by Lea Coll
“Not yet.”
I groaned in frustration as he moved from my nipples to my back, kneading my ass, then kneeling to wash my legs, my calves, lifting each foot to clean them. “You’re very thorough.”
I gave him a pointed look because he’d missed the dirtiest part of my body, the most needy, aching part. “I’m still dirty though.”
“You’re very, very dirty.”
He moved me so that my back leaned against the cool tile, the water still warm washing over us. I clenched my pussy in anticipation of him touching me there. He didn’t. He washed the soap from his hands, then braced his hands on my hips. “Hold on tight.”
Anticipation shot through me, making my core heat, my nipples pebble, my limbs liquid with want. My hands grabbed onto the tile behind me as he lifted one leg over his shoulder. When he licked my center, I grabbed onto him for balance. My foot slipping on the slick tile as he bore my weight. Letting go, trusting him, was this weird free-fall feeling sending my head spinning, my desire barreling out of control. His tongue circled my clit before plunging inside. Fuck. I wanted more, his fingers, his cock, more, more, more. “Reid.”
“Yes.”
“Please. I need you.”
One of his fingers slipped inside as he sucked my clit, when his second finger entered me, the orgasm hit me hard, making my limbs shake as I clenched around his still pumping finger. He kissed his way up my stomach, his hands on my ass, paying special attention to each nipple before lifting me off my feet, thrusting inside in one smooth motion, easing the ache.
My arms looped around his shoulders as he kissed me, tasting myself on his lips, his tongue. He held my ass in his hands as he continued to thrust, my breasts bouncing. I felt his cock swell impossibly bigger as he shifted my weight against the wall, pressing a finger against my clit. My head fell back against the tile as my pussy clenched around him.
My pussy was still spasming when he thrust the final time deeper than before, biting my shoulder. The pain, the reminder of him marking me there satisfied something inside of me.
He slowly lowered me to my feet, my legs shaky, as he soaped his fingers, cleaning my sensitive pussy. He turned off the water, grabbing one of my large towels, wrapping it around me. He rubbed the towel over me, drying me, caring for me. He kissed me before grabbing a towel to dry himself.
I wanted to say something to break the silence. I wasn’t sure what. What we’d experienced this morning and last night was nothing I’d ever felt before.
I was needy, exposed. He hadn’t snuck out early or turned me away. I still felt like there was something between us, a barrier, a part of him he was holding back.
I wrapped the towel tighter around me, my hair a tangle around my face. “About last night.”
He stepped closer, his towel dropping to the floor, droplets of water clung to his chest. “Last night was amazing.”
I tilted my head to keep his gaze.
“I feel closer to you. I—” He pulled a wet strand of hair from my cheek. “I feel everything with you.”
Was he going to say the words? I was more afraid he was going to tell me every reason why he couldn’t say it or didn’t feel the same. “I don’t need the words.”
I couldn’t blame him for not saying the words when I hadn’t been entirely open with him.
His eyes widened in surprise.
I was a liar. I needed the words more than my next breath. An ache formed in my chest, radiating out until I curled my fingers against the pain.
His face relaxed, the tension easing from him. “You’re amazing. You’re everything I ever wanted.”
If he never said the words, would I be okay with that? I wanted to think our relationship was still new, that we had time. “You’re enough.”
“What did I do to deserve you?” He smiled, his love for me shining in his eyes.
He acted like a man in love. I was overreacting. He’d say the words when he was ready. I shouldn’t push him when we’d only just started dating. I hadn’t been entirely honest with him either. I was asking for too much.
“Let’s get dressed. I have to leave soon to get ready for the game.”
“Right.” The game. That’s what he should be focused on, not me.
“You’re coming, right?”
We’d discussed the game over texts this week. I loved that he wanted me there. I tied the towel around me, running my brush through my hair. “Of course. I have brunch with my parents first.”
“Are you bringing anyone with you to the game?”
“No. It’s just me this time.” I was nervous going alone, but I knew Callie. I was excited to see Reid afterward.
“Will you stay at my place after the game?”
This felt like a relationship, one where spending time with each other was expected. There were none of the usual dating games, waiting on someone to call or text. I could get used to it, the expectations, the support, loving and caring about someone.
I turned, watching him pull on boxer briefs then pants from the bag he’d brought, the muscles in his back rippling.
“I’d love to.”
His hands landed on my bare shoulders, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror. My breath caught. Would he say something now? Then his eyes shuttered, he dropped a kiss on my shoulder. “I’ll make coffee.”
I smiled to cover my disappointment. “Okay.”
I finished with my hair, pulling on a bra, T-shirt, and leggings before heading downstairs. The smell of ground coffee beans filled the house. He stood at the coffee machine, pouring it into a to-go mug. “I have to run.”
I touched his back as I passed him to grab a mug. “You have a big game.”
“We’re one game out of first place,” he said over his shoulder.
Other than watching his games, I didn’t pay attention to stats or ranking. I wanted to understand though. “Is that good?”
I pulled a mug from the cabinet filling it with coffee from the carafe.
