Fair Play

by Madison, Dakota

  She bats her over-made eyelashes at him. “Likewise,” she responds in a sugary Southern drawl that I know she’s perfected for television but doesn’t truly possess.

  “This is Les,” I say introducing the two guys.

  They both look at each other and give a civil nod.

  “Step out to the patio with me,” Evan suggests even though it’s getting a bit too chilly to be outside.

  Before I can respond, he takes hold of my elbow and leads me outside.

  Every patio in the condo complex looks similar. Each is private but still has a view of the pool area and gardens. I noticed there are several potted trees decorating Aaron’s patio and I have a difficult time believing Aaron put them there. Probably Rainy’s handiwork. Somehow, I can’t see Aaron picking out decorative plants for his patio.

  I wonder what Evan wants to talk to me about. I know we need to talk; we haven’t spoken since the intense session we had when he fucked me and then practically threw me out. Not that I didn’t deserve it but it still stings to think about.

  I can still feel the hurt in his voice when he said: Did you get what you wanted? It shook me to my core. People have called me a heartless bitch but I finally understood why it wasn’t a good thing when I saw how badly I hurt Evan.

  Evan pushes me to the edge of the patio, away from the large glass slider, so we can’t be easily seen. He closes the distance between us, so his body is right up next to mine. The heat radiating from him is so strong, it dulls the intensity of the cool fall air around us.

  When he looks down at me, his green eyes rage with need. Like a magnet to steel, his lips attract mine and before I can even process what’s happening, he parts my lips with his tongue and plunges it into my mouth.

  Then he grabs my ass firmly with both hands and pulls me so close, I can feel the growing erection through his jeans.

  “I’ve missed you, Keira,” he whispers before he takes a nip on my earlobe, which sends a bolt of electricity straight to my core. “I’ve missed tasting you, and touching you and being inside you.”

  When he says: being inside you, the ache of desire between my legs intensifies to near insanity-inducing proportions and I actually consider (for a split second until my rationale mind takes over) a quickie right there on the patio.

  Evan thrusts his tongue into my mouth again and I moan with desire. My response seems to intensify his already hungry mouth and tongue and I feel like he might be on the brink of devouring me.

  When my mind is nearly dizzy with the overwhelming intensity of his need, he stops for air. “We need to slow down,” he mutters nearly breathless.

  A wave of shivers surge through me as our eyes lock.

  “You have no idea how badly I’ve wanted to see you,” he says.

  “I think I do,” I admit. I’ve wanted to see Evan, to talk to him, to be with him but I was afraid he’d reject me.

  “Isn’t your place close?”

  I can feel my body tense at the suggestion. I don’t want guys in my apartment. And I definitely don’t want guys in my bed. It’s an unspoken rule. That way I maintain the power and control and can leave when I want.

  “Why don’t we go to your place?” I counter.

  Evan frowns. “But you live right next door. I’m like twenty minutes from here.”

  I shake my head and he takes a step back. “Why not?”

  I exhale as I try to think of a way to say what I want without hurting his feelings. “I just don’t like having guys at my place, okay?”

  I can see the hurt in his eyes returning and I actually feel guilty. “I’m not just some guy, am I?”

  “No. You’re not just some guy. I just don’t feel comfortable with it.”

  He bites his bottom lip as if he’s trying to stop himself from saying something he’ll regret. “Okay,” he says finally. “We’ll go to my place this time. But don’t think I’m going to stop trying.”

  He leans in so close to me, I can feel his breath on my face. “I’m going to sleep in that bed of yours. And I’m going to fuck you there, too. And then I’m going to wake up beside you. When I’m determined, I get what I want.”

  I swallow. I can see the look of resolve in his eyes. I know Evan is generally unstoppable when he wants something and that scares the shit out of me.

  Evan grabs my hand and pulls me back into Aaron’s living room. Aaron and Rainy are standing next to Roxie and Les and it sounds like they’re talking about Dr. Clark.

