Falling for You: A Forbidden Office Romance (Annapolis Harbor Book 5)

by Lea Coll

  I didn’t mind that he’d lost control with me.

  His expression was full of desire. “I want to touch you.”

  I moved closer to make it easier for him. His hand drifted up my shirt, palming my breast. When his thumb passed over my nipple, I lost my focus. My core throbbed with need. I shifted restlessly as my rhythm faltered.

  “I want you to ride me.” He lifted up my shirt. I let his cock slide out of my mouth so he could pull it over my head. I reached around, unhooking my bra.

  “You’re so beautiful.”

  I stood, shrugging off my jeans and panties. I felt beautiful with him.

  His hands on my breasts, rolling my nipples, drove me crazy with need.

  “Get a condom from my wallet.” I dug into his pocket, pulling out his leather wallet. I pulled one condom out, ripping it with my teeth as he sat sprawled on the couch, his cock jutting toward me.

  I slowly slid the condom down, wanting to torture him. When it was on, I straddled him, sliding down one inch at a time, reveling in the stretch, the fullness when I took all of him.

  “You feel amazing.”

  I wanted him filling me, my body, my soul. I rose then slid down, picking up my pace when he gripped my hips, thrusting up to meet me.

  “So good.” Everything with him was so good. Too good.

  His hands drifted from my hips to my breasts, kneading them, sending lightning to my core. He pulled me closer, sucking a nipple into his mouth. I ground down hard, chasing my orgasm. The roughness of his jeans was a contrast to my nakedness. I wanted this feeling to last, the rise before the fall. The orgasm would feel amazing, but I didn’t want to feel the inevitable crash.

  He bit my nipple lightly, bringing me back to the moment. Watching his mouth work my nipple while he thrust his hips upward sent me over. I cried out, throwing my head back. His mouth moved to my other nipple, his hands at my ass, lifting me up and pulling me down. I was putty in his hands. He could do whatever he wanted to me. He thrust a few more times, finally growling his release against my chest.

  What we’d just experienced was rawer than anything I’d ever felt.

  I held him to me, never wanting this moment to end.

  Eventually, he pulled off the condom, tying it off, and throwing it to the side. Then he pulled me close with my legs draped over his lap.

  We gazed at the water, dark waves ebbing and flowing under the light of the moon. It was beautiful. I wished I could pause time, living in this moment forever. I felt the evidence of him inside me still, our heated skin cooling in the night air. I sank into his touch. His lips rested on my forehead. It wasn’t a kiss so much as a touch, one reminding me he was here. I never wanted to leave.

  Chapter Eighteen

  JONAH

  A breeze blew in through the open windows, cooling the room. I loved the sound of the birds chirping in the morning and the sound of the water. It was quiet, peaceful. Callie lay with her head on my shoulder, her hand flat on my chest, as if holding me in place. I had no intention of going anywhere.

  I lifted a strand of her hair, testing the weight and the softness. I liked having her in my space. I loved waking up to her. She shifted, her leg moving higher.

  We had one day until training camp would start. I’d need to make an appearance and do some press. The pressure would come down like a guillotine.

  I tried not to think about it even as my muscles stiffened.

  Callie lifted her head. Her eyes were drowsy with sleep, her hair messy. “What time is it?”

  “Seven.”

  “The birds are loud.” She rolled off me, dragging the pillow over her head to block out the sound.

  “This is living in the country.” My tone was amused.

  “Well, I don’t like it.” Her voice was muffled from the pillow.

  I rested a hand on her sheet-covered ass. “I see you’re not a morning person.”

  She grunted, shifting her position.

  “I’ll make some coffee and an omelet.”

  She was quiet, so I lifted off the bed, pulling on a pair of sweats. Padding to the kitchen, I wondered if I should get a dog, someone to follow me around in the morning. I brewed the coffee before cracking some eggs in a bowl. The water was gray this morning, probably a reflection of the clouds. My favorite was when the sun shone down, making the water a light blue.

