Beautiful Defiance: Cambridge High Mayhem (Kiss Starter: Cambridge High Book 1)

by Ashlyn Mathews

  He doesn’t say any more. Just looks off to the side. He’s ashamed and remorseful for toying with my feelings and messing with my mind. I should hate him more, but the thing is, what he’s telling me isn’t that terrible after hearing of what my mom did to Alistair.

  I nudge him back to looking at me again with my knuckle on his chin. “Go on. What else?”

  “I fell hard for you, Leigh. You became all I thought about. Filled my world. My life. Saw me for me. Became my sounding board without me feeling like less of a dude for showing you my softer side.”

  “I don’t understand, Seven. If you fell hard for me, why ditch me?” Then I give him my truth. “I looked forward to spending time with you. Loved watching you do your thing on the field. Loved that you would rather come in through my window because at first, it started as something to get back at me for. Later, it became a part of us.”

  “Kind of like our pinky swears?” Small smile from him, and my breath hitches in my chest. I miss Seven’s smiles.

  “Yes.” My arms leave my sides. Wrap around his shoulders. Move down his back and settle on his waist. He is solid. Sexy. Could be mine again. “Why ditch me, Seven?”

  He blows out a breath.

  “It’s stupid, but being around you distracted me. I couldn’t study worth a damn. Couldn’t play worth a damn either, losing my team games. I thought hanging with Ginger would make me forget you. That not hanging with you would help me play ball at top notch. But keeping away from you has done none of that. It wasn’t you, Leigh. It was me.”

  He closes his eyes. Seems to be fighting this inner war with himself. I pull him down to me and rub my nose on his. Implore him to tell me what he means by it wasn’t me but him. That I would never judge him no matter his answer. I care so much for him.

  “You do?”

  “Since the night you plucked me out of that pool.”

  “Aw, Leigh. God, seeing you in the water like that, I freaked out.”

  “You were so calm.”

  “Inside, I was shaking. Furious too.”

  “Thanks for telling me, Seven.” I kiss him. He kisses me back, putting everything into that kiss. His apology, remorse, fear, anger, happiness.

  “Explain what you mean, Seven,” I ask after we end our kiss with these endless pecks. “What did you mean, it’s not me, that it was you?”

  “I shouldn’t have let what’s going on with my parents distract me from playing ball at my top-notch best. Or make it an excuse to party and not do my schoolwork. Or believe that not having my lucky coin cost me games. It’s on me for playing like shit.”

  He’s accepting responsibility for his actions. Is acknowledging that he’s made mistakes. I’m so proud of him, I want to throw my arms around him and keep kissing him. Except I let him talk. Seven needs to get everything off his chest.

  “Or that you out of my life is the answer. It’s not. Being with you is the only answer, Leigh. You listen. You help. You’re kind. You’re good. You’re you, and damn if I don’t like you for you.”

  He captures my mouth with his. I open to him, groaning beneath the onslaught of his mouth and his tongue. We kiss like this for what seems like forever, with a desperation of missing out on time with one another, of missing out on other chances to kiss and touch to our hearts’ content. We break off the kiss with smiles on our faces.

  “I’m sorry, Leigh, for everything. If you never forgive me, I’ll understand.”

  “Thanks, Seven. I’m not ready.”

  “Will you ever be?”

  “After more kisses. More nights of you climbing in through my window. More nights stargazing or listening to the rain on the skylight, snuggled up to you.”

  “Aw, babe. I care so much for you.”

  “I care too.” I skim my fingers along his jawline. Stick my other hand under his shirt. “Have you told her?”

  Poor Ginger. I understand what she’s going through if she fell hard for Seven too.

  “I spoke with her before I came here.”

  “How’d she take it?”

  “Not well.” His fingers trench in my hair. “Be my girl, Leigh.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s not fair to her. Did you tell her how you felt about me?”

  “Yes, Leigh. I laid it all out on the line. Confessed that I liked you from the start. Since you got off the bus that first day of school.”

  “Wait, you did?”

  “Yes, baby.”

