by K. G. Reuss
I got up and grabbed my purse. Digging in my wallet, I pulled out the money for the nails. I’d replace it when I got paid.
“Here,” I said, handing the money over to Travis as I settled back on the couch.
He cracked his eye open again and stared down at the money I held out to him before a frown touched his lips. He sat up. “What the hell is that for?”
“For the nails. I-I don’t need you to pay me for anything, Travis. Here. I’ve already picked up some extra shifts this weekend so take this. We’re even.”
“What the fuck?” he growled, wrapping his hand around mine. His eyes swept over my face as he leaned in. My heart thrashed in my chest at his sudden nearness.
“Honey pot, I wanted to do this for you,” he murmured, his warm breath sweeping over my face. “Stop fighting me on everything. Let me. You’re my wife.”
“I’m a mistake you made in Vegas when we went too far,” I whispered, my voice cracking. I’d been trying to shove the entire thing out of my head since we’d gotten home, but in that moment with him and his strange act of kindness, it hit me like a ton of bricks. A tear slipped out of my eye.
“Damnit, Alexis,” he rasped, releasing my hand and moving to cradle my face. His use of my name made me tremble. “Don’t fucking cry on me.”
“I’m sorry.” I sniffled, shaking my head. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he murmured, thumbing the tears away. “It’s stressful. I get it. I’m stressed too. But we can make it through this. OK?”
My bottom lip trembled as I worked hard at keeping the tears at bay.
“Challenge?” he asked softly.
I swallowed hard and nodded.
“Please stop stressing. It won’t make things better. Can you try to do that? We both have enough shit going on. Let’s leave the one thing that’s working alone, OK?”
I nodded again and let out a shaky breath. “Accepted.”
“That wasn’t the challenge,” he said, a tiny smile curling his lips up as he continued to cradle my face.
“What’s the challenge?”
“Take your shirt off and make me dinner.”
“You dick!” I shouted, pushing him away, a laugh bubbling out of me.
He grinned at me as I swatted at him. “I’m serious. You accepted, and I’m starving.” He shrugged, his face alit with humor.
“Go take a shower. You stink. Alex left a pair of sweats and a t-shirt in there. They’re in the cabinet by the towels.” I laughed and got to my feet, a buzzing in my belly. I watched as he shot me a wink and went to the bathroom. A moment later, the shower turned on.
I pulled my phone out and stared down at the messages from him.
Travis: Dinner tonight? I’m game for your mac n cheese.
Travis: Hey
Travis: Did I piss you off? You didn’t even flip me off today.
Travis: I’m coming over after practice.
I looked in the direction of the bathroom and placed my phone on the island, my heart racing. With as much bravery as I possessed, I lifted my shirt over my head and tossed it on the couch. Then I reached up into the cabinet by the stove and pulled out a pot for mac and cheese.
I never backed down from a challenge.
Thirty-Two
Travis
I showered and toweled off, quickly slipping Alex’s sweatpants and t-shirt on. I could hear Lexy banging around in the kitchen, and the smell of something cooking permeated the air. My stomach gave a loud grumble as I stared at myself in the mirror.
I was dead-ass exhausted. Between work, football, and classes, I was ready to drop. We had a party at the frat house this weekend. Usually I looked forward to the parties. Hot chicks. Alcohol. Beer pong. Fucking some college co-ed.
I looked down at the ring on my finger. That shit was over now. I made a promise I intended to keep. Lexy’s outline, explaining our divorce was because I was a cheater, shot through my head.
No. No fucking way. This may just be some fucked up joke, but I won’t do that to her as long as this ring is on my finger.
Which was what I’d been thinking about all day. A way for it to benefit us as we got through the semester. I wasn’t sure how to present my idea to her though.
“Timing, Owens. It’s all about timing,” I muttered at my reflection before opening the door and walking out. Lexy wasn’t in the living room.
