Jacob swayed, stepping forward, leering and looking for a fight. “What is it with you and that girl? She ain’t yours, country boy.”
Wrong. Cash let his fist fly. Jacob’s head snapped back. All that brawn didn’t do shit when he was tanked. He staggered back, shook his head, then charged.
Jacob might’ve been built as broad as a dorm, but his reach didn’t do much. The few blows that landed were unnoticeable. Cash was tall and fast. He hooked right then left. Not a soul jumped in. No one pulled him back. The music died, but the crowd roared. Didn’t matter, all he saw was Jacob leering at her, and it wouldn’t happen again.
“Stop!” Nicola screamed.
At that moment, he would’ve stood on top of the bar, pointed to her, claimed her as his, and been done with it.
Balled fists hanging down, he looked at the football players. They watched their boy but didn’t make a move. A trickle of blood ran out Jacob’s nose, but his hands went up.
“What the fuck, Cash?” Still swaying, Jacob bowed out, shook off the rah-rah from his boys, and headed toward the front door.
Damn it, the guy was his boy. Kind of. Hell. It didn’t matter. Cash shook out his fist, felt the adrenaline still coursing through his blood. He shouldered back through the crowd. Roman’s jaw was tight, and he gave him a nod, a thank you for knocking the shit out of someone who had said the wrong thing to his sister. But then Cash saw Nicola. Tears streamed down her face. His stomach bottomed out, and he hurt more than any punch Double-deuce had landed. Fuck.
The music blasted again. The scrap was a short-winded blip in the night, forgotten already as girls gossiped, dancing started, and drinks were poured.
“Nic,” he shouted toward her, but she spun away under the mass of hugs from a group of girls. Roman stepped around them as the girls disappeared into the crowd. TKXs surrounded them. Roman was talking to him. Too close to a speaker, Cash couldn’t even hear himself. “Nicola!”
Roman was in his face. “Dude. She’s fine. Brandy’s got her.”
Cash pushed past him. Sweat poured down his back. “Nic.”
God, had he lost his freakin’ mind? Maybe. He was going to tear the walls down if he couldn’t get to her. Had he seriously made her cry? On her damn birthday? Fuck. Fuck, man. Just fuck. Fucking Jacob. Fucking secrets.
By the pool tables, he caught sight of Brandy and Nicola walking toward the front hall. He pushed through the crowd and watched them duck into the ladies room. He used a balled up fist to knock twice. “Coming in.”
“Shit, Cash. Get out of here.” Brandy had her arms crossed, and Nicola wouldn’t look at him. “Go.”
“Go away, Brandy.”
“No. Ladies room. Not a tough concept. Out.”
“Brandy—”
“Out!”
“Nic—”
She spun. “No. You don’t get to act like that.”
Act like what? Shit. “He’s drunk.”
“He’s our friend.”
“He crossed the line.”
“Says you.”
“Watch yourself, sweet girl.”
Nicola scowled at him. “Tonight sucks.”
Well, damn that hurt. Super-secret date night on her birthday wasn’t supposed to go like this, but hell, when no one knew she was with him, of course she was going to get hit on.
Brandy told the two other girls in the bathroom to leave. Nicola turned from him and rubbed the makeup smudges under her eyes.
“Cash,” Brandy said. “Whatever you want with that girl, you can’t go around punching people because they look at her.”
“He did more than look.”
“But not a whole lot more. You and Roman need to back off. Or you need to do something about it. Either—”
“Leave him alone, Brandy.” Nicola had her hands propped on the counter, but her head was down, shoulders sagging. “Just give me a minute to talk to him.”
Brandy glared at him then smiled at her. “I’ll be out here if you need anything.”
“She doesn’t need anything.” He opened the door, ushering her out.
After it closed, he leaned against it. “What do you want from me, Nic? I can’t say anything. I can’t do anything. I’ve agreed to keep quiet. But, shit, dude comes near you again…” He shook his head, dropping it back to stare at the ceiling like an answer to his frustration was painted up there. Nope. He brought his gaze back to her.
Once they’d owned up to dating, he’d all but have her name tattooed across his chest. Taken by Nicola Hart. She was the type of girl that forever and then some was made for, but what was the point of dating someone if forever wasn’t anticipated? Maybe that’s why he’d never dated before. Forever had never been an option.
But with Nicola it was.
Not even an option. Or anticipation. It was a fact.
Holy what-the-fucks.
He was going to marry her one day. And why shouldn’t he?
Everything he’d ever wanted in a girl was all teary-eyed and aggravated but still standing in front of him. There was no place in the world he rather be than trying to convince her to walk out of that bathroom and hold up a he’s with me sign.
His heart pounded. Cash scrubbed his hands over his face and ran them into his hair. This semester and the next left, then he’d be done with school. She still had two more years. But—
“Cash?”
He looked at her, never more confident than he was at that second. “Yeah?”
She tilted her head. “What’s that look?”
“That’s the look of a guy going home with his girl.” He walked over, hooked his arms around her, and dragged his lips over hers. “Despite super-secret date night fail on your birthday.”
She grinned. “Maybe.”
“I’m new at this dating thing. Give me a break.”
