“Thanks for skipping the underwear.”
“You’re—fuck.”
She sucked the tip of his cock into her mouth, swirled her tongue around the tip then sank down the shaft as far as she could go. She felt every muscle in RJ’s body go taut as his cock throbbed in her mouth.
“Holy shit, Sugar.”
His hand tightened in her hair until she had to strain to take him in all the way. Every time she did, her pussy ached a little more, goaded on by the rough sounds he made. She loved those sounds, loved the way her scalp burned and nipples throbbed.
When she knew he was close, she pulled back to the tip and sucked hard, trying to push him over the edge. But he stubbornly refused to go.
“Sugar. Take this. Then fuck me.”
He pulled her hair with enough force to make her look up. He held a condom in his hand. Time to make a decision.
She wanted him inside her when he came. She wanted to ride him until he came.
Scrambling off the bed, she shoved down her shorts and panties and pulled her tank top over her head. She hadn’t been wearing a bra, and when his gaze dropped, her nipples peaked as if he’d touched her.
She reached for the condom, but he was already rolling it down his erection. Scrambling back onto the bed on her knees, she sank onto his cock in one smooth move that made them both suck in air.
“Christ, Sugar. You’re so tight.”
With her hands planted on his chest, she started to ride him, watching his face as she did. She was making him feel like this, making him gasp out her name and grip her hips so tight it hurt.
Moaning, she rode him hard, chasing an orgasm she felt building deep inside. God, she wanted him so desperately, her heart hurt. Her entire body strained toward that feeling she knew he could give her. Opening her eyes, which she hadn’t realized she’d closed, she looked down at RJ.
He was watching her, so much burning passion on his face she felt her pussy clench in response. She sank down, rolling her hips to rub her clit against the base of his cock. It was exactly what she needed.
She came around him, gripping him tight as she sank down to his chest, tucking her head under his chin. He held still for a few precious seconds, his breath rough in her ear.
Then he wrapped his arms around her. Tight. So tight. And he flipped them without dislodging from her still-spasming pussy.
“Wrap your legs around my waist and hold tight.”
She barely heard his words, but she understood what he wanted. The coiled tension in his body transmitted to her and she lifted her heavy legs to grip his hips. The motion sent another ripple of ecstasy through her. Her eyes fluttered closed as her arms wrapped around his ribs to clutch at his back.
Planting his elbows above her shoulders, he thrust, seating himself even deeper than she thought he could possibly go. Then he retreated, the drag of his cock on her overly sensitive sheath sweet torture.
His first thrusts were slow, smooth. Spreading her wide and staking his claim. His lips spread a line of fire from just behind her ear to the point of her chin, before taking her mouth in a kiss that stole her breath.
Then he started to move in earnest.
His hips snapped against hers, setting a punishing pace that pushed her body into a physical state between pleasure and almost-pain and her mind into a trance-like state. She held on tight, sucking on his tongue as he ravaged her mouth and pussy.
For several long seconds, they were locked in a sensual dance. And when he finally broke away, she sucked in a deep breath, raking her nails down his back and making him groan.
“God, Sugar. You feel so fucking good.”
“Don’t stop. Don’t stop.”
“Never. Fuck.”
His hips snapped again and again, his breath rough against her cheek. She could barely move, but she needed…something. Tilting her hips up a fraction was all it took.
The angle of penetration changed, and RJ froze for a split second before he buried his face in her neck and thrust deep one more time as he came.
“Bad night, huh?”
Sugar sighed as she snuggled closer to RJ. They were still trying to catch their breath, even after RJ had been to the bathroom and returned to tuck Sugar into his bed. He’d crawled in next to her, drew her into his side, and wove his fingers into her hair as she rested her head on his chest.
She wanted to stay right here for as long as he’d let her.
“Yes. Just a couple of assholes who made the night miserable.”
“That happen a lot at Nero’s?”
“Yeah. But it’s good money.”
And right now, she needed as much as she could get her hands on. Cookie’s pregnancy changed everything.
He didn’t respond right away, which was probably a good thing. They’d already had this discussion. She knew he didn’t like that she worked there, but she needed the money. No contest.
“I’m not sure what the money’s like, but the owners of the ice complex where we hold camp are looking for someone to run their concessions. If it’s something you think you’d be interested in, I could say something to the manager. It’s full-time with benefits. Can’t guarantee the salary would be amazing but can’t hurt to ask.”
Full-time. An actual, reliable schedule. Benefits. RJ’s involvement would guarantee her an interview, something she’d probably never get on her own. And with her experience in a kitchen and recommendations from Georgie and Janine, she might actually have a shot. With a steady schedule, she could still waitress.
“That would be great. If you think it’s something I’m qualified for.”
“I’ll say something to Dominique tomorrow. She’s been looking for someone for a couple months, so I’m thinking the pay might not be great. Just a heads-up. And you have to be able to handle chaos.”
“Chaos I can handle. Wandering hands, not so much.”
RJ stilled, and she wanted to take back the words immediately. Damn it, she didn’t want to make this into an issue. Then again, maybe they should just rip off the bandage and get it over with.
“What exactly happened tonight?”
