Sidelined: A Sports Romance

by Violet Paige

  She looked at Hollywood and Eagle. Suddenly she felt like she had crashed guys’ night. Maybe it was best to head back to the spreadsheets. “I think I should probably go.” She pushed back from the table. “Let you guys have the next round.”

  “No, no stay.” Hollywood reached for her wrist. “It’s nice to see Bolt with a girl. You can’t leave yet. This is a special treat.”

  What did that mean? She looked at her date. For the first time since she’d met him, something had wiped the confident look right off his face. She settled back onto the stool.

  “Ok. You talked me into it, Hollywood. I’ll have another.”

  “Whew. For a second there I thought Bolt lost his touch.” Eagle whistled before Ben popped him on the back of the head. “What was that for?” He rubbed the spot.

  “Because sometimes you’re an asshole.” Ben snarled.

  “But you love me.” Eagle smiled sweetly.

  “Sometimes.” Ben rolled his eyes.

  She could tell they had a camaraderie that was layered with more than just beer nights. She wondered what it was like to work with people who depended on you for their lives. The kind of people who weren’t trying to steal projects from you or claw out your eyes to get the next promotion.

  She didn’t know what to call him anymore. Was he Ben or Bolt? Since he introduced himself as Ben she decided to go with that.

  “Ben, how long have you been flying?” She thought they had to be about the same age, but she wasn’t sure. After she passed twenty-five, age took on a whole new meaning. This was supposed to be the phase of responsibility and goal-building. She didn’t want to waste time on men who were still searching for themselves or were life-long college students. She crossed her fingers, hoping he was at least twenty-five.

  Ben took a sip of beer. “Let’s see, after college I did Officer Candidates School, TBS, which is Marine basic school, then I went to flight school, and did a year at the RAG after that. That’s where I learned to fly the F/A-18. If I count the flight school, I’d say four years.”

  Skye counted up the years in her head and smiled. Good he was probably twenty-six, like her. Although she had no idea what all these acronyms stood for. Marine speak was weird.

  “And what about you two?” She looked at Hollywood and Eagle.

  “The same.” Hollywood grinned.

  Eagle put his hand in air. “I have to confess. I’m a wizzo.”

  “Wizzo?” She had never heard of it before.

  Ben smiled. “Yeah, it’s easier than always saying WSO. It stands for weapons systems operator. Eagle’s my backseat. He’s responsible for all of the instruments, weather checks, that kind of thing. I don’t like flying with anyone else.”

  “That hurts, man. That hurts.” Hollywood covered his heart with his palms. He looked at Skye. “I’m a wizzo too. I usually fly with a guy named Ranger. We try to keep the same flight teams in our squadron. It’s sort of a tradition with the Rebels.”

  All of it was new lingo and information for her. But it was thrilling and exciting. Her days were spent analyzing consumer trends and targeting buying habits. Flying was something completely different and foreign. It sounded dangerous, but extremely fun.

  “What other kind of traditions do you have?”

  Ben slid his arm around her shoulder. She liked the gesture, but hoped she didn’t look too surprised. It was the kind of thing a boyfriend would do, or at least someone you had been dating awhile would do.

  “We can’t tell you all our top secret intel.” He grinned, showing off his white teeth.

  Eagle spit out a mouthful of beer. “Secret intel? Dude, do you want her to think we’re spies or something?”

  Ben shook him off. “No, but enough work talk. We talk shop too much.”

  Hollywood leaned in his seat. “What about you, Skye? What do you do?”

  All eyes were on her. “Oh, nothing as exciting as you guys. I’m a campaign executive for an advertising company.”

  She wasn’t sure if they were legitimately interested, or really skilled at pretending, but each one nodded.

  “I work with different companies to help them launch new brands, or either create a campaign for them to remarket an older product. I like it.” Her answer sounded canned, as if she were trying to convince them she loved her job.

