Protecting Her Heart: Indianapolis Eagles Series Book 4

by Samantha Lind

I release him and stand up, so I can shimmy out of my pants and panties. Now that I’m completely naked, Mark brings his hand down directly to my pussy and slides his fingers through my wet folds.

  “Damn, Princess, you’re soaked,” he mumbles against my ear where he’s kissing me.

  He slides two fingers inside me and starts stroking my g-spot. I can feel my orgasm quickly building as we kiss, and he fucks me with his fingers, while we stand here next to the bed. My hand falls back to his hard cock as I stroke it between us.

  Mark pulls his fingers from my pussy and I whimper into his mouth. He picks me up and plops me on the bed. Breaking the kiss, he sits on his haunches, positioning me exactly as he wants, and then he lowers his mouth to my clit. He flicks it, teasing me with just the tip of his tongue as he sinks his fingers back inside me. Between the assault of his tongue on my clit and his fingers inside my pussy, my orgasm hits me hard and fast.

  I buck into his mouth as he pulls my clit between his lips and sucks hard. Like, so fucking hard, I see stars. My eyes roll back in my head and I might even black out for a second or two. All I can hear is the whooshing of my own blood in my ears as it pumps through my body.

  It takes me a few moments to regain my senses, and I feel Mark pull his fingers from me. I look down to see him kissing my inner thighs, and then watch as he looks up at me, a smoldering grin on his face as he sucks his fingers clean. Fuck, if that isn’t the hottest thing I’ve seen.

  He kisses his way up my torso until he reaches my neck, then pushes up and away from me, reaching for the nightstand drawer. He quickly finds a condom and, seconds later, has the package open and it rolled down his length. He arranges our hips to align, and then thrusts himself in until his balls are smacking against my ass.

  “Oh!” I cry out in pleasure. “You feel so fucking good, and deep. Please, fuck me hard.”

  Mark finds a rhythm as he looks down at me. He holds his upper body up with his hands as he swivels his hips and fucks me hard and fast, just as I’ve asked him to do.

  I can feel my body once again quickly revving up to another orgasm.

  “Fuck, I can feel you already squeezing my cock,” Mark growls into my ear. “You ready for me to come?”

  Before I can answer him, he pulls all the way out of me and I whimper. But he quickly turns me over, smacking my ass as he positions my hips just right, then sinks into me once again. This new angle has me seeing stars with just a few thrusts, and after a few more, I can’t hold off the orgasm. My body begins to squeeze the hell out of his cock as I lose it. I feel as he thrusts through the clenching of my pussy around him, and I feel the moment his cock swells, just before he shouts his own release.

  After a few minutes, once our breathing has returned to normal, Mark slips from my body and I fully collapse on the bed, rolling to my side. He disposes of the condom quickly before sliding into bed next to me. He pulls me into his side and wraps his arms around me as we melt into each other.

  I roll in his arms, so I can face him. We both lie here in silence as we bask in the endorphins our mutual orgasms still have rolling through our bloodstreams. I lazily trace his tattoos as I stare at his chest.

  Mark brings his fingers under my chin, and tips my head up so we’re making eye contact.

  His fingers sweep across my cheek and cup my face, as he brings his lips to mine in a sweet and gentle kiss. “I love you, Laura,” he whispers against my lips. “I don’t expect you to say it back, as I know it’s kind of fast, but I needed you to know how I feel. I’m here for as long as you’ll have me.”

  Tears spring to my eyes at his words. I feel the same exact way, but I don’t know if I can bring myself to say those three words just yet, not with the way my heart was torn out by the last man I said those words to. I also don’t know what to say in reply, so I simply sink into his kiss.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Mark

  I hold Laura in my arms after my confession of love. I meant what I said when I told her I didn’t expect to hear it back. I don’t. Not this early in the game. It might be a quick feeling to have—we’ve only been dating for a few weeks—but I’ve sat on the sidelines for a couple years while she worked on herself as she went through her divorce and the aftermath.

