Ride (Alpha Male Romance): In Between the Covers (Carolina Bad Boys #3) (3 page)

He peered past me to take in the scene of destruction that was my bedroom. I nearly laughed out loud when he frowned.

I flipped him the middle finger. Playfully of course.

I wish you would
, he mouthed back.

Instant awareness raced between us.

“Wear the jeans,” Benny said over the phone I’d forgotten was in my hand.

“What jeans?” I gasped.

With a lazy curl of his lips, Jase smiled at me.

“Christ, did you just go double time on the bullet again? Why do you sound out of breath?” Benny asked.

Because Jase is utterly stupid-making sexy.

“No. I didn’t. The batteries wore out.” I did that two-can-play-at-this-game thing again.

I listened to her laugh while I watched Jase’s mouth drop open.

Take that.

“What jeans?” I asked again.

“The ones I gave you.”

“Those are one size too small.”

“
Exxxxactly.
”

I rummaged through my clothes. Jase watched. I found the jeans and held them in front of me. He nodded. I rolled my eyes.

“They don’t look like me, Benny,” I said.

“Of course not, Mouse. You actually have great tits and an awesome ass, except no one’s ever seen them.”

Someone had seen them. And I never wanted him to see them again.

I slowly closed the door to try on the jeans Benny urged me to wear. Jase’s footsteps retreated after a few pounding heartbeats.

I got off the phone with Benny, and headed for the bathroom. I needed bubbles and candles and girly things for a change, instead of books, studies and my stupid-ass sweaters.

I tested the water temperature before slipping into the wet warmth of the tub. It had been a week. Terrified to touch myself, I wondered if I’d ever orgasm again. The water lapped over my hesitant touches. It began to feel good as I gently stroked my clit. With my eyes closed, I thought of nothing, drifting in the warm sea of pleasure.

It worked. My slit was slick, slippery. I pushed one finger inside and swirled it around before drawing it to the tip of my clit. My toes curled against the tub and my breasts broke the surface. Unbidden thoughts of Jase made me that much hotter. The water waved over my body.

His husky Texan drawl, his sexy tats, his strong body . . . I arched my back. My nipples pebbled, begging to be sucked. My clit drew up and my labia swelled, but my orgasm remained aggravatingly beyond my reach.

The door opened. Jase strode inside.

“Jase!” I gasped.

“Oh, shit!” he exclaimed.

He honest-to-God blushed, but he didn’t look away.

“I’m sorry, I . . . I . . .” he stammered.

Suddenly I couldn’t stop my climax if I’d tried.

He fumbled for the door but stopped when my hips broke the water.

“Ave,” he grunted.

I came with a cry. My tummy tightened. My body froze. My fingers tunneled, twisted, and curled.

“Jesus, girl.” Jase sounded hoarse even to my ringing ears.

“You promised me locked doors.” I sank into the water, my body still shuddering.

“You didn’t lock it, Ave.” He dragged his fingertips across his jaw. “
Jeeeesus
.”

“I think you should go now.”

“No shit, right?” He started for his room before swinging around. “Just so you know, that was the sexiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.”

Jase soundlessly left and shut the door.

Letting the bathtub drain, I dried off slowly.

I’d been stuck on the edge of release, unable to get there until Jase walked in. He’d triggered a hot, curling climax, stronger than any I’d felt before.

I hadn’t felt intruded upon, not by him. His expression had captivated me—lustful and surprised.

A half hour later, I left my room and he was there again. He was so gorgeous it hurt to look at him sometimes. My breath caught in my throat.

“Going out?” he asked.

I knotted my sweater more tightly around myself. “Yes.”

“Be careful, okay?” Jase brushed his knuckles across my chin before he walked away from me.

Jase

WELL FUCK ME STANDING. It hadn’t exactly been my fault I’d walked in on Ave. Locked doors, right? I’d told her that the first night, and just like that night when I’d wondered what she’d look like all wet and rosy in the bathtub, she more than surpassed my fantasies. She was perfect.

Her nipples had tipped out of the water, and they were as pink as her pouty lips, lips that parted in surprise. Thank fuck for bubbles because if there was a soft wet triangle of hair above her pussy to match the damp tumble of locks on her head . . .

“Jase!” My name had slipped out of her mouth at the end of long moan.

I’d never heard such a sexy sound in my life. I’d tried to leave, but she didn’t stop masturbating with my intrusion, and when her body arched from the water, her sleek skin had broken the surface and sent all the suds away.

A jolt of pure
want
had sped to my cock. I was instantly hard. Insanely erect.

I’d watched her cream on her fingers, her flared hips dancing.

My body went red hot in an instant.

Fuuuuuck.

This is not good.

****

Night shift.
Yeah, that’s
what I worked all right. I’d almost laughed when I told Avery that. Except it wasn’t really funny.

Well, I was taking tonight off. I was going to the same fucking frat party as Ave. Why? Mostly because I didn’t want any other asshole looking at her the way I sometimes did. And I definitely didn’t want anyone taking advantage of her. I had no idea what her game was, but the girl had
no game
. Except with me, apparently. I wanted to keep it that way.

