Mercy (Somerset University #3) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,41

course.”

I hung up, twisted to tell Adam I’d be right back, and hurried upstairs. Jaxson, Ezra, and Ryder went on ahead to open the house and check to make sure we were stocked up in case we spent the night. Olivia and Caroline were staying in. Caroline invited a few friends over for dinner, and she and Olivia intended to enjoy an evening with members of their generation.

I bounded up the stairs and spun at the top for my room. My cell buzzed in my hand.

“Hey, babe,” I greeted. “Need something else?”

“I could do without you calling me babe.” A dry, distinctive voice filled my ear. “Bad time, Rick?”

“No.” I slowed to a stop. “What do you want, Aiden?”

“You missed the game last week. I’m wondering if you’re no longer interested in hanging out.”

“My girlfriend came back from vacation. I was interested in spending time with her. I’m still on for the game if you guys are.”

“We are,” he stated. “This Saturday. Nine o’clock. I’m sure she’s not waiting for an invitation, but tell Valentina I can’t wait to see her there.”

“You understand we’re there for the game and only the game.”

“Whatever you want. It’s up to you how many of the after-game activities you partake in.”

“How many other activities are there to partake in?” I asked.

“You’ll see.”

Click.

I swore under my breath. I knew I’d have to go back and I knew Valentina was resolved to go with me. I just didn’t think I’d have less than three days to talk her out of it.

“NOT HAPPENING.”

Val pressed the chocolate-covered strawberry to my lips.

The two of us lounged on a beach towel. Legs tangled. A bowl of treats between us. A perfect day lending us more fortune with a light, cool breeze and a nearly empty beach. Jaxson, Adam, and the guys raced through the surf. Their shouts mingled with the crashing waves and invited us to join. Everything was set up for a flawless family outing.

If not for Aiden Connelly.

“Val—”

She shoved the strawberry in, laughing as I coughed around it. Val took the chance to get ahead of my argument.

“I spoke to Teagan today,” she began. “She told me the club has been around for years and I would’ve known that already if I had been given the book.”

“Book?” I asked around my mouthful.

“A book passed down from president to president. In it there’s supposedly an explanation of the club and its rules. The way she made it sound I get the feeling the club is like the frat on steroids. She didn’t give me enough details for me to be sure, but she did say it was never limited to frat brothers or sorority sisters.”

“We need to see that book.”

She grinned. “I thought you’d say that.” Closing the scant distance between us, Val nipped my chocolatey lips. I was on her in a blink, pushing her giggling into the sand, and deepening the kiss. Sweet cacao, sun, wind, and Val swirled in an intoxicating mix, scattering my neat, organized mind into disarray.

Our tongues and moans entwined. I fisted sand to keep my hands from roaming her body. If I touched her, that bathing suit was coming off.

My cock twitched at the mere thought of making love to Val on the beach.

She giggled, feeling the shameless thing begging against her thigh. “Down, boy. Our son is ten feet away.”

“Our bedroom is two yards away.” My voice was a low gruff. “I’ll race you there.”

“And I’ll give you a head start if”—she trailed her finger over my lips—“you promise we’re in this together.”

I came down like she threw a bucket of seawater in my face. “That’s cheating.”

“I know, right?” Her impish smirk enticed me not to care. “I’ve got a few more sexual tricks up my sleeve to get you on board. You can pretend I haven’t already and let me run through the whole seduction.”

“I will take that option. Let a man preserve some of his dignity.”

Her throat bobbed as she laughed. I couldn’t resist kissing the soft, unblemished skin.

“Think Aiden will give you the book?”

“Now that I know about it, what would his excuse be for not letting me see it? I’m president now. Refusing would make him look shadier than he already is.” Val draped her arms around my shoulder, drawing me in to rest in the crook of her neck. “I’ve been a Sally for two years and their president for one. I can’t believe I didn’t get a whiff that this club existed. I wonder who