The Boyfriend Zone by Jillian Quinn

The week blows by in a blur of practices, late night texts from Preston, and tons of homework. Preston was equally busy with little time to talk. Our schedules are similar, which makes it easier to align our non-date nights. Like tonight.

“Are you sure this dress isn’t too short?” I ask Taylor, who leans over to check out my backside.

“Nope. Your ass looks perfect in this dress. Parker will definitely approve.”

I shake my head, laughing. “I’m sure he will.”

I’m borrowing a black bandage dress from Taylor’s closet paired with red heels. She even made me wear makeup. I feel so unlike myself in this outfit and layers of eyeshadow and mascara. I’m like Taylor’s very own Barbie doll.

My mom was never around to teach me simple things like how to dress. She wasn’t even there when I got my period. I thought my dad would have a nervous breakdown when he had to deal with me crying on the bathroom floor, freaked out by womanhood. But we got through all the weird, awkward times. Taylor helped me through the rest.

We walk down Greek Row, home of the sororities and fraternities on campus. Dozens of people occupy the street, cups of beer in hand and smoking cigarettes and weed.

Taylor points at the last house. “This is our stop.”

A crowd of people pours out from the old Victorian. Much like the house Preston shares with his teammates, it has high pillars, a long, covered porch, and several floors. Except the lawn at the Delta Sigma Phi house is littered with plastic cups, crushed beer cans, and even a lacy bra.

We walk past a group of drunk girls in short skirts and tight tops clasping red Solo cups of beer.

“Parker was with the twins,” a tall blonde says to her friend, slurring her words. “I couldn’t get anywhere near him.”

I attempt to eavesdrop on their conversation as we stroll down the walkway to the house. My mind drifts to a thousand different places. I’m a little jealous when I think of Preston with another girl, let alone two of them. Friends shouldn’t be this jealous, even though we’re not technically friends.

I still haven’t given Preston an answer. I’m afraid to plunge head-first into this arrangement and lose myself and my heart. I know from previous experience that hockey players, especially ones as hot as Preston Parker, are bad for me.

Once the line moves, I climb the stairs and come to a halt when I spot Preston on the porch. He leans back against the house, tipping a cup of beer to his mouth. His usual gang of guys surround him with Jamie on his right. Shannon latches onto Jamie as if she’s afraid to let him out of her sight.

Preston glances over at me. His entire face illuminates. He looks sexy in dark jeans and a fitted black tee that clings to his muscular frame.

He hooks his arm around my back, and I take in the scent of his delicious, manly scent. He’s intoxicating.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t show.”

“I said I’d come.”

“Hey, Taylor,” Preston says. “You remember Drake, Trent, Tucker, Jamie, and Shannon.”

Oh, right? Those twins.

How stupid of me to think Preston invited me to a party where he was hooking up with other girls. I almost laugh when I realize my mistake.

At the mention of their names, his friends look over at Preston. They wave at Taylor and me, and we do the same in return.

“They’re with me,” Preston tells a blond-haired boy sitting on a barstool by the door taking money from people.

He acknowledges Taylor and me with a nod and then hands Preston two plastic cups. A silent exchange passes between them.

Drake walks over to us and stands next to Taylor. He whispers something into her ear, and she swats her hand at his chest. They have this weird love-hate relationship that makes no sense to me. She pretends to hate Drake for being a manwhore, but she can’t seem to stay away from him.

“So, ladies, what can I get you?” Preston raises the cups and Drake takes one of them from his hand.

“They have beer, vodka, rum shooters, and I think there was a little of Cuervo left the last time I was in the kitchen,” Drake says, his eyes fixed on Taylor.

“I’ll have a beer,” I tell Preston.

“Same for me,” Taylor chimes.

Preston holds out his hand for me to enter the house. “After you.”

Preston startles me when his hand lands on my bare shoulder. I move through the dense crowd, swept away by the electricity dancing along my skin.

When we reach the kitchen, Preston spins me around. He strokes the side of my face with his thumb, his blue eyes fixed on mine. His dark shaggy hair falls onto his forehead, and I reach up to sweep it away. He gives me a genuine smile that sets off every nerve ending in my body.

“To answer your question,” I say. “Yes.”

He hands the cup to the guy behind the bar to fill. “Yes to what?”

“What you asked me the other day in the cafeteria. I never gave you my answer.”

“You didn’t have to. I already knew what you would say by your reaction.”

I cock an eyebrow at him. “Is that so?”

He lifts our beers from the bar and thanks the bartender with a slight tip of his head. “You’re not the easiest person to read, Bex, but I’m getting used to your tells.” Preston hands a cup to me. “Drink up.”

“I don’t have any tells,” I shoot back.

He sips the foam from the top of his cup. “Yes, you do.”

I chug a good amount of my beer and remind myself I need to slow down. Coach Vaughn will not give me a break tomorrow if I show up hungover again.

“So, what do I do? Enlighten me, Preston.”

He runs his fingers down my bare arm. “See these bumps. Every time I touch you, the same thing happens.”

“Have you ever considered I might be cold?”

He laughs. “Nice try. It’s like ninety degrees in this house. You’re not cold.”

“I wouldn’t call goosebumps a tell. That’s ridiculous. Everyone gets them.”

“You always respond to my touch. Even that day in the locker room.”

He’s right. No sense in denying it.

“I’m attracted to you. So what? That means nothing. I bet most of the girls in this house would have the same reaction if you spoke to them, let alone touched them. You know you’re like a walking orgasm. It’s not news to you.”

