A Different Side (University Park #4)

by C. M. Doporto

“Dude, you should’ve come with us.” I checked my messages to see if Luke had decided whether he and Delaney were coming. Josh invited them, but he said he wasn’t sure since he was supposed to go with his family to Colorado.

  “Nah, it’s alright.” He shook his head. “Kyle came with me, so it wasn’t that bad. It’s just that my aunt is nuts. She was preaching the whole time about us going to hell for coming out here. Kyle and I were ready to leave last night.” He sighed and let out a deep breath.

  “Where is he?” I moved to the edge of the bed, grabbed my boxers, and slid them on.

  “He’s in the kitchen, eating with Josh and Shelby.” Shawn motioned with his head. “I thought we could hit the beach today. Cook out. Drink a little beer.”

  “Beer?” Lexi eyed Shawn, concern covering her face.

  “Just a few, Lexi.” Shawn got up from the bed. “Don’t worry, your boy knows his limits.” He patted me on the back.

  “That’s right.” I puffed my chest and flexed my muscles as I looked at myself in the mirror. I needed to workout harder if I wanted my abs to get more defined. Shawn stood next to me, showing off his large biceps and the tattoo of branches swirling around it. Shit head. His arms were bigger than mine, but my stomach looked better than his. So did my tattoo.

  Lexi cleared her throat a few times. I had totally avoided the situation by distracting her and she wasn’t going for it. It wasn’t that I couldn’t go without drinking — I knew the consequences if I got caught — but I didn’t plan on getting drunk. I just wanted to have a beer or two on the beach. After all, it was Spring Break.

  “I brought a canopy and thought we could set it up.” Shawn relaxed his arms. “Kind of like we do when we tailgate.”

  “Yeah, that’s cool.” I turned away from the mirror, feeling Lexi shoot lasers in my back. “We’ll beach bum it and just chill.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about.” Shawn stepped up to me and we rammed our chests into each other.

  “Alright, see you on the beach.” Shawn darted out the room, shutting the door behind him.

  “Raven?” Lexi called. I cringed. The last thing I wanted was to fight with her.

  “I know what you’re going to say.” I held up my hands in surrender.

  “You promised.” She eyed me, but kept a calm voice.

  “I’ll be good.” I jumped on the bed, pinning her between my arms. I whimpered and gave her the best pouty face I could make.

  Her eyes softened. “Don’t get me wrong. I want you to have a good time.” She combed her fingers through my messy hair. “To have a week here to remember.”

  “And that’s all I want, too.” I moved the strands of her hair away from her face. “Lexi, the last thing I want is to get kicked off the team.”

  “I know. I just think you need to be extra cautious.” I traced the dove on her neck — the one I’d bought her for Christmas — listening to her valid points. Reality was, I didn’t have to do a urine test this week. Even if I had to do one when I got back from Spring Break, the alcohol would be long gone from my system.

  Twisting the conversation to my advantage, I said, “I thought we didn’t have to be cautious anymore.” Purposely, I pressed soft kisses above her breasts, luring her once more into my trap. Her throat quivered and a whimper escaped.

  “If you’re talking about sex, then no.” Her fingers relaxed and the covers dropped to her waist. My eyes widened, taking in her beautiful bare breasts. “But if we’re talking about you being on your best behavior, that’s another story.”

  The room suddenly reached over one hundred degrees. Just thinking about making love to her had me completely hard. “When it comes to you, Lexi, I’m not sure I can be on my best behavior.” I rose up, supporting myself with my arms, and teased her by rubbing my body against hers. She hooked her legs around me and pressed her pelvis to mine. All sense of control flew out the window. I wanted her — now. “Then again, I don’t think I want to.”

  She wrapped her arms around me. “Good, because I don’t want you to.”

  “Damn, this IUD rocks,” I said with a huge grin.

  “Ha-ha.” Her head tilted back. “I know something else you can rock.”

  “You want me to rock your world, baby?”

  She nodded enthusiastically.

  I lowered my head, joining our lips. I kissed her deeply and our tongues swirled together as I showed how her much I wanted her. Nothing could stop me from showing her how much I needed her at that very moment. My mouth took off with a driven purpose as I traced a path down her neck. Her back arched and she moaned as my tongue swept across her breasts. Oh yeah, she wanted me. But I’d have her screaming my name before long.