  Drinking coffee, I chopped veggies, sauteing them before adding the eggs, and finally, a little cheese. Making two omelets, I plated them. I’d finished covering her food to keep it warm when I heard footsteps on the ceiling above me.

  Good. She was up. I didn’t want to waste a minute of the day. I didn’t know what she had planned, but I wanted to spend it with her.

  She came down the steps in one of my button-down shirts cuffed at the wrist, the tail down to her knees. I reached her when she was on the last step.

  “You look hot in my shirt.”

  She smiled, her face still sleepy. “I hope it’s okay that I’m wearing it.”

  “I like it.” I leaned in, kissing her softly.

  Pulling back, I took her hand, leading her to the island. “Coffee?”

  She slid onto the stool. “Yes, please.”

  I pushed the omelet toward her, taking off the cover, handing her a fork. Pouring her coffee into a purple mug with my team emblem, I asked, “Milk or sugar?”

  “Milk, please.”

  I had someone local stock the fridge and clean once a week. I poured the milk, pushing the mug closer to her.

  She blew on it, then took a small sip. “Thank you for this.”

  I wanted to say thank you for being here, thank you for being you, but I didn’t. “You’re welcome.”

  I took a large bite of the omelet. I was starving. Finished, I pulled out a container of cut-up fruit, digging in.

  She took a few bites of her omelet, looking around. “This place is beautiful.”

  “I like it here. The quiet. The solitude.” The kitchen was all white lines, modern, with a few pieces that depicted the bay; a wooden sign hung over the fireplace indicating the latitude and longitude of the home, saying Home Sweet Home. It was a gift from the realtor. A few colorful metal crabs my mom bought as a housewarming present, hung in the kitchen.

  “I do too.”

  When she was finished, I cleared our plates. “Want to sit on the deck?”

  “Yeah.”

  I refilled our coffee and opened the sliding door. “Grab a blanket from the couch.”

  This morning was unusually cool for July. I sat on the couch, placing our mugs on the end table.

  She curled up next to me, the blanket wrapped around us.

  “Camp starts tomorrow,” she finally said.

  I wondered if it was on her mind. If it was bothering her. “Yeah, I’ll probably make an appearance. Do some interviews.”

  “Are you looking forward to it?”

  “I can’t say I am. It’s the first time I’m not suiting up. There’s this excitement the first week. There’s competition, camaraderie, and the hope that anything can happen this year, no matter what the outcome was last season.”

  “Have you ever been?” I’d never seen her there, but maybe I hadn’t been paying attention.

  “No. Reid never needed me there. I loaded up on classes in the spring and summer because he needed me more in the fall and winter.”

  “Are you coming this time?”

  She sat up, the blanket falling off her shoulder. “I don’t have any need to. I’m not Reid’s assistant anymore. He wanted me handling the day-to-day of Rebel Sports while he’s playing.”

  “Would you come to see me?”

  Her expression softened. “Of course.”

  I liked the idea of her coming to the regular-season games to watch me. “Will you wear my jersey when I’m cleared to play?”

  “I’d be honored.” She smiled, her cheeks pink.

  “Will you wear it at home too?” I pulled her closer, my hand on her bare thigh. “W
ith nothing underneath?”

  Would her nipples be visible through the material? Would her skin look golden while wearing purple? “I like the idea of you wearing my number.”

  “Me too.”

  We were talking about something huge. Her wearing my jersey when no one had since my high school girlfriend. Back then, it meant you were going steady. “I’ll get you one.”

  I just hoped I’d be wearing it again. “I kind of like the idea of you walking around my house in nothing but my jersey all day, maybe even all weekend.”

  Her cheeks flushed. “I do too.”

  I’d fought this level of intimacy with a woman for years. Now that I was here, I couldn’t remember why. It felt easy. She fit here with me.

  “I could stay here all day.”

