Stealing Reese (Wildcat Graduates Book 5), page 15
“I’m Aaron, Ty’s roommate,” he replies, greeting Noel and Cade in they way that guys do, all manly nods and hey’s. They’re too funny.
“Come eat with us?” she asks in her can’t-say-no-to-me voice. I can never tell her no, so I look at Ty and Air.
“Sure,” they nod, Ty’s hand falling on my waist to guide me behind them down the stairs.
The guys waste no time in falling into their own sports conversation while us girls trail along behind them and talk. Ty and Air fit it easily with my friends, leaving me unsure why I haven’t had us spending more time with them. Ty and I decide to go through the burger line, so we meet everyone else over by the salad bar before finding a table.
“Oh, Gav and Mallory have us a table saved over there,” Stacy says pointing to our left at a waving Mallory. And Dillon. Why in the hell didn’t someone tell me he’d be here? I cast a questioning glance at Xana to see she’s guilty as hell. She knew he’d be here and just shrugs at me with a grin that says she’s not too sorry she got caught. Nice.
Looking over my shoulder at Tyler, I can see that even though he’s not too happy about the situation, he’s plastered on a happy face anyway. Aaron, on the other hand, is the tense one. This should be just the best lunch ever. Not.
“Reese!” Mallory pulls out the empty chair next to her and motions for me to sit there, so I do, Tyler and Aaron filling up the two remaining seats next to me. Dillon is across the table and down two chairs away from us. Thank goodness for small miracles.
“Damn, woman. You act like you haven’t seen her in years,” Gavin laughs at her eagerness to see me.
“Shut up,” she elbows his side them turns to me. “Where have you been hiding?”
Removing my drink from the tray I roll my eyes. “No hiding here.” I hope my short answer gives her a hint to drop her interrogation.
“Hey, I’m Gavin.” he interrupts, preventing me from continuing, and holds his hand out behind me to greet Aaron. I love him for rescuing me.
“Aaron,” he answers with a firm handshake. “Ty’s roommate.”
“Cool,” Gavin replies with a chin lift then return to face the table.
Dillon has remained quiet since we sat down with them, his face unreadable as he observes everyone. Even though we kinda made up as friends last week, I can only imagine how uncomfortable my being here with Tyler makes him because this is the most awkward thing I’ve ever experienced. Ever.
“You guys going to the frat party this weekend?” Cade asks us between bites of his meal.
“Whose is it?” Air asks, cutting up his pork chop.
“Gamma Delt’s,” Gav offers, “over on Third Street.”
“Same place as usual,” Dillon chimes in, saying nothing more as he continues to eat, his eyes never leaving me for long. Please, let him be done soon.
I’m quickly pulled into a conversation with the girls about classes while the guys continue to discuss the party and eventually sports, Dillon occasionally contributing to their dialogue. The tension between him and Tyler lessening to a semi-tolerable level as we finish eating.
Ring.
Dillon pulls his phone from his pocket and smiles when he checks the caller ID. Taking the call, he pushes away from the table and picks up his tray. “Later,” he says to all of us before hip-bumping the chair underneath the table and walking away. Who could be calling him?
“You up for the party?” Tyler asks, pulling my attention back to my friends.
“Don’t see why not,” I smile, patting his thigh. He then leans in, kissing my cheek and laying his relaxed arm around my shoulders. We continue talking and joking around with my friends until one by one by one they leave our group, only Tyler and I remaining.
“I like your friends,” he says, stacking my empty plates and silverware onto his tray then placing it on top of mine. He always puts them away for me and I love that about him. Good old-fashioned manners are rare these days.
“Meet me in the Student Union when you’re done?” he asks while walking me to the math building for my afternoon class.
“I need to check my mail and stop by the campus bookstore, so that works,” I agree.
Coming to a halt in front of the building, he pulls my front to his. “I’ll see you then.” Taking my lips in a slow kiss his tongue sliding along mine, he pulls away all too quickly for my liking. “Don’t be late,” he nods to the doorway behind me where students are entering and leaving the building.
