“Superman, huh?”
Rush bucks with a laugh. “I’ll send a girl your way who reeks of Kryptonite. Don’t worry, dude. When she’s done with you, you’ll be thanking me for the rest of your life.”
Sunday and Trixie exchange a heated glance.
Serena shows up in time to kill the carnal conversation, and the three of us put in our orders while Sunday continues to hem and haw over the menu.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you looked like you were on a double date.” Serena laughs as she tucks a pen behind her ear.
Rush laughs long and hard right along with her. “Seth knows better than to mess with Sunday. Isn’t that right?” He nods over to me. “One crooked look will get you a fat lip. And that’s a promise.”
“Got it.” I can’t help but wonder what a baby would get me. A body cast in the least.
“Let’s do it, Sun.” Serena beats her notepad with her pen. “There are a lot of people who want to get out of here tonight, and you’re looking at one of ’em.”
“Oh, right.” She closes her menu. “I’ll just have a club sandwich.” Her eyes flit to the ceiling. “You know what, make that a roast beef with au jus, lots and lots of au jus.” She shrugs over at Rush and Trixie. “Just love that stuff.” Serena turns to leave, and Sunday holds up a hand. “And a peanut butter shake! And maybe throw in a side of mac and cheese, bacon cheddar tots, a breakfast skillet with the eggs scrambled, hash browns, and a side of blueberry and cream pancakes.” She holds the menu up for Serena to grab it, but nobody moves. All eyes are locked on Sunday. “What? The menu says they serve breakfast all day. Besides, Seth always eats off my plate. A girl has to look out for herself.”
Serena snatches the menu and stares down her cousin before taking off.
“Someone’s hungry.” Trixie cocks her head to the side, her eyes slit with suspicion.
Rush twitches his cheek as he looks to me. “She’s right about Baker. Dude, learn to keep your fork to yourself. You’re scaring my sister.” If only he knew how much. He nods to Sunday. “I’m splitting those pancakes with you.”
“You got it.” Sunday rubs her shoulder to mine as she adjusts herself, and the warmth of her body sets me off. I can’t help but notice how full her lips are, how full the upper half of her sweater is. And, believe me, I feel like an ass for noticing.
The conversation turns to school, the media club, the fundraiser that we’re doing to help Sunday raise the money she’s determined to give the homeless shelter.
“We’re halfway there,” Rush assures her. “Next time you want to do something like that, maybe shoot me a text first. I’ll gladly talk you out of it. It’s going to be hell trying to get it all before the semester is through.”
“I’ll do it,” I say without hesitating. “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve I haven’t implemented yet. I know you’ll reach your goal.”
She clicks her tongue, shaking her head at me in disbelief. “You really are the nicest guy I’ve ever met. I can’t thank you enough for all the things you do to me—for me—to me—for me.” She straightens like a lightning rod, and Trixie and I laugh at the verbal blunder, but Rush raises a brow as if there might be something to it.
Dinner wraps up, and the four of us head back out into the iced night. I offer to walk Sunday back, and Rush seems more than fine with it. Something tells me he’s looking forward to what comes next in the lineup with Trixie tonight.
Sunday takes up my hand and leans in. “Are you really going to walk me back to my dorm?”
“Yes. I gave your brother my word.” A mischievous grin blooms on my lips. “As soon as I take you to my place and impress you with my wood.”
“Seth!” She swats me while indulging with an open-mouthed laughed. “That’s disgusting!”
“What?” I inch back and marvel how the moon washes her a beautiful shade of gold. “Get your head out of the gutter. I’m making a fire. It’s cold out, if you haven’t noticed.”
“And here I thought I was about to get lucky.”
My eyes flick to hers.
“You heard Dr. Green.” Her lips curve at the tips. “It’s perfectly fine.”
We share a laugh that rises into this heart-shaped night. Joking about having sex with me? I don’t know what the hell is happening, but I’m not about to stop it.
She grabs my hand and runs us into the woods behind the parking lot, pulling us into the shadows, away from the prying eyes of the public at large. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I like where this is going. Then it hits me. It’s probably directly related to the one hundred bathroom trips a day she’s been making lately.
