22. Quinn
CHAPTER 22
QUINN
“So how are the guys looking,” my uncle asks as he collapses into the chair across the table from me in his office.
He looks exhausted. He has for a few days, and he’s been short with me since dinner, but thankfully he’s kept more to himself because I’m not sure I could handle hearing him defend Ally again and still remain professional.
“Not too shabby,” I tell him, looking down at my notes. “Three out of four of the guys have been cleared to return. I think having them rest for a few extra days really made a difference. Jax said his ankle felt the best it’s felt since he originally got injured last year. Anderson still hasn’t been cleared back after his shoulder injury the other day, though, and if I’m being honest, I’m not expecting him to be cleared before the game this weekend.”
I just spent the last hour going over each of the players we have on our schedules and determining if we thought anything needed to be changed. After a couple of players were cleared to return, we wanted to reevaluate their programs to make sure we were accounting for the extra toll their bodies would be taking by practicing at full power, as well as the frequency of the games we play. It’s just a lot and we wanted to make sure they were prioritizing strength training and flexibility so they didn’t end up reinjured.
I was meeting with the other athletic trainers going over schedules and progress, so I’ve already gotten the rundown on all the players, making me prepared for this conversation, although Uncle Ronnie is usually at our weekly briefing meetings, so I’m surprised he missed the one today.
“What’s the timeline for Anderson? I’m not sure I want to call Edwards up, but if Anderson is out much longer, Jax and Nash might have my fucking head,” he grumbles.
He ain’t wrong. Their line has had to really pick up some slack since Anderson has been out, and I think they're ready for their line to be back together on the ice.
Jax and Nash might score a lot, and they’re good at defending Cooper, but Anderson and Jensen have the highest rate of power play kills in the entire league. Given that we’ve lost the last two games after the other team scored on a power play, we’re all a little bit over it.
“Probably another week or two out. He’s meeting with the doctor next Monday, so hopefully they come back with good news. I think right now the play should be to call up Edwards and hope for the best tomorrow when we face New York. Either way, Cooper should be able to handle it,” I tell him with a smile, doing my best to ease some of his worry, but it doesn’t seem to help. I’m almost positive I can see his pulse from the vein in his neck, but if I try to get him to take it easy or to sit down and spread the work out more, it would go over about as well as telling a girl to relax or calm down.
But I get why he’s stressed. It’s a big game, one that Nashville looks forward to every year as we hope to beat the New York Cyclones. Personally, I think he’s hoping to one day steal Cade away. I mean, I feel like we would be pretty unstoppable if we had both Cooper and Cade, but the likelihood of that ever happening is pretty damn slim.
Cade Williams, New York’s pride and joy, is at the center of a rivalry between the Cyclones and the Firebirds, all beginning the year he was drafted. It’s rumored to have started because Cade ended up signing with New York instead of Nashville like had originally been planned. At least that’s what I’ve heard. They blame the staff in New York, apparently saying sneaky things were going on behind the scenes, but that’s all anyone knows. Cade was left out of it. He just knew he wanted to play hockey, so he was thrilled to be drafted either way.
It’s not anyone's fault that’s how it all played out, and at the end of the day, it’s a business decision. But here in Nashville, they’ve never gotten over it.
“I’ll make the call this afternoon. Will you please make sure that I get looped in once Anderson goes to the doctor? I want to know how long we think this is going to be. If it's going to be a while, we might want to rethink some of the lines, try to take some of the heat off some of the guys, find some pairings that might align a little better for now,” he says, obviously lost in thought, his brain always on the move.
“Sounds good. Is there anything else, or can I head back to my office? I have Cooper coming in soon to pick up some things and I need to go make sure it’s all ready,” I say, praying there’s nothing else and I can go back to my office.
“There’s one more thing I did want to talk to you about, Quinny,” my uncle says, using my childhood nickname, the one he only brings out when he’s trying to sweet talk me into something he knows I’ll hate.
“Okay?” I say nervously.
“You and Levi…what’s the deal there?” My uncle asks, jumping straight to the point.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Uncle.”
Although I know exactly what he means, I'm not interested in making this easy on him.
Call me petty, call me a dumb blonde, I don't really care. I'm not in the mood for the bullshit today—especially not from my family.
Leaning back in his chair, his fingers rest on his chin as he stares at me like he's not sure if I'm really playing dumb.
Yup. I am.
“What's actually happening with this ‘relationship’ between the two of you? We both know you're not stupid enough to go and fall for Levi,” he says, and his tone on the word “Levi” pisses me off.
He says it like it's poison, taboo, something that shouldn't be spoken about. Like Voldemort.
“And why is that? Because he's been nothing but amazing to me, making sure I've been taken care of, and that I'm happy, which is more than I can say for any of my family,” I add that last part without even thinking; apparently I'm really not able to hide my emotions right now.
