X's and O's (A SECOND CHANCE SPORTS ROMANCE)

by Nikki Wild

“If I could say something,” Scott started.

  Mr. Schmidt held up his hand, silencing the photo editor.

  Crap. This is not good.

  “After much consideration…” Go on! Spill it! Tell me! “We absolutely love your idea for a website and series on the Cleveland Browns franchise. It has everything that draws traffic; scandal, sexy photos, football, and the American Dream.”

  I found myself speechless.

  “Scott here tells me you’ve been doing good work lately.”

  “Thank you, sir. To be honest, Scott helped a lot with this idea of mine.”

  I glanced over at him and saw a faint trace of thanks on his face.

  “That’s all well and good, but I want you to spearhead this effort. Can you handle that?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Great. Send me the full plan by the end of the week. Scott can help you with the format.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Quit thanking me, and go get it done. You have a good idea, but those are a dime a dozen. I need people who can get things done.”

  “That’s me,” I said, standing up.

  Scott stood as well.

  “Is there anything else?” I asked.

  “That’s it,” Mr. Schmidt said, already staring at his computer screen.

  “Let’s go,” Scott said quietly.

  “No, you stay here, Scott. We have to talk more about this whole Jessica mess. The way I see it, you were the one who let her into the newsroom where she could steal the photos.”

  “They were personal photos, sir. She shouldn’t have had them in the newsroom in the first place.”

  The publisher looked up from his monitor to stare down his nose at Scott.

  “I’ll see you later, Haley. Scott, take a seat.”

  I shuffled toward the door.

  Is this a dream? I can’t believe…

  “Close the door behind you, please,” the publisher called out.

  I did. Ms. Nielson didn’t bother to look up as I walked by her desk toward the stairs, but I didn’t care. My only thought was the big assignment directly from the publisher. If I proved myself, my career might really take off.

  When I got downstairs and walked to the parking lot, I saw a brand new Lexus parked near the entrance. The horn honked. I put my hand over my eyes to shield them from the sun.

  I still couldn’t see who was inside.

  “Haley, it’s me,” Toby called from the driver’s side window.

  “What’s this all about?” I asked as I got inside the passenger seat.

  “It’s yours,” he said with a smile.

  “How did you get it so fast? I mean, you were half-asleep when I left an hour ago.”

  “You like it?” he asked.

  “I feel like I’m in a spaceship cockpit.”

  He chuckled.

  “How did the meeting go?”

  “So good!” I said excitedly. “I should really stay here and work, but I’m so excited.”

  “Back to my house? Or do you need to get some fresh clothes?”

  “Yes and yes,” I said, so full of joy. “Do you think we could go talk to your coach today before I go into work?”

  “Why?”

  “Well, I need his involvement with this big project at work.”

  “We can go talk to him, but I’m not sure it’s going to help. I’ll give him a call.”

  I leaned over and put my hand on his arm before stretching to kiss him.

  He pulled back.

  “You want to drive?”

  “This is really my new car?”

  “Yeah. I’m going to get a new one too, I think, but you need something reliable.”

  “Um, this looks a bit beyond reliable.”

  We switched seats, hugging as we passed each other in front of the luxury car.

  Toby sat next to me at one end of the long conference table. Coach Harris sat at the opposite end looking as dour as usual. One of the four attorneys for the Cleveland Browns cleared his throat.

  “In light of the changing circumstances in reference to the media, the franchise is ready to talk with you about your suspension, Mr. Jenkins.”

  “Can I get back on the team?” he asked. “Playoffs are coming up.”

  “At this point, that’s up to the head coach.”

  Toby glanced down the table at Coach Harris.

  “Well, Coach?”

  I squeezed Toby’s hand under the table.

  “Well, what? You think I don’t want to win the playoffs once more before I retire?”

  Toby smiled, happier than I’d seen him in a while.

  Things were finally going our way.

  We went back to his house that afternoon, both of our spirits soaring high in the sky. Our lives were getting better, but I worried about what would happen after he started playing again.

  The thought of him leaving me for someone younger, funnier, or prettier terrified me. We had been through so much together, and we’d both changed so much.

  “Can we talk?” I asked after we got inside.

  “Sure. What’s up?”

  “Oh, I’m sure I’m being crazy, but now that you’re off suspension and will be playing again…”

  My voice trailed off.

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you love me? I mean, really?”

  He tilted his head to the side.

  “Are you being serious right now?”

  “Yeah, I caused you a lot of heartache and pain.”

  “And you’ve also given me unimaginable joy.”

  He slipped his arms around my waist.

  I stared into his eyes, searching for the truth.

  “You’re my everything, Haley. I’d go on without you around, but it would be hell. After Jessica, I never thought I’d be able to trust another woman again, but I trust you completely.”

  His right hand slipped to my ass cheek, squeezing it as he grinned.

  “Do you need me to prove how much I love you?”

  I smiled. He had a way of putting me at ease – and making me melt.

  “Let’s go upstairs.”

  “Who has time for all that,” he said, kissing me gently.

