“She doesn’t. She’ll come around. She’s your best friend.”
“I… I want to be with you, Luke. I want you so badly but… but Mary just keeps coming back.”
“We’re in the same boat,” Lucas said glumly.
“Can I stay over?” Ella asked.
He didn’t even have to think about it. “Yes.”
Up in Lucas’ bedroom, their mouths explored each other; lips, tongues, sensitive skin, moving together, triggering sensations which made her shiver. Goosebumps covered her arms where he touched her. Ella and Lucas were nearly the same height. When he pulled her shirt over her head, Ella didn’t feel uncomfortable or vulnerable. She felt at home; this was how it was meant to be. She let her bra fall to the floor. He caressed one breast with his hand, lightly pinching and twisting the nipple between thumb and forefinger, as he pulled her other nipple into his mouth. Ella’s fingers wrapped around his hair as she moaned softly. She felt his free hand slide down her body and she shifted to help him finish undressing her, lifting her heels one by one so he could slip off her trousers and everything she wore under it. He guided her to his bed.
“You know,” Ella begun. “It’s not fair I’m completely naked and you’re… completely dressed.”
Without waiting for a reply, Ella was unbuttoning his shirt and soon, they both lay on the bed, with him on top. His eyes devoured her as his hands moved over her bare skin. He found her incredibly beautiful and arousing. Thinking back, Lucas had lost count of the times he had mentally pictured this situation in his head. That was back then, when Ella rejected all his approaches and this was now. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered except the fact that this was the woman he loved and had loved for years. He felt her shiver as he brushed his lips and fingertips over her skin, and his awareness of her arousal increased his own. She whimpered softly as she felt his hands glide back up her legs, thumbs caressing the insides of her thighs, lightly touching her, making her tremble. His lips continued their slow exploration of her body, until they found her mouth again, and he kissed her hungrily. Her breasts pressed into his chest, soft and warm. She unfastened his waistband and slipped her hand inside. He shuddered at her touch as she brushed his erection with her thumb. He let go long enough to pull off the remaining of his clothes. He rolled over again, pinning her under him. Their lips met again in a heated kiss. It was slow but needy at the same time. She felt his pelvis pressing into her lower body. They kissed again, almost desperately. His hands stroked her breasts gently; her nipples hardened as he took one between his teeth. She was overwhelmed by the sensations she was feeling, hardly able to register what was happening. The feeling was so intense that she doubted she had ever felt such a desperate need before.
His hand slid down her body to her inner thigh, gently slipping a finger inside. His other hand slid under her head as he lifted it up and kissed her. She gasped desperately as his fingers touched her wetness and she gave up any ounce of control she was clinging to. She sobbed and gasped as his intimate touches as she held tighter to his arms. Her lips parted as she lay back in defeat, broken sobs escaping her mouth at the pleasure he was making her feel. He knew exactly where to touch her, revoking reactions that made her shiver.
“L-Luke—please—please Luke…” she gasped. She wasn’t sure what she was asking for but she knew she needed something more. He seemed to understand because his fingers withdrew from her and his knee spread her legs wider. She felt his erection brush her entrance which made her gasp; she was still sensitive from his previous touches. She grabbed his hand and he squeezed it in a comforting manner. He pressed into her slowly. Her head arched back and she cried his name as he rolled all the way in. He waited a few minutes for her to adjust to the new sensation. When he was sure she was ready, he began to move, groaning as he slipped deeply into the moist wetness of her body.
She pulled his face towards her, desperate to feel all of him at once. She kissed him, tasting his lips and tongue as her lower body experienced intimate sensations that she didn’t imagine were possible to feel. He thrust in and out; her soft breasts pressed against his hard chest. Her breathing became shallow and rapid as the pleasure intensified.
She cried his name repeatedly as she reached her climax and soon, she was shuddering and trembling as she came down from her high. He helped her ride it down. When they were done, he lay on top of her, supporting his weight so as not to crush her. Her eyes remained closed; she wanted to remember every sensation he had made her feel. He kissed her jaw and rolled off her.
