by Lily Cahill
“Better?” I ask.
“I guess,” Dad grumbles.
It might take him some time to get used to this. For now, I’m content with baby steps.
Thanks for reading Game Day. Continue on for exclusive bonus content only available here in the box set. Additional bonus stories for each of the novels can be found at www.lilycahill.com.
BOX SET - EXCLUSIVE BONUS STORY
West and Lou
“COME ON, SLEEPING BEAUTY. WE’VE got plans today.”
“I’m on vacation,” I mumble, not even bothering to open my eyes. “This is my plan.”
“Let me see if I can change your mind,” West says. A moment later, I feel a warm tropical breeze caressing my back. The air smells of flowers and salt water, and I can hear distant waves crashing against the beach.
“Mmm,” I say, snuggling deeper into the covers. “That’s nice. Come back to bed.”
“Nope,” West says, gently shaking my bare shoulder. “Lou, we’ve only got six days in Hawaii, and we’re using all of them.”
He has a point. It’s spring break, and the MSU boosters were so thrilled by the team’s championship win that they sent the entire team and their guests to Hawaii. We spent most of yesterday traveling. As fun as it is to fly with a rowdy plane full of excited football players, I was looking forward to spending some quality chill time with my man.
I blink my eyes open and see him standing over me, already dressed in swim shorts and a tank top.
“What time is it?”
“Don’t worry about it,” he says, so casually that I know it must be obscenely early. “Your system is all out of whack because of the time change. The best way is just to get up and power through it.”
“Wasn’t that your argument last night when you said we should go to bed early instead of partying with the team?”
“I was right then, and I’m right now,” he says with an infuriating shrug. “Besides, you were the one who wouldn’t let me sleep last night.”
I grin, remembering. When we finally made it to our room, West and I made very good use of the bathroom’s luxurious shower. “I didn’t hear you complaining.”
“You were too busy screaming my name,” he says. His grin is so unbearably cocky that I have no choice but to whack him with one of the pillows on the bed.
He just lifts an eyebrow. “Oh, so it’s gonna be like that, huh?”
Before I can respond, he’s got his arms under me, hauling me out of the bed. I grasp desperately at the sheets, succeeding only in dragging them across the floor.
“I’ll tell my dad,” I holler, trying to wriggle out of his grip.
“Oh, yeah?” he says, covering one of my bare breasts with his palm. “Are you going to tell him I’m doing this?”
“Yes,” I say, though my voice has gone throaty. “You’re going to be in so much trouble.”
“What about this?” He asks, sliding his palm down the center of my body.
“Maybe we can work something out,” I say, feeling my body warm and pulse under his touch. He’s carried me back into the bathroom, which is fine with me. I let my eyes drift shut, enjoying the feel of his hands on my body. He sets me on my feet and I stretch, showing off my body. “I suppose it’s not the worst thing in the world to get up early.”
“I’m glad you feel that way,” he says, just before a blast of cold water hits my body. “Because we’ve got places to be.”
My screams are almost as loud as his laughter.
Twenty minutes later, West is tying a blindfold around my eyes. “This is ridiculous,” I say, my arms crossed over my chest.
“It’s a surprise,” West says, securing my seatbelt for me in the back of the hotel’s shuttle. “It’ll be worth it, I swear.”
I grumble, pressing back into the seat. “It better be.” My hair is still wet, and West wouldn’t let me grab anything other than my camera. “This is not how I expected my morning to go.”
“You’re going to love it,” he says, settling in next to me.
Through the open windows, I can smell the beach air. “You know there’s a beach right in front of our hotel, right? We don’t have to go anywhere special.”
“We’re not going to the beach.”
“It’s our first day in Hawaii, and we’re not going to the beach?”
“Trust me,” he says, laying a hand on my leg beneath the short beach dress I tugged on before we left.
I grumble in response, but in truth I am starting to get a little excited. Where is he taking me?
