The Southern Nights Series Read online

  “So, do you have any idea what team is going to draft you?” It’s time to change the subject to something safer. Something that will let me hold on to my self-respect a little while longer.

  “There are rumors Seattle is going to draft me.”

  “Seattle? Wow. They’re a really good team.”

  “Yup.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re a really good player. The best player. Why wouldn’t they want you?”

  “Because they already have the best quarterback in the league.” He sighs.

  “So, what does that mean?”

  “It means no playing time for me.”

  “Oh?” I frown, catching the ball.

  “Yeah, second string sucks.”

  “Well, maybe you’ll get scooped up by someone else first. They can’t be the only team interested in you.”

  “They aren’t, but they have first pick. So, if they want me, then that’s where I’ll end up.”

  “Too bad the draft doesn’t work the other way around.” I throw the football then roll my shoulder. It’s starting to hurt.

  “Too bad.” He laughs, tossing it back.

  “Well . . .” I rest the football against my thigh. “If you do end up in Seattle, just make sure to buy a parka and lots of umbrellas,” I joke.

  “Anything else you recommend before I’m exiled to the state with the highest suicide rate?”

  “Yeah.” I laugh. “A trade.”

  “Smartass.” Kam rushes me and I try to run. But he’s too fast and tackles before I make it two feet.

  “Kam!” I squeal as he takes me down to the ground.

  “What?” He pins me beneath him.

  “Quarterbacks aren’t supposed to tackle.”

  “In special circumstances they can.”

  “And you interpreted me just standing there minding my own business as a special circumstance?”

  “In those little shorts holding a football? Yeah.” He leans in and kisses me. I swear I melt; my body just softens right underneath his.

  We don’t do anything but kiss. Kam’s hands keeping a firm grip on my wrists as his tongue goes exploring. He’s not aggressive or overbearing, but there’s enough force to make me succumb. To make me surrender and revel in the warmth of his mouth. I yank my wrists free just so I can wrap my arms around him. Just so I can get a little bit closer. We lie on the ground kissing, caressing, and stroking until we are panting and the sunlight is fading away.

  “Kam,” I murmur, nearly ripping off his shirt. I don’t care that we’re outside on the bare ground. I don’t care that we have no blanket and there are owls hooting in the trees above us. The only thing I care about it is getting closer to Kam. As close as we were in the kitchen. As close as humanly possible.

  “We have to go inside, Lemon.”

  “Why?” I suck on his neck and grind against him.

  “Because . . . oh, shit, Laney.” He grabs my hip and squeezes firmly.

  “We’ve had sex under the stars before.” I try to persuade him.

  “We also had protection.”

  “I’m on the pill,” I hastily reply.

  Kam pauses, looking down at me dumbfounded. “No condom?”

  “Only if you’re hell-bent on using one. Then I understand.”

  “You trust me that much?”

  I simply nod. “I shouldn’t?”

  “You definitely should.” He hauls me up. “But if we’re going raw, I don’t want it to be some two-cent fuck in the dirt.”

  “Oh? That doesn’t sound so bad to me.”

  “Lemon,” Kam scoffs amused. “We can roll around in the mud tomorrow. Tonight, I want dinner, then dessert, and then you.”

  “In that exact order?” I rub up against him.

  He inhales a collective breath. “Yes.”

  “Fine.” I can hold out if he can.

  I think.

  “Good.” He smiles boldly. “Now get in the kitchen and start cooking, woman.”

  “What!” My voice elevates three octaves as Kam takes off toward the house, laughing. “You better run!”

  I spoon a serving of lemon chicken onto each of our plates and have chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. Kam said he wanted dinner and dessert before me, so I’m giving him exactly what he asked for—while wearing nothing but one of his T-shirts. No bra, no panties, no nothing. He’s watched me cook like a starving animal for the last hour, and I know he’s craving more than just food. We both are.

  I place the plates on the small kitchen table and go to take a seat when Kam tugs on my arm. “Where are you going?”

