The Playbook

by Emilia Beaumont

  “Oh, come on, Lucia,” Cara said with a sigh. “Don’t try to talk yourself out of it. You always do this. When’s the absolute last time you got laid?”

  I thought back to the last guy and sighed. It had been quite a while since someone had made me feel that way.

  “I am going to take your silence for a hell of a long time,” Cara continued. “What’s going to be the end result of throwing caution to the wind except a wild, awesome night?”

  “I don’t really know,” I said, biting my lip once more. I hadn’t really thought past the naughty innuendos that Jacob was throwing my way. He definitely wasn’t the commitment type of guy.

  “So what’s holding you back?” she questioned. “What’s keeping you from going and grabbing the man by the cock?”

  I thought about my job, my position I had worked so hard to get to over the last few years. The thought of that no longer being part of my life made me extremely nervous. But there was a part of me that was clawing for attention. The woman inside that I barely acknowledge day-dreamed and fantasized about nights like this. So why was I still hesitating? What was the likelihood that the worst would happen? Had I really allowed my job to swallow me whole, preventing me from experiencing life?

  “Thanks, Cara,” I finally said, pushing myself off the floor.

  “Anytime,” she said before clicking off. I replaced my phone in my purse and took one look in the mirror before leaving the bathroom, my jaw set and determined. As I walked outside, I found Jacob standing near the pool, his hands in his pockets. He turned at the sound of my footfalls, a sheepish look on his face. “Hey, listen, I didn’t mean to offend you. I was going to come see if you were okay but thought you needed some time—er, what are you doing?”

  I reached up and grabbed the front of his shirt and saw the look of surprise cross his face as I leaned in. “Shut the hell up and kiss me, Jacob. Before I change my mind.”

  His eyes went from astonishment, to shock, to full-on desire before his lips crushed mine, a growl coming from one of us, I couldn’t tell who. I wrenched his shirt into my grip as his tongue delved its way into my mouth. His hands were all over my back, seeking a button or a zipper to get my dress off.

  “Take this off before I rip it to shreds,” he demanded.

  Before I could talk myself out of it I pulled back out of his kiss and his embrace, and my eyes locked on his. I pulled my dress over my head, hearing his swift intake of breath as he feasted on the lace-edged bra and panty set I’d put on earlier—never really thinking it would ever progress to this so quickly, but a girl had to be prepared.

  “Shit,” he breathed, already yanking on his shirt to pull it over his head. “You are fucking gorgeous, Lucia. I can’t promise I won’t tear those panties right off you, though.”

  “You won’t have to.”

  I gave him a saucy grin, my heart hammering against my chest as I threw my dress on the ground and reached behind my back for my bra clasp. The blush pink bra joined my dress on the ground, and I heard him growl as he saw my breasts fully exposed. An intense heat coiled itself from deep below my belly as his eyes roamed my skin. I hooked my thumbs into the elastic side of my panties and wiggled them down a tiny bit. Deviously, before I let him see me completely naked, I quickly walked past him and stepped into the pool with a pleasurable shiver as the warm water lapped up around my thighs. I sucked in a breath when the water lapped against my bare pussy, enjoying the sensation for a second before semi-diving into the water. Fully submerged, I kicked away from the edge of the pool and darted towards the center.

  I heard splashes behind me when I came up for air and turned just in time to see a very naked Jacob beneath the surface of the rippling water, his strong legs kicking effortlessly to catch up to me.

  His arms snaked around my body and pulled me against him roughly, his warm chest pressed against my bare back, his lips finding the sensitive skin right below my ear. “Where do you think you are going?” he growled, his hands exploring the round of my ass and squeezing gently. “You’re mine now.” A part of me wanted to prove him wrong, that I was nobody’s but my own, and was almost tempted to swim away. But the part of me that was so incredibly hot for him had other plans. Up on my tiptoes, I was able to stay afloat but hooked my arms around his neck for extra stability. “Really, you think so? Prove it,” I dared him.

