Rebellious and Reckless: College Sports Romance Stand-Alone (Campus Hotshots Book 1): Campus Hotshots

by Michelle A. Valentine

Baker throws his arm around me and kisses my cheek. “No, we won’t.”

  This time it’s Miley who laughs. “You two are good together. I totally approve.”

  “I’m glad. It means a lot to me that you’re happy for us,” I tell her.

  She begins poking around at her salad. “Does Luke know about the two of you?”

  I adjust in my seat. “Yes. We told him two days ago.”

  She nods, approvingly. “Good. He deserved an explanation. How’d he handle it?”

  It makes since she would feel that way. Miley’s dad constantly cheats on her mom, so she hates dishonesty in relationships. She has huge trust issues, which is why she’s not close to many people.

  I blow a slow breath out. “Not well, actually, but he understands. We haven’t talked to him since we told him.”

  “Give him some time. I’m sure he’ll cool down.”

  There’s a pause of awkward silence, and I’m in desperate need to change the topic of Luke.

  “What are your plans this weekend,” I ask Miley.

  She shrugs. “I’m not sure. Kaylee asked me to go over to the Delta Psi party tomorrow—guess they’re having a party.”

  Relief washes over me, knowing my best friend will be there when I see Luke again. The hurt in his eyes from the other day haunts me, and I’m not sure I can face him again without some support around me. I should’ve stepped in and told Luke how sorry I was too when everything went down, but Baker’s need to rectify the relationship with his brother trumped mine. I hate being another wedge in the middle of their relationship.

  “You guys going?” Miley asks after she throws all of her trash onto her tray.

  “We’ll be there,” Baker confirms. “I’ve been trying to make a more diligent effort to show up to the house events. A lot of the guys are pissed at me, and I don’t blame them. I’ve been a shit friend over the past year, being MIA most of the time.”

  She smiles with a knowing expression on her face. “Now things are turning around for you, I assume.”

  Baker stares over at me and grins. “They most definitely are.”

  This man—the way he’s always looking at me with such admiration makes me melt on a daily basis.

  Later, I spend over an hour in my room preparing for our official first date. Even though we’ve been spending every minute of the past few days together, this date feels like a huge deal. I’m nervous. Baker told me to wear a dress, so I’m assuming he’s pulling out all the stops for this event—no simple trip to a pizza joint where I can comfortably wear jeans and hoodie seem to be in my immediate future. This feels very formal, like it’s symbolic of making us official.

  When I step out of my bedroom, wearing a form-fitting navy dress, Baker releases a low whistle. “Absolutely breathtaking.”

  Warmth envelops me as he steps in front of me, looking jaw-droppingly handsome himself. “You look pretty hot yourself,” I tell him.

  The white button-down shirt he’s wearing clings to his chiseled chest and defined biceps. Baker’s body is amazing. He takes care of it, and it shows in the most mouthwatering way. A spicy wood scent mixed with soap and something purely Baker fills my nose, and I lick my lips, tempted to taste his skin.

  He wraps his arms around my waist. “While I would love to stay here and worship at the temple that’s your body, I have plans for us.”

  I lift one eyebrow. “Plans?”

  “Oh, yeah,” he confirms. “Big fucking romantic plans. I’m about to romance the hell out of you.”

  I giggle as he presses his lips to mine in a tender kiss, and like Baker, I’m tempted to stay here with him, wrapped up in the apartment alone—just the two of us.

  “Come on, gorgeous.” Baker pulls me toward the door, where he stops to help me put on my coat before putting his own on. He also bends down and picks up a blanket that’s neatly folded.

  I stare down at the blanket in his hands. “Where exactly are we going?”

  He shakes his head. “Not telling. It will ruin the surprise.”

  Once we’re zooming down the road in his Mustang, he drives us to an upscale Italian restaurant, where we enjoy a fantastic meal at an intimate, candlelit table for two. Our conversation was easy, and I loved him talking about us together in the future tense, telling me he’s in this with me for the long haul. When I first met Baker, I pictured him as a womanizing, condescending asshole, but appearances are deceiving. He’s nothing like I thought. Although I can’t say he wasn’t a guy who screwed around with random women, because I witnessed him do that firsthand, I genuinely believe all of that is behind him now. He seems very devoted to me, and I’m flattered.

