"Yes. All of it." A single tear falls down her cheek. I wipe it away with my thumb and leave my hand there caressing her soft skin.
She looks in my eyes. "Ethan, I knew it in my heart that you would never… that it couldn't be. But I'm so stupid. I let my emotions get the better of me, and I'm so sorry for leaving you tonight."
I pull her into a hug. We sit there for what feels like hours. Eventually, she stops crying, and I look down at her. "You get me like no one else does, Chloe. You make me feel alive. Regardless of what happens moving forward, I want you in my life, Chloe."
Her lip quivers and she gets choked up again. But I can see the thoughts fly across her eyes like an open book. She tells herself to keep it together, clears her throat, and whispers, "I feel the same way, Ethan."
And then she kisses me.
Chapter Twelve
Chloe
Ethan pulls me close to him and crushes me against his lips. I feel like such a fool, but in Ethan's arms, it doesn't matter. With his lips on mine, all is forgiven. I finally feel whole. We melt into each other, and I know that whatever the future brings, as long as I'm with Ethan, it will work out just fine.
Our kiss starts slow and sweet, but soon we're pulling each other closer and breathing heavily. It's like Ethan felt just as tortured as I did being apart from each other, and now that we're together again, we're making up for all those lost years.
He traces his thumb over my jawline and down my neck to my collarbone. Though I've kissed a few boys in my life, none of those kisses ever felt like this. The way Ethan touches me, the way he holds me in his arms makes it feel like I'm in the safest place in the world. I'm warm and loved and appreciated by the one person I care about more than anyone else in the world.
My mind is still buzzing with random overthinking thoughts, but I let Ethan's lips touch melt them all away. I knew all along in my heart who Ethan truly is, and I feel so incredibly stupid for believing pictures and an online status over the person himself, and over my own feelings. They've never steered me wrong before. I should know by now to always trust my instincts.
And right now, those instincts are telling me to be with him. I've never felt so connected to a person before. I've been waiting for years for this moment, and I wouldn't want it to be with anyone else.
I climb across the center console and sit on Ethan's lap. It's somewhat comical seeing as we're in a cramped little truck, and there's barely enough room for him in the driver's seat, what with his large muscular body. But somehow, we fit together like a glove, and it just feels right.
Ethan lets his hands roam the curves of my body as I continue to kiss him with as much passion as I can convey. His hot fingers trail over my breasts, and though he's been touching me this whole time, something about that spot sends a jolt of needy heat to my center. Suddenly nothing else matters but getting as close to him as I can.
"I want you, Ethan," I say, surprised at how breathy my voice is. It's deep and full of desire. He hesitates, looking at me sincerely for a moment, unknown thoughts forming behind his eyes.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Chloe? We haven't even gone on our first date." The look in his eyes and the bulge in his pants pressing up against my center tells me he absolutely wants this as badly as I do, but I'm impressed and appreciative of how thoughtful he is about the whole thing.
"Ethan, we went on our first date years ago." He furrows his bushy brown eyebrows together. "Remember? MarioKart on the GameCube." I smile at him, and his face lights up.
"Shit, you're right. You've always been the one for me, Chloe."
"And you've always been the one for me, Ethan."
Our lips meet again, and everything after that happens on pure instinct. Ethan's fingers find the edge of my granny panties, then my wet center, and finally deep inside my core, where he pumps in and out of me in the most glorious sensation of sensations. My hands do something similar, unbuckling his belt and somehow getting his impressive erection free from his underwear. I don't even hesitate when looking at his massive self. I just kiss him feverishly and let my body find its rightful spot on Ethan.
When I let him enter me, it's like my whole world feels complete. I've never felt so full, so whole. He grabs my bare butt and pulls me as close to him as he can get me. We're panting and kissing and touching and loving, and just when I think I can't feel any more amazing, Ethan licks his finger and brings it right to where my most sensitive part touches him. I cry out in pleasure, surprised by how amazing this moment has become.
