PASS INTERFERENCE (Gods of the Gridiron Book 3)

by Shanna Swenson

  “What’s the matter, Medusa?” Quil teased. “Were you craving pussy tonight, baby doll?”

  Becca’s eyebrows hit her forehead; she’d never heard Quil so crass. Then again, she’d never seen him three sheets to the wind either.

  “Feck off, Hades,” Medusa sassed. “For your information, I don’t eat pussy. I only swallow cock, thank you very much.”

  Dear God, one night of drink and merriment apparently led to a bunch of foul-mouthed, randy hooligans who wanted nothing more than to shed their inhibitions and go at it like a bunch of rabbits.

  Becca blushed and looked away while trying to extricate herself from the conversation slowly veering off in another direction.

  “Medusa was always a good snake-handler, I assumed,” Quil went on.

  Veda snorted. “Assuredly.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, dama serpiente. I was wondering if you might wanna dance with the devil tonight, seeing as you seem unafraid of flames and all.”

  Damn, what a line! Good for Veda though, she’d been highly interested in Quil. Now it seemed he, too, was interested in her.

  Japers! Becca thought as she looked around, seeing TJ shoving Brooke to the side of the house, making out like a bunch of teenagers. Tonight promised sex for many people, it appeared. Maybe tonight was the night for her and Paxton, after all.

  Becca found him talking with Brett and Linc and tucked her arm in his as she motioned for him to herd everyone back inside and away from the couple about to fornicate before their very eyes. Brooke was moaning like a banshee as she practically ate TJ’s face, his hands roving her bare body.

  Pax took the hint and led them all back inside where a speaker was playing music. He pulled Becca into a slow song from Phantom of the Opera, and Becca smiled when she saw Quil do the same with her sister. So, that’s what he meant by ‘dancing with the devil.’ Becca laughed under her breath.

  “What’s so funny?” Pax asked and pulled her closer to him, his hand searing her exposed back in licking flames of desire.

  “Oh, nothing.” Her eyes sought his baby blues, and he smiled big.

  “Having fun?”

  “Aye, I am. You?”

  “Lots, save worrying about having to shock the pool after TJ and Brooke are done in it.” He rolled his eyes dramatically as they looked out the giant window to see the two plunge in, clothes and all. Rebecca laughed.

  “To say I’m surprised is kind of an understatement. Although I knew Brooke had a bit of a reputation, seeing it in action is quite something else.”

  “Yeah…” Pax trailed off, looking away. Whatever he knew or had seen in the past, he wasn’t apt to say. It made her admire him all the more. “You looked lovely dancing amid the flames of the bonfire, by the way.”

  His wide, bright smile made her tummy flutter. God, he was so handsome. Big, tanned, beautiful. Everything she’d ever wanted in a man—well as far as looks went. She was still getting to know him, after all.

  She blushed, ashamed that her thoughts hovered on sinful as she thought about what the rest of him looked like. She’d not seen him fully unclothed yet, and the thrill of it held her enchanted. She looked over to Madi and Brett, who’d shed his wig and beard a while ago. He smiled so longing at his wife, placing his palm on her lower belly, that it made Becca’s ovaries hurt.

  As much as she’d daydreamed about Paxton Guthrie, wanted him—and had for so long now—she wasn’t sure he’d ever give her that look. That look that said more than words ever could. He wanted to bed her. He’d said that. But when he’d finally lain with her, would that be it? Would it be over? The thrill spent? She suddenly didn’t want to know. She wasn’t ready for it to be over. It had only just begun. Perhaps she should hold onto her virginity a little longer. Make him work a little harder to earn it. Wasn’t that what smart women did? Waited for men to respect them?

  She didn’t know much about men. Her father and mother seemed to have a decent relationship. He’d respected her mother…for a time, until the sickness surrounding him was too much to bear and he’d abandoned them. Of course Becca wanted respect and trust in a relationship, too. She wasn’t sure why she’d not dated much over the years. Maybe it was due to the ongoing fear of abandonment.

  Veda appeared to be oblivious to love, or at least appeared not to want it. Perhaps their fears were fashioned from the fact that they were afraid to lose anymore loved ones, which prevented them from seeking love. After all, things had been touchy with their mother’s cancer for years. Well to sick, active to remission. It had been a rollercoaster of emotions and treatments and prognoses over the years.

