Big Baller: Bad Boy Sports Romance

by Abbi Hemp

  “You’ve been busy,” she said.

  I smiled, hoping she didn’t notice it was forced. She had too much going on to worry about my gambling debts. I stood up and walked over, putting my arms around her waist.

  “Yeah, I got bored. Don’t get used to it.”

  She leaned up and kissed me. I would never tire of the way her lips pressed against mine.

  “I have good news,” she said, leaning her head back as I held her.

  “Yeah? I could use some right about now.”

  “Well, nothing is final yet, but Kenneth was able to find some proof that you didn’t start the fight with Keith. Once the story runs, they’ll probably hire you back to win the playoffs.”

  My mouth dropped open as I stared at her, speechless.

  “You can say thank you,” she teased then giggled.

  “I’ll show you how thankful I am.”

  I picked her up. She squealed in delight as I carried her into the bedroom. If I got back on the team, I’d demand a million-dollar apology bonus. That would solve all my problems.

  After tossing her on the bed, I undressed slowly. She took her clothes off while wriggling around on the mattress. Before I could join her, she kneeled at the edge. I walked up and kissed her passionately. Her fingers wrapped around my cock as I slipped my tongue into her mouth.

  “I want to ride you,” she said.

  “You can ride me all night long.”

  She smiled. I sat on the edge of the bed then laid back. As I stared up at the ceiling, she straddled me, stroking my cock with her hand and rubbing it against her pussy. I smiled, pushing the bad thoughts out of my mind.

  I should tell her the truth.

  The thought startled me, but I pushed it aside as she raised her body and slowly slid down on my dick. It pushed into her perfectly. Nothing else mattered as she leaned forward, hands on my chest.

  Her breasts hung down, so natural and beautiful. I grabbed them, squeezing as she rocked forward and backward, my cock sliding in and out of that tight, wet hole. She was in control. I loved it.

  I put my hands behind my head, looking into her eyes as she used my cock for her pleasure. She sat up, bouncing up and down faster, those perfect tits bouncing. I smiled at her pleasure.

  I should tell her the truth.

  At the return of the thought, it became harder to keep the fake smile on my face. The ecstatic pleasure of her riding me hard and fast helped, but my conscience would not leave me alone.

  Is this love? True love?

  When I considered the possibility, my pleasure increased tenfold. She made me want to settle down and start a family. It went far beyond just sex, something I’d not experienced with any woman before.

  She slowed down, grinding against me as I filled her pussy completely. It squeezed my cock as I thrust upward each time her body came down. I grabbed her hips to help me time it for even deeper penetration.

  Her moans filled the room, a song I loved to hear.

  I should tell her the truth.

  Why wouldn’t the thought go away? I stared up at her face, her eyes closed and head held back. She deserved to know the truth. I decided to tell her.

  At that exact moment, she cried out in pleasure as her pussy tightened and her body shivered and shook. I held onto her under the arms as she flailed about.

  She settled down with my cock still lodged deep inside her. We made eye contact again. A wide grin slipped on her face as she began to grind again.

  As my cock slid in and out of her gushing pussy, I stopped trying to hold it back and let myself go. She rode me faster, the friction building up to a crescendo.

  “Fuck!” I yelled as I came inside the condom.

  She smiled down at me like it was Christmas morning and we had just opened all the presents together. My body jerked as she kept riding me.

  “Too much,” I said with a laugh as I lifted her up.

  The look on her face made me smile as she climbed off my body and settled down on the mattress next to me. She wrapped one leg over mine.

  I breathed deep, trying to catch my breath.

  “Damn if it didn’t get even better that time.”

  She said nothing while running her fingers over my chest and abs.

  “That’s great about Kenneth finding the truth,” I said. “How soon are you going to do a story?”

  “We’re still checking a few sources, but soon.”

  “Within the next two weeks?”

  “I’m not sure. Why? Are you on a deadline too?”

  “Maybe,” I said, frowning.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, leaning on her elbow.

  I placed my hand on her hip as I stared into her eyes.

  “I’ve not told you this yet because I didn’t want to worry you, but…”

  “You’re pregnant?” she asked, eyes open wide.

  Both of us laughed.

  “No, I’m trying to be serious. You say I don’t open up enough.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said sincerely. “Go on.”

  “I like to gamble.”

  “Like scratch-off tickets? I hear you. They’re the worst, but I can’t stop buying them.”

  “No, I bet on football games.”

  Anger flashed over her face.

  “Why are you telling this to me?”

  “Because I love you,” I said.

  Her eyes opened wide.

  “I do,” I said. “And you should know. I’m down quite a bit, but if they let me back on the team because I didn’t do anything, I’m going to demand a bonus big enough to cover it.”

  I studied her face for any reaction as she processed the information.

  She sighed and frowned, not a good sign.

  “This isn’t good, Tony.”

  “I know I fucked up,” I said. “I’m going to fix it.”

  “And never bet again? How much money are we talking?”

  It was my turn to frown.

