Kicked (10 page)

My glare turned to a smirk. He flipped me off as I turned down the side street leading to his dorm.

He reached forward and put a hand on Cordy’s shoulder. “I want to talk. We need to—”

My grip tightened on the steering wheel. His familiarity with her rankled.

“Not now. Not after that. I need a minute. We’ll talk tomorrow.” She shook her head.

He withdrew his hand and slumped into the seat.

I pulled up in front of Rowen Hall. “This is your stop.”

Landon pulled the handle but didn’t open the door. “Cordy, come inside with me.”

“Not a chance.” I glowered at him in the mirror. “Get out.”

“Tomorrow, okay?” She glanced back at him, kindness in her eyes, but resolve in the set of her jaw. She definitely did not feel like talking.

“I don’t want to leave you with him.” Landon hesitated.

Every second he waited was one more second where I wanted to pummel him for even thinking he had a chance with Cordy.

“He’s going to drop me at Hope Hall and then be on his way. It’s fine.”

I forced a chipper tone into my voice. “Yeah, Landon. I’ll make sure she gets home safe and sound. Don’t you worry, little man.”

Cordy gave me a frown that had me rethinking my words. “Don’t be an ass.” She turned back to Landon. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

He punched the back of my headrest and flung the door open before stepping out and slamming it shut. Tucking his chin to his chest against the rain, he walked up the front steps and turned to watch as we drove away.

“Stop taunting him like that.” Cordy crossed her arms over her chest again.

I drove back up to University Circle and seriously considered leaving campus and taking her to my apartment, but her curt tone shut that thought down. I turned left and drove slowly toward her dorm. “He sucker punched me. I think I’m entitled to rattle his cage.”

She shook her head. “And that’s why he hates you. Because you think you’re
entitled
.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Why was she so good at cutting through my shit?

“It doesn’t mean he should have hit you. Obviously, I’m pissed at him about it. It’s not okay, and I’m sorry he did that. But Landon is my best friend. He’s only trying to look out for me. Cut him some slack. He deserves it.”

“What about me? Do I deserve any slack?”
No, I don’t.
I swerved around a giant puddle on the roadway.

She didn’t respond, just turned to stare out into the rain.

I took a deep breath and pushed Landon out of the equation. Repairing my relationship with Cordy was the real goal.

“I’m sorry, okay?” I turned into Hope Hall’s parking lot and pulled into a spot near the doors. “I don’t like him touching you or being close to you.”

“He’s important to me. He’s always been there for me. Always.” When she turned back to me, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You haven’t. Remember? You don’t get to bust into my life and push away the people who matter to me.”

My heart thudded against my ribs, and I couldn’t bear to see hurt in her eyes—more hurt caused by me. I clicked my seatbelt off and leaned closer to her. She didn’t back away when I placed my hand on her damp cheek.

“I’m sorry.” I wiped away an errant tear with my thumb. “Okay? I don’t want to upset you. I’ll do better with Landon. If he’s important to you, he’s important to me.”

Her eyes widened in what seemed to be a mix of disbelief and confusion. “Why?”

“Because…”
Because I’m in love with you and have been for the past two years.
“Because I care about you.”

“None of this makes sense. After all this time, why are you here? Why are you acting like two years ago never happened? It did.” Her chest heaved, and she choked back a sob. “You’re such an asshole.”

“I know.” I moved closer, our breaths mingling as the rain drummed on the car. “I had some things I needed to work out.”

“For two years?” Her eyes flickered to my lips as another tear rolled down her face.

“Yes.”

“What things?” She wrapped her fingers around my forearm but didn’t pull my hand from her cheek.

“Things you won’t like.” I ghosted my lips over hers, and she sighed.

The sound traveled straight to my cock, and I needed her in my arms. But she wasn’t there yet. The distrust in her voice and the hurt in her eyes was killing me, and I wanted nothing more than to take it all away. I smoothed my hand down to her neck, and her eyes closed for a moment. The urge to kiss her tried to overwhelm every bit of caution.
Wait.

“I remember that night as if it were yesterday. The way you acted. The things you said.” Her voice grew even quieter. “You said you weren’t interested. You said…” She nibbled her bottom lip.

