Playing To Win: An Elite Athlete Sport Romance Anthology

by Mignon Mykel

  “Samantha...”

  Rather than come off, she swallowed me deeper, my cock hitting the back of her throat.

  “Jesus fuck,” I groaned, and soon there was nothing I could do to stop my climax. I held her head as my hips thrust up into her welcoming mouth, my ass tightening as I grunted with each hard pull of my cock against her tongue.

  When my grip loosened in her hair, Samantha sat up with a satisfied smile. She put a hand on me, her fingers wrapping around my sensitive cock, causing me to groan yet again. With her lips to my ear, she whispered, “Let’s shower.”

  We went to the Brayshaws that afternoon to have dinner and beers—except for Nikki, of course. After the food was gone, the girls went off to sit on the dock by the lake, leaving me with Cody.

  “So,” Cody said, a smirk on his face as he cleaned off the grill. “You and Samantha.”

  I took a long swig from my beer before grinning. “Did you expect differently?”

  “Well, honestly I wasn’t sure you’d ever get over Jacquie and her cunt boyfriend.” Last I’d heard, they were still together, so I’d agree with Cody’s label. “I can’t believe that fucking kid,” Cody mumbled, shaking his head, before raising his voice again. “And I gotta say, no, I didn’t really think that you two would be slapping uglies, because you’re both so hard headed. But I’m not going to say I’m disappointed. While Nik hasn’t said as much, she’s freaking ecstatic. Keeps Samantha closer. They’re probably out there and Nikki is likely telling Samantha all the places she could live.”

  “I have a good-looking cock, thank you.” I chuckled before muttering with a grin, “Slapping uglies...”

  “You planning on keeping her at your place until she has to leave?” Cody sat at the same chair he’d occupied earlier at dinner.

  “I plan on keeping her as long as she’ll have me,” I answered honestly. “I don’t know, Code, but this... It’s different.”

  “Yeah?”

  Nodding, I picked at the label on the beer bottle. “Yeah.”

  Picking up my cues, Cody nodded at my fingers. “You nervous about her leaving?”

  I stopped the task and shrugged a shoulder. “I mean, yeah. Sure. She’s going to be a thousand or so miles away, and I’m going to be here. It’s not like I can take weeks off all the time. And maybe it will be too much of a hassle for her to travel back and forth. But hell. It’s been a month. Way too soon to think about all that forever shit,” I said, trying to cover the insecurities growing inside me, taking over my head.

  “You remember the night I met Nikki?”

  I thought back, trying to place the first time Nikki was with our crew.

  We’d been at a bar on campus, final weeks of school. Nikki hadn’t gone to our school, but she was in town for the band that was playing that night.

  ...thinking about that, I realized it was amazing Samantha’s and my paths didn’t cross sooner than they had.

  “Sure. Yeah. The bar. Ragged was playing that night.”

  Cody nodded. “That night. Yeah. I saw Nikki across the bar, dancing her ass off. I just...saw her and knew that I needed to know her. Bought her a drink. Talked to her over the music. That night, I knew she was the one.”

  I lifted my brows, never having heard this story before.

  “I’m not saying you don’t have your own shit you have to sort through, but you won’t get judgement from me if Samantha ends up being your person. Just in case you were worried,” Cody continued. “I’m going to go check on my wife. Make sure she hasn’t pissed Samantha off with her plans.”

  “I guess I’ll come with. Make sure Samantha isn’t overwhelmed with your wife’s plans.”

  Samantha was chattier than normal on the way back to my place, and I wasn’t at all annoyed by it.

  In fact, I was excited to hear her talk about the things she and Nikki planned. Places to look to live—although, I’d have to break it to her that she was going to be living with me—and a plan was in place for her to get into contact with the local high school, to give interest in coaching the following season.

  “You’ve come a long way since that first night when Nikki brought up moving back,” I mentioned.

  The smile Samantha shot my way was worth everything. “I have incentive to stay.”

  Reaching across the middle, I took her hand in mine. “Glad to hear that.”

  “And as long as you’re okay with the upcoming long distance, I’m really excited to see where life takes us.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Heck, yeah. Wanna know why?” She squeezed my hand and was wiggling in her seat, the excitement more than obvious.

  And her excitement?

  Brought up mine, too.

  I knew that I was going to like whatever the hell she had to say next.

  “Tell me.”

  “I dunno. Maybe I should hold onto it until our next win,” she teased, her smile never having left her face.

  “Don’t you know by now, that I don’t need to win a game to feel like a winner?”

  “Well, hopefully this makes you feel like more of a winner then.”

  I glanced over in her direction, lifting a brow in hopes she’d get on with what had her dancing in her spot.

  Truly, the anticipation was killing me, and it was taking a fuck-ton of energy to pretend like it wasn’t.

  Her smile dimmed fractionally, but that was only because emotion took over her entire face. “I love you, Sam Mayson.”

