“What’s that face for?” Hadley’s voice startles me from my thoughts.
“There’s no face,” I lie, throwing cash down on the table to cover the bill and a generous tip before casting a surreptitious glance towards Jake’s table. Hadley follows my gaze and then scowls.
“Listen, Ravi, I’m not going to pretend that last school year didn’t happen. I’m also not going to apologize because I highly doubt you were living in a monastery. I was a single woman in college free to do what I liked. I can tell you that I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember and no other man has ever measured up to you.”
I take a deep breath and pull her towards me, keeping one arm draped over her shoulder as I steer her outside.
“Okay.” I breathe out. As much as I want to throw a fit and act like a possessive jerk I know I have no right to do so.
“Okay? We’re good?” She asks skeptically.
“We’re good sweetheart,” I assure her.
“Good, then take me home and remind me who owns my body,” She purrs in my ear and my cock goes instantly hard.
Fuck yeah.
Chapter 15
Ravi
I feel Chase’s gaze boring into me as I try to concentrate on ESPN. My mind keeps drifting, against my will, to memories of the past few days spent in bed with Hadley. No matter how many times I’d made love to her I hadn’t been able to get enough. And, she was just as insatiable as I was, stroking and sucking me until I would take her again and again.
“Earth to Ravi,” Chase calls with irritation. I snap out of my reminiscence and turn to look at him. “Jesus, I’ve been saying your name for five minutes. What’s going on with you?”
“What do you mean?” I put on my best poker face and flick my gaze back to the television to avoid his gaze.
“I don’t know. You seem...different today. More peaceful and happier than I’ve seen you in, I don’t even know how long. And, you’ve clearly got something on your mind with the way you’re spacing out over there.”
My heart rate speeds up and I swallow the lump in my throat. Fuck, he’s seeing right through me.
“I know what this is about...you’re getting serious with Kashi, aren’t you?”
“Uh...yeah,” I murmur.
“Dinner’s ready,” Hadley calls from the kitchen.
There’s not much talk between the three of us as we dig into Hadley’s unbelievable chicken fried rice. Once we’re all pleasantly full Chase looks over at Hadley, and suddenly his gaze darkens.
“Is that a hickey on your neck?”
Oh shit.
Hadley shrugs and stares him down defiantly.
“Maybe...what does it matter?”
“How’d you get it?” He demands suspiciously.
“Well, Chase, when two people get tingly in the pants feelings for each other...”
“Very funny. I meant who the fuck’s been sucking on your neck?”
Hadley remains unfazed. Meanwhile, I’m doing my best not to have a full on panic attack.
“I love you Chase, but you need to realize I’m not a little kid. I’m the same age as you.”
“I don’t care how old you are, it’s my job to protect you,” Chase argues, slamming a fist down on the table.
Hadley
“Chase, I’m an adult and its time you start seeing me as one. I’m not a virgin, I haven’t been for over a year. And, I’m perfectly capable of deciding who I want to have sex with.”
Chase casts his gaze downward and after several quiet seconds he nods.
“I’m sorry, I know I’m over protective. But, you’re my little sister. If I don’t look out for you, who will?”
“I’ll be fine,”
“So, are you going to tell me about your man?” Chase asks.
Out of the corner of my eye I see Ravi cringe. Smooth, I hope Chase doesn’t notice. Ravi looks like he’s on trial for murder right now.
“Not right now. It’s still really new and I don’t even know if it’s anything serious at all. He probably only wants me for sex.” I do my best to joke. I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen between Ravi and I. I can’t bear to get my hopes up.
“He’d better not be using you for sex,” Chase grumbles murderously.
I laugh and pat his arm.
“Who wants dessert? I made cupcakes.”
Ravi
Once Chase leaves I finally breathe a sigh of relief. I swear I kept expecting him to somehow figure out that I’m defiling his precious sister.
Hadley goes to the sink to start cleaning up and I waste no time in joining her to dry the dishes as she washes them. My heart swells at the cozy domestic moment we’ve created.