  Ben added, “You should see some of the spreadsheets she’s made.” He winked at her, and she smiled. She hadn’t realized Ben was paying attention to her work when they were at her apartment. Then she remembered she had left him alone in her living room while she changed clothes. What else could he have seen?

  Hollywood and Eagle stayed for another round then Hollywood stretched his arms to the stars. “Man, it’s late. I think we better get going, Eagle.”

  “Why? It’s not that late.” Eagle looked disappointed.

  Skye giggled when she saw Hollywood jab the skinny friend in the ribs. “Oh, right. We should be going. Nice to meet you, Skye. See you at work, Bolt.”

  “It was nice to meet you both.” She smiled.

  Hollywood threw a wad of bills on the table. “Have a good night.” He winked at Skye one last time before following Eagle down the boardwalk and toward the parking lot.

  “What’d you think of my friends?” Ben moved his stool closer to hers now that they had the table to themselves. It seemed quieter and more intimate.

  “They’re nice. A little crazy, but nice.” In only a matter of minutes they had taken her in like she had been a part of their group forever.

  He tipped the bottle back and she watched as his throat moved. No one should be this sexy just drinking a beer. She shivered as he moved his free hand to rest on the top of her thigh. It felt warm through her jeans.

  “You think you’re going to finish that beer?” His expression was playful.

  “Why?” she teased.

  “Because all I’ve been able to think about since we got here is taking you back home.” He brushed her hair off her neck and kissed the spot below her ear. It could have been the ocean air breezing over her skin, but she knew it was his lips that caused her to sigh.

  “I, uh—I don’t know.” She wiggled toward the edge of the barstool.

  His brow furrowed. “Don’t know? I thought we were having a good time.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet.

  “I’ll pay for mine.” Her purse was resting on table.

  “No, I asked you out. I’ll pay.” He insisted.

  Skye slouched on the stool. There wasn’t a real plan, but none of this was going smoothly now without the other two guys as a buffer. She felt awkward and inexperienced around Ben. It was as if his extreme confidence had a way of chipping away at hers. This was no longer one-night stand territory; everything was different. This was a date.

  He stood next to her. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”

  Great. She had pissed him off and embarrassed herself.

  “Thanks.” She followed him to his truck.

  On the ride back to the Gaslamp she tried to think of how she could salvage the night without sleeping with him. That wasn’t going to happen. Her hormones had cooled off along with the place between her legs, and her rational, mature self could win out any impulse she might have where he was concerned. No matter what she wasn’t going to change her one-month rule.

  He slowed in front of her building. For a second she thought he might drop her on the curb.

  “You can pull around to the gate and I’ll give you the code to get in.” The plan still hadn’t come together, but at least she could try to stall him.

  “Ok.” He maneuvered to the gate and she called out the code so he could punch it into the keypad. He rolled forward and put the truck into park in one of the open visitor slots. “Thanks for going to PB with me. The guys enjoyed meeting you.”

  She clutched her purse in her lap. “They were great—lots of fun.” She fidgeted with her keys. “Do you want to come up for coffee?”

  “Coffee?”
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  Wrong suggestion. “Or I have wine. But I don’t know about that after beer.” Somewhere in the back of her head was a rhyme with beer and wine, but with him staring at her she couldn’t remember what order they went in.

  He cut the ignition. “Ok. I’ll come up for some coffee.”

  “Good.” She smiled, but he was already out of the driver’s side and standing next to her, pulling the door open. She wasn’t used to these kinds of gestures.

  It seemed like most of the California guys she had gone on dates with were of the opinion women could fend for themselves. Granted, she was one of those women who liked to fend. She got her own doors, paid for her own meals, and brought her own jackets on chilly nights. It had never occurred to her to depend on a guy for anything. If she really thought about it she knew she could diagnose her approach as a symptom of her parents’ divorce.

  When she was eight years old they separated. Her father moved out and she saw him twice a year out of legal obligations. For years she watched as her mother struggled to pay bills, pack lunches, and wrestle with the house appliances. She hated that her mother’s challenges didn’t end there. It only got worse. As long as Skye learned how to do everything herself, she felt equipped to handle anything. She wouldn’t be the woman who fell apart just because a man walked out the door. She could open her own doors.