  Not done teasing her, my mouth continued on a mission, searing her skin with more kissing and sucking. Her entire body writhed under my touch, her stomach tensing as my tongue traced around her navel. Her fingers dove into my hair and she squirmed, moaning. “Oh, Raven. Please…”

  “Please what, baby?”

  “Please don’t stop.” At her command, I didn’t. My tongue and fingers continued down the driven path calling out to me. I gave her what she wanted — not once, but a few times. And she loved every minute of it.

  ***

  We finally made it out of the bedroom and on to the beach. The girls were relaxing under the PHU purple and white canopy and the guys were playing football. The air was humid, despite the slight breeze off the water, and the sun made it feel nice and hot. Perfect for a day at the beach and swimming.

  “Damn, it’s about time.” Josh threw the ball at me. I reached up and caught it single-handed.

  “Oh, whatever. Like you two didn’t screw all night in the hot tub.”

  Shelby’s eyes widened and her nose flared. “Josh, why did you tell them?”

  Josh shot her a look. “I didn’t. But you just did.”

  Shelby’s jaw dropped and her sun-glowed face instantly paled. It wasn’t like they were saving themselves for marriage. Everyone knew they were screwing and frequently. They were always locked up in Josh’s bedroom at the apartment, much like Lexi and me.

  “Celebrating the honeymoon early?” Shawn nudged me as he waggled his brows.

  Although we weren’t doing the best job at being discrete, I hadn’t bragged to my friends one time — which was a first. Lexi was my fiancée, not one of the Silicone Triplets. I dipped my chin, glancing at him above my shades. “I don’t kiss and tell. Not anymore.” I tossed the ball to him.

  “I got ya,” Shawn sneered. I gave him a friendly shove and he struggled to stay upright, stumbling in the depths of the brown sand. “You done whipped my boy.” Shawn told Lexi, laughing as he tumbled to the ground.

  “Sorry.” Lexi smiled and gave a slight shrug. “What can I say?”

  “It’s all good.” Shawn got up and dusted the sand from his shorts. With the football cradled to his chest, he took several steps back. “Kyle, let’s play for a while.” Shawn motioned for him to get up.

  “Alright.” Kyle put his beer down and jogged to an open spot on the beach.

  It was nice being on the south end of the island on private property. It wasn’t too crowded. Not too far down, a large hotel with an outside bar was jammed packed. Tents in a variety of colors begged for beach space and people were crammed together. Some of them were soaking up the Texas rays while others were playing beach volleyball, football, or just lazing around and drinking. No doubt, it was Spring Break in Texas.

  “What do you think?” I wrapped my arms around Lexi as she stared at the waves hitting the shore. Her toes curled as the water inched closer to them.

  “I think I’m ready to get in.” She lifted on the balls of her feet and let out a breath.

  Just as I was about to pull off my shirt, two girls wearing bikinis caught my attention. I tried not to stare at them, but they were hard to miss. With spray-on tans and boobs the size of Texas, they even had Kyle’s full attention. He threw the ball to Shawn without any direction. “Hey.�
�� He grinned, flashing his stark-white teeth.

  “Hi.” Blondie waved, making a path directly toward him. The dark, curly headed girl trekked along side Blondie and I had to look away for fear of Lexi punching me. Her bikini top barely covered her boobs, which seemed to be screaming for release. I shot Shawn a wide-eyed look, telling him she was all his.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Shawn tossed the ball behind him as he strutted toward her. She twirled her long waves around her finger, giving him a flirtatious smile. “What you ladies up to?”

  “We were just checking out the beach,” Blondie said, keeping her eyes fixed on Kyle.

  “Glad y’all made your way down here. I’m Kyle.” He gripped his waist and rolled back his shoulders, expanding his small chest. For a sophomore, he had a ways to go.

  “I’m Megan and this is my friend Christine.” She gave a slight nod with her head, not removing her eyes from Kyle for one second.

  “Hi, Christine. I’m Shawn Jackson.” He held out his hand, trying to display his perfect manners.

