In a different life, yes. “I’m not saying that, but I’m too much of a selfish prick to let you go.”
“Then, you better hang on tight, Cartel.”
Warning received. For good measure, I squeeze her tighter and push away all the self-doubt and guilt trying to break in. “I plan on doing just that.”
Chapter Sixteen
Lexie
Current Day
Garret: Fun Fact. I like it when you’re in the stands watching me play.
Looking across the baseball diamond to the outfield never gets old.
Cessna University was the only college I wanted to attend. None of the other colleges made sense to me either financially or logistically, considering I saved a shit ton in student loans by living at home. But one perk to attending here is getting to watch baseball practices on the well-kept baseball field. The expansive oak tree backdrop behind the nostalgic scoreboard gives Renald Field that hometown pride. Of course, the best feature stands between third and second base.
I love watching Garret during practice and games. Who would have thought it was possible to be turned on by watching someone play ball, but there’s something about witnessing his level of determination that warms my insides. It’s been three weeks since we’ve decided on expanding our friendship, but an opportunity hasn’t presented itself. It’s not like you can schedule sex. Well, I suppose you can, but how unromantic would that be? I’m looking more for “in the heat of the moment” type of passion. Like right about now while I watch him play. Shit, I love baseball.
“Hmm.” Cara’s low questioning hum pulls my gaze to her. The little smirk to her lips tells me she knows exactly where my thoughts are. “You never said how your date with Kyle went.”
“It’s been a month since Garret’s party. Why are you bringing him up now?” I still feel bad for showing up to the party with him, but I suppose a thank you is in order. Cara did suggest taking him. And it did open Garret’s eyes. Sort of.
“We never got a chance to talk about him. You surely had fun. The guy is too ripped not to.”
“He is pretty to look at.” I laugh. “Kyle’s a great guy and we had fun, but…” My gaze flicks back to the field as my voice trails off.
“He’s not the one holding your attention?” she guesses.
“No. At the end of our date, we pretty much decided we work better as friends.” I shrug. “If I were a betting person, my stakes would be there’s a girl he’s hung up on.” Although, he’ll never admit it.
“Mmm-hmm. Sounds familiar.”
I give her shoulder a slight shove. “Garret and I are just friends. I’ve told you that.”
“That’s what you keep saying.”
Garret catches a ground ball and wings it toward Braxton. Braxton tags second base and throws to first. Their position-specific drills can be tedious yet thrilling to watch. It’s enough distraction to keep me from responding to Cara’s accusation.
But us being friends is the truth. He couldn’t be any clearer on what he wants. And I’m content with it. Is it ideal? No, but in all honesty, I don’t have time to start a real relationship. Yes, I started this school year with a determination to make my needs known, but I’ll take him any way I can get him. My primal desires will be taken care of without the baggage of a full-time boyfriend. It’s a win-win as long as I keep my heart out of it.
“Speaking of friends, what do you think about Shannon and Noah?”
“I think by the way Noah looks at her, something is going on.”
“You’ve noticed, too, huh?”
“And last weekend at Barton’s? Yeah, they came back looking a little flushed. They did more than get a little ‘fresh air’ when they went outside.” I went out last weekend to the sports bar not far from campus. It’s a popular Cessna U hotspot. Garret didn’t come. He went home after working at the Habitat house. I’ve always questioned why he goes home every weekend. I still don’t know the exact reason, but I have a little more insight. I assume it’s to help out with his niece, Olivia. But he still doesn’t come right out and say.
The guys break and head toward the lockers. We remain in our seats. We have a good twenty to thirty minutes by the time they shower and head out. “Does Braxton suspect anything?”
“God, no. He’s oblivious. And I don’t dare mention anything.”
I smile. “Lord, help us if and when he finds out.”
“I’ll have to diffuse that bomb when it happens.” She rolls her eyes. “Is the senior project coming along better?”
“Yeah, we’re going to work on it some more tonight in the lab.” And hopefully, I’ll get more clarification on what he wants from me.
