But then she asked about me, my family, and a jolt of panic ripped through me. How could I tell her my deal? It was beyond fucked up, and I just couldn't do it.

"We should go," I ordered abruptly when I felt her grow cold and shiver with the evening breeze.

Stiffening, she protested. "I don't want to leave yet. I want to know about you."

But I didn't want her to know, didn't want her tarnished by that shit. Molly was now the one part of my life, besides football, my folks had no control over, and I'd be damned if I infected her with that poison.

I was done with any talk of my past, my folks. So pulling her up off the grass, I dodged her questions and led her in silence to the truck.

As I drove, my mind worked in overtime. I tried to find a reason why Molly would want to be with me, memories of my parents telling me how no one would ever love me circling my brain. She didn't give a shit about my money, had no fucking clue about football, and even when she'd seen me play, still didn't seem to care for all the hype. She didn't give two shits about her social standing, didn't care for popularity; she had her own mind, her own goals, none of which would be furthered by me. It only led me to one conclusion, but I just couldn't bring myself to believe it.

"You okay? You seem miles away," Molly asked, taking my hand, looking up at me with that beautiful, open face.

"Yeah."

"You sure? You don't look it." Turning my head to meet her worried gaze, I couldn't speak the words. Why do you want me? I'm not good enough for you. You should get out now before it's too late.

"Rome, what is it?" she asked, this time with more insistence.

I cleared my throat and murmured, ashamedly, "I never knew before tonight what it felt like to be wanted... just me for me." I saw the sadness creep onto her face, but I needed to know something for my sanity, so I asked, "What do you want me for, Mol? I'm trying to work it out."

"I just want you," she said, inching closer and pressing into my side, kissing my bare shoulder.

"That's what I don't get. Why would you want me for just me? No one ever has before. I'm pissed twenty-four-seven. I'm possessive and not good with attachments-where's the attraction?"

"Then I'm the first, because I want you without anything in return. Why does any human want anyone? My body recognizes you as something that's good for me. My mind recognizes you as someone who's right for me, and my soul recognizes you as someone who is meant for me."

Sincerity filled every word she said.

I relaxed, embracing the fact that, for the first time in my entire life, I was wanted... just for me. Relishing the satisfaction that was settling in my blood, I whispered, "We're in fucking deep, aren't we, Shakespeare?"

"I think that's an understatement," Molly said with that huge, stunning smile of hers. When I glanced down at her happy face, I didn't think about pulling over and fucking her into next week. I didn't think of what she would taste like writhing on my tongue. I just wanted her beside me, like this, wanting me. So, tilting my head, I ordered, "Come here," and she did, no questions asked, getting me like no one before.

After dropping Mol off at her door, I drove to my frat house, parked, and headed through the front entrance. I passed the TV room, and several of the guys, including Austin, Reece and Jimmy-Don, looked up as I walked in. It already felt weird, not being with Mol and being back with guys... It felt kind of wrong, every cell in my body urging me to go to her again.

Moving to the kitchen, needing a distraction, I opened the fridge and grabbed myself a beer. When I shut the door, Austin was leaning against the island, watching me.

"Eighty-three," I greeted, using his nickname, his jersey number.

"Where the hell have you been? You skipped out of weights tonight. Had to have Reece spot me and that kid is weak!" He seemed kind of pissed.

Leaning against the counter, I shrugged. "Just out."

His eyebrows drew in. "You've been with that British chick, Molly, haven't you?"

I tensed. Austin caught it and smirked. "Heard you caused quite the scene in the cafeteria, tearing into Shelly, then dragging out the girl and driving off with her in your truck. The guys didn't know what the hell to make of it all. You, acting all crazy over that chick."

I busied myself with tearing the label off the beer bottle, not saying a damn thing in response.

"Rome!" Austin said and I looked up to see him, arms spread, waiting for a response. Dammit. Molly didn't want me saying shit to anyone about us as a couple, hell, but I wasn't going to break that promise, so taking my bottle, I backed out of the room without a word.

I climbed the stairs to my room, locked my door, and sat on the end of my unmade bed, sipping on my beer and thinking of my girl. My cock hardened as I remembered her grinding down on my hand, her mouth dropped open as I marked her as mine.

Reaching down, I slipped my hand into my jeans and began to stroke my dick up and down, running my thumb along the tip just like she did. But it just didn't feel the same, so I pumped it harder, doing it rough, just how I usually liked.

Nothing. Nothing felt like what Mol made me feel tonight, and I was desperate to have it again.

Removing my hand from my jeans and groaning in frustration, I lay back on my bed and closed my eyes. I wondered what she was doing right now? Was she thinking of me too? Of tonight? Was she horny as fuck, trying to feel that pleasure again?

