Patience (2 page)

My heart picks up its pace, racing against my ribs. "Holy shit, Quince! You're a freakin' genius!" I sit up, giddy with excitement. I just had the best idea ever, and I can't wait to start planning. This trip is exactly what I needed to put this train in motion.

"I knew you'd come up with something... I'm almost afraid to ask." She throws a knowing look in my direction. That's why I love this girl. She not only gets me, she appreciates me. Most people think I'm over the top, and sometimes, they just don't understand me. While they moan and groan about every little thing, I try to see the best in every situation. People like me scare people like them, but I've got a secret weapon.

I've got Quincy Priest.

We met when I moved to Collier, TN. On the first day of school, I was scared to death, but little bitty Quincy walked right up to me and introduced herself. To everyone else, we might seem like a mismatched pair, but there's no one else I'd rather call my best friend. That day was one of the best days of my life.

When I invited her into my life, she invited me into hers. Turns out, I was one of the few people to enter Quincy's world. Her sister, Katie, has bipolar disorder. She's also a manipulative drug addict who Quincy loves with her whole heart.

I've seen Katie when she was up and when she was down. I've seen her do some crazy shit. That's why Katie is Quincy's guilty secret.

I would wilt under the pressure of keeping that secret.

Not Quincy.

Her answer is to prove everyone wrong, to make up for all of the wrong her sister does, and to live her life in spite of it all. She got dealt a bad hand, but she's a survivor.

No one who meets her would ever guess the things she's been through, and that's why I always try to find the good in the things around me. If you can't fix it, and you can't change it, you gotta just pick up your boot strings and make the best out of it. That- that strength and resilience I've seen in Quincy- that is what makes me smile when no one else would. I just happen to comprehend something most people my age don't. Things can always be worse than they are. And sometimes, those bad things happen to the people you love.

Seeing her sister wig out with needle marks down her arms makes my problems seem insignificant in comparison.

"Well, when I get the deets worked out, I'm sure you'll be the first one I tell." My cheeks grow warm, and I think I may actually be blushing. That would be a first.

"I'm sure I will. Just don't get too crazy," she mumbles under her breath. She knows I can't keep secrets from her, and I wouldn't even try. However, I have been known to downplay some of my schemes here and there. She knows me too well.

After hugs, I rush out the door. On my way across campus, I try to think about all the things I could do to punish Eric, but I'm distracted by images of the last night I spent with him. He may have avoided sealing the deal, but that boy touched me in places I never knew existed, made me feel things I'd only ever read about.

He made me want... more. All of him. The whole package.

I've had sex before, but his no-sex moves did more to me than any fling I've ever had. I felt a connection, an intimacy that went beyond every other experience in my past. It's almost as if I've been waiting for him all this time.

"Do you like it when I taste you, Jenna? Tell me." As his breath whispered across my cheek, I could smell the hint of lime on his lips. Tequila shots were the drink of choice, and he'd squirted that very lime on my neck before slowly, sensuously licking it off. His tongue swirled at the base of my throat, igniting a fire deep inside me, causing me to crave him, to need him so much it hurt. His lips hovered over mine, a whisper of promise, of the something 'more' that I craved.

I was trembling beneath him, afraid to move and unwilling to break the connection. I raised my head a fraction of an inch, his lips an elusive ghost above mine. He pulled away just as our lips touched, smiling down at me. "Patience, Jenna."

I opened my eyes, shocked by the harsh lights above me. I'd almost forgotten I was laying on the kitchen counter of his fraternity house, like some groupie. Except I know I'm not, and I don't give a shit what any of these people think anyway. The guys clapped around us, and when one of the brothers asked if he could have a turn, Eric shot him an eat-shit-and-die look, stopping him in his tracks. "Fuck you, Drew." He's joking, but even I hear the undercurrent in his voice.

I sat up, smiling, as Eric took my hand and helped me from the counter. I looked longingly at the stairs that led to his room, my body swaying toward his. Maybe I was the one who needed the tequila shot. Or maybe I could get him drunk and take advantage of him.

Patience? It's for the birds.

"Jenna!" A loud shout brings me back to the present. As my eyes search for the owner of that deep, familiar voice, I find him leaning against a tree in the courtyard. A soft breeze musses his blonde hair, twisting my insides into a knot.

