University Park Series Box Set: Books 1-3 (53 page)

“Babe, you’re not a reject.”

My heart sank, pulling me deeper into
the sand. I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady my breathing. All of
this had to do with him being the product of a gang rape. No one deserved to go
through that torment. Not him. Not his mom. Why did life have to be so hard? “I
would never reject you. I love you, Raven. Can’t you see that? Your mom loves
you, and so does your family.”

“I know you do and that’s what Dr. Galen
has been helping me to see. Don’t get me wrong, my mom’s been great and so has
my family. It’s just…when you know you were created by someone taking advantage
of your mother and the pregnancy wasn’t wanted, it’s a tough pill to swallow.
Not to mention, her initially not wanting to raise me.”

“I’m sorry. I wish there was something I
could do to change all of that.” There was no way I’d ever fully be able to
understand what he experienced daily. Thank God Dr. Galen was helping him
process through his tough issues, because I had no idea how to help him stop
believing that lie.

“Yeah, me too,” he whispered, his voice
heavy.

“Have I ever done anything to make you
feel rejected?”

“You didn’t want to tutor me.” His eyes
glazed over and I swallowed hard.

Jab me one, why don’t you?

“Okay.” If I was demanding him to be
honest with me, then I had to do the same. “I’m not going to lie to you. I was
basing everything on rumors, but once I got to know you, I wanted to help you.
The only thing I was afraid of was falling for you. And once I realized that I
couldn’t stop the inevitable from happening, nothing about your past mattered
to me.” I pressed a hand to his face. “None of your mistakes matter to me. All
that matters is that I have your love. All I want is to trust you and know that
you’re never going to hide things from me.”

He shook his head and I retrieved my
hand. “Lexi, I’ve done things I’m not proud of.”

“I know and you don’t have to tell me if
you don’t want to, but when they affect our relationship and our future, I
think I have a right to know. Otherwise, how can I help you and how can we stay
strong?”

He twisted his mouth to the side and his
eyes wandered off. “I guess you’re right.”

“Just… please don’t shut me out. That’s
all I ask.” I placed my hand on his and he laced his fingers through mine.

“Shutting you out is the last thing I
want. And I’m working on it. Just give me a little time.”

“Okay. But how can I be sure you’re not
going to run away from me or back to the life that wants to destroy you?”

“Because I’m releasing the demons that
have been tormenting me all these years. Dr. Galen has shown me things.” His
expression turned lighter and his eyes brightened. “He’s helped me identify why
I...why I used women,” he shook his head, the disappointed returning, “why I
turned to drinking and drugs when I felt abandoned and rejected. It was all
because I was seeking attention — a need to feel wanted.” He let out a slow,
audible breath. “But I’m a different man now. I’ve changed for the better.” He
smiled as he revealed his inner most secrets to me. It was as though the burden
had been lifted from his chest and he could finally breathe. The air felt
lighter, fresher.

 I glanced up at the midnight sky,
thanking God.

“Raven, it’s wonderful that he’s helped
you understand what has caused you to do the things you’re not proud of and how
to finally get rid of these demons.” I smiled and wrapped my arms around him.
There was no question about it; I had seen a change in Raven. The way he acted,
carried himself, and his outlook on life. He had changed.

He pressed a tender kiss to my lips.
“You still want to be with me?”

Tears flowed down my cheeks. “Always.”

“Good, because we’re not done with that
list of yours.”

“List?” I wiped the tears away once
more.

“Yeah, that list we’ve been working on
since we fell for each other.”

I rested my arms around his neck. “Oh,
that list.”

“Yeah. That list.” Sexiness laced his
voice and my body tensed.

“What did you want to mark off?” I bit
my lip, hoping he knew what was on my mind.

“I figured we could mark something off
my list, too.”

“You have a list?” Was there something
Raven hadn’t done? This was news to me.

He cocked a brow. “I may have done a lot
of things, but that doesn’t mean I’ve done everything.”

I rolled my tongue across my bottom lip,
eager to feel his lips all over me. “What’s the first thing you want to mark
off?”

“Sex on the beach.”

Ha!
“Seriously?” I
looked around for Josh and Shelby. Some of the lights were still on in the
house and I wondered if they were still in the hot tub. Maybe they were having
sex, too. “We won’t get caught?”

“If anyone walks by, just lay still,
like we’re asleep.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever had motionless
sex before.” I giggled.

