Assumptions

by Melanie Codina

  Working out? “Um, Mari, you’re sitting on your ass reading a magazine. You know that, right?”

  “No, I’m working out. Every time I read the word the, I clench and tighten my muscles for five seconds,” Mari said matter-of-factly, still not looking at me, which was fine now that I realized what she said.

  “Do I even want to know which muscles you’re clenching?” I asked hesitantly, moving away from her.

  “Based on the way you’re reacting, I’d say you know exactly which muscles I’m working out.” Mari said while giving me an evil look. Shaking my head and laughing, I stood to leave Mari to her workout. I grabbed my water bottle and was heading to the door when Mari huffed, “Dammit! I lost count. Now I have to start over. Thanks a lot, Lee!”

  There really was no response to that, other than to laugh, of course. Mari was definitely one of a kind.

  “Dude, put your freaking phone away. You know if she calls, and you miss it, there’s this thing called voicemail that you both can utilize,” Robby teased with undisguised humor.

  “You’re a jackass,” I said without hesitation, because he was, plain and simple. He’d been busting my balls for three days now, and I was ready to clock him in hopes that he’d lay off. On the first day back, he’d made a joke about Leeann sexting me. The thought of that made me pause and probably smile like a fool. This, of course, led Robby to believe that she was in fact doing that. She wasn’t, but I promptly put a password on my phone in case she ever felt inclined to do so. Who was I do deny such a thing from my sexy-as-hell girlfriend?

  His teasing hadn’t really bothered me too much until this morning. Even now I could admit, it wasn’t the main reason for my irritable mood. It was the impending team meeting. That and the whole black cloud of an unknown future shit that was hanging over my head. It was getting old. If Robby were smart, he’d back the fuck off until after the meeting. I was certain he knew this, and it was possible he was trying to get my mind off things, but I was strung too tightly right now to decipher the difference.

  “And you’re a dick, so what’s new?” Robby answered with a shrug, which strangely made me want to punch him even more. I really needed to calm the fuck down.

  As if the gods above heard my thoughts, Coach and the training staff entered the Athletic’s lecture hall. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to look relaxed in my seat. There were second-string players watching my every move. I could feel them circling like vultures, not that I blamed them. Hell, it was probably what I’d be doing too. It was necessary when trying to find a spot on a Division I team.

  Next to me Robby bumped my knee with his, grabbing my attention. Looking his way, he motioned in the direction to the front row of the hall. My eyes immediately found the smug face of the guy who was next in line for my spot. I’d made sure to walk in the room with a sure, confident stride that gave absolutely no indication there could be a problem. Truth was, my knee was feeling pretty freaking good ninety percent of the time. There were those occasions when I tried something new, and it felt like I was fresh out of surgery. I’d come to know that feeling was only temporary as I pushed myself. Leeann made sure I knew.

  Just as Coach began speaking, the arrogant douche bag looked my way. I made sure to give him my own self-assured look, conveying I knew exactly what he was thinking. Turning my attention back to the meeting, I set out to listen and endure the ramblings of our coaching staff. These included, but were not limited to, the lecture about grades, pre-season requirements, and expectations for the coming season. By the time he was done going over everything, I’d forgotten all about my knee. That high I got from being a part of this team wrapped around me and let me enjoy the privilege of just being there.

  “It’s about damn time you called.”

  Looking at the screen of my phone, I made sure I dialed correctly. Yep, this was Leeann’s phone, but it sure didn’t sound like her answering.

  “Um, I’m sorry, I must have the wrong number because my girlfriend never answers the phone like that.”

  “Well, maybe your girlfriend would sound nicer if you hadn’t have kept her waiting. I’ve been so worried. How did the meeting go?” she demanded.

  “Oh, I’m sorry babe,” I said in a soft tone. Now I felt bad. I hadn’t realized she was waiting for me. I knew she was interested, but clearly I didn’t know how much. “It took longer than I thought, and then I had to spend some time with the training staff afterward—”

  She cut me off. “Quit pussyfooting around the subject, soccer player. What did they say about your knee, and did they mention anything about your starting position?”

