The Do-Over (Extra Credit Book 2)

by Charlotte Penn Clark

  “So good!”

  Never better, I think, feeling awed.

  26

  Annika

  We walk across the quad toward the parking lot and I wonder if I’ve ever been happier. The air is soft and mild, campus is bustling with students unloading cars and hauling boxes into their new rooms, and Matt’s hand is warm in mine. This must be what walking on sunshine feels like.

  “No fucking way!” I hear a loud voice shout. And it sounds a lot like a particular asshole we know. Matt tenses.

  “Val, I told you he was with her again and you didn’t believe me!” Geoff hoots.

  Matt and I turn slowly and find a whole group of frat and sorority girls standing in the middle of the lawn, clearly catching up. Some of them snicker, some of them giggle behind their hands, and some of them stare right through us. Matt advances toward them purposefully. I try to pull my hand away to stay behind but he tugs me along, smiling grimly.

  “Hey guys,” he says smoothly and I can’t help but admire his poise. Again. “This is my girlfriend, Annika. I’ve spent nearly two years trying to get her to go out with me and she finally agreed. Annika, these are some people I used to hang out with. I can’t quite call them friends….” He drags the last word out, sounding dubious.

  Valerie has a sour look on her face like she tasted something bad. Geoff just smirks, his eyes roaming over me. But this time I don’t care. I’m still coasting from happiness and multiple orgasms and the warmth of hearing Matt call me his girlfriend. I squeeze his hand and pull him closer to wind my other arm around his neck.

  “Baby, we don’t have time to talk to these people now. I’m in a hurry to get back to your place.” I pitch my voice low but loud enough for them to hear.

  Matt and I exchange grins as I bat my eyelashes at him. His other hand moves to the small of my back and lingers, edging just under the hem of my shirt to touch the bare skin at my waistband. Even though I was play-acting a moment ago I can’t help but shiver and we exchange another, longer look. The light brush of his fingertips is reassuring, soothing, and tantalizing at the same time.

  “Gotta go. I doubt I’ll be seeing much of you guys this year,” he says, steering me away from the gawkers. I flutter my fingers in their direction but my attention is all on Matt.

  Halfway across the quad he pauses, turns back towards them and yells, “I’m in love with her!”

  The whole world seems to still into one perfect, suspended moment.

  I cover my face with my hands, feeling the blood rushing to my face. I’m shocked, embarrassed, overwhelmed. When I peek through my fingers I see Matt is gazing down at me, his arms loosely wrapped around my waist as he tries to see my expression. He looks happy, determined, and oh my god sincere. Even a little anxious….

  I throw my arms around his neck and press as close as I can. He makes a muffled sound before my lips meet his. Then we’re kissing deeply, madly, passionately out here on the quad for everyone to see. I could care less.

  By the time we break to breathe the world has moved on. No one is paying any attention any more. I grin and run my hands through his hair, our eyes locked together.

  “You liked that, huh?” he murmurs, leaning his forehead on mine.

  “I liked that,” I confirm, then add with a whisper. “I’m in love with you too.”

  I feel surprisingly shy. I’ve never said that to anyone but I’ve never meant anything more. His eyes flare and he kisses me again, more tenderly.

  “Let’s go.”

  I nod, wordless. My body and brain and heart are overflowing. This guy! We start walking again toward the parking lot, fingers entwined and a little dazed.

  “Unless….” I tug him to a stop and meet his eyes again. He raises one brow and waits. “You want to finish what we started in that bathroom?” I tip my head toward the coffeehouse.

  My face is probably a little pink because I’m not entirely sure of the rules here. Of what he wants or likes. Or what I want or like. But I have instincts and they’ve worked well with him so far. Really well.

  He shakes his head. “Anni, you are so bad!” But he’s already pulling me in that direction. I laugh as he speeds up and he shoots me a warning glance.

  “You’re asking for it.” He’s grinning now and he’s irresistible like this. What am I talking about? He’s always been irresistible to me.

