by C. A. Harms
“Okay, fine.” She turned around and leaned back against the counter. “But he obviously likes you. You’ve made the poor guy jump through hoops to gain even the smallest amount of your attention and he’s done it willingly. No twenty-one year-old I know would even bother if he wasn’t truly infatuated with the girl.”
For a silent moment we just stood there, me focusing on the dishes I washed and her, I’m sure, staring at me. I don’t know why it was so hard for me to accept that Xavier might truly want to be a part of my crazy life.
“I just think you need to enjoy his attention, because he’s passing it out in bundles.” He was too.
“Do you know when Dad is supposed to be home?”
“Sometime after six,” she answered as I looked up at the clock mounted on the wall. “I’m fine alone, Morgan.” I was hesitant, but I knew she was doing better. She was her old self again. “Go see Xavier.” She nudged my shoulder. “My keys are on the table.”
***
I pulled up in front of the fraternity, parking my mother’s car in pretty much the same place Marcus parked the night of the party. I could see Xavier’s bright red car parked across the street, so I knew he was home.
Maybe I should have called.
Suddenly just showing up unannounced felt like the wrong choice.
I was just about to leave when there was a knock on my window that made me jump in surprise. Looking over toward the man standing on the passenger side, I realized I knew him. It was the same guy that came into the Sub Shop talking about Xavier and I going home together.
He waved his hand, motioning for me to roll down the window.
I tapped the button and the window slowly began to sink. “You’re Morgan, right?”
“Yeah.” Maybe I should have said no.
“X is inside.” He nodded toward the house. “They were all torturing Jay.” I could only imagine what type of torturing was being performed. A house full of nothing but testosterone-driven men sounded dangerous.
“Come on.” He stood and walked around the front of my car before pulling open the door. “I’ll walk you up.”
As if I had a choice. He reached out and took the keys from the ignition before taking my hand in his and tugging. “I need to roll up the window,” I insisted.
I thought he’d give me back my keys, but I was wrong. Instead he leaned in past me, put the key in the ignition and then hit the button to roll up the window himself. After he took the keys back out and shut the door, he hit the lock and then began dragging me toward the house once again.
“Listen, I’m sorry if I offended you that day in the sub place.” He looked back over his shoulder, my feet scurrying along to keep up. “I didn't mean it how it sounded. Xavier was just coming out of a shit relationship with Britney the bitch, and it’s not like him to hook up with someone.” I wasn’t sure how this was any better than what he said before. “We all told him he needed a rebound girl,” he added, making my stomach feel as if it dropped to the ground.
I stumbled up the stairs and he caught me at the top before moving quickly toward the door. I tried tugging back my hand but he held it firmly.
Just as he pushed open the door, some guy walked through the entryway wearing nothing but a pair of underwear. If that itself wasn’t weird enough, he turned to face me and it was then I noticed the fake penis hanging from the front. Across the top it had a hashtag—#dickaswinging.
It was that moment that I remembered the guy from the party that streaked through the house singing out that very thing.
I looked up at the guy, feeling embarrassed that I was staring at his crotch, to find him smiling wide. “Hey sweet thing,” he said with a wink.
Normally a guy calling me sweet thing, or any other random pet name would trigger a not so friendly reaction out of me. But this situation was already awkward enough, so I decided to let it slide.
“Hey X,” the guy still holding my hand hollered out. “I found your girl outside.”
His words echoed through the house followed by a few loud whistles and obscene words, just before Xavier appeared in the doorway, a look of surprise covering his face.
Again more awkwardness, and I contemplated turning around and just walking back toward my car. I should be fighting this feeling inside of me; I knew I should. Between my mother and Marcus pushing for Xavier and my own curiosity tugging at me, it was hard to stay away.
I guess deep down inside I wanted to feel what it was like to have someone desperate for me. I wanted to let go of all the hesitation inside of me and see where it led us.
“Hey,” he finally said before his eyes shifted to where his friend still held my hand. “Brent.” He said the guy’s name, his eyes never once leaving our joined hands. “You mind letting go?” It was more of a demand, really, which in turn made me smile. The idea of Xavier feeling possessive over me felt good. I was never one to understand that outward expression until now. Prior to him I would have found all of this childish and something I would only want to avoid.
“Shit,” the guy said just before releasing my hand as if it was burning him. “Sorry, man.”
Brent was off faster than I could register and in his place stood Xavier. “What are you doing here?” he asked, only making me feel stupid for showing up. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you are here,” he added, “just a little surprised.”
“I should’ve called,” I said as I stepped back, only he didn’t let me get far.
He extended his arm and gripped my hip as he pulled me back toward him. “No,” he said in a low voice, “this is good.” He grinned when my smile widened. A heat filled my cheeks and my stomach did this crazy little fluttering rush.
I quickly tried to cover up my reaction to him by giving him my challenging look instead. Arms crossed, eyebrow arched, with my lips pursed. Only it did nothing to tame the cocky side of him. “Good, you brought your attitude with you,” he said, excitement in his eyes.
