by Cathryn Fox
“Things are different. I’m different. They were so happy to see me, and we talked about the trust fund.”
“You’re going to accept it?”
“You wouldn’t believe how happy that made them. They refused to give it to me as a loan, though I still plan to pay them back. They have to make arrangements with the bank to withdraw it, so next week, I should be able to put an offer on the house.”
He squeezed her hand harder, so happy for her. Everything was falling into place for her. For him, however, it was unraveling. He had no idea what he wanted anymore, and in a few minutes, he’d be sharing her with his best friend. The idea sat in his stomach like a hot coal.
He slid his car in between two vehicles, and she stiffened. He turned to face her. “You still want to do this?”
“If you do,” she said.
He nodded, not about to tell her that he didn’t want to share. But how could he set that parameter now? She wasn’t his. This was just a fucked-up arrangement between them that would be ending tonight.
“After tonight,” he said. “I—”
She touched his cheek, stopping him. “I know, Jack. It’s good-bye.”
His stomach clenched so hard, he was sure he was doing irreparable internal damage. “My family has something planned at Grandma’s house tomorrow. I leave Saturday.” Jesus, she knew all this. Why was he telling her? Oh, maybe because he wanted her to say something to stop him from leaving.
Her gaze dropped to his lips. “So we say good-bye tonight, then.”
He opened his mouth, but had no fucking clue what to say. All he knew was that he couldn’t bring himself to say those words.
“Thank you, Jack. For the lessons…for everything.” She pressed her lips to his, and his heart shuddered. He wanted to drive away, take her home, keep her in his bed forever, and was just about to do that when a car horn honked, snapping him back to reality.
He inched back. “I guess we should…”
“Yeah,” she whispered.
He hopped from the car and circled to meet her. Inside, he signed Danielle into the club and handed in the contract she’d filled out earlier in the week.
“Drink?” he asked when they stepped into the lounge area.
When she shook her head, he gripped her hand in a possessive manner, taking her straight to the private room he’d reserved for their play. She followed him without hesitation. She had absolute trust in him. It floored him, really. He pushed the door open and found Jamie texting as he waited for them.
“Hey,” Jamie said, and set his phone down. He stepped up to Danielle and put his hand on her arm.
“Hi,” she said, a quiver in her voice as she darted a glance around the room. Jack watched her carefully as she took in the bed, the bench, the drapes drawn to give them their privacy.
Jamie shifted and put his hand on Jack’s shoulder. Danielle snuggled in closer to Jack, her body seeking his comfort, his reassurance. In a move that had possession all over it, he drew her to him, snaking his arm around her waist and fisting his hands in her blouse.
How the fuck could he do this?
Jamie eyes narrowed. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” he said, a little too abruptly.
Jack stared at the woman he’d come to care so much about. As she blinked up at him, two things occurred to him. One, she was an innocent, but she was also an intellectual. The academic part of her wanted the education for research purposes. But the woman in her, well, the sweet, caring girl he’d gotten to know so well was frightened by this whole scenario. His gut screamed that she didn’t want really want another man’s hands on her, no matter how open she seemed.
What the hell could he do to satisfy both sides of her? He put his arm around her and put his mouth next to his ear.
“I’m going to blindfold you.”
“What?” she asked quickly.
“Trust me.”
She nodded, and he gestured for Jamie to grab him the blindfold near the bed. Jamie eyed him, his gaze questioning, curious as he came back with the mask. When he opened his mouth, Jack shook his head to stop him. He covered Danielle’s eyes.
“Is there anything you need, Danielle, any questions?”
Her warm breath fluttered against his face, her fingers curling in his shirt. “I don’t think so.”
“You’re in good hands. You trust that, right?”
She nodded, and he touched her hair, wrapping it around his finger. She flinched at the touch, no doubt wondering whose hands were on her.
He met Jamie’s glance and gestured toward the door. No words needed to be said for Jamie to understand what was going on. He nodded and then slowly, quietly stepped from the room, leaving the two of them alone.
Jack turned her until her back was pressed against his chest. In a bid to give her everything she wanted, and needed, his hand went to the buttons on her blouse. Slowly, one by one, he released them. A soft gasp fluttered past her lips as he exposed her.
With a slight tug of her hair, he forced her head up, and her mouth opened. He stepped away from her, leaving her to wonder who was going to touch her next. She moaned softly and turned in the direction of his steps. Bending forward, he captured her mouth with his, and desire raced through him.
“Jack,” she whispered, and his heart thumped. He pushed her shirt from her shoulders and reached behind and unhooked her lacy bra, freeing her beautiful breasts to his eyes only.
Jack broke the kiss and watched her carefully. “Second thoughts?”
She hesitated for a brief moment, then whispered, “No. Not with you.”
As she put her care into his hands, he brushed his finger over her bottom lip, his heart pounding against his chest. “Let’s get you naked,” he said. “And no speaking, Danielle. I want you to focus only on the sensations, on what you’re feeling. I’ll be the only one giving instructions when they’re necessary.”
“Okay,” she said.
