Never His Girl: Dark High School Bully Romance (Kings of Cypress Prep Book 2)

by Rachel Jonas

  Shit.

  He can’t possibly be human. There’s no way and I’m sure of it, because this magic of his is the reason I’ve just bitten into my own lip. Hard enough that a hint of blood awakens my tastebuds. Still, I hardly even notice the pain.

  There isn’t even an ounce of gentleness when he grips my ass next, putting an end to my squirming. The motion is rough and unapologetic. Just like him. The whimper that leaves me is damn-near primal, telling of how wild he makes me feel inside. How free.

  I’m almost there, ready to come when he finds that sweet spot again so easily, but he pulls away and I peer down at him.

  “You have to wait,” he rasps.

  Half a second later, he stands and my gaze rises with him. I’m lifted into the air and tighten my legs around his naked waist, then he lowers us both onto the bed, covering me with his weight.

  I’m fighting impatience when he reaches toward the nightstand. Especially when he leans away to slip on a condom. But at the feel of him driving deep into me, I’m certain the wait was worth it. His hands press into the mattress beside me and I turn toward his wrist, gripping it, holding my lips to his skin just because I need to feel him everywhere. He cranes his mouth toward the exposed side of my neck and kisses me there.

  “So fucking tight,” he rasps against my ear.

  And you’re fucking huge.

  So. Fucking. Huge.

  His firm hips brush the insides of my thighs, as he works them in slow, powerful circles, grinding into me, sending him deeper still. I’m completely out of my head, hallucinating and shit.

  “West,” I whine, still clutching his wrist to my mouth.

  He’s in my ear again, and I feel the heat of his breath before he whispers a familiar command. “Come for me, Southside.”

  How the fuck does he do that? Make my body submit to his authority?

  Whatever this power is he has over me, all it takes is me hearing those words and, not even ten seconds later, I’m calling out to him again. And not in the quiet whisper I let out before. This time, anyone walking past this suite definitely knows his damn name.

  There are no actual words that leave my mouth after that, only nondistinctive murmuring as the drawn-out climax has my soul reaching out for him. It’s almost as if he feels it, that a part of me just became his. Because when he stares down on me, I’m certain that exchange just went both ways.

  His hips maintain their steady, controlled rhythm, but there’s growing tension in his forearm and back as I grip both.

  He leans toward my ear again and presses his lips to it. “Fuck.”

  A deep groan leaves him next and my eyes roll into my head. I get drunk off the sound of the heavy breaths puffing from his lips, lasting well after he comes, and his body goes still on top of me. Neither of us move with any kind of urgency. There’s a sense of wanting the moment to last as long as it possibly can.

  The side of my neck warms when he kisses me there. The long, sensual kind that makes a girl fall. Only, it’s too late for me. I fell for him a long time ago.

  “Stay with me,” he says against my skin.

  It isn’t until I nod, agreeing to his request that the kissing starts again. I feel his once-racing heart beginning to slow where it beats against his chest and mine. Like we’re one in the same.

  Eventually, he’s content to put a small measure of space between us and rolls to the side of me, but already this feels different than the first time. Then, as soon as we’d finished, I remember feeling the moment when that switch of his flipped. But laying here now, with his hand lazily resting on my stomach, and my forehead pressed to his chest, I’m not worried about the aftermath.

  “Mind if I use your shower?” I peer up to ask.

  “Long as you have your ass back here in twenty minutes or less,” he teases.

  Smiling, I kiss him once when I just can’t help it. “Be back in ten.”

  Chapter 31

  WEST

  I let her slip away to clean up and she keeps her word, making it back to me in just shy of ten minutes. I disappear in the bathroom to do the same, but take half the time she did.

  We’re naked in this bed again and she leans into me, pressing her back flush against my chest. She breathes deep when I aimlessly push some of her hair behind her ear. There’s something about touching her like this that has me wanting to drift off, but I’m determined not to let the moment end so quickly. Not when I only just convinced her that we might be able to make this work.

