The Player Gets Coached

by Janet Nissenson

  He laced their fingers together, leaning over the table until they were nearly nose to nose. “I’m all ears. Just know that I’m liable to agree to practically anything you ask, given the way you look right now. You chose this outfit on purpose, didn’t you?”

  She batted her long, curly lashes at him flirtatiously. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Finn. Ah, here’s our dinner.”

  Finn had refused her offer to cook dinner at her condo, insisting that she’d more than reciprocated with the delicious breakfast she had whipped up that morning. Delilah had been in the mood for Mexican food, and he’d been able to make a reservation at a trendy cantina along the Embarcadero. It was a clear night, with no trace of fog, but still cool enough that they had chosen an inside table. The cantina was bustling with the Saturday night dinner crowd, though their corner table afforded them at least a little privacy.

  She dug into her dish of grilled jumbo shrimp and rice, while Finn ate hungrily of the trio of street tacos he’d ordered. Delilah washed her food down with another sip of margarita, smiling a little to herself as she realized just how hungry she was - more specifically, exactly how she’d worked up such an appetite.

  Finn had gallantly did the lion’s share of cleaning up the breakfast dishes, though she had held fast to her word and helped him out. And then he had more than fulfilled his end of the bargain when they had taken a steamy, sexy shower together in her bathroom, kneeling in front of her and giving a repeat performance of the really amazing oral sex he’d treated her to after breakfast. He’d brought her to not one but three separate orgasms, one after the other, making her legs shake so hard in reaction that she’d almost collapsed in a mushy heap to the shower floor.

  And then, because they’d forgotten to bring a condom into the shower, were soaking wet and hadn’t particularly wanted to go retrieve one under the circumstances, Delilah had been the one to sink to her knees in front of Finn this time. She fidgeted slightly on her chair now as she recalled the look of pure bliss on his handsome face when she’d ran her tongue up and down the long, thick length of his cock, or the feral sound he had made as she taken as much of him into her mouth as she could manage. He’d fisted his hands into her wet hair, holding her head still as he had fucked her mouth with shallow but rapid thrusts, his hips pistoning frantically as he hurtled toward release. Finn had cried out hoarsely when he’d come, spilling himself uncontrollably into her mouth, his body jerking with the force of his orgasm.

  After drying each other off - a procedure that had been far more erotic than Delilah could have ever imagined - they’d retreated back to her bedroom where they had alternately napped, made love, and conversed. She’d been a little startled at just how easy it was proving to be to talk to Finn, and that he was far more intelligent and amusing than she sensed he let on to most people. She knew without having to ask that she was seeing a side of him that very, very few people ever did - his parents and siblings, his two best friends, perhaps some of his co-workers at the network or former teammates, if that many. It had touched her that he obviously felt close enough to be able to expose this softer, more vulnerable side of himself, and she was pleased that her instincts about him thus far were proving to be right.

  And when she had regretfully informed him that she really, really needed to get a couple of hours of work done, Finn had taken himself off to his own condo to give her some peace and quiet, promising to return at the agreed upon hour to go to dinner. He’d shown up right on time, clean shaven and wearing dark wash jeans and a navy Henley shirt. Because the restaurant was less than a mile from their condo building and it was a relatively mild evening, they had agreed to walk to their destination.

  “Probably a good thing we’re walking,” she had commented as they’d strolled hand in hand at a brisk pace. “I missed my usual boot camp session at the gym this morning, so I can use the exercise.”

  “Nah, you look fantastic,” he’d protested. “Don’t worry so much about overeating or having to exercise all the time. Besides,” he’d added naughtily, hugging her close against him, “you did burn up a ton of calories doing other, um, activities today. I estimate you worked off at least a couple of thousand calories over the past eighteen hours or so.”

  “You think?” she’d asked in amusement. “I will admit to certain muscle groups I haven’t used in awhile being a little sore right about now. Maybe I should schedule a massage over the next couple of days.”

  Finn’s hand had dropped to her buttocks, giving them a sensual little pat. “I’d be very happy to rub out any sore spots you have, babe. I’ll even use lotion if you want.”

  Delilah had snickered at his teasing offer. “Thanks, but I think I should use my regular masseuse. If you start rubbing any of my body parts, one thing will lead to another and I’ll be sore all over again.”

  His arm had slipped around her waist. “I hope this masseuse of yours is a woman,” he’d muttered crossly. “Because if it’s a dude I might have to insist on chaperoning.”

  “Sonja is definitely a female. And she’s a miracle worker, I swear, especially when I get a bad tension headache. Or when I spend way too many hours hunched over my sewing machine or drawing board and my neck and shoulders tighten up.” She had reached up and whispered in his ear, “And she’s the only person besides you in recent months who’s been able to make me scream.”

  She had yelped in protest when his hand had come back down on her ass, much harder this time.

  “Enjoying your meal?” asked Finn now, taking a swig of his Corona.

  Delilah smacked her lips. “You bet. This is delicious. I can’t believe I didn’t know about this place, what with it being so close to our building and my studio.”

