Drew: Book One of the Perfectly Independent Series

by Amanda Shelley

  These shorts have to go.

  As if Drew has the ability to read my mind, the moment my hands reach out to push at the waistline of his shorts, he shifts his body and stands to shed them, taking his underwear off right along with them.

  Holy fucking shit. Drew is a sight to be seen.

  Once his shorts are pooled on the floor, he grips himself and strokes his shaft almost absent-mindedly as his eyes burrow into my soul. Drew Jacobs, without a doubt, in that one simple move, is the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.

  My core pulses, and I instinctually squirm under his gaze to press my thighs together to give myself some relief. But damn. That’s just not enough. I need him. Now. Somehow, I manage to think about the necessities in my urgent state of need. “Condom?”

  Before I can say anything else, Drew turns on his heels, and I’m blessed with his chiseled backside quickly retreating into the bathroom. In three quick strides, he disappears, and I hear him unzipping something from the other room. Something drops to the floor and before I can ask, he returns to the bedroom with a strip of condoms in his hands.

  Holy shit. There are more condoms than I can count. Does he think we’ll use all of those in one night?

  A nervous laugh escapes, and I shake my head in disbelief. “Presumptuous much?”

  At least he has the gall to look chagrin…sort of. His head shakes slowly as he dips the mattress with the weight of his knee as he crawls back on. “No. Not all at once, but I’m not about to run out either.” He moves closer to me on the bed and stops when he’s looking me straight in the eye. “God, Angel…” His raspy voice is filled with need. “You have no idea what you do to me. I’ve been in a constant state of arousal since you showed up at my door on your birthday, and I can’t fucking wait to be inside you.”

  “Well, we can’t have that now, can we?” I tease. “What are you waiting for, Drew? I’m right here.” Somehow comes out sounding self-assured, which makes the corner of his lips tip into a smirk.

  Drew shakes his head playfully, “Oh, Angel. You’d better be careful what you wish for. I’m quickly becoming addicted to you and may not let you go.”

  Oh. My. Word. Is this what swooning feels like? There’s no way he just laid such a claim to me, right?

  In an attempt to process his words, I shrug and say the first thing on my mind, “Would that be such a bad thing?”

  Drew lets out a deep breath and closes the distance between us with the shake of his head. When he’s only centimeters from my lips, I feel his breath wash over me. “What am I going to do with you, Angel?”

  I don’t even have time to process a response as his body lies flush against me as his lips crash onto mine and devour me for all I’m worth.

  His hands roam my body, and my skin erupts into flames. God, he feels amazing. Reaching out to hold him tighter, I run my fingers through his thick hair and along his muscled back. Drew moans into my mouth, as I kiss him back as if my life depends on it. The energy flowing through us is nearly combustible as we nip, lick, and suck at one another.

  Without breaking our kiss, Drew shifts his body to the side and traces patterns along my inner thighs with the lightest of touch. Goose bumps erupt from head to toe as his heat rapidly floods me. I can’t tell you if I’m hot, cold, content, or burning with need. All I know is I need more of Drew.

  His thick cock presses into my thigh and practically begs for my attention. When I reach out to grip it in my hands, Drew moans in appreciation. It’s smooth but hard as steel. I only get to stroke him a couple of times before he takes my hand in his and pins it above my head.

  Through a series of sensual kisses, Drew’s gravelly voice proclaims, “Angel…” kiss. “You’re killing me… There’ll be plenty of time for that later…” Kiss. “But unless you want me to finish off in your hand, I suggest you let me be in charge… for now.” He moves his lips along my jaw and onto my chest as he makes his request.

  With the rush of sensations flowing through me, I can hardly think straight. The hunger and need I feel for him makes me complicit to his demands. After all, he’s not saying I’ll never get my chance. He’s only asking for now. When he places his lips over my nipple and draws it in to play with the tip between his teeth, it’s all I can do not to beg for him to give me more.

