by Alexx Andria
I shivered. Everything was moving so quickly. My head was spinning. Even if I agreed with him at some level, I was struggling. “I’ve spent the last three years hating you and now, because of your magic dick, I’m falling in love with you? I don’t know, it’s all pretty fucked up. I’m not sure my pride can take that kind of 180.”
“You think too much,” he said with a sigh. “Probably a direct consequence of not being fucked hard enough by the right person. I plan to rectify that as often as possible.”
My breath caught in my chest and a shiver of delight danced across my skin. God, I loved how that sounded. “But what if that’s all this is? Sex? A relationship is more than sex.”
“I know what I feel, Layla,” he said, his tone changing. He was no longer being flip. “Deep down, I’ve known for a long time but I wasn’t ready to commit to it. I’m ready now. I’m ready to do it right. We’re both seniors. Our lives at Oak Ridge are about finished. I’m going to law school, you’re going to get a job in broadcasting but at the end of the day, we both need someone who understands who we are.”
I frowned, lifting up to gaze in confusion. “But how could I possibly know who you are? I’ve been hating who I thought you were for the past three years,” I said.
“That’s surface stuff,” he said. “I like ketchup, not mustard, prefer romantic comedies over horror flicks and I’ve never seen a single episode of Friends.”
I balked. “That’s a tragedy.”
“Which part?”
“Uh, duh, the mustard part. What do you put on a corndog?”
He laughed. “I don’t eat corndogs.”
“Well, there you go, see? Total opposites.”
“Surface stuff,” he assured me and the way he said it, I believed him.
How had I never seen this side of Oz before? This sweet, sensitive, calm, yet decisive side? And oh, so sexy! He had this way of taking control that excited me in ways that I never realized I craved. If anyone would’ve suggested that I needed a man to take control in the bedroom I would’ve told them they’d fallen and hit their head but Oz made it deliciously wicked and I loved it.
“Hey, I have a confession to make and it’s going to suck,” he said with a frown.
“That sounds ominous.”
Oz sighed with a rueful sigh. “Yeah, it’s pretty shitty and I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I’m just going to have to hope you have a sense of humor.”
I started to scowl, not liking the sounds of where this was going. “Why do I feel this is going to change my good mood?”
“Because it probably will.”
“Alright, spit it out. Get it over with,” I said, drawing the covers back over my tits, just in case, whatever he had to say removed his right to see them.
Chapter 10
Oz
That damn bet with Rhett.
The thing about realizations was that they rarely happened before you did something colossally stupid — they happened after so that plenty of damage could be done in the aftermath of discovery.
I knew I had two choices. I could keep the bet a secret, tell Rhett he won, that I hadn’t sealed the deal and then hand over the pink slip to my baby and walk away knowing I’d gotten the real prize with Layla but sooner or later Layla would ask why Rhett was driving my lifted Dodge and the truth would come spilling out.
In my head it played out something like this:
“Oh, yeah, I bet that I could fuck you by Halloween but I realized what a douchebag I was being by making that dumbass bet and I didn’t want you to know so I never told you.”
Yeah, sure, that sounds great. There’s absolutely zero chance of spinning that into anything other than what it is — total crap.
And there was no way I’d come out smelling like a rose either.
But damn, I was “woke as fuck” now and I wouldn’t dream of making such a stupid mistake now.
Seeing as I didn’t want to chance Layla finding out about the bet later, I decided to just put it all on the table.
Or I could just man up, find the balls and just admit that I’d let my ego get the best of me and I’d made a stupid, immature bet that I couldn’t wiggle my way out of gracefully. Sure, eating crow never tasted good and it felt like it was going to choke you going down but I was man enough to admit when I fucked up so I could do this, right?
Sure.
So why did my stomach feel like I’d just eaten a rotten egg for lunch?
Because Layla wasn’t a doormat type and wasn’t likely to forgive and forget so easily and frankly, I didn’t want her to be. I didn’t want to get off lightly but then I didn’t want to lose her either. I was caught in a rough spot.
Layla was regarding me with wary suspicion and I didn’t blame her. The evening had taken a weird turn. We’d gone from wild monkey sex to we-need-to-talk seriousness.
“Okay, I’m just going to throw it out there and let the chips fall where they may,” I said.
“Very brave of you,” Layla said, narrowing her gaze. “Am I going to want to throat punch you?”
“Maybe.”
“Fabulous.”
“All right, so here goes,” I said, sitting up, wishing I, at least, had my balls covered. “I made a stupid bet with Rhett a few days ago before I realized what I really wanted and it involved you and my truck.”
She stared blankly, not putting two and two together. “What do me and your truck have in common?”
“Well, I bet that I could get you in bed before Halloween or Rhett could have my truck.” Hurt flashed in her eyes and I wanted to punch myself in the nuts. That was exactly what I didn’t want to happen. “It was totally stupid and immature and I regret saying something so insensitive. If I could take it back, I would. I’m sorry, babe. I mean it, seriously.”
“Don’t call me, babe,” Layla warned with a narrowed gaze. “You don’t get to drop that bomb on me and then call me babe as if we’re a thing. Seriously, use your head. I need to process this for a minute.”
