Echoes Beneath (The Truth Series Book 2)

by J. A. Owenby

  He turned me away from him, and as I faced the window, he pulled my shirt over my head and removed my bra. I was once again grateful there weren’t any neighbors nearby as he cupped my breasts. My body responded to him as he kissed my neck and slid his hand down the front of my jeans.

  “These have to come off,” he said, his voice heavy with need.

  He slipped my jeans and panties down to my ankles, and I stepped out of them. Then he unbuttoned his pants and let them drop to the floor. I reached behind me and took him in my hand. He was ready, and with Xander, it never took me long to be ready either.

  “Bend over.”

  I did as he asked, amazed at my body’s response as he took control. I sucked in a sharp breath as his fingers lightly brushed up and down my back. I grabbed the windowsill as he held my hips and slid into me.

  “My God, Lacey,” he said as he gently grabbed my hair and pulled my head back. His rhythm was slow and steady as he massaged my clit. “That’s my baby. You’re so wet.”

  He picked up the pace as I moved against him, taking him in deeper. He pumped in and out, the familiar feeling building up inside me.

  “God, what are you doing to me?” I gasped as my fingers dug into the windowsill.

  “Say you’re mine. Tell me you belong to me,” he demanded.

  “I’m yours and only yours,” I replied.

  “Don’t ever forget it,” he said as he grabbed my breasts and squeezed. I couldn’t hold back any longer as we released together.

  I stood still for a moment and caught my breath. He trailed soft kisses across my back as he pulled out of me and stepped backward.

  He turned me toward him and kissed my forehead.

  “How does it feel to officially belong to me?” he asked as a mischievous grin spread across his face.

  “Amazing,” I said as I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him.

  “I’ll clean out a few drawers and make some room in the closet for your clothes. Why don’t we get you settled in?” he said as he pulled up his jeans and buttoned them.

  “That sounds perfect,” I said as I located my clothes and got dressed.

  Chapter 16

  Mondays typically sucked, but today I was out of bed early and waiting for Xander downstairs. I couldn’t wait to see my friends and arrive on campus with him. I wasn’t even worried about Mama.

  Xander walked me to class and kissed me goodbye as he headed in the opposite direction. He’d made me promise that I wouldn’t go anywhere alone, and he insisted on walking me to every class even if it meant he would be late to his.

  I spotted George as soon as I walked into the room. I ran to him and hugged him as hard as I could.

  “Oh my God, I missed you!” I said.

  “I missed you too! How was your vacation? You’re all smiles today, I see,” George said as his eyebrow rose. “You have something juicy to tell me. I can see it written all over your face.”

  “Yes, but I want to tell Adalyn and Cassidy at the same time,” I said as I sat next to him. We’d all signed up for the same health class this semester; it was a required course anyway, so we figured we might as well all take it together. “Tell me how Mexico was while we wait.”

  “It was so nice, but I couldn’t call anyone, and that sucked. I shouldn’t complain, but I wanted to tell you about every detail.”

  “Hey,” Cassidy said as she slid into her seat next to us.

  “Hey!” I said and reached over to hug her.

  “I heard some shit about you,” Adalyn said as she walked into the classroom and sat down next to us.

  “Me?” I asked as I hugged her.

  “Well, go on,” George motioned for Adalyn to hurry up and share.

  “Xander Koffman, huh?” Adalyn asked as she grinned at me.

  “What?” Cassidy said, glancing from me to Adalyn and then back to George.

  “Lacey and Xander are living together.”

  “No fucking way,” George said.

  Cassidy’s mouth hung open, and all eyes were on me. My cheeks burned bright red.

  “How the hell did that happen? I mean, I’m only gone for three weeks and I miss all the good stuff,” Cassidy said.

  “Wait, how did you even know, Adalyn?” I asked.

  “A group of girls were whining that he wasn’t available anymore,” she said, laughing.

  “Well, he is one of the most popular guys on campus,” George chimed in.