  I laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you this riled up before. I’m freaking disappointed that I’m not there to see how sexy you must be right now.”

  A small growl made its way through the phone, making me refrain from laughing further. At least not that she could hear. “Jonathan…”

  Deciding to stop the teasing, because I couldn’t take advantage of it in person, I admitted, “The training staff was impressed with how good my knee was doing. They felt my range of motion was better than expected. I told them I had the best physical therapist working on me for the past five weeks, so the results didn’t surprise me. Oh, and Coach didn’t comment about my starting position, but just seemed intent on us focusing on rehabbing the knee.”

  She let out a long, slow breath. “Okay. Good.”

  “I’m sorry, babe, I didn’t realize how worried you were about this.”

  “Of course I was worried. I would’ve felt horrible if I hadn’t gotten your knee to a point where you were on track with your recovery,” she said in a much calmer, softer voice. I felt like an ass for not considering it that way. Maybe it was because I never once put her in that position in my head. If I wasn’t on track, it would’ve been my fault, not hers.

  “You have nothing to worry about. You’ve done a great job, and everything is as it should be. Well, except one thing…” I made sure my voice dropped to a suggestive tone. I was done talking about my knee. Done worrying about my knee. At least for now.

  “Oh yeah? And what’s that?” Ah, there’s my girl, I thought as I absorbed her playful tone. The sudden need to see and touch her reared up inside, antagonizing me.

  “The fact that I can’t see or touch you. It’s only been three days, and it feels like a lot more than that. How the hell am I going to make it another six?” My words were somewhere between a groan and a growl.

  She sighed into the phone. “I miss you, too, soccer player.”

  Three days down, another six to go … how badly did I want to play soccer again?

  I’d just finished putting on my lotion, cherry scented of course, when I heard him. “Mmm, I smell cherries.” Turning, I watched as he strolled into my bedroom. He dropped his bag on the floor and moved toward me with purpose. “Best fucking smell in the world.”

  “You’re here!” I squealed as he pounced. Together we fell backward onto the bed, and his lips covered mine with a growl. The kiss wasn’t gentle. It was nine days of pent up hunger being released into the air at once. My hands went to his hair, gripping the ends as one of his found the back of my knee. Lifting it toward him, my robe shifted, allowing him to slide those big hands of his up my thigh. When he found the bare skin of my ass, his groan of appreciation only fueled my need.

  Breaking the kiss, he was breathless as he said, “Are you wearing only this robe?” He kept one hand on my bottom as he trailed a finger from my neck down my chest. There was no need to answer as he watched the parting edges of my robe expose more and more skin to him. When his finger met the tie around my waist, he paused.

  “I told myself I would be a gentleman,” he said while slowly pulling the end of the belt, loosening it. “I told myself I would show some restraint and not jump you the minute I saw you.”

  The first loop of the knot was undone, and it took minimal effort for him to undo it completely. As he slowly moved down, my heart rate i
ncreased and my breath hitched at the feel of his warm breath skating across the now-exposed skin of my belly. I felt the softness of his lips, followed by the rough stubble of his five o’clock shadow, then the wet sensation of his tongue as he kissed me.

  “I promised myself I’d take you to dinner and maybe a movie to show you how much I missed you this week.”

  He pressed his lips against my skin a second time before lifting his gaze to mine. The hunger in his eyes threatened to overwhelm me. I was certain it mirrored my own, and that was what kept my eyes locked on him.

  “I realize what a fool I am now, because there is absolutely no fucking way that’s happening,” he admitted, moving to his knees. I watched as he whipped his long sleeve shirt over his head before dropping his hands to the fly of his jeans. “Because we are not leaving this room until I’ve satisfied my need for you, Leeann. Nine days without touching you is just too damn long.”

  Realization hit me, and I quickly moved to tie my robe again and began to get up. Jonathan moved off me and stood before giving me his pouty lip. I moved to my tiptoes and nipped that pouty lip. “Keep undressing, I’ll be right back.”

