More Than A Game (The Kings of Kroydon Hills Book 2)

by Bella Matthews

  I’ll find out later if my father was in on my mother’s confrontation or if that was all her.

  For tonight, I’m just worried about the man in front of me and what my mother’s hateful words have done to the one thing I’ve begun to care about more than anything else.

  When I turn around from shutting off the room phone, I face-plant into Murphy’s chest. He’s taken off his tux jacket and has his white sleeves rolled up. His sexy green leather watch is adorning his right wrist. “Are you a lefty?”

  “I’m ambidextrous. I can give with both hands, Princess.” A glimmer of a smile crosses his lips.

  I take a deep breath. “Listen, Aiden—”

  Murphy’s fingers lay against my lips. “No, Princess. I’ve been listening to you all night, and now it’s your turn.”

  I’m grateful for the smile on his face because it’s at least telling me he’s not mad at me. He moves his hands to my waist and makes me wish he’d take me out of this dress, so he could see what I’m wearing underneath.

  “I don’t want to talk about your mother right now. I want to talk about you. I want to talk about the woman I couldn’t take my eyes off tonight. You were magnificent. You are so smart and so sexy.” He picks up my hand and places a kiss to one palm. “You had the room eating out of the palm of your hand, Princess. You had me eating out the palm of your hand.” Then he moves that hand to wrap around his neck as he steps back, sitting down on the sofa and pulling me down onto his lap.

  “I think your parents love you, Sabrina, but your mother has a warped definition of what that is. I think the things she said were grounded in a touch of the truth but blown way out of proportion. I act like a goof. I know I do it. When my dad left us, my mom cried. A lot. She cried all the time, for what felt like forever to a little kid. Carys didn’t understand what was going on, and she was sad all the time because Mom was sad. I figured out early on that it was easier on everyone if I could make them laugh, make them smile.”

  Murphy swallows and kisses my forehead before continuing, “I liked knowing that if I made my mom smile, she felt better. When she was happier, we were all happier. She wasn’t a bad mom. She still got up every day and made us dinner every night. She took me to every practice. She made sure we had everything we ever wanted. But she was sad, and I wanted to fix it. Once I saw how easy it was to make everyone smile, I just . . . I don’t know. I guess I kinda took it on as a part of me. Murphy the Goofball. People always think I’m not serious about anything, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

  He pauses for a long moment.

  I feel like this man is giving me a piece of his soul, and I’m scared to shatter the moment.

  “Do you want to know what upset me most of all tonight? Because it wasn’t what your mom said, Brina. It was what you said.”

  “What?” The accusation destroys me. I sit up straighter and push back at his chest to give myself space to breathe.

  “Not upset with what you said, just that you had to defend me at all. That I put you in that position in the first place. I would burn down this entire city to keep you safe, Sabrina. I would destroy whoever got in my way. It’s supposed to be my job to take care of you. It’s my job to protect you, not the other way around. I love you so fucking much that my heart felt like it was cracking open when you had to defend my actions. And, I promise, if you’ll give me a chance, I’ll be worthy of you.”

  My hands move to the hair at his temples as I push it out of his face.

  “Murphy, you don’t need a chance. You’ve already got me. I’m pretty sure I’ve been in love with you since we were little kids, and you knocked Brady down when he shoved me off the swings in first grade. Whenever we’re in the same room, you’re the first person I see. It’s been that way for as long as I can remember, even when you didn’t care at all that I was there.”

  “I always cared, Princess. I just didn’t think I was worthy of you. This year changed things though. Because I said, ‘Fuck it.’ I was going to make myself worthy.”

  “Aiden, you don’t get to be the only one in this relationship who’s overprotective. It goes both ways.” He gives me a sly look, covering pain with humor like he always does. I place my fingertips over his lips. “Nope. Do not make a comment about going both ways right now. I’ll never share you with another girl. I only go one way, and that’s with you.”

  34

  Murphy

  “That’s not what I was thinking, Princess. It’s you and me. I’d kill someone before I’d ever be willing to share you.”