A loud knock hit the bathroom door. “Nicola?”
Roman. Cash took a step back.
“Cash in there with you?”
“Yeah. I am.” He pulled the door, and Roman walked in.
“What the shit happened out there?”
Nicola went back to rubbing off smudged make up. “J got out of line. Cash told him to stop. He didn’t listen, and if it wasn’t Cash, it would’ve been you.”
Roman still looked concerned. “Jacob’s an ass. But you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. A little sick of you two always acting like you have to protect my honor or something. The guy just wanted to dance.”
Roman shook his head. “That guy wants way more that—”
“If I wanted him to, you couldn’t stop him from dating me.”
Whoa there. “Point made, Nic. I’d stop that conversation before it goes anywhere.” Because Cash wasn’t going to put up with hypotheticals about her doing anything with Jacob just so she could torque her brother.
Roman crossed his arms over his chest. “Nicola, there’s a difference between hanging with Double-deuce and you hanging with the guy. You don’t need that.”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever come across a guy you do think I should hang with.” She used air quotes.
“You’re right.” Roman looked about as comfortable with the topic as Cash felt. “Not a single guy out there is worth your time. That’s why you have us: to keep the scum away.”
This conversation wasn’t going anywhere helpful.
“I need to get out of here.” She balled up a towel and tossed it. “Cash, take me home. I’m done.”
Roman turned his head. “You mind?”
Hell no. “I’ll survive.”
“Thanks, man.” He clapped Cash on the back and opened the door. “Gotta keep the pieces of shit away from our girl.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The cool night air whisked over her as she pushed out the back door of the TKX house. Cash was behind her and hadn’t said a word since she’d said goodnight to Brandy and Hannah. Both gave him dirty looks. She couldn’t blame them, correct them, gossip, or gush to them. It wasn’t the greates
t situation.
At the far end of the parking lot, standing at his truck’s door, she waited impatiently for him to click it open. But he didn’t. Instead, he walked up behind her, pressing her against the cold metal door.
“What should we do to save super-secret date night? It’s still your birthday for another hour or so. Whatever you want.” He closed the space between them. His stomach touched her back. Everything about him was deliciously muscled. Looming behind her, he held her against the door, and her heart beat faster. Anyone could walk by. Anyone could see them.
“I think it’s a lost cause.”
Slowly, his lazy smile danced in his voice. “Nah. We just need another date idea.”
Shivers slid down her neck. She whispered, “It’s late.”
He leaned closer to her ear. “So?”
“So…” Her heart pounded faster. Louder. They were so obvious, but she couldn’t break from the warmth radiating between them. “Date nights are dinners and movies. We’re past a normal date night.”
“We’re not normal anything, and you’re all dressed up for your special day.” His words tickled her ear. He brushed the hair off her neck, dragging his fingers across her skin. “Lookin’ hotter than sin. I might be new at this dating thing, but it can’t be that hard to come up with something, because I’m not ready to take you home and tear off your clothes quite yet.”
Her lungs clenched. She wanted to breathe—maybe —but couldn’t, not when his body rubbed against her, promising what she dreamed of.
“A date.” She gasped when he leaned his weight against her. “Like…”
Like what? She couldn’t think of anything except what he’d just said. His promise to take her clothes off was the only thing she could focus on.
“Like…” His hand smoothed down her back, settling on the back of her skirt. “Well.” He turned her around. “Maybe we don’t need a date. Maybe I make good use of this skirt and a dark parking lot.”
Her jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious.”
“You think I’m not?” His palms rubbed her waist, sliding down the top of her thighs, smoothing back up and tugging the skirt only to let it go before it became indecent.
“Someone will see us.”
He nipped at her ear. “Probably not.”
She could barely catch her breath. It was dark. The truck wasn’t near a street lamp. “Probably.” That sounded as breathy and wispy as she felt. “There’s a definite chance.”
His fingers slid down the skirt again, and this time, they drifted onto her skin, sliding and smoothing as he bent closer and kissed her neck. Her mind scrambled. He pinned her against the truck, his erection swollen behind his jeans. She rolled her head to the side, giving him all the access he wanted to her neck, and his mouth was insane heaven, more than she could comprehend, hot and wicked and making everything inside her body cry for his attention.
“This is so wrong,” she moaned.
His teeth bit down. Her hands reached for his jeans, finding the button, the zipper, and he reached for his pocket. Condom on in seconds, he lifted her up and pushed her thong to the side.
“So wrong,” he agreed as he pressed against her.
Panting and clinging to him, she was more than ready as he thrust into her. Her breath stopped, eyes rolled, and jaw slowly dropped. Unreal how good he felt.
His eyes locked onto hers. “You okay?”
Butterflies spun from her stomach to her lungs. She nodded, and he pumped deeper. Her eyes slammed shut at the intensity, the complete, incredible, all-encompassing fulfillment.
This was dangerous. Everything she’d just begged for, secrets and hiding, and here she was, having sex with Cash against his truck. In a parking lot where hundreds of people were close enough to hear if she lost control and screamed his name. And hell, the things he was doing to her, the way he owned her body.