The thought had me jumping to my feet.

Fuck it. I wasn't sitting here all night, obsessing about touching her, when she was just across the street. Intense or not, I was sleeping beside her from now on.

Swiping my keys and wallet off the table, I ran down the stairs, almost taking out Austin in the hallway as I passed.

He eyed me in surprise, then folded his arms, smirking. "Let me guess. You're going out?"

Huffing a laugh, I punched his shoulder. "You know it." He threw his head back, laughing too, and carried on up the stairs.

Within minutes I'd reached Mol's sorority house and, picking up a handful of stones from the lawn in the backyard, began pelting them against her balcony doors. Seconds later, her doors flew open and she looked down, smiling, and I couldn't help but grin in return. I quickly climbed the trellis, and seeing her standing before me on her balcony in only a tiny purple nightdress, her tits and tiny panties pretty much on show through the semi-sheer fabric, I knew I'd made the right choice in showing up.

Gripping her waist, I brought her straight into my arms. "I got back to the frat house and I immediately wondered what you were doing. I decided to stop wondering and just come find out."

Tucking her arms around my back, tilting up her chin so I could see her, she teased, "You just want to stay again, don't you? You planning on making this a regular thing?"

"Oh, you can count on that, baby. After today, I'm now entitled to certain privileges."

Fuck. This felt good-so fucking good.

"Really? And what are they?" she asked with an arch of her brow.

"You'll find out in due course, Shakespeare. Now move that fine ass, get into bed and into my arms."

And hell, she did as I instructed but looked back as she crawled on her mattress on her hands and knees, showing me a glimpse of her tight, curvy ass. "I don't remember Romeo being this pushy with Juliet!"

My cock showed its appreciation of her position, and I had to restrain myself from slamming into her from behind. "And look at how that worked out for them. My way is better-less death, more orgasms."

She burst into laughter and I pointed her way and instructed, "You. Bed. Now."

I quickly stripped down to my boxers and strode to the bed, getting in beside her, watching her golden eyes drinking in my every muscle.

Immediately kissing and licking the side of her neck, I reached around and plunged my fingers straight into her panties. God, she was so hot, wet and ready for me.

A shocked loud moan came straight from her mouth, causing me to slide my fingers into her warmth, murmuring, "Now about those privileges..."

Mol's back arched and she reached her arm up and wrapped it around my neck, rocking against my hand.

I was never leaving this damn bed again...

16.

Training the next morning was the best I'd had this season. I never missed a pass, made new PBs in my weight routines, and every snap I popped was perfect.

Coach came over, smiling widely, exclaiming, "Whatever the hell got you out of your slump, Bullet-hell, keep doing it! We'll be getting another national championship for sure if you keep training like this!"

Showering quickly, feeling pretty damn good, I dressed and arranged to meet with Austin and Reece for lunch in a few hours. As I left through the gym doors to head to my Business class, I spotted Shelly leaning against the fence outside the stadium, waiting, I assumed, for me.

Stopping dead in my tracks, I tipped my head back, groaning. I prepared myself to breeze straight past her, but then I saw her face. It looked so friggin' miserable that I couldn't help but soften a fraction. I knew I treated her like shit most of the time, but there was a time when we'd been friends. We'd grown up together, been forced to go to every damn prom and cotillion together, and I'd even liked her-as a friend-for a while. But then the pressure from our folks to be together became insane and we'd drifted apart. Or at least I'd drifted; she just became crazed with the need to stick in her claws. She wanted the life that was waiting for her, that was being dangled on a string before her eyes.

I knew seeing me with different chicks over the years had killed her. God, even the thought of another guy besides me touching Mol would have me spitting mad, so, for the first time in a long time, I actually felt sorry for her. She was failing in her duty just as much as I was, and although Martin Blair wasn't as fucked up as my daddy, he wasn't exactly easy-going either.

I reluctantly walked over to where she stood-head down, arms folded-and greeted her, "Shel."

As she lifted her head, I could see she'd been crying.

"Hey, Rome," she croaked.

"What's wrong?"

Staring into the distance, she shrugged. "I just wanted to apologize for yesterday. I hated how you spoke to me in the cafeteria. I know I probably deserved it, I was in a bad mood, but... it's just... just..." She cupped her hands over her face and her shoulders began to shudder with sobs.

Clenching my jaw, I looked around us before awkwardly laying a hand on her shoulder. "Shel, calm down."

She moved forward, pressing her face into my chest, and I stiffened before patting her back a few times in comfort. I spotted some of the team walking past, throwing me suggestive gestures or knowing smiles. Most of the team would have her in a heartbeat. But I'd never felt it. Damn, it would've made my life a hell of a lot easier if I had.

