Loving The Game (Thirty-Something in the City - The Lunchtime Sorority Book 1)

by Bailie Hantam

  Tyler lowered Jill back down and lifted his head. He undid the clasp of her dress at her neck. The front fell forward. He stroked the pads of his thumbs over her nipples. Watching her eyes flutter close as her breath hitched, got him even harder. If that was possible.

  She whimpered when he pulled away from her. “Why are you stopping?”

  “Patience, sweetheart.” He took her hand and led her to the couch. He turned on the table lamp. “I’m not stopping. I’m changing gears.”

  She frowned at him as he sat her on the couch. “We’re not going to the bedroom?”

  His own patience was being tested. Of course, he wanted to go to the bedroom and ravage her. But there will be time for that later. He sat her down on the couch. “Not yet. Now, wait here for me. Don’t move.”

  He walked to her bedroom, heading straight to the drawer that had fascinated him since the first time they were together. He looked through it, finding the vibrator he wanted. He undid another button of his shirt as he made his way back to the lounge. His breath caught. She was waiting exactly where he asked, topless. Her eyes darted from his to the vibrator in his hand.

  “Tyler? What are you doing?”

  There wasn’t unsurety in her voice, more curiosity. He quirked his lips.

  “I’m not doing anything.” He handed her the vibrator. “You are.”

  She lifted a brow but took the toy. “Excuse me.”

  He sat on the armchair opposite her. Legs stretched out, arms at his sides. It wasn’t complicated. He just wasn’t sure he could articulate it. “I want to watch you pleasure yourself. I want to know what you do and how you do it. I want to watch your facial expressions and your body’s reactions. I want to know. And I want to do it without chasing my own release.”

  “You want to watch me?” She swallowed hard. Her thighs were still clenched, and her nipples were standing erect. The idea turned her on, it was her own inhibition holding her back.

  Tyler didn’t back down. “I want to be inside you more than anything. And I intend to be. Over and over again all night. But first, I want to watch you.”

  Jill leaned back onto the couch, raising her dress around her waist. She lifted one foot onto the couch, exposing herself to him. She was already glistening and ready for him. She turned on the battery-operated toy and stroked it over her folds. Her head fell back against the couch, but she never took her eyes off him.

  A small moan escaped her as she pushed the wand inside her. She stroked in and out, tilting it up on the in stroke. Her other hand stroked over her clit. Her breathing became labored a fine sheen of sweat glistened over her chest.

  Tyler unzipped his pants to relieve some of the pressure. He restrained from stroking himself. There was no way a plastic toy was going to be the only thing inside Jill. Fuck, he was jealous of a vibrator.

  A loud cry spilled from Jill. Her head was thrown completely back, her eyes shut. She bit her lower lip before pleading. “Tyler, I can’t.”

  “Let go, sweetheart. I want to watch you cum.” He adjusted himself to get more comfortable but even the slightest movement had him on edge.

  Jill’s cries filtered through the room, panting his name as she orgasmed. The idea that he wasn’t touching her and still she knew it was him she was doing it for was a huge ego boost.

  As she came down, catching her breath. He picked up her limp body and carried her to the bedroom. He placed her on the bed, her breath recovering. “All fours, ass up.”

  She wasted no time doing as he said while he walked back over to her bedside drawer. Freeing his cock from his boxers, he rolled on the condom.

  Jill’s dress was gathered at her waist, her hair mussed and yet he’d never seen anything more beautiful. He lined himself up behind her and with one hard thrust, entered her all the way to the hilt. He stilled for a moment, biting back the need for a quick release. Sensation rolled through him as he pulled out almost to the tip. He thrust in hard a second time and they both cried out as he hit the spot deep inside her.

  With a steady rhythm Tyler pounded into her. He was unrelenting as he covered her back with his chest. She let out a low mewling sound as his hand found a nipple and tugged hard. She clenched around him and his world tilted. He reached lower down, finding her clit. His fingers played with the little nub, causing Jill’s body to stiffen again.

