Straddling The Line: Play-By-Play Book 8

by Jaci Burton

He gave her a direct look. “Haven. First, if there’s something I want or don’t want, I have no trouble telling you. And second, believe me, I want you in my bed.”

  Her body fused with heat. “Okay, then.”

  He took a sip of water, then added, “Provided that’s where you want to be.”

  “Oh, I want to be there.”

  His eyes gleamed dark, a promise of what was to come. “That’s settled then.”

  “I might leave my things in the guest bedroom, though. I kind of dig that shower.”

  “You haven’t seen the one in my room yet.”

  She arched a brow. “Really. It couldn’t possibly be any better.”

  “Oh, but it could.”

  “Now you’re teasing me.” She scooped up a forkful of chicken and vegetables and waved it in his direction. “It’s like you’re trying to entice me into your bedroom.”

  “Do I need a fancy shower to entice you into my bedroom?”

  Her lips curved. “Not really. I’m pretty easy.”

  He laughed. “You are, huh?”

  “Where you’re concerned, I am.”

  “Noted. I’ll be sure to see just how easy you are after dinner.”

  “You do that.”

  They finished eating, and Trevor helped her with the dishes. Actually, he nudged her to the side and scrubbed the wok, then loaded the dishes into the dishwasher while she cleaned the table and put away leftovers.

  Maybe he was in a hurry to give her that tour of his shower. She grinned at the thought.

  But after dinner, he poured her a glass of wine, grabbed a bottle of water for himself, and took her outside.

  It was so much warmer down here than it had been when they’d left St. Louis. She didn’t even need to wear a jacket outside. She curled up on one of the chaise longues and they watched the sun filter over the water.

  “There’s a great place in Tampa for us to watch the sunset. I’ll take you there one night.”

  She sipped her wine, a delicious chardonnay with just a touch of tartness. “I’d like that. Thank you. But I don’t need you to entertain me, Trevor. I know we’re both here to work.”

  “But I like Tampa. And you need to see the beach here.”

  “Okay. And when do you think we’ll have all this time to do all these things?”

  “I don’t play all the time, Miss Briscoe. I’ll have plenty of time to wine and dine you and play tour guide.”

  She rolled the wine around in her glass and shot him a half smile. “You mean when you’re not trying to seduce me into your shower?”

  “There’ll be plenty of time for that, too.”

  “You must not work very hard at this football thing.”

  He laughed. “I guess you’ll just have to train your camera on me and see.”

  “I’ll definitely be doing that on Sunday.”

  “Good. You’ll get to see one hell of a show.”

  She liked his confidence, saw the excitement on his face. “You’re eager to play, aren’t you?”

  His lips curved. “Yeah. I wish I was playing postseason baseball right now, but I have to deal with the reality of that, so I’m tuned into football and ready to get going.”

  “I’m looking forward to seeing you in a game situation. Up close.”

  He turned to face her. “You’ve never watched me play in a game, have you?”

  “No. I saw you in college, but that was different. And of course I’ve watched you on TV, but that’s not the same thing. I’m excited about being at the game Sunday.”

  He laid his water on the table. “Come over here, Haven. I have something else that’ll excite you.”

  Smiling, she set her wineglass down and went over to where he was sitting on the chaise, straddling his lap. She’d thrown on a short skirt after her shower, along with a T-shirt. He pressed his fingers into her hips and lifted his gaze to hers.

  “Now this excites me.”

  She leaned forward and rested her forearms on his chest. “Does it?”

  “Yeah. It’s been too long since you’ve been close to me like this. And I like seeing your legs.”

  He was all hard muscle, his heart beating a fast rhythm against her breast as she wound her arms around his neck. “Like this?”

  “Yeah. But with fewer clothes.” He cupped her butt and pulled her against what was quickly becoming a delicious erection. She loved that he got hard so fast for her, that he seemed to want her with a need that equaled her own furious desire for him. And when he grasped her around the waist and pulled her upward so they could kiss, those familiar butterflies danced in her stomach.

