Chapter Six
Pepper
Wakefulness comes with a faint throb in my temple, eased by the luxurious feel of soft sheets, the scent of something sweet and spicy, and the blissfulness of being completely and utterly sexually satisfied. Panic flares in my chest, and my eyes fly open. I lie stock-still for fear of waking Clay as last night comes reeling back in vivid color and surround sound. Images flash in my mind of Clay’s face buried between my legs, his eyes gleaming with lust as he made me moan and writhe and beg . Beg! Nonononono . I don’t beg for sex! I squeeze my eyes shut against that mortifying reality, and his voice traipses through my mind— Spread your legs for me, baby . Now watch me pleasure you —sending my traitorous body into a heated shudder with the memory of his talented mouth, hands, and body giving me the best orgasms of my life.
Shitshitshit .
How could I let this happen? This is all my sisters’ fault with their stupid drinking games and flaunting their happy coupledom. All that kissing, cuddling, and whispering with their men!
Breathe, Pepper. Just breathe.
It was just sex.
Three rounds of hot, vocal, dirty sex, to be exact.
And a blowjob.
The memory of beckoning him to the edge of the bed hits. Oh God. What was I thinking? I don’t even like giving blowjobs.
But I enjoyed it with Clay. I wanted it. I craved it.
So much that I did it twice.
And swallowed .
That was a first.
Everything about last night was a first.
Holy cow. Who was that woman?
My stomach knots up as the full scope of my debauchery rolls in.
How could I go against everything I believe in and have a one-night stand with an athlete?
I cringe inwardly, knowing I’m just one of many women he’s used to satisfy himself. But he said so many nice things, and it felt like he meant them. Nothing is as impressive as my smile? He knew my mouth would wreck him? Those things felt monumental last night. Special. Intimate . Now, with a clearer head, I realize he probably would have said anything to get me to agree to have sex with him.
Ugh. This isn’t helping. I can’t erase what’s happened.
All I can do is minimize the damage.
I’ll sneak out before he wakes up and pretend it never happened. It’s not like I have to see him anymore. He’s probably got plans for today, and I’m leaving tomorrow. That makes me feel a little better. I try to remember where I left my clothes, so I can make a swift and silent escape.
I hear the faint chime of a text message, and the memory of us tearing off each other’s clothes as we came through the door of his suite comes rolling in. Solution in hand, I feel a tad more in control. I open my eyes, but I don’t dare move. Instead, I shift my gaze to Clay’s side of the bed. My attention locks on the tented sheet above his hips. My body ignites as more dirty memories flood in.
“Morning, Pep.”
I whip my head to the side, feeling like I’m watching one of those movies that zoom in too fast, bringing Clay’s bright eyes, panty-melting dimples, and Cheshire cat grin into focus. My nerves flame. “Hey.”
“That was fun last night.” He shifts onto his side, and his erection lands on my leg.
Lands on it. Trying to ignore the heat and heft of that appendage is like trying not to breathe. “Yeah. Loads of fun,” I manage. My phone chimes in rapid succession, making my heart race even faster. Oh God. My sisters! If they find out I spent the night with Clay, I’ll never live this down. I begin weaving an excuse for not answering their texts. “What time is it?”
His arm snakes over my waist. “Time for me to eat breakfast, and for you to come.” He yanks the sheet down, sending cool air over my naked body. My nipples rise to greet his mouth as he lowers it toward my breast.
“I don’t have time.” I push out from under him, but he tugs me back, his eyes playful, which makes me smile, damn it .
“We’ll be quick,” he promises.
My phone is chiming, my pulse is hammering, and my stupid body is already revved up. “No. We can’t be quick. You’ll start with your mouth, and then I’ll want my mouth on you, and we both know where that leads.”
He flashes a wolfish grin. “Yes, we do. Hello, nirvana .”
“ Yeah ” comes out breathy before I can check it. “ No! There will be no nirvana.” I start to get up, but he tightens his hold on me.
“Why so adamant, sweetheart? Last night you were all about pleasure. I believe you said I was the best you’ve ever had.”
I wince as that memory strolls in like a fucking champ. It was right after our third round of sex, when I was too blissed out to think. “I don’t even know who that woman was. She was reckless, and she must have been stuck in some post-orgasmic haze when she said it.”