“Do the chances look good for dick?”
“What?” My head snaps to hers. How the hell does she know about our arrangement? Garret wouldn’t tell Braxton, would he?
“Dick? Do you think you have a chance to win?”
“Oh, I think our project has a good shot. I’ve been constructing the model, and I have to admit, it’s kick-ass.”
“So, if your project wins, how do they declare the winner when you and Garret both worked on it?”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “That’s the ten-thousand-dollar question. How can they tell who has more blood, sweat, and tears in it? They can’t. It’s the most fucked up thing. But you interview with the company, so I suppose it comes down to who interviews best.”
“That makes zero sense.”
“Maybe that’s why the acronym is dick. They like to fuck you.”
She belts out a laugh. “Sorry, it’s not funny if you lose, but wow.”
“It’s kinda funny.”
“This is why I love you.”
“Aw, you love me.”
“Of course, I do.” She goes silent for a beat. “Braxton and I talked about what we’re doing after graduation.”
“You did?” My gaze cuts right to her left finger. I don’t know why. She would’ve told me if she was engaged, but here I am staring at her ringless finger.
“No, we didn’t talk marriage, but we did have a good talk.” Her eyes grow sad.
“Is everything good?”
“Yeah, but I’m not looking forward to being away from him. Plus, there are too many variables out of our control. Will he get drafted, and if so, by which team? What school will accept me, if any? It’s tough to plan when he won’t find out until June.”
“That’s rough.”
“Yeah, so we’ve decided we’ll meet up when we can. On Braxton’s off months, he’ll live with me. On my off time, I’ll stay with him. The rest of the time, FaceTime will be our friend.”
“I’m happy for you. I know it will be rough, but at least he wants a future with you.” That’s more than what I got. Okay, I have to stop that type of thinking. Friends don’t say things like that. They certainly don’t want futures. I need to live in the now and be happy for my friend.
The corners of her mouth draw to a grin. “He did say he couldn’t wait until I finished school. That way, he could officially make me his.”
“Oh, he wants to own you.”
That earns me a playful smack. “That’s not how he meant it.” She laughs and shakes her head. “He is the man for me. I don’t want anybody else.”
“We know. Believe me, we all know.” My playful tone makes her smile grow wider.
She glances down at her cell. “We better head to the parking lot. They’ll be out in a few.”
Ten minutes later, the side door flings open, and the guys filter out through the exit.
Garret tosses his arm around my shoulder. This practiced move should feel familiar, but today it feels more intimate—more special. I need to squash that sentiment before it starts.
Otherwise, my heart won’t last the first wave of our arrangement.
Chapter Seventeen
Garret
Current Day
Lexie: Fun Fact. I like to watch you.
All in the name of friendship.
�
��When did you erect this?” We arrived at the lab after grabbing some food. Practice left me famished, so I suggested eating first. I figured we’d be here a while. Looking at the half-constructed high-rise, I couldn’t be more wrong. The woman amazes me on so many levels.
“Earlier today. I wanted to get a head start. I’m sorry if you wanted to be more hands-on. I should’ve told you what I was doing.” She bites her lip while she stares at her creation.
“No, that’s fine. I’m just blown away. It’s amazing, really.”
“Thanks. I hope the rumor isn’t true.”
“Me too.” When the school learned Shouster and Foyer might sell out, they assured us the scholarship would be intact. The job placement would be at the discretion of the new company. “But we can’t control that.”
“No, you’re right. I’m not going to worry about it until we hear something solid.” She huffs out a breath and glances back at the building. “It’s hard to believe just last week the specifications were nothing more than numbers and figures in the CAD software.”
“I take it the resins you suggested worked perfectly.”
“Yeah. Once I printed everything out in the 3-D modeling printer, the pieces snapped together like Legos.”
My gaze flashes to hers. There’s no stopping the grin from forming. “You remember.”
“Of course.”
