Love's Ineligible Receiver (Connecticut Kings Book 5)

by Love Belvin

  My quick thinking never failed me. “Shawtie with the tweed newsboy cap?” My brain coughed. “Parker?” I added the name she just gave for familiarity.

  “Yeah. She just got a text, but I have to get back to the kitchen for more drinks.”

  Eli’s hands slapped my shoulder. “Rut was just going that way. He can take it out to her.”

  Without a question, I was handed an iPhone.

  “I like mountain climbing.” My eyes rolled up to him again. I couldn’t believe he was still talking. It had been at least fifteen minutes with no breaks. “When I moved out here, I had to find spots. So far, Ragged Mountain seems to be my go to place. It’s my therapy. You know?”

  Leaning over the white stone, pillar balcony railing, I glanced up again to see if he was waiting for an answer. It was clear he wasn’t when he didn’t look my way. Terrance’s eyes stayed out on the garden. Very few people were on this side of the expansive balcony.

  “I thought about starting a company to teach young kids how to mountain climb.” He finally met my eyes, but I could tell he wanted me to react to that. “Like…take them out of the city and bring them into nature, go over gear and safety.” He shrugged. “You know, I know all that. And I’d do it for free. Wouldn’t even charge them.”

  With wide eyes, a baffled mind, and parted lips, I nodded hesitantly. I honestly had no idea what he expected me to say or do.

  “Hey, Park!” I glanced behind me. Jade stood at the door waving me on. “Trent’s about to teach us the BlocBoy JB.”

  I nodded before my regard shot over to Terrance in an apologetic moue. Jade was providing me a save from this dry conversation with him. A part of me felt bad because he was nice…and kind of cute. But I saw Trent was uneasy when Terrance came to talk to me while I was sitting with them a few minutes ago. That was unusual but weird. Terrance must have noticed it, too, which was probably why he invited me out here.

  “How do you know Trent and Jade?”

  Finally!

  He asked me a question.

  “I met Jade in the front office, but I got to know them at church.”

  “Church? Don’t TB go to church in New York?”

  I nodded. “Mmmmhmmmm…”

  “How long does it take you to get there?”

  I pouted, quickly calculating it. “About an hour and a half. Honestly, less than that. It doesn’t seem long at all to me.”

  “An hour and a half?” his aghast tone told me he couldn’t believe it. “They must be serving caviar with their communion down in Harlem.”

  I laughed, my eyes perusing the lit garden ahead, admiring the various colors and sizes as the sun set.

  “It’s definitely something in the water,” I sat up and placed my palms on the wide railing. “just not nothing in the luxury sense.”

  As I made my way back into the sunroom, Terrance was right on my heels. There was a burst of laughter in the corner Trent and Jade occupied and now more people with them. Jordan Johnson centered the crowd, doing the BlocBoy JB dance. He wasn’t graceful with his moves, making it clear to me he was just in entertainment mode. When Jade noticed me, she patted the empty space next to her. I plopped down and found myself chuckling, too.

  “I thought Trent was giving lessons?” Everyone who followed Trent Bailey or the Kings knew Trent loved to dance and was actually good at it.

  In a hushed tone, Jade shared, “I just wanted to get you away from Grant. He’s so annoying.”

  I laughed hard at that. “He’s harmless.”

  “Aye… Aye!” Terrance shouted toward Jordan as he went into a new dance move. “Let’s save all that agility for the field. We don’t need to break anything at the welcome back party.” He began to laugh and reached his fist out to Jordan for a genial bump as though the humor was mutual.

  “And you say he’s harmless,” Jade groaned in my ear, rolling her eyes.

  Jordan stopped, the mirth from his face drained. His fiancée, Cole, grabbed him by the arm and pulled his big body into hers. She pushed from her toes and kissed his lips, quickly murmuring something no one else was to hear but him. I couldn’t be sure of it, but I was confident she was encouraging him to ignore Terrance’s statement.

  Trent re-navigated the conversation, sharing about rumors he heard regarding training camp this year. I sat back and played the fly on the wall as I sipped wine Jade had gotten me while I was out talking to Terrance. I wasn’t sure how long I sat listening to the players speak when the guy strolled into our small corner. His casual saunter was with grace and confidence as he was followed by a beefy unsmiling man.