In just a few minutes, the scents around me change. The sand and vegetation are replaced with gasoline and metal. Are we on the highway? Does Kauai even have a highway? I hear a gate clang open as the shuttle goes over a couple of speed bumps. “Is this your big surprise? Taking me to a parking garage?”
West laughs, and I feel him pulling at my blindfold. “See for yourself.”
With the blindfold gone, I have to blink against the brightness of the sun. The sky is big and blue, and we’re parked on a patch of concrete surrounded on all sides by heavy vegetation. And there, in front of us ….
“A helicopter?”
“It’s on your bucket list, right? Riding in a helicopter?”
I gape at him for a second before launching myself into his arms. “We’re going for a helicopter ride?”
“Yeah,” he says, his face red with pleasure. “Worth getting out of bed for?”
I’m too busy kissing him to answer.
I somehow muster the patience to listen to the helicopter pilot’s speech about safety and responsible behavior. My adrenaline is already pumping. West chose a helicopter without doors, which seems deliciously terrifying. Before I know it, we’re strapped in to the seats, wearing headphones that block out the noise of the engines but still allow us to hear each other. I pull West in for one last kiss before we take off.
And then we’re up, rising from the ground so quickly I almost can’t believe it’s real. The thrum of the engine under my seat and West’s hand in mine are the only things that tell me I’m not dreaming.
We start by going inland, flying over massive Waimea Canyon and then deeper, into the lush mountains and stunning valleys. The pilot points out the famous falls used in Jurassic Park, and I pull my hand from West’s so I can take pictures. I keep snapping away as we fly; there are whole areas of the island that are only accessible by helicopter, and I can’t get over the fact that we’re flying over land that is virtually untouched by human hands.
I glance over at West to share the wonder and notice that he’s gone a little green. I guess the ride has been a little unsteady; I hardly noticed, I was so busy taking pictures. “You okay?”
West nods shortly, forcing himself to take deep breaths. What did the pilot say about motion sickness? I grab one of the ginger wafers that the pilot said might help calm nausea. West grimaces, but slides it into his mouth anyway.
“We’re going to circle back along the coast,” the pilot calls, but I’m too concerned about West to admire the famous Na Pali coast. He’s got his eyes closed now, and he’s gripping the arms of his seat.
“I think my boyfriend is a little sick,” I say to the pilot, raising my voice to be heard over the roar of the wind.
“I’m fine,” West says through gritted teeth.
But the pilot is studying his face. Finally, he shrugs. “Barf bags are in the center console,” he says. “Try some water, or a mint.”
“Can you fly … slower?” I ask, feeling like an idiot even as the words come out of my mouth.
“Air’s bumpy today, ma’am. But we’ll be back on solid ground in about twenty minutes.”
I nod, finding the water and uncapping it for West.
“Don’t worry about me,” he says, taking a cautious sip. “I’m fine. You’re missing the view.”
“Whatever,” I say, though the coastline rolling away beneath us is stunning. “Are you feeling any better?”
“Yeah,” he says, though sweat has broken
out on his forehead. “I’ll be fine.”
All it takes is a raised eyebrow. Then West grabs for one of the barf bags and lets loose.
I’m not big on taking care of other people. I’m not heartless or anything, it’s just not my style. But for the next twenty minutes, I can’t think about anything other than making West more comfortable. As I rub his back and make supportive noises, a new sensation rises up inside me. A warm, squishy feeling that I can’t quite make sense of.
I know how strong West is, how tough; he can be vulnerable, but he’s never weak. Even now, he’s trying to make sure I have a good time, even though he’s miserable. We’ve had so much fun together over the past few months, but there’s something about being here for him when he’s struggling that feels deeper than all our adventures.
Finally, we touch down back at the heliport. West’s relief is palpable as he unstraps his seatbelt and stumbles out of the helicopter and toward the bathroom. I thank the pilot for the ride, assuring him that it was a wonderful experience. Then I wait for West, sitting on a seawall that overlooks the ocean.
He comes out a few minutes later, looking like he splashed his face with water.
“Do you feel any better?” I ask.
“Lots,” he says as he sits down beside me. “Lou, I’m so sorry.”