“Just some drunk guy who wanted me to have a drink with him. I handled it. I can handle myself.”
He was quiet for a few seconds. “I know. I’m not saying you can’t. I’m just saying maybe that’s not the safest environment for you.”
She shrugged, like he was overstating the issues. “The money’s too good to pass up.”
Another short pause. “I’ve seen how men act when they’re there. They’re assholes. You shouldn’t have to work with them.”
“Actually, no woman should have to work there. But we still like to eat.” She heard the edge in her voice and took it down a notch. “Besides, I never work there more than two days a week. Some nights it just gets to me. This was just one of those nights.”
“So get out.”
Like it’d be easy to just find another job that paid what Nero’s did. “All jobs have things you don’t like about them.”
“Find something else.”
Her teeth clenched. “It’s not that easy.”
“I’ll talk to the complex manager.”
“I don’t need you to find me a job. I don’t even know if I’m qualified.”
“Everybody needs help. Sometimes, you just need to take it.”
“And sometimes you can’t just snap your fingers and make things happen. Life just doesn’t work that way. At least not for people like me. And if you think that, then you don’t really know me.”
Eight
RJ’s brain spun as Sugar sighed.
What the hell had he said?
They’d just had the most amazing sex he’d ever experienced in his life then the conversation had taken a left turn, and he wasn’t sure how to get them back on track. Because anything he said now had the potential to be a landmine. But he didn’t understand why she wouldn’t want his help.
He understood standing on your own two feet. Hell, he’d had t
o work harder at everything to prove he deserved his career and wasn’t just coasting on his dad’s reputation. But sometimes, you needed a hand and shouldn’t be ashamed to accept it.
Hell, Marisol would’ve been perfectly happy to let him use his influence to get her whatever she’d wanted.
Maybe that should’ve been a clue that the only reason she was with you was to snag a professional athlete husband and let him take care of her for the rest of her life.
He didn’t want to be someone’s meal ticket. He wanted a partner. He liked that Sugar was independent. He admired the hell out of her. And he thought she was sexy as fuck.
Maybe you should tell her that.
“Then tell me about you. I want to know everything.”
The words came out before he thought them through, but they were true.
He wanted her to tell him everything about her life. They were sharing a bed after having awesome sex, and he realized he wanted more. Of her. Of her life. Not just the few hours a day they spent in bed.
And she was still silent. He could practically hear her thinking, though, until finally, she said, “Does that go both ways?”
A split-second decision. “What do you want to know?”
Her breath feathered across his chest as she lifted her head then propped her chin on his chest so she could look at him.
“What’s your favorite color?”
“Blue.”
“Your favorite TV show?”
“Law & Order.”
Her nose crinkled in confusion. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. No matter what part of the show I tune into, I know where I am because I’ve seen it already and some channel is always running one of them.”
Her laughter sank into his gut like a knife, burrowing down until he didn’t think it’d ever be dislodged.
“Okay, I’ll give you that one. But that has to be the most ‘guy’ answer ever.”
“Well, I’m a guy so…”
“Yes, you are.”
Before he got sidetracked by the way her smile heated his blood, he said, “My turn. Do you have any nights off next weekend so we can go on an actual date?”
Something flickered through her expression, something that made his breath catch.
“I would love that, yeah.” Her smile turned his apprehension into full-blown heat. “I think Wednesday night might work, if you don’t mind going late?”
He wanted to say yes, but… “I’ve got to make an appearance at a teammate’s party.”
“Oh. That’s no pro—”
“Come with me.”
She blinked and surprise flashed across her face, followed by an emotion that looked like hope.
“Sure. I mean, if you don’t mind?”
“Why would I mind?”
“Well, because they’re your friends and I wouldn’t want to get in the way?”
The lilt at the end of her sentence made his grin widen.
“You wouldn’t be in the way. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you with me.”
It took a few seconds but finally, her smile reappeared. “Okay. Sure.”
“Good. And we’re still on for tomorrow, right?” When she nodded, he said, “Good. Now, what are you doing the rest of the week after work?”
Her gaze skipped away and back again. “I’m not sure.” She grinned, but he could tell it wasn’t as genuine as her last. “There’re things I have to get done.”
He wanted to press, but he didn’t want to push her. Well, yeah, he wanted to push her, but he didn’t want to push her away.
“No problem. I’m flexible.”
Her expression eased and a tease lit in her eyes. “Yes, you are.”
“I don’t think you’re talking about my schedule right now.”
“You’d be right.”
Slipping his hands beneath her arms, he pulled her up his body until he could reach her lips.
With his lips against hers, he said, “Let me show you just how flexible I can be.”
“I swear this kid is trying to kill me. I have to pee every five minutes. I can’t sleep more than five minutes before he kicks me in the kidneys. My back aches. My boobs hurt. And where were you last night?”
Sugar had definitely not had enough sleep for this conversation. But with her sister sitting across from her at the table, staring at her with her brows raised Wednesday at six a.m., waiting for an answer, she didn’t have the brain power to think up a lie.
“With a friend.”
“And were you having sex with this friend? Because I hope you used a condom. It’d be pretty bad if we both got knocked up.”
