Teach Me (College Daze Book 2)

by Danielle Burton

“Who?”

  I chuckled then popped a kernel of popcorn in my mouth. “It’s a show about a high school glee club. You wouldn’t like it.”

  He smacked his lips and jerked his head back. “Girl, you ‘on’t know me. Push play.”

  Turning my back slightly, I snuggled into his arms, pressing my booty against his thigh. Twenty minutes passed and he hadn’t even attempted to touch it. It’d been this way for a week now. Since the night of the mind blowing orgasm he’d given me, Benji had been distant. We still had deep conversations, but he did little more than peck me on the lips and when we cuddled his hands no longer roamed. In fact, he sat stiff as a board half the time.

  “Benji.”

  “Yeah?”

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  His eyes darted to me then back to the TV. “What do you mean?”

  I took his hand and placed it on my butt.

  He snatched it away and gawked at me. “Whatchu doing?”

  “That’s what I mean.” I turned to face him and folded my arms. “I understand you wanting to wait, but now you can’t even touch me? What is going on?”

  His chest heaved with a hard breath then he pushed his fingers through his hair. “Nothing.”

  I scoffed and shifted my weight away from him. “I wasn’t aware we kept things from each other.”

  He threw his head back against the sofa and sighed. “I’m not–”

  “Oh, and now we lie, too. Okay.”

  “Cam–”

  “I can respect you wanting to wait. What I won’t respect is you being all cold with me like I’ve done something wrong. If you don’t want to tell me what’s bothering you, fine.” I stood and tossed the remote beside him. “I’m going for a swim.”

  After changing into my bikini, which I’d picked to match Benji’s eyes, I headed to the backyard. It had been complete for two weeks now and the finished product was breathtaking.

  A warm breeze blew across my skin as I walked the stone path toward bean shaped pool. I smiled at the garden oasis toward the back of the yard. Various flowers in all shades of purple sprang from the ground and wooden archway. Mrs. Adams would have loved sitting back here I bet.

  I cast a longing glance at the hammock fitted between two cherry blossom trees. Benji and I often laid there during the day, engaged in meaningful conversations. That is until he started acting brand new on me. My mind wandered as I floated on my back in the cool water. Our relationship was a month old and things were getting weird. What did that mean for things in the long term? Would we even be together another month from now? Heat erupted in my chest at the thought. I didn’t want to be apart from him, I just wanted him to talk to me. Keeping things inside wasn’t good for neither us nor his sobriety.

  I let my body drop into the water, and then turned so I was upright. Was that what it was? Why he was acting so weird? Was he drinking again?

  As my brain processed the possibility, the back door slid open and the source of my frustration stepped out wearing a pair of red swim trunks. He strode toward me, back straight, shoulders squared, and head high. The strength he exuding had been what had always attracted me to him. While I was tiny compared to him, I was confident that even if I was a 5’ 10’ plus size amazon warrior, he could still handle me with ease.

  He slid into the pool and glided toward me in the water until my back was against the wall. Those eyes I’d come to adore spoke volumes. He wanted me as bad as I wanted him. The question remained, why was he torturing us both?

  His hand lifted to my face and pushed a wet strand of my hair back. “I’m sorry.” He placed a lingering kiss to my lips then rested his forehead to mine. “It wasn’t my intention to be cold toward you, baby. After all you’ve done for me, I would never do anything to hurt you.” He pecked my lips again. “You forgive me?”

  I nodded while looping my arms around his neck, then smiled as he lifted me from the water and sat me on the ground so I was above him. “Will you tell me what’s wrong now?”

  He glanced away and took a deep breath before meeting my eyes. “I like this. Us. I don’t want to ruin it.”

  “How would you ruin it?”

  “By bringing sex into the equation. Until you I’d never been interested in a girl outside of the physical. I just keep thinking, what if I’m lying to myself, trying to do this relationship thing. What if the reason I lost interest is because that’s who I am?” His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down with a hard swallow.