He squeezes my hip. “Well, then, how about I remind you and we bring Reckless out to play again?”
“That girl doesn’t exist. She was a product of too much giddy girl talk and alcohol.” I peel his hand off my body, and as I climb out of bed, more chimes ring out. “I have to go. I have work to do, and someone needs something.” Someone needs something? I am really losing it.
“That woman is very real, Pepper. You can’t hide that kind of passion forever.” He follows me out of the bedroom, and his arm circles me from behind. He spins me around, and our naked bodies collide, our eyes locking. “That someone who needs something is you , and what you need is to relax and be pampered.” He kisses my lips, and Lord help me, I want so much more. “Worshipped.” He kisses my jaw, holding me tighter, and I feel him getting hard. “Fucked so thoroughly, you can’t think of anything else.”
I know just how well he can fulfill those promises. That knowledge coalesces with the feel of his stiff cock, the seductive look in his eyes, and the heat of his hands on my back, and I nearly combust at the thought of it. “As incredible as that sounds, I can’t.” I sound as regretful as my body feels, but my brain knows better. I push from his arms, making a beeline for the door. “I have to go. This was fun, but it never happened.”
“Yes, it did,” he says, following me.
I turn on him. “Clearly it did. But nobody can know. I’m not a buckle bunny.”
“I’ll alert the cowboys. You do realize I play for the Giants, right?”
Of course you do with that giant python between your legs. “I don’t care who you play for!” I snap. “You know what I mean. I don’t want to be a notch on your belt. I’m a scientist. My name needs to be taken seriously, which won’t happen if it gets slung through a public rumor mill with some kind of sex scandal.”
He laughs. “Sex scandal?”
“I saw what happened to Sable, and I’m too busy to deal with that kind of chaos.” I pick up my clothes as I speak. “And if you talk to Dash, you walked me to my room last night, and that was it. Nothing happened, and you haven’t seen me since. I don’t need my sisters making a big joke out of this. I’ll never live it down.” I reach for the door but feel guilty about being so dismissive. I turn to face him and huff out, “Thank you for a lovely time. I hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation. But really, this never happened.”
“I’ve got memories, Pepper. Phenomenal memories that are etched into my mind. You can’t take those from me.”
“Then I’ll develop something to erase them. I’m a scientist. I can do that.” It’s a ridiculous statement, but I’m not exactly thinking rationally with his nine-inch pleasure wand staring at me. “Until then, you keep those memories stowed away under lock and key.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I reach for the door again.
“Pep?”
I look over my shoulder at him, standing there all hard bodied and beautiful. The bastard.
“If you go out in the hall like that, you’ll give lots of other guests memories, too.”
I look down and realize I’m still buck naked. “Damn it.”
I drop my things and quickly get dressed. Then I steal one last look at him, because I know he’s the most beautiful man I’ll ever see naked.
“I had a lovely time, too,” he says, handing me my blazer and jacket. “Feel free to brag about it.”
I narrow my eyes. “This never happened.” I tug open the door and stalk out, trying to ignore the niggle of longing in my chest.
Clay
Enjoy the rest of my vacation indeed, sexy girl .
If Pepper thinks I’m going to forget last night, she’s sorely mistaken. I give her time to get to her room, and then I text her.
Me: Hey, Reckless. My sheets smell like you. Want to make yours smell like me?
Pepper: You’ve reached a nonworking number.
Me: I’m officially in lust with your mouth.
Pepper: Don’t think about my mouth.
There’s no way she’s not craving me the same way I’m dying for more of her. Last night was too good, too fun, too different . But she obviously needs to feel in control this morning, so I let her off easy.
Me: I miss you too .
As I get ready for the day, I can’t stop thinking about how incredible last night was and how adorably flustered Pepper was this morning. I got a peek behind her demure veil at a seriously sensual, fun woman, and I have a feeling that was a glimpse of the real Pepper Montgomery. I want to explore that side of her and see what else she’s hiding from the world.
I grab my bomber jacket and head down to the café to meet Dash and the others for breakfast.
I walk into the café feeling on top of the world and scan the room for Pepper. I spot Dash and Amber at a table with Trace and Brindle and see Morgyn and Graham heading in that direction from the buffet. A pang of disappointment hits when I realize Pepper isn’t here. Then I remember we didn’t go to sleep until almost three this morning. She was so worn out, she fell asleep in my arms, mumbling about our deal not including sex. I stand a little prouder with the memory, feeling like a fucking king, and head over to the table.
