Hard Pass: An Enemies to Lovers Romance

by K. G. Reuss

  “Fine, husband. Take your clothes off.”

  He was on his feet in a flash, peeling his shirt off. My mouth went dry, as he tossed his shirt aside, putting his muscles on display. He smirked at me as he slowly undid the buckle on his belt.

  “Shall I dance?” he asked.

  “Sure, monkey. Dance,” I shot back. He grinned wider and undid the button on his jeans, his hips swaying slightly.

  “Remember this?” he asked, pushing his jeans down slowly as he swirled his hips in tiny, tight motions.

  My face heated as I tore my gaze away from the delicious V that disappeared beneath his boxers. He let out a soft chuckle before I heard the sound of the bed springs beneath his weight.

  “You want me on my back or stomach?” he called out.

  “Stomach,” I answered, turning back to him.

  He rolled onto his stomach while still in his boxers and socks. Clearing my throat, I said, “Be right back,” and went to my bathroom to grab the massage oil. When I came back, I found him where I’d left him, my pillow tucked under his chin, his eyes locked on the TV.

  I padded across the carpet and crawled onto the bed by his feet, my hands shaking. Why did I suggest this?

  Too late to back out now. I reached out and yanked his socks off. I tossed them aside. Inhaling deeply, I tipped the bottle over in my palm then gave my hands a brisk rub. Gently, I took one of his feet into my hands and began rubbing.

  “Fuck,” he hissed in a sexy moan that made me swallow hard. “That feels amazing.”

  I said nothing as I continued rubbing his foot. Every now and then he let out a soft groan. When his feet had been sufficiently rubbed, I moved to his legs. So many tight, corded muscles. He groaned out again as I swept my hands up along the tension. My hands moved higher on his thighs.

  “That feels so good,” he said, his voice dazed.

  I cleared my throat. “You’re really tight.”

  “Mhm. I usually soak, but shit’s been crazy lately,” he answered in a muffled voice.

  I chanced a glance at his face and saw his eyes were closed, his long lashes resting on his cheeks. I skipped rubbing his ass and moved to his back. He let out a deep, contented sigh as I pressed my fingers into the tight muscles of his back. I kept studying him. His ears were pierced. I remember when he and Alex had gotten them done. Alex said it was supposed to be a tattoo night, but he’d gotten nervous and gone with the piercing instead. Travis had done the same, citing he didn’t want Alex to feel bad about skipping the tat.

  The story made me think of senior prom when I’d gone without a date and Travis had danced with me.

  “Couldn’t get a date?” Travis asked, eyeing me in my yellow gown as I sat by myself in a dark corner of the venue. Twinkle lights sparkled overhead. Midnight Magic was the theme. The committee had even gone as far as a making clouds that hung overhead with a light up crescent moon.

  “He bailed. I’m sure you heard,” I answered sullenly.

  “I did.” Travis nodded, his hands in his pockets. “Why’d you come?”

  “It’s my senior prom. Figured I’d find someone to dance with and then call it a night.”

  “How’s the hunt for that going?”

  “Not good,” I muttered, sad no one had wanted to dance with me.

  Travis cleared his throat.

  “Challenge.”

  I looked up at him in his dark tux. My heart stumbled in my chest a little.

  “What do you have in mind?”

  He held his hand out to me, a smile turning his lips up.

  “Dance with me.”

  I stared at his hand for a moment before tentatively reaching for it. He wrapped his fingers over mine and pulled me to the dance floor where his hands found my waist. I draped my arms around his neck and looked up at him.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome,” he answered as we moved to the slow song. We were both quiet as we danced.

  Finally, he spoke again. “Your hair looks good. I like the all the waves.”

  “Ava did it,” I murmured, staring up at him.

  “She did good. That half up, half down look works for you.”

  “Are you drunk?”

  “Little bit.” He chuckled as he waltzed us to the center of the room.

  I shook my head at him. “Is that why you’re dancing with me?”