  Maybe Drew can read my mind, or perhaps he’s becoming a master of my body, because I’m fully convinced he knows exactly what I need. He puts the exact amount of pressure on my clit, long enough to have me hovering on the edge before he dips his fingers into me and reawakens the orgasmic bliss I experienced earlier.

  “Drew… Need you now,” I pant out as coherent as I can manage because I’m afraid if I go over the edge like before, I may not come back anytime soon. I’ve never been one to have multiple orgasms in one night, but he has me teetering on the brink of ecstasy. “Need you inside me,” I demand more forcefully, so that he understands the severity of my situation.

  “Okay, Angel. I’m right here,” he pants as he pauses his focus on me to sheath himself with a condom. In record time, he’s protected and nudging my legs to spread wider to accommodate space for him.

  Slow and determined, Drew reaches down to stroke me a few times, and I instinctually wrap my legs around his waist to pull him closer. My senses are on overload with sensation, and my eyes close as I appreciate how he makes me feel.

  “Look at me, Angel,” Drew demands, and my eyes spring open to meet his. He takes his time to align our bodies and enter me. It’s a tight fit, so he slowly inches inside me, with his eyes locked on mine to ensure I’m right here with him.

  Oh, God, I thought what he did to me before was an out of this world experience. That has nothing on what Drew does to me once he’s fully seated and begins to move. He swivels his hips in just the perfect rhythm, and I appreciate Drew’s awareness and anticipation of every move he makes. It’s like he’s been given a secret map to my body and knows just how to get the most intense reactions.

  As he picks up the pace, I cling to him for dear life. Every nerve ending is like an electric pulse coursing through my body. I feel each inch of him both from the inside and along my skin. I pull myself closer and cling on to every second of reality I can manage. There’s no way I want to go over this edge alone. He needs to be there with me.

  Drew shifts our bodies and spectacularly hits a spot I’ve never encountered, and I cry out. “Ohmigod… right there…” I need him to reach it again and again. “Yes… there it is. Holy fucking shit! What are you doing to me?” I pant out as my last coherent thought before I spiral and take Drew right along with me.

  My body pulses and spasms harder than I’ve ever experienced. I feel him thrust his hips a few more times. Then his body stills, and he lets out a sound I can’t quite describe before his body goes lax, and he collapses onto me.

  “Holy shit, Angel,” he pants, breathless. “The better question is what are you doing to me?”

  Drew’s in impeccable shape, but to know I’ve knocked the wind out of him brings a smile of satisfaction to my face. Because I did this to him. Well… we’ve done this together… and it was fucking incredible.

  When he pulls back, his expression mirrors my thoughts, and my emotions bubble to the surface. The lopsided grin that plays on his perfect lips makes me a bit bold. So, I tease, “Well, I don’t know about you, but I think it’s imperative we find out if this is a one-time thing, or just an us thing. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. Have you?”

  When his grin grows wider, I push on with as straight of face as I can manage. “You know I’m a firm believer in putting theory into practice…”

  I’m cut off before I can say anything more when Drew growls and kisses the sass right off my lips. And, oh, what a kiss it is. I didn’t think it was possible, but it’s the kind of kiss that I feel deep in my soul all the way to my toes.

  When I feel his cock come back to life, he groans and pulls away. “Sorry, Angel. Need to take care of this condom. But hold
that thought. When I get back, we’re so going to put that theory into practice.”

  As I stare at his retreating glorious backside, I know without a doubt—This is an us thing.

  28

  Drew

  Waking up alone is something I’ve done all my life, but when I wake this morning before practice, my first instinct is to reach out for Abby. Having her in my arms all throughout the day yesterday is something I could get used to. Unfortunately, as I reach out and open my eyes, I find my bed empty. With both of us having early commitments, she thought it best to go to her place when we got back to campus. Knowing she was right, I didn’t object. But now as I stretch in my king-sized bed all alone, it feels too big for just me.

