by Celia Aaron
My mother was hell bent on controlling every move I made and every detail of my future, including who I would marry, what career I would choose, all the way down to what pattern of china would be on display in my home. As the heir to the Carrington family fortune, I had been groomed since birth to carry on the family investment business and maintain a lifestyle befitting my station. What I wanted didn’t matter, at least not to my mother. She believed my football aspirations were beneath me, and she made a point to bring her opinions to my attention every chance she got.
“She probably just wants what’s best for you.” Cordy glanced to the menu. “What’s good here?”
“I always get the filet. But if you wanted something else, the game hen is pretty good, too.”
She nibbled her lip. I rubbed my sweaty palms down my pants. That move of hers had gotten to me over the past few months. Whenever she was considering something, she would run her teeth along her bottom lip.
“I think I’ll try the filet if that’s what you like.” She laid the menu down and gave me the full-on view of her glittering eyes again.
The server approached. I placed our orders as he deposited a small bread plate.
I passed the butter plate to her. “So, what about your parents? You’ve mentioned your dad a couple times, but I don’t know much else.”
She shifted in her seat and looked up at the closest chandelier. “He’s back in West Virginia. He used to be a miner, but the company closed his mine, and he’s been out of work ever since.”
“What about your mom?”
“She left when I was a child.” She shrugged, still keeping her gaze away from mine. “Long gone.”
“So you’re on your own?” My mom couldn’t go a week without sending a passive-aggressive text, so I couldn’t imagine a life without her.
“Something like that.”
“Does it bother you?”
Cordy dropped her gaze to the candle flickering at the center of the table. “I have a scholarship that pays my tuition. Dad calls every so often. I’m able to study and get some soccer time in, so I’m happy as I can be, I guess.”
It wasn’t good enough. She deserved to be truly happy. I’d never met a woman like her. From the first moment I saw her in class, her head bowed shyly and her hands at war with each other, I’d wanted her. I’d had girlfriends in high school, dated a girl freshman year, had flings at parties. But none of them enthralled me like Cordy. Her quiet nature, the determination that burned in her heart, and her compassion drew me to her.
People like Cordy didn’t exist in my world. The girls I grew up with either had enough money to be unrelenting bitches or they had an old money name with no actual money behind it, which turned them into schemers. Cordy was a breath of fresh air—one I didn’t even realize I was desperate for until I found her.
“What about you?” She carefully buttered her bread with her knife.
“What about me?”
“Are you happy?”
“I am when I’m with y—” I coughed into my hand to stop myself. Oh my God, Trent, too fast.
She gave me a dazzling smile and her cheeks grew pink. Seeing that reaction made my chest warm and my heart race.
Reaching across the table, she took my hand. “I’m happy when I’m with you, too.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
TRENT
LANDON’S SUCKER PUNCH STUNG just enough to enrage me. I rose and grabbed a handful of the front of his shirt, not sure if I wanted to show him what a real hit felt like or slam him on the ground.
“Don’t fucking touch her!” He swung wildly, but I had fifty pounds of muscle on him, easy.
I shoved him back, and he fell over a table and skidded into another one. The nearest students yelled and backed away, their pizzas toppling to the floor. I stalked toward him as he struggled to his feet.
“Trent, stop!” Cordy pushed through the tables and stood between Landon and me.
“Get out of the way. I’ve got this.” Landon brought his fists up and swiped his thumb across his nose.
She turned to him. “Have you lost your mind? He’s the starting quarterback, all muscle, works out every day.”
My chest puffed up a little more with each of her words, pride overcoming my anger.
“Move.” Landon eyed me with no hint of fear.
I would have respected him if I didn’t want to beat the shit out of him for trying to separate Cordy and me.
“I can take him.” He advanced until Cordy was the only thing between us.
“You can try.” I stepped closer, but Cordy put her hand to my chest.