Wave upon wave of ecstasy brings me to a whole new level of existence, and soon the windows are entirely steamed up, and the only sounds come from our breathing heavily in the aftermath of it all and Ethan leaving a trail of kisses down my neck. We're still wrapped up in each other, him with his hard length still inside me and me with my hands playfully running through his hair. Ethan smiles at me like he can't believe what he gets to look at.
I smile back, feeling exactly the same way. "I've never made love before," I tell him.
"Neither have I." He sounds thoughtful.
I crinkle my forehead questioningly. "What are you talking about? You've been with women before, surely," I say.
"Surely," he jokes, "but I've never made love." He looks deep into my eyes then, and it's like he's looking into my soul. "I love you, Chloe. I think I always have."
I have to fight the tears from coming all over again, but this time they're coming from the happiest place within me. "I love you, too."
* * *
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Out of Bounds
Out of Bounds is a steamy short college basketball romance between a sassy heroine who knows what she wants and her brother’s sexy best friend. It is the sixth book in the College Sports series and can be read as a standalone.
Ally
I’ve been in love with my brother’s best friend all my life.
When he finally kisses me and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted, I expect our happily ever after to start right away.
But then he goes and acts like it never happened.
He may be afraid of my overprotective brother, but I’m not.
I’m going to show him there’s nothing to be afraid of.
I’m going to get him to kiss me again.
I’m going to get my happily ever after.
Sinclair
Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit.
I kissed my best friend’s little sister.
I’m not freaking out because it happened. I’ve loved her since we were kids.
I’m no freaking out because her brother will kill me if when he finds out. Hell, I’d kill anyone who tried to kiss her, too.
I’m freaking out because she kissed me back.
If you love athletes, unrequited love, and steamy sweet romance, you’ll love this book. No cliffhangers in this fun, short college romance.
This story takes place at Tempt University, where academic tensions run high and everyone is overdue for a sizzling, lust-fueled fling to get back on track (even the professors).
Welcome to Tempt University!
Chapter One
Sinclair
My heart hammers against my chest, and it feels like I'm going to throw up. The only sounds in this basketball court are that of my teammates' sneakers squeaking against the rubber flooring beneath us and their calls to each other to pass the ball. I can barely hear them over my own damn breathing, and it isn't because I'm out of shape.
Quite the opposite, actually. I'm the top-scoring forward on the team, right after Brody, our point guard, but you'd never guess it by how I'm playing today.
"I'm open!" Brody shouts to whoever has the ball. To be honest, I don't even fucking know. I'm desperately trying to focus, but my mind keeps replaying the amazing kiss I had with the girl of my dreams last week, and I'm terrified Brody's going to find out. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't give two shits who I
kiss. But Brody is my best friend, and this is entirely different.
I kissed his sister, and she kissed me back.
FWOOSH! The ball heads straight for me, and I manage to grab it just before it whacks me in the face. What do I do with it now? I wonder, my skills entirely shot like I'm some fucking newb.
"HERE!" "Pass it!" Everyone calls for me. I throw it toward the loudest shouter and pray for this nightmare to end. Brody gives me a look that says, what the fuck is wrong with you?
I second his sentiments. Get your shit together, I tell myself. It was just one kiss. It was meaningless, and it won't lead to anything.
But I know in my gut that's a lie because I've been in love with Ally Douglas all my life. I was out of my mind when I kissed her last week in a moment of pure adrenaline and passion, but the way she melted into my arms and kissed me back… I know there's something real between us. There always has been, and kissing her proved it. But ever since that night, my fear of getting caught keeps building, and Ally seems determined to get me to spill.
Thinking about that little pistol of a woman gets me fired up inside against my better judgment. I can't help myself. My eyes dart over to where she's leading the cheerleaders through a choreographed set on the sidelines. She catches my eye immediately (was she already looking?), and time seems to stop. Her smile radiates across the court straight into my fucking heart, and it takes everything in me to remember how to breathe.
FWACK!