  “I’ve never wanted anything, or anyone, more than I want you,” I admit, finding it pretty damn hard to believe I just said that out loud, but… there it is.

  She peers over her shoulder, killing me with the smile she flashes.

  Instead of responding with words, she turns in my arms to face me. We kiss again and it’s sweeter than the lust-fueled ones that came before it. Then, she finally pulls away and I can’t take my eyes off her.

  “Almost drove me fucking crazy watching you with those other guys tonight.”

  Her brow quirks. “What guys?”

  Of course, she didn’t notice them trying to push up on her while she danced. Sort of like how Dane accused me of only being able to see her.

  “Doesn’t matter,” is all I say, knowing it truly does not matter. I am, however, thinking about my brother’s words now.

  Well, that one word he used, in particular.

  Relationship.

  Those things that are supposed to be built on trust. Honesty.

  “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  As soon as that statement leaves my mouth, Southside tenses against me.

  “Okay.” She sounds skeptical, so I don’t prolong explaining.

  “I met up with Ricky Monday,” I admit.

  “How? Why?” she asks, only sounding curious. Not angry.

  “Because I needed to make sure you’re safe,” I say gravely, not wanting her to worry, but shit… maybe we should all be a little worried. “I had questions I believed only he had the answers to.”

  “And?” she asks. “Did he tell you anything?”

  A frustrated sigh leaves me. “Not really. Only that his uncle and my dad have some kind of connection. And that, before your brother got locked up, he was in on a lot of their meetings.”

  I wait after telling her that part, knowing that family is a major soft spot of hers.

  “I… didn’t know that.” Her voice is quiet, and it isn’t lost on me that—whether I like his ass or not—she has Ricky on some sort of damn pedestal. At least where honesty is concerned.

  Despite myself, I decide to clear his name, but only because she needs that. In no way do I do it for him.

  “He only left you out of things because he didn’t want you to worry,” I clarify, hating myself a little.

  “I suppose I can understand that,” is her thoughtful reply.

  “Talking to him confirmed that my dad’s at least as dirty as we thought he was.”

  What I don’t say is that I’ve been envisioning what that means. Especially for my family. If he’s as deep in this shady shit as it’s starting to seem, where does it end? It has me questioning the legitimacy of his business, how it’ll all effect my mom. Hell, for all I know, she’s already up to speed on all this, in on it even.

  I don’t know what to think.

  Don’t know who to trust.

  A soft hand lands gently on my cheek just as I’m starting to silently spiral. My gaze rises, meeting hers in the dim light that filters in from outside.

  “We’re in this together now,” she reminds me. “As long as we don’t forget that, and do what we can to protect each other, we’re okay.”

  That shouldn’t be enough to calm me, but it is. I pull her hand away from my face and kiss it before placing it over my heart.

  Relationship.

  There goes that damn word again. Ever since Dane said it, it’s haunted me, making me imagine things with her it might be too soon to imagine. I’m ev
en wondering if I should at least see where her head is.

  Fuck it.

  “Dane said something interesting tonight. He brought up you and me, asking if we’re just casual or… if we’re claiming titles and shit.”

  As far as smooth segues go, that one was rough and bumpy as hell.

  “As in boyfriend/girlfriend titles?” Southside asks, making me cringe hearing it said that way.

  “Well, yeah, but maybe a little less kindergarten than that.”

  “You know what I mean,” she shoots back, playfully slapping my arm.

  I slap her back, but on the ass, which has her laughing again.

  “So, he wants to know if we’re… together? A title kind of like that?” she asks.

  Breathing deep, I nod. “Yeah. Together.”

  She goes quiet on me again and I’m not sure how to read the silence. After a few seconds, she lets out a nervous laugh.

  “Wow,” she says. “They really are Dr. Phil-ing the shit out of this, aren’t they?”

