Still Loving You

by Sheryl Lister

  “Yes, I do.”

  “I thought by now you would have at least graduated to two scoops.”

  “Whatever, Malcolm Gray. I bet you haven’t changed much, either.”

  “And you would be right.” He liked keeping his things a certain way, and when he was younger he’d often gotten into fights with Khalil and Brandon because they would always rearrange his books or his collection of miniature cars just to get a rise out of him.

  “Do you still have your Hot Wheels?”

  “You’d better believe it.”

  “I don’t recall seeing them when I was there.”

  “That’s because I have them stored in my shed.”

  “What?” she asked with mock surprise. “I can’t believe you just tossed them in a box somewhere.”

  “You must be out of your mind, woman. I did not just toss them in a box. Each one is wrapped and boxed individually and stacked neatly in the storage container.” Lauren’s laughter came through the line. They continued to talk and tease each other, and when he checked the time, over two hours had passed. He had enjoyed their conversation and was reluctant to end it, but tomorrow promised to be another long day with practice, meetings and watching film.

  “It’s getting late.”

  “I want to talk to you longer, though.”

  “Mmm...me, too. I missed talking to you this way, Malcolm.”

  “I missed this, too, sunshine.” He never remembered wanting to spend hours on the phone talking to the women he dated. Lauren was the only one. They’d been friends first, and maybe that made the difference. “But I need to go to bed.”

  “Can we do this again?”

  “Any time you want.”

  “Sleep well, angel eyes.”

  Malcolm laughed softly. “’Night, sweetheart.” He swung his legs over the bed and plugged the phone into the charger on his nightstand. His thoughts went back to what she’d revealed. I’m not insecure anymore, and I go after what I want. Good, because so did he. And he wanted her.

  Chapter 17

  Lauren stood in the tunnel watching practice. It had been almost three weeks since she and Malcolm had spent time together. While she enjoyed their nightly phone calls, she wanted to feel his lips on hers and run her hands over every inch of his hard body. Training camp had ended two weeks ago, and this Sunday would be the first game of the regular season. Malcolm had asked her to go with him early and wait for him after the game. Her eyes were glued to him as he executed a movement with the power, speed and agility of a cheetah. “Mmm, mmm, mmm...that body,” she murmured. And he belonged to her.

  There were fewer players on the field, and she learned some had not made the cut. She also didn’t see Carlos and wondered if he’d been benched because of his weight gain. She shook her head. Had he followed her suggestions, he would have most likely already lost the excess pounds. Lauren was proud of Darren, however. He had shed every one of his twenty pounds, plus five more, and she looked forward to seeing him in the starting lineup Sunday.

  Lauren stood there a moment longer then went back to her office. Two hours later, she looked up and saw Malcolm standing in her doorway.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  “Hey yourself, handsome. Are you coming to give me one of the hundreds of kisses you owe me?”

  Malcolm closed the door and came toward her. “Hundreds?”

  “Hundreds,” she reiterated.

  “Since I only have five minutes, I’d better make it count.” He pulled her flush against him and crushed his mouth against hers in a long, drugging kiss. “It feels like it’s been forever since we’ve had time together.”

  His hands roamed up and down her body as he reclaimed her mouth. She held on as his tongue made sweeping, swirling motions, driving her out of her mind with desire. Lauren’s hands found their way under his shirt, and he promptly captured them.

  “Don’t do that,” he said, his breathing as ragged as hers. “I have to go. I’ll call you tonight.”

  She groaned.

  “I know. I’ll make it up to you. Talk to you later.”

  Lauren dropped down in her chair and closed her eyes. Her body pulsed everywhere. It was only Wednesday, and she had to wait four days. She had agreed to take things slow, but she didn’t know how much more of slow she could take. Right now she wanted it hard and fast. Groaning again, she sat up. She still had two more hours to go before her day ended.

  As she packed up to leave later, remnants of the kiss played around the edges of her mind. It would only take a minute to stop in the dining room and seek out Malcolm for just one more. Do not go to the dining room. Keep walking, girl. You’re a professional. She hated that annoying voice in her head, but this time she grudgingly agreed. Her steps slowed as she pushed through the front door and she saw Malcolm leaning against the column. He gently removed her tote from her shoulder and threaded his fingers through hers.

  “I decided I wanted to walk you to your car today. Objections?”

  Lauren smiled up at him. “Not one.” Once they reached her car, he pinned her against the door and gave her a kiss so achingly tender it melted her heart.

  “I don’t know how much longer I can go without seeing you, Lauren,” Malcolm whispered as he trailed kisses along the shell of her ear. “Feel how much I want you.”

  She felt the solid ridge of his erection pressed into her belly. “I want you, too.” She reached down to stroke him, and he shuddered.

  He stilled her hand. “You’re about two seconds away from me straddling you on this hood and not caring about everybody and their mama seeing me make love to you. Get in your car and go home before you get us both in trouble.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Right now I might be okay with getting into trouble,” she said with a sultry smile, tracing a path from his chest to his abs.

  He chuckled. “You were never this forward back then, but I think I like this new, bold you.” He held the door open. “This weekend. You and me.”