  She nestled her knees against his hips, rubbing her pussy against the sweet steel of his cock, using that friction to give her the pulse of pleasure she needed to tell him exactly how much she’d missed being this close to him.

  And when he reached down and slid his hands under her skirt, pulling it up so he could slide his fingers inside her underwear, she gasped.

  “You do realize we’re outside.”

  “No one’s going to see.”

  “Right. Except people riding by in their boats.”

  He lifted his head. “I don’t see anyone going by in a boat.”

  He dipped his hand inside her panties, smoothing his fingers over the curve of her buttocks. “I like when you wear skirts. Easy access.”

  “It might have been the reason I chose the skirt.”

  “I like the way you think, Haven.” He teased his fingers down the crack of her buttocks, causing her to gasp as he mapped her body in ways that had become all too easy and familiar, and yet so incredibly hot. He knew her so well, knew how to raise her temperature to unbearable levels. And when he eased in farther, tucking a finger inside her pussy, she lifted, giving him access.

  She’d give him anything, even outside like this, just to make those incredible sensations continue.

  “You’re wet. Hot,” he said, his gaze holding hers as he moved his finger in and out of her. “And tight. Ready for my cock. You need to come, Haven?”

  “Oh, yes. Please.”

  “Lean back and let me make you come. Then I’m going to fuck you out here.”

  The thought of it tightened her. She hadn’t had a lot of sex in public places, but she was definitely up for it with Trevor. He made her feel safe. He’d occasionally take a look around to make sure no one was driving by in a boat, but she felt the sense of privacy his property provided for them. And she was aching and more than ready for an orgasm.

  She leaned back, bracing herself on her hands on either side of Trevor’s knees. He raised her skirt, smoothing his fingers over her satin panties.

  “These are going to have to go,” he said, reaching up to grab the material at her hips. With a strong grip, he ripped her underwear, giving her a devilish smile as he pulled the material away and tossed it onto the deck.

  “I can’t believe you just did that.”

  “You’re going to appreciate it when I do this.” He gently strummed his thumb over her clit, then slid a finger inside her with the other hand, fucking her while he rubbed her, evoking delicious sensations.

  He was right. She didn’t care about the ripped panties, only that he continue touching her, that he stroke her until she was mindless, until she arched against him, wordlessly begging for more of the sweet slide of his fingers over her aching flesh.

  Haven pushed against his hand, letting her legs fall over the edge of the chaise to give Trevor better access. His fingers performed magic on her, taking her right to the precipice in record time. The most erotic thing was his gaze focused on hers, the eye contact that made their connection almost painfully intimate, especially here, where she felt more exposed than ever. And yet she couldn’t tear her gaze away from him as she climaxed, letting out a long moan as he thrust his finger inside and she clenched around him in the throes of one amazing orgasm.

  When she came down from the shuddering high, Trevor lifted up and swept his hands around her neck, pulling
her forward for a shattering kiss that made her quiver all over.

  She clasped her hands over his wrists. “You give me goose bumps.”

  “The good kind, I hope.”

  She rubbed her hand over his erection. “The best kind. The kind that makes me want you inside me so you can give me even more.”

  He drew in a sharp breath, then shifted, pulling a condom out of his pocket. “Let’s get you on me.”

  She smiled, grasped the condom, and opened the wrapper while Trevor undid his zipper and took out his cock. Now it was Haven’s turn to take in a breath. She wrapped her hand around his shaft. “Not only have I missed you, I’ve missed this.”

  “I feel so used.”

  She laughed. “Do you?”

  “No. Go ahead and use me. Climb onto my cock and fuck me all you want.”

  She rolled the condom on, then lifted up onto her knees, fitting his cock at the entrance to her pussy.

  “That’s it,” Trevor said, holding the base of his cock so she could balance herself. “Slide onto me.”