  When they see us approach, Aaron and Rainy open the small circle so that we can join them.

  “I think we’re going to take off,” Evan says as casually as possible. I notice that Evan hasn’t let go of my hand like he usually does when we’re around other people and this concerns me, especially because we’re standing with Aaron, who I’m supposed to be seducing.

  I try to pull my hand away but Evan’s grip on me is like a vice. I know I’ll be pissed at Evan later because this stunt is going to set me back in my quest to get Aaron but right now I’m being consumed by thoughts of how great it will feel when Evan’s hard body is pressed against mine.

  “Sure,” Aaron says but he seems confused. Probably because Evan just got there and also because Evan’s got his fingers entwined with mine. It makes me wonder if Aaron knows that Evan and I have been fucking each other for years. Surely the subject has come up at some point, hasn’t it?

  Maybe not. Because when Aaron looks down at our entwined hands, his eyes grow wide and when he looks up at us, it’s like something clicks inside. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Keira,” he manages to say but he seems uncomfortable.

  “Have fun,” I hear Roxie laugh as Evan pulls me toward the front door.

  “Is it really necessary to hold my hand like we’re a couple?” I complain as we head toward Evan’s car. “Especially out in the open in front of everyone.”

  Evan stops and stares at me. “You mean in front of Aaron?”

  I gulp. He knows me so well it’s scary. “Yes, in front of Aaron.”

  “It is necessary,” he says as he pushes me against his car and slams his body against mine.

  His erection is already so hard, I gasp.

  “That’s how badly I want you,” he growls. “You feel how hard I am for you?”

  “Yes,” I moan.

  Evan slams his lips to mine and attacks my mouth with such force, it’s a little painful.

  “I’ve got to get you to my place,” he says. “I need to be inside you.”

  And I completely agree. I need to feel him inside me as much as he needs to be there. I want him so badly, I ache.

  As soon as Evan’s front door closes, he grabs my ass and pulls me up so that I’m straddling his hips. He pushes me against the first available wall and presses me against it with his hard body. Then he slams his mouth into mine. We’re a tangle of lips and tongues as he devours me in a frenzy.

  “Keira,” he says breathlessly. “I want you.”

  Evan’s hands are everywhere, my stomach, my breasts, my neck. It’s like his hands are just as hungry for me as his lips and tongue.

  “I wish you’d worn a skirt,” he says. “I’d lift it up and fuck you right here.”

  His words send a surge of desire through me that’s so strong, I’m nearly undone.

  Evan quickly undoes the buttons on my top then removes the garment and throws it to the floor. He’s just as quick to get my bra off and the urgency he seems to have with getting me naked is contagious. I feel so hot and bothered my clothes can’t come off quickly enough.

  Evan attacks my nipple with his mouth, sucking and nibbling until it is hypersensitive. “I miss your taste,” he declares as he goes after the other nipple with equal ferocity. Evan has always been a skilled lover but I’ve never seen him this completely ravenous. I feel like he can’t get enough of me.

  Evan locks his mouth to mine then grabs my ass and pulls me close. He carries me into his bedroom and lays me down on his bed.

  “I love seeing you
lying on my bed,” he states. “The only thing that would make it more perfect is having you completely naked on my bed.”

  There is a mischievous glimmer in his eyes as he looks me up and down. Even though I’m still half clothed in my pants and underwear, the look of pure desire in his eyes is arousing.

  As I look at Evan, I am overwhelmed by his sheer masculinity, and not just because of his size, which is ample, there’s something about his demeanor, about his very being, which is so completely alpha male that it takes my breath away.

  “Yes,” Evan says. “You definitely need to be naked.”

  Evan gives me a little half grin as he kneels between my outstretched legs and pulls my pants down. My underwear quickly follows. When he stands and inspects his work, he nods. “That’s much better. Now it’s playtime.”