He lightly brushed her nipples, and she arched into his touch. Jack carefully went down on one knee and unbuttoned her jeans. He slid them down her legs, taking her panties with him, and when the sweet scent of her arousal hit him, he took a breath to center himself, to make this good for her. He tapped her legs, and she lifted them one at a time. He tossed her jeans away, then leaned in and pressed his nose to her pussy. Breathing her in, he parted her with his tongue to give a deep lick.
“Yes,” she murmured and rolled her hips, grinding her sweet sex against his face.
“Shh…” he said, then gave another long lick and tasted her deeply. As her moans curled around them, Jack stood, leaving her standing there stark naked, fully exposed. She reached for him, and he brought her fingers to his mouth, kissing them one at a time, watching her relax under his touch.
“I want to touch,” she whispered.
“Hush.”
Tearing off his clothes, he undressed quickly, and when her hand connected with his body she moaned.
“You’re beautiful,” Jack said, unable to stop himself, and she visibly quivered.
She arched her back, her body beckoning his touch. Jack stepped close and put his hand on her stomach, circling her and touching her all over. Did she know whose hands were on her? She sighed with pleasure, her head lolling to the side, her hair spilling.
“We’re going to show you how desirable you are.”
She whimpered as he did a quick inventory of the room. “Come with me.” He guided her to a bench. “Lie on your back. We’re going to take turns with you.”
She visually quaked as she settled herself on the plush material.
“Now spread your legs wide so we can fuck your sweet pussy all night long. I want at least a dozen orgasms from you.”
She moaned and widened her legs. Jack stepped in front of her and dropped to one knee. He lowered his head between her thighs and buried his face in her sweet heat. Honest to fuck, her taste had ruined him for every other woman. Knowing just how she liked it, he flattened his tongue and gave he
r long, luxurious licks that pulled soft moans from the depths of her throat.
She tangled her fingers in his hair and moved against his face, her body stirring to life.
Tongue laving her clit, he pushed a finger inside her swollen pussy, and just like that, she came for him. Jesus, she was so responsive to his touch.
“So good,” she cried out, a wheezing sound following her cry of ecstasy. Her cream tasted like candy on his tongue, and his cock throbbed, aching to be inside her. With dark desire and the need to own her driving him, he kissed a path up her body, stopping to pull a nipple into his mouth. He drew back to see her, his breathing ragged, labored. Desire, passion, and possession twisted his insides. As he looked at her, one word flashed in his mind. Mine. No way could he ever have shared her.
“Turn over.”
She flipped to her belly, her perfect ass displayed so nicely for him.
He settled her on the bench, sliding a gentle hand down her back, reveling in her softness. He drew a centering breath, sliding his hands over the soft swell of her ass as longing ripped through him. Unable to resist, even for a minute, Jack ran his hands up her thigh and over her ass cheeks. Then he drew his hand back and gave a slap, just the way she liked it. Her body trembled, and he ran his palms over the pink tinge to soothe the lingering bite.
He found his pants and grabbed a condom, ripping the package with his teeth as she moaned. Jack’s breath came in a ragged burst, and his whole body shook as he sheathed himself and positioned his swollen crown at her opening.
“Ready for this?”
“With you, always,” she said, and the love he felt for her washed over him like a tsunami. His struggled to fill his lungs. Jesus, he was drowning. In her. He struggled to breathe past the emotions clogging his throat.
“Take me,” she whispered, the tremendous connection between them squeezing his heart.
His hand went to his throbbing dick and he guided it inside. Her warm heat wrapped around him, and he gripped her hair and thrust hard. Her cry filled the air and mingled with his moans as her body opened for him, welcoming him home. They rocked together, easily establishing the rhythm they now knew so well. She reared against him, taking him all in.
Jack thrust, unable to get deep enough. He pulled out and slammed back in again. Her slickness coated his cock, the heat between them potent. She arched, lifting her ass higher for him.
“Yes,” she murmured, hot blood pounding through his veins as her muscles clenched around him. She squeezed his cock and came with a sharp cry.
Jack took that moment to pull out. He gave her a moment to catch her breath. “Up on your knees.”
She switched positions, and he moved back behind her, wanting to give her the impression that it was Jamie’s turn, wanting to satisfy the intellectual side of her.
He entered her, moving slowly at first to build another orgasm, but his fucking mind was shutting down with the need he had for her. She put a finger between her legs and stroked her clit, and he angled his body to get deeper, wanting nothing more than to lock the world out and live inside her forever. His hands gripped her hair, and no matter how deep he drove, there was a need in him he couldn’t assuage. Emotions unleashed, he pumped hard, and lightning bolts of pleasure zapped his balls. They drew up and he cursed, needing to end the sweet torment before he shattered completely.
She bucked against him, and he slid a finger around her waist, pushing her hand from her clit so he could touch. The second he applied pressure, she shuddered again. And when she squeezed him, he emptied his cock inside her.
He cursed silently, not wanting her to know it was him as he fell over her body, his cock still deep inside her. He held her to him, unwilling, unable to let go. He wanted to stay right where he was. Forever. Except the soft noises coming from Danielle told him she needed to move.
He pushed off her body, and his cock rippled as he slowly drew back and moved out from between her legs. He touched her shoulder and helped her from her position. He sat and pulled her onto his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder, and his heart skipped a beat.
