by Ali Parker
It wasn’t lust. It was love. So deep and so ingrained inside of me that the thought of losing him without him knowing caused tears to blur my gaze.
“So catch this shit.” His voice was rough as if he were tensed up. “Seth Mills is totally in my Chemistry class.”
“Seriously?” I kept my face hidden behind his back until I could blink my tears away. I was being overly sensitive, which wasn’t me at all. I needed to get over myself and fast.
“Yeah.” He laughed and groaned deep in his chest. “Bastard gave me pointers on dating you.”
I popped my head above his shoulder and narrowed my eyes as I looked at him in the mirror. “He did what?”
“Yep. He’s horribly lost without you and wanted to save me the trauma of feeling the same heartache.”
To say I was horrified would have been a mild understatement. “He’s so lost without me that he slept with half the cheerleading squad while we were dating. I’d say he’s lost all right.” I knelt back down and started to wrap Jayce back up. The darkening bruise on his stomach caught my attention as I moved around him. “This looks bad, Jayce. Maybe we should go to the clinic and have someone check it.”
I reached up and brushed my fingers along his ribs where the bruise was forming. He was magnificent from that angle, and I couldn’t help but notice his erection. Was it because of me? Something I did? No, he was probably thinking about someone else.
“Sorry.” He glanced down as embarrassment moved across his features.
“You’re ignoring me. I said we should go to the clinic.” I stood up and finished wrapping him up from the front. Our closeness made it hard to breathe. The soft brush of his erection against my stomach as I leaned in to stretch my arms around his center caused heat to blossom between my thighs.
“I’m not ignoring you. I’m fine. I promise.” He brushed his nose against my ear. “God, you smell good.”
“Really?” I moved back and pulled my shirt up to my nose while I held the rest of the wrap in my other hand. “I just smell like—”
“You. You smell like you.” He swallowed hard and licked his lips. “Layla.”
I wasn’t sure what was coming, but I was scared to hear it. “Let’s go skating. Can we?”
“What? Tonight?”
“Yeah. It’s still early.” I glanced down at his stomach. “Unless this is too much for you.”
“No. We’ll go out to my parents’ place. My mom wanted to talk about the wedding over the phone later anyway. You can talk to her instead of me.” He smiled and nodded toward the wrapping. “Finish this up and we’ll go.”
I nodded, not able to respond past the tendrils of desire that had wound up the center of my stomach, filled my chest, and left my thoughts spinning a tale of lust, love, and commitment between me and the man of my dreams.
The only one I’d ever dreamt of. The one standing right in front of me.
Chapter 15
Jayce
We drove out to my mother’s house in Layla’s Jeep and she chattered the entire time about her day. It was so unlike her, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was nervous. But why? Had I done something to make her uncomfortable?
My erection while she wrapped me back up?
I needed to apologize for it, but I couldn’t bring it up again. It was embarrassing as hell and happened all the damn time around her, but that was the first time it was that obvious, or so I guessed.
“You okay?” I got out of the Jeep at my parents’ place and waited for her at the front.
“Yeah. Just talkative today.” She gave me a sheepish look. “How are your ribs?”
“Good.” I reached out and took her hand. “Layla, I’m sorry about earlier.”
“What are you talking about?” Her cheeks turned pink as she smiled. “Oh. That?”
“Yeah.” I reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear.
“It’s all good.” She turned and walked toward the front door. “You’re a guy. God only knows what or who you were thinking about.”
I left it there, but she knew good and damn well what I was thinking about. How could she not? She was pressed to my back and then kneeling beneath me. I’d never wanted a woman more in my life than I did when she was around. The pressure to break open and spill my sappy ass all over the place was getting worse and worse. I’d never last until the end of May when we split ways.
“There you guys are.” My father opened the door and pulled Layla into a tight hug. “How’s softball going, Lay?”
“Good, Mr. Moore.” She smiled at my father and walked into the house. “Mrs. Moore in the kitchen?”
“Yeah, go find her.” My dad turned back to me, offering me a hand and pulling me into a hug. “You tell her yet?”
“Really, right now?” I gave him a look and moved past him into the foyer.
“I used to think she was one of the smartest girls Aubrey knew, but I’m not so sure anymore.” He patted my back as I growled softly at him. “What are you kids up to tonight?”
Layla turned around from talking to my mom and smiled as my father and I walked into the kitchen. It seemed so damn right to have her there.
“We’re going to go skating for a little while, grab something to eat, and head back to the apartment.” I kept my eyes on Layla and lifted my eyebrows as if questioning her on our plans.
“Is Jayce keeping the place clean with you being there?” My mom put her hand on her hip and gave me a look. “He loves leaving his clothes wherever he took them off.”
“He’s doing great.” Layla laughed and turned to walk toward me. “You wanna skate now or later?”
“Now. It’s going to get dark soon.” I moved past her and walked down the hall, calling over my shoulder. “Did Aubrey take her skates or leave them here?”
“She left them.” My mom followed me down the hall. “There should be several pairs and some pads in the closet by the back door. You guys be safe. I’m making lasagna for dinner, so plan on staying. We need to talk about the wedding anyway.”
