Caught Stealing (Leighton U, #2)

by C.E. Ricci

It’s definitely Holden. Ten thousand percent, it’s Holden. He’s the guy no one should ever want their daughter dating—or son, for that matter. And here he is, fixating on the most important person in the world to me.

“I can’t fucking stand you.” A deadly smirk curls the corners of my mouth. “Believe me, Nixy, you’ve made sure the feeling’s mutual.”

As if suddenly realizing just how close we are, Phoenix clears his throat and takes a step away from me. Probably a good thing, because the electricity flickering between us when we’re that close…it’s too much. Too powerful.

None of it feels right because he’s not the person I want to be kissing. Because he’s not his best friend.

My eyes sink closed, finally allowing myself to admit what I’ve known for a while now. I want him.

My words come out in a harsh whisper; an angry, desperate plea for reprieve. “What are you doing to me, Nix?”

I clear my throat and mutter, “Clearly, you have zero self-control.” “Oh, believe me, Nix,” he whispers, attention now fixed on my mouth. “If that were true, you’d be on your back beneath me right now.”

“Why are you doing this?” I whisper. “Because it’s all I can think about anymore.” His attention drifts from my eyes back to my lips. “You’re all I think about. And I can’t do anything to stop it.”

“Don’t you dare,” he whispers harshly while tightening his hold on my hip. “You’re not ending this now. I’m not fucking done with you.” Then he crashes his mouth back to mine, and I drown all over again.

Every molecule in my being has been lit on fire by Phoenix, and the only thing I want right now is to keep fanning the flames. Keep kissing and touching him until I’m nothing but a pile of ash and debris on the ground at his feet.

No one has ever made me feel this thoroughly owned. Honestly, I don’t think anyone else ever could.

Hell if I’m gonna give him another reason to hate me. Not when I’m already dying for him to stop.

look of relief takes over his face and he starts laughing. Like a real, genuine laugh, and I realize this is the first time I’ve heard it. And my God, if it isn’t the most incredible sound on this planet.

Maybe that’s why the words spill out of my mouth, low and husky, before I can even attempt to reel them back in. “Kiss me, and I promise I won’t remember a word of it.” Phoenix’s eyes drop to my lips immediately, and I swear I’m watching the gears spin in his mind as he thinks about doing just that. And that’s how I know he’s in this just as deep as I am.

“Let yourself be selfish,” he murmurs, lips a breath away. “Even if it’s just this once.”

The tip of his nose brushes over mine with a gentleness nearly capable of bringing me to my knees. “Nix.” My name is a plea on his lips. For concession. For reprieve. And it’s then I realize I’ll never be strong enough to withstand him.

my God, the sight of him wrapping his hand around my cock while on his knees is nearly enough for me to come undone on the spot.

I swallow down those little sounds, taking them for myself. After all, they belong to me. He belongs to me.

The smile I felt against my lips only grows at my agreement, yet what really does something stupid to the slab of meat in my chest is the way his hand curls around the back of my neck and he kisses me. As if all he wanted was a yes. As if all he wants is me.

Because the way we are together…” I trail off, not having the words to describe what it’s like. It exceeds everything I’ve ever known before him.

Instinctually, my eyes flick over to where Holden sits at the other end of the sectional. He must feel my gaze on him, because his focus slowly shifts my way. Holden: Look at me like that again, and I’m gonna need to borrow the pillow beside you.

“Oh, I give no shits about who wins tonight, Nix.” I blink at him. “Then why are we here?” He cocks his head, staring at me like I’ve grown three heads. “It’s football.” Oh, right. My bad.

Holden: Wydrn? A little grin lifts my lips, having no idea what the acronym stands for. Me: In English? Holden: Are you eighty? I asked what you’re doing right now.

Holden: Really? You’re doing absolutely nothing at all? Just staring at a blank wall? Me: Ceiling, actually. Holden: Pics or it didn’t happen.

“You love him,” Oakley says, a hint of awe in his voice. “Don’t you?” Leave it to my best friend to see right through me like I’m nothing more than a piece of glass. I bite the inside of my cheek, and before I realize it, I nod. “With every inch of me.”

He’s everything I didn’t know I wanted, and now I doubt there will ever be a day when he isn’t.

“But being inside you with my number on your back will, without a doubt, take the cake. So I really know you’re mine.” My blood flares. “Possessive, are we?” His nod is immediate before his words come out all grated and raw. “I wanna claim every part of you.”

“Then claim me. Own me. And if the jersey isn’t enough, feel free to mark every inch of my body with your cum.”

It’s not stealing if he’s meant to be mine.

“I’m yours, Nix. Always. You have to know that. So choose you, baby. ‘Cause I’m choosing you too.”

Because I’ll always choose him. Even if he can’t. Even if it tears me apart in the process.

I’m smacked square in the face with realization, and a knot forms instantly in my throat as I look at him. At this amazing, loyal, one-of-a-kind guy who loves me enough to do this. To take a moment my mind erased and fill in the void.

Slanting my mouth over his, I kiss him like he’s the only thing in existence. Like he is the air that fills my lungs, and the reason the sun rises, and is in every beat my heart takes. Because he is. “I love you, Nix,” I whisper between each kiss I plant on his lips. “I love you so fucking much.”

“You can do whatever you want to me.” “Baby,” I whisper. “I’m only ever gonna be yours,”