  I quickly dashed out of the room. Mari’s door was open, and I began knocking on the wall as I ascended on her. When I entered her room, I quickly looked around for what I needed. Spotting her noise cancelling headphones, I grabbed them and tossed them on the bed. She gave me a knowing look, and I said, “You’ve been warned.”

  “Thanks for thinking of me while you were making out with your boyfriend. Make sure he spanks you once for me!”

  Shaking my head, I quickly retreated to my room, gasping at the sight before me. Jonathan was naked, kneeling on my bed, his hand fisting his erection. It was impossible to not stare at the beauty of his body as I walked slowly toward the bed.

  “Lose the robe, sweetheart. I need to see you,” he demanded. His voice was low and had me responding to his request. Dropping the robe, I let my eyes travel down his chest, across his flat abs to land on his hand. The one holding what I wanted. My mouth watered, and I licked my lips as I decided where I would start first. Moving quickly, before he was able to stop me, I was laying across the bed with my mouth around him. He was hot and hard against my tongue, and I relished his taste.

  His hands went to my head as he sucked in a startled breath. “Holy hell, Leeann.”

  Looking up at him, my lips slid up his length. I felt empowered as the muscles of his abdomen tightened in response. Swirling my tongue around the head, I pressed forward with two quick motions before my hand cupped him. Suddenly, I was propelled backward. Apparently I had pushed Jonathan to his limit.

  There really was only so much a guy could take, and the feel of Leeann’s hot lips on me was, in fact, too much. She could play later. Now? I needed to feel her. I’d missed the physical connection with her this past week. Distraught didn’t even begin to cover how I felt when I couldn’t just hop in the car and go to her. She was clearly my addiction, and the week was a testament to my self-control, even though my self-control was nowhere to be found the minute I laid my eyes on her.

  I followed her body down onto the bed and buried my face in her neck. Taking a deep breath, I took in the scent I’d been missing all week. My body responded as any addict’s would, relaxing into the euphoric effects of it. Molding my body to hers, my hard to her soft, I groaned into her neck. Her hands were in my hair again, her nails scoring my scalp. It added to the extreme arousal I was battling. Nuzzling her neck once more, I lifted my head. Framing her head with my forearms, I stared down at her.

  Stealing a quick kiss, I whispered against her lips, “I missed you so much.”

  Her face softened, and she smiled shyly. “I missed you too, baby.”

  Sealing my lips over hers, I nestled my body further in the cradle of hers. She moaned as my erection moved against her warmth, and I swallowed it up greedily. Suddenly, the fire that was simmering between us ignited. Our movements became frantic as we continued to rub our bodies against each other. My hips moved of their own accord, seeking more contact with her.

  Her hands tightened in my hair before moving to my back and shoulders. Her nails scratched at my skin, trying to pull me closer. Moving to her neck, I could feel her short, choppy breaths against my shoulder. Scraping my teeth against sensitive skin below her ear, she gasped and dug her nails in harder.

  “Oh God … show me, Jonathan … show me how much you missed me.” She was panting now as I set my sights on her breasts. Wrapping my lips around one nipple, I cupped her other breast. It filled it perfectly, like it was made with my hand in mind. Paying equal attention to both sides, Leeann squirmed beneath me. Her eyes were closed and her chest rose, seeking more of my touch. I reveled in the way she responded to my attention, provoking me further.

  I kept at it until the demands of my body could no longer be ignored—like it was vibrating with need in direct response to hers. I somehow managed to remember a condom, thank God. I was back on top of her in record time, her body so wet and ready for me. All I had to do was pull my hips back, and with one strong thrust forward I was home. She made a noise that never failed to feed my ego. It was a cross between a scream and a gasp.

  Holding myself deep, not moving, I positioned my forearms on either side of her head. Staring down at her, I watched while she blinked and brought her eyes back into focus. Her muscles clenched around me. My nostrils flared, and once again I found myself fighting to control my baser instincts.