  Sighing, she said, “Me too.”

  A while later, the sun had moved higher in the sky, the air was warmer. “You want to go see Frank?”

  “Do you mind?” Her expression was relieved.

  “Of course not.”

  She stood, wrapping the blanket around her. “I can’t help but think there are easier girls for you to date. Ones that don’t come with baggage.”

  I chuckled. “Right now, you come with my shirt. I don’t see any baggage.”

  I had baggage too. She just didn’t know about it. I pushed back the dark thoughts, not wanting my past to intrude on the best thing to ever happen to me.

  “You know what I mean. There are less complicated women out there.”

  “There are women who throw themselves at me, they say and do what they think I want. If that’s what you mean.”

  She nodded tightly.

  “That’s not what I want. I like you.” That was the thing with Callie, I wasn’t looking for anything when she sat next to me at the bar. I hadn’t thought of her as anything other than Reid’s assistant. Off-limits. But she’d opened up the possibility of having a relationship, a connection with someone. The concept settled in my muscles, making me feel loose and free.

  “For how long?”

  I stilled. “What do you mean?”

  “I can’t help but think that things will change with training camp. Your priorities will change.”

  “I’ll be more focused on recovery, on getting back to my team. That’s my job. But my feelings for you won’t change.”

  I liked her. I enjoyed spending time with her, but I wasn’t sure what this feeling in my chest was. Sometimes, it grew so big it threatened to overwhelm me. It was a mix of happiness, contentment, excitement, anticipation for more. At the same time, I was worried about training camp. How that would fit into my current existence.

  Working at Rebel Sports, spending time with Callie, was the best time I’d had in forever.

  “Your job is important to you. I understand that.” It was like she wanted to say more but held back.

  “You’re important to me too.”

  She bit her lip.

  “You think football is more important.” I didn’t want her to think she ranked under football.

  “It should be.” Her gaze lowered.

  “It has been. It was a lifesaver in a lot of ways.”

  “How so?”

  I didn’t want to tell her about the accident, but I could tell her something real. “My high school coach told me I could go all the way. He gave me something to focus on, to turn the negative energy into something good. I doubled down on football. Never strayed from my lane.”

  I didn’t think I deserved to go to college on a scholarship. After everything that happened, I didn’t deserve anything good in my life. Instead, I proved I was worthy of it each day by showing up, training hard, taking rookie players under my wing, and mentoring kids.

  This was the first time I’d let in something—someone good for me. Could I hold on to her and have football at the same time?

  Her expression was tentative. “You don’t talk much about your past.”

  I’d just told her more than I told other people. “What’s to talk about?”

  “Your family, your hometown.”

  This right here was why I’d never let anyone in. “I already told you about my family. I didn’t have a good time in high school. I was happy to leave.”

  “A football star in high school who didn’t have a good time?” She was teasing, but there was a hint of something else there too.

  I shifted on the couch, pushing off the blanket. It was too hot suddenly. I stood, bracing my hands on the railing, wishing there was a breeze off the water to cool my brewing temper.

  Her hand touched my back. I hadn’t heard her bare feet on the planks. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed.”

  I tensed. I enjoyed high school. Too much. “I don’t like to talk about it.”

  I straightened, turning to face her.

  “I get that.” Her face was pensive.

  I was grateful she wouldn’t push more now, but I wasn’t dumb enough to think I was completely in the clear on this topic. I needed to tell her something, to make her feel like I wasn’t shutting her out.

  “My family usually comes for the first game. You could meet them.”

  Her shoulders relaxed. “I’d like that.”

  Hopefully meeting my family would show her what she meant to me without revealing all of me. I wasn’t naive enough to think I could keep my past from her forever, but selfishly, I’d try as long as I could. If she found out, she’d be gone. There was no way she wouldn’t blame me for what happened. I already did.

  “We should probably get ready if we’re going to see Frank.”

