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

by Lea Coll

  “The water’s cool.” She kicked her feet in the water.

  “Want to jump in?” I wanted to show Callie what it was like to let loose. To live a little.

  She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “I’ll get in first.” I stood, lifting my shirt over my head, then shoving down my briefs and shorts.

  “You’re crazy.” She laughed as she watched me.

  “I think you mean fun.” I stepped off the dock, falling into the water. Coming up, I slicked back my hair.

  Callie wiped her face. “Hey! You got me wet.”

  “That was the point.” I swam closer to her.

  “Oh no you don’t.” She lifted her feet as if she was going to move away from me.

  I grabbed onto her ankle. “Come in with me, Callie.”

  She laughed uneasily. “No.”

  “The water feels good. I promise.” I grinned.

  She shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Come in for me?” I lowered my voice.

  “Ugh. With that charm, you can convince anyone to do anything.”

  I tilted my head to the side. “Yet it doesn’t seem to be working with you.”

  She licked her lips.

  “Please, Callie.” My hand slid up her calf, to her thigh. “Think how much fun we could have.”

  Her breath hitched.

  I changed tactics. “Callie, come in or I’m pulling you in—clothes and all.”

  “You wouldn’t.” Her voice had an edge to it.

  I slid her closer to me. “I would.”

  “Ugh. Fine.” She pulled her shirt over her head.

  “Your bra too.”

  She glanced around as if worried someone would see.

  “There’s no one here. No boats. No neighbors.”

  “Oh, all right.” She unhooked her bra, her breasts perky.

  I lost my train of thought. Bracing myself on the edge of the dock, I leaned over to suck on her nipple. She arched into me. The water wasn’t so cool anymore. I pulled down her shorts and panties, pulling her into my arms.

  She inhaled sharply when her legs encountered the water. “It’s cold.”

  I kissed her, slowly lowering her until she straddled my cock.

  She moaned into my mouth.

  “I told you it would be good.”

  I’d never expose her or hurt her, but I wanted her to have fun. To let loose. So much had been taken from her at a young age. I wanted her to feel like the girl she was—carefree with no worries.

  I wanted her to be happy. Feelings for this woman coursed through me, happiness, desire, longing, and affection. I wasn’t in love with her. It was too soon. She didn’t know me, and how much did I really know about her?

  I pushed those thoughts away, focusing on the feel of her pussy gliding over my cock. Her eyes glazed over as I slowly lowered her inch by inch.

  “Put your hands on the dock for leverage.” Her eyes refocused as she complied.

  I thrust inside her to the hilt, pausing when I was fully seated. The position itself was awkward, but it heightened everything I was experiencing.

  “Fuck.” There was an explosion of sensations in my body as the feel of her pussy walls surrounded me. The white globes of her breasts pressed against my chest. The cool lap of water on my exposed chest, the hard nubs of her nipples, her legs tightening around my waist. The relative quiet of the night around us. The feeling of being completely alone yet wrapped up in one person.

  She kissed me. It was passionate, yet messy. She finally ripped her lips from mine, tugging on my ear lobe, her lips trailing a path down my neck. Every muscle in my body tensed. The pace was almost frantic as I chased that feeling I only got with her―a sense of rightness, belonging, and a desire to claim her as mine.

  On the edge, I stilled my movement, wanting her to go over first. I pressed my thumb against her clit. When she spasmed around me, I pumped inside her, roaring my release.

  “Ohmygod.” Callie rested her head against my shoulder.

  I stilled. “We didn’t use a condom.”

  She shrugged. “I’m on the pill. You said you were clean.”

  “I am.” I enjoyed the feel of her in my arms as the coolness of the water registered. Goose bumps erupted over her skin. She began to shiver.

  “Let’s get inside.” She needed a towel and dry clothes. And a fire to warm up.

