Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
T ressy
“So you’re staying with Rowdy?”
Nursing my second beer, I shook my head at Olivia, one of the Angels. I hadn’t had more than a glass of wine with dinner in months, and I didn’t want to embarrass myself by being a lightweight.
I wanted to be alert and ready for whatever might come my way later tonight. And I really hoped there’d be something good coming my way.
“No. I’m staying with Raffi and The Colonel. They were kind enough to give Krista and me a room with them while…”
While what? What should I say? Especially to someone I’d only met a day ago? At home, I would never consider spilling my guts to a practical stranger. Hell, I didn’t talk about some things with my closest friends. Only Denee would’ve been able to get me to talk, but Denee was gone and had been for years.
Olivia reached across the table and put her hand on top of mine, resting on the table. “I’m not digging for info, hon. Honest. I get that you don’t want to talk about whatever you’re going through. I just want you to know you’re not alone. A lot of us have stories about how we found our way to St. David.”
“I didn’t exactly find my way here. My car blew a tire and left me stranded.”
The younger woman’s smile widened, golden-brown eyes striking against her darker-toned skin, as she waved a hand. “Same diff. My parents moved here from Miami because my dad thought the name was a sign.” She rolled those eyes as she shook her head. “My dad is…unique. Don’t get me wrong. I love him. But he wasn’t born in the right decade. You remember the dad from ‘Valley Girl?’ I mean, who doesn’t, right? That’s my dad. He’s one-of-a-kind. He makes furniture. It’s a good thing my mom runs their business, or they wouldn’t eat. Anyway, after one too many hurricanes, he and my mom decided they wanted to move somewhere where it snowed instead. They literally threw darts at a map. One of them landed on St. David. My dad’s name is David. He called it fate.”
Surprisingly, I’d kept up with all of that, including the “Valley Girl” reference, because I’d once been up for role in a remake that had never gotten made. But before I could say anything, Olivia continued.
“Now, I don’t know about fate, but when we moved here, I wasn’t happy. Like, at all. And I made sure everyone knew it. So here I was, a teenager from a big city where I had everything to do, living in a town where the only thing to do in the winter is hockey. And the only thing to do in the summer is fish. Yeah, no. That ain’t happening. But then Caity decided she was going to be my friend and told me to join the cheer squad. And what do you know? I was damn good at it. And if we hadn’t moved here, maybe I never would’ve known how much I loved it. What about you, Tressy? Do you love what you do?”
It took a second for my brain to catch up with the conversation. Between Olivia’s rapid-fire delivery and the relentless stream of pop music from the eighties, it’d been hard to keep up. But that last question had rung out during the slow section of “Come On, Eileen.”
“I do.”
“Well, that’s good. And it’s clear you love that little girl. She’s adorbs, by the way. Not prying, but she’s got a little Latina in those genes. Those eyes… So gorgeous. I’m guessing you’re not still with her daddy, and I still ain’t prying,” She splayed her hands in front of her, “but if you’re gonna tangle with Rowdy, I figure you should know he has kind of a reputation. The guy’s a cinnamon roll. All that sweet icing on the top and soft and squishy on the inside but boy, does that man have layers.”
I had to bite my tongue against a torrent of questions because I knew if I kept quiet, Olivia would just keep talking. The woman seemed to have no filter or off button.
“He doesn’t want anyone to know, of course, but you can tell. You’d think someone like him, who had everything handed to him, would be a real asshole. But The Colonel and Miss Raffi, they raised those kids right. Hell, the man makes sure old Mrs. Garfield gets to her weekly hair appointment, even if that old buzzard was the meanest teacher in high school.”
By this time, I thought I might be halfway in love with Olivia and wondered if the woman had any aspirations to act, because with her looks and her attitude, I could definitely find her work, even if she was at least fifteen years older than most of my clients.
“So what do you think?”
I didn’t have a clue what Olivia was asking. “About what?”
“Do you think you’re going to stay in St. David awhile? I mean, it looks like you’re doing okay for yourself wherever you came from, but you could’ve ended up somewhere way worse.”
