by KB Winters
Damn! Damn fuck shit, hell! I was panting, my brain was foggy, my pussy was throbbing, and I couldn’t fucking speak.
He teased my clit with the tip of his thumb and watched me writhe and buck, trying to get more pressure so I could just let it flow.
“Please, Ross, please,” I begged, clawing at the covers. He pulled his hand away, leaving me right before I could get off. My eyes went wide. He gave me a wicked smile that let me know he wasn’t incompetent—he was intentional.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll get you there,” he said, teasing me with a lazy circle around my clit.
I bit back a curse and watched as he moved from the bed to retrieve a condom from the bedside table. I stared, completely mesmerized, as he stroked his shaft before sliding it on. When he met my eyes, one hand still wrapped around his cock, he flashed that same wicked grin again. He came back to the end of the bed and tugged my hips so I was barely on the edge, my ass halfway off. I wrapped my legs around his and followed his gaze down between our bodies. With his cock in hand, he stroked me, slowly, teasing, and oh so fucking sexy.
I bit my lip and watched his eyes watching me. They were dark and focused. Like an animal getting ready to eat its prey. “You’re so fucking wet. I did this to you?”
“Uh-huh. Please, please, Ross.” I dug my nails into his lower back as I reached for him, trying to tug him closer, to get him inside of me. “I want you.”
So much for not begging.
Ross stroked my clit with the tip of his cock, and I gasped. Each stroke was getting me to the brink, tension and pressure building inside of me as I watched him stroke himself and pleasure me at the same time.
“You’re such a fuckin’ tease.” I breathed out. My breasts were rising and falling with each ragged breath. There was something slow and erotic and forbidden about it. I’d never had a guy study me so intently. It was vulnerable and raw and made me feel incredibly sexy.
I moaned as the sensations rippling over me got stronger and stronger, and just as I came, Ross slipped his cock inside me in one stroke that buried him all the way deep.
The powerful orgasm damn near doubled me over and rocketed through me at Hercules’ strength. My fingers dug into him as he thrust—no, pounded—into me, taking me through the powerful, dirty pleasure.
I was lost—all other thoughts or feelings had faded. All I could see, think, feel, or hear was him. Each thrust hit bottom and had me clinging to him, the covers, the headboard, anything I could grasp. He was good. His cock was made for sex. His lips were made for kisses.
My thighs gripped his hips tight until I got so weak I couldn’t, and Ross continued to fuck me a few seconds more, bringing himself to his own orgasm with a loud groan. Animalistic in its intensity.
Lord have mercy on my sinner’s soul.
My body was wrecked. Thrashed. Boneless.
I laid there for a minute, catching my breath. Ross had my thighs in his hands and a smile on his face straight from the devil himself.
“How the hell are you still standing?”
“S’easy. I’m an athlete.” His tongue came out and slid across his lips. “Bet I’d do better if I wasn’t standing, though.”
“You mean there’s more?”
He moved up onto the bed and laid back. “Like I said, baby girl,” he paused, taking a moment to catch his breath, “I’m an athlete.”
After a few minutes, his own breathing returned to normal and he rolled to one side and slung an arm over my waist. “Wow. That was better than I ever imagined. You got some sexy moves there, girl.”
I smiled even as my cheeks warmed. “Yeah? I was kind of thinking I needed a second go around to really decide well when you’re able.”
Ross laughed and slapped me playfully on the side of my ass. “Able? You got the jokes, funny girl?”
“Lots of them,” I replied, grinning up at him.
“Well,” he started, lowering his mouth to a hair’s breadth from mine. “They’re gonna have to wait for later.”
Without another second, he crushed my mouth with his and slid his hand back between my thighs.
13
Shelby
Ross’s alarm went off bright and early, and we both groaned our irritation with the chirping sound. “Damn thing,” Ross grumbled, slamming his hand on the nightstand, searching for his cell phone. In the time it took for him to shut the thing off, I was awake enough to remember where I was and what had happened the night before. As I rolled over, I realized I was still completely naked, and my muscles were deliciously sore. Best damn workout I had in months, I thought to myself.
