Abruptly, I withdraw. “I don't want to come without you.”
He nods and reaches back for his discarded clothing to grab a condom. I reach out to stop him. “I know you get regular checkups from the team doc. Did you get an intimacy screening?”
The corners of his lips twitch up. “An intimacy screening? Is that Bryant-speak for STI test?”
“Yes.” So sue me. I prefer more genteel language.
He rocks back on his knees, his shaft bobbing between us. He swipes an unsteady hand across the back of his mouth. “Are you saying…”
The rare moments of vulnerability make Ace all the more appealing. “I'm on the pill.”
“You sure?”
“Never more.”
With my assurance in hand, he slips off the bed. “Where’re you going?” I squawk.
He grins. “I need to get you off first, because there’s no doubt in my mind that when I get inside you, I’ll come after two strokes. I don’t want to end this perfect day on a losing note. Think of what that would do to my draft stock.”
“We can't have that.” I roll my eyes. “Get up here and suck it up, cowboy. We’re coming together or not at all.”
Ace does what I command, err ask, and climbs between my legs. “This is the most difficult thing you’ve ever asked me to do,” he declares in a most offended tone.
Which is why I’m laughing when the wide tip of his shaft pierces me. The laughter is quickly replaced by a moan and a “holy fuck” from Ace.
I don’t even bother to correct him, because there are appropriate times for certain vulgarities and this is one of them. He drives deep, faster and harder. And it’s better, not because he's bare inside of me, but because I've let the last barrier go. This time when the orgasm makes me lose my mind, I ride that glorious wave for as far as it goes, glorying in the wash of exquisite sensation.
Above me, he shudders in his own ecstasy, filling me with a hot wash of release.
Drained, but satisfied, we curl up in each other’s arms.
“Christ. I didn’t think I could ever feel this good,” he says, laying an arm across his forehead.
“Really? Not even after winning the Championship?”
“Nah, because you were the more uncertain outcome. I hadn’t trained or practiced for you. I hadn’t given a real relationship much thought until you picked me.” He lifts his head slightly to peer down at me. “I will always be an asshole, Bryant. I’ve got my own issues, and I’m not much of a people person. Unlike you, I'm okay with that. The only person I need is you. I get that loving is a risk, but if you’re not with me, I think I'll be on an island. I’ll grow up and be one of those cranky old men who yell, ‘get off my lawn’ completely unironically.”
An image of old man Ace stumbling around his yard in an ugly bathrobe, waving a lawn chair at young kids, makes me laugh far too hard. “We can’t have that.” I prop myself up on an elbow. “Daddy says loss makes the victories mean something.”
“He's right. You don't know what a high feels like if there's never a low. Although I could live without being sacked,” he muses with a quick grin.
I trace my finger over his tattoos. “Are you getting Renegades inked on the other side?”
He clamps a hand over mine. “Fuck, no.” He pauses. “Why? Do you want me to?” There’s dread in his voice, but also acceptance, as if he'd do anything to make me happy.
“I love you, Joseph—” I stop. “What’s the R stand for?”
Even in the dim light of the hotel room, I can see the blush that stains his cheeks. “If I tell you, it can’t ever be repeated,” he warns.
“What is it? You have me intensely curious now.”
The arm on his forehead lowers to cover his eyes. “Rmmmmhm,” he mumbles.
I lean closer. “What?”
“Romeo,” he says reluctantly. “But if you call me Joseph Romeo, I’ll assume you don't ever want to have sex again.”
I press my lips against my teeth to keep from bursting out in giggles. Ace’s middle name is Romeo? Life couldn’t be sweeter. “As if you could hold out.” I poke him in the side.
“True.”
“Maybe I should get a tattoo. Like…” I tap my lip with a fingertip, “the name of some Shakespeare hero.”
Ace slides his arm up to stare at me with an accusatory glare. “You’re far more evil than I ever gave you credit for. Besides, you know I don’t like my tats. I’d laser the stupid things off if I could.”
“They need to stay. They mark an important part of your life—a time when you and your daddy were in perfect harmony. The events in our lives are important, even the sad ones. Maybe if I hadn't lost Ginny, I wouldn't have ever met you. Or made you notice me.”
“Made me?” He hoots. “I wanted you the minute I laid eyes on you.”
“Well, I might’ve said no.”
“Not to me,” he says smugly.
I swat him. "You're ruining my moment."
He captures me, rolling me under his big hard frame. "Yup. I'm Ace-the-asshole, but I'm your asshole."
