The Forbidden Freshman: A College Sports Romance (Nolan U Hockey Book 1)

I lick my lips as I study Ethan’s profile. I don’t even realize I’m doing it until his gaze darts to my mouth, and now I’m suddenly conscious of every nerve in my body.

Is he going to kiss me again?

Please, yes!

But he’s not making a move. He’s just sitting there, staring at me, tapping his finger on the steering wheel while my heart drums so loudly I’m surprised the entire Nolan U campus can’t hear it.

“So…” I let the word hang, glancing out the window and reminding myself where I am.

Shit. The Sigma Beta Mu house is right behind me. The lights are on across both floors, and there’s a very high chance that spies are looking out the window. Ethan’s truck is parked in the shadow of a tree, but they can probably tell it’s his. What’s the bet that more than one girl has done it right there in the back seat or in the bed of his truck with a cool breeze kissing her ass cheeks while she spreads eagle for the hot hockey player beside me?

That image should immediately kill my mood, but this pulse comes back between my legs, because now I’m picturing my wind-kissed ass poking into the air while Ethan takes me from behind.

Holy sweetness. My blood turns to molten lava, oozing through my system and making me light-headed. I should probably get out of this truck before I do something stupid, but one thought stops me.

Well, one thought and one animalistic instinct.

I’m supposed to be wooing this guy so I can secure a place here at Nolan U, and holy mother of sex gods, I need to kiss Ethan before I physically combust.

Moving before thought can stop me, I unbuckle my seat belt and practically launch myself at him. He catches me easily, his fingers diving into my hair as his tongue sweeps against mine.

He lets out this panty-melting groan that has me climbing into his lap. The steering wheel wedges into my back, but he quickly solves the problem, scrambling for a lever and shoving the seat back as far as it will go. I straddle his thighs, nestling my wet core over his erection and moaning into his mouth.

His tongue is sweet fire, hot and commanding, silently asking for more. I happily give it to him, deepening the kiss until I can’t figure out how I ever survived life without doing this on a daily basis.

My hips start to rock of their own accord, my body seeking relief from the pulsing ache between my legs. He lets go of my hair, dragging his fingers across my shoulders before his large hands cup my breasts. A hungry whimper builds in my throat when his thumbs flick my hardened nipples. That feels so fucking good. I want to tell him so, but my tongue’s too busy doing a deep dive into Ethan Galloway’s mouth. I want to live here forever.

I want⁠—

“Holy shit,” I gasp when he pinches my nipple, sending a sharp spike of pleasure shooting through my body. “Magic hands,” I rasp. “You have magic hands.”

His throaty chuckle vibrates against my neck as he nibbles and licks his way to my collarbone.

Deft fingers are pulling my shirt and bra straps down, exposing an expectant, pleading nipple to Ethan’s wet tongue. The second he latches on, I can’t help tipping my head back with a moan so loud I’m sure every sorority girl on this street can hear it.

I thrust my chest toward him, begging for more. With his tongue working my nipple and his hard ridge grinding against my sensitive core, I feel like an implosion is inevitable. My brain cells are the consistency of chocolate mousse while my muscles are as taut as piano strings.

If even the tip of his finger brushes my clit, I’m gonna come with an embarrassingly loud, orgasmic scream, and right now… I don’t even give a shit.

I just want⁠—

Ethan’s mouth rips away from me, his ragged breaths hitting my face as he whispers, “Maybe we should cool it.”

Okay, well, I don’t want that.

My insides deflate faster than a popped balloon, and I lean away from him, scanning his face for any signs of why he might suddenly want to pull the plug on this thing.

He winces and glances out the window. “We’re on a public street.”

People would have to walk right up to the windows to see us.

I want to argue that point, but he’s already pulling my bra straps back into place. I can feel my breasts wailing in despair while my pulsing V-jay starts screaming out a Why? Why? Why?

I’ll have to take care of that myself when I head inside, but I really wanted him to do it for me.

The thought of those long fingers stroking my insides only strengthens the pulsing ache.

