University Park Series Box Set: Books 1-3 (31 page)

My breathing quickened, but I managed to
keep calm. He lowered me to the couch and the blanket slipped to the floor. I
pivoted my body, aligning my hips with his. With our lips still joined to one
another, he rocked his pelvis against me and I moaned into his mouth.
Instinctively, my leg curled up and rubbed against him in slow, long movements.
The friction of my jeans against him sent tiny shocks all over my lower body.
His hand dropped to my thigh and he squeezed it tightly.

“You are so sexy,” he whispered as his
hand covered my breast.

A gasp escaped my throat and he caught
it, filling my mouth with his tongue. I kissed him deep and hard, showing him
just how much I wanted him. Tonight, I wanted him to take me to the other side.
The side I’d been waiting to experience. The side that had been waiting for him
to show my body what it wanted… what it needed.

Another whimper escaped my mouth when he
suckled on the nape of my neck. Chills dotted my skin and I pressed into him
more. It was like my body had an internal magnet that it was dying to connect
to. My insides tingled like tiny electrically charged particles seeking the
opposite end that only Raven could fit.

“Not as sexy as you.” My hands trembled
against his hard pecks and I tried to pace my actions. “You’re like a Calvin
Klein model supercharged on steroids.”

“Whatever.” A low laugh filtered through
his lips. “I’m not like Superman.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’re ripped like him, if
not more.” I winked, stoking his ego. Honestly, I was dying to find out. It had
to know.

“I promise you, I’m not.” His lips
pressed to mine repeatedly and I held on to each of them, not wanting him to
stop.

“I don’t believe you.” My fingers
twiddled with a button on his shirt, eager to unfasten all of them.

His head lifted and an enthralling smile
settled over his lips. “Do you want me to show you?”

Hell yeah!

I nodded and bit my lower lip in
anticipation. With one arm pressed against the couch, he slowly began to
unbutton his shirt. His body hovered over mine and my body sank further into
the couch. The wait was eating me alive. I had seen Collin without his shirt a
few times, but I never had the pleasure of touching his bare chest. The tips of
my fingers pulsated and it took everything in me to not reach out and rip his
shirt off.

Damn, this is taking too long!

I grabbed a handful of his shirt and
helped him pull his arms from the sleeves. “Desperate are we?” He laughed, but
I didn’t care.

“A little.”

To my disappointment, he wore a white
T-shirt underneath. Even in a tight tee, he looked too damn hot. But I wanted
to see his bare skin. Run my hands all over him. My palms landed on his chest
and I inched his shirt upward. Rising to his knees, he said, “Easy now.” His
waggled his brows at me and I about came unglued. My body pulsed with an
uncontrollable need that I was quickly falling victim to.

He curved his fingers around the hem of
the shirt and raised it slowly over his chest, purposely teasing me. I liked it
and wanted more of it. His huge biceps flexed and his stomach stretched as he
peeled his shirt over his head. He rolled his shoulders and puffed out his
chest. Ripples upon ripples covered his upper torso. He was perfection, as if
Donatello had personally sculpted him. I couldn’t even imagine what his lower
body looked like.

The entire event happened in slow motion
and I cursed myself for not filming it with my phone so I could watch it over
and over again. My eyes surveyed the rugged terrain.

He was divine.

No, heavenly.

Godlike.

“Do you like what you see?” A sexy,
seductive smile teased me and I nodded. No words could describe the
breathtaking sight.

He placed my hands on his chest. My
fingers trembled over the hardness but I didn’t let that stop me from exploring
every hill and valley. Immediately, my eyes took notice of the large tattoo
that covered his right shoulder. Intricately woven branches covered the top of
his arm and I followed them with the edge of my finger until it landed on a
large black bird.

“A raven?” I studied the design that
looked like it had been shattered into a thousand tiny birds.

He shrugged. “Yeah, you like it?”

“I do.” It was a work of art and I
wanted to snap a picture of it. Resisting the urge to grab my phone, I
committed every detail of it, along with his body, to memory. I could never
tire of looking at him.

“Do you have any tattoos?”

“All over my body,” I deadpanned. “Big
and small.”

“I don’t believe you.” His eyes surveyed
me from head to toe, causing a tornado to rip through me. I wasn’t sure how
much more I could handle of this storm he brewed inside of me. “Show me.”