  “Not surprising, considering how many restaurants there are in San Francisco, especially in this area. There’s been a lot of new places cropping up, given that this is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city now. My dinner is really tasty, too. Though of course you’re the most delectable looking thing in this place. And wearing red again, I see, my little she-devil.”

  The outfit she’d chosen was one of her favorites from her collection - skinny jeans, a red lace see-through blouse worn over a red silk strapless corset, and strappy red sandals. Delilah felt both sexy and confident in the ensemble, knowing that red was one of her best colors, and especially loved the fact that every article of clothing she wore - including her lingerie - had been tailor made to fit what she had always considered a “problem” figure.

  She tapped a red-tipped nail against her margarita glass. “My favorite color, as you know. Though I probably have way too many clothes in that color by now.”

  “Judging from the quick peek I got inside of your closet this morning, I’d say you have way too many clothes of every color,” he jibed.

  Delilah groaned. “I know,” she admitted. “But what can I say - I have a real weakness for clothes and shoes and accessories. And every time I think about cleaning out my closet and donating stuff to charity, I realize that just about everything I own was custom made for me and probably wouldn’t fit the average woman.”

  His eyes twinkled. “That just sounds like an excuse not to get rid of anything to me. Admit it, Delilah. You’ve got a bit of a hoarding problem.”

  She laughed merrily. “That’s one way of phrasing it, I suppose. I prefer to think of it as being too attached to all of my creations and not willing to part with any of them. Though I’ve already taken over the closet in my home office since my bedroom one is bursting at the seams, so I guess I need to force myself to do a little purge sooner than later.”

  Finn’s gaze raked heatedly over the lacy top and the corset. “Don’t get rid of what you’re wearing tonight, though,” he instructed, his voice husky. “You look sexy as fuck in that.”

  Her cheeks pinkened as she glanced around anxiously, making sure no one had overhead him. “Um, thanks,” she mumbled. “The blouse and corset are from last fall’s
collection, but this is actually the first time I’ve worn either one.”

  “Good. And hopefully you’ll only wear them from now on when you’re with me. Which brings us back to the subject we were about to discuss - these so-called rules you want me to follow. I’m all ears, babe.”

  “Ah. The rules.” She took a healthy swig of her drink. “They’re pretty simple and straightforward, actually, and there’re just a few of them. Number one, pure and simple and definitely non-negotiable is this - total and absolute monogamy. For as long as this crazy relationship between us might last, you do not flirt with, have drinks with, and definitely do not have sex with any other woman. That is my number one, heads and tails above all others, rule. Do you agree?”

  “Absolutely,” replied Finn firmly, taking her hand in his then linking their fingers together. “I know this might be hard for you to believe, but I’ve never cheated in my life. My relationships might be short-lived, but it’s only ever been one woman at a time. And I’d have to be a complete and utter moron to ever cheat on you, Delilah. You’re the crème de la crème, after all.”

  Delilah shrugged, but couldn’t help feeling triumphant at how quick he’d been to assure her of his fidelity. “Doesn’t mean you won’t get bored with me, want someone different after awhile.”

  He shook his head. “Christ, have you looked in the mirror lately? Why would I want anyone else when I could have you? You’re gorgeous, Delilah, and you know it. You’re also sexy and funny and you make me feel good about myself, you know? Like I’m not just some dumb retired jock who only cares about partying and getting laid. And until I met you I probably was that guy. But ever since I met you I find myself wanting to be better than that. I want to be the kind of man that a woman like you would want to be with.”

  Touched by his sweetly spoken words, she cupped his cheek in her hand. “I do want to be with you, Finn,” she whispered. “It’s just - hard for me to trust very easily, you know? Because of my father, and what he put my mother through. And how he more or less abandoned Desi and me for his new family. Sometimes I’m not sure I’ll ever really get over his betrayal. And when the first few times I saw you in the building you had a different woman hanging all over you each time, well - you can probably imagine what I was thinking.”

  “That I was just like your father,” supplied Finn. “And I guess I was. Except, of course, for the fact that I’ve never been married or had children. And I can’t say that I blame you for comparing me to your dad. But I hope as you get to know me a little bit better that you’ll realize I would never, ever cheat on a woman while we’re together. I promise you that, Delilah. And if for some stupid reason I ever break that promise, you can bash me over the head with that cast iron skillet you were frying bacon in this morning.”

  Delilah smiled at him in mock-innocence. “I’ll be sure to take you up on that offer. Only it wouldn’t be your head I’d use that skillet on. Think someplace a little more, um, sensitive. You just be damned sure never to give me a reason to resort to physical violence, Finn McManus. I’m certainly not asking you for forever, or even a month. But for however long we’re together, you’re going to be faithful to me. Got it, lover?”

  He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to the palm. “Loud and clear, babe. And maybe it goes without saying, but I’d better be the only man you’re allowing into you bed. I don’t like to share, and that goes quadruple for a woman like you.”

  “It definitely goes without saying,” she assured him. “I’ve never cheated before, either, and I don’t plan to start now. So, now that we’ve covered rule number one, let’s move on to number two.” At his nod, she continued. “Rule number two is no unreasonable demands on each other. I’m not the sort of woman who needs constant phone calls or texts from her boyfriend, or who needs to know where he is every hour of the day. Obviously that works both ways, and even more obviously it involves a lot of trust on both sides. But I’ve never been the clingy type, and I don’t plan to start now.”

