Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Noel
It’s all I can do to keep my attention on Randy Seager, a retired player who recently built a home outside Cleveland. We were teammates for two seasons, and I haven’t seen him in a long time.
“It’s all different now,” he says. “They don’t let the boys fight anymore.”
“Right.”
He looks over his shoulder, following my gaze. Jules is laughing at something Isaac just said, and she brushes her fingers over his forearm. I want to throw my glass tumbler at his head.
“Is she with Isaac? She’s fine as hell.”
I keep my response noncommittal, even though I’m raging inside. “No. She’s our social media manager.”
He hums in amusement. “That was a smart hire.”
“She’s good at her job.” I’m beyond aggravated at her right now, but I won’t let him insinuate she was only hired for her looks.
Since she got back to the ballroom, she’s been smiling sweetly at every man she talks to, making it look like she’s fascinated by them. She’s doing it because she wants to make me crazy, and I guess I’m a simple man because it’s working.
Audra’s been at my house since I got back from our last road trip, and I’ve spent most of my personal time trying to convince her to leave Kyle.
It shouldn’t be as hard as it is. I’ve told my girls, and shown them through my actions, that a man never puts his hands on a woman in anger.
One time is the last time, even if it means I have to go incapacitate Kyle to keep him from doing it again.
When I lie in bed at night, my thoughts are always of Jules. I’ve never felt such an instinctive, animalistic pull toward a woman before. It’s never been a decision. I’m genuinely crazy about her.
I thought she’d want a man her own age, just like I assumed I’d one day want a woman my age who’d been through a divorce and had kids. But a woman my age would come with the same scars and reservations I have. Jules is all passion.
When she was in my arms earlier, she was all mine. Every fiber of her being belonged to me. I can make her come apart, and unlike many of my players, I’d never think of her as just another woman. Younger men don’t get that a woman like Jules is rare.
“Lungren’s really stepped up,” Randy says. “Never thought you guys would stay above five hundred without Stanton.”
“Yeah.” Fuck, it’s nice to have something to focus on other than the way Jules looks in that dress. “I’m glad to have him. Nice guy, too. He doesn’t take this comeback for granted.”
“Hey, Coach, is it okay if I take a photo of you and Mr. Seager?”
Jules is all big eyes and innocent smile, but I’m thinking about the way she moaned when I touched her clit. It’s been about an hour since then, but it feels like longer. I’d write a massive check to the foundation if it would end this party and get me upstairs with Jules.
“It’s Randy, please. And you are?”
“Jules Barlow. I’m the social media coordinator for the Crush.”
“Lucky them.”
Randy gives her an appreciative once-over, making me clench my teeth until a muscle in my jaw ticks. I’m quick to pose with Randy to get his attention off Jules. She takes a few photos and then leaves with a light wave of her fingers, her eyes locking onto mine in a meaningful one-second look.
Watching her go, Randy gives an appreciative hum. “That’s a ripe peach if I’ve ever seen one.”
“I need to go talk to Hudson.” I reach out to shake his hand. “Great seeing you, man.”
“Yeah, you too. Let’s get lunch sometime.”
“Sounds great.”
It doesn’t, but pretending is part of my job sometimes.
Randy’s married, and I never acted like he just did when I was married.
Even when I was miserable in my marriages, I was faithful.
I didn’t do or say anything I wouldn’t have done or said in front of my wives.
I expected the same from them, but I didn’t get it. Maybe I’m too idealistic.
I find Hudson and meet some more foundation donors who want to talk hockey. I deliberately keep my back to Jules because I can’t risk getting a visible hard-on.
I just have to keep it together for another hour, two at the most. Then she’s all mine, and I’m going to enjoy showing her exactly what that means.
I’m watching SportsCenter from the hotel bed, a glass of whiskey in hand, when I hear Jules opening the room’s door later that night.
She comes in, softly closing the door behind her. I click the TV remote to turn it off, getting up.
“Did you enjoy yourself?” I ask, still glowering.
She studies me, licking her lips. I took off my shoes, jacket, shirt, vest and tie, down to my pants and T-shirt now.
“I enjoyed myself as much as you did in this room earlier.” She flicks off her heels.
