Chapter Nine
Sinclair
I make it through another awkward practice, but honestly, at this point, the radio silence between Brody and me has become the new norm. I don't think anything of it as I pack my stuff up and head down the locker room hallway.
"Sinclair, wait," Brody calls after me. It's weird to hear him say my name, and every one of my nerves is on high alert at the unknowns of our impending conversation. Brody disappears behind the locker room door for a moment, then jogs up to me with his duffel bag. He doesn't say anything, and it's pretty weird, but I know Brody. Something's on his mind, and it's gonna take him a minute to get it out. So, we walk in silence out onto the sidewalk into the cold evening air.
We continue in silence for a long time, and I realize we're heading for his house. I should split ways and go to my dorm, but everything in me wants to go home. To go back to the way things were between us, all of us. But after all this time to think about everything, I realize that though it would suck to lose Brody, if I have Ally, nothing else really matters.
"Sinclair," Brody says, breaking the silence. "You should come over for dinner."
I give him a questioning look. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Brody shrugs. "It's been a while," he mumbles. It really has, I think to myself. Then Brody lets out a deep breath and says, "I shouldn't have punched you."
I shake my head. "I guess I deserved it. Sneaking behind your back always felt wrong, but I didn't know how to tell you. Ally was right. I should have just manned up and done it right from the start."
Brody chuckles. "Oh, Ally." I smile too, thinking about that girl.
"She's something else," I say absentmindedly. Brody looks at me curiously before he speaks again.
"You're like my brother, Sinclair. Maybe that's why it's so weird to picture you guys together."
Another awkward silence fills the space between us as we both picture Ally and me together. I'm not sure what Brody's imagining, but I see Ally smiling in the sunlight as I go in for a kiss. I see her twirling in a white dress in a grassy field like some kind of cheesy romance flick, but it warms me inside to picture a happy future with Ally. So damn much.
Brody chuckles. "Fuck, I know that look."
I smile and rub my hand on the back of my neck. I realize we're across the street from the Douglas's house. Looking at it reminds me of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas. "Are your parents mad at me?" I ask.
A faint smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "They miss you, actually. It's not the same without you at home."
His words strike a chord in me. The Douglas family is my home. They always have been.
"I miss everyone, too," I say.
"So, does that mean you're coming over for dinner?"
I nod. "Yeah. Thanks."
The sputtering of a car engine wafts our way, and I look up to see Ally pull her VW buggy into the spot next to Brody's jeep in their driveway. She gets out of the car, and my heart stops at the sight of her.
"Jesus, you're like a teenage girl with a crush," Brody says.
I smile. "It's so much more than that," I say, and then I turn to look him in the eyes. Dead serious. "I'm in love with her, Brody. She's everything I want and more."
He stares back at me long and hard. "Well…" he says, glancing up at his sister. "Then you'd better go get her." I smile extra-wide, and Brody smiles back, shaking his head at me. We're not about to hug, but we might as well have. Brody gives me a nod, and it means the world.
I dash after Ally, crossing the street in three strides. I swoop her into my arms, she lets out a startled gasp, but when she turns around to see it's me, shock and relief flood her face. She wraps her arms around me and pulls me into a hug. It feels so right to hold her like this at home. Ally pulls back and kisses me, and I feel whole again.
Brody puts a hand up to block the view as he walks past and heads inside the house. Once he's gone, Ally raises her eyebrows at me. "What did you say to him?"
I shrug. "I just told him the truth."
"Which is?"
I cup her face in my hands. "That I love you more than anything."
She rolls her eyes. "Such a romantic." We smile at each other, and I pull her in for a kiss. Her lips are soft as ever against mine, and I lose myself in her arms when she wraps them around me. I push her up against Brody's car, and she wraps her legs around my waist. I get lost in her that damn coconut shampoo again. Time escapes us, and soon our tongues get involved.
BEEEEEEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
We jump away from the jeep, hearts pounding in shock to find Brody looking at us through their front dining room window, holding his car keys on display. He gives me the I'm watching you glare and turns away. Ally and I share a look before bursting into laughter.
"I guess this means he's ready for our wedding, huh?" Ally says playfully.
"We're getting married?" I raise my eyebrows.
She smiles up at me coyly. "I wouldn't be opposed."
I realize I couldn't want anything more.
Epilogue
Sinclair
It takes two months of awkward third-wheeling and grimacing whenever we kiss, but Brody finally accepts that Ally and I love each other, that we're not just a temporary fling waiting to blow over. And the best part is—so do his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas didn't disown me like I thought they would. In fact, they welcome me into their home now with an even deeper love and appreciation, and I realize now how wrong I was in my assumptions. They already loved me like a son. I've always been a part of their family, so really, nothing is all that different. Besides Ally's and my PDA toward each other. It was weird at first when we would kiss in front of the Douglas's, but Ally's parents got used to it pretty quickly.
