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 influence his 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.
A D won’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, the straps 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.”
“It’s not about me. It’s about your future.” Pushing around him, I reached for my sweatshirt now lying on the floor and pulled it over my head. “Thanksgiving break is coming.”
Fin nodded.
“I’m going to Lexington.” I wanted to invite him to come along, yet inviting someone with football dreams to visit the owner of the Lexington Coopers was scarier than it sounded.
There was the little voice in my head that said, ‘he’s not interested in you, only in your family.
’ As it was, Fin had never mentioned knowing the connection, and I’d never told him that my family owned an NFL team.
I’d only said my last name was Hubbard, and I was from Lexington.
“I’m going to Bowling Green.”
Swallowing back the emotions, I straightened my shoulders. “It’s going to be boring. My dad and Daphne will be out of town.”
“Come to Bowling Green.”
I shook my head. “I can’t do that.”
His handsome features softened. “It’s only a long weekend.
” He spun around, lifting his arms over his head.
The muscles in his biceps bulged beneath the band of his t-shirt.
“Is there someone else waiting for you at home? Someone you want to see other than your parents. Is that why you won’t let us go further than we’ve gone? ”
How far we’d gone.
I’d gone further with Fin than I had with anyone else.
To his credit, Fin was remarkably patient.
We were three months into our relationship before I let him touch me below the waist. As it was, I’d come on his hand.
Maybe it was the football, but Fin had an ability to create a rhythm that ignited fireworks while leaving me breathless and wanting more.
It was during the fourth month that I ventured below his waist. He’d been campaigning for oral, but that hadn’t happened yet.
“No,” I answered truthfully, not someone as in a boyfriend.
“Then come with me to Bowling Green. I’ve told my mom all about you.”
My anger at his last question subsided. I hadn’t told anyone about Fin except my cousins Leigh and Lip. My response came slow, the words separated by space. “You told your mom?”
He lowered his arms. “I did.” A lopsided smile formed. “She wants to meet you.”
I tipped my chin toward my chest and inhaled. Looking back up, I felt the need to explain. “I’m not a tease, Fin. I think I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“Of you. Of us. That you might like me for another reason.”
He took a step closer and lifted his touch to my hair.
“Is there a wrong reason to like you?” Before I could answer, he went on, “I like you for your brain. You’re not just book smart.
You’re fun to talk to. I don’t have to explain football.
Hell, you know the game better than half the team.
You don’t sugarcoat things for me. When I fuck up, you don’t just tell me, you talk to me about ways to improve.
And as for book smart, I was hoping you’d help me prepare for my econ final.
” His touch lowered, over my shoulders and down my arms. “And if that wasn’t enough, you’re also beautiful.
No, stunning. I especially like you when you’re like you are now, hair down, cheeks pink, and lips swollen” —his smile grew— “or how you were a few minutes ago, without that sweatshirt. But damn, when you dressed up like you did for the banquet, you blew me away. You’re like model gorgeous.
” He ran his hand over his hair. “I’ve never met anyone like you.
Other girls are…” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “They aren’t you, Abby.”
A tear threatened to escape my eyes.
Abby was Fin’s code word, one no one else would understand. If he was uncomfortable with a situation, such as during practice, he’d call me Abby with a wink. It meant that he was watching. The other players knew to keep back because I was Fin’s.
“Hello.” Emma’s voice came through my closed bedroom door. “I wanted you to know I was home. No sex in the living room.”
I looked up at Fin. “Living room is off-limits.”
“Oral is off-limits?”
I nodded. “Not forever. Maybe we should study managerial economics. We need to get your grade up” —I took a breath— “for the transfer portal.”
“Vee…”
I lifted my finger to his strong full lips. “Fin, I’m not selfish. I want you to pursue your dreams. I’ll support you even if it means we’re across the country from one another. I also want oral with you. I want more with you.”
“Living room sex?”
My grin returned. “Maybe one day. Right now, all I ask is that you’re honest.”
“I can do that.”