Once we’re done Hadley yawns widely and then brushes her lips briefly across my cheek before turning to head towards her bedroom. I reach out and snag her around the waist, pulling her flush against my chest.
“And, just where do you think you’re going beautiful?”
She chuckles and yawns again.
“Baby, I’m exhausted. I promise we can have all the sex you want tomorrow,” She gives me a reassuring pat on the chest and tries again to head towards her bedroom.
I growl low in my throat and yank her back again.
“We don’t have to have sex, but I want you in my bed.”
Surprise flashes through her beautiful winter green eyes.
“I just figured you wanted some space. I’ve been all up in your business for the last four days.”
“No,” I say firmly, tugging her towards my room like a caveman. “I want the opposite of space.”
Hadley laughs and follows me willingly, Xana trotting along on our heels.
Once we’re in my room I reach for her and unbutton her jeans, sliding them down, my eyes raking appreciatively over her incredible legs and remembering what they felt like wrapped around me.
“Ravi,” Hadley yawns again and gives me an apologetic look. “I’m seriously dead on my feet.”
“Shh,” I place a gentle kiss on her lips and then strip her shirt over her head, followed by her bra. Then, I turn to my dresser, grab one of my tee shirts, and hand it to her. Her eyes soften and she smiles sweetly at me.
“Thank you.”
She pulls my shirt on and I brim with possessive male pride. I can’t resist giving her a playful slap on the ass when she turns to climb into bed.
“Oh!” She gasps with a mixture of surprise and excitement.
A blush creeps into her cheeks and she turns a lustful gaze on me.
“If you’re too tired for sex you’d better stop looking at me like that,” I warn, crawling into bed beside her.
“You started it,” She accuses.
I grunt in response.
“You really do like the rough stuff?”
“Well, nothing too rough. I don’t want a safe word or anything. But, it’s pretty hot when you get all macho and commanding,” She admits as I pull her against my chest so that we’re spooning.
“Oh yeah?”
“I used to have this fantasy in high school about you...” She trails off, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.
I kiss her soft neck and murmur my contentment.
“Don’t leave me hanging woman, what was your fantasy?”
“We would be at a party and you would see other guys looking at me, wanting me. It would drive you so crazy, you wouldn’t be able to fight your feelings for me. You’d grab me and discreetly pull me into the bathroom and spank me for being such a tease. And, then you’d fuck me so hard I wouldn’t be able to walk right afterwards.”
“Fuck,” I groan, inadvertently rubbing my now massive hard on against her ass. “Sorry, I know no sex tonight. But, that really got me going.”
“Screw sleep,” She rolls to face me and wraps her fingers around my cock.
Yeah, I’m going to make sure Hadley sleeps in my bed from here on out.
Hadley
“Thank fuck,” Matthew’s voice pulls me from the most
peaceful sleep I’ve ever had. Ravi’s strong arms are wrapped firmly around me, securing me against his bare chest. I yawn and open my eyes to see Matthew standing at the foot of Ravi’s bed with a shit eating grin on his face. “When Chase told me last night about how you were sporting a hickey I promised myself that if I came over and the two of you weren’t naked together I was going to beat some sense into you.”
“Well, you can relax because Ravi’s fucking me good and proper,” I assure him with a laugh.
Ravi groans and blinks awake. When he sees Matthew standing in his bedroom he grabs the sheets and pulls them around me more securely to make sure there’s nothing for Matthew to see. Matthew lets out a bark of a laugh.
“Relax sweetcheeks, I’ve seen Hadley all kinds of naked and I assure you it doesn’t do anything for me. You on the other hand are bringing back my childhood Aladdin fantasies.”
“Aladdin was from Saudi Arabia, I’m Indian,” Ravi corrects sleepily.
“Either way, you’re pretty damn hot. But, if you hurt my girl I’ll kick your ass.”
“Dually noted.” Ravi yawns widely.
“And, Hadley if you think just because you’re getting some now means you get out of cooking me breakfast you’re dead wrong. Now get your ass up and cook me something, woman.”
