This Is Love (Evermore University #2)

20. Rya

20

RYA

Jaxon inhales deeply before wrenching his eyes away from his stepbrother. He throws an arm around my shoulders. “Come on. Whaddaya say we grab burgers or something?”

The last thing I want to do knowing he’s having money issues is have him buy me food. Hesitating, I chew on my lip before offering, “We could get something to eat on campus, if you prefer.”

Jaxon’s eyes flash. “No,” he bites out, “it’s fine. Besides, I’m in the mood for something better than what the dining hall has to offer.”

I peer into his determined eyes, the argument I’d been about to make dying on my tongue. Finally, I simply respond with, “Okay, then. You’re on. You driving?”

He nods, taking my hand, giving me a quick, shit-eating grin. “Of course I am. Come on. Walk with me to the locker room. It’ll only take a minute to change.”

Jaxon’s moods are occasionally as dangerous as a minefield. I hadn’t meant to offend him—and I’m not even sure I did—but I’d rather have offered an alternative than not. After all, he had shared their struggles with me and ignoring that would be worse. Especially if I want him to understand he can talk to me about it. Because if he does, I’ll be here to listen. My suspicion is their troubles started with his parents’ divorce and things have been spinning out of control ever since. It makes me sad for him that he has to shoulder that burden… or at the very least feels he has to.

I’ve been caught up in my head, so when Jaxon reappears at my side, mumbling, “You should have gone with him,” it catches me by surprise. He clears his throat, glancing at me before continuing, “My dad’s a tricky fuck to deal with at the best of times.”

Logan will handle his stepfather just fine. I press my lips together, turning to observe Jaxon’s profile. His walls have gone up, like he’s preparing for a hellacious storm. Maybe he senses shit won’t go well at this dinner. But there’s no doubt in my mind who needs me most right now, and it’s not Eric Ledger’s golden boy, aka his stepson.

“Yeah, I hear that. But I’d rather be with you right now. Fuck that awkward conversation… and Logan has plenty working in his favor. He’ll be okay.”

“Like what?” Jaxon grits out, letting go of my hand in favor of gathering me close to his side as we stride across the main part of campus.

“For one, his mom will be there as a buffer. Two, they’re going out to eat—so they’ll be in a public place. And I’m guessing your father won’t want to get into any heated discussions that could embarrass him.” I pause, unsure if I want to continue because it’ll only mean prodding Jaxon with the hot iron of truth.

“You’re not wrong,” he concedes. “Why do I feel like there is a ‘three’?” He exhales heavily.

Frowning, I whisper, “Three, Eric likes Logan.” I tip my chin up to meet his eyes even though the wind is biting and hitting me full in the face. “Your dad is a fucking idiot for not seeing his own son for the amazing person he is.”

Jaxon dampens his lips, emotion that I doubt he shows most people flickering in his eyes. “All I can figure is I’m disappointingly average.” He lets a gust of air blow past his lips, and before I can say anything to that, he holds up a hand to stop me. “Decent student. Good in athletics, but never the best. I’m no overachiever. I’ve been shrugging off his disdain all my life. I haven’t ever understood why I’m not enough.”

Those pain-filled words cause a fissure to open up in my heart. I want to cry for the child who grew up like that just as much as I ache for the man still feeling the repercussions today. “Jaxon,” I breathe out, noting the rigidity of his expression.

He shakes his head, and it’s clear to me he’s fighting for composure. For the remainder of the journey to his car, I let him stew in peace.

When we get to the old sedan, he pulls me to a stop, turning me to face him. He spends a quiet minute cataloging every feature of my face. At least, that’s what it feels like. And strangely, it doesn’t make me uncomfortable. Then again, I’ve always felt this strange pull to Jaxon. There’s something deep within him that resonates with something in me. I can’t pinpoint it. But it’s been there since the first night we met—whether either of us wants to admit to it or not.

