Devon Drake, Cornerback

by Jean C. Joachim

  But when images of him with a towel tucked around his waist and water droplets on his chest hair when he finished his morning shower whirled through her brain, she couldn’t fight her body’s reaction. As a girl, all naïve and innocent, she’d pined for just a kiss from him. Now, as a woman, she wanted more.

  Would losing herself in his arms erase all the stress from her life? Probably not, but she’d have a brief bit of heaven before she’d have to face reality again. A shiver stole up her spine at the thought of his strong, long fingers touching her and his lips on hers.

  Getting a job and moving out had to happen, especially now, when he was so available. She didn’t trust herself to be around him. The man was sex on legs, and she didn’t have the willpower to resist him.

  A figure streaking by, heading for the ocean, caught her eye. A gorgeous man was running toward the shoreline. Crap, it’s Dev! She followed, catching up as he disappeared under a wave. Is it safe for him to swim here alone? She planted her feet in the wet, firm sand, curling her toes into the softness, watching him.

  His head broke the surface, and she let out a breath. He’s okay. Still. Better wait. This could be dangerous. She shifted her weight as she eyeballed him, doing surface dives, popping up and swimming, like a playful dolphin. She smiled, happy to see his mood pick up.

  The air grew chilly. Wearing only a sundress and a sweater, Stormy pulled her wrap tighter and moved her sandals from one hand to the other. As the tide rolled out, Devon seemed to tire of his frolic. He stood up, combed his fingers through his hair, and trekked through the current pulling against him until he got to shore.

  Stormy looked up as Devon waved. Crap, caught ogling him. Too late to turn away, she had already been spotted, and Devon was calling her name.

  “Stormy!” He made his way up the beach.

  She faced him as heat sped to her cheeks. She thanked God for the night that would shadow her discomfort.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked, his dripping wet body only inches from hers. She fought to keep her palm from resting on his chest. She tore her gaze away, hoping she hadn’t been staring. The cornerback picked up the towel he’d dropped and ran it over his skin.

  “Just taking a walk.”

  “I couldn’t sleep either. That swim should help.”

  “Guess it’s normal to be tense before the big game.”

  “The game. Jackie. A whole lotta shit going on.” He mistook her tremble for a reaction to the cool, night air and snaked his arm around her shoulders. “You’re cold. Come on, let’s go.” Devon tucked Stormy into his shoulder and made his way with her mirroring his steps.

  The thick, dry sand and darkness made walking slow. Stormy breathed in the heady scent of Devon mixed with saltiness from the water. She slipped her arm around his waist to keep from falling. Heat from his body warmed her as she snuggled into him, and they made their way toward the hotel.

  “Ow!” Her right foot dumped into a large hole, and she went down, dragging Devon with her.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, pushing aside strands of hair that had fallen across her face.

  She rubbed her ankle. “I think so.”

  Devon sat up and took it in his hands. He moved it one way, then another, asking her if it hurt. His touch ignited a fire in her. She wished he’d slide his hands up and take her to nirvana. He massaged gently. Stormy lay back on the sand, not caring how much got in her hair.

  Then suddenly, he stopped. “I shouldn’t be doing that,” he mumbled.

  She placed her hand on his arm. “Why not?”

  “I’m…well. I’m. But I’m not anymore, am I?” He looked at her with a quizzical expression.

  She shook her head. “You’re not.”

  He continued the light massage. “Feel good?”

  “Heaven,” she murmured, barely loud enough to be heard above the waves.

  He placed her foot in the sand and stretched out, propped up on his elbow. He was so close, she could feel his breath on her bare skin. Though his eyes were shadowed, she sensed his stare. Her lips tingled in anticipation.

  “It’s beautiful out here.”

  “Lovely,” she said. “Almost romantic.”

  “Stormy, I…well, I don’t know. You’re so…so beautiful. And with the moonlight, well, I know I shouldn’t…”

  “Why shouldn’t you?”

  He stopped speaking.

  She ran her thumb across his lower lip then her breath hitched for a second. Am I too bold?