  When he walks around to help me up out of my seat after dinner, I thread my arm around his elbow. “Thank you for dinner. It was amazing.”

  His grin widens. “You’re welcome, but our date isn’t over yet.”

  I eye him suspiciously as we make our way through the front door. “What else are you up to?”

  “You’ll see.”

  The minute we’re outside, the valet hands Baker the blanket he brought from home and he turns us in the direction of a horse-drawn, pumpkin-shaped carriage.

  My jaw drops and a gasp escapes me. “Baker…”

  He takes my hand and pulls me toward the carriage. “I figured what girl doesn’t want to be Cinderella? I know I’m a shitty excuse for a prince, and you might find this a bit cheesy, but I thought it was worth a shot.”

  I throw my arms around him and kiss him. “This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. I can’t believe you went through all this trouble for me.”

  “It’s no trouble doing something nice for someone you love.” The sincerity in his eyes causes a flutter within me.

  “I love you.” And I mean it with every inch of me.

  He holds me in his arms. “I love you, too.”

  I love him more than I thought it was possible to love another person. Sure, I’ve read about love a million times and what it’s like, but the reality of it is far better than anything I could’ve ever imagined.

  “Let me help you inside.” He leads me over to the short step into the carriage and holds my hand to steady me as I take my seat.

  He climbs in behind me, sitting beside me and throwing the blanket over our laps.

  “All set?” the driver asks.

  “We are,” Baker assures him as he takes my hand in his.

  The horses begin to trot down the street, and it’s then I notice some of the buildings have already begun to hang their Christmas lights. It’s still fairly warm for early November in Ohio—a little warmer than it is in Michigan at this time of year—and it reminds me the holidays will be here before I know it.

  I lay my head on Baker’s shoulder as the scenario of taking him home with me over break to meet my family plays in my mind. Everyone will love him, even my dad—as long as he doesn’t find out we live together, that is. My dad will definitely approve of Baker’s work ethic and his need to make his own way in life. I’ve heard stories all my life about how rough Dad had it as a kid and how he had to overcome a lot to get to where he is today. Mom even said my father was homeless at one point, which made me incredibly sad, and I guess in some small way inviting Baker to live with me at first stemmed from me not wanting to see him live in his car. I can’t even imagine what that would be like, and I don’t relish the idea of that situation being put on anyone if I can help it. Surely, if Dad ever does find out we live together, he would understand why I took Baker in at first, besides my own selfish motivations to get to know Luke.

  It’s crazy how things seem to work out the way you never planned them to.

  The buggy comes to a stop in front of the Franklin Park Conservatory. It’s a botanical garden located in downtown Columbus, known for its beautiful flowers and butterflies.

  “Are we going in?” I ask.

  “I figured we could walk through and check out their holiday lights display. I heard it’s amazing.” There’s a sheepi
sh smile on his face.

  He really is going all out to nail this romance thing, and I’ve never felt more special.

  “I can’t wait. Let’s go.”

  He helps me down, and then we head to the entrance hand in hand.

  26

  Sky

  During the ride back to the apartment, all I can think about is how much Baker means to me, and now that I have him, I can’t imagine being without him. He is it. He is the one I’ve been waiting for to take the next step with. After the date tonight and everything he did to make me feel special, how could I not fall deeper in love with that?

  Nerves jitter through every inch of me as we walk to the apartment door. I’ve never been a take-charge kind of girl, but I need to be very clear about what I want from Baker tonight.

  He unlocks the door, and then once we’re alone inside, I slide my hands up his chest and stare into his eyes. “Thank you for tonight. It was perfect.”

  “You’re perfect,” he responds immediately.

  “We’re perfect,” I correct and then kiss his lips. “Baker…” I pause and bite my lip, knowing I’m about to be forward as hell with him. “I’m ready. I want you to be my first.”

