Puck Battles: A Complete Sports Romance Series

by Kristen Echo

  “Do you trust me, Cameron?”

  “I want to. It’s hard for me. You shouldn’t sell yourself short. What you want matters. It just probably isn’t me.” He sat back and ran his fingers over his head.

  She adjusted her bra, covering what she could. “I guess a relationship is off the table. You wouldn’t even consider it?”

  “You’re so sweet and I like you, but I’m not looking for a relationship, at least nothing serious. What I had with Steph was just sex and fun. Nothing deep. I’m not ready for more. April is my priority and my responsibility. Everything else comes secondary. Hell, I should add that hockey takes a close second, which means relationships move into last place.”

  That wasn’t what she had hoped to hear. She looked down. His erection tented in his jeans, reaching straight for her. She should never have asked about where things were going because now she knew she couldn’t sleep with him.

  “No hard feelings, Meagan. If you change your mind, I’d love to keep this going, but I respect your wishes.” He stood up, adjusted his pants and stepped towards the hall. “For whatever it’s worth, I hope you decide to just have fun with me. It’s pretty much all I have to offer. Sorry that’s not enough.”

  “Me too,” she whispered as he walked away.

  Would it have been wrong to give into temptation? The fun part was an easy yes, but how could she make love with a man who didn’t trust her or anyone else? She couldn’t. She let him walk away.

  Chapter 9

  He’d asked her to decide if fun was more important than a label. Visions of him and the humongous beast tenting his pants had kept her up long after they parted ways. Meagan had never considered sleeping with a man who wasn’t her boyfriend. Her experience was limited, but she wasn’t afraid of being intimate with Cameron. She had no doubt it would be fantastic. If the sample orgasm was any indication, he’d rock her world. That’s what bothered her. She didn’t care about a title. She doubted her ability to accept a purely physical relationship; not to mention the fallout if anyone found out.

  She flipped the veggie omelet and added a pinch of paprika. Waking before the others gave her a chance to breathe, relax and partake in her favorite hobby. She loved cooking for others. Setting the spice back in the rack, she noticed Cameron enter the room. “Good morning. I trust you slept well?”

  It was the first night since she’d arrived that April hadn’t woken up screaming. Either she was getting used to having Meagan around, or the swimming had knocked her out. She turned to face him and drank him in. He was dressed casually in track pants and a light t-shirt that clung to his broad chest and made his eyes seem darker. She grabbed a coffee cup from a hook on the wall and held it out for him.

  He went straight for the coffee. “Not particularly.” He held her wrist to steady the cup as he filled it. “Last night was fun. I couldn’t get you out of my mind. It took only a few strokes for me to cum all over my hand. I woke up with another raging hard on. Think about how explosive we’d be together, Meagan.” Cameron set the pot down and took the cup from her hand. His fingers caressed hers for a moment.

  “Yeah. I wanted to help you with that part last night,” she admitted. “But—”

  Cameron closed his eyes and growled as he pressed one finger against her lips. “I hoped you’d wake up feeling differently. The future is unpredictable. Like with hockey. We will make the playoffs but might lose in the first round. No one knows. Whatever is preventing this from happening, let’s fix it. You’re single. I am single. I felt how wet you are for me. My dick’s getting hard again thinking about it. Shit.” He stepped back and tugged at his short hair. “I don’t want to coerce or pressure you. Don’t decide now. Take more time and think about it.”

  Her heart beat so fast it could set records. All the reasons she had to stay away were forgotten. “I’ll think about it.”

  His cheeky smile followed. “Maybe my seduction skills aren’t as rusty as I thought.” He sipped his black coffee and leaned against the island.

  She laughed. “No. They’re bad. You should read some of my romance books if you want to learn the art of seduction, but I like blunt. It works to get your message across.” Meagan clenched her legs together. “What you see is what you get.”

  “Pick one and I’ll read it. I’m in the mood for a good laugh. If it’s on audio even better since I plan to go for a quick run and then I’ve got practice. Download it to my e-reader. There’s no fucking way I want to be seen holding one of those beefcake books.”

