The girls in front of us both glance in our direction. When their eyes bug out as if we’ve lost minds, Syd and I only laugh harder. Yeah, Drew’s sexy and hot as hell, but come on, people. Get a life already. He’s not God’s gift to all womankind. He’s just a man, well, my man… and if I have anything to do with it, they won’t stand a chance with him.
Thankfully, the game starts, and my attention is quickly focused on Drew. We score right off the bat. But Utah comes back with a vengeance and scores a three-pointer.
Holy shit. What a shot!
I don’t care which team you’re rooting for, it was an impressive shot. I just wish it had been our boys to make it. I look to Sydney, whose eyes are wide, and she assures me, “It’s okay. Only the first three points. We can do this!”
Within the first five minutes, CRU hits its stride, and they are on fire throughout the game. They outmatch Utah at every turn. We make some amazing defensive plays, which help us take an early lead and hold it through halftime. There’s a point in the second half where Utah has a great run. Sydney and I are on our feet screaming with the rest of the fans, but CRU pulls ahead and finishes off with a win.
Whew. I’m exhausted, and I haven’t stepped foot on the court.
As I look to Drew, I can clearly see sweat dripping off him. His face is flushed but the grin that splits his face in half is infectious. My smile matches his as he shakes hands with the opposing team. When his teammates congratulate each other with fist bumps and chest bumps, I can’t help but wonder if those hurt.
Eventually, Sydney and I make our way out of the arena, and I lose sight of Drew. As much as I’d like to wait for him, I fully agree with his plan. It’s easier for him to find me when it’s over. He’s been called into a press conference and most importantly, must shower before coming to see me. Don’t get me wrong. I love Drew sweaty, but I prefer to be the one that helps create it.
I rush to the door when I hear Drew knock a little over an hour later. Drew takes my breath away when he pulls me to him and kisses the living shit out of me. He smells sexy as hell, and my lips naturally part to let him in. His low growl sets my nerves on fire, and I want to climb him like a tree. As if he can read my mind, he lifts me off the floor, and I easily drape my legs around his hips.
Maybe it’s the effect of pulling off a big win or the fact that we haven’t seen one another in almost a week, but it feels like Drew can’t get enough of me. And there’s no way I’m denying this man anything. He steps into my apartment, and I think I hear the door close, but do I even care? All that matters is being in his arms.
One hand grips my ass as the other guides our kiss from the base of my neck. Holy fuck. If he keeps this up, I’m going to come from this kiss alone. I think we’re moving, but I’m too consumed by all that is Drew to notice. I vaguely hear the click of a door, and I feel Drew lay me on my bed, never breaking our kiss.
I let go of his hips and quickly push my way up the bed, to make room for the both of us. Not wanting there to be anything between us, I quickly grab at the hem of his shirt, and he takes the hint to pull it over his head with one hand, in the sexy way that men do.
While he does that, I sit up, ripping the shirt I’m wearing over my head. Like a magnet drawn to metal, Drew quickly descends over my body, peppering kisses along the way. He starts at my belly button, licking and sucking his way up my rib cage.
God, that feels amazing. My nipples harden, and my hips naturally rise to meet his. In one fluid swoop, he has my bra undone and sighs heavily in appreciation when my boobs are freed. His cool breath creates a breeze across my nipples. If he’s not careful, they’ll cut steel.
Damn, they’re hard. I need relief.
“Drew,” I practically pant out. “Need you…”
“I’m right here, Angel.” Drew’s sexy voice reverberates up my spine, making me desperate. He kisses up my collarbone and along my jawline until he finds my lips again, rendering me speechless.
After all too short of time, he pulls back, nearly breathless. We stare at one another for an immeasurable moment. His large hand caresses the side of my face, brushing my hair back.
“Hi,” I whisper, and his dimple pops, making butterflies swarm in my stomach.
Drew’s stare is intense, and I’ve never felt more connected to him as I do in this moment. He closes the distance between our lips and kisses me with more emotion than I can even describe. When he pulls back, his words take my breath away.