I bit my lip for a second before answering. “I am thinking about staying a little longer. ”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Rowdy’s voice startled me, and I turned to see him standing behind me, hands in his pockets and dark green henley stretched across his broad chest. Did any piece of clothing this man owned not fit him well? Seriously not fair.
“Livi, you spilling all my secrets?” He slid a glance at the other woman.
Olivia scoffed. “You know nobody has secrets in this town. But I haven’t told her anything that’s not common knowledge. You’re just an open book, aren’t you?”
If I hadn’t been watching him so closely, I might’ve missed his slight wince. What was it about Olivia’s words that made him look like that?
“Of course. No secrets here.”
Oh, now that was definite bullshit. Everyone had secrets. And if they said they didn’t, they were lying. So Rowdy was lying. I wanted to dig into those secrets, wanted him to tell me all about them. Even while keeping my own. No, it wasn’t fair but life wasn’t fair.
“You want another beer?”
I raised my half-full bottle and shook my head. “I think I’m done after this one.”
“And I’ve already hit my limit,” he said.
That definitely felt like a hint. With Olivia hanging on his every word, he leaned a little closer. “I’m ready to head out whenever you are.”
I’d been waiting for him to say exactly that for three hours. Not that I hadn’t been having a good time. I’d enjoyed talking to everyone and the last half hour or so with Olivia had been enlightening. I understood that Rowdy had obligations to his team and the fans. To be with them to celebrate opening night. And he was good at it.
From the moment we’d entered the former church, now bar, I’d watched him work the room. I hadn’t expected him to stay by my side the entire time we were there, but he hadn’t made me feel like the outsider I was. Even after I’d said I was going to sit at a table for a while, he hadn’t forgotten me. He’d circle back every so often to check on me.
And it wasn’t like I lacked company. The Angels must have set up a visiting schedule so I was never alone. Which I totally appreciated. It just meant I couldn’t blatantly watch Rowdy all night. Even though I had as much as I could.
I’d watched him interact with the fans, watched him talk to each person as if he knew them, which he probably did. Watched him talk with his teammates and the other team’s members, laughing and smiling like they hadn’t battled it out on the ice just a few hours earlier.
He smiled, shook hands and slapped backs and laughed.
But the more I watched, the more I thought his smile slipped every now and then. That his laughter wasn’t completely genuine. I had to be wrong, though, because these people knew him better. They’d grown up with him. Then again, maybe it took an outsider to see what those around him couldn’t.
Turning my head so I could look into his eyes, I said, “I’m ready.”
The slight tension I’d seen in his smile melted away, but it made the tension that’d been lurking inside me build. I wanted to cross my thighs to ease the ache throbbing between them.
But I also wanted to jump out of my chair, grab his hand and run for the door. And wouldn’t that fuel the gossip around town. Which wouldn’t matter to me because I’d be gone.
Hell, everyone was looking at us now. They could see what was going on between us and, if they couldn’t, well, they weren’t looking. Or they were blind.
“Then let’s get the hell out of here.”
I stood, grabbed the sweatshirt I’d taken off earlier, and took the hand he held out to me. His warm fingers wrapped around mine, completely engulfing them. His hands were so big. Like the rest of him. My hand curled at my side because I wanted to touch him. It’d been so hard to rein in the urge to compulsion whenever I was in range. But now that I’d taken his hand, I didn’t want to let go.
And I didn’t want to look back. Everyone in the bar would be watching us. I wasn’t worried about what they thought. I just didn’t want to second guess my own decisions.
No one stopped us on the way to the door. No one cat-called us or leered or anything like that. But they all knew Rowdy and I were going to exchange more than phone numbers.
Back in his truck, the heater going full blast because it had to be almost freezing outside again, I sank into the heated seat and watched Rowdy as he got us on the road.
“Did you have a good time?” His lips curved into a smile as I nodded. “Good. Because all everyone wanted to talk about tonight was you.”
I winced. “I guess my entrance last night was kind of spectacular.”
