Page 34

Archie’s book is next! Here’s a sneak peek.

Zone Protection

Emma

The last place I want to be tonight is at a party in some football player’s house. My next paper for my Organic Chemistry class is due on Tuesday and isn’t going to write itself. But my roommates, who are also my teammates on the Walker University Women’s Golf team, have dragged me out thinking I need to let off some steam and have a little fun.

Our first tournament in California wasn’t my finest performance, and the pressure I feel from my course load this semester is enough to drive an average person crazy. I’ll compartmentalize it, as I usually do, and keep moving, but my friends might be right. I’m a perfectionist to a fault, and admittedly take on more than I should from time to time. Okay, all the time, but I can’t help it. So maybe I should just let myself have some fun tonight.

Problem is, this house is filled with ego-driven fuck boys. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve played around with my fair share, but I’m just not in the mood tonight. The music is too loud, the sorority girls are decked out in their short skirts while I’m in jeans and a cropped t-shirt, and it smells like a distillery in here. I feel like one drop of a match and this place would go up in flames just because of the amount of alcohol in here alone. Which surprises me a little bit, to be honest. The football team won today, so they deserve to celebrate, but most athletes don’t drink too heavily during the season. Or at least the ones who plan to take their career past college.

I have no intention of playing golf beyond my college years. My track has been clear to me since my sister died when I was only nine years old. I need to finish my four years here at Walker near the top of my class in order to get into the best med schools. Right now, my top choices are NYU, Case Western Reserve, and Duke. They have the best pediatric cardiology programs, which is what my specialty will be.

“Emma, did you hear me?” my friend, Olivia Lewis, aka Livi, asks.

“I can barely hear anything in here. What did you say?” I lean in closer to her to hear her more clearly.

“You need to get out of your head. Your paper will still be there tomorrow. This place is swimming with endless possibilities. I feel like you need to get laid. Like not only let loose and have a few drinks, but you need to get some D, my friend.” She wraps her arm around my shoulders and laughs.

Just as she does, a loud boom of a voice comes from the doorway. Now, I’m standing next to the speaker, but I can still hear Archie Griffith’s voice over the sound.

“Ladies and dicks, the party can begin. I have arrived! Let’s get fucked up, motherfuckers! Cowboy up!” he yells. Then he gallops—yes, gallops—into the room and straight for my other two friends, Peyton Adams and Mia Wallace, who are dancing on the makeshift dance floor in what is probably the dining room.

“Holy shit, that man is a snack!” Livi laughs.

I mean, she’s not wrong. He’s tall with blond hair that’s long enough that he can pull it back, and he’s covered in tattoos. Not at all my usual type. But he’s fucking fine. I can only imagine what he looks like under that t-shirt and jeans that fit like a glove. He’s gotta have one of those Adonis belts, the holy grail for thirsty women everywhere.

“I’m going over there. You should definitely come too! Come on, Em.” She tugs on my arm, but I pull it back.

“A shot is calling my name. I’ll be right back.”

She nods and heads out to the dance floor.

I walk into the kitchen, which is the room next to where I’ve been standing. There’s a bar set up on the island in the center of the kitchen. Bar is a loose term. Really, it’s just a bunch of liquor bottles, although they are lined up neatly.

“Can I get you something? I’m the rookie on bar duty tonight. Whatcha thinkin’? Wait, don’t I know you from somewhere? Emma, right? Golf?” he asks then holds out his hand for me to shake. “Leo Morris. I’m the new kicker for the football team. I saw you at the Fellowship of Athletes meeting a few weeks ago.”

I take his hand and shake it. “Oh cool, nice to meet you, Leo. Congrats on the win today.”

“Thank you. It was—” He’s cut off by Dan Smith, who I’ve known for a few years now. I actually hooked up with him once, and it wasn’t memorable enough for a repeat.

“Sup, Emma. Looking good. Want to come out back and get a beer?” He loops his arm around Leo’s shoulders and basically puts him in a headlock. “It’s time for this guy to pay his dues.”

“I thought I was paying my dues by manning the bar!” He coughs out a laugh.

“I’m gonna pass, but you guys have fun. Nice to meet you, Leo.” I wave.

Dan gives me a wink and turns with Leo still in his hold toward the back porch. I’ll admit, he is hot and a possible contender for the D, but I don’t really do repeats. That gets messy, and I don’t have time for messy. Or feelings. Easy hookups are all I can manage right now, so one-night stands work for me.