  Lauren slid into the driver’s seat, and he closed the door. She started the engine, waved and drove off. She glanced in her rearview mirror and saw him drag his hand down his face. At least I’m not the only one struggling for control. Between the kiss in her office and this last encounter, he had every molecule in her body screaming for release, and she didn’t think she’d make it until the weekend. She couldn’t believe she’d been so reckless as to not care whether someone saw them making out in the parking lot. “Good grief,” she muttered.

  Two hours after she arrived home, Malcolm was still on her mind. He typically called around nine, and for the past couple of nights they had talked until almost midnight. Tonight, Lauren decided to shower first so all she had to do was slide under the covers after their conversation.

  Her cell rang as soon as she slipped a short tank sleep shirt on. “Hello.”

  “Hey, girl,” Valencia said.

  “Hey, Lyn.”

  “Did I catch you at a bad time? You sound weird.”

  “No. I just got out of the shower. I’m fine.” Other than needing to release some sexual tension. “How’s it going at work?”

  “Miss Thang finally got fired, thankfully, and they just hired someone else. I’ve been home at my regular time for a week and it’s glorious.”

  Lauren laughed. “Good for you. It’s about time. I can’t believe they took so long to let her go.”

  “Me, either. Anyway, I called to see how things are going with you and Malcolm. I’m like two weeks overdue for an update. Oh, and whatever happened with that football player who was threatening you? Did you tell Malcolm about him?”

  She shook her head. “You want to let me answer one thing at a time?”

  “My bad,” Valencia said with a little giggle. “Let’s start with the football player and save the juicy stuff for last.”

  “I don
’t know what I’m going to do with you, girl. Anyway, I have no idea what happened to him. I didn’t see him practicing today, so he could have been benched or something. I did tell Malcolm about him, and I had to make him promise to not confront the man.”

  “Aw, that’s so sweet.” She let out a whoop. “Go, Malcolm. Protect your woman.”

  “Yeah, that’s what he said.”

  “That’s because he still loves you.”

  “He hasn’t said anything about love.” But everything about the way he had been behaving of late reminded her of when he did. Did she dare hope? Her phone beeped with another call. “Hold on, Lyn. That’s Malcolm.”

  “Go talk to your man. Call me tomorrow.”

  “Okay. ’Night.” Lauren switched over. “Hey, sexy.”

  Malcolm’s deep rumble came through the line. “My thoughts exactly. What are you doing?”

  “Sitting here wishing you were here.”

  “Is that right? And if I were?”

  A wicked thought crossed her mind. She still owed him for that phone sex call. “If you were here, I’d start with kissing you until I was drunk with your taste. Then I’d strip you naked and take my time skating my tongue across your chest, lingering a bit on each nipple.”

  “And?” he said, his voice sounding strained.

  “Oh, I have to touch you. Mmm... I want to feel your abs quiver beneath my hands as I continue my taste and touch quest. I love your smooth caramel skin, and it tastes as sweet. And your hard, strong thighs...just what I need to hold me up when we... Oh, wait. We’re not there yet. I want you to be hard for me. Are you hard yet, Malcolm?” She heard his labored breathing through the line, but he didn’t answer. “You have to be so I can take you deep into my mouth, slide you in and out and use my mouth and tongue at the same time...”

  Lauren heard a beep and looked at the display. The call had dropped. She smiled and called back, but he didn’t answer. She frowned, waited a few minutes and tried again. The call went straight to voice mail. “What the...?”

  Why wasn’t he answering? Puzzled, she sighed heavily and flopped down on the bed. Playing that little game had her so aroused it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge. She got up to turn on the ceiling fan, needing to cool off. She sprawled across the bed directly under the flow of air and waited for it to take down the blaze. The ringing doorbell startled her. Who would...? Her eyes widened.

  Lauren scrambled off the bed, went out front and glanced through the peephole. Malcolm? She undid the locks and opened the door. “Malcolm. What are you—” He hauled her into his arms, kicked the door shut and captured her mouth with an urgency that stunned them both. He placed her against the door and drew her legs around his waist.

  “Are you trying to send me to prison?” he murmured huskily, pressing hot kisses along her jaw and exposed throat and grinding his erection in subtle circles against her center.

  “I...what... I don’t know what you mean.” She couldn’t think, much less talk.

  “I broke every speed limit to get to you.” He moved her panties to the side and slid a finger inside her. “So wet.”

  She whimpered, already on the verge of an orgasm.

  “I can’t wait, baby.”

  He entered her on one deep thrust, snatching her breath. “Malcolm, we can’t...protection?”

  “Already in place. You asked me if I’m hard for you. The answer is hell yeah, I am. Can you feel how hard you make me?” he asked, retreating to the tip and pushing back in inch by incredible inch until he was buried to the hilt. “How do you want it, baby?”

  “Hard and fast.”

  A wolfish gleam leaped into his eyes. “Then that’s how I’m gonna give it.” Malcolm palmed her bottom and held her firmly against the door.