“I love you, Luke,” Ella said lazily. The words had never come to her easier than they did at that moment.
“I love you too, El,” he replied. He felt a contentment he hadn’t felt in years.
Tomorrow, they would have to face the reality which didn’t seem too dark right now; in fact, it had never seemed brighter. But for now, they could relish in each other’s company. The night was long and there was much to talk about.
Chapter 11
Ella woke up before Lucas did. It was the weekend so she didn’t need to worry about getting to class on time. She showered before pulling a bathrobe around her and entering the bedroom again. Lucas was still sleeping. Ella opened a drawer and pulled out a large, oversized T shirt of his and pulled it over her head, discarding the robe. Ella was accustomed to wearing Lucas’s clothes considering the amount of days she had ended up sleeping in his room. She strolled outside the room and found Adam in the living room.
“You’re up early,” Ella commented.
“I have to visit my mother. She’s in town for my sister’s wedding.”
“You’re not surprised to see me.”
Adam grinned. “Your car is parked outside.”
“Oh.”
“Nice shirt,” Adam commented.
Ella glanced down at it.
“So,” Adam continued. “Is this still one of those times where you two share a bed but don’t share… other things?”
Ella rolled her eyes. “Afraid not.”
“Praise the Lord.”
Ella smiled but didn’t reply. “Oh come on. Why are you still miserable? Is this about the friend of yours?”
“You really don’t like Mary, do you?”
“I’m indifferent to her. I don’t like, however, that she came into the picture at the wrong moment.”
“You really want me and Lucas to get together, don’t you?” Ella laughed.
“Of course I do. After years of hearing him whining about how you won’t say yes to him, anyone would want that. Plus, I like you better than most, Scott. I need to get along with Lucas’ girlfriend.”
“Of course, you did,” Ella muttered.
“I could distract Mary for you, if you want,” Adam said, winking.
“You’re an idiot.”
When Adam had left and Ella returned to Lucas’ bedroom, she noticed that he was awake. He lay with his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. Ella crawled into bed and lay besides him. He turned his face towards her as she kissed him.
“Hmm,” Lucas said against her lips. “I love being woken up like this.”
“I’m not done with you, yet,” Ella told him.
Lucas adjusted his position so that he was on his side, their lips still connected.
“I love it when you wear my clothes,” Lucas murmured against her lips as he pushed the shirt upwards. Ella wasn’t wearing anything under it save for her underwear. As his hands brushed her nipples, he felt them harden. He pulled the t shirt all the way up and attacked her hardened breasts with his soft, warm lips. Ella sighed as he trailed down and before she knew it, he was pulling down her underwear. It lay discarded at their feet as Lucas bent her right knee and brought his face down. Ella whimpered in anticipation. His tongue discovered her wetness as it gently nudged into her. Ella’s heartbeat increased. Her hands desperately curled around the duvet covering the bed as she tried to suppress her increasingly loud moans. He licked her aching core, making her arc her back a
nd cry out his name. He sucked her clit and Ella cried out with pleasure. She was grateful that Adam wasn’t at home or he would have heard and that would have been extremely embarrassing.
Ella entered the basketball court earlier than the time for onlookers. Donna was warming up with the rest of the team as Ella took a seat in the stands. She waited idly for the match to start. Lucas jogged up to her when he saw her.
“You’re here early,” he commented. He was breathless from the warm up.
Ella shrugged. “Got off from classes early and didn’t want to drive back home before I came here.”
They watched Adam and Leah (another girl from the team) dunk a few balls before Lucas turned to her again.
“I have my exhibition at The Gallery this weekend.”
“I know. I remember.”
“Should be exciting.”
“Are you nervous about it?”
“A little. Are you nervous about the tournament?”
