Friend Zoned (Barnett Bulldogs #2) (42 page)

Love that everything is just so damn easy between us.

Even though I’m all sweaty from moving furniture into our new place, I wrap my arms loosely around her from behind before pulling her towards me.  I want to feel all those delicious curves pressed up against me.  Only then do I bury my nose against the delicate curve of her neck, inhaling a great big breath.  She may be a little damp as well, but she still smells amazing and it drives me out of my fucking mind.

Although I’m not going to lie, everything she does drives me crazy. 

“You owe me one hell of a massage tonight,” I growl in her ear.

A grin spreads across her face before she whispers, “I’ll do you one better than that.”

That sweet promise has a groan escaping from my lips because we still have a few more hours of crap to move.  “I’m going to hold you to it.”

Christ… even thinking about sinking into all that softness has my cock stiffening up with both anticipation and impatience.

Her eyes twinkle with mischief.  And a whole lot of heat.  “Well, I certainly hope so or I don’t know how it’ll work.”

I swat that curvy little ass of hers right before letting her go.  If I keep her in my arms any longer, I’m liable to carry her off to that brand new mattress we just unloaded in the bedroom.

“Alright, alright… enough of that, you two.  There’s still a shit ton of work that needs to be done before you order some pizza because I’m freaking starving.  So let’s get a move on it.”

Roan heads back out to the truck for another load of boxes.  I owe him big time for coming back to town and helping us move.  Training camp starts in less than two weeks for the Cincinnati Bengals, so I appreciate him giving us a hand.  He’ll be heading back this evening.

Even though I was accepted at both Columbia and Cornell, I decided to attend Barnett law school in the fall with Violet.  After we got back together, there was no damn way I was leaving her.  Violet is my future, she always has been.  It doesn’t matter where we are, what law school we go to, just as long as we’re together.

I knew if Violet was accepted at Barnett, she wouldn’t consider any other school.  Family means everything to her.  And with her losing her parents at such a young age, I can’t exactly say I blame her for it either. 

As much as I would dearly love to spend the evening here, christening every damn room in this place, I got me some plans.

Special plans.

Tonight I’m taking my girl out. 

****

Violet

I collapse onto the freshly made bed feeling utterly exhausted yet oddly exhilarated at the same time.  Sam and I are finally all moved into our new apartment.  I’ve never lived anywhere else but in the dorms, so this is exciting stuff.

As silly as it is to admit, I feel like a bone fide adult now.  I’ve graduated from Barnett, I’m starting law school in about a month and a half, and I’m living with the man who has always been my best friend.  I don’t think life could get any better than it already is.   

I think if my parents were still alive, they’d be proud of the woman I’ve grown into and they would be happy with the person I’ve given my heart to.  A kinder, sweeter, more intelligent man I could never find.

And to think he was right under my nose the entire time while I went out with guy after guy after guy…

I can’t help but snort at the memory of my cock blocking best friend…

Yep.

And now I’m his.

And he’s mine.

God, but I love the way that sounds.

And living together is just the beginning for us.

Sam walks into our bedroom with a pile of clothes held in his arms before carefully setting the stack on top of the dresser.  Moving closer to the bed where I’m still stretched out, he plops down next to me before sliding his fingers through my hair.   His gaze has the breath catching at the back of my throat.  The adoration blazing from within his piercing blue eyes is undeniable.

This man makes me feel completely, unequivocally loved.

I can’t resist the smile that tugs at the edges of my lips.  I know he was talking about heading out this evening to grab a quick bite but honestly, I’d much rather order some take out and make love all night.  I’ve wanted to get my hands on him all day long. Watching the play of all those gorgeous muscles under the black tank he’s wearing has left me all hot and bothered and totally turned on.

His lips lift in response.  “What’s that grin for?”

I shake my head.  “No reason.”  Then I correct myself, “Just happy.”  Because that’s the absolute truth.  I couldn’t be happier with where I am in life.  And the man who is by my side.  The man who has
always
been by my side.

Even when I was too clueless to realize it.

Caging me in with those huge arms of his, he leans down, pressing me into the soft mattress as his lips sweep over mine.  Not a moment later, he deepens the kiss, his tongue slipping inside my mouth.

Pulling back just a fraction, he whispers the words against my lips, “I want nothing more than to make you happy.  Always.”  Then he’s kissing me again, sliding those skillful lips across mine until I just want to tug him down on top of me and have my wicked way with him.

But apparently he has other ideas…

After a few heated moments, his lips leave mine.  “You going to shower and change so we can grab something to eat?  There’s a little place a few blocks away that looks good.  I thought we could give it a try.”

Since he’s still hovering over me, I trail my fingers lightly across all those thick bulging muscles.  I arch my back until my pelvis can graze his.  And, oh my… he’s already hard.

Again I arch my body, watching the desire jump and flare within those beautiful blue eyes of his.  “Are you absolutely positive you want to go out tonight?”  I add with a sly smile playing around the corners of my lips, “We could always eat in.”

The heat merely smoldering within his gaze ignites into a veritable inferno.  He grounds his thick erection against me and I can’t help but moan in response.

Please say yes…

Please say yes…

“You’re killing me here, Vi…”  A rough sounding chuckle escapes from his mouth.

“Hardly,” I snort, “I simply want to get laid.”

Believe it or not, he actually glances at the digital clock on the nightstand.

Seriously?

Here I am, pretty much offering myself up on a silver platter and he’s glancing at the clock?  Have I somehow slipped into an alternate universe when I wasn’t looking?  Sam never turns down sex.

Like ever.