  “Seven.” Jesus, when he says stupid, unexpected stuff like that, he unravels me. Tears well in my eyes. It’s not right to want him so badly and agree to be his girl when he put a different girl in the position I was in, hurting and hating on him.

  “Baby, please don’t cry.”

  “I hate you.”

  “Still?”

  “You misled me. I said we are not friends and you told me never that, never just friends.”

  “I didn’t mislead you, babe. With us, we can never be just friends. From the day I met you and you glared back when you saw me staring, I knew I wanted to be something more to you. Except I went about it the wrong way. I told you you’re mine. Told. Demanded. But never asked. Be my girl, Leigh Kim?”

  How can I refuse when he wears his heart on his sleeve?

  “Yes, Seven. Yes, I’ll be yours.”

  35

  LEIGH

  I live in the here and now, happier than I have ever been in my life. Little did I know, my perfect world would come crashing down around me with another godawful truth that was kept from me.

  “Seven, we can’t seriously go rolling down the hillside. What if there’s cow poop or snakes in the grass, or sharp objects?”

  We stare down the hillside that ends close to the spot where Maddox dug up the safe. Seven points at the section of grass he wants us to tumble down.

  “Do you see any shit or snakes or anything sharp that will poke you?”

  The grass is freshly cut. Thomas had it done as soon as I opened my mouth and suggested I be his new groundskeeper.

  “No.”

  “Point made. Now come on. The faster we do this, the faster we can go for a bike ride. Then my parents want to meet you.”

  When Seven was at my place last night, his dad was with his mom. On our way up the hillside, holding hands, he filled me in. He got the text late last night. His mom invited his dad to stay over after his confession, and the rest is history. I can’t wait to meet Seven’s parents. Their second chance gives me hope in the power of love.

  “You go first,” I say.

  “Promise you’ll follow?”

  “Wait a minute. You said you’re not a follower. How about you follow my lead?”

  He smiles, and coming from behind, he slips his arms around my waist and nuzzles my neck. “Gladly.”

  I go down the hill first, laughing all the way. I stand and sway. Goodness that was fun, but I am dizzy.

  “Doing okay?” Seven stands, and he is completely steady on his feet.

  “You’ve done this before,” I accuse, playfully shoving my finger into his chest.

  He takes my finger and strokes up and down, his eyes fixed on my mouth. “First time, honest to God.”

  Unable to look away from the smolder in his eyes, I tip my head up, reading him like an open book. His mouth crashes over mine. He tastes good. Morning coffee and peppermint.

  His fingers shove in my hair. I lean into him. His thickness presses into my stomach, and a moan slips from me. It’s embarrassing how much I want him. Or the sex noises I make when he turns me on. Moaning. Sighs full of longing. Groaning. Breathless and dizzy, I break off the kiss, and cradling his face in my hand, I tell him what I would like him to give me for a belated birthday gift.

  “Leigh, are you sure?” He searches my face for clues.

  “I can’t wait until my next birthday. I want you to be my first, Seven Shanahan. Say yes.”

  He slings me over his shoulder, and with purpose in his s
teps, he makes his way to my place.

  I take it that’s a yes.

  36

  SEVEN

  She trusts me with her heart. Wants me to be her first. I’m in heaven. A lucky bastard. Inside her room, we stare at one another.

  She bites down on her lower lip. Looks away. I grasp her chin and tip her face up.

  “I can wait, Leigh. We have all the time in the world.”

  “I don’t know if I’ll be following you to DU. Anyway, you’ll get picked for the football team. Be their next quarterback. King of the game and king on campus. You’ll want a different queen. Someone prettier. Someone who falls in line and won’t embarrass you or defy.”

  I scoff. “Believe me, looking as fine as you did at that damn party, the guys will wonder why you’re with an ugly fuck like me. Live for the moment, Leigh. Let’s take this a day at a time, baby.”

  Her eyes slide to the floor. “Okay.”

  Something else is wrong.

  “Babe, you’re my everything.”

  “You mean the world to me too.”

  She’s still not looking at me.

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “You’ve only seen my scars in the dark.”

  Aw, shit.

  I reach for the remote and hit the “on” button. The panel on the ceiling opens. It’s daylight. It started raining.