“Oh, yeah. Bye, Ty.”
“Later.” One last peck is left on my temple before walking off toward the computer science building. My gaze follows him, focused on his long, well-toned legs and ass.
“Excuse me,” a girl apologizes after nearly knocking me over. I’m standing in the middle of the walkway in everyone’s path, ogling Tyler’s striking athletic form.
“My fault,” I apologize when my balance is regained.
“No problem,” she replies as she walks away.
“I really need to get a grip,” I tell myself turning toward the main doors to Markham Hall.
But, can you really blame me when he looks that damn good?
“How did it feel playing on a professional field?” Noel claps me on the shoulder once we leave the locker room. Having arrived on campus very late last night after spending the weekend in Houston with the Astros, I’m ready to call it a day as soon as I’m fed and showered. “It felt like I was dreaming,” I answer, unable to accurately describe just how surreal being there felt.
“I can only imagine,” Gavin adds then shoulders his gym bag. “Dad took me and my brothers to a Rangers game when I was nine. He was able to take us on the field after the game with some passes he got from the company he works for. It was large to a little kid.”
Following Noel and Cade out of the building we walk to our cars in the parking lot, all of us ready to leave.
“Not much different when you’re an adult, either,” I laugh, remembering just how much like a little kid I felt having stepped onto their field this weekend. I’m sure the team has stayed amused with my reaction since I left.
“How did it go? What’d they have you doing?” Gavin asks, then tosses his duffel into his back seat alongside mine.
“The usual stuff, batting, catching, running,” I shrug, “only more.” This draws a chuckle from Noel and Cade, Gavin shaking his head with a smile.
“Well, duh, Einstein, it’s the Majors! I meant other stuff we wouldn’t already know about.” Being around a team full of professional baseball players all weeked is an extremely nerve wracking experience, so I’m more than glad to be back among friends.
“Honestly, it wasn’t anything you wouldn’t expect. Talking about expectations, what they were looking for. There were a few other prospective recruits there, too.”
“I bet that was awkward as hell,” Cade says leaning against the car’s door frame to look across the hood at me and Gavin.
“Not exactly the way I wanted to spend the weekend trying to impress them enough to draft me over them, that’s for damn sure,” I agree.
“That’s no lie,” Noel mutters in agreement.
“Yeah, and I get to do it all over again for the Royals and Rockies,” I remind them.
“Whew,” Cade whistles. “Any of those teams would be amazing to play for.”
“No shit,” Noel and Gav agree wholeheartedly.
“Guess we’ll just have to make sure you have some fun before ya do,” Cade says, a devious grin forming on his face as his eyebrows waggle up and down.
“You’re screwed now,” Gav slaps me on the back, he and Noel laughing. Cade’s promise of fun, coupled with that facial display, never bodes well for the recipient.
“Just remember I do have to remain functional for that,” I warn, climbing into the driver’s seat. Cade’s smirk only growing with mischief. I’m so fucked.
“Come on over later if ya get bored,” Daniels calls out then he and Cade load into his car and we all go our separate ways.
“Can’t say I’m not just a little envious,” Gav says from the passenger’s seat on the short drive to our dorm.
“Huh?” I hastily glance over to him then back to the road.
“Always wanted to play baseball for a career when I was a kid.” Didn’t know that.
“What happened?” He’s a good player. Might have a chance if he fully pursued it.
“Just couldn’t imagine what I’d do after it was over for me. That and I found I love programming just as much.” He shrugs, unbothered about his career shift.
“Better you than me,” I laugh. “Meeting Mallory have anything to do with it?”
“Yes and no. Her following around a ball player husband wouldn’t be an issue for her, but I just don’t see that for us. Things change.” He smiles, lost in his thoughts of her, I assume from how sappy he looks right now.
