by Lea Coll
Jonah: Me too.
A few seconds later, he sent a selfie of him at camp with Chase and Reid. He looked relaxed and happy. I hoped that meant he hadn’t let the reporters get to him. For his sake, I hope he was cleared to play before the season started.
This weekend things seemed to catapult into serious territory. He’d seemed intense yet at the same time holding back. Was he worried he’d come on too strong?
I wasn’t looking for a serious relationship, but that was because I was afraid I’d have something to lose. I still felt that way about Jonah, but I wanted to risk it, to see where it would go.
That night, Jonah called to video chat before bed.
“Hey, you.” I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face.
“Hey. I wanted to say good night.”
Disappointment coursed through me. I’d hoped we could talk about our day too.
“You’re tired?” I asked, unable to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
“Not too tired to talk to you.”
That earlier fullness I’d felt in my chest was close to bursting. “How was camp?”
“Good.”
“Yeah? Did the reporters back off?”
“No. I just acted like the old Jonah, the one who knew he belonged there. No rookie’s taking over my position.”
I wanted to say that a boy, but that would have been cheesy. “That’s great. I’m confident you’ll be back on the field soon.”
I knew how reporters operated. If they sniffed out insecurities, they’d capitalize on them. If Jonah exuded confidence, they wouldn’t gain much by prodding him.
“Thanks for supporting me even when I was being an ass.”
My face heated at his words. “You were just knocked down a bit.”
“You’re good for me.”
I couldn’t tell him I was afraid I’d lose to football or a groupie. It was hard to let go of those fears, but I wanted to for him. “I think you’re good for me too.”
“I want you here.”
“At training camp?” He’d mentioned it over the weekend, but I wasn’t sure he was serious.
“Yeah.”
“I’d like that.”
I didn’t ask what he’d told the other players or whether they’d assume I worked for him or Reid. I wouldn’t assume the worst-case scenario. I’d trust him.
I yawned.
“I’ll let you get to bed.”
“Thanks for calling.” It was the little things like this I’d missed last week. It was crazy how not calling or texting made you feel less important.
“I missed you today. I got used to having you around.”
“Me too.” We’d spent part of the weekend together but I’d felt the same. Eating together, going boating, sleeping over, it felt good. It felt natural. Nothing was forced.
“Sleep tight, Calliope.”
I smiled, loving the sound of my full name on his lips. It held none of the mock teasing kids had used when I was young. It sounded beautiful coming from him. “You too.”
I snuggled into bed, anticipating seeing him made it difficult to settle down for sleep.
I woke up to good morning texts and a picture of whatever Jonah was doing that day, working out, physical therapy, or watching film. Each night, we video chatted before we went to sleep.
On Thursday morning, Dylan stopped by for lunch. She was waiting for me in the lobby when I came out to meet her.
A delivery man was at the front desk where the new receptionist was working. “It’s for a Calliope Goodwin.”
“Oh, she’s right there.”
He walked toward me. “Ms. Goodwin?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll need to sign for this.”
Dylan took the package while I signed his electronic pad. “Have a good day.”
“You too.”
“What is it? The return address is the team offices.” She handed the package to me.
I’d mailed numerous packages for Reid over the years, like jerseys and signed balls for his fans. I almost wished Dylan wasn’t here so I could open it in private.
“I’ll just put this in my office before we go.”
She followed me. “I want to know what Jonah sent you.”
“We don’t know it’s from Jonah. It could be something for Reid. Lena probably forgot I’m not his PA anymore.”
“I bet it’s from Jonah.”
My heart was beating heavily in my ears. I wanted it to be from Jonah. I placed it on my desk to deal with it later, turning to go.
Dylan stood in the doorway. “Oh no you don’t. I want to know what’s in there.”
“Friends are so annoying.”
“You know it.” She moved closer, rubbing her hands together.
“You know it’s probably nothing.” I reluctantly turned it over, my finger sliding between the seams.
“You won’t know if you never open it.”
I opened it slowly, trying to tell myself it was just someone mistaking me for the guys’ PA, or the team donating something to the office, it wasn’t for me specifically.
The paper fell away, revealing shiny purple and black material.
Dylan squealed. “It’s his jersey.”
My heart stuttered. It was. I lifted it in the air, his number, eighty-three, and the name Templeton in bold print above it. A paper fell to the floor.
Dylan leaned down to pick it up. “Oh look, a note.”
It was handwritten.
Callie, When you come to training camp, please wear this. I can’t wait to see you in it…
Dylan leaned closer.
“I’m assuming it’s from Jonah, but it doesn’t say.” I turned the paper over. And nothing else. Jonah was written on the back.
My face heated. I shoved the note in my purse to examine later when I was alone.
“You have to put it on and send a pic to him. I’ll help you.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Trust me. He’s going to love it. It’ll guarantee he’s thinking of you.”
“Fine.” I wanted to get this over with, but at the same time, I loved the idea of sending him a pic because he was always sending me ones of him. I pulled the jersey over my head.
