Chapter 11

It’s been three weeks since I dropped Bryce off at the airport, and I’ve cried every day. Everything changed that weekend, and being apart is killing me inside. I miss him terribly, and he seems to miss me just as much.

When we got home from D.C., Quinn and I decided to cook dinner that night because we figured it was better than trying to go to a restaurant. Even though she didn’t have sex, Quinn had an equally monumental night with Dean after they left the exhibit. They finally talked and decided that it wasn’t casual for either of them. They decided to put a label on their relationship.

Bryce never left my side for the rest of the weekend. We were as social as possible, but it was hard to keep our hands off one another. We only left my room a few times on Sunday, and one of those was to tell Dean goodbye. So when I had to take Bryce to the airport, after spending four nights wrapped in his arms and endless hours wrapped around his body, I was hysterical.

Nate and Bryce’s Spring Break starts today, and they are driving here for the week. We’ll spend this weekend together, and then they go to Norfolk for a few days to see the base while I’m in school. Then Quinn and I are driving over to Virginia Beach to close out their trip.

I’ve spent two days cleaning and getting ready for them to arrive. Besides school, it’s the only thing that keeps me busy.

“Whew, smells like Fabuloso,” Quinn says walking in the door from class.

“Couldn’t help it. Cleaned the kitchen again,” I respond.

“You know we can eat off the counters right?”

I shrug my shoulders and grab my laptop.

“What time are they supposed to be here again?”

“In an hour. I’d call Bryce again, but Nate threatened me.”

“A little obsessive?” she jokes.

“Laugh all you want. I can’t wait.”

“What exactly are you going to do about your brother?”

“What do you mean?”

“You two aren’t exactly quiet.”

“I guess we’ll have to be aware. Maybe you can help me plow Nate with beer so he passes out.”

“I’ll try, but I’d hate to see him beat Bryce’s ass.”

“Shut up!” I throw a pillow at her head.

“Well, as your best friend, I’ll try my best to get you laid as many times as possible without Nate throwing a full on hissy fit.”

“And that is why I love you.”

“One of the many reasons. What ya looking at?” She motions to the computer screen.

“I’m checking out a new program offered to Journalism majors. We can apply, and they send groups to select locations around the world to cover certain stories. They’ve had some volunteers from the top news organizations to lead groups. We could get up to nine credit hours this summer if accepted.”

“Really?” She grabs her laptop and sits down next to me.

We spend the next forty-five minutes looking over the information and applying for the program. Quinn leaves the room when Dean calls, and I go to the back porch to watch for Nate and Bryce. The cool wind chills my body, but as soon as I see the familiar headlights of Nate’s truck pull into a parking spot, I forget about it.

I rush through the house and out the door to meet them. Bryce sees me first and holds his arms out for me. I jump into his embrace, his familiar scent surrounding me. He kisses along my neck softly, whispering how much he missed me. I lift up to kiss him lightly when there’s an animalistic growl behind me.

“Fucking stop it now.” Nate glares at us, but his face softens when I untangle myself and give him a hug.

“Nate!”

“Seriously, Dev. Get used to it.”

“Babe, don’t let him get to you. We have all night to celebrate,” he teases, and my brother’s face turns red.

“Fucker, I already warned you, none of that shit while I’m around.”

“Come on in.” I take Bryce’s hand and lead them into my apartment.

We order pizza and settle in front of the TV where the guys insist on watching NCAA basketball. Nate only slightly scowls when I curl up next to Bryce on the sofa. Things seem to be going well until Quinn mentions going home on our break in a few weeks.

Bryce’s body goes stiff under me, and he mutes the television. “I thought you two were going to do something fun?”

“Plans changed. Quinn’s going to drive home. Dean’s driving up from Atlanta for part of the week to meet her parents.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll stay here. Sure I can find something to do.”

“Alone?”

“Yeah.”

“Why don’t you go home with her?”

“My parents will be on that cruise, remember?”

“I don’t want you here alone. Knoxville’s almost six hours away if you need me.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“No, you’re coming to our place.”

“I’ll be fine,” I repeat.

“I agree with Bryce, Devon,” Nate states. “This will be a ghost town during Spring Break. I don’t want you here alone.”

“I didn’t think it was a good idea to come to Knoxville right now.” I think of running into Holli.

“That was a dumb decision on my part. Our relationship was new and somewhat fragile. I wanted to protect you in case Holli showed up. I knew how much seeing her would affect you. At this point, it doesn’t matter. You know how I feel about you, and hopefully, your paths won’t cross.”

