“I’ll be there,” I answer. I didn't think things would go back to normal with Quinn, but I also didn't know it would go that smooth either. I feel a sense of relief because I not only missed Zoey but Quinn too. She’d been like a mom to me when we were growing up, and I know I hurt her too.
“Have fun,” she says before she turns, leaving us alone.
“That felt a little too easy.” I look down at Zoey. She’s got a giant smile on her face.
“I think she’s happy I’m dating.” She huffs a breath. “And we all know my mom loves you with all the ass kissing you did even when you weren't talking to me.” I give her ass a smack. She jumps, letting out an adorable squeal.
“Let’s feed you.” I take her hand, heading out of the house. We still get some looks from people when we’re out. It doesn't bother me, but Zoey fidgets some. It makes me worry a little about college. I have no idea what it will be like there. I don’t think it will be a far stretch that I’ll have attention on me. It’s something we’ll need to talk about. I want us to be beyond solid when we start school in the fall. I need to make sure there is no doubt in Zoey’s head about what we are. She is it for me, and the same goes for her; making sure she understands that I’ve never nor will I ever want another will help us both breathe easier.
The night goes by too fast, and before I know it, I’m kissing Zoey goodnight before leaving her at her doorstep. That shit is going to get old fast. I enter the side door of my house and see my dad standing in the kitchen eating a piece of pizza. He’s freshly showered, but he’s got jeans and a shirt on as if he’s going somewhere. He never goes anywhere but work or to my games.
“Want some?” he offers.
“Nah. Zoey and I went to dinner.”
His eyebrows lift. “You finally pulled your head out of your ass?” He smiles before he sits down at the table in the kitchen.
“I guess my acting skills are shit.” I open the fridge and grab a bottle of water.
“You’re going to the same college. I’m not dumb.” That’s true. There were a few better choices I could have gone with where football was concerned, but I would have played like shit even if Zoey was still my girl but lived states away. I was better off this way, being at the same school where I could see her every day. I’ve gone long enough being without her and I’m not willing to do it for another day.
“Yeah.” I take a swig of my water.
“I get it. Probably for the best you two broke apart a few years.” I’m still not sure if it was the right thing to do or not. It doesn't matter now. What’s done is done, and Zoey is mine now. That’s all that matters.
“I’m going to head up.”
He holds his fist out, and I bump the side as I pass him, heading up to my room. I fall back onto my bed and wait. When eleven o’clock hits, I’m slipping out my backdoor. I freeze, ducking behind the air conditioner when I think I hear a female voice.
“He’s in bed,” my dad says. “You’re coming over here. You’ve been gone two days.” I peek over the air conditioner to see my dad grabbing Quinn. She lets out a giggle that is the exact same one as my Zoey. I sit there shocked for a minute. He kisses her for a long moment before pulling her toward our house. I’ll be damned. The old man still has game.
I easily jump the fence before I grab on to the roof of the shed and pull myself up. I jump onto the roof over the garage, crossing back to Zoey’s window. I push it open so that I can slip right in. I lock it before kicking off my shoes and pulling my hoodie off. I fall back onto her bed, putting my hands behind my head.
That was easier than I thought it would be. I’d mapped that plan out years ago. It was nice to finally get to use it. I hear the sink faucet go on and off a few seconds later. Zoey opens the door and flips off the bathroom light. She lets out a gasp but quickly cuts it off.
“What are you doing?” She looks over at her bedroom door. She walks over to it and clicks the lock into place.
“I think you know what I’m doing.” I pull the blanket back for her to get into bed. She climbs in and flicks the lamp. She cuddles into me, laying her head on my shoulder and throwing her leg over mine.
“Wonder what Mom will say if we get caught.” Zoey lets out a laugh, not sounding too worried. I think she’d get a pass, to be honest. Based on what her mom said earlier, anyway. Zoey was never one to break the rules. Hell, I’m not sure what the rules even are at this point. Especially not after what I saw outside a few minutes ago.