  “No. I’m dancing with you because I want to. You looked sad. I didn’t like it.”

  “Really?” I crinkled my brows at him. “I figured you’d be ecstatic.”

  He frowned at me. “No. Why would I be happy if you’re sad?”

  “Because it’s a win for you.”

  “The only wins I get when it comes to you are when you smile, Lexy. And you only smile when you win. I’m giving you a freebie tonight.”

  I scoffed at him. “Ah, yes. The great Travis Owens danced with me. I’m so honored by your presence.”

  He grinned. “Good. You should be. You can thank me later.”

  He spun me right as the song ended, his eyes darting down to my lips as he held me.

  “Next time I won’t go so easy on you,” he murmured.

  “Bring it, Owens.”

  “In the end, I always win. Even these games we play. Someday, I’ll pull the ultimate challenge and own your ass, Hale.”

  I smirked up at him. “Like I said, Owens. Bring it.” I pulled away from him, leaving him standing in the middle of the dance floor just as they announced they’d soon be announcing who won prom king and queen.

  It would be him. I didn’t need to stay behind to find out. So I walked out and didn’t look back.

  My heart sped up at the old memory. I let out a shaky breath as my hands moved to his biceps. I never knew if Travis was being sweet or just revving up for more destruction. I hadn’t known it that night at prom, and I certainly didn’t know it now. But now I was his wife.

  His. Wife.

  We’d slept together. He was my first. The thought offered little comfort.

  I finished his massage and moved his plate off the bed before I laid beside him. He let out a soft snore.

  “Travis?” I called out.

  He snuggled up to me, draping his arm over my midsection. My breath hitched in my chest before I glanced over at him. He looked so peaceful with his lips parted and his eyes closed.

  “Travis?” I whispered again.

  He didn’t move or acknowledge me. Instead, he continued to sleep. I bit my bottom lip before closing my eyes. Screw it. It was just sleep.

  Waking him didn’t feel right, so I shifted closer until we shared a pillow. He let out a soft snore that made me smile.

  Thirty

  Travis

  I opened my eyes and blinked for a moment, confused about where I was. Red hair was all around me. I looked down to find Lexy sleeping on my chest, her hand on my abdomen, my ring glinting on her finger in the sunlight streaming in through her blinds, my arm around her. It was like being teleported back to that Vegas morning with her on me.

  Blowing out a slow, even breath, I lay there, holding her. She’d given me the best massage I’d ever had. Not to mention some of the best sleep I’d ever had. That deserved more than takeout food. I knew what I’d do to repay her since I knew she wouldn’t accept money.

  I didn’t cuddle women, so being in bed with Lexy like this was unheard of for me. It made me tingle on the inside. I didn’t like it. Maybe if I repaid her, this wouldn’t feel so awkward.

  But was it awkward? I know I kept telling myself it was. Lying there thinking about it didn’t help, so I gently untangled myself from her and covered her with a blanket before tugging my pants and shirt back on. I managed to find both socks and stuff my feet into my shoes before pausing to stare back at her.

  Fuck. I really wanted one more night with her. A sober night. Just to know…

  “Go home,” I muttered to myself. I stepped out of her room and was just opening the front door when Ava’s voice called out.

&
nbsp; “What are you doing?”

  “Uh…” I stopped and turned to her. “Going home. I need a shower and to change my clothes.”

  “No, like what are you doing here?” She walked into the room and folded her arms over her chest, staring me down.

  “I hung out with Lexy last night.”

  She raised an eyebrow at me. “In her bedroom?”

  I nodded dumbly.

  “And now you’re sneaking out before she wakes?”

  “Not like that, Ava.” I held my hands up in surrender. “Nothing happened. We watched some bubble gum documentary, and I ended up falling asleep. Swear that’s it.”

  She surveyed me for a moment before nodding. “Fine. But if you screw with her, I will seriously tear your testicles off and feed them to you through a tube. Got it?”

  “Damn, Ava. Chill. I’m not going to screw with her. This is strictly for the project. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. Honest.”