I'm meeting the object of my fantasies for lunch. Maybe I can get through the next two days without attacking him.

Chapter 4

Eric

I've been planning this trip since our second date. That was the day I decided Jenna was mine, and I haven't looked at another girl since.

She's exactly what I want and all I'll ever need.

Her blonde hair, long, smooth legs, and surreal blue eyes reeled me in; however, it was her carefree, never-take-things-too-seriously-but-I-can-still-kick-your-ass attitude that cinched the deal. It doesn't hurt that she looks better every time I lay eyes on her. At first, I couldn't decide if she looked so damn good because I couldn't have her or if she really was that stunning.

Yeah. No question. She really is that stunning.

So beautiful she steals the words from my mouth and the air from my lungs. I've never felt this way before. I'm not gonna lie- sometimes, it scares the shit out of me.

I watch her walk across campus toward me, though she hasn't seen me yet. It's hot for this time of year, even for Tennessee. In jean shorts and a tank, she couldn't look better, unless she was naked. In my bed...

That's a thought for another day. One I hope will soon become reality.

"Jenna!" I call out to her. I watch as she turns in the direction of my voice, a smile playing at the corner of her lips. She's still trying to act like she's mad, but I know better. She forgave me before I even asked. That's just the way she is.

"Eric, I can't be bothered right now. I'm meeting some hot stud for lunch today. I'll call you when I get back to the dorm." She moves to walk past me, pretending to be unaffected by me, and I quickly reach out and wrap my arms around her waist, jerking her backwards and into me. With her back pressed against my chest, the bare skin of her shoulder is tempting.

Too tempting.

She wiggles against me, intentionally touching me in sensitive places she's recently discovered. I nuzzle her neck, breathing her in, and whisper, "Jenna, don't you know it's dangerous to play these immature games? I'd love to bend you over my knee and spank you right now." I feel her shudder against me. Two can play this game.

In all of our no-sexcapades, we've had time to explore each other's bodies, learning how to please each other, something I've never done. Before Jenna, with other girls, I knew where things were headed, knew what I wanted, and ran straight to home plate. We've been taking our time on the bases, 'mastering' each one before moving to the next. Hell, I think she knows my body better than I do. And I certainly love finding her hot spots.

Last night, before her freak out, I almost lost the bet. I was ready to throw in the towel, but I somehow managed to hold on by a very thin thread.

We had decided to watch a movie after the party, and I just couldn't take it anymore. The room was hot, and her body was calling my name. I was propped up against the headboard of my bed while she lay against me, her head on my chest and her hand exploring my stomach. She was drawing lazy circles, closer and closer to my waistband. I closed my eyes, attempting to regain control and talk myself down from the ledge, when I noticed there was a pattern to her seemingly random movements.

V-E-Y-O-U-I-L-O-V-E.

My eyes snapped open when I realized what she had written
. I love you
. My heart began pounding relentlessly as I struggled with the reality that this beautiful girl, everything I had ever dreamed of, was in love with me.
In love. With me.

In a flash, I wrapped my hands around her waist, lifting her above me. Her eyes were wide with shock, then red hot desire, as I settled her over my hips. Draping my hand around the base of her neck, I pulled her mouth to mine, desperately plunging my tongue into her mouth. She began moving her hips, rolling them back and forth over me, swaying as if she were dancing to an erotic song.

At that moment, there was only us. No bet. No guitar. Just us.

Her dress rode up over her legs, settling at her hips and allowing me access to her most intimate places. I reached between us, pushing her panties to the side, my fingers causing soft moans of pleasure to escape her lips. I was hypnotized as I watched her glide back and forth with her head thrown back, exposing her throat. Her movements became frantic, less rhythmic, as I witnessed her undoing. Her body quaked above me as her head fell forward, her breasts heaving with each breath she drew in. I could only watch in satisfaction and wonder as she rode it out.

She slowly opened her eyes, settling them on mine with determination. I withdrew my hand, my lungs filling with air. I knew she was about to test my willpower, and for once, I didn't care.

Her eyes darkened as she smiled devilishly down at me. I released my hold on her, my hands moving to my sides and clenching the sheets tightly. Her hands found my waistband, unbuttoning and unzipping my shorts. Slowly, she slid backwards, taking my clothes with her. I lifted my hips, allowing her to pull them down my legs. I kicked them the rest of the way off with my feet. Settling between my thighs, she reached for me. I closed my eyes as I waited for her touch.

