“No one…you’re sure, honey?” Controlling her breathing and trying to slow her heart rate, she nodded. “Have you eaten today?”
“Mom, is everything okay? You’re acting strange.”
Her mother stomped her foot. “Answer the question, darling.”
Eyes wide, she replied, “Yes. I ate a meal and two small snacks before I left the house.” Her family was looking at her oddly. “What’s going on?”
Far too cheerfully, her mother said, “Let’s take you around the office before we go. You know how the staff loves when you visit.” Reaching behind her head, she removed the clip holding back her hair. “You know, I thought you were lovely as a child. That was nothing compared to you as a grown woman. I love you, Sasha. You know that, don’t you?”
“I love you, too. Are you sure you’re alright?”
“I just want to make sure you know…and remember.”
Linking arms, Deirdre led the way out of the office and big smiles and several hugs greeted Sasha from the administrative and accounting staff.
CJ stared down his PA. “You saved me one? The chocolate kind?” She nodded seriously.
Sasha chatted and laughed with the people she’d worked with for years. Some of them, she’d known since she was a little girl. She was surprised to find that she missed the atmosphere of the agency. Several asked if she was coming back and she shook her head.
Bumping shoulders, Nathan said, “You wouldn’t even come back part time? Once a week? You’re the only sane person in our family, Sasha. Look at their faces.”
It was impossible not to laugh as a bunch of adults gave her boo-boo lips.
“We’ll wear her down. Don’t worry everyone. Pastry is an inalienable right.”
“You know, you can buy it yourself.” Hand on her hip, she raised her brow suspiciously.
Nathan clasped his hand over his heart and whispered, “But…you bring it with love, Sasha! The perfect mix!” He grabbed her shoulders and gave her a little shake. “The perfect mix filled with love, woman!”
Her mom tugged her away with a grin. “We’ll beg properly later. Over wine.” As they passed the conference room door, Deirdre stopped and turned to her. “Sasha…” She smoothed a strand of hair away from her face. “You know how I adore you, don’t you?”
“Of course, and I love you, too.”
“I have your best interests at heart.”
“I know you do, Mom. What is it?”
“Remember that.” Reaching out, her mother opened one side of the large double door. As it swung wide, it wasn’t the luxurious appointments of the high-end conference room where they signed multi-million dollar contracts that held her attention.
Tucker Irvin stood just inside and he looked fucking delicious.
Chapter Fourteen
Sasha took a step forward before she narrowed her eyes on Tucker.
“It’s good to see you again, Sasha. I have a few things I need to go over with you.”
Glancing at her mother beside her and her father just behind them, she frowned. “What’s going on? Did I just get set up…again?”
Deirdre rolled her eyes. “Don’t be dramatic, dear. If you recall, you’re Tucker’s agent.”
“I no longer work for the company…”
“Actually…that isn’t one-hundred-percent accurate,” CJ said behind her. She glared at him and he shrugged. “We never put the paperwork through. You still represent him. I filled in for the last three months but you know how many clients I have. He’s not getting what he deserves from this agency so…he’s your only client.”
“I can’t believe you were part of this.” The butterflies in her stomach and dampness between her legs told her clearly that she wasn’t ready to see Tucker.
CJ leaned close and kissed the tip of Sasha’s nose. At her ear, he whispered, “You’re miserable and I’m tired of it. I thought you’d shake it off and you haven’t. That means you give a shit. What kind of brother would I be if I didn’t help you get what you didn’t realize you wanted?”
“Can everyone give us a few minutes?” Tucker spoke to her family but didn’t taken his eyes off her face. “I need to speak to Sasha.”
“Of course, take your time. Sasha, we’ll have lunch after you young people chat.” Deirdre guided her dad and brothers from the room and closed the door behind them with a smile.
Alone with her personal kryptonite…oh shit.
She took a deep breath and clasped her hands. “Tuck, what’s going on?” Her feet were rooted to the expensive carpet near the door. Part of her considered running.
As if he read her mind, he smiled. “Don’t do it, Sasha.”
He wore slacks and a dress shirt unbuttoned at the collar. The jacket and tie he’d worn to the set of the morning talk show currently hung over the back of a chair. His hands were on his hips and the rolled up sleeves exposed powerful forearms.
“What are you doing here, Tucker?” Sasha took a step back as he took a step forward.
“You look fantastic.” His gaze roamed down her body before settling back on her eyes. “Great dress and I love the heels. Come here, Sasha.”
Caught retreating again, she paused. “Tuck, let me assign another agent for you. We can’t maintain professionalism like this.” She took several steps around the end of the conference table and he paced her. “You’re being ridiculous. There’s no reason for you to chase me around the room. You don’t chase women. They fall, weeping in gratitude, at your feet.”
Moving suddenly, he covered the distance between them, and she lost her balance an instant before he wrapped his arms around her snugly.
“Tuck…”
Pivoting sharply, he pressed her to the nearest wall beside the enormous wall mounted television. He didn’t trap her but he was close and he smelled so good.
