The Same Side (University Park #2) (17 page)

Blinking a few times, I managed to turn off that nagging voice. “No. I want to. Let’s have some fun.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, let do it.”

“Cool. This is going to be fun.” Raven led me toward the rink and my mind shifted between excitement and fear. I prayed that I wouldn’t bust my butt and make an idiot of myself.

“I’m warning you now, I’m going to be like a newborn deer on the ice. Please don’t let me get hurt.”

“Don’t worry, Lexi. I’ve been ice skating for years.” His voice was full and resonant. It gave me a sense of comfort that established a new level of trust with him. But, I was still weary as to how good he really was on the ice.

“Seriously? I mean, you don’t look like the Disney on Ice type.”

“Thanks,” he snorted. “Actually, one my coaches in middle school said it taught great coordination, so I decided to give it a try and he was right. I’ve been skating ever since.”

“I wish I would have gotten that advice when I was younger. You saw how horrible I was at playing football and that was on dry ground.”

“You weren’t that bad. Give yourself some credit.”

We entered the park area and Raven stopped at a vendor outside the rental desk. “Do you have any gloves?”

Pulling the lining out of my coat pocket, I showed him they were empty. “No, why?”

“Because it would be a good idea to protect your hands.” Raven picked out a cute pink and brown knitted cap with braids made out of yarn on each side and matching gloves. “Do you like these?”

I held them against my chocolate brown pea coat. “Yes, they’re perfect.” I reached in to my purse for my wallet, but Raven had already handed the lady some money before I could give her my card. “I can pay for them.”

“Just consider them a gift from me.” With ease and precision, he helped me slip on my gloves one at a time. He smiled and slightly adjusted the hat before tugging on the braids that hung down. “Damn, you look so sexy.” Reaching in his back pocket, he pulled out his phone. “I think I need a picture.”

“What?” I froze, shocked that he would want a picture of me. Regaining my senses, I ducked my head away from his phone. “No, I’m sure I look silly.”

“No, you don’t. Come on, baby, smile for me.”

Baby? Oh my God!

A flush of heat consumed my cheeks and I couldn’t help but smile for him. I was never one for pictures, aside from when Delaney took them, but Raven taking them of me, had me on a new edge of excitement. He totally had me eating out of his hands.

Damn, I wanted him so bad.

“Your turn,” I said, reaching for his phone.

He pulled the phone from my reach. “You really don’t want a picture of me.”

“Oh, yes I do.” I yanked my phone from purse and held it up. “Give me a sexy smile.”

“Sexy?” He grinned and I captured a picture of him with his thumbs shoved in his pockets. His weight was shifted to the left and he held a sexy stance. I knew I’d be drooling all over my phone as I slept with it every night.

“Man, how did I get so lucky?” he said, appraising my picture on his phone.

“What?” I looked down at his phone, trying to determine what he saw in me.

“How did I get so lucky to be with a beautiful girl like you?”

“Oh, um, thanks.” I bit on my lower lip, trying to build the courage to tell him how freaking hot I thought he was. Instead, my throat tightened and I struggled to speak. “I…”

He looked at me, staring deep into my eyes. “I never thought it would be you.”

“What do you mean?” A sudden fear crept over me. Had he meant that in a good or bad way? Because no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that I was better than the girls he had been with, my mind had a hard time believing it.

“Being with you makes me feel like a completely different man.”

“Umm, is that good or bad?”

“Definitely good.” He winked. “Are you ready to have some more fun?” He took a knitted cap out of the pocket of his coat and placed it over his head.

“As long as it’s with you.” I pulled the cap over his eyes and laughed.

Lifting it, he said, “Just what I wanted to hear.” He held out his phone. “But first, let’s take a selfie.” Raven wrapped his arm around me and pressed his cheek to mine. “Smile, beautiful.” He held out his phone and snapped a picture of us making a silly face.

“Let me see.” Raven brought our picture to the screen. We looked so happy together. I never imagined that he’d be the one I wanted. “Aw, we look so cute.”

“I think I need to post that on Facebook.” Butterflies swirled inside of me. If Raven was posting things about us, it was probably a good indication that he wanted everyone to know he was with me. I was pretty sure that was a sign that we were going to the next level.

