Second Chance: A Military Football Romance

by Claire Adams

  I wasn't inviting him in my bed anytime soon, but I could, at least, relent a little.

  "Come on. I don't bite unless you ask me to." He patted the couch next to him as I walked into the living room. The way he watched me left me wanting to beg him to put his teeth on me, but I ignored the desire and dropped down next to him.

  "No biting, no touching, and no misunderstanding my squeals for neediness. I'm an independent girl with no desire for a knight in shining armor." I glanced over at him, lifting my eyebrow in warning.

  "He's no knight in shining armor." Derek settled down into the chair closest to me and dipped his spoon into a big bowl of banana pudding. "Not that I am, either."

  "You're not?" Cindy walked in and squeezed into the chair with him as Clay hit the button for the movie to start.

  "For you, yes." Derek wrapped an arm around her and handed her the bowl. "Hold this so I can eat it?"

  "Brother," Brody mumbled beside me and reached for a handful of popcorn. "Don't tell anyone when I scream like a girl. Got it?"

  "You? Screaming?" I glanced over at him, wanting to make a thousand inappropriate comments and yet I didn’t, knowing that it would just start him up again. Seeing that he'd been acting a bit more chill for the last few hours, I almost hated the idea of getting him started up again.

  "Only when the moment calls for it." His eyes lingered on me, making me feel attractive, pretty.

  "Stop. Behave or you're out." I turned to the TV and stiffened as the lights went low and he moved closer, pressing his face against the side of my hair.

  "You don't want me to behave, Cora. I promise." He brushed his lips by my ear as my heart started to race. "But for the sake of our friends and your denial of a good time, I'll try."

  I turned to face him, almost brushing my nose by his. "Denial of a good time?"

  His eyes moved down toward my lips as his breathing got a little off. "Yeah, a really good time."

  "Orgasmic?" I whispered and leaned in a little farther as the movie started to play. Everyone around us could go to hell. This guy wanted to tease me as if I was the sweet sensitive type that would fall to his good looks and his suave moves?

  He licked his lips and nodded. "Fuck, yeah."

  "Sounds fun, but I'm not one to have just one bite of anything. Especially weenies." I turned back to the movie like nothing had happened.

  Clay snorted and laughed. "You did not just say that shit."

  "She did." Emily piped in and snuggled up against me, causing me to have to move over a little more toward Brody.

  "Sorry," I mumbled at him and shoved my mouth full of popcorn.

  "Payback is hell, baby girl." He glanced over at me and smirked. "Should be fun, though."

  "Shhh...I'm trying to watch this." Dedra turned from the floor in front of the TV and glared at us.

  "We should make the boys watch the chick flick. Really. I want to see Brody suffer." I turned to look at Cindy and Derek, hoping for some support.

  "Keep denying him. That'll do more than the movie could hope to." Daniel glanced back and laughed before his eyes got wide as we laughed. "Sorry, dude. Just kidding around."

  "Right." Brody sunk into the couch and turned his attention toward the TV as the creepy music started.

  "You almost look cute when you pout," I whispered and watched him for another second while he ignored me. "Almost."

  I tried to focus on the movie, but it was so hard with him next to me. The slightest movement, and my attention was back on him. His arm brushed by mine several times, and dammit if I didn't feel like I was in junior high again. He didn't seem to notice at all, but I was sure it was part of his game.

  A scream ripped from me as I glanced back to the TV screen and Jason popped out from under a bed, leaving my heart racing and goosebumps all over my arms and legs.

  "Fuck!" Emily yelled beside me.

  I laughed and glanced over to find Brody chuckling.

  "Not funny." I moved to the edge of the couch and got up, taking the popcorn with me. "Anyone else want a beer?"

  Several hands went up, and I counted them before I walked into the kitchen. My heart racing over the movie was almost a relief to the fact that my pulse kept spiking over Brody.

  "Need some help?" The softness in his voice was out of place, and not a good thing, at all.

  "Yeah. Sure." I glanced over my shoulder to watch him watching me.

  "You look good tonight, by the way. I know it sounds like a come-on, and I've been trying not to tell you all night, but I figure I might as well get it over with and let the next round of berating start." He smirked as I pulled a few beers from the fridge and sat them down on the countertop next to me.

  "Berating?" I took a few steps toward him as desire rolled through me. His white polo shirt looked good against his summer tan and blond hair. I should have been running from the room screaming at the thoughts that drove through me, pounding in the need to relent to him.

  "Yep." He reached around me, his shoulder brushing by my breasts. "You seem to have it out for me for some odd reason."

  "Not really. I'm just not interested. I've said that a few times, though." I stiffened as he moved closer.

  "Something tells me that you're fighting a good fight where I'm concerned." He touched the bottom of my chin, lifting my head a little. "Why not relent? I'm not a bad guy."

  "How many women have you slept with this summer so far?" I lifted my eyebrow at him, enjoying the firm press of his fingers more than I should have.

  He smirked. "Back to sex, hm? Always sex with you, Cora."

  "You know what I mean." I moved back, but not far. The nearness was stimulating in a way that I wasn't ready to walk away from just yet.

  "No, I don't." He reached out and brushed his fingers over my hip as he took the last step between us. "And, why can't it be a summer affair filled with fun and laughter? Beers and movies? Why have you already written it off as one night in the sack and that's it? You don't think there's more to me that a night of fucking?"

  I felt like shit. I was doing exactly what I'd expected him to do.

  "No, I mean, yes. Ugh. Fuck. I don't know." I pushed at his chest. "And, stop crowding me. You smell too good for that."

  He lifted his shirt to his nose and breathed in. "Abercrombie. My favorite."

  "Yeah, mine, too," I mumbled a little breathless.

  "Give me a chance. Come to the movies with me on Wednesday night. Just the two of us. Just as friends getting away for some fun." He pursed his lips.

  "No." I picked up the beers and moved past him. "You're the kind of guy I fall for, Brody. It's not happening this summer. I'm a grown-ass woman now. I need to start acting like it."

  The movie stopped as everyone sat up and grumbled.

  I handed out beers and turned to see Brody holding the remote. "Alright. All those in favor of Cora going to the movies with me on Wednesday just as friends say aye!"

  Everyone yelled “aye,” which garnished them a look from me.

  "All those opposed?" Brody smiled at me as I lifted my hand.

  "Nay, and I'm the only one that matters." I shrugged and tossed him a beer. "Stop making us look silly in front of our friends and come sit down."

  "What movie you guys going to see?" Emily asked.

  I growled at her and dropped down on the couch.

  "There's a chick flick showing, I'm sure." Brody rolled his eyes and glanced down the hall. "So, which room is Cora's?"

  "Why?" I asked, sitting up as my back stiffened. What was this guy up to?

  "Third on the left." Cindy laughed as I threw a pillow at her.

  "If I can beat you to your bed, you're going with me." He turned and raced down the hall as I jumped up and leapt over the coffee table.

  Dedra's voice rose above the laughter. "Oh shit. Look at that girl go."

  Brody's laughter caused me to slow down, but only a little. I had no doubt that he was testing me more than trying to win a race to my bed. He wasn't running fast at all
, but giving me the chance to tell him whether I wanted to go or not without having to say a word. That he was willing to give me an out left me not wanting one.

  I jogged into my bedroom as he dove into my bed and rolled onto his back with a wicked smile on his face.

  "Looks like you're going to have to hold me while I cry on Wednesday." He pulled my pillow from behind his head and rubbed it on his chest.

  "Give me that." I marched into the room and reached for the pillow.

  He grabbed my wrist and tugged me down on him. "I thought you liked this cologne. I was just trying to give you the opportunity to smell it all night long."

  I pushed up on his chest and glared down at him playfully. The bitch I'd been able to muster up earlier was nowhere to be found, but I certainly felt her absence.

  "You're dumb." I smirked and started to move off the bed.

  "You don't like sensitive guys?" He tugged at my wrists, bringing me down across his chest again.

