6. Friends With Benefits
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS
Axel
Steam already filled the locker room when I left the coach’s office still in my practice gear, my cleats hitting the black and white tiles.
My muscles groaned, and my legs threatened to collapse after the beating we’d taken this afternoon, but I loved every second of it.
Rushing across the field—and knocking a few guys down on the way—was the best form of therapy.
Not that I needed therapy. At least, I’d never admit it.
“Vanderhart, you in trouble?” Dawson Jacobs asked as he stood against his locker, the white towel barely hanging onto his wide hips.
A grin pulled my lips apart. “Me in trouble with Coach Carson? Never happening.”
Byron Phillips, the best receiver the Knights ever had, snorted on a laugh. “Vanderhart is the golden boy, the star quarterback. He can do no wrong when it comes to the coaches.”
I shrugged, unable to deny his words. “I can’t help that people fall for my charm, Phillips.”
The favoritism probably had something to do with the head coach sporting the same serpent and dagger tattoo on his forearm as I did.
“Another conversation about going pro?” Byron opened his locker and drew out his black and gold duffle bag, Stonewall U’s Knights crest emblazoned on the front.
“Coach Carson is persistent.” I had no desire to go pro. As much as I loved the game, I didn’t need the money, nor did I want to wreck my body by the time I turned twenty-five.
Plus, my father was more than happy to welcome me at Vanderhart Securities.
My parents never pressured my brothers or me into joining the family business. Instead, they encouraged us to pursue our dreams. Of course, my grandparents were a little more old school and were hoping we’d all follow in my father’s footsteps. My grandmother was always on me about finding a wife.
If Evie Vanderhart had her way, I’d be hitched and expecting baby number one a week after graduation.
I removed my shoulder pads and dropped them on the bench before kicking my shoes off. Raucous laughter reverberated from the next row of lockers.
“Come on, guys. Just stop.”
A hard smack echoed, followed by more laughter. “Don’t be such a pussy.”
“Please. I’ve had enough. I can’t take anymore.”
The black, gold, and white locker room suddenly faded, and I stood on the bluffs again, the clear ebony sky reflecting in the ocean as if the heavens surrounded us. There was no telling where one ended and the other began. But such a mesmerizing sight couldn’t wash away the ugliness of that night.
“Please. I’ve had enough. I can’t take anymore.”
Those words, barely a whisper over the crash of the sea, swirled through my mind.
“Don’t be such a pussy.” My voice held a cruel edge, reminding me so much of those assholes who made my life hell as a kid.
That night, I’d become one of them. Worse, actually.
“Suck it up, Peter.” I took a deep pull from the bottle of vodka. “You want to be like us, right?”
A hand shook me, shattering the twisted memories. “You okay, Axel?” Byron asked, his forehead creased and dark eyes drilling holes into my skull.
More brutal laughter sounded, and I realized I wasn’t just hearing voices or experiencing some fucked up waking nightmare.
This was real.
I stormed around the corner as a bunch of seniors surrounded a naked freshman, snapping their towels at him. Red blotches already speckled his flesh from their relentless taunting.
Fire spilled through my veins, mixing with the guilt I’d harbored for years. I shoved my way into the circle and jerked Vince’s towel out of his hand before he landed another hit on the kid.
“That’s enough.” My voice was even and calm, but there was no mistaking the threat coiling around every syllable.
Vince, the ringleader, scoffed. “We’re just having fun, Vanderhart. Don’t be so serious.”
“I don’t think Eric is having any fun.” I tilted my head toward the freshman who drew his shoulders in and stood sideways to make a smaller target.
“It’s tradition to hassle the freshmen.” David, a senior running back, spun his towel, preparing to snap it again. “A little hazing never hurt anyone.”
He was dead wrong.
I stepped in front of Eric, glaring daggers at the other Knights.
“You’re done. Get dressed.” My teeth bared in a sinister smile. “Unless you want me to break your bones and put you out of commission for the fall season.”
Vince blanched and backed away, raking his fingers through his damp copper hair. “Whatever, Vanderhart. I’m late to get my dick sucked anyway.”
The rest of the guys quickly dispersed, and I turned to Eric, handing over the bag of clothes one of the assholes had been holding hostage.
“Thanks,” he muttered, rubbing the bright red marks on his arms.
“They’ll lose interest soon.” A few assholes took harassing the new kids too far every year, but they usually lightened up once two-a-days kicked into high gear.
After a long, scalding shower, I dressed and left the locker room.
Summer was in full swing around the sprawling campus, the blooming flowers and trees bringing pops of color to the monochromatic gray stone buildings and wrought iron gates.
The fragrant breeze coming off the sea ruffled my damp hair and forced a hot chick in front of me to slap her hands on her thighs to keep her dress from flying up.
My phone buzzed with a text, and when I checked the screen, warmth swirled in my chest.
Cordelia: Meet me outside Hearst Hall. I have an itch only you can scratch.
My dick instantly hardened, straining against my jeans at the thought of seeing my little vixen. As I searched around the back of the building, she bolted out of the shadows and jumped in my arms.
“What took you so long, Vanderhart.” She nibbled on my neck, the scent of her favorite strawberry lotion invading my senses. “I was about to start without you.”
A low growl vibrated my chest as I backed her up against the stone facade and dropped my bag. “Only if I get to watch.”
“I’ll think about it.” Cordelia unwrapped her legs and slid down my body, sucking on her bottom lip as desire smoldered in her green eyes. The wind tossed her raven and purple hair that had grown to her collarbone, brushing the straps of her pink sundress.
Why did she have to be so fucking beautiful?
“Now, about this itch… Where is it?” My fingers trailed over her creamy thigh. “Here?”
She shook her head, grinning. “Nope.”
My hand skimmed higher, vanishing under her dress. “Am I getting closer?”
“Warmer.”
I leaned forward and licked her lip as I traced the fabric of her panties over her entrance, a wet spot already blooming across the silk material. “What about here?”
Her breath quickened, her hardening nipples straining against the dress. “Definitely hotter.”
I pulled her panties aside and brushed her clit before plunging a finger into her soaked pussy. “What about now?”
Cordi’s moan sent a bolt of desire right to my cock. I had to choke back the urge to rip her thong off and screw her against the wall. I didn’t give a damn if anyone caught us.
“That’s it, Axel.” Her head fell back as I fucked her with my fingers instead, my thumb circling her clit. “Feels so good. Don’t stop.”
“I don’t intend to.” My lips fell on hers, devouring her mouth like a starving man finally getting a meal.
Didn’t she realize I’d do this anytime she wanted if she were mine? I’d make her come day and night until she couldn’t speak—if she just let me.
Cordelia lifted her leg and looped it around my waist as she rocked her hips in time with my fingers. “No one knows how to get me off like you, Ax.”
I couldn’t stop the proud smile from breaking free as I dropped kisses on her throat, working my way to her chest. I yanked the straps of her dress down and sucked one of her tits into my mouth, my tongue licking her nipple. Fire poured through my bloodstream at the sound of her whimpers.
“I’m so close,” she panted, rubbing her pussy all over my hand. “Make me come.”
After a few more well-delivered thrusts and flicks of my tongue across her hardened bud, Cordelia’s pussy tightened around my fingers. She cried out as her orgasm hit.
While her eyes were glazed over, still in that post-bliss haze, I took a chance.
“How about we have dinner tonight?” I whispered against her neck. “Just the two of us.”
My words hit her like ice water, instantly clearing the lust from her eyes.
“Ax, I thought we talked about this.” She pulled her straps up, covering her tits. “We’re just friends with benefits. Nothing more.”
A boulder dropped to the bottom of my gut, but I forced a laugh. “Friends have dinner, Cordi. We do it all the time.”
She brushed the hair from her face and rested her hand on her flushed cheek. “You asking me after I just came all over your fingers is different. It sounds like a date.”
“Food is always on my mind.” I gripped her hair and jerked her to me, trying to distract her from my stupidity. “So is sex. Now, are you going to return the favor? I want my benefit, too.”
The words tasted bitter in my mouth.
How could I convince Cordelia that I was the guy for her, that we could be more than quick fucks here and there?
Before Cordi could respond, footsteps clashed against the sidewalk and Lorelei Battenberg rounded the corner, balancing a bunch of boxes in her hands. Her brow arched when she saw us.
“Looks like I’m not the only idiot here for the summer.” She tossed long gold locks behind her shoulder and scowled. “If you two are done getting each other off, can one of you help me with these damn boxes before I drop them?”