He walked over to the head of the bed and untied my hands. I lifted the binding from my mouth and pulled it over my head. The fabric was now drenched in my own saliva from the erotic torment he’d just put me through. My body was still on fire and unrelieved as I looked at him with confusion clouding my face.
Devon disappeared into the bathroom. I heard the shower turn on, and he reappeared with a towel, which he tossed toward me on the bed. “Cold shower if you need one.”
My mouth dropped open and I furrowed my brows as I watched him walk away from me and disappear out of the room.
Chapter Ten
~Erin~
Devon grinned at me as I walked into the office the next morning.
“Good morning!” His wicked grin let me know he knew exactly how I felt this morning.
My flustered look betrayed the smile that I returned to him. “Good morning, Devon. Did you have a nice evening last night?”
“It could have been better, but we all have to make sacrifices now and then for the greater good.” He chuckled.
“Devon, you outdid yourself last night.”
I wrapped my arms around him from behind and whispered in his ear, “Just think how much better it could have been.” My tongue grazed his ear, and he leaned into me.
“Just think how much endurance we’ll both have by the time this is over.” His voice was filled with desire, and betrayed his calm and cool facade.
“It isn’t over?” My fingers pulled his chin toward me.
“I want it to be over.” His eyes roamed to my lips before returning to my eyes. Devon turned his chair into me and abruptly pulled me onto his lap. “Lord knows I have been through hell resisting you.”
“Then don’t.” My nose rubbed against his as he cradled me in his lap. “What are you trying to prove? That you can resist me?”
“Oh, no. That’s the thing. I can’t resist you. I just wanted you to get an inkling of how excruciating it feels to be without you. Because when I can’t touch you, like the night before, that is just a fraction of what it feels like. Because if I can make you feel that, then maybe you’ll have some sense of how you tortured me.”
“A fraction, huh? Because that was pretty intense.” His lips were barely an inch from mine as we tempted each other even as we spoke of it.
“Good. Now, with that in mind, promise me you won’t do that to me again. That you will never deny me your love again. Or this gorgeous body.” He moved his hips to position me over his bulge.
I looked up to give him the impression I was mulling it over, but inside I was melting. “Hmm. Let me think about it.”
“Please don’t take very long,” he said with a tone of desire.
I felt his erection against my stomach while he pulled me into him. “On one condition.”
“Oh, no. I am in no position to negotiate. I am under duress. I don’t think it’s legal to negotiate with someone under duress.”
“You poor baby.” I dabbed his nose with my finger. “You promise never to deny me, either.”
“I won’t. I’m in love you with, Erin. I’ve been in love with you since before we even kissed. I just didn’t know what it was.” He gave me a sweet, shy smile.
“You have no idea how happy that makes me.” I kissed him long and hard, caressing his lips with mine and savoring his sweet taste with my lips and tongue moving with his.
Devon pulled me close and kissed me hard, pushing his tongue into mine and exploring every crevice of my mouth. When he pulled away, he thought for a moment and looked at me with a playful smile. “Although, it is kind of erotic to skip the actual orgasm. Just think how much stamina we’re both building up.”
“Okay, then next time it’s your turn to go without.” I tapped his chest and ran my finger down his torso.
“Let’s skip that idea, then, for now.”
I shook my head and laughed at him. “For now.” He kissed me again with a passion that set fire to every fiber of my being, and I was lost in the sweet eroticism of it all.
He pulled away and gasped. “I suppose we should get back to work before we take this a step further.”
He lifted me up by my hips and slapped my behind. “Just don’t torture me anymore with that sweet ass.”
I ran my knuckles down his cheek. “Only if you’re good.”
He kissed my hand. “Yes, my princess. I will be good.”
God, he could be so sweet sometimes. I slapped him lightly. “I’ll believe it when I see it. You’re on the chair in ten minutes. You may want to take a moment before you stand up.” I smiled at him as I walked out of the office to make my morning rounds on the beach.
“You’re not making it easy,” he added as I shuffled out the door.