“I love you, Abby.” He gives me a brief peck then pulls back to look me square in the eyes again. My heart races, and more emotions than I can contain flow through me. “I love you more than I’ve loved anyone,” he whispers, then he closes his eyes to lean his forehead on mine.
Words. Abby. You need words. I think to myself. In this moment, I know without a doubt, I love Drew more than anything as well. But I’m so filled with emotion, it takes me a breath to remember how to speak.
When I finally find my voice, I reach up and caress his beautiful face. When he opens his eyes, I lock mine onto his, so he knows how I feel.
“I love you, too, Drew.”
Drew’s grin lights up the room. He leans down to kiss me senseless once again. Before I know it, he’s removed what’s left of my clothes. He’s in no hurry as he worships every inch of my body. He takes me higher than I could ever imagine. First time in my life, I find what it means to make love to someone.
32
Drew
I take my time loving Abby the only way I know how. Every nip, lick, and suck puts my body on hyperdrive, making me want to release into her, but I hold off until she climaxes at least twice. Only then do I finally rid myself of my jeans and put on a condom in record time. By the time I bury myself in Abby, she’s more than ready for me. I swivel my hips the way I’ve learned she loves and before too long, we’re both falling off the cliff into oblivion. Abby feels incredible as she pulses around me, and her body shifts from stiff to liquid in a matter of heartbeats. Once she’s completely come down from her high, I gently remove myself to take care of the condom in the bathroom that adjoins her room.
When I return to the bed, Abby’s nearly lifeless body shifts slightly so she can watch me move across the room. Even though her eyes heat, she remains boneless and doesn’t move in my direction. I love knowing I’ve done this to her. When she comes like she just did, I know she’s wrecked for the near future.
I quickly adjust the blankets to cover us as I slide between the sheets with her. Propping my head on my elbow, I lie on my side and admire all that is Abby. I run my fingers along her abdomen, tracing along her rib cage, and circle her breasts. “You are so beautiful, Angel. Sorry I attacked you at the door. I had every intention of taking you out to celebrate. But when you climbed me like a spider monkey, I let my body take control.”
This earns me a beautiful laugh. Her satisfied smile tells me all I need, but of course, her sass can’t stay away. “Uh, did you hear me complaining?”
Of course, this only spurs me on. “No, I don’t believe I did. I think if I loved you any harder, we would’ve broken the bed. Not to mention you’d be passed out, and I wouldn’t be able to talk to you coherently for hours.”
Abby’s only movement is from her eyes rolling sarcastically to the back of her head, though her smile remains wide.
“I’m not so sure I didn’t break you,” I tease. “I don’t think you’ve moved more than your face since I left you.”
“Just blissed out in the best way possible,” she says in a heavy sigh. She’s quiet for a minute, and I think she might just close her eyes and fall asleep. But her eyes pop open, darting to me, as if she’s just remembered something.
She sits up quickly as she says, “Wait. Did you say you wanted to celebrate something?”
She’s so adorable, I want to kiss that serious expression right off her face.
“I’m pretty sure what we just did counts as celebration,” I tease.
“Is it just the game we�
�re celebrating? You made it sound like more.” She eyes me speculatively, and I find myself rolling my eyes at her inability to let things go.
“Well, of course we’re celebrating the game, but I also got some news today when I got home.”
Her expressive brown eyes light up with delight. “Really, what?”
“Well, I found out I got into Colorado and U Penn.” They are in both of our top five schools, so she of all people will appreciate this news.
It takes her a nanosecond to react.
“Ohmigod, Drew!” she squeals. Her arms reach out to hug me as she yells, “That’s fantastic! I’m so excited for you!”
I’m distracted for a moment by her beautifully naked body pressed against mine. Her breasts move against my chest, and my dick decides it’s time to come back to life.
Not now, buddy, I remind myself as I return my focus to our conversation.
