by Laura Ward
***
Taren sat down on the opposite side of my bed, her eager gaze reeling me in like I’d swallowed not only the bait but the entire hook. I crawled across the mattress toward her, and she held up her hand.
“Hold it. Before we get started, I want to know how late you stayed up last night to get your work done.”
I smiled. “I like it when you’re bossy. It’s pretty damn hot.” As I started to make my way over to her again, she pulled her backpack into her lap like it was a shield.
“Tell the truth, Alec. How late?”
“Three in the morning.” I shrugged like it was no big deal.
Her forehead wrinkled with worry. “Don’t you get up at six to work a few hours in the physical therapy office before class?”
“I’m used to it. I used to work three jobs. Now I only have two. Three hours of sleep is an improvement.” I’d give up sleeping entirely if it meant more time with Taren.
Her face became serious, and I was reminded of the straight-laced Taren I knew from high school. “That’s not healthy, Alec. I don’t want to be the reason you’re exhausted.”
“You’re worth it.” Leaning forward, I inched toward her again. My hands and lips itched to get a taste of her.
Her eyes flashed, and I could see my eagerness reflected in them. Her lips parted and I could tell that she wanted me to kiss her. Instead, she shook her head slightly as if she were clearing her head. “I’ll make you a deal.” She held up her finger and looked at me in determination. “For every item you accomplish off your study list, I’ll reward you.”
I stopped my slow crawl toward her. The smile that crept across my mouth held back all the wicked things I wanted to say. “Reward me?”
She narrowed her eyes. “If you’re a good boy and do your work, I can make it worth your while.” When I didn’t answer, she lifted her eyebrows and jutted her chin out in defiance. “Do you doubt me?”
Remembering our last few nights together, doubt was the furthest thing from my mind. Her lips however...“You’re serious? Not even a kiss?”
She pulled a book out of her bag and opened it up, without looking at me. “The sooner you get started, Alec, the sooner you get rewarded.”
Shit. Talk about knowing how to motivate a man. Maybe Coach could take some pointers from Taren. None of his pre-show speeches had ever done what her promise of a reward could. I hurried to get my books and heard her giggle. When I looked up to say something, her face was a picture of calm.
Three hours later I’d checked everything off my list, and I watched as Taren stood to remove another piece of clothing. She was putting on the slowest goddamn striptease known to man. I hated it as much as I loved it. So far she’d lost the jacket, shoes, T- shirt, and tank top. She still hadn’t let me touch her at all. I was in agony with want. I wanted my hands on her. I needed to feel the slick warmth of her mouth on mine. My body was strung so tight, one fucking touch from her would probably snap me in two like a damn wishbone.
She unbuttoned her jeans and then hooked her thumbs into the waistband as she wriggled the tight material down her body. My eyes hungrily feasted on every inch of skin as it appeared.
In nothing but her cute little boy shorts and lacy bra, she looked almost shy as she stared at me. She started to speak but then hesitated for a moment. “I’m still a virgin.”
“That’s okay.” A deep rumble of caveman satisfaction reverberated through my chest and I wanted to howl in triumph. Relief coursed through me knowing that douche Pickles had never claimed that part of her. Another first that could be mine. Fuck yes.
“I’m not ready tonight.” She crossed her arms over her chest, rubbing her hands up and down her arms.
My eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Did I make you feel like you should be?” The last thing I would ever do was pressure her for sex.
“No, no!” Her hands snapped up to ward off the question. “Not at all. It’s just that I’ve been doing this slow striptease...”
“Which I appreciate immensely.” I leaned back on one arm and made a show of running my gaze up and down her body.
She rolled her eyes. “I just thought I should make things clear before I come over there.” Her hand fluttered in front of her, motioning toward me. “I’m not trying to be a cock tease. I was just trying to make studying fun.”
“Did sweet Taren Richards just say the word, cock?” I feigned shock.
Her skin flushed from head to toe in embarrassment.
“Come here.” My words were softer, and I sat up, holding my arm out to her. “I’m just teasing. You tell me what you want, and that’s all we’ll do. We won’t do anything you’re not ready to. I promise.”
She regained her confident posture as her smile lifted back into place. She crossed the room and sat down next to me on the bed.
“So what do you want, Taren?” I reached up to run the backs of my fingers down her cheek.
She bit her bottom lip as her eyes roamed over me. “I want you to take off your clothes.” Her words were quiet, but determined.
I lifted my eyebrows at her request. Not what I was expecting, but I was only too happy to oblige. I reached back and grabbed the neck of my shirt, pulling it over my head in one quick motion. “More?” I threw my shirt to the side.
She nodded, and her eyes flared in excitement as she bit back a smile.
I stood and undid the button on my jeans before pushing them down and then kicking them away. I arched an eyebrow. “More?”
Taren was quiet for a moment, and her eyes shifted to my boxers as if considering how dangerous saying ‘yes’ to that question might be. Finally, she shook her head ‘no.’
“We’re even now.” Her gaze raked over me, shameless and ravenous.
“I don’t know about that. I just spent the last three hours in torture, wanting to kiss that beautiful mouth of yours while you sat half-naked and untouchable on my bed. I think you deserve to suffer a bit.”