~Devon~
Matt and Devon had made plans to visit the Stanford athletic facility and meet the coaching staff over the summer before making a final decision on where to enroll for college. Matt and Shannon arranged to meet Devon and Erin for lunch before they left for Stanford for a few days.
Both Devon and Erin were still on the Columbia waiting list, and Stanford’s offer was open for the next two years. They still had time to decide when and where to go to college, but Stanford’s offer was enticing.
Later that day, Matt stopped by to pick them up for lunch. Matt leaned his large frame over the counter on the half door. “Time for the big leagues, bro! Let’s hit the road.”
Shannon peeked around Matt’s shoulder. “Hi, Devon!”
“Hey, Shannon. Nice to see you keeping this animal in line.”
“Who’s going to watch him at Stanford?” Shannon shifted around Matt and held his burly arm.
Matt turned to her and put his arm around her shoulders. “We have to see if I’m even going there first.” Matt planted a kiss on her lips.
“Erin and I have to figure this out too,” Devon added.
“Erin, I heard you were submitting a documentary film for the school of art,” Shannon said.
“Yeah, it’s the only way I know to get in, aside from trying out for the football team and getting a special invitation.”
“Feisty! How do you deal with this girl, Devon?” Matt roared.
Devon leaned back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head. “She promised to be good this week, so we’ll see.”
Erin squished his mouth into a fish face. “Devon, don’t press your luck.”
Devon grabbed her waist and sat her down on his lap. “I am lucky, and I know it.”
“Oh, please!” Matt scoffed.
“Awwh, that is so cute. You two are so cute together.” Shannon watched Erin and Devon search each other’s eyes while her hands rested on Matt’s shoulders.
“Please, don’t encourage them. They’re already making me lose my appetite.” Matt turned to Shannon, and she frowned at him.
“All right, let’s go eat,” Devon said, lifting himself up.
Erin grabbed her bag and stepped into her shorts and sneakers. She pulled a light green T-shirt over her swimsuit and bundled her thick blonde hair, which had dried into wild wavy curls from her morning swim, over her back. After she put her T-shirt on, she let her hair cascade down her shoulders and back.
Devon glanced at her and touched his lips to her cheek before moving to her ear. “So beautiful. Can I have my lunch now?”
Erin slapped his arm and smiled, and tied her hair back into a ponytail.
Shannon smiled at Matt. “They’re in love. Don’t mess with love.”
Matt squinted at her. “Let’s go.”
Devon called in his backup from the beach to manage the office for the afternoon.
“Where are we going?” Shannon asked.
“Best fish tacos in town. Or bluefin tuna with a California salad. It’s a California menu,” Matt said with pride from doing his homework.
“Good thinking, Matt,” Shannon said.
“Impressive,” Erin added.
“Thanks, brat. You know that means nothing coming from you.
” Matt stared ahead.
Erin stuck out her tongue at him from behind his back. Shannon smiled at her and back up to Matt. “Don’t tell me what she did—I don’t care,” he said dryly.
“You guys are going to have to get along. Her film documentary is going to get her into Stanford. You’ll see.” Devon moved closer to Erin and wrapped his arm around her.
Erin smiled up at him. “Thanks.”
“God forbid. We’ll deal with it if and when we all get there. Shannon plans on getting into the business school. Gives me something to think about, that’s for sure.”
Shannon was planning to apply in the fall. It gave Matt another reason to think about sitting out for one season.
“You guys should not sit out a season for us. You have to take this offer,” Shannon said. Erin gave her a slight nod of agreement.
“You don’t want to be two old men graduating from college.” Erin chuckled.
“Old man, huh,” Devon huffed as he pulled her closer.
Chapter Eleven
~Devon~
Matt arrived at his car and reached into his pocket for his car keys.
“Not so fast, Matt. I think we have some unfinished business.” Pelton approached him with his hand in his jacket.
“It’s a bit warm out here for a jacket, isn’t it, Pelton?” Matt glared at him like an angry bear ready to pounce.