“I’m finding I much prefer people who don’t fall at my feet. I have no interest in chasing women…simply in catching one woman.” His fingers squeezed her hand before tracing up her wrist and arm to her shoulder. “I’ll chase you as long as I think I have a chance.”
“This isn’t a game, Tucker.”
“No. It’s my life, Sasha.” For one moment, she caught a glimpse of her own emotional state reflected in the green of his eyes. “This is far more important than any game. I take it seriously and you should, too.”
A strong hand slid along the back of her neck as he kissed her. Nothing could have prepared her for the instant, visceral reaction her body had to him.
Her breasts arched against his chest and her hips ground against him. He devoured her mouth and left her without the ability or will to think clearly. One hand slid over her hip and he pulled her against him forcefully, pivoting his hips into the cradle of her thighs. The hard ridge of his cock pressed against the cleft of her and she moaned into his mouth.
“I do not fucking want anyone else and I haven’t since the night I met you. I want you under me, over me, screaming my name. My mouth waters for the taste of you. My cock throbs every time I think about you. I’ve never felt like this for anyone and it scares the hell out of me…but I’m not fucking running and by god, you’re not running either.”
Tuck cupped her face in his hands and made love to her mouth until she whimpered. Her mind was in a turmoil of need unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Sasha’s hand moved to the back of his head and her fingers stroked through his hair.
“We don’t know each other. This is crazy, Tucker.”
He lifted his mouth and laid his forehead against her with his eyes closed. Leaning back, he smoothed the curls from around her face.
“I know you hold your head up even when you’re hurting inside. I know you’re afraid to trust me and worry about being humiliated again. I know it will take a long time for me to prove I won’t hurt you and you can trust me. I also know I’m fucking in love with you, Sasha.”
Her lips parted in surprise and he kissed her again, licking into her mouth and stroking along her tongue. His ha
nds moved to her back, gently kneading as he pulled her closer.
Sasha went willingly and Tuck groaned against her lips. Her hands moved over him in a desperate need to memorize the body that was already strangely familiar. She pulled his shirt from his slacks and unbuttoned it, sliding her palms along his chest and around his sides.
Raking her nails down his back, she stroked them around to the front. In moments, she unbuckled his belt, unfastened his pants, and pushed the clothing off his hips.
Tuck responded by sliding her sundress up her torso and quickly whipping it away. Not quickly enough, their clothing was scattered over the carpet and their arms were tightly wrapped around one another.
“We’re buck-ass naked in the conference room of Dad’s company.”
“Don’t care. Do not fucking care.”
Tucker lifted her, held her against the wall, and slid smoothly into her embarrassingly wet pussy in one stroke. Her arms and legs gripped him tightly as he started to move.
“You’re so wet and hot. I have fucking missed you, Sasha.”
Hard hands braced her as he powered deep and all she could do was hold on for dear life. Every stroke was more intense as he stared into her eyes. When it was too much, she brought his face to her for a kiss. He gave her what she wanted but broke it quickly.
“You won’t run from me that way either.” She shook her head and a lock of her hair stuck to skin that was already slick with sweat.
The first climax rolled over her like a train but Tuck never slowed the movement of his hips against her. He kept going, kept moving, and dragged out her pleasure. When he felt her begin to relax, he positioned his elbows under her knees and somehow fucked her even harder.
“More, Sasha.”
He changed the angle, plunging to her womb again and again. She did everything she could to shield her heart from what he was making her feel. She needed to protect herself.
Then she was coming again and still he stared at her, fucked her, loved her. There was no denying it. No pretending he was just infatuated. No brushing off how he felt about her as just another conquest in a long line.
Tuck Irvin loved her.
Sasha wanted this man with every part of her mind, heart, and body. The orgasm was harder this time – than any other time before – and she felt her pussy tighten like a vice around his cock. He almost lost control but reined it in. When her sheath loosened, he exhaled hard and she smiled.
“I love you, Tucker.”
At her words, he lost control. The force of the semen leaving the head of his cock was unlike anything she’d ever felt. Her pregnancy was the result of a condom that broke, so it took her a moment to realize why this particular experience was different.
Tuck’s rhythm stumbled to a stop and he reached up with both hands to hold her face. “Don’t freak out. It happened and I’m sorry but I don’t care.” His smile reminded her of a child’s face at Christmas. “You love me?”
Tamping down the baby panic – that wasn’t as extreme as she would have thought – she raked her fingers through his damp hair. “I’ve never been in love and I’m afraid.”
“Let’s be afraid together. That’s better than being afraid and alone.” Tuck’s smile was warm and she laughed softly until he held her still for his kiss.
It was his way of sealing the deal.
He carefully gathered her close and carried her to the sofa on the other side of the room. As he settled over her, sinking to her womb, he wrapped his arms around her back.
“I can’t leave your body yet. I need to stay connected to you.” She nodded and wrapped her bare feet around his ass, pulling him flat to her chest. He rested his head beside her, his mouth near her ear as he stroked his palm up and down her side. “Sasha, I won’t hurt you.”
Her hands smoothed his hair and stroked over his face. “Stay with me? Let’s see if this works?”
