Crushed (The Rushed New Adult and College Romance Series Book 2)

  I snuggled into him in the gondola. The stars sparkled above. The city sparkled below.

  "It's breathtaking," I whispered, in awe.

  "You're breathtaking." Dak tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I've never felt this way about anyone. I'm falling in love with you."

  My pulse raced. He looked at me expectantly. I slid my arms around his neck. "I'm falling in love with you, too."

  He kissed me, tenderly at first, and then with skilled yearning. He kissed my breath away. I slid into his lap.

  "You are so damn beautiful." He stroked my cheek. "As soon as we turn twenty-one, I'm taking you back here and we'll have that champagne toast."

  The thought of us still being together at our birthdays made my pulse race. Hookup guys didn't talk long term, as in months ahead.

  "We're supposed to each be having a huge bash, trying to outdo each other," I said. "I've been dreaming of my birthday run. I've planned it down to my outfit and the banner I'm going to wear."

  "You'll come to the Tau Psi house." His eyes danced.

  "First stop." I smiled seductively at him.

  "Make it your last. I'll be waiting for you with a big-ass bottle of your favorite alcoholic beverage. And then I'll show you my room." He winked.

  I laughed. A frat guy "showing you his room" was, of course, code for having sex there. "At midnight, we'll ring in your birthday with a bottle of your favorite."

  "What? You're trying to horn in on my birthday celebration now?" He ran his fingers through my hair.

  "No. Yours will be completely separate. I'm actually sharing and giving you a fighting chance at an epic birthday. Mine's on Saturday and yours is on Sunday. So I have the party advantage. Sunday everyone will just be hung over.

  "If we celebrate together—my birthday until midnight on Saturday, and then yours until dawn—yours can be awesome, too."

  "Sounds good to me. Two parties together will be twice as legendary."

  We stared out at the view, cuddled in each other's arms.

  The ride ended all too soon. And so did the evening. I would have stayed out all night, but Mom would be worried and furious.

  Dakota took me home and walked me to the door. Just as he kissed me goodnight, his phone rang.

  I pulled away. "Are you going to get that?"

  He shook his head. "No. Nothing's more important at this moment than you."

  Chapter Eighteen

  Morgan

  Thanksgiving vacation went by in a rush. It flew by so quickly, there was no time to see Dak again. Though we talked every day. I was back at school before I knew it. Facing the few weeks before finals and the holiday season without drink didn't seem so bad with Dakota by my side.

  I flew back into his arms the minute I got back into town. From that minute forward, we were together every second we could find. We fell into the steady rhythm of a committed relationship. But I steadfastly refused to sleep with him. It was like I was testing him—how badly did he want me? How hard would he try to prove he was serious? That I was no hookup?

  If you had told me at the start of the semester that I would fall in love with Dakota Bradley and be his girl, I would have laughed in your face. Now I laughed with joy every time I thought about it.

  "When we sleep together again," I told him, "I want it to be special."

  "When will that be?" His voice was husky with want.

  "When the time's right." I was trying to be enigmatic.

  Though the longer it went, the more I wanted him. No sex. No drinking. How long could I hold out?

  Although I was on social probation, I was allowed to help decorate the house for Christmas. But while the rest of the house was getting ready for the winter semiformal, I tried not to think about it. The dance was being held at a local hotel. So at least it wasn't in my face at the house. Dakota, who could be so totally sweet, told me he was taking me to dinner that night. I should dress up and look hot. I knew what he had on his mind.

  On Saturday, as the rest of the girls got ready for their dates to the semiformal a package was delivered for me.

  Kayla delivered it to my room and handed it to me. "What a gorgeous package! Look at this beautiful blue bow. It's not your birthday yet, right?"

  The package was pretty, silver with a blue ribbon. Wintery. Sparkly.

  "No. Not until late January."

  "Early Christmas, then."

  "Maybe." I frowned. It looked like a clothing box.

  "Open it!" She plunked onto my bed.

  I sat beside her, slid off the ribbon, pulled off the lid, and folded back white tissue paper.