  He fumbled with my blouse while I worked on unbuttoning his pants. Our clothes fell away like a lazy summer rain. We stood in front of each other, naked but not vulnerable.

  I took his cock in my hand, stroking it sensually as we stared at each other. His hand slipped between my legs, pressing into me. Shockwaves of pleasure jolted through me.

  “You’re everything to me, Haley. Don’t ever forget that.”

  His kiss made the rest of my doubts float away.

  As his cock grew harder in my hand, I dropped to my knees in front of him right there in the living room. My pussy quivered as his cock slipped between my lips, swirling my tongue in the way he loved. He put his hand on the back of my head, resting it there gently.

  The weight of it turned me on even more as I tickled his balls and bobbed my head up and down on his cock. It swelled deliciously in my mouth.

  He stepped back and held out his hand while looking down at me. I took his hand and stood, wondering what he would do next.

  As he laid down on the carpeted floor, I stared at his cock waving above me, wanting it inside me so bad. He had other ideas.

  “Stay there,” he said in a commanding voice. He got up and crawled over to me, his beautiful cock hanging down between his legs.

  I laid on my back, spreading my legs, anticipating rippling through me.

  Our eyes met as he inched forward, cock in one hand, his eyes filled with hunger.

  When he pressed forward slowly, I moaned in pleasure, wanting more.

  He obliged, sliding the rest of that perfectly curved cock into me smoothly. I shuddered in pleasure.

  Neither of us looked away as our minds and bodies connected.

  We were one as he fucked me, increasing his speed gradually.

  Tears of joy filled my eyes as I let mys
elf go, allowing him to take me however he wanted. He did not change positions, but switched up his stroke every few thrusts, keeping it interesting.

  “Toby,” I hissed, getting so close.

  “Yes, baby. Come with me.”

  His brow furrowed and his eyes squinted as I felt his cock throbbing deep inside my pussy. He groaned loudly, his body locking up momentarily as he came.

  His swelling cock pushed me over the edge. I closed my eyes, holding on to his body so tight as waves of pleasure rocketed up and down my body.

  Gradually, we both came down, the only sound our rapid breathing returning to normal. I opened my eyes and saw him looking into mine.

  Love. This is a man I will love forever.

  As the thought hit me like a warm blanket on a cool winter evening, I understood the meaning of true love for the first time in my life.

  Orgasms were nice, but this was something different.

  “I love you so much, Haley.”

  He kissed me again and I wrapped my arms around him.

  We belonged together.

  I’d never been more sure of anything in my life.

  Thirty-Three

  Haley

  As I stood on the sidelines, staring through the camera lens, I spotted Toby on the field. The final game of the season, he had to complete one more touchdown to win.

  Snap.

  The Browns were in midst of a drive that had lasted sixty-three yards already. They were so close to the end zone. I watched as the team huddled, planning the last play.

  Snap. Snap.

  When they returned to the line, I took a step back, making sure I wouldn’t be in the way. At the same time, I wanted to make sure I captured the pivotal play if Toby caught the ball.

  Snap.

  “Number twelve, Toby Jenkins, is going deep,” an announcer said through my headphones.

  Snap. Snap. Snap.

  Toby rushed toward the end zone, glancing back over his shoulder. The quarterback threw the ball. I watched through the lens as it tumbled through the air.

  Two men from the opposing team dashed toward Toby as he caught the ball. He took off toward the end zone, zigging and zagging out of the way.

  Snap. Snap.

  This is it. You got this, baby.

  I snapped another dozen shots as he ran into the end zone and slammed the ball on the ground. His teammates ran up, crowding around him.

  Smiling, I continued shooting photos, certain I’d captured the game-winning play. As the crowd went wild in the stands around me, I looked at the display on the back of my camera.

  Come on. One good one.

  Seven photos back, I saw the perfect shot. Somehow, Toby had turned to me and smiled as he crossed into the end zone. And it was perfectly in focus, a true Usain Bolt moment.

  I lowered the camera, letting it hang from the strap around my neck. The players around Toby cleared away. He ran toward me in his full football uniform.

  When he stopped in front of me, he snatched off the helmet.

  “Please tell me you got something good.”

  I nodded.

  “Wait until you see it.”

  A referee whistled. They had ten seconds on the clock to run out, but the game was over.

  “I’ll see you after,” he said. “I’ve got to go.”

  “I love you, Toby.”

  “I love you, Haley!” he shouted, pointing at me as the crowd continued to cheer.

  As he ran back toward the others, the craziness of the season hit me.

  In the midst of all the chaos, I had found the man of my dreams.

  We would be together forever.

  I smiled at the thought.

  For once in my life, everything was working out for the best.

  An hour later, I leaned against my new Lexus in the nearly empty parking lot near the players’ entrance of the stadium. The door opened, and I saw Toby emerge, a smile on his face.

  As he walked over, I straightened up, ready to show him my winning photo. To be safe, I’d already mailed it to myself at two different accounts and put it on three flash drives.

  “Come here, you,” he said, putting his strong arm around my waist and pulling me close.

  We kissed briefly before I pulled back.