“What time is it?” I asked Ross, barely able to make out his face in the dim light. Unless he had some killer blackout shades, the sun was just barely getting up for the day.
“Five thirty,” he replied, his voice scratchy and deeper than normal. Pure sex. He rolled over to face me and reached out to stroke the side of my face. “Sorry. I have warm-ups and practice.”
“Do you have to?” I teased, grinning over at him.
Ross cleared his throat. “Actually, I do. I can’t miss practice for anything.”
I scooted closer to him, seeking the warmth of his body. “Okay. I understand. I wouldn’t want to be blamed for jinxing the team. The whole city would turn against me—I’d have to run for my life.”
Ross chuckled and wrapped his arm around me. “I wouldn’t let them do that, but yeah, I have to go.”
I sucked in a breath as he pressed against me, our bare skin meeting again. “Do you ever shower before practice?” I asked, snaking a hand across his thigh to stroke his deliciously hard cock.
Ross sucked in a rough breath that turned to a groan halfway through. “Not usually, but something tells me I’m gonna need a cold one this morning.”
“How about we take a hot one? We’ll make it fast.”
“Damn, baby. You sure you’re real?”
I laughed and kissed him hard while I stroked him, waking up every little cell in his body—along with my own.
After an extra steamy shower fuck, we raced to get dressed so he wouldn’t be late, and Ross dropped me off at home, giving me one last, long kiss to hold onto until the following day when we’d reunite in New York. I waved as he drove off and then hurried up the walk. My parents were both awake when I got inside—still wearing the same clothes as the night before—I cringed. While I’d been away at college, I could do the walk of shame back to my dorm with minimal embarrassment but living at home took on a whole new meaning. My cheeks were flaming red before I even reached the staircase.
“Morning, Shelby,” Dad chirped from his usual place at the kitchen island, paper in hand, coffee to the right.
“Morning, Dad,” I said, cringing slightly.
My mom eyed me from her place at the stove as she whipped up some eggs. “You want breakfast, honey?”
“Um, no thanks. I’ll grab something later. Rayna and I are meeting up for lunch.”
“Okay, dear.”
I bolted up the stairs and pledged to myself that the first thing I was going to do when I got back from New York was to look for an apartment.
Once I’d showered, changed, and applied fresh makeup, I packed an overnight bag for the following night when I’d be in New York. Thinking about spending most of the weekend in the city with Ross filled me with fresh butterflies. Especially knowing we’d get the chance to have a repeat performance of the mind-blowing night before.
When my bag was packed, I grabbed my purse, slipped on my boots, and jogged back downstairs. My parents were done with their breakfast and had moved to the living room where they were discussing some news article from the paper. What can I say? They led an exciting life. It was actually sweet. They’d been married for thirty years and still spent as much time together as possible. My dad worked a lot of hours, which was why my mother threw herself into so many volunteer opportunities to keep busy. But when it was the summer or winter break, they were inseparable.
I joined them in the living room and plopped down on the loveseat adjacent to where they were sitting on the couch. I clasped my hands together in my lap and cleared my throat. “Okay, guys, let’s get the elephant out of the room. Yes, I spent the night with Ross. I’m not going to lie and say I was at Rayn’s or something. I was definitely with a man.”
Dad laid the newspaper aside but kept his reading glasses on as he glanced around the room, apparently unable to make eye contact. My mom offered a quiet smile. “We figured,” she said. “It’s your life, honey. Ross is a nice young man. As long as he treats you well, we support both of you and however you see fit to live your life.” She gave my dad a soft elbow and he grunted, then nodded his agreement. My heart swelled, wondering how hard it was for my dad to accept that his little girl was all grown up.
“Thank you,” I said, my throat tight with emotion. “He bought me a plane ticket to go see him play in New York. I’ll be flying out tomorrow morning and be home Monday night.”