“Of course.” I chewed my lip. “Should I get dressed? I feel kinda vulnerable right now with my junk within punching distance.”
“Probably wise.”
I jumped from the bed and pulled my clothes on while she did the same. The silence felt heavy, which sucked because only moments prior it’d been sublimely awesome, like fucking heaven.
The air still smelled like sex but the mood was frosty.
“I was stupid to say something like that,” I tried apologizing but Layla was in a different head space and it worried me because I had a feeling I knew where she was going and it was totally wrong. “Layla, don’t go there. It’s not what you think.”
“What do I think, Oz?” she asked, turning to face me.
“You think I orchestrated this whole thing, said all those things just to get you in bed to satisfy the bet but that’s not the case. If that were true, I wouldn’t have told you about the bet at all. I came clean because I have real feelings for you. I had a fucking epiphany, you know? I want a clean slate, nothing hanging over our heads.”
“But that’s something you would say to make me think that you were sincere,” she said, cocking her head as if studying me, as if trying to determine if I were lying. I hated that she couldn’t trust me but I wasn’t going to back down. “Oz, I think I was right in the first place, we’re just too different. Sex is one thing, a relationship is another. You and I are not meant to last.”
“I know it’s crazy. I know how it looks,” I said. “I can see how it reads but I also know that nothing has ever felt as right as you and I. I’ve been chasing this feeling for years without knowing that it was right here all along. The difference being, I recognize it as the truth, you’re still fighting it.”
I saw in her eyes, she knew I was right. Why she couldn’t admit to it, I didn’t know but I wasn’t going to back down. “When I’m inside you…the world disappears,” I said, moving toward her. Her mouth trembled as she took a step back but I followed until she could go n
o further, her back against the wall. I braced my hands on either side of her head, leaning in to claim her mouth, reminding her of what kindled between us.
I couldn’t explain it — it simply was.
All I knew was something wild and untamed that only answered to our voices had awakened inside us. I couldn’t go back knowing that it was there.
Neither could she.
So that left us to deal with the awareness and the knowledge that we had to figure things out.
“I want to spend my life fucking you raw,” I said against her soft lips. “I want to wake up with your taste in my mouth and your scent in my nose.” She gasped and I took the opportunity to steal her breath, my tongue sliding along hers. “I want to discover your limits and test your boundaries, baby girl.”
She groaned and I nearly buckled. I trembled as I fought the urge to take her again but I was already nearing my limit of endurance for the night. I was resentful of the fact that I needed food and sleep when all I wanted was to bury myself endlessly in that willing body.
When I thought of all the times I wasted spending time with other women, I just shook my head, irritated. Every woman paled beside Layla.
“Tell me you understand, baby girl,” I begged, holding her tight, pressing myself against her. Even now, I was semi-hard. She moaned. “I need to know that you understand I would never hurt you. I am so sorry for being an idiot. Just say the word and I’ll give Rhett my pink slip without thinking twice if it means we can forget about this stupid bet and never talk about it again.”
I half-expected her to punch me in my junk. I would’ve taken it. Some things were worth a shot to the crotch. When the moment stretched interminably long, her voice broke the tension.
“But I like that truck,” came her muffled response and I allowed her to pull away. Her eyes glistened with tears but a grudging smile tugged at her lips. Was it possible I’d passed through the gauntlet alive? I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high but I dared to seize the glimmer in the moment.
“It’s a pretty fucking great truck,” I agreed, risking a grin. “To be honest, I’ve had some hot fantasies of bending you over my tailgate, your skirt flipped over your hips after a game…man, the ways I’ve defiled you in my head are fucking epic and probably illegal in some states.”
“Is that so?” she said, wiping at her eyes. “Big talker.”
“Oh no, baby. I put my money where my mouth’s at — and right now, my mouth is planning to be all over that sweet body of yours.”
She giggled, the sound ricocheting through my body like a rush of sunshine, admitting coyly, “I’ve fantasied about going down on you in that truck.”
“Were you wearing your uniform? Please say yes. God in heaven, please say yes.”
Layla nodded, looping her arms around my neck. “Yes.” She kissed me this time and my body lost the tension cording my muscles. I curled my arms around her waist, drawing her close. She gazed up at me to ask, “So about this stupid bet…”
“It’s so lame,” I admitted with an embarrassed groan. “And really inappropriate.”
“You’ve already established that. What do we have to do to win?”
We.
A slow smile spread across my face. “I need an after sex selfie, something that shows that I sealed the deal.”
“Done.” Layla stepped away from me and slowly unlaced her corset, giving me an eyeful of the sexiest strip tease before dropping her gown in a pool, tousling her hair and going to the bed where we’d debauched ourselves properly earlier. Then, she climbed onto the bed, pulled the bedding just barely up to her breasts and smiled, showing just enough skin to start the pulse racing and said to me, “Take the picture.”
I fumbled for my phone and managed to barely snap the pic and send it off with a hastily texted message, “You lose, I win” to Rhett before falling onto Layla one last time even though I didn’t think I had a drop of moisture left in me and within moments, we were both lost in each other.
I knew it would always be this way with us.