The problem was she’d left wearing those tight jeans she’d held up earlier. At least she’d worn the sweater on top, but who knew what she hid underneath? Oh yeah, I did. I knew the exact shape of her tits and the color of her nipples. Maybe she wore a loose-fitting turtleneck beneath the sweater. That would be good.

And she better be wearing a bra and panties, not like her
surprise I’m naked
thing a week ago.

Holy fuck.

But the panties and bra
better
not be the hot little black lace number, one of the many fuckhot lingerie items I’d packed in her dorm room. I’d almost busted my nut the second I’d opened the top drawer of her dresser. You’re damn right I checked her cup size. Double Ds. I’d broken out in a sweat. That sweet little geek was hiding wetdream-sized tits inside her voluminous shit.

Then there was the bullet. The fact she had a sex toy put a whole new spin on shy, sometimes feisty Ave. Some part of her was definitely all woman, more than a handful, and that vixen was just waiting to come out.

I planned on making sure those boneheaded fratboys at Beta Theta Pi didn’t get anywhere near Ave’s pie.

Be careful
, I’d said. Yeah, right. The person Ave needed to be careful around was me because her little
guess what I’m wearing under my clothes
game had almost cost her a rough fuck right on my couch.

I’d had to keep it cool with her after that. She got under my skin, hit all my hot spots, made me see double. And I couldn’t have that. I didn’t do girlfriends, and she was take-home-to-mom material if ever I’d seen it. That thought alone made me break out in hives.

I didn’t want to mess up our sweet arrangement—we could flirt but it would be hands off. She kept me company and didn’t ask for anything more. I wasn’t going to fuck her or fuck with her too much because I’d already pegged her for a wild girl in between the sheets—beneath her fake nerd exterior—even if she didn’t know it yet. That combo right there spelled nothing but danger to my don’t-care way of life.

The fucked up thing was I liked staying home with Ave. I wanted to hang out with her. It didn’t matter if we simply ate dinner, watched a movie, or studied. I liked
her
, and I didn’t like anyone all that much. She was a freakin’ paradox, a puzzle I couldn’t figure out.

I couldn’t believe I’d followed her to a goddamn frat party, of all the places neither of us belonged. I ambled through the jam-packed rooms that smelled of jock sweat, stale food, spilled beer, and old spunk.

Loud music. Low lights. Free drinks. Date rape waiting to happen to any naïve little college girl overawed by too much testosterone-fueled footballer attention.

I drank from the beer I brought with me. I didn’t do kegs and I wasn’t planning on getting wasted on punch spiked with Mexican Valium. I found a nice cozy corner where I had a good view of the main room. I hadn’t seen Ave yet, but plenty of party babes had seen me. I wasn’t a complete dick to all the ones who dared to approach the Great Jase Everly.

Let’s just say I made it clear their specific brand of hooker-heels, poofed-out hair, and too-short skirts did nothing for me.

Contrary to the rumors, I wasn’t into easy sex. Well, not exactly.

Cole Mayfield leaned his shoulder against the wall beside me. We clanked our beers. We were probably the only two there drinking from bottles instead of regulation Red Solo cups. I didn’t do friends almost as much as I didn’t do girlfriends—too many secrets I needed to keep from the harsh light of day and nosy folks—but Cole was at the very least an acquaintance. One I could usually stomach.

“This is a shitty waste of all their momma and daddy’s college funds,” he voiced below the trance house music.

“Ain’t that the truth?”

“Not even a single chick worth the time to woo.”

“When the hell have you ever wooed anyone? You usually can’t wait to get them on your wood.”

“You always were a clever son of a bitch.”

“That’s what my daddy said,” I slipped into a thicker version of my West Texas drawl.

“Must be why you got such a sweet ride here.”

I had no idea what he was talking about—in fact, neither did he. That was one more carefully concealed secret. Anyway, Cole was a senator’s son. If anyone had a sweet deal, it was he.

After I took another slow pull of my beer, I swiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Must be my Harley you’re talkin’ about.”

He threw his head back with a laugh. “Yeah,
that
ride.”

When his mouth closed abruptly and his eyes widened slowly, I wondered if he’d been slugged by a dose of the Poor Man’s Quaaludes.

He recovered with a whistle and continued to look over my shoulder. “Talk about a sweet ride. Check out the fresh meat on the frat market.”

Foreboding crawled up the back of my neck. I swiveled around.

Holy
shit
.
And
Jesus
Christ. If Cole’s eyes had bugged, mine almost fell out of my head. I rubbed my eyes just to make sure they were still in place and I wasn’t hallucinating.

Nope
. No mirage there, just Ave looking like I knew she could. Those fucking jeans. They accentuated every single curve in a way that looked positively mouthwatering. That goddamn top.

Fucking
fuck.

Well, I guess I could forget about wondering which bra she was wearing tonight. No way would one of her lacy brassieres work under the silky-looking, multi-colored halter top that left pretty much all of her sinuous back bare.