He led us to the rental desk where we got our skates. After we changed our shoes and got a locker for my purse, he took me by the hand and led me to the ice. “Just practice balancing first, then we will work on taking strides along the ice.”

“Okay.” My legs wobbled and shook as we walked along the foam floor. If staying balanced on a thin piece of metal was this hard, I knew I was going to struggle once I got on the slippery surface. Raven stepped onto the ice without trouble. Holding on to the edge of the wall, I made my way into the rink.

“You alright?”

I nodded. My heart thumped and fear consumed me, but I knew Raven wouldn’t let me get hurt. With him, I had nothing to worry about. “I just don’t want to fall.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let you get hurt.” He stood close to me, protecting me from the people that zipped past us. I gripped onto his hand like he was my lifeline.

I tightened my legs and straightened my back, demanding my body to balance itself on the slick block of ice underneath me. “I think I got it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

Raven let go of my hand, but remained next to me. “Try to glide by moving your feet forward, but don’t pick them up.”

“Okay.” I did as he said, concentrating on my movement. Before I knew it, I was floating along the ice. We circled around the ring a few times, building my confidence. With each turn, my feet seemed to learn how to move along the ice and my legs stopped shaking, enabling me to balance myself.

He grinned and I saw the delight in his expression. “Lexi, you’re ice skating.”

I pressed my lips together, trying not to get overly excited. “Yeah, but if you take away the wall, I’ll fall.”

“Oh, I think you’ll be fine.” Raven eased my hand from the railing. I hesitated at first and then wrapped my fingers around his big, strong hand.

I looked around, taking note of all the people who skated around the rink like they were running on dry ground. “I don’t think I’m ready.”

“Sure you are.” He took my other hand. “I promise I won’t let you fall.”

“Oh, Raven!” A high-pitched screech escaped from my throat as he guided me away from the edge. With one arm wrapped around me, we skated around the huge oval rink. The brisk air hit my face and filtered through my hair. I felt so free and being next to Raven made it more incredible. “This is so much fun!”

“Told ya!” He picked up the pace and we held hands, forming memories that I’d never forget. With each passing minute, I gained more trust along the slick surface, allowing him to drag me around and around. We formed a figure eight over and over again, until we wore a permanent number in the ice. Raven knew how to make me feel like I was the only girl in his world. I just hoped that I would be.

Maneuvering backwards, Raven glided us effortlessly along the ice to the center of the rink where we formed our own intimate circle. The lights from the trees flickered and the cold air surrounded us, but our warm breaths created a level of comfort that made my body forget all about the fear I had been experiencing. I was totally in The Raven’s control.

“See, this isn’t so bad, is it?” He cocked a brow.

“No, but only because I’m with you.” I had envisioned what it would feel like to be surrounded by thick, strong arms for longer than ten seconds and it was absolutely divine. My body didn’t know how to react and a war zone quickly erupted inside of me. One side told me to take things slow while the other encouraged me to go in for the kill. Everything was happening so fast and I absolutely had no idea what I was doing.

“I know we agreed to make your list as we go along, but I was actually thinking of all the places I’d like to take you.” He pulled me closer and my head tilted back naturally as I gazed into his eyes. “All of the things we can do together.” His hands dropped to my waist and my body tensed, soaking in every stare and touch.

“Oh, that’s right. You said you couldn’t wait to have more fun with me,” I teased.

His hand splayed across my lower back and his magnetic touch seared my skin through the thick fabric of my coat. “Are you still game for that?” The warmth of his breath tickled my ear and neck causing goose bumps to raise along my arms.

I nodded because my brain was unable to formulate coherent words.

“I thought we could go back to my place tonight.” He eyes captured mine and our lips neared. The small puffs of cold air that were escaping our mouths were quickly warming. “Unless you want me to take you home.”

Home? Oh, hell no!

“No. I mean, yes.” My fingers dropped to his hands, gripping them tightly. “Yes, I’d like to go to your apartment.” I tried to downplay my eagerness, but lost the battle when I realized I was pulling him toward the exit gate. Raven knew how to propel my body to give in to every desire and need. But I didn’t mind. In fact, I welcomed it.