“Then I guess I haven’t made passionate
love to you.” His eyes darkened and a hunger circled the center — a hunger for
me.

“Then I guess you need to show me.”

“I will.” He slipped his fingers through
my hair and drew my face to his. His lips lingered on mine and my eyes
fluttered closed. I was ready to sink into The Raven’s trap; allow him to carry
me off to the sea and never return.

Slowly, he laid me against the blanket
and covered us with the throw Josh and Shelby had left behind. I melted into
the warmth of his caress. Hot and cold shivers struck me and I knew I was sick
with his love, but it was a sickness I wanted for the rest of my life.

“Damn, Lexi, I could never stop loving
you.” His hands roamed freely over my body and I closed my eyes, relishing in
every stroke of his touch. I was forever caught in The Raven’s trap, soaking up
every bit of him.

His lips on me.

Feeling me.

Connecting with me.

Touching me softly.

And I let him go on and on, touching me
like I needed to be touched. And I gladly returned the favor, skimming my hands
over his body in slow, deliberate strokes. I took in every part of him, showing
him all the love I had for him. I was sure the passion we were creating was
lighting up the beach for miles and miles, but I didn’t care.

His love was good.

His love was genuine.

And I was glad that his love came back
to me. And the best part — it wanted only me.

Σ

“Get up! There’s a beach that’s calling
us!”

My eyes darted open just in time to see Shawn
dive onto our bed. He’d burst into the room Raven and I were staying in without
even a warning.

“What the hell, dude?” Raven pulled the
covers over me. “Can you knock next time?”

I hoped I hadn’t flashed him. After last
night on the beach, it seemed Raven and I couldn’t get enough of each other. We
hung out with Shelby and Josh for a while in the hot tub and then finished our
night with endless lovemaking. I was a little spent, to say the least.

And totally nude.

I blinked a few times, looking for my
phone. “What time is it?”

Shawn propped himself on his elbows, not
getting up from our bed. “Almost noon.”

“When did you get here?” Raven sat up in
the bed, keeping the covers over his hip area. I caught a glimpse of his butt
and my cheeks heated. He was totally nude, too. And Shawn was in here like it
was no big deal.

Awkward.

“I left Houston around five this
morning.” He ran a hand over his face, like he was tired. “We were ready to get
the hell out of my aunt’s house.”

“Why were you at your aunt’s house?” I
asked, keeping the covers pulled to my neck.

“I had to drop my mom off. That was the
deal. If they were going to fund my way down here, then I had to take my mom to
her sister’s house in Houston.”

“Dude, you should’ve come with us.”

“Nah, it’s alright. Kyle came with me,
so it wasn’t that bad. It’s just that my aunt is nuts. She was preaching the
whole time about us going to hell for coming out here. Kyle and I were ready to
leave last night.” He sighed and took a few deep breaths.

“Where is he?” Raven reached toward the
floor, picked up his boxers, and then slid them on, not giving one thought over
exposing his butt to Shawn and me.

Embarrassing.
I
inched further into the covers. I guess they were used to seeing each other
naked in the locker rooms, but I was right there. Shawn had to have known what
we were doing last night.

“He’s in the kitchen, eating with Josh
and Shelby.” Shawn nodded with his head. “I thought we could hit the beach
today. Cook out. Drink a little beer.”

“Beer?” I eyed Shawn. Although I didn’t
want to be a party pooper, Raven was skating on thin ice. They’d most
definitely do a drug or alcohol test at his next appointment.

“Just a few, Lexi.” Shawn got up from
the bed. “Don’t worry, your boy knows his limits.” He patted Raven on the back.

“That’s right.” Raven puffed his chest
in the mirror, flexing his muscles. Shawn joined in, showing off his biceps. I
had to admit, the scene was divine. Raven’s fine carved torso made me want to
trace every indention with my tongue and squeeze every muscle with my fingers.
I could never get enough of his body, especially when it was on mine.

I cleared my throat and looked away. He
was doing a good job of distracting me. Even though I didn’t mind Raven
drinking, I was concerned over what could result from it. What if they found
out? I knew he wasn’t an alcoholic or a druggy, but his actions had the school
on high alert. It was his own fault, but he was under their scrutiny if he
wanted to play football and stay at the university.

 “I brought a canopy and thought we
could set it up.” Shawn relaxed his arm. “Kind of like we do when we tailgate.”

