Summer Fling (Players of Marycliff University Book 1)

by MacMillan, Jerica

  Megan made a noncommittal sound in her throat, and parked the car on the street in front of Lance's, well, Chris and Matt's house.

  Abby looked around and didn't see any other cars except the ones that belonged there. "Are we early?" She checked the time on her phone. It didn't seem like they were early.

  The sound of Megan's door slamming got Abby scrambling out of her seat. Megan had the backpack she'd brought with her and was walking to the front door. Abby thought it was kind of weird that she was bringing it inside the party. She'd figured that if Megan were bringing a change of clothes, she'd leave it in the car until it was needed. Abby followed Megan through the front door.

  And froze.

  Lance was standing in the middle of the living room, wearing his customary cargo shorts and a t-shirt. It was the Superman t-shirt she'd worn that first night they met. He looked like he hadn't shaved in a day or two, dark stubble shadowing his jaw. His eyes were roving over her body like he couldn't take her in.

  Abby's lungs seemed to have forgotten how to work. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, couldn't speak. What was Lance doing here? Why hadn't he told her he was visiting? What did this mean?

  The soft click of the door closing behind her pulled Abby out of her frozen state. She looked behind her and noticed that Megan was gone, the backpack sitting next to the front door. She and Lance were alone in his living room. Confusion and hope warred in her chest, along with a fleeting thought about Megan's part in all this. Confusion won out.

  "What's going on?"

  Lance crossed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms, taking her mouth in a searing kiss. "I came back." He pulled her over to the couch, sitting down with her across his lap. He kissed her again, a little more in control, but she could feel his barely restrained hunger.

  Abby relished his kisses, having thought she'd never kiss him again. But she pulled back after a moment. "I don't understand."

  He smiled down at her. "I was miserable in Texas. I came back to be with you."

  "But your parents, your dad's shop? I thought you had to go work there."

  Lance shook his head. "We worked it out."

  "How?"

  "My mom convinced my dad that making me come home was not the best idea for me. Especially once she found out about you. I called up my supervisor at the Forester Group and took the job they offered me before I left."

  Abby's eyes widened. "What did you tell her about me?"

  Lance was running his hand on her leg from ankle to knee. "I told her that you are sweet and caring. That you won't put up with any bullshit. That you're snarky and funny." He leaned his head close to her ear to whisper the last thing. "And that I love you." He pulled back his head, looking down at her face again. "Both my parents are excited to meet you."

  Abby sat in stunned silence for a moment. "You love me?" She felt completely overwhelmed and unable to process what was happening. Stupid and dazed with Lance's presence and this new information that she never expected, never dared hope for.

  He grinned and nodded. She felt her mouth curving in an answering smile. "I love you, too."

  "I know," he whispered before kissing her again.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Lance took his time kissing her. Savoring her. Reacquainting himself with the taste of her mouth. Soon, though, that wasn't enough. He needed more. Needed her. Now.

  He stood up, picking her up easily, and carrying her to his bedroom. The guys hadn't found a replacement roommate yet, so he was back. Here, where he'd first had Abby. Where they'd said goodbye. Where he'd have her again.

  She laughed when he tossed her onto the bed. He'd noticed that she was wearing the shirt he bought her on their second date when she came in. Seeing her in it always made him smile. But seeing her out of it was even better.

  He reached back one handed and pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it to the side, before crawling onto the bed with Abby. His hands skimmed up her sides, bunching the shirt as he went. She sat up, lifting her arms so he could take it off. Then she reached behind her and unhooked her bra, letting it slide down her arms. He reached for her, palming her breasts, tweaking her nipples, enjoying her gasps of pleasure.

  He leaned forward and took one in his mouth, suckling it, rubbing it with his tongue, biting gently with his teeth. Her hands came to his head, threading through his hair, holding him against her. He moved to the other, giving it equal attention, before moving down her body, kissing and nipping, soothing the sting with his tongue. Not like last time—not hard enough to leave marks. There was no need. She was his. And he was hers. They were together again and he wasn't going anywhere this time.

