He shakes his head, and his lips move achingly against mine. “I have one more rule.”
“What’s that?” I whisper, willing to agree to anything if he’d just kiss me deeply.
“When you call me to take care of your needs, I can have you as many times as I want.”
I try to answer with a no problem, but his lips come down on mine—hard. I can’t speak, can’t think, can’t do anything except drop my journal, twine my hands in his hair, and hold on while he plunders my mouth. When he pulls away a few seconds later, I’m panting, sure I’ll never breathe steady again.
“That was… nice,” I puff between ragged lungfuls of air.
He laughs softly. “You’re a bad liar, cupcake.”
It was fanfreakintastic, but he already has a big ego. I don’t want him stuck in my room all night just because his head won’t fit through the door.
“Okay,” I admit casually. “It was better than nice.”
He brings his lips back to mine, brushing them softly against my mouth. When he speaks, his words vibrate my lips. “I’d better go.”
The tingle makes me shiver, and my brain takes a few moments to kick in and process his words. “Go?”
He sits up straight, plants his feet on the floor, and pulls his cell from his pocket to check the screen. “It’s late, and I’ve got class tomorrow.”
So do I, but I don’t care. I want more of his kisses, more of his everything. “Stay a little longer?”
He stands and stretches, raising his hands high above his head. “Too tired.”
I glimpse a tantalizing strip of toned skin between his shirt and the top of his jeans. A dusting of dark hair creates an enticing path, hinting at what lies below. I desperately want to see more. “Please?”
He shoves the phone back in his pocket. “Sorry, cupcake. Where’s your cell?” He scans my room. “Never mind. I see it.” He grabs it off my dresser and punches numbers in. “Call me tomorrow. I’ll see what I can do for you.”
“You can’t leave now. I’ve got needs you’re supposed to be meeting!” I’m fully aware I sound like a tantrum-throwing toddler, and I don’t care. He’s supposed to be gunning to drive me, not walking out the door before he’s even taken my body for a test spin. What kind of guy leaves a willing woman unsatisfied?
He strolls toward the door and opens it. Over his shoulder, he says, “I’ll meet your needs later.”
“No! They can be met now!”
He turns toward me, standing just outside my room. “Are you always going to be this demanding?”
“It’s been two months. I’m running on empty.”
“I’ll fill you up tomorrow.”
My comforter’s pressed against my chest, so my best womanly assets aren’t on display to tempt him. With a quick drop of the blanket, I thrust my chest out, fully aware my nipples are puckered beneath the thin fabric of my tank top. I peer up beneath my lashes. “One more kiss before you go?”
His gaze sweeps down my neck, across my collarbone, to rest on my chest. A low growl rumbles in the back of his throat. “You’re asking for trouble, cupcake.”
I smile seductively. “I know.”
He kicks the door shut and strides toward me. “Just remember this was your idea.”
I don’t care whose idea it is. I’m just giddy he’s coming back, and I lick my lips with anticipation. He grasps the comforter and tugs it down my body. His eyes following the descent of the fabric, growing darker with every inch of retreat. His sudden laugh startles me.
“That’s a big-ass monkey.”
I look down to see George’s head peeking out of the covers. Mortified, I kick the stuffed animal out of the bed. “Rule number seven, no making fun of George.”
“He’s cute.” His expression goes serious but in a mocking kind of way. “Should I be jealous that George shares a bed with you?”
I follow the flat planes of his stomach down to his trim hips and stop at his taunting zipper. I can make out the ridge of a growing bulge. “George doesn’t wear extra-large magnums.”
“Touché.” His eyes darken again, and he resumes uncovering my body. When everything but my calves are revealed, he throws the blanket and sheet into a pile at the foot of the bed.
“Come here,” I purr, hoping I don’t sound like a rabid cat. This seduction thing is new to me. The two boys I’ve been with always took the lead, leaving little for me to do except go along for the ride. I wonder if Tyler would let me take control every once in a while.