I take his hand. “I’m not. That was incredible.”
“I ruined it,” he insists. “I really wanted you to have a good time.”
“I had a great time. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. And it was all thanks to you.”
He shakes his head. “I feel like an idiot.”
“No way. You gave me a wonderful surprise. And now we know—Dramamine before helicopter rides.”
He smiles weakly. “If you’re ever willing to risk going up with me again.”
I put my hand to his cheek, so full of love for this wonderful man. “I wouldn’t want to go up with anyone but you. I’d rather be with you when you’re puking than be with anyone else, anytime.”
He rests his forehead against mine. “I appreciate that, but I’m hoping it’ll be a long time before I feel that sick again.”
I stand up, pulling him with me. “What you need is a nice shower and an afternoon on the beach.”
He sighs. “Thanks, babe.”
“Oh, no,” I say, glancing over my shoulder. “You can thank me in the shower.”
His mouth tilts up into a grin. “I can do that.”
BOX SET - EXCLUSIVE BONUS STORY
Ben and Nara
THE TROPICAL, HAWAIIAN SUN BLAZES down on me—hotter than anything my poor, English skin is used to. But the pink on my nose is worth it for this: Surrounded by my teammates, lounging poolside with Nara, celebrating our National Championship win.
It’s still surreal to think of it. We did it, we actually came together as a team—a lot of that no thanks to me, if I’m honest—and pulled out a season and a win that’ll go down in history. I can still feel the excitement, the jubilation singing through my bones. It makes me want to jump up, to move with it.
I swing my legs over the side of my chair and bounce my bare heels off the poolside concrete. Energy thrums through me. I’m supposed to be relaxing—God knows our team deserves this booster-funded holiday—but I can’t sit still much longer.
Nara’s stretched out, basking in the sun with a feline relish. Under a wide-brimmed hat, her dark caramel hair is a riot of dense curls. And her swimsuit … damn, I’ve barely been able to keep my hands off her when so little fabric separates me from her. Today, she’s in a one-piece, a brilliant blue number that curves over her delicious ass and swoops in as it slides up her waist, showing off the muscles of her stomach, back, and thighs—lean, hard muscles I’ve marveled at in the months we’ve been together. Parts of her are so soft—her butt, her breasts, her smile—but it’s the dichotomy of those muscles under her velvet skin that drives me wild.
Nara makes a little purring sound deep in her throat and peeks at me over the top of her large sunglasses. “Are you just going to keep staring, or do you want to go get me another mai tai?”
I can’t help myself and trail my fingers up the line of her leg, stopping high up her hip where the swimsuit starts. “I have another idea,” I start.
A wicked smile tugs at the corner of Nara’s lush lips. “I’m listening.”
My eyebrows pull high. “Not that, actually. Though if I stare at you too much longer ….” I shake away the desire waxing within me. “A hike. You’ve been saying you want to check out the Na Pali coast. So let’s go. We should have enough time for a good hike before the luau tonight.”
Nara’s wicked smile transforms into an excited one. She pushes up to her elbows, grinning. “You want to? It’s supposed to be amazing.”
I stand and hold out a hand for Nara. Before this trip, she’d spent an entire week researching everything we could possibly want to do on the island of Kauai, but all we’ve managed to do since the welcoming party last night is wander down to the pool. Nara lets me pull her to her feet and is already chatting excitedly about this particular hike.
In fact, she talks about it the entire time we’re changing—only forgetting about it during the quickie in the bathroom—and the whole drive up the coast toward the trailhead. A few months ago, when I was a different man, I would have wished for silence. Now, her excited chatter makes me smile. It warms me to see her truly love something with abandon, love something solely because she wants to. Luckily, one of the things she loves is me, even when I’m sour and taciturn.
At the trailhead, we tie on our hiking shoes, check our water bottles, and hit the trail. It’s challenging, a narrow dirt path hugging the jagged, jewel-green coastline. Before long, we’re both sweating, but we’re also both grinning wide. Everywhere I look, Hawaii is a marvel—palm-fringed jungle on one side of us and expansive aquamarine ocean on the other. The coast is like a serrated blade, each jagged corner exposing new, stunning views as we balance at the very edge of the island.