  When she relaxed her muscles, I let out a slow breath. Holding her gaze, I drug my hips back and paused. After a few seconds, which felt like hours, I slammed forward. This pulled another one of those scream-gasps from her, and it was my undoing. Setting up an arduous pace, I repeatedly thrust into her body. Digging as deep as I could get, and needing to be as far inside her as our bodies allowed, over and over, I sank into her. With each drive, her hips lifted to meet mine.

  I could feel the pressure of her nails in my back and the scrape of her teeth against my neck. My shoulder muffled the sounds of her pleasure, and I didn’t like that. I was a greedy bastard, and I wanted to hear her. I deserved them. Gripping her hair tightly, I pulled her head back, away from my neck. Looking down, I smirked at her glazed look of ecstasy. It was another component to add to the fire. I stopped moving, and her eyes came back into focus.

  She tried shifting her hips, prompting me to move again, but I waited and said, “Give me those sounds, Leeann. I want to hear you.”

  “Dear God, Jonathan. I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t stop!” she declared, her voice rising with each word. I paused a moment longer and then felt her muscles clench around me again. She was close. I was close. There was no sense making us wait any longer. So I didn’t.

  I started moving. Strong, steady, deep thrusts brought both of us higher and higher. She got louder and louder each time my pelvis met hers. It was the hottest fucking sound in the world. Burying my face in her neck, I again paid attention to that sensitive spot below her ear. When I felt her body tighten and she moaned ‘oh God,’ I sank my teeth into her neck.

  Leeann screamed, and her body began to convulse around mine—a whole body reaction. Her hips moved, her back arched, and hands clawed at my skin. Her response triggered my own release, and I frantically moved my hips, thrusting as deep as I could just one more time before the satisfaction I sought overwhelmed me.

  When our bodies began to calm, I loosened my grip on her hair and retreated from the softness of her neck. Finding her face, I kissed her jaw, and then her cheek, before finding her lips. When my tongue slid against hers, I felt her body spasm around my cock again, and we both groaned.

  Looking into her eyes, I smiled. “I really, really, really missed you this week.”

  She smiled. “Oh yeah? I wouldn’t have guessed. Then again, you just showed me pretty good.”

  I chastely kissed her lips. “My dear, sweet Leeann…” I let my words trail off as my lips traveled down the side of h
er neck again. After a moment, I lifted my head and looked straight at her. “That was only one really. I still have two more to go.”

  She gasped as I pushed my hips forward, showing her that I wasn’t done showing her how much I missed her.

  “Are you sure you don’t mind if we meet up with my friends?” I asked, hoping my voice sounded more like gentle pleading than outright coercion. That would be next if he wavered on the request, though; I had no problem stooping to the level of bribery. It was Sunday afternoon, and we were supposed to meet my friends for lunch. I was never one to turn down beer and wings, and considering we’d barely left my apartment all weekend, we were definitely overdue for some time in public.

  Jonathan’s voice interrupted my planning of what I could offer in exchange. “So long as we’re not going to get pedicures or a bikini wax, I’m game.”

  I snort laughed, ‘cause that’s what you do when you visualize your boyfriend doing either one of those things. “Should I be bothered that you felt the need to itemize those two things on your exclusion list?”

  When he finished tying his boots and stood, he smiled for me—that full tooth smile I longed for when he was gone this past week. I might’ve swooned a little at how sexy he was in a pair of low-slung jeans and a simple long-sleeve gray shirt. My girly parts should be in a coma by now, what with how many times we’ve gone at it in the past forty-eight hours, but no. They seem to perk right up at the sound of his voice. Down girls!

  “It’s just something I’ve learned over the years from watching Allie trick people into shit. Once, Jake came home with purple nails because when he agreed to going with Allie and my mom somewhere, he hadn’t made sure to exclude certain activities. Lesson learned.”

  Mari walked in, immediately saying, “Oh my God, does that mean he’s had a bikini wax?”

  Jonathan huffed, “He says no, but I know that man would do anything for my mom. Allie is devious enough to use that against him.”