  I pressed my nose to his shirt and breathed in deeply, hating myself for doing it. "Nope. I only date assholes. You didn't get the hint?"

  He chuckled and brushed my hair behind my ear as I moved back up. "You're so beautiful. Not throw you in the bed and fuck you all night hot, but a pretty girl, nevertheless."

  "You dick." I swatted at him and climbed out of the bed. "Get up. I don't want you or anyone else getting ideas."

  "Well, you're three days too late at this point. I've had loads of ideas since meeting you that first night." He moved to sit on the side of my bed. "It smells good in here. Like apple pie and lust."

  "Get out." I picked up my pillow and swatted him with it. "Clay?"

  "Coming!" I could hear him from down the hall.

  Brody laid back across the bed and spread his arms out. "You think Clay's going to get me out of here?"

  "Yes, I do." I put my hands on my hips and glanced toward the door as Clay stopped just inside of it. "Help a sister out?"

  "I wish I could, Cora." Clay pressed his hands to the doorframe and nodded toward Brody. "I've known this guy my whole life and he doesn't do anything without benefiting himself."

  "Great; the greedy type, hmm?" I turned my attention back on Brody, ignoring how hot he looked spread out across my bed.

  "Thanks a lot, bro." Brody turned to look over at Clay with a grimace on his handsome face.

  "Sorry, man. Just name your price for the girl and get out of her bed." Clay shrugged and turned to me. "Ask his price."

  "Why do I feel like you guys are playing the fuck outta me right now?" I laughed and turned to Brody as my heart skipped a beat. I'd been with hot guys, but the man before me outdid them all by a long shot.

  "No one's playing," Brody winked. "I want a kiss."

  "Good. Go get yourself one." I reached for his hand. "There are loads of girls out there that would trip over themselves to be kissed by a guy like you."

  "A guy like me? A whore?" His smile faltered, and I glanced over toward where Clay was to find him gone. There would be no help from him.

  "No, a guy that looks like you." I pursed my lips and shook my hand, trying to outrun the inevitable as it rushed toward me. I was going to fall for him. Physically, I was already there.

  "Looks like me?" He brushed his fingers by mine and smiled, but didn't take my hand. "How do I look?"

  "Incredible," I whispered and licked at my lips. "Get up. Seriously."

  His expression changed a little, his confidence was back into place and the silly, playful guy he was moments earlier completely gone.

  "Sure. For a kiss." He gripped my hand and tugged me down, rolling us and pressing himself to the top of me as he held me tightly. "No sex. No lust. Just a kiss between new friends."

  I couldn't breathe. It felt like the first time I'd been pressed to a bed, and yet nothing could have been farther from the truth.

  "No kiss. Get up." I ran my hands by his side as I lay contently trapped beneath him. The thick press of his erection against my stomach liquefied my insides. I wanted the lust. The sex. Fuck, I wanted the kiss.

  "One kiss. Just a peck like you'd give your grandmother at Christmas." He smiled and moved down brushing his nose by mine. "Come on, Cora. Just a sweet little-”

  I leaned up and pressed my lips to his roughly. The minute I did, he moved his hand up to cup my jaw and turned his head a little, rolling his tongue past my lips and driving deeply into me. A groan left me as the taste of beer and vanilla rolled over my taste buds. Combined with the smell of his skin and the heavy press of his body against mine, I was having trouble remembering why the hell I was fighting against him so hard.

  He kissed me a few times, and I returned the actions, opening myself up to his assault and taking the passion he offered. My fingers dug into his sides as we made love to each other's mouths fervently.

  "Um, guys?" Emily knocked at the door. "We're going outside for walk. You wanna come?"

  He jerked up and moved to stand as we both panted softly, staring at each other intently.

  "No, I'm tired, but thanks." I couldn't take my eyes off of him. "I'll see you Wednesday. You got your kiss, so get out."

  He smirked and walked to the door as Emily disappeared.

  I dropped down on the bed and closed my eyes, memorizing how good the moment felt.

  "Yeah," he whispered. "I want more, too."