  Evan joins me on the bed and I’m a little disappointed that he’s still fully clothed. Evan has an incredible body and just looking at it is usually enough to send a wave of heat right through me. As Evan moves his index finger down my chest teasing and caressing me with the lightest of touches, I shiver in response. For someone so big, Evan can be extremely gentle and because it’s so unexpected, it’s even more of a turn on.

  When Evan lightly caresses each of my nipples with his finger, I suck in air as I’m struck with another wave of delight. “Evan,” I mutter mindlessly as he continues working his way down my chest toward my belly button. Evan knows my belly button is ultra-sensitive and he seems to be teasing me as he moves his index finger lightly around the edge of it.

  “Let’s see how turned on you are,” Evan teases as he moves his fingers between my legs. I can already feel how wet I’ve become and as Evan moves his fingers inside me, the slickness of his movements confirms my suspicions.

  “Oh, Baby,” he says. “You are definitely ready for me.”

  “Yes,” I murmur with a little more desperation that I want. The ache growing deep inside me is almost unbearable.

  When Evan pulls me close and devours my mouth again, the need for release begins to reach a desperate level. I pull away and reach for the buttons on Evan’s shirt but he shakes his head. “I’ll get those. I want you to watch.”

  Evan rises from the bed and stands directly in front of me. When our eyes lock, he says, “Tell me what you want.”

  I swallow because I’m so worked up I’m not sure any coherent words will come out. “You,” I manage to squeak out.

  Without taking his smoldering eyes from mine, Evan unbuttons his shirt and allows it to fall to the floor.

  I lick my lips as I take in his full form and his glorious, muscular chest. “Like what you see?” he teases and I nod in response.

  Then he slides out of his pants and underwear, letting loose his substantial erection. Evan stands naked in front of me and I have to admit, he has the most beautiful body I’ve ever seen.

  As he continues to stare at me, I realize there is more in his eyes than just desire and pure carnal need. Evan wants me. At that moment, I realize it’s much more than sex that he’s after. He doesn’t just want to possess my body; he wants all of me: body, mind and soul.

  And it scares the shit out of me.

  I think Evan will reach for a condom but he doesn’t. He lowers himself onto the bed and straddles me. “Are you ready Keira? Tell me you want me.”

  I gulp. “Condom?” I manage to mutter.

  He shakes his head again. “I haven’t been with anyone else. Only you, Keira.”

  I’m not sure if I’m more shocked or scared by that comment. Evan the Conqueror has suddenly become a one-woman man. It doesn’t seem possible.

  “I don’t want anything between us,” Evan says. “I want to feel you. Is that okay?”

  I want to feel him, too, but the implications of us being together without protection and the unspoken agreement that we will not have other partners is overwhelming.

  Before I can stop myself, I shake my head. Even though Evan has just told me that he wants to only be with me, I don’t feel like I can make that same kind of commitment and definitely not in the heat of the moment.

  I can see disappointment flood Evan’s face but he’s quick to recover. He doesn’t hesitate to reach over into his nightstand drawer and grab a condom.

  Once he sheaths himself and lowers himself back down the moment doesn’t seem quite as energized but after he consumes me with kisses and makes his way over to my earlobe for a few nibbles, my engine kicks back into overdrive.

  When Evan pushes himself inside me, he’s so turned on, he completely fills me. As he continues to thrust, his actions become more urgent and hard and he seems desperate to possess me—to make me his, even if I’m not sure yet that I want to be.

  It’s not long before I feel myself moving quickly toward the edge of the release.

  “Evan,” I cry as I explode into a wild firestorm of sensation.

  Evan’s release quickly follows. He folds me into a tight embrace as we both enjoy the momentary oblivion that follows our orgasms.

  After a few moments, Evan withdraws and hops from the bed to dispose of the condom and clean himself up. When he returns, he wraps me in his arms and gives me a light kiss.

  As Evan holds me tight, his words echo in my head: Only you, Keira. I suddenly feel trapped under his hold and I have the overwhelming desire to make a quick escape.