  “Mark,” Laura whispers my name.

  “Yeah, Princess,” I reply, running my fingers up her spine.

  “I’m not ready to say those words to you yet, but give me time.” She traces the lines inked on my chest.

  “I already told you,” I say, rolling both of us so that I can make eye contact. I cup her cheek, running the pad of my thumb over her lips. “I don’t expect you to just say them to say them, or because you think it’s what I want to hear. I want you to mean it when you say those three little words to me. I want to know I’ve earned them. You won’t hurt my feelings by not saying them to me tonight, next week, month, hell, even six months from now. I know my feelings moved fast, but I don’t expect yours to. I know you’ve been hurt, and your heart was shattered in the past, but I’m here to tell you that I want to be the glue that puts it back together again. I want to be that man who protects you, no matter what. Who stands by your side and takes on the world with you.”

  “Thank you,” she simply states.

  “You’re welcome.” I bring my lips to hers in a soft kiss.

  We fall back into a comfortable silence, shifting to our previous positions, with Laura on my chest, those fingers making their way back to trace my ink.

  Practice this morning was easy. Coach didn’t want us overdoing it, as is the case most game days. I hit the showers as soon as I can get my gear off and grab my shower bag from my locker bay.

  “Any word on if the Macentire family showed up today?” I ask Scott when I get back to my locker to get dried off and dressed.

  “I haven’t seen them, and I haven’t heard anything.”

  “Amber told Laura last night that they might skip the practice this morning if Brayden needed to rest, especially with all the travel from yesterday and excitement, and then being out late tonight with the game.”

  “You really seemed to connect with the kid,” Scott states.

  “Yeah, he’s a good kid. Sucky situation. I just want to give him the experience of a lifetime.”

  “I think we all do,” Scott says. “I’m glad he’s connected with you. Becca and I enjoyed dinner last night, she and Kinley got his sister Avery to open up with them. I think the girls are going to sit with the family tonight.”

  “I’m sure the family will appreciate that. I know Laura said she got them seats in one of the suites, maybe she put them in with the WAGs?”

  “That I’m not sure of. But I’m sure Becca and Kinley will figure it out and make it happen. They’re persistent like that.” He chuckles.

  “That they are. How’d Michael do with Grandma last night?”

  “Oh, he does great with her. And it was nice to have a dinner out without little grabby hands or having to play ‘pick-up-the-sippy-cup-a-thousand-times-during-supper and drive Mom and Dad nuts’ game he thinks is hilarious lately,” he says, pulling a T-shirt over his head.

  “Sounds like fun,” I deadpan.

  “Just you wait. Kids are amazing, don’t get me wrong. But they are also little hellions sometimes, and cockblocks like no other.”

  I toss my head back, laughing at his advice and warning. I’ve always figured I’d eventually have kids, but now that I’m with Laura, I can see them in my future even more. I can see a little dark-haired, fair-skinned baby girl, who’s a spitting image of her momma, crawling around, with me wrapped around her baby finger. Her brother, who’s a few years older than her, hockey skates strapped to his feet and a stick that’s bigger than him in his fist, one of my helmets hanging down over his eyes as he attempts to strap it on.

  My vision sends a tingle down my spine as to how real that vision was. I’ve never experienced such a clear vision of my future, but if that’s what I have to look forward to, then I’m a
ll for it.

  I head out of the locker room, toward the office. I know I just saw Laura this morning, but I need a kiss before I head out to meet some of the guys for our standing game-day lunch before we all head home for our game-day naps.

  I walk into the office and see my sexy woman standing behind her desk, phone to her ear as she holds some paperwork. She’s relaying some information off of it to whomever she’s talking to. I love watching her work. She’s definitely in her element in this office, and will one day make a kick-ass owner of this team.

  I stay back some, allowing her to work without me hovering over her desk. I keep my eyes on her, observing her as she finishes up her call. I can tell just by her body language that she’s stressed about something.