  I gasped. "The blue dress." I breathed the words.

  A card sat in the middle of the dress.

  Kayla peered over my shoulder and gently fingered the delicate fabric of the dress. "Wow! Stunning. What's the special occasion? The dance?"

  I shook my head. Kayla knew as well as I did that I was on social probation. Everyone either knew or guessed. But she was too polite to come out and say it. Instead she simply sounded politely puzzled.

  "I'm not going."

  My name was written on the card in Dak's handwriting. I didn't even care that Kayla was there. I slit the envelope open and pulled the card out.

  Wear this tonight. I love you! Dak

  Kayla hugged me. "I'm happy for you, Morgan. I really am. You and Dakota make a cute couple. Keep this up and you'll be lavaliered by the end of the year."

  Lavaliered. Being lavaliered was tantamount to being engaged. It was a big deal. Lately, I'd begun to dream about it.

  After Kayla left, I pulled the dress out of the box and held it up. A pair of see-through lace thong panties, silver, rested on the tissue beneath the dress. Yes, Dak was definitely trying to seduce me.

  Dakota picked me up at eight. He was wearing a suit and blue tie that matched my dress. The matching tie was the thing that the girl usually picked out. I was happily surprised he'd thought of it. And he was carrying a corsage for me.

  I wore the dress, and the panties, and left my hair down so that it flowed over my shoulders in long waves. I'd spritzed on the perfume that turned him on. I wore a pair of silver sandals that were totally impractical in the frigid December night. And not appropriate for walking anywhere on the uneven hills of campus and town.

  He pulled me into a passionate kiss and held me possessively around the small of my back with the corsage box still in his hand. "You look good enough to eat."

  I wiped my lipstick off his face with my thumb. "My lipstick looks good on you."

  He grinned and pulled away, opening the corsage box and helping me slip the corsage over my wrist.

  The pink rose looked good against my pale, nearly winter skin. I inhaled deeply. It smelled like a commercial rose, light on scent, but like every dance I'd ever attended. "What's this for?"

  He just grinned.

  Guys were showing up to pick up their dates. We blended right in.

  "You're a man of mystery tonight. Where are we going and how are we getting there?" I smiled up at him. "Do I need my bus pass?"

  He took my arm and led me toward the door. "The car and driver awaits."

  "Driver? In this small town?"

  He wrapped my shawl around me and led me outside. "Pledges have their uses."

  He helped me in the car. I recognized our pledge driver and smiled at him. He drove us to a small hotel in town that housed a popular Italian restaurant. Dak had booked us a private table in the corner. We sat next to each other and flirted through dinner.

  The restaurant had a small dance floor that was outside the bar.

  "Want to dance?" Dak asked me after dinner.

  The music was old-fashioned and cheesy, but when I was in Dak's arms, it didn't matter. I didn't care. The room melted away and it was just the two of us.

  I whispered in his ear, "This is so sweet. Much better than the winter semiformal."

  "That's what I was going for." He stroked my hair.

  "I wish it didn't hav
e to end."

  "It doesn't. Not tonight. Not if you don't want it to."

  I looked up into his eyes and raised an eyebrow. "What are you saying?"

  "I booked us a room here. If you want it." He looked nervous. "I think it's time."

  The low huskiness of his tone sent shivers of anticipation down my spine. "Me too."

  He smiled and ran his hand down my arm. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that."

  I put my mouth to his ear. I wanted him in the worst way. "Do we need to check in?"

  "Checked in this afternoon."

  I kissed him lightly, wanting so much more. "Confident move."

  "No, just damn optimistic." He pulled a room key from his pocket and took my hand. "Whenever you're tired of dancing, say the word."

  "I'm tired now." I smiled seductively at him. "Of dancing."

  He mumbled something beneath his breath, took my hand, and pulled me back to the table to collect our coats and my purse. The hotel was small, only three floors. Our room was on the third floor. We took the stairs.

  He unlocked the door and held it open for me. The room was softly lit with flickering electric candles. A single red rose sat in a vase on the table near the bed. And the bed was turned down, with chocolates on the pillows.