I peruse the options on the bar and settle on a shot of Fireball. I have no intention of getting fucked up tonight, but maybe a shot will make being here less … annoying. So, I grab one of the red Solo shot glasses and fill it to the top. At least my breath won’t smell as horrible with the cinnamon aftertaste.

Wasting no time, because I don’t want to stand around with a shot in my hand like a weirdo as people wander in and out of the kitchen, I knock it back in one go. It burns like a motherfucker and I wince but also try to seem unaffected.

I grab a bottle of water from the fridge on my way back to the dance floor. One shot was enough for me tonight, though I’m never a big drinker anyway.

Finding my spot by the speaker again, I see my friends still dancing with Archie. Well, dancing isn’t really the term I would use. They’re grinding up against each other. Peyton is in the front, and Mia is behind him. Livi is dancing near them, but she’s with some guy I don’t recognize.

Honestly, there isn’t a guy in here who isn’t hot, but there is something about Archie Griffith that draws you in. I don’t know him personally, but watching him on the field and in interviews, he’s got that southern boy charm that apparently makes the guys envious and the girls lose their panties. Literally.

His arms are draped over Peyton’s shoulders, but he’s not touching her with his hands. He leans in to hear something she’s saying, and when he looks up, our eyes meet.

I’m not sure if it’s the Fireball making its way through my body or if it’s him, but heat rises from my toes to my cheeks—with a little extra heat making a pit stop at my lady business. I can’t say a guy has ever had this effect on me before.

I break my gaze first, so I don’t look like some stalker. But I can’t help but look back, and when I do, he’s still looking at me and now has the sexiest little smirk on his face.

He leans in to say something to Peyton and moves his hands to Mia’s wrists that are wrapped around his waist, removing them from his body. His eyes never leaving mine.

Jesus, this man is sex on a stick and is now walking toward me. Wait! He’s walking toward me. Do not act like a nerd, Emma.

“Hey. You having fun tonight?” he asks me, crossing his arms across his chest, making his biceps look enormous. Standing this close to me, I can see just how big he is. And I’m not short by any means. I’m 5’8” and he is still towering over me.

“Huh? I can’t hear you over the base, what did you say?” Way to play it cool, Em.

He takes hold of my elbow and drifts us a little further away from the speaker.

“I asked if you were having fun.” He gives me a sexy smile.

Leaning in a little closer to him, I reply, “Yeah, I guess so. These parties aren’t really my thing, but it’s been a stressful week, so my friends insisted on getting me out tonight. How about you—are you having fun?”

“Sweetness, I’m always having fun. Even better now that I’m talking with you,” he says a little too smoothly.

“Ha! Look, I know who you are. Everyone on campus knows who you are. If you’re looking for an easy hookup, I’m not your girl.” I turn my head toward where my friends are dancing.

What am I doing? I’m not one to flirt or play games with any guy. When I want a hookup, I’m pretty clear about it, so I don’t know why I’m acting flustered and kind of bitchy. I don’t mean to be. And I’m also a big fat liar. I absolutely wouldn’t mind hooking up with him.

Lifting his hand up, he reaches for my face and cups my cheek while his other hand takes hold of my waist. “Hey, Darlin’.” He guides my face to look at him then drags his fingers to my chin and tilts it up. When I finally look at him, that heat … it’s back.

His smirk falls and he sucks in a breath. “Goddamn, Darlin’. You are fucking beautiful.”

I huff out a laugh. “Yeah, okay, player.” But I don’t move away.

He moves his hand back up to my cheek. “I’m dead serious. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so pretty.”

We’re locked in a staredown when a slower song comes on.

“Dance with me, Darlin’.” He moves his hand from my face to my waist and pulls me into him. Instead of pulling away, I wrap my arms around his shoulders.

We’re moving together, and neither one of us has taken our eyes off each other. I’m not sure what it is about him, but I like the way it feels to be in his arms.

I can’t help but brush my hands over his shoulder muscles and to his back, wrapping my arms around his neck. My breasts are brushing against his chest, and I can feel his warmth through his shirt and mine.

Moving his hands from my waist to my lower back, he continues drifting a little lower. I’m not gonna stop him, so he keeps sliding his hands down until they’re cupping my ass.

He pulls me in a little closer, and our noses practically touch. “You wanna have some fun with me, Darlin’?”

My tongue peeks out and touches my top lip, then I look over to my friends. Mia gives me a nod and a wide smile, while Peyton gives me two thumbs up and smiles. Livi … she’s sucking face with the guy she was dancing with. I roll my eyes at them but smile.

“So you know who I am, but I don’t know your name. Are you gonna tell me?” he asks.

