Darren slams into me and hugs me. “We did it, brother.”
“We sure did,” I say, fighting tears of joy. Levi crashes into us and then we’re in a giant pile of grown men screaming and shouting in celebration like a bunch of children, and nothing has ever felt more satisfying.
* * *
The big game is over, as are all of the interviews that followed. The seats are empty and the aisles free of spectators. I’ve since showered and changed into a suit and tie. I told Nadia to meet me at the fifty yard line. When I get out there, the candles and flowers I arranged have already been set up.
Rolling my head from side to side, I stretch out my sore muscles. While waiting for Nadia, I adjust my tie and push my hair back from my face. Smiling, I think about how she made me donate the twenty thousand dollars I promised her for dating me to a charity that helps single mothers. She hadn’t even cashed the original five thousand dollar check I gave her.
It’s been a long, tiring week with all the interviews and activities leading up to the game. As a first timer making the Super Bowl, it was the most exciting week of my life. But sleeping in a hotel for a week isn’t as great as it sounds. I missed my own bed. If it wasn’t for Nadia being with me, I’m not sure I would’ve managed the stress of it all so well.
Speaking of my woman, she’s walking toward me now. Her smile is tentative as she looks around at the empty stadium. “What’s going on?” she asks.
“Can’t a guy get some private time with the woman he loves?”
“I’m good with that idea,” she agrees. She pauses when she sees the circle of white candles that I’m standing inside of. “Flynn?” Her questioning gaze locks on me.
She takes my outstretched hand, stepping into the circle. I catch hold of her other hand as we stand face-to-face. “I know you’re wondering what’s going on and why I’ve brought you out here like this.”
“Maybe.”
“I’ve never told you this story before, but tonight feels like the perfect time.” I clear my throat. “My senior year of college, I watched the Super Bowl with my grandfather instead of the guys at the frat. I got a bunch of shit for it, but I didn’t care. I loved to spend time with him, and even better, the Pats were playing. No one was a bigger fan of them than my grandfather.
“Leading up to the game, they showed interviews from the week before and there was one with Drew Miller and you. Do you remember?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I don’t. Did I speak at all?”
“You did. The moment you appeared on the screen, I remember being bowled over by your beauty.”
“Shut up.” She laughs.
“Nadia, I’m not joking. Just listen.” She nods, turning serious. “You were stunningly beautiful, and I fell into complete lust. I practically swallowed my tongue. And then you spoke with your sexy voice and that little hint of an accent you owe to your father’s heritage, and I fell a little in love. I felt like someone punched me in the stomach. I’d never been so affected by a woman before.”
“Flynn,” she whispers, squeezing my hands.
“My grandfather noticed my reaction and he commented on it. He said, ‘she’s a beauty,’ and I turned to him and said, ‘Gramps, that’s the woman I’m going to marry someday.’”
Nadia’s bottom lip quivers and she presses her top teeth into the pink flesh. Her expressive eyes are filling with tears.
“That’s not the only reason I signed with you, but it did play a part. When we met in person the first time, I knew I needed someone I could trust to look out for my best interests, and I saw such honesty in your eyes. You didn’t try to charm me. You were to the point, and it made me respect you even more.”
She smiles through her tears. “I remember our first meeting and your striking good looks. I promised myself I wouldn’t be a stuttering fool around you.”
I bark out a laugh. “And you weren’t then or any other time.”
“It wasn’t always easy. I may never have let on, but I was just as affected by you.”
“This is amazing. Look how everything worked out for us. I put my intention out there and things lined up. I got signed to play in Charleston where you were.”
“If you liked me so much, why did it take you so long to make a move?” she asks.
“Because I didn’t think I deserved you.”
“Flynn Shaughnessy, you’re the best man I know. If you don’t deserve me, who does?”
“It doesn’t matter because you’re mine now and hopefully forever.” I take a knee in front of her and she gasps. “Nadia Patel, will you do me the honor of being my wife and the mother of my children?”
“Oh my God. Yes. Flynn. Yes.” She bounces up and down on the balls of her feet.
“Hold up, I need to get this on your finger.” I slide the custom made engagement ring past her knuckles, to the bottom of her finger.
“It’s beautiful.” Her whisper is filled with awe. “What kind of gemstone is this?”
“It’s a purplish-red diamond, and the stones on the sides are white diamonds.”
“I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“I’ve never met anyone else like you. You deserve a one-of-a-kind engagement ring. It was the closest I could get to a rainbow.” I kiss her hand and rise to standing. “How about some pictures?”
“You want to take a selfie?” She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Nah, I was thinking of a more professional picture.” Raising my arm, I wave someone over.
“You hired a photographer?” she asks.
“I did. I wanted pictures to remember this night.”
The photographer reaches us. “Nadia, do you remember Max?”
“Yeah, you took our picture at the mini golf event. How are you?”
“I’m great, thanks to you guys. I made a lot of money off those pictures.” He grins.