  “I need to pee,” I lie because it seems to be one of the only ways he’ll let go of me and let me out of the bed. It’s either that or I have to tell him the apartment is on fire and I know that lie won’t hold up.

  Evan narrows his eyes and looks at me with so much intensity, I feel like he’s looking right through me. “You’re not going to try to escape are you?”

  How does he know me so well? Sometimes I feel like he knows me better than I know myself. He always seems to be one step ahead of me anyway.

  When Evan releases his hold on me and I’m finally able to extricate myself from him and his bed, I hurry into the bathroom and shut the door.

  I don’t know what I was thinking coming to Evan’s place and having sex with him again. I was horny and needed release but I also know that Evan wants more. Now I’m afraid it’s much more.

  Then it occurs to me that I’m not sure whether I don’t want to be in a relationship with Evan or I don’t want to be in a relationship at all. I wonder if I would feel differently if it was Aaron in the next room instead of Evan. Would I still have the urge to run away.

  It’s not a matter I even want to consider right now. All I want to do is get the hell out of Evan’s apartment because I suddenly feel like I can’t breathe.

  I flush the toilet even though I haven’t even used it. I want to make it at least sound legit.

  When I walk back into Evan’s bedroom, he’s lying at the head of the bed still naked. He pats the side of the bed next to him in a join-me gesture but I just stand there staring at him.

  “I’ve got to go,” I say but Evan doesn’t look surprised. It’s like he was half expecting me to utter those words.

  Evan’s eyes roam my body. “You’re beautiful, Keira,” he states to my surprise. He’s not one for compliments like that. “You know how I feel about you, don’t you?”

  I swallow. I’m not sure I want him to answer the question or that I even want to acknowledge it. Maybe because I’m not sure I want it to be real. “I can call a cab,” I state as I pick my clothes up off the floor.

  Evan shakes his head. “I’m taking you home.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  He frowns. “Maybe I want to take care of you. Maybe I want to give you more than a good time in bed. Why won’t you let me?”

  I can feel myself fill with anger even though I’m not exactly sure what I’m angry about. Before I can stop myself, words spew from my lips, “I don’t need you or anyone else to take care of me. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

  Evan actually laughs. “It’s easy to take care of yourself when you�
�ve got daddy’s money. But I’m not talking about that. We both have so much money from our families neither of us has to work a day in our lives. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need someone to take care of us emotionally. Don’t you want someone to be there for you? Don’t you want someone to love you?”

  And there it is—hanging in the air like the heavy pollution that hangs over the city—the L word. The exact thing I don’t want to hear.

  “Now I really have to go,” I say as I feel the walls of the room beginning to close in on me and the air slowly escaping my lungs.

  Evan gets up from the bed and walks up behind me. He grabs me and wraps me into his arms. I try to protest and wriggle free but he holds me tighter until I melt into his arms.

  “I love you, Keira,” he whispers into my ear. “And if you’re ever willing to accept my love, you know where to find me.”

  “But why?” I ask. “Why do you love me? I’m not loveable in any way.”

  “You accept me for who I am, even the parts of me I have a hard time accepting. We’re two flawed people, Keira. Some would say we’re both very flawed but somehow we still fit together.”

  He gives me a soft kiss on the temple then releases me. “Get dressed and I’ll take you home,” he states and I waste no time getting ready.

  Seven

  People’s hearts are like wild animals.

  They attach their selves to those that love and train them.

  ~ Ali Ibn Abi Talib

  As I make myself a cup of black coffee, my mind is still reeling from all the crazy shit that happened with Evan.

  Evan the Conqueror, the guy who no one expected to ever settle down, the guy who slept with enough freshman girls to win a freakin’ car, has declared his love for me, Keira Whitley, otherwise known as the Queen of Mean.

  How fucked up is that?

  Of course, my phone rings and I can see from the call display that it’s my mom. Great timing! I know the reason she’s phoning is to hear all about my progress snagging Aaron and breaking up his engagement to Rainy.

  “Mother,” I say as I answer my cell.