My Grumpy Billionaire Soccer Star (HOT Firefighters & Sportsmen)

37. Chapter Thirty-Seven

Rachel

The police leave, and I finally catch my breath. Then Vaughn and I head out to take Archie to the vet. The ride feels like it takes forever, every second weighed down by the events of the day. Collins’s threats still echo in my mind, but I need to shake them off and focus on making sure my cat is okay. I can’t believe he’s been through so much—scared and alone.

We arrive at a quiet vet’s office. As we step inside, a soft bell jingles. The air is filled with the familiar scent of antiseptic. My heart races as I approach the receptionist.

“I’m here to treat Archie. He got hurt earlier today.”

The receptionist nods and smiles kindly. “Just a moment, please.” She takes Archie from me and heads off into the back.

I look to Vaughn, who is standing beside me, concern and fatigue etched into his face. The bruises on his knuckles from the fight with Collins are beginning to darken, and it brings the pain of the day rushing back to me.

“Are you okay?” I ask quietly, looking up at his face, hoping to see no signs of pain.

“I’m fine,” he says, but I can see the strain in his expression. “Just worried about Archie.”

The receptionist comes back a moment later, carrying Archie in her arms. Relief floods through me as I reach out for him. His fur is ruffled, and he’s trembling, but he doesn’t seem hurt. I cradle him against my chest, and he burrows into me for comfort.

“I’m so sorry, buddy,” I whisper, stroking his fur gently. “I thought I lost you.”

Vaughn watches us with a faint smile, but the heaviness in his eyes is undeniable. He tries to reassure me, “He’ll be alright. You’re home now.”

We pay the vet bill and head back to Vaughn’s place, Archie curled safely in my lap. The drive is quiet, the weight of the day pressing down on both of us. Vaughn’s shoulders are tense, and I know he’s still processing everything that happened with Collins.

When we finally arrive at his mansion, I step out of the car, clutching Archie to me. I feel the familiar comfort the moment I walk through the door, but today, it feels different. There’s a sense of dread lingering underneath, the surface a reminder of everything that’s happened.

“Let me get you some water,” Vaughn says, moving toward the kitchen. My heart aches for the weight he’s carrying. I watch him, wishing I could take some of that burden off his shoulders—he’s been through so much.

As he’s otherwise occupied, I put Archie down on the couch very gently and watch him cautiously examine his surroundings. His body is tense as he smells the air, and I can see he’s shaken. I kneel beside the couch, assuring him, “You’re safe now, buddy. Nobody’s gonna hurt you again.”

I notice the small cut on Vaughn’s forehead and the bruise already forming above his eyebrow when he returns. “You’re bleeding,” I say.

He waves a hand dismissively and replies, “It’s just a scratch.” I can see past his bravado, the pain behind it, and the weariness in his features.

I take a step closer and reach out to touch his forehead very gently. “Let me clean it up,” I insist. “You can’t just ignore this.”

I see the conflict in his eyes as he watches me. “Rachel, it’s not a big deal. I’m more concerned with you and Archie.”

“I’m concerned about you right now,” I say firmly, leading him to the bathroom.

Reluctantly, he follows me, and a flicker of appreciation is visible in his eyes.

In the bathroom, I take a clean cloth, dip it in warm water, and prepare to clean his wound. My hands tremble slightly.

“Sit down,” I tell him softly, and he obliges, leaning against the sink as I dab at the cut.

He winces slightly, and guilt pinches me for being too forceful. “I’m sorry,” I murmur. “I just hate seeing you hurt.”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” he says, but his voice is quieter now, and the room feels tense.

As I finish cleaning the cut and place a bandage on it, I look up into his eyes, searching for any sign of how he’s really feeling.

“You’re not just dealing with a physical fight,” Vaughn says. “This whole situation with Collins . . . it’s affecting you, right?” He runs a hand through his hair in frustration and sighs. “I don’t have proof that Collins is the one planting those drugs, Rachel. I can’t just go around making accusations without solid evidence.”

I stand there, Vaughn’s hand still in mine, and feel a wave of emotion. The tension between us feels like it’s about to break, but I know we need to talk about what’s really going on. I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts and the weight of all I’ve been holding back.

“Vaughn,” I say softly, looking up into his eyes. “I need to tell you something.”

He raises an eyebrow, curiosity and caution in his gaze. “What is it?”

“I like you,” I confess, my heart racing as the words escape my lips. “I really like you. Maybe I even love you.” The weight lifts off my shoulders, leaving me vulnerable and exposed.

Surprise flickers across his face, and he blinks, his mind clearly turning. “Rachel, I—”

“No, let me finish,” I urge, squeezing his hand tighter. “I get your behavior so much better now. I thought you were just this mean and evil bastard—you’re not. I see now you’re dealing with so much. I can see you’re working so hard to protect yourself and everyone around you.”