  They laughed as April meandered in, dragging her dinosaur stuffed animal behind her. “Smells yummy,” she said before hugging her dad’s leg.

  “I made breakfast. An omelet stuffed with veggies and extra cheese on yours, but if you’re still not feeling great, there’s plain toast.” She switched off the stove and plated the food.

  “How are you feeling, baby? Is your tummy better?” Cameron knelt and rubbed her belly.

  “A lot better. I like cheese.”

  Cameron helped April set the table. She walked around and added three napkins; one for each of them. They sat down and talked about their dreams. Cameron kept it PG and had both in stitches before the plates were cleared.

  “You’re a great cook. I hadn’t planned to eat, but I’m glad I did. I’ll have to cut my run short.” He checked his watch. “Or move it to after practice. We have to hurry and get dressed for daycare. I’ll drop you on my way.”

  “I’ll take her. This way you don’t have to rush. Have a great practice,” she said, taking April’s hand and leading her towards her bedroom. Meagan planned to earn his trust and prove that he could depend on someone other than his parents for help.

  The goodbyes at the house didn’t go as badly as it had at daycare. Meagan loaded Cameron’s e-reader with her favorite romances while the pair hugged and April cried. The tears lasted for only a few minutes and she was all smiles in the car. Once they arrived at daycare, instead of ripping off the Band-Aid, Meagan stuck around for an hour. The extra time allowed April to adjust and get comfortable before she left. No tears shed during her departure.

  The house was empty when she returned, and she had no interest in sticking around to see Gail again. The woman had lied to her for no other reason other than to be mean. She hoped Cameron fired her, but she forgot to ask. Firing her was one decision she wouldn’t have had a hard time making. Her email had several new messages. The two agencies she had contacted, followed through with her request and sent over a dozen resumes each. She made a note to ask Cameron which agency his ex ran.

  After a quick shower, she called her sister. They made plans to meet for lunch. Meagan looked forward to catching up with Hailey. They were only three years apart in age, but worlds apart in life experience.

  As usual, Hailey beat her to the restaurant. Her sister’s long hair was tied into a French twist. They had the same brown hair and eye color. The similarities ended there. Her sister was taller, leaner and while they were both well-endowed in the chest area, Hailey had a tiny waist and ass. Meagan envied her sister’s body.

  “Hey, baby girl.” Hailey stood as she approached and they shared an awkward hug. Their family wasn’t much for public displays of affection.

  “How are you doing? Living with Mom and Dad has got to be driving you insane.” They took their seats and Meagan perused the menu.

  Hailey laughed and scratched her chin. Something she did when she was about to lie. “It’s fine.”

  “Liar. I know you too well. If you need an escape, you can come visit me anytime. Cameron said I could have you over. I’m not giving Mom the address though. He’s unlisted, so don’t share it.”

  “They’ll get it from Spencer when they tire of waiting for you to hand it over. Don’t be so hard on them; they’re doing their best.” Hailey always defended them because she was their favorite. The perfect daughter. They didn’t meddle with her life in the same way.

  Meagan scoffed. “They want to make all my decisions like they di
d when I was a kid. I let them for a long time, but I’m an adult. What I want doesn’t match their vision. We are so different. They want me to enlist, but I’d fail boot camp. You are super fit, and you said it was rough.”

  A wistful look crossed her face before she schooled her features. “I survived. It’s meant to break you and mold you into a great soldier. You’re not supposed to like it.”

  “Yeah but you liked it because of Ryan.” Meagan slapped her forehead and wished she could have taken back the words. “Hailey, I’m sorry.”

  Her sister reached over and patted her hand. “You can mention his name and you’re right. I met Ryan there, and he changed my life. Which is why you might want to reconsider?”

  “Stop! Don’t try to recruit me. Not when you’re leaving the forces. Have you broken the news to the Colonel yet?”

  Hailey cast her eyes towards the table and Meagan knew she was thinking of her injury. “They know I can’t perform regular duties anymore. They think I’ll stay in for a desk job, but I’m not built for that. I can’t march, but I am not disabled. Fucking bullshit ruling.”