  "It's not much." He was grinning. "But it is the best this town has to offer." He swept me off my feet and carried me across the threshold like it was our honeymoon, kicking the door closed with his foot. I wrapped my arms around him as he carried me to the bed. He was breathing hard with anticipation as he set me down.

  "Lock the door," I said as I leaned down to unfasten the buckles on my sandals.

  He grabbed my hand. "Don't get undressed without me." He locked the door, put the chain on, shrugged out of his jacket, and put it over the back of the chair by the desk.

  He came to me and kneeled before me.

  "What are you doing?" I felt breathless with anticipation.

  "Undressing you." He ran his hand up my bare leg, beneath my skirt to the edge of my panties, teasing the pulsing between my legs by stopping just short of touching me.

  He unbuckled one shoe and gently pulled it off. Then the next.

  "Take off your shirt," I said as he stood.

  He unbuttoned it like a male stripper, while I went hot all over at the sight of his rippled abs and defined chest. I'd seen him before, but not like this. Not with the light of love shining with the lust in his eyes.

  The air crackled with desire. Whoever said you can't feel chemistry pulsing in the air was wrong. I felt it, a tangible thing I wanted to reach out and grab.

  He grabbed my hands. "Stand up." He pulled me to my feet and slid the straps of my dress off my shoulders. "Spin around."

  I obeyed, feeling my breath catch as he unzipped me, stroking my back with a light touch designed to turn me on. My dress fell off.

  I turned around to face him, seeing my reflection in the mirrored closet doors opposite the bed. Looking at the fine lines of his sculpted, muscled back. I reached out for him, wanting to lick him and suck his nipples. Wanting to coil around him.

  "Patience." He pulled me close and kissed my neck as he unfastened my bra.

  I reached for his pants.

  He grabbed my hands and held me at arm's length. "You are so gorgeous." He sounded almost reverent. The look in his eyes was a mixture of love, adoration, and passion.

  I'd never made love to him face to face sober. The last time we'd had sex, it had been just that. This felt like the first time as he pulled my bra off and bent to kiss my breasts.

  I gasped with the pleasure of the feel of his hot tongue on my nipples. I longed for him to lick me all over. I wanted him in me. "Take off your pants."

  He grinned and stripped off his pants and his underwear in one move. His dick was hard and ready and aiming for me as he laid me gently on my back on the bed.

  "You're naked." I kissed him lightly as I stroked his dick. "I'm still wearing my panties."

  "As a barrier to entry, those panties are useless." He flashed me a rogue's grin. "Why do you think I gave them to you?" He slid one finger beneath them.

  I moaned at his touch, wet and ready for him.

  He kissed my neck and then my breasts as he made little circles of pleasure with his fingers between my legs.

  I clutched his hair and brought his face up so I could look at him. "Dakota Bradley, stop teasing me."

  "I'm seducing you slowly."

  "I've had enough seduction. Take me. Now." I wrapped my legs around his naked waist and positioned myself beneath.

  He moved his mouth to within inches of mine. "Any way you want it."

  I was still clutching handfuls of his hair. "I want it now."

  He covered my mouth with his and plunged into me with his tongue and his dick at the same time. Dak could kiss. Oh, how he could kiss. His tongue caressed my mouth in the most intimate way.

  I arched beneath him, rocking with him. Our rhythm had always been perfect, like we knew instinctively how to move together. Like we belonged together, I realized with a shock.

  He broke the kiss and turned. I realized he was looking in the mirror, and followed his gaze.

  "Seeing what a stud you are?" I asked him.

  He looked down at me. "Watching your beautiful body moving with mine."

  I cupped his face. "I like watching, too."

  He smiled. "I love you, Morgan. I love you."

  My breath caught. I thought my heart would break with joy. No guy had ever said he loved me in the middle of the act. They said it after, like it was a thank-you or something. The way Dak said it, I knew he wanted me to know he did. He loved me. The knowledge was both erotic and fulfilling. The pleasure grew between my legs in a way that only Dakota made me feel.