He was so weird sometimes. What guy liked when the girl they were hanging out with had attitude?
“Let’s go upstairs,” he said before taking my hand in his and dragging me off much like his friend did only moments ago. As we reached the top landing, he looked over his shoulder and then tugged me, pulling me to his side. Leaning in, he kissed my temple, and for a moment I forgot all about the information Brent offered outside. I forgot about the idea he planted in my mind about only being the girl Xavier needed to get over his ex.
But, only for a moment.
He opened a door, and within seconds I was in his room with the door shut behind us. “A rebound girl, huh?” I said without a second thought. Xavier stepped closer, a confused look covering his features. “Brent explained what the night we met was all about. That the guys wanted you to find a girl to help you get over Britney and I was that girl for you, right? The one to help you forget what you two had.”
He didn't answer me, which only made the fact that I even brought it up seem more stupid.
“I get it,” I said with a shrug. “Were the two of you together long?”
Still no reply, only an intense look I couldn’t quite explain covering his face.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
He shook his head, as he let it fall forward, now hiding his eyes from me. An awkward silence settled over the room.
“Are you going to say anything?” I asked, wondering why he was ignoring all my questions. “Xavier…” Reaching out, I placed my hand against his stomach.
He moved fast, backing me up to the door behind me, his body pressing my own against the hard wood. “Your first mistake was ever listening to a word Brent said. You’re not a rebound,” he said, his lips only inches from mine. “You weren’t that night, and you’re not now.”
“It’s okay,” I assured him, and his features hardened. “I understand.”
“Are you done?” he asked.
“It doesn’t have to be a problem.” I was just glad I figured it out now prior to my heart
getting in the way of things. It was a good thing to know before things went any further than they already had between us.
“A problem,” he repeated, closing his eyes for a minute. “The only problem we have here is you.” I flinched at his words.
“Me?” I asked, feeling slightly irritated.
“Yeah,” he said, opening his eyes, looking directly into mine. “You keep looking for a way to prove this thing between us won’t work out. You’re just waiting for the moment you can say ‘I fucking told you so.’ But I got news for you, Morgan.” He lifted his hands and curled his fingers with mine. “That moment isn’t coming.”
He closed the last amount of distance between us, pressing his lips to mine, as he slowly lifted my hands above my head. Pinning me to the door, using his body to press tightly to mine, he conquered my mouth, leaving me breathless.
“I’m in this with you because I want to be, not because I feel like I have to be,” he whispered as he kissed along my jaw. “Stop pushing me away, stop fighting it.”
In a slow, torturous pace, he kissed along my jaw and down the side of my neck.
There was really no point in fighting for control, because at that moment, Xavier had it. He knew just how to manipulate my body to react to his touch, to his kiss. Within seconds I was ready to let go of all my reservations and let him do whatever he wanted.
He was right, why fight it? Challenging the connection between us was exhausting.
I bit at his lower lip as he began to pull away, triggering a moan from between his lips.
“I think it’s time you accept it,” he said, skimming the side of my nose with his own. “You want me, I want you, there’s really nothing more that matters than that.”
He was a cocky asshole who was completely right.
“Show me how much you want me,” I challenged him, and I could see his eyes fill with lust. The way he pushed his hips forward, grinding his erection against me. “No,” I whispered, “show me.”
He released my hands and reached around me to grip my ass. Gently he lifted me and I willingly circled his waist with my legs, hooking them securely behind him. Spinning me around, he began moving across his room toward his bed.
He held my body securely to his while using his other to brace himself against the mattress. I felt secure in his hold as he began lowering both of us to the bed. With my back pressed to the mattress, he sank against me, taking his place between my thighs.
My pulse quickened as his hand ran along my side, moving beneath my shirt along the way. “I’m gonna take my time with you,” he whispered. “I want to remember everything.” Pressing his mouth to mine, he ran his tongue over the seam of my lips and I parted them, welcoming more. “I’ve craved that soft whimper of yours.” He pressed into me once more and I raised my own hips, gaining even more connection. “I’ve dreamed of that sound,” he confessed. “I need it.”
“I need you,” I admitted.
“You have me,” he assured me just as his hand covered my breast. “You have me,” he repeated, covering my lips with his once more.
Chapter 23
Xavier
I took in a deep breath, my forehead pressed to Morgan’s as I tried to come back down from the high I just hit. Our bodies slick with sweat, mine still firmly tucked between her thighs as her legs remained around my waist, securely locked behind my back as if she wasn’t quite ready to let me go. That was fine. I wasn’t ready to leave. In fact if she agreed, I planned to stay right where I was all night and well into the morning.
The challenge I’d faced trying to get her to give me a chance was torturous, but well worth it. I was just sorry I missed how amazing we were together the first time around.
“That was…” her words faded off and I knew just what she was feeling.
“Yeah, it was.” Both of us obviously found it hard to think of a word to describe what we just shared.
She tucked her face into the crease of my neck, snuggling in as close as she could get.