He hovers over me. His feet are still on the floor, but his body is bent over mine. He presses one delicate kiss to my lips and pauses. I think that’s all I’m going to get, and it’s so not enough. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him toward me. He loses his footing and lurches forward. His chest lands on mine, nearly crushing me, but I’m too lost in the way our mouths move together to care.
He settles next to me and deepens our kiss; the dark stubble on his jaw rasps against my skin. I lift his shirt, let my fingers trace the ridges of muscle on his stomach. His skin is smooth and soft and warm, everything I imagined it’d be.
He groans into my mouth, “Cupcake, we need to stop.” But his hands still glide over my body, traveling every curve.
“No, we don’t.” I move my hand lower, pressing my palm against his zipper.
When he hisses, I know I’ve got him right where I want him. More urgently, his hands skim down my neck, over my shoulders, across my breasts. He kneads them roughly before heading toward my stomach. When he touches me between my legs, I stifle a gasp of hot pleasure. I haven’t been caressed intimately in too long, and my body is heated and ready. Though his fingers slide over fabric and not skin, I feel the sweet tension build in my core.
“Yes,” I moan into his mouth. “Please don’t stop.”
He pushes the heel of his hand against me, hitting just the right spot. I’m like a compressed coil, ready to shoot up at the slightest release. I place my hand over his, molding him harder against me. My hips move with him, my flesh pushing into his palm. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind, embarrassment tries to rear up for acting so shameless after only a few kisses, but that part of me is buried beneath a heavy layer of lust.
“Christ, cupcake,” Tyler growls, his breathing as uneven as mine.
I press harder against him, and his hand moves faster. “Please don’t stop.”
I’m so close. So freakin’ close. If he’d just move his hand a little higher, I’d tip over the edge. I guide him to exactly the right spot. My hips jerk, and for a precious moment, the world stops as a wave of ecstasy crashes through me.
“Oh, God!” I cry out.
I bite down on his lower lip, coming hard and fast. All I see are popping bursts of light behind my closed eyelids. A scream rips from my throat. His hand keeps moving, and I keep coming. Tremor after tremor rocks my body. I’m stuck on a cloud of pure rapture. Lightning strikes all around me. I’m vaguely aware of how vulnerable I am, but I’m too awash in pleasure to care.
Slowly, I float down from heaven. Tiny aftershocks, reminders of how good he’s made me feel, shake my body. When the last tremor completes its path to my toes, I lay still beside him, spent and delightfully sated for the first time in months. His face is buried in my neck, his hand unmoving but pressed against me. His breath shudders against my skin. A few moments of heavy breathing stretches between us before I come to my senses and let what just happened settle over me.
My hand still holds his in place. I tentatively remove mine and clench it by my side. He doesn’t take the hint, continuing to cup my sex as if he’s claiming it as his own. That’s silly since we’re both fully dressed, and he’s not the type to claim anything belonging to a girl. The embarrassment that had been relegated to the back of my mind pushes forward. Did I really just come that fast and that easily?
Tyler kisses the tender skin below my ear and moves his hand away, but not without a gentle squeeze first. “You okay, cupcake?”
; I nibble my bottom lip and stare at the ceiling. “I haven’t gotten off like that since high school.”
He lifts his head, eyes sparkling with heated arrogance. “I haven’t gotten a girl off like that since high school.”
I hide my face in my hands, burning hotter than a firecracker. “This is so mortifying.”
He pulls my hands down and nuzzles my cheek. “I’d do it fifty more times if I could hear you scream like that again.” If his cocky vibrato is any indicator, he’s taking full responsibility for my quick trigger. His lips tip up in a smug grin. “I thought you were going to bite my lip off.”
My gaze drops to his mouth, and sure enough, teeth marks pock his bottom lip. I run a finger over the angry skin. “Sorry.”
His lips tip higher. “Actually, it was hot.” He leans in and kisses me softly. “Better than your vibrator?” he mumbles against my mouth.
I sigh contentedly. “No contest.”
“Good. Now that you’re taken care of, I’ve got to run.”
I slide my calf over his and rub from his ankle to his knee. “I’m not done with you yet.” Far be it from me to deny him his due.