That was it. I couldn’t stop myself. I claimed her mouth in a searing kiss. She dug her nails into my forearm as I pushed her back into the headrest. I wanted the pain; it was nothing to what I endured when I wasn’t with her. She pushed against me with her other hand, but her lips parted the slightest bit. I took full advantage, sinking my tongue into her mouth and groaning with satisfaction as I did it.

Running my hand down her side, I clicked her seatbelt off. It retracted, and I pressed her to me, her breasts rubbing against my hard chest and her mouth under my control. When I gripped her hip and yanked her closer, she moaned. A swirl of desire blew through me like a tornado. My cock was painfully hard, and my hands were desperate to touch every inch of her. Instead of pushing me away, she clutched my shirt.

I tilted my head, angling our kiss, and grabbed her wet ponytail. When I pulled it back, she moaned as I left a hot trail of kisses down her throat.

“Trent, we can’t.” Her voice was breathy sex.

I bit her shoulder in response, and she gripped my hair as I continued tasting her.

Trent—” Her protest turned into a moan when I squeezed her breast. It was a handful, the nipple thick and hard against her damp white t-shirt. I raised my head, taking in the look on her beautiful face as I twisted her nipple between my thumb and forefinger.

Her lips parted, and her eyes were half-lidded. I twisted harder, and she bit down on her bottom lip. I leaned in and took it from her, running my teeth along it before giving her another hard kiss. I craved her, needed her to be skin to skin with me.

“Off.” I yanked at the hem of her shirt.

“Someone might see. Wait—”

“No.” I yanked it upward, and she lifted her arms for me. The windows had long since fogged up as the rain continued to pour. No one would see us, and I needed more of her.

I peeled her t-shirt off and tossed it in the back seat. Then I did the same with mine. Her gaze traced the line of my pecs and then ventured lower until she stared at the bulge in my shorts. When she licked her lips, I groaned and attacked her mouth again. She gave it right back, our tongues twisting and her hands running down my bare skin, setting me on fire.

A yellow sports bra was the only thing separating me from the stiff peaks of her tits. I kissed down her chest as her fingernails dug into my scalp. Licking the top of each swell, I enjoyed every tremble, every little tell from her that she enjoyed my touch.

Her skin tasted like rain with the slight hint of salt. I kissed between her breasts, her nipples teasing me through the yellow cotton. I took one in my mouth, sucking her through the material. Her harsh gasp sent a thrill down my spine as I sucked and bit at her. My other hand kneaded her right breast, pinching her nipple as I worked the other over with my tongue.

I bit down on her tight bud, and her back arched, her nails digging even harder into my scalp. I switched breasts, but wasn’t content with the fabric between us. I shoved the cup of the bra down, revealing a deep rose nipple, the tip dark and hard.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful.” I took her into my mouth as she made an
mmm
sound.

Her flushed skin beneath my touch, her salt on my tongue, and her moans in my ears were hotter than anything I’d ever experienced. I sucked and nipped at her until she was writhing and shaking.

I slid the tip of my tongue up her throat and took her lips again. She opened readily, her arms wrapping around my neck as my hands roved her body. She trembled as I ran my fingers down her smooth skin, past her shorts, and to her legs. I slid my left hand up her thigh until I met fabric.

Her tongue warred with mine, and her heart pounded against my chest as I slid my fingers up farther, until I grazed her wet panties.

“Fuck, Cordy. You’re so wet for me.”

“Trent.” She grabbed my wrist and welded her knees together.

That wouldn’t do. I pulled my fingers back the slightest bit and massaged her inner thigh while I sucked on the sweet spot where her neck and shoulder met. Her little moans floated around me until she relaxed enough for me to move my fingers back to where I wanted them. When I raked my thumb over her clit, she jolted and clung to me.

I glanced to the backseat, but there was no time. I didn’t want her to cool off or come to her senses. I wanted her to come all over my fingers, my mouth, my cock—anything I could get, I’d take it.

I fastened my lips on her throat, sucking and biting at the sensitive skin while my fingers massaged her pussy through her panties. Focusing on her clit, I stroked faster and faster while still tasting her and biting her—leaving my mark. When I pushed her panties aside and delved my fingers into her wet folds, my cock kicked against my shorts.