Taren crossed her arms. The haughty movement hid her breasts which had only been covered by a tiny lace bra. She glared at me. Bad move, Hart. She’s covering up...that’s a step backward.
“Well if this is such torture.” She got up and walked toward her pile of clothing. “I could always put everything back on.” Her eyebrows lifted in challenge.
Just as she bent to reach for her shirt, I couldn’t take it any longer. “Fine. You win, Richards. We’re even.” The words came out like a growl.
She tilted her head and lifted her eyebrows in question. She motioned with her fingers, coaxing more out of me as she slowly slid her arms into the fabric of her shirt.
“I owe you a...reward?” I’d give her anything she wanted as long as that fucking shirt didn’t go back on.
“Now we’re talking.” She dropped the tiny piece of clothing and crossed the room, quickly finding her way into my arms, just as easily as she’d been finding her way into my heart the last few days.
I pulled her down on the bed with me, running my fingers up and down her side with light pressure. The delicate touches made her eyes flutter shut, and her body pressed into me.
The feel of her skin against mine was heaven. Like an addict, I wanted to have everything at once. Instead, I let my fingers and lips savor her. I kissed her, deep and slow, making sure she felt it all the way to the tips of her toes.
Taren’s hands worshipped my body. Her lips followed the path of her fingers to brand every part she touched. The heat spreading through me was a slow burn; the kind that snuck up on you. The kind where you didn’t know you were in trouble until it was too late and you were lost in a blazing inferno.
If I wasn’t careful, Taren would consume me.
Maybe I wanted her to.
I groaned when she pressed her hips into me, melding her body into mine. My heart hammered in my chest. The only things between us were a few pieces of thin fabric and a promise. No matter how hard it was, I would keep that promise until she was ready for more.
“These study sessions are going to be the death of me.” My blood was thundering through my veins with urgency. My chest was tight with need. I wanted to own her. Make her mine.
“Yeah, but it would be a good way to go,” Taren said between kisses.
Hell yes, it would be a damn good way to go.
Chapter Nineteen
TAREN
Julie was in my room, rummaging through my closet, looking for something to wear. Tonight was Wednesday, better known as Ladies Night at The Shell.
“You’d have more luck looking in your own closet.” I closed my laptop and stretched my arms over my head. “You have a much better selection.”
“Yeah, but I’m trying to get that bass player’s attention. I want to wear something I’ve never worn before.” She pulled a hanger off the rack and inspected the small piece of fabric hanging from it. “Speaking of getting someone’s attention,” she said without looking at me. “What are you going to wear for Alec?”
“He doesn’t work on Wednesdays.” After spending the past week together, I’d learned his schedule. I hadn’t had the chance to check in with him yet today and I wondered if he’d be relieved that I had plans to go out with my friends. At least he’d have time to do all the studying that I’d prevented him from getting done.
Julie spun around holding the tight, shiny top she’d picked out for me a few months ago. “Perfect. Invite him. He’ll be more fun to play with if he’s not working.” The smile she gave me was wicked.
“I hadn’t even thought of asking Alec to meet us there.” I picked up my phone to look for any missed calls. “I never really had to invite Pickles out to party with me. He was always just there.” I had to admit, the idea of spending the night dancing with Alec was one of the best ideas Julie had ever had. That was saying something, considering the girl was full of brilliantly fun plans.
I looked at the display on my phone, and the screen read three o’clock. Alec was still in class. I’d have to send him a text and hope he saw it when he got done.
“You’re inviting him?” Julie grinned as I starting typing.
“Yep,” I answered with my own smile.
“Nice. Tell him to bring one of his studly friends. That guy with the spiky blond hair wasn’t bad to look at.”
I paused in my typing to look up at her. “I thought you were trying to impress the bass player?”
Julie gave me a perplexed look. “Yeah, but how am I going to show off my best moves without a dance partner?”
I laughed as I texted Alec.
Me: Are you working tonight?
Julie tucked my shirt over her arm and headed for the door. “Be ready by eight o’clock, sweetcheeks. I don’t want to miss any of Bass Boy’s set tonight.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I gave her a mock salute, and she gave me a finger wave as she left.
“T?” Alexis raised up on her elbows and looked down at me from her place on the top bunk. “Are you sure about this?”
“About what?”
“Alec hurt you in high school. Are you sure you can trust him?” Alexis’ forehead wrinkled as she bit her thumb.
I turned my phone over in my hand, running my fingers over the edges. “I’m not going to lie. There’s a part of me that worries one day he’ll look at me and see the same loser I was in high school. But I’m different now and so is he. We’ve both made mistakes, and as much as I needed a fresh start, I want to give him one, too.”
Alexis smiled. “I like seeing how happy he makes you.”
He did make me happy. So freaking happy. I hoped with all my heart that he felt the same way.
An hour later I got a response from Alec.
Alec: No. I’m not working tonight. Why?
Me: I was hoping you’d meet me at The Shell.
A few moments passed before his short text came through.
Alec: I can’t hang out at The Shell.
Me: Because you work there?