When I meet his eyes again, butterflies flutter around my belly like they’re having a party that only Archie is invited to. He smiles at me, like a real smile, not a “let me get in your panties” smile, and I'm done. I surrender all the panties to this man.

“Emma. My name is Emma.” My hands move from his neck to the sides of his face. “So, Archie Griffith, are you gonna keep giving me lines, or are we gonna have some fun?”

He leans in a little closer to my face, close enough to kiss me. “That’s up to you. I’m more than ready to have some fun with you, Emma .”

No guy has ever made me feel like this. Regardless, this can only be one night. “Here’s the deal. My friends dragged me out, because like I said, it’s been a shit week. But what the hell, maybe my friends are right, and I just need a good lay. Do you think you’re up for that, Archie? No catching feelings.” I'm so close to him now, I can feel his breath on my lips.

“Oh, I’m up for it. You gonna let me kiss you? I really want to taste those lips.”

Instead of answering him, I lean in and kiss him. If I thought his eyes and smile did me in, nothing could have prepared me for this kiss. It’s electric.

Our tongues tangle almost immediately, and there’s no way in hell he doesn’t feel this too.

His hands grab onto my ass, and he pulls me in even closer. I can feel his hard-on through his jeans, and I think … he might not be wearing boxers. Just that thought alone makes me moan into his mouth, and it makes me feral. I’m completely lost in him and practically forget where we are when he pulls back.

“Do you want to go upstairs?” I ask him.

He tilts his head and smirks.

“Yeah, Darlin’, I do. But you know, I live right down the street. We could have a little more privacy and more time for me to do everything I want to do with you. This ain’t gonna be a fast fuck. I wanna take my time.”

“If we leave to go to your house, there’s a chance I might change my mind. So, while the thought of having sex in this house makes me question my sanity, it’s now or never, Archie.”

He nods and slides his hands from my butt to my waist. Leaning in, he kisses me. “Come with me. I know where we can go.” He lets go of my waist and grabs my hands.

I nod and release one of his hands. “Show me the way.”

* * *

When we get upstairs, he knocks on a door, and when no one answers, he opens it.

As soon as I get through the doorway, he turns to face me and closes the door behind me with one hand and turns the lock.

Neither of us says anything, but I can see the heat in his eyes.

“Are you sure about this, Darlin’,” he asks.

I appreciate that he’s asking for my consent, but I really just need him to take my clothes off. Like, now.

“Oh, yeah. I’m sure.” I reach up and wrap my hands around the back of his neck and lean in and kiss him, slipping my tongue inside of his mouth. The kiss goes to an inferno level immediately.

I slide my hands from his neck down to the hem of his shirt and lift it up as he raises his arms. Wrapping his now bare arms around my waist, he lifts me and carries me over to the bed and sets me down at the edge.

He kisses me again, then pulls back and kneels in front of me, dragging his hands down my chest and pulling the neck of my shirt down a little. I lean back on my elbows and watch him. When he gets to my waist, he pops open the button of my jeans and pulls the zipper down. He doesn’t say anything, but he looks up at me as I lift my hips as he pulls my jeans from my legs.

Moving his hands from my calves to my hips, he dips his head and starts kissing up my thigh and to my center. “You smell so good, Darlin’. I can’t wait to taste you.”

Annnd why does that sound so fucking hot? But also, I’m glad I didn’t wear my comfy panties tonight. Archie Griffith should not see my comfy panties.

He pushes my thighs apart and swipes his tongue over the lace from my clit to my opening. Then, sliding his hands under the waistband in the front, he grabs my underwear and pulls them off, and continues to lick me.

“Archie, you really don’t have to do that. I mean, it feels so good, but I don’t usually get off from oral.” I’m almost embarrassed to admit it while his face is literally in my vagina, but I’m kinda anxious to get to the good part.

Instead of replying, he presses his hand on my stomach gently to get me to lie down. He continues to flick my clit with his tongue and slips his index finger into me. It feels so good, I start to rock my hips to move his mouth back and forth.

“I’m gonna make you come, Emma. You’re gonna be a good girl and come all over my tongue. Then I’m gonna fuck you so hard you’ll feel me all week.” He dips his head back between my legs. “You taste so fucking good, I could do this all night.”

Yes, please. Sign me up for the all-nighter!

His hands are wrapped around my thighs and he’s using one hand to keep me open as he licks and sucks my clit, while his other hand continues to pump in and out of me.

