Powerplay

by Cher Carson

  “Yeah, I’m okay. I guess it’s just been a long week.” A long, stressful week of arguing with her cheating fiancé and trying to come to terms with his betrayal.

  He turned her hand over and flicked his tongue over the pulse point at the inside of her wrist before kissing it. “Let me see if I can help you to relax.”

  She rolled her head to the side, facing him. “I’ve missed you,” she said quietly, surprised by her own admission. She and Mark had never had that kind of relationship. They didn’t talk about the future or their feelings. They just enjoyed each other’s company, devoured each other’s bodies, and enjoyed every second of it.

  “I’ve missed you too, sweetheart.” He pulled up to a traffic light and stopped. “Why’d you stop returning my calls?”

  She sighed, thinking back to that time. She had been so torn. She loved spending time with Mark, but she was tired of knowing that she was one of many women who shared his bed. “The truth is I met somebody else.”

  He grimaced and gripped the steering wheel. “I wish I hadn’t asked.”

  She smiled, squeezing his hand. “Come on, we were never exclusive.”

  “I know, but…” His cell phone rang, halting his words. He glanced at the navigation screen on the console. Nick Morris. “Damn, I guess I was in such a hurry to get you out of there I forgot to tell the guys I was leaving.”

  She laughed, flattered that he was as anxious to be alone with her as she was to be with him.

  “You’d better answer it.”

  He pushed the button on his phone and said, “Hey, Morris, sorry I bailed on you guys.”

  “What the hell? Where’d you go?” he asked, the noise in the background filtering through the phone line.

  “Jen and I wanted a little privacy so we could talk.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s all you had in mind, Atwell. Damn, you get all the hot chicks.”

  Mark shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable.

  Jen laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment, Nick.”

  “Hey, gorgeous. When you’re finished ‘talking’ to Atwell, why don’t you come on back here so we can get to know each better?”

  She rolled her eyes at Mark. “Uh, I don’t think so.”

  “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  “Wanna bet?” Mark said, disconnecting the call. “Sorry about that.”

  “No problem. I have a feeling he’s like that with all of your girlfriends.”

  “Yeah, but it never bothered me before. With you, it does.”

  She tried to ignore the little chill that skimmed over her skin at his words. Mark was a player. She couldn’t take anything he said tonight seriously. “So, your parents must’ve been happy that you signed on for another five years.”

  She’d met his family once, when he’d invited her to his father’s sixty-fifth birthday party. They had been pleasantly surprised when Mark arrived with a date. Apparently, he usually preferred to attend family events alone. That was only a few weeks before she met Kevin, so she never had the opportunity to ask Mark why he’d chosen to invite her to the party.

  “Yeah, I guess they’re happy to have me around.”

  As a professional hockey player, it was rare to be able to play in your hometown, but Mark was blessed to have been chosen as a second round draft pick. He played for a team on the west coast for the first five years of his career before asking to be traded to his hometown team five years ago. The five-year contract he just signed would bring him close to the end of his professional career.

  “Do you ever think about what you’re going to do when you retire?”

  He reached over and slid his hand up her thigh. “Of course, I think about it all the time. I’m not getting any younger.”

  He was only thirty-two. Too young to be thinking about getting old, but she knew as a professional hockey player, age was always a factor. “What do you think you’ll do?”

  He turned his signal on before turning into the parking lot of a luxury high-rise building, overlooking the water.

  Though she’d never sold one, Jenna knew the larger suites in this sought after building sold for millions. Of course, if the rumours surrounding his new contract were true, he could well afford it.

  “I don’t know; hockey’s in my blood, so I’d like to stay involved in some way. I think I’d like to coach kids.” He laughed at her shocked expression. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”

  He pressed the garage door opener on his sun visor and pulled into the underground parking garage.

  “I didn’t even know you liked kids.”

  He looked affronted. “What’re you talking about? I love kids. My nieces and nephews tell me I’m the coolest uncle ever.”

  She laughed. “I’m sure you are. Think you’ll ever have kids of your own someday?” Strange, they’d dated for ten months, but the subject of kids never came up. Maybe she was afraid of scaring him off back then. Now that she knew they only had one night together, she had nothing to fear.

  “I’d love to.” When he pulled the vehicle into the designated spot and cut the engine, he shifted in his seat to face her. “How about you? Do you wanna have kids?”

  “Sure, someday. I’d like to travel, see a bit more of the world first.”

  He chuckled. “The two aren’t mutually exclusive. You can still travel with kids, you know.”

  “I know, but from what my friends and co-workers have told me, it’s more about family destinations until they’re a little older and ready for some real adventure.”

  He laughed. “You always were the adventurous one, weren’t you? Rock climbing, bungee jumping…”

  If she was so adventurous, why had she settled for a safe bet when choosing a life partner? “I don’t know about that. Sure, I’m always up for a challenge, but that doesn’t mean that I’m willing to take risks in all areas of my life.”

  A current of awareness passed between them. “You mean you weren’t willing to take a risk on me?”

  She reached for the door handle. “Mark, I really don’t want to get into anything too heavy tonight. Would it be okay if we just enjoyed each other’s company and saved the heavy conversation for another day?” A day she knew would never come.

