from Pain to Pleasure (Gainesville Book 1)

by Jeanisse, Bella

  After she had turned around as much as she could, Marie smiled. “There’s only three bedrooms. My cousins are sleeping on the couches. It’s just a lucky break.” She glanced at Logan for a few seconds. “My Dad wanted us to sleep on the couches and all the guys sleep in my room. But Hunter complained, and Mom convinced Dad the boys and girls would be separated.”

  “Lucky indeed,” Logan mumbled.

  * * *

  Alex waited just outside the locker room at the stadium. He became nervous. They should be here already. He checked his phone for the fifth time. No messages. Where are they? Please don’t let something else happen to her. Just as he was out of time, he spotted Danielle, flanked by Marie and Logan.

  “Babe.” Alex pulled Danielle in close. “God, I missed you.” He smelled her hair and ran his hands down her back. “Next time you’re riding with me. I don’t give a fuck who complains.”

  She closed her eyes and treasured the scent of his sweat. “Missed you, too.” She couldn’t put into words how much. Barely able to hold back her emotions, she whispered, “I don’t wanna cry.”

  He cradled her head. “It’s OK.” He knew her hormones wrecked havoc on her emotional state. “Only a few more hours, beautiful. Then I’m all yours.” He pulled back and kissed her lips.

  “Hicks, get your ass in here!” one of the coaches shouted from inside the locker room.

  Alex turned to the partly opened door. “I’m saying goodbye.” He held Danielle’s face in his hands. “I love you with all my heart. Don’t you ever forget that.” She nodded as tears fell. He wished he could hold her longer. “I gotta go.” He quickly brushed his lips over hers. “Soon…” Then he rushed through the door behind him.

  Marie put an arm around Danielle’s waist. They had gotten much closer in the last week. “We’ll be with you.” She lifted her smaller friend’s chin. “Are you scared?”

  Danielle hesitated to reply as she searched her feelings. She was a bit afraid Brian would show up again. It had been at the back of her head all day. The last game was when he attacked her. Could that be why I feel so nervous? She feared large crowds. Since she and Alex found out about the baby, she had relaxed about almost everything else, though.

  “He won’t show up, here.” Marie hugged Danielle. She closed her eyes and realized that was a promise she couldn’t keep. “If he does, we’ll protect you. He’ll have to get through both of us to get to you. I promise you that.”

  With a nod, Danielle reined in her feelings and took a deep breath. “Thank you,” she softly replied.

  Alex and their friends had made her stronger, but Brian still terrified her. She smiled when she remembered that she had fought Brian off for the first time the week before. The self-defense classes finally paid off. He shockingly cried out a few times from her blows. If it wasn’t for the need to protect her child, she might have fought harder, maybe stopped him herself. She couldn’t have taken the chance that day.

  The game was so exciting that it flew by. Both teams scored several times in each of the first two quarters. At halftime, it was tied 17 to 17. Logan, Marie, and Danielle had very good seats, close to the 50-yard line on their team’s side. Alex had pulled some strings and blown a lot of money to get ahold of them.

  Danielle leaned her head on Logan’s arm when the halftime show started. She was drained. They had screamed and jumped out of their seats often. Alex had run several plays and scored one touchdown, so she cheered for him often.

  She looked down at her abdomen and wondered how long they could hide the pregnancy. She did not look forward to being fat and not able to walk right. That was how she still looked at it. Brian berated her if she gained even a few pounds. Therefore, she had been about the same weight for several years. She wasn’t sure if she would freak out once she started to look pregnant.

  Logan’s arm curled around her shoulders and gently held her. He was always cautious. Never did he want to frighten her again. He glanced at her unfocused eyes and kissed her forehead. “You OK?”

  “Yeah,” she softly responded. “Just thinking.”

  He squeezed her arm. “If you need something, just ask.”

  She jumped when a hand touched her cheek. When she looked up, she smiled at Marie. “Sorry, just a few memories.”

  Marie was about to say something when Alex appeared in their row. He made his way to them slowly. “Look who’s here.” She pointed his way.