My uncle looks like I've slapped him, but only for a moment before he steels his face, looking at me with narrowed eyes. “You remember what he did to your sister? Don't even get me started on how the two of you even think it's acceptable for you to be dating each other after he was with Ally. I mean, isn't that against some kind of code or something?”
It would be if I hadn't wanted him first and if she hadn't cheated on him.
“First he cheats on Ally, and then he starts dating you, and you never gave her the courtesy of a conversation about it. She was really hurt. I still think you should talk to her,” he says, shaking his head, but I just wait, making sure he's done because, honestly, this is the last time I'm going to talk to him about this before he talks to Ally. I will not be talking to her or him until that happens.
“See, that's where you’re wrong, Uncle Ronnie, but out of respect to Levi, that's not my story to tell,” I snap, finally leaning forward, my elbows on the table like a viper ready to lunge.
Mama’s done playing nice.
“Oh? And who's story is it.”
“Ally’s.”
“We've already talked, and she told me everything that happened. Everything you both have done.”
“I think it's time you got the non-fiction version, but I mean, the fantasy version you and the rest of the world have received was definitely good at keeping her reputation up, so good for her. Maybe she'll win best actress or something.”
“So Levi got to you, huh?”
Now I'm pissed.
“I'm done,” I tell him, standing up. “I'm done sitting here listening to you believe everything Ally spoon feeds you, and somehow, she's got you fooled. You're so blinded by everything that you don't realize she made this entire mess and just in her personal life. You think it's acceptable for her to do whatever she wants, never minding who it's disrespecting, and she doesn't even do her own damn job. I'm done,” I say, and I grab my stuff and turn around.
“Quinn, sit down or you’re fired,” my uncle says, his face red as I look back, but I don't care.
“Talk to me when you've gotten the real story from Ally. I've gotta go call Seattle back and see if they've still got a job offer for me.”
And I walk out, letting the door slam behind me as I walk back down to my office.
The walk is quiet as most people have left for the day, lights all off in the offices next to mine as the other trainers are already done.
Which is perfect because I don't want to explain to everyone why I'm bringing my training bag and plant home. I don't trust Ally to hear I quit and not steal my stuff.
Again, maybe I'm petty but I don't care.
But when I open my office, it's not empty.
Levi is sitting in the chair across from my desk, his eyes immediately locking onto me as I walk through the door.
At first he looks angry, his dark eyes watching mine as he sits leaning back, jaw clenched as I walk over to my desk. But when I lean down to grab my training bag, his eyes watch me the entire time, fire filling those sapphire blues as he stares at my ass, not even trying to hide the way he's eating up the sight.
I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me feel confident, even a little powerful, as I'm still filled with adrenaline from telling off my uncle. But to have such a powerful man watching me with such hunger in his gaze…it's something else entirely.
“What are you doing here?” I ask casually as I unzip my bag and throw in my clip boards before opening up my drawer to grab my favorite tape.
I had blue tape specially ordered to match the jerseys, my one extra purchase, and I'll be damned if I leave it for them to use.
Especially because I only had to buy it when Ally declined my order—even though she had no right.
So the tape…it’s coming home with me.
“You were late, so I wanted to come check in,” Levi shrugs. “Figured you might be hungry, so we can grab food if you want to.”
“Yeah, I got hung up in a lovely conversation with my uncle,” I tell him, leaning back on my desk as I fumble around with a roll of tape. “Definitely worked up an appetite with that conversation,” I say with a chuckle as I casually remember the face my uncle made when I walked out.
Essentially quitting.
“Oh?” Levi says curiously. “Why don't you share with the class.”
“Just a conversation with him that I could've gone my entire life having not had.”
“About Ally?”
“Nope. About you.” I shrug.
“I'm intrigued.”
“Oh, it wasn't that eventful. He asked about our relationship, basically asked what I saw in you after everything Ally said. I told him you've been the only one there for me and to talk to Ally before he tries with me again because it was time he got the real version of everything that happened. Oh, and I think I quit.”
His eyes widen.
“What the fuck, Quinn?!” He grumbles, jumping up out of his seat and making his way to me in two strides. “What do you mean you quit your job?”
I shrug. “He told me to sit back down to talk or I was fired, but it was time for me to go before I fucked up our relationship beyond repair when I told him to get fucked.”
“And this came up just casually in conversation?”
“Yeah, he brought up Ally’s version as to why I shouldn't be with you, and I got tired of letting him believe the lies about you. It's bullshit that she gets off without a scratch while you've just been dragged through the mud these last few years.”
“That doesn't mean you need to fight my battles, Q. I mean, don't get me wrong, I appreciate it because I was never going to out her, but I don't want you fighting with your family over me.”
“Why? You're the only one who’s been there for me when all of them have been assholes. I think you've earned me standing up for you.”