“Stop it, both of you! You’re being idi—”
“Hey!” Mr. Sanpeggio rushed from the kitchen and into the main dining area. “What’s going on? Call the cops.” He motioned to a server.
“We’re leaving.” Cordy’s voice was strong and even.
“Outside! Go!” Mr. Sanpeggio waved his flour-covered hands at us.
“Come on.” Cordy grabbed Landon’s forearm and yanked him toward the door. I followed behind, ready to drop him if he tried anything else. Turning back, I called, “I’ll stop by tomorrow and pay for any damage.”
“Out!” Mr. Sanpeggio bent over and started righting the tables as the students finally relaxed. A couple had whipped out their cell phones after I’d sent Landon flying. Thankfully, they didn’t capture anything other than the standoff. It might make campus news, but not much more than that.
The rain fell in sheets as all three of us stood under the awning across the front of the restaurant.
Cordy released Landon’s arm and whirled on him. “What the hell was that?”
“He was touching you.” Landon shrugged.
“Newsflash, Landon, it’s okay for people to touch me!” She fisted her hands at her sides as the wind whipped droplets of water onto her bare calves.
She was wrong on that count, but I wasn’t about to break this up. Landon needed to learn that he would never receive clearance to fly outside the friend zone.
“Not him.” He pointed at me but kept his eyes on hers. “Have you forgotten what he did?”
“No.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Then act like it. You’re out to dinner with him like he’s worth your time. He’s not. He’s the same spoiled rich boy who ran off and left you.”
“I’m not having this conversation.” She shook her head. “Not here and not in front of Trent.”
“Let me take you home.” He grabbed her elbow.
I’d heard enough. “Not a chance.”
“I wasn’t talking to you.” Landon bristled and finally looked at me. “Go on back to your mansion and drown yourself in some Perrier or champagne or whatever the hell you got. This is between me and Cordy.”
“Take your hand off her.” I tried to keep my control, but every second he touched what was mine made a muscle tick in my jaw.
“You going to make me?”
“Stop!” Cordy stepped away from both of us and into the rain. “Trent, drive both of us back to campus. No talking from anyone. Just driving.” She marched toward my car.
I fumbled in my pocket for the key fob and unlocked the doors right as she reached for the door handle.
She yanked it open. “Landon, get in the back.”
“I’d rather walk.” He turned.
“Landon Russell Garnet! Get your ass in this car!” Her shrill yell made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
That stopped him in his tracks. He stalked past me and muttered “motherfucker” under his breath. I followed and dropped into the driver’s seat as he slammed my back door far harder than necessary.
“No talking. Just driving. Everyone cool off.” She shivered as she spoke.
I turned the air to warm and tried to surreptitiously press the button to turn off the heat to the rear passenger seats, just to be a dick. She slapped my hand away and clicked it back on. Busted.
The rain didn’t let up as I drove down t
he road back toward campus. Water rose along the edges of the pavement, and my tires sent up curtains of water with every puddle. Cordy stayed silent, and one glance into my rearview gave me a full view of Landon’s scowl. I turned onto University Circle as lightning streaked the sky, followed by a crash of thunder.
“Where can I drop you, Landon?” I tried to keep the edge out of my voice. I failed.
“Hope Hall.”
I shot him a death glare in the rearview mirror. There was absolutely zero chance I’d take him to Cordy’s dorm.
“No.” Cordy stared out the window, her face hidden. “He’s in Rowen Hall.”
My glare turned to a smirk. He flipped me off as I turned down the side street leading to his dorm.
He reached forward and put a hand on Cordy’s shoulder. “I want to talk. We need to—”
My grip tightened on the steering wheel. His familiarity with her rankled.
“Not now. Not after that. I need a minute. We’ll talk tomorrow.” She shook her head.
He withdrew his hand and slumped into the seat.
I pulled up in front of Rowen Hall. “This is your stop.”
Landon pulled the handle but didn’t open the door. “Cordy, come inside with me.”
