“You’re a really great guy, Seth.”
I cringe, pausing for the inevitable. It doesn’t come. “But?”
Rayne shrugs. “But nothing. You make me happy.”
Air whispers out of me on a whoosh. “Thank Christ for that. I was preparing for the ultimate letdown.”
“Nope. I like you. A lot.” Her tongue peeks out, licking a trail along her bottom lip.
The fire that I’m sure is reflecting in my gaze rushes through me hotter than lava. How often have I imagined biting that plump flesh? Too many, and this isn’t the moment to push that boundary. Kissing Rayne will seal this deal I’ve been near desperate to make. I didn’t hold off on seeking more just to ruin it by being impulsive. Going too fast, taking what she’s not ready to offer, isn’t the strategy to win her over for the long haul. The last thing I want is for her to categorize me under friend-zone.
I scrub over my mouth, wiping the hasty decisions away. “I really like you, too. Have for a while. I’m hoping we can get to know each other better.”
She nods. “I suppose these quickie visits aren’t granting us ample opportunity.”
“Hence going somewhere else. Together,” I suggest.
“Like a real date?”
“Very much so.”
When Ryane stands from her seat and moves to straddle me, the pounding in my chest is deafening. My hands automatically lift to her hips, holding our bodies together in an intimate embrace that makes a frequent appearance in my fantasies.
“What’re you doing?” The slight croak in my voice doesn’t go unnoticed.
“The next step,” she murmurs. Her breath ghosts across my cheek from our close proximity.
I clench my teeth against the raging arousal hardening in my lap. “It isn’t my intention to rush you. There’s no pressure from me, Rayne.”
Her hips rock into mine, that tiny flicker of friction is enough to set an inferno in my blood. “Do you want me to stop?”
Fuck that. Is she serious? “No,” I state simply.
“You’ve made all the moves, Seth. It’s my turn. I’m calling dibs.”
And with that, she presses her lips onto mine.
Seth
Rayne giggles beside me, squeezing my hand in hers as we approach the next budding sculpture. “No way. Your brother sounds like he truly wanted to cause irrefutable harm.”
“Eh, maybe he took his role as the older and wiser too far. The pranks were fairly extreme.” I stop beside her when she pauses to inspect the complex design.
She snorts. “You think? The worst my sister ever did was put temporary dye in my shampoo. She did technically try to wrench out one of my baby teeth in elementary school. But that didn’t pan out. We were trying to earn an early payday from the tooth fairy.”
“That sounds painful.”
“Marie is a weakling. She can’t hurt a fly.”
“Well, that makes me feel better about your childhood.”
Rayne shakes her head. “Don’t let her size fool you. She’ll take you out at the kneecaps.”
That gets a laugh out of me. “Solid strategy. Pretty sure it’s their jobs to torture the younger siblings?”
“I suppose,” she muses while we move along the last row of colorful plots.
“Are you two close?”
“Very. She lives in St. Paul so we see each other plenty.”
“Family is important,” I murmur.
“Are yours nearby?”
“Up near Duluth so not that far.”
“Well, if you ever need a dose of sibling fun, Marie fits the bill. Maybe you’ll meet her soon.”
She’s dropped a few hints about future dates. That sort of talk gets me wrapped a little tighter around her pinky. “That'd be great.”
Rayne bumps me with her hip. “Okay, new topic. Are you actually enjoying this flower tour?”
I stumble to an abrupt halt. “Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because it’s not a typical choice for college-age guys. I don’t believe many would pick this unless forced.” She gestures to the sparse spectators, most of them female.
I grunt at that assumption. “They don’t know what they’re missing. And a more important question is are you having fun?”
Her head bumps up and down. “I love it here. So peaceful and beautiful.”
Just like her. Can she blame me for wanting to experience this? “I’m exactly where I want to be.” Honesty rings through my words.
There’s a hitch in Rayne’s exhale as she stares at me. “Okay then.”
