Wanting More

By Jessica Ruddick

Bri Welch likes to play it safe. I don’t. She’s wound tight, and I’m all about a good party. But there’s something about her that makes me want to pull those uptight layers away one-by-delicious-one. But the worst thing is she makes me want more…

Series order:
Love on Campus Book 1: Letting Go
Love on Campus Book 2: Wanting More

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Mar 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781633756212

Book preview

Table of Contents

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Acknowledgments

About the Author

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2016 by Jessica Ruddick. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

644 Shrewsbury Commons Ave

STE 181

Shrewsbury, PA 17361

[e-mail]

Embrace is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC.

Edited by Alycia Tornetta

Cover design by Bree Archer

Cover photography by jacoblund/Getty Images

ISBN 978-1-63375-621-2

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition March 2016

For Mom…for everything and more

Chapter One

Josh

I walked down the icy sidewalk, sliding a little on a patch of ice and almost busting my ass. Motherfucker. There were reasons I didn’t schedule classes before noon. It was too damn cold, too damn icy, and too damn early.

The letter in my pocket was dead weight, and I pulled it out to double check the time and location.

Student Academic Services Center, Room 341. Friday, 9:00 a.m.

I shoved it back in my jeans pocket.

I’d missed the first appointment, which was scheduled for Monday. That resulted in one letter, two phone calls—both before eight thirty a.m.—and three emails, which was why I was up and dressed at this ungodly hour: to stop the harassment.

If I wanted to be hassled about my grades, I would visit my dad.

I entered the building and climbed the stairs to the third floor. The door marked 341 led to a tiny waiting room that barely fit the two already occupied chairs. I signed in at the front desk and leaned against a wall to wait.

I didn’t have to wait long.

A girl came around the corner holding a file folder. She was wearing a black suit with her dark hair pulled back. Her skin was bronze, but it wasn’t fake like most of the tans around here this time of year. It was just her skin tone.

Joshua Davidson?

That’s me.

She looked me over like I was a piece of gum that needed to be scraped off her shoe. Huh. That was not a look I was used to. What bug crawled up her ass and died?

Come with me, please. She turned and passed through a door that led to a sea of cubicles.

I followed her, my gaze drifting down to her ass. Well, looks like this morning isn’t a total loss.

She had a nice ass.

I followed her past the cubicles and into an office where a middle-aged man with a bad comb-over was chomping on a doughnut, getting powdered sugar all over the papers strewn on his desk.

He licked his fingers and motioned for me to sit.

Joshua?

Josh.

Josh, he repeated. You’re probably wondering why you’re here.

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t even know this guy’s name, but I felt like I was back in the high school principal’s office after my buddies and I streaked butt-ass naked through a senior assembly that one time.

Good times.

I’m Dr. Weathersby, Director of Academic Services. Whenever we have a new recruit, I always like to personally welcome them aboard.

New recruit? I repeated. Last time I checked, I hadn’t signed up for anything.

He stood, and a blanket of powdered sugar fell off his lap like snow. For the next semester, you’ll be reporting here for academic counseling twice a week.

I leaned back in my chair. No thanks.

Excuse me?

No thanks. I don’t need counseling.

Dr. Weathersby chuckled. It appears you do, Josh. You’re one semester away from being dismissed from the university.

My stomach plummeted into my shoes and then bounced back up again.

Dismissed? What?

We want all our students on academic probation to succeed, he continued, which is why we’ve implemented a support system for those who need it.

I don’t need it, I muttered, leaning forward and putting my head in my hands.

Academic probation.

I was a slacker, but I wasn’t stupid. I’d nearly aced my SATs.

But now I was about to flunk out.

Fucking shitballs.

Sure, I skipped class sometimes, but didn’t everyone? And sure, I’d failed a few exams—okay, classes—but I had no idea all my grades had sunk so low.

Maybe I should actually read the mail and emails from the university.

It was nice meeting you, Josh. Dr. Weathersby held out his hand. I stared at him blankly. I hadn’t heard a damn word he’d said.

I stood and reluctantly shook his hand.

You’ll be in good hands with Ms. Welch.

I looked over my shoulder at the girl who’d brought me to the office. I’d forgotten she was there.

Follow me, please, she said.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and followed her, feeling like a damn dog being led around on a leash. I wanted to kick the door, punch the wall…something.

This fucking sucked.

How quickly could I get out of this mess?

She stopped at one of the cubicles and somehow managed to squeeze herself behind a desk that was much too big for the space.

I raised my eyebrows. No way. She could not be my academic counselor.

She gestured to the folding chair in front of the desk. Have a seat.

Holy shit. She was. This could get interesting.

I wedged myself into the chair, my knees smashed against the desk’s metal paneling.

