FALLEN CREST PUBLIC (Fallen Crest #3)

I woke to a hand sliding under my top and cupping my breast. Mason! Then I became aware of a very masculine and muscled thigh sliding between my legs and rolling me to my stomach. As he slid my tank’s strap down, his lips went to my naked shoulder and nibbled on the back of my neck. Goosebumps broke out as I sucked in a breath. My legs pressed together, and a deep, strong throbbing started. It was pounding in a steady beat. As his lips moved down my spine, I gasped out loud. Arching my back for him, I was pressed against him. He was hard, but Mason didn’t grunt, he didn’t make a sound. Instead, his hand fell to my hip, and he pulled me even further into him. His hand caressed down my back and my tank top was bunched together into one tiny scrap of fabric. Slowly, so goddamn slowly, he pressed his chest to my back, but he was holding me up now. I needed him now. He slid my top up my back, trailing kisses on my spine as he did. When it was lifted over my head, I pushed up from the bed, pushing him upright with me at the same time. Enough. I couldn’t handle it anymore. I needed more of him. We were now kneeling together. As the top fell to the floor, I reached behind me for him. I needed to taste him. My hand slid around his neck to his hair, and I grabbed a fistful of it, taking a firm hold and anchoring him to me. He grunted now, grinding into me as his lips went to my ear. I could feel him smiling as his teeth took hold of it, sucking on it. Still holding me to him, one hand cupped my breast firmly while his other hand went to my underwear. They were pushed out of the way as he slid a finger inside me. Then a second. “Mason,” I wrenched out, turning my head for his lips. A deep chuckle came from him as he nuzzled along my jawline, so achingly close to where I wanted him. I needed him inside of me. Now. A shudder went through me. God. I was already wet. The throbbing was pounding through me. To wake up like this, feeling him slowly rocking against me, I was almost panting. His fingers pushed further inside of me, building a tempo, going slow. Leaning back into him, my hand fell to his and I urged him to go faster. It was building, but I needed it harder. Faster. His lips curved up as he nuzzled along my cheek. His other hand was rubbing over my breast, teasing me, and I fell against him. He was holding all of me up. I could barely kneel anymore, but I moved my head, searching for his lips. The desire was so blinding, but he wouldn’t kiss me, and I growled in frustration. He chuckled as his lips nipped at the corner of my lips. “More,” I rasped out. “Now.” “More?” A thrill went through me when I heard the thick lust in his voice. I wasn’t the only one nearing combustion. He was barely holding back—I could tell—his hips were moving against me harder, faster. Then he started to bend me over. His hand left my breast and it cupped the side of my hip. He whispered against the back of my neck, “Hold onto the headboard.” Shit. “Mason,” I whimpered again. It was too much, but my hands grasped onto the headboard. My fingers curled around it, and I held on. I had no idea how. I was so focused on him, at how he was almost in me now. I could feel him through his boxers. His hand was still between my legs, but he pulled out. Instantly, I ached for him. I was too empty. I groaned in protest. “No…” Then he was back. He had switched his angle now; he was firmly behind me. Urging my legs further apart, his fingers began pistoning in and out of me faster than before. I was going crazy. I needed him, all of him, and I began moving faster, riding his hand at the same time. “Jeezus,” he grunted over me, his mouth next to my ear. A delicious shiver rushed through me as his breath caressed my skin. “Now,” I cried out, gritting my teeth. His fingers kept ramming into me, sliding back and forth, going deeper until I wasn’t sure they could go any deeper. “Mason.” I was panting now. Goddamn. “Please.” A deep guttural groan was my answer and his hand left me. His boxers were shoved down and in one smooth movement, he thrust deep inside of me. Finally. I closed my eyes and welcomed the heat. He was home now. We moved together, knowing each other’s bodies so well. Turning my head to the side, his lips were there and they opened for me. I needed him. Sweeping my tongue against his lips, I tasted what was mine. He was mine. All of him was mine. Bent over me, he held me anchored in place with a hand gripping my hip, but his other reached under me and took a firm hold of my breast. His thumb rubbed against my n****e. s**t. I gasped, pushing back into him so he’d go harder. “Sam,” he whispered against my lips. I needed him to go faster. I couldn’t handle it anymore and began to rock against him faster and faster. “s**t,” he gasped now, but he straightened. Both of his hands held onto my hips and he slammed into me, pushing me into the headboard now. I didn’t care. My face was to the side now and I was gasping for breath. Some of my hair had fallen into my face so I couldn’t see. The strands dipped into my mouth, but Mason moved them. They were tucked behind my ear and I was gasping for breath. He kept thrusting into me. I was nearing. I could feel it. “Mason.” A low groan came from the bottom of my throat. I