The look she’s pinning on me is intense, a shock of electricity straight to an unknown source buried deep. I’m getting fucking sappy, which has never been an issue for me. Hell, I rarely date to begin with. There’s something about this girl that makes me want to be different.
Better.
Softer.
And why wouldn’t she? I’ve always known Rayne would strike hard when given the chance. The pedestal I built for her isn’t nearly high enough.
I cough into a fist, mentally swerving onto smoother ground. “What’re your plans after graduation?”
She wrinkles her nose. “I haven’t given it too much consideration since that’s over a year away.”
That drags another chuckle out of me. “Not much of a planner?”
Her palm tilts side to side. “That depends. In this case, not at all. I prefer to live my youth to the fullest until adulthood comes knocking.”
“That’s fair. What’s your major?”
Rayne quirks a brow my way. “You don’t know?”
“Should I?” I squint at her. Is that a dig?
“You just seem to have a wide base of common knowledge where I’m concerned.”
Something dark twists in my gut. “That makes me sound like a stalker.”
She huffs. “I’m well aware you’re not, trust me. Any girl on campus would be drooling at the chance of you asking them out on a date. Chasing me isn’t necessary for a guy like you.”
Little does she know. “Those other girls can keep dreaming. I’m only interested in one.”
Her eyes twinkle under the afternoon sun. “You say the sweetest things.”
“It’s easy with the right inspiration.” A frozen yogurt cart was conveniently parked just beyond the garden exit. “Want to get a cup?”
“Or we could share a bowl.”
“You’re taking things to an entirely new level.”
“Is that weird for you?”
“That depends. What’re your favorite flavors?”
Her laugh is becoming my latest addiction. “Strawberry, chocolate, and blueberry. In that order.”
My taste buds sing at the tease. “Okay, we can take the next step.”
“Speaking of, what do you wanna do after dessert?” The suggestion in her voice is impossible to miss.
I blink at the clear invitation searing into me. “Really?”
Rayne releases some wicked noise low in her throat. “Oh, yeah. I want you. Really bad.”
“Shit, and here I am acting like a slow burn is more appropriate.” I almost hang my head in shame.
She gives my shoulder a light pat. “We’ve taken the scenic route, which I appreciate. I just got out of a serious relationship and didn’t think dating would be on my radar again for months. So, thanks for using the gentleman card up until this point.”
“You’re welcome,” I mumble. There seems to be a catch clinging to the end of her statement.
A piece of her red hair gets twirled around a slender finger. “Let’s get our ice cream and go rattle my headboard.”
I choke on my tongue as it attempts to loll out of my mouth. “What?”
“You heard me, Seth. Let’s make this official.”
“Jesus, you’re the perfect woman.”
She walks her fingers up my chest. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
Seth
I race up the stairs two at a time while Rayne trails kisses up my n
eck. She purrs and adds her tongue into the mix. The delicate touch blending with those seductive noises almost makes me falter. The throbbing behind my zipper is nearly blinding, which doesn’t bode well for what’s to come. I grunt at the damn irony. And that pun isn’t helping.
Taking the edge off earlier would have ensured a bit more confidence. I’m strung too fucking tight. Skipping the chance to relieve some of the strain will certainly bite me in the ass. Now it’s too late. Holding off on getting laid for months on end is a great idea and all. Not being properly prepared is a rookie mistake that I’ll deal with while facing my ultimate fantasy. I’ll bust a nut before sinking into her welcome depths.
As if sensing my impending demise, Rayne grinds into me. “Hurry.”
“Trying, baby.” I barely reach the landing when her thighs grip tighter to my waist.
In a sorry attempt to regain some semblance of control, I crash my mouth onto hers. She groans against my lips, opening for me to delve in. Her tongue slides against mine in the most sensual of pairings. A hint of fruit and chocolate still lingers with a slight chill. The fire roaring in my blood rushes to extinguish any sense of cold. I’m instantly hooked on the combination, this woman becoming my favorite flavor from a few surface swipes. The need to burrow deep propels me forward.