Nathan and Robbie appeared with baseball bats from a nearby car. “Hey, boys, nice to see you again,” Nathan scoffed.
Jarrett Weaver played shortstop and was Steve’s best friend. He was next to approach them with a bat.
Devon moved Erin partially behind him. “Shouldn’t you faggots be wearing masks to hide your faces? Now we know who you are, though I suspected this much. I see you brought one more asshole. It won’t help. Not one of you are leaving this parking lot unscathed.”
“Is that a threat, bitch?” Pelton sneered.
“It’s going to take a lot more than a baseball bat this time, Pelton. Devon and I are going to beat the crap out of all of you,” Matt growled. “This is going to be fun.”
“You’re right, Matt. It’s going to take more than baseball bats this time. Those are just for cleanup. This is for the main show.”
Pelton reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a Beretta. He pointed it directly at Matt. “Nobody takes a baseball bat to my head, Matt. Nobody.”
“Holy shit, Pelton. What are you doing? This matter was done between us. I didn’t tell anyone about this, and I held my end of the bargain.” Devon raised his arm over Erin.
“Your boy Matt fucked that up. You take a bat to my head and think there won’t be any consequences? That’s not the deal. This is the deal. Kiss Stanford goodbye, pricks.”
Pelton raised the gun toward Matt.
Matt put his hands out. “Steve, this isn’t worth it, man. You think you’re going to get away with this? It’s not going to happen. Give me the gun.”
“Do what he says, Steve. We had a deal,” Devon said.
“What are you protecting over there, Coury? Hey! Erin! Nice to see you again, sweetheart. Get over here!” Steve said with a deranged grin.
“Oh, no, you don’t!” Devon said.
“Shut up! Get over here, bitch, or I’m going to put a hole in your boyfriend.”
Erin moved away from Devon’s side, but Devon grabbed her and pulled her toward him. Erin turned to Devon. “You can’t protect me from him forever, Devon.” She looked into Devon’s eyes and shook her head slightly, and with a determined look, wrenched her arm way from him and approached Steve. “None of this needs to happen, Steve. Please put the gun down.”
“Oh, look at you. You still look as good as the night of our date. What, are you too good for me? You run away from me like I’m some kind of disease?” he snarled. His eyes roamed over her, and his face tightened with a mix of pain and rage before putting his attention on Devon. “You get the girl, you get into Stanford. Well done,” he said with venom in his tone. “And this bitch,” he added, waving the gun at Erin, “thinks she’s too good for me.”
Devon’s muscles strained against his skin, and his heart pounded in his ears. The thought of Steve harming Erin was too much to stomach. Devon knew he was fast enough to take him down, but just needed the right opportunity.
“Steve, I can’t do this. I can’t be an accessory to this. Matt’s right. I can’t do it. We’re going to get busted sooner or later.” Robbie tossed the bat on the ground. “I’m sorry, man. This isn’t my battle.” Robbie walked toward the parking lot.
Pelton turned to Robbie and raised the gun at him. “You get your ass back here, or this bullet is for you!”
Devon spotted his moment. He knew his speed was better than anyone’s there, and blasted toward Pelton. Pelton turned the gun toward Devon to fire. Devon barreled into him with his full six-foot, two-inch frame, taking him down hard on the ground just like he had done so many times to receivers and runners in football. Pelton’s head slammed onto the dirt, and the gun spilled onto the ground a few feet away.
“Devon!” Erin’s eyes were wide with shock as she ran after him. “Devon!” She reached for the gun, which had tumbled onto the ground, and picked it up.
Nathan and Jarrett froze in place as Erin pointed the gun at them.
Devon’s eyes were wide with rage as thoughts of Steve touching Erin flashed through his mind. Devon raised his arm and pounded his fist into Steve. He lifted his fist again, landing two powerful blows, bloodying Steve’s nose and mouth. The threat of him hurting Erin was too much. The rage came gushing out in one unrestrained blow after another, his fists pounding into Steve’s face and jaw until he lay on the ground bloodied and writhing in pain.