  “Hey, ol’ Rut-Rut!” Jordan playfully called out to him. “I thought you were here.”

  “Rut” didn’t return the jovial energy but definitely accepted his handclap with a sleek grin.

  Trent stood to give him the same manly greeting and as he did, he asked, “You came through, huhn?”

  “Yeah,” Rut returned. What type of name is Rut? It sounded more appropriate for a dog. “Been here for a minute. ‘Bout to go, though.” He stood back while in the center of our unofficial circle. “Got something waiting on me down the road.”

  “That’s what’s up,” Jordan commented. “Glad you came through to say hello, though.”

  “No doubt,” Rut assured. “I came to bring Parker her phone.” His long and thick arm pushed toward me.

  My ability to answer was delayed because my brain was stuck from the way he uttered my name. It danced on his tongue with lecherous familiarity. It was as if he’d said it a million times, in a million ways. Aroused. Depleted. Satiated. I knew it was senseless to gather that from a simple mention, but my god, it was true. And to corroborate my claim, the devilish gleam in his pupils as he held my eyes made my heart stop and nether region pulse.

  “You left it in the kitchen when you made the drinks,” he further explained.

  And while that wasn’t a big deal, the fact that he shared what I was doing as though he’d done it with me didn’t go over my head either.

  A rash bump at my knee snapped me into action. My eyes blinked excessively as I finally lifted my hand to retrieve my phone. How could I have left it?

  “Thank you…” Another brain hiccup. “Rut,” I whispered with less confidence than he’d pronounced my name.

  “’S’all good, lady,” dropped from his lips at the same time his masculine scent enveloped me.

  He smelled earthly delicious. It was wrong…provocative. Captivating. I’d been in the presence of men and their cologne for a couple of hours now. Heck, even Trent had a pleasant fragrance about him. But none of theirs spoke to me instinctively and appealed to me. My body’s reaction to his odor alone was animalistic.

  Quickly feeling disheveled and awkward, I averted my eyes below. My phone! That’s when I realized I hadn’t heard back from Mandee. Guilt coated my chest. How could I be so irresponsible? It was another reminder of how much of an outsider I was to this crew. How impossible having a social life was for me.

  Her response was sent some time ago.

  Mandee: He’s perfectly fine babe. We just finished a game of Twister! Please… Have fun!

  My head flew back and I guffawed something hard. One hand held my wine glass in the air and the other, holding my phone, went straight to my belly. Only Mandee could have a sense of humor like that.

  “You okay?”

  My head finally straightened and I saw Jade’s half grin. Her hazel eyes were pink and half-masted. I laughed again.

  “What?”

  “You got a sitter for my Ava Nese?”

  “She’s with April. Why?” My humor was lost upon Jade.

  “Because…” I was sure to keep my voice controlled. “Poor thing. Trent’s going to inhale you in your inebriated state.”

  Jade shifted closer to my person, eyes even lower. “Poor Trent, you mean. I’m going to ravish every inch of him,” she growled, which caused both of us to cackle deliriously.

  A mocking tone brought me out of
my humor with Jade. Terrance now centered the group, taking everyone else’s attention.

  “I’m just glad I got my draft experience being number two. I know it was a few years back, but that’s a once in a lifetime experience, bro!” He swiped his nose. “It gives me this secure spot on the roster. But you know…I feel bad for these rookies that have to come in here and adjust.”

  “What you mean?” Jordan asked.

  Terrance shrugged. “I mean that justifies my first team spot on the roster. Those last draftees have to sit on the second team.”

  I didn’t know the terminology, but I gathered teams were for starting wide receivers, something Terrance and Jordan were. Jordan was the team’s franchise wide receiver, which meant he was the man as far as that position went. Trent Bailey was the Kings’ first tier quarterback, so Terrance’s ranking didn’t affect him at all. Then what was Terrance referring to? My eyes swept the group.

  Oh, gosh…

  He was still there, situated against the wall while balanced on one foot. His posture and aura was cool. Unaffected.