“I guess you’re ready to go.” A grin spread from ear to ear as he moved forward.

“Oh, we can stay.” I immediately stopped in my tracks, causing him to bump in to me. “I didn’t mean we had to leave right now.” My voice lilted as I stumbled back. My left skate went forward while my right skate went back, the slippery surface making it nearly impossible to stay upright.

“I’ve got you!” He grabbed my arms and pulled me into him. My feet wobbled as I fought for purchase on the ice. Raven’s body was like a well-built tank, standing firm on the slick surface. “You got it?” He held me tight and my legs slowly stopped.

“Thanks. I’m good.” My hands rested against his puffed out chest and all I could think about was how much I wanted to see him shirtless. Would I get the chance tonight?

“So, are you ready to start working on eliminating more things on your list?” He cocked a brow and I felt all of my carefully placed self-control slipping away. My head tilted to the side and my lips aligned directly to his. His lips pursed together and I imagined them skimming over every inch of my body.

“The sooner, the better.”

Σ

Chapter 11

I crossed the threshold of Raven’s apartment, unsure of what to expect. Would tonight be the night I’d lose my virginity? Tremors shot through my legs, impairing my muscles and turning them into mush. If I didn’t faint from the rush of excitement, it would be a miracle.

Raven flipped on a light. “Come on in.” He set my bags on the floor and shut the door behind us. I jumped at the sound of the door meeting the frame, my senses heightened and over sensitive.

“Where do I put this?” I held out the large pizza box in question.

“Just set it on the coffee table.” He motioned with his head. “We can watch a movie while we eat.”

I quickly put the cardboard box on the wooden table and took a few steps back. Raven placed his hands on my shoulders and I whirled around. My breathing picked up and I struggled to keep up with the extra inhalation my lungs required.

“Relax. I was just taking your coat.”

“Oh, yeah. Of course.” I shucked my coat off and laid it on the chair, feeling like a complete idiot. I took several even breaths and managed to pull my brain back into function mode. “You have a nice place.” My eyes scanned the miraculously kept apartment decorated in a browns, reds, and yellows. A leather-like sofa and loveseat surrounded a flat screen TV. In the kitchen, a tall dining table large enough to seat eight, dominated the small area. For two guys living there, it seemed professionally decorated and oddly clean — no funky smell or dirty clothes lingering. “Where’s Josh?”

Raven walked to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. I heard the sound of bottles clank against the counter and hoped he was getting me something to take the edge off. “He took Shelby home this morning.”

“Oh.” I rounded the couch and walked toward the kitchen. “Where’s home?”

“Oklahoma City for her, Azle for him.” He popped the tops off two beers and handed me one of them. “Cheers.”

I tipped the neck of my bottle against his. “Cheers.” My hand shook as I raised the glass to my lips. The liquid was icy cold, but it felt good funneling down my throat. I didn’t want to get drunk like I had the night before, but I desperately needed some liquid courage. Especially if I was going to show him that I was more than ready to go all the way. Though, internally, I was scared as hell.

Would it hurt? Would I bleed? Would it be gross? Most of all, would I be able to please him? My mind was quickly spiraling into the fear zone and if I didn’t stop it, I’d be running out of his apartment before I knew it.

I took a few more swallows, praying for some instant relief. Never had I been so nervous. Inhaling deeply, I managed to calm my erratic heart. “When will he be back?”

Raven lowered his beer bottle and licked his lips. My eyes focused on the movement of his tongue and every muscle in my body tensed. His lips moved and I knew he answered my question, but I didn’t hear one word. I was too enamored by the wetness of his mouth.

“Huh?”

His eyes narrowed and a smile crept up over his face. “I said, probably the week after Christmas.”

“Oh, wow. So are you just going to hang out here by yourself or go to your mom’s house?” I quickly took another gulp, eager for the buzz to start. I shifted my weight from the left hip to the right, but couldn’t seem to relax.

Come on alcohol start working!

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Oh.” I twirled a stand of my hair with my finger, around and around until I cut off the circulation. With my other hand, I gripped the cold bottle, trying to fizzle the intense flame burning inside of me. It was pointless. My body was aflame, burning with desire for Raven.