My mom’s eyes went wide. “Wow!”
“First class!” I squealed, unable to bridle my excitement any longer. I had to tell someone.
“And you couldn’t get a seat for your old man?” my dad finally chimed in, taking off his reading glasses and meeting my eyes.
Relief rushed through me. He wasn’t mad about me spending the night with Ross. “I’ll see what I can do next time.”
My dad chuckled. “All right, but if that boy gets to the Super Bowl, I fully expect him to try and bribe my affection with fifty-yard line tickets.”
I laughed and hopped up from the couch. “Thanks guys. I’m going to meet Rayna, but I’ll be home for dinner. Ross’s flying out with the team tonight.”
“All right, dear. Say hello to Rayna. We’ll see you tonight.”
“Oh, God, I remember when my parents found out I wasn’t a virgin anymore,” Rayna groaned, commiserating with me after I gave her the replay of my morning. “Granted, mine was a little more dramatic than yours.”
“Didn’t your mom walk in on you and your boyfriend? What was his name again? Richard? Robert?” I thought for a moment and then snapped my fingers. “No, it was Rick! Rick Preston. He was your booty-on-call booty call.”
Rayna laughed as she snacked on her fries. “They weren’t supposed to be home. How was I supposed to know they’d forget the camera and come back for it?”
The innocent expression on her face had me bursting to hold back my naturally too-loud laugh. The cafe we were in wasn’t fancy, but it wasn’t the type of place where I could let it rip and not garner a few strange, sideways glances. They had the best pasta salad in the city, so I put up with the borderline snobbery. “You could’ve at least had the common sense to get it on in your bedroom, not right there on the couch!”
“Right?” Rayna cackled. “Oh, to be young and dumb.”
“Newsflash, Rayn, we’re still young.”
“But not dumb anymore!” She grinned and plucked another fry from the large plate in front of her. Her smile faltered a little and my gut twisted. “I remember Hudson telling me the same thing. He said that’s what the backseat of a car was for.”
“Like he would know!” I giggled.
Rayna sighed. “I miss him, Shelby.”
I placed a hand over hers on the table. “I know, we’re gonna get your brother out. I promise.”
She nodded and waved a hand through the air. “Sorry. It’s just I know he didn’t do it.”
“I know, Rayn. I know.”
My heart ached watching her try to regain her smile. She exhaled and smiled. “Okay, enough of this whining. Tell me more, where do you think this is going? I mean, it sounds pretty serious if he’s willing to drop a grand on a plane ticket. That’s not exactly a booty call perk. At least, not that I know of, and believe me, I’ve had my fair share of those.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know where it’s headed. I mean, I just met him. And I do like him—a lot. He’s quiet and very gentlemanly, but he’s also smoldering hot and ridiculously sexy in bed.” My cheeks warmed at my own bold confession. “Honestly? I didn’t even think we would see each other after Christmas.”
“Why not?”
I sighed. “Well, the dinner was all right. For the most part. Aunt Maggie had a little too much to drink and made a few colorful comments.”
Rayna laughed. “God, I love that woman.”
“Don’t we all.” I laughed but rolled my eyes at the memory. “Anyway, she started asking about his family and he got kind of pissy and quiet. I asked him if he was okay, you know, sometimes people get weird on holidays, but he left almost as soon as the table was cleared even though I invited him to stay.”
“That’s weird.”
“I thought so. But he called the next day and we talked and then well last night happened.”
“Bow-chicka-wow-wow!”
I whipped around in my seat to make sure no one was staring at us. “Shhh!”
Rayna giggled. “Maybe he was gassy or something.”
“Oh. My. God.”
“What? That’s a real possibility! Everyone eats too much at holiday dinners. It’s a natural consequence.”
I stared at my friend like she was an alien from another planet. “I don’t think it was gas, Rayn.”
“Well, then, what do you think that was all about?” she asked, popping another fry into her mouth. “Bipolar?”