“All right, Mom.” I opened the closet door and knelt to search through the skates.
Layla walked up beside me. “I like the pink ones if Aubrey left those.” She squatted beside me, sending the scent of her shampoo my way. My body hardened immediately and left me a little woozy.
“Here you go.” I handed her the skates and pulled out my black ones. “Let’s take the four-wheeler out there. That all right?”
“Hell yes.” She stood up, grabbed a big coat from beside the back door, and walked out.
We got our coats on and walked to the garage while she continued to chatter. I let her go. She wasn’t acting like herself, but it was all right. I’d figure out whatever was bothering her sometime during the night. I just hoped like hell it wasn’t me.
I got on the four-wheeler after tucking the skates in a carry box near the back of it. I offered her a hand to get on, but she swatted it away, gave me a look, and climbed on behind me.
She wrapped her arms around my stomach and jerked them up quickly as she brushed the head of my dick.
“I am so sorry.” She dropped her head and pressed her forehead against my back.
“Don’t be. I’m just turned on by just about everything you’re doing tonight. Forgive me, or rather, forgive my hormones. No clue what the fuck is up with me.” I started the four-wheeler and swallowed my embarrassment. I wasn’t going to come down from the high she provided until we had a few hours apart. It was just how it was with her. I’d grown quite used to it over the years.
After skating for an hour, we finally made our way back, enjoyed a short dinner with my folks, and made some decisions for Aubrey’s wedding with my mom. I’d had my fill of looking at colors and wanted to get back to the house so I could stretch out on the couch, but Layla wanted to take some blankets back with us.
“Oh yeah. There are tons of them in the crate in front of Jayce’s bed. Take whatever you want.” My mom turned from Layla to me. “Are yo
u all right? You keep breathing shallow. Why?”
I rolled my eyes. “I got hit in the stomach at practice today.”
“What? Oh no.” She reached for my T-shirt. “Let me see, baby.”
“Mom, I’m good.” I took a step back and gave her a look. “Seriously.”
“All right.” She put her hand on her hip and turned her hard stare toward Layla. “Make sure he’s not in pain. Understand?”
She smiled and nodded. “Of course, Mrs. Moore. I’ll call you if anything goes wrong.”
“Good.” She nodded toward the stairs. “There is some pain medication up there in your old bathroom. Take it with you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I moved up behind Layla, letting her get a few steps in front of me so I could get a good view of her cute little rear as she climbed the stairs. Her hips swayed back and forth as her long hair played along the top of her jeans. My heart was beating so hard it felt like the fucker was trying to escape my chest.
I wanted her on top of me, pressing her strong hands into my chest as her hair tickled my skin.
“You want me to get the medicine or the blankets?” She turned to face me as her expression changed to worry. “Hey. You okay? You’re so pale all of a sudden.”
“I’m good. Just a little winded.” I walked toward my room. “Come pick out the blankets you want and then we’ll grab the meds.”
She walked in behind me and laughed. “God, I remember this room so well.”
I opened the crate and glanced back at her. “Oh yeah? Bring back a few memories?”
“Yeah, of how pathetic I was in my attempts to try and get you to notice me.” She rolled her eyes and walked past me, kneeling down and sorting through blankets.
“You did not.” I reached over and grabbed my favorite one from the bunch.
“Yes, I did. Remember that small couch in the game room where we would watch movies? I’d make you and Aubrey let me get in the middle?”
“Those are horrible memories. I used to ride the rail on that couch bed. My butt bone is still bruised from it.” I gave her a cheeky grin as she glanced up at me.
“We used that small couch bed so I could accidentally rub my arm past yours or snuggle up to you because I was scared.” She laughed, surprising me.
“Seriously?” I grabbed another blanket she handed to me.
“Why are you surprised by this, Jayce?” She turned and took a step closer to me, closing the distance between us.
A thick blanket of lust wrapped around me, promising to suffocate me if I wasn’t careful.
“I guess I figured you were far too hot to want a guy like me.” I reached out and touched the side of her face. “You were the center of everyone’s fantasies, Lay. You know that.”
“You’re an idiot. You know that?” She laughed and cupped my hand, turning her face a little and kissing my palm. “I tried everything, but you never noticed.”
“I’m an idiot?” I gripped the side of her face and let the blankets slide out of my grasp as I pulled her closer and leaned down to kiss her. The softness of her lips, combined with the sensual groan that left her, almost did me in.
“Did you guys find the medicine?” My mom’s voice forced us apart, but fuck if I didn’t want more. Needed it. Needed her.
“No, but we’re getting it.” I bent over and picked up the blankets. “Come on. Let’s grab the meds and get out of here.”
“Okay.” She moved in behind me, breathless and looking like the kind of woman who could wreck my world completely.
“There you are.” My mom laughed and gave me a look. “Why is your face so splotchy? Are you okay?” She reached out and touched my forehead as Layla moved around us to walk to the bathroom. “Jayce, you’re running a fever.”
“I’m good, Mom.” I moved up and hugged my mom quickly. “We’ll see you guys later.”