“I told Max he can have a few of our engagement pictures if he agreed to photograph the proposal for me.”
“That part will stay private. I’m only going to use the pictures you guys pre-approve,” Max clarifies.
“I told him if he does a good job he can be our family photographer when we have kids.”
“Flynn, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“But that’s one of the things I do best. I did choose to marry you before I met you,” I remind her.
Max steps forward with his camera. “Okay, let’s get some pictures of the two of you. Face each other and angle more toward me. People are going to want to see that ring. Now, whisper something romantic to Nadia.”
I lean closer, staring into her eyes. “I chose tonight to propose to you because if we lost the game it would still be the best night of my life.”
And the next day the headlines read...
SUPER BOWL CHAMPION OFF THE MARKET
THE BAD BOY HAS BEEN TAMED
WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING
SPORTS AGENT TO WED BAD BOY CLIENT
AND THEY’LL LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Epilogue
Flynn
“Get ready for a big push, Nadia,” Dr. Williams says in an encouraging voice.
Nadia shakes her head. “I can’t.” She’s exhausted. I can see it in her bloodshot and watery eyes and the drawn look on her face. It’s difficult to see her this way, but my wife is a fighter.
“You can do it,” the doctor encourages.
“Honey, you’ve got this,” I reassure with a soothing caress to her head.
“No, I don’t. I want to go home,” she cries. I make the mistake of laughing but cut it short when Nadia hits me with a vicious death glare. It’s not like we can head home in the middle of delivering our child.
She considers me enemy number one right now for “putting this baby inside her.” Even though she wanted a baby more than anything in the world. I try to be the best husband I can and give my wife whatever she wants, and somehow when she gets it, I’ve done something wrong. I hope this is just pregnancy logic an
d not something that’s permanent. I have no plan to stop spoiling her. She deserves the best, and it makes me happy to give it to her.
“Nadia, I want you to give this push everything you’ve got,” Dr. Williams tells her.
“I hate you,” she replies, and I snicker. “Flynn, what are you laughing at? I’m talking to you.”
I can’t be upset with her and the way she’s behaving. Growing another human seems to be a nightmare. She’s a mass of hormones, with a vagina that’s stretched from here to kingdom come right now. I can’t even look past her face because it’s not something I ever want to see. My smile widens at the absurdity of the situation. Yet despite all of that, I’ve never seen my wife look more beautiful. I’m the luckiest man alive.
“Doc, you gotta get this baby out, so my wife can be sweet again,” I joke. Clearly I have a death wish.
He laughs behind his mask, covering it up with a cough. “It’s time to push, Nadia. Push. Push. Push.”
Gritting her teeth and growling, she tries so hard the tendons in her neck bulge under her skin. She shrieks with the effort and falls back to the pillow beneath her, spent and breathing heavily.
I rub a wet cloth over her forehead, mopping up the perspiration. “You know what I just thought about, honey?” I ask.
“I don’t care,” she snips.
Ignoring her, I continue. “I just realized that being a dad will change my life in so many ways. Every joke I tell from now on will officially be a dad joke.”
She manages to find the strength to roll her eyes. “How fucking profound.”
“Want to hear a pizza joke? Never mind, it’s too cheesy,” I say, grinning. “Figured I should get one last ‘pre dad’ dad joke in while I can.” Before Nadia can curse me out, the doc tells her to push again.
I squeeze her hand. “You’ve got this.”
“Aaaayaaa,” she yells, scrunching her face up from the massive effort she’s giving. She collapses back on the pillow and we hear a baby cry. It’s the most amazing sound ever. We both look toward the doctor, waiting to see our baby for the first time.
“Here’s your beautiful baby girl.” He holds her up and sets her down on Nadia’s chest.
“Oh my God, Flynn. She’s beautiful.” Nadia sobs out the words.
“She’s perfect.” I brush my hand over the abundant black hair covering her head. It’s the softest thing I’ve ever felt. “Thank you,” I say to Nadia. “I love you so much.”
“I love you. I can’t believe she’s here.”
“Do you have a name picked out?” one of the nurses asks.
Nadia and I look at each other and smile. She gives me a small nod, encouraging me to share the one we chose.
“Her name is Mishka. It means ‘gift of love’.”
* * *
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He’s the bad boy quarterback of Boston University's football team. As the son of a former NFL player, he’s showered with attention and praise twenty-four-seven. One flash of his smile and all the girls fall at his feet - or should I say to their knees?
And then there’s me.
Brady Lincoln is the last person I want attention from. He’s the kind of guy my father warned me about. His play on the field is legendary and his play with the ladies, even more so. I’ve managed to stay off his radar until recently.
What happens when the cocky quarterback breaks all the rules to win my heart?
* * *
Read on for the Prologue, and Chapter One of PENALTY
Prologue
Brady
AUGUST
Grimacing at the sting of her long nails digging furrows into the skin on my back, I thrust my cock into her. She moans in my ear and her hands move down to grip my ass. Her legs squeeze my hips like a vise as I pound into her harder and deeper.