“I’m still holding out for Johns Hopkins, but at least I know I’m going to med school. It takes some pressure off me for the moment; it looks like CRU’s a strong contender in the national tournament. All we have to do is win our next game.”
“I can’t imagine the stress you’re under,” Abby says as she settles down onto the pillow beneath her and readjusts the blankets to cover her beautiful breasts. “Syd said you had to win the next two games, did something change?”
I feel a smirk form as I recall the news Coach relayed in the locker room. “Yeah, the only team we’ve lost to got their asses kicked by a no-name team from Indiana, which means if we win next week, we’re going in at the top of the brackets. It was sheer luck for us. We were pretty assured we’d return to the tournament based on how we’ve been playing, but you never know. We’re taking it one game at a time, putting that ball through the hoop.”
“I seriously don’t know how you stay so calm.” Abby shakes her head in disbelief. “I’d be a nervous wreck if I were you.”
“It doesn’t help to stress out over things. I learned that long ago with Summer. I only focus on the things I can control and let the rest work itself out.”
Abby sighs heavily. “I wish I had your confidence. It’s driving me crazy waiting to hear from the other schools I’ve applied to.”
I bend down and kiss the worried look right off her face. “Just have patience, Angel. Everything will work out.”
At first, this is a great distraction to keep her mind from racing, but when I pull back, I’m disappointed to see the worry line between her brows is back. “How can you be so certain? We’re both facts and statistics people, Drew. We rely on absolute truths.”
How do I explain this without sounding crazy? “I guess…” I start as I try to catch one of the million thoughts racing through my head. “I know I can’t control whether or not I get into the schools I’ve applied. There’s not a single doubt I did the best I could. I know I’ve worked my ass off, but the minute I submitted my application, I realized I can’t spend every minute of the day worrying about the results. I don’t have the time or energy for it.”
I look to the sky to regain control of my thoughts before turning my focus to Abby. “It helps that I also have to focus on my current classes as well as basketball. I want to bring home another championship. We’ve worked so hard to earn that title last season… And as long as I’m still on the team, I want to hold onto it.”
I reach out, pulling her closer to me.
Damn, she smells amazing.
“It also helps that I have this beautiful woman in my arms as a distraction. When she’s around, I hardly have time to think about anything else.”
“Wow. That wasn’t cheesy at all,” she deadpans. “You had me… Until you smothered me with compliments. You’re the most focused person I know. I know for a fact, I’m not that big of a distraction for you… You wouldn’t be able to have the things you do if I were.”
Thank God, she has no idea how wrong she is.
Though it’s the best distraction imaginable.
“Angel, I’m disciplined. But that doesn’t mean I’m not distracted by thinking of you.”
Thank God we pull off a win for our next game, and we’re guaranteed a spot in the championship tournament. CRU’s crushing it with how in sync we’ve been. I won’t jinx us by saying this will be an easy road, but the high we’re all riding will lift our spirits as we focus on our next game.
We have to travel to Cali again and currently, I’m waiting in the airport to board the plane. I’ve been running on pure adrenaline since we took off yesterday. I chose to spend the night with Abby, instead of finishing a paper that was due. I managed to turn it in mere hours before the deadline, which isn’t my style at all. But now that I have Abby in my life, I must accept that not turning things in days before the deadline is still acceptable.
I take the lid off my large cup of coffee to let it cool a bit as I settle into the seat next to Grey. Propping my feet up on my carry-on, I do my best to get more comfortable. Being as tall as I am, the airport seating’s never comfortable. Grey’s buried in his phone, and I’m too tired to care about what has brought a shit-eating grin to his face. If I had to guess, it’s likely a girl. I’m sure I have the same expression when I hear from Abby.
When Grey snorts loudly, l bite, “What’s so funny?” I ask, peering over his shoulder, but the privacy screen on his phone leaves me nothing to go with.
“It’s nothing. Just a funny meme.”
Yeah, right. “That’s what’s been making you wear a shit-eating grin since we’ve arrived?”