“Oh good, you’re here,” Brindle says. “Was Pepper with you this morning? She’s not answering any of our texts.”
The caveman in me wants to beat my chest and announce my conquest, but I’m not a complete asshole, and the truth is, I don’t see Pepper as a conquest. I’ve wanted her for a long damn time. She’s screwed with my head in more ways than one, and after witnessing the way her siblings talk candidly about their sexual escapades and learning that Pepper keeps hers close to her chest, I want to protect her from their banter.
“No, she wasn’t,” I say as Graham and Morgyn take their seats.
“Brindle said you left the club together last night,” Amber says.
Amber and Dash were on the dance floor when we said our goodbyes. “We did. She’d had a few drinks, so I walked her to her room to make sure she got there okay. She’s probably sleeping in.”
“Pepper doesn’t sleep in,” Morgyn says. “But she could be working and ignoring her messages.”
I hike a thumb over my shoulder. “Why don’t I go check on her? What’s her room number again?”
“She’s in 307, and—” Brindle waves toward the café entrance. “Never mind. There she is. She’s with Axsel.”
I turn around as Axsel heads for the buffet and take in Pepper and her stunning smile before she notices me. Her hair falls in gentle waves over the shoulders of her forest-green turtleneck sweater. Her curve-hugging skinny jeans are tucked into fashionable flat-bottomed boots. I can’t help wondering if she’s wearing silk panties again.
Our eyes connect, and her cheeks instantly pink up, her smile faltering. She might as well be wearing a billboard announcing our night together. Didn’t she know I was invited to hang out with her family today?
“Hey, Pep. What were you up to this morning?” Brindle asks coyly.
Pepper points at me. “Whatever he said isn’t true.” She puts her coat on the back of a chair.
Brindle eyes the two of us. “Does that mean he didn’t leave you at your door last night?”
Everyone looks at Pepper. “ Oh . Yes. He did. I just thought…You know how he’s always making jokes and how guys make stuff up.”
Fuck. She’s making it worse. “Damn, Pep, that stings. I’d never lie about you.” I can’t stop the grin tugging at my lips. “That is, unless you ask me to.”
She scowls. “I need coffee.”
“It’s at the buffet,” Morgyn says helpfully.
“I’ll go with you.” I fall into step beside Pepper. “You look beautiful this morning.”
“What are you doing with my family?” she whispers harshly.
“It’s nice to see you, too,” I say as we reach the buffet.
She deadpans as Axsel steps up beside us holding a plate piled high with food.
“Man, we just got here. How’d you piss her off already?” Axsel asks.
“Don’t let that scowl fool you. She loves me.” I grab two plates and hand one to Pepper.
Pepper rolls her eyes and turns her attention to the buffet.
“Good luck with that,” Axsel says, and heads back to the table.
I follow Pepper along the buffet, leaning closer as she puts strawberries on her plate. “That’s a good start, but be sure to get some cheese and a pastry. You’ll need your energy for later.” I toss in a wink for good measure.
She doesn’t look amused. “I asked you a question.”
“Always so focused on answers.” I put a pastry on my plate. “This is why we should have stayed in bed this morning. We could’ve sidetracked that brilliant brain of yours with more pleasure.”
She sighs exasperatedly, but her lips twitch into an almost smile as we move along the buffet, filling up our plates. When we get to the coffee station, I wait as she orders a French vanilla latte.
“We could go back to my room now,” I suggest. “And take the edge off before we spend the day with your family.”
That brings her serious eyes to mine. “You’re spending the day with us?”
“Yeah. Isn’t it great? I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.” I whisper, “It’ll give me a chance to prove to you that I’m more than just an orgasm donor.”
Her eyes widen, and her lips press firmly together, those pretty hazel eyes moving nervously around us.
“Don’t worry, Reckless. Your secret is safe with me.” I grab black coffee and head back to the table.
A little while later, with food in her belly and caffeine in her system, Pepper seems a little more at ease. I listen as her sisters ask her about last night and the unanswered texts they sent this morning. Pepper claims to have turned off her phone and gone to bed early. She says she forgot to turn it on until she was on her way to meet them for breakfast. I wonder if her sisters can hear the slightly higher pitch in her voice with the lie, like I can.