  Danielle turned, and then stood when she noticed Alex. He wore his dirty uniform, bulked up by his gear. “You were awesome out there!” She hugged him tightly. “I love you.” Her voice was just loud enough to be heard over the crowd around them.

  “Love you, too.” Alex lifted her up in a bear hug. A wince made him loosen his grip. He must have touched one of her unhealed bruises on her back. “Sorry.” His hand carefully caressed where he knew the largest one was. “No one’s bothered you? Right?” He looked over her head. Every time he wasn’t on the field, he imagined Brian beating her while he joked around at the last game.

  She closed her eyes and smiled. “Nope.” How did I get so lucky? The day they met came to mind. If she had known then that he would save her from her life of fear, she might not have brushed him off so easily.

  “Hey! Sit down!” someone shouted at them.

  Alex took Danielle’s seat and pulled her onto his lap. “You guys having a good time?” He looked over at Marie and Logan. “Or is this putting a damper on your sex life?”

  “Nope. Did it before we came here.” Logan grinned madly. “And I’ll probably find a place to do it again after the game.”

  Slightly jealous, Alex averted his eyes. “Of course you will.”

  He missed daily sex. His dick just wouldn’t behave. Danielle’s morning sickness had made things complicated for him.

  “I need you tonight,” he whispered in her ear.

  She smiled but wasn’t sure she would have the stamina for it. “We’ll see.” She threaded her fingers through his hair. That forced the ponytail he wore into view.

  He groaned as silently as possible while he rubbed her thigh. “You warm enough?” he turned her face to look at him. “You look cute all bundled up.”

  “I’m fine.” Her hands were a little cold, but the stretch gloves she brought were good enough. “Aren’t you cold? You don’t have a jacket on.”

  He nuzzled her neck. “Babe, I got so much equipment on, I can barely feel it.” He took a few silent minutes to hold her and nothing more.

  Logan watched them with a smile. He wished he and Marie were like that. They didn’t even kiss unless they were having sex. He wasn’t sure if he was the only one she messed around with. They had not made their fling exclusive.

  Marie thought along the same lines. In the beginning, she only used him when she had no one else. For the past month, she had been with only him. He satisfied her to no end. They were so compatible sexually that other men couldn’t measure up. Although his cock wasn’t the largest, his methods worked wonders on her… And his mouth, oh God… He knows how to use his mouth so well!

  Her head on Alex’s shoulder pad, Danielle hoped he had a long while to stay with her. He looked huge with all the padding on. His hand moved lazily under her jacket and caressed her back. The slight burst of cold air made her shiver, but his skin was warm.

  “I can’t stay.” His soft voice revealed how much he wanted to, though. “Coach gave me a few minutes, tops. I had to tell him what happened to you last week to make him understand why I needed to hold you.” He bit his lip. “He’s glad you’re OK now.” His lips moved over her neck, and then to her ear. “I don’t know how I’m gonna get through the rest of the game with a hard-on.”

  She lifted her head and stared at him. “What?”

  “Last night was so hot. I want more, babe.” He pressed his lips together. “I’m not used to cumming just once.” He had never admitted that to her. “After the baby, can you let me keep fucking you till you can’t take it anymore? Please?” He
cringed as the cup restricted his engorged shaft. “I need it more often. Please.”

  She touched his face. “Why didn’t you say anything before now?” She felt guilty she hadn’t been enough for him. “Just tell me what I can do to help.”

  “You could give me a hand job. Or maybe go down me.” He spoke as quietly as possible. She had never done the last. He knew why she was reluctant. “I won’t move. I’ll just let you try it.”

  The mental flashes of giving Brian oral were hard to squash, but she forced them back. She nodded slowly. Then she saw the pain in his eyes and wanted to ease it. “Do you have time to do it now?”

  He looked to the field. “I only got a few minutes, but I’d love you to try.”

  * * *

  Logan looked up just as Alex re-appeared in the stands. He had no idea where Alex and Danielle had disappeared to. Danielle trailed behind Alex, looking sheepish, but satisfied. They kissed, and Alex nodded at him. He waved back and watched Danielle navigate the stairs to get to their row. When she was close enough, he put out a hand, to guide her.