I’m surprised by how good a fuck she is. A lot of the time I find easy pussy is lazy pussy, but she’s proving to be a nice exception. I don’t even mind she’s older than the women I usually screw. She’s hot with her deep red hair, bright pink painted lips and a rack that won’t quit.
Her pussy is starting to quiver around my cock now. Rubbing my fingers over her clit, circling around the swollen flesh, I slam my dick as hard as I can into her. She shrieks like a wild cat as she trembles through her orgasm. I pull out of her and remove the condom before stroking my cock until I release all over her flat stomach.
I never come inside easy pussy. I don’t need some gold digger looking for a free ride, claiming I’m their baby’s daddy. What would be even worse is actually being their baby’s daddy. Jesus. That’s why I always wrap and pull. I like to think of it as being proactive.
I grab some tissues off the hotel nightstand and wipe her stomach clean. I’m such a gentleman. She stretches and yawns loudly as I slide my boxer briefs on.
“Where are you going, sugar?” She asks posing provocatively on her side. The scent of sex and her floral perfume are strong in the air. Stepping into my jeans, I pull them up. “I have some place else to be,” I reply vaguely as I button and zip my pants.
“Are you sure I can’t talk you into round two?” She traces a long red nail around her nipple.
My dick twitches at the thought of another go in her tight pussy, but I should finish unpacking my stuff. Two of my friends just moved into a new apartment off campus, with me. There’s still a lot to be done before classes begin in a few more days.
“No, sorry I can’t.” I walk toward the door. “I gotta run. Maybe some other time sweetie.” I pull the hotel suite door open and give her a quick wave before I go.
Closing the door, whistling the song “The Stranger,” my shoes are silent on the thick carpet of the ritzy hotel corridor as I head toward the exit. The woman I just fucked already all but forgotten.
Chapter One
Brady
Early November
I grunt from the impact as the air expels from me when I’m tackled to the ground. The crowd loudly cheers, and I know my pass to my roommate, Nick, one of our team’s wide receivers, hit its mark. The peal of a shrill whistle nearby cuts through all the sounds of celebration.
My buddy, Zeke, one of the offensive linemen, holds his hand out for me, pulling me up. He pats me on the back.
“You okay man?” he asks. “That was a hard hit and a late one.”
“Yeah, I’m good,” I say, picking grass out of the side of my face mask and throwing it to the ground. My body is wracked with pain, but I shake it off. There’s no time to think about it; we need to win this game.
The announcement comes over the sound system calling for a penalty against the opposing team for roughing the passer. I’m glad the officials got their heads outta their asses this time. There were two other plays just like this one and they turned a blind eye both times.
Their penalty earns us an extra fifteen yards and lines us up on their ten-yard line with only thirty seconds left on the clock. We’re down by three and need at least a field goal to tie it up, but we’ve got great field position. At first and goal we’ve got four downs to get in the end zone. We’re going to get the touchdown; I can feel it in my gut.
My fingers tingle as I wait for the ball to be snapped to me. This happens to me in high pressure situations such as this one. The sound of the crowd gets drowned out in my head, my focus is complete. I get tunnel vision. Some people call it the eye of the tiger, others call it the killer instinct. I think both of those terms are too dramatic for what it really is. I’m simply good under pressure. I make shit happen on the field when it needs to. I’m a playmaker.
The ball is snapped to me. I take two steps back, and roll around to the right to avoid being sacked. My eyes scan the end zone for Ni
ck before I draw my arm back and release the ball. It’s right on target, and he catches it smoothly, holding it tightly in his grasp, before spiking it in the end zone. I run over to him, and we bump chests. The crowd erupts shouting, “touchdown.”
“Fucking A, Brady. That’s how it’s done,” Nick shouts.
“Yeah my arm makes you look better than you really are.” He laughs and I whack him on the back. The rest of our teammates on the field surround us, celebrating our win. The cheers of the crowd are deafening. This victory tastes even sweeter than most. We just beat our biggest rivals.
* * *
“Jesus, could they invite some more fucking people?” I ask my buddy Zeke when another person bumps into me. The room is full of college students, and even with my excessive size, I’m having difficulty navigating through. Being surrounded by people like this isn’t something I’m comfortable with; it pisses me off. I know there’s a scowl on my face, but I don’t really care. I love a party just as much as the rest of the guys, but right now I just want to enjoy my beer in peace and quiet.
One of the drawbacks of no longer living in this frat house is that I can’t escape to my room whenever I need a break or when I want to enjoy some alone time with whichever lucky lady I choose that night.
“Hey man, I’m gonna step outside for some fresh air. This crowd is too much for me.” I run my hand through my short blonde hair.
Zeke smiles. “Yeah, I can tell. You have your mean mug on. You’re going to scare all the ladies away with that face.”
CHANGING THE PLAYER: Charleston Pirates #1 Page 18
