“Milo, babe, I think he gets it,” she whispered against my back, her hands spanned on my abs, and I was acutely aware of her. My body reacting to the feel of her like any other twenty-two-year-old.
“Do you?” I asked almost in a growl, and he nodded with his hands out in front of him.
“I do. I do. I’m sorry, Cora. I should go.” He waved and ran off, but I stood there watching until he disappeared into his frat house.
“Douche Epsilons,” I muttered under my breath and picked up the sound of her soft laughter. It settled deep in me.
“Thank you for that,” she said. I turned, not moving her hands from my waist, and didn’t miss the way her eyes widened when we were chest to chest, my hands on her lower back.
“You’re welcome, baby,” I mumbled, my eyes on those red-stained lips, my body turning up a couple degrees as all the blood in my body surged southbound. The apples of her cheeks brightened, and my free hand moved to trace the line of pink.
“What are you doing?” she asked in a whisper even though we were the only ones around.
“Making it look believable,” I said and hoped to fucking god she believed me. Jesus, she was gorgeous.
“Believable?” she repeated, her eyes on my mouth. I didn’t hesitate and leaned in closer.
“In case he comes back.”
“Oh…” Her breath was warm as it hit my fingers on her face. “Good thinking.”
“I’m pretty witty sometimes.”
“Just not when it comes to Greek mythology?”
“Exactly.” I grinned, giving her my most charming smile, but she didn’t crack. Her studious eyes didn’t miss a thing.
“I guess I could help you,” she finally said, breaking the silence and taking a weight off my shoulders.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Her eyes sparked. “I scratch your back, you scratch mine,” she stated like a ruthless negotiator.
“Excuse me?”
“Do me a favor, and I’ll help you with yours.”
“Didn’t I just help you out with Colt?”
“He’s persistent,” she filled in, and I nodded.
“Hmm, so this would be a quid pro quo type situation?”
“Those are some fancy words for you, aren’t they?” she teased, but holding her in my arms, I didn’t seem to mind it so much. Letting her believe I was nothing but a dumb jock could potentially work to my advantage.
“Fine, I’ll scratch your back, and you return the favor.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She stepped away and shrugged. “I need a date.”
“Umm, what?”
“Kappa Sweets has a Halloween party thing with the Deltas.”
“Okay?” I knew all about it. Despite having a couple douchecanoes, Delta Eps had some great parties. Their Halloween one was the way they kicked shit off for the year.
“Go with me.”
“Why?”
“I need a date, and if I don’t tell the girls I’m already going with someone, they’ll play matchmaker.” Interesting, if not a little meddling, but girls were like that.
“And?”
“And I love my sisters, but they suck at matchmaking.”
“They might surprise—”
“Trust me, they won’t,” she quickly cut me off, and I narrowed my eyes.
“How are you so—”
“Colt was bachelor number one on their list for me,” she pointed out, and I tried not to wince.
Poor girl.
Colt was a pain in the ass.
“They thought you two would hit it off?” I asked, and she nodded with a look that said ‘It can only get worse.’
“Fine,” I agreed easily. The idea of going to a party with her a month out didn’t sound horrible. Especially if that meant a month of tutoring.
“I can help you with mythology. That’s my last class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
“Mine too.”
“Perfect. We could get together after class and go through the material we’ve covered and any assignments that pop up.”
“You’re really going to help me?” I couldn’t help but sound suspicious. All I had to do was take her to one party while she was going to be tutoring me twice a week for over a month.
“I said I would.”
“And all I have to do is go to this party with you?” I questioned, feeling slightly off. Like this had come together all too easily.
“Oh, umm…” She worried her lower lip, and I knew the proverbial shoe was about to drop.
Cora Meadows
My grandmother, god bless her persnickety soul, had always said not to look a gift horse in the mouth. In Milo Clark’s muscular arms, I totally got what she meant. Though, as annoying as he could be, he was a very yummy-smelling gift horse.
“Umm?” he repeated, his gaze suspicious, and I didn’t blame him. I pressed my lips together wondering if I was completely insane for suggesting this. “One party wouldn’t be enough to get them off my back,” I told him honestly.
“Why not?” he asked, looking genuinely interested in what I was saying. But when it came to Milo Clark and his charms, I knew better. I’d been a sucker for him that first party freshman year.
Thank god I’d wised up.
“Because.” I stepped out of his arms and frowned at the way I instantly missed being in his space. “Look, they think I need to lighten up this year.”
“Lighten up?”
“Get out of my comfort zone and be more… well rounded.” I winced at the way it sounded.
“What?” he asked with a slight chuckle, and I shook my head and took a deep breath.
“They think some of the seniors have been too caught up in school.”
“And this is bad?”
“I didn’t think so. Look, they just think a guy would help. Like putting yourself out there. Dating wise, I guess.”
“Do you?” he asked, taking my hand in his, and my eyes went wide as my stomach flipped when I looked at our hands together.
“Do I what?” I croaked out, nervously looking up at the handsome guy who I had kept at arm’s length for a reason since freshman year.
“Need to lighten up? Need to date?”