Taking a step back, Shelly looked up at me, smiling in embarrassment. "Sorry about all this."

Shaking my head in dismissal of her apology, I replied, "What's up?"

"My daddy and I had a fight... over you."

Raking my hands through my hair, I cursed to myself. "What happened?"

"Daddy said it was my fault you were refusing the marriage, that I hadn't tried hard enough to be your girl. He said he only wants you to take his place at Prince Oil to keep it in the family, and if you don't, he wouldn't be able retire as planned, and he already has a heart condition and said that he'd end up working himself to death."

Shit. I couldn't imagine Mr. Blair being that harsh-he adored Shelly-but fuck, look at my folks. People are completely different when the world doesn't see.

"Shel, I'm sorry. If it helps, I know how you feel, okay?"

Sniffing, she looked up at me and smiled. "Yeah, I know."

A few moments of uncomfortable silence passed, then, suddenly, she moved in, throwing her arms around my neck and pressing her lips against mine. It only took me a second to realize what was going on, and, gripping her arms, I ripped her off me, shouting, "What the fuck, Shel?!"

"I just... just... Why don't you want me? Everyone else at this damn college does, but not you! Not the great Romeo Prince!" I stiffened as she said that name. Only Mol could get away with calling me that.

"Calm the fuck down, now," I said flatly.

Taking a deep breath, she seemed to mellow out. "I just don't get you. You have this perfect life mapped out for you, richer than you could dream, but you choose to fight it all the way, and for what? For football-a career that will last, what? Maybe ten, fifteen years if you're lucky. If you don't get on board with the plan, I don't get that life either, and it's all I've ever wanted... I don't know what else to do to make you change your mind!"

"Well, sorry, Shel, but I'm not marrying you. And that's the end of it." I folded my arms across my chest to keep my control.

A cold expression drifted across her face. "Face it, Rome. This marriage has to happen. The quicker you accept it, the better everything will be."

"All this, this little performance, was all fake, wasn't it?" I hissed through gritted teeth. "You haven't fallen out with your daddy?"

"No, believe me, it happened, keeps happening, and I'm sick of it! I thought if maybe you saw what your stubbornness was doing to me you'd reconsider. It'd be a piece of paper. It wouldn't even have to be a real marriage. Just, please, I'm begging you, change your mind!"

"I can't, Shel. Things are different for me now."

Her eyes narrowed. "It's because of her, isn't it?"

"Who?" I answered, feigning confusion.

"Molly!" I could see the disbelief on her face and she snapped, "Whatever, Rome. The sooner you get over your little obsession with that nerdy horror show, the better it'll all be. We all see how you watch her. It's friggin' weird if you ask me. People have been talking, and just so you know, I'm going to tell your folks, and we both know they won't be happy."

Fuck! I never wanted Mol to have to deal with my parents, but Shelly was playing hardball, and by threatening to tell my folks, she'd just started a fucking dangerous game. One thing made me feel better, though, and that was the knowledge that apparently everyone already saw my interest in Mol, knew I was gone over the girl. Perfect. No need to keep it a secret anymore, then.

Leaning down to Shelly, I warned quietly, "You stay the fuck away from me, you hear? Molly too, for that matter."

"You're choosing wrong, Rome."

"The hell I am! You know, Shel, you weren't always such a bitch. What happened to the happy-go-lucky girl I knew when we were kids?"

She seemed to choke on a bitter laugh. "The same thing that happened to the kind little boy you once were... life! We're both pawns, Rome, and we both have our parts to play."

Hell, that hit home. I suppose, in a way, we were the same, both jaded. But it didn't change anything.

I abruptly turned as fast as possible before things got out of hand, hearing the click of Shelly's heels as she stalked angrily away. The sooner she saw Mol on my arm, where she belonged, the better. My girl would hate me for it, making us so public, but by end of classes today, the whole damn campus would know she was mine. No more hiding, no more pretending we didn't belong to each other.

Just as I was about to enter my business class, a text came through on my cell. I braced, expecting it to be from my daddy over Shelly, maybe over Molly, but it was Ally.

Al: Make a habit of climbing down balconies???

Closing my eyes, I sighed. My cousin knew.

Oh well. One person less to tell...

"You want to go out for food? I have a hankering for Mexican," Reece asked, as I met him and Austin outside the Business building at lunch.

"Nah, let's head to the cafeteria," I answered and set off walking, slipping on my shades.

"Why we eating there again?" he whined. Austin rolled his eyes at Reece and his pissy attitude before slapping him upside the head.