Off-Limits (Rixon High, #1)

by L.A. Cotton

We were different in all the ways society deemed important, but our souls were the same. She didn’t judge me or my issues just as I didn’t judge hers.

But Peyton stepped forward. “Hey, new guy, what’s your name?” she called after him. He looked back, but his eyes slid straight past my best friend to me. “Kaiden,” he said. “Kaiden Thatcher.”

We got changed, reluctantly pulling on the white and blue jerseys one of the assistant coaches gave us. It felt wrong to be in their colors, but I guess we weren’t Eagles anymore. We were Raiders. And fuck if that didn’t feel like some kind of treachery.

I wasn’t interested in what Lindsey or anyone else was offering. I was too hung up on Lily. And now she was one hundred percent off-limits. Of all the fucking girls in the school, it had to be her.

Lily Ford was the kind of girl who wore her feelings for all to see. Fear. Sadness. Regret. A rainbow of emotion lived in her eyes that changed depending on the moment.

I didn’t want to go inside. I wanted to stay out here with the strange girl who made everything go quiet. But that would only lead down a path I couldn’t go.

God, he was gorgeous. I’d never laid eyes on a boy like Kaiden before. His face had the most perfect symmetry: eyes in line with the rest of his features, a slightly crooked nose that pointed to full lips, and a strong jaw.

But I was so freaking tired of always being that girl. The girl on the sidelines watching everyone else live their lives while mine passed me by in a chain of fake smiles and bitter regrets.

It was fucking terrifying. To feel so much for a girl who had the power to ruin you. Well, her father anyway.

“The things I want to do to you, Lily.” He let out a deep sigh. “Coach would kick my ass six ways from Sunday if he knew how badly I wanted to dirty up his precious daughter.”

“You taste like cherries,” he breathed against my lips, and heat rushed into my cheeks.

“You taste like trouble,” I replied around a coy smile.

My breath caught, and he smiled. “The most beautiful wallflower I’ve ever seen.”

“Can I interest you in some snacks? I have chips, popcorn, candy.” “Wow, you covered all the bases, huh?” I chuckled. “Well, I didn’t know what you liked, so I just grabbed everything.” “That’s really sweet, Kaiden.” His eyes widened, the most adorable blush spreading along his cheeks. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called sweet before.” “First time for everything.”

Fuck. I was so gone for this girl. She was perfect for me… except for one huge thing. She was Coach’s daughter. But what was it they said about forbidden fruit? It tasted so much sweeter. Whoever they were, they weren’t fucking wrong. Because this girl tasted like my own personal brand of heaven.

Football had always been the most important thing in my life… it still was. But Lily had somehow burrowed her way under my skin, only burrowing deeper and deeper the more time we spent together.

And sex with Lily… well, something told me it would change everything.

But I guess we all had our demons. The ones we kept inside and didn’t let people see.

“Every time I think you can’t surprise me anymore, you do.” I brushed the strands of hair from her face. “It’s all you, Kaiden. You make me feel alive.” “No, Lily.” I corrected her, guilt snaking through me, squeezing my heart. “It’s all you.”

I trusted him with my body… And my heart.

Lily had burrowed her way into my soul, and even if I ended things, she’d still be there.

“What are we, Kaiden? I mean… I don’t need a label or anything, but I guess I want to know if—” “Mine, Lily, you’re mine.” The possessiveness in his voice made my breath hitch. “Does that make you mine?” “Yeah, it does.” He leaned up, kissing me. I curved my hand over his shoulder, whimpering when his tongue slid against mine.

Something about Lily settled my soul, and I wanted to drown in her innocence. Bathe in her pure fucking light.

“I’m gone for you, Lily,” I confessed, feeling the words coil around my heart. “So fucking gone. I hope you know that.” “I do.” She whispered, brushing her lips over mine. “And I feel exactly the same.”

There was just something about her. She was so pure and good. Her light outshone the darkness circling my soul, and I wanted to soak up every last bit.

All I knew was that I loved Kaiden. I was in love with him, and it made me feel completely vulnerable in a way I’d never felt before. Because if by some small chance he didn’t feel the same, it would crush me.

I felt like a fraud, sitting here, lapping up his praise when all along I’d been seeing Lily behind his back. He deserved to know the truth. He deserved to know I’d fallen for his incredible, beautiful daughter. That I didn’t just care about her, but I was pretty sure I was ass over elbow in love with her.

Lily wasn’t just some girl. She was the better half of my soul and he deserved to know.

The Ford women really were a force to be reckoned with.

It wasn’t any wonder I was ass over elbow in love with Lily. After meeting her mom, it was crystal clear. I’d never stood a chance.

“It matters to me. I hate that she took something from us… from you. I know how lucky I am that you chose me to trust with all your firsts, Lily.”

“How am I ever going to walk back into school, Kaiden? I have spent so long hiding, avoiding the spotlight… and now it’s shining right on me.” He leaned closer, resting his hands on the bed on either side of my thighs. His eyes closed as he inhaled a shuddering breath. “Let me be your shield,” he said, fixing his steel gaze right on me. “Let me hold you up when you fall, Lily. Let me love you.”

Erasing the final sliver of space between us, Kaiden let his mouth ghost over mine. “I love you, Lily Ford. I am hopelessly, desperately in love with you.”

do. I think I have for a while. I was just too chickenshit to say it. I will never regret anything more than I do about what happened last night. It shouldn’t have gone down like that. But how can I ever forget it, when it was the night the girl I love chose me? Fought for me.” His hand glided up the side of my throat, gently holding me. “It’s you and me, Lily. Nothing else matters.”

“I’m scared, Kaiden.” I confessed, feeling the weight of my words slide between us. “You don’t need to be.” He cupped the back of my neck, kissing me but not nearly enough. “I’ll always protect you, Lily. I’ll pick you up when you fall, carry you when things seem too hard. I’ll always be there, I promise.”

I’d transferred to Rixon High hoping to play some football and secure a ticket out of here. I hadn’t expected to fall in love. But Lily was everything I never knew I needed. And I was so fucking relieved her dad hadn’t strung me up by my balls because a) I kind of liked them attached to my body and b) they belonged one-hundred-percent to his daughter.

Peyton climbed up on a stool, using Bryan for support, and cleared her throat. “I feel like Lily should be saying a few words since it’s her night, but I know she’d kill me, so you’re stuck with me. Lily, babe, I love you. I will always love you. And I will always have your back no matter what. I am so happy you’ve found your person. And to the rest of us single happy people, here’s to surviving senior year. Salut.” Knocking her shooter back in one, Peyton wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stuck her tongue out at the rest of us. “That was your cue to drink, fuckers.”

wasn’t weak little Lily Ford anymore. I was brave and courageous and happy. I was so freaking happy.

The winter sun streamed through the window, glinting off the dog tags hanging around his neck. I ran my finger over the smooth metal, as he thrust up inside me, drenching me in pleasure. “Play hard…” I whispered. “Fight hard…” I kissed him. “Love hard.”