  Devon combed his fingers through her long locks and lowered his mouth to hers. Gently, testing, probing at first, but when she moaned, he stepped up the heat. He circled his arm about her waist, pulling her up against his chest as his lips ravished hers. He plundered beyond, his tongue seeking hers.

  Stormy’s pulse jumped into overdrive. She arched against him, her cleavage rubbing against his bare skin, spiking her desire. His wet trunks pressed against her hips, the water seeping through the thin cotton of her dress.

  “Stormy,” he mumbled, as he kissed down her throat to her shoulder. He eased one of her stretchy straps to one side, replacing the fabric with his mouth. His hand slid down to cover her breast.

  The fire in her belly flamed higher. She wanted him. She wanted him badly. Disregarding the grainy surface, she raised her knee, slipping her toes behind his calf. His arousal pressed into her abdomen.

  She lost her hand in his thick hair when he glided his under her skirt, along her smooth leg and up, higher. By now, her breath was coming faster. He ripped her bodice down, uncovering her sweet flesh, then devoured it, greedily, feasting on her taut nipple. She gripped his back, digging into his skin. He didn’t seem to notice.

  When he found the V between her thighs, she groaned.

  “Are you protected?”

  She nodded, her mouth too busy nipping his neck and shoulder to give words a chance. With one hand on his pecs, she splayed her fingers and moved them slowly down his abs. She slipped them under his waistband and closed them around his erection.

  Now, it was his turn to moan. “Oh, God, Stormy. Baby. Take it off,” he commanded.

  She sat up and yanked the dress over her head. Then, she scooted out of her panties.

  “Lie back.”

  A flush began at her chest under his perusal. She felt the heat rise to her face and prayed he couldn’t see it in the dim light of the moon.

  Devon laid his palms on her shoulders and slowly glided them down her body. “You’re magnificent. Perfect.” He stopped to cup her breasts and squeezed them. They filled his big hands. “These, these are so, so…big, beautiful.” He kissed them each.

  She tugged on his trunks. He grinned and shucked them as fast as he could peel off the wet fabric. She stared. She’d only seen him naked from the back, when she had walked by his open bathroom door after he’d showered. His body was fantastic. She reached up to touch him, but he dodged her.

  “Not yet.”

  Dropping to his knees, he lowered his mouth to the cleft between her mounds and kissed his way down. Wrapping one hand around each thigh, he gradually parted them as he got closer and closer to her sex.

  Fairly bursting with passion and so hot she couldn’t feel the chill in the air, Stormy begged him, “Do it. Dev. Do it. You’re killing me.”

  His low chuckle vibrated against her skin, sending small thrills through her. But when his tongue touched her sensitive flesh, it was like a rocket to outer space. She bucked her hips and came. Colors flashed behind her eyelids as her hips rocked out their own rhythm, with Dev conducting. Everything compressed then sprang loose, as pleasure flooded her veins.

  “Damn, woman. You’re amazing,” he said, when she stopped moving.

  Her breathing was heavy. “Oh my God,” she muttered, eyes still closed.

  When he moved away, she sat up and grabbed his thighs, pulling him to her. She licked her lips then took him into her mouth.

  He cursed and stiffened even more. “Don’t. Don’t.”
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  She raised her head.

  Devon rested his palms on each side of her face. “I want to come inside you,” he whispered.

  She slid her hands up his chest as he lowered her back down. He checked to make sure there was no sand in private places then rubbed himself up and down her, coating himself with her juices. He moved down, positioning himself right at her opening and eased in slowly.

  Stormy gasped as he filled her.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Oh, God, yes.”

  He continued thrusting into her. She raised her knee to her chest, allowing him to penetrate deeper. He pumped hard.

  “Okay?”

  “Fine.”

  Then, it was like he was on automatic pilot. Devon moved steadily, increasing his speed and force, awakening her senses. The more he moved, the more excited she got. Closing her mouth on his shoulder, she tasted the saltiness of the ocean mixed with the flavor of his skin. The combination intensified her heat.