“I’ll be gone before anyone knows it.” She kisses my neck. “A few years and we’ll have a place of our own. I have to live on campus. Some frat house, I think.” Unless your family lives close to the university, all freshmen on the team have to live on campus the first year.
“A frat house?” I know what she’s thinking. It’s the same shit I’m thinking too. All the crap you see on TV with wild parties and so on. I won’t be partaking in any of that shit. “Are you going to be okay with us when we get out there?” She traces hearts over and over on my chest with her fingers. “You didn't seem to like the people that were stealing glances our way during dinner earlier.”
“It worries me a little, to tell you the truth. I think they look at us now, and they don’t understand why all of a sudden Reid Knight is all over a girl, for one thing. The other reason I think they’re so curious is because they can’t believe it's me you fell for and not a cheerleader or something.” I shift, moving Zoey over. I flip on the nightstand light, coming back over her. I want her to see my face.
“I have never cheated on you. I’ve never even come fucking close to it.” I told her this pretty much when I said I’d never kissed anyone but her. I think she gets it, but she wants it spelled out, which I’m happy to do if it makes her feel better.
“We’ve been together—”
“Since the moment I moved in next door.” She gives me a small smile. “I’m not trying to be sweet here, Zoey. I’m giving you the truth. Not one time have I ever thought it would be anyone but you. If anything, that should probably scare you a little bit. It’s safe to say I'm obsessed with you. When you took those pictures of me, you said I never smiled. I only nodded when we scored or I won a game. I considered all of those moments to be another step in the direction of my future. That future always has and always will be you. I got my ass into Kingston University because I knew you were going to be there. Not to go to some frat party or to hook up with cheerleaders. Everything I’ve done has been for you, for our future.”
“Reid.” My name leaves her lips in a soft breath.
“Yeah, babe?” I lean down more. My heart pounds in my chest.
“The weekend is over.” I nod. She wraps her legs around me. “Make love to me.” I close my eyes, dropping my forehead to hers. “You clearly love me, and I know I Iove you. Even when I try to hide it, somehow my camera always finds you.”
“Say it again.” I open my eyes. She wraps her arms around my neck.
“I love you, Reid Knight.”
“I love you too, Zoey Hawthorne. One day to be Zoey Knight.” She lets out a giggle. “I’m holding you to that.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “Now why don’t you show me exactly how much you love me?” She pulls me down for a kiss. What my girl wants she gets. Somehow I’m the lucky bastard that stole her heart, and I’ll never let it go again.
15
Zoey
Reid kisses me, taking his time. My heart still pounds from his words. I think he was scared to tell me about some of his feelings. It’s clear they scared him on some level. It’s why he all but pushed me out of his life before, but he never stopped loving and wanting me. I think that would be harder to deal with then thinking he was going to move on with his life. There is no moving on for Reid, and reality is I never moved on either. On some level I never truly let go of him. Deep down inside I always loved him but was too hurt by his actions to admit it.
His mouth leaves mine, traveling down my neck. “Clothes.” I want to feel us skin t
o skin. He sits up to pull his shirt over his head. I do the same. I only have on a long sleep shirt with panties. I reach for my panties, pulling them down my legs and tossing them away. Reid stands, pulling his pants and boxers down. I allow my eyes to roam over every inch of him. I swear the man's body is a work of art.
I saw him naked when we showered together. Reid is big all over, but I’m not scared for some reason. I trust that he’ll take care of me. I think the pain would be worse if he doesn't take me. My whole body has been aching for him since he put his mouth between my legs, exploring what other pleasures he could give me.
He grabs his cock, stroking himself a few times before he climbs back onto the bed. My hands got to his face, cupping it before kissing him as I lie back down on the bed. He slides between my thighs. I spread my legs wide in order to accommodate his big body. He takes his mouth from mine and begins to trail kisses down my body. The warmth of his mouth sets my whole body on fire. The need for him to give me more grows to the point of being unbearable.