  “So? Dish,” Cassidy said as she leaned toward me.

  “Well,” I stammered as they all stared and waited for details.

  “He asked me to move in with him yesterday, and I said yes,” I said and shrugged as though it weren’t a big deal.

  “Holy mother of God,” Adalyn said. “Do you have any idea that you just snagged the most unavailable guy in this university? I mean, he dated all the time and definitely had a reputation for one-night stands, but I’ve never heard of him committing to anyone before.”

  “You must be damn good in bed,” Cassidy said and elbowed me.

  “Damn straight,” I said and laughed with them.

  “I’m happy for you,” George said. We locked eyes for a moment, and he winked at me. I knew George was happy for me, especially with all the Mama drama, and his support meant the world to me. I wished Emma felt the same way. Loneliness washed over me at the thought of her, but I pushed it out of my mind. She should have supported me.

  “Welcome back, everyone,” the professor said.

  I turned toward the front of the classroom and tried to focus, but I couldn’t wait to see Xander again after class.

  George, Cassidy, Adalyn, and I filed out of the building an hour later and stood on the covered walkway. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, but it was still cold and damp. I scolded myself for choosing a skirt instead of jeans.

  We chatted about the holiday and the presents we got. I pulled out the butterfly necklace from underneath my shirt to show everyone as an arm slipped around my stomach and a warm kiss landed on my cheek.

  I smiled up at Xander as he joined us.

  “Hey, everybody,” he said.

  Everyone stopped mid-speech and focused on him. I wasn’t sure if Cassidy or George drooled more when Xander was around. I didn’t even think it fazed him anymore.

  “So, I was thinking that since everyone’s back now, I should have a party at my house this Saturday.”

  “Hell yeah!” Adalyn said.

  “What do you think, Lacey?” Xander asked and smiled at me. His brown eyes danced, and I found myself suddenly wanting to kiss him.

  “I think that would be awesome,” I said, grinning.

  “Yeah, we can let everyone know you’ve moved in with me,” he said and nuzzled my neck. “Alright, so why don’t you guys come over tonight and we can plan it. Does that work for everyone? I can pick you all up around seven at Lacey’s old dorm.”

  “Old dorm?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I talked to the lady who runs the housing department and told her you wouldn’t need the room anymore. She and my grandma knew each other for years, and she was a real sweetie and expedited a check for you. You got some money back,” he said as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.

  “What? Oh my gosh, that’s amazing! Thank you!”

  I caught a glimpse of George’s face as I hugged Xander. I wasn’t sure what to make of his expression.

  “Okay, we’ll see everyone tonight then,” Xander said as he tugged on my hand to leave.

  I tucked the check into my purse and waved goodbye.

  I followed Xander across campus and behind the maintenance building. He led me under an empty covered walkway and laughed as he pulled me to him.

  “The amazing thing about us being together is that I can have you anywhere and anytime I want.”

  “Xander!” I giggled. “Here? It’s freezing cold, and anyone could walk around the corner and see us.”

  “That’s the whole point,” he said as he slid his han
d up my skirt.

  I gasped as he slipped his finger into my panties and massaged my clit.

  “You’re okay with it though, right?” he said as he cupped the back of my neck with his other hand.

  I responded with a moan as he eased his finger inside me.

  “That’s my girl, you’re already wet. You like it, don’t you?”

  I didn’t reply, but I unbuttoned his jeans and took him in my hand.

  He removed his finger and tugged the back of my hair, pulling me down. I realized what he wanted and lowered to my knees. I glanced up at him as I took him in my mouth.

  “Ahh,” he said as his head went back. His hand tightened on my hair as I sucked him, his hips moving with my mouth.

  “That’s it, babe.”

  His pace quickened and then he abruptly stopped and pulled me into a standing position. He lifted my skirt and turned me around toward the wall. He pulled my panties aside and slid inside me, one hand massaging my clit and the other teasing my nipple. The cold air whipped around us, but I wasn’t cold as he grabbed my hips and picked up the pace. I clutched at the wall as the familiar feeling swirled inside me.