It feels so good, and I’m on the verge of coming. I move my hands from my sides, which are gripping the comforter, and move them to his head and slide my fingers through his hair. I hear him moan when I pull on his hair slightly, which only turns me on more.

My head falls back onto the bed, and I’m gripping his hair so tightly as I start to come. “Oh my God, Archie, don’t stop. I’m so close.” I move my hips in sync with his mouth moving back and forth over my clit. I’m just about to explode when he adds another finger and presses on my G-spot. I swear I black out for a minute until I feel him kissing his way up my stomach.

“Holy shit,” I pant out. “I’ve literally never come like that before.”

“I’m just getting started, Darlin’.” Then he leans in and kisses me. I can taste myself on his tongue, and I don’t hate it like I thought I would.

“Do you have a condom?” I ask him.

He lifts his head and nods, looking into my eyes. “I do.” Then he stands and pulls his wallet from his pocket and grabs a condom. He tosses the wallet on the table beside the bed.

I scoot back toward the headboard and watch him unbutton his jeans. Just like I thought, he’s not wearing any boxers. And what’s hanging between those gorgeous thighs is impressive. In fact, I’m slightly nervous about it. “Umm … do you think we need lube or something?”

Archie smirks but shakes his head. “Don’t you worry, Darlin’. I’ll make it fit.”

And now I definitely don’t need lube.

He tears open the wrapper and starts to roll it onto his cock. My eyes devour his body. This man is a work of art. Muscles for days, and the tattoos, he’s got quite a few. Including what looks like a deck of cards, all aces and one joker, resting on his heart.

“You a poker player?” I nod to his chest.

With both hands, he pulls my legs apart again and crawls up the bed. Crawls. To. Me. Could this man get any sexier?

“Texas Hold 'Em is my specialty,” he says with a laugh. “But let’s talk about my tattoos later, yeah?”

Leaning over me now, he dips his head for a kiss. His body is pressed against mine, and I can feel his covered cock at my entrance. As we kiss, our bodies begin to rock in sync. Archie deepens the kiss as he pushes into me.

I gasp with the sensation as he continues kissing me. He’s moving slowly, letting me adjust to his size. He stops for a second and asks, “You okay?”

“More than okay. You feel so good, Archie.” I take hold of the back of his neck and bring his lips back to mine. I slip my tongue inside his mouth and twirl it around his.

His hips start to roll into mine, and his pelvis hits my clit in just the right spot. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt so in sync with someone during sex. It’s like our bodies instinctively know how to move together.

“You gonna come again for me, beautiful? I want to feel you choke my cock.” His breathing is getting heavier, and his thrusts are getting faster.

I nod because I don’t think I can speak right now.

Leaning in to kiss me again, I pull in his bottom lip with my teeth and suck, making him moan.

The moan triggers me, my orgasm hitting me hard, and my whole body feels like it’s shaking.

“Fuck!” he yells as he comes.

Our bodies still connected, he gives me a soft kiss, once, twice, then pulls his head back. “I think it’s safe to say you rocked my fuckin’ world, Darlin’. Give me a minute and we can go again. I need more of that.”

I start to laugh and he groans. “Sorry, did I hurt you?”

“No, but your pussy just squeezed my cock when you laughed and think I might just be ready to go again. I think you have a unicorn pussy, Emma.” He’s smiling, but his hips are already moving in and out again.

It feels so good, I almost forget to remind him to get another condom. “Archie, wait. You need a new condom.”

“Give me one more minute.” He pushes in to the hilt and pauses. “I want you to ride me this time.”

He doesn’t need to ask me twice. “Yes, let’s do the riding.” I nod and he laughs.

Reaching between us, he grabs the base of the condom and pulls out, and then he gets off the bed. He takes off the condom and ties it, wraps it in tissue sitting on the bedside table, and then tosses it in the garbage.

“Do you have another one?” I ask as he looks through his wallet.

“Fuck. I don’t. Let me see if Schuster has some in this drawer.” He pulls the drawer open and rustles through it. “Got it!”

I sit up and scoot over to give him room on the bed. He lies next to me and pulls me to him, setting the unopened condom on his stomach. “Come here.”

Everything that comes out of this man’s mouth sounds sexy. He’s got this husky deep voice, with a southern accent. No wonder girls fall at his feet all around campus.

My head is resting on his chest and I tilt my head up and kiss his jaw first, before propping myself onto my elbow to lean over him. “What do you say, cowboy? You up”—I pause and look down at his dick—“for a ride?”

He barks out a laugh and pulls me in for a kiss. “Giddy up, Darlin’.”