Girls' Night Out (Bad Boys)

by Susan Arden

  Intense and glowing, she moaned his name. “Brett.”

  “That’s what I want to hear. My name on your lips as you come apart.”

  He shuddered, then his body stalled, his muscles hardening under her fingertips. He arched upward, driving his cock so deep that she groaned.

  “Cory. Love,” he whispered, spreading and lowering her legs. Brett fell over her, kissing her shoulder as she ran her hands over miles of hot, rippling skin down his back.

  “Mine,” she whispered against his neck.

  ~~~

  “I’m ready,” Cory said, standing by the bureau. She had her jacket and scarf flung over her arm along with a large bag of stuff to keep her occupied. Four hours until the start of the game and her stomach knotted.

  “Stop fidgeting. There’s nothing to be nervous about.” He kissed her cheek. “First time you’ll see me play, I’m the one who should be nervous.” He softly laughed against her neck.

  “I can’t wait. I’ve never been to a professional football game.”

  “Never?”

  “Ever,” she said, stepping through the hotel room doorway.

  Brett was due to join his team downstairs in the hotel restaurant, but not before introducing her to Cassandra Jones, wife to Colin Jones, aka The Machine. She and Brett walked into the lobby.

  “There they are,” Brett said, jutting his chin toward the couple ahead a few feet. The starting quarterback leaned over and kissed his wife fully on the lips.

  “Colin,” she giggled. “We’re in public.”

  “Don’t care.” He pretended to sound gruff, then turned and winked at them. “Brett, this is our day.”

  “Cassandra and Colin, let me introduce my wife, Corinth McLemore,” he said, pressing his fingers along her back. Did the room just shrink? Cory steadied herself by holding on to the chair.

  “Girlfriend,” she corrected him.

  “Didn’t I say that?” he asked. She looked up at Brett and his arched brow.

  “Close, but no cigar,” she smiled, and turned to the Joneses. “Hello.”

  Brett squeezed her waist. “Baby, this is Cassandra and Colin Jones.”

  Cory reached out and shook their hands. Over the week, she studied Brett’s team and knew a little bit about the players and the game. But in person, Cassandra and Colin were about as polar a couple as could exist between husband and wife, from the outside. Cassandra was a striking woman. Exotic and petite, quiet, and poised as she sat by the fireplace, while Colin resembled a blonde Viking warrior.

  Cassandra smiled up at Cory as the guys left. “Have you eaten yet?”

  “No. My stomach is a little jittery.” Cory lowered into the chair next to Cassandra.

  Cassandra nodded. “Same. I can’t eat before a game. I’m too on edge.”

  “Right. I told that to Brett and he thought it was funny.”

  “Men. They think this is a party for the wives and girlfriends. I’m on pins and needles, ready to burst every time. It’s good to have someone to share the worry.”

  Already she felt better just having Cassandra to ask questions of, and someone who understood the things she felt and feared.

  A waiter with a full tray of mimosas came over. “Ladies, would you care for one?”

  “You don’t have regular juice, do you?” Cory asked.

  “Certainly. I’ll bring you one. Ma’am?” The waiter swung the tray in Cassandra’s direction.

  “No. Maybe some ice. No juice,” she said.

  “You and Colin look really happy together. How long have you been married?” Cory asked.

  “This is our first year. And I’m pregnant. The reason for the ice chips. It’s the only thing I can keep down in the morning.”

  “You all must be so excited. My sister-in-law and brother just had twins.”

  Cassandra whispered, “Colin doesn’t know. I didn’t want to tell him and get his mind all jumbled up.”

  Cory felt her lips round into a silent ‘O’ and she nodded. Cassandra filled her in on the game day schedule, assuring her their two hunks were playing from the coin toss. Starters were always on the field bright and early. Cory asked her question after question about football and what to expect as the time flew by. Deep laughter filled the sitting area and soon after Cory felt a set of fingers graze her cheek.

  She looked up into Brett’s deep emerald eyes. “Hey. Enjoy breakfast?”

  “Kinda. Excuse us,” Brett slid his hand over her arm and turned to Cassandra. “Are you following the bus?” he asked.

  “Sure am.” Cassandra sat down on Colin’s lap.