  Should I tell her? Might as well.

  “A million.”

  “What?” She sat up, staring down at me. “Are you kidding? Please tell me you’re kidding?”

  “No, I’m not, but I’m taking care of it. I thought I had a sure-thing, but it went south. Instead of paying it, I went double-or-nothing.”

  “Stupid!” she yelled, hitting me on the arm. “Christmas is coming up in a week.”

  “I know,” I said, kneeling to face her on the bed.

  I put my palm against her cheek as she glared at me with eyes of fire.

  “We’re together. That’s all that matters, right?”

  She slowly nodded her head. I bent forward and kissed her.

  “I love you so much, Andrea.”

  “I love you too, Tony.”

  “Then trust me. It’s all going to work out if you can get me my job back.”

  “I’m working on it with Kenneth, the man who made you jealous.”

  “I was never jealous of him,” I lied. “This is going to be the best Christmas.”

  “Ugh. Don’t remind me. I’ve been trying not to think about it.”

  “You do home to your family?”

  “No, not really. What about you?”

  “Me either. We should celebrate together this year.”

  “If we have something to celebrate.”

  “We will,” I said. “You can count on me.”

  We kissed then cleaned up before bed. She fell asleep next to me. I laid awake an hour or so longer, staring up at her popcorn ceiling while hoping and praying everything worked out.

  TWENTY-NINE

  Andrea

  The next day at work, I pushed my romance novel out of my mind and got to work on the story about Tony and how he had been framed by a jealous teammate. Even Scott couldn’t complain about the big story about the big jock returning to the team.

  After Kenneth supplied a few key emails, other sources began talking to me. I wanted to get the story out before Christmas. If everything went well, Tony would
be back on the team in time for the playoffs. I didn’t see any other way for him to pay his gambling debt.

  “How’s it going?” Kenneth asked behind me.

  I swiveled around and smiled at him.

  “Good. It’s almost done. Thanks again.”

  “Maybe your boyfriend won’t hate me now,” he said.

  “Oh, he doesn’t hate you. He’s just jealous of me.”

  “Jealousy is the sign of a weak mind.”

  I frowned then quickly wiped it from my face. He had noticed.

  “I just meant…”

  “It’s fine,” I interrupted. “We’re good friends, Kenneth. I hope you know that.”

  He nodded.

  “I do, it’s just…”

  Before he could spew his emotions and feelings all over me, Scott walked up.

  “Is it done yet? We’re going to run it online before print tomorrow.”

  “Almost,” I said. “Give me another half-hour?”

  “You have ten minutes.” He turned to Kenneth. “Get out of here and leave her alone, geek.”

  Kenneth scurried away. I sat down before Scott turned his anger toward me. Even he understood the immensity of the article I had written.

  As he walked away, my eyes scanned the words one more time. I didn’t change anything. Along with the art from the photography department, it would be damn near perfect. If this didn’t get Tony his job back, nothing would. I still didn’t believe he had bet a million dollars on a game.

  He had promised me no more betting, and I believed him, but I would keep my eye on him. That’s what people in love did for each other. At least that’s what I believed. The story was the best piece of journalism I’d ever put together. We were going to have a fine Christmas together.

  I saved the file one last time then sent it to the server for Scott to read and approve. Within an hour, it would be online for the entire world to read. After sending it, I walked over to his desk.

  “It should be in your folder,” I said. “Do you mind if I take off for the night?”

  “That’s fine,” he said. “I’ll call you if I need anything.”

  “Thanks, Scott.”

  Over the last week, our relationship had changed for the better. I liked to think it was because he finally respected me as a female sports reporter, but it probably had something to do with the rumor going around about him almost losing his job for the websites they found in his browser history.

  Before I left the building, I went to the IT department. Stepping off the elevator on their floor of the building, I wondered if my last minute idea to invite Kenneth over to celebrate was a good idea or not. He had probably been the one to expose Scott and make my life in the newsroom easier.

  And he had discovered the video footage on social media that showed Keith threw the first punch. Without that tip, I would have never dug into the whole incident and discovered evidence of Keith trying to sabotage his career so he could take over as quarterback. He deserved my friendship.

  I walked down a path between two rows of cubicles, running my hand over the top of the waist-high dividers in between the desks. At the other end of the room, I stopped in front of the room where he worked with the others in our online department. He looked up from his desk and smiled.

  “Hey, Kenneth.”

  “Hey, Andrea. I didn’t expect to see you down here.”

  “Yeah, I’m on my way out, actually. I wanted to thank you again.”

  “No problem,” he said, still smiling. “Anytime.”

  I glanced at the other two men in the room who were staring at their computer screens but obviously listening to our conversation.

  “We may be having a celebration this weekend. Are you interested in coming over? I’d really like for you and Tony to get along.”

  “Sure,” he said, almost sounding convincing. “Can you give me a ride?”

  I tilted my head to the side inquisitively.

  “My ride is broken. I’ll send you an email with my address. Just let me know when you’re going to pick me up.”