“If we’re in first place we get a bye the first week of playoffs, but it’s still early.” He left the lid off his coffee, the steam billowing out.
We leaned against the counter, him talking about what he was worried about with today’s matchup. I gathered there were several teams in each division. Baltimore was playing the first-place team.
I placed the mugs in the dishwasher while he grabbed his bag. I met him at the door. “Good luck today.”
I felt like I needed him to return the sentiment. I was prepared to go to battle with my parents today. I wanted to convince them that this thing with us was serious. It was worth fighting for.
If I wanted Reid to trust me, I needed to give him all of me. I wanted to support my parents but there were limits. There were things they could do to help themselves allowing me to have some semblance of a personal life.
I squared my shoulders before I walked into my parents’ home, prepared to argue if they wanted to travel to a new doctor. If they insisted, I planned on telling them I needed to stay here. Kids Speak was a priority. If they wanted to explore other clinics across the country, they could. I’d help as much as I could without traveling with them. Satisfied I had a plan, I stepped inside.
Dad was pouring a cup of coffee. “Morning.”
“Hey, Dad. How are things?”
I tensed, waiting for his response.
“Your mother wants to go to a new doctor. Have you had a chance to go through the list?”
“I have. I don’t see anyone that is worth seeing nearby. If you want to visit a doctor at the clinic in Texas or Minnesota, you can.”
“You’re coming.” It wasn’t a question. He hadn’t even looked up from his coffee as he stirred creamer into it.
I took a deep breath, wondering if I had the strength to refuse him. Remembering how I felt in Reid’s arms this morning, protected, cared for, I gathered my strength. I wanted that for myself. I couldn’t risk him walking away because I couldn’t express my needs. “No. I have responsibilities h
ere. I’ll call to set it up, but I can’t go with you.”
“Your responsibility to your family comes first.” Dad’s tone was hard, unrelenting.
“Dad, you know how important it is for me to be present when starting a new business. The first few years are crucial.”
He was silent, hopefully considering my words.
“You don’t need me there.”
“We do. We need you. You know how your mother gets. You’re able to calm her more than me.”
Guilt flowed through me thick like maple syrup, making my limbs feel heavy. He was right. I had to be calm to ease their anxiety. “You can be that for her too. I think you need to see a therapist. I think it might be helpful for you too.”
His lips settled into a straight line. “I don’t believe in that stuff.”
“But it could help.”
“I’ll talk to your mother. She won’t be happy you won’t come.”
I bristled at the word won’t. I guess he was right.
I wasn’t going to give in this time. It wasn’t just missing a few days, it was establishing boundaries, lines in the sand, outlining everyone’s roles and responsibilities. If Dad could do it then he should. No more guilt trips about how only I could handle things.
I poured a cup of coffee for myself before joining him in the sunroom. I’d handled the first issue that worried me. It was time to discuss Thanksgiving. “What are you planning for the holiday?”
“Darlene will cook. We’ll eat here.”
It was lonely just the three of us. “Doesn’t Darlene have family she’ll want to visit with?”
“She eats with her family on Saturday.”
“Still. I’m not sure it’s fair to ask her to cook for us.”
“Is there somewhere else you want to be?” He propped a hip against the bar that lined the back wall.
I took a shaky breath, feeling like I was finally taking a stand, being honest about what I wanted. “I’m dating Reid. You know, the football player. He has a game that day. His family is flying in. I’d love if you could come too.” My heart beat hard in my chest as I waited for his response.
“You’re going to a football game on Thanksgiving Day?” Mom asked as she came into the room.
“We were just discussing it.”
Mom pursed her lips in disapproval. “It sounds like you already made up your mind.”
“I haven’t decided. I suggested it because he invited us to join them.”
“Don’t you think it’s a bit early to mix families?” Her lip curled up as if she didn’t like the idea.
“It’s early in our relationship but we’re serious.” Having someone to support me would make things even better for my parents. They’d have two people on their side.
Dad shook his head. “It must be if you’re suggesting we meet his family.”
“They live out of town. They happen to be coming in for the holiday since he has a game. He wants to be with me on the holiday too.” I always saw a boyfriend asking for this next step as being pushy. Now I saw it as the opposite. He might not be able to say the words I longed to hear, but he was showing me through his actions.
“I don’t know. It’s hard to know what I’ll be feeling by then. I might not be able to walk. I’ve had some tremors, pain,” Mom said.
“You are?” I exchanged a look with Dad wondering if this was the first time she’d mentioned it. Was this an excuse to get out of meeting Reid?
“I didn’t want you to worry.”
Frustration spurred me on. “If Reid knew about your condition then he’d understand if we needed to cancel at the last second. We could also get a wheelchair or a walker, whatever you needed.”
“I will not meet your future in-laws in a wheelchair. I’d rather have them come here. Why don’t we wait for an official engagement?”
“I have no idea if he even wants to get married.” Disappointment deflated me like a pin in a balloon. They kept raising the bar, making the criteria for being honest with whoever I was dating higher.
“Then it’s not that serious.” Her tone was dismissive. The discussion was over.