“Which way?” I suck her bottom lip between my teeth.
She’s panting against my cheek, the heat of her exhales fueling me. “Last door on the left.”
I’m rushing that direction before she finishes speaking. Her ass is cradled in my palms and I take advantage, rocking into the bouncing gait of my haste. She throws her head back and joins in the choppy movements. I swing the door open, which Rayne immediately slams behind us.
“Get inside of me.”
“That’s the plan,” I murmur while blindly searching the dark room. When my knees hit the mattress, I toss Rayne into the center. She giggles and sits up, immediately whipping off her shirt. A skirt and what I assume are panties hit my chest as she lets another tinkling laugh loose.
“You’re falling behind,” she teases.
“Didn’t know this was a race.” I shuck my pants and boxers, ripping the tee off my head with a single tug. Before lust can completely clog my brain, I grab the foil packet from my pocket and take a precious second to wrap up.
I crawl onto the bed and cover her body with mine. My lips seal over hers, passing a cascade of desire through that brief connection. She spreads her legs in invitation, rolling against me. I press at her opening with a gentle nudge. With a fluid motion, I enter her and connect us as one.
Rayne cries out, the staccato a blast into our silence. “Holy shit.”
“Yeah, baby. I feel it, too.” I’m not going to last more than a few shallow pumps. She’s my kryptonite. The end game. Hopefully embarrassing myself won’t cause her to kick me out immediately afterwards.
I glide forward and back, picking up a rhythm that has her clenching around me. Her nails spear into my biceps, clutching me closer. I’m buried to the hilt, slamming my length into her mound, but it’s still not enough. A bolt of all-consuming need spears into me and I’m a slave to the onslaught. I’m plunging in and out without care of anything else. Nothing will top this moment, until I’m lost inside of her again. My body reacts to the molten desire driving me by doubling the already punishing pace. The way she’s wriggling on the sheets suggests she’s just as desperate.
“Please, please,” Rayne begs. She bucks her hips into mine, chasing the pleasure that hovers so near.
“Almost there,” I respond between punctuating strokes. At this point, I’m uncertain if it’s meant to be a question or alert. I’m dizzy with the effects of her essence coupling with mine.
My motions turn more frantic. I’m certain we’re barely more than a blur of wanton pleasure. She follows my lead, guiding my wild drives with precisely timed upward pitches. The way she swivels into me drains every last ounce of control. I do my best to tamp down the climax bearing down on me. Hot tingles race up my spine in a final notice. She bows against me, accepting me that much further into her silken warmth.
“I’m there. Harder. Faster. Now.”
Her demands make me lightheaded until stars dance in my vision. I let go of the edge with a shout and she tumbles after me. My body jerks along hers, losing all sense of finesse. We’re tunneling down a spiral of flooding release, quivering and shaking with the aftershocks.
“Wow,” Rayne breaths. Her chest rises and falls to the same rapid beat as mine.
“Yeah,” I agree.
“We’re totally doing that again.”
I grunt at the sheer possibility of the opposite being true. “Nothing could stop me.”
She slaps my ass, the clap of contact echoing around the room. “Ready when you are, Dibs.”
Barely recovered and sticky in sweat, that’s the moment I fall even harder. “It’s on, baby.”
“I always had a feeling about you. It’s very gratifying to discover I’m right.” And that’s the instant I know she’s mine.
Rayne
I slide into the booth with my besties. The Library--our frequent watering hole, not the dusty stacks--is filling faster than the bartenders can pour drinks. Saturday night is continuing to be a real bang. That reminder sends a tingle of straight heat through my core.
My body is still buzzing from the numerous orgasms Seth granted me earlier. He works over my most intimate parts better than I do. I feel like a finely tuned instrument under his talented ministrations. Even our first time felt like a well orchestrated masterpiece. I bite my lip as a rush of need washes over me. Revisiting that burst of combustible endorphins can’t happen soon enough.