“No,” I answered defensively and winced at how much of a shrew I must have sounded like. I exhaled roughly. “Okay, maybe. I don’t know. I’ve been focused on school and grades and extra-curricular activities. Dating wasn’t on the top of my list.”
“You wanna date me?” He grinned, and I scowled.
“No,” I exclaimed. “I want it to look like we are.” I sighed. “Milo, they’re great girls. Amazing friends. And I really think they mean well, but I don’t have time or energy to get involved with anyone right now.”
“So, you wanna use me to make them believe you are.”
“Yes,” I too quickly answered and grimaced because I realized how bad it sounded. “No. I just…”
“I’m teasing, gorgeous.” His free hand moved to my cheek. His rough hand was big and warm, and I couldn’t stop myself from leaning into his touch. There was something about Milo Clark that short-circuited my brain and made me stupid. Especially when he was sweet and called me gorgeous. This is a bad idea. “You got yourself a deal. I’ll make it believable for the girls. A couple pseudo-dates and Halloween party where after… I’m guessing we break up?”
“Yeah.” I shrugged. “After Halloween, the holidays hit, and we all get so busy. I’m sure my attempt will be enough to get them off my back for the rest of the year,” I clarified and found myself stepping in even closer to him, letting my hand rest on the center of his chest as I looked up at his gray eyes. “And I help you get on track with class, so you don’t get benched.”
“This could definitely work.” He leaned his face down closer to me, and I felt so tiny around him. He was massive. I swallowed hard, his eyes moving to my mouth and mine looking at his. “We should seal this deal.”
“How do you s
uggest we do that?” I whispered, knowing very well I was flirting with fire. His lips were so close. The smell of him and the heat of his body overwhelmed every one of my senses. I wanted to be wrapped around him.
It was just like that the first night we’d met.
I had been too naïve back then. I’d let the charming goalie of the school sweep me off my feet, and I’d been lost in that stormy gaze of his. He’d been my first kiss, not that he had any clue about that fact. I should speak up and say I was joking around. Take back my deal and just agree to help him. But like I said, there was something about Milo that drove me dumb, and I couldn’t get myself to back away from this deal.
Not when his lips touched mine. Soft yet strong.
His hands moved to my waist, pulling me in closer to his front with so much confidence it made me tremble in his embrace. Milo’s lips danced against mine. Slowly but surely. With confidence as he deepened the kiss. My eyes fluttered closed, and every second that ticked away made everything around us disappear.
In that moment, nothing existed around us.
From one moment to another, the kiss moved up a couple degrees. From sweet and tender to greedy and starving. But it wasn’t one-sided. I was right there with him. His hands moved to my ass, and he clenched my too voluptuous flesh. His grip pulled me in, and there was no second-guessing how excited he was. And to be honest, it only drove me crazier. Making me wetter than I’d ever been.
A deep cough sounded from somewhere, and we both froze. A giggle followed, but this was behind me.
“I, umm… I have a delivery for Cora Meadows,” the guy said behind Milo, and I slowly opened my eyes, daring to look up at his gray stare. His eyes were dilated, and we were both slightly breathless. Who was I kidding? We were panting. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have a couple more deliveries.”
“Right.” Milo reacted before I could get my brain to function.
He turned, and I silently watched him reach and take out his wallet from his back pocket, paying and tipping the delivery guy. My sorority sister Ivey Guzman moved and stood next to me. I watched as she silently asked what was going on, and I shrugged, knowing very well my cheeks were burning up.
“Well, well, well… Milo Clark and Cora? Something you wanna share?” Ivey asked, looking back and forth between us, and I felt like a fish out of water, opening and closing my mouth without uttering a word.
“Not particularly,” Milo said, shrugging, acting all cool and calm. Like he hadn’t just been caught groping me. Because maybe for him, it wasn’t a big deal. It was just another Wednesday night. Suddenly, I felt slightly sick and not sure this was the best idea. I’d been burned once by him thinking he was one thing that turned out to be another. It had been one kiss, but it had also been more than that. There had been a magnetic pull and off-the-charts chemistry. I was usually awkward and clumsy and nerdy around guys, but with Milo, something about him made me feel at ease, despite the team of Olympic-sized butterflies in my stomach. This was definitely a bad idea. Who needs to step off their zone?
“Right, babe?” he said, sliding in closer with his arm around my shoulder, moving my front to his side with my food dangling in its bag in his other hand. I glanced up at him, and my hand, with a mind of its own, slid from his flat stomach to the center of his chest. His eyes flared, his stare sharing just how much he enjoyed my touch, and poof! My brain went Milo dumb.
“I think Ivey wants to know about us,” he said, his eyes searching mine, and I licked my lips.
“Us,” I repeated, and he grinned right before he leaned forward. I closed my eyes thinking he was going to kiss me, but he didn’t. Nope. The guy had a way of making my head spin and keeping me on my toes.
Instead of his lips on mine, his nose ran against mine. The action was one I’d seen other couples do. And almost barfed. It was too cutesy for my taste, but with him it was different. The doubt and worry that had been hitching up mere seconds ago drifted away. “I like the sound of us,” he whispered against my lips.