He relaxes, and the tension in the air shifts. “Thanks for that, but where is this all coming from?”

I take a deep breath, the moment stretching miserably between us, heavy with so many unspoken words. “I’ve been angry and confused about everything that’s happened. The truth is, I care about you, Vaughn. I don’t want to lose you to this mess with Collins. I want to be here for you.”

His eyes search mine. “Rachel, what’s the point of this? Where are you going with it?”

I pause, mulling over my words. “I know you’re afraid of what might happen to your career and what that’ll do to us. I get it. I don’t want to just walk away because of that. Just one more night with you—that is all I want. Before all of this pulls us apart. Please, I need to know you’re close. I need to know we can be us, even after all of this.”

“Rachel . . .” he starts, but I cut him off again, my heart pounding.

“But in return, I need you to use your ability to help me get proof that Collins is the one planting those drugs,” I say. “I’m not letting him get away with this when it could ruin everything for you. There must be a way we can work together, expose him, and clear your name.”

Vaughn’s expression changes, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. “You want to spend the night with me when we’re on shaky ground? What if Collins tries to retaliate?”

I shake my head, my resolve hardening. “I’m not afraid of Collins. I’ve already run into him once today, and I’m not backing down now. Together, we can take him on. I just need to know that we’re on the same page.”

I see the conflict in his eyes as he watches me. “You’re serious about this?”

“Yes, I am. I want to fight for us, for what we have. No more fear controlling my actions—I don’t want that.”

Vaughn moves closer, and I can feel the heat through his thoughts. “You’re putting a lot on the line. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

“I am,” I insist, my voice steady. “Never have I been more sure of anything.”

He takes a deep breath, and I can see him working through his thoughts. “Okay. We’ll do this together. I just need you to promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“I promise,” I say, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. “We’ll figure it out together.”

He nods slowly, and I see hope in his eyes. The uncertainty still lingers, though, as he admits, “I feel attached to you on a level I’ve never touched before.” He speaks low and forcefully. “Let’s make this count.”

The tension starts to dissipate. We stand there, knowing we’re on the brink of something new. I lift my hands to cup his face, and our lips meet in a soft kiss that deepens quickly, like a lit match igniting kindling. The heat that had been simmering rises.

“Well, guess what,” I tease him, pulling back slightly.

“Not now, Rachel. What’s that?” he groans.

“I have video proof of Collins planting the drugs in your locker. I recorded him in action.”

Vaughn can’t believe his ears. He spins me around and kisses me like a man savoring his last meal. His lips press against mine with an insistence I can’t ignore, even if I wanted to. His tongue teases the edges of my lips, just dipping inside before pulling back, never quite giving in to what I want.

I find myself pressed against the wall just inside the room as Vaughn peels off my clothing, taking his time to savor each sliver of skin he reveals.

My shirt is the first to go. The blue silk shirt peels away from my skin and makes no noise on the hardwood floor when he tosses it aside. Underneath, I’m wearing a pale pink bra that’s nearly transparent. My nipples are hard points from my arousal, and Vaughn ducks his head and sucks one into his mouth. His perfect lips and that silver tongue work on my nipple before switching sides to give the other equal attention. I shiver at the sensations rolling through me.

He unbuttons my pants with one-handed ease that speaks of large amounts of practice, skating his hands over my flat belly. His fingers dip inside the V of my open fly to lightly tease the edge of my panties before investigating further. When his fingertips touch my flesh, my knees almost buckle, and when two of those searching fingers part my lips and breach the wet inferno of my entrance, it’s only the wall that keeps me upright.

Vaughn plays my body like an instrument. He’s fucking me with his long, slender fingers with maddening slowness, ignoring my clit and concentrating on stroking me from the inside while his lips and tongue trace the contours of my neck.

I give a muffled cry, expressing equal parts pleasure and shock. Hungry for more, I tug at his jacket, pulling until it’s in a heap on the floor. His mouth ravages mine, my hands pulling at his tie as we stumble to the bed.

His muscled frame covers and pushes me deep into the covers, like sinking into a mound of soft clouds; then he takes my breast in his mouth, and I stop thinking entirely.

Before I can regain my thoughts enough to reach for his belt, Vaughn slips his fingers from me and drops to his knees in one fluid motion, dragging my jeans and panties to the floor with him. Standing bare from the waist down, I feel the usual twinges, but they’re quickly forgotten when Vaughn’s mouth finds its way between my legs, and he gives my pussy an open-mouthed kiss that has me gasping for breath.

Vaughn’s tongue is everywhere. The internal topography that he’d been mapping moments ago with his fingers is now the territory of his tongue. Like a serpent, it slides inside me before withdrawing to trace circles around my inner lips before finally homing in on my clitoris.