“Not a chance.” I glowered at him in the mirror. “Get out.”
“Tomorrow, okay?” She glanced back at him, kindness in her eyes, but resolve in the set of her jaw. She definitely did not feel like talking.
“I don’t want to leave you with him.” Landon hesitated.
Every second he waited was one more second where I wanted to pummel him for even thinking he had a chance with Cordy.
“He’s going to drop me at Hope Hall and then be on his way. It’s fine.”
I forced a chipper tone into my voice. “Yeah, Landon. I’ll make sure she gets home safe and sound. Don’t you worry, little man.”
Cordy gave me a frown that had me rethinking my words. “Don’t be an ass.” She turned back to Landon. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
He punched the back of my headrest and flung the door open before stepping out and slamming it shut. Tucking his chin to his chest against the rain, he walked up the front steps and turned to watch as we drove away.
“Stop taunting him like that.” Cordy crossed her arms over her chest again.
I drove back up to University Circle and seriously considered leaving campus and taking her to my apartment, but her curt tone shut that thought down. I turned left and drove slowly toward her dorm. “He sucker punched me. I think I’m entitled to rattle his cage.”
She shook her head. “And that’s why he hates you. Because you think you’re entitled.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Why was she so good at cutting through my shit?
“It doesn’t mean he should have hit you. Obviously, I’m pissed at him about it. It’s not okay, and I’m sorry he did that. But Landon is my best friend. He’s only trying to look out for me. Cut him some slack. He deserves it.”
“What about me? Do I deserve any slack?” No, I don’t. I swerved around a giant puddle on the roadway.
She didn’t respond, just turned to stare out into the rain.
I took a deep breath and pushed Landon out of the equation. Repairing my relationship with Cordy was the real goal.
“I’m sorry, okay?” I turned into Hope Hall’s parking lot and pulled into a spot near the doors. “I don’t like him touching you or being close to you.”
“He’s important to me. He’s always been there for me. Always.” When she turned back to me, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You haven’t. Remember? You don’t get to bust into my life and push away the people who matter to me.”
My heart thudded against my ribs, and I couldn’t bear to see hurt in her eyes—more hurt caused by me. I clicked my seatbelt off and leaned closer to her. She didn’t back away when I placed my hand on her damp cheek.
“I’m sorry.” I wiped away an errant tear with my thumb. “Okay? I don’t want to upset you. I’ll do better with Landon. If he’s important to you, he’s important to me.”
Her eyes widened in what seemed to be a mix of disbelief and confusion. “Why?”
“Because…” Because I’m in love with you and have been for the past two years. “Because I care about you.”
“None of this makes sense. After all this time, why are you here? Why are you acting like two years ago never happened? It did.” Her chest heaved, and she choked back a sob. “You’re such an asshole.”
“I know.” I moved closer, our breaths mingling as the rain drummed on the car. “I had some things I needed to work out.”
“For two years?” Her eyes flickered to my lips as another tear rolled down her face.
“Yes.”
“What things?” She wrapped her fingers around my forearm but didn’t pull my hand from her cheek.
“Things you won’t like.” I ghosted my lips over hers, and she sighed.
The sound traveled straight to my cock, and I needed her in my arms. But she wasn’t there yet. The distrust in her voice and the hurt in her eyes was killing me, and I wanted nothing more than to take it all away. I smoothed my hand down to her neck, and her eyes closed for a moment. The urge to kiss her tried to overwhelm every bit of caution. Wait.
“I remember that night as if it were yesterday. The way you acted. The things you said.” Her voice grew even quieter. “You said you weren’t interested. You said…” She nibbled her bottom lip.
That was it. I couldn’t stop myself. I claimed her mouth in a searing kiss. She dug her nails into my forearm as I pushed her back into the headrest. I wanted the pain; it was nothing to what I endured when I wasn’t with her. She pushed against me with her other hand, but her lips parted the slightest bit. I took full advantage, sinking my tongue into her mouth and groaning with satisfaction as I did it.