  “Told you.”

  She’s thoughtful another moment and I’m wondering if I should’ve said less? Or… said more?

  I’m suddenly positive I just violated the ‘take things slow’ rule my brothers and Joss put into place.

  What the hell were you thinking?

  You only just earned her forgiveness. Now you want her to fucking commit? Dude… hard fail.

  I open my mouth to say that I only meant to feel her out, not back her into a corner, but I never get the words out. Because her lips are on mine, moving slowly against them. Both my hands find her body beneath the covers and she inches closer, as close as she can get before ending the kiss.

  “I don’t have much faith in relationships. Blame that on my parents’ shit example,” she explains. “But… I do have faith in you.”

  That was unexpected. And new.

  Not sure anyone’s ever really had faith in me before. Not off the football field. Not in my ability not to fuck something up.

  But she does.

  “If you’re asking me to be with you, the answer is yes,” she finally says. “Besides, I think we both know I was yours long before tonight.”

  Smiling, I kiss her again. “Fucking right you were,” I growl against her mouth, drawing a laugh out of her.

  It took a whole hell of a lot of convincing, a lot of truth being revealed, and a whole lot of me pulling my head out of my ass, but it was worth it. Because I fucking did it.

  I finally got the girl.

  Chapter 32

  BLUE

  One earbud is popped into my ear and the other’s hidden inside my hoodie. I’m tuned in to one of the major network’s coverage of the game, hearing all the predictions being made. Yes, many of those predictions are about the outcome of this state championship, and even about the future of the team as a whole, but mostly?

  They’re talking about West.

  Apparently, I’ve been living under a rock, because this is the first I’m hearing about his ‘Golden Arm’, as they call it. They speak about his accuracy, saying it’s rare to see such power and skill this early in a player’s football career.

  There’s lots of talk about him going pro after college. Which has me thinking about his future, how so many will want a piece of him when he makes it. That’s how it is any time one star shines just a little brighter than the rest. Others do everything they can to get closer, hoping to steal even a glimmer of that shine.

  But of all the things West has going for him, all I’ll ever ask for is his heart. That’ll never change.

  Speaking of hearts, mine is in my throat. Guess that’s to be expected when the best of the best meet on the field. A true clash of Titans.

  I’m on edge, right with the rest of the crowd, volleying a look between the scoreboard and West as both teams stand at the line of scrimmage.

  Six seconds on the clock.

  The players’ warm breath meets the cool air, puffing from their nostrils and mouths as this game comes to a head. Both sides have given their all, leaving it all out on the field today, but our boys are trailing by five points. This play is their last chance to make something happen, and the setup isn’t great.

  I can’t see West’s expression from here, but I know how much football means to him. He’s got raw talent. So much that most people miss that there’s more to him than what he brings to the field. It’s knowing his passion for the game that I’m certain he’s not giving up easily. Even if some are already writing this off as a loss for our Panthers.

  I move down a few rows of seating to snap a few photos with my phone, and even with such a close game, there’s still a fair amount of attention on me. Not sure when I’ve last seen a saltier group of girls in my life, but they’re out in full force today. From both, Cypress Prep and South Cypress High—West’s super fans, I’m sure.

  They eye the jersey I’m sporting over my hoodie. No doubt glaring at the last name of their king embossed on the back.

  Golden.

  When he first asked me to wear it, I was hesitant because I foresaw it garnering this exact level of attention. Because I knew the message it would send.

  That I, Blue Riley, am officially West’s girl.

  But damn, who knew I’d like the sound of that so much?

  Ignoring the many, many eyes I feel on me, I face the field again, trying not to panic.

  “You’ve got this,” I whisper mostly to myself, but some small part of me believes West can feel me rooting for him. Even above all the others.

  Sterling snaps the ball to West and then West drops back. He gets away from the pressure, thanks to Sterling and the other linemen acting as a human shield.

  Three seconds.

