“Honestly, no. I don’t believe you.”
CHAPTER 7
Vee
Nearly fourteen years ago
My soprano laugh combined with Fin’s baritone scoff as our sounds filled my bedroom.
“You think it’s funny?” he asked, his muscled body pinning me down to the mattress.
Looking up at his handsome face, I grinned. “I think you had female professors at Kentucky State, and you sweet-talked your way into higher grades. Professor Williamson is eighty years old and a man skeptical of athletes. No flattery will influencehis grades.”
Fin peppered my neck with kisses. I writhed beneath him as it both tickled and sent goosebumps over my skin.
“Stop,” I squealed.
He stopped, his nose meeting mine. “I’ll have you know I aced intermediate economics and statistics at Kentucky State with both male and female professors. Managerial economics with Williamson is as boring as listening to Sean talk about girls. ADwon’t get me kicked off the team, but it doesn’t look great for a transfer portal.”
My smile dimmed.
The air had just been sucked out of the room.
“What’s the matter, Vee?”
Shaking my head, I pushed and rolled out from under his bulk. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I straightened my sweatshirt. “I thought you didn’t want to transfer?”
Fin was now next to me, his legs manspread, with one blue-jean-clad thigh next to mine. “I don’t.”
I turned, meeting his gaze. “Fin, don’t lie to me. I know the Wildcats aren’t having the best season, but it’s been better than last year. With you on the team, it will be even better next year.”
“I only have two more years of eligibility in college ball to make a name for myself. My dad…” He pressed his lips together. “Nothing’s set. Forget I mentioned it.” He gently elbowed my side. “I’d take some extra tutoring in managerial economics, and I happen to know this fantastic girl who’s acing the class.”
It was difficult not to melt when he smiled, and his eyes seemed to see only me. “So the truth comes out. You’re only dating me for my help with classes.”
Fin’s large palm cupped my cheek, pulling my face toward his. “Your brilliant mind is only one of the reasons.”
As our lips touched, my circulation accelerated, twisting my need deep in my core. The conversation was gone; a warm buzzing filled my ears as our tongues teased and taunted. Fin tasted of coffee with a hint of mint. My senses were on overdrive, from the taste of toothpaste to the spicy scent of his bodywash. With the first man to ignite my passion, I was running blind into a level of relationship I’d never known.
Each minute we spent together since the horrible party four months ago intensified my desire. I wanted things I had never really considered with anyone else.
Breaking free, I scooted onto Fin’s lap, straddling his legs, and pressing my breasts against his hard chest. His fingers splayed beneath my sweatshirt on my lower back. I rubbed my sensitive core over the hardness forming beneath his blue jeans.
He tugged my sweatshirt over my head, causing our lips to separate. His smile curled as he stared down at my breasts, pushing the limits of my bra. A skillful twist of his fingers and the clasp was released, thestraps falling from my shoulders, and a chill scattered over my flesh at being exposed. Fin tossed the bra to the growing pile of clothes on the floor and lowered his lips, finding and teasing my hardened nipples. Licks, nips, and sucks caused my breasts to ache with the heaviness that only he’d provoked.
Lifting me, Fin stood.
My ankles locked behind his waist as he took a few steps. The cold wall against my shoulder blades alerted me to our location. I opened my eyes, meeting his stare. My body and mind were at war, a fierce battle raged between what I thought I wanted with Fin and how far I was ready to go. Words seemed to be jumbled as I struggled with what to say. “I-I…”
“You’re beautiful, Vee.” His thumb caressed my cheek, and the pad ran over my lower lip. “Your lips are swollen” —his smile grew— “because of me.”
He dropped my legs, my tiptoes reaching the floor. Remembering what he’d said earlier, I pushed against his chest. My gaze met his. “Are you planning to leave Kentucky, to transfer somewhere else?”
Fin’s smile dimmed as he took a step back. “I don’t know.”
I shook my head. “How the hell don’t you know?”
He reached for my hand. “I don’t want to leave you.”