Running my hand down her side, I clicked her seatbelt off. It retracted, and I pressed her to me, her breasts rubbing against my hard chest and her mouth under my control. When I gripped her hip and yanked her closer, she moaned. A swirl of desire blew through me like a tornado. My cock was painfully hard, and my hands were desperate to touch every inch of her. Instead of pushing me away, she clutched my shirt.
I tilted my head, angling our kiss, and grabbed her wet ponytail. When I pulled it back, she moaned as I left a hot trail of kisses down her throat.
“Trent, we can’t.” Her voice was breathy sex.
I bit her shoulder in response, and she gripped my hair as I continued tasting her.
Trent—” Her protest turned into a moan when I squeezed her breast. It was a handful, the nipple thick and hard against her damp white t-shirt. I raised my head, taking in the look on her beautiful face as I twisted her nipple between my thumb and forefinger.
Her lips parted, and her eyes were half-lidded. I twisted harder, and she bit down on her bottom lip. I leaned in and took it from her, running my teeth along it before giving her another hard kiss. I craved her, needed her to be skin to skin with me.
“Off.” I yanked at the hem of her shirt.
“Someone might see. Wait—”
“No.” I yanked it upward, and she lifted her arms for me. The windows had long since fogged up as the rain continued to pour. No one would see us, and I needed more of her.
I peeled her t-shirt off and tossed it in the back seat. Then I did the same with mine. Her gaze traced the line of my pecs and then ventured lower until she stared at the bulge in my shorts. When she licked her lips, I groaned and attacked her mouth again. She gave it right back, our tongues twisting and her hands running down my bare skin, setting me on fire.
A yellow sports bra was the only thing separating me from the stiff peaks of her tits. I kissed down her chest as her fingernails dug into my scalp. Licking the top of each swell, I enjoyed every tremble, every little tell from her that she enjoyed my touch.
Her skin tasted like rain with the slight hint of salt. I kissed between her
breasts, her nipples teasing me through the yellow cotton. I took one in my mouth, sucking her through the material. Her harsh gasp sent a thrill down my spine as I sucked and bit at her. My other hand kneaded her right breast, pinching her nipple as I worked the other over with my tongue.
I bit down on her tight bud, and her back arched, her nails digging even harder into my scalp. I switched breasts, but wasn’t content with the fabric between us. I shoved the cup of the bra down, revealing a deep rose nipple, the tip dark and hard.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful.” I took her into my mouth as she made an mmm sound.
Her flushed skin beneath my touch, her salt on my tongue, and her moans in my ears were hotter than anything I’d ever experienced. I sucked and nipped at her until she was writhing and shaking.
I slid the tip of my tongue up her throat and took her lips again. She opened readily, her arms wrapping around my neck as my hands roved her body. She trembled as I ran my fingers down her smooth skin, past her shorts, and to her legs. I slid my left hand up her thigh until I met fabric.
Her tongue warred with mine, and her heart pounded against my chest as I slid my fingers up farther, until I grazed her wet panties.
“Fuck, Cordy. You’re so wet for me.”
“Trent.” She grabbed my wrist and welded her knees together.
That wouldn’t do. I pulled my fingers back the slightest bit and massaged her inner thigh while I sucked on the sweet spot where her neck and shoulder met. Her little moans floated around me until she relaxed enough for me to move my fingers back to where I wanted them. When I raked my thumb over her clit, she jolted and clung to me.
I glanced to the backseat, but there was no time. I didn’t want her to cool off or come to her senses. I wanted her to come all over my fingers, my mouth, my cock—anything I could get, I’d take it.
I fastened my lips on her throat, sucking and biting at the sensitive skin while my fingers massaged her pussy through her panties. Focusing on her clit, I stroked faster and faster while still tasting her and biting her—leaving my mark. When I pushed her panties aside and delved my fingers into her wet folds, my cock kicked against my shorts.