  “Oh God,” I whimpered.

  I finished before he did and enjoyed every last moment before he lost control.

  His hand slid up the front of my neck as he placed a kiss on the back of my head.

  “I love fucking you,” he whispered as he wrapped his fingers around my throat and gently squeezed. “I love being inside you and knowing I’m the only one.” His hand slipped down from my throat and into my top and bra. He squeezed my nipple and then flicked it.

  “Ow!” I squealed.

  He stepped back and pulled out of me while he laughed.

  “That hurt,” I said as I crossed my hands over my chest. I didn’t bother trying to hide the frustration and surprise in my voice.

  “It didn’t hurt me,” he said as he adjusted himself and buttoned his jeans.

  I stared at him as I lowered my skirt and made sure my top was in place.

  “Let’s go,” he said and walked away, leaving me standing there alone.

  Confused at his sudden change in mood, I followed him to the truck.

  We rode the entire way home in silence as I puzzled over what had just happened.

  Chapter 17

  Xander was fine the rest of the week, and neither of us brought up the incident of him hurting me. We had fun planning the big party, and he continued to walk me to all my classes. I hadn’t seen Mama anywhere. I’d stopped freaking out every time I turned a corner now that Xander was with me everywhere I went. He made sure I was never alone, and that if he wasn’t with me, George, Cassidy, and Adalyn were until he arrived.

  The doorbell rang at 10 p.m. and I practically ran from his bedroom and down the stairs to answer it. George and the girls were coming to the party a little early, and I couldn’t wait to see them.

  “Hi!” I said as I opened the door.

  George hugged me and gave me a quick peck on my cheek. I smiled as I took their coats and led them into the kitchen to get something to drink.

  “This house is beautiful, Lacey,” Cassidy said as she looked around the kitchen and living room. I sipped on my rum and Pepsi as I showed them around.

  “Here’s the bathroom. There’s another one upstairs, down the hall and on the left,” I said.

  “Other than the location of the alcohol, that’s the most important thing to know at a party,” Adalyn said and laughed.

  “Where’s Xander?” George asked.

  I glanced at him as I noted the lack of excitement in his voice. I tilted my head as I studied him and tried to figure out why. Maybe he was tired.

  “Right here,” Xander said as he walked into the kitchen.

  “Hey,” Cassidy and Adalyn said.

  “Hi, ladies,” he said and nodded at them. “Hey, buddy,” Xander said as he patted George on the back. “Glad you guys could make it. I think Lacey misses you now that she doesn’t live on campus any longer.”

  “Yeah, it’s a little isolated out here,” George commented with a hint of annoyance as he took a sip of his beer.

  What was up with George? I was going to have to find a minute to pull him aside and ask.

  The doorbell interrupted my thoughts as I excused myself to answer it.

  Several of Xander’s teammates from the Oregon Ducks filed through the front door, and within forty-five minutes the house was filled with music and laughter. Adalyn and Cassidy were dancing in the middle of the living room. Xander made his rounds between the living room, kitchen, and dining room and directed everyone to the alcohol.

  George chatted on and on about Mexico as we drank. I danced with Xander a few times and then joined Cassidy and Adalyn. George didn’t seem interested in dancing; he just leaned against the wall, watching everyone.

  “Hey, the guys and I are gonna go play some cards,” Xander said.

  “Okay, take all their money,” I said and laughed.

  Xander pulled me in for a long kiss before he broke away. I watched as he and some of his friends walked through the swinging door of the den and disappeared.

  I refilled my rum and Pepsi and made my way over to George.

  “Alright. What’s up? You love parties and I thought you liked Xander, but you’re not excited about either tonight. Are you okay?”

  He took a drink of his beer and leaned his head back against the wall.

  “You know I love you, right?”

  “Yes, and I love you too.” I paused and waited for him to continue.