  “Where’d you guys go?” Earlier, he had turned to Marie for a few minutes, and then they were gone.

  Danielle blushed and looked away as she sat in her chair. “Nowhere.”

  Meanwhile, Alex ran through the halls to get back to the field. People tried to stop him along the way. He only waved. By the time he joined his teammates, he gasped for air.

  “What the fuck, Hicks?” Coach Smith frowned at him. “You missed the first play!”

  Alex bent at the waist to try to catch his breath. “I’m… sorry… she… she…” He stood and took several deep breaths. “Thanks for letting me see her. She’s doing better.”

  Coach Smith felt slightly guilty. “Is she alone?”

  “No.” Alex looked up. He hoped the orgasm didn’t affect his performance on the field. “Logan’s got her.” Fury started to build within. He closed his eyes. Not the time to think of killing Brian. He had to focus. “It’s all good, Coach.”

  Minutes later, their team got possession of the ball. Alex trotted onto the field along with the rest of the offense. He glanced over at Danielle’s section and gave her a quick smile. As he listened to the quarterback, he paid close attention. The play was to fake it to the fullback, then throw to him.

  After the break, Alex got in position. He waited for the snap patiently, while he watched for signs the play was known. The wide receivers ran behind him twice, and the defensive line watched them. That was the idea. The ball had passed to one, and then the other before it was quickly handed off to the fullback and back again. By the time Alex had it, the defense seemed confused. No one covered him. He bolted down the field toward their end zone. Then he heard heavy footsteps behind him and ran faster.

  In the stands, Danielle watched Alex and screamed, “Look out!” She wished he could hear her. Alex went down hard as two men tackled him. “Oh God!” Her hands covered her face. “Logan, did he get up?” His lack of answer scared the hell out of her. She chanced a peek. Several coaches jogged toward his prone body. “Oh, God!” Her hands instinctively cradled their child.

  Logan was concerned as well. Alex always got up right away, but he didn’t move. “He’ll be fine.”

  Down on the field, Alex cursed himself as he opened his eyes to see grass. “Fucking idiot!” He knew how to fall. They caught him off guard by pulling his hair. The wind was knocked out of him, and his back hurt. “Shit!” He had forgotten to put his ponytail back under his jersey. Then he felt something. Someone held him down with a hand on his back. “Get the fuck off!” He turned quickly and pushed the opponent away.

  “Tough break, dick!” The player walked away laughing.

  Coach Smith reached Alex first. “Hey. You all right?”

  “Yeah. Just pissed off now.”

  “Good.” Smith gritted his teeth. “Use it, son.”

  Alex stood and jogged over to his teammates. “Let’s kick their asses.” He tucked his hair away and scowled at the opponent who had knocked him down.

  Finally in her chair again, Danielle breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t hurt enough to leave the game, so it must be minor. She sat on the edge of her seat while the next play progressed. When the ball was again passed several times, she lost sight of it. She wanted to ask Logan where it was, but his eyes were glued to the field.

  Marie reached over Logan to take Danielle’s hand in hers. She knew she’d be worried. Logan placed a hand on top of theirs and pressed them into his thigh. Marie almost rubbed her wrist over his cock. Instead, she leaned on his arm.

  Pleasantly surprised, Logan drew her closer as he wrapped that arm around her shoulders. When Marie settled her head on his chest, he sighed. Maybe, just maybe, she needed what he hoped for. Then her arm moved behind him, and she held him as well. The game went out of focus for a few seconds while he tried to will her to kiss him. No such luck… Oh, well.

  Chapter 27

  When the final play was complete, Alex looked up at the scoreboard: 24-23. They had lost. He vowed never to have a quickie at halftime again. It zapped his concentration. It wasn’t a total loss. They were still bound for the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, the first week in January. That was cool.