She opened the file and spread out some papers. It says here your major is history.

I frowned. It is? I thought it was finance.

She flipped to another page. No, that was your major two majors ago. The girl literally looked down her nose at me. You’ve been through six majors in the last two years. Her voice dripped with distain.

This was bullshit. Who did this chick think she was, judging me?

I nodded. Sounds about right. I twisted in my chair to stretch my legs out, crossing them at the ankles. Might as well get comfortable for the interrogation.

She looked at me briefly, her dark eyes narrowing, then returned her gaze to the file. So back to your major—

We should probably change that to finance.

You’ve taken four courses that count toward fulfilling the history major requirements, she continued as if I hadn’t spoken. It looks like you’ve fulfilled all of the general ed classes, which isn’t surprising considering the…variety in your coursework.

I smiled, widening my grin when I saw that she was grinding her teeth. They say variety is the spice of life.

We’re required to meet twice a week. She pulled a paper out of my file. Judging from your schedule, it looks like your mornings are wide open. How about eight thirty on Mondays and Thursdays?

I crossed my arms, waiting a beat. You know, on second thought, let’s change my major to engineering.

She folded her hands. Mr. Davidson, is this a joke to you?

I almost snorted. Mr. Davidson was my dad, and this girl couldn’t be more than a day older than me.

I smiled again. Why would it be a joke?

Normally I wasn’t such a jerk. Most girls would even call me charming. But something about this chick just made me want to push her buttons, and it was so easy. She left them all hanging out there. Not to mention the godforsaken hour I had to get up this morning didn’t make me inclined to play nice.

There’s no indication in your file that you have any motivation to actually graduate.

The smile faded off my face.

You’re in your third year here, she continued, and I couldn’t help but think she sounded smug, but your number of academic credits classifies you as a sophomore. It looks like you’ve taken the minimum course load every year.

I didn’t say anything, and she looked at me expectantly. Well? she said finally. Do you have anything to say for yourself?

Sure. I leaned forward. What are you doing Saturday night?

…

Bri

Excuse me? I must have misheard him.

Saturday night. He grinned, as if he weren’t sitting across from his academic counselor, as if he weren’t on academic probation, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. You doing anything?

I tried to control the flaring of my nostrils. None of my grad classes had covered how to handle a prick with a God’s gift to women complex.

Excuse me. This time it was a statement—and my exit cue. I shimmied out from behind my desk, trying very hard to feel professional, but failing. These cubes were designed for kindergarteners, not grad student interns.

I kept my back straight as I walked toward the kitchen, all the while feeling his gaze on my ass. Guys thought they were slick, but what they didn’t realize was that women had a sixth sense about these things.

Once safely in the kitchen, I closed the door firmly behind me and grabbed a paper cone from the water dispenser. I hated those things—who ever thought it would be a good idea to put liquid in a container that couldn’t be set down?

I filled the cone with cool water and held it against my forehead.

After a semester of shadowing another counselor, I was used to dealing with misguided students, students who partied too hard their freshman year and let their grades go to the wayside. Some of them had actually cried while sitting across from me in my cube. I could handle tears.

I couldn’t handle flippant.

I’d dealt with a few unfortunate souls who probably shouldn’t have been admitted to the university in the first place. Those cases were difficult—when I knew the student wasn’t going to make it, but as their academic counselor, I had to help them try anyway.

Josh Davidson wasn’t like that.

I could tell he was far from stupid.

Lazy? Yes. But stupid? Not so much.

Which made his behavior completely unacceptable in my book.

People who squandered their God-given talents pissed me off. Some of us had to work ourselves to the bone to get ahead.

But this wasn’t about me. It was about me doing my job and helping Josh achieve to his full potential.

I took a deep breath, drained my water, and squared my shoulders. I had to go back out there.

I walked slowly through the maze of cubicles. Josh was right where I’d left him—taking up most of the space, lounging with his legs stretched out and his hands folded behind his head in the hard, plastic chair. Somehow he made it look comfortable.

Excuse me. My cheeks flushed as I realized that was the third time I’d used that phrase. Squeezing past him, I settled back behind my desk.

An apology was on the edge of my lips, but I held it in. Judging by the smirk on his face, he wasn’t going to apologize for his inappropriate behavior, so I wouldn’t apologize for mine.

I cleared my throat and looked down as his schedule again. So, eight thirty on Mondays and Thursdays?

He shrugged. Mornings aren’t really my thing.

My nostrils flared. I didn’t bother to try to stop them. There was no point. Instead, I folded my hands on my desk. "What exactly is your thing?"

He shrugged again, running his finger along the edge of my desk. I’m more of an evening person.

This office is open from eight to five.