  “Yeah,” I said, nodding my head as I leaned against the doorway. “I’ll let you know. See you later.”

  I waved then turned and walked to the elevator. If Tony didn’t want him to come over, I would still be able to back out of it, but I did want them both to at least not hate each other. Kenneth had saved me in numerous ways, and I wanted to thank him.

  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

  As soon as I walked into the living room and saw Tony’s face, I knew he had received the call.

  “I’m back on the team,” he said, rushing over and picking me up in his strong arms.

  “Yay,” I said as he twirled me around twice before setting me back down.

  “I wasn’t sure, but Coach read the story you sent him yesterday before you published, and he said I’m back on the team if I want it. I’ll be going to talk to him in a few days to work out the details.”

  “That’s great,” I said. “I’m so happy.”

  “Christmas has come early this year.”

  I nodded.

  “We should celebrate,” he said. “My treat.”

  “Are you sure? You still need to pay your bookie, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, but he will wait. Once he knows I’m back on the team, he’ll know I’m good for it.”

  “There’s just one thing,” I said, putting my hand on his arm. “Don’t get mad.”

  He grinned.

  “I couldn’t possibly get mad right now.”

  “Can we invite Kenneth along?”

  “Your nerd friend from work? Why?”

  “Don’t be mean, Tony. He’s a good guy.”

  “I’m telling you, he just wants in your panties. He’s not a good guy. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you.”

  “You’re just being jealous again,” I said.

  He frowned and turned his head away.

  “Don’t get mad, baby.”

  “I’m not mad,” he said. “I’m disappointed.”

  “In me?”

  I stepped back, hoping he didn’t lose his temper.

  “No. I’m disappointed in myself. If bringing him along will make you happy, I’m fine with it. Just know I’m going to be the one taking you home and making sweet love to you all night long.”

  He moved forward and put a hand on my waist while looking into my eyes.

  “What if I want you to fuck me hard?”

  “I’ll do that too.”

  We kissed, enjoying the moment. Both of our lives were moving in positive directions. On top of his good news, I had almost finished my novel. It still needed a lot of work, but I was proud of what I’d been able to accomplish in such a short period of time.

  “Where should we go?”

  “House of Italy? I’d love to see your parents again.”

  He sighed.

  “They don’t like me, do they?”

  “No, they love you and have asked about you.”

  “Really? You didn’t say anything.”

  “I was stressed about the gambling debt and everything else.”

  “You’re done with gambling now, though, right?”

  He nodded then kissed me.

  “Good,” I said between sweet and succulent kisses. “We’ll meet you there. He wants me to pick him up.”

  “He can’t drive himself?” Tony snapped.

  “His car is broken down or something,” I said. “He’s really helped both of us. IF it wasn’t for him…”

  “I know,” he said, cutting me off. “That doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it.”

  “Just think about desert later,” I teased.

  “We’re ditching him right after dinner.”

  I nodded and smiled before kissing his sweet lips one more time.

  THIRTY

  Andrea

  I glanced over at Kenneth in the passenger seat. He smiled, shifting in his seat like an excited toddler.

  “Thanks for inviting me ove
r to celebrate,” he said. “I don’t get out to socialize much.”

  “It’s fine. You helped with this, and you deserve at least some of the credit.”

  “I don’t know. All I wanted to do was help you.”

  “Well, you helped me and Tony.”

  “I didn’t think they would give him his job back with all the other bad stuff he had done.”

  “He wasn’t that bad,” I said then quickly corrected myself. “He isn’t that bad. Christmas is in two days, maybe it’s time you two got along.”

  “Maybe,” he said then turned his head to peer out the window.

  Neither of us talked as I drove us the rest of the way to House of Italy. Without Kenneth’s help, Tony would have probably not gotten his job back and everything would still be a mess.

  When I pulled into the restaurant parking lot, I saw Tony leaning against the side of his escalade with an unconcerned expression on his face. He better treat Kenneth right, I thought as I parked a few spots away from him.

  “You sure he’s cool with this?” Kenneth asked.

  “Yeah. It will be fine. He’s as thankful as me even if he won’t admit it.”

  “I don’t know. Why couldn’t we go somewhere on our own?”

  Is he serious right now?

  “I told you, Kenneth. I’m in love with Tony.”

  He sat up in his seat as I unbuckled.

  “You’re in love with him? You never told me that.”

  “I am, but that doesn’t affect our friendship.”

  “But…”

  I watched as he struggled for words.

  “Let’s go have a good meal,” I said. “You two will get along.”

  If I said it enough, I figured it might come true.

  He unbuckled his seatbelt then opened the door. I joined him, smiling as Tony walked up.

  “Hey, Kenneth,” he said, eyeing the smaller man.

  “Hello, Tony.”

  They stared at each other.

  Have I made a terrible mistake?

  “Let’s go inside,” I said, grabbing Tony’s hand.

  We must have made the most awkward group of people as we crossed the parking lot and approached the entrance of the restaurant.