  His eyes flashed eagerly, and then it felt like he had a thousand pairs of hands caressing me all over. They came up to cup my breasts, fondling them as water splashed up between us. His touch was still gentle on my skin, and I moaned as he pinched my erect nipples, a pool of heat exploding between my legs that had nothing to do with the warm water. I could feel his erection pressed against my belly, and I wanted him inside me.

  One of his hands drifted down to my stomach, caressing my skin there before delving lower. “Open,” he whispered. This was insane, I kept saying in my head—a mini mantra that was on repeat—but regardless my thighs parted for him, and I wrapped my legs loosely around his. “Good girl.” Stroking his way down, he slipped two thick fingers between my lips, eliciting a gasp from me as he pressed against the tight nub.

  “How long has it been since you’ve been touched?” he asked, his finger swirling around my entrance. “Too long?”

  I nodded, unable to speak, the pressure mounting. His lips found the lobe of my ear, suckling gently as I closed my eyes, concentrating on his hands on my body. This was what I wanted. I wanted him, and I wasn’t going to rest until I was sated. “I’m going to fuck you so much, it’ll make up for everything you’ve missed.” He plunged his digits into my waiting pussy, and I bit my lip as I let my head fall limply back into the water. I floated as he drove into me, deeper with every thrust of his fingers. I tried to hold on, to let it last longer, but my orgasm hit me like a brick wall, and I shuddered, whimpering as Jacob scooped me back up and held me against him.

  “I’m not done with you yet,” he said finally after the last tremor subsided. “I want more. Do you want more, Lucia?”

  That was a silly question I thought. “I-I want much more,” I breathed. He pressed a hard kiss against my neck and then released me, my legs wobbly as he grabbed my hand and led me over to the steps. Jacob sat on the edge of one, with his back against the rim of the pool. His erection protruded up from his well-formed body, nearly grazing the water’s surface. He was big, and I felt my knees weaken again. “Come here,” he said softly, his eyes coolly assessing my body, though the heated look in his eyes told me he wasn’t going to wait too long for me to make up my mind.

  Taking a deep breath, I straddled him. His hands rested upon the ledge of my hips, his fingers elongating to knead my ass. With the swift tilt of his head, Jacob took a nipple into his mouth, and I had to brace myself against his body to keep my balance. He sucked and licked, and I could feel the thudding of my heartbeat become ever faster. I lowered myself slowly, relishing each bump and caress of the head of his cock against my hot center. But even I couldn’t stand to wait any longer. I took him inch by inch. Some of his cockiness had left his face, his own heart rate beneath my hand picking up a notch. I leaned down and brushed my lips over his. “What are you waiting for, Jacob? Fuck me,” I whispered, feeling bold and horny as hell.

  “Your wish is my command,” he growled, his hands gripping my hips roughly. I lifted them and he groaned, his hips moving up to meet mine in a full thrust. For a moment we struggled to find the rhythm, but finally everything clicked, and I was riding his cock in perfect sync with his hard, relentless thrusts.

  Neither of us censored ourselves, our groans were loud enough to wake the entire neighborhood. I felt like I was on fire, and he was the only person that could put me out. Our pace increased, the water lapping up frantically around us—our very own wave machine—as I slid up and down on his shaft. My insides quivered, and my toes curled from the multiple orgasms he was giving me. One after another, never stopping. He was a literal fucking machine.

  Jacob’s grip on
my hips grew tighter, his pace becoming more and more hurried, and his grunts deepened. He caught my stare and returned it, never looking away as he stiffened then let out a bellow-like groan. I cried out, too, as the most intense orgasm of the evening hit me. It caused me to lose all sense; the world went dark as I rode the wave.

  Jacob’s arms flexed one more time, making sure he was deeper than ever before I collapsed against his wet chest, my breathing harsh to my own ears as reality battered at the door. Oh fuck me, what had I done?

  I had just had sex in a pool with a player. And not just any player, but Jacob Maddox, my father’s newly acquired asset. It went against everything I had ever set for myself. I was fucked, in more ways than one.

  I woke up with a start, my eyes focusing lazily on my surroundings before I figured out where I was. The heavy arm over my body told me that no, last night’s events hadn’t been a very vivid dream or fantasy but were in actual fact very real.