“Fuck off,” I mutter with a laugh.
“Fine, but I’ll be back later sweetheart.” Matthew gives me a kiss on the cheek before showing himself out.
“I really like sleeping next to you.” Ravi’s deep voice and sweet words give me chills.
“I really like it, too,” I whisper, rolling over and kissing his neck and then his scruffy jaw.
“How about if I make you breakfast this morning?” He offers.
I can’t help the laugh that escapes.
“What, you don’t think I’m capable of making breakfast? What do you think Chase and I did all year in New York?”
“I assumed you mostly ate out.”
Ravi smirks and wiggles his eyebrows suggestively at my comment.
“Oh my god, you’re such a perv. I assumed you ate a lot of take out.”
“Well, yeah we did. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t make you something to eat.”
“This I’ve gotta see,” I tease.
Just as I suspected Ravi makes me a bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee. I’m not complaining, Ravi walking around the kitchen shirtless is all I need to make it a great start to the morning.
“What do you want to do today?” I ask, taking a sip of my coffee and smiling to myself. He made it exactly the way I like it.
Ravi arches an eyebrow at me suggestively in answer to my question.
“Wow, you are a total horndog,” I accuse playfully.
Ravi opens his mouth to respond when the sound of sitar music begins to blare from his phone. He reaches to answer it.
“Hi mom.” He pauses to listen to her response. “Uh...I’m not sure.” Ravi furrows his brow and then spins around so I can’t see his face. “I really wish you’d have told me before you’d planned all this.” He rubs the back of his head with his free hand and sighs quietly. “Alright then, I guess I’ll see you in a little while.”
Ravi hangs up his phone and turns to face me with a hint of reservation in his chocolate eyes.
“Ravi, it’s okay if you need to go spend time with your mom,” I assure him. Sure, I’d rather keep him all to myself. But, the whole reason he’s here to begin with is for his mom.
“It’s not just my mom...” He shakes his head and sighs. Finally, he meets my eyes again. “She invited Kashi’s parents over for a get together. I’m supposed to pick up Kashi on my way.”
My stomach twists unpleasantly. I do my best to bite back the bitter taste in my mouth. Kashi already has a boyfriend. She’s knocked up for fuck sake. So why do I feel the sting of tears prickling my eyes?
“I understand.” I force a smile and try not to wince at the fake cheeriness in my voice.
Ravi stares me down, clearly not buying into my act.
“You know Kashi and I don’t feel that way for each other.”
“I know,” I say lightly, swallowing down the thick lump in my throat and turning to go to my bedroom. If I continue to sit here with Ravi I’m going to break down. He doesn’t need that. He’s already dealing with enough.
“Hadley,” He calls out as I make my way down the hallway.
“Have a good day. Tell Kashi and your parents I say ‘hello’.”
*****
“Why so glum, sugarplum?” Eve asks in a chipper voice, setting a glass of sangria down in front of me. I force a smile which makes her laugh. “Yeah, not super convincing.”
After Ravi’s call with his mom he’d tried to get me to talk to him. I’d decided instead to pout and ignore him. As soon as he’d left, making sure to tell me through my locked bedroom door that he’d be back later and would miss me all day, I’d chosen to head over to Bad Wolf for a drink.
She tucks her hair back and flash of color peeks out from behind her ear.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, I got a tattoo.” She turns her head to give me a better look.
Behind her left ear is a tattoo of a tiny rocket ship.
“You know, because Asher is an astrophysicist. He’s my rocket man.” Eve blushes as she explains.
“You two are way too cute,” I mutter, doing my best to keep the jealousy out of my voice.
“Uh-oh, don’t tell me there’s trouble in paradise already?”
“I don’t know,” I sigh and reach for my drink. “He’s spending the day with Kashi and both sets of parents. It’s practically an engagement party.”
“You’re not jealous?” Eve asks incredulously.
I shrug noncommittally. One of Eve’s other tables flags her down so she gives me an apologetic smile and a promise to stop back over soon to continue our conversation.