“No.” I shook my head, maybe a little too fervently. “I thought maybe he has some things in his past that are hard to talk about.”
“Hmm. Makes sense. All of us do. As long as he doesn’t regress and clam up again—or turn into a Jekyll/Hyde—I suppose you’re in the clear.”
I nodded as I dragged my fork through what was left of my pasta. “It’s just strange to feel so out of control. Like, within the span of a week, my whole life changed. Before, all I could think about was the bar and waiting for my results—which, by the way, I don’t have yet—and my new job and how everything was going to play out over the next year or two. Now, all I can think about is Ross. Me. Can you believe that? I never thought I’d be one of those prissy girls who lose their head over some guy but look at me. That’s exactly what’s happening.”
Rayna smiled. “The control freak is losing her grip.”
I rolled my eyes. “No.”
“Hate to break it to ya, Shelb, but that’s what happens when you’re falling in love. You lose the ability to think clearly and get impulsive and crazy. Just enjoy the ride. It doesn’t last for too long.”
I laughed under my breath at her glowing assessment. “You’re such a romantic.”
She plucked the last fry from her plate. “Tell me about it.”
“Speaking of…whatever happened to that guy you were seeing? The hot one at the gym?”
Rayna sighed. “If we’re going to go there, I’m going to need another order of fries. And probably a chocolate milkshake.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Worse.”
I pulled a face. “Yikes.”
She bobbed her straw up and down in her glass of Sprite. “Yeah. He got a little snarky about Hudson.”
“Why?”
“Did you order those fries yet? And make it a large chocolate shake.”
“Did you tell him about the whole situation?”
Rayna gave a twisted smile. “Oh, yeah. That went well. He called him a convict, and if the court said Hudson was guilty, then he must be, and I should accept my brother is a loser and move on with my own life.”
“Wow!” I said a little too loudly. “What did you say?”
“I didn’t say anything. I punched him in the throat and left. Never called him after that.”
“Damn. Good riddance.”
“Right? It’s for the best. Better to have found out now what a piece of shit he really is than to waste another six months. Besides, I don’t have a lot of time for dating, anyway. I could only see you today because the office is closed.”
&
nbsp; I nodded sadly, wishing I had enough money to pay off the loans she’d taken to fight for her brother’s freedom. At the moment, I didn’t have enough to keep up with my own loans. I knew Rayna was too proud to take my money, though. There was only one way to help her that she would accept—passing the bar and getting settled into my job at the public defender’s office. I couldn’t let anything—not even devastatingly handsome football players—keep me from the path that I’d started down nearly five years ago.
14
Ross
“Just tell me I’m not the biggest asshole in the world.”
Shelby giggled and I relaxed. “You’re not an asshole. It’s totally fine. Chance’s fiancée and I hit it off on the plane. She is very cool. I’m glad we met. So, we’ll head over to the hotel and then walk around a little, take in the sights. It’s been a while since I was in the Big Apple, and I’m anxious for a good old-fashioned slice of pizza.”
“All right,” I said, smiling even though the idea rankled me all over again. I was supposed to be there at the airport to pick her up and take her to the hotel, but Coach put the team on lockdown after our flight got delayed due to the weather. We would be at the stadium, getting ready, and wouldn’t be leaving until after the game was over.
“It’s gonna be fine, Ross.”
“Okay. Listen, I gotta go before Coach wrings my neck. I’ll see you after the game.”
“Kick some ass.”
I laughed and swiped the end button on the phone.
“That your new girl?”
I turned and found Chance hovering nearby. “Yeah. Shelby. She sat next to Lacey on the plane, so they’re gonna bum around town since we’re stuck here.”
Chance nodded. “Yeah, I just got off the phone with Lacey. Must be pretty serious with you and Shelby, huh?”
I shrugged, but couldn’t stop a smile from spreading over my face. I probably looked like a big, love-struck idiot. And I didn’t even care.
Chance chuckled. “Got it bad. Another one bites the dust.”