  I had slept with Jacob Maddox—fucking like bunnies—numerous times until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. It had been then that Jacob had tucked us both in the only piece of furniture in the house, and I had fallen into a dreamless sleep. Careful not to wake him, I looked over at my sleeping partner, a slight smile on my face. He looked harmless in his sleep but no less handsome, his mouth slightly parted as he slept on. He emitted an occasional soft snore as he dreamed.

  In this light he looked more like the Jacob I had imagined him to be—the one that I was sure he tried to keep hidden beneath the surface. Instead of the cocky heartbreaker and playboy, here beside me was a gentle giant—the real Jacob. The one who was romantic as well as a devil in bed. Temptation flooded my body. All I wanted to do was let my head rest back upon the pillow and nestle my body up against his as we dozed the morning away. But that would be too easy. I sighed knowing that unfortunately, we couldn’t be. I couldn’t see him again. I wouldn’t. I was a professional, for God’s sake, and he was one of my clients! I had broken a sacred rule of my profession. I could only hope that events of last night would successfully get him out of my system. I would go back to not needing sex, not needing to be touched… fuck, who was I trying to kid?

  With a sigh, I eased myself from under his arm and reluctantly climbed from the bed, finding my sundress under the pile of clothes strewn about the floor, glad that I’d had the foresight to pick up my clothes from outside when we’d darted into the house naked. My panties and bra were tangled up with his boxers in a pile on the cold marble floor.

  I ignored the uncomfortable feeling that settled deep within my belly, my heart aching slightly. I dressed quickly and silently before taking one last long look at him in the bed. I was doing the right thing by escaping before the awkwardness of the morning could happen. Honestly, I didn’t know what I would’ve even said to him, other than that we couldn’t do it again. If I stayed, he would give me those eyes, turn up the wattage of his smile, and before I knew it I would be back in his bed again. No, this was the way, to leave without letting him dig his claws back into me… If my father found out, I would be up the creek without the paddle or the boat. He would be so disappointed, and I would lose all credibility with him, not to mention the repercussions that could be coming down the pipe if anyone else found out.

  Turning my back to the bed, I grabbed my sandals and padded downstairs as quietly as I could to where my purse was sitting on the kitchen island, right where I’d left it. It was time to get back to reality. I quickly checked my phone, more out of habit than anything, not really expecting a message, but there in the little inbox was a violent flashing number telling me I’d missed several texts and calls… most all from my father. Oh God, he can’t know already, can he? With my heart beating frantically, I swiped to read the urgent texts.

  From David Cortes - 06:04 - Lucia, don’t forget about this morning. Dad x

  From David Cortes - 08:21 - You’ve missed the rehearsal. Where are you?!

  From Merry Cortes - 08:36 - Sweetie, let me know you’re okay… you didn’t come home last night. Your father is about to lose his mind.

  From David Cortes - 08:49 - I ASKED YOU FOR ONE THING, LUCIA!

  I swallowed. Shit. I’d completely forgotten today was my dad’s important day. With a quick glance at the time, I saw that I could still make it. But I wouldn’t be able to go home and change. I would be stuck in last night’s outfit that reeked of sex… and Jacob Maddox.

  13

  Jacob

  The bright sun and a loud thud greeted me as I woke. The sound of a door closing? As I lazily blinked my eyes, the night before came flooding back. Lucia, riding me on the pool steps. Carrying her over my shoulder up to the bedroom, where we made full use of the standup stone shower in my new bathroom before breaking in the bed in the master bedroom. Hell, I didn’t even know whose bed it was, but damn, I had fucked like a king and slept like a baby in it.

  Looking over, I puzzled for a moment as I noted that her side of the bed was empty. Not a surprise, really, but I still felt a twinge of disappointment. She had been a bit skittish at first last night, but she had gradually warmed up, and hell… she was quite a woman when she let her hair down. No doubt she’d switched back to being a timid mouse again and had scarpered before dawn. It was refreshing in a way. Normally any women that I allowed to grace my bed would attempt to stay come morning, clinging to me and the sheets, hoping we’d cuddle or that I’d make breakfast. Desperation wafted from them as they dreamed of a future together… yeah, fuck that. They’d be thrown out as quickly as I could get them dressed. But Lucia, leaving without word? Well, that was different.