My fingers stopped mid exploration and I
froze. “What?”

“You heard me.” With two fingers, he
motioned for me to remove my sweater. “It’s your turn. Take it off.”

“Um, I don’t have any tattoos. I was
just messing with you.” I tried to move from underneath him, but his legs
straddled over mine, leaving little wiggle room.

He ogled me. “I know you don’t, but I
still want you to take off your shirt.”

I suddenly felt a little breathless.
“Oh… okay.” Everything began to spin and I paced my breaths, telling myself it
was okay to get undressed for him. I hated that I was so damn nervous. What if
he didn’t like what he saw? What if he thought my boobs were too small or if my
body didn’t do it for him? I knew if we were going to have sex, I had to get
somewhat naked. Then, I remembered he saw me last night in my bra and panties.
That he said I was beautiful.

He cocked he head to the side. “That is
unless you don’t want to.”

I shook my head. “No, I want to.” I
gripped the edge of my sweater and pulled it over my head. He helped me slide
it down my arms and then tossed it to the floor. He flashed me a quick smile
before a look of disappointment settled onto his face.

“This too.” His palm swept over my
stomach, pinching the tight tank top and then releasing it. His hands splayed
over my waist and he slowly inched up my cami, making my stomach clench with
anticipation.

I winked at him. “Who’s the impatient
one now?”

“A guy can only wait so long.” His stare
turned hungry and I prayed my body would satisfy his cravings.

“And I’ve made you wait too long?” I
teased, gathering the material around my breasts. I squeezed my arms together,
giving him a full view of my cleavage.

If only my boobs looked that good
without a push up bra.

“Too long.” His eyes sparked with
delight and he wet his lips, which told me he was at least somewhat happy with
what I had to offer. “But Lexi, you’ve been worth every minute of it.”

My checks flushed with heat and I lifted
slightly, removing my tank and letting it fall to the floor. I rested against
the couch, keeping one arm tucked behind my head.

“Beautiful.” Raven’s eyes traveled from
my eyes to my chest and then to my stomach, widening along the way. “Your body
is so beautiful.” His eyes returned to mine.

I shook my head. “It’s nothing like
yours.” I slapped my stomach, showing him my little jiggle. “I’m all flabby and
you’re like rock hard.”

He traced swirls along my mid-section
with the tip of his index finger and my stomach quivered. “That’s how women are
supposed to be. Soft and silky.” His hand glided up my stomach and over my left
breast, where he gave a slight squeeze. “And believe me, I like it.”

He lowered his head and pressed a kiss
to the hollow of my neck before continuing to pepper soft pecks all over my
chest. I drove my fingers through his short hair, pulling him closer to me as
he worked his way toward my breasts. His hand slipped behind me and in one
quick pinch, he unfastened my bra. Placing both of his hands on my shoulders,
he eased the straps down and slipped it off. Internally, I cringed, only
relaxing when he said, “You’ve been hiding those from me this whole time?”

I titled my head to the side, not
knowing how to respond. Dare I tell him my mom had brainwashed me to never let
guys see them? He’d laugh at me. “Sorry.” I wrapped my arms around my stomach,
covering my breasts slightly. A guy had never seen me without a bra. This was
so nerve wracking and scary.

His fingers laced around my arms and he
lowered them, exposing me fully. “Don’t ever be afraid to show me what God has
given you.” He placed my hands around his neck and lowered against me. Flesh to
flesh, his skin seared mine, and my eyes fluttered to a close. We kissed until
our lips were raw and our mouths were dry. I couldn’t get enough of him.

His taste.

His touch.

His body.

It was what I had been missing all these
years. Raven filled every void, every hole, and every missing piece. I just
hoped I did the same for him.

When his hand dropped to the button on
my jeans, I froze. Was I really ready to do this?

Hell yeah!

He stalled and then looked at me. “Don’t
be nervous, baby.” His lips brushed against mine and I inhaled his tantalizing
scent. “If I do anything that doesn’t feel good or hurts you, just tell me and
I’ll stop.”

I nodded, unable to swallow the huge
lump in my throat.

I can’t believe this is finally
happening!

