“Looking forward to it,” I add so that he doesn’t think I’m the least bit intimidated.
It’s only when Sydney makes a garbled sound before burying her face in her hands that I wonder if I’ve made a mistake.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sydney
Through narrowed eyes, I watch the girl rushing toward me as she dribbles the ball easily between her feet. The moment she crosses the midfield line, I’m on her, pushing into her space, attempting to steal the ball away. Unlike the adversaries we face on a weekly basis, I know Marina. She’s my teammate, and this is nothing more than a scrimmage. Since I understand all of her weaknesses, it’s almost too easy to swoop in and knock her off balance. The few seconds it takes for her to right herself is all the time I need to kick the ball away. I push myself a little harder before racing ahead and passing it to another player who runs with it down to the opposite side of the field before shooting it into the goal.
“Bitch,” Marina huffs, sucking wind. She’s a sophomore attacker. By the time she’s a senior, she’ll be unstoppable. I kind of wish I’d be around to see it, but this is my last season playing with the Wildcats before graduating in the spring.
I chuckle, not taking offense before knocking my shoulder into hers. “Your footwork was sloppy,” I say with a shrug. “Work on it and you won’t have to worry about me.”
She grumbles before returning to her side of the field.
Fifteen minutes later, Coach Adams blows his whistle and ends practice. After two hours of drills and scrimmaging, everyone is out of breath. Although, some of the older girls are able to hide it better. I’ll be damned if I double over in front of anyone, especially Coach.
Demi throws her arm around my shoulders as we kick a few of the balls toward the bag for clean-up before heading to the locker room.
“Sydney,” Coach calls out, “can you stick around for a few minutes?”
“Yup,” I raise my voice in order to be heard across the field.
Demi’s hands go to her hips as she nods toward the sideline where Coach waits. “What’s that about?”
I jerk my shoulders. “Not sure. Probably the game on Thursday. I think he’s actually concerned about Florida State.”
Her expression sobers. “That makes two of us. I’m kind of worried as well.”
“Don’t be. Every practice, the younger girls are picking up the slack. We’re not going to crush them, but I think we’ll hold our own.” Jogging backward, I say, “I’ll catch you in the locker room.” With that, I turn around and take off toward Coach.
I almost groan when he pulls out his grease board and goes through a couple of plays from the scrimmage. There’s a lot of head nodding on my part and drawing, wiping away, and then redrawing on his. Luke Adams might be young, but he’s a rising star in Division I women’s soccer. We’re lucky to have him at Western. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he makes a move to coach professionally in the next five years. Even though I won’t be jumping up to the next level, he’s helped me improve my game.
By the time Coach releases me, fifteen minutes have slid by. A lot of the girls have already showered, changed, and taken off. Western is an academically rigorous school, and it won’t be long before we’re headed into midterms. Everyone has tests to cram for. Before we know it, December will be here, and the semester will be drawing to a close. The women’s soccer team has one of the highest collective GPAs at the university. And that’s the way we like to keep it.
How else can we rub it in the men’s faces?
Demi is already throwing her freshly washed hair up into a ponytail when I make it to the locker room.
“That took forever,” she says.
Tell me about it. “He wanted to go over a few mistakes I made.”
She snorts. “The guy is really wound tight about this one.”
“Yup, he is. I have to stop in tomorrow afternoon to review game film. He wants me to cover number sixteen. Apparently, she’s a real dynamo.”
Demi nods. “I meet with him tomorrow morning between classes.”
I strip off my practice jersey before tossing it into the laundry bin. Everything Coach went over on the field circles through my brain. I might have just played down how competitive this team will be, but that doesn’t mean my nerves aren’t jacked. I don’t want to lose this game, and I sure as hell don’t want number sixteen to show me up.
A few of the girls call out goodbyes as they grab their athletic bags and head out of the locker room. As the silence settles around us, echoing off the cement walls, I realize we’re the last stragglers.
“Rowan and I are heading over to Dad’s for dinner tonight. Any interest in coming with us?”
“I appreciate the offer, but go without me. I’ll probably be at least ten minutes.” More like fifteen. “I don’t want to hold you guys up.” Plus, I’m not interested in third wheeling it tonight. Been there, done that. I’d rather head home and study by myself.
“Are you sure?” She glances around the now empty locker room. “It’s kind of creepy now that everyone has cleared out.”
I snort. “I’m pretty sure you meant to say serene. Without all those noisy bitches yapping away, it’s actually quite peaceful in here. I can hear myself think and don’t have to put up with a bunch of useless gossip.”
“Please girl, you live for all the dirt,” she says as I strip off my shorts and toss them in the bin.
I grin. She’s right. I do. Especially when that chatter has to do with Annica. I’m relieved for Demi’s sake that the red-headed viper is no longer part of the team. Most of the injured players still show up for practices and games, but Annica hasn’t bothered. One of the girls mentioned that she’s upset and doesn’t want to be around soccer right now.
Oh well.
My bestie pulls out her phone when a text message rolls in.
“Let me guess,” I snicker, “it’s lover boy.” It’s not even a question. We both know it is. Those two are inseparable. And their relationship is a drama-free zone. Maybe one day, I’ll have something like that.