“Yeah, but that’s not what they were talking about. The girls all like you. Said you’re chill.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, and not stuck up like girls from the city usual are.”
I huffed out a laugh. “I guess that’s fair. They’re pretty great for being cheerleaders.”
“Don’t let them hear you call them cheerleaders, though. They’re dancers.”
“Yes, that’s right. Olivia told me their squad wins competitions all the time.”
“Yep. Wherever they compete, they win. Can’t say the same for the Devils.”
“Maybe you just need time for the team to come together.”
“Nah.” He shrugged. “We’re pretty much always in last place. ”
“Does that bother you?”
“Used to. Now it’s just…what we do.”
“It doesn’t sound like you enjoy losing.”
“Who does? But life’s not all about winning.”
“Sounds like you’ve been thinking about this a lot.”
Rowdy didn’t answer right away, as we drove through town. Main Street was deserted, the sole traffic light blinking yellow.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think about it.”
“What are you going to do when you can’t play anymore?”
Shrugging, he flipped the blinker and made a left, heading down the road I recognized as leading to his parents’ place.
“Coach, I guess.”
“Don’t you want to use your degree?”
“Maybe. I guess I’ll see what happens when it happens.”
I shook my head, wondering what it would be like to have that kind of freedom. To make decisions as they came rather than worrying about the future and trying to plan out everything six months, a year, two years in advance.
Did that make me anal? Or was he a stunted man-child who knew his parents would be there to back him in whatever play he made?
And wow, was I being bitchy or what? Where had that come from?
You’re such a wimp. You want him. Don’t freak out now.
Bad Girl was right. I’d let myself forget how fearless I used to be. How fearless I’d had to be to navigate the Hollywood system as a child actor. How I’d become a mother at twenty-one. How I’d gone to college and started my own business with a toddler in tow.
I’d been so damn good for seven years.
As we passed his parents’ home, I let my gaze linger for a second on the warm light coming through the front window. I couldn’t help the slight twinge of guilt I felt at leaving my daughter in the care of someone else .
Rowdy took an immediate left onto a road I hadn’t noticed before. It went past his parents’ house and into a wooded area. The trees closed around us, cutting us off from the rest of the world. It got so dark, I couldn’t even see the moonlight through the trees.
“Where are we?”
“Still on my parents’ property, so we’re technically still in town, but my property straddles the township and the borough line.”
None of that made much sense to me because the most beautiful home I’d ever seen came into view. It had two stories, was made of stone with four double windows and a covered porch that ran the entire length of the house.
“Did you build this?”
I huffed out a laugh. “No. This was built more than a hundred years ago. It was a mess when my parents bought the property. They considered tearing it down but never got around to it. Rain and my brothers and I used to play here when we were kids, even though we weren’t supposed to. It was the one secret we were all able to keep. I’m sure my parents knew but they never said anything. I think they were just happy we had somewhere to play that wasn’t under their feet all the time.”
“Can’t say I can’t blame them with four kids.”
I turned away from that gorgeous house to catch him staring at me with the most serious look I’d seen on his face yet. But it vanished in a second, replaced with his normal grin. I was beginning to think that grin covered a multitude of sins.
“We were angels.”
I laughed so hard, I snorted, covering my mouth with my hand as his grin widened.
When I could talk, I said, “I call bullshit.”
His exaggerated gasp made me laugh even harder. “I think I’m offended.”
“No, you are definitely not. ”
“No, I’m not.”
That smile took my breath away and, even though I tried not to let it show, I knew he could tell. I wanted to kiss him, but I was enjoying the anticipation almost too much to break it.
“I also can’t take credit for all of the work that went into getting this place to where it is now.”
Was he teasing me? Drawing out the anticipation? I could barely breathe now, and I had to put conscious effort into my response. Which basically consisted of, “Oh?”
He nodded. “It took me five off-seasons to get it to the point where I could actually live in it.”
“Did you do the renovations yourself?”
“Yeah, but I had a lot of help. My dad and brothers helped when they could, but Rain is better than all of us with a hammer and saw. She can build in bookcases in a couple of days and make them look like they’re original.”