Her cheeks are flushed and a few pieces of hair have fallen loose from her elegant style. She pulls more pins out, her hair falling around her shoulders piece by piece. I watch her, mesmerized.
Once her hair is all down, she walks over to me and turns, moving her hair over one shoulder. “Unzip me?”
I put a hand on her hip and kiss her bare shoulder, my tension easing now that I can finally touch her. She tips her head back on my shoulder as I slide down the zipper on the back of her dress.
There’s no bra strap. I slide my hand into the back of her dress and around to one of her breasts, cupping it. She gasps. I lock my other arm around her waist, my mouth next to her ear.
“I don’t like other men thinking they can have you,” I say, my voice a low rumble. “I don’t even like them looking.”
“Your jealousy turns me on, though. And you know I only want you.”
I graze the pad of my thumb over her nipple, then pinch it. She cries out, pressing the back of her body against me.
“Little-girl games mean little-girl consequences.” I slide the dress from her shoulder. “Hope you can take it as well as you give it.”
“I can.” She’s breathless, panting softly as I slide the dress from her other shoulder and wiggle it past her hips.
Her body is everything I dreamed of and more. I explore it, teasing her nipples and making her shudder by lightly grazing my fingertips over her skin. When I drag my knuckles down her underwear like I did earlier, she moans, pressing back against my erection.
She turns and looks up at me, her hands on my chest while mine cup her ass.
“I want this,” she says, her expression serious. “I know I can’t have all of you, but I want whatever I can get. As long as I’m the only one.”
I almost laugh at that. “You know I’m out of my mind for you.”
“Things change, though. And I expect you to tell me when they do.”
I don’t want to think about that right now. Because things will change, but not like she’s thinking. She won’t settle for part of me when she could have all of someone else.
“You do the same for me,” I say.
She tugs my T-shirt up and I pull it off.
“I have a birth control implant. And I’ve been tested for everything.”
“So have I.” I step back, looking at her. “Now turn around and put your hands on the bed.”
Her dress falls to the floor and she steps out of it, then bends to press her palms to the mattress.
I’m so fucking hard. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want to be buried inside her right now. But I’m not an overeager young buck. I can hold out until she’s begging me to fuck her.
I slide her underwear down just enough to reveal her full, round ass.
“Little-girl games get you spankings,” I say as I squeeze one ass cheek, then the other.
I smooth my bare hand over her ass, her body taut and still with anticipation. The sound of me unbuckling my pants makes her whine softly. She’s so goddamn sexy.
I push my pants and boxers to the ground, palming my cock. When I drag the tip along the crack of her ass, a ragged exhale shudders out of her.
“I can’t wait to bury my cock in your ass. You’ll take every inch of it, won’t you, good girl?”
“Yes.” The word pours out of her in a rush.
Cum drips from the tip of my cock, and I rub it on her hole, then stroke my fingers over it.
“Oh god, Noel.”
I move my hand back and slap her ass hard. She jolts and moans at the same time. When I do it again, she fists the sheets. I think she likes it, but I have to know before I continue.
“More?”
“Yes. More.” She gets up on all fours, looking at me over her shoulder.
I smack her ass again, then smooth my palm over the warm skin. After the fourth slap, I slide my fingers down to her pussy.
“Spankings make you wet, little whore.”
“Fuck,” she cries, moving her hips to create friction with my fingers.
I pull my hand away and she whines. Taking a fistful of her underwear, I pull on it, using it to rub her clit. Her gasp makes my cock throb uncomfortably. I give her a few more seconds of contact before stopping and sliding her underwear to the floor.
“Get on your back and spread your legs.”
She scrambles to comply, opening herself to me. Her gaze turns molten as she looks at me, my fist wrapped around my cock. I can see how wet she is, her bare pussy slick with her arousal.
She’s the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen, and she wants me. I don’t know if I deserve her, but I’m too selfish to stop.
I get on the bed, my face between her legs. Just the feel of my warm breath on her pussy makes her moan. When I flick my tongue over her clit, she cries out.
“Don’t. I want you inside me when I come.”
She’s wound as tight as I am. I move on top of her and kiss her. She’s all passion and heat, her hands pressing on my lower back insistently.
I give in and push my cock inside her, slowly burying myself all the way in. She’s so tight and wet that I groan with satisfaction.