Lucas grinned. “I’m never nervous.” Ella stood up from where she sat in the stands and stepped over the remaining seats to reach him. She tiptoed up and kissed him softly. His hand rested on her hip as he reciprocated. They were interrupted by Adam’s arrival.
“I’d suggest you two don’t do that. Mary looks like she’ll kill both of you,” Adam said before he withdrew from where they stood and caught the ball that Donna had thrown at him. Ella fell back on her tiptoes and glanced around. Sure enough, Mary was there accompanied by one of her friends. She caught Ella’s eye and looked away as they took a seat in the stands.
Ella sighed. “I didn’t think she would come this soon.”
“I’ll see you after the match?” Lucas asked.
“Yep, you will.”
Lucas turned and jogged back to the court. Ella sat down again and tried to look anywhere but at Mary. Eventually, Mary came and sat next to her.
“That was cute,” she said.
“Mary…”
“No, really, it was. I break up with my boyfriend and not two weeks have passed before he’s kissing my best friend in public.”
Ella looked down at her hands.
“You know, Ella,” Mary continued. “I’m not sad about my relationship being over. Frankly, it’s quite a relief. I wasn’t even angry when Lucas told me about the kiss because deep down, I always knew that you guys… well, that you guys are more than normal friends. What I was angry about is that you went behind my back, Ella. You could have admitted your feelings for him to me first but you went behind my back and kissed him.”
“How was I supposed to admit my feelings to you?” Ella asked incredulously. “Hey Mary, I’m in love with your boyfriend and I only realized that the moment you started dating him? Is that what I was supposed to say?”
“You’re in love with him?”
Ella was silent.
“Well,” Mary said. “At least I made you realize your true feelings for him. Some good came out of this.”
Silence.
“I forgive you,” Mary said.
“What?”
“You heard me. You can kiss Lucas in public without feeling guilty. But don’t expect me to forget what happened.” She got up and walked away.
Ella sighed. Suddenly, she wasn’t interested in the game anymore.
Their team won the game which led to an extravagant after party at a hotel booked by one of the sponsors of the team. Ella didn’t feel much up to dancing but a very drunk Adam dragged her on the dance floor and she had no choice but to go along with it. She noticed a few girls throwing envious stares in her direction.
“Hey, Adam,” Ella said over the blaring music. “I think you shouldn’t keep your admirers waiting. They look like they’ll kill me any second.”
Adam turned to look at the girls and laughed. “Alicia Kyle looks exceptionally nice today.”
“Go on, then,” Ella urged.
“You just need an excuse to stop dancing and go skulk in a corner,” Adam accused. “And why are you so sober?”
Ella shook her head. “We’ll talk later, Adam. Now go get Alicia before that other boy does.”
“Not worried about any other boy,” Adam said before he walked away.
Ella turned away and headed for the door that would lead her to fresh air and silence. She only had a few minutes of solitude before a girl she mildly recognized came up to her. “Your friend Mary is in the bathroom. I think you should go see her.”
“My God, Mary, how many bottles did you have?” Ella asked the moment she saw her. She held Mary’s hair back as the latter girl threw up. Mary looked like she was ready to pass out.
“A few,” Mary replied when she was calmer. She sat on the tiled floor. “I’m such an idiot.”
“It’s alright, we’ll get you home,” Ella told her.
“Normally, I have you to keep check of how much I drink,” Mary continued in a low, faint voice.
“I’m still here.”
Mary heaved again.
Afterwards, Ella half carried Mary outside and in the direction of her car. She left Lucas a message and he joined her moments later. He relieved Ella of the duty of carrying Mary and lifted her up towards the car. When they reached their apartment, Lucas carried her to her bedroom.
They watched as Mary stirred. Then Ella turned to Lucas.
“I’ll stay here with her. You should probably leave. She wouldn’t like it if she wakes up and finds you here.”
“I don’t mind,” Mary murmured in her sleep. “He can stay.”