Dylan tied the jersey in a knot at my waist so a sliver of my belly was showing.
“This is perfect.”
She held out her hand. “Phone, please.”
I gave it over.
“Stand like this.” Dylan cocked her hip in a sexy pose.
“I don’t know if I can pull that off.”
“Oh, you can, trust me.” She dug through her purse, throwing a tube of lipstick at me. “Put this on.”
It was candy apple red.
She fluffed my hair.
She gestured at me while holding up the phone. “Come on. Give me a come-hither look.”
“This is ridiculous.”
She lowered her phone. “You’re right. You should stand in front of the Rebel Sports sign in the front.”
“That’s not what I meant.” I’d been talking about the impromptu photo-shoot session, not the location.
But she was already grabbing her purse, walking quickly back to the lobby.
The receptionist, Laura, raised a brow when we returned, our high heels clicking on the floor.
Dylan waved a hand at her. “Oh, don’t mind us. We’re sending sexy pics to Callie’s boyfriend.”
My cheeks flushed hotter.
“Go stand in front of the sign,” Dylan said while she fiddled with the settings on my phone.
I reluctantly moved in front of it, cocking a hip to copy her seductive pose. She’d made it look effortless, but it felt awkward.
Dylan looked at me through the lens, then came over to move me where she wanted.
She smiled, holding up the phone again. “I like your cheeks flushed. You look like you’re thinking of something naughty.”
“Just take the pic.” I felt ridiculou
s standing here.
“Can you think of something you’ve done with Jonah recently that was super naughty? When he gets this pic, it will be the first thing he thinks of.”
My mind skipped back to Monday morning when I’d dropped to my knees in the shower, sucking on Jonah’s cock. I’d never felt sexier, more powerful. My panties got wet thinking of it, my shoulders relaxed, my hip pushed farther out.
“Purse those lips. Perfect.” She took several shots, taking a second to scroll through.
“Just don’t post these online. These are so hot. Reid will have a conniption.”
I stepped closer, looking over her shoulder. I looked sexy. There was a challenge in my eyes, a seductive pout on my lips.
“He’s going to love it.” She sent it to him, then put my phone in my hand.
“There. It’s sent.”
“He could be with his trainer, his coach, his teammates…”
“Even better. Trust me, guys love this stuff. It’s not like you were naked. It’s classy.” I couldn’t help but think he would have preferred me in nothing but the jersey.
We headed back to my office so I could change. “I don’t remember you sending Reid naughty pics.”
“Not back when we were first dating. But I did when we knew we were forever.” Her eyes softened.
“We just started dating.” I took the jersey off and carefully folded it, holding it to my chest as we headed outside to go to lunch.
“Trust me. He won’t be annoyed you sent this during work hours. He’s going to love it and pounce on you the next time he sees you. Don’t be surprised if he shows up tonight.”
My skin tingled with anticipation. “I doubt it. He’s pretty busy.”
I slid into Dylan’s sedan. My phone buzzed as she pulled out of the lot.
Jonah: I love it.
I closed my eyes. I loved him. Where had that come from? We’d only been dating a few weeks. A few deliveries of flowers and a football jersey, and I was putty in his hands.
Jonah: You’re so beautiful.
He hadn’t said sexy or hot, the two words I would have expected.
Callie: Thank you. For the jersey and for saying I’m beautiful.
Jonah called. I held the phone to my ear, feeling Dylan’s gaze on the side of my face. “Hey.”
“Hey, beautiful. I’m going to make it my screensaver.”
“You are not.” I couldn’t keep the incredulous tone out of my voice.
“You can’t stop me.”
“Anyone will be able to see it.”
“I was standing next to Coach Ackerman when you sent it.” His tone was teasing.
I sank farther into my seat, wanting to disappear. “Dylan sent it. Not me.”
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
Would his coach or his teammates think I was just another cleat chaser, a groupie? That I was Reid’s assistant trying to get to one of the players?
“Now everyone knows you’re mine.”
“Everyone saw?”
“Well, Chase was here too. You know how it is, the locker room is a bunch of women gossiping all day. No offense.”
“None taken.” I did know how it was. “You don’t mind them teasing you?”
“Not as long as they know you’re off-limits, and not because Reid said so, but because you’re mine.”
His words settled deep in my chest. “I like that.”
I could feel the curiosity emanating from Dylan. She was dying to know what we were talking about.
“I’m going to lunch with Dylan.”
“Have fun. Thanks for the spank bank.”
“Ugh. I knew it.” For all of his pretty words, he’d thought it was hot too.
“I miss you, Callie.” His tone was serious. I wondered if he was around the guys now or by himself.
“I miss you too.”
“Call you later. Wear the jersey tomorrow.”
Feeling bold I said, “I’ll wear it to bed tonight.”
“Fuck. Are you serious?” His voice was low, sending the best kind of shiver down my spine.
“Yes.” I liked this game we were playing. It was naughty and thrilling.