  “Um, to sit.” I point at my chair.

  He shakes his head. “You sit with me.” He pulls me onto his lap. This is hazardous on so many levels, but I love it. Kam cuts up all the chicken and asparagus on his plate, then proceeds to start feeding me and himself, alternating forkfuls of food back and forth between the two of us. The simple dinner I expected has turned into something flirtatious and playful.

  “Kam.” I giggle as he teases me with the food, pulling the fork back just as I go to take a bite. He’s getting way too much enjoyment out of seeing me squirm.

  The timer dings on the oven, alerting me the cookies are done. If he wants to tease, then I can tease.

  I slip on the oven mitts and bend over provocatively as I pull the cookie sheet out, giving him an eyeful while he sits at the table.

  “Shit, Lemon,” I hear him mutter. I smile to myself. By the time I place the cookies on the stove and remove the heat-resistant gloves, Kam has me by the waist with his face buried in the nape of my neck.

  “I think I’m done with dinner.”

  “What about dessert?”

  “You are dessert.” He spins me around and kisses me forcefully. I have no problem being dessert, especially if Kam is the one indulging in me. “Bedroom, now.” He starts to back me out of the kitchen.

  “Your celebrity status has made you very bossy,” I quip.

  “It has nothing to do with my celebrity status,” he says between eager kisses.

  “What does it have to do with, then?” I ask as he pushes me down onto the mattress.

  “The fact that I want every inch of your body all to myself. Right. Now.” He pulls off his T-shirt and I nearly expire. I know we had sex already, and it was, well, words can barely describe it. But it was so fast and furious, I didn’t get a chance to take him all in. Now that we are taking our time, relatively, I get to appreciate one of my favorite things about Kam—his abs. And all I can say is holy mother. Kam has always had an incredible body—tall, lean, and muscled—but the person standing in front of me now is a transformed man. He’s double the size he was in high school, his shoulders are broader, his arms are bigger, and his stomach is shredded. I think I might be drooling.

  “Like what you see, Lemon?” Kam asks as he crawls on top of me completely naked.

  How do I answer without my voice cracking?

  I nod zealously.

  “Good, because I like what I see, too.” He yanks my T-shirt up and over my head.

  I hand myself over to Kam as he explores my body with his mouth. He takes his time tracing the curves of my hips and the dip of my stomach. I know there should be foreplay, and I’m all for taking whatever pleasure Kam has to give me, but right now, this second, I just want him. I couldn’t be more aroused or more ready.

  “Kam,” I plead as he licks my neck and massages my breast. “Please.”

  “Please, what?” he rasps.

  “Please . . . I just want you.” I slip my hand between his legs and rub his erection. God, I sound so needy, but I’m dying to be with him. Plain and simple.

  “You know all you have to do is ask,” he groans, nestling himself between my legs. “Or beg. I don’t mind begging either.”

  “This isn’t a time for jokes.” I wrap my legs around him as he rocks against me; the feeling of skin on skin is indescri
bable.

  “Who’s joking?” He sinks inside me, and my body and mind nearly split in two.

  “Shit.” I arch underneath him, trying to get as close as physically possible.

  “Fuck, I know, you feel so good.” He surges his hips and traps me in his arms. The sensations passing between us are all-consuming, and soon we’re caught up in an unstoppable cadence of longing, hunger, and desire.

  As I get closer to the breaking point, I pop my eyes open to find Kam watching me. His lustful, hooded gaze is so poignant; a lump of emotion gets caught in my throat.

  “You are so fucking amazing, Laney.” He thrusts harder, deeper. “How did I ever let you go?”

  I feel tears threaten as my arousal tingles in my core. “You weren’t the only one who let go.” I hold on tighter, burying my face in his neck as my breathing quickens and I find my release. For those few, short, enrapturing seconds, I belong solely to Kam and regret every moment we ever spent apart.

  I’m left quivering in his arms as he stills inside me, his fevered skin matching the temperature of my own.