Ella stared at Mary before addressing Lucas again. “I still think you should leave,” she whispered.
“Call me if you need anything,” Lucas said.
An hour later, Ella still sat on Mary’s bed, waiting for her to wake up. Eventually, she did.
“I feel terrible,” Mary said.
“You look terrible.”
“Thanks,” Mary groaned. “Did the boyfriend leave?”
“Yes.”
“He didn’t have to.”
“It’s alright.”
“Have you been here the whole time?”
“It had only been an hour.”
Mary sat up. “I have a headache.”
“You should sleep.”
She nodded. “I will.”
Ella stood up.
“Thank you, Ella,” Mary said before she fell back on her bed again.
Hours later, as the morning sun broke through the blinds in Ella’s room, Mary knocked on her door. Ella was sleeping as Mary slid into the bed besides her.
“What time is it?” Ella murmured sleepily.
“6 am.”
“Are you better now?”
“Never been better.”
They lay next to each other just like they used to before they started fighting.
“I miss you, Ella Scott,” Mary said at length.
“I miss you too.”
“I know I said we can’t be friends like we were before… but maybe we can try.”
“I would love that.”
In the silence of the morning, the two girls drifted off to sleep again. Things seemed infinitely better after that.
Chapter 12
Lucas’ lips were warm against hers. They were perfectly synchronized with hers and felt good against her lips. Ella pondered on this fact as she kissed him. They were interrupted with the sound of the door banging open.
“I’m not a fan of PDA,” Mary mocked.
Ella smiled. “Hi, Mary.”
“Hello, Ella. Lucas.”
Mary stepped between them and draped an arm around each of them. “Let’s go, then. I’m excited for this exhibition.”
Mary felt a sense of relief when she made up with Ella. Ella and Lucas’ relationship didn’t bother her as much as fighting with Ella did.
Mary and Lucas helped Ella carry her paintings and art work into The Gallery. A few major artists were displaying their work too which is why all tickets were sold out and the halls were going to be packed in a few
hours. The exposure was excellent for emerging artists like Ella.
As the exhibition progressed, Ella was in the middle of a conversation with a few people who had seemed interested in her work earlier but were now going on about their own art endeavors and how they had to give them up in favor of “real careers”. Ella listened politely and looked around for an escape which came minutes later in the form of Lucas.
“Mind if I borrow Ella?” he asked the group. Without waiting for an answer, he led her away into a small room at the end of the hall.
“You just saved my life,” Ella told him.
“I had my reasons for saving your life,” Lucas said. Ella was pressed against the wall and Lucas’ lips lingered near hers.
“Like what?” Ella breathed.
Lucas closed the distance between them as his lips crashed into hers. The kiss was urgent, a sign of how they had only a few minutes to steal from the exhibition before the manager would start wondering where Ella went. Ella reciprocated with equal fervor. Their tongues fought for dominance. Lucas pushed up her dress. A finger hooked her underwear to the side and nudged into her. Ella clutched his shoulder tightly as he rubbed and pumped with his fingers. Her back arched and she clung to his neck.
Ella could hear people walking around outside. As Lucas withdrew his hand, Ella looked around. There was a small couch in the corner of the room.
“I don’t like the idea of having sex on someone else’s couch,” Ella told him.
“Good,” Lucas replied. “Because I was going to take you against the wall.”
“Hurry up,” she told him. Unbuckling his belt, Ella pushed down his jeans. Lucas lifted up her right leg and wrapped it around his torso as he brought her down on his erection. She bit down on his neck to stop herself from crying out loud. Lucas lifted her leg up further which gave him deeper access. Ella stifled her cries and suspected that she might be hurting Lucas with the bites but he didn’t seem to mind. She thought her left leg would give way so she wrapped that around him too. He thrust into her easily, making her moan his name.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
“Ella?” She recognized the voice as that of the exhibition’s manager.
Romance: The College Bad Boy: A Young Adult Romance Page 40