  We spent the rest of the day avoiding any mention of training camp and what would happen. It was like we were living in this bubble. Was Callie right, would my priorities change when football was an option? Did I want them to? Did I want to go back to who I was last year when I was so focused on football I couldn’t see anything else?

  Frank had another good day. We talked about training camp, the rookies, who would make it, and who probably didn’t have what it takes. Frank didn’t talk much about the wide receiver rookies. He must have sensed it was a sore subject.

  Walking outside into the bright sun, I asked, “Want to head to your place?”

  I didn’t want to show her my condo. It was the ultimate bachelor pad, sleek modern lines, black leather, and a large-screen TV. When I was in season, I didn’t care about my surroundings. With her, I did.

  “Can we go to your house?” Her tone was tentative.

  I could go for one more peaceful night. “We can stop and get your things.”

  We were quiet on the drive, lost in our thoughts. I didn’t want to think about tomorrow, only about her hand in mine.

  When we got home, I unlocked the door, letting her in. “Are you hungry? I can cook.”

  She smiled, her face relaxed. “You can cook something besides breakfast?”

  “I can’t eat out all the time or it affects my performance.” I wiggled my brow. “All self-respecting men should be able to grill.”

  I got out steak, potatoes, and veggies to grill. I chopped the veggies while Callie cleaned the potatoes.

  “I learned more out of necessity after my parents died. Grandpa wasn’t the best cook.”

  I placed the veggies into a bowl to marinate them. “I hate you lost your parents so young.”

  I wished I could go back and change it for her. I wondered how the experience had changed her. Was she more cautious? Was she afraid to take risks? She’d stayed closer to home to be there for Frank. That made her an amazing person. She wasn’t selfish. She didn’t always put herself first. She deserved a man who’d put her first, not someone whose career was so demanding.

  “Help me carry these out?” I picked up the platter of steaks and potatoes. I’d prepped more than we’d probably eat, but it would be good leftovers for the week.

  She sat on the couch while I grilled, talking about her hopes for Rebel Sports. How she never thought she’d be in this position so young. It was all b
ecause of Reid. How much he believed in her.

  “I had my doubts at first, but you’re a hard worker, a go-getter. You’re organized, efficient, and you have great ideas. Others would have seen it too.” I closed the space between us, tipping up her chin.

  “Thank you.” Her eyes swam with emotion.

  She didn’t have parents to lift her up. I wanted to be that person for her. The idea surprised me because I never thought I’d be in the position of being anyone’s partner or cheerleader. I’d resigned myself to a sideline role in most people’s lives. The good-time guy.

  I kissed her, pouring everything I was feeling into that kiss.

  “The steak smells done.”

  “It does.” She made me forget about everything when I was with her. Other things seemed less important.

  We ate on the deck while the sun set, commenting on the boats we saw.

  It was nice, comfortable. I wanted more nights like this.

  “You should get a boat. You have a dock.”

  “The realtor insisted on me buying a property with one. She’d said it was a necessity in this area. I could have put one in later, but it’s nice to have one now.”

  Cleaning up our plates, I asked, “Do you want to walk down there?”

  She nodded eagerly. I cleaned up the plates, putting the leftovers in containers in the fridge.

  We walked through the long grass down to the dock. “If we’re going to be coming here often, I’ll need to hire someone to cut the grass.”

  “Why not do it yourself?” It was a flippant comment, except there seemed to be more behind it. It felt like a test.

  “I guess I could. I do like the idea of taking care of something myself.” Of making something besides football a priority. I could take pride in other things.

  “I’d need to buy a mower.” We walked onto the dock. There was a bench on one side, but Callie sat on the edge, her feet dangling in the water.

  “It could be fun buying things for your house.” She smiled at me as I sat next to her.

  It would make it mine. It wouldn’t be as easy to pick up and leave or to think of Maryland as a temporary home. If I wasn’t cleared to play, I could stay or go somewhere else. Other than my hometown, I’d never lived anywhere else.