Bad Reputation

by Nicole Edwards

  “Cass…I love this. Feeling you beneath me. I could stay like this forever.” I kiss her, propping my body up on my forearm and one knee, one hand wandering down to the button on her jeans. With her help, it doesn’t take long before she’s completely naked, laid out before me like a goddess waiting to be worshipped.

  A few more seconds pass as we once again stare at each other. It’s surreal, having her here like this, hearing her say that she loves me.

  When she cups my face, I hold my breath, anxiously awaiting what she wants to say.

  “Make love to me, Chase.”

  “Umm…” I’m kind of at a loss for words since my dick is now utilizing all the blood that should have been going to my brain. “Okay.”

  She giggles again and I growl, desperate for her.

  I work my lips down her neck, her chest, pausing to lave her nipples while she pulls my hair, keeping me close. I can’t stop, wanting to make her come apart right here and now. Only then will I be able to sink inside her luscious body.

  “Chase…yes…”

  I fucking love when she says my name. Love. It.

  Shouldering my way between her thighs, I prop one of her legs on the back of the couch and allow the other to fall to the side, leaving her open and waiting for my mouth. I fondle her with my fingers, loving the way she pleads for more, her hips wiggling, attempting to get closer.

  If it weren’t for the fact that I’m going to lose my mind if I don’t fuck her soon, I would have been content to tease her for hours. But that will have to wait until later.

  I feast on her pussy, lapping at her with my tongue while working one finger inside her. She’s hot and wet and so fucking ready, it’s all I can do not to rip my jeans off and fuck her right now. I’ve got a little more self-control than that.

  I think.

  She’s definitely testing it though.

  “Chase! Yes…don’t…oh, God. Don’t stop. More. Please…” Her back bows when I thrust two fingers inside her and flick her clit with my tongue. Her words are cut off, but the moan that follows tells me she’s coming. I hold her there, letting her ride it out, watching as she finally relaxes back into the cushions.

  Moving over her once again, I find her mouth with mine, allowing her to taste herself on my lips. When her arms wreath my neck, I relax into her, doing my best not to put my full weight on her. I meant it when I said I loved her like this. Right here, beneath me. Naked and waiting for me. I could die a happy man if I live the next fifty or sixty years just like this.

  “Lift,” she orders me, and I realize she has moved her hands between us.

  I lift my hips and she works the button on my jeans free.

  “You know this is going to require me to get up,” I say.

  She shakes her head.

  I laugh, but that dies in my throat, replaced by a groan when she wraps her cool fingers around my dick. “Oh, God, Cass…Fuck.”

  The stroke of her hand is enough to drive me insane. “Not yet,” I warn when she picks up the pace. I know what she’s trying to do, but it’s not going to work.

  Well, technically, it will work if she doesn’t stop.

  Which is why I manage to free myself from her grip and get to my feet. Within seconds, I’ve stripped down to bare skin and I resume my position.

  Her legs instantly wrap around me, her knees hugging my hips.

  Watching her face, I slowly enter her, the warm clasp of her pussy making my eyes cross momentarily. She feels so fucking good.

  “Chase.”

  Her hands slide up and down my back. Not frantically. No nails raking over my skin, just a smooth caress that feels better than anything I’ve ever known.

  “I love you,” I whisper, tucking my face down near her ear. I’m overwhelmed with emotion as I push in deep, then retreat slowly.

  The smooth walls of her pussy draw me in deeper.

  “I love you, too,” she replies, her lips trailing kisses along my jaw. “So much.”

  Ahh, damn. It’s too much. The intensity is off the charts for whatever reason and I can’t hold back. I thrust in again, retreat, trying to maintain a slow, steady pace, but my release is building. I refuse to come until she does, wanting to feel her come apart while I’m inside her.

  I have to count backward from ten, but I manage to get control of myself. For the most part. Somewhat.

  Okay, I lie. I’ve lost every ounce of control I’ve ever possessed.

  “Fuck, Cass…you feel too good. Ah, yes. Squeeze my dick, baby. Fuck…” She’s going to send me over, there’s no stopping it. I pump my hips faster, driving in deeper, harder. Sweat beads across my forehead as I try to hold on.

  The sheer perfection of it is too much.

  “Cass…come for me, baby.” I’m not above begging. I’ll fuck her all night during round two, but right now…

  “Chase!” Cassie’s hand slides down to my ass and she jerks me forward, her hips coming up to meet mine. “Yes…yes…yes…Just like that.”

  I lift my head and look into her eyes, wanting to watch her face when she comes.

  Her eyes close and her head tilts back, her breasts lifting to press against my chest as her pussy convulses, a long, steady moan echoing in the room.

  I’m not sure who it was. Could’ve been her. Or me. Or both.

  But it doesn’t matter because I come at the same time she does, riding the wave of ecstasy with her.

  Cassie

  As I lie here beneath Chase, I can’t help the giggle that escapes.

  “You’re laughing?” He sounds shocked. “A lesser man might be offended by that.”

  Of course, that makes me giggle even more. Heaven knows Chase Barrett will not be offended by a giggling woman. He’s got far too much confidence for that.