  Lauren wrapped her arms around his neck and locked her legs around his broad back as he set a hard, driving rhythm that rattled the door. She arched and writhed against him as he pumped faster, delving deeper with each thrust. He whispered a mixture of tender endearments and erotic promises that made her desire climb even higher. Their breathing grew louder as he gripped her tighter and drove into her harder. The pressure built inside her with an intensity she’d never felt, and she convulsed and screamed his name as waves of ecstasy crashed through her so violently she thought she might pass out.

  “Look at me, sweetheart.”

  She met his gaze, and what she saw took her breath away.

  A moment later, he threw his head back and erupted, shouting her name hoarsely. “You’re mine, Lauren. I love you, baby.”

  Lauren collapsed against his shoulder. She didn’t know how long they stayed there, gasping for air and shuddering with the aftershocks of their lovemaking.

  Her head popped up. “What did you say?”

  “I said I love you, Lauren Emerson.”

  His words brought tears to her eyes. “I love you, too, Malcolm Gray.”

  A smile curved his lips. He carried her down the hallway to her bedroom and placed her in the center of her bed. He undressed them both, climbed in and gathered her in his embrace.

  “What are you doing? Don’t you have a curfew?”

  “I’m in for the night. They never said I had to sleep at my house,” he added with a wink.

  Lauren lifted her head and burst out laughing. “Well, I can’t say how much sleep you’re going to get, and I owe you for hanging up on me.”

  Malcolm rolled on his back. “Then punish me, baby.”

  She grabbed hold of his growing erection. “With pleasure.” She wanted this to be a night he’d never forget and planned to show him how much she loved him. How much she still loved him.

  * * *

  Malcolm woke up disoriented for a moment, then remembered. He stared at Lauren cuddled into his side, her head on his chest. He hadn’t woken up next to a woman in years, but he wanted to wake up next to her every day for the rest of his life. The admission was freeing in a way. He’d told Lauren he loved her last night, but what he hadn’t said was that he had never stopped. All those years he’d thought he’d been over her, but she’d remained somewhere in the dark recesses of his heart, occupying a space that no other woman could ever claim. He leaned up to see the time. Five fifteen. As much as he wanted to lay her on her back and awaken her with his kiss, they both had to work. Fortunately, he didn’t have to lift weights this morning, so he had a little leeway.

  Carefully shifting Lauren, he eased out of the bed and went into the bathroom to dress. When he came back, she was awake. “Morning, beautiful.”

  “Good morning,” Lauren murmured. “What time is it?”

  “Five thirty. I’m going to head out. I’ll see you tonight.”

  She smiled sleepily. “Are you coming over?”

  He nodded. “I want to talk to you about something.” He kissed her. “Go back to sleep. I’ll lock the door.”

  “Mmm-hmm.” She closed her eyes.

  Malcolm stepped out into the cool early-morning breeze and walked the short distance to where he’d parked his car. He got in, turned on the headlights to cut the darkness and backed out of the space.

  At this early hour, traffic was sparse, and he made it back to his house in under twenty minutes. He tossed the duffel bag on a chair in his room and went to his large walk-in closet. He searched for a minute until he found the box he wanted. Taking a seat on his bed, he took a deep breath. He’d packed the box away eight years ago, and this was the first time he had thought about opening it. He picked up the first item and removed the bubble wrap to reveal a framed photo of him and Lauren that had been taken at the beach. Malcolm laid it aside and reached for the black Camaro Hot Wheels car she’d given him as a reminder to never give up on his dream of owning the real thing. He dug deeper until he found what he was looking for. The small navy velvet box still held the promise ring he’d given her. And that she�
��d returned. He was ready to make another promise. A promise of forever.

  Chapter 18

  Despite getting only three hours of sleep, Lauren breezed into work Thursday morning feeling more energized than she had been in a long time. Malcolm’s declaration of love still resonated in her heart. After that second round of lovemaking, he had gone out to his car to bring in the overnight bag he’d packed. Their shower together had turned into another passionate session, with him taking her from behind while she braced her hands on the wall. Her core pulsed with the memory of his slow, hypnotic thrusts.

  “Morning, Lauren.”

  She whipped her head around. “Good morning, Charlotte.” She’d been so lost in her fantasy that she hadn’t even heard Mr. Green’s assistant behind her. Shaking her head to clear it, she unlocked her office, unloaded her tote and powered up her laptop.

  Lauren needed to get her mind in work mode. She had check-ins this morning with three of the rookies who’d made the cut, including Brent and Chris. Each would stop in between their morning meetings or workouts. Breakfast ran from six until nine, allowing players, coaches and support staff time to eat at their convenience, depending on their meeting and weight-lifting schedule. Players also had access to the training room, where they could seek information from medical staff or, if injured, receive treatment.

  She pulled their files, penned a few notes and set them aside. Rotating in her chair, she checked her email. She read one from Nigel telling her he’d be adding the brownies to the day’s menu and asking her to stop by some time that morning. “Now’s as good a time as any.” On the way, she ran into Darren.

  “Hey, Lauren.”

  “How’s it going, Darren?”

  Darren grinned. “Great! Did you see my numbers?”

  “I did. Congratulations.”

  “Coach said I’d probably be able to start. I don’t know how to thank you.”