“Oh my god! Wait till the rest of the girls hear about this,” Ivey gushed. “I will leave you two to… whatever. Bye, Milo!”
“Bye, Ivey,” he said, but his eyes never left mine.
The door to the house closed behind me, and we just stood there. Under the moonlight, still tucked up close to him. Time seemed to slow down as the scent of him and orange chicken drifted around us.
“Hungry?” I asked, breaking the silence when my stomach rumbled.
“You have no idea,” he rasped before stealing one more kiss.
“Why do I have a feeling you’re not talking about Chinese?” I whispered against his way too talented mouth.
“Because I’m not.” He chuckled deeply, his body slightly shaking against mine. It felt good to hear his laughter.
“Oh.” I swallowed hard, wondering if I was totally in over my head when it came to the soccer goalie. “Milo,” I said, then my stomach growled way too loudly and he smiled, his hand tracing the curve of my jaw as something worked behind his amazing eyes.
He had this way of making you feel safe and nervous all at the same time.
“I should let you eat. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?”
“Yeah.” I nodded, taking a step back, my feet feeling slightly wobbly. “Tomorrow,” I repeated, and he winked before waving goodbye and walking away toward the Sigma house.
CHAPTER TWO
Milo
“HOW THE HELL do you remember all this?” I asked, completely in awe of her.
We had walked to the library after class and had been reviewing for the last two hours. Or her trying to review and me trying not to let things seep out of my ears. For whatever reason, I couldn’t get this class. But I liked the way she talked about each god. The stories she told and the way she shared them. This was more than an elective for her.
“I don’t know. I guess I just find it interesting.”
“Interesting?” I asked back, looking at her through new eyes. I knew she was fucking smart, but the way she explained things and saw them amazed me.
“Yeah.” She shrugged, reaching into her bag again. She’d been doing that the last hour. Reach, plastic crinkle sound, and pop in her mouth as she read. The girl made me want to know everything about her. And I wanted to know what the hell she was eating.
“You’re a political science major,” I pointed out, and she rested her head on her hand, her free hand popping once again something into her mouth, her eyes never wavering from mine. I almost believed she was eating whatever it was subconsciously.
“And?”
“And come on, you gotta give me something,” I begged, and she laughed. I felt it in my chest. God, I really freaking liked that sound.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she said, suddenly shy, and I leaned closer.
“We’re getting to know one another. It’ll help make us look believable as a couple if we know one another, right?” I still couldn’t believe what I’d gotten myself into, but I knew in my gut this whole thing was to my benefit. “Greek mythology fits in how?” I pressed, wondering what the hell she was doing in the class. She was going to be a lawyer one day.
“My grandfather was Greek.” She shrugged, dropping her hand and picking up her pen, breaking our gaze. I didn’t like losing her eyes. “My dad’s dad. My parents and him… they didn’t really get along. I don’t know, maybe the fact we weren’t close is what pulls me to all things Greek? Like trying to figure out a little bit about yourself and where you come from through books since you can’t with the real people,” she shared, and I had an overwhelming need to reach for her.
So, I did.
Threading our fingers together, not missing the way her breathing seemed to hitch anytime I touched her. I liked those hitches. I was going to think about them later when I jerked off thinking about her. Not only did she intrigue me, she made me hard as hell.
“I respect that,” I said, my voice slightly too deep, and she shrugged shyly, meeting my s
tare.
“Thanks. Anyhow, I think you’re getting it. Sometimes it just takes a second look at the wording and really breaking it down per story. It helps to write each one out with its definition and going over it before class. Kind of like a small refresher. I have a copy of mine, if you want to photocopy—”
“I’ll do my own. But thanks.” I didn’t want her to think I was using her. We were doing enough of that, and the way I was starving for another kiss was making me blur the lines way too much on my end.
I didn’t do relationships.
I was an athlete.
I didn’t have the time to do that.
I couldn’t afford to fuck up, and I had seen one too many guys with great potential fuck it all up over a girl.
“Okay.” She let my hand go and took out another candy from her backpack.
“What are you eating?” I finally asked, the curiosity getting the best of me.
“Shoot. I’m sorry, I should have offered you some. They’re Smarties. Want one?”
“Smarties? Like the candies?” I asked incredulously, instantly making a face.
“Yeah.” She smiled looking up at me. “With Halloween around the corner, they’re in all the stores.”
“Those are your guilty pleasure?” I asked. I mean, who liked Smarties? They were what was left in your candy bowl after all the good stuff was devoured.
“Yup.” The sweet pink was blooming over the apples of her cheeks.
“I should have known.” I grinned thinking she was just getting more adorable by the second.
“Why is that?”
“Smarties for a Smarty Pants,” I teased, and her smile faltered as the light that had been shimmering in her eyes a second before dimmed slightly.
“Is that how you see me?” she asked, and before I could answer, she shook her head. “Don’t answer that,” she immediately added, not looking directly at me. “I should really get going.”
“Wait. What?” I watched as she rushed to put things into her bag.
“You have a list to make and go over. I have reading and—”
His Smarty Pants Page 2