A girl can dream, right?
A light blush fills her cheeks as a smile spreads across her lips. On Demi, this is what happy coupledom looks like. Instead of being jealous or resentful, I’m thrilled for her. For both of them. They are the perfect match.
Before she can open her mouth, I wave her away. “Go on and get out of here. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure? We can wait around for you to finish up. It’s not a big deal.”
I shake my head. “It’s all good. I’ll catch you back at the apartment later on. My plan is to heat up something from the fridge and delve straight into work.”
When I stopped home last night, Mom had packaged up a few dinners for me to take back to school. One was vegetable lasagna made with eggplant instead of noodles, and the other was broiled chicken with a lemon artichoke dressing.
Yum!
After that grueling practice, I could mow both of them.
“Only if you’re sure,” Demi says, cutting into my thoughts.
“I am. Now get moving before your man comes in here looking for you.”
With a quick wave, she takes off and then I’m all alone.
Now that the locker room has emptied, the only sound that can be heard is the steady drip of the water from the showers. It echoes off the cement block walls and throughout the rectangular-shaped room. Contrary to what Demi claimed, I find it more soothing than creepy. I grew up in a loud, noisy family. It made me appreciate the quiet moments.
I strip out of my socks and shin pads before reaching around my back to unsnap my bra. Once it’s peeled away, I remove my underwear. The socks get tossed in the laundry bin, the sports bra and panties shoved in my locker to be taken home and washed.
With careful fingers, I pull the elastic band from my sweat-soaked hair and shake it out before scooping up my shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner. Then I pad into the tiled shower area. I grab the silver handle and turn it u
ntil the water is hot and steam is rising around me. Only then do I step under the spray, allowing it to rush over my body. After lathering up my hair, I scrub my fingers over my scalp. It’s a rosemary mint shampoo that makes my skin tingle. I close my eyes and inhale the calming scent. Every sore muscle loosens under the hot water. It feels so damn good. Conditioner is the next step in the process. While that sets, I lather up my body, washing away the dirt, sweat, and turf from the two-hour practice.
My eyelids feather closed as my mind wanders, going over the mental list that needs to be finished up this evening. I’m jerked out of those thoughts when strong hands reach around to cup my breasts. A scream builds in my throat as a hard body presses against me from behind.
Just as I’m about to release a deafening cry, a deep voice murmurs near the outer shell of my ear, “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I plan to make you scream, but we haven’t reached that portion of the evening quite yet.”
Brayden.
Air rushes from my lungs as he tweaks my nipples, pulling and elongating them with skillful fingertips. That’s all it takes for relief to morph into arousal.
“How did you get in here?” I ask breathlessly.
Not that it’s difficult. We’re not the men’s football team, surrounded by security. Every once in a while, a girl—or plural—will attempt to slip into the guys’ locker room after a game or practice. They’re usually caught within minutes and tossed out on their asses.
“I was waiting around with Rowan outside when Demi mentioned that you were in here all by your lonesome.” The low timbre of his voice grows deeper. “How could I resist sneaking in to help clean you up?”
His words send my belly into freefall as he grabs the liquid soap and drizzles it over my breasts before stroking his hands across them, lathering them up again. What he’s doing feels so damn good that my head lolls back, resting against the solid strength of his chest.
“Have I mentioned what a fan I am of your breasts?”
Gahhh.
Barely am I able to focus on the question. Just when I don’t think I can take another moment of the pleasure he’s stoking to life inside me, his fingers drift down my rib cage, spreading soap suds over my skin, turning it slippery in the process. He doesn’t leave one inch of my flesh untouched. Hot licks of desire burn through me as I squirm against his bigger body. By the time his fingers reach the lips of my pussy, I’m ready to come undone. Already I know that it won’t take much to push me over the edge. One dip inside and I’ll shatter into a million pieces.
A whimper escapes from me as his fingers skate over my soaked flesh.
“You like that, baby?” he growls against my ear.
My bones feel as if they’re melting as one thick digit teases my heat. If he weren’t propping me up, I would sink to the floor. His movements are leisurely, as if we have all the time in the world. As if my body hasn’t been set on fire and I’m not already teetering on the precipice. He promised to make me scream and already I’m on the verge of doing it. But still, he doesn’t quicken his pace. It remains measured and controlled. Brayden is always in command of the situation. Breathy little sounds continue to escape from me as we fall into a natural rhythm.
Oh god.
How does he do it?
How does he know exactly what touch will elicit the most pleasure?
Each time we’re together, the sex feels explosive. And it only continues to ratchet up in intensity. He’s constantly changing things up and pushing me higher than I’ve flown before. No one has ever made me feel like this. His touch has become an addiction.
Instead of finishing me off, he flips me around, forcing me back a couple of steps until my spine hits the tiled wall. Barely am I able to suck in a breath before his lips collide with mine. I open as his tongue forces its way inside my mouth before tangling with my own. Another bolt of anticipation crashes through me. I tilt my head, allowing him better access.