  “I think you’ll make an amazing police officer. There is life beyond the army. Life beyond the loss.”

  Hailey squeezed her hand. “Don’t give me those sad, puppy dog eyes, little sister. Ryan and Denis are dead and we’re still here. We owe it to them to live the life they can’t.”

  Hailey and Ryan had been the perfect couple. Both extremely beautiful, patriotic and had a commanding presence. They were engaged a year after they met. Their future was so bright, but Ryan was in the same unit as Denis. Only, he had survived. The PTSD was too much. He had returned a different man. Hailey had tried her best, but she couldn’t break through his depression. He took his own life a year later. Hailey lost her brother and her fiancé within a twelve-month period. She never took time off work to mourn. Then she suffered her own disaster. That she could sit there smiling, confirmed Meagan’s assessment that her sister was a total badass.

  “Speaking of moving on, did you get in touch with Sylvie again? You mentioned you had a meeting set up.” She reached into the bread basket and tore a chunk off a bun. The buttery biscuit melted in her mouth.

  “Yes. We had a videoconference with Caroline Northcote. The job is mine and I officially start next week. I’ve been looking over the media reports, the chat group and other forums to get acquainted with the case. I’ve only been back a month, so I’m bringing myself up to speed on the disappearances.”

  Meagan hadn’t followed all the facts, but it seemed like every other week another teen vanished without a trace. “Do you think they are connected? I chatted with Caroline and a few of her friends and they think it is. I’m sure you’ll meet them. Beth and Sylvie are convinced there’s more to it. Are you okay working on a case that deals with the ‘s’ word?”

  “Don’t be stupid, Meags. Mental health and depression impact more people than gun violence. There is a high likelihood the cops have it right. I am capable of disassociating my personal life from my work. Can you say the same? You have a glow to your cheeks, and a bounce in your step I’m not used to seeing. What’s up with you?” She sat back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest.

  Meagan wanted to tell her all about Cameron, his lips, his hands and his invitation for fun. Except, she wasn’t sure Hailey would be as supportive as Lindy. “I like my new assignment. The Smith’s are so much fun to be around. It hardly feels like work and I’m thinking this might be my calling.”

  “Being a nanny? Come on. You can be anything. If you want to work with kids, become a child psychologist or something that pays the bills.”

  “You don’t have to get it. It’s low paying but rewarding in other ways. I’m tossing around ideas. I still love cooking, but I’m not sure I could handle the pace of a restaurant kitchen. My job is very chill.” She finished the first bun and grabbed another, stuffing a large piece into her mouth.

  “I’ll let you argue with our parents. How much longer are you working for the hockey player?”

  “Technically, I’m still working for Mr. Northcote and I’ll be with Cameron until I find a replacement.” Something he’d told her not to rush. “At least a week or two. It’s kind of up in the air.”

  “I know nothing about hockey, but I can see a twinkle in your eye that tells me this Cameron is hot. Am I right?” Hailey covered the basket, pulling it out of reach as Meagan went for another.

  Cameron was beyond hot; he was scorching. “He’s all right.”

  “I’ll bet he’s better looking than you’re letting on, but it doesn’t matter. Dad said Spencer gave you the assignment to make his life easier. Don’t complicate it with sex. Sex complicates everything. Trust me.”

  “I’m not a virgin, Hailey. I know all about sex. Not that I’m having sex with Cameron. I never said we did that. I’m simply letting you know I’m not naïve,” she said, leaning her elbows on the table.

  “You are a bad liar. If you’re not having sex with him, you want to be. You’ve had sex with your high school boyfriend. It’s not the same as fucking around with an experienced man. Men are all the same; they’re pigs. They have a one-track mind and it’s always on their dicks.”

  “When did you become so bitter?” She reached across the table and snatched another bun. “Have you been with anyone since…” Her voice trailed off, not wanting to mention her sister’s lost soldier.