Sugar sighed, which turned into a yawn. She’d thought she could get home and get a few more hours of sleep before she had to get to work. But Cookie had been sitting on the couch, eating ice cream at eight in the morning, watching some serial killer documentary that would’ve given Sugar nightmares.
“At least tell me you had fun.”
“I really don’t want to talk about it now. I’m tired and I need to go to work in, like, two hours.”
“But you worked last night?”
“And I have to work again today. The bills don’t pay themselves.”
She hadn’t meant that to sound as harsh as it had, and when she looked up with an apology on the tip of her tongue, she saw Cookie wince and turn her head, her hands coming to rest on her belly.
“Damn it, I didn’t mean that like it sounded. I’m sorry. I’m tired. And I know that’s no excuse but—”
“Stop.” Cookie shrugged. “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have pushed. I really am grateful you took me in. I know this isn’t what you expected to be doing with your life. And I swear, I won’t be here forever. I just needed a place—”
“Cook, shut up.” Sugar grabbed her sister’s hand across the table. “I’m cranky and bitchy and tired. And how can I keep an eye on you if you were anywhere else?”
“I just…” Her sister grimaced apologetically. “I want this baby so much. I know you probably think that’s stupid, but—”
“No. I don’t think that at all. Of course, you want your baby. We’ll figure it out. I promise.”
Cookie smiled, relief in every sweet curve of her face. “I know. But you still didn’t tell me who you were with last night.”
Shaking her head, she sighed and slumped back into her chair. “He’s just a guy I know.”
“Just a guy? If you’re having sex with him, he’s not just some guy. You’re not into casual. You never have been.”
“We haven’t even been on a date. Between my schedule and his, it’s just…complicated.”
“But you have been sleeping with him. So, who is he? Is he nice? Do you like him?”
“Of course, I like him. I wouldn’t be sleeping with him if I didn’t.”
Cookie rolled her eyes. “I mean, do you really like him? How long have you known him?”
Uneasy now, she shrugged. “For about a year.”
“You’ve been sleeping with the guy for a year but haven’t had a date yet?”
The shock in Cookie’s tone made Sugar wince. “No, that’s not what I meant. We met a year ago. He walked into the diner, and I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. And then he smiled at me, and my brain short-circuited. I was barely able to talk to him without making an ass out of myself. I couldn’t look at him without wanting to throw myself at him. And I don’t think he even noticed me until a few weeks later. I mean, he was always nice to me, never treated me like I was beneath him, you know. He’s just…a really nice guy.”
“Damn, Shug, he sounds almost too good to be true.” Cookie gave a disgusted little huff. “I met my baby daddy at a bar and the first thing I noticed was his ass. Probably should’ve been my first clue that it wasn’t going to work.”
Sugar laughed, which was exactly what Cookie had intended.
“Is he totally out of the picture?”
Shrugging, Cookie’s gaze slid away. “I assume he is. And even if he came
back, I’m not sure I’d take him back. The way we left it was…not that friendly.”
“Should I be worried about him showing up here?”
“No.” Cookie shook her head emphatically. “He’s not like that. Actually, I think I’m the one who fucked things up.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s a tough time for you. I mean, you’re baking a little human inside you. You get a few passes for bad behavior.”
“I don’t want to fuck this up, Shug. And up until now, that’s all I’ve done to everything.”
Sugar didn’t want to tell Cookie that wasn’t true because, yeah, Cookie had always been in and out of trouble growing up. Nothing ever really bad. But she’d always pushed the boundaries. Their parents had let her run wild and it’d always been up to Sugar to rein her back in. And then Sugar had left.
Not your fault.
No, but here was Cookie, her long blonde hair in braids that made her look about fifteen and a huge belly that made it clear she had some pretty adult problems on her plate.
“Everybody makes mistakes. We’ll figure it out together.”
It just might mean Sugar had to give up the one thing she wanted for herself.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner. It’s been so busy, and I just couldn’t find the time, and I know I’m the only one on the lease but—”
“Now, that’s nothing you need to worry about.” Georgie sliced her hand through the air, as if cutting off the conversation. “She’s your sister.”
“But—”
“Does she need anything right now? Does she have an obstetrician? Janine knows a couple. She can get Cookie in to see one today or tomorrow if she needs to. What is she? Eight months? Is she taking her vitamins?”
As Georgie continued on with a litany of questions she hadn’t even considered, Sugar blinked back tears. For the first time in forever, she felt like she had a support system, rather than being the support system.
And when Georgie paused to text Janine for phone numbers, Anika offered up boxes of baby clothing that were “just taking up space” in her storage area.
The diner hadn’t opened yet Wednesday morning and only Crystal, who baked and helped cook weekday mornings, Georgie, Anika, and Sugar were in the place. Sugar had hoped to get Georgie alone before the morning rush started, but Georgie and Crystal had already been in full swing by the time Sugar had shown up. And because they’d been busy, Sugar had had to tell them while they worked. Anika had walked in midway through her explanation and then she’d had to circle back and fill her friend in on what’d she’d missed.
Deadlines & Red Lines: Fast Ice Sports Romance Page 12