“Trent. Oh my God.” She made a keening sound, low and long when I squeezed her clit between my fingers and rubbed back and forth. Her knees fell open, and a song of triumph played in my heart.

“That’s it.” I slid my fingers lower and pushed one inside her tight entrance. Her hips bucked, and I covered her exposed nipple with my mouth.

I pulsed my finger in and out before sliding in a second. She was so tight, and I wanted to be inside her more with each passing second. But this wasn’t about me. It was about her. I wanted to give her something for once, instead of taking.

She rocked her hips to my rhythm, her pussy hot, wet, and desperate—perfect. Sliding my fingers out, I focused on her clit again, rubbing in a circular motion as I sucked hard enough on her nipple to leave a bruise.

Her breaths came even quicker as she moaned and dug her nails into my back. I sped my fingers faster, giving her what she needed until her legs began to tremble. Releasing her nipple, I claimed her mouth, fucking her with my tongue as I stroked her sweet spot.

When she began to seize, I broke the kiss and pressed my forehead to hers. “Look at me. I want to see you when you come.”

Her eyes flew open, and she moaned long and low as I pressed two fingers inside her, using my thumb to keep the pressure on her clit. Her pussy clamped down on me, clenching my fingers in tighter. She watched me as I thrust in and out of her as she came. Her heartbeat thrummed in her neck, and she pressed her lips together as her body ebbed and flowed with her orgasm. She was beautiful. When I’d wrung the last bit of pleasure from her, she relaxed, and her gorgeous eyes finally closed.

I eased out of her and drew my hand to my mouth. Her eyes fluttered open as I licked her delectable taste from my fingers.

“Oh my God.” Her voice was half moan. “That’s so hot. I can’t even—”

I kissed her, sharing her taste as she melted into my arms. My cock demanded I do more than just kiss her, but he wouldn’t be satisfied tonight. At least not until I got back to my apartment. Cordy deserved more, and she’d already given me so much.

Breaking the kiss despite the protest in my heart, I leaned back and pulled her bra into place. Her lips were redder, and I’d left a few calling cards along her neck and shoulder.

She put her hands to her face as I reached back between the seats and grabbed her t-shirt. “That was so… I’ve never done anything like that before.”

“What?” My brain shorted out at the thought that Cordy was still a virgin. Of course, I hadn’t seen her with anyone except friend-zoned Landon during the two years since we’d parted. It was a good thing, because I may have snapped any guy’s neck who tried to get with her. But I assumed she’d fooled around in high school at some point. I certainly had.

I pulled her hands from her face and stared into her eyes. “What are you trying to say?”

She looked away as red rushed into her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud. Can we just drop it? I-I should go. I have homework to do and stuff.”

“No.” I gently grabbed her chin and pulled her face back around to me. “We can’t drop it. Are you saying you’re a virgin?”

She clenched her eyes shut. “This is up there with the most embarrassing moments of my entire life.”

“Cordy, look at me. I need to know.”
Because I want to fuck the ever-loving shit out of you, but I don’t want to hurt you.
“So we’re on the same page.”

“Yes. Okay?” She covered her face again. “Yes.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

C
ORDY

“
W
HAT DOES HE MEAN
by the phrase ‘confusions of a wasted youth’?” Professor Crane leaned against her desk at the head of the classroom. “More importantly, who was A.H.H., and why was Tennyson so touched by his passing as to write one of the greatest poems of all time? Ms. Baxter?”

I snapped my head up and fumbled with my pen. I’d been doodling the number nine all morning. “A.H.H. stands for Arthur Henry Hallam, one of Tennyson’s friends from Cambridge. His untimely death changed Tennyson.”

“How so?”

I put my pen down. “He brooded on the past. He complains about his ‘wasted youth’ because he could have spent his time with the man who mattered most to him instead of being engaged in other pursuits or holding onto grudges.”

“Grudges?” Professor Crane cocked her head to the side.

Projecting much, Cordy?
“I meant that he lamented about not focusing on A.H.H. before he lost him.”