  She inched down, feeling every delicious inch of him fit inside her. She lifted her skirt so he could watch, his gaze filled with so much heat it made her nerve endings tingle.

  “Every time is like the first time,” she said, in awe that she felt such magic with him. More than physical, she shared a connection with him that she didn’t dare try to fathom. Right now she only wanted to enjoy this moment, this sensual delight that enveloped her in its grasp and made her sex quiver and tighten around his cock.

  Trevor slid his hands under her skirt, finding her clit and rubbing his fingers ever so lightly over her as she began to move back and forth. It was like a dance between the two of them, her body so in tune with his that she knew exactly how to rock against him to give them both the kind of pleasure that would make this good for them.

  “Yeah, babe, just like that,” he said, gripping one of her hips while he continued to master her clit in a way that sent her spiraling into an orgasm. She held on to his arms and rolled through the climax that surprised her, shaking with the aftereffects. She climbed ever higher as she increased her movements, wanting him to go with her next time.

  And when he lifted her T-shirt and dragged it over her head, drawing the cup of her bra down to capture her nipple between his lips to suck, she’d never felt such extraordinary sensations before. She grasped his hair and tugged, holding on for dear life as she squeezed his cock with her pussy muscles and rocked against him.

  “You’re going to make me come, Haven. I’m going to come hard in you.”

  She kissed him, taking possession, her tongue flicking out to tease and tangle with his. “Yes. I need you to come with me.”

  He cupped her butt and thrust into her, making her burst, and this time, he buried his face in her neck and came with her, both of them shuddering. She was wrapped around him, holding him tight when she rocked through yet another pulsing orgasm, this time feeling his body thunder with hers.

  The aftermath was just as sweet as Trevor smoothed out her skirt and swept his hands over her back, kissing her neck and lips. They were tangled up, seemingly everywhere, but Haven liked it like that. And when he stood, he carried her inside, taking them upstairs, to his room this time.

  She barely registered his impressive king-sized bed as he walked through on his way to the bathroom.

  He was right. It was one hell of a shower. All marble tiles and so many sprays that six people could shower in there. He turned it on and pulled her inside.

  “Just how many people shower in here at one time?” she asked as she stepped under one of the sprays to wet her hair.

  He laughed. “Just me.”

  She wasn’t going to probe any further, because she didn’t care who’d been here before her. Especially when he washed her hair and soaped her body, lingering on all the good spots. And when he dropped to his knees, spread her legs, and used his mouth to give her yet another mind-blowing orgasm, she was pretty sure she’d blown every brain cell she had left.

  After, he used an oversized towel to dry her off, then guided her to his bed, and pulled her next to him.

  Exhausted and spent, she was asleep as soon as he threw the covers over them both.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  THERE WAS NOTHING BETTER THAN TO BE IN FULL uniform and pads, with the sound of a full stadium cheering you on, to get your adrenaline going.

  Trevor had missed playing with the Hawks, but he was glad to be here today. The crowd noise was deafening, and it pumped him up to hear their cheers when he was introduced as he ran out of the tunnel.

  Trevor was more than ready to play this game against New Orleans. It was going to be a tough one, but his team had practiced hard, and they were prepared against a tough opponent.

  He’d been keeping his eye on JW Zeman, Tampa’s quarterback. JW had been drafted out of Notre Dame two years ago in the first round, a promising athlete with an incredible arm. He’d shown great leadership potential right away, and he’d done well his first year. The team expected great things from him, especially this year now that they’d shored up the offensive line and had added depth in other areas.

  JW and Trevor had hooked up right away on offense. The kid threw the ball hard and long, and had a confidence a lot of young quarterbacks didn’t show as rookies. Even better, JW liked throwing to his tight ends, which benefited Trevor.

  “You ready for this?” JW asked as they stood on the sidelines, watching Tampa get ready to kick off to New Orleans.

  “I’m always ready. How’s the arm?”