“Are you going to show me around?”
“Are you asking to see my etchings?”
My lips curved again, falling a little harder for this guy with every word he said. Why? What was it about him?
No, no, no. We’re not going to overanalyze this now.
Bad Girl was right. No over-thinking. Just go with it. Whatever “it” is.
“Do you have etchings?”
“I guess you’ll have to come in to find out.”
“I’d love to see your home.”
“Then come with me.”
He opened his door and climbed out. The overhead light made me blink, but it was only for a second, and then he opened my door. He reached in for my hand, and I took it without thought. It was only after the warmth of his skin seeped into mine that I realized I was expecting it. Looking forward to it.
Sliding out of the truck, I looked up to find him watching me with that intensity I’d noticed earlier. Again, it quickly disappeared, replaced by that grin. As much as I found that grin enticing, the intensity made my blood heat and my stomach clench.
This time, he didn’t release my hand immediately, and I didn’t pull away. I liked the feel of him, liked the way my fingers slid between his and his curled around mine. His hands were large and rough. They’d feel amazing against my naked skin.
Swallowing hard, I held his gaze but didn’t return his smile. I wanted him to know I was serious when I said, “Yes.”
He must have known what question I was answering, the unspoken one that lingered between us. His smile shifted, became a little sharper, a little harder. A whole lot sexier. He didn’t speak, just tugged me with him toward the front door.
The crunch of the gravel driveway beneath our feet was the only sound now. There was no traffic noise, no wind, no leaves rustling. Just stillness. We reached the porch, and he released my hand to open the front door with the keypad. I turned to look back down the road, marveling at the brightness of the moon that painted the woods silver.
I heard the door open and turned to see him leaning against the frame, soft light from the house spilling out around him. My breath caught as I thought about the fact that I was going to be naked and have his man wrapped around me sometime in the near future.
Unless I was seriously off-base, and he really did just want to show me his house.
But, of course, I wasn’t wrong.
“It’s so quiet.”
He nodded slowly, never taking his gaze off of me.
“This is my refuge. When everything else gets too noisy, I know it’ll be quiet here.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere more quiet. New York is always loud. And I’ve never been bothered by it. There are always sirens and car traffic and horns and people. Even in the Village, it’s never silent. ”
I realized I’d just told him where I lived, not that he looked surprised. The man wasn’t stupid. My car had a New York license plate, and I’d looked like a freaking princess doll when I’d fallen into his arms last night.
And now, I was ready to go to bed with the guy.
Who was I?
Someone who knows what they want and goes for it.
And someone who only had a limited amount of time to get what I wanted.
“Have you always lived in New York?”
I shook my head slowly as I closed the distance between us. “No. I used to live in L.A.”
His gaze narrowed. “Are you an actress? Should I know you? I’m sorry, I don’t go to a lot of movies, and I don’t watch a lot of TV.”
He sounded so guilty, I felt sorry for him.
“No, you wouldn’t know me.” Which wasn’t a complete lie. Unless he’d watched one of the silliest sitcoms ever to air on network TV. But not everyone in the world had watched it. And even people who had watched the show didn’t recognize me now. I wasn’t that kid anymore. I didn’t live in that world. I’d never belong in that world again. I didn’t really know where I belonged anymore. But at this moment, I knew I belonged right here.
He didn’t respond right away, just let the silence build. Then he tilted his head to the side, inviting me in. I dipped my head and broke the connection, walking by him into the house. Trying not to reach out and let my fingers trail across that broad chest, I focused my attention on his home instead.
A stone, wood-burning fireplace dominated the center of the room, comfy leather chairs and couch in prime position in front of it. Built-in bookshelves flanked the fireplace, filled with books and only books. No pictures or tchotchkes. I wanted to explore those shelves, but there was so much more to look at. The walls on either side of the room were almost covered with pictures. Many of them with his family, but many others were hockey related, of course. Team photos, solo photos, photos of Rowdy with his arm around another player’s shoulders. So many other players.