When we first met during freshman year, Lexie told me what inspired her to go into architecture. I had told her my desire was born from my passion for Legos of all things. But that wasn’t the entire truth. The main reason I keep locked tight. No one would understand my need to prove my self-worth. I don’t seek the validation for myself but Livia’s dad. I want to show I could be more than the trash he labeled me as. That I am smart enough to play in his ballpark. His disdain for blue-collar workers is mind-boggling. They are the ones who help construct his fancy buildings. Their jobs are every bit as important. Regardless of how wrong he is, I’d like to show him how blue-collar families can do whatever position they want.
I shake loose the thought. He isn’t worth the free rent in my head. “It’s incredible. You really outdid yourself.”
“Thank you.”
Regret grabs hold as I inch closer toward her. “I feel bad because you’ve done most of the legwork. I’m not pulling my fair share.”
“It’s not a contest. I don’t mind doing the work. You’re busy and have helped tremendously.”
“But not the construction part. I take that back.” Pulling the cotton balls from my short’s pocket that I had spray painted green yesterday, I smile coyly. “Shrubs.”
“Hey, these will work. We have a boxwood hedgerow right over here.” Lexie snatches them out of my hand and places them beside the foyer. They look…ridiculous. She spins back to me, sporting the cutest, most genuine smile. “See. They’re perfect.”
“You’re perfect.” I didn’t mean for that to slip out, but coherent thoughts aren’t exactly formulating right now. And my filters seem broken. All I can visualize is her naked body lying beneath me while wearing that damn smile. She doesn’t want us to hold back, but that’s precisely what I’ve been doing. It’s just when those amber-tinted eyes stare at me as if I’m the only person in the world that matters, it’s so damn hard to remember my reasoning for staying away.
My dick strains against my shorts, begging for relief. Lexie edges closer, her scent—sweet cherries and vanilla—surrounding me. My breathing escalates, keeping time with my pulse. I’m so fucking turned on. The tip of her tongue peeks out and traces along her lower lip. I follow the path, imagining a better body part she could lick.
My restraint breaks as I finally succumb to the force that has been pulling me in since I found her fucking phone years ago. I grab Lexie’s hips and press her into my body. Fuck, I love the feel of her, those soft curves against my palm, those perfect breasts grazing my chest, and those soft, plump lips I want to devour. I want every piece of her body. And that’s precisely what I do.
I bend down and take those lips that tease the fuck out of me every time we’re together. Our tongues collide in a frenzy of moans, licks, and nips. Nobody but Lexie matters at this moment.
Her.
Me.
Us.
It’s what I want. My hands grab the side of her face, and I tilt my head, deepening the kiss, savoring in her sweet taste. My dick is rock hard, wanting to be inside her so fucking bad. Her soft moan reverberates through my body, telling me she wants me just as badly. And then it occurs to me.
“Christ, Lexie. We need to slow down.” I reluctantly pull away from that mouth that is so damn appealing. So damn delicious.
“What? Why? Garret, we both want this.”
“I know. That’s not the problem.” Damn it. I should’ve been better prepared.
“Then, what’s the problem?”
“I don’t have protection.” The moment the words leave my mouth, her body deflates. A beat passes. And then another.
“I’m on the pill. I’m sure you’re—”
“No!”
She flinches, and I immediately feel like an ass. I soften my tone. “I can’t take the chance. I’m sorry. I know you’re clean, but I’m not jeopardizing your future.”
No fucking way.
“Yeah, you’re right.” She shakes her head as if she couldn’t believe she had suggested it. “I was just…”
“Horny?” I improvise when her voice trails off. Her body shakes with laughter.
“You could say that.”
“Hmm, I think I can help with that.” She yelps when I pick her up. She wraps her legs around my waist as our mouths reconnect. I walk to the far table in the back that is out of sight from the door and cameras. I place her ass on the edge of the counter and slowly ease her backward until she’s lying flat on the surface. I hover over the top of her body, my mouth next to her ear. “I wish we were somewhere more comfortable, but I don’t want to waste any more time before tasting this sweet pussy of yours.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, oh.” My voice comes across gruff, a warning I’m not playing. Christ, it’s been so long since I’ve done this, but I’ve been fantasizing about her being naked for so long I don’t need an instruction manual. I have a mental road map to her body etched in my brain.