“We could go someplace else,” I whisper, my tone kind of desperate.

He swallows, his face bunching as he shakes his head. “I’m really sorry. I’ve got an early practice in the morning.”

I nearly yell, “It won’t take much to make me come. I’ll be quick!”

But how desperate would that sound?

And do I honestly want to be quick with Ethan Galloway?

Uh, no. I want to enjoy every inch of his body. I want to watch his eyes fill with pleasure, hear that guttural groan he makes. I want to feel every inch of him feeling me and sending me to the moon and back.

Those types of things really shouldn’t be rushed, and they should most definitely not be begged for when the guy who can give them to you is lifting you off his lap and silently telling you that time is up.

Ouch.

Painful.

Humiliating.

Why am I expecting anything less?

I’m not the hot girl people drool over. Ethan won’t be obsessing over me as he drives away. If anything, he’s probably gonna be grateful he dodged a bullet.

Obviously, my nipples don’t taste like ice cream, and my tongue isn’t as magical as I hoped it was. He’s kissed and boinked enough girls to know what he likes, and I haven’t made the cut.

While my brain was turning to mush, his was only getting sharper, making him aware of our surroundings and the fact that I’m not the girl to blow his mind.

Shit, does he know what I’m up to with this initiation task? Like, even on a subconscious level, so he’s holding himself back?

Cold fear slices through me, and I nearly blurt out the truth right there. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t my idea.They’re making me. I actually really like you and genuinely want to bone you and keep texting you and hanging out with you and…”

But wait… how would he know?

It’s far more likely that he pulled away just now because I’m not enough woman for him. He’s tasted a vast array, and I… don’t make the cut.

I never make the cut.

Clearing my throat, I bob my head and somehow manage to croak, “Thanks for a good night,” before jumping out of his truck and slamming the door on his feeble call back.

“Mikayla, wait.”

I run for the house, desperate for him not to follow me.

Slamming the door shut, I lean against it, my chest heaving as I await the impending knock.

But it never comes.

In fact, when I ease the door open again, all I catch are his red taillights as he brakes for the stop sign at the end of the street.

“Shitballs,” I murmur, disappointment searing me despite the fact that I didn’t want to be followed.

“Well, well, well.” The smarmy voice behind me makes my skin crawl, but I paste on a smile and spin to survey the line of sorority girls in front of me.

“Hello, ladies.”

“Someone had a good night.” Teah wiggles her eyebrows, giggling as my cheeks turn crimson. I can feel the heat flooding my skin.

“Oh yeah, we know what you were up to in that truck.” Bella laughs. “Sizzling, sister.”

While my insides rebel against the fact that they all sat at the windows picturing me getting hot and heavy with Ethan, I force a mischievous grin.

Aimee and Fiona don’t seem as impressed by my antics, but I put on the show I’m supposed to, desperate to sell the idea that I really wasn’t into it.

“Guys are so gullible, right? One little moan and they’re all over you.” I dip my hip.

“Your cheeks are pretty flushed right now. You sure you weren’t into it?” Aimee’s glare is sharp with accusation.

I shrug. “You told me to woo him, and that’s what I’m trying to do.” I blink, a serious edge coating my words as I remind myself of what the hell I’m doing here. “I need a place in this house. I’m committed to becoming a Sig Be sister, and if wooing and breaking Ethan Galloway is what it takes, then that’s what I’m gonna do.”

The words reverberate in my skull as I give Aimee an emphatic nod, then slip through the row of sisters. They make a space for me, and I can feel their eyes on my back until I turn the corner.

It’s not until I reach my bed that I flop down with a heavy sigh, staring up at the slanted ceiling and trying to figure out what I did wrong to make Ethan change his mind, then reminding myself to not be surprised.

Guys don’t want me.

They never have.

I should have learned my lesson the day Dad walked out on me, but my dumbass brain just won’t catch on.

“Stupid girl,” I whisper, my voice catching as I fight off the wave of pain tearing through my chest.