  “I’ll have Cory back in a couple of minutes,” Brett said, reaching for her jacket. He held it while she slipped her arms in the sleeves, then took her scarf and wrapped it around her neck in a loop.

  “Where are we going?” Cory asked.

  “Outside. Not far.” Brett picked up her hand, leading her to a walkway. “I wanted one last kiss.” He didn’t, though. Kiss her. Instead he lead her forward, silently, and then veered off the pavers onto the grass and over to a large sturdy oak tree. He leaned against it, the rough rippling bark at his back. He spread his knees open and drew her into the V-shape created.

  “How was breakfast?” Cory asked, tracing his arms under his Devils’ fleece.

  “Lonely. Without you.” He bent his head and kissed her forehead. Hooking his finger under her chin, he angled her face up to him. “I spoke to your father when we first met. Did he ever mention it?”

  “No. Should he have?”

  Brett shook his head. “It would have been fine either way. I didn’t know if he had is all.”

  “My father is pretty closemouthed.”

  “Typical rancher, I’d bet,” he murmured. “If we make it to the Super Bowl, do you think you’ll be able to come? It’s the first Sunday in February.”

  “Nothing will stop me,” she said, bracketing his face with her hands. “Just try.”

  He leaned in until their lips met in a sweet, chaste kiss. Brett ran his knuckles along her cheek. “I can get tickets for your family. If you think they’d enjoy the game.”

  “Can you?” Cory asked elated. That would be a wonderful present. “For sure they’d come. Who wouldn’t?”

  “Had to ask.” He stared at her, then closed his eyes. When he opened them, he inhaled. “We’d better get back. I bet the bus is already loading.”

  Cory didn’t know why he seemed so sentimental, but this side of him pulled all her heartstrings. Maybe because his mom wasn’t here.

  She tugged on his arm. “Hey, wait a sec. Do you think your mom would come?”

  He stopped and shoved his hands down into his front pockets. “Don’t know. She used to come to all the games. Then the crowds got to her. I ask her every week.”

  “I’ll offer to get her and Estella. One more person asking her can’t hurt.”

  His eyes seemed backlit and he paused like he wanted to say something. He smiled and the effect lit up the space around them. “That would be special. She might cave if you ask,” he said, entwining his fingers with hers.

  They walked back inside and found Cassandra enfolded in a bear hug from her husband. Colin lifted his wife a couple of inches off the floor, planting a firm kiss on Cassandra’s lips.

  “Baby, bye!” Colin finally released his wife. “See ya later, Cory. Brett, let’s do this, man.”

  Brett glanced down at her and it was all she could do to stay put without flinging her arms around him for one last hug. She squeezed his hand and whispered, “Good luck.”

  He kissed her on the cheek, hugging her tightly. “Cassandra, thanks for watching out for Cory.”

  “No problem.” Cassandra smiled, then blew a kiss to her husband. She and Cassandra watched the guys cross the lobby and exit. Cassandra gathered up her purse and said, “They’re both powerhouses. Time to go.”

  Cassandra drove like a NASCAR pro, talking while pointing out pl
aces in San Diego, and managed to get them to the stadium before the bus pulled up. She walked Cory through the visitor’s entrance where family and guests went in.

  “Don’t ever let them talk you into going through the main gates. If that happens, you phone Robin, the Devils’ secretary. Text me your number and I’ll send you our list of contacts.” Cassandra handed Cory her phone. “My number is right there.” She pointed to her cell screen.

  They had two choices of where to sit: up in the skybox, or down in the special guest seating, as close to the field as possible. It was on the side of the end zone, overlooking the field, and at that angle, they’d be able to see lots going on.

  “Your choice,” Cassandra said when they reached the place where the stairs headed in different directions. Up or down? Cory wanted to feel the excitement of the crowd and see things as close up as possible. If Brett’s mom couldn’t make it, she wanted him to have someone to look over at from the field. Up in the skybox…what would be the point?

  “Field. As close as possible,” she replied.

  “Cool.” Cassandra squeezed Cory’s arm. “This is going to be lots of fun, hanging out with you. I can already tell you aren’t the type to stay quietly in your seat.”