  “Yeah?” I lower my voice. “You going to spank me? Bend me over the sink?” My breath is coming faster and I’m enjoying this game.

  He stifles a groan and clutches my hand tighter as we get closer to the entrance. “I think I’ll have to now. God, you make me crazy!” He stops abruptly to kiss me hard again. “And I love you so much.”

  Another hard kiss and I’m vaguely aware that we’re stopping traffic on the path again. I touch Matt’s face gently with my fingertips, just to make sure this is real, he’s real. The warm, rough texture of his skin reassures me and I can barely contain my giddiness as I echo the words right back at him.

  Epilogue

  ANNIKA

  “Don’t look now but our partners are watching us.” I whisper this to Kyle as we stand at the counter of the bar near the new apartment he shares with Matt. We’ve only been here once or twice since they moved in last month, but this is a special occasion. Technically Kyle’s buying the drinks in case we’re carded. I never got a fake I.D. because I’ve been legal to drink at home for years.

  To his credit, Kyle doesn’t turn around like most people would. He just sighs. “They’re probably wondering how they got stuck with the cranky-ass ones.” His mouth quirks.

  I’ve gotten to know Kyle better now that I’m at Matt’s so much. I laugh and shake my head. “No, they’re not.”

  We collect a tray of shots and he looks at me, smiling now. “I know. Can you believe it?”

  I shake my head again and we start back to the booth where Matt and Lani and Holly and Noah are waiting for us. “Nope! But I thank my lucky stars for it every day.”

  MATT

  “Jealous?” Lani’s voice is teasing.

  I drag my eyes away from Annika, who is laughing with Kyle at the counter and give Lani an amused look. Holly and Noah are sitting behind us, whispering furiously.

  “Nah. You?” She has a good sense of humor and she’s fun to tease. Though not as much fun as Annika. Lani shakes her head, smiling widely.

  “Actually, I was just thinking that your boyfriend is conveniently keeping anyone at the bar from hitting on my girlfriend. So thanks for the loan.” I nod in their direction.

  “You’re welcome. But you know she doesn’t need Kyle. Annika has a force field all her own.” We watch the two of them walk back to our table.

  “Yeah,” I agree. “There’s definitely something to be said for dating a girl everyone on campus thinks is a bitch. And they all seem to think I’m just in it for her looks too.”

  That one always gets me. I mean, she’s stunning but that’s not what I love about her.

  “I know what you mean. Sometimes I think Kyle is my very own secret.” Her tone is serious now.

  “That’s exactly how I feel about Annika.” I shoot her a glance and whisper. “It’s awesome!”

  Lani’s tinkling laughter draws Kyle’s eyes and he makes a beeline to her side while Annika sets a tray of shot glasses on the table.

  “Okay, folks! In honor of Matt turning twenty-one today I’m treating you all to vodka shots. Russian vodka shots.” Annika can barely suppress her grin and she sends me a sidelong glance that’s hot as fuck.

  I groan and lean my head back against the wall because she does like to torture me.

  “Seriously?” I ask her. But it’s hard to keep the smile off my face.

  She nods and winks at me as she passes around the shot glasses. “But I’m cutting you off after one, Matt.”

  “Seriously?” I demand again, starting to feel offended.

  She nods again. “It’s another do-over,” she whispers, leaning in. She’s practical
ly giggling and it’s cute as hell. “So don’t pass out on me because I’ve got plans.”

  Okay, I’m feeling slightly mollified now. And super turned on. I shift in my seat and pull her down next to me, grumbling.

  Everyone lifts a glass except Noah so we all look at him.

  “Nope. I’m training.”

  We all start talking at the same time then. Ever since Noah started training for the New York City marathon he’s been impossible to hang out with.

  “Just one!”

  “C’mon, man!”

  “For Matt?”

  The wheedling continues, but Noah just shakes his head.

  “I’m pretty sure this is what those PSAs in middle school warned me about. But I will not succumb to peer pressure and stray from my wholesome life choices.” He leans back, looking smug.