  “Everything okay?” I ask after she hangs up the call.

  Sighing, she drops into her chair and blows out a breath. “Yeah, just a stressful morning.”

  “Anything I can help with?”

  “Nope, we’ve got another team trying to make a trade deal, but no one from management is willing to negotiate with who they’re trying to make a deal happen with. So, I get to be the middle man that delivers that news, and they aren’t happy about it.”

  “What team, and who are they trying to get?”

  “Sorry, I can’t disclose that information, but just know that we’re not in the market to trade anyone right now. Coach, Daniel, and my dad are very happy with our current roster, and don’t plan on making any adjustments to it anytime soon.”

  “Oh, yeah, sorry I asked,” I assure her. “Well, I was just popping in quick to say hi before I head to lunch with some of the guys, and then home to take my pre-game nap.”

  I step around her desk so I can pull her into my arms and give her a kiss, keeping it as PG as possible, since we both are at work.

  “Thanks, have a good lunch. Where are you guys headed today?”

  “The Italian Place,” I tell her. It’s one of the team’s normal hangouts. They have large portions, served family style, and they love having us in.

  “I love that place and haven’t been in a long time. I’ll have to tag along the next time you guys go there.”

  “You can come today, if you’d like,” I offer.

  “I wish I could, but I’ve got to finish up with this shit show, and then go in and talk with Daniel and my dad. Then, I was going to make sure everything is set for tonight.”

  “Speaking of tonight, Scott mentioned that Becca and Kinley were going to try and sit with the Macentire family. Will they be in the same suite as them?” I ask.

  “Becca called me this morning and I already took care of it. They’re going to be in Dad’s suite, so Kinley and Becca will just go over to that one tonight,” she tells me.

  “Oh good, I figured they’d get it all sorted.”

  We say our goodbyes and after a lingering kiss, I head out to meet the guys at the restaurant.

  I make it back to the arena, refreshed from my afternoon nap. I haven’t slept in my bed for a few weeks, so at first, it was a little weird, but I also felt a little strange about heading to Laura’s house for my pre-game nap. I didn’t live live with her. I just hadn’t really gone home much in the last few weeks. Just long enough to grab some more clothes and the things I couldn’t live without.

  I strip from my suit, the one I’m required to wear to and from the game, and pull on my Under Armour items I wear under my gear. I pull on a pair of athletic shorts over my compression pants to warm up in. Most of us stretch, kick around a soccer ball, run drills, anything to get our blood pumping and warmed up before we have to hit the ice.

  Earbuds in place, I grab a soccer ball from the bin by the locker room door, heading out to the hall to kick it around and start my routine to get myself ready. A few of the guys are out here doing the same thing.

  Once more of the guys are out here, we gather around and start kicking the ball between each other, making a game of it as we all talk.

  I look over from the circle and see Laura leaning against the wall, the Macentire family next to her, as they watch all of us warming up. The sight of Brayden sitting in a wheelchair looking pale catches me off guard, and I leave the circle of my teammates to go talk to them.

  “Hello, everyone. How’s it going today?” I ask as I approach.

  The look Laura gives me tells me that maybe today wasn’t that great.

  “It’s been a day,” Amber says, blowing out a breath and holding back tears. “We weren’t sure if we were going to make it tonight, but we’re here and hopeful to make it to the end.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Anything I can do for you tonight?”

  “No, but thank you for asking.”

  “Are you still going to drop the puck for us tonight?” I address Brayden directly.

  He gives me one small nod of his head as an answer. I notice he’s bundled up pretty good in the wheelchair, a fleece blanket wrapped around his body.

  “Well, I hope you guys enjoy the game,” I tell everyone, extending my hand to the group before I return to my teammates and my warm-ups.

  A few minutes later, it’s time for us to pack it back into the locker room to put on our pads and jerseys, so we’re ready to hit the ice when our warm-up time starts.

