A Different Side (University Park #4) (16 page)

“We won’t get in trouble?”

I shrugged as I darted across the pavement with Lexi in tow. Using my good shoulder, I pushed on the door leading to the stairwell. “I hope not.”

“What?” She yanked on my arm, stopping me in my tracks. “What do you mean, you hope not? I don’t want to get kicked out of school.” I unhooked my backpack and threaded her arms through it. She continued to stare at me as if I were crazy. Maybe I was. But I wanted to do this for her.

“Relax. They aren’t going to kick you out of school. Now, get on.” I squatted and motioned for her to jump on my back.

“What?” Her eyes darted to the top of the stairwell and then back to me. “How far are we going?”

“A couple of floors.” I patted my backside, urging her to get on.

“You’re going to carry me on your back,” she pointed, “up several flights of stairs?”

I heaved a silent sigh. “Yes. Now, will you get on?” Lexi was very reserved, but there was only one way to break that.

Hesitantly, she stepped closer to me, raising a leg as she straddled my back. Her legs trembled against me, but I didn’t mind. In fact, I loved her long, slender legs wrapped around me. Too bad she had on jeans. I admit, with her body pressed to mine, it was unnerving. It would take all my focus to get to the top of those stairs. The incessant need inside urged me to pull her around to face me, but I knew what would happen after that. I needed to think with the head above my waist, so I didn’t screw things up this time.

Her hands landed on my shoulders in an awkward manner. “Lexi, you have to hold on tighter than that.” I pulled her arms around my neck, letting her know it was okay to get closer. I didn’t want to drop her. Her face rested against my head and her sweet scent swirled around me, drugging me to the point of incoherence.

“Maybe this isn’t a good idea.”

Maybe she was right. I shook off the alluring scent and regained my senses. I turned to her, and said, “Don’t worry. This will be great exercise for me.” With our lips a few inches apart, I quickly turned around, determined to keep my focus. I laced my arms through her legs and pulled her closer. This was going to be harder than I thought. Not because I didn’t have the physical strength to make it to the top of the stairs, but because I totally lacked the mental strength. I wanted to kiss Lexi so damn bad.

“Ready?”

“I g-guess.” Her voice trembled with anticipation.

With speed, I raced up the stairs, planting one foot in front of the other. Lexi’s body bounced against mine and it was pure torture, but the good kind. As we passed from one level to the next, I refused to stop. I was making it all the way to the top with her on my back.

“Raven, don’t drop me,” she squealed. She enjoyed this as much as I did.

“I promise…I won’t let you go,” I said in between breaths. My lungs were heavy, but I drew in air, keeping my heart at a steady pace.

“If I’m too heavy, you can put me down.” She lifted away from me, but I held onto her legs, refusing to let her go.

“Are you kidding?” I huffed. “This is nothing compared to some of the shit Coach has us do.” I continued up the stairs, keeping my goal in mind. Lexi giggled and I smiled, hoping a rewarding prize greeted me at the end. I couldn’t wait to find out.

“Why are you laughing?” I used the railing to pull us to the next flight of stairs as the muscles in my legs fatigued.

“This is fun!” A burst of laughter escaped and she squeezed me tighter. Lexi’s body against mine felt too damn good. I was glad she was enjoying this. I thought singing with her at the piano was great, but this was even better.

I pushed, refusing to give up, and completed the last flight of stairs, stopping at the fifth floor. That was the best damn workout I’d ever had. No question about it. Sucking in a deep breath, I said, “Glad you enjoyed it.” I released Lexi’s legs, even though I hated to. “I want to show you what it’s like to have a good time.” That was the truth. After hearing her story, I wanted her to experience life while she was in college. And I’d be more than happy to be the one who helped her.

“Um…what are we going to do?” Slowly, she unlocked her hands from around my neck and glided off me, leaving traces of her scent on my clothes. My muscles weakened further and my legs began to cave. Lexi knew how to bring me to my knees.

“You’ll see.” Slowly, I turned to face her, hoping I didn’t collapse in her arms. Sweat collected along my forehead and I wiped it away. “I’ll take this.” I reached behind her and carefully slid my backpack down her arms, keeping my eyes fixed to hers.

“Okay,” she muttered, staring deep into my eyes.