  “I just thought it was strange the other day when Xander said he’d canceled your dorm room and gotten a check for you.”

  “What do you mean? He was just taking care of it for me. I’d been meaning to do it anyway.”

  “But that’s the point. You should’ve had to do it. They never give checks to other people. You have to show your ID and sign for it.”

  “I don’t understand what you mean.”

  “Okay,” he said and took another sip. “Do you remember in August when you showed up on campus? You got your schedule and showed your driver’s license, and then you got a school ID. You had to sign papers for your dorm room, too.”

  “Yeah, I remember.”

  “You have to go through even more of that to cancel your room. You have to do it—no one else can do it for you. Otherwise, people would be pulling pranks on students that would cost them their rooms.”

  “What’s your point?” I asked as my irritation rose.

  “How did he do that without you, and why are you never alone anymore?” he asked as he frowned at me. “Like, never alone.”

  “George, you’re the one person other than Xander who knows what happened with Mama. He’s keeping me safe. I’m terrified of her showing up again and him not being there.”

  George sighed and leaned his head against the wall.

  “Okay,” he said.

  “Okay what?”

  “If that’s what he’s doing, then okay.”

  “What else would he be doing? You heard him—the lady at the housing department was friends with his grandma, and he called in a favor. I’m grateful he took care of it.”

  “I don’t know what’s bothering me. He just spends an unusual amount of time with you. I would almost think you weren’t allowed to go anywhere without him.”

  “That’s absurd. I can go anywhere I want without him, but as long as Mama’s in Eugene, I prefer to be with Xander.”

  “I guess it makes sense when you explain it. I worry about you is all. I’m allowed to, you are my best friend.”

  “I’m fine. I’m more than fine,” I said and grinned.

  “Wow. The sex must be really good, judging by the expression on your face.”

  “Mind-blowing,” I said and giggled. “I’ve never had sex like this before.”

  “Well, in all fairness, you haven’t been with anyone other than Walker, right?” George asked.

  “Who?�
�� I asked and laughed.

  “Well, well. Someone is whipped,” George said, smiling.

  “Not yet, but maybe soon,” I said and wiggled my eyebrows.

  “In all seriousness, though, I’m always here for you.”

  My smile faded as I held his gaze. My stomach sank as I realized he was genuinely concerned.

  “I know. Hey, I’m gonna go find Xander. I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes, okay?”

  George nodded as I smiled and made my way through the crowded living room and into the kitchen. I filled my glass with water and drained it. I realized George was being a good friend and watching out for me, but something in the back of my mind tugged at me. I refilled my cup with more rum than Pepsi and took a big swig. My head swam as the alcohol took effect.

  I made it through the crowd of people and pushed open the swinging door where Xander and his friends were playing poker. I stopped in my tracks as I tried to process what was in front of me.

  “Xander?” I asked.

  Xander snorted the white line off the table and leaned back in his chair. He wiped his nose and smiled.

  “What the hell?” I asked as I stepped backward.

  “It’s no big deal, Lacey. Don’t be a nag,” he said as he stood up and let the next guy snort a line.

  My mouth dropped as I watched another guy do a line after him. I was drunk, but I knew what was happening. I couldn’t deny it. I shook my head as I stepped back through the swinging door, ran upstairs, and locked myself in the guest bedroom.

  I put my cup down, crawled into bed, and tried to piece together what I’d seen, but my mind was too fuzzy and I couldn’t process anything.

  Chapter 18

  I woke to a thin ray of sunlight piercing through the heavy curtains. I groaned as I attempted to rub the grit from my eyes. I must have passed out. I sat up and searched the room. Where was Xander? The moment I thought of him, everything came rushing back. I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t stay with him if he was doing drugs.

  I glanced at the clock: 7:23 a.m. I stood up and crossed the room, unlocked the door, and poked my head into the hallway. Beer cans and red Solo cups lined the stairs. I peered to the right. Xander’s door was cracked open. I inched my way down the hall so I wouldn’t wake him.