  Sabrina pulls back and stands up. She turns around, giving me her back. “Aiden, take me out of my dress . . . Please.”

  “Your wish is my command.” Standing, I take my time unzipping her dress, kissing her shoulders, and watching the goosebumps pepper her skin. “You know you’re wearing my favorite color tonight, don’t you? Did you do that on purpose? Did you pick this dress out just for me? Do you have any idea what seeing you looking like a real-life princess did to me all night long?”

  She looks back at me over her shoulder, and the look she gives me could bring a man to his knees. “Take my dress off and see what else I picked out with you in mind.”

  I don’t need to be told twice. Unzipping her dress, I watch it fall to the floor and step back to get a better look at this woman standing in front of me. Jesus Christ, she is magnificent.

  Sabrina turns to face me, and I have to count to ten before I’m able to speak.

  She’s standing in a green satin corset with little hooks going up the back and the tiniest green panties that look like they’re held together with tiny little ribbons on the sides.

  “When I planned this look, I was going to leave the heels on. Guess I forgot about that.”

  “You’re a goddess.” I drop to my knees, the pull to worship the woman in front of me more potent than any force I’ve ever felt. Lifting her leg, I place it over my shoulder, but she stops me.

  “Aiden, please. I need you inside me.”

  “Oh, Princess. Just a little taste.” I pull at the string on her right hip with my teeth, and it falls away, leaving my princess bare to me. Her hands go to my hair, and I eat her like she’s the last meal I’ll have before meeting my maker.

  It doesn’t take long before her breath starts quickening, and I feel her legs start to shake. “Give me what I want, Princess.”

  “Oh God, Aiden.” Before my next lick, she explodes on my tongue. When I keep sucking her perfect little clit into my mouth, she pushes me away.

  “Stop, it’s too much. I can’t . . . Please. I want you inside me . . . I want you bare.”

  Well, I’m certainly listening now.

  “I’m on the shot, and I got tested last week. I’m clean.”

  Standing up, I cup her face. “I got tested after that stuff went down a few months ago. I’ve only been with you since.”

  She kisses my chin, then my jaw. “Make love to me, Aiden.”

  “I don’t think I could ever deny you anything. But this, this is a whole other level of trust, Princess. You sure you trust me?”

  “With my life.”

  Sabrina shocks the hell out of me when she rips open my shirt and buttons fly across the room. This crazy girl starts laughing the sweetest laugh.

  “I’ve always wanted to do that. Sorry. Well, not really. I’ll buy you a new one.” Her hands and lips are everywhere at once. I don’t think it’s possible to be more turned-on than I am right now until she drops to her knees in front of me and pulls my pants down. “Is this okay? I swear, I’ve been thinking about this moment since I got dressed earlier tonight. Tell me what you want. Tell me what to do.”

  “I want you. Not on your knees, Princess. Not tonight. Tonight was my turn to kneel for you.” I lift her up, and she wraps those beautiful legs around my waist as I carry her to the bed and sit us both down. Sabrina lifts up slightly, and I place myself at her soaking wet entrance. As she sinks down, we both moan at the exquisite pleasure of
no barrier.

  “Go slow, Sabrina. Go slow or I won’t be able to make this last long enough to be good for you, and I really want this to be good for you.” One hand anchors her to me at the small of her back, while the other pulls her corset down and frees her breasts.

  God, I love her tits and how she responds when I bite and tug on her perfect pink nipples.

  It’s just so good.

  So perfect.

  So us.

  Sliding my hand between us, I circle her clit with my thumb. “I need you to get there, Princess. You feel too good, and I don’t know how long I’m gonna last.”

  “I’m there. Oh, God, Aiden, I’m there now.” A beautiful cry leaves her throat as I push up one last time and feel the earth shift on its axis.

  Nothing will be the same after tonight.

  35

  Sabrina

  The light filtering in through the curtains seems much less intrusive today than yesterday. What a difference twenty-four hours can make. Yesterday I woke up feeling like death, today I feel like my life is just starting.

