Catching Quinn (Waverly Wildcats, #2)

by Jennifer Bonds

No way am I dying a spinster virgin. Yes, I realize that sounds dramatic, but you’d be dramatic too if the universe was conspiring to hold your virginity hostage while all your friends were getting their O on.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Your choice.” I lift my chin and stare up at him resolutely. He may be the big man on campus, and I may be a quintessential disaster, but it’ll be a cold day in hell before I let Cooper DeLaurentis—or any man—push me around. He shrugs, the corner of his mouth hitching up in a crooked grin. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” “What are you—” He bends down and hooks his arm around the back of my knees, slinging me over his shoulder. I squeal in protest as he strides out the door and into the hall, carrying me like a bag of dirty laundry.

“Your body. Your choice. The thing is, I couldn’t look your brother in the face if I let you hook up with Zac. The guy’s a walking STD.” “Oh. My. God.” She wheels around and stalks toward the house, boots sinking into the grass. “I’m going to die a virgin because of freaking bro code. How is this my life?” Holy. Shit.

“Take care of those grades, and we’ll get you lined up with a great opportunity on The Hill next fall.” “Sure, Dad.” I’m a PoliSci major, but it’ll be a cold day in hell before I give up football to work in Washington with my father.

“You better believe I’m calling him Professor Bates every chance I get. No more of this Call-me-David bullshit. First names are reserved for cool ass profs.”

If I saw some dude playing grab-ass with my sister, I’d break his fucking hands. Quinn’s not your sister, so what do you care? I don’t. Okay, fine. I care. But only because I’m not a trash human being.

I like the way this girl thinks. Her ass may be divine, but it’s nothing compared to her big sexy brain and all the snarky sarcasm it delivers.

Of course Coop has moves. Moves half the women on campus would give their left ovary to experience. Is this what it feels like to be lucky?

Fantasizing about all the sexy, sinful ways he could put those long fingers to good use. Why Cooper, what big hands you have! The better to fu— The music changes abruptly, putting an end to my filthy thoughts.

open the cabinet and swing the door wide. “Holy hell.” It’s like a pharmacy exploded in there. The shelves are jammed full and I’m half convinced this is some Hermione Granger shit, because no way should that much stuff fit in this tiny cabinet.

“Or maybe he’s a super-hot nice guy.” She grins. “Which, as you know, is basically a unicorn on this campus.” She’s not wrong. Except…Cooper might actually be a unicorn. Now there’s a phrase I never thought I’d hear myself say. But facts are facts. Not only is Cooper gorgeous, he was a perfect gentleman last night. Yes, he ruined my shot at hooking up, but he also made sure I got home safely and tucked me into bed. It was…thoughtful.

I glance up, pissy sibling glare fully activated, and lock eyes with Cooper. Because of course I do.

“Have you given up your mission or should I expect to see you at Sig Chi Saturday night?” I open my mouth to give a snarky reply, but Coop’s words echo in my head. Turnabout is fair play. The cocky cockblocker—try saying that three times fast—has blocked me twice now. Twice. Surely, he doesn’t expect me to just take it lying down?

Life’s too short to be taken so seriously. Once you figure out what really matters, you fight like hell to protect it, and let all the rest go.

I never imagined it would be Cooper DeLaurentis who saw something in me I couldn’t see in myself, let alone help bring it to the surface.

There’s only one way to ensure Quinn gets the pleasure she deserves. I have to be the one who gives it to her.

He points to the top of the tank where he’s wedged a sparkly pink stuffed animal—a freaking unicorn—into the chain-link fence that protects him from getting hit with a stray ball. Carter snorts and rolls her eyes. “I told you they deserved each other.” “Excuse me?” I ask. Because how can I not? She turns to me, a wide grin transforming her pretty face. “I won the unicorn at one of the game booths, but I gave it to Coop because only a guy who preens as much as he does could appreciate such a glorious creature, right?” I snicker. “I think I love you.” “Her name,” Coop shouts indignantly, “is Starlight Twinkle.”

“So, what?” I hiss, lifting my chin. “You thought you’d play knight in shining armor and I’d be so honored to experience your magical penis that I’d just fall at your feet in gratitude?”

The snarky, quick-witted, strong-willed woman who doesn’t back down. Who gives as good as she gets and always brings a smile to my face. Who, despite all odds, has become a friend. I definitely didn’t see that coming. “You can have any woman you want,” Quinn says slowly, as if voicing her thoughts. “But you’re here with me. You booked this room. Brought a bottle of wine. Blew off a hard-won homecoming celebration.” She pauses, biting her lower lip. The naked vulnerability nearly does me in. “You’re actually taking this seriously.” “Yes.” For her.

He’s dressed as Thor, blond hair scraped back from his face, muscular arms on full display. It’s a good look for him.

“Black Widow?” I nod and sip my beer, not quite trusting myself to speak. What are the odds we’d both show up dressed as Marvel superheroes?

“Prioritization is critical if you want to make it as a student athlete.” Facts. My days start at five-thirty and rarely end before midnight during the season. “I’ll keep that in mind. You know, in case I develop a case of late-onset athleticism.” “Smartass.”

Look at the guy. He’s about as smooth as oatmeal. I shudder. I fucking hate oatmeal. It’s boring—just like Vaughn.

It doesn’t have to mean anything. We can keep it casual. Hell, casual is my middle name.

She draws back, smiling against my mouth. “What are you doing?” “Inviting you back to my place.” She bites her lower lip, the tender flesh as ripe as a strawberry. “Are you sure?” White-hot need coils deep in my balls and I roll my hips, cock gliding over her belly. I need to be inside this woman right fucking now. “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

“When you crave release, you come to me. No one else. I’ll give you what you need.”

“That’s right, sweetheart. I’m the only one who knows what you need. The only one who knows how you like it.” He cups me, his thumb pressing down on my clit through the thin fabric of my costume. “This pussy belongs to me.” Oh, God. This is better than porn.

Quinn’s curled up next to me, her head resting on my chest. She fits perfectly against me with her hand pressed to my abdomen and one leg draped over mine. It’s like the spot was carved out just for her.

No wonder Cooper is so focused on football. He views it as the only solution to a problem—a situation—he’s never been able to fix. The pressure to perform must be crushing.

I’d prefer you take some time to think it over, because what we’re doing? It’s a relationship, even if you’re afraid to call it one.” “I’m not afraid of a label.”

I care about Quinn. The realization pulls me up short. I don’t know how it happened or even when it happened, but sometime over the last two months, she’s become important to me.

“If I’ve learned anything from this entire experience, it’s that I have to know my value and not settle for less than what I deserve.” Ironically, Cooper taught me that. “I deserve a guy who loves me as much as I lo—” Oh, no. Haley’s eyes go wide. “You love him.” I sit with her words—my words—for a minute, letting them sink in. I’m in love. With Cooper DeLaurentis.

I could live a thousand lifetimes and I’d never get enough of this woman. I’ll never tire of her kisses or her sweet laughter or the way she challenges me at every turn. I could live a thousand lifetimes and I’d want to spend every single one of them catching Quinn.