I turned to the left, drawn to the photos of his hockey career. He was smiling in every photo, except a couple, and those were the ones I went to first. They’d been taken during games and that intensity was front and center. Tonight during the game, I’d noticed how, even though he was having fun, he played with so much heart.
And more skill than most of the other guys on the ice. I couldn’t believe he’d never been asked to play for a higher-level team. Then again, maybe he hadn’t wanted to leave. His dad owned the team. Rowdy was the captain. He had it good here.
Still…
I felt him stand behind me, not crowding me, but close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him. My fingers curled, nails digging into my palms.
“Do you want something to drink?”
I shook my head, feeling my hair swing against my back.
“Do you want to continue to make small talk?” Humor laced through his voice. “I mean, I can, if you want.”
Biting my lip against the urge to turn and devour him, I took a step forward then turned to meet his gaze. He stayed in place, sliding his hands into his pockets. He was waiting for me to make a move. Wanting me to be sure.
My lungs tightened and my core clenched. I was sure. I was really damn sure of exactly what I wanted.
“I don’t want to make small talk. I want to kiss you.”
His lips barely curved, but I knew he was smiling, and it felt like another of his teases. Then he withdrew his hand from his pocket and crooked a finger at me. If another man did that, I’d turn and walk out the door. It should’ve seemed sleazy. Why, when Rowdy did it, did my breath catch in my throat ?
“If you want to kiss me, princess, you’re going to have to come closer.”
It was my turn to smile.
“Maybe I want you to come to me.”
“All you have to do is ask.”
I took a page out of his book and crooked my finger at him.
His smile sharpened, and I suddenly needed air desperately. I almost wanted to turn, knowing he would chase. Wanted to be caught.
Who are you?
Good question. One I’d ask myself tomorrow.
I took a step back and then another, until I sensed the wall at my back. Flattening my hands against the surface, I tipped my head back and watched him close the few feet between us, until there were only inches. And then centimeters.
He leaned down until our foreheads were almost touching and said, “Your move.”
He just couldn’t help himself. He had to push.
Don’t lie to yourself. You like it.
Okay, but I didn’t have to tell him I did.
“Kiss me.”
The words came out as more of a plea but seeing the look on Rowdy’s face was worth any hint of weakness. I watched his control falter and disappear as hunger took over. His mouth was on mine a split-second later. His hot kiss demanded, and, for a split second, I wasn’t sure I should give him what he wanted. What I wanted. I wasn’t sure about him or me or about any of this. Then the Bad Girl muttered, Fuck, yes, in my brain, and my lust became a red-hot flame that licked into every part of my body.
His closed mouth pressed against my lips for several long seconds, until I was holding my breath, waiting for him to push me farther, harder. To open his lips and slide his tongue into my mouth and really taste me .
My hands found his shoulders, clenching into the muscles, feeling them bunch under my fingers. I wanted to melt at his strength, to press myself against him and let him hold me up. But he wasn’t moving fast enough. I needed more. And he wanted me to work for it.
Fine.
Pulling back, I looked him in the eyes and said, “Chair.”
A corner of his mouth kicked up. “Yes, ma’am.” Then he turned and sprawled into the nearest chair. I followed, taking a deep breath as I let my gaze crawl over him. Like I wanted to.
How did just a look from those dark eyes make my heart beat faster? And my thighs clench?
Only one way to find out. No more hesitation.
Settling my knees on either side of his, I sank down onto his thighs, my hands landing on his shoulders. I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of soap and clean male and just a hint of something darker. I wanted to lean forward and kiss my way from that hollow in his throat to just behind his ear and along that scruffy jaw.
Instead, I rubbed the tip of my nose against his jaw, the rasp of his whiskers making me shiver. I sucked in a breath and held it as I tilted my head to let my lips brush against his cheek. The sensitive skin of my lips tingled, and I bit them between my teeth as I pulled back.
His gaze darkened even more, and there wasn’t a hint of playfulness now. Just sharp, total focus.