  I reach across the bed, searching for Murphy but my hand brushes over cool sheets instead. I sit up, looking for him, but he’s not in the room. The bathroom door is open, leaving me to think he’s not in there either.

  A knock at the door startles me out of my search.

  Please, God. If you do exist, do not let my mother be on the other side of that door.

  That thought is enough to take away the smile that many, many orgasms had me waking up with. I stand and pull on Murphy’s white dress shirt from the foot of the bed. Then I remember I have to hold it closed because I ripped off the buttons last night.

  The image of Murphy’s reaction flashes through my mind.

  Yeah, totally worth it. A big smile graces my face as I think of little pearl white buttons scattering across the floor.

  So hot.

  The person on the other side of the door impatiently knocks again. But thank the Lord, Murphy speaks loud enough for me to hear. “Open up, Princess. I’ve got coffee and muffins, but I left my key card in the room.”

  I throw the door open and that smile from moments ago reappears. Murphy’s dressed in my favorite of all his worn-in jeans and a long sleeve black Henley. They fit him perfectly . . . stretching in all the right places. He always looks so comfortable in his own skin. It’s such a good look on this man.

  Yum.

  He places the cup carrier on the round table in the corner of the room and starts unpacking a bag that has delicious smells coming from it. “Aiden, how much food did you get? It’s just the two of us, right?”

  Two muffins have been removed, one looks like chocolate chip, and if I had to guess, I’d say the other was blueberry. Next, two bacon, egg, and cheese bagel sandwiches are placed beside them. He goes in one more time and removes . . . “Is that pork roll, egg, and cheese?”

  “Yup. It sure is. I’d already placed my order when I was told that pork roll, egg, and cheese was your favorite.” He leans in and kisses my head.

  I don’t like the sound of this and know I’m not going to be happy about the answer. My arms cross over my chest before I think better of it. Then I realize, based on the direction Murphy’s eyes have just traveled, that I’m now flashing him everything from my boobs down because, thanks to me, this shirt has no buttons and is now showing a whole lot of skin.

  Oh well, it was worth it.

  Shoot. Focus. “Who told you that?”

  Murph pulls his eyes back up to mine. “Your dad came down while I was waiting for our food. He asked me if we’d meet him for lunch later.”

  Pretty sure my eyebrows meet my hairline, they raise so high. “What did you tell him?” I hear how bitchy the words leaving my mouth sound and can’t help it.

  Murphy wraps me up in his arms, allowing me to lay my head on his shoulder. He runs his hand over my hair and down my back. He’s attempting to soothe me, but it’s not working. “I’m on your side, Sabrina. I told him I’d pass along the message. That’s it. This is your game, I’m following your lead.”

  I snap, “It’s not a game, Aiden.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that, Brina. Come on, don’t attack me. I speak in football terms. I just meant you call the plays, and I’ll follow your lead. I’ve got your back, babe.” He kisses my head.

  Damnit. I look up at him. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be snappy with you.” I step back and pull out a chair at the small table. “I just wasn’t ready to think about them yet. I have no idea what my next move is. I’m having a hard time seeing the whole board, so it’s messing with me.” The frustration over the turn this morning just took is making me even more mad at my parents, but I try to reel it in. This isn’t his fault. “You speak football. I speak chess.”

  “Oh, I can speak chess, too. Do I need to promote you to queen? I’d make a hell of a knight. I’ll protect my queen at all costs.”

  “You’re a king, not a knight, Murph. Don’t ever let my parents make you feel like less. I’m not letting you go, got it?”

  “Wasn’t ever even an option. I licked it, so it’s mine, Princess. You’re mine, and we’ll face this together. Think about everything every soccer coach you ever had told you. I’m betting it sounded a whole hell of a lot like, “We are stronger as a team.” There’s a reason they say it. It’s true.” Reaching down, he picks up a coffee and a bottle of orange juice, then holds them out for me to choose. I grab the coffee and pray the caffeine will help my brain kick in.