Apparently, Holli and Bryce still run into each other, but he made it clear he’s in a serious relationship and she backed off. Now, when they see each other, it is coincidental. I personally don’t believe it’s an accident that she is always at the gym, library, or same bars he is, but I don’t want to sound petty.

“Babe, I would have asked you to come, but I thought you were going somewhere with Quinn.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. You guys talk forty times a week and you didn’t know her plans changed?” Nate laughs.

“It’s not entirely his fault! Quinn just decided to go home a few days ago.” I look to her for help, but she’s snickering and shaking her head.

“Regardless, ride with Quinn, and she can drop you off at our place.”

I nod in agreement and lay back on Bryce’s chest. Truth is, I didn’t want to be alone for the week either, but I was too proud to mention it. The thought of running into Holli doesn’t scare me, because I do know how Bryce feels about me. But there’s a small part of me that knows, if I do see her, it will be a reminder of a painful memory.

“I love you, Devon,” Bryce whispers and kisses my forehead.

“You too. And as soon as my brother falls asleep, I plan to show you how much,” I murmur.

Nate sighs loudly and says, “It’s going to be a long fucking week. Are they always like this?”

“You just wait,” Quinn answers. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

“Devon, wake up, baby.”

“Ummm,” I moan and bury my face in the pillow. When I feel Bryce pulling off my pajama bottoms, I realize there’s probably no more sleeping.

“Nate just left for a five-mile run. We have anywhere from forty-five minutes to an hour before he gets back. Quinn left for class. I need to hear you screaming my name.”

This wakes me up and sends flutters to my stomach. Nate and Bryce have been here for three days, and finding time alone has been tough. We’ve had to be creative, and being quiet has been a challenge. Since Nate is using my bathroom, we can’t exactly lock the door at night. The thought of us having the apartment alone is wonderful.

My eyes flutter and then snap open. Bryce is braced over me, completely naked. His cock is jetting out, hard and thick. Instantly, I’m turned on and take a mental picture to file away.

“What did you have in mind?” I tease.

His hand slides up my inner thigh until it grazes my slick entrance. “If we could, I’d make you come with my fingers, mouth, and then my dick. But I’m a selfish bastard and want you to ride me. I’ve been dreaming of you straddling me since I left here.”

If I wasn’t already wet, I’m now drenched. Every position with Bryce is good, but when I’m on top, he usually gives me two orgasms. Desire takes over, and I push back, rolling him under me. He reaches over to my nightstand and hands me a condom. I roll it on, appreciating the smooth silky skin and his length.

His hands grip my hips, and my hands brace on his tight abdomen as I slide down, taking every inch of him. As soon as he’s filled me, I rip my tank top over my head and throw it to the side. His eyes widen and fill with desire. I grin as I begin rocking against him. His hands slide up my body, leaving a trail of goose bumps. When he reaches my tight nipples, he massages them tenderly.

I throw my head back, pleasure pouring from my body as he pumps into me from below. Together, we find a rhythm that has us both groaning. My core spasms as the first wave of an orgasm hits. When his thumb swipes across my clit, I explode, yelling his name.

He jack-knifes up, pressing our chests together, and doesn’t let me slow down. His hands squeeze my ass as he pounds into me, chasing his own release.

“Another one, baby girl. Can you give me that?”

“Ummhmm.”

He leans back and lowers his head, taking my breast in his mouth. He takes turns with each one, nipping lightly then licking to erase any sting. His panting grows louder, which makes my already overheated body burn more.

I swivel my hips, and he hits my g-spot. “Oh my God!” I cry out. His thrusts become faster, and when he lifts his face to mine, he’s close. I throw my head forward and yell his name again. He groans loudly, and I feel him coming with me. His grip gets tighter as his lips latch onto my shoulder.

We sit there holding one another until our heartbeats return to normal.

“Is sex always this awesome?” I ask breathlessly.

“With us, yes, but that’s because it’s us.”

My heart swells, and I smile back at him. It’s become common for Bryce to say things like this. He uses the terms ‘mine’, ‘forever’, and ‘always’ almost daily. I never disagree, because if Bryce Randolph wants to have a forever with me, I’m thrilled with it.

“Babe, I think we should jump in the shower and maybe air out your room. I’m pretty sure it smells like sex, and Nate’s not an idiot.”

“So I have to move?”

“Unfortunately.”

He kisses me quickly, and we break apart. I crack open my windows and join him in the shower, hoping Nate takes his time running today. I want a little more time alone with Bryce before they leave for Norfolk in a few hours.