“Yeah, that’s cool.” Raven stopped
showing off his muscles. “We’ll beach bum it and just chill.”

“That’s what I’m talking about.” Shawn
stepped up to Raven. They both made a deep whooping sound and then slammed
their chests against each other, like they did when they were on the field, proving
their manhood and testing their strength.

Men.

“Alright, see you on the beach.” Shawn
darted out the room, shutting the door behind him.

“Raven?”

“I know what you’re going to say.” He
held up his hands in surrender.

“You promised.” I eyed him, trying to
keep calm. The condition I set was that he wouldn’t get drunk and definitely
wouldn’t do any drugs. He promised me, claiming that he just wanted to get away
and show me a good time.

“I’ll be good.” He jumped on the bed,
pinning me between his arms. He whimpered and his eyes drooped, like a puppy
dog. He knew how to hit the soft part of my heart. I decided to go easy on him.
After all, we were there to celebrate my birthday and my senior year.

“Don’t get me wrong. I want you to have
a good time.” I stroked his messy hair with one hand. Even with bed head, Raven
was damn hot. “To have a week here to remember.”

“And that’s all I want, too.” He tucked
my messy hair behind my ear. “Lexi, the last thing I want is to get kicked off
the team.”

“I know. I just think you need to be
extra cautious.” He traced the dove on my neck, the one he gave me for
Christmas. Goosebumps covered my skin and I shivered from the warmth of his touch.

“I thought we didn’t have to be cautious
anymore.” He pressed soft kisses just above my breasts and a whimper escaped my
throat.

 “If you’re talking about sex, then no.”
I dropped the covers, wanting to feel more of him. His eyes widened and a
snarly expression crossed his lips. “But if we’re talking about you being on
your best behavior, that’s another story.”

“When it comes to you, Lexi, I’m not
sure I can be on my best behavior.” He rose up, supporting himself with his
arms, and rubbed his body against mine. His muscles flexed against me and I
hooked my legs around him, pressing him into me. “Then again, I don’t think I
want to.” His intent for me was obvious and so was mine.

I wrapped my arms around him and pulled
him close to me. “Good, because I don’t want you to.”

“Damn, this IUD rocks,” Raven said with
a huge grin.

“Ha-ha. I know something else you can rock.”

“You want me to rock your world, baby?”

I nodded, unable to speak.

His eyes turned darker and he lowered
his head, pressing his lips to mine. He kissed me deeply, our tongues swirling
together. I was ready to make sweet music with him again. With a driven
purpose, his mouth left mine as he traced a path down my neck. My back arched
as his lips and tongue traced over my breasts. Raven knew how to tease every
part of me in a way that made my body scream for his. But he didn’t stop there.
Raven’s mouth was on a mission. My stomach tensed as his lips seared my skin to
a nice one-hundred and ten degrees. My fingers dove into his hair and I
squirmed, anxious to experience his love for me. Every muscle fell limp as I
relaxed into him. And boy, did he rock my world! Not just once, but a few
times.

***

Once we made it out of the bedroom,
everyone was already on the beach, relaxing under the purple and white canopy
that donned ‘PHU’ in big letters. The sun was shining bright and there was a
slight breeze coming off the Gulf Coast. The temperature was much warmer than
last night and the water sparkled invitingly. Salt lingered in the air and I
inhaled it. The beach was definitely one of God’s awesome creations.

“Damn, it’s about time.” Josh threw a
football to Raven.

Raven caught it, one-handed. “Oh,
whatever. Like you two didn’t screw all night in the hot tub.”

Shelby blushed. “Josh, why did you tell
them?”

Josh shot her a look. “I didn’t. But you
just did.”

Shelby’s jaw dropped and a look of
terror washed over her normally cheerful face.

“Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with
me.” I winked as I set my beach bag next to hers.

“Celebrating the honeymoon early?” Shawn
nudged Raven as his brows arched in a telltale sign.

Raven tipped his chin and shook his
head. Then he looked up and said, “I don’t kiss and tell. Not anymore.” He
tossed the ball to Shawn.

“I got ya.” Shawn snickered. Raven gave
him a friendly push and Shawn struggled to keep his footing in the sand. “You
done whipped my boy,” Shawn said, looking directly at me as he laughed.

“Sorry.” I smiled and gave a slight
shrug. “What can I say?”