Her gaze was intense and my mind became erratic with dirty thoughts. What would it be like to take off her clothes? Feel her bare skin against mine? Caress every curve with delicate kisses. Lexi wasn’t even naked, but I could see her beauty, even with her clothes on. Every ounce of it.

I took a hard swallow. Determined to finish what I’d started, I unzipped the outside pocket of my backpack and removed the card key. “I’ll need this.” I held it up and then looped one arm through my backpack. Lexi was still in a daze, so I ushered her toward the door. I scanned the badge and the door unlocked.

“This way.” I led her down the hallway of the Champion’s Club. Pictures on the walls showed the history of the previous football teams and the old stadium. PHU had been playing football for seventy-six years, winning several championships along the way.

“Wow…this is gorgeous,” she ran her hand along the intricate reptile markings lining the wall as we entered the main area. She made a complete circle, taking in the ballroom overlooking the field. She stopped in front of Blaze, PHU’s mascot. It was my favorite. Maybe it was the toughness portrayed through the carving or the sheer weight behind the bronzed statue, but something about it gave it that oomph existing in every football player.

PHU spared no expense when it came to the Champion’s Club. Decked out in dark mahogany wood and sleek Art Deco fixtures, it made the facility luxurious. Thanks to my Art Appreciation 501 class, I recognized the era.

“C’mon.” I latched onto to Lexi’s fingers, taking advantage of every opportunity to hold her hand. We walked up the stairs leading to the suites. I stopped in front of the suite belonging to Josh’s family and opened the door.

“Whose suite is this?” Lexi asked as we stepped into the lavish room.

“My friend, Josh.” I closed the door and then walked to the front, placing my backpack on the coffee table.

Lexi ran her fingers along the marble tabletop at the bar as she assessed her surroundings. I think I impressed her.

Score!

Her eyes landed on the fifty-inch flat screen TV. “What does Josh do for a living?”

“Nothing yet… he’s a student. This is his parents’ suite.” I unzipped the backpack and removed a six-pack of beer. I set it on the table and smiled, hoping I did well.

By the expression on her face, I knew I had.

Score again!

She sat on one of the chairs facing the window overlooking the field. Her long, brown hair cascaded off her shoulders and she looked so damn beautiful. She belonged in this suite. “His parents must do well to be able to pay for this space.”

I laughed and then popped the top off two beers, using the edge of the coffee table. “His dad is in the oil and gas industry.”

“Oh…with the Barnett Shell discovery here in North Texas, I’m sure his dad is fairing very well.” Lexi sounded so intelligent when she spoke. I loved it.

I handed her a beer. “Yes, he is.”

“And they don’t care if we’re in here?” She took the cold bottle from my hand.

Taking a seat next to her, I shook my head. “Nah. Sometimes we come up here with a few of the guys to drink. I thought this would be a great place to have your first beer.” I tipped my bottle to hers. “Cheers.”

She smiled her perfect smile and my heart went into overdrive. “Cheers.” In a well-mannered way, she raised the bottle to her lips and took a drink. As I took a swig, I held my breath, hoping she’d like it. Her nose crinkled and her eyes narrowed after she swallowed. The first gulp was always tough until your taste buds adjusted. I waited for her to cough or set the bottle on the table; instead, she took a few more sips.

Yeah, baby!

My goal was not to get her drunk. I just wanted to kick back with her and drink a few beers. This suite made it that much sweeter.

“Should you be drinking since you have practice in,” she glanced at her watch, “an hour and a half?”

I snorted, trying to hold back a laugh. “I’ve played under worse conditions. Besides, we never practice that hard before a game.” I took another drink.

“Oh, okay.” She rested her hand along the armchair and leaned closer to me. I sensed a shift in her demeanor. Maybe it was the beer, or maybe it wasn’t. I didn’t care. Lexi was getting comfortable around me and that was all that mattered. “By the way, thanks for sneaking me up here.” She kept an eye on me as she sipped her beer. “This place is really amazing.”

“No problem.” I propped my feet on the table and reclined in the chair, remembering why we were here. I wanted her to know I was here for her. Whatever she needed, I’d be there to listen. “So, do you want to talk about what’s going on at your dorm?”