  “Nice to meet you guys.” Christine’s voice was high-pitched. It made me wonder if it had anything to do with the top squeezing the air from her lungs. I’d let Shawn find that out for himself. “You guys like to play football?” She eyed the ball laying in the sand.

  Kyle and Shawn looked at one another and laughed. “Do we?”

  “Why? You girls want to play with us?” Shawn took a few steps back and grabbed the ball. He tossed it in the air a few times, squeezing his muscles with each throw. Show off.

  Megan and Christine nodded, practically toppling the guys. “Sure. We’ll play with you.”

  Shawn and Kyle winked at each other and made a few hand gestures behind the girls. They were definitely planning on getting some tonight. I doubt these girls knew who they were, but I didn’t care, I had my woman.

  “Come on, let’s get in.” Lexi tugged my hand, pulling me toward the water. Walking backwards, she peeled off her swimsuit cover, revealing her black bikini, and tossed it to the sand. Strutting a sexy pose, my eyes appraised her slender shape with curves in all the right places.

  Damn!

  “You like it?”

  I flashed a smile, taking in every inch of her beauty. “Like it? I love it.” I’d begged her to try it on for me at the house, but she told me I’d have to wait. She even wore her one piece last night in the hot tub, creating even more suspense. She definitely made it worth while. I gathered her in my arms. “Damn, Lexi, you’re one hot woman.” Her lips called to me and I devoured them, not caring if anyone watched. My hands traveled down her back and over her nice butt. I gave a slight squeeze and she slapped my arm in a playful manner.

  “Raven! We’re in public.”

  “Sorry. It’s just that…” I pulled away, eyeing her one more time, “you’re tight, baby.” I shook my head, unable to get enough of my sexy fiancée.

  Her head tilted back in laughter. “Okay, now it’s your turn.” Her eyes settled below my waistband.

  “No.” I shook my head. “I told you I’m not wearing that damn thing out here.”

  “Why not?” She pouted and gripped her waist. “I think it’s sexy. That’s why I bought it for you.”

  “Underwear models wear that shit.” I pulled back the elastic from my long swim shorts, peeking at the tight boy-cut swim trunks she’d bought me. “Not football players.”

  “Oh, come on. For me?” She gathered my shirt in her hands and practically yanked it off. I guess she was determined to get me undressed.

  I pulled off my shirt and threw it near the canopy. I rolled my shoulders and squeezed my pecs together, hoping my chest and abs would satisfy her visual craving. I leaned forward, and whispered, “Lexi, my friends are going to make fun of me.”

  “So?” She shrugged. “They’re just jealous because you have a better body than they do.” True. I didn’t mind showing off my body to her, but not them. She reached for the string holding up my swim trunks and I swatted her hand. “Ouch!”

  “Sorry.” I picked up her hand and kissed it. Her almond shaped eyes formed perfect round circles and her lips turned downward. It was the saddest puppy dog face I’d ever seen. I was quickly losing this battle. Taking a deep breath, I caved. “Okay.” I untied the laces and ran my thumbs under the band of my swim trunks, trying to delay the torture.

  “I’m waiting.” With two fingers, she motioned for me to drop them.

  “Alright. Alright.” I moved my head from side to side, popping my neck as I braced myself for the worst embarrassment. With a quick movement, I pulled them down to my ankles and stepped out of them. “Happy?”

  Lexi took her time, eyeing me from head to toe. I’ve never been self-conscious, but for whatever reason, all my confidence waned. The black and purple boy shorts clung to my body, showing every bulge — not only in the front. “Hell yeah. You look damn hot.” She licked the tip of her finger and touched my chest. “Sizzling hot.” She made the sound and I shook my head.

  “Woohoo!” Shelby yelled and clapped.

  “Sexy!” Josh whistled and took a picture with his phone. Shawn and Kyle joined in on my public embarrassment party, hollering and hooting. Even Christine and Megan laughed.

  “Great.” I narrowed my eyes at her, trying not to get too mad. “See what you’ve done. He’s going to show that picture to the whole team. They’ll never let me live this down.”

  “I’m sorry. I just—”

  “That’s it. You’re going to pay for it.” I let go of any anger and decided to have some fun. I shot her a devious grin and then picked her up, tossing her over my shoulder.

