“Today was pretty bad. Your dad is really pushing them hard.”
“Okay, enough calling him my ‘dad.’ Coach is fine in this room.”
“Don’t say anything, but he’s trying to make the school a division one athletic program. That’s why Luke is here.”
Emma’s eyes widened and her jaw looked like it would hit the floor.
“Holy shit. That means tuition is going to shoot through the roof. And we would look better as athletic trainer from a D1 school. Looks like Coach Daniels might have some balls after all.”
“Well, nothing is set. It’s all speculation. They have to win games. And Luke is just one person.”
“True.”
“Still, it makes sense for us to get Luke, but I don’t see what’s in it for Luke.”
Emma seemed deep in thought.
“I don’t know, man. Something seems fishy, Emma.”
“Who knows? College sports are all politics. Shit, it’s almost six. Anyways I’ve got to go to practice.”
Emma rose from the bed and slipped on her black converse shoes and quickly changed into a black polo shirt. She threw her purse over her shoulders and tossed Daphne the gift.
“I’ll be gone for about two hours. Have fun,” Emma said, winking at Daphne.
Before Daphne could say anything, Emma disappeared behind the door and the lock clicked in place.
*****
Daphne stood naked in the shower, savoring the hot water loosening her tense muscles. Her long, strawberry blonde hair was piled on top of her head, and she looked down as the water ran down her hardened nipples and hips. All she could picture was Luke standing behind her, rubbing his large hands over her body. She could feel him breathing against her neck as he kissed her back and shoulders. Daphne closed her eyes, stretching her stiff neck. She could smell Luke’s woodsy cologne. She could see him, biting his lips and studying every inch of her naked body. He was tall, muscular, and with her eyes closed she could imagine how the water off the shower would flow through the groves of his perfect body. It felt so real.
Daphne touched her own breasts with her soapy hands and imagined it was Luke. The gift from Emma was unwrapped in her shower caddy. No one was around. No one would judge her. No one would know. If she could not have Luke in real life, maybe she could have him in her fantasies. She opened the bottle of lube. It smelled like citrus and there was an oaky undertone. It was perfect. Daphne squeezed some of its slippery contents on her index finger and rubbed the slick liquid between her thumb and index finger. She was already wet, not just from the shower, but because in her head Luke was fucking her. In her head, Luke was not off limits.
Daphne rubbed her lube-coated index finger over her pussy and started stroking herself. Her clit was so swollen she gasped when she made contact with it. It took a second, but a warming, tingling sensation was shooting from her pussy to her ass, down her muscular legs. It was the best thing she had ever felt in her life. She did not even need the vibrator. She started moving her finger faster, adding a second finger and groaning.
Daphne covered her mouth with her free hand, biting her palm as the sensation took over every nerve in her body. She knew no one would hear her because she and Emma had the corner room, but she just wanted to be sure, since her body was shaking with pleasure. With her eyes closed, Luke was there, naked, fully erect with a thick, long cock, easing himself into her, calling her “baby” moving faster and faster.
“Oh fuck,” Daphne groaned, cumming hard on her own hand.
Daphne took a deep breath and turned off the shower after a quick rinse. She could feel a slight sheen of sweat on her body and she was a little lightheaded. Thinking back, she could not imagine Dennis making her feel lightheaded. Daphne smiled to herself, in complete disbelief that she just made herself cum in her college’s shower. If Luke could make her feel half of that, then it would be worth breaking her stupid pact with Coach Daniels.
After throwing on her towel, she grabbed the shower caddy. She made sure the lube and vibrator were tucked in the bottom. When she opened the door, Emma ran over to her bed.
“Emma!” Daphne yelled, feeling her cheeks get hot.
Emma was in a full fit of cathartic laughter and blushing bright red.
“I’m sorry! It’s took me a second to realize what you were doing. I didn’t mean to listen. I swear. Practice was canceled. I thought you fell or something.”
Emma said, laughing so hard that she snorted.
“Ugh! You bitch! That’s so rude!”
“I was coming to help, I swear. I was trying to make sure you were okay, but when I heard you say ‘Luke’ a couple times I just couldn’t help myself.”
Daphne covered her face and growled out of frustration.
“Damn it, Emma! Why get this shit for me if you’re going to make me feel bad about using it?”
Emma’s face got more serious.
“I—I’m sorry. I’m really happy you’re open to trying new things. I would be mortified if anybody caught me when I first started masturbating. My ex said I sounded like a wild hog.”
Daphne stared at Emma like she had three heads.
“Your ex? How did he—how did you—wait, what?”
“Oh, right. Um, well, it came up during pillow talk that I like to pleasure myself and for our one-year anniversary, he asked to watch so I let him.”
“You just let him? Just like that? That’s a thing?”
“I thought it was hot that he wanted to see.”
Daphne slumped onto her bed, feeling super behind about how sex works. She could not believe that this was actually something other couples did.
“I guarantee you Luke would cum in his pants if he knew he was in your spank bank.”
“Well, he won’t. And I don’t want some guy telling me I sound like I fell when I have an orgasm.”
Emma rolled her eyes and gave Daphne a sympathetic look.