“I could get used to this,” I confessed, closing my eyes and getting lost for a moment.
“Used to what?” she asked, her warm breath tickling my neck.
“You being all cute and snuggling against me.” I could almost sense her rolling her eyes. “Just admit it, you like it too.”
“Maybe,” she whispered softly, burrowing in a little closer before pausing. “Okay, I like it too.”
It was my turn to smile. I think my girl was beginning to get a little soft. I liked the idea of being able to share this with her when we were alone. She was determined and stubborn yet with a gentle side hiding underneath. It was the best of both worlds. Her sassiness turned me on like nothing I’ve ever felt before, but this right here, this was good too.
I was glad I was lucky enough to see this side of her. The idea of any other man doing this very thing, with this very girl, made my chest burn with jealousy.
“Stay with me tonight.” I knew one thing, I didn’t want this to end.
“I drove my mom’s car,” she replied. “I should get it back to her.”
“So we can take it back early in the morning. She’s not going anywhere tonight.” Morgan was quiet and I knew she was worrying her lips. It’s strange how by just silently observing someone for so long you learn their nervous tics. I’d witnessed it each time I approached her after our first night together. I also found her doing it multiple times when I was at her parents’ house, interacting with Toby. I didn’t have to see her face to know she was doing it now.
“I really don’t want to get up now, but if it would make you feel better, we could take it back tonight.” I was willing to do just about anything to keep her with me tonight.
“We can take it in the morning,” her soft, hesitant whisper filled the darkened room and I felt instantly relieved. I rolled toward my side, yet kept my arms securely around her body. The fact that Morgan willingly came, curling into my chest, was a good sign that she was warming up to the idea of us.
I know my persistence helped too.
We lay there in the darkness, her body snuggled in tightly to mine, neither saying a word. I could tell she was awake, but I waited to see if she was going to say anything more.
I could hear the guys downstairs, and even in the hallway outside my room—loud laughter and havoc as usual. I’d gotten used to sleeping through most of their activities. You had to in this house or you would never get any sleep.
“What else do you enjoy besides living with bunch of zoo animals?” she asked, making me chuckle. “You know it’s true,” she added. “Most of these guys are out of control.”
“Yes, they are.” I didn’t deny it.
“So besides streaking, egg tosses, and whatever else you guys do to torment one another, what do you enjoy?” she asked again.
“Right now, I’m enjoying you,” I said as I kissed along the back of her neck and shoulder.
“Besides that,” she said, breathier than the words she spoke only seconds before.
When I didn’t answer right away, she turned in my arms to face me. “I like drawing,” she whispered, surprising me. “I’m not very good at it, but I find it relaxes me. Mostly landscapes and abstract images.”
Knowing what I knew of Morgan, so stubborn and hard headed, I just found it hard to imagine her sitting with a sketch book in her hands.
“I’d like to see them sometime,” I told her and she tucked her chin to her chest. When I reached out and placed my finger beneath her chin, I lifted her head to get a better look at her face. “Will you show me?”
“Maybe,” she whispered. “Now you have to tell me something.”
I sat quiet for a moment, scanning over her face in the darkness. Her profile was illuminated by the light coming in the window from the street lamp just outside.
“I used to play baseball,” I confessed and her nose wrinkled in the cutest way.
“A jock, huh?” she said, a smile covering her lips.
“Why, you into jo
cks?” I asked her as I slipped my hand around her back and placed it against the dip just above her ass. She looked up and I took advantage of our closeness, pressing my lips to hers. For a moment we were lost in our kiss, her tongue seeking entrance, mine meeting hers without hesitation.
I could kiss this girl for hours, I swear.
She pulled away much too soon and I fought against the urge to pull her back to me.
“Not really,” she said. “I prefer the bad boy type with a bit of attitude.”
“Then I’m glad I decided not to go after that scholarship and play for UCLA.” Her eyes widened and I knew I’d surprised her. “I loved it once, but I outgrew it. I knew I wanted more. Honestly, leaving my family to live in California was hard to imagine.”
Her features softened.
“What?” I asked, wondering what the look covering her face was all about.
She snuggled in closer, her arms slipping around my side. Our bodies were completely pressed together, our legs tangled as our lips hovered only inches apart. “I think that is one of the things I find l like about you most. You understand the need for family. I can see it in the way you talk about yours; your need to stay close just confirms it.”
“I told you we were more alike that you thought,” I assured her as I kissed her softly.
No other words were spoken, just soft kisses in the dark. Those kisses alone were enough, they were more than enough. I was completely content with them alone.
***
“Drop that pizza.” I turned my head to the left and found Morgan standing near the refrigerator, her arm extended outward as she pointed directly at me. I held the pizza near my mouth, fully intending to take a bite, but she looked kind of vicious. “Now,” she added as she took a step toward me.
“This pizza?” I asked, wanting to fire her up just a little more. It was actually fun, and I’d found over the last week times like these had become a part of what I enjoyed most of our time together. The silly banter, the continuous flirting was refreshing.
