Chapter Nineteen
Clay
After a fitful night’s sleep spent convincing myself not to drive back to Pepper’s house, I’m up before the sun, getting my PT and workout done. I head out before the sun comes up for a run. The brisk air is exhilarating as I hit my stride. Few things center me like running does, and this morning I need centering. Leaving Pepper last night was not easy, but it was the right move. She needs to see that I’m into all of her, not just her body, and that I respect her career and her concerns.
The second I saw her in her office, I knew I made the right decision coming to see her. Not only had the chaos of the last week instantly fallen away, but I could see and feel how much she missed me, too. I don’t know if she tried to end us because of her schedule and where we live, or because our chemistry scares her, or for some other reason altogether, but after last night, I know she couldn’t fool herself into believing we were over any better than I could.
The house I rented isn’t far from the University of Virginia, and the sun is just starting to rise when I reach the campus. My first thought is that I wish Pepper were here to watch the sunrise with me. I never gave much thought to my grandfather urging me to get out and enjoy all this world has to offer, but after spending time with Pepper, that’s changed.
I take out my phone and snap a picture, texting it to him. No words necessary. I consider texting it to Pepper, too, but worry it’ll get us both sidetracked, and I have a schedule to keep to this morning. I put my phone in my armband and head for the track. I figured I’d have it all to myself this early, but there’s a young Black guy running. I hit the track, and not thirty seconds later he blows past me, saying, “ Morning .”
The competitive bastard in me comes out, and I kick up my speed, waving as I sprint past him and call out, “ Mornin’ .”
I hear him laugh, and he blows past me again with a cocky grin.
Game on .
Adrenaline courses through my veins as we race around the track, flashing shit-eating grins with every pass. But he can’t be more than eighteen or nineteen years old, and I run out of steam before he does. I slow down to catch my breath and wave him on, but he doubles back, a little starry-eyed, and I know he’s recognized me.
“Hey! You’re Clay Braden.”
“That’s right. And you are?” I offer my hand, and he shakes it eagerly. He’s tall, lean, and fast, with a strong grip. In a few years this kid will burn up the field faster than lightning.
“Ben Clauson. Wide receiver.”
“I recognize that name. You had a hell of a season.”
“Bro!” He grabs his head with both hands and looks up at the sky, his short dreads poking out between his fingers as he practically shouts, “This is unreal. No fucking way you know my name.”
I laugh, remembering the thrill of meeting NFL players for the first time.
“ Man . I can’t get over this!” Ben exclaims. “ Clay Braden. What’re you doing here ?”
“I’m trying to keep my time here on the down-low.” I have no idea what possesses me to admit the truth.
“Yeah. I swear it, man. I’ve got you.”
“I’m here to see my girl.”
“You’re dating someone from my school?” His brow furrows. “Bro, how old are you?”
“Far too old for that .” I laugh. “She lives in the area. Why are you running so early?”
“Between keeping my grades up and working full time to help my mom with the bills, I have to fit my workouts in when I can. I got a full ride, and I want to come back stronger next year. Can’t slack. I’m the first one in my family to go to college, and I want to do my mom proud.”
“That’s the way to do it. What about your father? Isn’t he in the picture?”
“Nah, but my mom and I are good.”
That sucks. Or maybe it’s better, if his dad is a deadbeat.
“I remember how hard it was keeping up with school and football.” Beyond classes and football, my biggest worry was which party to attend. “I can’t imagine working full time on top of that.”
He shrugs. “We got through the season, and when I go pro, she’ll never have to worry again.”
“You’re a good man, Ben.”
We talk about the game, and he tells me about the areas in which he’s trying to improve. He asks me a hundred questions about what it’s like to play for the NFL. I like this kid. He’s got his priorities straight, and he’s hungry for the game.
“If you want to run some drills while I’m in town, I’d be happy to help you out,” I offer.
His eyes widen. “Are you serious ? That would be amazing.”
“Absolutely, but you’ve got to do me a favor.”
“Anything. You name it.”
Thinking about Pepper, I say, “Think you can keep this off social media?”
“You’ve got my word. You said you’re keeping it on the down-low.” He holds his hands up in surrender. “Message received, bro. You can count on me.”