  “I was just thinking,” I explain.

  “About?”

  “About how it’s a good thing that I’m under you right now.” I grin, another giggle escaping.

  Chase’s eyebrows furrow as though he’s trying to figure me out. “Why’s that?”

  “Because this is the compromising position I always feared I’d find you in one day. Ass up on your sofa…”

  That takes a second to process, but then Chase laughs before brushing his lips against mine. “I planned it this way.”

  “Yeah?”

  His eyes sparkle with mischief.

  I’m not buying it. “It sure took you long enough to get it right.”

  “Hey, it takes two, sweetheart.”

  “That it does.”

  Chase shifts, his body heat leaving me, but before I can complain, he grabs my hand and tugs me to my feet.

  “Where are we going?” I ask when he starts pulling me around behind the sofa. I don’t know what his intentions are right now, but I have to take a shower. After all, there was no condom involved and, well, gravity and all that.

  “Shower.”

  The man can obviously read my mind.

  “Together?” I try to sound appalled.

  “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  I pretend to pout as he drags me along behind him. “No pancakes?”

  “Shower, then pancakes.”

  “I’m good with that.”

  Chase stops and turns toward me, his hands cupping my face. “If I knew I could win you over with pancakes, I would’ve mentioned it a long time ago.”

  “It’s just a good thing you can make more than pancakes.”

  His expression turns curious. “Why’s that?”

  “Because from the way I see it, you’re going to be spending a lot more time in the kitchen.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so.”

  “So, no more college tradition of sharing the weekly meals?” he asks, a smile forming on his perfect lips.

  I shake my head. “I’m thinking we need a new tradition.”

  As I watch him, I can practically see his brain working. The amusement in his bright blue eyes is replaced by hunger and I realiz
e he took my meaning in an entirely different way.

  Typical man.

  Looks to me like the new tradition is going to involve the two of us being naked. I was thinking more like he cooks dinner for me every night of the week—on the nights he’s home anyway.

  But his idea could work, too.

  Seriously, wild and crazy sex with the sexiest hockey player on the planet…How can a girl possibly complain about that?

  Chapter 32

  Chase

  TWO WEEKS LATER

  “You want me to grill this?” I call out to Cassie from the kitchen.

  Pulling the chicken breast out of the refrigerator, I wait for her to answer.

  “It doesn’t matter,” she responds. “Up to you.”

  Grabbing a beer, I get to work prepping the chicken.

  When I got home today, Cassie was already here, something she’s been doing a lot lately. I like when I come home to her. There’s an odd sense of comfort in knowing that she’s here waiting for me.

  In fact, for the past couple of weeks, we’ve spent very little time at her place. It’s actually something I’ve wanted to talk to her about. I’d like to ask her to move in here with me. And if she’s not game for that, I’d be willing to move in with her. Whatever we do, I simply want to be with her. To know that I’ll be coming home to her every damn day.

  She appears in the kitchen wearing a pair of short denim shorts and a tight black tank top. It takes everything in me not to choke on my beer because holy fuck the woman is hot.

  “How’d your meeting go?” I ask as she’s grabbing a bottle of wine and a glass.

  She turns to me and smiles. “They offered me the job.”

  Instantly, I put my beer down and stalk toward her. Without preamble, I wrap my arms around her and lift her off her feet. “Congrats, baby. That’s fantastic.”

  She giggles, then kisses me back when I press my lips to hers.

  Setting her on the counter, I situate myself between her toned thighs, cupping her ass and pulling her closer. “Not that I ever had any doubts.”

  “That makes one of us,” she says, pulling back enough to look me in the face. “Plus, they told me I could hire my own assistant. I talked to Natalie and she’s ready to start tomorrow.”

  “That’s fantastic.” Sobering somewhat, I study her face. “Is this what you really want?”

  A small smile forms on her mouth and she looks away. “At first, I was worried. I thought maybe it wouldn’t provide enough challenge. Being that it’s a charitable organization, I guess I had some preconceived notions.” She meets my eyes. “But now, after talking to Phil”—she’s referring to Phil Hardt, the owner of the Texas Tornadoes—“I got a better understanding of what he’s looking for and I think it’s right up my alley.”

  Grinning, I lean forward and kiss her gently. “I’m so fucking proud of you. And the Tornadoes are lucky to have you. When do you start?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  My eyes widen. “Really? That fast, huh?”

  “Yep. And it couldn’t come at a better time. If I have to sit around and do nothing another day, I’m going to go stir crazy. Seriously.” She nods toward the cabinets behind me. “I spent the day reorganizing the dishes.”

  I laugh. “Interesting, since you’re refusing to do any of the cooking.”

  She smacks me on the arm. “That’s so not true. If I recall, last night I made dinner.”

  “Yeah?” I slide my hands up her arms, over her shoulders, then cup her neck and stare at her. “What did we have?”

  Her eyebrows lift, then lower. She frowns. “I…uh…don’t remember.”

  I plant another quick kiss on her mouth. “Me neither.”

  Last night, things got a little out of hand right after dinner. And by that, I mean I stripped Cassie naked and threw her in the pool. From there, I proceeded to ravage her until neither of us could walk.