  As if sensing her hesitations, Pax cupped Becca’s cheek in his big, calloused palm. “What’s the matter, my little naia?”

  Becca smiled back up at him and shook her head. She didn’t want to ruin this perfect moment with him. He was so gentle, his massive body felt so secure pressed to her own, so solid, so unbreakable. His hand lowered to her bottom again and squeezed lightly.

  “You look beautiful tonight. A true goddess, Rebecca.”

  She sighed wearily; the twinkle in his eyes was back. Instead of thrilling her, this time it frightened her a little. She thanked him all the same.

  “It’s true. I really like this outfit. Maybe you should wear it for the rest of the night.” His brow rose and he added, “or perhaps I could tear it off you.”

  As much as these words had been what she wanted to hear—especially upon seeing Brooke and TJ together—her fear of going all the way took front and center now. In her dreams, intimacy with Pax had been safe. Now as a potential reality, it made her self-conscious, unsure, and nervous.

  “Hey.” Pax’s finger moved slowly from her cheekbone down to her neck. “It’s ok if that’s not what you want.”

  She shook her head. “Paxton, it’s not—”

  “God, I love how you say my name.”

  She didn’t think she said it any different than anyone else did, but she wouldn’t argue.

  “I just want you to know that I won’t pressure you into something you aren’t ready for. I care too much about you for that.”

  She couldn’t help how her heart swelled at his words. Could he really be as sincere as he seemed? She leaned into his chest and tilted her face up to his, anticipating and savoring his plump lips as they brushed hers. He moaned and slanted his mouth, deepening the kiss almost immediately and his big arms coiled around her, holding her tightly as hers wrapped around his neck. His kiss was slow, soft, unhurried. She relished in the feel of it, of him, his lips, his tongue, his hard body pressed tightly to hers, and the brush of his hardening length along her thigh. She was touching the precipice of some great crest, a wave perhaps, unstable and undulating. She feared what would happen when it crested, for waves eventually met the shore with a jarring crash.

  She pulled back when an elbow hit hers and yelped, rubbing at it.

  “Damn, sorry, Becca,” Ares stated apologetically.

  “Hey watch out, you clumsy ram,” Poseidon sneered. “Touch my goddess again, and I’ll have to unleash the Kraken.”

  Skyla snorted, rolling her eyes as Travis turned from her to face off with Paxton.

  “Do I sense a challenge, Poseidon?” He stopped and planted his hands on his hips.

  “You dare to challenge me in my own sea, Ares?” Pax smirked, the thrill to spar great within the furious god.

  “Oh lord, here we go!” Sky stated with exasperation. “Boys, you can’t wrestle in the—”

  Her words were cut short as too brawny bodies hit each other with a hard thud and dropped to the floor, making the record on the turntable skip and stop.

  “It was an accident, you angry oaf,” Trav said as Pax slammed his head to the floor and pulled his arm behind him. He grunted and twisted, breaking the hold and shoving Pax.

  “Doesn’t matter. You started this shit, Ares,” Pax stated. He then groaned as Travis threw all his weight into Pax’s hips, flipped him over, straddled him, and put him i
n a headlock.

  “Say uncle and I’ll let you go, junior,” Trav leered in triumph.

  “Fuck you, asshole. Let me go.” Pax’s face was turning red, and Becca started to panic, only to breathe in relief as Pax’s fist hit the rock-solid, tree-trunk-like thigh of Trav’s.

  “Ow, do it again and see what you get,” Travis grated as he took Poseidon’s crown off and threw it aside, only to rub his clenched knuckles into Paxton’s blonde curls.

  “Argh, dammit. Cut it out,” Pax protested and grabbed at the arm of Travis’s pulled taut beneath his chin.

  “Say uncle.”

  “Fuck you!” Pax’s face was red again, and Becca’s hands went to her face in anxiousness.

  “Don’t worry,” Sky came up and patted Becca’s arm then, “they don’t really hurt each other. But boys will be boys.” Sky shrugged.

  “Say uncle,” Trav repeated and lightly punched at Paxton’s side. “Don’t make me choke you out, boy.”