was right there. Then, as his hands dug into my hips one last time, he emptied into me. I was right with him. My body shot over the edge and trembled as the waves rocked over me. He collapsed on my back and chuckled. His hand skimmed past my hip and he pushed off from the headboard. As our skin separated, he grunted. I couldn’t move. I hung onto the headboard, panting for breath. My body was still trembling as the waves kept coming. “You okay?” I shook my head. I couldn’t even attempt to speak. I’d been weakened by that c****x, but then he slid a hand in front of me and I was lifted into the air. Curling into him, my arms wound around his neck and my legs wrapped around his waist. His hands gripped my ass now as he moved from the bed. Mason carried me to the bathroom and tested the water before he stepped underneath. I hung onto him, clinging like a monkey as he washed his hair and then mine. When his fingers started to massage my scalp and he rinsed the shampoo from my hair, I closed my eyes. I enjoyed every last minute of his attention. I loved him. A feeling of contentment swept over me, and I could’ve hung onto him until next week. However, after washing both of us, he moved me back to the counter and I unhooked myself, giving him a rueful grin as he tossed me a towel. When he started to dry himself off, I didn’t do a thing. I just watched. My eyes drank in the sight of him. Broad shoulders. Every muscle defined, all the way down to his abdominals and obliques. Even the muscles in his legs bulged and shifted as he bent low to dry the rest of him. A trim waist. Angular cheekbones. Luscious eyelashes that covered his emerald eyes and lips that a girl would die for. Not me. I just died to touch them and feel them against mine. I let out a deep breath. I was addicted to him. He grinned as his eyes darkened. He knew exactly what I was thinking or feeling. He asked, “Are you going to get ready?” “Sure. When my legs can work again. What was that?” “That,” he moved closer, pulling the towel from me, “was the best way to start my last semester.” I flinched as if a cold bucket of water was dumped on me. Those words left me cold. Plucking the towel from him, I hopped off the counter and shoved past him to the bedroom. “What’s wrong?” He followed me. “That was the best way to start your last semester?” I dried myself off and stopped to glare at him. Seriously? He was an i***t. “Screw you.” The corner of his mouth curved up. “You just did.” “Not funny, Mason.” He frowned and narrowed his eyes at me. “What’s wrong?” “You’re leaving.” “Just to college. I’m not going forever.” I rolled my eyes and turned my back. Says you, you big ass. Just to college. It’s not that simple. “Wait, are you really mad at me?” Ignoring him, I grabbed some underwear, jeans, a bra and a shirt. Stopping once, I glanced in the mirror to make sure I looked presentable—I’d do. My dark hair hadn’t been cut so it fell below my shoulders. I’d twist it up in a braid later, but the jeans and shirt were snug. Good. I didn’t care if every inch of me was on display. The jeans were washed out, but clung to me and my shirt was a simple long-sleeve white shirt. The front dipped low, giving a good view of my cleavage, and my black lace bra showed through the thin material, but I didn’t care. Mason was just going to college, my ass. Still ignoring him, I grabbed my backpack and purse. Stuffing the purse inside of the bag, I brushed past him and headed downstairs. As I got into the kitchen, Logan was just putting the coffee pot back on the burner. He turned and stopped. Seeing me when I entered, his eyes went wide and a low wolf whistle came next. “You’re smoking, Sam.” He gave me a wicked grin. “Mason must’ve pissed you off, huh?” “I know I look pissed.” “Nah.” He shook his head, his brown locks had been gelled to perfection. “You’re smoking hot. I know you’re mad because you got that cold as ice look in your eye you always get when you are, but that’s not what I meant. You only come out looking hot as hell when my big bro’s pissed you off.” Checking his watch, he whistled again. “That was fast because I just heard you two going at it like wild animals.” Oh. Jeezus. Flushing, I ignored his comments and gestured to the coffee pot. “Are you going to start that?” “Nope. It doesn’t work.” This morning went from great to crap. “Oh.” Grabbing his keys, Logan dangled them at me. “But if we leave now, we can stop at The Quickie. I need to get gas anyway.” “Sold.” Mason was coming down the stairs as we moved past them. He was pulling his shirt down, and I tried not to watch the movement of his abdominals or how his jeans rode low on his narrow hips. He paused when he saw us. “Where are you guys going?” My lips were pressed tight together, and Logan smirked from behind me. He shook his head. “Whatever you said must’ve been good. You pissed your woman off. Not a good move, not on the first day of the semester.” Wincing at how close his words hit the target, I gritted my teeth and shoved out the door. Mason called after me, “Sam.” “What?” He looked ready to say something else, glanced at Logan and closed his mouth. It didn’t matter. I didn’t want to hear it. “The coffee pot’s broken. I’m going with Logan to get some. Did you want some too? I can serve it to you, another