The basketball smacks into my face at fifty miles an hour, and I'm knocked straight to the ground. Pain stabs me everywhere in the head. I can't see anything through the tears streaming out of my dumbstruck eyeball. Blinking does nothing to help. Out of my good eye, I see Brody reaching down for me. He pulls me up to standing, and I wipe away the never-ending waterfall like it's no big deal, but everyone laughs.
"You alright?" Brody asks through a smirk. I nod.
Coach Douglas calls from the side of the court, "Well, that's one way to end practice." Everyone snickers again as they head toward the locker room.
"You coming to dinner, son?" Coach Douglas asks me. My stomach flips. When Brody's dad calls me son, I always feel honored. Their family practically raised me while my own parents were who knows where, so I guess I am like a son to him, but today the sentiment only makes me feel sick. Would he still call me son if he knew I kissed his daughter? Would Brody kill me if he found out? Who am I kidding... We all know he'd punch anyone's lights out just for looking at her. There's no way I'd be able to survive dinner with him and Mr. Douglas in the same room without spilling my secret.
Before I can tell him that I won't be joining for dinner, Brody gives his dad a thumbs up. "It's steak night," he says to me, knowing Ribeyes are my favorite and that I can never get enough of his mother's cooking.
Then Coach Douglas calls across the court to his only daughter, "See you at home, baby," and Ally waves back.
A pang of fear turns my stomach sour. Brody says, "You better get some ice on that," and gestures to my face.
"I'll be fine," I tell him, though I'm more so trying to convince myself that spending the evening with Ally and her overprotective family members won't end in ruin.
Brody shakes his head. "Sorry about that, but it was your own damn fault."
I press my lips together. If only he knew how right he is. It was my own damn fault. I kissed his sister, the one girl who's off-limits to me. There's no way this will end well.
When Brody turns to follow the team to the locker room, I glance over at Ally once more. She gives me an amused grin before playfully flashing me her tight-ass shorts beneath her skirted uniform. I quickly look away, hoping Brody didn't see. He rounds the corner just then, and I let out a relieved sigh. I give Ally a warning look, but she just winks and blows me a kiss. I can't help but smile back. This girl is trouble. But then again, she always has been, and maybe that's why I've always loved her.
Turning on my heel, I head for the locker room and thank my lucky stars, our secret is still a secret.
At least for now.
I just need to make it through dinner tonight without spilling the beans. Another wave of nerves jostles my stomach. I just need to be cool, I think, psyching myself up. I am cool. Cool is me.
Shit.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
Chapter Two
Ally
Sweat beads on Sinclair's forehead, and it's amusing as hell to watch him fidget in his seat next to me. We've only been sitting at the dining room table for a few minutes, and he hasn't even touched his steak yet, but he's already eager to get out of here. It probably doesn't help that I keep bumping my knee into his and watching the color drain from his face.
I smirk to myself, pleased that I can make him feel something, anything really after he kissed me the way he did last week and now tries to act like nothing happened between us.
There I was, helping clean up after dinner, and Sinclair was about to head back to his dorm on campus just a few blocks away. I said I'd walk him down the driveway on the way to throwing out the trash. No one thought anything of it, and honestly, neither did I.
I'm just his best friend's little sister.
But we both felt there was something more to it. Sinclair and I walked down the dark driveway in complete silence, both our bodies brimming with the unspoken yearning between us that had been building for years. Then he kissed me. Just like that. No lead-up or anything. Sinclair Arnold leaned down and put his big lips on mine, and my world exploded.
He pulled my body close, and I melted into him. My hands wrapped around his neck without me even thinking, and his arms held me tight like nothing else mattered. It was everything I had ever wanted from a kiss with Sinclair, from any kiss, really, and it seemed to have ended just as quickly as it started. Before I could catch my breath, Sinclair pulled away from me and looked down with his gorgeous brown eyes. Then he said, "Goodnight, Ally," and walked home.
I watched him in a daze, wondering if it really happened, but the way my lips still tingle when I think about it has me convinced it was real. I've been replaying that kiss in my head ever since. It's not like much time has passed since then by any means, but every moment apart from him since then has made me want Sinclair more than I ever did before. But the jerk hasn't mentioned it once, and he's been avoiding me like the plague.
