Friend Zoned (Barnett Bulldogs #2)

by Jennifer Sucevic

  Rather surprisingly, that hasn’t happened.

  It’s actually kind of disconcerting just how happy I feel. Almost as if all is right in the world. Just a general, overall feeling of satisfaction and wellbeing.

  Yeah, I know… scary.

  Can’t say I’ve ever felt this kind of contentment coursing through me before. Certainly not over a guy. It’s odd how such a subtle shift in our relationship has made me feel so complete. Unexpectedly settled in a way I couldn’t have dreamed possible.

  Like a missing puzzle piece that has finally been maneuvered into the right spot. To where it belongs. To where it’s always belonged, but I was just too damn stupid to realize there was even a piece missing to begin with.

  Even though we’ve been together for a week now, Sam and I still haven’t slept together. And just to be completely clear about the reason for that situation- it’s all Sam’s doing. Or not doing, as the case may be. I was ready to do the deed after that whole sexy-as-fuck-let-me-watch-you-get-off-to-thoughts-of-me encounter.

  The kicker that sent me careening right over the edge was watching him lick my cream off those long thick fingers of his. The sheer look of animalistic pleasure that stole over his face as he sucked every last drop.

  Hot damn.

  I actually have to press my thighs tightly together as heat and need flare to life between them. Again. Because this, unfortunately, has become the new normal. Me getting completely turned on at the most inopportune of moments.

  Much to Sam’s delight.

  And my unending chagrin.

  The man definitely enjoys keeping me poised on the edge and flaunting his new found sexual power in my face.

  Well… it’s not actually my face that he’s flaunting it in front of.

  Apparently he’s taken years and years of pent up sexual frustration and is now hell bent on tormenting me with it. The bastard. All those sultry blue eyed gazes he keeps sending in my direction. Or the way he strokes those big strong hands over my quivering body. The downright dirty things he whispers in my ear. The way he describes in bone melting detail all the delicious things we’re going to do to one another. God does he paint a vivid picture inside my head. I can all but taste it. His words alone are capable of igniting a raging inferno within my panties.

  Not that I’m complaining, but I’m horny as hell and soaking wet all the time. My clit throbs a sharp edged tempo all of its own as soon as I catch a glimpse of Sam. Or hear the deep timbre of his voice. Or feel the slow slide of his fingers against my heated skin. Or see him after he’s just stepped out of the shower and is wearing a pair of body hugging black boxer briefs. My nether region has now been trained like one of Pavlov’s dogs and apparently, Sam is the dinner bell.

  It’s completely ridiculous.

  More absurd than that is the way he revels in it.

  A few days ago, we were studying on the third floor of the library. He wouldn’t stop shooting these heavy lidded, smoldering gazes across the table at me. After about thirty minutes of trying to refocus my distracted attention back to the book I was desperately trying to read, I finally told him to knock that shit off because I couldn’t concentrate.

  Without another word, he bolted out of the chair, dragging me off to some dark distant corner between some dusty stacks before pulling my back against his chest and shoving his hand down the front of my jeans until he could bury his long thick fingers deep inside my wet heat. It only took about five pumps of his hand before I was getting off. With my head turned towards him, his lips devoured mine, swallowing down every single guttural groan he wrung from my over sensitized body.

  Know what’s even worse than that?

  At the time it was happening, when his fingers were stroking into me and I knew I was going to come in a blaze of fucking glory, I didn’t give one single goddamn who saw or heard me.

  At that particular moment, I could only focus on greedily taking every single ounce of pleasure he was willing to dole out. I honestly don’t know what this man is doing to me. Because I’ve certainly never been into public exhibitionism before. And yet, he could have done whatever the hell he wanted and I would have let him.

  It’s terrible.

  Not to mention scary.

  And completely exhilarating all at the same time.

  I’ve never wanted another man with the same intensity that I crave Sam.

  I keep trying to rationalize it with myself. I mean, come on, this is Sam we’re talking about here. The guy I’ve been best friends with for eight long years. Up until about a month ago, I never once thought about him in any kind of sexual manner. It’s like, in the blink of an eye, I’ve done a complete one eighty where he’s concerned.

  Because now, now I can’t look at him without thinking about sex.

  Without wanting his big muscular body.

  It’s like an addiction.

  I am completely addicted to Sam Harper.

  A gurgle of laughter almost escapes at the sheer absurdity of that statement.

  Before I know it, Rickets is dismissing class for the day. Perfect. I couldn’t even begin to tell you the topic of today’s lecture. Sam and I talk quietly as we leave the building. Already his arm is slung around my shoulders, pulling me towards that ripped body of his. Gently he presses a kiss to the top of my head as we continue walking.

  Sam has always been generous with his affection, but now it’s even more so. And I am absolutely loving it. I want to revel in it. He’s like the sun pouring glorious light down upon me and, rather unexpectedly, I find myself opening to all that brilliance.

  As we reach the fork in the pathway, Sam stops before wrapping both arms around me, drawing me even closer. There’s a spark of contentment shining within his deep blue depths. I think it must be reflected within my own gaze as well. Never in a million years would I have thought it could be like this.