  He kissed just below her belly button, then undid her shorts. He had been mildly disappointed they weren't the short denim shorts he really liked, but now he didn't care at all. He hooked his fingers in the waistband and caught her panties—a thong—at the same time.

  In his haste to undress her, he'd forgotten she was still wearing her sandals. They were strappy ones, not her usual flip flops, so they hadn't come off when she sat down like he was used to.

  Abby laughed when her clothes got tangled on her shoes. He looked at her face, and she kicked her feet a little to help free them, then reached down and undid her sandals herself, tossing them off to the side.

  Now she was naked and in his bed. All was right in his world again.

  * * *

  Abby was disappointed that Lance had undressed her but left his own shorts on. Her disappointment was short lived, when he ran his hands up her inner thighs, spreading her. She leaned back on the pillows and felt his tongue following the path his right hand made up the inside of her leg.

  And then all conscious thought left her at the feeling of his tongue on her sex. She was already wet and ready from the kissing and his attention to her breasts and the rest of her body. His tongue and his fingers were quickly taking her closer and closer to the edge. The stubble on his jaw and the tickle of his hair on her thighs only adding to the sensations.

  She gripped the blankets convulsively, her back arching, her whole body tightening, and then he pressed up with his fingers and she shattered. He stayed there, his fingers pumping in and out, his tongue still moving, but slower now, wringing out every last bit of her orgasm.

  When she finally lay boneless and spent on the bed, he withdrew his hand and stood up, stripping off the rest of his clothes in one smooth motion. He rolled on a condom and then she was reaching for him, welcoming him into her body.

  He entered her in one smooth stroke. "You feel so good," he whispered against her ear. She lifted her hips to meet him, then wrapped her legs around his waist.

  "Oh, God. I can't— I want to, but— You feel too good, Abby. I can't hold back." In answer Abby rocked against him and he began thrusting faster, not holding back, chasing his own release.

  * * *

  Lance held Abby spooned against him, his arm around her holding her close. He felt her lift his arm and kiss it, like she had that last night they were together. He smiled to himself.

  "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

  Lance snuggled her closer, kissing her hair. "I wanted to surprise you."

  She twisted around so she was lying on her back and could look at him. "You know I don't like surprises."

  He let his hand drift in circles on the soft skin of her belly, watching the motion. "I know. But I do. And I thought this might be a good surprise." His eyes flicked to her face. She was watching him.

  She seemed to think over his answer. "It was a good surprise. I would've liked it better if you'd told me, though." Her eyes narrowed at him. "Don't you dare ever throw me a surprise party."

  He smiled at her, then gave her a quick kiss. "Alright. No surprise parties. You can throw me one sometime, though."

  "I already did once. Isn't that good enough for you?" Her voice was light and teasing. Lance just chuckled and pulled her closer, unable to get enough of touching her, kissing her. So gl
ad to do it again.

  "You should move in here."

  Abby's eyes widened and she pushed up slightly from his chest so she could look at his face better. "What?"

  "You practically lived here all summer. Just move in."

  "What about Chris and Matt? And what about Megan?"

  Lance's brow furrowed. "What about them? The guys didn't seem to mind when you were here before?"

  Abby gave him a look like he was slow. "Yeah, but then it was only supposed to be for a few weeks. They might object if it was permanent, especially without asking them. And I don't know that I want to live with three guys. And then Megan would be out of a roommate. I can't just bail on her."

  Lance considered what she said. "Okay. How about this. We start looking for a place together. We'll let everyone know so they can find replacements once we find a place and move out."

  The look on Abby's face was still dubious.

  "Please, Abby? Say yes. The last two weeks have been torture. I don't want to be without you if I don't have to. I want you to live with me."

  "I'm paying for half the rent."

  Lance compressed his lips and opened his mouth to argue, but Abby didn't let him get out what he was going to say. "It's non-negotiable, Lance."

  He closed his mouth. "So, if you can pay half the rent, you'll live with me? We can find a place together?"

  She examined his face, and then nodded.