“You’re freezing. Let’s get in the car.” He’s not wrong. I’m actively shivering, and my shoulders are hunched against the wind, my face stinging from the biting cold. Jaxon shoves his hand into his pocket and comes up with his keys, clicking a button to disengage the locks.

“Can we sit in the back for a minute? I have something to say before we go.”

Jaxon nods, getting in to fire up the car. Once the engine has roared to life, and he’s adjusted the heat, he gets out, peering at me over the roof. “Let’s get in, then.” We get in from opposite sides, but I move all the way to the center, needing to be close to him. The heater blasts from the front, but honestly, it doesn’t matter. I’m too caught up in the thoughts whirling around in my head to care at the moment. My heart does a little sideways hop as I stare into dark eyes, my throat thick with all the things I want to say to him. He doesn’t deserve to be treated like a second-class citizen in his own home—in his family. I reach up, skimming my fingertips over his dark brow before trailing them down the side of his face, along the curve of his cheekbone. He remains utterly still, watching the shifting expressions on my face.

“Surely, whatever’s in your head can’t be that serious,” he murmurs.

I finally manage to swallow, and once I do, I let my thoughts spill out. “You’re not average to me, Jaxon. You always know what to say to calm me down. I’ve come to rely on you. That’s gotta mean something.” I take in his chiseled features. He’s too fucking perfect, too handsome. But I’m not telling him that part. “You’re smart… and sweet.” I wrinkle my nose. “You know, when you’re not being a dick to Logan.” I sink my teeth into my lip. “I half expected a fight earlier but maybe that’s changing.”

He gets a funny look on his face, his brow arching as he takes in what I said. “Well, don’t tell him . I still like to fuck with his head. It’s too much fun getting a rise out of him.”

I lightly slap at his arm. “You’re awful.”

“According to you, I’m awfully sweet .” His lips quirk to the side, shifting in his seat. “Which I can be… for you.”

“Jaxon, I don’t need you to be anything. I just need you .” My breath catches as a storm passes over his face.

For a second, I think I’ve said something wrong, but then he takes my face between his palms and locks his lips with mine. The kiss starts out soft but intensifies with every beat of my heart. I grasp his shoulders, then slide my hands up to his neck, hanging on with everything I have as the emotion pours between us.

He groans, his tongue exploring my mouth in wicked licks, stoking something within me that has me craving more and more of him. Being with Jaxon is what I imagine being on a mind-altering drug is like.

He makes me want things I’ve never considered before.

Makes me burn for him with only a heated stare.

His hand slips under my hoodie, moving unerringly to my breast, and without hesitation, he pulls the cup of the bra out of his way until I’m filling his hand, my nipple responding to both the roughness of his palm and the chill of his hand.

He edges back a fraction so he can whisper against my lips. “I need to know—” But before he finishes, his chest jerks and his mouth is on me again, this time kissing and licking all the way down my neck.

My back bows in response. “Jaxon,” I gasp, desire rushing through me, heavy and thick. His touch sending me to a place I’ve never been before.

As my body riots, my overstimulated brain locks onto what he almost said moments ago. I need to know— I’m almost positive the way his dad praised Logan for making the leap to be with me had bothered him. Not because his father approves of me for Logan, but possibly because he needs some sort of affirmation from me. If Eric Ledger knew not only have I made the leap from friends to more with both guys and they’re involved with each other, too, it’d be like starting World War III. That’s why I hadn’t said a damn word when he congratulated us.

This thing we’re doing is rife with complications. Two people involved with each other is difficult enough. Add a third, and it’s infinitely more complex—especially with all the other obstacles in our way.

The bottom line is this: I’m positive Jaxon needs some sort of reassurance from me. Because he’s so used to not receiving anything.

Swallowing hard, I tear away from Jaxon. The sun has gone down, and it’s mostly dark in the car except for the instrument panel up front. Connecting my gaze with his, I ease back just enough to grasp my hoodie by the hem and tug it over my head, along with the T-shirt underneath. “I need you, Jaxon. More than I need my next breath.”

“Fuuuck, pretty girl.” He runs a hand down my chest, his eyes following. “You’re going to kill me if you keep talking like that.”

