by Amelia James
If he kept saying things like that, she was going to die coming. At the moment, she didn't care. She felt her body tighten around their fingers, clenching and releasing. She felt moisture and heat—oh so much heat. Is this what he feels when he's inside me? Tight, wet, hot—oh God—tighter and hotter still.
Jane's body curled and she lost her balance, but Austin caught her, both of them breathing hard. "Oh, Austin, how can you stand it?"
"Are you kidding?" He looked around the kitchen and spotted a straight-backed chair. "I can't get enough of you." Bracing the chair against the cabinets, he sat down and pulled her onto his lap.
She kissed him hard while he shifted under her, entering her with a sharp upward thrust that made her gasp. "Slow and gentle?" she asked, with a wicked sparkle in her eyes.
"Oh hell no!"
He wrapped his arms around her waist and slammed hard. Jane rode him, bracing her hands against the countertop when the chair nearly tipped over. It scooted across the floor with every thrust. They laughed and kissed.
"We're going to end up on the floor." Jane giggled on his lips.
"No problem," Austin grunted. "I'll fuck you on the floor too."
A wild thrill shot through her body at the thought. "You are pure evil."
"Ha! There's nothing pure about me."
He snarled and bit down on her neck just above her shoulder, sending a roller coaster ride of tingles and chills through her, curling her fingers and her toes. He held her tight, taking her with him when their ride rocketed out of control.
Jane's world spun. The chair tipped. She was falling, flying, and then landing safe in Austin's arms, resting her cheek on his strong shoulders.
She lifted her head, surprised they were still upright in the chair. "Had enough yet?"
"Nope." He laughed and kissed her. "But we need to move to your bed. This chair is not comfortable."
"I'm surprised we didn't flip it over."
"I've done that. Nearly busted my head open. One time I...."
She laughed. "At least you learn from your mistakes."
He kissed her and slipped his hand between her legs, as if trying to distract her.
"Mmm... Austin, you are such a bad boy."
"But you like me. You told me so."
"Shut up and go to my room."
"Just show me the way."
"And take your clothes off. Why am I the only one naked?"
"Cuz that's the way I like it." He spanked her bare ass and ran down the hall.
Chapter 18
It didn't take her long to get him naked, but then, Austin couldn't think of a single reason to keep his clothes on. There was nothing better than feeling Janie's bare skin on his. Yep, he could definitely get used to that, and for once, the thought of getting used to a girl didn't bore him. In fact, it excited him.
For the first time in his life, he didn't want to send a girl home as soon as he'd finished with her. He wanted to keep her close and learn more about her. He wanted to know what she liked and dreamed about and cared about. He already knew some of those things, but he wanted to know more. He wanted to know her—his Janie.
"I like my bed better with you in it." She sighed and snuggled close.
Austin put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "It doesn't matter whose bed we're in. As long as I'm with you, I'm happy." Holy shit. I am humming.
She stroked his shoulder with her fingertips. "You never told me about dinner with your dad. How did that go?"
He groaned. "Do you really wanna know?" The humming stopped.
She rolled onto his chest and locked eyes with his. "Yes, I do."
He put his arms around her and massaged her back. He couldn't remember when anyone else cared to listen. Even Jack didn't want to hear about it anymore. "The bad news is he doesn't like you."
"I already knew that. And the good news?"
"He couldn't make the waitress cry."
She cringed. "Maybe you're being too hard on him."
"I'm not, trust me. You only had to spend a few minutes with him. I've been putting up with his BS all my life."
"Why doesn't he like me?" She made lazy circles on his skin.
"He didn't give me a good reason. He said you weren't good enough for me, he didn't like your glasses...."
"He doesn't like my glasses?"
"I love them—sexy librarian—mmm." She'd taken off her glasses at some point during their romp in the kitchen, but he couldn't remember when. "He thought the bruise on your knee was hideous."
"Well, we have that in common. What did he say when you told him how well you patched me up?"
He hesitated. "I didn't tell him."
"Why not?"
Damn, she's persistent. "I haven't told him about my future plans."
"So he still thinks you're going to play in the NFL?"
"Most likely, since I haven't told him otherwise."
"Austin...."
"I don't know how to tell him."
"'Dad, I'm going to be a doctor, not a football player'."
"Yeah, you'd think it would be that easy, but...."
"But?"
What could he tell her that didn't sound like an excuse? All his reasons were excuses, but up until now, he'd thought they were good ones. "He won't listen to me. He never does. All through dinner, I tried to tell him how great you are and how much I care about you, but he still thinks your name is Jean."
Janie was drawing circles over his heart with her finger, but she stopped and raised her head.
"How do I get it through his thick skull?"
He was surprised to see a goofy smile playing across her face.
"Janie?"
"Huh? Oh sorry. I just hate being called Jean."
"What do I do?"
He'd never asked for help before, but this was the second time tonight. Did she think he was weak? Was that why she wasn't answering him?
She touched his worried face. "You have to make him listen."
"How?" He knew how to make a woman do anything he wanted, even one as stubborn as Jane, but had no idea how to get his father to pay attention to him just once.