As I sit nursing my drink my phone buzzes with a text message.
Matthew: Hey sugar tits, you at the wolf?
Hadley: yup, but I warn you I’m in full pout mode
Matthew: LOL, be there soon
True to his word Matthew shows up ten minutes later. As soon as he reaches me he gives me a peck on the cheek and then slides into a seat opposite me.
Eve stops back to our table with a beer for Matthew.
“Okay, now back to your unreasonable jealousy,” Eve segues easily.
“Oh no, don’t tell me I need to kick Ravi’s ass already,” Matthew grumbles.
“No ass kicking needed. I know I’m being silly. I’m not jealous of Ravi and Kashi in a relationship way. I guess I’m jealous that his parents love her so much. It reminds me no matter how good Ravi and I are together his parents will never accept me into their family the way they’d accept someone like Kashi.”
“Don’t overthink it,” Eve advises. “Give the relationship a chance before you start getting all worried about your wedding.”
I exhale slowly.
“You’re totally right.” I gulp down the rest of my sangria.
Matthew and my phones buzz at the same time. Which can only mean Chase is sending us a group text. I kind of love how Chase and Matthew have become such fast friends. That’s how it’s always been with Chase and I.
Chase: party tonight? Ran into Greg Peterson from high school, he says he’s throwing a rager at his place.
Hadley: sounds good
Once Matthew and I both agree to meet Chase at our apartment in an hour a wicked idea occurs to me. Maybe I can get Ravi to fulfill one of my high school fantasies tonight.
Ravi
When I pull up to Kashi’s apartment she’s already waiting for me outside. My stomach clenches with guilt. I want to tell my parents the truth. And, I’m sure they’ll know soon enough that Kashi is pregnant. As soon as she works up the courage to tell her parents I’m sure it’ll be a hot topic of gossip among all their friends. I swear that bunch is worse than high girls with the way they talk.
Kashi climbs into my car and I force a smile. It’s not her fault we have to put on this charade for our parents. She and I are in the same boat.
“You look different,” she says, eyeing me suspiciously.
I quirk a questioning eyebrow at her.
“Oh my god, you and Hadley had sex,” Kashi accuses with excitement.
I can’t hide the wide grin that spreads across my face as I nod in response.
“Ahh, this is so great.” Kashi claps her hands and bounces in her seat. “You two are so meant to be, I’m so glad you pulled your head out of your ass.”
“Gee, thanks,”
“Speaking of heads up asses, are things cool with you and your baby daddy?”
Kashi laughs and rolls her eyes.
“Yeah we’re good. He’s pushing me to tell my parents, and I’m going to, but I’m terrified.”
“Yeah, good luck with that one.” I shake my head. I can only imagine the fallout that’s going to result when she tells her parents she’s knocked up by her white boyfriend. Probably similar to the fallout I can expect when I come clean about Hadley and myself. Will my parents ever accept us together?
I force those thoughts down. There’s no point dwelling on them just yet.
At my parents’ house we’re both greeted with hugs and smiles and repeated comments of how perfect we look together. We both smile and bite our tongues, holding hands and pretending.
*****
I drag my ass into my apartment just after seven at night, dreading facing Hadley’s wrath, or worse seeing hurt in her beautiful eyes. As soon as I step through the door the sound of Hadley and Chase arguing in the living room draws my attention.
I step in and find the two of them wrestling over the PlayStation controller with Matthew in the middle looking thoroughly harassed.
“Hey guys,” I say cautiously.
On the bright side, hopefully having Chase here will buy me some time before I have to face Hadley’s ire.
“Hey,” Chase and Hadley say at the same time, neither tearing their attention away from their battle royale over the controller.
“Looking hot Hadley,” I say casually.
Chase whips his head in my direction and Hadley is able to win the controller. She lets out a loud ‘whoop’ and fist pumps. I shoot her a wink over Chase and Matthew’s heads.
Hard to Resist (Sexy Nerd Boys, #3) Page 13