  Her last relationship had ended over a year ago, if she could even call it that. A month and a half in and he complained about her obsessive work schedule. Skye had her own theories as to why things suddenly fell apart after the thirty-day mark.

  Unlike last night, she let Ben into the apartment without a fumble. She walked straight to the coffee pot and opened the cabinet above.

  “I have decaf.”

  He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Ok. You sound prepared.”

  She measured four scoops into the filter and poured the water in the top. “Are you hungry?” She opened the pantry, not sure what was inside. It had been weeks since she had gone to the grocery store. Usually she ordered take out or had dinner delivered to the office.

  “No. I’m good, thanks.” He turned on his heels and walked to the window.

  The coffee dripped into the pot in a steady stream.

  Skye picked up the TV remote. “How about a movie?” She punched in the higher channels where the movies were.

  “Sure. What’s on?” He walked back to the couch and sat in the middle.

  “I’m not sure.” She scrolled past the cooking shows and the home shopping channels.

  “No way.” Ben laughed. “Top Gun?”

  “You like this one?” She placed the remote on the coffee table.

  “Like it? Who doesn’t? It’s only the best movie ever made.” He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.

  “I’m not sure about that. Best movie?”

  “Have you ever seen it?” A concerned look flashed across his face.

  “Of course. I saw it once.”

  “Once?” He sounded shocked. “That’s un-American. I think there’s a ten-time minimum on this movie. Sit.” He patted the couch next to him.

  Skye looked at his arm draped over the back of her sofa and the spot he created for her. If she sat there, he would make a move.

  “Come on, sit.” He looked at the TV as a jet soared across the screen. Right now he seemed more interested in this movie than her even if she stripped down to her underwear.

  She wiggled into the couch, her hip pressed against his as she pulled her heels under her. His arm instantly roped around her shoulder, bringing her closer to him. He smelled good, like a mixture of cologne and cedar. After a few minutes, she felt the tenseness in her muscles relax and she nuzzled against his shoulder. This felt good.

  Ben was completely focused on the movie. He nodded during certain scenes and a few times she thought she caught him whispering the lines. It was cute. Watching the jets on the screen it was hard to imagine that this was his job. He flew fast like that? He was completely in control of something powerful and intense. The whole idea was unreal. It made her both uncomfortable and incredibly turned on. It wasn’t something she could relate to, but it was exotic and very sexy.

  At the end there was a climatic fight scene and the carrier crew cheered for the American boys. Skye pictured Hollywood and Eagle celebrating with Ben like that. The credits rolled and Ben turned to her.

  “Good movie.” The grin he was wearing became devilish. His attention was back on her. All of it.

  His hand grazed the side of her cheek as he tugged her into his lap. His mouth was hot as his lips parted against hers and his tongue slipped inside. The room spun as he rolled her onto her back. His fingers grabbed at the edge of her tank top and pushed it upward.

  Skye was hit with sudden want as the sensations shot through her body. She had skyrocketed from utter calm and contentment to a raging surge of heat. Ben looked victorious as he flicked the hook on her bra. He shimmied the tank top over her head and dropped the bra on the floor. His fingers latched onto the edge of his shirt and yanked it over his head.

  She ran her fingers along the tags hanging from his neck.

  “I’m leaving them on this time.” He flashed a smile.

  His mouth descended on her nipple and began tugging and sucking with a rhythm that had her rocking against him involuntarily. She had vowed not to do this, but her body responded to every move he made. She writhed under him, trying to catch her bearings and steady herself, but it was too intense. He was already claiming her and she was only half-undressed.

  “Wait. Wait,” she breathed into the top of his head. She pressed against his shoulders, his tongue kept swirling.

  “Don’t worry.” He grinned. “I brought condoms this time.” His tongue lashed over the wet skin and she bowed off the couch, while cursing herself for reacting this way. It was hard to fight against what her body was meant to do. “It’ll be even better than last night. I’m so turned on right now.”