  “Day or night, rain or shine, you are beautiful inside and out, Leigh.”

  “Seven.”

  She looks up. Tears gather in her eyes. Her bottom lip trembles. My chest aches, knowing the hell she went through to get the scars on her body.

  Which brings me to what the hell happened the day she came over and returned my lucky coin? She hadn’t looked at me for a reason. Leigh was crying. What made Maddox come to Cambridge, carting Leigh off to paradise as though he were her knight in shining armor?

  My temper rises, and I shove that bad shit down.

  “Leigh, we can wait until dark.”

  “No, I’d . . . I’d like for us to make love.”

  “Make love. That’s nice. Sounds grown up. What grown-ups do. Beats hooking up.” I smile and waggle my brows, earning me a scowl from her pretty face and a smack on the shoulder.

  “Seven Shanahan, you are terrible.”

  “I’m your terrible. All yours, Leigh.” I step back and yank my shirt over my head. “Defy, babe. Give those guys who fucked you up the finger. Show them you own your defiance.”

  Her eyes widen. Liquid amber, and I am hard. She tips her chin. Strips off her shirt. Tosses her bra on the floor. Yanks off her pants and underwear. She stands before me in her birthday suit, a goddess with her raven hair, golden eyes, full red lips, and the scars on her smooth skin just above her sex. She is a sight to behold, my princess, my fighter, my Beautiful Defiance, and Leigh is mine.

  I strip and open my arms to her. “I’m yours, baby. All yours for the taking.”

  Her gaze trails over my body, from my eyes to my steel abs to my erect cock. Her eyes widen. She’s nervous. But that doesn’t stop Leigh from looking her fill. I stand before her, not shy about putting my body on full display.

  And I’m digging that she’s not shy about wanting me. She licks her lips, and getting on the bed, she crooks her finger. I grab my dick and crank it side to side. It’s been a long time since I’ve had sex, and thank fuck it’s Leigh I’ll be making love to.

  She is everything I didn’t know I wanted in a girl. She is fire and water. Hot and cold. Strong and vulnerable.

  “I am yours, Leigh.” I slide my body over hers, keeping my weight off her with my arms alongside her head. “I care so much for you, babe.”

  Her hair is a thick mass of black on her white pillowcase. Beautiful. Goddamn, she is beautiful.

  “I’m yours too, Seven.” She skims her fingers up and down my arms. Goosebumps rise on my skin from the feather-light caresses.

  Ready to give her the world, I dip my head and kiss the corner of her mouth. “Pinky swear you’ll always be mine?”

  I press my mouth on hers. Her lips curve under mine.

  “I pinky swear.” She tongues the corner of my mouth.

  I get her on a technicality. “You tongued me.”

  “No shit, Sherlock.”

  Laughter sputters from me. This girl.

  “I’d like to tongue other parts of you. Especially this part.” She grabs my cock. My cock thickens, hardens. Shit, is it possible to get this rock hard?

  “You’ll have to tell me if I’m doing it right, Seven. I’ve never, um, I’ve never given a guy oral.”

  Holy fuck, that is hot knowing I’ll be her first. I kiss the fuck out of her until she is kissing me back, hard, her arms and legs wrapping around me as she tips her hip and wets my dick with her pussy juices.

  “Fuck, Leigh. It’s been too long. I won’t last.”

  “How about I get you off first? Will that help you last longer next go around?”

  I nod, too turned on to speak worth a damn.

  “Get on your back, Seven.”

  Can this girl talk dirty or what? I roll off her and get on my back. She kisses me, then goes low, worshipping my six-pack abs with her tongue and her mouth. Before she gets to my cock, I need a taste of her. I’m selfish that way.

  “Come here, Leigh. Put your tits in my face.”

  “Okay.” Her mouth parts, and her eyes glaze over with lust.

  Her tits hang in my face, and I take one nipple, then the other, in my mouth. Using my tongue and my teeth, I suck and graze and lick. She rocks her hips and slicks her wetness over my length. I rub her clit. Slip my finger in her heat. She’s wet. Tight.

  “Oh my God, Seven, that feels so good.”

