The Score (Off-Campus, #3)

by Elle Kennedy

His cheeks hollow in frustration. “Baby doll, I am not watching a movie about—” He squints at the screen “‘a woman’s life-changing journey after being diagnosed with a terminal illness.’ No fucking way.”

Dean’s teeth are visibly clenched. Then his jaw relaxes and he releases a heavy breath. “Fine. If I have to suffer through this crap movie, I’m smoking a joint first.” “Whatever gets you through it, sweetie.”

He walks toward the doorway, grumbling something under his breath.

lol

“Wait,” I call after him. I quickly fish my phone out of my jacket pocket. “Can you take this with you? I might give in to texting temptation if I’m left alone with it.”

He gives me a weird look. “Who you trying not to text?” “My ex. We broke up last night and he won’t stop messaging me.” There’s a pause. ...

I barely have time to blink before Dean crosses the room and tugs me off the chair. When my feet connect with the hardwood floor, I lose my balance and stumble right into his massive chest, my nose bumping one defined pec. I quic...

He doesn’t seem bothered by the cold, but his nipples pucker slightly in the chilly night air. “Ugh. You even have perfect nipples,” I gripe. His lips twitch. “Do you wanna touch ’em?”

“Ew. Never. I’m just commenting that they’re frickin’ perfect. Like, totally proportioned to your chest.” He peers down at his pecs and considers for a moment. “Yeah. I am perfect. I need to remind myself of that more often.”

I snort. “Right. Because you’re not already conceited enough.” “I’m confident,” he corrects...

Dean is beaming as he passes it over. “That’s my girl. But don’t tell Wellsy. She’ll kick my ass if she thinks I’m corrupting her best friend.”

trying not to laugh at the genuine apprehension on Dean’s face. He’s probably right to be afraid of Hannah. Girl’s got a sharp tongue and she isn’t afraid to use it. That’s why I love her.

Hannah told me he’s filthy rich, and it totally shows. Not in the pompous, watch-me-roll-around-in-my-money-vault sense, but in the way he struts around like the world is his oyster.

Huh. And apparently marijuana makes me both philosophical and judgmental.

“Why is everything with you always about sex?” I pass the joint back. “And FYI—the sex was fine.” “Fine?” He snickers. “Wow, what a ringing endorsement.”

“Sean was okay with it when we first started dating, but this summer he suddenly decided he doesn’t want me to go into acting. Actually, he doesn’t want me to work at all.” I frown.

Ew

I find serious green eyes watching me carefully. “What did he do?” Dean demands in a low voice. “And how bad of a beat-down does he deserve? Me and Garrett can handle our own in a fight, but if you want some bone-crushing, we can unleash Logan on him.”

As if on cue, the phone buzzes in Dean’s hand, and my first instinct is to try to grab it. He swiftly takes a step back, then glances at the screen. “It’s Sean.” His mouth quivers in amusement. “He misses the taste of your lips.”

“You’re giving me a lot of responsibility here, baby doll. I don’t like responsibility.” Shocker. “You can handle this, baby doll. I have faith in you.”

God, even the way he walks is arrogant. And he looks good doing it. My gaze unwittingly rests on his taut ass and the way his sweatpants cling to it. Yep, I’m checking out his ass. I mean, it’s a spectacular ass, and I’m a woman—how could I not?

“You’re going about this the wrong way, you know. The best way to get over someone is to hook up with someone else. ASAP.”

His words jolt me out of my butt ogling. “I’m not ready to be with anyone else yet.” “Sure you are. Seriously, just find yourself a rebound.” Dean whips up his arm. “I volun...

Dean stops at the door and turns, his green eyes doing a seductive sweep from my head down to my toes. “Actually, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of rebounding you.” His gaze lingers on my chest. “I like the idea a lot.”

I stifle a groan. “Garrett promised that you wouldn’t hit on me this weekend.” “G knows better than to make promises on my behalf,” Dean answers with a grin.

and when Dean stops in the hall to hike up the sweatpants that are about to fall off his trim hips, for some reason I start giggling as if it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.