Something I just knew.
For years, I’d chased my sexy cheerleader for all the wrong reasons but when I’d finally caught her — the reason had been right.
Now the fun begins! Better stock up on those condoms!
Also by Alexx Andria
Are you looking for more by USA Today bestselling author Alexx Andria? Check out the following titles (the titles are clickable for your convenience!)
*BUCHANAN ROMANCE
*Bought By The Billionaire Brothers
Three ridiculously wealthy men, one curvy woman and the fight to own her. Which one will win her heart? #billionaireromance
*The Buchanan’s Baby
Nolan Buchanan is used to getting what he wants, until the mother of his baby girl wants nothing to do with him. Can this billionaire convince his baby mama to take a chance on love? #billionaireromance
*The Buchanan’s Redemption
Vince Buchanan is all about the win — in business and in the bedroom — so when he’s forced to shelter a woman to protect his business interests, he never suspects he might fall for the difficult woman. Will he earn redemption or will he cling to old habits? #billionaireromance
*A Christmas Promise
Laird Teichert isn’t a gentle man but when he’s called upon to protect a broken woman, he finds himself wanting to be the man she needs. Can he change before it’s too late? Or will he lose the woman of his dreams forever…#billionaireromance
*The Billionaire’s Sweet Surprise
Vince Buchanan thought he had everything he needed in life…until his feisty little wife surprised him with the ultimate gift.
Old demons from his past threaten his future happiness unless he can put them to rest but can he make the change in time? #billionaireromance
*Coerced
Nobody says no to Sutton Buchanan, except one curvy artist who doesn’t know any better.
Can he trust his heart or will he cling to his old ways and ruin the woman of his dreams? #billionaireromance
*Pushed
Reece Buchanan is a player and he’s good at what he does. Now he’s supposed to use that charm to bring down a woman holding up an essential investment.
So what’s he supposed to do when he accidentally falls in love?
It’s the woman or his family…what choice will he make? #billionaireromance
*Damaged
Some dreams refuse to die.
Whitney Buchanan has it all – money, beauty, a hot guy she adores – until one night everything changes and she flees the country without a word to anyone.
Charlie Pearson believes in the good things in life: good food, good friendship, and great sex. He takes pride in his blue-collar job and loves his woman. All that shatters when Whitney breaks his heart and bails. As far as he’s concerned, if he never sees her again — it’ll be too soon.
Now Whitney’s home again.
Charlie figures one chance per customer, and Whitney has had hers. No way he’ll allow his dignity and self-esteem to get trampled in the dirt a second time. He’s not willing to pay that price. He once dreamed that she might be The One; now he sees her as damaged goods. But, damaged or not, he still feels the pull every time she’s around.
And, dammit, dreams die hard.
#billionaireromance
Leverage
Boston Kincaid is ruthless, hard and filthy rich. He takes what he wants and gives zero f*cks.
Until he meets Julianna. In an instant, everything changes.
Except Julianna hates him and she’s bound and determined to keep him away from her…and their baby. #billionaireromance
Still Into You (Miles and Dani’s story) (Formerly Falling from Grace
Dr. Miles Lassiter doesn’t want anything to do with a certain Hollywood starlet but when he’s the only who can save her…he finds himself torn.
Will Miles lose his heart again or will he walk away forever from the woman he needs the most? #b
eachread
Club Chrome series:
Kings of Asphalt (MC romance)
Two hard-bodied motorcycle club leaders and one curvy journalist looking for a story adds up to trouble of the most interesting kind! #MCromance #menage #badboy
All Dogs Bite (MC romance)
Some bad boys can’t be tamed…or can they?
A curvy graphic artist and a motorcycle club leader with a nose for trouble team up in an unlikely duo that’s sexy, dirty and fun!
But when things get serious…will the bad boy run or become the hero she needs? #MCromance #badboy
Up In Flames (MC romance)
Redemption is a dish best served spicy hot! Pyro is no hero, at least that’s what he tells himself but when he finds himself standing between certain death and a woman from his past…he can’t walk away.
Even if it costs him his life. #MCromance #badboy
*The Awakening series (Parts 1-6)
A special shifter baby is prophecied to be born and all the rival clans are hungry to claim the woman who is supposed to bear the special child!
Who will protect her and the baby when someone wants her dead? #paranormal romance #shifters #werewolves
*One Naughty Girl series (Parts 1-5)
Bored housewife turned secret sex spy? Of course! Wild, campy fun with lots of dirty sex for your reading enjoyment! (Don’t take this too seriously!) #erotica #lotsofsex #humor
Against The Wall
This hard-assed cop is willing to do anything to catch the man…even use a beautiful woman’s need to protect her brother.
But he never imagined he might catch feelings…
Caged
Damon McAvoy is no hero but when he inadvertently finds himself protecting a woman who’s nothing but trouble…he gets way more than he bargained for.
Will love save these two hard-headed people or will they destroy each other before their enemies do? #badboy #cagefighter
The Hitman and the Heiress
What happens when a hardened hitman falls for his target? Well, they might just be screwed! Can love survive on the run? Read and find out in this sexy, romantic comedy! #romcom #badboy #hitman