  It was summer but the air was unseasonably cool. I lifted her onto the dock. She quickly gathered her clothes as I pulled myself out, water pouring off me, dripping into my eyes. She threw my shirt in my direction. I used it to dry my face.

  “Come on. I’m freezing.” She gathered her clothes to her chest, running toward the house.

  I followed at a slower pace, enjoying the view.

  I couldn’t believe she was here in my sanctuary, and she was perfect. The feelings swirling in my chest were bigger and more beautiful than before. They threatened to overwhelm me with their intensity, illuminating every sensation.

  Callie threw open the back door to the house, scrambling inside. I closed and locked it behind us. Grabbing a blanket from the laundry room, I wrapped it around her shoulders. Her teeth were chattering.

  “Let’s take a hot shower.” I lifted her into my arms, carrying her through the family room and up the stairs. Flicking on the gas fireplace in my bedroom, I set her down outside the shower. Turning the knob to hot, I waited for the water to warm the room before pulling the blanket off her and guiding her underneath the stream.

  “Aren’t you cold?”

  “A little.” The truth was, I was warm all over, either from the emotions swirling in my gut or from what we’d just shared. But I couldn’t say that. What if she wasn’t ready or didn’t feel the same way? I wasn’t sure how to handle it.

  I stepped behind her, reaching for the shampoo to wash her hair. Her head tipped back, and she moaned in ecstasy. Turning her so the water rinsed the soap out, I grabbed the body wash, efficiently scrubbing her, warming her skin as I went.

  I wanted her warm. I wanted her relaxed. “What about you?”

  “I’m warming up.” A slow smile spread over her face. Her voice didn’t waver from the cold. Her skin was a healthy shade of pink, not blue.

  “Why don’t you grab a towel and get dressed? The bedroom should be warm.”

  “Yeah, okay.” She moved to comply, covering her body with a large towel, then wrapping her wet hair with a second.

  She was probably still feeling a chill. Jumping in the water was impulsive, and probably a little bit stupid. But I felt invigorated, almost giddy with anticipation for the future.

  “Go lie down. I’ll be right there.”

  “Don’t take long,” she teased.

  I couldn’t resist leaning over to kiss her softly on the mouth.

  She giggled, tightening the towel around her. “You’re all wet.”

  She stepped backward, smiling wide with happiness before disappearing into the bedroom.

  I’d been so ambivalent about anything other than football, never allowing myself to feel anything. Now that I let the feelings in, everything was more intense. I closed my eyes, letting the water flow over my face and body. No matter how good this felt, I didn’t deserve her. I didn’t deserve anyone.

  Chapter Nineteen

  CALLIE

  I woke up warm and cozy after the hot shower with the fire and Jonah’s arms around me. I never wanted to leave this house. Here, nothing could get to us, not training camp, the season, or our friends. There were no outside forces or worries creeping in.

  I didn’t want the night to end. Reality would be back as soon as I opened my eyes to the sunshine I saw under my lids.

  Lips touched my shoulder, causing me to arch back into Jonah’s hard cock. Another kiss along my spine. His fingers expertly rolled my nipples. His knee slipped between my legs.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” The words whispered across my ear.

  Moving so I could see hi
s face, I said, “Morning.”

  He kissed me, his cock nudging my entrance. I widened my legs, allowing him better access. There was no better way to wake up than this. I wanted to tell him everything I was feeling, but we were too new. We were untested. We’d lived in a cocoon the past few weeks, pretending nothing else existed.

  He slid inside, impaling me on his cock. I was putty in his hands as he used the force of his hips to make me feel good. One hand moved from my nipple and down my stomach to where we were joined.

  “You’re so wet.”

  It was all for him. Only he could make me this needy, this desired. When he circled my clit lightly, I moaned, “More.”

  “Whatever you want.” He bit my neck lightly. The combined sensation of his cock, his fingers, and his teeth sent me over the edge too soon. I’d wanted to drag this out all morning, never getting out of bed. He pumped a few more times before pausing deep inside me, his cock jerking.