  When we all dig into him again he puts his hands over his ears and starts muttering something that sounds like gibberish.

  “Arr-mah-weer-um-kway-cah-no….”

  Holly claps a hand over her mouth to smother her laughter, but the rest of us just stare.

  “It’s Latin,” she giggles. “Oh, Noah!” She shakes her head.

  “What?” Noah says, looking perplexed. “Like you all haven’t had to memorize some epic poem!” When we still look baffled, he frowns. “What do you guys do in your classes?”

  We’re all convulsing with laughter then. I mean, we’re pretty used to Noah and his scholarly obsessions, but he’s still got surprises left.

  “Okay!” Annika tries again. “Noah’s earned his waiver so the rest of us can toast Matt.” She turns to me, looking radiant. “To Matt! The realest, smartest, smoothest, sexiest, all around goodest guy I know.” She finishes with something in Estonian as we crack up again.

  “Happy birthday!” my friends call out, slamming down their glasses. I see a few grimaces as the vodka hits. Suddenly I’m uncomfortably warm so I hide my face in Annika’s neck.

  “What did you say at the end?” I ask in her ear.

  She swivels to look at me, grinning. “And the best fuck.”

  So now I’m hot and she’s so going to get it. I stand up, pulling her up with me. “Thanks so much, folks! I look forward to more birthday celebrations just like this as the rest of you catch up to me and Kyle and Lani. Hey,” I pause, frowning at Annika. “When’s your birthday anyway?”

  Her arms and smile go super-wide. “Fourth of July!”

  Our friends are hooting and laughing, but all I see is Annika. I shake my head, feeling awed.

  “It’s fate!” I whisper. She nods happily, tangling her fingers with mine.

  I turn back to the table. “So! As a couple, we’ve been running a three-month deficit but we’ve implemented a stimulus package that has upped productivity significantly. We better get back to work, Anni,” I say this as solemnly as I can but only Annika bursts out laughing. It’s good to know I still got it when I need it.

  “Yes, sir!”

  I shoot her a warning look as our friends wave us away, their taunts trailing after us.

  “Stimulus package, my ass!”

  “Get out of here with that kinky shit!”

  We don’t need to be told twice.

  THE END

  STAY TUNED FOR HOLLY AND NOAH’S STORY,

  BOOK 3 OF THE EXTRA CREDIT SERIES

  COMING SOON!

  www.charlottepennclark.com

  Acknowledgments

  This book (and the series!) wouldn’t exist without the help of many people— especially Karen Dale Harris, who was a huge help with editing and encouragement, and Cassie Leigh and Maggie Dallen, awesome authors themselves as well as amazing beta readers. I’m also grateful to Marianne Nowicki for the beautiful covers.

  And huge THANK YOUs to those of you reading it now! I hope you’ll check out the other stories in the series and enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

  Please leave reviews and comments on Goodreads and Amazon! They make a big difference for new authors and they give you a chance to influence future works! Your honest opinion is always appreciated.

  About the Author

  Charlotte Penn Clark is a lifelong reader of historical romances and a writer of contemporary and new adult romances. She puts smart women and sexy men in complicated situations while trying to keep them away from Awful Misunderstandings. Her Carmichael series interweaves the lives and loves of five privileged sisters in a political family. Her Extra Credit series tells the stories of three unlikely couples thrown together on a college campus. She's a diehard New Yorker.

  I’d love to hear from you!

  @charpennclark

  CharlottePennClark

  www.charlottepennclark.com

  Coming Soon

  STAY TUNED FOR BOOK 3 OF THE EXTRA CREDIT SERIES:

  The Lesson Plan

  The Nerd and the Geek.

  When Noah’s passion for classics lands him in a pilot class called Extra Credit for students in trouble he gets more than he bargained for—like Holly, the geeky girl he’s been crushing on who becomes his partner and friend.

  Holly’s passion for computers almost got her suspended but at least she got Noah out of it. He’s her best friend—and if he wants more she has no clue.