He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath as though he’s mustering energy or maybe willpower. When he opens them, they’re full of regret. “Can’t, cupcake.”
I’m still basking in the afterglow of my orgasm, and I pull him close to kiss him. “Why?”
“Rule six,” he says, pressing against me so that our bodies are flush.
His mouth coaxes mine open, and he moans as his tongue delves inside, tasting me. With the way he’s kissing me, I can’t think, let alone recall all the rules of our new relationship.
“What’s rule six again?”
His lips find my neck. He kisses down to my chest, his hands pressing into my hips. “I can’t have sex with you on the same night I’m with another girl.”
Holy hell! I jerk back as if I’m about to kiss a skunk’s behind. Images of Tyler with another girl fill my head. “Oh, my God!”
He lifts up, shaggy bangs hanging in his eyes, and smiles ruefully. “I’m really regretting that rule right now.”
“Where has your mouth been?” I say quietly, dreading his answer.
“All over Alexis and Olivia. You should thank them, because while I was with them, I was thinking of you.” He chuckles. “Congratulations, cupcake. You distracted me from a threesome.”
I think I’m going to be sick. I plant both hands on his chest, push with all my strength, and shove him off the bed. “Asshole!”
He lands with a loud thump. “We’ve already established that.”
In one giant leap, I bound over him, tear the door open, and rush straight for the kitchen. Mouthwash ain’t gonna murder the filth swimming in my mouth. If I didn’t think it’d kill me, I’d slosh kerosene, but a pint of vodka will have to do.
“I brushed my teeth before I came over,” he calls.
I turn back to see him rubbing his shoulder. “You’re a disgusting pig!” Whirling back around, I dart into the kitchen.
“I tried to leave. Don’t forget that.” He shrugs into his button-up and saunters toward me as though he doesn’t have a care in the world.
I’m such an idiot. Why did I have to coax him to stay? I pull the vodka from the cupboard and dump it into a coffee mug. “Just get out of here, Tyler, before I castrate you.” While I take a huge drink, I head for the sink and begin the process of decontamination, sloshing the alcohol like there’s no tomorrow.
Tyler has the nerve to walk up and kiss my cheek. “Call me when you need a refill.”
I contemplate spitting the vodka in his face, but that would just be tacky. I spew it into the sink. “I’m not calling you after you probably gave me herpes.”
He pats my bottom. “Sure, you’re not.” He strolls to the back door and, just before he closes it, winks at me. “Talk to you later, cupcake.”
Why does he keep calling me that?
Chapter 12
Leaving my house with my backpack slung over my shoulder, I can’t help but peer toward Tyler’s house and the window that overlooks our yard. The blinds are drawn tight. I haven’t seen Tyler in four days. Josh and Dylan have come over twice, but their roommate is mysteriously missing.
I’m guessing he fears my wrath, or maybe he’s smarter than I give him credit for and he’s giving me distance and time to decide if I really want to go through with the “hug buddy” thing. Right now, I’m not so sure.
When he gave me a mind blowing orgasm with only his hand, I was all on board, but five seconds later, he ruined the moment as only Tyler can. I was kissing a man who’d done God-knows-what to two other women that night. The ick factor tore apart my grand plans.
If I made a decision right now, it’d be no. Being with a guy who’s screwing other girls is skanky. At the same time, if he weren’t with other girls, our arrangement would be exclusive, one step away from calling him my boyfriend, and that won’t do either.
I sigh and sling my backpack higher on my shoulder. This is more complicated than I’d anticipated. I wish I’d thought it through more before approaching Tyler. Now it’s not just me waiting on my decision. He is too, though I doubt he’s pining away, eagerly anticipating my answer. If he is eagerly waiting, he’s doing it with a girl under each arm.
He’s such a man-whore. A really hot man-whore with a killer ass. Not to mention perfect abs, delectable pecs, and a kiss that curls my toes. Of course I can’t forget the Magnum XL package. I’d like to find out how big a man has to be to wear those. I shiver just thinking about it.
Perfect. I’m heading to Mr. Westbrook’s class, horny as a toad.