“I appreciate that. I don’t know what my schedule will be like while I’m here, but if you give me your number, I’ll text you and let you know when I’ve got some free time. If you’re available and it works out, great. If not, no worries.”
“That would be awesome. I work tomorrow from four till eleven, and Sunday morning. I’ve got classes from…”
He goes on about his school and work schedules, but I cut him off. “I’ll never remember all that. Why don’t we start with a phone number, and we’ll figure out the rest later?”
After he gives me his number, I tell him I’ll be in touch and head out, excited to see Pepper and looking forward to working out with Ben.
I run straight to Pepper’s house. She lives on a quaint residential street, with mature trees and well-kept homes with wide front porches, like hers. I don’t know what time she leaves for work, but my plan was to get there by seven thirty, and I climb her porch steps at seven twenty-five. I wipe the sweat from my brow and knock.
My fucking heart beats faster at the sound of her footsteps nearing the door. She peers out the sidelight, and man , her smile is prettier than the fucking sun. She opens the door, stunning and professional in a sleek camel-colored knit dress and knee-high boots, but it’s the heat in her eyes as her gaze moves down my body that has my heart feeling like it’s going to beat right out of my chest.
“Hi,” she says with surprise.
“Good morning, neighbor. You look beautiful.”
“Thanks. Did you run here?”
“Yes. I wanted to walk my girl to work.”
Her eyes light up. “Really?”
“Really.” I lean in and kiss her smiling lips. “That is, if you don’t mind being seen with a sweaty guy.”
“I like you sweaty.” Her gaze roams down my chest again.
“Careful, Reckless.” I slip my arm around her, drawing her against me. “Keep talking like that and I might just make you late for work.”
“Don’t tell me that when I’ve been thinking about you all night.” Her words fall fast and flustered, and she steps out of my grip.
“Get over here, you adorable thing.” I step inside, pulling her close again.
She groans. “ Why do you have to feel so good?”
“I should ask the same of you.” I lower my voice. “So you’ve been thinking about me, huh?”
“ Clay ,” she warns, but it’s breathy and half-hearted.
“What? I’m just thinking about you thinking about me and wondering if you were thinking about kissing me.”
“I was definitely thinking about that.” Her cheeks pink up, and she whispers, “Among other thing s. ”
Is my reckless girl coming out to play? “Were you remembering how good my hands felt on your body?” I slide my hands down her back, palming her ass, and press my hips forward.
“Yes.”
I brush my lips over hers, and she inhales a ragged breath. “Did you miss me touching you here?” I bring my hand to her breast, brushing my thumb over her nipple, and feel it pebble through her dress.
“God, yes.”
I kiss the corner of her mouth, loving the whimper it draws. “Were you thinking about how good my mouth felt between your legs?”
“Yes. So good.” She grabs my arms, holding tight. “Did you think about me?”
There’s my reckless girl. “Every second we were apart.” I kiss her neck, and she moans. “You’re killing me, sweetheart.”
“ Same ,” she whispers.
“Were you thinking about how much you enjoyed being tied to the bed, at my mercy?”
She makes another needy sound, her fingers pressing into my arms. I didn’t plan on getting dirty with her this morning, but fuck. I’m as hard as stone, and the want in her eyes is inescapable. I drag my tongue along the shell of her ear, rasping gruffly, “Were you remembering the feel of my cock taking you inch by inch as our bodies came together?” Another whimper escapes her lips. “And how good it felt when I was buried deep inside you, your sweet pussy squeezing me as you came?”
“Clay.” The breathy plea is drenched in need.
“ Fuck , baby. I’m trying to behave, but it’s not possible with you. Are you wet for me, Reckless?”
“Yes.”
“Can you be ten minutes late for work?”
“Yes.”
I push the door shut and back her up against it, crushing my mouth to hers, unleashing the desire I’ve been trying desperately to ignore. I pull up her dress and push my hand into her silk panties, cursing as my fingers slide through her wetness. “So wet, my sexy girl.” I reclaim her mouth, pushing my fingers inside her and using my thumb on her clit, stroking her to feverish heights. She’s moaning, rocking against my hand, and it’s not nearly enough. “I need my mouth on you.”