“Okay. But I have no idea what to do.” I
wanted to strip his jeans from his body and explore him further, but I reminded
myself to keep calm and not get ahead of myself. I didn’t want Raven to think I
was another one of his sex-crazed hoes, even though I silently wanted to be.

“Don’t worry. I’ll show you what to do.”
His tongue slid into my mouth and I received it willingly. Our tongues fused
together in a free spirit that no force could break apart. He was shaping and
fastening me quickly, and even though I knew I needed to follow his steps, I
couldn’t stop myself from coming on to him. Errantly, my body refused to obey
my mind and I knew he had me in his trap for good. One thing was certain; I
wasn’t playing in the peewee leagues anymore. I had made it to the pros.

“Are you ready for me show you what it
feels like to feel like you’re on top of the world?”

“I already am.” I pawed at his chest,
feeling the tiger in me come alive.

Raven chuckled low in his throat. “Baby,
this is nothing.”

Holy shit!

Was Raven referring to what he had told
me last night? Even though I had been drunk, I knew what I wanted. I wanted to
wrap myself completely around his body. I was ready for him to take me. And
this time, I wasn’t drunk.

I bit down on my lip, leaned forward,
and whispered in his ear. “If you’re asking me what I think you are, then the
answer is yes. I’m ready to go all the way.”

“Are you sure?” He stilled, his body
hovering inches above mine. “Because I can wait.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think I can
wait any longer.”

“Good, because neither can I.”

∑

I felt so beautiful next to Raven.
Chills poured over me as he traced his finger on my bare back, altering my body
to a new and undiscovered sense I had never experienced before. Having sex with
Raven was beyond incredible. Magical in every way possible. I never imagined
that losing my virginity would feel that good. He definitely knew how to
satisfy every need, every desire, in every way possible, and I knew I’d never
be the same again.

I liked it.

I wanted more of it.

But the clock flashed ten minutes after
midnight and I had to get home. In the faint distance, I heard my phone
vibrating and I knew it was my mom.

“Raven?” I raked my nails through his
hair, rubbing his head in short strokes.

“Yeah?” He kept his fingers pressed to
my skin, continuing to skim unknown patterns on me.

“What are you drawing on my back?”

“Plays,” he replied with an impish grin
on his face.

“What kind of plays?”

“Winning ones.” His head lifted
slightly. “And they have you in them.”

Excitement bubbled in me. “I’m glad I
can be a part of them.”

“Me, too.”

Silence filled the air as he continued
imprinting his mark on me. No doubt, I was totally in The Raven’s trap. But I
couldn’t help but wonder what that looked like. Raven and me together. I
cleared my throat a few times, trying not to spoil the mood. “It’s after
midnight and I know my mom is probably freaking out. I really need to go.”

The moonlight filtered in through the
window, casting a glow across his bare body. Raven was so damn sexy. I had to
blink a few times because I really couldn’t believe I was next to him. I didn’t
want to leave. I wanted to stay naked with him in bed forever. His fingers
slowed as his eyes met mine. Sadness filled them and a level of pain struck the
center of my chest. “Do you really have to go?”

Did he want me to stay the night with
him? “Well, I—”

“I can’t believe I’m about to say this.”
He latched onto a lock of my hair and wrapped it around his finger in slow
turns. “I was hoping you might want to stay with me tonight.” He inclined his
head and anticipation filled his eyes. “That is, if you want to.”

Raven wanted me spend the night with
him.

In his bed.

A rush filtered through me and my jaw
trembled as I opened my mouth. Was he serious? I tried to answer him but the
words caught low in my throat.

“Yes. I do.” I about screamed for joy.

Aside from his thrilling question, I
couldn’t help but focus on his first statement. It twisted in my head and I
told myself not to go there, not ruin the moment, but it refused to leave my
curious mind alone. Was I just another play in Raven’s playbook? “As long as
you’re sure you really want me to.”

He continued twirling my hair around his
finger. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t mean it.”

“Do girls typically stay with you?” I
blurted and then buried my head in the pillow, wishing I could take it back.

Idiot!

My hair slipped from his fingers and I
turned to see his reaction. He rose to his forearms and his head hung low,
nearly touching the bed. “Look, Lexi, I’m not really proud of my past, but I’m
trying hard not to be that person anymore.”