  “Yeah, but we got a sound team again this season. Ain’t nobody trippin’. Just make sure we support our QB here.” Jordan’s arm swept over to Trent, who sat one body away from me. “That’s all. It’s all about the team.” I caught the warning in his undertone.

  “Yeah, I’m with it but…” Terrance hesitated. Then he snickered. “I’m first team!” He slapped his chest with his free hand then cracked up. “Get it? First team…”

  A few people snickered and I noticed eyes shifting over to the Rut guy.

  “Nah mean, Rut?” Terrance’s tone was mocking.

  Rut’s head slowly rolled up from his phone he held waist level. His smile was slow and deliberate.

  It all now made sense. Rut was the butt of Terrance’s arrogant rant.

  “No. No, I’m not trying to put you on the spot here or embarrass you.” Terrance lifted a defensive palm in the air. “I know how it is. As a second draft pick, I’m only the second starting receiver so I get it. But if you keep working hard and stay out of Arch & Point, you’ll be fine. That place may’ve worked for The Flash, but it won’t guarantee you yards.”

  What does that mean?

  Several people sighed and pushed out angry breaths at the same time. It was clear to me Terrance was not in concert with his beliefs or opinions. The odd thing about it was the Rut guy’s expression remained clever and unmoved.

  “Yo, Grant,” Trent began on a groan. “why you always gotta bring this negative energy? We at a team event and you wanna single out the rookie…”

  My phone vibrating on my lap robbed my attention.

  It was from an unprogrammed number with a 609 area code.

  +1 (609) 555-8427: U shouldn’t put your phone down at parties

  My face folded and before thinking, I reacted.

  Me: Who is this?

  My eyes scanned the room as though I’d find my answer there.

  “Yeah, Grant. Where in line you got drafted don’t matter, bruh,” Jordan’s deep vocals argued. “Look at Heath Shuler, Ki-Jana Karter, Jim Couch—”

  “Nah!” Terrance argued. “Those’re all QBs. I’m talking about receivers…”

  My phone vibrated in my hand.

  +1 (609) 555-8427: Somebody advising you to password protect ya phone

  My eyes shot up again. This was getting creepy. Scouring the area, my eyes landed on the only thick, lanky figure composed and detached from the heightened emotions this conversation was stirring.

  His head was low, the brim of his cap hiding much of his face as he peered down into his hand where he held his phone. Slightly, the brim lifted and those disarming eyes swept my way. They narrowed, causing mine to do the same as my pulse raced and clitoris throbbed.

  “Why y’all tripping if what I said had nothing to do with y’all?” Terrance’s tone was now crude. His attention went to Rut. “You know what I’m saying. Right? It was no disrespect to you…directly.”

  Rut stood straight and dropped his phone is his pocket. “I could give a shit if it was,” voice controlled, low yet clear. “You couldn’t fuck with me on my worst day.”

  And then he was off.

  And my phone vibrated again.

  +1 (609) 555-8427: You coming?

  “Ahhhhhh…” Terrance cried patronizingly with his arms in the air, ever dramatically.

  Trent, Jordan, and Cole began speaking at the same time. All chiding Terrance Grant for his asshole-ish behavior.

  So many things ran through my fogged brain in that moment. That guy was hella fine. Too fine—dangerously fine. He was the first guy I’d found remotely attractive in years. And craziest of them all, he went into my phone to steal my number. That was the hottest thing a guy had ever done to grab my attention—and I’d had my fair share of admiring men. However, there was a shortage of them who wanted more than what I knew Rut wanted of me.

  In that chaotic trice, I found courage and stood to my feet. I straightened my skirt as my eyes traveled to the other end of the sunroom where Rut and the big beast trailing his every move were headed. Then my regard descended to Jade who was leaning into Trent, rubbing his arm and whispering something in his ear.

  This was it. It was now or never. Act now and brashly or remain dull and unadventurous.

  My feet began to move in hurried strides. I tried telling myself to calm down and approach this with experienced know-how. My heart raced, nipples tingled, and body heated with need all over. I passed semi-familiar faces in my hasty exit, offering a faint smile and speed of determination. When I made it to the front foyer, I saw the back of the burly guy lingering after Rut. They moved through the door coolly, so unlike me. By the time I made it out there, a black Yukon SUV had pulled up and Rut moved to the backdoor. The beefy guy went to the front driver’s door as a valet was stepping out. My eyes swung toward the back where Rut was already inside but the door was still open. I froze. Who was he waiting on?

  My phone vibrated again.

  +1 (609) 555-8427: How long you gonna wait?

  My eyes grew wide. Then my feet began the hike down the stairs. After looking left and right to the moving bodies of guests and valets of the Richardson home, I slipped inside and quickly closed the door.

  “Just to be clear,” his velvety chords trickled and head shook faintly as his eyes cast me into a trance. “I ain’t invite you to talk about strong password combinations…or mountain climbing.”

  My belly leaped.

  “Not even about me climbing your mountain?” Her face was straight as a lineup and she didn’t blink.

  My forehead lifted. I was impressed, even though I could see the pulse in her neck beating fast as hell. All ready to go, I tapped the back of the headrest in front of me and Fats pulled off.

  The thirty minute ride to my crib crawled by. I played my phone heavy and she sat statue still, attention to the darkness out of her window. I don’t know what I expected of her; didn’t really think past the funny texts I sent. But this was me. I cast my net and never came up empty. The problem was thinking of what I wanted to do with her now that I had her.

  I made sure to send Fats a text, telling him what to do when we pulled up to the crib. As soon as we made it to my condo at Kings Courts, he hopped out of the truck, mumbling to give him a minute. Her neck rolled around until her eyes landed on me with question.

  “I’m just giving you another chance to back out of this,” was my lie of an explanation.

  Her brows met. “Deal’s off if I get in there and see one eight-legged creature.”

  “Just eight?”

  “Anything more than two is a deal-breaker.” One arched brow raised.

  “Then we gone have a problem.”

  She warned, “I got my Uber app ready…”

  I chuckled as I scratched the tip of my nose, my eyes going to the front seat. “Two things: I got a dog. Sharkie. He’s being put away now.”

  “And the second?” she reminded me. />
  My phone chirped. Fats was telling me the place was clear.

  I lifted her soft hand to my mouth, feeling my dick stiffening. “Me.” I kissed her fingers individually. Her jaw fell again. Those damn eyes locked on to me and I caught another flash, some type of leap in time or some shit. She was blasting off. Her head was back, face tight, and mouth open as she came for me. “I got three legs with you this close to me.”

  Her eyes dropped to my lap. To keep from laughing I tossed my chin toward her door which was closest to my unit.

  “C’mon.” It sounded like a groan, and I probably had. “Let’s do this.”

  Without much hesitation, she opened the door and scooted out. There, laying on the middle seat, was her phone. Under normal circumstances I would have taken that opportunity to tease her again about leaving her phone around but tonight it worked in my favor. So, I quickly snatched it up and when I was out of the truck, slipped it into my pocket before crossing the SUV, and grabbing her hand. She followed me silently as we hopped up a few steps for the cracked door.

  Once inside, I closed and locked the door behind her and tossed my phone on the counter. Music was playing lowly…purposely. She walked in a couple of yards before stopping. With her back to me, I could tell she was scoping out the place. I spotted the stereo remote as I waited. Tapping a button, I increased the volume as she spun around.

  She sucked in a nervous breath. “Protection! Please tell me you—”

  I deaded that nonsense by dipping toward her little frame, taking her at the sides of her face, and pushing my tongue in her mouth.

  Fuck…

  She tasted sweet. My tongue swirled through the coat of wine she drank earlier and eventually was able to get to her natural flavor. I wasn’t big on putting my mouth or tongue on just any woman, but this one had me curious in more ways than one. For starters, as quick as she decided to come here, her nervousness wasn’t like a thot with experience. Her hands that now covered mine on her were misty just like they were when I walked her inside. She was edgy.

  By the way her mouth moved and her legs damn near gave out from under her, I knew she was game. It was even more evident from the way her hands dropped and found my belt buckle. With slight but obvious trembling, she tried to undo it. It was another time I wanted to laugh at her but not in a mean way.