I’m so lost in scandalous thoughts about Tyler, I walk right past the campus bakery and have to backtrack. I head inside and pick up breakfast for Dan. As I leave, my mind returns to naughty images of Tyler. I bite my lip hard, clear my mind, and force myself to concentrate on my surroundings.
After my mind goes blessedly blank, I only hear the rustle of leaves and birds singing. Laughter pierces the serene quiet. I turn to see who’s cackling and catch Tyler walking out of the biology building. By his side is a tall, lanky girl wearing large-framed glasses, a tucked-in T-shirt a size too big, and baggy jeans held up by a thin belt. The duo pause by the door and talk with their hands flying around their faces. I’m too far away to hear them clearly, but based on the rapid movement of their lips and determined set to their jaws, I think they’re arguing.
The girl snickers and shakes her head so vigorously, her giant glasses slip down her nose. As she pushes them back up, Tyler laughs and launches into a monologue that lasts at least a minute. She shakes her head again, drops her book bag, and kneels down to open it. While he’s chuckling, she pulls out a book, flips through the pages, and holds it up for him to see. He squints, reading, then his laughter dies, and he frowns. I think she just won the argument.
I’ve stopped walking, too caught up in watching this different side of Tyler. The Tyler I know entices girls to lift their shirts for Mardi Gras beads in the middle of November. I’ve seen countless girls give him a show. This girl would never flash anything riskier than her biology notes, yet he’s more caught up in her than any half-naked chick at a party.
Then the inevitable happens. A cute girl walks by wearing a tank top and daisy dukes, and Tyler’s attention finds a new direction—the cute girl’s derriere. Baggy-jean girl smacks him in the arm with her book, but she’s still smiling. Tyler shrugs, and they head off together toward the physical science building.
I walk again too, not wanting to be late for class. As I go, I wonder what I don’t know about Tyler, which is dangerous. He’s just a hug buddy, and maybe not even that since I can’t decide if I want to go through with it or not. I have to admit, after seeing that little show, I’m leaning more toward yes. He’s damn sexy when he argues with a brainy girl.
I peer back one last time and stop briefly to watch his long legs eat the distance between buildings. He
opens the door for baggy-jean girl, and when he does, he glances straight at me. I expect a cocky smirk, maybe even a wink, but he just stands there and stares back. I wish I could see the depths of his blue eyes. I bet they’re swimming with heart-melting warmth after his bout of good-natured arguing.
A flush creeps across my cheeks. I feel it as warmth blossoms under my skin. I take a deep breath and look away first. As I expel air from my lungs, I turn from him, but I still feel his stare prickling my back. If I had to make the decision now, it’d definitely be yes. I want those eyes of his so close to mine, I can see every shade of blue they hold.
When I make it to Murral Hall, Philosopher Dan is standing in his normal spot beneath a light pole. He’s wearing a black T-shirt that says God is Good and smiling like the only cock in a henhouse, which I guess is fitting since he’s surrounded by three pretty coeds.
To the short, round girl directly in front of him, he says, “You got a mind like a diamond and a heart like a tiger. Stop clawing at everyone who tries to love you. Not everyone be tryin’ to deceive you.”
Her tall, blond friend claps her hands together. “Oh, my God! I told her she looked hot in that blouse this morning, and she went ballistic on me!”
“I do not look hot in this blouse!” the round girl says, chin jutting with indignation. Truthfully, she does look nice in the shirt. It narrows her waist and shows a little cleavage. The pale blue goes perfectly with her eyes.
“See?” the other friend says. “The woman cannot take a compliment.”
“Whatever.” The short girl marches away, obviously a victim of low self-esteem.
The two girls smile apologetically at Dan and scurry after their friend.
Dan just shakes his head, the twinkle in his eyes never dimming. His smile widens when he sees me. “Hey, pretty girl. You bring me some breakfast?”
“Of course. But I expect some words of wisdom as payment.” As intuitive as he is, I’m hoping he’ll shed light on what I should do about Tyler.
Summer's Temptation Page 14