  I cradled his face in my hands and gazed down at him. “So you think if we have sex you won’t like me anymore?”

  He shrugged. “It sounds stupid out loud, I know. I’m just…”

  “Scared?”

  He nodded.

  “That’s okay.” I tangled my fingers in his soft curls. “And it’s not stupid. Looking back on your life, you have every reason to be afraid. But I don’t think it’s for the reasons you think though. Your fear is the same as mine. That you’ll end up hurt. I can’t blame you. You’ve been hurt a lot, Benji, but after everything you’ve done for me, I would never do anything to hurt you.” I bent and pressed my lips to his, easing my tongue into his mouth.

  His warm hands slid up my thighs, over my stomach, and then squeezed my breasts.

  Electricity tingled my skin everywhere he touched.

  After a few minutes he abandoned my lips and climbed from the pool. Standing over me, he held out his hand, pulling me up when I took it.

  “Where are we going?” I asked following behind him.

  He turned, bent at the waist and threw me over his shoulder. “I’m ‘bout to make love to my woman.”

  Gripping his waist tight, I squealed. “Yes!”

  He carried me through the empty house and up to my room, where he sat me down in the middle of the floor and began removing my bathing suit. Once he had me naked his eyes roamed down my body. “Damn.”

  Heat danced over my skin as I stepped closer to him then yanked at the string of his trunks. With his help I tugged them past his hips and watched them slide to the floor before raising my gaze to his huge erection. “Damn.”

  He chuckled then lifted me into his arms again and carried me to the bed where he lay on his back with me on top of him. Our tongues danced together while our hands explored one another.

  Breaking our kiss, I sat up straight and turned so my back was to him. I looked over my shoulder and found him smiling like he’s won the mega millions.

  He gave me a light slap on my bottom and bit down on his lip. Gripping my hips, he lifted me onto him, slowly easing me down until I was filled to the brim. “Ride ‘em, cowgirl.”

  “Mmm, damn.”

  His chest pressed against my back and his arms wrapped around me while we rocked together, filling the room with cries of ecstasy.

  His warm breath tingled the skin behind my ear. “You feel so good, baby.” He trailed his lips down my neck while one of his hands pinched my erect nipped and the other eased between my legs, massaging my trigger. “Now who’s is it?”

  I released a soft chuckle while gripping his strong arm. “You know it’s yours.”

  “Damn right. Now turn around so I can see that beautiful face.”

  I collapsed on the bed beside Benji three rounds later, my chest heaving and my heart banging against my ribs.

  He looked over at me, his breaths labored to, and chuckled. “Shoulda known your tiny ass had some stamina.”

  My laugh came out a bit hoarse. I rolled over and draped my leg across his. “Definitely worth the wait.”

  “Hell yeah,” he said, hugging me close.

  “So…still interested?

  His laughter shook me and the bed. “Damn right, I am.” He brushed my hair back and turned my face upward. His eyes bored into mine and his lips were set in a straight line.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He shook his head slowly and brushed his fingers against my cheek. “I’m in love with you.”

  My heart leapt into my throat then d
ropped into my stomach. I lifted my head and stared down at him with my lips parted. “Y-you love me?”

  “Yes.” Pulling my face close, he placed a soft kiss against my lips. “So much, Cammie.”

  I smashed my lips against his for a long second, and then lifted my head, smiling. “I’m in love with you, too, Benji.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  ~ Benji ~

  I couldn’t believe I’d said those words…and meant them, but there was no doubt about it, I was in love. Part of me had known for a while now but the night before with Camryn had confirmed it. First with the sincerity of the promise that she’d never hurt me and then during our hours of lovemaking. As many women as I’d had sex with and not once had I felt the connection that I did with Cam. Jay has spoken of it once before but I thought him a fool. Sex was sex. Being in love with someone wouldn’t change how it felt. After my first time with Cam I knew, there was no one else I ever wanted to be with in that way again. She was it. My end all, be all. Person I’d die for. Kill for. She was everything I’d ever wanted and never knew I needed.