Mesmerized, lungs grasping for air, I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his, kissing him hard before drawing his bottom lip between my teeth and giving it a tug. His breath released on a harsh sigh and his hands grabbed my hips, fingers sinking in and anchoring me. I liked the feeling of being held tight, like he wouldn’t let me slip and fall.
With my gaze caught with his, I slid my hands up his strong neck to his hair, sinking my fingers into those messy curls .
“Do you ever comb this?”
“You mean with an actual comb?”
My lips curved, and I looked into his eyes again. “Guess that’s a no.”
He shrugged as I wound those silky curls around my fingers. It wasn’t fair that a guy had such great hair.
“Why bother when it’s just gonna do its own thing anyway?”
Kind of how he lived his life.
Nope, not over-analyzing anything right now. Leaning forward, I kissed him again. He was ready for me this time, giving me just enough to make me want more, need more. Making me come closer, until my breasts were pressed against that hard chest and my lips moved over his. I wanted him to kiss me harder, but he refused to cooperate. He seemed content to let me lead. Frustration built, making me kiss him a little harder, crush my lips against his until his mouth opened enough for my tongue to slip inside.
He made a sound almost like a growl when my tongue touched his, wanting more. He tasted like whiskey, heat and desire. Not enough. Scooting forward, I settled my sex over the ridge in his jeans, inviting him to rub against me.
Now he groaned, a rumble in his chest as his hands slid around my waist, flattening against my back and pressing me closer.
Yes. This is what I want.
Need built, licking through my blood like a slow-moving flame. My thighs clenched, but with my knees on either side of his legs, I got no relief from the ache in my core. And I couldn’t stand that he didn’t seem in any hurry to get naked and get busy.
He kissed me slow and steady, even though I was trying my damnedest to rile him into moving faster. Tugging at his hair, I tipped my head to the side and kissed him with more urgency, my tongue curling along his, wanting to push him into losing a little bit of his control. Instead, the damn man seemed to slow even more. Like he was learning every little bit of me and wasn’t going to move on until he had.
With a little growl of frustration, I pulled back, though his hands held tight, not allowing me to move too far away.
“What’s wrong, princess?”
His voice held an almost soothing tone, that only served to rile me even more.
“You need to get with the program.”
“Oh, I’m definitely on board with the program.”
“Then you need to kiss me.”
His smile was slight but taunting. “I am kissing you. Am I not doing it right? Maybe they do it differently in the big city? You know I’m just a country boy.”
Damn his teasing. It’d been a damn long time since someone had played with me. Did I remember how to play this game? The male-female, flirty-sexy game. I’d been out of practice for so long, which was ridiculous considering I was twenty-seven. But I’d never really had the opportunity to learn the rules of this game when I’d been a teenager. I hadn’t had regular dates. Most of my “dating” had been with other actors, specifically chosen for that particular moment in time.
Sure, I’d had crushes and had thought myself in love once or twice, until I’d realized they were all playing a part, even me, though I hadn’t known it at the time.
That had been another life, and the life I’d been living lately hadn’t included a man.
“And I’m just a woman who hasn’t done this in a long time.”
The words came out raw and a little too truthful. I immediately wanted to take them back. Mortification began to set in, but Rowdy’s grin made it disappear into steam.
“I’m glad to help you back on that horse.”
I immediately burst into laughter, raising my hand to cover my mouth when I started to snort. His grin just kept growing.
“Oh my god. I’m sorry, I’m not laughing at you?— ”
“Hey, nothing to be sorry for. I just love to hear you laugh.”
No man had ever said that to me before, and I blinked in sheer and utter confusion.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, and I’m gonna make sure you do a lot of that tonight.”
“You want me to laugh at you in bed?”
“Well, I certainly hope you don’t laugh when you see me naked, but otherwise, I’m good with it.”
I couldn’t stop smiling. “I like you, Rowdy.”
“I like you, too, Princess.”
I scoffed. “I’m pretty damn far from being a princess.”
“When you walk into a bar in the middle of nowhere, dressed in a ballgown and high heels, with your hair studded with diamonds, I get to call you Princess.”