Matt ran after him and stopped him from throwing another punch. “That’s enough!” he said, clutching his arms. “Stop it! That’s enough, Devon.” Matt calmed his friend down, but Devon’s expression was cold as he looked down at Steve.
Steve was crumpled on the ground from the powerful blows. Jarrett approached them with the bat. “Don’t even think about it,” Matt growled. Devon watched Jarrett step toward him. He lifted himself up and drove toward him in a mad state of fury. He lifted Jarrett off the ground and drove him into the ground, straddling him with his legs and pounding his fists into his face. Devon’s blows made Jarrett release the bat. It rolled down a slight decline, and Devon reached for the bat and stood up over him.
“Devon, stop it!” Erin was crying, still holding the gun. “I’m okay. Devon! Please stop!”
Devon raised his head toward Erin. Her eyes were moist, and a tear streamed down her face. Devon took a deep breath as he gave Jarrett a cold stare and tightened his grip on the bat.
“C’mon, man, give me the bat. Erin’s right. These guys aren’t worth it,” Matt said to his friend. “Don’t do it, man. Give me the bat.”
Devon stared at Jarrett for a moment with the bat raised over him. He took a deep breath, lowered the bat, and handed it to Matt. Matt pressed the fat end of the bat into Jarrett’s chest with a steely stare. Jarret returned his stare in defiance. Matt pushed the bat harder into his chest until Jarrett’s face showed pain. “Are we done?”
“Yeah. Yeah, man,” Jarrett said through a painful gasp.
Matt pressed the bat into him again with his powerful arm. “You sure this time?”
“Yeah, yeah, man, I’m done. I promise. It’s not worth it.” Jarrett locked his eyes on Matt in a plea.
Matt flipped the fat end of the bat into his hand. His eyes narrowed on Jarrett one last time before walking toward Devon.
“You okay, man?”
Devon was still shaken up from the thought of Erin getting hurt. It was almost too much for him to take. “Yeah, man. I’m good.”
“Dude, you’re like Superman when you’re pissed. Don’t let me get on your bad side.” Matt snorted.
“Don’t worry, I won’t,” he said, palming his friend on the back.
Devon jogged toward Erin and
picked her up off the ground, spinning her around. “You okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” Devon buried his face into her shoulder, her soft curls massaging him while his body lightened from her sweet embrace. All of his pain washed away in one moment with her.
Chapter Twelve
~Erin~
I prepared my documentary for submission and pressed “Send.” The thought of being separated from Devon for four years made my chest ache and my body feel cold. I knew that if I could get in, we would stay together forever. He always told me that he just wanted to be with me. But I knew in my heart I could not let him throw this opportunity away. I couldn’t think about what would happen over four years of separation. The pain was too much.
Over the next several weeks, I opened the mailbox in eagerness, hoping for the same thick letter that Devon had received that brought him the unexpected news. Weeks passed, and nothing came. I watched the summer days pass by, wondering if they would be the last wonderful moments that I would spend with the man I had fallen so deeply in love with before life showed me a cruel hand and separated us from each other forever.
Devon always encouraged me, telling me that the documentary was nothing less than brilliant, and that Stanford would see my potential—that they would be crazy not to see my talent. But I knew he only told me these things because he loved me. Can I really compete with the best and brightest applying to one of the best colleges in the nation? My breath hitched at the intimidating thought.
Devon took me out to get my mind off my documentary. He dressed up like he was going to an exclusive engagement.
“What’s the occasion?” I chuckled at him.
“Do you have to ask? I’m going out with the most beautiful girl in the world.”
Devon lifted my hand to his lips and planted a gentle kiss on my hand. “You get more stunning every day, Erin. I swear I could eat you up right here.”
“There’s no one here,” I said, biting my lip with a shy smile. He’d met me at my house before dinner. My mom had been taking frequent trips. Devon was right again. Once they gave her a raise, they were going to take it in more hours and more work. He had his protective eye on her now, which tickled my mom and made her love him even more.
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