“And nothing else.” His tone was commanding.
I loved it. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
He growled over the line.
I said goodbye, grinning at his reaction
“Well, did he like it?”
I settled back in my seat. “He loved it.”
“I knew he would. How are you guys doing?”
“Good. Things last week were a little weird. But I think we’ve figured out the time away thing.”
Of course, he wasn’t that far away. In season, he’d be flying across the country.
“You get used to it. You can fly to the games.”
I couldn’t afford to do that. It was no secret Dylan came from money. She didn’t flaunt it, but she didn’t worry about money either. She had her trust fund to fall back on.
“We’ll see how it goes.” As hard as I was falling for him, I was still cautious.
“Jonah’s never been like this with anyone. He’s never brought anyone to training camp or a game.”
“Why is that?”
“I assume most guys are careful about who they date and bring around the organization. So many women are just looking for a hookup with a player, a few minutes of fame, and expensive presents.”
I liked that I was different for him. I just wondered if there was another reason he’d been so private.
Chapter Twenty-Four
JONAH
Ever since Callie sent me that picture, I’ve been imagining sinking my cock into her while she was only wearing my jersey. I could practically see her nipples poking through the material, my hands gliding up her thighs, cupping her mound. I was constantly adjusting my junk.
It was the pose, the sliver of belly she’d exposed, the slight pout to her lips, and the challenge in her eyes. It was like she was thinking about me when she took that picture. Thinking about doing naughty things to me, maybe even remembering how she sucked my cock in the shower.
As soon as I got back to my room, I showered then video called her. I was staying in the dorm with the other guys because it didn’t make sense to commute every day.
“Jonah.” Callie’s face filled the screen. Her voice lifted on my name as if she was excited to talk to me.
“Hey, Calliope. What are you wearing?”
She moved the phone so I could see more of her. She was in my jersey. Her fingernails were painted purple to match. The numbers eight and three were painted individually on two fingers. As amazing as that was, I had to know if she was wearing anything underneath.
“Are you—” I couldn’t choke the words out; I grabbed my cock through my briefs. I was already hard at just the thought of her naked underneath.
She spread her legs. “Want to find out?”
Where had this Callie come from? The one who oozed confidence, who went for what she wanted. I loved it.
I nodded, not caring how eager it made me look. I was crazy for this girl.
Her hand glided up her thigh, pulling up her jersey until I saw her pink pussy.
I pulled my cock out of my briefs, stroking it. My head was tingly; my heart raced in anticipation.
“Are you touching yourself?” Callie’s tone wavered.
“Yes. Will you?”
This was our first time having phone sex. Heck, it was my first time doing something like this with anyone. I was hesitant to order her around even if I wanted to.
She licked her lips, her finger separating her folds, one purple nail slid inside.
“Fuck, Callie. That’s hot.”
She added a second finger, and I squeezed my cock harder.
“Imagine they’re my fingers. Thicker than yours. I’d pump harder.”
Her thighs were shaking, her pussy glistening, her eyes glazed with lust as she pistoned her fingers faster. “I wish you were here.�
�
“If I was, I’d push that jersey over your breasts so I could see your pretty nipples.”
She set the phone down, making sure it was steady before scrambling to push up the jersey; her fingers were still buried deep.
I groaned, not caring if anyone heard.
“Rub your nipples.” Pinch them, pull them.
She whimpered. I wasn’t sure whether it was from her fingers touching her nipples or my dirty words.
“I can’t hold back.” Callie’s voice was strained.
“Come with me.” I jacked myself harder at the sight of her orgasm. She arched, pumping frantically now. Her nipples were rock hard, her chest flushed.
Cum spurted over my stomach. I grabbed the towel I’d thrown off after my shower. Cleaning up, I threw it on the floor and pulled up my briefs. “That was so hot.”
She’d pulled her jersey down, covering her gorgeous body. She had a lazy smile on her face. “I feel closer to you somehow.”
“Yeah, phone sex is the next step in intimacy,” I teased, but I knew what she meant. I did feel closer to her. Everything we shared, everything we did, only solidified her in my mind as the person I wanted to be with.
“I love you in my jersey.” My voice was rough.
She bit her lip. “Yeah?”
It was then I realized what I’d almost said. I love you. It was too soon. Enjoying her was enough. I was falling so hard for this woman. When I landed, there’d be no one to soften the fall.
“I haven’t wanted to see anyone in my jersey for a long time.” My high school girlfriend wore it. Back then, it was a statement that we were going steady.
“I feel like a lucky girl then.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m the lucky one in this relationship.” My tone was teasing, but I was dead serious. If she ever found out about my past, she’d be gone.
The best thing about Callie attending training camp was that I could stand on the sideline next to her.
I found her standing by the fence watching the guys run plays when I was done with physical therapy.
I came up behind her, whispering in her ear. “You’re going to make the reporters talk wearing that.”
She startled at the sound of my voice, her eyes wide. “You told me to wear it.”