Brody still acts overprotective at times, but I think we're going to have to accept that it's the way he is, and nothing will change it. To be honest, I'm glad. It would be a little odd if he wasn't weirded out by me dating his little sister. I expected Mr. Douglas to give me some kind of stern talking to, but he's been oddly quiet about the whole thing. Maybe it's because he knows Ally could kick my ass if she wanted to, or that Brody would be happy to do it for her. Either way, I'm glad. I could go my whole life without having The Talk with that man, and I'd be more than happy.
I inhale a deep breath of the refreshing autumn air. Everyone in the Douglas family is doing their own thing this afternoon. Mr. Douglas and Brody are playing ball outside at a new fancy facility down the road, and Mrs. Douglas is out getting stuff for dinner. Which leaves just Ally at home. I asked her if she wanted to do anything special on this unusual night alone, like go see a movie just the two of us, but she told me to meet her at home first to decide.
I knock on the front door and find it unlocked. "Hello?" I call as I take my shoes off. I lock the door behind me and head into the living room. "Ally?"
"I'm up here," she calls from upstairs. I scale the carpeted steps to the second floor of their house to find Ally lying on her bed wearing a cream-colored silk robe over the sexiest little black teddy I've ever seen.
My jaw drops.
Ally giggles. "Come here, baby," she purrs. I lock the door behind me and jump onto the bed, eager to pull her into a kiss. But Ally puts a finger to my lips.
"I've been waiting for this moment a long time, Sinclair." She sits on her knees and removes her silk robe. I'm practically salivating, and I'm already hard as steel for her.
"Me too, Ally." I lean forward to kiss her neck, but she stops me again.
Ally raises an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're not just lusting after me? Are you sure this is love?" she teases. A growl escapes my throat.
"You know it is. You're mine, baby girl." Ally beams.
"Always have been, always will be."
I pull her into a kiss, and we melt into each other.
College Club Series
Books 1 - 3
The following three stories make up the College Club Series. Get ready for some nerdy romance, se
xy dares, and spicy, sporty competitions!
♥ LIVE ACTION ROLE PLAY ♥
(L.A.R.P Club)
Live Action Role Play is an opposites attract steamy short college romance with an innocent curvy heroine and a strong sexy hero.
Innocent, curvy Jordan spends all her time in the fantasy world of LARPing and online warfare, and strong, handsome Michael simply can’t compete for her attention. So he comes up with a plan: join the LARP club, wear a cape, and knock her off her feet. Turns out he’s a natural when it comes to role play. But is Jordan falling for him, or his character?
♥ ON AIR DARE ♥
(Radio Club)
On Air Dare is an opposites attract steamy short college fling with a fiesty, curvy heroine and a strong, sexy hero.
Dean finally has an excuse to get to know Amanda better, but he’s so freaking into her that he can barely speak. Not exactly ideal since they’re co-hosting a radio show together. Their show is tanking, and so are his chances with Amanda. But then Dean gets a crazy idea—one that could finally give him and Amanda something to talk about, along with every other listener on campus. It’s risky, and it could get them both expelled. But if it works, their little On Air Dare could turn into something much more… and maybe so could they.
♥ SLIPPERY SLOPES ♥
(Snow Club)
Slippery Slopes is an enemies to lovers steamy short college romance with a sassy, innocent heroine and a strong, sexy hero.
Lauren is a fiery red-headed skier and the first to challenge anyone who claims they can beat her down the slopes, AKA Adam Baylor. He’s a cocky snowboarder and he loves to push her buttons. Lauren may act like she’s not interested, but Adam knows Lauren wants him as badly as he wants her. The only problem is, she’s as stubborn as she is adorable. She’ll never admit it to herself, and she definitely won’t admit it to Adam. Unless he can prove he isn’t the jerk she thinks he is. Knowing Lauren, that’ll be easier said than done. Get ready for some Slippery Slopes.
Live Action Role Play
Live Action Role Play is an opposites attract steamy short college romance with an innocent curvy heroine and a sexy alpha hero. It is the first book in the College Club series and can be read as a standalone.
Jordan
When I’m not studying as an Art History major, I’m kicking virtual ass online and re-enacting my internet battles with friends in the Tempt U. LARP Club.
I spend all my free time on the interwebs and in costume, where people can’t judge the real me for being pudgy and awkward.
Then Mystery Knight joins the club.
He looks like he belongs in the cast of 300, is way too good at LARPing to be a newb, and for some insane reason, he’s into me.
But is it possible that the handsome man in disguise could be falling for me? And if he is, will I ever be able to take off my mask for him?
Michael
Jordan Smith is a creative, intelligent, curvy Art History major, and she has no idea how badly I want her.
But she’s always too busy in the LARP Club re-enacting her battles from an online gaming universe to notice me.
If I want to get Jordan’s attention, I’m going to have to become part of her world, which means I need to become an expert in fantasy warfare and digital flirting.
As it turns out, my moves are just as impressive online as they are in real life.
The only problem is, I think Jordan’s falling for my character, not me.
There’s only one way to fix this.
It’s time to take the mask off and make Jordan mine.
If you love sweet romance, handsome men in disguise, and steamy love scenes with a dash of humor, you’ll love this book.