“You okay? Is the baby okay?”
“Yes,” she hisses, her cool finger falling over my lips a moment. “I promise I’m fine.” The shadows do their best to swallow her whole, but those glowing eyes shine through the dark like a beacon. “I just thought, you know, it’s Valentine’s Day.” She gives a little shrug. “I thought maybe we could steal a quick kiss.” Her affect grows serious as she bites down on her lip. “Unless, of course, you find me repulsive. And I totally get it. I look as if I just popped out of a dumpster.” She plucks at her sweater.
“Are you kidding?” My thumb brushes over her cheek, and I marvel at how soft her skin feels. “I meant what I said when I saw you tonight. You’re beautiful, Sunday.”
Her body falls over mine, her soft chest presses in tight as she pants a white plume of fog into the night. “I know this is awkward for you. But I figure it’s the least I could do since I’m ruining your night. I thought maybe if you weren’t getting that kiss from anyone, you could get one from me.” She shrugs. “Besides, I’ve got all these hormones working against me and no one to blow off a little steam with.”
I rock back on my heels, securing my arms around that feather soft sweater the way I’ve wanted to do all night. “I guess I’ll take one for the team.”
“Seth!” She claws at my chest with a laugh. “But since you’re being so compliant, thank you.”
Sunday looks like an angel, an ethereal being glowing against a fallen world. “I’m the one who’s thankful.”
Her lids close halfway, her cherry red lips part for me, and I land my mouth softly over hers. A dull moan works up her throat, the same moan she gave when she wolfed down those blueberry pancakes.
She pulls back. “Seth.” Her lids remain shut before opening a crack. “That was good. Real good. Now let’s put some spirit in it this time. Pretend like you’ve just come back from war and I’m the girl you’ve waited a decade to see.” She slaps both my cheeks playfully before cradling my face. “I want you to give it to me and give it to me hard.”
A laugh trembles through me, but in truth I’m ready to do exactly as she ordered. “Yes, ma’am.” I crash my mouth to hers and unleash a fury of lust-fueled kisses I have been fantasizing about ever since that night we did exactly this at my place. And if I have my way—and, apparently, she hers, we’re headed back there to continue with the show. Sunday rubs her fingers through my hair and grips me at the temples, her tongue rough and needy in my mouth. It’s like I’ve stepped into a dream, someone else’s life. I don’t even recognize the two of us anymore. I’m so grateful for all the time we’ve spent together, for what lies ahead in our future.
I’m in love with Sunday Knight, and I want the world to know it.
But I should probably tell Sunday first.
I should probably tell Sunday a lot of things.
Expecting Everything
Sunday
Hot List for Today
Get a pedicure lest someone thinks the rats at Briggs are gnawing at your feet. Not to mention it’s bad for business.
Double up on hemorrhoid cream. Overnight express shipping. Throw in a box of zit, under eye, and wrinkle cream. You look like hell.
Find a randy frat boy and get laid. Find Eli Gates and get laid?
Locate and inhale chicken saltimbocca. Cravings are real.
A
week swings by, and I still can’t believe those oven hot kisses Seth shared with me on Valentine’s Day. And here I thought it would be the dullest Valentine’s Day on record, and it was so steamy it made an Amazon rainforest look like a desert. I take a deep breath as those dark clouds overhead press against campus. Soon, spring will be here, and I won’t have to worry about freezing to death in my dorm anymore. I’ll have to worry about dying at the hands of my brothers. My stomach has definitely done a transformation. And just like Izzy mentioned happened to her, my belly has decided to come out and say hello to everyone whether I’m ready or not. I head into Hallowed Grounds for a much-needed cup of decaf of all things. Trixie texted and let me know she was about to swing by, so I told her I’d find a table. As soon as I head in, the thick scent of roasted beans greets me, and I close my eyes a moment, indulging in the java-based high. There’s no line, so I order both my drink and Trixie’s, and just as the barista hands them over, a table opens up in the back and I speed on over. No sooner do I take two steps than I note Serena laughing while talking to a familiar looking brown-haired boy, and my heart stops.