“Yep.”
“If that’s your story, and you’re sticking to it, you might want to tone it down a bit,” I deadpan.
I take a breath, contemplating letting him off the hook, but I think better of it. This is Grey after all, and I wouldn’t be his best friend if I let it slide. “Just a word to the wise, no one is that into a funny meme.”
Grey looks at me impishly. “I’ll take that under advisement.”
I cock an eyebrow at him. “Come on… this is me you’re talking to. Who is she?”
Grey looks around and sighs heavily as he stretches his long legs out in front of him. “I don’t know, man. I like this girl, but the timing isn’t right. We’re going to be on the road for the next few weeks, and I’m not sure I wanna be tied down, if you know what I mean.”
“Been there. Done that,” I agree wholeheartedly. “If you’re not ready to settle down, then it’s probably better not to let anything get serious.”
“Ha! You’re one to talk.” Grey smirks. “I’d say you’re about as serious as it gets with Abby at the moment.”
“I never said I don’t want to settle down,” I draw out slowly to make it clear I was talking about him and not myself. “You like your single life; there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Wait.” Grey waits until I’ve locked eyes on him to continue. “Are you saying this thing with Abby and you is serious?”
I give him a look that clearly says, No shit, Sherlock.
“But you’ve never been tied down. I thought you’ve just been havin’ fun.” His slight Southern accent drawls out.
“Being with Abby is fun, but there’s way more to her than that. I just wish the timing weren’t shit.”
“What do ya mean?” Grey asks with sudden interest.
I sigh heavily and let the weight of the world roll off my shoulders. Slowly, I begin to tell him my worries. “Well, for starters, it’s been a challenge keeping up with school and the season as you know.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, man.”
Trust me, I know. “Add on the pressure of waiting to see what med school I get into, and that’s trouble enough. But I still have this need to be with Abby.”
Shocked doesn’t begin to describe the look on Grey’s face when he pulls in his chin, and his eyes bug out. “You need… to be with her.”
“Hell yes, man. I love her. If I could figure out a way to move heaven and earth so we both could follow our dreams and s
till be together, I’d fucking propose tomorrow. But as it is, we’re likely going to end up across the fucking country from each other, so I can’t even let myself go there.”
“What. The. Fuck.” Grey cocks his head to the side and eyes me for a long moment. “You’re serious?”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?”
“But you just said you’d propose… as in marry her. You just met this semester. You’ve had a one-track mind since I met you, and now you’re willing to throw it all away for a girl.”
Oh my fucking God. Is he listening to a word I’m saying?
“Do you know me at all? I’m going to med school. And so is she. Did you miss the point where I likely don’t stand a chance in hell of being with her in the long term because I’ll never stand in the way of her dreams?”
“Didn’t you say you’ve applied to some of the same schools she has?” Grey asks, filling my heart with hope.
Unfortunately, it’s squashed like a bug when I’m forced to remember reality. “Yeah, but so far, we’ll be living on opposite sides of the country.” I don’t see that working out so well. But I keep those thoughts to myself. Besides, I need to focus on the here and now and what I can control. I still have the next six months to be with her, so I plan to make them count.
“Enough about me…” I say, needing to change the subject. The thought of losing Abby isn’t something I even want to entertain. “Why isn’t this girl you’re talking to worthy of being more than a text buddy?”
“I’m just not sure I want to be tied down,” Grey quietly admits.
“Enough said. When it’s the right person, that won’t even be a thought that flits through your mind. You’ll be spending every moment trying to be with them, not trying to keep them at arm’s length.”
“Is that right? Oh, wise one. I seem to recall you saying these exact words last year,” Grey reminds me.
“True,” I admit. “But that was before I met Abby. My goal of getting into med school has been my primary focus for so long.” I take in a deep breath and think about how to phrase this next part. “But now that I’ve met Abby, I think there’s room in my life for more than just one focus…” I trail off quietly.
Drew: Book One of the Perfectly Independent Series Page 25