  Finn grinned at her lasciviously. “You can cling to me as long and as tight as you want. You won’t hear me complaining.”

  Delilah raised her gaze heavenward, shaking her head. “Be serious, okay? Continuing on to rule number three. No talk about commitments or how long this relationship thing is going to last or mentioning the future. I told you last night that right now my career is a huge priority for me, and I can’t let a relationship with you or anyone else interfere with that. And since I’m guessing you’d run away as fast as possible at the mere mention of marriage or living together or what direction things are headed, I think once again we’re on the same page. Agree?”

  He gave her a thumbs up. “Agree. Couldn’t have put it better myself.”

  “I figured that,” she replied dryly. “Now, the fourth and final rule also has to do with my job. You already know that I work ridiculously long hours, and while I admittedly need to cut back on my schedule for a variety of reasons, you have to know that my company needs to take priority right now. Not that I won’t make time to see you, of course, but I’m not the sort of girlfriend who’s going to be able to drop everything because you want to go see a movie or hang out with your friends. I assume once football season resumes later this year that it will be the same for you, that your work schedule will need to take precedence over your personal life. And I promise to be understanding when the time comes. Presuming, of course, that we’re still seeing each other by - uh, exactly when do they play football?”

  Finn chuckled. “The regular season starts in early September, but pre-season games begin in August. As far as still seeing each other by then - well, unless I manage to royally screw things up, I for one plan on seeing you for a long, long time, Delilah. At least until you get bored with me.”

  She shook her head in mild exasperation. “I don’t think anyone could ever get bored with you, Finn. Pissed off, yes. Irritated, definitely. But never, ever, bored.” She reached across the table to place a slow, open-mouthed kiss on his lips, then added in a husky voice, “And especially not between the sheets.”

  ***

  “When - when I said I wanted to be - oh, God! - on top again, I didn’t think - ah, yes! - that you - you meant like this,” panted Delilah.

  Finn trailed his fingers up and down her spine, then gave her ass a squeeze. “Never done reverse cowgirl before?” he grunted, his hips thrusting in sync each time she bounced up and down eagerly on his cock.

  She gasped as he gripped her by the hips, holding her still as he rotated his penis in a circular motion inside of her. “I - I guess not. Because - ahh! - as good as this feels right now, I - I think I want to do it this way all the time.”

  He trailed his index finger down between her rounded buttocks, then slid his entire palm between her legs to where their bodies were joined until he found her clit. “I don’t know about all the time, babe, but it feels pretty fucking good right now. No pun intended.”

  “Finn!” she screamed, as he continued to flick his thumb over her clitoris, while at the same time ramming his cock inside of her tight, clenching pussy with short, almost staccato thrusts.

  As the orgasm racked through her lower body, Delilah lost her balance and fell forward onto her hands and knees, prompting Finn to rise up from his prone position and kneel behind her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he eased her into an upright position once again, her back flush against his chest, and her head falling back limply onto his shoulder.

  “And this happens to be my favorite position,” he whispered against her ear, as one of his hands moved up the side of her ribcage to fondle her breast. “Gives me access to all of my favorite female body parts. Like this one, for example.”

  She whimpered as he took one distended nipple between his forefinger and thumb, tweaking it until it grew even harder.

  “And can’t forget this part,” murmured Finn huskily, nuzzling his face against the side of her throat before nibbling seductively on
her earlobe.

  Delilah shivered in reaction, her hands clutching the arm he kept wrapped around her waist, even as he continued to fuck her with short, shallow strokes.

  “But my very, very favorite part of this sexy little body of yours is this tight little pussy,” he purred, sliding his hand into her pubic hair and then lower, until he was cupping her vulva from the front of her body while thrusting inside her vagina from behind. He rubbed his thumb over her clit in a continuous, circular motion, arousing her with both his hand and his penis until she could barely breathe, and definitely not think.

  When her head fell back limply against his shoulder again, he kissed her open-mouthed, his tongue swooping through her mouth over and over again, until she feared she might black out from too much stimulation at one time - his clever fingers at her clit, his long, thick cock pounding into her vagina, his lips and tongue kissing her ravenously. Her senses were on overload, she realized dizzily, her body being aroused in too many places at once to handle. She came hard, the pleasure consuming her body from the tips of her toes all the way up to her core, her inner vaginal muscles pulsating hard enough for her lower back to also spasm.

  She collapsed face first onto the mattress this time, her legs shaking too hard to remain upright even with Finn’s support. Delilah thought afterwards that maybe she did faint just a little, because she had no recollection of his body landing on top of hers, pinning her to the mattress with his much larger, bulkier frame. It was only when she began struggling to take a breath several minutes later that she became aware of the muscular and very sweaty male body practically smothering her.

  “Hey,” she muttered, poking him in the bicep with her fingernail. “Can’t breathe here. And I know you like to tease about giving me mouth to mouth resuscitation, but don’t think I believe for one minute that you actually know how to do it. The right way, at least.”