  “You won’t mind that I yell and make a fool of myself?”

  “I’m going to be right there with you, screaming my head off,” Cassandra warned.

  Soon enough the players walked out onto the field wearing their warm-up gear. “Heard this was a killer week for them. Not all of them will start.” Cassandra removed a pair of binoculars from her bag. “But our guys came through like champs.”

  It had taken hours, but Cassandra had given her a summarized education on what went on during game day and set her mind to rest about the wild parties. Her husband absolutely did not go out alone to clubs. There wasn’t any discussion. She had a rule: if he could do it, so could she.

  She winked at Cory. “My husband is so overprotective, the one time we did go out separately, when we were first dating, he ended up coming to the club where I was. Poor man embarrassed himself when he threatened to deck the guy I was dancing with. Colin nearly died when he found out Sid was my cousin. My very gay and married cuz. We still laugh about it. Or at least I do.”

  “Brett has that streak too.”

  “We all have that in common being from the Lone Star State. I can tell by the way you’re smiling and not talking, I think that streak must run pretty deep with your man as well.”

  “It does. Texas deep.” Cory blushed from her toes up to her hairline.

  “Texans,” Cassandra muttered, and they both chuckled.

  The field started to fill up, with stadium staff scurrying to set up for the game, camera crews, team personnel, and finally the time came for the entire team to enter the stadium. Cassandra shook a bright red pompom and gave one to her. “Get something that your guy can track and find you. I shake these. Easy to see.”

  “Where’d you get these?” Cory asked.

  “I was a cheerleader. For the Devils. That’s how Colin and I met. I was in nursing school. Senior year, and still kept up with the cheerleading.”

  “Goodness, the stories you must have to tell.”

  “Some. Unfortunately, not all are worth repeating. It’s hard when you see behind the scenes. It’s not all glamour, fun, and games.”

  “I bet.”

  “Okay. Here we go. Wish us luck,” Cassandra hooted.

  “Lots and lots of luck,” Cory whispered and silently said a prayer to keep Brett safe, and for his team.

  They won the coin toss and Cory kept her eyes on Brett. The way he moved. His ability to be right where the ball came. The first touchdown and he made it. It was across the field from where they were but she and Cassandra were out of their seats, screaming and hugging each other. After the second quarter was over, Cory drank a soda to cool her burning throat. The halftime show was ready to begin, and then she noticed Brett walking onto the field, over to the area right in front of where they sat. He got down on one knee. Cameras zoomed in on him as he stretched out his arm, with his enclosed fist directly in front of him featured on the massive video screens positioned on either side of the stadium. Slowly, he opened his fingers and revealed a small black box. The hairs all over Cory’s body rose.

  “Corinth Hera McLemore, make me the happiest man. Marry me.” He smiled up at her.

  Her eyes stung. She didn’t know what to say. Her whole future had once laid undecided. Not a good or bad thing, just unmanned. It always seemed so far away, yet with him, her world stopped spinning out of control. He was her anchor, even though they seemed to be miles apart at times. No matter where they were, she felt at home when they were together.

  The crowds yelled out, “Well?”

  “Answer him!”

  “Say yes!”

  “Yes!” Cory called out. Standing up, she blew a kiss to him. She yelled again, blinking back tears, “Yes!”

  A security guard was next to her seat. “Miss McLemore,” he said. “If you’d like, I’m here to take you to the field.”

  She turned to Cassandra. “I can’t believe him.”

  Cassandra hugged her. “You’d better go. Otherwise, that crazy tight end will come up here and cart you off.”

  CHAPTER 25

  On Monday, Brett had telephoned Wade McLemore asking permission to marry Cory. Then after practice, he’d visited a jeweler and bought her an engagement ring. A large solitaire and if Cory wanted something different, he was assured she could bring it back and select another, or have one designed. He’d kept it with him during the week. Took it out and looked at it whenever he got the chance, and it felt right. This day. A few quick phone calls and the GM loved the idea. Thought it was perfect to set the tone of the game and spike fan response.