  “I love waking up to you.” He pulled out, moving to the bathroom.

  I wanted to say me too, but he was already gone. The cool air drifted over my back, my fingers finding the sheets warm from the heat of his body. I was too tired to move. I lay there until he came back, cleaning me with a warm washcloth.

  “You didn’t need to do that.” Between last night and now, I felt spoiled, cherished.

  “I want to.” He kissed my shoulder then threw the washcloth toward the hamper by the wall.

  He tightened his arms around me, pulling me back against him. I didn’t want to turn and face him. I didn’t want him to see the emotions in my eyes. I couldn’t hide them. I felt too raw.

  “Nothing’s going to change.”

  “Of course not.” It was a lie. We both knew it. Everything was going to change.

  We took our time that morning, me getting ready for work at Rebel Sports, him in athletic gear to go to training camp. He would continue his PT there so he was close to his team. It made sense.

  The pressure of training camp was tremendous. The expectations were overwhelming.

  Getting into Jonah’s SUV, he said, “I’ll drop you off on the way. I can pick you up tonight.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to do that.” I fastened my seat belt.

  “How are you going to get home? Uber?” He glanced over at me, his expression incredulous.

  “Well, yeah.” It was far. I couldn’t afford to Uber from work to home often. It wasn’t practical.

  He shook his head. “That’s ridiculous. I’ll pick you up.”

  His reaction warmed me more than the hot shower last night. “Okay.”

  In the parking lot, he gripped the back of my head, pulling me over the console. He kissed me like a man possessed, like a couple saying goodbye at the airport before a long separation or a soldier deploying for a long tour of duty.

  “Have a good day.”

  I wanted the intensity of his touch, his lips, and the expression on his face to stay with me the rest of the day. “Good luck today.”

  “It’s just another day of PT.”

  I smiled to cover my concern. It was much more than that, but neither of us admitted it out loud. “See you tonight.”

  He leaned over, kissing me one more time.

  I closed the door, heading inside. It was the first day I was one hundred percent in charge. Reid and Jonah were at training camp. The facility was open for personal training and workouts, but the busy time would be when school and work let out.

  With the facility open, I wondered if my hours should shift. Should I work in the evening more, visit with my grandfather in the morning when it was quieter? I’d have to talk to Reid about it.

  I sat down to review the sign-ups for the fall sports to start assigning players and coaches, acquiring sponsorships for the teams. I got lost in the work. It was hard to believe this was my life, that this was my job. It was like a dream come true.

  At lunchtime, my phone buzzed with an incoming text.

  Dylan: Want to meet for lunch?

  Callie: I’d love to. I don’t have a car though.

  Should I explain that Jonah dropped me off?

  Dylan: No problem. I’ll pick you up.

  Thirty minutes later, we were on our way downtown.

  “I love that you work so close now. We can have lunch or cocktails after work.”

  “Yeah, it’s perfect.” I just needed to pick a facility for Grandpa and get him moved closer. And find a new place to live.

  “Are you still living in Baltimore?”

  “For now. I need to get Grandpa moved closer before I find my own place.”

  “That commute is tough. Is your car in the shop?”

  “No. Jonah dropped me off.”

  She shot me a knowing look. “Really? Are things getting serious between you two?”

  “It feels serious.” I just didn’t know if Jonah felt the same way. The reverent way he’d handled me after sex in the river, and again this morning, made me think he did.

  “That’s good, right?”

  “Training camp starts today.”

  “Football season is tough. They’re so focused, but Reid still makes me feel important. He already sent me flowers at work saying he misses me.”

  “That’s sweet.” I wasn’t even sure if Jonah was the flower sending type.

  “Jonah will have his own way to make you feel special.”

  “I’m sure. He’s picking me up tonight.”

  “Oh good. I wasn’t sure if he’d have to stay at camp with the other guys or not.”

