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RUINED HOPES 84
“Yeah.” He raked a hand through his hair, regret etched into his expression. Aaron wasn’t a bad guy; he was just too wrapped up in senior year spirit.“So what are you guys doing tonight?” Cole asked. “We’re going to catch a movie if you want to tag along.”“Actually, we have plans,” I said.“We do?” Ezra frowned.“Yep.”“Not sex plans, right? Because—” Cole threw a cushion at Aaron, drowning out his words.“Thank you,” I mouthed, grateful for his intervention.“Anytime.” Cole smiled.“Well, I should probably go. But I’ll see you later.”“You’re leaving, already?” Ezra grumbled as I shuffled out from behind him.“I need to get ready for our date.”“Date?” He frowned up at me, and Sofia and the guys snickered.“You’ll see.” I winked.“Are you heading out?” Aaron asked him.“Actually,” Ezra said. “I was going to stay a while, if that’s okay?”“Hell yeah.” His whole expression lit up. “You want to play pool? I always beat Cole’s ass, it’s no fun anymore.”“Hey, I’m sitting right here.”“
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When we finally pulled up to the small cabin, Ezra’s face was a picture. “What is this place?”“Gav knows someone who knows someone. They said it’s ours for the night. Well, not all night because try explaining that to my dad. But it’s ours for the next few hours.”“McKay did this for us?”“He’s a good guy, Ezra.” Gav hadn’t hesitated to help me out when I said I wanted somewhere off the grid for our first date.It was perfect: deep in the woods, surrounded by nothing but the wilderness.“Come on, let’s go check it out.” I climbed out of the car and went around to Ezra’s door. He still looked a little shell-shocked when he got out.“Don’t you like it?” I asked, dread snaking through me. “I just thought it might be nice to be alone. It doesn’t mean I expect anything to happen. I just want to be with you away from everyone else.”He still didn’t say anything, and I began to feel like the world’s biggest fool.“Maybe this was a bad idea. We can go back and catch a movie or something.” I
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We kissed like we were running out of air. Greedy and frantic. Deep, desperate licks. She tasted like fucking sunshine, lighting me up inside and burning away the darkness.I couldn’t get enough.“Okay,” she murmured, dropping her eyes. “Maybe we should slow down.”I wound her hair around my fist and tugged gently, lifting her face to mine. “I don’t want to slow down, buttercup.”“Y-you don’t?”“What do you think?” I lifted my hips slightly, pulling her down over my rock hard dick. Her soft moan made my heart stutter in my chest.“But I thought…”“I want you, Ashleigh. More than I have ever wanted anything.”“You’re sure?”I nodded.“Lie back. I want to try something.” She pushed my chest gently and I dropped onto my elbows. Her hand slipped to the hem of my t-shirt, her eyes silently asking me permission.“It’s okay,” I said.Pushing the material up my torso, Ashleigh leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my hip bone. My body jolted at the strange, unfamiliar feel of her mouth on my
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“That was… wow.”I crawled up her body, kissing her. Ashleigh kissed me back just as fiercely, running her hands over my shoulders, the back of my neck. Her touch didn’t scare me anymore; it made me feel strong. Alive.For the first time in my life, I felt whole.“I love you, Ezra.”I kissed her, trying to show her what she meant to me. Trying to show her everything I couldn’t yet say but felt in my soul.Ashleigh hitched her legs around my hips, grinding against me, seeking more. I rocked into her, growing hard all over again.“I want you,” I whispered. “All of you.”“I’m yours.”I saw it then. The promise of forever in her eyes. Ashleigh loved me with everything that she was. Even at my worst, she’d still decided to stand by me.I didn’t deserve her, but one way or another, I’d earn her love.I couldn’t stop trembling as I removed the final barrier between us and settled back over her body. Grasping myself, I slid one hand under her thigh and stilled, forcing myself to take a breath
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“You’re letting me use your body as a bed, that means something.”“Yeah, it does. And for as much as I could stay out here forever with you, it’s late and I don’t want to piss off your dad on our first date.”“Guess I’d better not tell him you made me come three times then.”“Three?” His brow arched with smug amusement. “It was at least four, wasn’t it?”“I’m pretty sure it was only three.”“Is that right?” Ezra worked his hand between our bodies and found my center, sliding his finger inside me. My breath caught in my throat as he stretched me. “Better make sure it’s four then.”“Good morning, sweetheart,” Mom said as I entered the kitchen. “How was your hot date?”“Mom!” My cheeks burned.“What? It was just a question.” She hid her grin behind a gallery brochure.“It was really nice, Mom.”“I’m happy for you, baby. But remember to take things slow. You’ve both been through so much…”“You don’t need to worry,” I said, bending to kiss her cheek. “We’re going at our own pace.”“Good. Y
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A second later, the door swung open, and John Carrick and his son stepped out. John shook Coach’s hand, the two of them wearing grim expressions. Carrick’s glare cut to me, narrowing with contempt.“Looks like that went well,” Aaron whispered.Coach saw them both out and made his way over. “Ezra, I’m glad you’re here.”“What was all that about?”“You don’t need to worry about Nathan or his father anymore.”“What did you do?” My brow arched.“Everyone has secrets they would rather keep buried, son. You just have to know where to look. I gave Nathan the choice as to whether or not he remains a Raider. But if he does, he understands that this is my team and you’re a part of that.” He gave me a small nod. “Get changed and I’ll see you both out on the field.”“Hey, Coach,” I called after him.“Yeah?”“Why’d you do it? Why go to all this trouble for me?”“Because you’re family, Ezra. And I protect my family—always.”Jase walked back to his office.“Now do you believe me?” Aaron said with a
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“No, I’m here… with somebody.”“You are?” My brows went up. “Is this a joke? Because you’re sitting here all—”“Ashleigh?”Gav snickered as I turned to find Penelope standing there. “You,” I said.“Hey, I hope this is okay. The guys thought it might—”“Hold on a second, you’re Gav’s date?”“Surprise.” He grinned, but I wasn’t grinning. I was frowning.“I’m confused.” I sank back into the leather seat, and Ezra took my hand in his.“You knew I liked her,” Gav said with complete honesty.“Yeah, but isn’t this… weird?” I looked at all of them. Penelope gave me a shy smile.“It’s only weird if we make it weird. I’m happy for you, Ashleigh. Ezra deserves to have someone like you in his life.”“I… thank you. And you,” I jabbed my finger at Gav. “You didn’t think to tell me this earlier?”“And miss your reaction?” Amusement glittered in his eyes, but then his expression softened. “Honestly, I didn’t think you would agree to come.”He was right, I would never have agreed.“This is a good thin
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Ezra“Fuck,” I grunted as the ball rebounded off my shoulder.“Seriously, bro, get your head in the game,” Aaron said.“Sorry, I was…”“Daydreaming about a certain girl, no doubt,” he scoffed.“It’s her birthday soon. I need to get her something.”“Hell yeah, you do. And it needs to be epic since she decided to forgive your sorry ass.”I scowled at him, and he grinned. “Relax, I’m just busting your balls. I can help you shop for her if you want. I’m good at stuff like that.”“That’s just… weird.”He shrugged. “Fine, I won’t help. But don’t blame me when she kicks your ass for getting her some lame gift.”Coach yelled time and we both jogged over to the water station. “Have you talked to Poppy yet?”“Nah,” he said. “I’m letting her cool off.”“You know Zara is telling anyone who will listen that you screwed her over.”A dark shadow passed over him as he let out a weary sigh. “She’s a bitch. I never should have gone there.”“You need to fix it with Poppy, and soon.”“Since when do you c
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