One of his hands glides down my body before wrapping around his cock. He gives it a few slow pumps before aligning the blunt tip with my entrance. In one smooth movement, he thrusts deep inside my sheath. It feels as if I’m being impaled before I’m pinned against the steamy wall. And nothing has ever felt so amazing.
“I fucking love your pussy,” he growls before pulling almost all the way out and plunging back inside again. He’s embedded so deep within my body that I have no idea where he ends and I begin. Even though I bite down on my lower lip to keep all the pleasure trapped inside, containment becomes impossible.
There isn’t a gradual build up to climax. It all happens so fast. We go from zero to a hundred in two seconds flat. Just as an orgasm explodes within me like a firework, Brayden groans, finding his own release. My inner muscles spasm around him as hot jets of cum spurt inside my womb. Intensity crashes over me, threatening to drag me under as I scream out my pleasure.
Stars burst behind my eyelids as Brayden continues to stroke his length deep inside me. My knees weaken as he buries his face in the hollow of my neck. His warm breath rushes out in sharp, short pants. We stand pressed together, his softening cock nestled inside me before he drops a kiss against the delicate skin below my ear.
That was...
Like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
If I’m not careful—
No.
As soon as the thought pops into my brain, I shut it down and shove it far away where I can’t inspect it. Sex does not equate to feelings. That’s exactly what I need to remember. Otherwise, I’ll get hurt, and I don’t want that to happen.
Brayden pulls away to search my face as if it’s possible for him to sift through my innermost thoughts. I force a pleasant smile to my lips.
His eyes narrow in response.
“Is everything all right?” There’s a hesitancy to his voice, as if he realizes that an invisible wall has just slid into place to keep him firmly at bay.
“Of course.” My lips quirk. “Thanks for the stress relief. I really needed that.”
With a grunt, he pulls out of my body. His large hands go to my cheeks, cupping them tenderly. “Any time.”
The way his gaze stays pinned to mine makes me squirm. This certainly isn’t the first time I’ve been naked with a guy, but it’s the only one that I can recall a feeling of vulnerability stealing over me. It’s as if Brayden is able to see more than I’m comfortable with. More than I want him to.
It takes everything inside me to break eye contact and glance away. “About this weekend—”
“What about it?” His voice sharpens, commanding my attention.
My gaze jerks to his in surprise. “You really don’t have to—”
“It’s already a done deal.” His jaw clenches. It’s almost as if he’s daring me to argue.
My mouth tumbles open, and for a moment, I’m unsure what to say.
His hands tighten around my face as he angles it toward him. “I was invited to your house and I’m going. End of discussion.”
Sure, maybe he feels that way now, but Brayden has no idea what he’s getting himself into. It only feels right to warn him. Plus, there’s little point to introducing him to my family. It’ll only complicate matters in the long run. And the situation is already chock-full of difficulties. We don’t need to add more to the mix.
“My relatives...” My tongue darts out to smudge my lips. “They’re a lot to deal with.” If he thinks Court was the most obnoxious brother in the Daniels clan, he’s sadly mistaken. Dealing with them individually is one thing; taking on the pack is quite another. They’re like jackals.
Instead of taking my comments seriously, his attention shifts to my mouth, which is still swollen from his kisses. He swallows up the distance between us before nipping at my lower lip. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”
Yeah, I know, but...
As he sucks the plump flesh into his mouth, another burst of arousal sparks to life in the pit of my belly. It seems almost
crazy that he’s able to turn me on so quickly after I came a handful of minutes ago. And I’m not the only one getting excited either. His cock has thickened and is now pressing insistently against my lower abdomen.
Brayden releases my lip before backing away enough to stare down at his full-fledged erection. A sly smile lifts the corners of his lips. “Can I interest you in a second round?”
My gaze drops to his gorgeous length. The conversation we’d been engaged in falls to the wayside as more urgent matters take precedence. “I’d really hate to see a perfectly good boner go to waste.”
He flashes me a knowing grin. “You’re my kind of girl, Sydney.”
And then he’s sliding inside me and filling me to the brim. He doesn’t fuck me hard and fast. He takes it slow, driving me over the edge one thrust at a time.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sydney
I glance at my phone as a text from Brayden pops up on the screen. He’s here and waiting in the parking lot. My belly hollows out as a burst of nerves explodes inside me. There’s no longer a way to stop the wheels that have been set in motion. For better or worse, this is happening.
I tried several times to talk him out of attending this party and he was having none of it. The more I broached the subject, the more adamant he became in his stance. The guy is seriously stubborn. Doesn’t he understand that I’m trying to save him from an afternoon of hardcore interrogation?
If we were the real deal, I could understand his desire to go through with this, but we’re not. So why put himself through the wringer?
I grab my small, black purse off the desk and walk into the living room. Demi glances up from where she’s sitting on the couch.
“Wow, you look nice!” Her lips quirk. “Not that you don’t always.”
I roll my eyes. I’m wearing a pale pink skirt that hits mid-thigh and a loosely knit, white sweater that I’ve paired with ankle boots. My hair is long and loose around my shoulders. I spend so much time with it pulled up into a ponytail or messy bun that it feels good to leave it down every once in a while.
Campus Heartthrob (The Campus Series Book 2) Page 16