thing to add to the ‘best way to start your last semester.’” A ball of anger rolled over me. “Come on…” An apology flashed in those emerald eyes of his. “You said that?” Logan chuckled. “Dumb move, dipshit.” Moving closer to the door, Mason flashed a warning at his brother. “Give us a minute.” “What if I don’t?” He bared his teeth at him. “Not a request, dipshit.” Then he shoved him and stepped closer to me. His hand fell to my arm, but he added to Logan, “March. I’ll bring her.” Logan smirked at him. “We’re going for coffee. Besides,” he gestured inside the house, “you’ve gotta wait for your other girlfriend. His car’s still blocked in from the party last night.” “People are still here? Where is he?” He shrugged. “Nah, they all got rides home, but their cars are still here, and as for your girlfriend, I have no idea. Check his room. I think I heard Parker down there.” “Parker?” “Yeah. Pretty sure I heard her voice from downstairs. I was headed down to see if he knew how to fix the coffee pot.” Mason cursed under his breath and twisted around. His hand fell from my arm. “He agreed to the exile.” “Guess it starts later today for him.” “Not helping.” “Not trying to,” Logan sniped back. “What is your problem?” “With you? Nothing. With your other girlfriend, figure it out.” Logan’s eyes darkened, letting his anger show. I held my breath. There hadn’t been a lot of times when the two bickered, but I could tell that Logan was fed up. Not that I could hold it against him. I was getting fed up as well, but I knew that Mason hadn’t let his friendship with his best friend affect our relationship. Not yet. As the two glared at each other, I stepped in between them. Softening my tone, I gestured to Logan’s Escalade. “Let’s go and get coffee.” Logan turned on his heel, his jaw rigid as he went to his vehicle. Mason caught my wrist and held me back. “Are we okay?” “Yeah,” I sighed. I had already melted as soon as I saw his regret earlier. “It just sucks, Mason. You’re leaving. You. Leaving. As in you’re not going to be here on a daily basis anymore. I’m not the only one bothered by that.” I jerked my head over my shoulder, where Logan had started the car and was waiting for me. “That’s not Nate’s fault.” “No, but it’s not the three of us or even the two of you anymore. Nate came back. This is Logan’s last semester with you, but…” I gestured inside. “Your best friend gets you for the next four years, you know. You’re leaving early for football.” He groaned and his head fell back. “s**t, I didn’t even think of it that way.” I shrugged. “Anyway, I really want to get some coffee, and I have to talk to my coach. He said to come by his office this morning.” Mason’s head lifted back up and he grinned, his eyes darkening as he tugged me close. “Coach Grath is lucky to have you. He knows that.” I was about say thanks, but then I stopped thinking. He bent closer to me. Closing my eyes, I felt his lips softly touch mine. One damn touch was all it took. A tingle began and the lust for him sparked again. I became heated as he deepened the kiss, and I burrowed closer to him. BEEEEEP! Jerking back, I twisted and glared at Logan, who still had his hand on the horn. He flashed me a grin, but hollered out the window, “Let’s go! You can screw later.” “i***t,” Mason muttered under his breath. “He’s right. Go see Nate, see what’s going on. I’ll see you at school.” He nodded, but flipped off his brother. Logan’s laugh was heard clearly and I gave Mason a quick wave as I got into the yellow Escalade. Reversing the vehicle, Logan extended his middle finger in the rearview mirror and gunned the engine. He didn’t pause when we got to the road. Clicking my seatbelt in place, I settled back in my seat. Logan liked to drive fast, but he had the reflexes to keep us safe, so I wasn’t worried. I did comment, “All you had to do was say something to him, you know. Mason’s a good brother to you.” He jerked in his seat. His face grim. “Yeah, well, it’s easy for you to say. You’re supposed to talk to him. You don’t come across as bitching and whining.” “I said something.” “No.” “Yes.” It was getting ridiculous. “You used to be friends with Nate.” “That was before he turned shady. I know he had Parker over last night.” “You said this morning.” “Last night. This morning. What’s the difference? He still violated the exile. Mase won’t forget that.” I heard the anger in his voice. It was low and underlining. Frowning, I asked, “Are you mad at Nate about something else? I thought it was just because he came back for his last semester.” Logan jerked a shoulder up, holding the steering wheel with one hand. “What does it matter? He’s so far up Mason’s ass, I’m surprised my dipshit brother could even hear you.” “Logan.” “It’s true.” But his voice lost some of the aggression. “Nate’s not the same. Mason needs to know that.” “So just tell him.” “Why don’t you tell him?” he shot back, throwing me a sidelong glance. “Maybe I will.” Rolling his eyes, he looked back to the street. “Mase won’t listen to you.” “Yes, he will.” “No, he won’t.” “Mason’s always listened to me.” “Things are going to go to s**t. I know it.” I frowned, but the knot tightened again in my gut. As Logan turned into The Quickie, I agreed with him. This semester wasn’t going to be an easy one. For anybody.