Her hair was down and it fell below her shoulders. Blonde. Not bleached blonde. Not bottle blonde. Wheat sheaf blonde, autumnal blonde, fields of wildflowers blonde. Long and straight and shiny. I wanted to bury my face in it.

When she turned in my direction and looked up, she hooked my gaze. Those periwinkle blue eyes flicked wider. She did her own inventory while I stood stock-still. With just her gaze touching me, I felt heat like never before awaken a million desires that scorched up my back and licked like hot flames to my groin.

She skimmed over my face, halted at my lips, took in my battered black leather jacket and probably noticed something happening inside the crotch of my faded jeans.

Cole knocked into my shoulder. “Oh, dude. She’s into you.”

“It’s not like that.” I swiveled away from the searing heat of Ave’s gaze. “I’m just watching out for her. And if you look at her one more time like you want to fuck her against a wall, I’m gonna make sure those eyes of yours never see anything again.”

Cole backed away with his hands raised. “Dang, boy. You got it bad.”

I didn’t have it bad. I didn’t have it at all. Nope. Nope. Nope.

I didn’t approach Ave. I wasn’t there to stalk her, specifically. I only wanted to make sure she didn’t get pawed at, flirted with, or basically talked to by any other guy at the party. Yeah. That.

Barely noticing the petite thing beside her with the raucous laugh, I tracked my
roomie
throughout the next hour and a half.

Ave glanced at me every so often, always with the same soft open lips and surprised stare.

At the two-hour mark, I was about ready to push slivers of broken beer bottle glass underneath my fingernails. I was sure it’d be less torturous than standing by while Ave got hit on. The number of dicks—I meant
dudes
—who tried to flirt their way into a dance/kiss/drink/fuck with Ave was staggering.

It wasn’t until one particular schmuck with a death wish to go with his sleezy
hey bitch, choke on my cock
grin that I lost just a little bit more of my cool.

I recognized Duncan Dickface Locke, the jock star. He was a first class cunt, and I’d had it in for him since day one. The rumors about him were a hell of a lot worse than the ones about me. While I watched him, he stripped Ave naked with his eyes. Thankfully she was oblivious. I’d have no problem breaking his jaw if he even dared say hi to her.

“Hey, Dunc! Pool game.”

The lucky bastard made his escape before I had to put my fist through his face.

I downed another beer, scoping out the macking-out going on without one ounce of interest. I scowled so hard the girls gave me wide berth.

Score for me.

After a quick smoke break, I took up my secret security stance across the room from Ave just in time to see the one-millionth hopeful asshole try to put the moves on her. This time the guy looked harmless, dweebish. That didn’t make me feel any less like cracking skulls. I couldn’t remember ever being so fired up for absolutely no reason at all. The cute kid with the glasses was probably perfect for Ave, so I had no choice but to step in that time.

I smoothly cut between the pair, giving Clark Cunt a clear view of my broad back.

“Hey.”
Smooth Jase, real smooth.

Ave bit her pink bottom lip. “What are you doing here?”

“Party hearty,” I deadpanned, draining my beer.

“Have you been lurking for a particular reason or just to annoy?”

I stepped that one pace closer to bring my chest into the barest contact with her breasts. Shivers slid all over my skin. Chills rose on Ave’s bare arms.

“I think a better question is what the fuck are you wearing?”

“Not my sweater you seem to hate.” She gave as good as she got, as always.

“I noticed.”

“Did you? Color me surprised. And I left it at Benny’s. I’ll be home later,
Dad
,” she hissed.

I set my empty aside. I ran my hands up her arms to cup her shoulders. I tilted her chin, and my fingertips rested against the racing pulse points of her neck.

“Planning on being late?”

“Are you?” She sassed back with a swish of silky hair.

My face hardened into a sneer. “Listen, Ave. Plenty of guys want you. They’re practically lining up to get into your pants. Skin tight jeans, I mean.” I grinded my teeth together.

Benny bounded up beside us. Had to be her. She was loud, boisterous, and verging on obnoxious. In short, she was the complete opposite of Ave.

The five-foot-nothing woman slapped me on the back. “Jase Goddamn Everly. Wow. In the flesh at a fratter. Someone better make sure that shit gets on Instagram.”

“You must be Benny.” I never looked away from Ave’s blue, blue eyes.

“Oh, sweet-ass. Ave mentioned me. She’s such a BFF.” Then petite Benny hip-knocked Ave out of the way. She got up on her tiptoes and glared up at me. “You’ve had your sexy bedroom eyes all over my bestie all night, Jase. I don’t know what you’re up to, and I don’t care if you
think
you’re the biggest badass on the block, but I got my girl tonight. And I’m looking out for Mouse.”

Mouse?
Who, Ave? Fucking kidding me? The woman screwing with my head without even screwing me in my bed was nowhere near a mouse.

I stepped around Benny to reach Ave and took her hand in mine. “You’ve got your key?”

“Yes.” Her cheeks flashed pink as looked down at our joined hands.

I tipped Ave’s chin toward me. “Don’t make any mistakes tonight, precious.”

“Don’t worry. I never do.”