His eyes seek mine in affirmation, and I give it without hesitation. "Yes, you're mine. Forever."
Renegades 14-0
One week later
“Ginny, I have someone I’d like you to meet.” I hold out my hand for Ace. “It’s JR. That hardheaded quarterback I was telling you about. He’s here with me. We’re a couple now.”
Ace lays his hand across the top of the marble headstone. “Nice to meet you, Ginny. I’m taking good care of your baby sister.” He strokes a tender hand along my cheek. “Real good care.”
The wind whistles, and even though I don’t hear Ginny, I know she’s smiling.
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Acknowledgments
If you can’t tell from the book, I love football. There aren’t many players who can make the transition from quarterback to another position on the football field at the pro level, but there are some. Hines Ward and Julian Edelman were two success stories as was Scott Frost, identified by Bryant, in the story.
This book would not have been written without my family’s support and that of a few amazing friends. Thank you to Elle, Jess, Jeanette, Meljean, Michelle, Mel, Nina, Nicole, and Natasha.
Special thanks is owed to Lea Robinson who beta-read this book to help me capture an authentic southern voice.
Special thanks also goes out to Nicole McCurdy and Joy Ann Jumaud who tirelessly recommend my book to others. Thank you so much, ladies!
And finally, a shout out to the ladies of the Locker Room, The Chroniclers, and all the amazing bloggers who share their love of books with others. The romance community would be lost without you. I know I would be.
And to all the readers who love books, I salute you!
#GetSacked
by Jen Frederick
Available Now
What he wants he gets...
Knox Masters is a quarterback's worst nightmare. Warrior. Champion. And...virgin. Knox knows what he wants--and he gets it. All American Football player? Check. NFL pros scouting him? Check. Now, he's set his sight on two things. The national title. And Ellie Campbell. Sure, she's the sister of his fellow teammate, but that's not going to stop him. Especially not when he’s convinced Ellie is the one.
...but he's never met her before.
But Ellie isn't as sure. She's trying to start a new life and she's not interested in a relationship...with anyone. Beside it's not just her cardinal rule of never dating her brother's teammates that keeps her away, but Ellie has a dark secret that would jeopardize everything Knox is pursuing.
Knox has no intention of losing. Ellie has no intention of giving in.
#GetJockblocked
by Jen Frederick
Available Now
She’s always played it safe…
College junior Lucy Wa
shington abides by one rule—avoid risk at all costs. She’s cautious in every aspect of her life, from her health, to her mock trial team, to the boring guys she dates. When a brash, gorgeous jock walks into the campus coffeeshop and turns his flirt on, Lucy is stunned by the force of attraction. For the first time ever, she’s willing to step out of her comfort zone, but can she really trust the guy who’s determined to sweep her off her feet?
He’s always played around…
Entering his last year of college eligibility, linebacker Matthew "Matty" Iverson has the team captaincy in his sights. And it’s his for the taking, if he can convince his quarterback Ace Anderson to give up the starting position. Luckily, Matty already has an edge—the hottie he’s lusting over just happens to be Ace’s childhood best friend. Getting Lucy on his side and in his bed? Hell yeah. Matty is more than confident he can have both, but when he falls hard for Lucy, it’s time for a new game plan: convince the woman of his dreams that she’s not sleeping with the enemy.
About the Author
Jen Frederick is the USA Today bestselling author of Unspoken, part of the Woodlands series, and Sacked, part of the Gridiron series. She is also the co-author of the New York Times Bestselling series, The Royals. She lives in the Midwest with a husband who keeps track of life’s details while she’s writing, a daughter who understands when Mom disappears into her office for hours at a time, and a rambunctious dog who does neither.
Drop her a line:
@jensfred
AuthorJenFrederick
jenfrederick.com
[email protected]
Also by Jen Frederick
Sacked
Jockblocked
Undeclared (Woodlands #1)
Undressed (Woodlands #1.5)
Unspoken (Woodlands #3)
Unraveled (Woodlands #4)
Unrequited (Woodlands #5)
Losing Control (Kerr Chronicles #1)
Taking Control (Kerr Chronicles #2)
Revealed to Him
Last Hit (Hitman #1)
Last Breath (Hitman #2)
Last Hit: Reloaded (Hitman #2.5)
Last Kiss (Hitman #3)
Last Hope (Hitman #4)
Copyright © 2016 by Jen Frederick
Cover Photo © Michael Stokes Photography
Cover Design by Meljean Brook
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Downed (Gridiron #3) Page 27