  “Ryan. Ryan. Ryan. I’m not going to break. Yes, I’ve been with several men; too many probably. Which is why I’m telling you this; stay away from men and relationships in general. Concentrate on school and work.”

  The waiter came by, took their order and refilled their water glasses. It gave Meagan a chance to process her sisters sudden man hating attitude. Once the waiter left, she changed the subject, and they discussed her rehab and her parents. At some point she’d have to see them; she couldn’t avoid them forever.

  When she got home, she decided to work out. All the carbs made her feel heavy. Plus, she had time to kill before she had to pick up April. She pulled on a pair of yoga pants and wore a loose top over her sports bra. Cranking the surround sound, she started slow on the treadmill. Once she broke a sweat, she moved to the weights bench. Cameron had way too many weights on the bar. She removed all but ten pounds and settled under the bar.

  “You can lift more than that.” The man of the house stood before her in a pair of tight running pants. His shirt was around the back of his neck. His body glistened with sweat. He moved closer until his cock was next to her head. “Need a hand?”

  She swallowed hard as he leaned over and smiled. Her grip on the bar tightened. The warnings from her father, her sister and her own inner turmoil were all pushed aside. Relationships were overrated. She wanted to touch him and press her tongue over every inch of exposed flesh. “I’d love a hand. What would you suggest?”

  “How much of a workout are you looking for? We’ll concentrate on different things, depending what results you’re seeking.”

  “I thought I knew what I wanted, but I’m not so sure any more. I might be persuaded to veer off course and try something new.” She lifted the bar and pulled it towards her chest.

  His hands followed the bar, resting against her breasts. “I have some ideas in mind. Want me to be your trainer for the next hour?”

  “My body is all yours,” she breathed as she pushed the bar back in the air.

  The smile that followed was more sinful than the devil. “Meagan, you won’t regret working out with me.” He crouched down. “Hold the bar up there while I kiss you.”

  He leaned under the bar, between her arms and covered her mouth with his lips. The upside-down kiss made her arms shake, but she held them high as he licked along her seam. She gave him the access he sought and kissed him back. He played with her breasts as they made out. When he finally pulled away, her arms ached, and they fell to her chest. He chuckled and helped her put the bar back onto the cradle.

  �
�That’s the first set. We can do everything on this bench, and I do mean everything. Sit up and let’s work those legs.” He rounded the bench and adjusted the weights for her to do leg extensions. He motioned for her to get into position. She scooted to the edge, sat up and wrapped her legs under the device. Cameron stepped closer, spread his legs and straddled hers. “You’ll work that mouth too.”

  His groin was lined up with her face and she wrapped her hands around his ass, pulling him closer. He had the tightest buns. They were firm. She squeezed his cheeks while licking her lips.

  “Tell me what you want and I’ll do it.”

  “Pump your legs and suck my cock.” He pulled down his pants and released his erection. It was long, thick and straight. She licked across the tip, collecting the pearl of pre-cum. She inhaled; his musk surrounded her.

  He gripped his shaft and pumped the length. “Fuck, yeah. I’ll be watching your legs and I’ll thrust to your speed. Get moving because I want to fuck your mouth so hard.”

  She lifted her legs and opened wide. He tugged her hair and pushed inside. Her tongue slid over his head and along his shaft as he slid deep. She lowered her legs, and he pulled out, leaving only the tip inside her lips. She tugged down his pants, ran her fingers over his bare ass and lifted her legs again. This thrust plunged deeper, touching the back of her throat. Her legs went down and he pulled out again. On the next lift, she sucked hard, and he moaned. Watching him come undone had to be the sexiest thing she’d ever witnessed. Her legs moved with purpose, pushing past the sting until his body became rigid.

  “I’m going to come down your throat any second,” he said as his eyes closed and he tossed his head back.

  Her legs were exhausted, but she wanted him to come. She needed him to finish. She sucked harder, lifted and lowered in quick succession until he exploded on her tongue. She let her legs fall as he pulled her hair, holding her in place as he rubbed his release into her mouth.

  “That was amazing. Lie back,” he said.