  All that didn’t play into his popping the question. He wasn’t doing it for PR. Hell, no. He wanted Cory to be his wife and to let the whole damn world know to back off. She was his. As long as she said yes.

  “Yes!” The word echoed in his head. And then the crowd began to chant it. He couldn’t wait on the mark he was given so the cameras could get the best angle. No, he sprinted toward the stands and stood at the bottom while the guard brought Cory down the steps.

  The guest seating in the All-Star Stadium had some odd stairs. Narrow and steep. He didn’t know how someone didn’t end up busting their head from slipping. No sooner had he thought it, he watched as someone reached out to Cory. The woman’s hand slipped when someone jostled her and she ended up shoving Cory. Only a few steps more to the rail, and Cory was headed downward. Fuck!

  Brett positioned himself at the point right where she seemed to be headed, afraid she’d fall over the banister. They were lower than usual, mid-thigh, and—shit! She fell with such momentum she actually came crashing over the guardrail. He didn’t know what to do but open his arms and grab hold of her as she plummeted down. He stared at the woman in his arms, his heart pounding, and the crowd went wild. In seconds, the emergency crew was next to him. Other players surrounded them with stadium staff and field crews. It didn’t matter. All he could do was stare into blue heaven. The place he wanted to find himself for the next hundred years.

  “You caught me,” Cory smiled, blinking away the tears from her eyes.

  “I love you,” he whispered. “I’d never let you fall.”

  A camera crew must have caught what he said and replayed over the screens. Between camera flashes and people talking, he carried her over to a bench, and sat down with her on his lap. He circled his arms around her trembling body.

  Someone tapped his shoulder. “Mr. Gold, this is yours.”

  One of the emergency crew held out the velvet box. He’d dropped it to catch Cory and had forgotten about it. “Thanks.” His hand shook as he took hold of the box.

  “Are you okay?” he asked her.

  “I am. What about you?” she asked, her face filled with concern.
<
br />   “Baby, I just made the best catch of my career.”

  “What about your shoulder? Your ankle?”

  “All good.” He kissed her trembling mouth. “Here, baby. Want to see the ring?”

  Tears kept falling down her face and he wiped them away. Or tried to. “I love you, Brett. I should have told you. I wanted to…but didn’t want to interfere with your game day.”

  “Don’t ever be afraid to tell me you love me. Ever. Promise?” She nodded. He opened the box and took out the ring. Amidst a crowd of onlookers, he slipped the ring on her finger.

  “Fits. Perfectly,” she whispered. She lifted her gaze to him. “It’s beautiful.”

  Brett kissed her mouth and then against her lips he murmured, “Just. Like. You.”

  ~~~

  “Hey, I’m going to tunnel this down the field. Dude, can you lay your hands around it even though you don’t aim to marry this one?” Colin joked when Brett returned to the locker room.

  “Lay it on me,” Brett retorted. “I’ve got a rip-roaring level of spidey sense going on today.”

  Colin slapped his back. “Never seen anything like that…what a catch.”

  Brett loaded up on water until it felt as though he would float back onto the field. Shit, what would have happened if he hadn’t been there to catch Cory? He refused to think more about the fluke occurrence. He’d been there and it worked out. ‘Nuf said.

  Back on the field, the other team wasn’t a welcoming pack of girl scouts. Not from their unrelenting stares to their hard-hitting unintentional slams during blocks. No one’s imagination when the penalties started to mount. More and more players were getting injured and backups were called in to play.

  Colin broke the huddle, calling for a blitz. Brett’s shoulder was starting to ache from the trouncing he’d gotten on the last play. So far, the studying, visualizations and practices had helped him stay on track. What the hell happened with some of the other players? Colin called out a play where he had to go deep and to the left. Looking around he was deep, alright—and alone. The other players on his team jerked into formation, swinging right.