My humor fades when we settle on the couch, because Dean flops down directly beside me, slings one muscular arm around my shoulders, and tugs me close. As if it’s totally normal.

I frown at him. “Why is your arm around me?” His expression is all innocence. “This is how I watch movies.” “Really? So you put your arm around ...

“Absolutely. And if he’s nice to me, sometimes I slide my hand down his pants.” Dean’s other hand skims down to the waistband of my leggings. “Be nice to me, ...

“Ha. Not happening.” I shove his hand away, but not before a spark of heat ignites between my legs. His bare chest is glorious, and it’s taunting me, begging my fingers to stroke all those roped muscles. And ...

I’m feeling way too loopy to pinpoint the scent, but not loopy enough that I don’t register how my pussy...

Oh, for crying out loud. My sex life must have really gone to the shitter if I’m getting all tingly in the...

“I’d rather be watching you.” He waggles his eyebrows. “You know, when you’re shouting my name while I make you come.”

This time there aren’t any tingles. Just a lot of laughter that pours out of my mouth in uncontrollable waves. “Jesus. You’re really bad for a man’s ego.” He looks insulted.

I suck in a gulp of air between giggles. Yep, I’m high and relaxed and in possession of no filters whatsoever, which means I can make fun of D...

“I’m sorry, but you’re too fucking much sometimes.” I can’t stop laughing. “Do girls really fall for these lines?” He makes an unflattering noise under h...

To Dean’s credit, he doesn’t say a word for nearly thirty minutes. His gaze stays focused on the screen, but from the corner of my eye, I don’t miss all the fidgeting he’s doing. Tapping his long fingers on his thighs. Raking a hand through his hair. Heaving a sigh as we watch the main character prepare an omelet in real time.

I don’t want to admit that I’d made the wrong choice. You can’t give a guy like Dean the win. Ever. He’ll lord it over me until the end of time.

I offer a helpful suggestion. “Why don’t you go upstairs and jerk off again?” Shit. Wrong thing to say. His green eyes instantly take on a seductive glint.

With a lazy grin, he leans toward me and drawls, “How about you do it for me?” This guy is incorrigible. “Are we back to this? Do you ever take no for an answer?” “I’m not familiar with that word. Nobody’s ever said it to me before.”

“Come on, let’s make this party more interesting. We’re home alone… We’re both good-looking…” I snicker. “It’ll be fun. Sex is always fun.” “Pass.” “Okay, no sex. How about just oral?”

I pretend to think it over. “Am I giving or receiving?” “Receiving. And then giving. Because that’s how it goes.” He smiles broadly. “You know, the circle of life and all that.”

I can’t help but laugh. Say what you want about this guy, but at least he’s entertaining. “Pass,” I say again. “Wanna mak...

“I’m a really good kisser…” He leaves that hanging as if to entice me. “Ha. That just means you’re not. Every time a guy ...

And Dean knows the word empirical? Wow, maybe there is more than air inside that pretty head of his.

Men. They can’t take one second to put the toilet seat down, but they have the time to program the ESPN theme song as their ringtone?

He listens, then shoots me a hopeful look. “Wanna go to a party?” I shake my head. The person on the other end of the line is forced to endure Dean’s overly dramatic sigh.

“Sorry, man. I can’t. I’m babysitting⁠—” I smack him on the arm. “—and she doesn’t want to go,” he finishes as he glares at me. He pauses again. “No, she’s fully grown.” What?

He hangs up and turns to scowl at me. “I could be at a party right now.” “Nobody’s forcing you to hang out with me,” I point out.

“I’m trying to be nice to you, on account of your poor broken heart and all. But is there any gratitude on your part? Nope. You won’t even kiss me.”

I lean in and pat him on the shoulder. “Aw, honey pie. I’m sure any girl in your phone’s contact list would be happy to come over and stick her tongue in your m...

“What, I’m not good enough for you?” He lifts his eyebrows. “I’ll have you know, your frien...