It was way too early to think about marriage but she was right in a way. I hadn’t discussed my family or what we wanted from our futures. But he’d told me about his struggles which made our relationship deeper somehow, more meaningful.
“You’ll be coming here like always.” Her tone didn’t leave room for argument.
“I have to talk to Reid about it. See if we can work something out. Do you think we could move dinner to another time, maybe another day, so Darlene could have the day off? I could be with Reid and his family?”
“I don’t know why you keep pushing this. Your mother likes to keep things the same.” Dad’s voice was filled with irritation.
“You can’t predict MS. No one can. We can still live our lives though.” The truth I’d held back for years burst out.
My parents stood in stunned silence.
I’d never allowed myself to say what I was thinking. I immediately regretted my outburst.
“We are living our lives. You’re being dramatic today.” Mom sipped her tea as if she’d already dismissed my feelings as inconsequential.
Her words belittled my feelings. I wasn’t sure how I could convince them that it was serious or if I even needed to. Maybe I should start living my life without as much deference to theirs.
I’d be risking my relationship with them or I’d be setting much needed boundaries, paving the way for me to have a serious relationship, maybe even marriage and kids. They’d see eventually that I could do both. I could care for a significant other and them. They’d become too dependent on me over the years. It had gotten out of hand.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
REID
Adrenaline combined with irritation coursed through my body, increasing my speed, making my hits harder. I was frustrated with myself, my inability to say what I needed to. I needed to tell Dylan I loved her. There wasn’t any question she was the woman for me.
When we won the game, I celebrated with my teammates. Desire to see Dylan coursed through me. I hurried in the shower, mentally preparing for the necessary interviews. I asked Callie to entertain Dylan in the lounge significant others usually waited in.
I channeled all of my frustration about not being honest with Dylan into the press conference.
“You were on fire out there today. Three touchdowns, one-hundred fifteen yards receiving, one-hundred yards rushing. What do you attribute that to?” The first reporter pushed his glasses onto his nose.
Love for Dylan, frustration I couldn’t express myself the way I wanted, anger at everyone who said I was stupid. “I felt good today.”
It was an understatement. I’d been motivated like never before to prove all the naysayers wrong. I’d answered the question, but Lena wanted more. “Chase and I connected. We’ve meshed well the last few weeks.”
A second reporter jumped in, eager to ask a question. “You can say that again. Does it have anything to do with your personal life?”
“How so?” I arched a brow. Normally, Lena shut down any questions about significant others but it wasn’t clear what he was referring to.
“Volunteering with Kids Speak. You’ve been seen hanging out with the head of the organization.” He glanced at his notes. “Dylan Gannon.”
I carefully sidestepped his insinuation I was personally involved with Dylan. Any declaration of our relationship would need to be discussed between us before I confirmed it.
“Dylan heads up Kids Speak in Baltimore. The team is excited to be—” I hesitated, wanting to say partnering or working with. I finally settled on, “involved. It’s an amazing cause.” It wasn’t the best choice. I was limited in what I could say. The same frustration that motivated me during the game bubbled up inside, threatening to boil over.
I moved off to the side as Lena stepped up to the podium to say a few words about Kids Speak, mentioning the official announcement of
the partnership was coming on Thanksgiving. She foreshadowed a heartwarming halftime show where the kids would be on the field with Lincoln Aldrich. When she finished, we moved out of the room.
Lena followed me out. “You did great out there. Keep it up.”
I lifted my chin in acknowledgment of her praise. Hopefully, if I kept improving, I’d sign a multi-year contract at the end of the year. maybe even secure some endorsements. I wanted to guarantee my future financially, secure my family’s.
For the first time, I handled the interviews without Callie’s watchful eye. She wouldn’t have stepped in to stop anything. That was Lena’s job. I’d used her as a crutch over the years. It was time to stand on my own two feet, not using my speech impediment as an excuse, to go after the woman I wanted. When the interviews were done, I strode to the lounge, anticipation for telling her how I felt humming in my veins.
I saw her sitting next to Callie, deep in conversation. It felt amazing having her waiting for me. I felt whole. I stopped in front of them.
“Hey.” When Dylan’s gaze landed on me, I added, “Are you ready to head out?”
She stood, hesitating for only a second before wrapping her arms around me. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you. It always helps to have you in the stands.” She pulled back but I kept an arm around her shoulders.
“Did you want me to make reservations for dinner?” Callie asked.
“Not tonight. There’s something I need to do.” I looked pointedly at Dylan.
Dylan raised her brow. “What’s that?”
“You’ll see.” Then to Callie, I said, “We’ll walk you to your car.”
We said our goodbyes at Callie’s car before heading to Dylan’s. I held the door for her. “Follow me. I’ll show you where to park in the visitors’ spot.”
“Great game today, by the way.”
“Thanks. The game was great. I would have liked to beat them by a larger margin but we’ll take it.”
“A win is a win, right?” she asked, lips turned up as if she was proud of remembering a sports phrase.
“That’s right. I can’t complain. We’ll look at tapes on Monday, see where we can improve.”
