Still Loving You

by Sheryl Lister

“Can’t steal something you haven’t given.”

  Surprise lit his eyes. “Well, I’d better remedy that right now. And that one didn’t count as one of mine.” He slid down her body and pushed her dress up to her waist, caressing from the ankle to the upper thigh of one leg, then the other.

  Lauren could barely breathe. He snaked his tongue up her inner thigh, stopping mere inches from her center, and placed a lingering kiss there. She had no doubt he knew how wet she was. When he kissed the other thigh, her legs began to shake.

  “Three more to go. Hmm...where should I go next?”

  She didn’t care, as long as he didn’t stop. He grazed her core as he made his way up to her belly button and swirled his tongue around, eliciting a loud moan.

  “I take that to mean my kisses are getting better. What about this one?” Malcolm asked, releasing the tie on her dress and freeing her breasts. He pushed them together and suckled both nipples.

  Her breath came in short gasps. “Mal... Malcolm...”

  He dragged his body along hers until they were face-to-face and braced himself on his forearms. “What is it, sweetheart?”

  Lauren was so on fire, one more touch and she’d go up in flames. He reclaimed her mouth in a slow, drugging kiss. Then he changed the tempo. His tongue thrust deeply, plunging in and out as if he were making love to her and sending shock waves straight to her core. She tore her mouth away and screamed his name as a blinding orgasm ripped through her. She shuddered and sucked in a deep breath, trying to force air into her lungs. Malcolm had always been attentive to her needs when they had sex, but never in her life had she come just from kissing. She opened her eyes and saw him above her with a pleased male smile.

  “Like I said...in places and ways you’ve never been kissed. And we’re just getting started.” Malcolm scooped her into his arms, stood, carried her up to his bedroom and placed her in the center of his bed.

  Chapter 11

  Malcolm stared at the alluring picture Lauren made lying in his bed with her dress half-on—her bra pulled down, dress up around her waist. He didn’t think he could get any harder. He never brought women to his home, because he always worried that his address would end up being blasted through social media or he’d find groupies camped out in his yard later.

  His last relationship had ended at the beginning of the year—the woman had taken exception to the fact that she wouldn’t be accompanying him on his monthlong vacation—and he’d been content not to date. Until now. He found it ironic that Lauren would be the first woman he brought to his house. And regardless of how this turned out, he trusted that she would never divulge any of his personal information.

  Lauren sat up on her elbows. “Are you going to stand there all evening? It’s almost eight o’clock, and you do have a curfew.”

  He laughed softly and climbed onto the bed. “We have plenty of time.” He lowered himself half on top of her, being careful not to place his full weight on her, and locked his mouth on hers. Sensations he’d tried to keep at bay came back full force. He’d spent the last two weeks wanting Lauren this way, and no amount of reasoning had taken away the longing. He stripped off her dress and laid it on the bench at the foot of the bed. Next came the strapless deep purple bra and matching bikini panties. “I like these.” He remembered that she had always liked matching her underwear. He liked them, too. So much so that he had accompanied her to Victoria’s Secret on more than one occasion, picked out and paid for his favorites.

  “I know. That’s why I wore them.”

  “And you knew we’d end up here.”

  “Without a doubt,” Lauren said, leaning up to kiss him. She grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it up and over his head. She ran her palms over his chest and arms. “Mmm, even better than I remember.”

  Malcolm sucked in a sharp breath when he felt her warm tongue circling around his nipples. Her hands went to his belt buckle and, with deft fingers, undid it and his pants in a matter of seconds. He raised himself up to facilitate their removal. He sat up and let his gaze roam over her nakedness, noting the slight changes. She had maintained her slender frame, but her breasts were slightly fuller and her hips wider. Malcolm closed his eyes and used his hands to chart a path from her feet, up her toned, honey-brown legs and thighs, and over her hips. He paused a moment to stroke her wet center, then continued his journey upward to her breasts. Lauren’s soft moans filled his ears and aroused him to a level he hadn’t experienced in a long time, if ever.

  She reached between them, grasped his engorged shaft and slid her hand up and down his length. “Stop teasing me.”

  He clamped down on her hand almost immediately. The pressure of her hand on him, coupled with the fact that he hadn’t had sex in almost five months, had him just this side of exploding. “Don’t do that,” he gritted out.

  “Do what?” she asked sultrily, still rubbing her thumb under the head.

  Trying to maintain control, Malcolm carefully disengaged her hand and left briefly to don a condom, then came back to the bed. “You were never this playful before.”

  Lauren shifted beneath him until he fit snugly at her center. “Like I said before, I’ve changed.”

  “Let’s see how much.” Using his knee, he spread her legs and eased his way inside. She was so tight he glanced up questioningly.

  A faint smile touched her lips. “It’s been a while.”

  As irrational as it might seem to expect that she hadn’t slept with another man in eight years, he felt a quick flash of jealousy. Determined to make her forget every other man except him, he met her eyes and started with slow, deep thrusts. A familiar emotion welled up, but he pushed it down and concentrated only on drawing out as much pleasure as he could from this interlude.

