Landon Mathews, the guy I was attempting to lure Alyssa with, settles on the lounger next to me. We had calculus together last semester and often compared notes. Even though Landon is a football player, I don't hold it against him. He's proven himself to be a good guy. And, in my experience, those are far and few in between."Hey, Mia." He hands me a brand-new Solo cup overflowing with beer. "You look like you could use a little pick me up."I could use a lot more than that, but this will do."Thanks." Our fingers brush as I take the cup from him. Unlike when I touch Beck, no spark of attraction ignites in my blood. It's yet another reminder that you can't help who you're drawn to. Not wanting to dwell on that disturbing thought, I lift the glass to my lips and take a swig."I wasn't expecting to see you here," he comments.Does everyone think I'm a killjoy?It would seem my image needs a little rebranding.I jerk my head toward the house next door. "We're neighbors.""Oh ye
"Actually," I slur, taking offense to him making decisions for me, "I will have another." At least, I hope that's what comes out.Beck scowls before shifting his hardened gaze to his teammate. "What the hell, dude? Why did you let her have so much? She's officially cut off."Excuse me?Who does this guy think he is?Beck is the king of bad decisions. And he has the audacity to tell me-me, for God's sake, who hasn't gotten so much as a tardy in her life-that I can't have another drink? I'm not even driving home.He didn't nickname me good girl and little miss perfect for nothing. I'm eighteen-years-old. If I want to cut loose for once in my life and have a few drinks, I'm more than capable of making that decision for myself. I don't need Beck swooping in and telling me what I can and can't do.That thought alone is enough to piss me off."You're not the boss of me," I add belligerently with a slight curl to my lip.Beck doesn't spare me a glance. His focus is trained on Landon
"That's the thing, you don't have a choice in the matter. The decision has already been made."Who does this guy think he is?I open my mouth to blast him into next week when he says, "We can do this the hard way or the easy way. It's your choice."What does that even mean?Instead of answering, I jerk my arm, trying to break free. "Let go! I'm leaving, and there's nothing you can do to stop me!""The hard way it is."In one swift motion, he yanks me to him, crouches down, and wraps his arms around my thighs before hoisting me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I don't realize his intentions until my midsection lands against him, momentarily knocking the air from my lungs, and stunning me into silence. I blink and find the party turned upside down. It doesn't do good things for all the alcohol sloshing around in my belly.The crowd roars and my cheeks flame as the blood rushes to my head. Cool air hits the back of my thighs and I groan, remembering my choice in underwea
"Mia?" His voice sounds deeper, more roughed up than seconds ago. Even though I fight against it, my core clenches in response.It takes a moment to break free of the trance that has fallen over me. I gulp, wishing there was a way to escape the situation. In two swift steps, Beck is back to invading my space. He towers over me, standing so close that the tips of my breasts brush against his shirtless chest."You need to stop staring at me like that," he growls."Like what?" I whisper, trying to play dumb.His face hovers so closely that his warm, minty breath ghosts over my lips. All I want is to close my eyes and lean into him. To take a deep lungful of air and savor it.How is it possible to want someone and yet hate them at the same time? It doesn't make sense."Like you might be interested in hanging up your good girl title."A wave of arousal crashes over me, making my head swim.Is that how I'm staring at him?Like I want him to touch me in ways I've only dreamed about in
Undiluted sunlight slants across my face, lighting the back of my eyelids and making it impossible to stay submerged in my cocoon. With a groan, I turn away from the brilliance and promptly come in contact with something solid and unyielding.That's strange.I'm still drifting in that in-between place where I'm struggling to wake but can't quite break through to the surface. My fingers stroke over something warm as my brain processes what I'm touching. Tentatively, my exploration continues until my fingers graze over a flat male nipple.What the hell?My eyes pop open only to find a big body next to me. A muscled arm is thrown over his face, preventing me from discovering the mystery man's identity.A choked sound escapes from my lips.Not in a million years did I ever suspect I'd wake up next to a random dude.I wrack my brain, trying to remember what happened last night, but it's a blur of images. It takes a moment for them to coalesce until, one by one, they flash through my he
I shake my head. Stopping is the furthest thing from my mind. Maybe I didn't plan this, but I want to experience this moment with Beck."It's going to hurt," he whispers.Beck has been so gentle. I never imagined he could be this way. It only makes me fall harder for him. I suck in a breath and nod as I mentally prepare myself for what will come next.He flexes his hips, and his hard length slides further inside me. I wince as pain blooms, becoming more of a burning sensation. He leans down and takes my lips with his own before carefully thrusting against me. When it feels like he can't slide any deeper, he angles himself differently and moves further inside my body.A whimper escapes, and he swallows it down. Our tongues tangle as he holds himself perfectly still, balancing on his elbows so the full weight of his body doesn't pin me to the mattress. It takes a few moments for the sharp bite of pain to recede.I blow out a steady breath, and he gently withdraws from my abrad
His mouth seeks out mine again. When his tongue sweeps across the seam of my lips, I open, and he deepens the kiss. It's like being dragged to the bottom of the ocean. I lose all sense of time and space. I'm unsure where I begin, and he ends. Beck overwhelms me in every possible way. When he pulls away, I'm dazed and more confused than ever. His breath feathers against my lips, and I want to stand here and breathe him in forever."Mmm," he growls, "your mouth is so fucking sweet." He presses another kiss against my swollen lips. "Just like the rest of you."A whimper escapes from me. All the doubts crowding inside my head disappear with his nearness."Goddamn, I want to be inside you again." He nips my lower lip playfully. "But we can't."My breath hitches as he turns his back on me and walks to the dresser on the other side of the room. His muscles shift with every step. It's mesmerizing. Everything about him is hard and chiseled. I know he spends a lot of time in the
An answering desire kindles to life inside me. "There's a difference between impulsiveness and spontaneity.""True." He steps closer.My breath catches when he reaches out and twirls a lock of hair around his index finger before staring at the dark strands as if fascinated by them."Don't you ever get tired of being so damn good?" He pauses. "Aren't you ever tempted to break out of the little box your parents have put you in?"Nerves scuttle through me, and goose flesh rises in its wake. "No one has put me in a box. They give me the freedom to do what I want. Unlike you, I make better choices.""You don't think I make good decisions?" His fingers continue to grip my hair as he invades my personal space."Look around you," I whisper, wanting to break the sexual tension building between us. "The answer is evident.""Hmmm, you might be right." His lips lift into a wry grin before twisting with a hint of bitterness. "You've been branded the good girl, and I'll always be the bad