“Do you want me to keep going?”

He exhales sharply and shakes his head but doesn’t tell me to stop, doesn’t say this is a bad idea. So, reaching behind me, I unclasp my bra and let it fall from my chest. A moment later, I’m straddling his lap and tugging his clothing over his head, too. His arms steal around my torso, and he crushes my body to his. The effect of skin on skin sends a jolt of pleasure straight to my clit, and a tiny whimper escapes me at how good it feels.

“Your nipples could cut glass.” He holds me as I arch back, letting his mouth descend to my breasts. Sucking the taut, pebbled peak into his mouth, the shock of wet warmth on my sensitive skin has me coming alive. Unimaginable rapture flows through me, replacing the blood in my veins with something hot and heady and so, so fucking right. I writhe in his arms at the exquisite sensations spiking within me.

Between my legs, arousal gushes from my pussy, dampening my panties and making me squirm over his hard cock. “Oh g-god,” I stutter out, half out of my mind with need.

He releases my nipple with a wet pop before skimming his perfect lips across my chest and taking its twin into his mouth to deliver me more of this madness. “Let go. Grind on me.” He grips the back of my neck, staring up into my eyes as I do as he says, rocking over his erection. The friction against my clit is so good, tears well in my eyes.

My breath comes hard and fast, and I give only a fleeting thought to the fact that we’re in the back of his car in a parking lot before I whisper raggedly, “Show me how I’m yours.” I don’t have a fucking clue what I’m asking for, but I don’t have to wait long for Jaxon to take action.

A short exhale puffs from his lips, his eyes burning into mine, then dipping down to our lower halves. He pats my ass as he rasps. “Kneel on the seat over there. Face the window.”

Excitement spikes in me, eager to do whatever he wants. Wetting my lips as I get on my knees, my fingers grip the door just under the window like it’s my salvation. With my heart slamming around in my chest, I glance over my shoulder to find Jaxon shifting on the bench seat as well, one knee wedged to the side of my leg and the other foot braced against the floorboard. The sound of his zipper has my eyes widening, and he shoots me a little smirk as he shoves his jeans over his hips. It’s too dark to see much, but simply knowing his erect dick is out has a flash of heat cascading through me and my clit pulsing with need.

My heart skips as his fingers hook into the waistband of my leggings. He tugs them down, the still-chilly air hitting my bare ass and raising goose bumps. I gulp, swallowing hard as he skims his palm over the pebbled skin before slipping his hand between my legs. “Fuck, you’re ready for me.” Dexterous fingers slide over my engorged flesh. It’s almost as if there’s a heartbeat of its own down there. “This pussy is the stuff dreams are made of,” he grits out, then all at once, his hand is gone.

He grips my hips and hikes me backward. I whimper, needing his hands on me again, but the moment I understand what he’s doing, a moan eases from my throat. The head of his cock nudges at my pussy lips, seeking entrance. And though this is not something I have experience with, I can’t help myself— I push back, taking every inch of his length inside me. Much to my embarrassment, a satisfied grunt of pleasure erupts from my lips, and my face floods with heat. I’m glad he can’t see the redness that’s surely staining my cheeks… but I’m also dying to know his reaction.

“You like that, Rya?” he growls, easing back. The slow drag of his dick from my body has me shaking at the loss, but he doesn’t leave me wanting for long. Only a second later, he thrusts inside me again, filling me in the most delicious way.

A little gasp manages to get past my lips, and I nod vehemently. “Yes.” Another stroke into me has me reiterating my affirmation. “Fuck, yes.” I grip the door so tightly the knuckles of my fingers are probably a ghastly shade of white.

He curls around my body, nipping at my neck while one arm bands my chest, my breast cupped in his palm. Fingers depress into my skin as he grasps my hip and guides me. Our movements pick up speed. Over and over, he pistons into me, and I can’t stop the greedy moans that fall from my lips.

