Only Work, No Play (Tough Games Book 1)

by Cora Reilly

  I was about to burst straight through my pants. Trying to stifle my eagerness, I led Evie toward my bed at a measured pace, even if I’d wanted to throw her over my shoulder and sprint toward my bedroom the moment she’d asked me to take her upstairs. I had sworn to hold back, but Evie was so fucking eager, so responsive, it wreaked havoc with my resolve. Arriving at the bed, I turned to her. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair disheveled, and her eyes shone with desire.

  Cupping her cheeks, I pulled her in for another kiss, wanting her to taste her sweetness. She moaned into my mouth, pressing those amazing tits against my chest. Good Lord. I turned with her in my arms and tugged at her dress. She stilled but allowed me to pull the piece of clothing over her head. Only the light from below allowed me to see Evie, but she was mostly in shadows, a fucking shame. I reached behind her back and unhooked her bra, allowing her breasts to spring free, and I exhaled. Even in the half-dark, they were a sight to behold.

  “Xavier,” Evie whispered, insecurity in her voice.

  “Lie down,” I rasped, and for once she didn’t give me a comeback, which showed me how nervous she was about her nakedness. I wanted to see her, all of her, but turning the light on would have only upped Evie’s nerves. Deciding to distract her, I started to strip for her slowly, despite my cock’s urgency to find a warm home. Evie’s eyes followed my hands as I unbuckled my belt and inched my pants down, followed by my briefs.

  She released a soft breath, so close to a moan that it sent a jolt straight into my balls. I grinned, satisfied that my body had that effect on Evie.

  “That self-satisfied grin lights up the dark in the most annoying way,” Evie muttered. Sarcasm was always a good indicator that Evie was starting to relax. I turned the switch that turned on the lights in the bathroom. The soft glow spilled onto the bed and Evie, allowing me to see her gorgeous face.

  I climbed on the bed before she could get self-conscious again and claimed her mouth for a kiss, but I had to have a taste of her breasts. Evie squirmed under my body, moaning and gasping as I stroked and kissed her tits.

  “Xavier,” she whispered, needy and throaty.

  My hand trailed down her side, along her soft flesh, over her round hips as my mouth around her nipple kept Evie too distracted to worry about all the things she tended to worry about. My fingers brushed her soft hair, then lower, feeling her wetness. I pushed a finger into her, then added a second, and Evie came with a violent shudder, her muscles squeezing me tightly. I groaned around her nipple. My cock was trying to dig for mineral oil in the mattress. But there was still the no-sex ban in place.

  I didn’t want to presume her request to go upstairs meant she wanted sex. With any other woman, yes, but with Evie I didn’t want to fuck up again. She was too important to let my dick run and ruin the show again.

  As if Evie could read my mind, she said, “I want you.”

  “What about the ban?” I teased as I kissed my way up her throat.

  “Shut up,” she murmured, then gasped when I swiped my thumb over her slick clit.

  Grinning, I reached over her for the packet of condoms in my drawer. I ripped it open with my teeth and rolled the condom down my cock. I squeezed myself once. Hard as it could be. When I looked up, my smirk fell. Evie looked anxious.

  I climbed up until my body covered hers, my weight resting on my forearms. She raised her head and met me with a kiss. Her arms came around my back, then slid down to my lower back, where they came to a halt as if she didn’t dare move lower. “All yours,” I said with a grin.

  She squeezed my butt and I flexed my muscles in response, causing her to laugh that unrestrained, full-body laugh I couldn’t get enough of.

  I moved my hips until my cock was pressed up against her opening. Warm and wet and welcoming.

  She held her breath, her fingers against my ass tensing, her body bracing for pain.

  “Breathe, Evie. I don’t want you to pass out. You’ll miss a life-changing performance,” I rasped, because I was so very close to losing every shred of my sanity.

  She smiled, but it was shaky. Fuck. Pain was the fucking last thing I wanted her to feel. I wanted this to be good for her.

  “It’ll be less painful this time,” I told her. I really hoped it was true. The idea of hurting her again didn’t sit well with me.

  “How would you know?”

  “I read a few articles in preparation for tonight.”

  Her body shook with laughter under me, eyes bright and playful. “You didn’t.”

  “I can’t have you laughing at me,” I murmured in a low voice, grinning. I shifted forward, my tip entering her, and I almost breathed a sigh of relief when I slipped in easier this time. She was still incredibly tight, deliciously so, but there wasn’t that firm resistance like last time.

  She fell silent. I watched her face as I pressed forward. The occasional wince made me slow even further until I was finally buried completely inside her. For a moment I was sure I’d come on the spot because she was so tight and the sensations threatened to overwhelm me but I could exert control if I wanted to.

  Evie drew in a deep breath. “You are too big. I don’t get why women sing praises to well-endowed men.”

  I chuckled as I stroked her cheek. “You’ll sing the same praises very soon, Evie, trust me.”

  She squirmed slightly under me, as if she was trying to find a comfortable position and failing. Her movement sent jolts of pleasure through my cock and I released a low groan. Evie watched me curiously, then repeated the move. I hissed. Of course, she moved again.

  “You vixen,” I muttered. “If you keep it up, this will be a short ride.” I went through my mental list of off-putting images and quickly got a grip on my over-eager cock. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been at risk of shooting my ammunition so soon.

  Evie finally lay still under me, and her muscles didn’t squeeze me quite as tightly anymore. “Okay?” I asked, not wanting to hurt her.

  She smiled, eyes trusting and tender. “Okay,” she whispered. I had to kiss her again. Her lips were pure perfection. I slid out of her a few inches then pushed back in. I kept a slow rhythm until her winces turned into small sounds of pleasure. With every moan from her lips, I pushed a bit deeper. I didn’t increase my speed. I got the impression that her body wasn’t ready for it yet. There would be time for it later—and there would be a later, because I had no intention of letting Evie slip out of my hands and my bed ever again.

  I captured her lips with mine. I didn’t stop kissing Evie as I drove her closer and closer to the edge. Her eyes held mine the entire time, and for once I had no trouble returning a gaze because I didn’t have to pretend to care for the woman under me. I wasn’t sure when my feelings had changed, when I’d started caring for Evie like this. I’d liked her from the start, her snark and sharp comebacks, her earnest laughter and amusing temper, but this was more than like…

  I pushed the thoughts aside and kissed Evie harder, then lowered my mouth to her nipple.

  She moaned, then pressed her lips together as if she was embarrassed by the sound. “Let me hear you,” I murmured, and the lovely pink on her cheeks spread all the way down to her breasts. Fuck. They were absolutely marvelous. Full, round and big. Even I couldn’t fit them in my palms. I returned my gaze to her face when my balls tightened. No way was I going to come before Evie this time.

  I propped myself up on one arm, reached between us, and Evie tensed when my fingers grazed her stomach. I froze, groaning as her walls fisted me even tighter. “Evie, relax,” I got out and imagined the hairy asses of Connor and the other ruggers.

  Thankfully, Evie loosened up and my cock slid in and out more easily. I finally reached my goal, her clit, and began rubbing it. Evie released a long moan, and again she tightened.

  Hairy asses. Saggy old women tits.

  Fuck.

  I kissed Evie hard, my fingers moving faster against her nub as I slowed my thrusts to be safe. And then Evie’s eyes widened and she shudde
red under me. I quickly pulled back to hear her moans and watch her face as it twisted with pleasure. I pushed up on my palms and slammed harder into her, but it didn’t take long before my own orgasm hit me like a wrecking ball.

  Xavier pulled out of me slowly, then slid off me and wrapped me in a gentle embrace. He smelled spicier, warmer, like sex and sandalwood maybe. I tried to catch my breath in Xavier’s arms. Closing my eyes briefly, I pressed my cheek against his chest. Xavier’s fingers found their way into my hair, lightly stroking my scalp. His lips brushed my temple like he had done before. It was such a caring, gentle gesture that butterflies fluttered in the pit of my stomach.

  He drew his head back. “Are you okay, Evie?”

  I looked up at him. “Better than okay.”

  A slow smile spread on his face. “Good.”

  I could tell he was trying and failing to keep the cockiness from showing.