  I’m feeling way too many things at once; too many conflicting emotions all battling to take control. The loudest and most pronounced? Love. The love that’s always been there. It almost breaks my heart.

  I close my eyes and breathe in Kam’s masculine scent. I don’t want to think about what tomorrow has in store for us. Tonight, I just want to pretend the different directions our lives are heading in, aren’t going to inevitably tear us apart.

  Kam

  LANEY IS THE one person who can make me forget.

  She’s the one person who can make me feel normal.

  She’s the one person I never want to let go of again.

  The last three days have been surreal. Not that the situation is ideal, but being isolated with her has made me realize just how important she is to me. Just how important it is to have her in my life. Sex whenever—and however—I want it doesn’t suck either.

  She’s always been bold, but she has most definitely come into her own. Lucky me.

  It’s early Monday morning, and the house smells like pancakes. I had offered to cook, but Laney insisted. So, at the moment, I’m leaning against the doorframe watching her stir batter with her dark hair in a messy bun, wearing only my practice jersey and a pair of knee socks. A man could get used to this.

  If I’m being honest, he already is.

  With no restraint, I walk up behind her as she sets the bowl down on the counter. It doesn’t matter that we made love all night and once this morning. My appetite seems insatiable when it comes to Laney. I press her back to my front and tilt her face up so I can deliver a kiss so hot it could fry bacon.

  She moans into my mouth and softens against me. When we separate, I keep my hand on her throat and stare down into her twinkling blue eyes. “What’s my name?” I ask her.

  “Kam,” she replies with an impish smirk.

  “What’s my full name?” I press.

  “Kamdyn,” she says, the insinuation in her tone is unmistakable. She belongs to me.

  “That’s right, baby.” I toy with her. “Kamdyn. Fucking. Ellis.” I steal another kiss, running my hand down the center of her torso. This shirt isn’t going to be covering her body much longer. I wonder how she’ll feel about cooking naked?

  Just as my wild thoughts tear free, we hear a car door slam outside.

  Laney’s eyes widen as I release her and look out the window.

  “What the . . . ?” I hurry outside to greet Sam, who is decked out to the nines in an expensive suit, dark sunglasses, and large, gold, pinky rings.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” The surprise is evident in my voice. He’s supposed to be in LA.

  “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for the past twenty-four hours,” his deep, baritone voice rumbles.

  “Oh, I shut my phone off,” I explain. “Trying to steer clear of all the craziness.”

  Sam slides his glasses down his nose and gazes at the house. “Mmm-hmm. Is that what you call it?”

  I turn to see Laney leaning against the doorframe watching us. She doesn’t look happy.

  “Yes, that is what I call it.” I address Sam sternly. Laney and Sam have never been fond of each other, and I want to avoid making either of them uncomfortable. “What are you doing here, anyway?” I cut to the chase.

  “Well, since you fell off the face of the freaking Earth, I had to come retrieve you in person and deliver the news.” He pushes his glasses back up his nose, concealing his black eyes.

  “What news?”

  “The charges have been dropped.”

  “WHAT!” I nearly jump out of my skin. “How? Why?”

  “When the police investigated your accuser, they found a shrine to you in her dorm room. Seems she was your number-one stalker.”

  “You’re joking?” I almost feel sick.

  “Afraid not. Welcome to stardom, kid. Additionally, when they examined her, there was no evidence of rape. From what I have gathered, the girl was mentally unstable and not taking her medication.”

  “So, she’s sick?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s sad.”

  “Yes, sad and fucking infuriating because she almost wrecked your career before it even began,” Sam says, exasperated. I get he’s upset. I’m upset, too, but I’m glad it’s over, and I actually feel sorry for that girl. Mental illness is a disease; I just hope she gets back on track and doesn’t do this to anyone else.

  “So, you came all the way from LA to tell me this?”

  “Yes, and to set up a press conference. We need to polish your image, and an interview at your high school is a great way to make you look good. The place will be packed with people just trying to get a glimpse of their hometown hero.”