  Taking a big sip, I sit and admire this gorgeous man. “I know you’re right, but can we face it together later? We’ve got two more hours in this room before we have to check out, and I can think of a few things I’d rather do than talk about my parents.”

  “Oh, baby. Now we’re speaking the same language.” He leans down and pulls my chair back before pulling me back up. Those big hands move under my shirt and grip my bare ass, sending shivers down my spine. His lips meet mine before moving quickly down my throat.

  Then his damn phone rings.

  His awful ring tone echoes throughout the otherwise silent room.

  It stops momentarily before starting up again. “What is that obnoxious song?”

  He pulls the phone out of his pocket and silences it. “Hey, it’s not obnoxious. That’s Hulk Hogan’s theme song. It’s a classic.” He’s entirely serious right now.

  “Hulk who? Is he an Avenger?”

  “You’re killing me. I don’t know if we can be together if you don’t know who Hulk Hogan is. Come on. WWF? The precursor to the WWE? There would be no Dwayne Johnson if there was never a Hulk Hogan.”

  “Well, the world would not be complete without Dwayne Johnson.”

  In one swift move, he bends, throws me over his shoulder, and smacks my ass.

  Pretty sure I’m supposed to hate being thrown around. But anyone who says that has never had their man toss them around lovingly with the promise of more orgasms to come.

  He doesn’t take two more steps before his phone rings again. This time, I’m carefully placed on my feet when he moves to grab the phone that was just thrown on the table. “It’s Brady. This is the third time he’s called.”

  I turn and pick my phone up off the nightstand. It’s been turned off since last night, so I power it back on. “Shit, I’ve missed two calls from Nattie.”

  We both call our friends, and a knot forms in my gut.

  This can’t be good.

  36

  Murphy

  “I don’t think I heard you right,” I hear Brady’s voice speaking from the other end of the phone, but it’s not making sense.

  “Nattie, calm down. Slow down. What?” I can hear Sabrina talking to Nat, but she sounds like she’s in a tunnel. I’m not sure when I sat down, but I’m sitting on a hard chair in front of the table. Shifting the curtain back, I look out at the cars moving below.

  “Murphy, are you listening to me?” Brady’s speaking slowly like he thinks that’s go
ing to help. “Murph, do you hear me, man? Put Sabrina on the phone.”

  Sabrina walks over to me.

  She grabs my shoulder and runs her hand down my arm before she takes the phone from me.

  Still holding hers to her ear, she tells Nattie, “Okay. We’ll see you soon, Nat. Bye.”

  Then she lifts mine to her ear. “Brady? Yeah.” I can’t hear his side of the conversation. I should have her put it on speakerphone. “Okay. Yes. I can do that . . . We’ll be home soon. That works. Bye.”

  Sabrina grabs her bag from the floor and pulls out a pair of jeans and a pretty blue sweater. She drops the white dress shirt she’s wearing right in front of me and shimmies on her jeans. She looks like a contortionist putting on her bra before slipping her sweater over her head. She’s moving quickly around the room, and it’s making my head spin.

  “What are you doing?” Is that my voice?

  She answers me as she walks into the bathroom. “I’m just getting us packed up so we can get out of here. It’ll only take me a minute. I told Brady we’d meet him at the house, and we could all head over to the hospital together.”

  She must finish what she’s doing because she throws a garment bag down on the bed, shoves her gown and my tux inside and zips it up. She places our overnight bags next to it. I see her scan the room before coming to a stop in front of me with unshed tears filling up those big brown eyes. “You ready?” She sniffles, and the first tear slips down her cheek.

  I stand and wipe the tears away with my thumbs. “Are they really dead?”

  She wraps her arms around my waist and lays her face against my chest. “Brady said Charlotte is gone. The doctors haven’t given anyone an update on Jamie, but Brady said last he heard, it doesn’t look good. Dixon has been letting Sebastian know what’s going on.” I feel her tears soaking through the fabric of my shirt.