  She locked her legs around his back and tilted her hips to meet his strokes, while her hands reached for his head. “I miss your locs,” she murmured.

  A vision of her gripping his hair as she came surfaced and made him increase the tempo. Her walls clamped down on him, and he gritted his teeth to keep from coming. “Damn, baby. You feel so good.”

  “Mmm, so do you.”

  Automatically, Malcolm tilted her hips higher, knowing it would increase the sensations.

  Lauren arched and let out a long moan. “Malcolm, Malcolm!”

  “Right here, sunshine,” he murmured against her ear, pumping faster. He felt her tiny contractions, signaling her release was near, and slowed his movements. “Look at me, sweetheart. I want to see your eyes when you come.” He rotated his hips in a circular motion, plunging with deep, measured strokes. Her expression of sheer ecstasy mirrored what he felt. Malcolm was close, and he wanted them to come together. “Come for me, Lauren.” He pulled back and drove inside with one hard thrust, and she screamed. His orgasm roared through him with such force, it left him gasping for air. Their bodies shook and shuddered for what seemed like forever before their breathing slowed. He placed a gentle kiss on her lips and rolled to his side, taking her with him.

  She lay facing him with her leg thrown over his and her head on his chest. “So, who won?”

  “Technically I did, since I had six to your five, but I’m willing to call it a draw,” he said with a chuckle. “I do think my kisses were better than yours, though.”

  Her head popped up, and she punched him playfully. “I beg your pardon.”

  He angled his head and raised a brow. “You can beg all you like, but weren’t you the one who had an orgasm downstairs?”

  Lauren dropped her head. “That’s never happened before.”

  “And I’ve never done it to anyone before.”

  He felt her smile. “Then we can keep the kissgasm between us.”

  Malcolm laughed. “Kissgasm? That’s not even a word.”

  “It is now. Next time, we’ll see if I can’t give you one. I’m certain there are a few places I can kiss that
will produce the desired effects.”

  He grew hard again with just the thought.

  She stroked a finger down his chest to his abdomen. “Like somewhere along here, or—” she skimmed a hand over his rising erection “—here, maybe. What do you think?”

  His stomach clenched. “I think if you keep that up, you’re going to be in trouble.” Malcolm glimpsed at the clock on his nightstand. As much as he wanted to go a second round, it would have to wait. They still had to shower and he had to drive Lauren home. “Unfortunately, we’ll have to take a rain check.” He kissed her forehead, sighed deeply and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Come on, let’s go take a shower.”

  “Together?” she asked warily.

  “Yeah. I’ll behave, even though I don’t want to.”

  Afterward, he drove her home and walked her to the door. “I gotta tell you, baby, I’m going to have a hard time ignoring you tomorrow.”

  Lauren came up on tiptoe and kissed him. “You don’t have to ignore me. You can say hello.”

  He swatted her playfully on the butt. “Sassy woman. You know what I mean.”

  “I do, and I’m going to have a hard time, too,” she confessed.

  He opened his mouth to tell her they didn’t have to pretend, but closed it. He knew how hard it was to land this type of job and wanted her to succeed, so he respected her enough to wait. Besides, the first preseason game would be next weekend, and he needed to keep his head clear. He couldn’t afford a distraction this late in his career.

  * * *

  Lauren had a much harder time masking her feelings for Malcolm than she’d anticipated. By Wednesday, she had taken to avoiding him, because each time she saw him, it took every ounce of control she possessed not to plant her lips on his. He seemed to have an easier time, barely acknowledging her when their paths crossed. But this was what she’d asked for, so she had to deal with it.

  Turning to her computer, she logged on to her Twitter account. She followed a number of the players and found many of their tweets hilarious. Her hand paused on the track pad when she saw a tweet from Brent. He’d posted before and after photos of his previous night’s dinner. The former showed a large sub sandwich, a whole pizza loaded with toppings, a family-size bag of barbecue chips and a two-liter of Coke. The latter showed empty packaging and bottle, with the words Best dinner ever!

  Lauren replied to his tweet with I guess I’ll be seeing you in my office this week, along with a frowning emoji and photos of lean meats, fruits and vegetables. She knew he’d seen her reply when she passed him on his way to the dining room after practice and he wouldn’t meet her eyes. She sent him an email with an appointment for Friday after practice.

  She spent the remainder of the day compiling information on those players whose body composition measurements had been done recently and comparing them with the previous tests. All of the players would have their testing done over the course of the next week, and she would adjust eating plans accordingly, if necessary.

  Friday afternoon, Brent sat across from her desk sulking. He had weighed in three pounds heavier than the last time.

  “I can’t even get a cheat meal?” he complained.

  “Of course you can, Brent. But the fact that you’ve gained weight despite the heavy workout schedule tells me you’re cheating more often than not.” She sighed. “Look, I’m not going to police your eating habits, but know that I also will not report anything to management but the truth. You’re just starting in the league, and you’ve worked hard to get here. I’m sure you don’t want to jeopardize any chance you have to stay here.”

  Brent slumped down in the chair. “No, I don’t. I just like to eat.”