He almost spits out his beer. “I plan to give you a lot more of those.” I narrow my eyes at him, and he adds, “Orgasms. Lots of them. I’d do anything to hear you moan my name again.”

I have to change the subject before someone overhears our conversation.

“Wanna dance?”

He knows my dad would kill him, and yet Preston doesn’t seem to give a shit who hears him.

He licks the foam from his lips. “Any excuse to touch you.”

I smile, and it must be contagious because Preston does too.

Looking over my shoulder for Taylor, I spot her with Drake. His hip digs into hers, caging her against the wall. Their mouths are inches apart. They look cute together, but Drake is such a player.

I wish Taylor would stay away from Drake. But I’m not one to judge or offer advice when I can’t shake Preston. He’s on my skin, in my head, and slowly creeping into my heart. This is bad for both of us—especially me.

Slipping my fingers between his, I drag Preston into the living room to dance. We sift through the crowd and create a spot for ourselves by the stairs. He leans back against the railing, his grip firm on my hip as he pulls me into his chest. I rock my hips from side to side, swaying to the beat of the pop song. Preston lowers his head and breathes on my neck. His tongue wets my skin, his teeth grazing along my sensitive flesh.

I can’t believe he’s doing this in front of people. Where’s my willpower when I need it? I should stop him and take a few seconds to get some air. Because I sure as hell need it around Preston.

“Let’s take this upstairs,” Preston whispers in my ear, his voice deep, smooth.

His hand lingers on my hip and then slides up my stomach. Rubbing my hand over his growing erection, I give him the answer he needs. Preston clutches my wrist and leads me upstairs.

We travel up another flight of steps. He seems like he knows the layout of the house, as if he’s looking for a particular room. At the end of the hall, he opens the door to what looks like a game room. Couches line most of the space, several flat screen TVs are on the wall. Gaming chairs are on the floor in front of the largest TV, along with controllers and game consoles in front of a table. They even have an old school Pac Man machine n the corner of the room.

“What are we doing in here?”

Preston locks the door behind us. “I can’t wait another second.”

Before I can protest, Preston lifts me up by my ass and my back hits the wall. He cups the side of my face with his hand. Our mouths are so close the heat from his breath warms my lips.

Preston doesn’t waste another second. He leans in and sucks on my bottom lip. His kisses are slow and deliberate, so sensual, before he invades my mouth with his tongue. Now he’s more forceful, aggressive. The Preston Parker I can’t seem to deny.

I slide my hand to the back of his head to deepen the kiss because no amount of closeness is ever enough with Preston. He growls into my mouth, and I moan in response. I’m so wet for him, my juices are sliding down my inner thigh.

We stay this way for a while before he walks over to the couch with my legs wrapped around him. He lowers us to the couch, and I’m on top, straddling his thick, muscular thighs. He reaches behind me to unzip my dress and peels down the top. His eyes light up when he sees I’m not wearing a bra. Without hesitation, he grabs my breasts in his calloused hands and shoves his face between them.

I moan as he peppers my skin with kisses, and he grunts in response. He says he loves the sounds I make. Well, he’s ripping plenty of moans from my lips. His thick cock pokes my thigh through his jeans. I want him inside me again so badly, my pussy clenches from the promise.

Pushing up his shirt, I smooth my hand over his stomach. Once I get my hands on him, I can’t stop myself from touching every part of him. He stops sucking on my nipples long enough to sit back to allow me to pull his shirt over his head. Next, I work on the button of his jeans because I want these off.

I slide off the couch to step out of my dress and panties, leaving them on the floor by my feet. He raises his hips to remove his jeans and boxers, watching every movement. My breath catches in my throat when his hard cock springs free. He’s so long and thick I’m salivating.

I drop to my knees, making room for myself between his legs, and wrap my hands around him because he’s too big to fit in just one. He makes a hissing sound and closes his eyes for a split-second. Leaning forward, I stick out my tongue to lick his sensitive skin.

“Damn, Bex.” He fists my hair between his fingers. “I want to fuck your mouth.”

Staring up at him, I comply with his request, taking him in my mouth inch by inch. He growls. Preston rocks his hips, greedy for more, and I give it to him because I enjoy seeing the carnal look in his eyes. I love listening to the sounds he makes. Most of all, I love being the one to do this to him.

When I feel his cock pulse in my mouth, he tells me to stop before he comes. And then he lifts me into his lap again, quickly rolling on a condom before he slams into me.

“Preston,” I whimper as he stretches me out, filling me completely. My palms fall to his chest, my nails digging into his skin.

Preston moves with me, controlling the rhythm. He glances down at his cock sliding in and out of me, and when his eyes meet mine once more, there’s a fire brewing in them.

One look from him ignites a deep-seated hunger inside me. He doesn’t make his usual dirty comments. Not like last time. I’ve never seen him so focused, so determined.

“Preston,” I whisper.

I say his name again, and he grunts, dragging his teeth along his lip.

He grips my ass cheeks with his hand and fucks me harder. “Keep moaning my name, baby.”

He quickens the pace and heat licks my skin. My hold on his cock tightens, and his eyes flicker with acknowledgment. He knows I’m about to come and rubs my clit with a cocky smirk on his face, stealing an earth-shattering orgasm from me.

He goes deeper and deeper, massaging my clit as he makes slow, steady movements that cause my insides to clench.

“Come for me again, Bex.”

It doesn’t take long before I’m screaming his name at the height of my climax, and Preston joins me.