  Damn, Travis really was the “god of war,” holding a surprising advantage over the younger man, who was both taller than him and outweighed him. Travis was indeed choking Pax out with a big arm around Paxton’s reddening neck. Becca feared Pax would actually pass out before he finally said, “Uncle,” and Trav’s hold on him released. He shoved at Pax and stood.

  The tension in the room mounted when Pax jumped up and got in Travis’s face. “Dude! What the hell was that?”

  “Showing you who you’re messing with, that’s all… Poseidon.” Travis might not be quite as tall or broad as the formidable linebacker, but he was just as fierce in his demeanor as he and Pax clashed once again.

  Becca gulped as Travis’s chin went up in challenge, and Pax shoved at his chest, pushing him back a step or two.

  Both jaws ticked, eyes narrowing. Becca wasn’t sure what to do, but Skyla finally stepped forward, putting a hand on her man’s exposed bicep. “Alright, Ares, put your horns away.”

  “Yeah, if you ass-clowns are done measuring each other’s dicks, can we finally bob for apples?” Zeus put his two cents in, stepping between the two and pushing them apart with an arm on each of their chests.

  Becca had never seen soft-spoken Paxton so riled up…and over her to boot. Pax scowled at Travis and turned away, coming back to Rebecca’s side and taking her elbow in his hands. “You okay, sweetness?” He pulled her still tingling elbow to his lips and kissed it gingerly, making her heart soar on a cloud of happiness that nothing could dissipate.

  She gave him a soft smile and nodded. She realized her womanhood was humming as he pulled her back against his chest and pecked her lips softly before turning to his guests. Rebecca was turned on by Paxton’s protective instincts, seeing him defend her was arousing and swoony, despite that she’d been afraid Travis was actually going to hurt him. That Pax cared enough to take up for her made her feel incredible.

  She didn’t miss the smirk on Travis Redmond’s face as he playfully slugged at Pax’s shoulder. Pax pulled him in for a half-hug, patting his back as he took his outstretched hand; all as right as it was before the tussle. Men!

  Becca heard Travis say as she turned to head back into the kitchen, “You’ll thank me later, Pax. That got your lass as wet as a monsoon.”

  Pax snorted. “What makes you think I need your help getting my girl turned on, you crazy fuck?”

  “Just trust me… you’ll thank me later. Women love when men defend their honor.”

  Becca couldn’t contain the grin on her face; Travis knew the truth. Women were suckers for a hero… Especially this woman.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Paxton knocked on Becca’s door later that night. It was after two in the morning, and he was amazed that he wasn’t passed out drunk somewhere like most everyone else seemed to be—save for the pregnant women, of course. Linc and Val had gone home to their boys, and TJ and Brooke had taken an Uber a while ago. He’d heard stories of TJ’s stamina and Brooke’s relentless rowdiness and was glad he wouldn’t be witnessing either firsthand. What he’d seen of them earlier was proof enough. Not that other couples weren’t hooking up tonight, but Brooke and TJ would probably be keeping half the house up in their fury to copulate.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” he stated, opening the door and propping himself in the doorframe. Becca stilled in pulling the dangling earring from her ear and looked up at him with wide green eyes. “I, uh, I wondered if we could talk for a second.”

  “Sure. Is everything ok?” The apprehension on her beautiful face solidified what he’d been worried about earlier. She wasn’t comfortable with him and, deep down, that bothered him…a lot.

  “Yeah, uh, wanna sit?” he asked, closing the door as he motioned to the bed. He took the corner closest to the door, waiting for her to follow suit. Finally, when the bed sank in next to him, he began. “Look, I don’t want you to worry about me coming on to you.”

  That sounded bad. Not what he had planned. Try again, idiot!

  “I mean, I want you, Rebecca. There’s no doubting that, but I don’t want you to think that I’m going to push myself on you. I’m not that guy. And I know things have been kinda rushed so far, and I’m sorry for that… What I’m saying is—”

  “You don’t plan on sleeping with me,” she finished for him.