When I felt the soft, wet, feather-like caress of her tongue on me, I came crashing back to reality. I couldn't let her do this with the secret between us. I sat up, grasping her arms and pulling her upwards. The disappointment on her face almost did me in. For a just a moment, her eyes lost the sparkle I love so much, replaced by something I never thought I'd see.

Doubt.

"Baby, you don't have to do that."

"I know, Eric. I just want to make you feel as good as you make me. Since you have this rule against sex, I just thought-" She faltered, her voice cracking, before she pulled away. Unable to meet my eyes, she looked at a spot on the wall behind me. "You know what? Nevermind. I was crazy for thinking you-" When she tried to stand, I pulled her back to me, wrapping my arms tightly around her.

"Sssshhh, Jenna. I'm sorry. It's not like that." I put a finger under her chin, tilting her face upward. "Come on, look at me." Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she lifted her eyes to mine. When I saw the unshed tears pooled there, it broke me. "Jenna, please. Please don't cry." I tried a reassuring smile that probably looked more like a grimace, and all I wanted to do was take it back. "You have to know you're the best thing that ever happened to me."

I waited for her to say something, and when she finally did, it shattered my heart. "Then what is wrong with me?" Her words were low but filled with pain. I'd confess everything, lose my guitar, anything, to take away the hurt. In that moment, I would've done anything to make her smile again.

Pulling her closer, I whispered near her ear, "Sunshine, it has nothing to do with you. I want nothing more than to rip off your clothes and show you what you do to me." My hands roamed over her back, soothing her as best I could. "I have to tell you something, and I'm afraid you're going to leave when I do." Those were the hardest words I'd ever had to say. I couldn't lose her, not over something like this. A stupid bet, made before I knew just how much she would come to mean to me. And now, there's more than my guitar on the line.

"Eric, are you listening to me?" Jenna is looking at me like I'm crazy, and I realize I've been daydreaming again. "I was saying that you could punish me later if you wanted to."

"I can't wait, Sunshine," I say with meaning. "I can't wait."

We walk to the cafeteria, hand in hand, while I try to remember the beauty of last night instead of our fight.

I won't ever hurt her again.

Chapter 5

Jenna

Several of Eric's fraternity brothers already have a table, so we join them in the corner. They are loud and boisterous as they talk about the upcoming party. I'm beginning to think that's all they do. Party. Hook-up. Sleep. Eat. Fart.

When I spot Quincy in line, I stand and wave her over. She hesitates as her eyes roam down the table, no doubt assessing her options. My sweet and naive best friend is in a pickle. Torn between two of Eric's fraternity brothers, she has no idea where to sit. Declan is sitting near the end opposite from us while Brody is sitting next to Eric. Finally, with her head down, she moves toward me, choosing the seat directly across from Brody.

I feel Eric stiffen next to me, and I nudge his foot under the table, signaling for him to act normal. He knows about the soap opera playing out in front of us, but as far as I know, no one else does.

He says he's staying out of it and that he hasn't chosen sides, but I think he has. He likes and respects Declan, and he's pissed at Brody for betraying his friend, betraying the brotherhood. Since Declan saw her first, asked her out first, Eric thinks Brody should back off. Right. Like they're kids arguing over who gets the toy. Just because you saw it first doesn't mean you can make it yours.

I'm not afraid to admit I've picked a side. Quincy's. Period. Good, bad, and ugly.

But, I've gotta say, I don't envy her at all. Brody is what I'd call 'delicious'. Sex on a stick. With his piercing blue eyes and unruly black hair, he's got it goin' on. Problem is, every girl on campus thinks the same thing and wants a piece of him. They seem to line up, waiting for him to pick them out of the crowd. But I've watched him. He only has eyes for Quincy. He is officially 'off the market'. Otherwise, I'd kick his ass. Declan, on the other hand, is everything you wish you wanted. He's tall, dark, and handsome. There's something calming about his rich, dark eyes and inviting smile. And his dimples. Can't forget those dimples. He's not only hot, but he loves my friend with all his heart. It's obvious as his eyes follow her across the room. He would be good for her.