“Yeah,” I agree, gripping the steering wheel as I pull into a parking space in front of our dorm. “Things change.”
Images of Reese watching me play - cheering me on at every game along with other baseball wives - flood my mind. Visions of her radiant smile aimed only at me that I’ll no longer see. Will I ever find that again?
“You sure are all dressed up for a basketball banquet. I don’t even get that fancy for Noel’s baseball ones,” Xana says from her seat on the spare bed in my room. She’s keeping me company while I get ready. “Do you even like clothes with sequins?” She cockes her head to the side to look me over.
“Sometimes sequins are unavoidable,” I shrug, checking my hair and makeup in the mirror one last time before deciding it’s fine as is. “Besides, Tyler said it was a special awards thing, honoring an alumni or something like that.” I had no idea who the man was supposed to be, and never really thought twice about it. It’s not like I’ll ever need to know about him after tonight.
“Oh, exciting.” she says with a touch of sarcasm and a yawn.
“I’ll let ya know if it’s all they’re hyping it up to be.” I toss my dirty clothes into the hamper, mentally reminding myself I will need to wash a load or two tomorrow.
“Okay,” she yawns again, curling further into the pillow.
“You feel alright?”
“Been a long week, that’s all,” she replies, not as convincing as she tries to be.
“Just stay here and take a nap. No need to wait at the library for Stacy to finish with her study group thing. You’re halfway asleep already,” I tease. “No need in us dropping you off at the library to wait on her if you’re good right now.”
“A nap does sound good,” she looks to the right while considering her options.
PING.
“Tyler?” she asks while I check my messages.
“Yep. He’s downstairs.”
“You two go on without me. I’ll just tell Stace I’ll wait for her over here,” she commands, eyes closed while she stifles a third yawn.
“You okay?” Her eyes jerk open to look my way as I’m grabbing my purse and keys.
“Yeah, I’ll lock up when I leave.” That was weird, but whatever.
“Alright, later.” I start to leave, but falter when I hear her murmur “safe”. At least, that’s what I think I hear. Brushing it off with a shake of my head as my imagination, I leave her to her nap and meet Ty in the lobby.
We’re seated at a neatly decorated table with a few of Tyler’s friends and their dates at Mike’s Steak and Seafood. The delicious meal provided has my sated stomach ever so grateful this sequined dress has enough spandex to allow for how full I am. Sitting still as the college’s President delivers his speech to introduce the former basketball alumni and SAU graduate would be near impossible if my dress were too snug.
“You’d think he’d be smart enough to recognize he’s repeated himself three times already,” Ty whispers in my ear, saying aloud what my brain was thinking. Clearing my throat to cover my giggle, I elbow his side, then attempt to give a reprimanding look. Epic. Fail.
Luckily, the President’s speech ends quickly, Richard Barnes, the guest speaker, taking over. His funny speech is less drawn out despite the fact that his jersey number, eighty-three, is being retired. Even I realize how big something like that is.
“You ready?” he asks when finished talking to Mr. Barnes. His warm hand on my lower back - dangerously near my bottom - draws me to his side. Nodding, I allow him to lead me from the restaurant to his truck. It’s a lot taller than what I’m used to with Dillon’s Jeep, so I didn’t take that into account when I picked my outfit for the night. I suppose he drives it lifted this high because his legs are so damn long.
“Here,” he says opening my door. “I’ll lift you up.” His hands grab my waist so that he can effortlessly pick me up and set me in the passenger’s seat, the spacious cab making me feel like a small child.
He hops in and pulls out of the parking lot, turning the opposite direction of the dorms and campus. “Where are we going?”
“Thought we could drive up to the lake.”
“Oh, that sounds good.” I’ve only been there once since I started at SAU and that was during the day. I’m always up for lake watching at night, having spent lots of time doing just that while on summer vacations with my family.
Tyler and I spend the fifteen minute drive talking about the banquet and the various other activities going on around campus as we approach the last few weeks of classes. Thinking back on the semester, so much has happened. That I find it hard to believe it’s nearly over.