“Seth?” I stomp my way over as if I just caught my boyfriend cheating on me, and that’s exactly what it feels like.
“Hey, girl.” Serena’s lawn green eyes spring wide once she sees me. She jumps out of her seat and pulls me into a warm embrace.
I look to Seth, and he’s quick to stand. “Hey.” He gives a little wink my way. “I got practice in ten. I’ll catch you later.” He nods as he ducks out of the establishment.
The funny thing is, I can’t figure out if he was talking to Serena or me.
“What did he mean I’ll catch you later?” I give my far too beautiful cousin a dark look before taking the seat across from her.
“Hell if I know.” She takes a sip from her pink Frappuccino. “He probably meant at the Black Bear. The entire basketball team comes in after practice.”
“Oh, right.” I’m momentarily dejected at the thought of Serena seeing Seth tonight.
Her mouth opens just as her eyes snag on something, and before I know it, both Trixie and Harley plop down next to us.
Harley shakes out her dark hair. “I hate all humans. Is there a reason study groups are mandatory at this school? There’s not an extra kickback from the dean, is there?”
“Very funny.” I slide Trixie her drink. “I was just thinking the same thing. And they’re never near a bathroom. Have you noticed that?”
Harley wrinkles her nose a moment. “No, actually, I never have. Sorry.” She bounces out of her seat and hits the line to get a drink of her own.
“So, Sunday”—Serena folds her hands in front of her—“what in the hell did I do to deserve this silent treatment you’ve given me? Every time I see your boyfriend I try to get him to pipe up, but he’s as mute as you are.”
“My what?” I shake my head, glancing to Trixie for clues. I’m thoroughly confused.
Harley lands back in her seat in record time with a small steaming coffee in her hand. “What’d I miss?”
Trix grunts, “Sunday has a boyfriend.”
“Seth?” Harley looks to Serena and Trixie as if it’s a given.
Serena bubbles with a laugh. “Yes, Seth. Who else would it be? Eli Gates?”
My mouth opens as I try to process whether or not that was a dig. “What’s wrong with Seth? And why couldn’t I have Eli?” Little do they know I have totally had Eli. And that sweet spot between my thighs begins to tremble because oh how I would love to have Eli for about a half hour more. I’ve got an itch that only a human male can scratch. I would love to have Seth scratch my itch, but I’m afraid I’ve already overstepped my bounds with that whole kiss me like you mean it thing. I’m sure he finds it strange that I’m demanding he put his tongue in my mouth. Heck, I find it strange—strangely delicious.
“Why couldn’t I have Eli Gates?” I narrow my gaze at the girl who I grew up with as if she were my sister. “Is it because I’m not a bubbling redhead with some huge personality?” I can’t help but snarl at her for the slight.
“Hey”—her eyes grow wide as she leans back a moment—“I never said you couldn’t have Eli.” She looks to Harley, and they share a rumbling laugh on my behalf. “Just leave some Eli for me. That’s all I’m saying.”
I glance to Trixie and shake my head. “I had to put up with this for nineteen years.”
Serena scoffs. “Is that why you’re giving me the cold shoulder? Because you’ve finally had enough?”
“Maybe. Maybe it’s because I’m sick of seeing you hit on my boyfriend every chance you get.”
The three of them open their mouths my way. Crap. Why am I suddenly unable to control what comes out of my mouth? And boyfriend? Really? Is that what Seth has inadvertently become? If so, he’s the last to know. Although he shouldn’t feel too bad. I was the second last to know.
“So it’s true?” Trixie claps like a trained seal. “Knew it.” She looks to Serena. “And don’t feel too bad. She’s been giving me the cold shoulder, too. I guess now we know she’s been too busy boning Baker to have anything to do with us.”
Harley chokes on her coffee. “Are you boning Baker?”
“Would you shush!” I bat the air as I do a quick scan of the vicinity. “I’m not boning anyone.”