The trail follows the coast for miles, but at a wide, shallow river, Nara points us inland—going mauka, Nara informs me it’s called. The trail all but disappears in places, but we scramble over slick boulders and skirt the edge of the river as we push deeper and deeper into a valley washed in every variation of green imaginable.
It’s quiet, just the sound of our breathing, the river, the calls of birds in the jungle. But underneath the silence, a roar is building. Up ahead of me, Nara jumps lightly from one boulder to another. Then she freezes, and when she turns to look back at me, her face is lit from within—joy and exhilaration alive in her eyes.
“Oh, Ben,” she breathes. “Just wait.”
I scramble up another boulder and join Nara on her rock, and nearly gasp.
Before us, a waterfall tumbles over the moss-green cliff face, the tail of the fall thin and breathtakingly high. It crashes into a pool the color of cerulean—deep and clear and just begging to be swum in.
Nara grasps my hand and looks up at me, her eyes bright. “Last one in buys the next round of drinks.”
Then she tears away, stripping off her backpack and shirt as she vaults over rocks. I’m laughing too hard to really catch her, and nearly trip over her kicked-off hiking shoes. She hits the edge of the water wearing nothing but her underwear and a sports bra, but we’re alone in this majesty.
With a squeal, Nara plunges into the pool and swims out to the middle just as I reach the shore.
“Holy hell,” I shout when my feet hit the cold water. “I thought we were on a tropical island.”
Nara dunks her head then comes up laughing. “Don’t be a baby. I’ve swam in lakes much colder than this in the mountains.” Nara paddles closer, then floats, just her head above water. “You already owe me a drink, but we’ll call it even if you lose the boxer-briefs.”
I stare down at my tight underwear, then glance around. We’re still alone. With a shrug, I thrust the underwear down as Nara wolf-whistles. Then before I lo
se my nerve, I splash into the water.
Submerged, the water feels cool, but not frigid. Languidly, we paddle around, staring up at the bright blue sky overhead and the fringe of green jungle all around.
Under the water, I find Nara’s hand as we float and twine my fingers with hers. This trip has been incredible so far. No, not just this trip. My life since I let Nara into it has been incredible. I can only hope that I bring her a fraction of the joy that she brings me.
Slowly, we drift back toward the shore and sit in the shallows, just taking in the beauty around us. Her hand in mine, the sun on our faces, the cool water lapping up to our waists.
Nara snuggles in closer to me, her head on my shoulder and her hand trailing over my chest. The feeling of her so close wakens my desire, making my cock stir under the water. Nara shifts a bit, obviously noticing, and tilts her face up to look at me.
“Again, Lord Mayhew?”
A devious smile curls on my lips. “Always, Miss Robinson. It’s not every day I find myself sitting at a private waterfall with a woman in nothing but her knickers.”
Nara laughs at that, a low, sultry sound, and her hand trails down my chest, down the plane of my stomach, and curls around the length of me. I tip my chin back and groan. Nara laughs again—deep in her throat, a thing full of arousal—and it does wonderful things to my body. Eyes still closed, I feel her move, feel her climb into my lap and spread her thighs. The tip of my cock brushes against her. She’s warm, slicker than the water, and everything about her feels perfect.
With hands balancing on my shoulders, Nara eases herself down over me, pulling me deep into her. Another groan escapes me at the completeness of it, of our bodies connected. We go slow, taking our time with each thrust, savoring every moment of our bodies fused together. It’s only in the final few seconds that neither of us can hold back any longer. I grab hold of Nara’s hips and drive myself into her, burying my cock deep. Nara cries out with orgasm, and I follow just behind her.
And then it goes silent again, just the waterfall crashing, our ragged breathing, the birds in the trees. Nara looks me deep in my eyes and smiles.
She’s still smiling a few minutes later as we’re stretched out on a rock, slowly drying off in the sun.