“Hey, Clay. It sucks about the playoffs,” Trace says, draping an arm across the back of Brindle’s chair. “That last sack looked rough.”
“Made even worse because it was that douchebag Gorecky,” Dash says. “That guy has had it out for Clay for years.”
“I should’ve seen it coming.” Fucking Gorecky. He used to play for the Giants, and he’s been after my ass ever since I caught him cheating on his wife and gave him hell for it.
“You played a great game, and there’s always next year,” Trace says.
“They can’t expect you to be Mr. Perfect all the time,” Axsel says.
I grit my teeth. “Sure they can.” And they do. Just like everyone else.
Axsel rakes a hand through his hair. “If football ever falls through, you can always do more underwear ads.”
“Right.” As arrogant as I am, those fucking ads have become the bane of my existence. They get more attention than my humanitarian work, and that bugs the shit out of me.
“Speaking of ads,” Dash says. “I hear Hawk is doing your Under Armour photo shoot.”
Dash’s brother Hawk is a highly-sought-after photographer. “Is he? I didn’t know that. The shoot’s not for a couple of weeks yet, but I look forward to seeing him.”
“This is your contract year, isn’t it?” Trace says. “Are you negotiating an extension?”
“Yeah.” My muscles tense up. That’s the last thing I want to think about.
“Aren’t you getting a little long in the tooth for football, cuz?” Graham asks. “You’re what? Thirty-four?”
“Thirty-five,” I grit out.
“That’s right. You’ve got a few years on me,” Graham teases. “Decades of pushing your body to the limits and taking hits makes you what? Sixty in non-footballer years?”
The guys laugh.
A master at deflection, I turn up my arrogance. “My body is like fine whiskey. It just gets better with age.”
“No doubt,” Trace says.
“How’s your shoulder holding up?” Dash asks.
Like shit. My fucking shoulder has been giving me trouble all season, and for the last few months, the muscle tension has been leading to migraines, but I’m not about to share that. I meet Dash’s inquisitive gaze. “It’s fine.”
“No more headaches?” Dash asks.
I shrug. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“That injury’s been haunting you for a while now,” Graham says. “When are you going to retire and settle down with a nice woman? Go after a cushy announcer job and live the good life?” He drapes his arm around Morgyn, who snuggles into his side, kisses him, then goes back to chatting with the girls.
Despite the fact that lately my career has brought more stress than pleasure and the issues I’m having with my shoulder, I can’t bring myself to consider retiring. I can’t fathom going out on a loss. The guys are looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to respond. I try to bury my thoughts, but it’s not easy. I glance at Pepper. My beautiful distraction. She’s the only thing that has ever rivaled football for my attention. “The good life, huh?”
“Yeah. Take a play out of Flynn’s playbook,” Graham says. “I was floored when I heard he got engaged. I never thought I’d see the day when he’d settle down.”
Flynn is a survivalist and documentarian who won national attention for being the youngest person to win Wilderness Warrior , a Survivor -style show. He hated the attention that earned and went off the grid for many years. Eventually he found his way back to society and became the program director for Discovery Hour , where he met his now-fiancée, reporter Sutton Steele. The funny thing is, before they got together, he tried to get her fired.
“None of us did.” I take a drink. “Sutton’s great, and she’s perfect for Flynn, but that’s not my kind of playbook.”
“You’re missing out,” Trace says. “There’s nothing better than coming home to your best friend and knowing she’ll be in your bed every night.”
Pepper glances over, like she’s interested in hearing what else I have to say on the matter, but I’m not about to announce how enticing the thought of her in my bed every night is.
“We’ve got a big day planned. Is everyone about ready to go?” Amber asks. “Any questions about the itinerary?”
I nudge Dash. “Itinerary?”
“I emailed you a copy,” Dash says.
“And you think I looked at it?”
Dash shakes his head. “I should’ve emailed it to Doogie.”
“Always a good idea.” Douglas Warsaw aka Doogie is my assistant. He keeps me organized, but he’s currently enjoying a lavish honeymoon in the Maldives, which I gifted him and his new bride. I turn my attention to Pepper and brush my leg against hers, drawing her beautiful eyes to mine. “Want to be my bus buddy?”
She laughs softly. “We’re walking.”
“Even better. I can’t wait to see what kind of fun awaits us.”