Hope for Her (Hope #1) by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

and the way he led me out of the restaurant with a light hand on the small of my back. Or the forceful, yet gentle, way he took my hand, kissed it, and held it to his chest as we walked down fraternity row.
    When we reached the quad, we stopped by the steps. Josh took a seat and I sat next to him. He pulled one of my legs over his and I found it hard to concentrate with his hand moving up and down my thigh, like on the car ride to the restaurant.
    "Do I make you nervous?" he asked.
    "No. I'm just not used to guys being so affectionate."
    "I can't imagine any guy being with you and keeping his hands to himself.”
    “You had no problem when I passed out in your bed.”
    “I would never take advantage of you, but that was the longest night of my life.”
    He leaned over and kissed me. His lips were softer than I remembered. I pushed my leg into him but tried to move it when he responded underneath me. He held my leg close to him and kissed me deeper.
    He brushed my hair off my shoulder and kissed my neck. I tilted my head to give him better access, leaning into his kisses. He moved his hand under my skirt more, and it brought me back to reality. I pulled away.
    "We better cool it," I suggested.
    "I can't help it." He bit my bottom lip.
    "Ouch."
    "I could taste you all day."
    "Why do you say things like that to me?" I moved my leg and sat facing forward.
    "Like I said, I can't help it," he said. "I like you. I told you I wanted to be your boyfriend. This is how I treat my girlfriends."
    "Well, I don't want to be treated like your girlfriends."
    He leaned back and dropped my hand.
    "You don't know how special you are?"
    "Maybe I don't."
    "Well, how about I tell you every day until you believe it for yourself."
    ***
    Josh Elijah Griffin, IV
    One date with Carrington Olivia Butler, and I was hooked. She captured my heart and consumed my mind. Her beauty was only the beginning. I needed someone like Carrington in my life. I sounded like a pussy, but I couldn’t help it—I was in love.
    She was so open and honest.
    I ended up sharing more about my family than I intended. She made me want to tell her stuff. She knew more than she let on, but if someone had tipped her off to the worst, she still went out with me anyway.
    When I kissed her this time, she let me. She wanted to be cared for, and she gave me that privilege.
    I walked her back to the dorm and headed over to the Pourhouse, a bar across the street from campus where I knew the guys would be hanging out and watching football. As soon as I entered, I found Jackson, Brandon, and the guys gathered around a table in the corner. Brandon waved me over.
    Jackson slumped in a chair and took a long drag from his beer.
    "Hey buddy. So, how was she?" Brandon asked.
    "Who?"
    "Carrington?" Jackson chimed in as he stared at me over the top of his beer and took another sip.
    "What are you talking about?"
    "Dude, that chick you picked up at Broward a few hours ago, that's the chick from the other night. You settled up after she threw up on me."
    He high-fived me. The rest of the group laughed and slapped hands, everyone except Jackson. He sat quiet, watching me.
    "Dude is she is good as she fucking looks?" Brandon asked. "The shape of her ass is ingrained in my brain."
    The guys stared at me waiting to hear the details, but before I said anything, Jackson smirked, stood up, and headed out of the bar.
    "Jackson, man, where're you going?" Brandon called after him.
    I followed him.
    "Jacks, what's up man?"
    "You went out with Carrington tonight?"
    "Yeah, I took her to Waters."
    "You really like this girl or you just fucking with her?"
    "Jackson, man. Am I missing something?" Why was he acting like I stole his girl?
    He stopped, but then shook his head and kept walking.
    "Jackson."
    "What?"
    "Dude, why are you so pissed?"
    "You sit there and let them talk about her like that."
    "You didn't defend her."
    "I'm not dating her."
    "She's just a girl, Jackson," I said, but didn't believe it.
    "She's