My hands fly to the hem of her skirt, and I practically cum in my pants, touching her warm, smooth skin. I’m going to have to work on my stamina; otherwise, I’ll be embarrassing myself.
“First, I want to expose your pussy and soak in the sight. I bet you’re wet and glistening for me.” Her breath hitches as I push her skirt up over her hips. My fingers fly to her shirt. “Then, I want to trace my tongue around your nipple until it gets so hard it begs for me to bite down.” I work her buttons open. The silky material falls open, exposing her generous breast. I clench my ass cheeks tight. Fuck, it’s been too long.
I lean down and draw her lips to mine as I snake my fingers to the back of her bra. With a little twist, it unsnaps, and I shove the material up. My hand takes in her size and holy shit, she’s perfect. Way more than a handful, just the way I like it. I make good on my promise and trace my tongue around her nipple. Lexie lets out the sexiest moan as hard peaks form. They’re way too tempting. I take a small nibble, just enough pressure to make her moan in pleasure.
“Fuck, Garret. I’m so wet for you.”
I let out a groan. My dick can’t take any dirty talk from her. She goes to reach for me, but I back away.
“Relax, baby. Just lie back and let me take care of you.” I loop my fingers around the edges of her lacy thong and tug it down until it lands on the floor. I bring my lips to her thighs and plant tiny kisses, working my way up, inch by inch. “I’m not done telling you what I want to do.”
“What do you want to do?” she asks between pants. I love how responsive she is.
“I want to run my tongue along these pretty little lips and taste your sweet juices.” Her “oh, God” tells me I’v
e gotten to her. “That’s right, baby. I want to make you come so hard you forget your fucking name.”
“Shit, Garret.” Her breath comes out short and rapid.
I ease her legs apart. One look at her glistening pink pussy, and I’m a total goner. My mental images paled in comparison to the real thing. As much as I want to shove my cock into her tight body, I restrain. I may not want to take the chance of getting her pregnant, but I also know she has me so turned on, one pump inside her, and the whole thing will be over before it starts.
Following through with my promise, I take one long lick from her opening to her clit, savoring in her sweet taste. I swirl the tip of my tongue over her sensitive spot.
“Garret.” Her fingers find their way to my hair and gently tug.
“Mmm, you like that?”
“Yes. God, yes.”
Somehow, I knew Lexie would be responsive in bed. She’s so goddamn perfect. And at this moment, she’s all mine. I shove my finger inside, causing her hips to buck at my intrusion. Then, I put my tongue and fingers to work, pumping and licking while she writhes beneath my touch. I love the way her breath hitches as I slip in another finger and increase the pace. Her breaths come short and fast, another turn-on to a fully charged body. I ease back, stilling my fingers as I lift from her clit. She whimpers.
“All in good time, baby.” Then, I grin as I press my lips against her skin. I lick and kiss my way back up her body while slowly, so slowly, working my fingers inside her. “I can’t wait to be buried deep inside you.”
“I want that.” Her voice is breathy, full of need.
I take her nipple back in my mouth and tease her. Then, I increase the rate. She responds with a moan that shimmies down my spine. She’s primed. I like changing the pace, so she doesn’t know what to expect.
“Garret, please.”
“Please, what?”
“Make me come.”
How can I deny my girl? I slip a third finger inside and pump harder. She cries out in pleasure. My mouth lands on her clit, and I suck and lick until slow, pulsing contractions quiver beneath my tongue. Her hips rock as her orgasm slams into her. I keep my pace, riding the sensations pulsing through her. When she seems spent, I pull back and glance up at her. She eyes me between her legs. Face flushed and wearing the most content look on her face, I tell her exactly what I’m thinking, “You look so fucking gorgeous, right now.”
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