  Reflexively, my hand tightened against hers and the sudden wave of emotion clogging my throat was unexpected. I swallowed hard past the lump, keeping a tight hold of her hand while I worked through the lump in my throat.

  Nodding a few times, I finally managed to get the words out.

  “That’s a real good thing, because I love you too, Samantha Piper.”

  Epilogue

  Sam

  One Year Later

  “You nervous?” I asked, sitting on our bed in California as Samantha threw things into her suitcase that was beside me.

  Over the last year, the love I had for this woman grew exponentially, regardless if we were together, or twelve-hundred miles apart.

  Because I was still practicing pediatrics in Montana, we spent more time apart than I wanted, but it made the time we were together better.

  I would be lying though, if I didn’t add that I was excited she was retiring after this trip.

  We had a house being built near the Brayshaw’s place, and Samantha was slated to begin coaching the girls’ junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams this fall.

  All that was left was making her mine officially, in the eyes of the law.

  Samantha shook her head at my question. “No. Excited. More excited that you’re coming with.”

  That’s right, I took three weeks off of work so I could travel with Samantha to her final Olympics appearance. As badly as she’d wanted it, it almost didn’t happen.

  Her teammate, Hailey, had a surprise curveball thrown her way five months ago in the form of an unexpected—but welcome—pregnancy. The learning curve that presented itself when Samantha was teamed with a younger volleyball player had been difficult, and they made their initial Olympic qualification by a hair.

  While Samantha finished stuffing her suitcase, I glanced at my packed one by the bedroom door, before taking in the room around us. Our lease here ended in mid-August; the next four weeks were going to fly.

  Within days of us getting back to the States, we were going to have to pack this place up and turn in the keys. We were driving a U-Haul from California to Montana. Samantha was excited about the trip. Me? I wasn’t so sure. The last time I drove a U-Haul, it had been extremely uncomfortable, but then again, I was happy to be spending so much time with Samantha.

  “All right. I think that’s it.” Samantha stood nearby, her hands on her hips as she stared at her still-open suitcase. I looked down to see, and nodded.

  “I think you’re good, babe.”

  Nodding,
Samantha closed it and began to zip the sides. “Yeah. You’re right. How much time do we have?”

  I knew, but glanced at my watch all the same. “Thirty minutes before I have to order an Uber.”

  “Shit, I packed too early.” Samantha stood and shook her hands out, which made me laugh.

  Reaching for her, I pulled her between my spread legs. “Most people pack a day or so in advance. Not last minute.”

  “My nerves...”

  “Don’t allow you to do that. I know. You’re going to do so well, Sam.” I rubbed her hips before standing, and she took a step back in the process. “I was thinking...” Moving my hands from her hips to her arms, I trailed them downward until I had hold of her hands.

  “Your qualification win,” I continued, “we ordered all of the furniture for the house.” Our winning incentives changed a bit over the year, but they still existed. “What were you thinking for now?”

  Samantha laughed, grinning crookedly at me as she shook her head. “The odds are not in our favor, Sam. Honestly, I’ll be happy if we medal.”

  I wasn’t joking when I said it had been rough with Samantha and her new teammate, Aimee. The first two months, communication was an issue. But of course, Samantha had looked at it as a glass-half-full situation, and perfected her way of communicating—which would serve her well when she coached the high school girls.

  “Well, how about this...” I squeezed her hands before taking a step back.

  I swear, she must have been expecting it, because before my knee hit the ground, Samantha had a hand over her mouth and her eyes were filling with tears.

  “We have experienced more in one year than many couples will in their first decade,” I started, still holding on to her free hand as my other went into the pocket of my slacks. Swallowing past the lump of nerves in my throat, I continued, “Between your mom passing, and your dad shortly after—” Samantha swore he died of a broken heart, “then helping Bailey get acclimated back to civilian life—” my little sister lived with us up in Montana, and would stay with us in the new house until she figured out what she wanted to do with her life now, “it has been an interesting ride. We spent probably more time apart than together, but if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I need you. It’s that I love you. It’s that you complete me. Okay, so that’s more than one thing—” Samantha let out a watery laugh, and nodded as tears leaked from her eyes, “but I know beyond all else, that it’s you I want to spend the rest of my life with. Win or lose, Samantha Piper, you are the ultimate prize.” I pulled out the simple, solitaire diamond ring from my pocket. Simple, because Samantha wasn’t an ornate person, but also, it was a ring that could be stacked with her wedding band, and the eventual bands I hoped to place on her hand, with our first baby and anniversaries. “Samantha, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  She dropped to her knees in front of me, and threw her arms around my neck all while crying and nodding. “Yes. Yes, I’d love to. I love you. Yes.”

  There on the floor of our California bedroom, we rocked and cried happy tears.

  Eventually, she put on the ring that would tell the world she was mine, and at the last minute, I remembered to order our car to the airport.