  “Fine. Does Alex know you were here all night?”

  “I’m sure he will,” I muttered. He’d read me the riot act. “Which reminds me, he wants you to text him.”

  “Thanks for the memo. You should probably go though. Maybe you can get back into the house before he notices you didn’t come back last night. You know how he is about Lexy.”

  “Right,” I said. “But hey, what’s the name of that place you and Lexy are going to this afternoon for your nails.”

  “Envy,” she answered, narrowing her eyes at me. “Why?”

  I shrugged. “Just wondering. I gotta go. Talk to you later. Text Alex, but after I’m safely in the house. Give me ten, OK?”

  She nodded as I opened the door.

  “And tell Lexy I said I’ll get a hold of her later.”

  “Fine. But if I tell her, you better follow through.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Mom. See you later.”

  “Bye, dick,” she called out at my retreating back.

  I chuckled as I closed the door behind me.

  I managed to get back to the frat house and shower before Alex stumbled out of bed into the kitchen.

  “How did last night go?” he asked, frowning at the empty box of cereal he held.

  “Good. We watched a documentary on how gum is made.”

  “Told you,” Alex muttered, shaking the box like it would magically refill. “Fuck. We’re out of cereal.”

  “I’ll grab some on the way home from work,” I said, clapping him on the shoulder. “I gotta jet though. I have class in twenty.”

  Alex mumbled a goodbye as I scooped up my bag and headed out to my truck. I got in and thumbed a quick text to Lexy.

  Travis: Thank you for last night. I think you have a bright future in massage. Too bad your happy endings need work.

  I put the truck into drive, eagerly anticipating her reply. A moment later, my phone dinged. I ground my teeth, wanting to get to a parking spot so I could check it. I’d have walked to my class, but this one was way too far from the frat house and would make me late if I’d ventured on foot. Wheeling my truck into a spot in the back lot of the science building, I slammed it into park and snatched my phone, hoping to see a message from Lexy. Instead, it was from Stephanie, the girl I’d screwed the night Lexy emptied her beer on me.

  Stephanie: Hey, baby! Wanna meet in the stacks after class?

  I stared at the message for a moment before letting out a sigh and sending back a message.

  Travis: Can’t. I’m a married man now.

  Stephanie: I heard about Herring’s project. It’s just a project. I want to suck your cock.

  A moment later, a nude of her came through, filling my screen. I stared down at it.

  Travis: You look good. Real good. Still a no.

  Stephanie: I bet I can get you to change your mind.

  Travis: Ha ;) Doubt it. Gotta get to class.

  I darkened my screen and got out of my truck and walked to class, wondering why Lexy hadn’t text me back. Frustrated, I opened another message to her.

  Travis: Dinner tonight? I’m game for some of your mac n cheese.

  I darkened the screen once more and entered the lecture hall, wondering why the fuck I cared so much about why she wasn’t texting me back.

  Thirty-One

  Lexy

  “I’ve been texting you all day!” Ava called out, meeting me outside Envy’s nail salon. “Where’s your damn phone?”

  “Sorry. I forgot it at home. I overslept.”

  “Ah, Travis a good bunk buddy?” she teased, poking me in the ribs.

  “Don’t start,” I groaned, following her into Envy’s. I’d opted to not get my nails done. I needed to spend the money on much needed groceries.

  “I saw him slinking out early this morning, looking all guilty and shit.”

  “Nothing to be guilty of. We tried watching a movie, but he fell asleep. I gave him a massage.”

  “You gave him a massage? With what? A happy ending?”

  “No!” I squeaked. “Nothing like that. He fell asleep during it. He was sore from football. He said the coach has been working them harder, and he’s been pushing himself more because he’s up for that football award.”

  “Girl, you two are getting awfully close. Before you know it, he’ll be paying for you to get your nails done.” She grinned at me. “It’s official once that happens.”

  I scowled. “We hate each other. It’s not like that. We both need to pass this with flying colors. That’s it.”