  Because we’ve been friends for so long, there’s this natural easiness that flows between us. It’s at the very core of our friendship. The foundation for which this new relationship is being built. I’ve never experienced that before. There’s just something infinitely deeper, more profound between us. A new and different level of intimacy that we’re only now able to explore.

  “I’ll see you after practice?”

  I can all but feel the ridiculously huge smile slowly spreading its way across my face. The plan is to do a little studying and then I’ll probably stay the night at his place. If I’m lucky, maybe I can actually seduce the bastard into finally giving it up. I almost snort as that thought tumbles its way through my head.

  Unbelievable.

  I’m starting to suspect that he actually wants me to beg for it.

  Yeah… like that’s going to happen.

  Oh who am I kidding?

  Of course, I’ll beg for it.

  I want the guy in the worst way possible. And maybe I owe it to him for waiting so patiently while I played catch up.

  With strong fingers tucked beneath my chin, he raises my face just a fraction before lowering his lips to mine. God bless but I love the way he kisses. It’s always thorough. As if he wants nothing more than to take his sweet damn time with me.

  As soon as his lips are sliding over mine, I can’t even be bothered to care about the whole PDA aspect of what’s happening right now.

  When he finally pulls away, I’m pretty sure my eyes are completely glazed over. Looking ridiculously smug, he gives me a cocky little grin with a wink thrown in for good measure before taking off. For just one bemused minute, I can’t resist watching him stride away. My eyes immediately arrow to that deliciously tight backside.

  A deep sigh of satisfaction slides off my lips because he really does have one fine ass. And yes, it is incredibly squeezable.

  “So, clearly you two aren’t just friends anymore.”

  Jerking out of my Sam-sex-daze, my eyes fly to the girl who has now sidled up beside me. Christ. I really need to snap out of this.

  Allie.

 
; I gave her Sam’s number a couple weeks ago in an attempt to hook them up.

  Her words leave me wincing. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that. We really were just friends at that point. Had I known this was going to happen, I honestly wouldn’t have encouraged you to text him.”

  Cocking her head to the side, she looks as though she’s sizing me up before finally nodding her head, accepting my apology. Her expression softens into one of friendliness before she finally shrugs. “It’s cool. As much as I hate to admit it, you two look good together.” Snorting, she adds, “The man can’t keep his hands off you.”

  Not that I want to rub this girl’s face in my utter and complete blissfulness, but I can literally feel the smile as it stretches its way across my face.

  Allie rolls her eyes before jabbing me in the side with her elbow. “Alright, just knock that shit off right now. You’ve unfortunately taken one of the good ones off the market. It’s kind of slim pickings around here, if you know what I mean.”

  Yup, I know exactly what she means. I’ve unfortunately gone out with a lot of those slim pickings. A gurgle of laughter bubbles up from my throat. “Sorry, I really am trying not to be obnoxious about it.”

  “It’s not working.” She narrows her eyes. “You need to try a little harder.”

  Even though I’m making every attempt to school my features, it ends up being a useless endeavor. This must be what relationship happiness feels like.

  Interesting.

  “How about you make it up by giving me some insider information on a few of the other football players.” Smirking, she adds, “Eligible, of course.”

  I can’t help but beam a bright smile in her direction as my mind starts whirling with all the possibilities before locking onto one in particular. “I just might have someone for you.”

  “Now you’re talking.” Linking her arm through mine, she says, “Come on, I’ll walk with you to class.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Even though the building is closed for the evening and everything is dark and eerily silent, I pitch my voice low just in case the janitorial staff is still hanging around. I can’t stop myself from asking, “Should we really be here?”

  Because I’m thinking not.

  And what if there are surveillance cameras capturing our every move?

  That thought leaves me gulping before my eyes search the corners of the echoing hallway we’re currently sneaking down.

  Alright, fine… I’m sneaking.

  And yeah, it’s extremely covert-like. Think Mission Impossible stealth and furtiveness. I’m pulling from all three movies at this point. That’s me right now. Sam, of course, is simply walking beside me with that sexy-as-all-hell saunter of his. Like it’s no big deal that we’re prowling around the athletic center after hours.

  “As long as we don’t get caught, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about.”

  His words have me instantly skidding to a halt before whispering furiously into the blackness, “You’re joking, right?”

  He better damn well be joking.

  His lips lift into an adorable smile that, under normal circumstances, would be melting my heart and flooding my panties with heat. Although presently, it’s not doing a damn thing for me. My nerves are way too jacked up for melting or flooding of any kind.

  Which is a shame.

  “It’ll be fine, I promise,” he chuckles, “now come on.”

  With that he nabs my hand, towing me further down the darkened corridor. My heart continues jackhammering painfully under my breast. I’ve never sneaked into anything before. I am a self-proclaimed rule follower. I’ve never been much into breaking them. Hence my decision to study law.