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be so smug about it.”

  “I can’t help it. I’m feeling all cavemanly knowing I’m the only guy who’s been inside of you.”

  “This is the second time you’ve been inside of me. No reason to be smug about it.”

  “Last time I couldn’t appreciate the situation like it deserved. I felt too bad for hurting you.”

  I propped myself up on his chest. “You really felt bad?”

  His brows drew together. “Of course I did. I wanted to make you come, not bleed. When I saw the blood on my sheets, I felt like the biggest asshole on the planet.”

  Horror widened my eyes. “There was blood?”

  Xavier nodded.

  “Oh God, please tell me, Nancy didn’t clean the sheets.”

  “That’s what you’re worried about?”

  “She did clean them, didn’t she?”

  “She cleans everything.”

  I dropped my forehead down on his chest. “Please tell me at least she didn’t know it was mine.”

  “She saw you leaving my apartment.”

  I groaned. Xavier chuckled. “Now come, there are worse things than being a virgin. Or are you ashamed that you gave it away to me?”

  I lifted my head, trying to figure out if Xavier was joking. He wasn’t. “There’s no one else whose sheets I’d rather have ruined,” I teased.

  Xavier shook his head with a grin, then he kissed me again. Soon the soft brush of mouth against mouth turned into something more heated.

  Xavier drew back to look at me. “Are you tired? I’m up for another round if you want.” The wolfish grin.

  My core tightened but I shook my head. “Too sore, you brute,” I said.

  His grin faltered.

  “I was joking,” I told him, and he growled and rolled himself on top of me. “I was joking about the brute part, not the sore part.”

  He kissed me and I could feel him harden against my thigh, but before I could change my mind about the sore part, Xavier rolled off of me and wrapped me in his arms. “Staying on top of you gives me ideas that won’t work while you’re sore,” he murmured.

  I smiled against his skin.

  “Sleep tight, Evie,” Xavier said eventually, kissing my temple.

  It took a long time for me to fall asleep. I was too scared of the next morning and Xavier’s reaction, which didn’t even make sense because he had told me he wanted me to wake up beside him.

  I woke facing the windows again, looking out toward the ocean. I tensed, remembering my walk of shame the last time I’d slept with Xavier. I listened for Xavier and when I heard his even breathing, I relaxed slightly. He was probably still asleep. After all, I was usually the one waking him. I considered getting up and leaving again, suddenly worried to face him. Mentally putting on my big-girl panties, I turned around and sucked in a breath when I met gray eyes. Xavier was propped up on his elbow, supporting his head with his palm, covers bunching around his hips, revealing inch after inch of perfectly sculpted chest, and he was watching me with a look I couldn’t read. What was he thinking? Was he regretting his decision to give dating a try? Definitely not the sex part, but everything else?

  “Good morning,” he said in his early morning rasp. Goose bumps rose on my skin hearing that voice, and Xavier’s gaze dipped lower. Heat rose into my cheeks when I realized that the covers had bunched around my hips as well, laying my breasts bare to Xavier. I quickly pulled them higher, but Xavier snatched the fabric from my fingers and moved closer. His smell, all man and sex and something warmer, filled my nose. “Still sore?” he asked in a low voice, and his erection dug into my thigh.

  More heat shot into my face. He brushed his thumb over my cheekbone. “Oh, Evie.” His hand slid down my back to my ass. I had hardly any time to worry about its size or jiggle before Xavier squeezed one cheek, his fingers grazing my sensitive flesh in the process.

  I gasped, curled my palm over Xavier’s neck and pulled him in for a kiss. He complied with unbridled eagerness and before I had time to process what was happening, he was over me, his strong thighs spreading my legs, and I forgot all about my soreness, kissed him harder and rubbed myself against his erection, wanting friction. His tip slid over my wetness, and I gasped as Xavier groaned. I arched up again, needing more, but Xavier resisted and pushed himself up on his arms.

  I frowned, suddenly self-conscious. Had I done something wrong? Been too eager? “What?” I asked hesitantly.

  Xavier grimaced. “Condom.”