Hot breath inside the car plus cold air outside makes for some spectacular condensation fogging the windows. It feels straight out of a movie, and I can’t help imagining a passerby noticing the rock of the car and the streaked handprint I leave as I claw for purchase at the glass.

“Oh, fuck.” Those two words tear from my throat. Whether it’s a curse or some sort of dirty prayer, I don’t even care. All I know is there’s a knot winding tighter and tighter in my abdomen at the same time my legs have begun to shake of their own volition. The breathy, sexy noises I pant out make my chest heave against Jaxon’s hold. It’s as if I’ve lost control of my body and am mindlessly seeking more of this bliss in any form it may come in.

“That’s it, pretty girl. Come all over my cock. Wanna feel your pussy choke my dick. Need you so fucking much.” A moment later, his tongue sweeps along the curve of my shoulder up my neck, and I crane around to meet his seeking tongue. Our mouths collide in a voracious kiss as we strain and slide and work ourselves into a frenzy.

Jaxon’s hand drifts from my hip, traveling between my legs, and he strokes both of us, grunting with satisfaction. He circles my clit with a deft finger before coasting along our heated flesh again. His touch continues to move backward, and my breath catches as his fingertips reach their destination, brushing lightly over my asshole. The slick feel of my arousal at my back entrance makes me buck, my body lurching forward at the foreign sensation.

“Fuuuck,” I let out a primitive strangled moan as my body detonates, sending me over the edge and straight to oblivion. All I can do is try to keep from levitating off the seat as I rock backward onto Jaxon’s cock and his finger that has eased its way into my ass. I’m a red-faced, shuddering, whimpering mess. And I fucking love it. My god, I’m fucking pulsing around him. My pussy. My ass. All while he holds me upright—because I’m simply done. Boneless. Limp. Completely spent. But sated.

Jaxon pushes into me one final time as far as he can go, his hips grinding into my ass cheeks. “Fuck, Rya. You take me so good, baby.”

I let out a choked gasp, fighting to regulate my breathing as he buries himself. He shudders, groaning out his pleasure. I swear, I actually feel his dick twitching inside me as he murmurs in my ear, his voice husky, “Eventually, I’m going to have touched every inch of you. Inside and out. That’s not even a promise. It’s a goddamn vow. That’s how much I need you.”

It’s not long before we’ve cleaned up and put ourselves to rights. I duck my head as I exit the back of the vehicle, looking around, but there’s not a soul even close to where Jaxon’s car is parked.

“Where did you want to get those burgers?” I bite my lip. I wasn’t exactly in the mood before, especially after the uncomfortable moments with Jaxon’s dad, but I think I could eat something for the first time in a long while. “I’m hungry.”

Jaxon’s gaze slides to mine as he signals for a left turn that will take us away from campus. I could be imagining it, but I swear his brow furrowed for a second. But then he smiles. “I’m fucking famished. Good sex will do that to you.” I swat at him, and he shrugs. “What? I’m being serious. And you’re going to love this spot if you’ve never been. It’s a little place up here right off the highway.”

I frown. “I don’t think I know it.”

“It’s a little hole in the wall. Cheap, but good food.” He lets out a breath, shrugging.

“Sounds great.” There’s an undercurrent in his tone, but I’m glad it hasn’t caused him to completely clam up.

“We’ll probably want to head back pretty quickly, though.” He peers through the windshield. There’s a light rain flecking the glass that I hadn’t noticed when we pulled out of the parking lot. “The roads have the potential to get slick as the temperature drops.”

“We can get it to go if you think we need to.” I hold my hands in front of the heat blowing from the vent. I didn’t feel the cold when we were going at it, but I sure feel it now.

Jaxon gives me a quick glance before readjusting his hands on the steering wheel. “Hey. While we have a second, I wanted to bring up something?—”

He never finishes whatever he was going to say because the car shudders, then pulls hard to one side. My heart jumps up into my throat at a pop and then an immediate whooshing sound. Before I can even process what’s happening, Jaxon gives a rough shout as the car skids off the road and into the dark.