  As her dark eyes met mine, one word seemed to repeat itself in my mind. Forever.

  “What are you thinking about up there?”

  I hugged her wet body to mine and pressed her against the shower wall. “You.” Bending to her height I pressed my lips to hers and explored her mouth then trailed kisses down her neck.

  “Uh uh, cut that out. I am too damn sore. You need to put a warning label on that thing.”

  I chuckled against her neck. “I didn’t mean to hurt that kitty…well, I did, but not put it out of commission.”

  She giggled and pushed me back. “I’ll be okay later. Right now I need to let her recuperate.” She pecked my lips then side stepped me and climbed out of the shower.

  “Where you going?”

  “To get dressed. I’ll see you when you’re done.”

  She wrapped a towel around her body then blew me a kiss before exiting the bathroom.

  I smiled to myself while I finished my shower, loving the feeling of being in love.

  Cool air chilled my skin as I floated down the hall to Cam’s room.

  Jay passed by me with a smirk on his face then snickered. “Fucking finally.”

  Before I could respond he ducked into his room and closed the door. I shook my head and continued on my way. When I made it to her room Cam was seated on the bed, still wrapped in her towel, holding her phone.

  I sat beside her and kissed her damp shoulder. “Hey sexy. Don’t forget we have lunch with my mom in a couple hours.” I brushed Cam’s hair back and breathed in the scent of her mango body wash. “She texted me last night, said Odom’s first tooth is starting to come in. I swear he’s like the cutest kid.” Over the weeks we’d all been spending more time together, Odom and I especially. He seemed to have taken a liking to me and would cry whenever Cam and I left.

  Speaking of Cam, she hadn’t spoken since I entered the room. Her gaze was focused on the wall and her lip clamped between her teeth, gnawing at the soft skin.

  “Cam?”

  She blinked a couple times but still didn’t acknowledge me.

  “Cam?” I turned her head toward me and searched her face.

  Her moisture filled eyes lifted to mine and she released a shaky breathy. She opened her mouth to speak but then closed it again and looked down at her lap.

  My heart accelerated as my mind raced to comprehend her sudden change in mood. Bad news perhaps, or maybe she realized the night before was a mistake, or even the last month. I swallowed down a dry lump, fighting the ache rising in my chest. “Is everything okay?”

  After a long moment of painful silence, she lifted her gaze to mine. “I got an email from DeMarco Von. They accepted me into the teaching program. I leave in six weeks.”

  ~ ♥ ~

  Time moved too fast. Four weeks soared by, each day drawing closer to Cam’s departure.

  Gabi squeezed Cam and rocked her back and forth. “I still can’t believe you’re leaving in two weeks.”

  I sat at the patio table picking over my salad. The past month had been bitter sweet. Cam and I were making the most of the time we had together before she left for Singapore, her first stop on the tour with Marco. She and I had spent nearly every waking moment together. Our days were filled with fun dates and laughter and our nights, lovemaking and deep conversations. I kept wishing I had a magic remote, something to pause life or rewind so I wouldn’t be losing her so soon.

  Jay nudged me then glanced at the girls who had moved over near the pool. “How are you doing with all this?”

  Slumping back in my chair, I shrugged. “I’m happy for her. This is her dream, you know? But every now and again I get this selfish urge to ask her to stay.”

  He nodded, looking out over the yard. “I can understand that. I was the same when Gabi left. If I’d had a way to keep her from leaving, I would’ve.”

  “This is something she has to do though. I won’t ask her to make me a priority over her happiness, no matter how much I’ll miss her.”

  “What are your plans in terms of the relationship?”

  “We thought about taking a break, but decided against it. People make long distance relationships work all the time. Besides, it’s not forever. She’ll be back.” I focused my gaze on her, a familiar ache rising in my chest. In two weeks’ times the most beautiful person I’d come to know, both inside and out, would be on the other side of the globe. Though I savored each moment we’d spent together in the past two months, it wasn’t enough. My conscious was torn between wanting her to fulfill her life’s dream and dropping to my knees and begging her to never leave me.

