Not Enough

By Layla Cole

Paul and Jesse don't talk about being soulmates. Instead, they have an arrangement: no-strings sex, for as long as they can handle it. Problem is, Paul's a little too good at pretending he's fine, and Jesse can't pretend at all. The lies they tell themselves--it's an experiment, or a way to get to know each other better--can't possibly last in the face of an even bigger problem: how the hell are they supposed to keep their relationship secret from everyone else?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Layla Cole
• Release date: Oct 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310179563

Layla Cole

Layla Cole moved three thousand miles for love and is now living out her happy ending in the mountains of North Carolina with her wonderful husband, who can't quite understand why she prefers rainy days to clear blue skies. It's the Oregonian in her, she says.Layla's stories range from erotica to romance, dark to lighthearted, but often include paranormal elements (werewolves are her favorite), strong characters--usually men who can't stop pushing each other's buttons--a dose of humor, hot sex, and (sometimes) true love.When she isn't writing, Layla enjoys gaming, reading, spending time with her husband and adorable but crazy puppy, and (attempting) to cook. She lives for good coffee, good food, lazy days in bed, and last, but definitely not least, her fans. Find her online at laylacole.com or send her an email at [e-mail]. She'd love to hear from you!If you want to be the first to fiind out about new releases, you can sign up for updates at http://eepurl.com/xiNE9

Book preview

One

Monday, September 30, 2013

I knew I should have let you walk home. Jesse tilted his head back against the door frame and struggled to button his jeans before he could be tempted to stay in Paul’s dorm room and do something stupid. Again.

His self-control hadn’t even lasted twenty-four hours. Couldn’t quite manage to muster any remorse at the moment, with Paul collapsed on the floor at his feet, still a mess in Jesse’s borrowed clothes. Soon, though. He should be ashamed of it. Would be, when he caught his breath.

In my boxers? You wouldn’t do that to me. Paul tugged a towel over from the stack next to the bed and wiped at the come on his stomach before starfishing on the floor again.

I might’ve.

You? Nah.

I would’ve let Logan and the rest of ‘em walk. Jesse fixed his shirt, raked at his hair, and then grimaced at the mirror on the far wall, where his reflection stared back at him like some kind of judgmental asshole. Cody says it’s Logan’s fault the Psi Alphas took your clothes, anyway.

Paul made a long noise of disagreement. I think they were in the mood to be dicks, is all. He just flirted a bit. You know. Logan being Logan.

There was no reason Jesse had needed to go get the pledges after their plan went sideways and they lost their clothes in exchange for the AKT letters. He could’ve sent someone else, anyone else. Okay, not anyone. Some of the guys would probably have laughed and driven off. Dalton, the old President, would’ve.

The point was: he wouldn’t have had to test his self-control to begin with if it hadn’t been for Paul sliding into the car half-naked, radiating embarrassment that faded the second he realized who’d come to get them.

Unfair, really. The way Paul lit up when he caught sight of Jesse ‘bout floored him, and then the way he did everything he could to tease while putting on the clothes Jesse had brought everyone had been the knockout punch that landed him here. Mostly. There’d been some ill-advised making out in the car beforehand, and then a couple hours back at the Alpha Kappa Tau house during which Jesse should have regained his sanity, but hadn’t…but that didn’t matter now, did it? Couldn’t ever go back.

I have never in my life been this stupid.

Kind of doubt that.

Jesse nudged Paul’s side with the toe of his shoe. ’Scuse me. It takes two, you know.

Yep. Worked hard at it.

Against his better judgment, Jesse stayed where he was instead of fleeing. Felt strange being in a dorm room again; he’d moved into AKT the second he could, and even rooming with Christian beat living in one of these hellholes. He didn’t exactly have fond memories of twin beds, and the ones planted against the left and right sides of the room looked far too familiar.

Maybe it was his wolf fucking with him, making him want to stay. The whole place smelled like Paul, after all—like a warm day in the sun wrapped all around him. He kicked off the door and idly picked up and discarded one of the many shirts in the basket on the floor before stepping over Paul and wandering over to the cluttered desk.

You’re one of those people who forgets where you put things all the time, aren’t you? he said, sorting through Biology notes, a buy 10 get 1 free card from the cafe Alex and Christian liked so much, and a guide to campus they gave out the first day of Orientation. "Or do you have a system?"

Been busy, Paul murmured. Which is kind of your fault.

Nope, not taking the blame for this.

The roommate’s side wasn’t any better, and it had zero personality to boot. Except for the guitar propped up against the bed, but that didn’t count for much given the dust covering it. Ugh. Why was he doing this again? Not just sticking around, but snooping. He took off his shoes before he collapsed on Paul’s bed, one leg dangling off the side, and threw a hand over his forehead.

Why couldn’t he just be straight like he needed to be? It should’ve been so easy.

Tell me something else no one knows about you. Paul sat up, one side of his hair—the side that’d been mushed in the carpet—flat and the other spiky where Jesse hadn’t been able to resist running his hands through it.

Are you high? Is that even possible? ‘Cause you sound like it.

Just happy. Didn’t think you’d want to hook up again today. Or tomorrow. Or ever. I thought maybe you’d just try to forget last night happened. So?

Accurate. Damn him. I wouldn’t have sent that text if I didn’t mean it, he said, rubbing his temples.

Sure. So, you want to start?

This talking-about-myself game is not one I want to play.

Okay. Don’t have to, then. Me, though? I’m scared of witches, Paul volunteered. Sort of. It’s not exactly something no one knows, but you don’t, so. It counts.

Witches. Didn’t realize those were an actual thing. What a random thing to share.