  “Itching to throw.”

  Trevor grinned. “Let’s kick their asses, then.”

  Tampa kicked off and defense took the field after the return. He liked the defense this year. With free agency and the rookies they’d drafted, they’d filled some holes. They were tough, and New Orleans made only one first down before they were forced to punt the ball back to Tampa.

  Trevor went in on the first series, though the first attempt was a running play that netted them only four yards. On second series, JW threw it to Brady McCall, the wide receiver, for a first down.

  Trevor came out after that, and they pulled two running attacks in a row, bringing up a third and short. Trevor came back in and JW threw him a sideline pass that Trevor caught for a first down. Damn, but it felt good to catch the ball, to hear the crowd involvement. He dashed off to the sidelines and waited for his next chance to go in as they continued to move the ball down the field. He went in and out during the plays, catching the ball whenever it was thrown to him. The one thing he’d always prided himself on was his ability to get his hands on the ball. He rarely dropped it. Hell, he didn’t drop it.

  He was in at second and goal, the ball on the nine-yard line. He pushed off on his route, wide open in the end zone. JW looked left at the wide receiver, then dropped it into Trevor’s hands.

  Touchdown, baby. They all did a quick celebration in the end zone, but it was back to work.

  New Orleans managed a field goal late in the first quarter, but Tampa’s running backs tore up the clock and JW sneaked one in just as the half ended, putting them up by eleven points.

  Good, so far, and defense was working New Orleans.

  Second half they broke it open, scoring three touchdowns. Their defense shut down New Orleans’s passing game. Even the rookies got in a little work, but Trevor could tell that rookie receiver Warrell Timmons wasn’t happy Trevor had scored two touchdowns, while he had only gotten into the game late.

  The only thing that mattered was the team had won.

  Still, he’d promised the coach he’d work on the kid’s attitude, so after they did interviews, Trevor went up to him.

  “You got some play time in today.”

  “A little.”

  “You looked good out there. And you’ll get more.”

  Warrell shrugged. Tension rolled off the kid in waves. Trevor could tell he was pissed.

  “Hey, I’m going to have
some of the team over for a barbecue at my place this week since it’s a bye week. You interested?”

  Warrell looked at him as if he didn’t quite believe he’d been included. “I . . . dunno. Maybe. Where?”

  “I have a house on the water. Give me your number and I’ll text you directions.”

  “I’m after your job, you know.”

  “So you keep telling me. But you still gotta eat, right?”

  For the first time, Warrell offered up a hint of a smile. “Yeah.”

  “Okay, then.”

  They traded numbers, and Trevor told him he’d text him with the information. He hadn’t planned on a barbecue, but it was a good idea, and it would give Haven access to some of the players, which would be good for her job.

  Now he just had to round up some of the guys, who he knew would show up on short notice. Coach would take care of inviting the rookies.

  This should be fun.

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  “DO YOU ALWAYS THROW IMPROMPTU PARTIES LIKE this?” Haven asked as she sat at Trevor’s dining room table making notes.

  They’d been busy since his game Sunday. She’d done interviews and they’d done camera shots before, during, and after the game. God, he’d looked delicious in that uniform. And he’d played amazingly. He was lightning fast and so accurate. She’d been an absolute squealing fan girl during the game, unable to peel her attention away from Trevor.

  So much for being an objective reporter.

  “Sometimes. I hadn’t planned on it for this week. It just kind of . . . came up, and with this being a bye week, it seemed convenient.”

  “I see.” Just kind of came up? As if this kind of thing happened all the time.

  Maybe in his world they did.

  “Okay, so what are you going to do? Do we need to go to the store and get food?”

  “Nah. I’ll have it catered. I already made a call.”

  “You did.” Of course he did. Because people like Trevor could make that happen on short notice.

  “And what brought this on?” she asked.

  “Warrell Timmons.” He was scrolling through his phone, barely paying attention to her.