  Best fucking night ever.

  Helping her down from the counter, I swat her on the ass, causing her to yelp.

  “I need to go start the grill. You want to make a salad?”

  “Sure. Is there something else I—”

  The doorbell rings, interrupting Cassie’s question.

  “You want to get that?” I grab my beer and head outside to start the grill as she makes her way to the front door.

  We’re not expecting company, so I have no idea who could possibly be there. Whoever it is, I hope they don’t plan to stay long, because I’m starving.

  For both dinner and my woman.

  Cassie

  Rubbing the sting from my butt, I wander toward the front door. A quick peek through the security hole tells me it’s a delivery driver.

  Quickly, I open the door and smile. He passes over a package with a hurried “Have a great evening.”

  “Thanks, you too.”

  Closing the door, my nosiness gets the best of me and I look at the sender on the package.

  “Las Vegas,” I mumble, walking toward the kitchen.

  I nearly stumble and fall when I read who the package was sent to. Mr. and Mrs. Chase Barrett.

  “Chase!”

  “What’s up?” He pops his head out of the kitchen, then the rest of his body follows.

  He must have noticed the odd expression on my face.

  I hand over the package, watching his face as he reads who it’s from. When his head lifts and his eyes meet mine, I see the confusion there.

  “Open the damn thing,” I say with an impatient chuckle.

  He proceeds to open the package, pulling out what appears to be a DVD case, along with two envelopes, one that’s letter size, the other appearing to be a card.

  “Here.” He passes over the card, then takes the DVD over to the Blu-ray player.

  I quickly rip open the envelope to reveal a card with a cartoonish type picture of a bride and groom on the front. Flipping it open, I start to read:

  Dear Mr. and Mrs. Barrett,

  I have to say, I see a lot of couples walk down the aisle, but not many have inspired me the way that the two of you did. The easy way in which you interacted with one another was a reminder of the many reasons I fell in love with my beloved husband nearly sixty years ago. Love is something to be cherished, and a love that’s built on a foundation of friendship and admiration is even more precious.

  In my opinion, it’s never about money, but there’s something I distinctly remember about that night. Something that is not on the video.

  Cassie, while I was helping you find the perfect dress for your wedding, you made the comment that Chase was a cheapskate. I could tell you were amused by the idea, so I thought nothing of it. Not until you were getting ready and Chase and I were going through the wedding packages. I asked him which he would prefer. His answer was simple: The best one. He said that he would spare no expense for you and the sincerity in his voice was something I will never forget.

  Hold on to what you have together. It’s rare, and ultimately, the love you share is the greatest gift the two of you could ever receive.

  I wish you the very best in life, Chase and Cassie.

  May all your dreams come true,

  Maggie Lawson

  Okay, so now I have tears in my eyes. In fact, it’s hard to see the words at this point.

  When I look up from the card, I see Chase staring back at me, a question in his eyes.

  “Did you start it?” I ask, anxious to see what’s on the DVD and not ready to fall apart just yet.

  “You ready?”

  I nod, then move over to the sofa.

  Chase sits down beside me, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. He pushes play on the remote and the DVD comes on.

  The next thing I know, I’m leaning forward as well, watching the scene play out in front of me. It’s the night that neither of us can seem to remember.

  There I am in a beautiful strapless gown with a beaded bodice. It’s white, which I’m surprised to see myself in, but it’s perfect. The l
ong, flowing train flares out behind me as I carry a bouquet of white roses toward a very handsome Chase.

  It’s surreal to be watching something that I can’t completely remember. Bits and pieces have come back to me in recent days, but not everything. I definitely didn’t remember the dress.

  Chase chuckles. “I remember the organ music.”

  I laugh because he didn’t change his clothes, but he is wearing a jacket over his shirt. It doesn’t fit him quite right, but it doesn’t seem to matter to me. My eyes are wide, possibly even a little glassy, when I come to a stop before him.

  I’m fully expecting the minister to start talking, but Chase then clears his throat and speaks up.

  The camera zooms in on our faces.

  His voice is barely above a whisper, which does something odd to my insides.

  “Cass, I’m not sure what your plan is here, but I want you to know that I’ll go along with it. In fact, I’ll go along with anything if it means I get to spend every day of my life with you in it.”

  The video version of me giggles. Clearly, I’m drunk when I whisper a little too loudly, “But you’re the Bad Boy of Hockey. Won’t this ruin your reputation?”

  His smile is sexy and sweet at the same time. “I’ve spent years comparing every woman I meet to you and no one has ever come close.” His face turns serious. “As for my reputation, I think it’s mostly fiction. I haven’t been with a woman in six months, Cass.”

  Drunk me looks astonished by the news. Sober me glances over at Chase.

  “It’s true,” he tells me now.

  I turn back to the television in time to see him declare, his voice rough, “I don’t want to be with any other woman.”

  A choked sob escapes me and Chase peers over, then repositions himself so that I’m tucked beneath his arm, pressed into his side as he leans back on the sofa.

  I can’t look away from the screen.

  When neither of us says anything, the minister clears his throat and asks if we’re ready to begin.