“How about a quickie, then we’ll head out for dinner?  Later, when we come back, I’ll make slow love to you for dessert.”

I suppose that works.

Barely am I able to agree before he’s literally ripping the clothes right off my body.  I can’t help but laugh as my Converses are tossed across the room.  Socks, shorts, my shirt, and undergarments quickly follow suit.

“Sam,” my voice simmers with humor, “let me take a quick show-”

Apparently that’s not on the agenda right now.  Before I can even blink my eyes, he’s sliding deep inside me and we’re both moaning with need.  Guess I wasn’t the only one who worked up a sexual appetite today.

Forty minutes later, we’re heading out the door hand in hand.  Our apartment, which is located north of campus, is about a block from downtown.  So we can easily walk to stores and restaurants as well as some of the hip and trendy bars that line the street.  I love that there’s a totally different vibe here.  It’s more young professionals rather than drunken college students.  We wanted to find an apartment away from the rowdy lifestyle of campus but still close enough to be at school in less than ten minutes.  So this works out perfectly.

There’s a tiny café style restaurant with a gated outdoor seating area right on the sidewalk.  As we stroll a little closer, my eyes widen because my grandparents are sitting at one of the white cloth covered tables.  A surprised smile lights up my face as I immediately start waving.

Quickening my step, I call their names, “Gran!  Gramps!”

They both turn before waving back.  Big smiles wreath their faces.  It’s so good to see them out and my grandfather looking healthy again.  It’s been a long road to recovery but he’s doing really well.

When I get close enough, I give them both warm hugs and kisses.  “We were just about to grab something to eat!”  Just as those words slip from my lips, I turn to Sam who is standing right next to me wearing a smug little smile.  His hands are stuffed into the pockets of his cargo shorts.  “Oh, you arranged this!”

I can’t help but laugh at the obviousness of it.

I mean, of course he arranged this.

He’s always thinking about me and what makes me happy.  It’s these little gestures that mean the absolute world to me.  They only deepen the love already coursing through me.  I never imagined that I could love someone so completely.  I was the girl who couldn’t seem to stay in a relationship for more than a week or two.

And now look at me.

Leaning over, I kiss him gently on the mouth before murmuring a heartfelt, “Thank you.”

His lips hitch before he whispers back, “Your welcome, babe.”

We all sit down and my grandparents ask about the new apartment which they’ll stop over to see tomorrow afternoon.  We tell them all about the move and Roan driving in to help.  Dylan, Lexie, Sam and I are planning a road trip to Cincinnati for Roan’s first home game.  I’m so excited for him!  Roan is awesome and a really good friend to Sam.  Even though I don’t know his girlfriend, Ivy, I think I’m really going to like her when we finally get a chance to meet.  She dances for the Cincinnati Ballet and we’re going to snag tickets for that as well.

We order a few different appetizers to share as well as a round of drinks.  Even though my grandmother orders a glass of chardonnay, my grandfather sticks to water with lemon.

Being here with them only reconfirms that I made the right decision in choosing to stay at Barnett.  Even though I was accepted at both Loyola and Purdue, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.  Barnett has a highly respected law school and being able to drop in and see my grandparents as often as I want is an added bonus.

Looking around the table, I find myself surrounded by the three people who matter most to me.  I don’t think I could be any happier than I am at this moment.

“Violet?”

Feeling absurdly content, I glance over at Sam, who is sitting beside me.  Suddenly taking hold of my hand, he gives it a little squeeze.  Which certainly isn’t out of the ordinary.  He’s always touching me in one way or another.  And I love it.  Love the constant contact.  Love how open and generous he is with his affection.

I’ll never tire of it.

Before I can even blink my eyes, he’s suddenly getting out of his seat and dropping down to one knee in front of me.  My eyes snap open.  I can only sit in stunned silence as I continue watching him.  Somewhere in the back of my brain, I understand what’s going on… but I’m still having a difficult time comprehending that this is actually happening.

To me.

Right here.

In this restaurant.

My eyes flare wide as my grandmother, who is sitting on the other side of Sam, slides a little black box in his direction.

My other hand, which is now trembling, flies to my parted lips.  “
Sam
?”  I can barely push his name out through my numb lips.  My voice trembles as I continue watching him, the breath lodged deep within my throat.

Oh my god, is this really happening?

Is he really doing this?
A small nervous smile quirks his lips upwards.  Which is odd, because Sam is never nervous.  He’s so strong and confident.  Always in command and control.  I love that about him. He’s like a rock.

My rock.

“Violet, baby…” he pauses, almost as if he’s gathering himself.  His deep blue eyes never once waver from mine.  Even though the restaurant is crowded, everyone around us seems to fade away.

“The first time I laid eyes on you, I was just fourteen years old.  I knew, even at that point, I’d found the one person who would matter more to me than anyone else in this world.  Loving you all these years has been as natural as breathing and just as necessary.  I can’t imagine my life without you in it, filling it with light and happiness.  You mean everything to me, Vi.  You
are
my everything and I want you to be my wife. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you.”

By the time he finishes his speech, his voice is scraped low and so full of emotion that I feel tears of joy shimmering in my eyes as I stare at the man bent on one knee asking for my hand in marriage.  I see the happiness on my grandparent’s beaming faces and know they were in on this as well.  It just makes me fall a little bit more in love with Sam for having the forethought to include them in such an important occasion.

For the rest of my life, I will remember this moment.

When he finally flicks open the top of the little black box, I see a beautiful square cut diamond winking back at me.  I can’t help but gasp at its sheer brilliance.