He kissed the top of her head, the depth of desire he felt for her beyond anything he’d ever known. She touched something in him, and he hungered for her in a way he’d never hungered for another.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she said sleepily, her mask still in place.
Christ, he loved everything about her, especially the way she went to bat for him when he was feeling like a former shell of himself. She’d stepped out of the roles they were playing to help him find his place on the field and a life outside the pros. Girls like her didn’t come along every day. She’d shown him what meaningful sex was, and now he knew why he’d never truly felt fulfilled or sated in the past—every physical encounter lacked emotional connection. Her touch felt like a healing balm to his soul. With Danielle, everything was different, better, and he ached for something more.
Then do something about it.
He stood with her in his arms, grabbed a soft blanket, and wrapped her in it. Danielle’s breathing changed, slowed, and as she snuggled into him, he eased the mask from her face to find her eyes closed.
He reached for his jeans, pulled his phone from his pocket, and shot Jamie a text. A minute later his best friend dropped onto the bench beside him. He stayed quiet for a long time, until Danielle was in a deeper sleep, then in whispered words, he finally he asked, “Everything okay?”
Jack nodded. “Yeah.”
“You sure about that?”
His heart pounded against a too-tight chest. Since he was never able to hide anything from his best friend, he scrubbed his face and said, “No.”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No. I did.”
“Jack,” Danielle whispered, her lips going to his chest. She kissed him softly, the feel of her warm mouth, so gentle and loving, deepening his need for her. He took labored breaths, unable to fill his lungs as he fought for control. Fuck. He’d been prepared to give lessons, but he hadn’t a clue about what she’d do to him.
“I need to get her home,” he murmured quietly. Jamie gathered her clothes, and Jack dressed her, then tugged on his own clothes. Silence hovered as the three of them walked outside. Jamie kept casting him curious glances, but he ignored him, his only concern Danielle and getting her proper aftercare. He set Danielle into the car. He didn’t feel like talking, but he couldn’t just leave Jamie without saying something, especially after his friend had agreed to come in as a third for the night, only to be kicked out.
He put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Thanks.”
“What are you thanking me for? I didn’t do anything.”
“You did everything.”
His eyes narrowed. “What’s going on with you?”
“I leave Saturday. Have to be on the field Monday.”
“You know that’s not what I mean.” Jamie looked past Jack’s shoulder to Danielle resting in the passenger seat. “Jack, you need to figure this shit out before it’s too late.”
His best friend was right. He had it bad for Danielle—a girl who never allowed anyone in—a girl who needed a family more than anyone he knew. He swallowed down the knot in his throat and jumped into the driver’s seat. He found her hand and squeezed. She gave a sleepy smile, wrung out from the intense scene she’d just participated in—or thought she’d just participated in—and he turned the engine over, needing to get her home to care for her properly.
Fifteen minutes later, he pulled up in front of her apartment and guided her inside. She kept her arm wrapped around him, holding him, and he hated that it was their last night together.
“You okay?” he asked, leading her to her bedroom.
“Yeah,” she said softly.
“Climb in,” he whispered. “I’ll get you a drink.”
She slid between the sheets and he removed her clothes, tossing them onto the floor in a heap. He tucked her in and went to the kitchen. As he wa
lked softly, the sound of her cell phone pinging cut through the quiet of the apartment. He glanced at the clock. It was nearing ten. Who the hell would be calling this late? It had to be Violet, wanting the details.
He filled two glasses with water and stepped back into the bedroom. The second he saw Danielle, her body tense, expressive eyes full of sorrow, his heart nearly burst. Something was wrong. Seriously wrong. He rushed to her and set the water on her nightstand.
“What is it?”
“They have an offer on the house.” Emotions choked her voice, and she blinked, but he could see the tears threatening. Her lips turned up in a forced smile. “I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
He cursed and drew her to him. She stiffened against his neck, but she didn’t need to be strong in front of him. No, he knew the real Danielle. The sweet and sensitive girl who’d recently reached out to her foster family and only wanted a place to call home. The girl who could look past the fame and money and see him for who he really was, and give him what he needed to make him feel whole again. He held her tight as he sorted through everything they’d been through together. When he wasn’t paying attention, the beautiful woman had slipped into his heart without even trying, and he’d fallen hard for her. But this was supposed to be about sex, not love, right?
So what the hell was he going to do about it?
Chapter Seven
Stack of books in hand, Danielle stepped outside and breathed in the warm morning air, happy that the weekend was behind her. With Jack gone, she needed the distraction of teaching, needed to get out from the four walls that seemed to be closing in on her without his presence.
She went left instead of right, deciding to take a shortcut this morning. The last thing she wanted was to see the Sold sign on the dream house she never should have hoped to make hers. She’d been avoiding it since the phone call Thursday night.
Turning the corner, she walked past a bakery, and a pretty bird flew by, but not even its joyous chirping sounds could brighten her mood on this sultry Monday morning. Her mind raced over the whirlwind events of the last two weeks. So much had happened in such a short time. The biggest being that she’d fallen for the man she’d given both her heart and virginity to.