  “Tyler.”

  He continued playing with her clit. “Go over babe, I’m right there with you.”

  She clenched around him and Tyler pumped into her twice more. His body stiffened and everything went white. Gripping her, he let out his release with a growl before they both collapsed onto the bed.

  What started out as him wanting to claim her, ended very differently. There was no doubt in his mind that he was hers. She’d ruined him for other women.

  ***

  Jill

  Twelve years ago

  The warm body next to her made Jill smile. She couldn’t believe she’d finally had sex. Actual sex. Being with Tyler had been so much more than anything she had done with her hand. He was so attentive, making sure she was okay every step of the way.

  It did hurt a little in the beginning, but much less than she expected. After that initial pinch though, it was beautiful. They’d had sex twice more during the night, and each time it got better.

  A noise from downstairs got her attention. Tyler squeezed her arm.

  “I need to get out of here before your dad finds me.” He sat up and looked around her room.

  It wasn’t very girly. She loved flowers, that was obvious. But it was more bright than frilly.

  She watched as he pulled his clothes back on, finding her own tank top from the night before. “You can’t leave now, my dad will see you.”

  He frowned at her. “I’m gonna leave through the window. The oak tree is close enough to climb down.”

  Jill blinked at him as she pulled her panties on. He had already thought of an exit strategy. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “We’ve climbed down higher trees. Remember?” He picked up her shorts and handed it to her.

  “Yeah, but we were a lot smaller. If you get injured, you’ll compromise your training.” She pulled on her shorts. “Just be careful.”

  Tyler smiled and walked over to her. He pulled her into his arms. “I’ll be fine.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll see you at the airport.”

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. It really was unfair. She’d liked Tyler for such a long time. Maybe even more than liked him. It wasn’t impossible that what she felt was more than a crush. Then just as they found their way to each other, she has to up and leave.

  She shook away the thoughts. “Yeah.” Her voice croaked and she cleared it. Besides, she wasn’t sure what they were. One night of sex didn’t make a relationship. At least she never thought it could. But she would never know. Their chance at a relationship had come and gone. She was headed to Cape Town and he was headed to the Rugby academy. They would be on opposite sides of the country.

  He lifted her chin, making sure she looked at him. “Hey, I told you last night, this is not the end.” He moved his face closer to hers. “You’ll be back in March. And the team will have the academy match there next month. We’ll call and text all the time.”

  She forced a smile. “You’re right. The timing just sucks.”

  “Besides.” He waggled his eyebrows, a mischievous smile on his lips. “There’s always phone sex.”

  Jill let out a laugh. “I have no idea how that would even go. I have no experience, remember?”

  “I’ve never done it, either.” He cupped her face with his hands. “We can learn.”

  He brought his lips to hers. She opened immediately, wanting to enjoy everything he had to give before she had to leave.”

  A loud clang downstairs had them pulling apart. Her dad was up and about already. Tyler needed to leave. He gave her one last kiss before disappearing out of her bedroom window.

  After brushing he
r teeth and rinsing her face, Jill made her way downstairs. In honor of her last day in town, her dad was making her favorite breakfast. French toast with all the trimmings. Berries, bacon, syrup. He’d even splurged on some creme fraiche.

  She walked over and kissed him on his cheek. Even though, he wasn’t much of a morning person, he’d gotten up to make her breakfast. And she needed spread her good mood.

  Her dad looked over at her before dipping another slice of bread in the egg batter. “Did Tyler get down that tree okay?”

  Her entire face flamed. She could feel her blush at the back of her neck. Her mouth dropped open and she looked at her dad. “What?”

  “Honey, you may think I’m old.” He pulled the bowl of bacon from the oven and put it on the table. “But I’m not stupid.”