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
Jordan
The blood-red tendrils of my Elven gown whirl around me as the grey skies swirl into a foreboding electrical storm overhead. Booming bursts of thunder rattle the mountain beneath my feet. I look down at the battle breaking out on the muddy field before me, at all my enemies fighting to their deaths. Fools. The only one winning this battle will be me.
Armies of Giants and Fairies and Wizards of all classes race at each other, hellbent on claiming the one thing we’re all here fighting for—The Golden Map of Solaris. The symbol of victory floats above us all, shimmering at the crest of the mountain peak opposite from where I stand. Its golden glow beckons me forward like the song of a siren.
I move my hands in the practiced form of an illusion spell, chanting the words I’ve been memorizing for weeks. I draw on the ingredients I’ve gathered with this exact purpose in mind, and cast upon myself the image of a towering dragon. The familiar telltale sound of white noise pierces my ears when the Elven words leave my lips. The sight of the mountains flickers before me as my illusion of a hulking black dragon, with slick oily scales and angry red eyes, builds itself around me. The white noise dies down, and I know the spell is complete. I move my arms to test it, and the thick appendages of the illusion move in the same way. Perfect. It worked.
I step forward, walking casually toward the chaos of the field as arrows and streams of magic fly by overhead. Some scrape by my dragon’s skin, and I feel small twinges of pain from the temporary connection I have with this illusion, but it doesn’t deter me. I should be terrified walking straight into a battlefield of hungry enemies, but I know full well that my new appearance will deter my opponents long enough for me to reach the map. With my pointer finger placed on my voice box, I let out a roar that reverberates the ground beneath everyone’s feet. Those fighting before me make way for the giant black dragon as I walk across the battlefield. No one wants to step close to this monster I’ve become.
I’ve spent the last twelve weeks collecting the materials and herbs to concoct an illusion spell of this size, and I’m not going to waste a drop of those materials. Not when I finally have a real shot at winning that map.
Besides the odd poisoned arrow and occasional Wizard attack spells, I make it virtually unscathed across the field. All my preparation and hard work are finally paying off. I relish in the fact that these other fools can’t touch me, striding one step after another toward my prize. Before I know it, I’m standing mere feet from the legendary Golden Map of Solaris, and there’s no one around to stop me from reaching out and grabbing it for myself.
So that’s exactly what I do.
I reach my taloned dragon claw out to grasp the map when a glint of silver blinds me, and a searing pain slashes through my wrist. Before I know what’s happened to me, my giant hand falls to the ground. A moment later, it flickers and disappears, along with the false image of my dragon self as the spell is broken. I whip my head up, furious, and eager to lay waste to my new enemy.
And that’s when I see him.
His hair is dark as night, his shirtless torso chiseled like a sculpture. He wears a helmet as bright and silvery as the moon, and a red cape that billows in the wind. A knight I’ve never seen before flies through the air in front of me, and I watch in complete shock as he extends his sword and pierces the map with his sharp, metallic blade.
“NO!” I shout, but I’m already too late.
The golden map transforms into a collection of 3D cubes and falls to the ground. The knight turns to me and flashes me a brilliant smile, just before our battleground crumbles around us like it always does when our online gaming session has ended.
I stare at my computer screen with a look of shock frozen on my face.
What the hell was that?! Or, rather, who was that?
With an immature huff, I yank my headphones off and place them on my computer desk. It’s dark outside, and I still have to finish my Art History essay, but I’m so wound up about losing I don’t know if I’ll be able to focus.
I’ve been playing this ga
me with my friends since the second semester of freshman year when we all met in the Tempt University Student LARPing club, but not once has that silver knight showed up. He must have just joined our campaign, which is so not fair. I’ve been plotting my victory for months!
Oh, I should probably clarify—LARPing stands for Live Action Role Playing. Though this game is clearly an online event, it’s a tradition for the LARPing club members to re-enact our online battle scenes on the residence hall’s grassy quad. In costume.
Nerdy as hell, I know, but it’s always the best part of my week. I get to dress up as the Elven illusionist that I play in the game. I call her, “Faylen Shelara.” She has long, wispy red hair, smooth, creamy white skin, and she’s tall, lean and confident as hell.
In other words, she’s nothing like my real self. Which is why I love her.
The real-life Faylen (AKA Jordan Smith—that’s me) has dark, uneven toned skin, a pudgy middle section, random hormonal breakouts, and curly hair that she never knows what to do with.
Oh, and she’s not athletic in the slightest.
Hence the whole, “Illusionist” character type choice. Otherwise, re-enacting a battle would be pretty damn tricky if I had to swing a sword in my heavy costume. Luckily, I usually get to watch the nerdy chaos unfold before me until it’s my turn to cast a spell or enchant something.
PING!
My computer screen brightens as a message pops up on my browser.
FairyGodLover69: You were so f*ng close, Jordan!!! I can’t believe you let the new guy cut in like that.
Tempt University: Year One: A College Romance Collection Page 19