  He hurried to the locker room so he could meet Danielle as soon as possible. While he stripped down, several players asked if he was all right. The second half, he was slower and had not scored at all. He needed to find a way to get his dick under control, so that it didn’t affect his game.

  Just outside the locker room exit, Danielle stood with Marie and Logan. They held hands, which surprised her. She bounced on the balls of her feet, anxious to hold Alex. The tackle still made her anxious. As soon as he came through the door, she threw herself at him.

  “Hey, babe. It’s OK.” He patted her head and wrapped the other arm around her. “I’m fine. I swear.” He felt her shudder and knew she started to cry. As he lifted her chin, he met her watery gaze. “Not even a concussion. I promise you.”

  The thought of losing him clouded her rationality for the moment. She clung to him because she wanted to feel his strong body. “It’s over, right?”

  He sighed. “One more game, but that’s next month.” He leaned forward and kissed her lips.

  “Good.”

  Marie looked up at Logan. When he looked back at her, she paused and watched his lips. She wanted what Alex and Danielle had, but she wasn’t sure if Logan was the one to give it to her. Hopeful, she reached up and brushed her lips against his. His response surprised her. He grabbed her by the back of the head and quickly deepened the kiss.

  Alex tried to ignore the pair making out, but yet again, his cock started to stir. Haven’t you had enough yet? Some days, his dick had a mind of its own. “We should go. I’m starving.”

  Marie pulled away, breathless. “Yeah… my… um… my mom… made stew.” She gripped Logan’s arm tightly, a bit lightheaded from the passionate kiss.

  Soon after, Alex tossed his bag in the trunk and folded his long legs into the back seat. Why he offered Marie the front, he had no clue, until Danielle slid closer to him and laid her head on his chest. She adjusted her position so he could stretch out one leg around her. Then he felt better.

  * * *

  As soon as the four of them entered Marie’s childhood home, they heard voices. Marie led the group through the house and into the family room.

  Her mother stood right away. “Alex!” She hugged him tightly. “You are a big handsome young man.” Then she turned to Logan. “Not as quite as handsome as this one, though.” She pinched Logan’s cheek. “You boys must be hungry.” For the next few hours, they ate, talked and watched a movie with the entire family.

  “I’m beat,” Alex announced when the credits started to roll. “I hope you don’t mind if I head to bed.” He walked around the room while he hugged and shook hands with everyone.

  Mr. Parker was last and held Alex’s hand longer than usual. “No hanky panky, boy. The girl
s stay in their own bunk.” He glared at Alex to burn his seriousness into his brain.

  “OK, sir.” Alex smiled. “I’ve had a long day. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  Hunter sat up. “I’m tired, too.”

  From there, it was decided that everyone should head to bed. The girls helped convert the couches into makeshift beds, and then they walked upstairs to prepare the bedroom. Danielle watched Marie set the beds up. She put two pillows on each full-size bunk and pulled out extra blankets in case someone got cold. It looked like a production, not just a routine. Then her mother walked in, and it all came together.

  “Young lady, if I hear any odd noises from this room, I will bust down that door and tan all your hides. No fooling around, got it?”

  Marie nodded and went back to fixing the beds. When her mom was gone, she giggled quietly. “They snore so loud, they won’t hear a thing.”

  When Mr. Parker came to check on them, the boys were in the top bunk, girls on the bottom. It seemed to him that both young men were already asleep, but his daughter and her friend talked softly. He smiled and closed the door.

  Marie winked at Danielle. “Only a few more minutes, and then we’ll switch. You guys take this bunk. I’ll go up there to Logan.”

  Danielle heard Alex’s soft snore. “OK.” She closed her eyes and relaxed.

  “You can take the scarf off now.”

  “Right.” Danielle loosened the knot and tossed the garment to the floor. “I didn’t want your mom to ask questions.”

  Marie smiled. “I get it, but it’s just the four of us now. No reason to hide anything.” She lay there and listened. A few doors closed. Then the house got quiet. When her father was obviously asleep, she giggled and got out of bed. “I’m gonna set an alarm, so we don’t get caught.” She had snuck boys into that room for years.