The Gamble: A Novel (16 page)

Luca doesn't hesitate to argue, “No one's pussy is better than yours.”

“Liar.” I gulp down some of the cold liquid, put the lid back on, and toss it onto the floor. “Well fuck you. I'm napping right here. Right now. And there's not a damn thing you can do to stop me.”

Luca shakes his head and folds his arms across his bare chest. The chest I wanna run my hands down. The chest I wanna bite. Nibble his nipples. Trace his abs with my tongue.

Oh yeah. Definitely need to pass out before I say that shit out loud.

“When you wake up, we're having a talk.”

“Stop yelling.”

“I'm not yelling.”

“You're at fucking megaphone level,” I whine. “Shh.”

There's a small scoff. “Get some rest and then we're talking.”

Mockingly I mutter, “Get some pussy and then we're talking...”

My eyes fall closed, which doesn't cease the throbbing of my skull.

Hungover over and it's not even five o'clock. Congratulations Luca Larson. You've managed to fuck this up for me too.

Luca

One weekend groping at each other like horny teenagers is all it took to royally fuck my entire life? That doesn't seem right. If I could survive my parents’ divorce going back to a simpler routine with my best friend shouldn't feel like I'm going through steroid withdrawals. Fuck. This week was supposed to be like a locker-room huddle and watching me flirt a little should've been like the half- time bitch slap she needed to realize she wants to be fooling around with me as much I want to with her. But by now you've probably guessed it wasn't.

The front door cracks open and Warren cautiously glances around. “She okay?”

“Yeah. She threw up and passed out shortly after. I've checked on her over the last few hours. She's breathing. Snoring.”

He shuts our apartment door behind him and places the paper plate full of grilled food on the counter. “Brought her up something to eat.”

Of course he did, because he's the fucking knight in shining armor. The perfect, golden player. He always does the right shit. If he would've admitted he had feelings for Alexxa when I convinced him not too, she would've taken
him
seriously. She would've given
him
a chance. An actual fucking chance without having to basically be begged. She wouldn't have pulled the mat from underneath him that he didn't even know he was fucking standing on! It's as if I don't even remember what life was like before I could have her tucked under my arm or kissing me. No fucking idea how I ever used to have meals that didn't include her or even hung out on the couch shouting at the sports announcers without her. Fucking used to help pass the time go by in the best way, but I can't even do that because of her! The only fucking person my cock even opens its eye for is
her
. Trust me. I tried tempting it. Tried giving it a time out pussy break. Instead it pouted. It fucking pouted. Fuck.

Warren leans against the counter. “There's enough for you too.”

“Thanks.” I clear my throat. “She'll wanna eat when she wakes up.”

“She needs to,” he grunts. “She hasn't eaten anything all day.”

“Why would you let her fucking drink so much knowing that?”

“Let her?” Warren questions harshly. “Let her? I'm not her fucking keeper.”

“You're supposed to be her fucking friend.”

“Right. And where were you? That's right trying to get your dick sucked. As usual.”

Not having had my cock sucked in weeks makes me glare. “She didn't wanna be around me. She wanted to be around
you
.” The words taste worse than goddamn morning breath in my mouth. “You know, Alexxa. She's not a heavy a drinker and hates to admit it.”

He folds his arms and lets his shoulders drop. “Yeah. I know. I tried to get her to eat more than once. Hell, we were on our way to get food before I was thrown against a wall.”

I shift on the couch, recalling the disbelief I had just a few hours ago.

I almost knocked my best friend out for simply being the warm body Alexxa wanted to grind against. Fuck that. If she needed to grind it should've been on me. Against me.
With
me. Hatred of her being with the very person who possesses all the qualities and skills I don't have, all the fucking qualities and skills she used to build this wedge between us, caused me to snap. The problem is the more I think about it, the more I'm pretty sure I'm willing to train to be the kind of guy she gives a chance.  

His voice lowers, “It's fucked up to
pretend
to be in love with a chick to nail her, Luca. Especially when she's an innocent virgin who's only reason for even being on your goddamn radar is some stupid fucking bet.”

There are so many words in the sentence that drop my jaw, I'm unsure which to assess first. To no surprise my cock thinks for me. “Did you say virgin?”

Panic paints itself in his eyes.

“You're telling me Alexxa's a
virgin
.”

He drunkenly fumbles, “Uh...no.”

Shifting around on the couch, I shake my head at him. “How is that even fucking possible?”

Seriously? She's totally fuckable, looks wise and personality. And if she really is a virgin how much are we talking? Was that the reason she tried to pull away when I wanted her to come? Has she never had anyone touch her like that before? Was I her first her hand job? Fuck. It's like hitting the sex lottery with the jack pot higher than it's ever been. Winning the playoffs with a perfect streak.

Warren grumbles and shrugs. “Honestly, don't know.”

The memory of her drunkenly swinging her virgin pussy his direction tenses me again.

Only one person should have her uncharted body that close to theirs and that's me.

“I do know, this isn't right. Shits getting out of hand, Luca. You threw me into a fucking wall for show.”

I don't apologize.

Our eyes stay locked, which is when a playful gleam pops in his eyes. “That is unless it wasn't for show. Unless you're actually
falling
for her. Are you?” He pushes. “You fallin' for her or is this just a giant Luca Larson Hail Mary pass to bring home the win?”