For a brief moment, I wanted to slap
myself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shame you.” I placed my hand on his back
and tried to pull him close to me. He didn’t move at first, keeping his body
firmly in place. But when I wrapped my leg around him, he shifted his body
until he faced me.

“It’s okay.” Sincerity laced his voice
and I knew he meant what he said, but it didn’t change the fact that I hated
myself for making him feel bad about his past.

“I’m just a little scared.” I trailed a
finger between his pecks, following the thin line of hair that disappeared
beneath the sheets. I stopped near his navel before I lost my train of thought.
“I’m afraid that one day you’re going to tell me that you don’t want to be with
me anymore.”

“Lexi, the last thing I want to do is
hurt you.” He laid his hand on top of mine, pressing it firmly against his
heart. “There’s something in here that’s drawing me directly to you and I’m not
going to ruin whatever it is.” The thumping of his heart pulsated against my
palm and drew closer to him.

Tears lingered on the rims of my eyes
but I managed to keep them at bay. “That’s all I’m asking for, and I want us to
trust each other.”

He lifted my hand and pressed his lips
to my palm. “I’ll prove to you that I’m worthy of your trust.” His eyes closed
for a brief moment and then rested on mine. “Look, I’m in unchartered
territory, just like you. But there’s no one else I’d rather be with.”

Was Raven admitting to me that he was
scared? Admitting that he didn’t need all those hoes? That he only needed me?
This guy was more than I could handle. His trap was totally making me fall for
him deeper than I had ever thought I would. Apparently, he was just as nervous as
I was.

“Then we’ll take it one step at time.” I
placed my hand on his cheek and pressed my lips to his in a gentle kiss.
“There’s no rush.”

His lips spread into a grin and my heart
soared. Was I actually what Raven wanted and more? I tried not to get overly
excited, but it was hard keeping my emotions under control.

“That might be a little difficult.”

The air left my lungs.
So much for
wishful thinking.

“I’m a big guy and I’m known to take big
steps.” He traced my lips with the tip of his finger. “Do you think you can
keep up with me?”

“As long as you allow me to, I’ll try my
best.” I slipped my tongue across his finger and it awoke every taste bud in my
mouth. A low moan escaped him and I knew he was hooked on me, too. There was no
turning back now. I had to keep up with him. Even if I died trying.

“Good.” He rolled on top of me,
encapsulating me with his strong arms. “Because I’m not done with making you
feel beautiful.” My body fell limp and there was no point in resisting him. But
I didn’t want to. In deliberate, slow movements, he kissed my forehead, the tip
of my nose, and then my lips. He suckled my lower lip and my back arched,
pressing me into him further. His lips molded to mine and I took all of him in,
one piece at a time. My body was on fire for him. Heat, want, need, and desire
had me ready to combust. There was only one thing that would put out the fire.

Raven.

 I wanted him to pour himself all over
me. Soak up every piece of him until he was part of me. Forever.

***

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Raven
set my phone next to me on the bed. Muscles flexed with each movement and he
looked so damn hot in his boxer briefs. His thighs were molded to perfection
and I had to pinch myself just to make sure I hadn’t dreamed the whole thing.
Raven was one sexy babe and we had just spent half the night making love to
each other.

“Good morning, baby.” He pressed a kiss
to my cheek. “Did you sleep well?”

I nodded. Raven had rendered me
speechless by the work of his hands, the tenderness of his touch, and sweet
words of his affection. My body hummed with a level of happiness and
satisfaction that went beyond words. Chords of joy played over and over in my
head and my body was singing an entirely new tune. Last night had changed it
all. Nothing would ever be the same again. Raven was a part of me now; a piece
I knew I couldn’t live without.

“Are you hungry?” He sat on the bed and
placed an arm over me. His body hovered close to mine, causing a rush of
emotions to filter through me. I had to remind myself to take it slow. Being
with him made my hormones soar. I was ready for him to take me again, and
again, and again.

“Yes.” I swallowed hard, trying to
moisten my parched throat. “What time is it?” I held the sheet to my chest as I
tried to turn to see the time.

“It’s almost noon,” Raven replied, not
allowing me much room to move. But I didn’t mind. “And your phone’s been going
crazy.”

“Oh, wow. I didn’t realize it was so
late.”