“But you've worked your whole life for this job; you've earned it. Fuck, you’ve spent years chasing this dream, and I can’t just let you throw it all away over me.”
“Well it's not your choice, now is it Levi? I'm capable of making my own choices, and who I stand up for is my decision.” I say, probably snappier than I need to be.
“I—I don't know what to say to that,” Levi starts, but I hold my hand up and he stops.
Running his fingers through his hair, I see him fighting some internal battle before looking back up at me with almost a look of admiration. It’s unnerving yet sends sparks through my entire body like it’s the damn Fourth of July. He doesn’t say anything right away as he moves slowly around me, staying close before pressing his chest against my back.
“Can I do something for you then?” he whispers against my neck as his lips press soft kisses down my throat, his hands moving to wrap around my waist until grabbing the tape still in my lap.
My skin heats from his closeness, my body immediately awakening to the playfulness in his voice, the promise in his words, as he steps back, moving until he’s back in front of me.
Standing there, his fingers play with the roll of tape, spinning it on his finger, and he waits on me.
But what do I say? Fuck, yes? No? That’s a terrible idea?
“What do you have in mind?” I ask, my voice breathy, not at all the confident tone I hoped for, but give a girl a break. I’m doing everything I can to not seem overly eager to agree even though that’s the only thing I want to do.
“I want you to trust me,” he says quietly, his eyes focused, serious now, as he watches me take in those first few words, knowing that if Levi is using the word trust, he’s serious. “I want you to trust me…to take care of you in the best way I know how. I think I've proven I often know what you need better than you in these moments, and I want to prove that to you right now.”
“Okay,” I say, this time with a little more confidence in my tone, although my legs feel like Jell-O.
He eyes me for a moment, like he doesn’t quite believe me, before steeling his face. “Stand up and turn away from me,” he says, his quiet tone gone, replaced by his confident bossy one that gets me immediately wet and following directions like nobody’s business.
“Such a good girl,” he mumbles as his fingers brush through my hair before moving to the hem of my shirt. Within seconds, he's lifted it over my head and tossed it on the chair he was just sitting in. My eyes follow it, my brain realizing what we are doing, more specifically where we are doing it, but in that time, he has unsnapped my bra and tossed that to the side as well. “Get up on the desk and lay back.”
Doing as he says, I once again hop onto the desk and lean back, butterflies in my stomach as I wait for my next direction. I'm usually not a good listener, but for Levi, sometimes I make an exception.
“You sure you're down for anything?” Levi asks cautiously, but it doesn't make me nervous, it makes me feel safe. His eyes have softened again as he looks at me like he's waiting for me to get up and run or make him leave.
“Yes, Levi. And if I'm not, I'll ask you to stop. This isn't our first rodeo,” I tell him, wishing it was a rodeo and I could ride him until the morning.
He looks at me for a moment like he's trying to detect a lie, but he must believe me because with a quick shake of his head, he's back to serious Levi, his eyes focused as he pulls off a long piece of blue tape before folding it in half on itself.
His fingers work effortlessly with the tape, all the practice of taping hockey sticks and injuries coming in handy. Watching the tape slip between his fingers as he secures the two sides together, I look up and notice his eyes transfixed on me as he repeats the same action all over again until he's left with two strips of athletic tape.
Blindfold?
Closing my mouth? Because I can think of much hotter ways to get my to shut up than tape.
Standing up, Levi moves to grab the other chair before setting it down right at my feet. Sitting down in the chair, he leans forward, tapping my ass twice. “Up,” he growls. I listen immediately as he unbuttons my jeans, sliding them off and throwing them with the rest of my clothes.
His eyes roam my body, starting at my legs and slowly crawling their way up until he gets to my cunt, his eyes pausing as he licks his lips like a man starved at a buffet.
If he's starved, I'll gladly be that man's meal.
With a shake of his head, his eyes are back on mine, and he means business. With the tape in his hand, he grabs my leg right beneath my knee and lifts it gently until it's pressed against my chest. With his other hand he grabs my arm, bring it down against my leg.
“Is this okay?” he asks as he grabs the tape and loops it around both, bringing the pieces together and tying them, essentially immobilizing that side of my body.
Oh…I like this idea.
“Yes, sir,” I whisper, watching his eyes blaze at my words.
Like a fuse was lit, Levi's moving quickly, securing my other leg and arm with the second piece of tape, securing both and leaving me spread open and completely naked.
Looking down at Levi as he sits in the chair, I see him smirking up at me as he admires his handiwork. “I could get used to this,” he says as he stares at my cunt, one hand slowly sliding up from my ankle to my knee, ever so gently pressing against my skin as he slices back up my leg until he's damn close to where I want him. “You're so fucking beautiful tied up and at my mercy, Angel. Your sweet cunt dripping for me, just begging for me to fuck you.”
“Do it,” I say, and he tsks me like a child.