  “You’ve got this,” I say again, sending those words to him like a fervent prayer, clutching my phone tightly in both hands.

  Another breath leaves him, and I hold mine, feeling so tightly wound I can only imagine what this feels like for the team.

  For West.

  Time and the defense are closing in on him. Then, with one second left on the clock, he launches a desperate Hail Mary from midfield. A pass that has me and the crowd at my back on our feet.

  Immense tension—those are the only words for this feeling I have, the cause of the sinking sensation in my gut.

  It’s as though we’re watching in slow motion, our gazes never leaving the ball as it soars. There’s overwhelming anticipation and a sense of disbelief that West is still fighting for this win, but he is.

  It’s do or die and no one can ever say he didn’t give this game his all.

  “Holy mackerel, Jim!” one of the announcers yells through my earbud, punctuating the moment I just witnessed in real time—Dane plucking the ball out of the air in the endzone, pulling it into his chest.

  Touchdown!

  Hands shaking, I snap as many pics as I can of Dane’s clean catch, shocked as shit that they just pulled that off.

  “What a nail-biter!” The announcer yells. “These boys are a sight to behold. I, for one, cannot wait to see what they bring to the field of NCU next fall.”

  The crowd erupts in cheers, celebrating the narrow win that has just marked the end to Cypress Prep’s perfect football season.

  Players rush the field from the bench and so does the entire dance squad, jumping all over the boys while small gold squares shoot from confetti cannons on the sideline. The marching band plays loud and proud, because our boys just did it.

  I snap a few more photos, but I’m pretty sure I’ve got more than enough for the paper. Besides, the professionals are here—local and national news outlets that swarm the field.

  Placing my phone inside my hoodie, I fight the urge to sprint down the stadium steps to West. It wouldn’t be right, though. That well-earned spotlight is shining brightly on him today after that incredible pass, and I’d never stand in the way.

  The team fought hard for this and they deserve their moment in the sun.

  Instead of interruptin
g, I slowly ascend toward the exit, knowing I couldn’t be prouder of him than I am right now. Every so often, I glance back over my shoulder to West, as he smiles into the lens of some network’s camera, and I’m content to congratulate him later.

  I’ll still be here when the interviews end, when the screams die down, when the confetti settles.

  My notifications are going wild, which isn’t a surprise. With the boys’ win, Pandora is gonna be firing off updates all day, I’m betting. I hug myself for warmth and trudge up the stands, but the sound of cleats on the cement steps has me halting and turning around.

  Out of breath and drenched in sweat, the star of the game is taking the steps by two to catch me.

  I should be scolding him for leaving behind the slew of reporters who were in line to get a few words from him, but I’m too happy he’s standing here.

  “West! They’re waiting for you!” I shout at him, imagining how many are staring us down right now. Starting with his Coach, who’s likely going to give him an earful for ditching his team.

  “I don’t give a shit,” he says. Then, half a second later, he’s kissing me.

  Hard. Deep.

  I cradle his jaw with both hands and can’t deny the changes I see in him. Yeah, he was different before our talk last night, but there’s been another shift since then. He’s not capable of being soft, and I wouldn’t want him to be. He has, however, dulled some of those sharp edges. The ones that used to catch me off guard, cut me deep. But having his undivided attention at a time like this, a time I expected to be all about him, I don’t exactly hate it.

  From around West’s shoulder, I spot his coach glancing up at us, and he doesn’t look happy.

  “Um, I think you might want to get back down to the field.”

  He lifts my chin with his finger, then his gaze flashes down to my lips. “I’ll go, but you’re coming with me.”

  “West, I—they’ll have my face plastered all over every single article about you,” I protest with a laugh.

  “Good thing you’re fucking beautiful.”

  It’s on the tip of my tongue to keep arguing with him, but he hits me with that smile of his. Once that happens, I feel myself giving in. His hand settles at the small of my back and I’m headed in the opposite direction of where I had in mind.