My heart nearly fell to the floor as I peered into the kitchen. She was bent over in the fridge. And then when she stood, I realized she wasn’t wearing a shirt. Her breasts were on display in her lacy white bra. She’d accepted my challenge.
Jesus, she’s fucking gorgeous. How had I never noticed before? Or had I?
Didn’t matter. My dick twitched awake in my sweatpants as I took in her tight body. That sexy hip flair which gave way to her perfect ass in those tight jeans. The way her long ponytail hung down her back in thick waves of red. The way it barely grazed her waist as she moved around. Imagining wrapping my hand around her ponytail and pushing into her from behind had me swallowing down a growl of excitement.
She must have sensed me standing there because she turned toward me and smiled brightly.
“Dinner’s ready!” she called out, holding out a bowl of mac and cheese for me. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to bury my face in the bowl of cheesy noodles or her luscious cleavage.
Cleavage. I wanted the cleavage. Fuck it. I’d eat the food right off it.
“Where’s your shirt, honey pot?” I asked casually, walking into the kitchen and taking the bowl from her. I didn’t bother hiding my want. What was the point? We both knew who I was. I let my eyes drift to her lace-clad breasts before dragging them slowly up to her pretty face.
She popped an eyebrow at me, a tiny smirk on her plump, pink lips.
“I never back down from a challenge, Owens. You know that.” She turned and walked to the table, her hips swaying.
A fucking tease. I loved it.
I sat across from her and watched as she took a bite of her food. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my dick throbbing with want.
“What’s wrong?” She cocked her head at me. “I thought you wanted this?”
“Oh, I do,” I managed to say, my eyes locked on hers before I dragged them back down to her breasts.
“Travis,” she called out.
“Huh?”
“Eat. Your food’s getting cold.”
“Right.” I shook my head and took a bite of my mac and cheese, my eyes widening, my taste buds dancing for joy in my mouth as the cheese inundated my soul. “Holy shit, Lexy. This is amazing.”
“Really?” she asked, leaning forward, her blue eyes wide. “It’s Nana Richardson’s recipe. You like it?”
“I fucking love it.” I shoveled more of the cheesy noodles in my mouth, having died and gone to heaven. Lexy giggled and sat back in her seat, finishing her bowl. I had mine done in moments and looked at her expectantly.
“Is there more?”
She chuckled and nodded, getting to her feet. She approached me and reached for my bowl.
I wrapped my hand around her wrist as I stared up at her. I didn’t know what I was doing. Without wasting time thinking it through, I tugged her down onto my lap and wound my arms around her waist, holding her in place. She let out a squeak, her blue eyes round orbs of surprise as she stared back at me.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice shaking.
I studied her face for a moment and swallowed hard. “I don’t fucking know, Lexicon. Something. Anything.”
Each breath she drew in had her breasts pushing up. With a shaking hand, I reached out and brushed my fingers against the delicate skin above the lace. Her breath hitched at my touch.
“You’re a fucking tease,” I whispered, tracing the line of her bra cup over her left breast. My fingers gently skimmed her flesh.
“You challenged me,” she answered back just as softly.
“I’d do it again.” I leaned into her neck and breathed her in. Goosebum
ps popped up along her skin beneath my hands.
What was I doing? What was happening to me?
“I’ve been thinking,” I started. Before I could finish, the keys jangled in the door.
“Shit,” Lexy hissed, moving off me. She looked around wildly, but her shirt was on the couch.
“What—” I let out a laugh as she ducked behind the sink, hiding.
“Hey,” Ava called out, coming into the apartment with Collin behind her. My grin widened. “Travis? What are you doing here?”
“Uh, well…” I tore my stare from Lexy cowering behind the counter and tried to hold in my laughter at what a fucked up situation we were in. “Lexy made me dinner.”
Ava raised her eyebrows at me and looked around. “Where’s Lex?”
“Uh…”
Lexy shook her head at me, and I looked to Ava.
“I think she’s busy?”
“What?” Ava snorted.
Collin looked interestedly between me and Ava.