  The entire time I’m warming up on the ice, my thoughts keep wandering to Brayden and how frail and tired he looked in that wheelchair. I can’t shake the feeling that he isn’t doing very well tonight.

  We finally make it to the ceremonial time before the start of the game. With a red carpet rolled out on the ice, the Macentire family is led out to center ice and the PA announcer introduces them, before a short video telling Brayden’s story is played for the entire arena. When the video ends, Laura is standing at center ice with the family and a microphone.

  “When the Eagles organization received the call from the Make-A-Wish organization, asking if Brayden and his family could come visit us for a game, we sprang into action, wanting to do everything possible to make this young man’s dreams come true. Yesterday, after arriving in Indianapolis, Brayden and his family got the royal treatment. From lunch with the executive staff, to his own stall in the locker room with a custom jersey waiting for him, to time on the ice with the team. Brayden Macentire was also signed to a one-day special contract, to officially be a part of tonight’s game,” Laura says, as the crowd cheers and watches where pictures from yesterday’s events flash across the screens in the arena. “Brayden got to experience what it’s like for the guys on our team, and even had dinner with his three favorite players last night.”

  The group picture we took after eating flashes up on the screen.

  “The Eagles organization not only wanted to make his visit here to Indianapolis memorable, but we also wanted to make the memories last for his family. With a little help from our friends at the Make-A-Wish foundation, we also contacted the hospital and doctor’s office that have been treating Brayden for the last couple of years, and as of this afternoon, all outstanding medical bills have been paid in full,” Laura says, looking directly at Amber and Will as she reveals one of those large cardboard checks. “We’ve also made a twenty-five-thousand-dollar donation, in Brayden’s honor, to the children’s oncology department where he’s received his treatments.”

  With this information, I see Will holding up his crying wife as the entire stadium erupts in cheers and all the players hit the ice or boards with their sticks.

  Laura hands Brayden the puck and steps aside. Scott and Chicago’s captain take their places on either side of him, posing for a picture before Brayden drops the puck, and they hit it back and forth before Scott picks it back up and hands it to him. The two captains shake everyone’s hands before they skate back to their benches, and we wait for the ice team to clear the ice so the game can start.

  I wink at Laura when she looks over at me before she leaves center ice with the group, and get a small smile from her before she turns away from me. I don’t know how she held in her emotio
ns while speaking tonight. Hell, I think most of the guys on the ice had a hard time keeping the emotions at bay, watching the video that was put together and hearing his story.

  We sneak out the win in a shootout tonight. With a game that goes into overtime and then a shootout, most of the guys are exhausted and ready to get out of the arena and home. Once we get done with the press, most of us strip quickly and hit the showers in silence. Yes, we pulled out the win, but we also gave up a point by going into OT.

  I make it out of the locker room and find Laura leaning up against the wall, as she looks at something on her phone.

  “Hey,” I say, coming to a stop behind her and wrapping my arms around her torso. I pull her close to my body and drop my lips to the sensitive skin right behind her ear that I know drives her crazy.

  “Hey, yourself,” she says. “You played great. Nice shot there in the shootout.”

  “Thanks. Are you ready to get out of here? I’m exhausted and about dead on my feet.”

  “Yep, was just waiting on you.” She smiles up at me.

  “Did the Macentires already leave?” I ask, slipping my hand into hers and interlocking our fingers as we start to walk down the hall.

  “Yes. They left shortly after the game ended. The kids were exhausted, and Brayden wasn’t doing very well. They aren’t sure if he’s going to make it to tomorrow night’s game.”

  “That sucks. And there’s nothing we can do for them?” I question.

  “Nope, at least not that I’m aware of. I think he’s just overdone it and needs rest. I’m sure it’s hard on his body to be in a completely new place. With all the stress and demand, the flying alone would be stressful on him.”

  “I’d guess so. I hope they can at least make it to the game tomorrow,” I say, as we reach the parking lot and our cars. I lean down and kiss Laura before opening her door for her. “I’ll see you at your place.”