Chapter 33
AVERY
Early on the Fourth, ten days after we’ve both returned to Orlando, Taylor sends Rawley and me the link to the latest Hot Stuff Magazine “article”—really something she planted with their willing participation.
The article has five photos that Rawley and I took on our date last week. It’s in their print version too, so it hit the widest circulation possible.
There’s a grain of truth to the article. I did love the date. As the second part of his bet, Rawley arranged the outing right after we got back. And he explained that he wanted to give me a chance to experience more of the city.
And yes, my smile was real too. It wasn’t only that we had an awesome time—that’s par for the course now that we know exactly how to entertain the other. It was the effort and the thoughtfulness of what he did too. It made the night feel extra special.
So much so that when I woke up the next morning in his bed, I suggested we hang out more. Without a photo op. Without a bet on the line.
He didn’t respond with words, just kissed me.
I didn’t think much of it when I made the suggestion. Our physical connection has been incredible. Why deny ourselves the chance for more while I’m not on the road?
Plus, he’s so fun to be with. He likes me as me. The more we spend time together, the more easily the good times come.
That’s how we ended up being together three times over the last ten days, instead of just one. The other two times, just for us.
One night, we snuck into the movie theatre near Landon’s house, both in baseball hats to try to disguise ourselves. It was kind of ridiculous to assume it would work, but the place was empty, and we came in right as the movie started, so we got away with it.
The other night, Rawley made us dinner at his place, and we just chilled with his brothers, before going for a late swim in their pool.
We’ll be together again tonight for Sarah’s party, plenty of eyes on us, but at least it will be those of friends and family.
AVERY: This turned out well. Thanks Taylor.
TAYLOR: It did. Happy Fourth!
When I make my way to the kitchen, Sarah’s already there. Boxes and bags with items for the party are everywhere.
“We good on supplies?” I tease her.
“Better be.”
I lean against her kitchen island. “Once I’ve had something to eat, you can put me to work on party prep.”
“Sounds good. And Malcolm’s in the shower, but then he’ll help too.”
Sarah’s boyfriend Malcolm got to town two days ago, straight from Wimbledon. He’s one of the top Americans in pro tennis and made it to the quarterfinals this year.
With Rawley and me, our schedules may be hard to plan around, but theirs are infinitely harder. Malcolm practices at the same facility as Rori Reilly in Tampa, and spends at least half the year in cities around the world for the tour.
Somehow they’ve made it work for over a year though.
“Oh, there he is…” Sarah says in a sing-song voice as he comes into the room.
“Ready to assist as needed.” He walks over to stand behind her, casually laying a hand over her shoulder. “Morning, Avery.”
“Morning.”
Malcolm and I don’t know each other well yet, but he seems like a great guy. Not that I’d expect Sarah to choose otherwise. The last two days he’s been here, we haven’t been able to hang out much. My plate’s been filled up with a home game and time with Rawley.
Whose ears must be burning, because I feel my phone buzz in my pocket.
RAWLEY: Do you need me to bring anything later?
AVERY: I don’t think so. It looks like Sarah single-handedly bought out a big box store.
RAWLEY: Okay! Connor and I will be there at six then.
His brother is leaving in about a week to go back to school, and he was an instant plus-one so they could maximize their remaining time. Landon headed out to Wimbledon after their Oregon trip, and Rori’s about to play for the title, so they’re still in London.
Connor’s interesting—and hard to figure out.
I think he started to warm up to me after the initial Surge game he came to, but since Rawley and I started hooking up, he’s been cooler in our encounters.
Though I don’t want to read too much into it, because how many times have people made assumptions about my demeanor?
“I don’t get to watch your games as much as I want when I’m overseas, but it looks like you’re doing awesome, Avery,” Malcolm says. “Congrats.”
“She is.” Sarah beams at me.
“Thanks. It’s felt good.” Since Coach Anker moved me to the starting rotation, I’ve been averaging over twenty points a game. 20.5 to be exact, but who’s counting.
There hasn’t been a hint of giving the spot back to Katrina, and I’ve relaxed with each passing game that it’s going to be mine, permanently.
Equally important is that the team is on fire, and we’ve won five games in a row. So today will be a nice break with my teammates too.
We get moving on the party setup once we’ve had breakfast, and after a couple of hours, Sarah and I take off for practice. Yes, we have practice even on a holiday.
“I checked, and we’re a couple wins ahead of our record this time last year,” Wendy observes at the end of our shoot-around.
“We’re going to win it all this year,” Sarah declares. The other women around us hum in agreement.
“But first, your party, All-Star,” Marisa chimes in, smiling.
The announcement that Sarah has been named as a starter for the All-Star team was a few days ago, and that earned her the new nickname on the team. She’s only been a reserve in the past.
Being a starter in the All-Star game is rare air—another goal to aim for.
“Tonight’s going to be so fun,” Amari adds.