“I said I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect to hear that. If I was Luke, I would like it. You should totally tell him.”
“Um, no! Never.”
“That might be it! Just flirt with him. It would make it so much hotter. Telling him that he’s off limits. But, make him think you want him and just can’t have him. Oh my God, he will be so horny for you cause, well, he can’t have you.”
“You think that would work? What am I even saying? I made a deal with Coach.”
“Fuck Coach’s deal and then you can fuck Luke. The best sex is the secretive kind. It will be that much hotter because you both can’t have each other. No strings, just fun. I will stay out of the room. Plus, this is a co-ed building. It won’t be weird for a guy to be in here, and we’re tucked away on the corner by the stairwell! It’s perfect! Please do it.”
Daphne thought for a minute. She would not even know where to begin.
“Would you help me?” Daphne asked, “And you swear you won’t say anything?”
“Not a peep.”
“Okay. I’m listening.”
Emma sat cross legged on her bed, and tilted her head left and then right like she was ruminating over something.
“How have you been acting around him? I’m assuming bitchy.”
Daphne pursed her lips, and nodded.
“Okay, good.”
“Why good?”
“Because then it will seem more likely you like him against your will.”
Daphne held her head and started rubbing her temples. Dating had gotten a lot more complicated since she wrote a note to Dennis and told him she liked him in high school.
“I’m so lost,” Daphne said, letting out an exasperated sigh.
“Listen and do what I say. When you see him do anything or wear anything out of the ordinary say he looks hot, but say it like you’re surprised.”
“Huh?”
“Ugh, trust me, okay? So, if he’s wearing a new shirt—no!”
“No?”
“Wait, until you see him around campus. I think he’s in the business
department. If you see him, comment on how he looks, but with a bitch face. Like, most of the girls get all flirty and basically shove their tits in his face, so you will stand out, see?”
“Um, no. If he has girls that are fawning over him why would he pick the girl who’s bitchy?”
“Trust me. Just say he looks hot, but act more or less surprised. It will throw him off his game. Don’t stay around either. Say it and leave. Walk like a woman, please.”
“I do walk like a woman.”
“No, I mean add a little bit of sexy to your walk. It will make him think of fucking you doggy-style. You have a nice ass so work it.”
“I don’t think I can do that.”
“You rather use your finger all semester or see Luke up close and personal?”
Daphne lay back on her bed and stared up at the popcorn ceiling. She was imagining what it would be like to look up and see Luke.
“Fine. I’ll try it out,” Daphne said.
*****
Daphne spent all of that night talking to Emma about men, sex and every topic in between. There was so much that Daphne did not understand. She thought sex was just parts fitting into other parts. It was so much more complex and there was so much more potential to be fun. The thought of sneaking around with Luke was turning her on. She could not imagine what actually being with him would do to her.
She turned the corner for the campus coffee shop just outside of the business building. It was on the other side of campus and normally she would never be on this side, but Luke never came to her side unless it was for practice. Today was an off day so unless she waited three days, she would not see him. By then she would have lost her nerve and her finger would be raw by the end of football season.
As she approached the coffee shop, she saw Luke’s familiar silhouette walk into the automatic double doors. He was wearing a polo and jeans. Daphne mumbled her speech to herself and then marched inside.
Luke was at the register, putting in his order when he saw her. He waved and then handed a card to the barista.
“Hey you,” Luke said, receiving his receipt.
“Hey, I almost didn’t recognize you,” Daphne said.
“What do you mean?” Luke asked, walking closer.
“Nothing, just—you look hot. I thought you were someone else.”
“Oh, really?” Luke said, smiling at her.
“Don’t worry now that I see it’s just you I take it back,” Daphne said, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at him.
Luke laughed and looked her up and down.
“So, if I was someone else then you would think I was hot?”
Daphne shrugged and walked past him to order a coffee. Her heart was thumping in her chest, but she thought her bluff was going well so far.
“Hey, seriously though,” Luke said, turning around to face her.
“A black coffee please,” Daphne said to the barista, “Oh, sorry, Luke did you say something?”
“I just—just wondering why it matters if it’s me or not.”
Daphne tried to stay nonchalant as she pulled some cash out of her purse.
“Look, you have enough girls that think you’re hot so why does it matter if I let my guard down for a second?”
“Just for a second, huh?”
Daphne looked around and then leaned in to Luke. He leaned in to.
“Keep your voice down,” Daphne whispered, “I could lose my spot on the team for even talking like this to you. I shouldn’t be saying what I said. Yes, I think your hot, happy? But you’re off limits while you’re on the team.”
Luke leaned back and Daphne could see by the way he was looking at her that Emma’s plan was working.
“I see,” Luke said.
“Anyway, your coffee is up. I’ll see you at practice, okay?” Daphne said, grabbing her coffee and walking away.
She had taken about four steps. Emma said he should make a move right about now if he was interested. Daphne was feet away from the automatic door and so far, she could not even hear him walk behind her. Emma said he was competitive and should jump at the chance of a chase, but nothing was happening. Why was nothing happening?
“Hey Daphne,” Luke’s voice boomed behind her.