  He turned to face her, taking the hand that rested across her thigh. She looked dejected, and it tore into his heart. “No, I don’t,” he confirmed. Her eyes moved up to his, looking fragile, hurt, and clear. “It’s not the right thing to do here, Becca. I can’t take something from you that isn’t mine to steal. You’re a beautiful woman. You deserve a beautiful union…with the man who will be your husband one day.”

  “And that’s not you,” she stated, her sweet voice free of sarcasm and scorn.

  “Exactly. I mean, this is all a show. I don’t want you to be hurt by me, emotionally or physically. When this season is over and we go our separate ways, I’d like to think I’ve gained another friend, not reduced myself to the type of person who would selfishly take advantage of someone in your position. That would be cruel and unkind of me to do so. I may not be the nicest guy in the world, but I won’t be the worst either. I have a lot of regret in my life, and I don’t want you to be yet another one.”

  Rebecca’s head lowered. She stayed quiet for a long time, her breathing slow and steady. “I understand,” she said quietly, almost inaudibly.

  “If things were different—”

  “But they’re not.”

  “You’re amazing, do you know that?” he asked and squeezed her hand softly, rubbing his thumb over her soft skin.

  When he looked back up at her face, a single tear fell down her cheek.

  “Dammit, Becca, please don’t do that.”

  “What?”

  “Cry because of me. I’m trying to save you tears in the long run.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “My little naia, you have nothing to be sorry for.”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  “But you are… my sexy little naia.”

  Becca huffed and her chest heaved. His fingertips sought the gold braid that got to rest on her perfectly round breast and she gasped. “Pax,” her groan of protest was music to his ears, for the sound of his name on her lips never failed to excite him.

  “Just because I don’t mean to take your virginity doesn’t mean we can’t play, Becca.” The eyes that searched his looked hurt and torn but also eager and filled with want. He smiled. “Lay back, sweetness, I want to taste your nectar.”

  Rebecca’s mouth opened in surprise, but she did as he asked and laid flat of her back. His cock was fully erect as he looked her over. “Fuck, Amphitrite, you’re gorgeous.”

  His fingertip moved down her breast to her belly and lower, swirling the fabric that lay where her mound was. Her whimper turned him from hungry to starving in a matter of seconds, and he fought the urge to lift her skirt and shove his engorged cock deep within her. Dammit, he knew he wasn’t going t
o be able to keep doing this… but then he’d come in here and not been able to help himself. He’d tried to be honest, but the honest thing to do was tell her how fucking obsessed he was with taking her virginity. Whether he deserved it or not was beyond the fact. He’d tried to reason with himself and tell her what he knew he had to, but that hadn’t stopped the desire he had for this gorgeous seductress…and wouldn’t.

  So, he squatted to his knees, threw her dress up and began loving her with his mouth instead.

  Becca knew she should stop him. Tell him no. Tell him to get out. But she couldn’t stop her body from wanting him, no more than she could stop the sun from shining or the moon from waxing. Even as her heart broke, desire flooded through her like a beach overcome in a hurricane. As his tongue assaulted her dripping wet womanhood, she was helpless to the pull of magnetism between them.

  “Oh, Poseidon,” she groaned as her hands fell into his hair and her orgasm came upon her, wave after wave of spasms hitting her with a force stronger than the last. Her grip on his hair let up as he rose and moved to straddle her chest, ripping her gown in the process as he exposed her breasts and pushed his erection between them. He pulled her arms to her sides and pressed them into her breasts, pushing them together as he began to thrust into the valley between. In three pumps, he was crying out in pleasure as he pushed her chin up and ejaculated all over her neck and into her hair.

  “Oh, oh shit,” he groaned as he rocked and quaked, stroking her cheek as he did so.

  Finally, he stilled and sighed as she looked up at him. She watched his Adam’s apple bob as his eyes lowered to the mess he’d made.

  “I’m sorry, Becca,” he said almost inaudibly.

  She turned her head as her entire face quivered in emotion. She felt Pax move off her, then he pulled her up. She attempted to swat him away, but he was much stronger. Soon, she was pressed against his chest and sobbing uncontrollably. She sobbed for herself, for feeling inadequate, for wanting something she knew she would never have, but mostly she sobbed for how unfair life was. How close she’d been to something, someone, she’d always wanted, yet never been able to have. All because he didn’t want the same things she did, apparently.