  “Oh,” I said. “I forgot. I thought I did something wrong. This is new for me.” I snapped my lips shut at the amused curl of Xavier’s lips.

  He slid his mouth over mine, then up to my ear. “I know. But you can’t do anything wrong. I’m here to teach you.”

  I snorted and hit his shoulder. “You are so full of yourself!”

  He raised his eyes. “Am I?” The challenging gleam made me nervous and excited at the same time. He straightened so he was kneeling between my legs, his naked body on display and his erection impressively hard.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off him even as my face burnt. Everything about him was perfect, every muscle, every hair, even his erection. “You keep looking at me like that and I’m not responsible for my actions, Evie. Even my control has its limits.”

  I gave him a teasing smile. “When have you ever displayed control? And who says I want you to be controlled?”

  “Fuck.” Xavier snatched up a condom, ripped open the package and rolled the condom down his cock. Then his lips claimed mine and he pushed into me almost all the way.

  I drew back from his mouth, wincing. “Control would be good after all.”

  Xavier stilled at once, gray eyes flashing with concern. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  “It’s my fault. I was a bit premature in my evaluation of my level of soreness.”

  Xavier chuckled. “I love it when you talk dirty.”

  I poked my tongue out at him.

  He shook his head, and kissed me again. “I’m sorry if I went too rough again. This is new to me too. I’ve never been with a woman who didn’t have a lot of experience.”

  As if I didn’t know that. I had seen his last fifty conquests. “We can figure this out together,” I said softly.

  His eyes became impossibly warm. “You have loosened around me.”

  “I’m good.”

  He pulled out and pushed back in, then settled into a slow, gentle rhythm.

  “You can go harder,” I said when the soreness between my legs turned into a pleasant throbbing.

  Xavier curled his hand over my leg, lifted it so my foot pressed into his backside, and slid even deeper into me.

  “Oh,” I gasped, digging into his shoulders. “Yes, like that.”

  “Even during sex you boss me around,” he murmured against my throat before he bit down lightly. I didn’t bother with a comeback, too wrapped up in the sensations.

  His pants became louder as he thrust into me with practiced precision, never faltering, never taking his eyes off me even as his expression turned more st
rained. He moved his hand between our slick bodies and pressed down on my clit, and I came apart. “Xavier!” I cried out as my body convulsed with bolts of pleasure.

  Xavier slammed harder into me and despite the twinge it brought, the ripples of my orgasm spiked and then he jerked hard, his movements becoming uncoordinated as he spent himself inside me.

  I ran my hands over his pecs, my breathing fast, but for once not as fast as his as he panted, his firm muscles flexing and twitching under my fingertips. He grabbed the base of his cock as he pulled out and discarded the condom with a careless flick of his wrist before he lowered himself on top of me and buried his nose in my hair. I closed my eyes, wanting this moment to last forever. But then I remembered something. Today was Friday. My eyes shot open. “Xavier. I need to look at my mobile.”

  “Hmm?”

  I tried to shove him off, but moving a mountain would have been easier. When it became clear that he had no intention of budging, I brushed my fingers up his ribs to his armpit. He choked and shoved off me. “You are lucky your opponents don’t know there’s an easy way to take down Xavier—The Beast—Stevens,” I said with a smile.

  “You are a vixen,” Xavier said as he stretched out on his back.

  I sat up, searching the nightstand, but both Xavier’s and my cell phone were downstairs where we’d left them last night. Of course, there wasn’t any other clock in his bedroom since I was his alarm. Gripping the blanket, I tried to take it with me and cover myself with it as I made a move to stand, but Xavier lay half on top of it.

  I tugged. “Xavier. I really need to check the time.”

  “I’m not stopping you,” he said in amusement.

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “I need the blanket to cover myself.”

  “Nobody can look inside the apartment. You know it’s mirrored glass.”

  “Give me the blanket,” I muttered, yanking with more force. I had seen the girls he’d been with. Fitness and bikini models, actresses who didn’t play the character roles, athletes. Nothing was jiggling on their bodies. Everything was firm and smooth. And Xavier… he was a model athlete. His body fat percentage was in the single digits. Not even my dress size was single digits.