and confused. ‘I want him so badly, but if he stays with her, I’m going to have to someone else with whom to do the deed.’

  ‘With whom. You make out like you’re all proper, with your posh voice and fancy turn of phrase, but deep down there’s an utter harlot waiting to break out.’

  ‘You know what Lex, I think you might just be right.’

  I was disappointed at the end of the lecture to see Gabe grab his bag and race out, with barely a glance in my direction. Bugger, it seemed I’d pushed him too far.