“Hey, Collin, right?” I asked, getting to my feet and shaking his hand.
“Hey, yeah. You’re Travis Owens. Football guy.”
“I am.” I laughed and glanced over my shoulder to where I knew Lexy was hiding without her shirt.
I made my way to the couch and snagged Lexy’s shirt and stashed it behind my back as Ava called out for Lexy while walking down the hall to Lex’s bedroom. I darted past Collin, who watched me with mild curiosity, and tossed Lexy her t-shirt. It smacked her in the face.
I moved back to the front of the kitchen island and sat on the stool. Collin cast me a confused look as Ava came back down the hall.
“Where’s Lexy?” she asked again.
This time, Lexy popped up from behind the cupboard, her ponytail messy and her cheeks flushed. I grinned at her as she shot me the finger. A bark of laughter escaped me as I buried my face in my hands, my body shaking from the force of my guffawing.
“Hey, Ava. Collin,” Lexy called out, breathless.
“What the hell are you doing?” Ava asked, her brows furrowed as she peered from me to Lexy.
I shrugged like I didn’t have a clue what was going on.
“I, uh, I was looking for, uh, soap. Yeah. Soap.” She held up a half a bottle of dish soap, her cheeks apple red. The urge to wrap her in my arms overcame me. I even got to my feet and took a step forward before I realized what I was doing.
She shifted her eyes to me, so big and bright. I swallowed hard, confused about my sudden surge of feelings.
“I’ve gotta get going,” I said, clearing my throat.
Ava shook her head. “You guys are weird. Come on, Collin. We can do this at the table.”
I watched as Ava and Collin settled at the table, pulling their folders and laptops out.
Lexy’s eyes met mine for a moment before she spoke. “Travis, take some mac and cheese with you. It’s Alex’s favorite. You guys can have it later if you get hungry.”
She hurried around the kitchen and packed a container with the cheesy goodness and walked me to the door in the small alcove away from Ava and Collin.
“Thank you for dinner,” I managed to say, giving her a shaky smile, still warring with whatever the hell feelings were choking me.
“You’re welcome.”
“And for the show.” I winked at her and took the container.
“Shut your ass, Owens. And make sure you check your pants before giving them to Alex.”
“Why?”
She shrugged. “Wouldn’t want my brother to end up with remnants of your next booty call on them.”
“You know I haven’t,” I hissed at her, narrowing my eyes. “And I won’t. We’re in this, Lexicon. I promised. We’re going to pass this assignment and class and become fucking legends. Got it?”
“Sure.”
“I’d spank your ass so hard right now if there weren’t people here,” I growled, taking a step closer, not knowing what the hell I was saying or why I was saying it.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Owens,” she answered back, her blue eyes glinting.
My cock hardened beneath her stare.
“I’m not threatening,” I volleyed back, so close I could feel her heat. “I’m promising you I will the next time you want to take your shirt off and sit on my lap then run your mouth to me.”
“I so hate you,” she hissed, her hand landing on my chest.
“You fucking love me, honey pot. You just don’t know it yet.”
My body, acting of its own accord, leaned in, and I planted a gentle kiss on her cheek. She tensed beneath me, and I pulled away wondering why the hell I’d just church kissed her.
Without another word, I tugged the door open and walked out, letting it click softly behind.
What the hell was that?
Thirty-Three
Lexy
Travis kissed me. Well, not exactly a kiss, but his lips were on my skin, and not in the wild, fierce way I remembered from our drunken Vegas night. This was sweet. Gentle. And completely out of character for him.
I walked back to the living room and sank onto the sofa, wordless.
“This is really good mac and cheese, Lexy,” Collin called out.
I swallowed and gave him a smile.
“Thanks. It’s my Nana’s recipe.”
“It’s the best I’ve ever had,” Collin said, staring down at the bowl and smiling. “Wow.”
Ava winked at me. “Lex is an amazing cook. You should taste her lasagna. I’m surprised she doesn’t have to roll me downstairs to get me out of the house. Sis can cook!”