I tug her panties down to her thighs, keeping them bound by the flimsy silk, and spread her thighs far enough to get my mouth between them. Then I give her what we both need. She gasps and moans as I lick and suck, using my teeth and tongue. Her greedy sounds rocket through me. “So fucking sweet,” I grit out, aching to be inside her, and use my hands and mouth to send her soaring, her sinful sounds echoing around us.
As her body quivers through the last ripples of pleasure, I lick every last drop and press kisses to her inner thighs. When I kiss her swollen clit, she inhales sharply, and I can’t help going back for seconds. “Ohgod, Clay— ” She clings to my shoulders, and it doesn’t take long before she cries out, “Yesyes yes —” I stay with her, fucking her with my fingers, licking and sucking, memorizing every wanton sound. When she finally comes down from the peak, she collapses over me, trying to catch her breath.
I drag her panties the rest of the way down and help her step out of them. I push to my feet with those sexy panties in hand. Her eyes flutter open, intoxicatingly sated and impossibly gorgeous. “Feel better, beautiful?”
“Uh-huh,” she pants out.
“You can’t wear these to work with come on them.” I show her the panties and lick her essence from them. Her eyes widen. “My favorite flavor.”
I put them in the pocket of my sweats and fix her dress, before taking that sweet, willing mouth in a ravenous kiss. She comes away hazy eyed. “Don’t wear panties to work today, baby.”
She blinks several times. “I can’t do that. Min and I are working on a prototype, and I have software training on my new accounting system and a meeting with a neurologist who’s consulting on our project.”
“Are you worried they’ll get you hot and bothered?”
“ No , but I’ve never gone without underwear to work or anywhere else.”
“Another first.” A grin stretches across my face. “I’ll be hard all day thinking about you bare and ready for me, squirming in your chair every time you think of me.”
Her cheeks pink up, but the heat in her eyes tells me she likes that idea.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to do it, but you should know that it’s also okay if you do.” I cradle her face in my hands and brush my thumb over her lower lip. “What do you say, sweetheart? Want to be reckless with me? It’ll be our dirty little secret. Nobody will know.”
“You are such a bad influence.”
“You can say no.”
“I don’t want to say no,” she whispers harshly. “That’s why you’re a bad influence. I would never even think about doing something like this, and now I can’t stop thinking about it.”
I fucking love that. “If it’ll help, then after my shower, I’ll go commando, too. Just for you.”
“Don’t tell me that . I can’t unhear it. Now I’ll be thinking about that all day.”
I laugh.
“Don’t laugh,” she says, but she’s laughing, too.
“I’m sorry. You’re just so cute, and I’m not gonna lie. I love the idea of you thinking about me all day.”
“I bet you do. I have to get cleaned up.” She kisses me. “You need to wash your face so people don’t smell me all over you. Ohmygod. I cannot believe I just said that.” She heads upstairs, shaking her head, mumbling, “This is so bad.”
I laugh again and take a moment to check out her place. The foyer opens to a high-ceilinged, sunny and inviting living room with yellow walls and white trim. The floors are light hardwood, the sofa is coral with yellow and light gray throw pillows, and two comfortable-looking floral armchairs sit on either side of a fireplace with a marble surround. Behind one armchair are built-in bookshelves littered with books and knickknacks. Pictures of her family, the university, and her parents’ Victorian home decorate the walls, in sharp contrast to the stark walls in her office.
I head down the hall and find a powder room just before the entrance to the kitchen. I wash my face with cold water, willing my cock to deflate. When I leave the bathroom, Pepper is coming down the stairs. Her hair is freshly brushed, and her cheeks immediately pink up. That’s how I know she didn’t chicken out and put on panties.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she says with a nervous laugh.
“Like you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen?”
Her brows knit. “Like you know I don’t have underwear on.”
“Oh, sorry. I’ll try not to.” I put a hand on her back and kiss her, tasting mint toothpaste. “Your place is gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” She grabs her coat and bag from the foyer closet. “How did you know what time I leave for work?”
I take her coat from her and help her into it. “I didn’t, but I hoped I’d get lucky.”
“I think I’m the one who got lucky this morning,” she says as we head outside.
On the porch, I draw her into my arms. “I think we’re both lucky. I missed you last night, sweetheart.”
“I might have missed you, too.”