“Yes,” she whimpers. “So good, baby.”
Fuck, I love her calling me that. I pull back and thrust in to the hilt again. She wraps a leg around me, her foot on my lower back.
It’s so fucking good. She matches my pace with her hips, her mouth open as her cries get louder.
“I’m gonna come,” she says, her voice rising. “Noel—”
Her crying out my name sends me over the edge at the same moment she comes, and I empty myself into her with several long, hard thrusts.
I move off her, overwhelmed with the force of my orgasm. I’m feeling surprisingly emotional.
She meets my gaze, smiling and sighing happily, but then her smile slides away.
“Are you okay?”
I look away, embarrassed by the tears gathered in my eyes. “Yeah.”
“Hey.” She gets up on an elbow and takes my chin in her hand, turning my face toward hers. “Tell me.”
Jesus. I’m a grown man and I’m coming unglued. I manage to swallow the lump in my throat, my eyes returning to normal.
“I’m fine.” It’s true, but I can’t lie to her. “I just ... I had a second there where I ... I don’t even know, I think it was that I never wanted to be with a woman again.”
Her brow wrinkles with concern. “Did you not want me?”
I sit up so I can give her my full attention. “I wanted you very much, Jules. I’m just not saying it well. I didn’t think I’d get to feel what I just did. I’d decided that part of my life was over, and that I’d rely on my hand so I don’t end up making the same mistakes I’ve made in the past.”
Her expression softens. “Was that an improvement over your hand?”
I scoff, amused. “There’s no comparison.”
“I don’t want to be a mistake.”
I bring her hand to my lips and kiss it. “You’re not a manipulative woman trying to get pregnant so I’ll have to marry you. I wish I could have met you when I was your age.”
“I’m quite fond of your current age. Lie back down and warm me up.”
I lie on my back and she curls against my side, her cheek on my chest. I stroke her hair, and it’s a full minute before I break the comfortable silence between us.
“Why did your friend call me stalker daddy?”
Her soft exhale is warm on my chest. “That’s my sister, Blair.”
A few seconds pass, and I realize she’s not planning to answer the question. “Okay, so why did your sister call me stalker daddy?”
“You knew Coop had a stomach bug. At the hotel bar in Tampa.”
I freeze, trying to recall the conversation. “Didn’t you tell me that?”
“No. I said he was sick, but you knew it was a stomach thing. I’m not mad. Stalk away. It’s not like it was a secret. I mentioned it on IG and got like a hundred comments about how to treat a stomach bug from internet MDs.”
I return to stroking her hair, chagrined. “That’s how I knew.”
“From my IG?”
“I may have watched some of your videos. Just for the skincare tips.”
“Coach Turner, do you have a crush on me?” she asks playfully.
Her calling me that in bed feels wrong, but it also turns me on—hard. “I think I might.” I draw my fingertips across her back lightly and she snuggles closer to me. “That explains the stalker part, but not the daddy part.”
She laughs and kisses my chest, then props herself up on an elbow. “Don’t play too old and uncool to know what it means.”
I slide a hand over her hip. “I get it. You need an older, more experienced man to take charge and tell you what a good girl you are.”
Something flashes in her eyes—I think it’s arousal. “There’s one older, more experienced man in particular, yes.”
I brush her hair back from her face, studying her face. “He’s a lucky bastard.”
“He is. I hear he has a bad hip, though. I’m not sure how long he’ll be able to keep up with me in bed.”
I laugh at that. It’s the best laugh I’ve had in a long time. My right hip has bothered me since I was a player. It’s manageable, but I have to stretch it often.
“Now who’s the stalker?” I tease.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get on top anytime you want so you can rest your old, weary hip.”
I run my hand down to her ass, squeezing one cheek and then smacking it. “Won’t be an issue, beautiful. But you can get on top of me anytime you want.”
She’s radiant, her smile pleased. I never called women I was with pet names because it felt off. It was never me. I’m gruff and affectionate; words don’t come easily to me.
They do with Jules, though. And tonight, I get her all to myself. It is a little risky to be staying here together, but I couldn’t resist her any longer.
If there are consequences for this, I’ll make sure I’m the one to pay them.