Alec: No. Because I took a pledge not to drink.
Me: But you work there.
Alec: Working there is one thing. Hanging out would be wrong.
I honestly couldn’t see the difference between the two, but I wasn’t going to argue about it.
Me: I kind of promised Jules I’d go to ladies night with her. Are you sure you can’t come? We could dance and have fun. You don’t have to drink.
I was hoping Alec would change his mind, but his text back was short and terse.
Alec: I have practice tonight until 10.
Me: Come after.
Alec: Sorry. I can’t.
My stomach sank. The disappointment was more crushing than I could have anticipated. Tonight was just one invite, one small rejection. I stood up and paced the length of my room. Why does this bother me so much? Why does it feel like he’s blowing me off?
Alexis popped her head up from the book she was reading. “Is he meeting you at The Shell?”
“No, he has practice.” I chewed on my lip and continued my pacing. We hadn’t been on an actual date in public. We only studied together and hooked up. Not that I was complaining, but the thought plagued me that Alec could be embarrassed to be out in public with me. We got along fine in high school, too...as long as it was in private.
“Umm, you’re wearing a hole in our carpet because….?” Alexis tapped her pencil against her book and waited.
“Do you think maybe he doesn’t want his Acroletes friends to know he’s dating a sorority girl?” I stopped and hung my head. “Are we too different for this to work out?”
Alexis slammed her book shut and sat up. “There is nothing wrong with being in a sorority. He chose a different path than you, but neither one is wrong. If you’re going to make this work, you have to put the past and your insecurities behind you. You have to believe in the person you’ve become.”
I heard her words, but my heart was still working on believing them.
***
Today was my weekly Good Buddy visit. I was supposed to meet William at the Student Union. Instead I found him sitting on a bench outside the meeting room, typing on his phone.
“Hey, William. How are you today?” I sat next to him on the bench. He looked up, tucking his phone into his jacket pocket. He flashed me that genuine smile that I had grown to love and need. Everything about William was real.
“Call me ‘Will’ now.” He straightened his shoulders, looking proud of his nickname.
“Will.” I tapped my lip in thought and pretended to try it on for size. “I like it.” William grinned, and my heart swelled. Being with him was easy. I couldn’t even call it charity work because time with him was precious, grounding, and most importantly, uplifting. He’d become a good friend.
“Would you like to go for a walk?” I pointed to the glass doors that allowed sunshine to stream inside. “The weather’s nice today. I thought it would be fun to go over to the McKeldin Mall.” I’d caught him people-watching several times before, and no place was better for that than the mall.
“Yup, yup.” William put on his coat, and we made the short walk to the grassy area that was home to the reflecting pool in the middle of campus. He didn’t speak, but his eyes were full of joy. William watched the students hurrying into buildings or sitting in groups, talking and laughing. I’d discovered that it didn’t take much to satisfy him. Seeing others happy was something he particularly seemed to enjoy.
“So, how are you this week?” I walked over to a bench by the reflecting pool and sat down. He moved closer to the edge, bending over to examine the water before sitting next to me.
“I am happy today, Miss Taren. How are you?”
How was I? That was a good question. I wasn’t sure how to answer it. The time I spent with Alec had been fantastic, but I still wasn’t sure about my future with him. Especially after his rejection last night.
Alec had matured a lot since high school. He was the same smart, confident guy he’d been back then, but now he was also humble, and funny, and protective. The pro
blem was, we’d yet to actually interact in a social situation, and that was starting to bug me.
Was there any part of his life I fit into aside from studying? Better yet, was there a part of my life he fit into?
Hooking up with him was great—better than great—but did I want to get involved with someone who didn’t have anything in common with my circle of friends? Should I lust after someone who couldn’t find time for me in his life?
I blinked and tore my gaze off the reflecting pool. I wasn’t unloading all of that emotional baggage onto my buddy, William.
“My weekend was good.” I gave him a half-smile and then blew out a breath.
“But?”
I tilted my head at his question. “But what?”
William shrugged. “It was good, but...”
I smiled. Leave it to him to pick up on my unsaid words. I sighed. “Have you ever liked someone and weren’t sure if you should, Will?”
He nodded, his face solemn. “I liked a girl named Sarah. We went to school together, and she had long red hair. So pretty.”
I turned to face him. “What happened? Did you ever tell her you liked her?”
“I did. She liked me, too. We even kissed a few times.” He grinned, ducking his head down and studying the ground.
“So...” I nudged him with my elbow.
“Her dad found out. Said we could not date. He said it was not right. That I was not right. You know...in the head.” William pointed to his head, his eyebrows scrunched together.
I scooted closer to him and rubbed his back. My heart hurt to hear his words. I was pissed off that someone could think awful things like that about a guy as sweet and kind as William. Just because he was different, didn’t mean he was less. That was so far from the truth the idea made me sick.
I still didn’t know what William’s official disability “label” was, and it didn’t matter because nothing could change the wonderful person he was. Labels didn’t mean anything. They couldn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the complexity of the people they were attached to. I should know. I had my share of labels in high school, and none of them were really me. The real shame was that some people were too closed-minded to see William for the beautiful soul he was.