  “You want to see this photo?”

  “Sure,” he said, “but I also want you.”

  He kissed me again.

  “Hang on, Romeo. This is a historic photo. You remember the one of Usain Bolt at the Olympics this year?”

  “Yeah, why? Did you…”

  “Yes!” I exclaimed, cutting him off. “Look.”

  I opened my laptop on the hood of my brand new car. He bent over and stared at the screen. A smile spread over his face.

  “What do you think?”

  “That’s fucking amazing,” he said, laughing in joy. “Have you posted it online yet?”

  I nodded.

  “You hear my phone beeping?”

  “Yeah?”

  “That’s likes, comments, retweets and shares.”

  “You’ve got another viral hit on your hands.”

  He opened my car door and sat down in the driver’s seat.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “Come here,” he said as he lowered the seat to a reclining position.

  I glanced around the parking lot, seeing no one.

  He moaned as I crawled onto his lap, closing the door behind me.

  We kissed as I straddled him.

  “Let’s get home,” I said. “Quick.”

  “Shh,” he said, undoing his pants.

  “What are you doing?”

  I looked out the window.

  “Everyone’s gone,” he said. “I’ll be quick.”

  Unable to resist, I unbuttoned my pants.

  “How is this going to work exactly?” I asked, struggling to get them off.

  He laughed.

  “I knew I should have got you a Range Rover or Navigator.”

  “Let’s go home. I’ll drive fast.”

  “I have an even better idea. Let’s go in the locker room.”

  “Is everyone gone?”

  He nodded.

  “If not, I’ll ask them to leave.”

  We got out of the car, buttoning our pants like horny teenagers. I put my laptop in the car and locked it up before we ran across the parking lot.

  Once inside, he led me to the locker rooms, which were empty.

  “Let me go into the shower and come out like before, okay?”

  “Um, like a roleplay?”

  “Sure,” he said. “Be right back.”

  I watched as he walked away. A tension-filled minute later, he walked out, completely naked with his fists closed. My heart pounded faster as he walked over.

  Instead of asking what I was doing there like before, he said nothing. When he reached me, he dropped to one knee.

  I covered my open mouth with my hand as he presented a diamond ring.

  “Haley, I know we’ve not known each other long, but you’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes,” I said, shaking, my heart pounding in my chest.

  He stood and put his arms around me, kissing me passionately.

  “Can we go home?” I asked, pulling away, my eyes shining bright with tears of joy.

  “My house?”

  “Our house.”

  “Let me get dressed first.”

  “Yeah, the last thing we need is another scandal.”

  “We seemed to be able to handle them,” I quipped.

  “I feel like we could weather any storm, as long as we’re together,” he said, his smoldering eyes peering deeply into mine as he wrapped his arms around me.

  “Then I guess we’re golden,” I whispered, the tears flowing down my face now. I smiled through them, my heart bursting with love.

  “Golden,” he whispered, his lips crashing onto mine again, the universe proving once more that fate h
ad unfolded exactly as planned.

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  Novels by Nikki Wild

  The ‘Taking Beauty’ Trilogy

  Taking Beauty (Taking Beauty #1)

  Claiming Beauty (Taking Beauty #2)

  Owning Beauty (Taking Beauty #3)

  The ‘Saved by the Bad Boy’ Series

  Saved by the Bad Boy (Saved by the Bad Boy #1)

  Pride and Pregnancy (Saved by the Bad Boy #2)

  Taming Grizz (Saved by the Bad Boy #3)

  Hunter (Saved by the Bad Boy #4)

  Bad Boy Mafia

  Baddy (A Small Town Mafia Romance)

  Bad Boy Suspense

  Velocity (A Dangerous Romantic Suspense)

  Bad Boy Sports

  Play Dirty (A Bad Boy Football Romance)

  Running Game (A Bad Boy Football Romance)

  Bad Boy Fighters:

  Knockout (A Bad Boy MMA Romance)

  Bad Boy Bikers:

  Biker Daddy (The Rogue Tide Motorcycle Club)

  Malice (Hounds of Hell Motorcycle Club)

  Saving Landon (A Bad Boy Biker Romance)

  Roughneck (A Bad Boy Motorcycle Club Romance)

  Rough Rider (Outlaw Kings Motorcycle Club)

  Hard Rider (A Bad Boy Motorcycle Club Romance)

  Brute (A Dogs of War Motorcycle Club Romance)

  British Bad Boys:

  Royal Prick (A Bad Boy British Romance)

  Arrogant Brit (A Bad Boy British Sports Romance)

  Rock Hard (A Bad Boy British Rockstar Romance)

  Played (A Bad Boy British Romance)

  London Kisses (A British Billionaire Romance)

  Bad Boy Rockstars:

  Illicit Behavior (A Bad Boy Rockstar Romance)

  Rock Hard (A Bad Boy British Rockstar Romance)

  Double Treble (A Twin Rockstar Romance)

  Bad Boy Stepbrothers:

  Lust (A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance)

  Richard (A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance)

  Pulse (A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance)