basically turned me down for years. Years.”
“I don’t want to think about it. All I do is think. All day, every day. This is the first thing that’s felt good in a long time.” I strained against him and watched his lashes flutter. “Doesn’t it feel good?”
“Hell yes it feels good, but that doesn’t mean we should be doing it.”
I rolled my eyes. “Isn’t that exactly why people do it?”
Tripp laughed and looked annoyed about it. “What’s gotten into you today?”
“Apparently, not you.”
Fine, if he wouldn’t move, I would. I lifted my hips so that he was positioned between them, where I could feel the bulge he couldn’t deny was there. He hissed again. “Ember, stop.”
“I don’t want to stop. That’s the point.”
“You didn’t say that a couple days ago. In fact, for the past few years, you’ve been putting the brakes on me pretty regularly.”
I frowned at him. Since when was he so logical and reasonable? “Do we have to analyze it? Everything in my life is so screwed up. The only thing I know I can count on is you. The only thing that makes me feel good aside from my sisters is you. If you don’t want me, then you can say so, and we’ll stop right here, right now, and go back to the way things were.” I stopped and swallowed hard. I hadn’t meant to say that. What if he didn’t want me? I wasn’t sure I could handle the rejection on top of what had happened with Chris. I was going to say more, but the words wouldn’t come.
“You can always count on me,” he said.
“Great. Fine.” Shame was beginning to heat my cheeks. “Will you let me up now?”
I closed my eyes and waited for him to comply.
Except he didn’t move away. I could still feel him everywhere.
“Tripp?”
“I’m thinking.”
“Could you think faster before I die of embarrassment?”
“What are you embarrassed about?”
“Can we not have this conversation while you’re on top of me? I can still feel your dick.”
“You’re the one who started it,” he said. “In fact, you were pretty persistent.”
“Can you not tease me right now?” His hips flexed, and my eyes flew open. “What are you doing?’
“Well, you told me not to tease you.” Tripp’s fingers linked with mine, his hold gentle. The heat from my face moved between my legs. “And I never leave a woman unsatisfied.”
“Tripp…”
“Hush, I’m trying to concentrate now.”
His head ducked, and his lips pressed against mine. I thought he’d be eager, dominating, but his lips were gentle, almost nonexistent.
It made me want more.
So much more.
Chapter Ten
Tripp
Sophomore Year
“C’mon, man,” Alex begged. “It’s the off-season. Coach Taylor is finally giving us a break. You’re killing me.” He threw himself onto my couch and gave me a puppy-dog look.
I didn’t look up from my homework, although I wasn’t taking in any of the words I was reading. My pen tapped repetitively against the desk. “I’m not doing shit to you. I said you should go, so fucking go.”
My urging did nothing to thwart Alex’s goal. Naturally. “It’s my first year in town, and you’re supposed to be my role model. Introduce me to all the hot spots. Be my wingman. It goes against the bro code for you to ditch me this way.”
“You’re a grown-ass man. You can get an Uber. Besides, what happened to all that game you said you had up north? Does that Yankee charm not work here in the South?” I spared a glance at him and grinned good-naturedly. The prick could have anyone he wanted. I didn’t know why he was complaining.
Alex wiggled his eyebrows. “Oh, it works just fine. I just don’t see how you can waste such a prime opportunity on our first weekend off in months.”
Except it didn’t feel like a prime opportunity to me. I didn’t want to go out barhopping and get smothered by women. The thought would have been appealing a year ago, but now…
“Tripp, did you have a chance to—” Ember’s voice cut off as she barged into my apartment toting a twin on each hip. She smiled at Alex, who sent me a knowing smirk. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you had company. I can come back,” she offered.
Now, this was what I wanted, and hell if I knew why. She was complicated with a capital C, but I couldn’t get her out of my head. I’d take her, if she’d let me, complications and all.
Alex launched himself bodily from the couch to schmooze to her side.