  I turn off my alarm and toss back the covers to get to the gym on time. I throw on a pair of shorts and head to the kitchen to make a protein shake and pack a snack to scarf between my workout and first class. Between classes then practice this afternoon, my day is full. Maybe Abby can squeeze time in her schedule to have dinner or hang out this evening.

  Maybe if I’m lucky, I can convince her to stay the night.

  Wait? Since when do I want girls to stay the night?

  She’s not just any girl, dipshit. With her, there’s so much more. I’m just as happy to hear about her day and hang out. We have so much more in common than our chemistry between the sheets. She’s beautiful from the inside out. Don’t even get me started on the gravitational pull to her I’ve never experienced before; I sure as hell don’t know what to do with it. The timing is shit, with the season in full swing and waiting to hear about med school, but after this weekend, there’s no way I’m walking away anytime soon.

  My thoughts of Abby are interrupted when DeShawn enters the kitchen and asks, “So where did you take off to this weekend?”

  “Abby and I went to my aunt’s cabin in Long Beach.”

  DeShawn’s mouth drops as he eyes me suspiciously. “This the same girl you went to Spokane with, right?”

  “Yeah,” I reply, but he just stares in disbelief. I empty the contents into the blender and am about to press start when I notice DeShawn hesitate at the fridge. When he scratches his nose as he bows his head, I break the silence in the room. “What’s your point?”

  “It’s nothing, man. I just… haven’t seen you have a girl around—like ever—during the season. I’m just wondering why you’re suddenly doing it now.” His features cast no judgement, but simple curiosity as he tilts his head in my direction to study me further.

  I scoff and try to brush it off. “It’s not like I’ve never had a girlfriend.”

  “Girlfriend?” DeShawn’s brows lift as he turns and closes the door of the fridge. He stares at me almost to the point where it becomes uncomfortable before he finds the words that obviously have been rolling in that thick skull of his, for a while. “That’s just it. Yeah, you date, but you’ve never gone out of your way to spend any amount of time with them afterward. You sure as hell don’t invite them to go away for two weekends with the season in full swing.”

  I let out a huff in frustration. It’s none of his damn business what I do or don’t do with Abby. But as he’s one of my closest friends, I know this is his way of checking to make sure everything’s legit. It’s still annoying as fuck, but I get it, sort of.

  I take a measured breath, determined not to let him ruin my mood for the day. “First of all, you know as well as I do how I feel about hospitals. I was a blundering mess when I heard about my parents’ accident. Abby was there for me when I needed her. I’m sure if you’d been there when I got the call, you would’ve done the same as her.”

  DeShawn nods in agreement. “You know I would. But what’s so different about this girl? There’s something I can’t quite put my finger on about you lately, and I’m not sure if it’s a good or a bad thing.”

  I square my shoulders and steel my frame to look him in the eye. I don’t want him to miss my point, so I simply stare until I have his full attention. “You’re right. Something is different. Hell, I’m not even sure I know what it is. What I do know is ever since she showed up to study on her birthday, I can’t get her off my mind.”

  DeShawn’s mouth forms the perfect ‘O,’ and his eyes widen. “Really? You’re like… the king of focus. I never thought I’d see the day that Drew Jacobs willingly admits there’s more to life than school or basketball.”

  I let out a light laugh. “I know, right? Can you believe I freaking thought she was plain and would be a great buffer for distraction when we first met?”

  “Seriously?” DeShawn asks in disbelief.

  Knowing this is a longer story than I have time for, I press start on the blender and finish my protein shake. The moment I’m done, DeShawn is right on cue and eagerly asks, “So how’d you meet?”

  “Well… it all started the day I walked into my chem lab…” I sigh, and DeShawn interrupts.

  “You’re kidding, right? How did someone catch your eye in class? How’d…you…”

  I give him a pointed stare until he stops talking. “You gonna let me finish?” I deadpan.

  DeShawn cracks a grin, his eyes roll to the back of his head. He says nothing but nods for me to continue.

  I can tell it’s hard for him to keep quiet as I explain how I purposely scouted the room. I was sure she was perfect for me because she specifically fit what I was looking for in a lab partner.