When practice breaks up, I join Sarah back at the house for round two of party prep, although Malcolm’s made a lot of progress in the time we’ve been gone.
“I went for a run, and then decided to get to work,” he explains.
With less to do, I have more time to get ready.
Flipping through my clothing options, I reach for a short navy skirt and a red sleeveless cotton shirt. Color-appropriate for the day.
And Rawley seems into it when I wear skirts? Yeah, this outfit is perfect.
My prediction is confirmed a few hours later.
“This little skirt has been driving me nuts all night. I can’t wait to fuck you in it.”
The party is in its third hour and the fireworks should start soon. But the visuals from Rawley’s whispered comments are more appealing than colored lights in the sky.
We’ve been all over each other since the party began, so I’m already stirred up. Even with teammates and other friends around, it has felt natural to give into my draw to touch him, kiss him.
It’s not helping that he’s wearing a loose sleeveless shirt, showing off the length of those ripped arms, and even some side man-cleavage. I’m ready to tear that shirt off and run my hands over everything he’s got going on.
As if whispering those dirty words in my ear weren’t enough, he next starts nuzzling my neck. My body is on fire waiting for this damn light show.
Maybe we can sneak to my room for a quickie.
I look over at Connor, and he seems fully engaged in a conversation with Marisa’s sister, who’s a volleyball player at Tolliver. He won’t miss Rawley for a few minutes.
Grabbing his hand, I pull him away from our group and lead him through the house to my bedroom.
He’s the one who takes control as soon as the door’s closed, backing me up against a wall and sliding the fabric of my skirt up.
“You already wet for me, Avie?” He rolls his body against where I’m wedged against the wall, and yup, he’s hard.
No reason to waste time.
“Rawley, get inside me now.”
He grins widely while grabbing the condom from his pocket, then drops his pants and boxers. In the meantime, I rip off my panties.
“Skirt stays on,” he instructs, as if I didn’t get the memo.
“Yes, yes.”
“You sure you’re ready for me?” he asks as he puts the condom on.
“Stop talking, Rawls. This is a quickie. Emphasis on ‘quick.’”
He chuckles and brings my legs around him, pressing me against the wall for leverage. Once he has us in the position he wants, he starts pushing inside.
We both moan as the first three inches find their spot.
“How does this get better every time?” he says.
He goes again, forward and back, while I squeeze my legs. Within two strokes, he’s fully sheathed in me.
And he’s right, it’s better than ever.
“God, I love this,” I groan.
He smiles at my response. “Me too, Avie.”
“Don’t you dare stop. I want all you have to give me.”
Thrust. “How can I deny the lady what she wants?
We stop talking as he picks up the pace for the third, fourth, fifth stroke, and when I moan, he pounds into me even faster.
“I knew you had more in you, Rook,” I gasp out.
He responds with action, not words—tilting the angle of my hips the slightest bit, adjusting his hands under my ass, and exploring a new touchpoint between our bodies.
My eyes go hazy as my body catches up to what he just did. “Oh my god.”
“Yeah, Avie, you wanted all I have? Then that’s what you get.”
He keeps us at this angle until I start to come, clenching around him.
“That’s my girl.” He must feel me shaking, and he holds in place for a second.
I’m still shaking when there’s a knock on the door a beat later.
I can’t even speak in the moment, but thankfully Rawley covers for me. “Yeah?”
“Are you guys in there? The fireworks are about to go off.” I think it’s Amari.
Rawley looks at me with a trace of disbelief on his face. In the meantime, he’s still hard, and inside me.
“I think we’re good,” I clip out.
“Okay, have fun,” she says, and I hear the sound of giggles on the other side of the door.
Great.
At least I’m finally recovered enough to talk. “It’s your turn. I don’t want you to be suffering.”
“I’m not suffering. Yet. I’m moving us though.”
He picks me up and lays me down on my bed, his dick sliding out of me along the way. I whimper from that loss, which he ignores, instead stuffing some pillows under my hips once I’m on the bed.
Sitting next to me, he reaches over and rubs my clit with his thumb. With all the sex we’re having now, he has to know that my refractory period is speedy, but he checks anyway.
“Are you ready for me again, Avie? Or too much?”
I glance at his erect dick. “No, it’s good. I know you’re ready to explode, just come on.”
He leans down to kiss my lips quick, and then brings his body over me. Within a few seconds, he’s pushing inside me again.
As if that act is an “on” switch, the first crack of fireworks goes off in the sky.
We make eye contact, and as intense as our other sensations are currently, there’s a snap of recognition of how ridiculous that timing was.
“You totally paid someone to do that, didn’t you?” I tease.
He bursts into a laugh, steadying himself on the bed so he stays inside me. “Just the universe speaking again.”
“Tell the universe that your dick needs attention and to stop interrupting.”
He swipes my clit again with my thumb. “I’ll pass that along.”
The fireworks do not stop; if anything, they become more consistent.
But he grips my hips and ignores everything other than me.