“This may be your office, but right now, you are not in charge,” he tells me, leaning in to press a kiss to my inner thigh.
“Could've fooled me,” I say, doing my best to shrug, which I'm sure looked ridiculous, but none of that matter as he slides two fingers deep inside of me, a desperate moan falling from my lips way louder than I should allow while fooling around in my office at work.
“What was that, Angel? I couldn't hear you over your moans,” Levi says, grinning as he leans back in, sliding his tongue from my knee to my core, swirling it around my clit before moving back up the other side. His fingers never let up, just continuing to slide in and out of me at a slow but steady pace as he works my body closer and closer to an orgasm.
“I said—,” I start right as Levi's mouth is back on my clit, his lips wrapped around it as he sucks it hard, his fingers moving faster inside my body as he slowly adds a third finger, stretching me even further.
Fuck this feels good.
I'm already ready to let go. The way he's touching me, his fingers and tongue moving in tandem as he plays my body—it's enough for me to come this instant. But I'm not ready, and this feels too fucking incredible as his touch overwhelms me, my legs starting to shake as I whimper, no longer caring where we are or who could walk in at any moment. Guess he just proved right here and now who's in control of this situation.
Spoiler alert: it ain't me.
But that's what he does, he takes control of my body, his mouth devouring my cunt as he keeps going, keeps driving me wild until I feel like I'm floating, looking down at the two of us in a state of ecstasy, and it's fucking incredible. He did his job of making me forget everything. I probably couldn't even tell you my name right now, but that's okay as long as I come.
“I want you to come for me, Q. Right here on your desk. That you earned. In an office that you’ve worked your ass off for. Go ahead, Quinn…fall apart on my tongue remembering just how fucking badass and incredible you are,” Levi says as he twists his wrist, angling his fingers just right to hit that spot deep inside that has me seeing stars.
“Shit, Levi, I'm coming!” I moan as my orgasm hits me faster than expected, his words, his praise, giving me the last push needed to fall over the edge.
But he doesn't stop. In fact, he goes fucking wild as he licks, sucks, and bites, every little touch sending sparks through me as I free-fall over the edge into bliss.
His eyes look up at me, an electric blue filled with hunger and admiration, a combination I'm not used to, but one I definitely could see myself craving more of.
“Fuck me, Levi,” I say, still coming down from my orgasm, as his fingers slowly slide from me as I lay there trying to catch my breath but already wanting his cock in me.
“I can't.” He groans, his head resting on my thigh as he looks up at me adoringly—but he just told me no?
“No?” I ask.
“As much as I want to take you right now, bury my cock in your sweet cunt right here in your office, I'd much prefer to do it at home, in a bed, without the possibility of your uncle coming in. I mean, if he's as pissed as I'm guessing he might be right now, I'm going to guess he would either punch me or trade me, and I'm not exactly in the mood for either.”
I whimper, my body craving his touch.
“Besides,” Levi says standing up, and it’s then I notice a damp spot on his pants like I'd been sitting in his lap when I came. “I need just a little bit before I'm ready for round two.”
I look up at him, then back down. “Did you…?”
“I did,” he says with a smirk as he slowly starts to unbind my legs. “You tasted so good I couldn't control myself.”
I blush, shocked to my core that this big, bad hockey player just came in his pants without me ever touching him, all because he enjoyed eating me out that much.
Ladies and gentlemen, Levi is God’s gift to women. But not all women. Just me.
He's mine. I just have to figure out how to get him on board.
“I guess I can accept that reasoning,” I giggle.
“Are you making fun of me?” he says as he moves to grab my clothes, but instead of giving them to me, he holds them over my head. “Well, are you?” He peers down at me, his eyes wild as he teases me.
“Maybe a little.” I shrug, and he leans in further and kisses me, soft and slow as he lays my clothes in my hands.
“Good. It'll give me another reason to fuck you nice and hard later,” he says as he winks.
I'm immediately ready for more, I think to myself as I quickly redress. Standing up, I look around, feeling a different wave of emotions, those from an orgasm, the pure adrenaline from standing up to my uncle, and sadness all combining as I realize the uncertainty of everything.
“Is there anything else you're grabbing?” Levi says as he picks up my bag of equipment and the rest of the blue tape. I can't help but smirk as I watch him pocket another roll. Seems like one of us enjoyed the tape restraint.
That's a lie…we both enjoyed that, which I think I made pretty obvious.
“Nope,” I finally say as I grab my coat. “Wanna go home and order pizza?”
"Eating dessert, then pizza? Sounds like the perfect night,” Levi says with a wink as he opens my office door for me. “But you have to add fucking to your list, because I'm for sure fucking you. I'm not having my only orgasm of the day happen in my pants.”
“Fair, but it was hot.”
“So is coming inside of you,” Levi whispers in my ear as he shuts the door to my office
Yup. Get me home.