  DeShawn fists his mouth to keep from interrupting.

  But I continue with my criteria of Abby needing to be plain, non-descript, and most of all, studious.

  “Damn, I have to meet this girl,” DeShawn teases. “How does one go from plain jane to distracting, in such a short time?”

  “I’m getting to that,” I remind him. “I guess it was the night of her birthday… When she knocked on the door, she took my breath away.”

  “So…” He waggles his eyebrows. “She’s a looker in disguise, eh?”

  “It’s not like that.” My tone’s serious and cuts to the chase. I won’t let him disrespect her.

  DeShawn’s hands instantly go up as if he’s surrendering to the ill-spoken thoughts.

  Before he can say another word, I affirm, “Abby’s so much more than a pretty face.”

  “Obviously.” DeShawn smiles. “All the more reason to meet her.” Then as if another thought hits him, “Does she have any hot friends?”

  Sydney and Chloe are both beautiful. But I got the distinct impression Sydney won’t put up with his shit. She appreciates his athleticism, but I’m sure that’s where she draws the line. I scratch the tip of my nose as I try to figure out a way to word my response. “Uh. She’s got two roommates. I can see if they’re available. Maybe we can get Grey to hang out with us, so it doesn’t look like such a big deal?”

  “Sounds like a plan.” DeShawn’s smile widens. “But let’s not call it a date though. I’d rather just hang—if you know what I mean.” Then he glances to the clock on the microwave. “We’ve gotta get going. See what you can do to set it up.”

  While DeShawn drives us to the gym, I type out a quick message to Abby.

  Me: Good morning, Angel.

  Right away, I see those three little bouncing dots telling me she’s responding, and my heart picks up the pace in anticipation.

  Abby: Morning. How was your night?

  I could say a million things, but I’ll stick with the truth.

  Me: Fine. It’s weird to say I missed waking up beside you, right?

  Abby: No. I miss sleeping next to you, too.

  A grin spreads across my lips, knowing we’re on the same page.

  Me: Want to come over for dinner after practice? It’s my turn to cook, and the guys will be here. Invite your roommates, so you’re not stuck with us. There will be plenty to eat—promise.

  There. I put it out there. Worst-case scenario, she declines. Best case, I get to spend the evening with her.

  Abby: I’ll see who’s available. But just so we’re clear, this isn’t a trip
le date. Syd will automatically decline if that’s the case.

  I can only imagine how that would go over. I look to DeShawn and wonder if Sydney will put him in his place tonight, should he flirt with her. I almost don’t want to say anything… to see her fierceness in action. That would be a show on its own.

  When I chuckle aloud at the thought, DeShawn side-eyes me but maintains focus on the road.

  I ignore him.

  Me: Got it. Though I am totally considering this a date for us if I’m going through the trouble of cooking for you.

  Abby: Duly noted. What time?

  Me: Will seven work?

  God bless my mom and her instance of buying an Insta-Pot. It won’t take me long at all when I get home from practice to make everything.

  “Well… Is she coming?” DeShawn finally asks when he parks outside the gym.

  “She’ll be there. I’ve invited her roommates but don’t know if they’ll make it. Will Grey be home?”

  I haven’t seen much of him this week, but with him knowing it’s my night to cook, I’ll bet my best pair of sneakers he’ll be there. He’d rather eat a home-cooked meal than in the cafeteria. The man can barely boil water without burning it, so he’s always hoping DeShawn or I will cook. The trade-off—he always cleans. Who can beat that?

  “He should be.” DeShawn lets out a sigh as he gets out of the car and grabs his gym bag from the back. “I was surprised he wasn’t home this morning. He hasn’t mentioned anything, but knowing him, he couldn’t sleep and is already at the gym.”

  Grey’s one of those annoying early birds. He gets up before the crack of dawn on any given day. He was raised on a cattle ranch, and I’d guess he’s not looking to change those habits anytime soon. He’s often already studying when I enter the kitchen each morning.