  “Whatever you want,” he said, opening his door. He came around the front of the truck and met her at the door. He looked down at her, his hand braced on the door. “I’m gonna let you set the pace, sweetheart. I don’t want to rush you into anything you’re not ready for.”

  Was he talking about sex? He must be; Mark didn’t invite discussions about relationships or the future, at least not the Mark she used to know.

  It was killing Mark not to tell her how he felt about her, but he was afraid of moving too fast and scaring her off. He wanted her to know what he’d been prepared to tell her two years ago, that he was in love with her and he wanted to be with her, only her.

  But he couldn’t say that, not now. It had only been a few hours since they’d reconnected and he didn’t know how she felt about him anymore. It was obvious the sexual attraction was still there, but he had no idea where she stood on the subject of relationships, if she’d still be willing to take a chance on him, on them.

  They walked to the door, hand in hand. He shook his head when she reached for the door handle before he did. He loved that she was strong and independent. The fact that she didn’t need him only made him want her more.

  “I’ve heard this is a beautiful building,” she said, stepping into the rear hallway that led to the elevator. “Not that I can see much of it from here.”

  “I’ll give you the grand tour sometime.” He reached around her to press the button for the elevator, and her sexy scent drew him in. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her tight against his chest. “God, you feel good.”

  She giggled, wriggling her ass against his hard cock. “I could say the same about you.”

  They stepped onto the elevator and he backed her into a corner b
efore pushing the button for the top floor.

  All the humor left her eyes as she stared at him intensely, licking her lips. “You are too handsome for your own good, Atwell.”

  He chuckled. “As long as you think so, I don’t care what anyone else thinks.” It was true; when he looked at her, he couldn’t imagine ever wanting another woman.

  She slipped her hands inside his blazer. “You’ve still got game. I’ll give you that.”

  He reached up to stroke her smooth face with his calloused palm. “This isn’t a game, baby. Not to me.”

  Her eyes shifted to his lips. “You’ve changed,” she whispered. “I didn’t expect that.”

  He shrugged. “Had to grow up sometime, right?” In fact, he’d grown up when he realized his immature behavior had cost him the best thing that ever happened to him.

  “I guess so. I’m not sure what to make of this new Mark Atwell.”

  He traced the pad of his thumb over her full lower lip, watching her eyes drift closed. He pressed his hardness into her stomach, whispering in her ear, “I think you’ll learn to like me, if you give me a chance.”

  She smiled, her eyes still closed. “I already like you.”

  He didn’t want her to like him. He wanted her to love him, but that would come in time. He hoped.

  The elevator rang, indicating they’d arrived at his floor. Taking her hand, he led her off the elevator to the door at the end of hall. He slid the key in the lock and turned the knob, holding his breath. He just bought the place eighteen months ago, a few months after they’d stopped dating. He had never brought another woman here in that time.

  Any dates he’d had were casual, not women he was willing to invite into his inner sanctuary. But he wanted Jenna to share his life. He could imagine her living here with him, waking up in his big four-poster bed together every morning, cooking dinner, watching TV. His gut clenched at the scene of domesticity he envisioned. He wanted that with her.

  She stepped into the corridor as he hit the light switch to activate all of the lights in the main living areas. The four thousand square-foot space was state-of-the-art, but he didn’t go for the modern décor many residents seemed to favor. He wanted traditional, comfortable, and liveable.

  He’d hired Chase’s wife, Taylor, to help him realize his vision for the space. He only hoped Jen shared the same vision.

  “Oh wow, Mark, this place is amazing.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you like it.” He wanted to ask her if she could imagine living here, sharing his home, but he knew he was rushing it, so he held his tongue. “Can I get you a glass of wine?”

  She smiled. “I’d like that, thanks.”

  He wandered into the kitchen and she followed him.

  She admired the dark wood, sub-zero appliances, running her hand over the smooth granite countertops. She chuckled self-consciously. “Sorry, I was just imagining the kind of meals I could cook in this kitchen.”

  He cursed himself for all the simple things they didn’t do together while they were dating, like enjoying a home-cooked meal together once in a while. It was all about partying, being seen, having fun. Sex, sex, and more sex. He wouldn’t make that mistake with her again. As much as he wanted her right now, he wanted to take it slow, start to build a foundation. Make her fall in love with him. His hand shook as he gripped the corkscrew. What if she wanted the kind of relationship they used to have, casual, no commitments? That would kill him.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. “Hey, I didn’t mean to imply that I wanted to start using your kitchen or anything, so relax.”

  He set the corkscrew aside and turned into her arms, framing her face with his hands. “Baby, I want…”

  She looped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to meet her mouth. “I know what you want. I want that, too.” She plunged her tongue into his mouth, fisting her hands into his hair.

  He groaned, grabbing her around the waist to hoist her up as he devoured her mouth. One taste of her set him off like someone had poured fuel on the fire that had started simmering when he laid eyes on her. He was going to combust if he didn’t sink inside of her soon. His head was telling him to slow down, but his cock was telling him he’d already wasted too much time. He needed her now.