My instinct is to confess that's all it is, but even I know it would be a lie. Don't get me wrong. I wanna win the bet. I've never wanted Alexxa tangled in my sheets with my cock stretching her for days more than right fucking now, but I know it's not
just
because it's a conquest requiring extra effort. Even if I don't wanna own up to it to anyone other than you, I know I want more than just sex from Alexxa. A week of having to attempt to function without her proved it. Fuck.

There's a long unexpected groan over my shoulder. The two of us divert our attention the direction of my bedroom where the virgin subject is wobbling out. “My head hurts...”

“That’s what happens when you drink an entire six pack in 103 degree heat on an empty stomach,” Warren scolds.

Promptly, I'm on my feet, rushing over to help steer her towards the couch. “Warren's right.”

“I must be dreaming if you're agreeing with him,” she jokes as she slides into her favorite corner.

“You want me to take a turn watching over Drunkarella?”

His offer is quickly denied with a shake of the head. “Nah. I got her.”

“Alright,” he says softly. “Brought you some food.”

She groans and gags.

“Yeah, yeah, you'll be hungry soon enough,” he grumbles and grabs his keys. “I'm going back down to the pool. Hope to see you before the fireworks start.”

She groans again.

Warren exits and I take a seat on the opposite end of the same couch. “You need to re- hydrate and eat.”

“Pass.”

I let out a sigh, “We need to talk.”

Another groan. “Hard pass.”

Frustrated I snap, “Fuck. Fine. Then I'll talk and you listen.”

“Double down pass.”

Her eyes fall closed and for a moment I simply stare.

Alexxa's mocha colored skin I've always loved is now crisper from the hours in the sun. The less tanned flesh is peaking from underneath, beckoning something primal deep inside of me. I don't want anyone else to see that skin. I don't want anyone else to see her firm ass in her string bikini bottoms. I don't want to share any part of her with anyone. Ever. Fuck me. What the fuck am I supposed to do with this shit? Tell me you'll help coach me through whatever the fuck this is.

I sigh, “You're fucking stubborn.”

“Um hello? Is that you kettle? Should I just forward you to voice mail?”

“It's always about race with you.”

Her eyes pop open in a huff. Whatever snippy retort was coming vanishes as her head clearly throbs at the swift shift in movement. She groans while I chortle. “Ugh..You did that on purpose.”

“I did.”

“You're such an asshole.”

“But you love me this way.”

Alexxa reluctantly smiles.

“Look, I'm just gonna fucking say it.”

She lifts her eyebrows and remains silent.

“I can't go back to being just friends with you.” Slowly shaking my head, I lean forward and rest my arms on my legs. “I don't even
want
to go back to being just friends with you.”

“So what are you saying?”

“I'm saying...I'm saying I want my girl back. I wanna watch ESPN with you while you pretend to have a mustache you made with your finger. I wanna eat cereal at 3 a.m. after a fucking Happy Days marathon. I wanna hold your fucking hand in my car and kiss the shit out of you like I'm the only one who gets to because I'm the only one who should.”

Alexxa's mouth twitches yet nothing comes out.

“You're worried about the fact I've always been about only fucking and never dating. That's who I am. You've always known that. But you also know me better than anyone else, Alexxa. You know when I want something, I'll do whatever it takes to get it, and I want
you
. In every single fucking way possible.”

Huh. I really can be completely fucking honest with her. Great. Now she can wear my testicles as jewelry since I apparently won't be needing them any fucking more.

In a whisper she says, “I'm not sleeping with you any time soon.”

I shrug. “I don't fucking care.”

My response is met with a look of skepticism.

Wipe it off your face too.

“Fine. I do care, but I don't mind waiting.”

“That sounds like bullshit.”

“For you Alexxa,” my correction is more sincere than I first realized. “I don't mind waiting for
you
. You don't wanna fuck, I'll cope, as long as you don't mind letting me worship that pretty little pussy until those lips,” I point down at her crotch, “are saying my name as much as these.” I gently brush my index finger against them.

As if it's her natural instinct, Alexxa snakes her tongue out to tease it.

A heavy groan escapes. “If we're not gonna be fucking for a while could you at least play fair?”

A wide grin crawls on her face at the same time she shakes her head.

This is going to be my complete undoing. This brown skinned curvy beauty, with a foul mouth who plays dirtier than a MMA fighter packing brass knuckles. Why did I fucking wait this long to come after her?

“You can have me in every way possible,” her sultry voice coos, which causes my cock to throb. “But I refuse to share you.”

“Same.”

“And I get to decide when shit gets sexual. It's up to
me
. You go
my
speed or we don't go at all. It's already enough pressure knowing I'm the only chick you've ever dated. The last thing I need is you making it worse by pushing me to join a list I've prided myself on never being a part of.”

My eyebrows scrunch. “Prided yourself?”

“On not being one of Luca Larson's favorite fucks? Yeah.” Before I can grow offended, Alexxa crawls into my lap, and wraps her arms around my neck. “I don't wanna be one of your favorites. I wanna be your
only
favorite. The
only
team member you call on from the bench.”

Fuck. She even knows the perfect phrasing for me. See what I mean about her being mine?