“ Might have?” I kiss her again and take her hand as we head down the steps and onto the sidewalk.
“Can I ask you something?” she asks carefully.
“Of course.”
“Did you really put your life on hold to come see me for some undetermined amount of time?”
A dog barks inside a home as we walk past, and I see its adorable scruffy face in the window. It dawns on me that I can’t remember the last time I walked around a neighborhood. It’s nice walking with her. “I think this is the first time in years I’m not putting my life on hold.”
“What do you mean?”
“My world revolves around football. I’m either gearing up for the season, in season, catching up with family and friends, or taking care of sponsorships, charitable commitments, and fan events.” We turn onto another residential street. “I’ve lived in that cycle for a long time, and it’s been great. It’s everything I always wanted. But what I didn’t realize until you and I got together was that I hadn’t been doing anything about living my life outside all of that.”
“Why not?”
“Because before you, there wasn’t anyone I wanted to see badly enough to make the effort.”
“Really?”
“You ask that a lot. Hopefully at some point you’ll realize that I don’t say things I don’t mean.” I lift our joined hands and kiss the back of hers. “Being here with you”— feels righter than being on the football field lately —“is the only place I want to be. And to be honest, it doesn’t feel like it was a choice. It feels like it’s where I’m supposed to be. Like I not only wanted to be with you but needed to be with you. I’ve never felt this way before, and I couldn’t let you throw us away.”
Her expression warms. “In that case, I’ll admit that I’m really glad you’re here.”
“The orgasm didn’t pull that out of you, but my honesty did?”
“Shh.” She looks around us as we turn onto the main drag, but she’s smiling hard.
I pull her closer. “It’s not like I’m announcing that you’re not wearing panties.”
She glowers at me, and I resist kissing her again.
“I am glad you’re here, although we have to work on your verbal discretion.” She smiles. “I’m sorry work is so busy. I wish I could take today off.”
“I know how important your work is. That’s why I’m here, making myself available when you have time.”
“Don’t let this go to your head or anything, but you’re pretty great for showing up for me.”
“I know,” I tease, earning an eye roll.
As we make our way to her office, she says, “Would you mind if we stopped for a latte at the corner café? I usually get one before work.”
“Sure, but I think I saw a coffee shop around the corner yesterday.”
“You did, but I like the way they make lattes better at the café.”
“Small-town hidden gems. I love it.”
We head into the café and get in line. A portly redheaded waitress is rushing from one table to another, taking orders and clearing plates, while a slim brunette hurries between the register and helping customers sitting at the counter. An adorable little girl with curly brown pigtails sits at the counter on a stool to the left of the register, coloring and watching the woman behind the counter rush around.
“Smells good in here,” I say. “It reminds me of the café where we had breakfast in Paris.”
“That place was delicious.”
My mind sneaks down memory lane, bringing naked images of Pepper.
“What’s that grin for?” she asks.
I whisper in her ear, “I was remembering the hours before, when I had you for breakfast.”
She squirms, looking imploringly at me. “Now is not a good time for me to think about that.”
I chuckle. “Sorry.”
“You are not .”
I hug her and kiss her temple. “I wasn’t trying to get you hot and bothered, but now that you are—”
She shoots me a death glare.
The line moves quickly, and when we reach the register, the woman behind it says, “I’ll be right with you,” and hurries to a pass-through to the kitchen to pick up an order.
As she delivers the plates to customers at the other end of the counter, the little girl looks up from her coloring book and says, “Hi.”
“Hi,” Pepper and I say in unison.
The little girl flashes a toothy grin. “There’s no school today. The teachers have meetings.”
“Aren’t you lucky.” I glance at the couple beside her, wondering if she’s their daughter, but they don’t seem to notice or care that she’s talking with us.
“I was supposed to sleep at my friend’s house last night and play with her today, but she got sick,” the little girl says.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say.
“My brother Sammy had a sleepover at his friend’s house,” she says as the woman behind the counter returns to the register. “I wanted to go with him, but Mommy wouldn’t let me.” She looks poutingly at the brunette waitress, whose name tag says Clare .
As Clare smiles at the little girl, I notice she looks to be about my age. “Trina, we talked about this. Sammy needs time alone with his friends.” She glances at us. “Sorry about that. My daughter has strong opinions.”