  “No.” She pushed against his chest. She tried to sit up and folded her arms against her breasts. He had to be cut off or she would never regain control.

  He sat back on his heels. “What’s wrong?”

  “I—I’m not going to sleep with you.” The words were out there, but they sounded stupid.

  “Ok. I’m confused.” Ben didn’t move. The lightness in his blue eyes turned dark.

  Skye bit her lip. “I have a rule about sex. I don’t sleep with anyone before we’ve dated for a month.”

  “A month? Are you a nun?”

  “Hey.” It stung. She didn’t think it was that prudish, but considering she had almost slept with him last night, it was maybe a bit conservative and probably confusing.

  “What about last night?” His eyes darted back and forth.

  “I had a bad day.” She shrugged. “I just wanted to let go for once. I don’t usually pick guys up in bars. I take that back. I never pick guys up in bars. It’s always been at least a month.” Looking at the floor, she wished he hadn’t flung her shirt so far out of reach.

  “You’ve never had a one-night stand?”

  She shook her head. “No. Never. And I don’t plan to.” She wondered how she measured up to his standards now. He probably didn’t think she was as wild and sexy as before. The librarian in her had evaporated.

  “Hmm. A month? As in thirty days?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, a month.” She expected him to stand from the couch and walk out of the door. She wouldn’t blame him. It was a lot to ask of a hot guy who probably could land any woman he wanted, but rules were rules and she didn’t break the rules. It’s what kept her safe and more importantly in control.

  “What about other stuff? Like what we did last night?” A smile was forming on his lips.

  She felt the heat rise in her cheeks and her inner thighs tingled. She nodded. “Yeah, I guess that’s not breaking the rules.”

  “Ok.” He raked his teeth over his bottom lip and she wanted him to kiss her more than she had wa
nted anything, well almost anything.

  “Ok?” She didn’t know if that meant he was getting ready to leave or was willing to stay.

  “I’ve never shied away from a challenge.” He walked his fingers along her shin, over her knee and along her thigh, pressing firmly into her skin.

  “Challenge?” she questioned as he drew her hands away from her breasts. She felt completely exposed on the couch, sitting half-naked, but she couldn’t stop her nipples from hardening under his stare. It felt like he was getting ready to devour her.

  “Oh yeah. You’re a challenge, Skye Stephens.” He took her face in his hands and drew her toward him. His tongue ran over her bottom lip. She sighed as he kissed her jaw and trailed his mouth against her throat. “I’ve never met someone so uptight when the lights are on, but so incredibly sexy when they lights go down. I bet you won’t last a week.” He laughed.

  “Hey.” The heat he had just created, froze. “I’m not playing a game with you.” She was annoyed thinking he didn’t take her seriously. Although it was hard to take anything seriously with his mouth on her stomach.

  “It’s not a game, baby.” He unsnapped her jeans and pulled on the zipper. “But you’re going to be asking me, begging me to give you more than this.” He wiggled the jeans over her hips and smiled at the black lace panties. “Because I can do this.” He pried the lacy fabric from her skin and slid one finger underneath, causing her to gasp. He stroked slowly and deeply. All the sensation in her body rushed between her legs; all she could feel was the throbbing pulse that had taken over.

  Her eyes shot to his, and she saw the pleasure he was getting from making her breaths heavy and her hips follow his commands. She couldn’t look away from his locked stare. It excited her that he was watching.

  “And I can do this.”

  He added another finger dipping deep inside her until her hips rose from the couch, and she pushed to meet him deeper. Her head rocked back on the pillow. He knocked her knee to the side and she willingly let him position her legs so that she was completely open to him. She met his gaze again head on as her teeth sank into her lip. He had her laid out like a butterfly, with a simple strip of lace running down the middle of her body. Every time he flicked it to the side she gasped. This felt vulnerable, but the way he looked at her made her feel sexy, balancing out all her insecurities.