  “When is that scheduled for?”

  “Three hours, so we need to scoot.”

  “Three hours?” I look back at Laney; she hasn’t moved from the doorway.

  “Shit.” I rub the back of my neck. “Okay. Let me get my stuff together.”

  “By stuff, do you mean Laney?”

  I glare at Sam. “I mean my clothes and shit.”

  “Um-hmm,” he reverberates. “You two back together?”

  I don’t take my hard look off Sam. “Yes. You have a problem with that?”

  “Nope. I didn’t then, and I don’t now. Laney is good people. I just don’t want you distracted, that’s all. And females can be one hell of a distraction, especially when they look like that.”

  I glance back at Laney—she’s sexy as hell without even trying. Even Sam sees it. “I’ll be right back.”

  Laney disappears into the house as I walk up the front porch and through the door.

  “Everything worked out?” she asks, wringing her hands together.

  “Surprisingly, yes.” I smile as I approach her. “All the charges have been dropped, and my name is clear.”

  “Good. I’m glad.” She sighs, weakly.

  “Me, too.” When I try to touch her, she backs away. So not good. “Laney, what’s wrong? Is Sam being here making you uncomfortable? I know you don’t like him . . .”

  “I like Sam just fine,” she interrupts me, returning to stir the pancake batter.

  “Sure you do, about as much as you like sweet tea.” Her lips curve up faintly. “We have to get back. Sam’s set up a press conference. I have to make a statement and . . .”

  “Go then,” she interjects, clearly upset. I’m upset, too; I wasn’t ready to leave so abruptly. But reality calls, and I have to be there.

  “I want you to come with me.” I pull the bowl out of her hands and entwine her fingers with mine, imploring her to look at me.

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “You know why, Kam.” Her grip tightens as she looks directly at me.

  “I honestly don’t.” I search her face. What the hell is she talking about?

  “Nothing has changed.”

>   “What do you mean nothing’s changed?” I drop her hands. “Everything’s changed.”

  “No, it hasn’t. You still have your life, and I still have mine.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” It feels like rocks are being piled in the pit of my stomach. “The last three days didn’t mean anything?”

  “Of course, they did—”

  “Or did you just want one last fuck with Alabama’s most eligible bachelor?” I snap. “Is that it?”

  “Of course not!” She takes a step toward me.

  My chest feels like it’s caving in. “I can’t believe you are pulling this shit again, Laney.”

  “Kam.” Her voices wavers.

  “Don’t.” I fight not to flip out. “I trusted you.”

  “Kam . . .” she pleads, but I am so over this bullshit.

  “Forget it.” I brush past her. Sam was right—women are nothing but a distraction. I walk out on her, leaving all my stuff behind.

  I haul ass to Sam’s massive black pickup, climb in, and try to ignore the gaping hole in my heart Laney just ripped open.

  “Where’s your girl? We waiting for her?” Sam asks.

  “She’s not my girl,” I spit. “Just drive.”

  Sam pauses, staring at me for a beat, before he throws the car into D and speeds away.

  I watch the house get smaller and smaller in the sideview mirror, right along with the happiness I allowed myself to have for thirty-six, short hours.

  Laney

  I PERMIT THE tears to fall only after the truck disappears.

  When it’s safe. When I know Kam will never see them. I clean up the kitchen, pack our stuff, and lock up the house. I’m completely numb. I will never forget the distraught look on Kam’s face before he stormed out. I trusted you. Those words are like a butcher knife hacking me apart. I never meant to hurt him. I never meant for him to feel like he couldn’t trust me. But what I said was true. He has his life and I have mine. He’s slated to go to Seattle, and I’m moving to New York. How would we ever make that work?

  I knew the inevitable would happen; I just didn’t think it would be so soon.

  Without even thinking, I drive to the one place I know I’ll find solace.

  “Sugar pie.” My father beams when he sees me walk through the front door of his diner. “What are you doing here?” He put his arms around me, and I surrender in his embrace, fighting back tears.