  Stretching, I climbed out of the bed naked and strode to the balcony, watching as the boats sailed the inter-coastal waterway just outside. This was the house I had wanted, and now it was mine, minus furniture. Maybe Lucia could help me in that regard, as well. Now I wouldn’t be able to even look at the pool without picturing her there, bathed in the moonlight.

  The grin still on my face, I walked back into the bedroom and ducked into the bathroom for a quick shower. Once done and toweled dry I picked up my only clothing, which was strewn all about the floor. As I pulled up my pants, a thought hit me. I had actually won the bet. That damn silly bet that I couldn’t bed the most untouchable woman in the playbook. “Hot damn,” I muttered, but the smile had slipped from my face. The bet sounded damn ridiculous now. The doc was sweet and beautiful, and I’d enjoyed every moment of her company—so why was I feeling like such an ass?

  My antics weren’t any worse than I’d done before… I was a self-proclaimed womanizer, using and then losing them. And yet a sinking feeling of remorse settled low within me. I thought about Lucia and how her face would fall if she ever found out that she’d been part of a stupid bet. Shit.

  I would’ve still been attracted to her had we not bumped into each other that night at the stadium, though the bet was a reason for me to press the issue just a tad further. I couldn’t let her find out about it. She would think that was the only reason I had slept with her, and hell, I suddenly realized I wanted a repeat performance with her even though I had won. My body craved her.

  Shaking my head, I threw my shirt on and walked out of the bedroom. I had to get to the stadium and get through practice first. Then I would sort it all out.

  After dressing I quickly locked up the house and climbed into the car, my thoughts still on Lucia. How was she going to react this morning? Would she be embarrassed to see me, regretting our time together last night? Or would all of the naughty things we had done together run through her mind? Would she would struggle to keep her sanity the rest of the day as I would? Either way, I was about to find out.

  I slowed the car as I approached the stadium, frowning slightly as I noted the vast number of reporters crowded around the main gate. What had happened? Surely not another high-profile player grab.

  As I rounded the gate and slowed to a crawl, I saw that a large platform had been set up. The owner of my new home team stood behind
a podium facing a swarm of reporters. I recognized the PR rep to his right, and there was a tall, striking blonde woman—late forties or early fifties I would’ve guessed—in a tight dress next to him, a winning smile on her face as she looked up at him.

  From what I’d heard, David Cortes was a real go-getter who didn’t take any bullshit. He had taken the team and turned it into a very successful franchise. The players respected him, but he didn’t coddle anyone. As I sat in traffic waiting to turn into the gate, I did a double-take as I spotted Lucia on the other side of Mr. Cortes, an apprehensive smile on her face. She looked drop-dead gorgeous, but were those the clothes she was wearing last night? The moment she’d taken off that dress I lost all memory of it, preferring to memorize the curves and sways of her body instead. But the vague recollection of her in yellow, a color that made her skin glow, was starting to come back to me. For hours I had licked and touched her body and watching her stand there, her hair a little bit mussed—far from the sleek bun I’d previously seen her with—she was starting to make my cock twitch. But what on earth was she doing up there? Had she won some award or something? If so, I couldn’t wait to congratulate her in more ways than one.

  Rolling down the window, I turned down the radio and listened as Mr. Cortes stepped up to the podium. Besides, traffic was at a standstill.

  “Thank you all for coming today. This is a very special day for me and my family as we embark on a new adventure in all of our lives. I have given this very careful thought and feel it is time to put my stamp not only on our professional sports arena, but also on the political one. So, with my wife, Merry, and my daughter, Lucia, by my side, I am formally announcing my run for mayor of the great city of Jupiter.”

  My jaw dropped. I couldn’t have heard right. Daughter?! The rest of the world faded away, and I didn’t hear anything past the announcement that Lucia was his daughter. Fuck me, I was going to hell in a hand-basket. My life was not going to be worth living… I had slept with the owner’s daughter? For someone who was trying to make his mark and trying to become the starting quarterback again, that was the absolute shittiest thing I could have done.