  She really didn’t want to discuss whatever happened with dad. “I don’t think you’re stupid. I just…”

  Just what? She didn’t want to apologize. Though, maybe she should’ve respected the rules of his house. Her dad had never been one to lay down the law and ban boys from her room. Still, she knew it was understood that he wouldn’t condone what had happened the night before.

  “Look,” he said as he put the rest of their breakfast on the table. “I’m not happy. But I do recognize that has more to do with me and my beliefs than anything about you.”

  Jill frowned. That was not what she thought he would say. “What do you mean.”

  Her father leaned his arms on the table. It was obvious he was trying to pick his words carefully.

  “There are two kinds of people in the world.” He looked directly at her. “Those who cheat, and those who get cheated on. I’m one, your mother is the other.”

  It had never been a secret why her mother had filed for divorce. For the longest time Jill had been angry at him for hurting her mother the way he did. With time she’d softened, especially seeing her mother heal and move on had helped with that.

  Still, she didn’t know what that had to do with what happened with Tyler. “What are you trying to say.”

  “Honey, you two will be in different cities.” Narrowing his eyes, there was more concern than judgment. “You’re both so young. You’ll be meeting new people. Tyler will be in the rugby world, surrounded by women throwing themselves at him. It’s a lot for a young couple.”

  Her good mood from a few moments earlier had completely disappeared. “We are not you or mom.”

  “Are you sure?” Her dad took two slices of French toast from the platter. “Are you confident you’ll both able to resist all that temptation. Is it worth the risk? Could you handle the hurt that comes from it. Or worse, the guilt.”

  Jill pushed her plate away, suddenly no longer hungry. Her dad was right. They were both so young. Neither had a serious relationship before. She wasn’t stupid, she saw how girls watched Tyler. And she was genetically predisposed to cheat. At least fifty percent of her was. Why do that to each other.

  If things were meant to be, they wouldn’t have waited so long to get together. They both had to recognize that they were setting each other up for hurt and guilt. And Jill had seen how both of those had affected her parents. She wasn’t prepared to do that to herself. Or to Tyler.

  Chapter 11

  Jill

  Present Day

  How had she gotten herself into the same position? Again. Twice. With the same man. For the second time, sex was the catalyst between them. Jill was content to have a quick fling with Tyler. She definitely didn’t plan on falling in love with him. Again.

  She could admit that it was more than just the sex. He was attentive and kind. Fiercely loyal to those he cared about. But damn. The sex was hot.

  She’d never been much of an exhibitionist. Not at all actually. Yet, getting herself off in front of him had turned her on in so many ways. And the way he treated her body, like he owned it, had been the most erotic thing she’d ever experienced. He’d marked her. There were bruises on her hips to prove it, but it was more than that.

  There was so much to love about Tyler. His ambition and how focused he was on his career. She could appreciate that. Her career was everything to her. If things carried on any further between the two of them she would need to have a talk with her boss.

  Mary-Anne’s rule had gone right out the window the first time her lips touched Tyler’s. Still, she hadn’t been worried. They were two adults used to playing the field. They both knew how not to get entangled. Yet, there she was, completely entangled. She just didn’t know where he stood.

  Jill shook off the thoughts as she stepped into the press box. She needed her friends, and Tina was the only one available. Natalie had been taking all the crappy shifts so she could get off the night of the gala. Tracey was completely out of the question.

  Tina was nowhere to be found. Jill had made sure her friend had a press pass, despite not being a sports journalist. She scanned over the entire room with no result.

  A loud noise to her left had her craning her neck to see into one of the VIP suites. It was the Cooper box. Wyatt Cooper had indicated that since he was now CEO of large corporation investing in boxed seating was a good idea. It would also be good for his colleagues to come and watch when he played in the charity matches. Tina could be in there. After all, they were all friends with Wyatt’s girlfriend, Mini.