  Which brings up an excellent point that should be brought to Sam’s attention…

  “If we get caught, we’ll have a record for breaking and entering which could mean no law school. You do realize that, right?” At this point, I would be all too happy to get the hell out of here before we trip some kind of silent alarm system.

  For all we know, the cops are already on their way to arrest us.

  His hand tightens around mine before he shakes his head as if I’m a gigantic baby for even considering the ramifications of our little midnight jaunt through the athletic center. “You need to settle. Nothing’s going to happen. And we didn’t break in, we used a key.”

  “Yes, but I’m guessing that key isn’t actually supposed to be in your possession.”

  It’s really more than a guess.

  “Stop asking questions. The less you know the better. It’s called plausible deniability. Remember that.”

  “Great,” I mutter under my breath, “what are we even doing here?”

  “You’ll see, now shush and follow me.”

  For just a moment, I give serious consideration to his words. Because this is Sam, and he would never do anything to get either one of us in trouble, I push my qualms aside. If there’s one single person that I trust implicitly, it’s him. I don’t think anything will ever change that because I know Sam’s first impulse is to always protect me.

  A moment later, he pulls open a door and the sharp scent of chlorine almost overwhelms me. Not understanding what we’re doing, my brows furrow. “Are we-”

  Before I can even get the words out, he’s pulling me to him before snaking his arms around my body and smacking a quick kiss against my lips. “No more questions.”

  He holds me against his hard body for a moment or two before finally releasing me. Then he’s towing me through the men’s locker room until we’re pushing out another set of doors that lead to the Olympic sized swimming pool on campus. Even though the lights are turned off, one whole wall is nothing but floor to ceiling windows that allow bright moonlight to filter through so that it shimmers off the water.

  The surface is utterly calm and glassy.

  Completely beautiful and serene.

  Without another word, Sam tugs the shirt over his head, revealing perfect washboard abs in the process before throwing it onto the wooden bench by the locker rooms. My eyes widen as a small smile tugs at the corners of my lips. There must be a silent question written within my eyes because he nods his head before sliding off his shoes. His fingers hover over the button of his cargo pants before sliding it free from its hole. Then he’s climbing out of them.

  Even though it’s dark, I can’t help the way my eyes take a long slow tour of his ripped body. All those cut chiseled lines. The dark blond hair that arrows sharply down his lower abdomen before disappearing inside his boxers. The play of all that sinewy muscle as it ripples and stretches its way across his wide chest has all the saliva instantly drying in my mouth.

  He’s just so… beautiful.

  Is it completely wrong that I want to nip at all that rock solid strength before licking and lapping my way over every single inch of him?

  Cue the panty flooding.

  His socks get thrown into the growing pile of hastily stripped off clothing as I just continue standing there, enjoying the impromptu show I’m now being treated to.

  “Come on, Winterfield, you gonna join me in there or just watch from the sidelines?”

  Indecision flickers through me.

  Am I seriously going to do this?

  Am I going to strip down and jump into the campus pool after hours?

  Before sound judgment can swoop in and interfere, I find myself whipping the long sleeved shirt over my head, tossing it on top of his discarded pile of clothing. Then I wiggle out of my shoes before pulling off my socks.

  The entire time I’m shedding my clothes, Sam just stands there in his thigh hugging black boxer briefs watching me. There’s a suggestive little smile curving his lips upward. The way his eyes follow every little movement I make is incredibly sexy. No one has ever made me feel so wanted before. No one has ever breathed life into the need now surging restlessly through my body.

  When I’m finally down to just my bra and panties, Sam stretches a large hand out for me to take hold o
f. “Come here, beautiful.” His deep voice turns gruff. It strums something within the pit of my belly. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of that feeling.

  His fingers ensnare mine as we step closer to the the sparkling pool. With our toes curling around the tiled ledge, we stand there for a moment just gazing down at the clear calm water.

  “Ready?”

  Sucking in a breath, I nod my head.

  “One… two… three!”

  On three we jump straight into the pool. Our hands are still clenched together as we arrow through the water, touching the bottom, before pushing off and rocketing straight up to the surface. As we bob to the top, a massive grin overtakes my face. A bubble of giddiness explodes within me as our eyes catch and hold.

  My voice is filled with barely leashed excitement now that I’m actually in the water. “I can’t believe we’re doing this!”

  Without saying a word, he leans over, capturing my lips with his own. They’re cool and wet as they gently sweep over mine, making me forget about everything except him.

  For the next thirty minutes we splash around as silvery moonlight washes over us. Even though our laughing voices are hushed, they echo off the cavernous walls. There’s something almost magical about being here alone at night.

  Closing my eyes, I simply lay back, allowing my body to become weightless in the cool liquid. My arms are stretched out as the water gently rocks against me. It’s ridiculously relaxing. I can almost feel all the concerns I’ve been so wrapped up in for the last couple of months falling away, slowly sinking to the bottom of the pool where they’ll hopefully stay.

  I’ve spent the last three and a half years here at Barnett, steadily working towards graduation, towards my diploma, so that I could move on to the next phase of my life. But now that it’s actually here, finally within striking distance, I’m dreading it.