  Ava smirked at me.

  “Really,” I laughed.

  “OK.” She chuckled, going to the front desk.

  “Ava West. I have an appointment with Priscilla.”

  “I see you right here,” the girl behind the desk said with a smile before looking at me. I’d settled in a comfy chair with a new book open I’d gotten from the library.

  “Are you Alexis Owens?” the girl called out.

  “Uh.” I widened my eyes at her then looked to Ava whose eyes were enormous. “N-no? I’m Alexis Hale.”

  “Your husband said you’d say that. Congrats, by the way! He’s quite a catch,” she tittered as I got to my feet and approached cautiously.

  Ava still stared at me, surprise on her face.

  “He said you guys got married recently and you hadn’t adjusted to using his name. He came in and paid for a complete mani and pedi for you.”

  “Travis was here and paid for her mani and pedi?” Ava called out.

  “Yeah. He left about two hours ago I’d say. Said he had football practice. Super sweet guy.” She looked starry-eyed as she recalled their encounter.

  With the surprise finally off her face, Ava turned to me, a suppressed smile on her lips as they twitched at the corners.

  “It’s official, Mrs. Owens.”

  I shook my head, still stunned.

  After finishing at the salon, Ava said she had to meet Collin for their project, so I went to the grocery store and grabbed up the groceries we needed. I pulled up to our apartment and was getting out of the car when a dark shadow loomed over me.

  “Travis?”

  “Hey, where have you been?” he asked, his brows crinkled as he took me in. He looked like he’d ran straight here after practice because his hair was wet with sweat and his face still had a sheen of moisture on it. “I’ve been trying to reach you all day.”

  I pushed past him and opened my trunk, loading my arms up with groceries. Travis snatched them from me and gave me a pointed look as I grabbed more from the trunk. When we had all the bags, he pushed the trunk down with his elbow, and we made our way to my apartment.

  “I forgot my phone this morning. I was running late and flaked on it,” I explained as we entered the building and climbed the stairs to the second floor.

  He grunted and took my keys from me and opened the door. We went into the kitchen and placed the bags on the table. I snatched my phone off the table and stuffed it into my pocket.

  “Why? What’s wrong?” I asked, moving to unload t
he bags.

  He took my hand in his, surprising me, and led me to the living room. “I was worried,” he muttered.

  “What? Why?”

  “I don’t know.” He sighed, still holding my hand. I wanted to pull away but at the same time wanted to twine my fingers through his and hold tight. “I’ve been thinking.”

  My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out.

  “Jeez, Travis, how many messages did you send today?”

  “Not many,” he answered, releasing my hand and leaning back on the couch, letting his head lull back.

  Ava: I’m going to be late. Collin lost our outline. We have to rewrite it. Dumb ass.

  I snickered at the message Ava sent and glanced at Travis.

  “Sorry about that. What have you been thinking? And did you come here straight from football?”

  “I don’t know,” he mumbled, his eyes closed. He looked exhausted. “And yeah. Like I said, I was worried.”

  I frowned at him. Travis had been worried? About me?

  “Why were you worried?”

  He shrugged and went silent for a moment before talking. “I thought you might be pissed at me because I ducked out this morning before you woke up.”

  “Is that why you went to Envy’s and paid for my nails?” I asked softly.

  He cracked an eyelid open and peered at me through the slit. “No. I did that as a thank you gift for last night. That massage was amazing. Felt weird leaving cash on your dresser and ducking out. By the way, your nails look great.”

  I rolled my eyes at him. “You didn’t have to do anything in return. Just keeping up your end of our report is thanks enough.”

  “I wanted to do it too,” he muttered, his eyes closed again.

  I bit my bottom lip and looked down at my freshly manicured nails. I planned on paying him back for them. I’d grabbed the open shift at work already to pay for it and would work a double on Saturday. In fact, the need for money was so great, I’d picked up a double for Sunday as well as an extra shift on Monday, a day I typically reserved for outlining the upcoming chapters in all my classes.