  Even if it wasn’t required, would he feel obligated to stay?

  She parked by the city dock and we walked to one of the restaurants by the water. “Want to eat outside?”

  “Sure.” It was a mild summer day.

  “We should stick together during the season.”

  “I’m worried he’s going to see his teammates playing or that rookie everyone’s talking about vying for his position, and he’s going to freak out. He’s going to be so worried about keeping his job, he’ll go back too soon, before he’s healed.”

  “The trainers and doctors are good at seeing through that kind of thing. They won’t put him out there before he’s ready.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “Just be there to support him. He’s a professional. This is something they all have to deal with at one time or another.”

  Something told me Jonah might take it harder. He was more obsessed with football than Reid was. Reid had his family he wanted to help and support, but football wasn’t his life in the same way. It was almost as if it was tied to Jonah’s self-worth. I wondered why that was. “Do you know much about his past?”

  “Jonah’s?”

  I nodded.

  “Just where he’s from, and that his family’s nice. They visit when they can. Why?”

  “I don’t know. It’s just—I get this feeling he’s hiding something. Or he’s not exactly who he seems. Like he’s one person in front of his friends and fans, and another with me. It makes me wonder what else is different or why he feels the need to put on a front.”

  She shrugged. “He’s a professional athlete. Everything he does is scrutinized.”

  I sighed. “Yeah, I’m probably overthinking it.”

  I took a few bites of my crab cake sandwich, determined to put it out of my mind.

  A few seconds later, Dylan snapped her fingers. “Are you comparing Jonah to Reid’s situation? Maybe you’re projecting Reid’s issues onto Jonah.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” Just because Reid was hiding something didn’t mean Jonah was too.

  She looked at me sympathetically. “Or you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. You’ve been through a lot, and maybe you don’t trust something good coming into your life.”

  I sucked in a breath. Was she right? Was I so jaded from my parents’ accident that I couldn’t enjoy a good thing when I had it?

  “Have you had any serious relationships recently?”

  W
e’d never discussed our past relationships with each other. It felt good to have a friend to talk things over with. “No. I was a little wild in high school after my parents’ accident.”

  “That’s understandable. I can’t even imagine.”

  “I dated someone in college, but he transferred closer to home because he missed his family.” He hadn’t wanted to try long distance. It hurt. I’d let myself think we could be something more. When he’d left me behind so easily, I questioned everything. Why did people always seem to leave me? Why wasn’t I enough for them to stay?

  “If I were you, I’d take it day by day. Try not to jump to conclusions. See how things go. You’re still new.”

  I picked up a fry, dipping it in ketchup. “That’s good advice.”

  “That’s what friends are for.” She smiled triumphantly.

  “We’re having a get-together at the end of training camp to celebrate the start of the new season. I’d love it if you’d come. I’m sure Jonah would have invited you, but you’re our friend too.”

  “I’d love to go.” Maybe I’d held myself apart from people because I was worried I’d lose them too. The thought of losing Jonah sent a pang of unease through my chest.

  Talk turned to their group of friends and how they played pickup football when they get together. Apparently, there was a lot of trash talk between the boyfriends and girlfriends. It sounded fun.

  It felt good to be part of a group of friends. To feel like I belonged.

  I said goodbye to Dylan when she dropped me off, determined not to worry about Jonah. I’d have faith that things would continue as they had so far.

  I got lost in work, calling the tech guy to figure out an issue with the sign-up page. When dinner came and went without a text from Jonah, I got worried. I sent a text asking if he was still planning on coming. I could get an Uber, but he’d been adamant I wait for him.

  When the minutes ticked by without a response, I searched online for any news about camp. There was an article on the rookie wide receiver. The reporter claimed this wide receiver was similar in playing style to Jonah. The speculation was that the coaches could easily replace him. There was more speculation about whether he’d ever perform at the same level again. The picture was one of the rookie catching a pass while Jonah looked on stone-faced.