Exploring the Rules: An Enemies-to-Lovers Sports Romance Standalone

by Mariah Dietz

  The weight of his body against mine is exhilarating and seductive, all heat and strength that disarms me as our kiss grows deeper.

  “Let’s go,” I whisper as he kisses my top lip and then my cheek, my jaw, and my bottom lip, peppering them until I can’t recall what I said.

  “To the hotel?”

  I shake my head. “The VIP room.”

  His eyes darken.

  I kiss him fully on the mouth. “You said it’s private. No one can see anything.” I kiss him again. “Please.”

  He growls, his teeth grazing the top of my ear. “You know what you’re asking for?”

  “I want you.” I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life as I am right now, discussing having sex with Tyler. I would likely do it right here and now against this wall with everyone watching us if I wasn’t terrified my sister or Cooper might see. Nothing here seems taboo or wrong.

  He threads his fingers with mine and sets his other hand on my hip, his fingers lazily tracing the line of my hip bone as he guides us toward the VIP room I’d told him hours before was unnecessary.

  “We don’t want to be disturbed,” Tyler tells the bouncer. He nods with understanding and moves to the middle of the stairs as we ascend them, my heart and breaths growing lighter as though we’re gaining actual altitude with the short climb.

  Tyler closes the door behind us. The room is dark, and the music and lights still throb through the space as the lounge looks out across the club. Sheer white curtains offer a veil of privacy. Apprehension steals my breath. Is everyone going to see me? Is Tyler going to go back to avoiding me tomorrow?

  “We don’t have to do anything,” Tyler says, moving to stand behind me, his hands settling on my hips. His lips trace the side of my neck. “We can order a drink or go back down or leave. It’s up to you.”

  “This isn’t just a drunk hookup?” I ask, turning my head to catch his gaze.

  His eyes flash to mine, and then he’s kissing me again. He slides his hands into my hair as his tongue twists around mine for a hot second before it ends too quickly, leaving my thoughts spinning and my breaths heavy. “How much have you had to drink?” he asks, his lips resting against my ear.

  “One. When we got here.”

  “That was two hours ago,” he tells me. “I’ve had two.” He licks his lips. “Nothing about you, nothing about this—us—has come easily. This is way more than a hookup.”

  My body heats as his eyes convey a level of honesty my heart understands. “In New Orleans,” I start, my body shivering as I recall his promise to take me then. “You put that thought into my head, and I haven’t been able to get it out. Every time we step into a club, it’s all I can think about.”

  Tyler’s fingers run the length of my thighs and then back up, raising the hem of my dress higher on my thigh. His breaths are cool against my skin, which feels too hot as need courses through me. “We should slow down.” His fingers press into my flesh, the roughness of calluses scratching my skin tantalizingly, contradicting his words.

  I shake my head. “If we stop, I’m pretty sure I’m going to explode.”

  His fingers travel higher, skimming my butt before following the edges of my underwear over my hips and core, making me nearly gasp with anticipation, yet he doesn’t touch me at all where I want him—need him to.

  I lean my head back, my breaths uneven as his fingers skim across my inner thigh again.

  “God, you’re gorgeous,” he says before he breathes me in, another short growl before he cups my core, offering only the slightest relief before the pressure somehow increases further. He slides his fingers over me, applying more pressure with his middle finger as he strokes up my middle, making my hips buck and my breath to come out in a gust.

  The reality of this situation has me tensing, feeling self-conscious as my inexperience echoes in my ears with the unwanted memory of Ricky’s taunting words.

  Tyler senses my hesitation, his lips and touch pausing. I realize I’ve shifted, my head no longer against his collarbone. He kisses my bare shoulder sweetly, then turns me to face him. “What’s wrong?”

  His eyes are liquid heat, desire edged in lust that has me contemplating just staying quiet and continuing. His fingers slide along my jaw, tipping my chin up. “Tell me.”

  “I want this,” I preface the conversation. “I want you. But this is…” My words trail off, the word virgin seeming sterile and clinical as I struggle to form the word.

  His brows furrow.

  “My first time…” I tell him.

  His eyes flare, and as I’d feared, the words seem to make him come to a full stop as he releases a deep breath. “We should go.”

  “Are you serious?” I take a step back, anger hitting me like a wave, covering me with regret and resentment.

  “This is a big decision,” he says. “I can’t…” He shakes his head. “I’m not going to take your virginity in a nightclub.”

  “You’re wrong. The first time we met was downtown Seattle. You were late because you bought that homeless person bags of groceries, and you sat with Coop and me, and you were wearing a Beatles shirt that Cooper teased you about for being cliché, and you laughed. That was our first time meeting, and I’ve wanted you since. I’ve thought about this for two years, and I don’t care if my first time is in a club, I just want it to be with you.”

  He tips his head back as he releases a train of curses before looking around at the space, his throat moving as he swallows, then his eyes fall back on me, that hungry need burning once again, making my skin feel ablaze. “What are you doing to me?” he mumbles. He takes my hand, leading me over to the railing that separates the club from our room with twenty feet of height. It hits the middle of my back, cold and hard against my skin. He kneels in front of me, his hands sliding my dress so it’s bunched around my waist, exposing my purple underwear. Holding my dress, fingers firm against my skin, he kisses my navel and then lower, trailing his mouth and tongue down to the edge of my underwear, making anticipation return with a vengeance. Then he places his nose against me, taking a deep breath. Embarrassment tickles my thoughts, but there’s something so damn erotic and sexy about the gesture that has me shamelessly spreading my legs a bit wider. He runs his nose over me, and I grasp the railing even tighter with one hand to keep myself upright, moving my other hand to his hair, tangling in the blonde locks, wanting to pull him closer to make him do it again and also away because this still seems dirty to have him eye level with my vagina. Tyler opens his eyes and looks up at me as he moves his hands to my pelvic bone, pulling me open with his thumbs. He places his mouth over me, holding my gaze as I feel the heat of his tongue through the thin barrier of my panties. He traces me with his nose again, and then takes another deep breath. “God, I want you,” he says. “You smell so good. I can’t wait to taste you.”

  He slips his fingers into the waist of my underwear and pulls them down my legs, leaving my lower half completely exposed except for my heels as he shoves my underwear into his pocket before his gaze returns to mine. “If you need me to slow down, just let me know.”

  I nod, trying to swallow as my grip on the rail tightens. A smile lifts the corner of his mouth, and then he moves his hands to separate my lower lips, the air dancing across my bare skin. He licks me, so soft it almost tickles. My belly clenches and desire warms my body. His tempo changes as his tongue flattens, making my hips jerk, and the air fall from me in one needy gasp.

  He moans, his eyes on me again, watching my reactions as he licks and sucks with his relentless mouth until my legs begin to shake, and my hips start to thrust, desperate for a release. He closes his mouth over my clit and slides a finger into me, and the sensation tears me apart as my release rips through me in waves.

  Tyler slowly stands, bestowing me with a smile that makes my heart throb. Then his finger dips back into me and then out, drawing lazy circles around my entrance and up over my clit. He kisses me, and I taste myself on his tongue as he swipes it across m
ine, his fingers slowly increasing with both speed and pressure. “I’m going to make you come again, and then I’m going to take you over to the couch and bury myself in you so I can watch you come again.”

  I whimper, and if I wasn’t so turned on and desperate to feel him take my body to these impossible highs again, I might be embarrassed over the fact. Instead, I move my hips to increase the pressure of his touch.

  He kisses me deeply, distracting me for a moment with his mouth as his kiss becomes more demanding, and then a delicious fullness as he adds a second finger, curling them inside of me and making my mouth part as need mounts inside of my chest.

  “That’s your G-spot,” Tyler whispers, kissing my parted lips. “Tell me you want me. Tell me you want me to make you come.”

  My breaths are short and fast as his fingers continue to hit the same sensitive spot, the sound of my arousal growing louder against his hand as he quickens his pace. Then his fingers slide out of me, running over my clit, making me groan with a protest as I move my hand to his, guiding it back to my entrance.

  He chuckles, kissing me. “Tell me you want me,” he warns.

  “I want you. I want you to make me come.”

  “Good girl,” he says, kissing me again as his fingers slide back inside, hitting that same spot that makes the world seem to stop as pleasure consumes me. He kisses me when my breaths grow unsteady, his fingers driving me to the brink of my sanity, making me so desperate to climax again, it nearly feels uncomfortable as the pressure continues to build. Then he presses his thumb against my clit, and my release is so strong, my knees sag as his lips come over mine, kissing me fiercely as he swallows my cries as his other hand and chest support me.

  His kisses become sweeter and softer as the waves recede, leaving me breathless and sated. Then his fingers slide out of me, grasping my other hip and pulling me forward. I feel him, hard against my waist. Passion and fear ignite as my desire grows, working to be eclipsed by every horror story that accompanies this moment and the pain and discomfort that comes with it. But as his blue eyes hit me, I forget every single word and thought as I lean into him, claiming his mouth the way he’d claimed mine, gripping him through his pants. He groans, his tongue sliding against mine as his hips flex into my touch. I wonder if this is the power he felt over me when he touched me? My tongue wrestles with his as I stroke him, feeling his girth and length that make that pressure between my legs return.

  I reach for his belt, fumbling with it as he takes control of the kiss, his fingers tipping my head back, possessing my mouth. I slip the ends of his belt free and unbutton his pants before lowering the zipper, cupping him through his boxer briefs, the heat and length of him making me moan. He seems to recognize my need as his kisses lessen, peppering my lips as he smiles with confidence radiating off his chest. He knows his effect on me, and it makes me feel more vulnerable than it did to have his face between my legs.

  “Let’s go to the couch,” he says, kissing my jaw.

  I shake my head. “I want that fantasy you painted. I want them to see you claim me.”

  He closes his eyes, his chest rising as I squeeze his length. “Chloe,” he groans, his eyes opening to half-mast. “That was me being an arrogant arse. I wasn’t serious. I don’t want anyone to fucking see you, least of all exposed.”

  “You’re lying. You get a thrill from it, the same thrill I do. You want to, you’re just worried I’ll regret it.”

  “Fucking terrified.”

  I stroke him again. “I dare you,” I whisper against his lips, turning so my back is to him, my dress still pooled around my hips.

  “You’re going to kill me,” he says, running his fingers over my bare skin. “You’re testing my strength, I swear to God.” He leans into me, his bulge at my backside.

  I gasp, my hips reflexively moving forward.

  Tyler chuckles, regaining the power I’d just stolen. “Hold onto the rail,” he orders.

  I do as he requests, and his fingers run over my butt and down my thighs, every inch of my skin that he’s touched set ablaze. Then he stops, and I hear the rustle of clothing and crinkle of foil. Looking over my shoulder, I see he’s thrown his shirt aside and is tearing at the wrapper of the condom with his teeth. Seeing him like this makes me weak in the knees. He sheaths his cock and fists himself, his eyes burning into mine. “You have no idea how bad I want you.”

  He blows out a long breath as he leans forward and kisses my shoulder, his hand finding my waist. “Tell me if you need me to slow down.” He reaches forward, tilting my chin toward him before he kisses me possessively. His other hand dips between my legs, sliding against me and parting me open. It seems impossible to feel so desperate for him already. He kisses below my ear, and I hear the hitch in his breath as he gently pushes against my entrance, sliding in part way.

  My eyes snap shut as pain and desire battle for dominance, and I pull in a shaky breath. He runs a hand over my back, allowing me a moment to adjust to his size while he moves the hand from my waist down to where we’re joined, applying pressure to my clit. The sensation pushes me over the edge, a moan escaping through my parted lips.

  “I’m okay,” I tell him.

  His hand at my waist flexes as he moves his other hand back along my clit, making me forget the pain as desire burns stronger. He moves slowly, carefully, his gaze tracking each of my breaths and every flicker of pain.

  “I want you, Tyler,” I remind him.

  My declaration must provide him with the assurance he needs because I feel him swell even more as he slides into me entirely, planting both hands firmly on my hips.

  Completely bottomed out, Tyler stills again. The fullness I feel reaches all the way to my soul, and I tremble at the rightness of the moment.

  “Are you okay?” he asks.

  I nod, clinging to the rail and soaking up the coolness of the metal to distract me from the sting of pain as I slowly acclimate to his size. He runs his hand over my back, kissing my shoulder as I pull in a deep breath through my nose, his intoxicating scent overwhelming my senses. Opening my eyes, I see the crowd dancing below, their bodies moving in time with the music, the beats of which accompany the melody of Tyler’s labored breathing behind me. Knowing someone could look up and see us at any moment only amplifies the thrill, dialing everything up to an eleven.

  He finally starts to move as I squirm below him, slowly at first, allowing our bodies time to fall in sync with his gentle tempo. When I start meeting him thrust for thrust, his pace quickens, and his hands grip me tighter, digging into my flesh. My hold on the railing tightens, soaking the coolness of the metal into my overheated skin.

  And as he hits that particularly delicious spot, I peer at him from over my shoulder and smile.

  “You were made for me,” he rasps out, his movements increasing as his hand dips back between my legs, and we come apart together.

  18

  Tyler

  I’ve never felt so exhausted and so empowered as I do at this moment. I kiss Chloe’s spine through her dress, running my hand down her back as I slowly pull out of her.

  She straightens, tugging her dress down, and my gratification and blissful satisfaction take a back seat as I wait for her to face me, horrified I’ll find regret or anger in her green eyes. But as she turns, her smile is shy and sweet and so fucking beautiful that relief floods me as I reach for her, pulling her against me. “Are you okay?”

  She nods. “Pretty sure I’m way better than you in this scenario.” Her smile widens, making me laugh.

  “Do you want anything to drink?” I ask.

  She nods.

  I kiss her hairline, breathing her in again. “There’s a bathroom in here,” I tell her, pointing at the door. I keep my arm around her waist as I walk her to the restroom. It’s small, and the lights are cheap and too bright, buzzing when I flip them on. Chloe blinks rapidly, her makeup slightly smudged. It’s fucking gorgeous. I did that. I kiss her full lips again and then make quick work of ridding
the condom and washing my hands, my gaze continuing to stray to her. “I’m serious,” I tell her. “This changes everything. I won’t keep pushing you away, and I won’t let you continue avoiding me.”

  Her green eyes are lined with doubt—reminding me she genuinely believed I didn’t like her all this time. I grip her chin between my thumb and forefinger. “I’ll work for this. I’ll prove to you I am the bloke you want—the man you deserve.”

  Her eyes grow soft, and her shoulders slowly roll forward as I kiss her again before moving to the door.

  “You have my underwear,” she says.

  I open the door, taking a final look at her. “I know. Don’t expect to get them back.”

  Her cheeks heat with a blush as she stares at me, dumbfounded. I grin, closing the door behind me.

  I call down to order two Long Islands and give the bouncer the green light to allow people to come back up. I hang up, slip my shirt back on, and lean back in the plush white seat, staring out toward the rail where Chloe had stood and given herself to me.

  The bitterness of regret skates into my thoughts as I fear having gone too far, too fast, but then she steps out of the bathroom, her makeup once again flawless. She walks toward me with a shy smile, absent of anger or remorse. I’m flooded with relief and the realization of how long I’ve wanted her.

  I tag her waist when she gets close enough, pulling her down on my lap. I breathe her in, smelling me on her skin. She giggles with surprise, drawing at my playful side that has my fingers scavenging for every ticklish spot on her sides.

  “Tyler,” she says between peals of laughter. And when I don’t stop, she grabs my face and kisses me. She slides her lips over mine, deepening the kiss instantly as she licks the length of my tongue, successfully distracting me from every thought except how much I want to feel her again.

  “I win.”