He smiled, the kind of lazy, self-satisfied smile you’d expect to see on a cat that had just spent an hour licking itself. Then I guess this just isn’t going to work out, is it, sweetheart?

Excuse me— Sheesh, I really did need to expand my vocabulary, but that was all I could think with what was coming out of this guy’s mouth. "You can address me as Ms. Welch. And despite your best efforts to dissuade me, I am here to help you. I expect to see you here in this office Monday morning at eight thirty."

I stood and held out my business card, a clear sign that it was time for him to leave.

He reached out, but instead of taking the card, he took my hand in his and pulled it to his lips. Then he freaking kissed my hand.

"It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Welch."

He sauntered out with my card in his hand and a smirk on his face, leaving me with my mouth hanging open.

Chapter Two

Josh

Hitting on my academic counselor probably wasn’t the best idea I’d ever had, especially since my offer was facetious. In other circumstances—ones where Ms. Welch didn’t have a stick lodged firmly up her ass—I’d be happy to take her on a date. Get her out of the suit and put her in some normal clothes, and she’d be hot—more than hot.

Ms. Welch. That was another piece of bullshit. Hell if I was going to call her that. As I descended the stairs, I looked at the business card she’d given me. Brianna. That was her name.

As I pushed through the exit, the cold slammed into me, and I zipped up my coat. I hesitated on the stairs of the building, not sure which direction to go. My first class wasn’t until noon. Despite my academic probation and slacker ways, I’d actually attended all of my classes so far this semester. Granted, that had only been a week, but still. I should probably go to the library to study or something, but instead I turned toward downtown, where there was a local doughnut shop. It closed at eleven, so it’d been a while—maybe freshman year—since I’d been up early enough to get there before it closed.

A couple of familiar faces came toward me on the other side of the walkway. Ordinarily, I’d be happy to see these two, but not right now.

I ducked my head and kept walking, positioning myself behind a guy who had to be a linebacker. I was pretty tall, but this guy was a beast.

Josh!

Damn.

Cori, hey, I said, stepping off the path to allow others to pass. I didn’t see you.

Her furrowed brow told me she saw through my bullshit lie. Still, she disconnected her hand from her boyfriend Luke’s and stood on her toes to give me a hug.

I hugged her back, feeling guilty. I nodded at Luke, my fraternity brother who lived down the hall from me in the house. The two of them had been through a rough patch recently, but I was glad to see they were back together.

What are you doing here? Luke asked.

I grinned, trying to seem more like my normal self. What? On campus?

Well, yeah, Luke said. It’s before ten.

He made a good point. The only reason I had willingly gotten out of bed before ten in the last few years was to tailgate for a noon football game.

Maybe I’m turning over a new leaf.

Luke just laughed. To Cori’s credit, she didn’t laugh, but she did grin.

I haven’t seen you much lately, Cori said. We need to hang out.

I did try to hang out with you, I said pointedly. But you guys had other plans.

Cori blushed, and I almost felt bad.

Nah, I didn’t feel bad.

Since the two of them had gotten back together, they’d been spending a lot of time behind locked doors. I made a habit of banging on Luke’s door whenever I walked by. Just because.

She punched my shoulder lightly. We’re hanging out tonight. Bonfire?

You got it.

She smiled and laced her hand back through Luke’s. Make sure your guitar is tuned.

Always.

…

I threw another log on the fire, watching the flames dance in the black inky sky. There was no moon tonight, and without the fire it would’ve been pure darkness. It was still early—just after seven—but I was restless.

What if I actually flunked out? I sure as hell wasn’t going back home to my dad’s house. No fucking way. I’d rather camp out on the sidewalk in a refrigerator box than deal with that shit 24-7.

I could get a job.

Yeah, right. I hadn’t had a job since that stint flipping burgers my senior year of high school. It’d lasted about two weeks. And it didn’t pay that well from what I could recall.

Fuck, I said out loud to no one.

Fuck what?

My buddy Brad walked up with his girlfriend Amber in tow. Amber was actually Cori’s best friend. When their sorority, Alpha Delta, was paired with our fraternity for the year, a bunch of my brothers ended up dating Alpha girls. I wasn’t one of them. If I stayed with a girl two weeks that was a long time, and I was smart enough not to dip into the pool of girls I’d be forced to see all year.

Drama wasn’t really my thing.

Hey. I turned back to the fire.

Help me with the cooler. Brad gestured to the house.

I started to walk in that direction, but I had to stop to wait for Brad, who was making sure Amber was all tucked under a blanket in her camp chair before leaving.

Fucking A. Things had changed around here. Even the cooler had changed. Instead of cheap beer, it was filled with fruity wine coolers. Chick drinks. This time last year, it would’ve been just us guys sitting around the fire. Now that Brad and Luke had other halves, they were attached to them at the hip. The guys had had girlfriends before, but these two were different.