You can imagine why pushing his buttons is bringing me such joy right now. It pisses me off to think he would kiss me like that and then pretend nothing happened. If I have to sit here tormented by what I'm missing out on every time he's near me, I want him to feel the same.
"That thing must have been moving at close to twenty miles an hour," Dad chuckles, putting another piece of broccoli in his mouth. "I've never seen a man zone out so hard in the middle of a game before."
Mom smiles. "She must have been something special, that cheerleader." Everyone giggles at that, and Sinclair laughs a bit too hard.
"Yeah, who was it?" I ask innocently. He shoots me a glance from the corner of his eye. "I could talk to her for you, see if she's into you."
Sinclair stares at his plate and stabs a piece of steak with his fork. "Thanks, but that's not necessary."
"Oh? Why is that? Do you already have her wrapped around your finger?"
He shoves the steak into his mouth and makes a face like, Oops, can't respond right now, I'm chewing.
Brody mumbles, "She's probably wrapped around something else of his," and Sinclair almost chokes.
Mom gives Brody a warning look, and Dad tries to hide a smirk. It gets awkwardly quiet then. I take the opportunity to slip my hand onto Sinclair's knee under the table. He jumps in his seat, smacking his leg into the bottom of the table. Mom gasps and then makes a shocked face like she has no idea why all of a sudden her boys feel they can act like ruffians at her dinner table.
"Who's finished?" she asks, clearly not having it with the shenanigans. Everyone raises their hands, so mom stands to get the dishes, but Sincl
air quickly pushes his seat back.
"No, no, I've got it, Mrs. Douglas. Thanks for dinner, I love your Ribeyes." He grabs his plate of barely-eaten steak with one hand and snatches Brody's with the other before rushing out of the room.
Mom gives me a questioning look, but I just shrug. "I'll help him," I say.
I grab my plate and push past the swinging door into our kitchen. It's modern and clean, with a stainless-steel magnetic fridge in the corner and a large barn sink sitting beneath a window overlooking the basketball hoop in the back yard that's been there since we were kids. Sinclair hunches over the sink and looks out the window. Though its fun pushing his buttons, I also hate to see him upset.
I walk up next to him. His body stiffens when I place my plate in the sink, letting my arm brush against his. "You alright?" I ask in a low tone. He glances at me from the side of his eye.
"Yeah, thanks. Just fine." He pushes away from the sink. When he turns to head back into the dining room, I get a good look at his shiner.
I wince. "Yikes. You need to put some ice on that. Here." I swiftly wrap my arm around his and pull him toward the freezer. He stands there, stiff as a board, eyes watching me intently as I pull out an ice pack and wrap it in paper towels. When I reach up to place it on his sore looking eye, he tries to grab it from me and do it himself. I pull away and roll my eyes at him. "It's just ice, relax." He lets his shoulders fall half an inch, and I take it as my cue to continue. I step closer to him and gently place the ice pack on his head. Sinclair closes his eyes and lets out a deep, low sigh when the cold pack touches his skin.
It's funny, standing here in this kitchen with Sinclair and tending to his booboos. It's like we've come full circle, in a way. For so many years, this kitchen is where mom always fixed us up after playing outside. It's always been where she'd put all our accomplishments on the fridge, including Sinclair's, and where he, Brody, and I would raid the pantry after school like starving jailbreakers. It's where the boys would kick me out when they'd have their pizza parties, and where we'd all make cookies together for Christmas and Valentine's day. I'd chase Sinclair around the island on multiple occasions, forcing him to accept my "Will you be mine?" cards. As we got older, the chasing stopped, but the pining for him only grew stronger as he started to grow into the handsome, responsible, smart man he is today. When we were about seven years old, he accidentally scraped me on the cheek in a game of basketball in the back yard. I cried like a turd until Mom made him kiss the booboo, but the moment his lips touched my skin, I thought I'd never come down from the high.
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