God, she could hear herself moaning, feel the cold metal against her back. Their clothes still on and rubbing her nipples. His skin rubbed against her clit. She drew her legs up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and a wild climax built deep inside, threatening to echo across campus.
Nicola bit against his shoulder, his shirt-covered flesh catching her teeth and tongue. Rippling tides of orgasm rushed through her. She would cave in on herself if it was possible, falling apart as he pounded into her.
The sounds of him coming with her burned into her memory. They were panting, gasping, interlocked, and unmoving.
Hands threading into her hair, he breathed against her ear. “Holy hell.”
Holy hell was right. That was insane.
Carefully letting her down, he stepped away, and she checked that her skirt was down. He made fast work of taking care of business. Then they stood there. She couldn’t move. Her legs were boneless. And he… he had a look in his eye that she couldn’t define.
Reaching around her, Cash opened the door to his truck and lifted her inside. “One of these days, we should have sex inside. Maybe even with a bed. Not that I’m complaining.”
Her cheeks went hot, but he saved her from responding when he closed the door, looking somehow sweeter and cockier than ever.
A second later, he was walking around the front of the truck, talking on his cell phone. He stayed outside, leaning against the door, and she couldn’t hear the conversation.
Finally, he turned, opened the door, and grinned. “I’m a genius. Super-secret date night is back on, birthday girl.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Super-secret date night was back on? Cash must’ve been crazy. It was late, and nothing was open. “What are we doing?”
“Something awesome.” He turned the truck’s engine over and revved it.
“And that is?”
Cash gave her a look that made her melt, then he pulled out of his parking spot, driving toward the backside of campus. “Someplace awesome.”
“Something and someplace awesome. Got it. So?”
“So, nothing. You’ll have fun.”
“You’re not going to tell me?”
No answer. But he didn’t stop smiling. Instead, he pulled her under his arm, driving with just a wrist thrown over the steering wheel. Two minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot at the science complex.
She looked around. Everything was dark. “What are we—”
“Stop with all the questions, and come on.”
He’d never led her astray before, and whatever they were doing, he was pumped. She hopped out and let him pull her toward the building. They passed the front doors. Orange plastic fencing marked off the new wing under construction, and he pulled up the plastic and ducked under. Still holding it high enough that she didn’t have to crawl, he tilted his head. “This way, birthday girl.”
This way to be arrested? A HARD HAT ZONE sign loomed. “Where are we—”
“Shh,” he hushed her like he was getting ready to hide, making her stomach free fall to her knees. Then he laughed. “Kidding.”
“Cash!” She elbowed him, making him laugh harder. “Breaking and entering isn’t a good date idea. I know you know that.”
“We’re not.” They rounded the corner. “We’ve got the keys. Kinda.” A guy a little older than them leaned against a set of doors. “Hey, man. Thanks.”
“You owe me, Cash.” The guy nodded to her. “Hi, I’m Gary.”
Unsure of this addition to their twosome, she smiled hesitantly. “Hi.”
Cash interlaced his fingers with hers. “This is Nicola. She’s a secret. You never saw us together.”
She swatted his chest. “You’re horrible. But, hi, um, thanks.” Thanks for what? She had no idea, and hopefully she wasn’t thanking a guy she’d be in the back of a cop car with.
“No problem.” Gary shifted, fumbling in his pockets. “Just happy to be a part of history.”
“History?” She looked at Cash.
He shook his head with a half a grin on his handsome face. “Don’t be an asshole, or I forget about that favor
I owe you.”
Gary nodded. “Just playing. But seriously, it’s good to meet the girl who makes this guy go straight and narrow.” He turned toward the door and unlocked it.
“Um…” She went on tiptoes in her heels. “Should we be doing this?”
Cash shook his head. “Nope.”
“Oh.” Well, at least he was honest.
Construction tarps lined the ground, and she racked her brain about something she’d read last spring in the school paper. The school was expanding. There was constant construction. But this made the news over a touristy-educational thing. Maybe a museum. She couldn’t remember, but it wasn’t campus lecture halls and lab rooms.
Gary went ahead of them and flipped a few lights, and Cash followed. “The place is coming along quickly, should be done any day now. Anyway, the doors will lock behind you when you’re done. Walk through there, and you’ll be set.”
Even with the few lights turned on, it was still really dark. Almost chilly. But it was the air of not-supposed-to-be-here that made her shiver. Cash rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “Ready for awesome?”
They passed through a door, and then—
Wow.
A sleek glass tunnel surrounded them with water on all sides, as though they were in a fish tank. Dark blue and purple lights lit the water. Giant, brightly colored fish swam above them. Tiny neon fish shot past, changing direction en mass among rocks, sand, and swaying plants. She had no words.
“What do you think?” He walked them down the tunnel. “It’d be cooler if there was music or something.”
A giant creature floated above them. “I can’t believe this is here.”
They weren’t super close to the coastline, but the ocean wasn’t that far away either. And it being a terrific school, grant writing and academics and all that, there were always new things arriving on campus. But this… this was unreal.
The aquarium wasn’t huge, probably just large enough so the science department could study and research and the school could make money on tourists… but this was crazy.
Sweet Girl (Titan) Page 10