  I was a tightly wound spring, waiting for him. Wanting to come together. "I love you, too."

  He thrust deeper and deeper and deeper.

  I gasped and so did he.

  "Dak!" The pleasure was so intense, my eyes rolled back and I sighed.

  "Morgan!"

  I felt him come, felt his pleasure and release. When he collapsed on top of me, we were both hot and flushed.

  "Wow!" I ran my fingers through his hair.

  "Is that all you can say?" He kissed the tip of my nose.

  "I'm lucky I can speak at all."

  He laughed and braced himself, holding his full weight off me. "I meant it. I love you."

  "I know." I kissed the tip of his nose. "And I love you. Desperately."

  "Love shouldn't be desperate, Morgs. We belong together."

  Chapter Nineteen

  Dakota

  I'd fully intended to impress Morgan with my dashing, romantic nature. I wanted sex. I wanted her love. I wanted everything. So, yeah. I went full out. But I meant every word I told her. Was it deceptive? I wasn't always the most romantic guy.

  Maybe it was. One thing I knew, when you wanted something, you went after it full force with everything you had. No half-assed attempts. No lack of confidence. No weakness. I'd let Zach win her before with his gentle, brotherly attention. This time I wasn't leaving her in any doubt where I stood.

  She kept telling me that private winter semiformal I gave her was the most romantic thing she'd ever heard of. She was going to write an article about it and send it in to that sorority gossip site she was always reading.

  If it got published, my fellow men were going to hate me forever for that move. I would be right up there with that article on why guys don't need blowjobs. Shit, didn't we have enough pressure when we finally decided to lavalier a girl or propose? You had to upstage every viral proposal any other guy had ever done. I'd just raised the bar on dates.

  I thought about her all the time. All. The. Time. She was like a drug in my blood. More addictive than alcohol. I barely kept my head through finals.

  I bought her a necklace for Christmas, a snowflake pendant studded with tiny diamonds. To remind her of that winter dance I'd given her. And becau
se I wanted to see it sparkling around her neck while she wore that, and only that, while I made love to her.

  We made love almost every night. It was only almost because there were a few nights she insisted on actually studying alone, or hanging with her sorority sisters and sleeping in her own bed at her house. She claimed she'd really bonded with most of them during her social probation pariah phase. She was tired of being the witch of the house. Now that she was happy, she actually liked most of her sorority sisters. The rest of the nights she spent with me at the frat.

  I dreaded Christmas break. I was going to be horny as hell without her. And lonely. Morgan had replaced Zach and my frat buddies as the best friend I had. Or had ever had.

  As the Grinch found out, though, hard as you try, you can't keep Christmas from coming. So it came all the same, on the heels of finals.

  I couldn't stay away from her. If only I could drive, damn it. I took the bus. I rode the light rail. I bummed rides off friends. I even conned Zach and Alexis into double dating so he could do the driving.

  "Morgan and Alexis are big and little," I said to Zach. "Alexis could learn a lot from Morgan. We're best friends again. We'll be hanging out. They need to get along."

  Zach nodded. "They're working on it."

  "What do you think about Morgan and me?" I asked Zach.

  He shrugged. "Do you need my blessing?"

  "Just asking your opinion."

  He grinned. "I think you're good together."

  It was damned refreshing to be out with a girl my friends and family approved of. Mom invited her over for dinner several times in the days before Christmas. She couldn't stop raving about Morgan. Even the Pomsky Mom had carted home from the frat loved Morgan. She brought the dog a sweater. The dog let her dress him in the silly thing and cart him around in her arms like he belonged there. For a while, I was almost jealous of the dog.

  The other challenge was making sure Morgan didn't run into Jordan. Shit, like I needed that to happen.

  The day before I left for school, Jordan cornered me as I stepped out of Starbucks.

  "Dakota!"

  "Shit, Jordan! You startled me." I was carrying a hot cup of coffee. I nearly dropped it when she appeared from nowhere around a corner. "Were you lying in wait for me?"