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Prokop leans his elbows on the table. “That’s actually why we called for you to meet us. We have a counteroffer.”

Crue and I look at each other in confusion. “But how can you counter your own offer?”

For the next hour Crue and I sit in stunned silence for the most part as Abbott and Prokop lay out their plans. I’m not even sure I’m breathing at this point.

Basically, Crue’s parents reached out to Abbott through Dalton with a new proposal. The Pribula farm, along with several others in the area, are forming a cooperative, in which Crue will serve as President after graduation, as voted on by the heads of the other families. I will be community liaison for the cooperative and an independent consultant for Abbott’s company to ensure both the farms and the school food company are meeting the needs of the people.

If that wasn’t crazy enough, Prokop, who is heavily involved in the food company, is also a sports agent. And while I don’t play any sports, he wants me to turn my thesis into a book. He has put out some feelers already and had a lot of interest in my unique experience and perspective on tribal mentality in the sports community and the pressure and toxic drive to win at all costs. He believes I will offer valuable insights for coaches, athletes, and their families.

“I just wanted a big juicy steak.” I mutter when they’re done with their spiel. My comment unintentionally breaks the tension, and we all share a laugh. I’m serious though, this was not expected.

“My parents called you?” Crue asks after we settle back down.

Prokop nods with a smile, “They did. The contract we sent over got them thinking. They talked it over with a few of their friends and that tenacious lawyer.” He shakes his head thinking of Haylee Dalton. She’s a ballbuster and a hell of a lawyer. You wouldn’t think she’d be much of a threat at under 5 ½ feet tall and less than a buck fifty soaking wet, but she’s intimidating as hell. “Came up with a counteroffer of their own that resonated with us and was in line with our cornerstone values.”

Abbott pins Crue with a hard stare, “You have a lot of work ahead of you, son. I know you’re up to it and your parents do too. The question is, do you think you are?”

Crue meets my eyes with a blinding smile, taking my hand in his and squeezing tight. “I am.”

Abbott looks between Crue and I, his eyes softening at whatever he sees. “Good. Then we’ll be in touch after the beginning of the year. In the meantime, my Balearic Island beach house is available anytime you need it for your honeymoon.”

“WHAT?” I shout quite loudly. I want to be embarrassed but he just said honeymoon!

Abbott already paid the bill, so he and Prokop stand up, buttoning their suit jackets at the same time. Abbott pats Crue on the shoulder. “Or my castle in Scotland if that’s more your style.” He leans down and kisses my cheek. “Don’t forget to send me an invite to the wedding. I’m told I give good gifts.”

“Bullshit! You gave me a breadbasket last year!”

“I made that myself!” They argue on their way through the restaurant, bickering like an old married couple.

Crue and I don’t move. We don’t blink. We don’t speak for a long time. The busboy comes by and cleans our table.

“Did…that just…huh.” I’ve got nothing, not even complete sentences at this point.

“Meeting you…best thing that has ever happened to me, Phia. I put in the work, I kept my head in the game, I fought for what I wanted. And then you jumped into my path and all that work, all that time and sweat and blood and tears and effort…fucking worth it. I found you and the rest of my life began.”

“Asshole!” I blubber throwing my cloth napkin at him. “We’re in public, in a fancy restaurant, and you think now is a good time to be all sweet and make me cry?”

Crue 15.

Moments like this, I’m glad I don’t drive much. I’m too hyped up after dinner to be stuffed into a vehicle. The fresh night air, the sights and sounds of campus life, the girl next to me…Phia has been bouncing all the way home as she recounts what Prokop said about turning her thesis into a book. I was there, I heard it all, but I love listening to her excitement. She’s alive in a totally different way, a new lightness to her step.

And her tits…the mirror back at the apartment beckons me and I want to see them titties bounce while I fuck her from behind. I grip her hand in mine and tug her down the street. She laughs as her little legs pump faster to keep up with me.

She’s still giggling when we step into the apartment, and I push her up against the closed front door. My mouth swallows down the joyous sound and demands more. My hands rip at her clothes, tearing them from her lush, ripe body as if they’ve personally offended me. And they have, they’re keeping her softness from me. She’s naked before we cross the threshold to the bedroom and I’m not far behind.

“Wait. Crue. Stop.” I lift my head from her neck, reluctantly dropping my hands from her tits. She growls like an angry kitten and lifts them back to her breasts. I knead the heavy flesh, dragging my palm over her distended nipples. “I…I want…it’s hard to think when you touch me like this…I know you have tomaintain a residence in campus housing for your scholarship, but I want you to unofficially move in with me. Live here with me.”

I slide her nipples between my fingers and squeeze slightly. “I already have.”

“What?” She moans and laughs, her head falling back as I tease her tits, grinding my erection into her soft belly. “I guess you have.” Just as she says this, she trips over one of my shoes on the floor near her bed.

“Oops.” I kiss her so she can’t yell at me. I’ll pick it up…later. Wrapping her arms around my neck, we kiss and rub and lick and pinch until we’re both desperate. My cock is leaving thick trails of precum over her caramel-colored skin. “We’re gonna do amazing things together.”

“In bed?” I love this. This easy banter between us. The natural way we fit together in and out of bed. This is what I’ve always wanted but never put into words, never knew how to until I found it. Felt it.

“Everywhere.” I lift her up under her thighs and lay her down on the bed, crawling over her, sliding my cock into her depths in one smooth stroke. Missionary is underrated. Her body opens to me so beautifully, clutching me so tight it’s sometimes hard to move. I can touch any part of her I want from this position. And I use that to my advantage, playing with her clit, teasing her asshole, sucking her nipples and biting them gently. In minutes, she’s arching her neck as she cums, flooding my lap with her juices.

She’s limp after her release, so I help her flip over, dragging her ass up until she’s on her knees before me. That fucking perfect ass right in my face, begging for my teeth. I bite into her flawlessflesh, an animalistic part of me growling in victory for marking her. I slap each cheek, line myself up and drive into her.

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