I’d had other people call me princess before. It came with the job. Creepy directors who wanted little girls to like them. Clueless publicists who considered children a necessary evil of the job and didn’t bother to learn their names. Crew members who were too busy to learn their names.
I’d come to hate the nickname. Except when Rowdy said it… I wanted to go down on my knees right here and unzip his jeans. And I wasn’t that kind of person. I’d never been that kind of person. But right now, I wanted to do all the naughty, bad-girl things I’d only read about in books. And Rowdy was the person to let me be that girl.
“Fine. I’ll allow it. For now.” My smile continued to grow, along with the heat in my blood. “Kiss me, Rowdy.”
“Whatever you want, Princess.”
He cupped my head in his hands and sealed my mouth against his. This time, his kiss stole every drop of breath in my body. Open-mouthed and wet and hot. His tongue licked between my lips, teasing and playing. But this felt different. He kissed with purpose now.
And the purpose was to make me melt for him .
Yes. This is what I want.
I wanted to drown in heat, so I let it take me over.
My head tilted to the side so he could kiss me deeper, let my body sink into his, until his erection pressed against my core, exactly where I wanted him to be. Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I crushed my breasts against his chest and heard him make that low rumble again. It sank straight to my clit, which was already highly sensitive and throbbing.
Inching even closer, I rocked against that ridge in his jeans, trying to ease some of that ever-increasing ache. Until his hands gripped my hips and lifted me just high enough that we were no longer touching.
“None of that yet,” he said as he tore his lips away from mine and kissed his way down my throat. “You’re gonna have to beg for it, now.”
Holy shit. Why did that make my nipples tighten so badly they hurt?
But that was a dare, and I had to respond.
“Not if I make you beg first.”
He nipped at the sensitive skin where my neck met my shoulders, causing me to shudder. Shoving my hands back into his hair, I tugged hard on the strands, until he pulled away and met my gaze. The heat in his eyes stole my breath.
“So make me beg.”
The edge in his voice gave me the push I needed. Holding his gaze, I slid my hands to his shoulders then continued to his chest. The warmth of his body made the tips of my fingers curl into the hard muscle there before I reached for the first button on his shirt. The green and black cotton flannel was silky soft, the buttons giving way to expose a t-shirt beneath. Biting my lip with frustration, I undid the rest of the buttons quickly, shoving it off his shoulders.
“Take this off.”
“Ask nicely. ”
I leaned forward and bit his left earlobe, hard enough to make him wince.
“Keep pushing me,” he growled, “and we’re gonna end up on the floor.”
“I’m good with the floor. Just move faster.”
A split-second later, he shoved his hands under my ass and set me on my knees on the floor. I was reaching for him as he joined me, my hands helping him shed his shirt. I threw it to the side when he grabbed his t-shirt and yanked it up, exposing rock-hard abs and chest. Jesus, I wanted to pet him. Instead, I leaned forward and pressed my lips right in the center of his chest. The silky soft hair there felt rough, but his skin was soft and hot.
“Hang on. Let me?—”
He ended on a groan as I caught the hard tip of his nipple between my teeth.
“Fuck, Tressy.”
Yes. Please, yes.
Need made me frantic as I grabbed the button on his jeans and worked it open, but I was thwarted a millimeter from my prize when he grabbed my hands.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” Rowdy’s voice was a low rumble. “You touch me now, and I’m done.”
“I think I might like to see that.”
“ Shit. ”
I let out a little yelp when he grabbed me around the waist and my thighs and laid me flat on the floor then started to laugh as my back hit the floor. My laughter cut off as he kissed me again, coming down on top of me as he grabbed both of my hands and held them above my head.
Groaning at the unfamiliar and totally hot sensation of being unable to move, I let my body relax, let my eyes close as he slowed his exploration of my mouth. I loved how he kissed me, like he was enjoying the hell out of it and didn’t want to rush.