At his first touch on that swollen nub, I dig my fingers into his shoulder, my nails leaving marks even through the layers of damp fabric. Vaughn flattens his tongue and presses it hard against my clit, and I see stars. Two of those fantastic fingers press into my slit, adding that perfect feeling of fullness that throws me over the edge as Vaughn laps at my clit.

Vaughn stands up and presses his mouth against mine, giving me another one of those soul-searing kisses. I can taste my juices on his lips, and my only thoughts are Naked. Bed. Now.

We fall back onto the bed, and I crawl down Vaughn’s body, licking and sucking the skin in my path, determined to give him the same pleasure he just gave me.

My first tentative lick across the head makes his hips jerk. Encouraged, I open my mouth and take him in, sucking on the head like it’s my favorite lollipop flavor.

I settle down and start licking my way down his shaft, following the line of the vein. I pepper little teasing bites along his length, soothing the pressure of my teeth with a kiss. He tastes salty and manly, and I’m completely happy to keep my face buried between his legs for the rest of my life.

Vaughn’s moans grow louder with each passing moment, a litany of filth pouring from his mouth.

“Rachel!” he yells as his hips buck upward. Impossibly, the grip on my hair tightens, and he starts to fuck my face in earnest.

Hearing this incredibly sexy man coming undone from what I’m doing to him sends a lightning bolt straight to my pussy. As much as I want to swallow him down and feel him flood my mouth with his come, I want to feel that cock inside me, stretching and filling me much more.

It’s rough and dirty and everything I had dreamed of. Despite having experienced an orgasm so intense I almost blacked out only a few minutes before, I’m achingly aroused again. I start to move my hand downward, ready to take care of myself, when I feel an iron grip encircle my wrist.

“That’s my job,” he growls.

I kiss my way back up his body and straddle his hips. The thick head of his cock presses against my entrance. I shift my hips, and he slips inside. That moment a lover enters you, everything stops. I freeze above Vaughn, just relishing the sensation of him breaching my body before I lower myself down onto him, taking every inch of his length into my wet heat.

Vaughn reaches up and pulls me down to lay flush against him, thrusting his hips upward and controlling the rhythm even from underneath me. His eyes slip shut, and the look on his face is pure ecstasy.

“I think your pussy must be the gateway to heaven,” he breathes into my ear.

From anyone else, it would have sounded like a cheesy line, but somehow, Vaughn makes these profane words sound like a prayer to the Greek god of pleasure.

Every rock of my hips sends shockwaves of pleasure through me. Riding Vaughn with my skin pressing against his has me heading toward another peak already when Vaughn hooks his leg around mine and rolls us over, pinning me beneath him.

“Easier to kiss you this way,” he says mischievously, tangling his hands in my long hair and tugging me upward to plunder my mouth with his while his hips piston that delicious cock into me.

“So hot,” Vaughn purrs, following the curve of my neck with his tongue. “So tight.” Small nips on my shoulder that he then soothes with kisses. “So wet.” Impressing me with his flexibility, Vaughn leans down further and sucks one of my hard nipples into his mouth, biting just enough to send a shiver of pleasure and pain down my spine. “I could fuck you all day.”

“Is . . . is that a challenge?”

Vaughn’s lips curl into a smile that says it most definitely is a challenge, and he sits back on his heels, pulling me upward with him, his cock still buried in me. I wrap my legs around his back for leverage, acutely aware that this position puts every aspect of my body on display.

I glance at Vaughn’s face and see that his eyes are locked on the spot where our bodies connect. I can’t blame him. The sight of his cock disappearing into my pussy with every thrust is mesmerizing.

“Touch yourself for me,” Vaughn whispers, his voice sounding ragged. “I want to see it.”

Something about Vaughn strips away every bit of silly self-consciousness I’ve ever felt. I dip my hand between my legs and find my clit. I circle it with my fingers, finding a rhythm that matches Vaughn’s thrusts. My orgasm takes me by surprise, and Vaughn moans loudly as my inner muscles contract around his cock, squeezing him like a wet fist, driving him to his peak as well.

Then it’s all movement, a frantic mating driven by hot blood. Flesh against flesh, the ragged strain of quickened breath, the low cry of a woman at her peak. Bodies plunging together in a slick and sensuous dance.

I come again, and as my hands slide limply onto the rumpled covers, I feel him continue to thrust. In. Out. In. Out. Repeating the motions until I am close to passing out from pleasure.

I lay still, wrecked, wonderfully wrecked, with his face in my hair and his long, lovely body pressing mine into the bed. His heart still hammers; I can feel it knocking against mine.

Heat floods me as Vaughn comes inside me, and we both collapse back on the bed, boneless and satiated and joined in the most intimate of ways.

The world outside dies down, and it’s just us now, together, ready to take on whatever the world throws at us. Vaughn has become my anchor, and I don’t care what happens; I’m not letting anything come between us.