  He pushed up, grabbed her chin, and turned it toward him. His mouth claimed hers with as much vigor as his hips did. His passion stole her breath, his kiss possessed her. Her heart swelled with the love she had always had for Devon Drake. But now, it was a new and different kind. The sensation was a high no drug could create.

  Her body exploded into orgasm again, her hips riding with his, her fingers clutching his shoulders. Then, he followed her with a loud groan and closed eyes. He nuzzled her neck, his arms braced in the sand.

  “Stormy that was…amazing.”

  “Oh, God.”

  He pushed up and gazed at her. “Something wrong?”

  “Nothing. Never. No way. I’ve never had it like that before.”

  “This wasn’t your first time, though, right?”

  “Of course not. But no one makes love like you do. God. That was almost a religious experience.”

  He chuckled with pride and grinned.

  Devon rolled over and stared up at the sky.

  “Did you make a wish on a star?” she asked, settling on her stomach.

  “Nope. I have what I want.” He cupped her cheek. “I can’t believe I didn’t find you sooner.”

  “I’ve been away. It’s been a long time.”

  “But you’re still the same.”

  “I’ve changed a lot. Grown up.”

  “Still sweet. I was such a jerk in high school.”

  She traced his jaw with her finger.

  He pushed to his feet and offered his hand. “It’s getting late. Practice tomorrow.” He tossed her dress to her before carefully inching his wet, gritty trunks into place.

  They plowed through the sand, brushing it off their backsides and legs as they made their way back to the hotel. When the elevator opened at four, he put his hand on her shoulder.

  “Stay with me.”

  “All night?”

  He nodded. “I need you.”

  “Okay.” A shiver shot through her. She never expected he’d want her. Maybe for sex. Was he missing Jackie? Probably. But she didn’t care. To spend even one night with Devon Drake was a dream she’d had since high school. And tonight, it was coming true. She fought to keep her smile from turning into a sappy grin.

  He laced his fingers with hers and led her down the hall to his room. Once inside, he continued walking, straight to the bathroom. He peeled off his trunks and threw them in the tub.

  “Come on,” he said, grabbing the hem of her dress and easing it over her body and off. He shook it out hard in the shower then folded it and placed it on the counter.

  She turned on the water. “Last one in’s a rotten egg,” she said, putting one leg in first.

  Devon laughed then grabbed her around the waist. He lifted her as if she were nothing and swung her out of the stall, next to the vanity. Giggles started in her chest and traveled up. He jumped in and yowled. Stormy hadn’t turned on the hot water yet.

  She doubled over laughing as he yanked the lever into position.

  “I’ll get you for this,” he said, but Stormy wasn’t afraid.

  He reached out his hand to her.

  “Is it safe?”

  He nodded. He gripped her, steadying her way into the warm water before he drew her into his embrace.

  “Still the jokester. Still the funny, pretty kid…” His mouth closed down on hers. She inched closer until even a piece of paper wouldn’t fit between them.

  They washed each other’s hair. Devon took particular care to untangle Stormy’s gorgeous, auburn tresses. She cracked her eyes to watch water run in many rivulets through the curls on his chest. She placed her palm on his pecs, enjoying the sensation the hard muscle created. Devon had filled out perfectly since high school.

  When he had rinsed out all the conditioner, he rubbed soap on his hands and lathered her body, sliding his fingers down her chest to linger on her breasts and gently pinch her peaks. Desire flew through her veins. She reached down to find him hard again.

  “How can we?”

  “You weigh nothing. Don’t worry,” he muttered into her mouth.

  His hands continued to the juncture of her legs. He paid particular attention to that part of her body until she was squirming.

  “Want me?” he whispered.

  “Oh, God,” she breathed.

  She put her hands on his shoulders, and he lifted her thighs.

  “Lean back,” he commanded.

  The shower wall supported her shoulders while Devon lowered her onto his erection then pulled her legs up. Stormy groaned as he filled her and began pumping.

  The spray, his flesh, and the movement rocketed the heat inside her to an inferno. Tension coiled up and sprang, clenching every muscle as she clung to him. She licked his skin, savoring the taste of Devon, and then ran her lips up his neck. She felt a tremble zing through him and heard him groan. Before she could speak, he had thrown his head back, closed his eyes, and moaned her name.

  Devon lowered her to her feet. They wound their arms around each other and let the water wash away the traces of their lovemaking. Stormy rested her cheek on his chest and smiled. Don’t think about tomorrow. Just enjoy now.

  He reached over and turned off the faucets, grabbed two towels, and tossed one to her. He helped dry her long hair then fastened the bath sheet around his waist. He ripped down the covers and let her get in first. The luxuriously soft cotton caressed her skin. Devon slid in next to her, pulled up the blanket, and doused the light.

  “Goodnight, Stormy.”

  “’Night.” She turned on her side, facing away from him.

  He tapped on her shoulder. When she faced him, he scooped her into his arms, nestling her into his shoulder. “That’s better.”

  “G’night.”

  “Sweet dreams, baby.”

  Satisfied from top to toe, Stormy drifted off into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Five

  Devon awoke at his usual time, six thirty. It was semi dark outside, as the sun was due to rise around seven. Spikes of light graced the sky. He rolled onto his side, pushed up on his elbow, and watched Stormy sleep.

  Her skin had a peachy, golden glow. His fingertips remembered the softness of her shoulders and her breasts. He itched to touch her, but didn’t want to wake her. So, he simply remained still and stared. In many ways, she was even more beautiful than Jackie. Her figure was fuller than the model’s, but he liked that. His palms warmed at the memory of her flesh in his hands.

  He chided himself for comparing the two women, but couldn’t help it. There was something about Stormy, something familiar, something sweet. Devon didn’t watch what he said or did in front of her. They knew each other inside out, or so he thought. They’d played board games, ringalevio, tag, and kick ball from the age of five. Though it had been a long time since he’d seen her, Devon had picked up on some of the same qualities she’d had that had made him like her so much when he was ten.

  At sixteen, he’d had a crush on Stormy, until Tommy, a classmate had found out. The boy had t
eased him constantly about liking a younger girl. The incessant razzing drove Devon crazy.

  He’d hurt her, humiliated her, in front of everyone at the dance. He’d never treated any girl like that, even the mean and obnoxious ones. His conscience had bothered him, so when the dance was over, he’d tried to find her to tell her why. But Samantha had taken her home. After that, she wouldn’t talk to him or even look at him. If he got near her, she’d scurried away. He’d been ashamed of his behavior, but at sixteen, hadn’t known what to do. So, he’d kept away, figuring their friendship was over.

  Now, here she was, lying next to him. She’d forgiven him, obviously. He’d always known she had loved him, at least as a brother. At sixteen, he’d hoped it had become more, but never got the chance to find out.

  Did she make love with him because she still cared for him? Or was it to get revenge on him? Or simply because she was lonely? He had to know. The emptiness he’d felt inside while dating Jackie had grown. Now, concerned about his career, he needed someone he could trust. He needed Stormy. He wanted her to love him again, hold him, be there for him, and believe in him, so he could believe in himself.

  As the sun peeked out over the horizon, the woman in his bed stirred. She stretched, yawned, and then rolled over. Sleepy blue eyes peered at him while a smile played with her lips.

  “Morning, beautiful.”

  “Morning.”

  He stroked her hair, the strands silky, smooth as they tickled his palm. She scooched closer. He grabbed her waist and pulled her into his embrace. They lay quietly for a bit, caressing each other and snuggling together. With Stormy in his arms, a sense of peace washed over him.

  “Hungry?” he whispered in her ear.

  She nodded.

  “Coffee?”

  “Lots. One more minute?”

  One minute stretched to ten before he picked up the phone and ordered room service. Stormy slipped out from under the covers and snatched up her dress before she disappeared into the bathroom. Devon slipped on boxers and a T-shirt then sweats. A knock coincided with Stormy’s return. She’d obviously struggled with his comb to fix her hair. She wore no makeup and looked fresh and pretty. He wanted to kiss her.