  It was funny, we’d known each other for a year, had been together for a grand total of sixty-three days and I couldn’t imagine my life without her. Memories of my hellish past were vivid, yet somehow it felt like I’d known her for an eternity. The reality of her leaving hit me hard each day and in those moments I did remember my world without her in it, and I wondered if I could make it without her.

  My sobriety was supposed to me for me alone, and for a while I believed it was. But there was a chance that her being around was what kept me going. She’d been my pillar of strength when I couldn’t even hold up my own head. Without her I may lose my reason to stay clean. Sure we’d still be together, but six months was a hell of a long time to not have her in my arms. This split would be a test of my strength. Only time would tell if I’d pass.

  I wished I hadn’t forgone attending school this semester. At least then I’d have something to occupy my time. Even with my sobriety I still struggled to figure out my place in the world. For a while I’d entertained the idea of dog training, but had yet to come to a decision on the matter. Seemed like everyone knew their path but me.

  The dark cloud cleared when Cam came near, flashing me that heart melting smile. She slid into my lap and rested her head in the crook of my neck. “I don’t want to do anything today. Can we just lie in the hammock?”

  I took her hand in mine and brought it to my lips. “Whatever you want, gorgeous.”

  With her in my arms, I stood and walked us to our spot. Hours passed of us lying in each other’s arms. My time was spent reminiscing on the days since we’d met. I wished I’d known then what I knew now. Had I gotten my shit together sooner we’d have had more time together. The past few months with her had been the best of my life, but it just wasn’t enough.

  She snuggled deeper into my embrace and traced her fingers down my arm. “I wish we could freeze this moment so I could stay here in your arms forever.”

  “Me too, Cammie.”

  A while later after Gabi and Jay went back to campus, I headed to the store for some things. With so few days remaining I wanted to make each one as special as I could. When I got back I took a few minutes to set up the basement before finding Cam in our room.

  She was in the same spot I often found her lately; seated at the desk, staring at her plane ticket
and passport.

  Bending over her from behind, I kissed her temple. “Bet you can’t wait to get that filled up.”

  She leaned her head back and looked up at me. “I guess.”

  “No guessing.” I pecked her lips then turned the chair toward me. “Come on. I have a surprise for you.” I took her hand and led her down to the basement, locking the door behind us in case Pops came home.

  Her eyes lit up at the indoor picnic I had set up in front of the TV. A plaid blanket was covered with some takeout I’d picked up as well as some fruit for dessert. Several pillows and a fluffy blanket sat to the side for later.

  Cam smiled up at me. “I love it. Thank you.”

  “I’m glad. But I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet.”

  “Really?” she asked leaning into me. “What’s the best part?”

  “Take off your clothes.”

  “My clothes?”

  “Yes ma’am. This picnic has a very strict dress code. Nude only.”

  She laughed then stepped back and unbuttoned her sweater. “I think I’m gonna like this picnic.”

  The mood was light while we enjoyed our dinner and the view was amazing. Cam sat cross legged with her weight resting on her arms. Her breasts were perched perfectly on her chest, adorned with a pair of silver bar nipple rings.

  I scooted closer to her with a strawberry in hand. “Ready for dessert?”

  She nodded, eyeing the plump berry.

  I took a small bite before tracing it over her lips and licking the juice away. “Tasty.”

  Her breathing grew ragged and heightened my desire. She grabbed my growing erection and the fruit dropped from my hand to the crease between her thighs. She flinched and let out a little yelp. “Cold.”

  I chuckled then bent and plucked the strawberry up with my teeth. A bit of the stickiness from the fruit remained on her leg so I did what any sane man would do, trailed my tongue over her soft skin. The flavors of the juice and her body butter melded together, thrilling my taste buds.

  I stopped just shy of where her thighs met and looked up at her through my lashes.