“Ha!” Serena doesn’t miss a beat. “I could have told you that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” My blood pressure spikes right along with my adrenaline. “You think I’m not good enough—congenial enough to sleep my way around this campus? You think I’m too sweet and innocent to find a frat boy of my own and have my way with him? You think I couldn’t land some wayward playboy like Eli?” A fiery rage fills me, and all I see is red. “Well, I have, and I have the baby to prove it!” I suck in a sharp breath, and the three of them do the same. My hand slaps over my mouth as I desperately wish I could take back every ridiculous word.
“Oh my God.” Trixie presses my sweatshirt down over my stomach, and my newfound bulge stares back at them.
Serena’s features crumble. “Oh, Sunday.” Her hands cover her face a moment. “This is why you’ve been so distant.”
Harley blinks with hard clicks like that of a doll. “Does Seth know?”
I place Trixie’s hand back on the table. “Yes, Seth knows.” I do a quick glance over my shoulder in the event one of my brothers decides to join the party. “But I don’t want anyone else to. If you don’t mind, I’d like to tell everyone on my own terms. And, apparently, some of those terms include shouting it in the middle of a public establishment.”
Serena snatches both my hands and pulls them to her. “I can’t believe you and Seth are about to have a baby. Is he upset? Are you upset? No wonder you’ve been so sick. We’ve got to get you to a doctor!”
“I’m fine. I’ve been. And nobody is upset. Least of all Seth.” I shrink a little because what comes next almost doesn’t feel natural to say. “Why would he be? He’s not the father.”
“Oh my God!” Serena shouts so loud you’d think I shot her.
Harley slaps her hands over the table like she’s about to pounce. “Who is he? Do we know him? Is he some older interesting guy that you’ve been having a torrid love affair with? A banker? A barista?”
The three of them look to the counter.
“No.” I motion for them to keep it down.
Trixie growls and rumbles in her seat as if she were readying to kill. “Serena? Harley? I’d like a word alone with the mother-to-be. Would you mind?”
Serena balks at the idea, “Yes, I mind. Who do you think you are, anyway? Sunday is as good as my sister—hell, she’s probably better. I don’t appreciate you treating me like a second-class citizen in her life.” She flits those venomous eyes to me. “I can’t believe you traded me in for someone who treats the rest of the world like dirt. Are you going to let her talk to me like that? Make her leave. I’m staying.” Serena has never been one to be told what to do. She’s stron
g-willed to a fault, and right now she’s hurt on top of it. “Wow, okay.” She gathers her purse and jumps to her feet. “I guess I know where I stand with you. The funny thing is, when I transferred to WB, I thought we’d grow closer, and here we’ve only grown apart. You traded me in before I even got here. Come on, Harley. Let’s go find that fabled study group so Sunday can fill Trixie in on all the important details of her life. I guess I’m just a stranger to her now.”
“Serena, wait!” I shout, but they hit the door as quick as lightning. “Crap.” I slump back in my seat with a whimper. “How is it possible that everything in my life is unraveling all at once?”
Trixie takes me by the hand and gives me a tug until I’m facing her completely. Her violet eyes bear hard into mine. Trixie has the most exotic looking eyes of any human I know. Rush is fortunate that he’ll get to gaze into them for the rest of his life. I guess in that sense Trixie is sort of a sister, too.
“I know you love Serena.” She shakes her head. “And I know that when you love someone so much they can get on your last nerve. I feel that friction between the two of you lately, and I didn’t want that for you right now.” Her eyes graze my midsection. “Who did this to you? No offense, Sunday, but this isn’t like you. Did someone hurt you?”
“No, God, no.” I shudder. “I swear it was consensual. I was sort of looking to do it actually.”
Her mouth falls open. “You wanted to have a baby?” She practically mouths that last word.
“No, no, that’s not what I meant. I wanted to have a good time. You know, just that one night—certainly not for the next eighteen years.” Trixie was apprised of what I was looking to do that fated night, but when I came home that next morning, she wasn’t there. And I made every effort to play it off like it never happened. I glance to the door. As much as I hate to do this, I can’t seem to help myself. “No one knows this, not even Seth.” I lean against the seat and look at Trix. “And if you tell my brother any of this, I will murder you in your sleep. You do realize that I am more than capable.”