“Here we go,” he says backing into a sandy patch and parking as near the lake as he can get. Coming around to assist me from the cab, he helps me walk - high heels and sand are never best friends - to the bed of the truck where he then opens the tailgate and sets me on it. Having already shucked off his suit coat, he easily climbs in to sit behind me, our legs dangling from the tailgate.
“I love seeing the stars over the water at night. It’s just so peaceful.” Relaxing against this chest, I lay my arms on top of his as they rest around my waist.
“Figured it’d be needed after all the talking at the banquet,” he settles his chin atop my head.
“Good thinking,” I commend his idea. “Who would have guessed the President was such a talker? He sure doesn’t look like one,” I laugh, his rambling fresh on my mind.
“No joke,” he agrees, laughter rumbling in his chest pressed into my back.
Remaining quiet, we’re content in sitting together simply enjoying the spectacular view while the crickets and locusts sing to us. I could stay out here all night, relaxed and happy.
“School’s almost out,” he states, voice low with an odd sound to it.
“Just a few more weeks,” I agree, wondering what he’s thinking about.
“What are you doing over the summer?” He moves his head so that his chin is on my left shoulder, cheek to cheek with me.
“Taking some of my basics at the community college to get ahead,” I answer thinking I’d already told him that. Did I imagine it?
“I’ll be busy with work and ball camp,” he says, his voice stranger than before, kind of like he’s worried or confused. I can’t decide which.
“Work?” Did he already tell me where that was?
“My parents are friends with the local grocery store manager. He always lets me work there during the summer. It helps let other employees take time off with their kids and families.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” Nope. Don’t remember that at all.
“Yeah.” He goes quiet again, rendering me unsure what to say next. Thank goodness he speaks up letting me off the hook. “We won’t get to see each other much.” There it is. Hello, elephant in the room.
“No,” I begin in hopes to nip this conversation in the butt so it doesn’t get too complicated. “But, we’ll both be busy and before you know it it’ll be August again.” It’s only two and a half months. No biggie.
“At least I get to spend a week with you next month.” He kisses my neck, a shiver escaping me from his warm breath on my skin.
“And another when you go with my family on vacation in July,” I whisper, his lips on me slowly distracting my thoughts.
“Mmm,” he groans pulling my legs to the left as he moves me from between his legs to sit sideways on his lap.
Wrapping my arms behind his neck I take advantage of my position and return his affection. His hand slides up my bare leg, along my outer thigh, and under the hem of my dress, holding me securely against him. His fingers flex on my leg before gliding further up to knead my bottom, making it very fortunate this dress required me to wear a thong.
“Reese,” he utters my name while holding me firmly against his growing erection. My need mirrors his own as my inner muscles begin tightening with need.
Tyler’s mouth moves to my neck so I adjust the angle of my torso to give him better access to my throat and chest when his lips and teeth find their way to the dip between my breasts. My fingers find hold in his soft brown hair, pulling slightly as he grips my long, straightened hair and returns the pull. This exposes my throat, just how he likes, and my thighs tighten in response.
Needing more, I maneuver my body so that I’m hovering above his lap, my knees on either side of his legs. Wordlessly he loosens his belt and lowers his zipper in order to slide his clothes out of the way and free his long, hard shaft while I hike my fitted dress up to my middle. Inhaling deeply, he grips his shaft in one hand, raising his other to slip his fingers under my thong and through the wetness gathering there.
“You’re so damn ready,” his low rumble causes my core to clench.
Unable to hold out any longer, my body winning over my mind, I hold onto his shoulders for balance and lower myself over his erection, engulfing it completely in my slick heat. Losing control, he pulls me down all the way so I’m buried completely while thrusting into me at the same time. His quick movements unleash a moan from us both when he’s fully inside me.
“Ty,” I whisper, our eyes locked on each other.