  “Raven! Wait!” She squealed as I ran into the ocean, her body bouncing against mine as I barreled through the waves of the Gulf Coast. Ice cold water surrounded my legs, reminding me of the therapy we’d get after a hard game. It was cold but felt good against my tired, sore muscles.

  “Shit!” Lexi yelled. “This water is freakin’ cold.”

  “Too bad,” I teased. “You want me to wear these damn shorts…we’re staying in the water.”

  “What?” Her body shivered like she’d taken the polar plunge in the middle of winter. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I am.” I stopped when the water hit my waist and I lowered Lexi to her feet. I held her close as the waves splashed against us. We rocked back and forth from the pull of the tide and even though it was freezing, I could tell she was enjoying her first experience. “See, it’s not that bad.”

  “Easy for you to say.” Her teeth chattered like she’d been doused with a bucket of ice water. “You’re used to s-sitting in tubs of ice for y-your muscles.” She pressed her lips together but she couldn’t stop her jaw from shaking. Wiggling from my embrace, she moved her arms back and forth in rapid strokes and then jogged in place.

  “Yeah, this is nothing.” I tried to block out the coldness, but it was hard, even for me. I splashed water on my chest and arms and then took a deep breath, plunging my head under the water. A few seconds later, I emerged. “Wow! That feels great.” I ran my hand over my hair, slicking it back. “Go under. It feels freakin’ awesome.”

  “Hell no.” Lexi stared at me like I was insane. Her body convulsed and she rubbed her arms, but the chill bumps and shivers remained.

  “You’re freezing, aren’t you?”

  She nodded, unable to speak.

  “Let’s go a little deeper. Sometimes the water is warmer.”

  She wrapped her arms around my neck and clung to my body as I walked deeper into the ocean. “Does this feel better?” I stopped when I hit a warm pocket of water. Her smile quickly vanished when a wave washed over us, soaking her hair. She coughed and rubbed her eyes, trying to flush out the salty water. “I guess not, huh?”

  She shook her head, sneezing a few times. “I think I’ve had enough of the ocean.” I felt bad. I wanted it to be special, but the water was just too damn cold. She smoothed back her long hair, moving it away from her face. />
  “Let’s just hang out on the beach instead.” With her hand in mine, I led us back to the shore. I did a quick glance and noticed we were the only fools in the water. I guess I didn’t get the memo.

  “Man, this sucks. I was really looking forward to being in the ocean. Why is it so cold?” We trudged through the waves and out of the icy water. The sun’s rays bounced up from the sand, bringing us the heat we both needed.

  “I guess it hasn’t gotten warm enough yet.” I wrapped my arm around her and we walked toward the canopy. “Tell you what, we can go to the Caribbean or somewhere tropical for our honeymoon.”

  She smiled. “I think I’ll like that much better.”

  “How was the water?” Josh asked as he sipped his beer.

  “Freakin’ cold, man.” I handed Lexi a towel and quickly dried off with mine. “I remember it being much warmer last year.”

  “Aw, that sucks.” Josh looked at Shelby. “I guess we’ll just have to swim in the pool.”

  “That’s fine with me. I really don’t like the ocean anyway.” She made a twisted face and then stuck her nose in her magazine. “I can’t stand the seaweed or the feeling of something brushing against my legs. I’ll just sit here and work on my tan.”

  “But you just got that spray-on shit, didn’t you?” Josh gave her a once over. Shelby had that Hawaiian Tropic tan going on, like most college girls who spent weeks preparing for Spring Break.

  “Yes, but it’s already fading away.” She reclined her chair and tossed her magazine aside. “Besides, there’s nothing better than a good dose of Vitamin D.”

  “I totally agree.” Lexi turned to me. “Will you pull that lounger over here so I can lie on it and dry off?”

  “Anything for you, baby.” I winked and grabbed her a chair. Next to Shelby, she looked creamy white.

  “Damn, you two already sound like an old married couple.” Josh teased.

  “Yeah, whatever.” Lexi waved off his comment with a snicker. “Actually, we sound like newlyweds. You and Shelby sound like an old married couple.”

  Shelby laughed. “You got that right.” Leaning over, she reached for Josh’s hand. “But I love my old man.”