  Together they come up with a lesson plan to help Noah get his head out of his books and Holly get her eyes off a computer screen. But it turns out there’s plenty more to learn from each other. And even the best laid plans….

  Extra Credit is a New Adult series that takes place on a college campus and puts three unlikely couples together to see what happens. Each novella is in dual point-of-view with a happy ending that can be read as a standalone, though they’re better together…! The series includes sexy times that are only meant for readers over 18.

  Excerpt from The Lesson Plan

  Chapter 1: NOAH

  I’m filling in the last few boxes on the online grant application when I sense that someone is trying to get my attention. This 8 a.m. class is about to start though, and I have to press Submit by the 9 a.m. deadline.

  “One sec,” I mutter. I don’t want to be rude.

  “What on earth are you working on so early in the morning?” The voice comes from over my shoulder. It’s female and amused.

  “Umm,” I stall. I really don’t want to be rude, but any minute now the professor will ask me to put away my laptop. I enter the names and addresses of my recommenders, feeling a surge of gratitude for Professor Vaughan, who told me about this grant and offered to sponsor me.

  The voice behind me reads out loud. “A comparative analysis of representative translations of Ovid’s Metamorphoses from the middle ages to the present…. Huh. Well, that sounds fascinating.” There’s a giggle. With an effort I tune it out and quickly glance over the form to make sure it’s all there, all good.

  “I thought we weren’t supposed to use the term ‘middle ages’ any more. I mean, middle of what? Isn’t there a better phrase now? Post-classical? Pre-Renaissance? Way Long Ago?”

  With a flourish I press Submit, turn my attention to this voice, and freeze.

  It’s her. It’s her. It’s her.

  That’s the mantra going through my head as I stare at the red-headed girl leaning over the arm of her chair to read from my computer screen. And she’s talking to me. Looking at me. Shit! Did she ask me a question? Laughing blue eyes meet mine. I want to pinch myself.

  “Oops, sorry!” She shifts back into her seat, not seeming sorry at all. She’s wearing an oversized sweatshirt with the hood up and her face is bright.

  “What?” I manage. Yeah, good one! I’ve seen this girl around campus but we’ve never spoken. I mean, I don’t really know her. I’ve just noticed her because how can you not? But I wouldn’t…. I mean, this isn’t a big deal. I swallow, mentally kicking myself.

  She grins. “I asked about Ipsum Lorem but you didn’t hear me. I thought maybe you were a tech geek, but now I see you’re a Latin nerd.” She sighs and purses
her lips. I gulp and glance down at my tee shirt, which does indeed reproduce several lines of Ipsum Lorem text.

  “It’s not real Latin,” I blurt out finally. “It’s Latin that’s been garbled to serve as generic text when you don’t want text to distract you.”

  “I know what Ipsum Lorem is!” she sniffs.

  Then the teacher, who wants us to call her Marjorie, starts talking and I have a chance to collect myself while sneaking looks at the Redheaded Girl, as I call her in my head. She’s so bright in every sense—whenever I see her she’s sparkling, laughing, talking animatedly with some group.

  And now she’s in this class called Extra Credit, which I thought was going to be a total drag. It’s designed as an intervention for students in trouble. No one is here by choice. We’ve all been placed here for some reason… and I just hope that my little problem won’t affect that grant application.

  “Write for a few minutes about why you’re here and what you hope to get out of this experience….”

  I sigh. That’s kind of a hard one. I still can’t quite believe I’m here. And I wonder what she’s doing here.

  There’s silence while we work, then everyone reads their responses out loud. They span the usual range of pandering bullshit and resentful snarkiness. There’s a very pretty foreign girl who seems to know one of the guys on the other side of our half circle. I can’t tell if they are flirting or fighting. Then Marjorie steps out of the room for a moment and pandemonium ensues.

  “I’m Holly,” the Redheaded Girl says. She has pushed back her hood and her hair is an explosion of vivid color. She sticks out her hand.

  Holly.

  I shake it. “Noah.”