I liked them. Don’t get me wrong. Amber and Cori were great, especially Cori. But I kinda missed the good old days of getting drunk and doing stupid shit with the guys.

Now they were all responsible and stuff.

It kinda sucked.

It really sucked.

Which was the mindset that had gotten me on academic probation in the first place.

Fuck.

Maybe I should try to be a little more like my friends. Luke was focused on getting a summer internship, Brad was actually considering summer classes, and Cori was basically ruling the world. Seriously. That chick was going to be a badass lawyer someday.

And I’d be what? Still stuck in college. If I was lucky.

I snagged a beer from the cooler and sank into a chair strategically placed several feet away from Brad and Amber.

I picked up my guitar and strummed a few chords, closing my eyes and focusing the on the feel of the nylon strings under my calloused fingertips. Music had always been my escape.

What’s that? Cori appeared behind me, Luke behind her with two camp chairs over his shoulder.

I smiled. Nothing. It was actually a song I’d been working on the last few weeks, one that I couldn’t get out of my head.

I nodded to the cooler. Beer’s cold. I paused. So’s the girly stuff.

Cori laughed, holding up her silver travel mug. I’m sticking to hot chocolate. I’ve got a Miss New River thing tomorrow.

Remember that thing about Cori ruling the world? She’d just won the title of Miss New River Valley, and would soon be competing for Miss Virginia. Next step, Miss America, then the world. See what I’m talking about?

Luke grinned and popped open a beer. I don’t.

Cori sighed. I wish I didn’t. I’m already behind in my classes.

Brad snorted. So…what? You’ve only done the first two weeks’ assignments instead of the first three?

She blushed, like she always did when anyone teased her about her overachiever status. It was kind of a miracle we were friends. On the surface we had nothing in common.

Except music. She was a great singer. And anyone who had a voice like that and could appreciate music the way she did was okay in my book.

I know for a fact she’s already started the reading for next week, Amber chimed in.

Cori cleared her throat. Josh, play something.

I obliged, playing one of her favorites, Landslide.

I love that song, she said when I was done.

I know.

She raised her eyebrows. You do?

I nodded, leaning my guitar against my chair. I paid a lot more attention than people realized, than they gave me credit for.

I tapped my hand on my knee to a beat running through my head. It was too still here. The happy couples seemed content enough to sit by the fire, and normally I would totally be up for being low key, but not tonight.

I stood. Does anyone want to go downtown? Maybe to Thirsties?

Cori shook her head. I’ve got my thing tomorrow, remember?

I nodded, not bothering to ask Luke. He’d stick with Cori. Brad? Amber?

Brad started to nod, then looked at Amber, who shook her head slightly.

No thanks, man, Brad said.

Whipped. Yeah, he’d hear about that later. What a punk.

I grabbed my guitar and headed inside to change my shirt. On the way out, I stopped by Derek’s room. He was always up for going out, and tonight was no exception. I’d prefer to go with Brad and Luke, but like I said, these days those guys had other priorities. Derek would work as wingman in a pinch.

The designated driver was nowhere to be found, so I drove and snagged a prime parking spot on the street a block from the bar. Chances were I’d have to leave the car there overnight—I didn’t plan to be in any shape to drive by closing time—but I’d worry about that later.

It was early to be out, only nine, but it was already packed. Our normal table was taken, so we were forced to settle for a booth. A band was setting up on a makeshift stage. That was probably why it was so crowded. Thirsties didn’t usually have live music, instead relying on faulty speakers that shorted out half the time. A flier was stapled up above the bar—Under New Management. Well, that explained the band.

I leaned my head back against the booth.

Hey, can you spot me? Derek asked when the waitress came over to us.

I nodded, mildly annoyed but not surprised. Derek was always broke. At least he had the good graces to order the cheap beer rather than top shelf.

Derek caught the eye of a girl across the room, smiling and jerking his chin up. She waved and cut her way through the mob of people.

Hey, David, she said.

It’s Derek, he said, and I suppressed a smirk.

She giggled and slid into the booth next to him. Sorry!

This is Josh, Derek said, and I held out my hand, giving her my trademark grin. She smiled back, totally checking me out.

Sarah, she said, taking my hand.

We have Economics together, Derek explained.

I nodded. I’d taken that class back when I was a business major.

She waved at someone across the bar, motioning for whoever it was to come over. A blonde emerged from the crowd, carrying two beers. She sat next to me in the booth, and I slid over to make room.

Sarah took the beer

Reviews for Wanting More

[blsfan68 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a fun, although sometimes predictable, story that is entertaining, funny and sweet. The characters are likable, well developed and easy to relate to. I loved all of the facets to Josh's personality. A light, enjoyable book.ARC received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.