“I don’t have much in the fridge, but
let me see what I can put together.” He gave me a quick peck on the lips and
then crawled out of bed.

“Thanks.” I sighed, glancing at the
reminder that my time with Raven would soon be ending. At least temporarily. I
always looked forward to Christmas break, but I wished we could skip it and
dive right into spring semester just so I could be with Raven. Going home would
make it difficult to see each other and I honestly didn’t know how long I could
go without being with him. I was a lost cause.

Raven opened his dresser drawer and
pulled out a pair of Star Wars fleece pants. I lifted up on my forearms to
catch a full view of his perfect bubble butt that tensed as he bent to slip
them on. I could watch him get dressed and undressed all day. The scene was
deific.

He turned and faced me, quickly tying the
strings into a perfect bow. The pants sat low on his waist, just below the
indentions of his pelvic bone. Knowing what laid under those Death Stars made
me want to take the ends of the drawstring in my mouth and pull them off. I was
quickly transforming in to a sex-crazed girl and the more I tried not to think
about him, the more I did. “I’ll call you when it’s ready.” He left the room
and my head hit the pillow.

I had to be dreaming. Being with Raven
was unfreakin’ believable.

My phone buzzed and I glanced to see a
text from Delaney.

Delaney: WTF? Luke said you stayed with
Raven. Way to go!

Me: I know! I can’t believe it.

Delaney: Do tell.

Me: Nope. Respectful girls don’t kiss
and tell.

Delaney: Oh, whatever. You threw out
that level of conservativeness when you decided to hook up with Raven.

Me: Yeah, I guess you’re right.

Delaney: So, did you finally turn in
your V card? Tell me. I’m dying to know!

Me: Lol! Yes and it was beyond
incredible.

Delaney: Oh hell. Sounds like you’re
totally sucked in.

Me: Yep. I’m definitely wrapped in The
Raven’s trap.

Delaney: Have fun! Do everything I would
do and more!

Me: Don’t worry, I am
J

My hand rested against the bed, still
holding on to my phone. I giggled internally, reminiscing on what had happened
last night. The way Raven touched me. The way he made feel, but most of all,
how he showed me what to do and didn’t make me feel embarrassed. It was surreal
and I wasn’t ashamed about giving my virginity to him.

My phone rang, snapping me out of my
rumination. I cringed when I saw my mom’s picture appear. I considered not
answering the phone but knew I’d pay for it later. Hesitantly, my finger hit
the answer button.

“Hello?”

“Lexi? Where the heck are you?” I held
the phone away from my ear as her voice bellowed loud and clear through the
speaker.

“Hey, Mom. I’ll be home shortly. I just
need to shower and get dressed.” I cringed with each word I spoke.

“Where are you?” She pounded question
after question, not stopping for a breath of air. “You need to get home
immediately. A bad storm is expected to hit in a few hours and I don’t want you
caught in it.”

“Okay. Okay.” I sat up and looked around
the room for my clothes. I was completely nude and knew if I went to the
kitchen in my birthday suite, Raven and I would be back in bed celebrating
early. Not that I minded, but I had to be realistic and get home before my
parents sent out a search team.

“Who are you staying with?”

“With a friend, near the campus.”

“That’s not answering my question. Who
are you with?” Fury laced my mom’s voice and I knew she wasn’t happy. She
wanted specifics and I wasn’t telling her what she wanted to know.

“Look, Mom, I’m fine. I’ll be home in a
few hours.” Picking up the covers, I searched underneath them. There was no
sign of my underclothes.

Crap!

“Lexi, why won’t you tell me who you are
staying with?” Her voice deepened as the tension built between us. Her
accusatory tone seeped through the phone, making me nervous. I jumped out of
the bed as if she were on the way to pick me up. I had to find my clothes and
get dressed.

“Does it matter?” I hobbled around the
room, trying to cover my exposed body parts. “I’ll be home in a few hours.”

“Lexi, are you with a guy?”

Shit!

“I’ll be home a little bit. Bye, Mom.” I
hung up the phone, refusing to answer her question. There was no way to tell
her the truth. My only option was to lie and I didn’t want to. She’d never
understand and she’d tell my dad. Both of them would wear me down, telling me
how I was making a huge mistake.