Campus God (Campus)

When we were together earlier, I caught a number of them eyeing her up like she had the potential to be their next sugar baby. I gave them hard stares in return. If I could have bared my teeth and growled, I would have. Most quickly turned away. A few smiled smugly in challenge.

Over my dead fucking body.

Her eyes widen as she swings around. “How did you find me?”

I shrug before pushing away from the door and eating up the distance between us. “I figured you probably needed a break.” I stick two fingers beneath the collar of my shirt and pull it away from my neck. It feels like I’m being strangled to death. “I wanted one as well.”

The corners of her lips twitch as her expression softens. “There’d been quite a crowd gathered around you when I left.”

I lift a brow. “You mean when you deserted me?””

The smile grows. “Oh, come on. I’m sure you’re used to it by now. You seemed just fine amongst your adoring fans.”

I almost snort.

Most of the men had wanted to discuss football along with my prospects for the NFL, while a few bolder women squeezed my bicep and cooed over my muscles before inquiring if I’d be interested in making some money on the side as a personal trainer.

I’m willing to bet they weren’t interested in my lifting regimen.

“A couple of those adoring fans had the audacity to stuff their numbers in my pocket.” I shake my head before shoving my hand inside my pants and pulling out three different slips of paper. Without looking at them, I crumple the tiny sheets in my fist before walking to the wastepaper basket near the desk and tossing them inside.

“Aww, poor baby,” she mocks with a pout. “Being a celebrity is so tough.”

“Yup,” I say with a grin, because I’m well aware I have nothing to bitch about. Being swamped by fans comes with the territory.

Now that we’re alone, I allow my gaze to linger and really soak her in the way I wasn’t able to downstairs. “I did mention earlier that you look gorgeous, right?”

“Yes, you did.”

The way her sharp teeth sink into her plump lower lip makes my dick stir. It’s been difficult to control my lust all evening, but what other choice was there? Walking around with a raging boner certainly wasn’t an option. There were a few times I had to mentally run through our playbook in an attempt to focus on something else.

Her fingers flutter to the bodice before giving it a slight tug. If she’s not careful, her breasts will spill from their confines. Not that I would mind, but still…

“Elaine picked it out.”

I should thank her for having such excellent taste. “She did a phenomenal job.”

“It’s a little tight,” she says, pulling again at the top.

“No, it’s perfect.”

She’s perfect. I only wished she realized it.

“I’m pretty sure my mother did it on purpose so I wouldn’t be able to eat.”

A mixture of sorrow and embarrassment flickers in her eyes before it’s quickly shuttered away. If I hadn’t been watching her so carefully, I would have missed the emotions. Brooke might not realize it, but I’ve always been standing by, watching. Even when she belonged to someone else.

Before I can overthink my decision, I close the remaining distance between us until I’m able to lay my hands on her cheeks and angle her head until she has no other choice but to meet my steady gaze.

“You’re perfect just the way you are. There’s nothing about you that needs to be altered. Whatever issues your mom has, they’re hers alone, not yours. Do you understand me?”

She searches my eyes carefully, as if trying to discern if I’m being truthful or feeding her a line of bullshit. Hopefully, with enough time, I’ll be able to prove my trustworthiness.

“You’re built like a fucking goddess,” I add when she remains silent, “and if you want me to drop to my knees and worship at your feet, I’ll do it.”

When her eyes widen, I release her cheeks before sinking to the floor.

“Crosby,” she says in a choked-out whisper. “What are you doing? Get up!” Her face turns beet red as she tugs at my arm.

“Nope. I want you to understand just how serious I am. You have no idea how much I fucking love your curves. They’re all I can think about.” I place my hands on her hips before sweeping them upward until my thumbs are able to brush against the outer edges of her breasts. “You have no idea how damn sexy you are, do you?”

I allow them to trail down again over the sparkly fabric until my left hand arrives at the slit in the gown. When I slip beneath it to stroke her thigh, a needy whimper escapes from her.