"The first time I told my mother I wanted to go away to school, she blew me off, so when I got accepted here, I made her sit down, took away anything that might distract her, and wouldn't let her argue with me until I was done talking."
"Did she argue?"
"For days, but at least I knew she'd heard me, even though she didn't like it."
"How did you win?"
"I stopped arguing with her. She couldn't fight with me if I didn't fight back. I just let her vent and eventually she ran out of complaints. Then she started listening to me."
"She doesn't complain anymore?"
"Every chance she gets, but it's the same old, same old. It's easier to ignore her when she's a thousand miles away."
"I wish my dad was a thousand miles away. I should've gone to a different school."
"I'm glad you didn't." She laid her head on his chest.
"I am too." He was learning so much from her. If he somehow managed not to hurt her; if he was able to keep her in his life and make her happy; he could only imagine how happy he would be, loving her. "It won't be like the last time."
"Huh?"
"I fell for this girl in high school. I loved her, but she dumped me because I had no plan for the future."
"Who plans their future in high school? Most people don't know what they want to do with their lives until they finish college. Some never figure it out."
"Good point."
He'd changed his major a couple times, and Jack didn't declare his until last year, but he still didn't know what kind of career he was looking for. Well hell, if Jack didn't know what he wanted as a senior in college, then Austin couldn't be blamed for not knowing when he was a senior in high school.
"That was her excuse, wasn't it?"
"Probably. Maybe she was embarrassed to admit the real reason."
He shrugged. "
Doesn't matter. The only thing that matters to me is having you in my arms."
He ran his hands through her silky hair, and pulled her up for a kiss, loving the feel of her body sliding across his chest. He rolled on top of her, parting her thighs with his knees, sinking into her so deep he thought he would lose himself in her. That was what he wanted more than anything else—all Janie, all the time.
There could never be anything better.
***
Something woke Jane up. It was the middle of the night, but the bedside lamp was still on. She wanted to turn it off, but couldn't reach, and Austin was using her as his pillow. His head nestled between her breasts and a happy smile occupied his face.
There was no way she was going to disturb him. She'd keep him there forever if she could.
She sighed and tried to go back to sleep. Those annoying doubts were sneaking up on her again. So he loved a girl once. And she broke his heart. That's a good reason for swearing off relationships.
Even though she'd been dying to know about that girl, she'd still bristled when Austin admitted he'd loved her. Could he love Jane as much as he'd loved that girl?
The last time they'd made love, it felt like making love—slow and gentle, passionate and intense, their bodies so close she couldn't tell where he ended and she began. Their fingers had remained laced together. Kissing soft and sweet. Kissing hard and deep.
He'd whispered and moaned the most wonderful words to her... but not the words she needed to hear.
Austin sighed in his sleep and brushed his lips on her skin.
She ran her fingers through his soft hair, careful not to wake him. Before he'd fallen asleep, he'd told her she'd worn him out. He called her his Janie, then yawned and closed his eyes. She didn't need to ask him to stay. She knew he wouldn't leave.
Maybe that was enough. Maybe those three words were overrated. Maybe someday Austin would figure out how to say them. Maybe.... Ugh!
She definitely knew why Sara hated the word maybe.
***
The first thing Austin saw when he woke up was Janie's naked breast. He leaned over and kissed it, liking the way she stirred beneath him. Then he saw the clock. Damn it, I'm gonna be late. He pressed soft kisses and tiny nips on Janie's skin until she woke up.
"Mornin', beautiful."
"Already?"
"Yup."
She groaned and turned over. He'd worn her out last night, but she'd kept up with him, and now that he thought about it, she'd done the same to him. He'd slept so well cuddled up with her as his pillow. He needed to do that more often—and forever.
He groaned. He had to figure out how to tell her that. Why was it so hard? I love you, Janie. The words echoed in his head, but he couldn't get them past his lips.
Yes, he could. They were just words—words that meant absolutely everything to him. "I love you, Janie," he whispered.
But she was asleep.
He really would be late if he didn't get up now. He ran his hands over her body until she opened her eyes.
"What are you doing?" she moaned.
"Taking advantage of you."
"Mmm... please continue."
"I'd like to, but I have to go. Coach wants us at warm-ups early today."
"Oh yeah." She sat up, holding the sheets in front of her. "Today is the game against State."
"Yup." He yanked the sheets down to her hips.
"Hey!" She tried to pull them back up.
"Now you get shy?" He laughed and kissed her. "What did you do with my clothes?" He got up and searched the room.
"I'm not telling." She let the sheets drop, and plopped back against the pillows. She lay there naked, hair in knots, pushing the sheets further and further down.
What am I supposed to be doing? "And you call me evil."
"You are." She stuck her tongue out at him.
Austin dropped his pants on the floor and crawled on top of her. "Just wait till tonight. I'll show you what happens to girls who tease."
"Is that a promise?" Her hands slid down his stomach.
"Oh hell yes." He kissed her, sliding his fingers inside her, stroking her with his thumb until she started to squirm.
"Oh please...."