“Reid,” I huff. I want him inside of me now.
“In bed I decide what’s best for you. Got it?” He lifts his head, his eyes locking with mine, letting me know that he’ll decide when the time is right to take me. I shake my head yes. “You do as I tell you.” My sex clenches at his order. “If I want to lick your pussy until you're coming on my tongue, you're going to let me.”
“Okay,” I agree. The throb between my thighs seems to be growing worse by the second. I swear the anticipation is going to be the death of me.
“Good girl.” He kisses me again, nipping at my bottom lip before I feel his warm mouth on my nipple. My body arches off the bed as he licks and sucks my breast. His hand travels down between my legs. I’m so wet that it takes nothing for him to slide one finger inside of me and then another. He thrusts them in and out of me as that expert mouth of his continues to work my nipple. My breathing picks up. I need more.
“Now you want my mouth, don’t you? Did you think I was going to take you fully without tasting your sweet pussy first? Never going to happen.” My thighs spread more, making room for him. He keeps pumping his fingers in and out of me. He stares at my sex, and I think he’s trying to kill me. I start to clench around his fingers over and over again. “Now your pussy is begging for my mouth too.” I lift my hips.
“Please, Reid. I need you.” He closes his eyes like he’s savoring my words. I grip the sheets in my hands so I don’t grab him and push him into me. He pushes my hips back down, reminding me he’s in control. Still my body keeps trying to move with the motion of his fingers. The dark hungry look in his eyes has me sucking in a breath.
“I need you too, Zoey. More than you’ll ever understand. But I’m not going to give you what you want until you tell me exactly where you want my mouth.” I swear he’s going to pay for this torture one day, but for now I tell him exactly what he wants to hear and what I need.
“I need your mouth on my pussy.” I swear the words have barely finished leaving my lips and his mouth is on me, sucking my clit into his mouth. I put my hand over my lips as I start to come. Reid doesn't hold back as he devours me. One orgasm blends into another. The last orgasm hits me hard. Before I realize what’s happening, he thrusts fully inside of me. His mouth covers mine as my body keeps on riding the high. I can feel the sharp stab of pain, but the orgasm overrides it.
Reid doesn't stop kissing me. I lie still under him, my body and mind trying to catch up to everything that I’m feeling. Reid is fully inside me. His body is over mine. I dig my fingers into his back as I start to kiss him again. I wrap my legs around him.
“I love you.” He pulls his mouth from mine and places kisses all over my face. “Fuck. Did I hurt you?” His nose flares, and I see the angry look in his eyes at himself.
“You didn't hurt me.” I run my fingers up and down his back, trying to soothe him.
“You’re crying.” He kisses my cheek again and then the other.
“I’m happy. They’re happy tears,” I tell him. “I love how close I feel to you right now. That this connection is something we’ll only have together.”
“Damn straight it will only be ours together,” he growls, making me laugh.
“I love you.” I pull him down to me. Mr. In Control In Bed lets me steal a kiss, but he takes over quickly. He pulls out and thrusts back inside of me. I gasp, and he freezes. “Don’t stop.”
“I’ll never stop,” he says as he picks up his speed. My pleasure starts to build all over again. I watch his face, wanting to see everything he feels. “I need you to come with me.” He shifts, still thrusting in and out of me as his hands slip between us to my clit. It’s all too much. It doesn’t take long for me to come again.
Reid buries his face in my neck, groaning my name. It’s the most erotic sound I’ve ever heard in my life. His warm release spills inside of me as he thrusts a few more times, milking his own release out.
He rolls, going to his back and taking me with him so that I’m draped across his chest. He’s still inside of me. I feel his cock jerk. It makes me gasp. I wiggle a little. Reid grabs my ass, stopping me.
“You’re going to hurt yourself.”
“This is far from painful.” I giggle and shift again. He gives my ass a small smack.
“Trust me. It will hurt tomorrow.” I know he’s likely right.