They’re not all that common. Paul bit his lip and tilted his head to the side. We’re pretty lucky here, you know. Having nothing but werewolves in the area.

Jesse made a noncommittal noise and stretched his arms over his head, thinking. He’d always been afraid that if he opened the door, he wouldn’t be able to control himself, and well, looked like that particular theory might be true. When it came to Paul, at least. So, if he were going to do patently idiotic things like hooking up with him repeatedly, he needed to be smarter about it. No more kissing the kid where people could see. No sneaking up to Paul’s (blessedly werewolf-free) dorm.

No bringing Paul his clothes, for Chrissake.

No…lots of things. Fuck, but he was in over his head here. He’d known that last night, which was why he’d strongly considered running the other way.

How were they supposed to hide from werewolves, exactly? Jesse did his best to keep his senses in check so he didn’t pick up on things he didn’t want to know, but the others weren’t nearly so careful.

Your roommate’s hanging out with his girlfriend, you said?

Yep. All night, probably.

That was one loose end tied up, then.

I did mention that no one can find out, right? That’s rule number one on the list.

Paul stood and stretched until his back cracked. Yeah, you said that last night. And today while we were in the car. And when I had my hand around your—

You can stop right there, thanks. He slid his hands under the pillow until his fingertips caught in the metal rings of a spiral notebook that he tugged free a moment later, too curious to resist.

Math, math, notes from some seminar he didn’t care about. Greek letters, the AKT motto, the history of the fraternity and all the stupid shit pledges had to learn about the actives…

Paul practically flung himself across the bed, reaching for the notebook, but Jesse knew how to play keep away. He bought himself enough time to read the next page, which was disappointing at first glance. Just a bunch of scribbles and crossed-out sentences.

Hey Jesse, I know you said this wasn’t a dream, but…

Can we meet up later? I’ve been doing some research, and…

I think I want to…

Can I try…

How about…

Oh, this was great.

I don’t want to sound like I just want you for your body, but… Jesse managed around the laugh bubbling out of his throat. What is this shit?

"Sometimes I try to get all the stupid out of my head so I don’t actually say it. Paul growled, then snatched the notebook away and flung it behind him. It doesn’t matter. Just—"

Paul lost his balance and fell on top of Jesse, breathing hard. Still smelled like sex incarnate, which really wasn’t fair of the universe to do to him. Far too tempting. He ran his knuckle down Paul’s cheek and tried not to think about all the tests he was failing here.

You’re gonna get your heart broken, you know.

You said that before, but I know exactly what I’m doing, Paul huffed.

Do you? Already ahead of Jesse, if he did.

We just have to set boundaries, Paul breathed, then dipped down to drag his teeth over Jesse’s collarbone. I’ve thought about it, trust me. I won’t mention that we’re mates, ever—

Good start. No—making out, no cuddling, no sleepovers. This werewolf nonexistent refractory period could be an extremely mixed blessing.

Okay. Whatever you want, Paul said as he gave a lazy roll of his hips.

And this isn’t—we’re not dating or having a secret relationship or anything, so get that clear. It’s… He was having some blood flow issues already, made it hard to think. We’re two straight guys experimenting, that’s all. Until we get bored or someone screws up.

Paul reached between them and cupped Jesse’s half-hard cock through his jeans. Straight, huh?

People do it. Sailors. And, um…prisoners?

Way to be negative.

The guys in that— Jesse licked his lips. Sacred Band of Thebes thing. Had someone tell me about it, they were all gay for each other—

Fine, whatever.

Paul’s phone buzzed, and Jesse jolted so hard he nearly threw Paul off of him. It was the real world, intruding. Reminding him that he was supposed to be the responsible one with the good intentions. You should get that.

With a sigh, Paul glanced at the phone where it lay on the floor. Ten to one, it’s my cousin. He wants me to do him a favor, but I’ve already told him no. Multiple times. So, can we…?

By degrees, Jesse unlocked his muscles and relaxed into the bed. Okay, I guess.

How about you let me make you feel good? Just relax and don’t think about anything.

Are you sure you can ignore your cousin?

Positive.

Wondered when he’d stop feeling so uneasy.

Two

How to Seduce Jesse and Win His Heart Through Really Great Sex

1. Play it cool (or don’t be weird, whatever)

2. Don’t get pushy (see: rule number one)

3. Be awesome in bed

4. Don’t tell anyone

5. ???? No feelings?

—

The last thing Paul wanted to think about was Sage and his stubborn refusal to take no for an answer. Paul didn’t owe him anything, did he? He pushed all thought of his cousin out of his mind and sat back, straddling Jesse’s thighs and taking in the view: Jesse, in his bed, spread out under him with his throat bared and his AKT shirt rucked up over his abs. Perfect.

He didn’t want to feel grateful to the Psi Alphas for anything, but this was twice now that he’d hooked up with Jesse because of something they’d done.

I want to take care of you, he said. Make you feel amazing.

Jesse’s eyes softened, dropped to half-mast. How you gonna do that?

Been thinking how good it would be to get my mouth on you, Paul said. I’ve been thinking about all kinds of things since last night. You have no idea how badly I’ve been wanting a repeat of yesterday.

I might have some idea. Jesse’s words came on a heavy exhale before he lifted up to cup Paul’s cheek, dark eyelashes fluttering over equally dark eyes.

The expected kiss didn’t come; that ever-present hesitation on Jesse’s side was gonna be the death of him, seriously. One of these days, he’d get over it. Paul felt reasonably confident about that. Like…sixty percent, maybe. He waited a second, then growled and tugged Jesse closer.

Their mouths connected more roughly than Paul intended, but by the