With a laugh that proved he really was the evil one, Austin stood up and threw the covers over her. "Stop distracting me, woman."
She sat up sputtering and pulled the blankets off her head. "That was just mean."
"Yeah, but you liked it." He pulled his jeans on while she tempted him, touching her body where he should have been touching her. Lunging for the bed, Austin grabbed the blanket and pulled it up to her neck. "Are you coming to the game?"
"Yes, I am. I'll look for you. What position do you play again? Left bench?"
"Ha ha. I'm the guy with the big number seven on my back throwing touchdowns."
"Number seven. Got it." She puckered her lips for a kiss.
"You are just too cute." He kissed her gently. "I gotta go. Bye." He stopped short at her bedroom door. "I mean...."
"I know. Go away, already."
He blew her a kiss and nearly ran over Sara in the kitchen.
"Good morning, Austin." Sara even managed a tired smile.
"Good morning."
"Do you want some coffee?"
Is it poisoned? "Um... no thanks. I need to get to practice."
"Jack told me you're playing State today. Good luck."
"Thanks." He wanted to run for the door, but if she was being nice to him, he had to make an effort back. "How are you?"
She gave him a weak smile. "Better."
"Good." He gave her a nod. "I gotta go, but I'll probably see you later... with Jane... and Jack."
"Probably."
He put his hand on the doorknob, but before he opened it, he stopped and looked at Sara. "I know you want to protect Janie. You don't want to see her hurt. I don't either. We have that in common."
"Yes we do." Sara nodded.
"Good." At least they agreed on something. "Come to the game, if you don't have other plans, and bring my girl with you." He nearly bounced off the wall as he darted out the door.
Damn it, I'm humming again.
***
"Morning, Sara." Jane wandered into the kitchen, following the scent of coffee. "How are you?"
"I'm okay."
Jane brought her coffee out to the living room and sat down in the overstuffed chair, yawning.
"You look like hell," Sara said. "Austin looked happy. Did you guys kiss and make up?"
Oh, yeah. "Uh-huh."
"That's good."
"Really?"
"Good for you. I don't care about Austin," Sara grumbled.
Well, that's better than hating him. "Where did you go last night? Did Jack find you?"
"He caught up with me in the park. We talked for a long time."
"That's good." Jane had made up with Austin, and it looked like her roommate and boyfriend weren't at each other's throats this morning, but she knew things still weren't right between Sara and her. "I'm sorry I brought Austin over without telling you first."
"Thank you. I appreciate that."
"But you need to understand that Austin is part of my life now, and I...."
Sara looked at her coffee.
"I don't want him to come between us." Jane moved over to the couch and touched Sara's knee with her shaking hand. "I miss you."
"I miss you, too." Her voice cracked.
"Do you think you can find a way to forgive Austin?"
Sara let out a heavy sigh and drank deep from her coffee cup. "I might... when I know he won't do the same thing to you."
"Do you think he will?" Even after everything they'd gone through last night, Jane's heart panicked at the thought that Austin might hurt her too.
Sara sighed. "Jack told me a lot of things about Austin last night."
"Really? He wouldn't tell me anything about Austin." Nothing important anyway.
"He told me Austin has grown up a lot since he
met you, that he figured out there's more to a relationship than getting laid."
"He told me he was in love with a girl in high school. I think that's the only relationship he's ever had."
"He never said anything to me about her." Sara finished her coffee. "But apparently Austin still has a lot to learn."
"Tell me about it." She sighed.
"But he thinks Austin's devoted to you."
Hope filled her heart. "Jack said that?"
"How did he put it?" Sara laughed. "Austin's bat-shit crazy over you."
Jane laughed with her. "I believe that."
"I believe it too, and now that I'm reasonably sure Austin isn't the selfish pig he used to be, I think I can tolerate having him around."
Well, that was progress, but was it enough to heal the rift between her and Sara? "Can you forgive me?"
"Oh sweetie." Tears filled Sara's eyes and she grabbed Jane in a sudden hug. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"I didn't listen to you." Jane sobbed, hugging her back. "You told me he was a heartbreaker, but I fell in love with him anyway."
"Yes, he is, but I think he has his hands full with you."
Jane sat back and wiped tears from her eyes. "That's what he says."
"I almost feel sorry for him!"
"Yeah, poor guy." Jane giggled. "He doesn't know what hit him."
They laughed and cried and laughed some more. Finally, Jane got up and wiped her face, done with her tears.
"I'm starving. Do you want me to make breakfast?"
"Sounds good. I'm hungry too."
She bounced off to the kitchen. Eggs, bacon, ham, cheese.... "Hey, Sara, do you want to go to the game with me?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Cool. I can't wait." She skipped back to the kitchen, but stopped in mid-hop, horrified. "Oh my God, am I bouncing?"
"Yes, you are."
"Argh. I really didn't want that to happen."
But it had happened, and there was nothing she could do about it.
***
Austin met Jack on the sidelines. "Makeup sex—wow. Best night of my life." But it was more than hot sex; it was being with Janie that had made it the best.
Jack laughed. "You've never had makeup sex before?"