“That’s okay. I’d be upset if my sleepover plans got foiled, too.” I glance at Pepper, who’s looking at the little girl with a sweet expression. She’s a natural with kids, or at least with her niece. I wonder if she wants to have a family of her own one day.
Clare smiles at Pepper and says, “The usual? A French vanilla latte?”
“Yes. Nobody makes them better,” Pepper says.
“Thank you.” Clare glances at me. “And what would you like?”
“Four blueberry muffins, please.”
“Coming right up.”
As Clare goes to fill our order, Pepper says, “Running must make you really hungry.”
“The muffins aren’t for me. They’re for you to share with your team.”
“You don’t have to get them muffins. I’m sure they’ll eat breakfast before coming to work.”
“That’s okay. It shows appreciation and keeps morale up. Little things can make a big difference. You do still like blueberry muffins, don’t you?”
“Yes, but how did you know that?”
“We had breakfast at your parents’ house one time when I was visiting Dash, and you grabbed a blueberry muffin before running back here for a work emergency.”
“Okay, here you go.” Clare puts the latte and the box with the muffins on the counter and rings us up.
“Thanks, Clare. Have a great day.” I turn to Trina. “Be good for your mama. She’s working hard.”
“I will. Bye.” Trina waves.
“What a cutie,” I say as we head out.
“She is, and she’s a good girl. I’ve seen her here a few times.” We walk the half block to her office, and she tips her face up to the sun. “What a beautiful day.”
“Sure is.” I hand her the box of muffins. “Have a great day at work.”
She tilts her head. “What are you doing today?”
“I’ve got a hundred things on my plate. But don’t worry. I’ll see you later.”
“Okay. Thanks for walking me to work, and for the latte and muffins. I’m sure everyone will be happy to eat them.”
“My pleasure. See you later, girl boss.” I lean in and kiss her, and then I open the door for her, catching another sweet smile as she walks inside.
I jog back to the rental house. My phone rings as I’m walking down the long driveway. I pull it out and see Doogie’s name on the screen. “Hey, man. How was your honeymoon? I didn’t expect to hear from you so early.”
“I’ve got a lot to catch up on and figured I’d get an early start. The trip was fantastic.” He tells me about the resort and the things they did.
“Sounds like a great time. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Thanks again. I wanted to follow up on your last message. You said you were heading out of town, and you didn’t know when you’d be back. What’s the scoop? Where are you?”
“I’m in Charlottesville, Virginia, and I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, but I’ve got my schedule. I won’t miss anything important.”
“Dude, please tell me you’re not stalking Pepper.”
I scoff. “Give me some credit.”
“When it comes to her, I’m not sure I can. Did Paris go that well, or did you follow her home when she took off to get away from you?”
“Paris went very well. I’m here visiting with her.”
“In that case, I’m happy for you. You’ve been pining for her for a long time.”
“Don’t be an ass.”
“But it’s so fun . I mean, come on. How often does Mr. Perfect have to work for a year to get a woman’s attention? I think Pepper Montgomery has just made history.”
I rake a hand through my hair. “I can fire you, you know.”
“But you won’t. Okay, back to business. I’ve got shit to do while you’re busy romancing your woman. Tiffany’s pretty upset with you. Do you want me to get a meeting on the books with her about your contract?”
“No. I told her I need a few weeks. I’ll deal with it.”
“You’re seeing her Monday evening.”
“For what ?”
“She set up a dinner meeting with In the Zone Sportswear for a sponsorship deal after your Under Armour photo shoot, which is at eleven. Should I book you a flight for Sunday night?”
Damn it. “No.” I don’t want to miss any more time with Pepper than absolutely necessary. “Set it up for early Monday morning, and please get me a flight back that night.”
“It’ll have to be late. You’re not having dinner until seven.”
Fuck . “Then make the return flight early Tuesday morning.”
“Consider it done. I haven’t gotten it on the calendar yet, but Johnson & Johnson booked you to film a commercial the week before the Charity Bowl.”
“Great.” They’re one of my largest sponsors.
We go through a few more scheduling items, and after we end the call, I text Pepper— I can still taste you —and head inside to shower, knowing she’ll be squirming in her seat.