  He inhales sharply through his nose. “This isn’t what tonight was about, Sky. We don’t have to do anything. I’m fine with taking things as slow as you need.”

  I shake my head. “I’m done taking things slow. I’m ready, and I want you.”

  He crashes his lips into mine, and this kiss isn’t anything like the ones we’ve shared before. This one is urgent and needy, and it makes me feel sexy and wanted—so very wanted. My back presses into the door, and I know after tonight, I’ll never be the same.

  I melt into him as he pulls me against his hard chest. The tips of his fingers graze the bare skin on my arms, causing me to shudder before he drops his hand and hooks it around my knee. Once my leg is locked around his hip, he presses himself against me, and I can feel how much he wants me through his slacks. My mouth waters as his warm breath hits the flesh of my neck where his kisses were.

  He finds the zipper on the back of my dress and tugs it down. Tingles erupt in every inch of my body. My toes curl inside my stilettos as Baker hoists me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he devours my lips and turns us toward the bedroom. One of his hands cup my ass as the other threads through my hair, and a thrill shoots through me. This is finally it. I’m about to give myself to someone completely.

  He lays me down on the bed we’ve been snuggling in every night, and then his strong hands caress my bare flesh before he peels me out of my dress, leaving me on display for him in nothing but my pink, lacy bra and panties.

  Anxious to see more of him, I sit up and slowly unthread the buttons of his dress shirt and then shove it off his shoulder after I free the ends of it from his pants. His body is quite simply a work of art—all perfectly chiseled muscles and tattoos. Sculptures would love to model his perfectness. I pause as my fingers reach for the button of his slacks, and I stare up at him under my long lashes before I turn my attention back to his zipper. My eyes zero in on the massive bulge in his underwear as I allow his pants to fall around his ankles. The moment I push his boxer briefs down, his cock springs free, and my eyes widen.

  The magnitude of what we’re about to do hits me. This is real. It’s finally happening.

  My hand trembles as I grab the base of his length. I stare up at him, wanting to try something I’ve never done before. I lick the tip of him and then pop it into my mouth.

  “Fuuuuck,” he sighs as his head drops back.

  His encouragement excites me, and I begin moving, slowly, taking him in farther and then pulling back and repeating, quickly finding a rhythm that gets him panting and threading his hand into my hair as he holds the back of my head.

  “Okay.” He pulls back. “Keep that up, and I won’t be able to deflower you.”

  I giggle as he crawls on top of me and kisses me fiercely. His skilled hands quickly shove the cups of my bra down, and his lips feather their way down to my nipple, where he latches on.

  I gasp, loving the sensation of him kissing me so intimately. He gives the other nipple the same attention before moving farther down, licking my stomach while he hooks his fingers around my panties and tugs them down my legs.

  Laying there before him completely exposed, I should feel self-conscious, but I don’t. All I can think about is what it will feel like having him inside me.

  Baker drops to his knees and hooks his arms under my legs, dragging my bottom to the edge of the bed. He presses my legs open wider while he kisses a trail along the inside of my thigh. Finally, he stops at my center and kisses my mound, causing me to hold my breath in anticipation. When his tongue touches my clit, my legs jerk at the sensual sensation that causes my core to burn.

  I’m up on my elbows, and Baker’s brown eyes meet mine under hooded lids. “You taste just as good as I thought you would.”

  A moan escapes my lips as he continues to taste me, and this seems to please him more because a predatory grin crosses his lips before he continues. Warmth spreads over every inch of my body, and when the pressure of him slipping a finger inside me hits me, I explode, coming hard.

  “Oh, God. Yes. Baker…” The breathiness in my voice shocks me as I grip the comforter on the bed.

  When I open my eyes, I find Baker watching me intently. “You’re so beautiful. I can’t wait to make you do that again while I’m inside you.”

  There’s a flutter in my chest, and I’m so ready to experience that with him.

  Baker grabs his discarded pants off the ground and grabs a condom from the pocket. He rips the package open before rolling the rubber onto his shaft. Baker climbs back on top of me and then positions himself between my legs. The tip of him teases me as it slides against my folds.