  Jill craned a little further but couldn’t spot Tina. She guessed Mini hadn’t joined her fiancé for the match. A light went on in Jill’s mind. Girlfriend. Jill turned her focus to the WAGS box. It was really a crappy name for the Family and Friends area, but everyone knew if you wanted the real gossip get to know the wives and girlfriends.

  Bingo. Seated in the middle of the box, pretending to watch the game was her friend. She could spot Tina’s afro-puffs anywhere. Jill pulled out her phone and shot Tina a quick text.

  Jill: Hey. Have a few minutes to chat. I’m in the press box.

  She watched as her friend retrieved her phone and read the message. Tina looked over at the press box, then typed.

  Tina: Meet me at the coffee bar.

  Jill made her way to the coffee bar. It was one of the few quiet areas, as everyone was more interested in watching the game. She kept an eye on the large screen TV. As soon as the game was done, she needed to escort the press from the box to the room where the press conferences will be held.

  The woman behind the counter looked a little confused as she handed Jill her latte and Tina’s skinny cappuccino. She was paying the woman when Tina showed up.

  They took a seat at a corner table. “What’s up?” Tina asked.

  Jill sagged her shoulders. “I don’t know where to begin.”

  “Oh my God.” Tina’s eyes were wide, but she dropped her voice. “You’re in love with him. I didn’t even know you two have been spending that much time together. How did that happen?”

  It was more an attribute to their friendship than anything else that Tina had guessed immediately. She tilted her head and looked at her friend. Those dark eyes weren’t sparkling, and her complexion looked like it had taken a bit of a beating. Problem for another day.

  “I don’t know. I guess it’s been coming on for a while.” She leaned back in her chair. “Or maybe it never went away. All I know is I went out with him on Thursday and woke up yesterday with these feelings.”

  Tina patted her chin with her fore finger. “Did you have sex with him?”

  Jill glared at her friend. “I don’t really want to talk about that.”

  “I know you don’t.” Tina leaned back in her chair. “Picture this. You’re in love with someone. By all accounts it’s unrequited. Then you have sex with that person. Things are instantly different between you two and then you don’t see each other for years. Do you think when you two hook up again after all that time that it’s got nothing to do with unresolved feelings.”

  “I wasn’t in love with him.”

  Tina’s face softened. “Firstly, don’t kid yourself. But secondly and more importantly, I was
n’t talking about you.”

  “What?”

  “If Tyler were some epic romantic hero, you’d be the villain.” Tina chuckled at her own analogy. “The one who broke his heart and sent him into a spiral of loveless sex with a boatload of women.”

  “Boatload?” Jill smiled, but Tina was not finished.

  “If this is not forever, leave it be,” she continued. “He is the darling of the nation right now. When this ends, the media and the public will vilify you. Not to mention what it would do to your relationship with his sister. It will be public and messy and none of us will survive.

  Tina was right of course. Anything more happening between her and Tyler was a recipe for disaster. Except for one thing of course. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough to walk away again.”

  In fact she knew she wasn’t. It had hurt the last time she walked away from him. She knew she hurt him. She could see it in his eyes. The guilt had plagued her for a long time. She didn’t want to go through that again.

  Her friend took hold of her hand. “I know you don’t want to talk about the sex. But if it’s really hot, it could be clouding your judgement.”

  “I think I can distinguish between being in love and lusting after really hot sex. I can have both, you know.”

  Tina smiled. Her face lit up, but Jill still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. “Are you kidding me? You have a heart anyone could fall in love with. And there are many men who would like to get their hands on that gorgeous body of yours.”

  Jill waved her off. “Please, I’m not the one with all the curves.”

  Once again Tina winced at the mention of her curves. Before Tina had a chance to answer, Jill spoke up. “What’s going on? It’s not like you to get self-conscious about your body. Did someone say something inappropriate.”

  Tina shook her head. “Nothing like that. They found a lump. It’s cancerous”

  There were moments when Jill’s world spun on its axis. She took a few breaths and then looked at Tina. “What are you doing? Do you need anything? Have they--”