  "Get out, and close the door behind you." I tossed a pillow at him as he laughed and closed the door. I rolled onto my side and curled up into a ball as pleasure danced around in the pit of my stomach and my imagination went wild with the possibilities. All of them so damning and yet so right.

  I wasn't going to get out of having something with Brody, so rather than run from it, I would just avoid it as best I could—or maybe just go down trying.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Two Days Later

  Brody

  "Two days. Two fucking days and nothing." I ran my fingers through my hair as I paced the old wooden steps on our porch.

  "Dude, just go over there." Clay crushed a soda can and sat up from his reclined position. His chest was burnt from us hanging out at the island most of the day before.

  "No. We have a date tonight, and honestly, I don't want to appear needy. It's not my style." I ran my fingers through my hair before pausing and growling. "What is it with this fucking chick?"

  "I don't know, but I love it," Clay laughed and pointed at me. "You're going to go bald if you're not careful."

  "Don't mention this to anyone. Alright?" I gave him a look before turning out to the lake. The front door opened and the other guys walked out, laughing about something. Everyone was chill but me. I was playing it off as best I could in front of Daniel and Derek, but Clay and I had been friends too long to pull anything over on him.

  I was a mess. A fucking hot mess over this girl. I hadn't stopped thinking about how good it felt to press her to her cold sheets and lick at her like she was the last bit of pleasure I might experience. I was almost embarrassed to think through all the things I'd done to her in my head, the ways I'd brought her to come for me.

  "Hey, man. We hitting the water?" Derek slapped a hand down on my shoulder, causing me to jump as he jerked me from yet another wicked thought.

  "Yep. Let me grab my shades and a cooler for us to load up." I turned and walked toward the house, keeping my eyes adverted. I'd slept like shit for the last two nights and it was starting to show on my face. I needed my glasses just to make sure I didn't have to play 20 Questions with everyone all fucking day.

  "What time is your date?" Daniel stood at the entrance to the kitchen as I pulled my glasses and cologne out of the cabinet.

  "Around six or so tonight, I guess. I need to get Cora's number from Clay and make sure she's still up for it." I shrugged and put my glasses on.

  "She is. I was over there yesterday afternoon while you and Derek watched that wrestling thing." Daniel shuddered. "Disgusting."

  I extended my hand. "Give me your man card for that
comment, or keep it and tell me how you know she's excited."

  "She was looking up movies when I was there." He shrugged and slapped my hand. "Man card? You guys are idiots."

  "Yep. We work hard to keep our simple ways alive. The world needs more testosterone." I walked to the door and bent over to grab my sandals as the sound of laughter caught my attention. I glanced up to see Cora and her friends walking up the stairs.

  The tiny blue bathing suit she wore left plenty of her beautifully tanned skin on display, and my heart nearly stopped as my eyes moved across her. The translucent dress she wore to cover herself up was doing very little to help. My hormones were thrilled; my jealousy, not so much.

  "Hey, Brody." She lifted a bag toward me a smiled. "I got some chips and cookies for the afternoon boating trip."

  "And, we brought beer and lemonade. Cindy made it herself." Dedra moved past me, bumping me with her hip as I stood, staring at Cora.

  "Hey, dude, wake up." Clay popped me in the chest, and I reached out, taking the bag from her.

  "Awesome. Sorry. I slept like shit last night. That Friday the 13th movie has been dicking up my dreams since we watched it. Don't tell anyone that I'm a total puss." I was grateful for the sunglasses. Otherwise everyone, including the beautiful woman before me, would know that I'd eye fucked her 10 times over the last few minutes.

  "Alright, well, let's get rolling. I have a friend date for the movies tonight." She smirked. "And, guess what they're playing?"

  "Ghost?" I shrugged, already having looked at the listing 10 times.

  "You looked?" She laughed and pushed at my chest. The bitch I'd started to fall for was long gone, though something told me that she might show up any minute if her protection services were required. I was almost a little concerned with Cora being so open and friendly. Maybe that meant I had been friend-zoned and there was no reason to be pissy. Maybe Derek was completely wrong and the girl wasn't at all interested.