“Our girl is high on love,” Vannah coos.
I pop out of my blissful unawareness at her voice. My friend earns a glare from me for that comment. “Oh, whatever.”
She lifts a slim brow. “Just good sex then?”
“No,” I mutter. There’s no chance of me selling what we share short.
“That’s what I thought.” Her expression glistens with a gloating shine.
“I just broke up with Josh. Isn’t it a tad early to be hopping in the sack with a different guy?” Considering the alternative leaves an empty sensation swirling in my belly. I instantly hate that hollow gap.
Clea flicks some hair behind her shoulder. “Why are you even thinking about that pencil dick?”
A giggle escapes me. I have no regrets sharing that very miniscule detail. “I’m not taking his feelings into account at all. Trust me. I couldn’t care less what he thinks. I’m more worried about--”
“People judging you?” Audria interrupts.
“Not necessarily,” I murmur. But I’m a liar.
Vannah leans across the table and grips my hand. “Please, girl. You’re the one who got scorned. They’re all cheering you on.”
“And if they’re not, screw them.” Mallory’s grin is usually sweet, but this one is full of payback.
“But for real, are you feeling guilty or something?” Audria doesn’t hide her wince.
“Nope. Not even a little bit.”
“Good. The only reason I would suggest holding off on someone better is if your gut is telling you so. That sorry excuse of a limp noodle did you wrong. There’s no reason you need to put a pause on a good thing, especially not for Josh’s sake.”
“Not sure why we’re bothering with this discussion.” Clea hums while pursing her lips.
A crease pinches my forehead. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s a bit late for pumping the brakes, Ray. That guy is smitten.”
I glance over to where Seth is standing with his friends. Heat infuses my cheeks when he winks at me. My fingers lift automatically in what I hope is a flirty wave.
“Oh, damn. He’s not the only one.” Vannah snorts into her beer glass.
“Shut up,” I mutter.
“Young love. It’s so cute,” she coos with a whistle.
/> “I’m seriously so happy you’re moving on,” Audria agrees. My other two friends bob their heads.
“You’re all very wise,” I state with a slight wobble.
Vannah points at me. “Don’t start.”
I sniff regardless of her warning. “But you guys are seniors. I’m a junior. In the fall, I’ll still be stuck on campus while you’re building careers and financial stability. Your credit scores will be so much better than mine.”
Mallory huffs, sending her bangs flying. “Don’t forget debt. I have to start paying off my loans soon. The horror.”
Clea nods while taking a sip of her cocktail. “To be honest, I wouldn’t mind staying in college for another year.”
“I highly recommend you do.” And secretly cross my fingers under the booth.
“That won’t help with my debt problem,” Mallory pouts. “Sorry, babe.”
Vannah clucks her tongue at our antics. “Seems you have someone who’s more than interested in keeping you company.”
“Exactly. You don’t need us,” Audria assures. “We’re leaving you in very capable hands.”
A sigh escapes me as I look over at Seth again, finding his gaze already locked on me. “Yes, you certainly are.”
As if the tether between us pulls taut and reels him in, Seth makes his way over to us. “Ladies,” he greets.
They all provide a welcome in return, wearing matching grins.
His focus narrows onto me. “Hey, baby.”
“Hi,” I murmur.
“Mind if I steal your girl away?” He’s addressing my friends, but his eyes don’t leave mine.
Audria hums and I imagine she’s mentally shoving me from the booth. “By all means. I believe she’s yours now.”
“Yeah.” That panty-melting smirk makes an appearance as he offers me his hand. “She is.”
* * *
Thank you for reading! 100% of the profits from this anthology will be given to the Live A Thousand Lives charity.
This charity donates audio players - equipped with hundreds of hours of classic stories - to low-to-no mobility patients in nursing facilities and hospitals.
I Have Lived And I Have Loved: A Charity Romance Collection Page 50