  He leans down on one elbow and then caresses my cheek before he kisses my lips. The taste of me still lingers on his lips, and I close my eyes to enjoy the moment.

  “Look at me, Sky,” he whispers.

  I do as he commands, and then he buries himself inside me with one quick thrust.

  I suck in a sharp breath as pain slices through me.

  He holds perfectly still, watching for my face to relax before he starts moving again. My hands slide down his back to find his bare ass, and I hold on to feel every thrust of his hips as he moves inside me.

  His fingers twist in my hair. “Fuck. You feel so damn good.”

  “So do you,” I tell him.

  His lips find mine, and they’re hungry as he continues to pump his cock inside me. It’s not long before sweat slicks our skins, and we’re both panting. His hand grips my breast as he kisses my neck, and I moan his name.

  Baker’s movements become more rigid as he finds his own release and comes while releasing a string of curse words under his ragged breaths.

  His body goes slack as he holds himself above me, staring into my eyes. “I love you.”

  I bite my lip, realizing the gravity of what we’ve done and how much I trust him. “I love you too.”

  He pushes my hair away from my face. “You and me, Sky. We’re forever.”

  27

  Baker

  When I was an underclassman, parties here at the Delta Psi house were the highlights of my week, but now I’m a junior, and I find they’re less my scene. Being in a committed relationship with Sky is a large factor in that new revelation, I’m sure. Getting piss drunk and banging random chicks is a life I no longer want. The only girl I want from here on out is Sky. These other women at this party can’t even hold a candle to her.

  It’s cool seeing the guys, though. Not being on the team with them any more cuts the amount of time I see them on a daily basis. The only people from the team I hang out with these days are Milo and Eddie—who quickly became my two best friends my freshman year.

  An elated grin tugs across Milo’s lips when he spots me entering the house with Sky under my arm. “Ah, shit. I knew y
ou two were secretly a thing.” His gaze instantly flicks over to Sky’s friends, Miley and Kaylee, who have followed us inside. “And who do we have here?”

  Sky begins the introductions. “Milo, these are my friends Miley and Kaylee. Girls, this is—”

  “Milo Riveria, maybe you’ve heard of me?” he interrupts her, addressing the two girls directly, and his grin widens. “Unlike my buddies, Baker and Eddie, I am very single and lookin’ to mingle if you know what I mean.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

  “Ew,” Jamie instantly retorts. “Stop being creepy, Milo.”

  He shoots a vicious glare in Jamie’s direction as he readjusts the baseball cap on his head. “For fuck’s sake, can you stop being a cock-block every time I turn around? Eddie, can you do something with her, please?”

  “Oh, honey, you don’t need my help in not getting laid. Your lines are pathetic and cheesy as hell.” Her twang is on full display. “I’m surprised you ever lost your virginity at all at the rate you strike out with women.”

  He folds his arms across his chest, clearly pouting. “I get laid plenty. Trust and believe that.”

  Everyone in the group laughs, including the two girls he was trying to impress. His nostrils flare. “Fuck you guys.” He waves us off as he heads in the direction where an intense game of beer pong is taking place.

  Poor Milo. Jamie loves putting his shit on blast, and Eddie and I always find it funny as fuck and wouldn’t dream of stopping her.

  “Aw,” Miley says. “I feel bad for the guy.”

  “Don’t worry, he has thick skin, and he’ll get over it quick.” I nod toward Milo’s direction to where he has a new co-ed under his arm and is whispering in her ear already. “See. He’s already found a shiny new toy.”

  “Huh. Guess my pity is unwarranted.” Miley turns to Kaylee and then loops her arm through hers. “Come on. Let’s go get a drink.”

  Once they’re off, it leaves just us two couples standing around talking. Jamie and Sky chat like they’ve been lifelong friends, and it makes me smile. It’s been a while since it’s been easy to be around my friend group. Typically, they’re concerned about me and my reckless ways in some fashion, but I think it’s easy for them to see the calming effect Sky has on me.