  Lauren smiled. “I understand. Let’s see if we can’t incorporate a few lower-fat versions of your favorite foods so that you’re staying within your daily caloric limits...say, maybe once or twice a week.”

  A smile blossomed on his handsome tanned face. “Like brownies and chips?”

  “Yes. I’m sure we can find a few recipes or ready-made options.” An hour later, they’d come up with a workable meal plan. He stood, and she followed suit. “I’ll see you in two weeks to check your progress, but if you have any questions or problems, call or email me.”

  “I will. Thanks, Lauren.”

  Before she could blink, he wrapped her in a hug that lifted her off her feet. “Whoa.”

  A tinge of red colored his cheeks, and he offered up an embarrassed smile. “Sorry.”

  “No apology necessary. I’ll see you later.”

  He nodded and left.

  Lauren was still standing in the same spot with a smile on her face when Darren knocked. “Come on in, Darren. How’s it going?”

  Darren grinned. “It’s going great. Have you seen my latest numbers?” By the perspiration dotting his forehead and damp clothing, he had obviously come straight from practice.

  “I have, and you’re down fifteen pounds in five weeks.”

  “So, if I keep doing what I’m doing, I should be able to make my weight goals, right?”

  “I think so.”

  “I talked to Coach, and he said I have a good chance. Oh, my girlfriend is really proud of me and said it’s helping her eat healthier, too. On my days off, I eat a little bit less but still go running.”

  “Sounds like you’ve got a good handle on things, Darren.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

  “I appreciate that, but you’re the one who did all the work.” His praise was one more reason why taking this job had been a good idea. The preseason started next weekend, and she had no doubts that Darren would be back to his ideal weight well before the regular season.

  “I won’t hold you. I need to shower before dinner.”

  “Okay. Why don’t you check in with me in a couple of weeks?”

  “Will do.” He departed with a smile.

  Lauren made a few more notes, including some she planned to use in her book, and packed up to leave.

  “Hey, baby.”

  She whirled around at the sound of Malcolm’s voice. Her heart rate kicked up. Because of their schedules, they hadn’t spoken other than a few text messages and two brief phone calls, and she had missed him. He stood leaning against the closed door dressed in basketball shorts and a sleeveless fitness tee. “Hey yourself.” She crossed the floor, wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. She heard the strong, rhythmic sound of his heartbeat beneath her ear. “It’s been a busy week.”

  Malcolm gathered her closer and dropped a kiss on her temple. “It has, and we have a late night tonight—watching films after dinner.”

  A twinge of disappointment hit her. She had hoped they would be able to spend a couple of hours together tonight.

  He must have sensed it, because he said, “I’m disappointed, too, but I’ll make up for it.”

  She lifted her eyes to meet his. “It’s okay. I understand.” And she did. It had been the same when they were in college, and she couldn’t fault him for doing his job.

  “We’re done at three tomorrow, but my sister-in-law is having a book signing, and I promised to attend. I have next Tuesday off, so maybe we can sneak in a few hours after you get off.”

  “That would be great. What kind of book did she write?”

  “A cookbook for teens and college students.”

  Lauren smiled. “With the way college students eat, her book should fly off the shelves.”

  He buried his face in her neck and kissed her. “She’s hoping so. What are you going to be doing?”

  “I’m going to spend time working on my book.”

  “I know you said it was going to be about nutrition for athletes, but what kinds of things are you including?”

  “Some basic nutrition guidelines, the science behind it and then, more specif
ically, how nutrition impacts performance. I’m hoping a couple of the guys on the team will allow me to use a quote or two.”

  “I’m sure they will, and I’ll do one, too, if it’ll help.”

  “Aw, thank you, baby. But don’t you think people will say you’re biased?”

  He shrugged. “I won’t be lying, so...”

  He slanted his mouth over hers, and Lauren gave herself up to the sensations flowing through her. It felt like ages since he’d last kissed her, and although they probably shouldn’t be doing this in her office, she wanted every second of what he gave her.

  At length, Malcolm lifted his head. “I need to get out of here while I still can. Be careful going home and text me when you get there.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ll call you tomorrow night.”

  She leaned up and kissed him once more. “Talk to you tomorrow.”

  He opened the door, smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

  A moment later she heard him talking to someone and eased to the door. She didn’t recognize the other man’s voice but distinctly heard him ask about Malcolm being in her office.

  “Just doing my check-in. Have you done yours?” she heard Malcolm ask.

  Lauren’s eyes widened. But then, she had contact with all the players, so it would be expected that Malcolm checked in with her. Had someone seen something? She racked her brain for any improprieties, but they had been careful about their public dealings. She couldn’t mess up, not now. But she didn’t want to lose Malcolm, either.

  Chapter 12

  Malcolm and Omar drove to the bookstore after practice. The Grays believed in supporting family and Omar’s held a similar principle, so both men had no problems being in attendance. Morgan had dropped Omar off at practice, and they would meet up and drive home together after the signing.

  “How are things progressing with you and Lauren?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Ah...okay. What don’t you know? You either want her or you don’t.”

  Malcolm sighed in frustration. “I want her. I just don’t want to want her as much as I do.”