She lifted the bottle to her mouth and closed her eyes as she took several gulps. “No, not really.”

I could tell she was holding back. Maybe she wasn’t ready to talk about it, or maybe she wasn’t comfortable telling me. I’d try my hardest to put her at ease. “You seemed pretty upset. Are you sure she’s with your brother and not someone else?” I coaxed her as my eyes drifted to her ring, determined to know the truth. Using her thumb, she spun the diamond around toward her palm. She might as well have taken it off at that point.

Game on!

I didn’t have to ask, I knew the answer. She was engaged and he had cheated on her with her roommate. I really didn’t want to be the rebound guy, but if it were my only shot at being with her, then I’d be whatever guy she wanted me to be.

“I’m pretty sure she’s with my brother.” She nursed the bottle, seeking a soothing I wished I could give her instead. “I saw his keychain and backpack in our living room.”

My cell phone rang and I pulled it from my pocket, flipping it to silent.

“Do you need to go?” She tilted the bottle to the ceiling.

I tucked the phone away, not bothering to check who was calling me. “Nope.”

She didn’t say anything, but her face had
thank you
written all over it.

I popped another beer open for us and we continued drinking. We chatted about school and I shared my dreams of going pro, telling her how I planned to buy my mom a new house if I did. I also shared my true love of football and how much it really meant to me. By opening up to her, I hoped she’d do the same. I refrained from mentioning anything about my drug charge — I didn’t think she ready to hear all that. I also didn’t ask her anything else about her fiancé or roommate. She would tell me when she was ready.

I finished my third beer, dropped it into the cardboard holder, and turned my head in the opposite direction. I covered my mouth with my fist, trying to stifle the sound, but I burped loudly.

“Nice,” Lexi said as she lifted the bottle and finished her second beer.

I was a little embarrassed, but what could I do? At least I didn’t fart in front of her, though I was sure that would eventually happen. Lexi placed her hand in front of her mouth and let out a huge belch — louder than mine. All shame was gone. We were even.

“Damn, Lexi.” I shot her a quick glance before turning and burping again. “I thought you said you didn’t drink beer.”

“Sorry,” she muttered. “It just slipped out.”

“Relax.” I waved a hand. “I’m just messing with you.” I took the empty bottle from her hand and gave her the last beer, contemplating whether it was a good idea. Her eyes were glazed over and her cheeks were a nice pink. I couldn’t tell whether she was buzzed, but I didn’t want to get her drunk — at least not today. Any other girl, I would, but not Lexi. That would kill any chance I had with her.

“You like doing that, don’t you?” She stood and walked to the wall of windows overlooking the football field. As I watched her stand there, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be with her and no one else. And I couldn’t believe I was actually thinking this.

Shit!

I sounded like Josh, but I didn’t care. Lexi had done something to me and I liked whatever it was. She tilted her head back and allowed the beer to fill her mouth. Damn, she looked so freakin’ hot. I got up and approached her, anxious to see if she was ready to change our friendship status. I reminded myself to take things slow, read the signs carefully, and not do anything stupid. Lexi gripped the bottle tightly and kept her body facing forward. I sensed the nervousness radiating from her. I need to put her at ease.

“Depends on what you’re referring to,” I whispered in her ear, knowing I wanted to do other things besides tease her.

Hold her.

Kiss her.

Cherish her.

Make her feel good in every way possible. Not only emotionally, but sexually.

Picking at the label on the bottle, she refused to turn around and look at me. She was scared — no question about it. I hated that I made her nervous. Then again, my heart was ready to explode in my chest.

She turned to walk away and instinctively I raised my hand, keeping her in place. I pressed my palm against the glass and inched closer to her. Our gazes connected and I felt myself slipping into Lexi territory. I hoped she was ready to play, because I’d let her slip through
The Raven’s trap
too many times. I was closing the door so she could experience what it was really like to be in my presence. Completely in my presence.

“If you’re saying I like to make fun of you, then you’re wrong.” I appraised her face, noticing every freckle dotting her high cheekbones and every beauty mark accenting her features. From her perfect, almond-shaped eyes that sparkled a beautiful golden-brown when she spoke, to the tip of her cute nose, and down to the curves of her luscious lips. Lexi was gorgeous and I couldn’t stop staring at her.