“It’s all good,” Shawn assured us as he
cradled the ball to his bare chest. The ball seemed so small next to his huge
pecs. I tried not to notice, but Shawn had a great body, almost as hot as
Raven’s. Tattoos covered both his arms and a tribal mark covered the area
between his shoulder blades. “Kyle, let’s play for a while.” Shawn motioned for
him to get up.

“Alright.” Kyle put his beer down and
jogged to an open spot on the beach.

Since we were further down the island,
and on private property, it wasn’t as crowded. I stepped from under the canopy
and hooded my eyes from the sun, peering down the shoreline. For miles on end,
beach umbrellas and canopies in a rainbow of colors covered the brown sand
along with thousands of people. The island was packed with spring breakers.

“What do you think?” Raven wrapped his
arms around me as I stared at the waves rolling in along the shore. Small
seashells tumbled in the water and then disappeared as the tide retracted.

“I think I’m ready to get in.” Giddiness
bubbled up inside of me. I couldn’t wait to dive in with Raven. There was
something about getting in the ocean for the first time with him. Maybe he just
made it that much more special.

Two girls wearing bikinis walked toward
us, and I immediately caught Raven staring at them. Kyle threw the ball to Shawn
without even looking as they drew his full attention. “Hey.” He shot them a big
grin, showing his pearly whites.

“Hi.” A girl with long, blonde hair and a
spray-on tan waved at him as she slowed her pace. The girl next to her wasn’t
hard to miss. With wavy dark hair and boobs the size of cantaloupes, she had me
gawking, too. Her bikini top barely covered them and they were too perfect and
perky to be real. Raven shot Shawn a wide-eyed look.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Shawn
tossed the ball behind him as he made a direct path to the girls, strutting
along the wet sand. The girl with the big boobs twirled her long waves around
her fingers as a flirtatious grin played on the edge of her red lips. “What are
you ladies up to?”

“We were just checking out the beach,”
the blonde said, keeping her eyes firmly on Kyle.

“Glad y’all made your way down here. I’m
Kyle.” He placed his hands on his waist and puffed out his chest.

“I’m Megan and this is my friend
Christine.” She gave a slight nod with her head, still keeping her eyes firmly
on Kyle.

“Hi, Christine. I’m Shawn Jackson.” He
held out his hand.

“Nice to meet you guys,” Christine said
with a hi-pitched voice that kind of sounded like Minnie Mouse as she shook his
hand. I wasn’t sure if she was doing it on purpose or if that was just the way
she talked. Maybe her boobs were squeezing all of the air out of her lungs. Who
knew? “You guys like to play football?” She eyed the ball lying in the sand.

Kyle and Shawn looked at one another and
laughed. “Do we like to play football?”

“Why? You girls want to play with us?” Shawn
walked backwards and retrieved the ball. He tossed it in the air a few times,
squeezing his arms and chest so they got a full view of his muscles.

Megan and Christine looked at each other
and nodded. “Sure. We’ll play with you.”

Shawn and Kyle winked at each other and
made a few hand gestures in their own secret language. I wondered if the girls
realized they were about to play with college football players. It didn’t
matter to me either way. I had my football player and he loved to play with me.

“Come on, let’s get in.” I took off my
swimsuit cover and threw it on the dry sand. I did a sexy pose, hoping he liked
the black bikini Shelby helped me pick. Raven had begged for me to try it on,
but I told him he couldn’t see it until we got on the beach. Raven’s eyes
traveled up and down my body, a smile of delight spreading across his lips.
“You like it?”

“Like it? I love it.” He gathered me in
his arms. “Damn, Lexi, you’re one hot woman.” A smoldering look funneled from
his eyes and his lips zeroed in on mine. We kissed for a while, almost
forgetting where we were. His hands traveled down my back and I pulled away
when he squeezed my butt.

“Raven.” I slapped his arm. “We’re in
public.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Shelby shoot me a thumbs up. I
nodded, telling her she had done well.

“Sorry. It’s just that…” He pulled away
and eyed me one more time. “You’re tight, baby.” He shook his head, as if he
couldn’t get enough of me.

I laughed, throwing my head back. Raven
was a charmer. He knew how to make me feel like the most beautiful woman on
earth. “Okay, now it’s your turn.” I motioned for him to take his shorts off.

“No. I told you I’m not wearing that
damn thing out here.”

“Why not?” I pouted. “I think it’s sexy.
That’s why I bought it for you.”