  She sits up straight, robbing me of a view and a taste of her fine-ass tits. I groan in protest, but when she rolls her hips and moves over my cock . . . Fuck, fuck.

  “Fuuuuckk.”

  “That feels good?”

  “Hell yeah.”

  “I thought so.” Sly grin. Mischievous gleam in her eyes. “Now I’m ready. I want a taste of us.”

  Oh, fuck me, this girl . . .

  She moves down my body and takes my cock in her mouth. Wet. Warm. Tight. Her small mouth taking my big cock. The tip of my cock hitting the back of her throat. I come off the bed. She digs her nails into my hips. Moves them to my ass cheeks. Kneads my flesh.

  Groaning, writhing, fucking writhing under the skill of her tongue and her mouth, I fist my fingers in her hair and guide her up and down my rod.

  She pumps me in and out of her mouth. Takes all of my length and thickness. Pounds her mouth over my dick. Over and over.

  “I . . . fuck, Leigh, I can’t. I’m gonna come, babe. Let go now or I’ll blow my load.”

  She sucks harder. Doesn’t let go of her hold on my cock with her mouth or her hand. Her fingers dig into my ass cheek. Pressure uncoils in my groin. A wave of heat rolls over my body. My eyes roll back in my head, and I shoot my hot cum in her mouth.

  Leigh takes it. Swallows. Wipes her mouth. I yank her up and smash my mouth over hers. Salty. Hot. I flip her onto her back. There’s no resistance. Her body is lax. She’s smiling. Licking her lips again.

  “Mmm, you taste good.”

  “That so?”

  “So.”

  “Good. My turn.”

  I suck on her tits. Stroke her clit. Rub the swollen nub until she cries out. Needing more of her sex noises, I slip my fingers in her heat. Pump in and out of her with one finger. Two fingers. Fuck, she is wet, tight. I groan. Enough finger fucking. I need a taste of her.

  I press my face to her heat. Lick up her pussy juices. She slides up in bed. Uh-uh. I hook my arms around her thighs and pull her to me. I eat her up, eat her out. She moans. Rests her heels on my shoulders. Slides her fingers in my hair, yanking and pulling at the strands with every lick and pull of her clit from my mouth.

  “Seven.”

  She’s panting. Good. My dick comes to life again. I lick more. Suck
her pussy lips into my mouth. Taste her. Will have pussy breath for the rest of the day. Won’t shower until I know I’ll be eating her out again.

  “Seven, I want you inside me.”

  “Come for me first, baby.”

  She comes on command, and shit, my chest puffs out like I’m the rooster in the hen house. Hungry for more, I roll the condom on, slide back over her body, and nudge the tip of my cock to her opening. She wraps her legs around my waist and yanks me down to her.

  “Just do it, Seven. I’m ready. More than ready.”

  I slide my cock inside her inch by inch. Break through her barrier. She sucks in a breath. Her body stills.

  “Doing okay?”

  “Better than okay.”

  She smiles, and that’s my signal to move. I pump in and out of her, watching her face with every in and out. Is she hurting? Am I making her first time good for her?

  “Seven?”

  “Yes, baby?”

  “Stop thinking so hard. In this, just be.”

  In this, just be.

  In this.

  Just be.

  I slam into her.

  Pound inside her wet pussy.

  Over and over.

  Her back arches.

  Her legs wrap around my waist.

  Make their way to my shoulders.

  Holding on to her hips, I rock into her.

  Her nails rake my back. Her heels dig into my shoulders.

  “Harder.”

  “Fuck, Leigh.” I grit my teeth. She is tight, wet.

  “Harder, Seven.”

  Her inner muscles clench my rod. She opens her legs wide. Black hair fanned out around her. Smooth tan skin. Bright amber eyes. Fuck, she’s beautiful, and Leigh is mine. Fucking mine.

  Grunting, groaning, I pound into her. We come in an explosion of heavy breathing and skin slapping on skin, her inner muscles milking me until I am spent and slumping on her body, too sated to give a fuck that I could be crushing her.

  She drags her nose over mine. Presses her mouth on mine. She is fire and defiance, and she is mine. All mine.