“How would you know?” I lift my head to look up at him. God, he’s so damn hot and he’s all mine.
“I read about it,” he admits, making me giggle more. This time it’s him that groans as his cock jerks inside of me. Clearly the two of them aren't on e same page.
“Of course you did.” I lay my head back down on his chest. He flips the light off. I should have known. He already made sure we had the birth control talk. He was happy to find out that I had an insert in my arm that protects me.
“When it comes to you, I try and make sure I’m doing what’s best.” I let out a deep breath.
“You need to let me be a part of those decisions. You can’t decide things on your own that you think are best for me.”
“I’ll try.” I turn my head and bite him. He jerks, then lets out a laugh that shakes my whole body. “I’m not going to lie. Sometimes I have knee-jerk reactions when it comes to things that concern your well-being, but I swear I’ll try. Everything I ever do is because I think it’s what’s best for you.”
“I want you to do what’s best for you too.” I don’t want everything to be about me.
“I already have what’s best for me. Now I just have to keep it.” His hands roam up and down my body. I turn my head again, and this time I kiss him.
“I love you,” I tell him, closing my eyes.
“I love you too,” he says, holding me tight. I know Reid will never let me go. Any fears I have about the future wash away. Reid will always belong to me.
16
Reid
I stand in the kitchen watching the time. I slipped out of Zoey’s window an hour ago to go home and get ready for school. When the s’mores Pop-Tart pops from the toaster, I wrap it in a paper towel. I hear Dad coming down the stairs, so I reach over and hit the button on the coffee pot to get it started for him. He comes strolling in a few moments later.
“Thanks,” he says, grabbing a mug. “You set off one of my sensors last night.” I look up from my phone as he pours himself a coffee.
“They weren't on.” I checked before I left. I was going to turn them off and back on. Besides he’d been outside when I’d slipped out. Why I’m guessing they weren't on to begin with.
“The ones I have next door.” He takes a sip of his coffee, and I shake my head.
“How long has next door been going on?” I ask, slipping my phone into my pocket.
“For me? Since I laid eyes on her, but she wasn't ready. I’ve worn her down over the years. Now she wants to wait for Zoey to graduate before making anything official.”
“Zoey won’t care. She likes you. It was me she did
n't like.” I smirk.
“Don’t fuck this up for either of us.”
“Does Quinn know you have sensors in her backyard?” I ask. Now I’m starting to wonder about all the late nights he works. I bet a few of those are spent with Quinn. Good. I thought he was just a workaholic. It makes me happy to know that he has someone. Plus, I love Quinn. She’s always been good to me.
“It gives me peace of mind. Two pretty girls like them living alone need protecting.” I smile, staring at my dad. He’s the only parent I’ve ever known. Mom was a one-night stand. I’m starting to think we have a lot more in common than I thought if he’s putting sensors on their backyard to make sure they're safe. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“Well, I’ll be setting them off a lot more often.” I give him a heads-up before I grab my bag off the table. We bump fists before I’m out the door. I pull my truck back and over into Zoey’s driveway. She comes skipping out the front door. Her hair is piled on top of her head. She has a pair of overalls that are shorts on. She doesn't even have to try to be hot. She just is.
A smile lights up her whole face when she sees me. It hits me right in the stomach. God, it feels good to see that smile back on her face, and the fact that it’s directed at me makes it even better.
I lean over and open her door. She jumps in and right onto me, kissing me.
“Morning,” she says.
“Missed you.” I steal one more kiss before she drops back in her seat, pulling the seatbelt on.
“I saw you an hour ago.” She laughs. I hand her the Pop-Tart. It’s her favorite. She loves anything and everything s'mores related. She looks at it and smiles bigger before taking a bite.
“An hour and four minutes ago, to be exact.” I back out of the driveway, taking off toward school. Things should be calm by now. Everyone knows we’re a thing. It seems as though things have started to quiet down, and we’re not the center of attention anymore.
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