  Regardless of what came, this moment would be the highlight of the year.

  ...although Samantha’s silver medal three weeks later was a close second.

  Thank you for reading Boy Sam and Girl Sam’s story!

  While there aren’t any existing cameos in this story, you will find more information on Bailey Mayson in the future!

  To be kept in the know, please consider subscribing to my newsletter, and/or following me on Facebook!

  About Mignon Mykel

  Mignon Mykel is the author of the Prescott Family series, as well as the short-novella erotic romance series, O'Gallagher Nights. When not sitting at Starbucks writing whatever her characters tell her to, you can find her hiking in the mountains of her new home in Arizona.

  Connect with Mignon online:

  website | facebook | twitter @mnonmklwrites | instagram @mignon.mykel

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  Prologue

  Garrett

  Carrying the last dish in from the kitchen, I take my usual seat at the Addington’s family dining table for Sunday dinner. Harriet joins us, taking her place right next to her husband, Neville, the family patriarch. Neville Addington extends his hands for all of us to join in and say Grace while we bow our heads. With each Amen said, we begin passing the food around.

  This week it’s pot roast with green beans, mashed potatoes, carrots, and Harriet’s homemade gravy with biscuits on the side. And from the smell of cinnamon in the air, there’s no doubt she’s made her famous apple pie for dessert.

  Every Sunday, for the last fifteen years, I’ve sat around this table, with friends who quickly became my family. In fact, my best friend is sitting right across from me - looking like the cat that ate the canary.

  After swallowing my first bite, I kick him under the table and give him a little nudge, “Alright, Kev. Out with it. What’s got you sitting over there smiling?”

  He smirks and says, “I talked to Lindsey today.”

  Doing my best to school my emotions, I nod and ask how she’s doing. No one needs to know that I’ve been sporting a hard-on for Linds since the day she turned 18. Far too many nights, I pictured her face while I stroked my cock before drifting off to sleep. Of course, if anyone in this room knew that, I’d probably be a dead man, so it’s a good thing that the Addington’s Pony Princess ran off to college and didn’t bother to look back.

  It’s been a good ten years since I’ve actually seen her in person, but I’ve managed to keep up with her on social media and, of course, word of mouth from her family. I knew she finished her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy while still showjumping, which took a fuck ton of hard work and time management. Then she decided to take a sabbatical year to join a travel showjumping team where she caught the eyes of the USA Olympic Team.

  I knew she had talent, but I never thought I’d be sitting in my loft apartment on the Addington Ranch watching the 2016 Summer Olympics while the rest of the Addington family flew to Rio to cheer on their twenty-four-year-old family star. She was the youngest rider on the team and brought home a gold medal that year.

  Rumor had it that she was headed to Tokyo this year to try and repeat her gold medal win.

  The girl I knew had other plans. Lindsey wanted to open an equine-therapy center to help children and adults with physical and mental health issues, but the Olympic’s calling did not surprise me one bit. It was show jumping that got her a full ride to the university of her choice and kept those equine therapy dreams alive.

  I had no doubts that making it to the Olympics only helped to solidify her future and her dreams in the real world whenever it was time for her to come back home.

  “This year’s games got postponed.” Kevin’s sentence breaks through my thoughts, and I nearly choke on the mashed potatoes.

  Lindsey was so excited about training and how well things were going. I remember seeing posts on social media. I can only imagine she’s devastated right now.

  “So…” be
fore Kevin can say anything more, the sound of gravel flying echoes through the open dining room windows and an Addington Farms truck and horse trailer stops in the drive. I can’t see who steps out, but soon the front door opens and the sound of bags dropping to the floor thumbs. Neville’s entire face lights up, and everyone suddenly pushes their chairs back and stands.

  I don’t even need to look up to know who’s just walked in. A tiny spark crackles in the air, and I know she’s home.

  “Lindsey Jean!” Harriet calls out, running straight for her granddaughter.

  The princess has returned, standing beside her is some jerk with a goofy grin plastered on his face.

  While the Addington’s all welcome her back, I take one more bite, then stand and scrape my plate before I place it in the kitchen sink.

  “Good to see you, kid.” Wiping my hands on my jeans to keep from reaching out and touching her, I give Linds a nod and excuse myself. “I’ll let y’all catch up. I’ve got some work to finish before I turn in for the night.”

  Because I know if I stay, I’ll wind up doing something stupid like punching the rich kid with slicked-back hair that is looking at her like she hung the moon.

  There’s the slightest hint of hurt in her eyes, but she doesn’t stop me or say anything in return.

  Out in the barn, I check in on all the horses then tack up Domino, a ten-year-old black and white Pinto that I rescued two years ago with some help from William - Lindsey’s father. A ride to check on the fence line back by the lake is the perfect excuse to get my mind off of the gorgeous woman who’s just walked back on to the ranch.