  His grin was triumphant. And they sealed their agreement with a kiss.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Abby set the last box down in the living room of her new apartment with Lance. She looked into the kitchen where Megan was leaning over the breakfast bar drinking a glass of water.

  Megan set her glass down. "Is that the last of your stuff?"

  Abby nodded, heading to the kitchen for her own glass. "Yeah. The guys went back to our old apartment to get your things. They said we should meet them at the house."

  "Cool. We can take a little break while they load up my boxes and then meet them there. Chris already gave me my key."

  Abby searched Megan's face. "You sure you're okay with all this? I know it happened really fast. I was expecting to take longer than a week to find and move into a new place."

  Megan smiled. "Of course. At least our place was month to month, so it all worked out."

  Abby laughed a little. "Yeah, that was a bonus. I meant are you okay with moving in with Chris and Matt? Lance did offer to cover my half of the rent until you could find a new roommate."

  Megan grimaced. "Yeah, I know. I thought about it. But I don't really feel good about taking his money."

  Abby broke in. "He can actually afford it. His job pays really well, and I'm making him let me help pay for things here."

  Megan glared at her. "Yeah. About that. Why are you doing that to him? He's your boyfriend, not your roommate. He makes way more money than you. Just let the guy pay for stuff. He loves you. It's not like it's some skeevy thing."

  Abby looked uncomfortable. "I know. I'm just used to taking care of myself and I don't like letting other people take care of me. No one has in a long time."

  Megan's look softened. "I know. Lance isn't going to bail on you, though. He's not like that. And he already came back for you once. I don't think he'll ever let you go again."

  Abby grunted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "For now we've come to an agreement, and we found an apartment that we both like."

  Megan laughed out loud at that. "You can't tell me that Lance wouldn't prefer a house over an apartment."

  "He said he likes this place. It's cozy." Abby's voice was defensive, and she'd crossed her arms over her chest.

  Megan looked around. "Cozy. Yup." She leveled her gaze back on Abby. "You realize that means tiny, right?"

  Abby looked around. "Fine. It's tiny. But the clubhouse is nice and has a good workout room, which is important to Lance, and it's just the two of us. We don't need a lot of space." She waved the topic away with her hand. "And that's all beside the point. We're talking about you moving in with two guys."

  Megan laughed again. "I'll be fine, Abby. I like Chris and Matt. They're good guys. I'll be able to go to parties with them when they're not gone with the team, and we can even host parties at our house. I already know them, so I won't have to break in some random stranger as a roommate, and they already let me boss them around." She clapped her hands together with glee. "It's going to be a blast. You'll see."

  Abby still looked doubtful. "Alright. If you say so."

  Megan's face grew serious. "I do. I grew up with two older brothers. It's not like I've never lived with guys before."

  "Yeah, but Chris and Matt aren't your brothers."

  "I know. But I feel safe with them. It's going to be fine." Megan pulled her keys out of her pocket. "We should head over to the house so we can meet the guys. You ready?"

  Abby drained the last of her water. "Yeah. Let's go." She followed Megan out of the apartment, casting one last look around before she left. She was starting to imagine how she wanted to decorate it and what things they still needed to buy to complete their first home.

  It was definitely not what she expected from her summer fling—falling for and then moving in with Lance. She was glad that Megan had dragged her to that party back in June. Otherwise they'd never have met, and she wouldn't feel as happy or be as loved as she was now.

  She locked the door and pulled it closed behind her, smiling to herself, looking forward to a future of living with and loving Lance.

  * * *

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  * * *

  Jerica MacMillan is a lifelong reader and lover of romance. Nothing beats escaping into a book and watching people fall in love, overcome obstacles, and find their happily ever after. She was recently named a semi finalist in Harlequin's So You Think You Can Write 2015 contest.

  Jerica is living her happily ever after in North Idaho with her husband and two children. She spends her days building with blocks, admiring preschooler artwork, and writing while her baby naps in the sling. Sign up to receive updates on her reading and writing life at www.JericaMacMillan.com.

  * * *

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