Tucker nodded and started to thrust gently inside her. “It’ll work.” He nuzzled her neck and nibbled along her shoulder. When he lifted his head, he was grinning and she traced the dimples. “I hope no one was especially hungry. We have three months to make up for. Celibacy sucks.”
The sound of her laughter faded into a low moan as Tucker got to work.
Epilogue
Five years later…
In a move that still had celebrity gossips talking, Tucker proposed to Sasha within days of them getting back together. They were married in a simple morning wedding at the beach with their family in attendance.
Later that night, they were married again in an extravagant production that included some of the biggest names in the sports world. Her parents had insisted. As their only daughter, the big wedding was part of the package.
For months, Tucker spent every moment they weren’t sleeping trying to get his wife pregnant and they were rewarded for their efforts when she gave birth to a beautiful son they named Connor. Her tears as she held her baby were two-fold and her husband understood.
Despite the complications the first time and the increased risk to her body to carry a second child, Sasha wanted to try to have one more child before she had her tubes tied. She was on bed rest for the majority of her pregnancy but didn’t complain because she wanted to remain calm.
Tucker almost lost her during labor.
Their extended family spoiled their children rotten and he was thankful every single day that Sasha survived bringing them into the world.
Connor was a little hellion and if he did something wrong, he used his dimples to get him out of trouble. The response always received a heavy sigh from his mother and she often pointed at Tucker silently.
Paige allowed her family to dress her up despite showing all signs at almost three of being just like her mother. She preferred to play on the beach and spent hours every day drawing and coloring.
The doting grandparents picked them up for the weekend and laughed as Sasha shooed them gently to the car. As the car disappeared up the drive, she took off running for their bedroom.
Tucker tackled her gently to the bed and made short work of their clothes. Only when he slid deep inside her body did he release the breath he’d been holding.
“Finally. I’ve missed you.”
“We had sex this morning.”
“It was quiet sex. Kids-are-in-the-house sex. Not the loud, sweaty kind you know you prefer.”
“Me?”
“You are so dirty…”
Their laughter filled the brightly lit room as Tucker Irvin made love to his agent. No one got the kinds of benefits from the agency that he did. Later, he’d whine until she gave him one of her famous massages and turned him into a pile of goo.
Sasha’s smiling face as she came was everything and he slowed down to drag out the moment. “I love you so fucking much.”
“I love you, Tucker.”
He rolled to his back and watched her rise above him. “Ride me, Sasha. Let me touch you.”
Her hands on his shoulders, Sasha set a lazy rhythm, staring into his face as his hands moved over her body. He pulled her closer and took a pebbled nipple in his mouth. Switching back and forth, he sucked and licked her breasts until she couldn’t bear to hold back her orgasm.
Throwing her head back, Sasha came around him and Tuck’s hands gripped her too hard as he tried to hold back.
“Come with me. I want to feel you coating my pussy.” Her hands fisted in his hair, her eyes glazed with passion as her climax washed over her in waves.
Everything about making love to her was hell on his control. Tuck thrust upward hard as she powered down and he came growling her name, his hands too rough on her hips as the sensation of release wrapped tightly in her body stole his breath.
Sasha’s eyes stayed on his. “I want all of it…give me every drop, Tuck.”
“Every drop belongs to you.” He barely recognized the sound of his voice. When both of them were spent, she stretched out on his chest and he rubbed her back. They were quiet for so long that he thought she
’d fallen asleep. Her words out of nowhere made him grin.
“Tucker, that is nowhere near as dirty as what I plan to do to you later.”
They treated themselves to a rare nap and then she kept her promise.
Fight
A Short Story by Shayne McClendon
He had to win the fight. It was the only way to escape the row house where he'd spent every day of his life.
The more his dad drank, the more his mother prayed, the stronger his desire to leave and never look back.
There had been a time he wanted to be his father. A time when he believed his father to be a good man. Then he discovered his father was just a man, flawed and tired and going nowhere.
It was his parents' lack of dreams that terrified him, often found him frozen in place, wondering if he would end up like them before assuring himself that his dream was still fixed in his mind.
To be without a dream was the equivalent of death. To be satisfied to live the same life, year after year, without hope or even the need to seek more was similar to being a zombie.
He wasn't a smart man. He wasn't a particularly talented man. To achieve his goal of escaping the bitter cold winters and living somewhere that didn't give him windburn meant he had to use his single skill.
He was able to fight. To take pain and suffering while remaining standing. To inflict hurt on another human until their flesh broke beneath his fists and their eyes rolled back in their head.
It was not a skill to be proud of but it was the only one he had.
He knew he had to win. To keep winning for five years or less to avoid brain damage or injuries that would haunt him the rest of his life.
Making the sacrifice, doing the time, getting out in time, and staying warm. His goals in order of importance.
He had to win the fight. There were no other options.
© Shayne McClendon 2015
Love of the Game – The Complete Collection
Shayne McClendon
If you enjoyed “Leap of Faith,” I bet you’ll really get into “Love of the Game – The Complete Collection” – a set of five stand-alone contemporary sports romance stories featuring professional athletes and the women who love them.
Leap of Faith: A Sports Romance (Love of the Game Book 3) Page 8