  She wrapped her legs around his waist, locking her ankles at the base of spine. “Oh God,” she moaned, tearing her lips away from his, panting. “I’d allowed myself to forget what it was like…”

  “I never forgot,” he said, sucking the sensitive skin on her neck into his mouth. He set her on the countertop, thrusting his hands into her hair and tipping her head back so he had better access.

  He remembered how much she used to love it when he licked and suckled her neck.

  She flattened her hands against his chest. “Why don’t we take this into the bedroom?”

  “Soon,” he muttered, trailing his tongue up and down her neck. She tasted amazing, spicy and sexy, that powerful scent that was unique to her. “God, I wanna lick every inch of you.”

  She shuddered in his arms, bracing her hands on his shoulders. “Ah, that feels so good.”

  He moved into the v between her legs, pressing his cock into her denim-clad pussy. “I need you,” he whispered, knowing she had no idea how true that was.

  “I need you, too. Please.”

  His hands flew over the buttons on her tight black shirt. He pulled back as he spread it open to look at her. Releasing the front closure of her bra, his breath hitched. Her tits were incredible, soft and full, with large, dusky nipples, begging to be kissed and licked.

  “Are you just gonna stand there staring at me?” she asked, reaching for the buttons on his shirt. He grabbed her wrists, stilling her hands as he looked into her eyes. “You’re gorgeous, Jen.”

  She dipped her head, a faint blush crawling up her neck to stain her cheeks. “You’ve never said that to me before.”

  “What’re you talking about?” He thought about how beautiful she was every time he saw her. He must have said it out loud, at least a time or two.

  “It was no big deal. I figured you were with hot women all the time…”

  God, he was such an idiot not to have shown her how special she was. “I’m sorry. I should have told you more. I promise…”

  She touched her fingertips against his lips and smiled. “Tonight isn’t about making promises, Mark. It’s just about two old friends reconnecting for one unforgettable night.”

  Fear snaked up his back, coiling around his chest and squeezing his heart. She thought she was going to leave him after one night? No way was he going to let that happen.

  Trying to keep it light, he said, “I’m gonna have to see what I can do to change your mind about that.” He licked the shell of her ear while rolling her nipple around his fingers.

  She rolled her head back, bracing her hands on the counter behind her. “I need you, now,” she whispered. “It’s been forever since…” Her voice trailed off as she drew her bottom lip between her teeth, obviously reconsidering her words.

  She looked so hot, sitting on his kitchen counter, half naked, her eyes heavy with arousal. It took everything in him not to take her right there. He cupped her breasts in his hands, stroking her nipples. “Since what, sweetheart? Talk to me.”

  “Since we’ve been together.”

  “Too long,” he murmured, reaching for the button on her jeans. “It’s been too damn long.”

  With her pants undone, he reached down to slide the zippers down on her high-heeled ankle boots. She always wore high heels, probably because she was so short without the added height. Whatever the reason, it never failed to turn him on. The higher her heels, the harder he got.

  When he’d finally rid her of the boots and socks, he grabbed her around the waist, brushing her breasts against his shirt as he set her on her feet.

  She looked up, way up, and smiled. “I liked it better up there. Down here, I feel I’m at a definite disadvantag
e.” She got a wicked glint in her eye. “Unless…”

  His heart almost stopped when she fell to her knees on the limestone floor in front of him.

  “Baby, get up.” He thrust his hands in her hair. “You’re going to hurt your knees. This floor is too hard.”

  She worked on his belt. “Not as hard as you. I can’t wait to taste you.”

  He could have come just watching her. She was so damn sexy, so intent on giving him pleasure. He didn’t know what good deed he’d done to deserve this second chance with her, but he was determined to make sure he didn’t blow it.

  She pushed his dress pants and boxer briefs down his thighs, licking her lips when she feasted her eyes on his cock. “Hmm, this is what I’ve been waiting for.”

  He stepped out of his pants, toeing off his shoes. If he had his way, he would have seen to her pleasure first, but he couldn’t refuse her act of kindness, not when he was so desperate to feel her mouth on his shaft. Later. He would make it up to her later. They had all night.

  She wrapped her hand around the base of his cock, licking the pulsing vein running up its length. He clenched his teeth, trying to hold it together, until she started caressing his balls. “God… I…”

  She surprised him by drawing his cock into her mouth, hard and fast. She drew back, sucking him off like it was her mission in life.

  “Jen, fuck, I…” He couldn’t form a coherent thought, not when she started licking his cock like it was a cherry lollipop she was intent on dissolving.

  She moaned, deep in the back of her throat, prompting an intense vibration that almost set him off.

  He reached back to brace his hands on the counter behind him. He was feeling light-headed, bordering on dizzy. Never had a blow job made him feel like this.

  She looked up at him, licking his tang from her lips. “I want you to fuck my mouth.”

  Shit, if he didn’t get it together, she was going to finish him off in record time. “I don’t think…”

  She stood up, peeling the rest of her clothes off until she was standing in front of him, naked. “Please, I need to get wild tonight. No regrets, no doubts, just do this for me. Please, just one last time, Mark.”