“Do you bake?” Collin asked, brightening even more.
“Yeah,” I answered, smiling at him, my body still reeling from my evening with Travis.
“I hate to ask because I know you’re busy, but I love apple pie. I haven’t been home since Christmas because I’ve been working to pay for school. My mom makes apple pie whenever I’m home.” He gave me a sheepish smile. “You think maybe—”
“I’ll make you an apple pie,” I answered. “I have to work until Tuesday, but I can do it for you.”
“That would be awesome, Lexy. I’ll pay for everything. Just text me what you need.”
“Sure.” I gave him a quick smile.
“Girl, you better make two pies. I want some too.” Ava looked at me hopefully.
“I’ll make two.” I chuckled, getting to my feet. “But I need to study now. I thought you guys were going to be at Collin’s?”
“My roommate kept staring at Ava and making her uncomfortable,” Collin said, glancing at Ava.
“Dude is a level five creeper,” Ava added. Collin shrugged without argument.
I chuckled. “OK. I need to go. Glad you didn’t get creeped too hard, Ava. I’ll see you later, Collin.”
“Sure thing, Lexy. Don’t forget to text me.”
“I won’t.”
I went to my bedroom, closed the door, and flopped onto my bed, my mind on everything Travis. My husband. The guy who could piss me off faster than anyone or anything else in the world. The guy who also had me done up in knots.
I rolled over and groaned into my pillow before getting to my feet and opening my laptop. Studying couldn’t wait, and maybe it would give my mind a break from thinking about the cocky football hero who drove me mad in more ways than one.
Aside from a few text messages, Travis was scarce over the next several days. We smiled at each other in class but didn’t talk. I assumed he felt awkward about what happened at my apartment, so I didn’t push it. Friday, as I walked through campus, I spotted him talking to some blonde. I slowed my pace and watched as she giggled and ran her hand down his arm. He smiled down at her and took a step back.
She advanced, going up on her tiptoes and whispering in his ear. Her body was pressed against his. He smiled and nodded as she spoke.
I swallowed down the strange swell of feelings inside me and continued to stroll toward them, not because I wanted to interrupt, but because
my car was parked just beyond them in the lot. If I didn’t leave soon, I’d end up late for work.
But Travis swore he wasn’t going to be dating or sleeping around during this project. Hell, during our marriage, if you could call what we had a marriage. Anxiety worked its way through me before morphing into anger.
Holding my head high, I approached.
“Travis, come on. Remember how good I made you feel?”
“Stephanie,” he laughed. “I didn’t forget.”
“Then why not the stacks?”
I ground my teeth. The stacks. My beloved documentary section in the library on the third floor. It housed some of the best educational videos the school had, but it was also prime real estate for people who wanted to get frisky. I couldn’t count the number of times I’d walked in on a couple getting it on back there. It pissed me off. What pissed me off more was that Travis was engaging this Stephanie in a conversation which shouldn’t be happening after what he promised me.
“I told you why,” Travis answered.
“Because of some stupid project?”
At that point, Travis happened to glance up and see me. I swiveled my glare from her to him. His face paled as I kept moving, forcing myself not to stomp.
“Lexy, wait!” he called out to me, stepping around Stephanie.
I continued putting one foot in front of the other, but he caught up to me quickly.
“Hey,” he said, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he pulled me to a stop. “Where you off to so fast?”
“Uh, work.” I fidgeted and stared past him to find Stephanie staring at us, her arms folded over her chest, her foot tapping.
“Don’t you get Fridays off?” His brows furrowed as he stared down at me.
“Uh, sometimes. This is my Friday on.”
“Oh…I was hoping we could watch a movie or maybe I could feed you dinner this time.”
I bit back a tiny smile and said, “Sorry. I work until closing tonight.”
“We’re having a party at the house tomorrow night after the game. I was hoping you’d come.” His eyes swept over me. “I was going to text you.”