Daphne bit her lip, trying to contain her excitement. She made her face as impassive as she could muster before turning to face Luke.
“Yea?” Daphne said, turning to face him.
He walked over to her with a mischievous smile on his face.
“Walk with me?” Luke said, jutting his chin outside.
Daphne nodded and followed him outside of the coffee shop. They walked in silence until they got to the parameter of campus by the woods. No one was around, but Daphne looked left and right nervously, before looking up into Luke’s handsome face.
“So, what’s up?” Daphne asked, shrugging her shoulders.
“I, um, I think—I mean,” Luke paused and took a breath.
“You alright? What’s the matter with you?” Daphne asked, smiling up at him.
“Sorry, I swear I’ve done this before. I think we should still see each other.”
“I see you four times a week.”
“I mean, outside of practice. I don’t want to get you in trouble so we can keep it under wraps if you know what I mean.”
“You want to break Coach’s rule?”
“I mean, we don’t have to look at it like that. I just think you’re cute and smart and, I don’t know, I guess I’m not used to meeting girls like you.”
“It sounds like you want to hook up with me.”
He grinned down at her and licked his lips. Daphne could take him back to her room now, but she had to follow Emma’s plan. It was working so far.
“I mean we can just see where it goes.”
“Fine. I’ve gotta go, so call me?”
“Yea. Absolutely.”
Luke pulled out his cell phone and so did Daphne. so they could exchange numbers.
“Remember it’s a secret, okay? Not all of us have an NFL prospect in front of us?” Daphne said with a wry smile.
Luke laughed as he saved her number.
“Bye, Luke,” Daphne said, walking away.
*****
“It worked!” Daphne yelled into her cell phone.
She called Emma as soon as she grabbed some lunch and crossed the campus back to her residence hall.
“Yeah!” Emma said into the receiver.
“What should I do now?” Daphne asked, opening her bag of potato chips.
“Wait. He’ll probably text you tonight.”
“Really? That quick though?”
“Let’s hope so. If he does, I’m not going to be in the room. Long story, but I have to have dinner with Coach, um, my dad.”
“Wait, why?”
“He thinks it’s not okay for us to be on the same campus and not speak to each other. I think it’s fucking great because he didn’t speak to me for eighteen years of my life, but hey, what do I know?”
“I’m sorry, Emma.”
“It’s whatever. I already kicked and screamed about it and I need him for the familial tuition rate program. Otherwise, I’m going to have to sell meth just to get to junior year.”
“Emma!”
“I kid. Anyway, if you want to get in a quicky, I’ll be at Jeffrey’s house with his new wife, Jennifer. Apparently I have a half-brother named Kevin. Ugh, shoot me, please.”
Daphne laughed, shaking her head.
“If I helps I’m sure my dad has like two kids I don’t know about,” Daphne said, walking up the stairs to her dorm room.
“God, why don’t our parents wear condoms?” Emma asked, sighing.
“If they did, they we would never have met and you wouldn’t be teaching me how to bang hot football players.”
Daphne said, rounding the corner to their room. Emma was talking a million miles an hour, but Daphne could not hear a word she said. When she looked up at her door, plain as day, was standing Luke. He was look
ing at her with a wicked smile, spreading on his face.
“Oh no,” Daphne said, dropping her hand to her side.
She could still hear Emma screaming “hello” into the phone, but she could barely breathe. Daphne could tell by the look on Luke’s face he had heard her. Daphne pressed “end” on her phone and looked up at Luke who was facing her with a lopsided grin.
“I can explain,” Daphne said, walking over to him.
“Not sure I know what you mean,” Luke said sarcastically.
“Emma was just, um—I needed some advice on what to say to you.”
“So, you and your friend tricked me into thinking we couldn’t date?”
“No, that part was true. I just didn’t know how to approach—God, sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, I’m flattered you put that much thought into it. It’s kinda hot, not gonna lie. I mean since you put in all of this effort to get me here, aren’t you gonna invite me in?”
Daphne looked around to make sure no one was in the halls and nodded. She keyed into the room and pushed the door open.
“After you, Daphne.”
Daphne walked in, and dropped her bag on the floor. She heard Luke shut the door behind her.
“Will your roommate mind me being here?” Luke asked, jutting his chin toward Emma’s side of the room.
“No, she’s at her dad’s until tomorrow,” Daphne said, knotting her fingers together.
Luke walked closer to her and his eyes seemed to focus on something behind her. Daphne followed his stare to see the bottle of lube and the vibrator sitting on her pillow.
“Oh my God!” Daphne said, shoving the paraphernalia under her pillow.
“Hey, I don’t judge,” Luke said, holding up his hands and smiling at her.
Daphne’s cheeks were on fire.
“No, I didn’t put that there. My roommate has a sick sense of humor. She bought it for me. I swear I’ve never used that thing,” Daphne said, sitting down on the bed and covering her face with her hands.
She felt Luke sit beside her. He reached up and pulled her hands from her face.
“It’s cute that you’re embarrassed, but even if you did, it doesn’t bother me, okay?” Luke said, holding her hand.
THE HEALING HEART: Military and Pregnancy Romance Page 35