Layla lifted the pill bottle and shook it as she gave me a knowing smile. “Got the meds. Thanks, Mrs. Moore.”
“All right, well, you guys be careful,” she called after us as we jogged down the stairs toward the front door.
My father stepped out of his den and opened the door. “What are your plans for the rest of the evening? Studying for Chemistry?”
I smiled and shook my head. “Probably popcorn and movies.”
“And studying for Chemistry, Mr. Moore.” Layla gave my father a quick hug.
“I like this girl. Can we keep her?” My dad smiled and patted my back as we all walked out onto the patio.
“She’s been with us forever, Dad. I’m not sure she’s going anywhere.” We walked toward the truck, and I glanced over at her. “At least I hope you’re not.”
“Not until you tell me to.” She glanced up at me, and I had no doubt that the night wasn’t over. I wasn’t sure where things might go, but I sure as hell wanted to find out.
We rode in tense silence back to the apartment, and I imagined her crawling into my seat and doing every naughty thing I wanted to be done to me before we finally parked. I was panting softly by the time I turned the truck off.
She laughed nervously and glanced over at me. “You all right?”
“Not really.” I swallowed hard and got out of the truck. If it wasn’t for the blankets in my arms, I’d have taken her hand and half dragged her up the stairs. We walked in silence toward the apartment, and I caught a glimpse of someone standing outside the door with their back against the brick wall.
Seth Mills.
Fuck.
“Hey, guys.” He smiled and walked toward us. “Sorry to bother you. I just wanted to talk to Layla for a second.”
“That’s between you and her.” I shrugged and pulled out my keys before glancing back at her. “You good?”
“Yeah. I’ll be right in.” She put her blanket in my pile and I walked into the apartment, closed the door, and let out a long sigh.
Of course, the night wasn’t going to go as planned. My luck had never allowed anything to work out right.
Why would tonight be any different?
Chapter 16
Layla
Of all people to be standing outside of the apartment.
Jayce walked in and closed the door behind him, leaving me in the hall with Seth.
“Hey. Sorry about just showing up. I just thought it would be better than trying to talk over text.” He gave me a shy smile. The man didn’t have a shy bone in his body.
“We really don’t have anything to talk about, Seth. You and I haven’t been together for almost a year. You moved on—while we were still dating, I might add—and I’m finally trying to.”
“With Jayce?” He snorted and put his hands on his hips. “I know you think you know this guy because you grew up together, but I’m telling you, he’s not your type, Lay. You’ve made him into something in your head that he’s not.”
“And what have I made him into? The great guy that he is?”
“Is that what you want?” He took a step toward me and shook his head. “A nice guy to take home to mom and dad? The kind that will hold you all night instead of making you scream in pleasure?”
“Sex isn’t everything,” I barked back, knowing that the bastard was simply pushing my buttons just for the sake of pushing them. Sex wasn’t everything, but it quickly could become that with me if I wasn’t careful. Seth knew it and yet I still wasn’t enough.
“I agree.” He reached out and brushed his fingers down the side of my face. “Love and passion and sex are everything. We had all three.”
“I’m not talking about this with you. You wanted more than one woman in your life, and now you’re free to have as many as you want.”
“I was wrong.”
“Right, well, that ship has sailed. Find someone just as wild as yourself who doesn’t mind sleeping with multiple people at a time. That’s not me.” I brushed by him and reached for the door. “Stay out of my life. There’s nothing left between us, nor will there ever be again.”
“Layla.” He reached for me
as I pushed the door open, and I slammed it in his face.
There was a part of me that wanted the wild, fucked-up party he offered every night of the week, but it wasn’t the real me. It was a way to disappear and dive so deeply into the world of drunken parties and drug-induced highs that I didn’t have to feel anything.
The one year we’d dated had been wild. Disturbing and wild.
“Jayce?” I called and dropped my purse on the kitchen table. The blankets were sitting on top of the table with Jayce’s key, but he was nowhere in sight. “Sorry about that. He’s still hopeful that we’ll get back together.”
I snorted and walked down the hall. The shower was running.
“Of course.” I turned back and walked to my room, kicking off my shoes and rubbing my shoulders as I dropped down on the side of my bed. I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and texted Aubrey. She was probably wrapped up tight with sexy Lucas White, but maybe I’d get lucky and score a response.
Me: I miss you.
Aubrey: Me too. Where are you? Mom and Dad said you and Jayce came by the house tonight and you guys were ‘cute’? WTF is that?
Me: LOL. We went skating on the pond out back and had dinner with your parents. I guess it could look cute if you were parents.
Aubrey: Where is he now?
Me: In the shower. We got back to the apartment and Seth was waiting out front. Total buzz kill.
Aubrey: Seth Mills?
Me: Yeah.
My phone rang, scaring the hell out of me.
“Don’t you know texting etiquette? You don’t call when you’re texting.” I laughed and flopped back on my bed.
“Well, excuse me, but Seth Mills waiting outside the apartment for you is a little creepy. What happened?”
“It was creepy. He just wanted to talk. He seems to think we still have a chance of getting back together. Guess he hasn’t figured out that I’m completely lost to your brother.”