With his shirt gone, I ran my hands down his back, his skin silky and sleek. His muscles bunched and flexed as he moved both of my hands to one of his then used his free hand to glide down my body. He skirted my breast, which just made me want his touch that much more. My back arched, but I couldn’t move because he had me pinned to the floor.
This shouldn’t feel this good. Why does this feel so good?
His hand moved to the waist of the jersey I wore. The one with his name and number on the back. Then his hand slid beneath, and I stopped breathing as he finally touched me skin to skin. As his fingers danced along my side, making my skin erupt in goosebumps, his mouth moved down my neck again.
When he drew away, my eyes flew open, and I blinked at the shadowed ceiling beams for a second. When he released my hands, I almost protested before I realized he was sitting up, his hands working the jersey up and over my head.
His grin when he saw what I was wearing underneath made me smile.
“You look good with my face on your chest.”
The line was so cheesy I had to laugh, which cut off with a gasp when he gripped the hem and tugged it up my body.
“But I’m sure you look much better without it.”
Now I arched my back to help him get the t-shirt over my head, and his gaze burned as he took in the see-through lace bra. It was the only bra I’d packed, and I wasn’t sure it was going to survive the night the way he was looking at it.
“I think you need to take that off so I don’t rip it, okay, Princess?”
“Since it’s the only one I brought with me, I think you’re right.”
Crossing my arms, I pulled the straps off my shoulders then arched off the floor so I could unsnap it. Tossing it aside, I lay back down, lifting my arms above my head again and stretching. I loved how his gaze followed my every move. It felt almost reverent, like he was worshiping me with his eyes. But I wanted more.
“Touch me.”
“Say please.”
My lungs seized, and I parted my lips to draw in more air.
“I guess I could just do it myself.”
I heard him suck in a breath then his hands clenched into fists at his sides before he stretched his fingers out.
“Go ahead. I’ll watch. And learn.”
Bad Girl practically purred at the rough edge to his voice. I loved the way he swung from playful to growly in the space of seconds. Loved the way he looked at me like I was special. And when he smiled at me, I felt the weight of the world lift off my shoulders.
I felt sexy. Desired.
Lifting my hands to my breasts, I squeezed the mounds then pulled at my nipples, rolling them until I felt the ache in my pussy sharpen. My eyes closed as I played with my breasts, my lungs straining harder with each tug, the thought that he was watching, urging me on?—
“Not so fast, Princess. Won’t it be more fun if I make you come?’
He grabbed my right hand, shackling my wrist with his fingers and holding it firm on the ground several inches from my hip. My eyes opened to find him popping the button his jeans. The ridge behind his zipper had grown even more, and I reached for him with my free hand.
“I wanted to do that.”
My voice sounded husky, seductive, and his jaw tightened as my finger gripped the zipper tab and began to tug it down. His erection made it difficult, and I didn’t want to hurt him, because I definitely had plans for that part of his anatomy. Sitting up on my knees made it easier for me to reach my goal and, when I finally reached the bottom, I bit my lip at the sight .
He wore black briefs, and the tip of his cock had worked its way out of the elastic band. When I touched a fingertip to it, his abs contracted into the most fascinating display of muscles.
“Push them down.”
My voice held power now, even though it was barely audible. He heard me, though, because he released me and put both hands on his waist. But he only shoved them down a little, grinning when I huffed at him and flashed him a look.
“Nah, I think I’m going to strip you naked first.”
I went wet at the matter-of-fact way he said it, my pussy clenching and my nipples tightening to almost painful points. Managing to bite back an embarrassing moan, I pushed myself up onto my elbows and stared at him with narrowed eyes.
“Only if I get to return the favor.”
“I don’t have a problem with that. But be a good girl now and lay back.”
My mouth dropped open at the way those words hit me. Why did I want to mindlessly obey?
Shock. I had to be in shock.
But a second later, I found myself flat on my back again as his hands reached for the waistband of my pants. I wasn’t wearing jeans. I didn’t usually wear them. But I had packed a couple pairs of yoga pants and my favorite cargos. Luckily for both of us, the cargo pants had an elastic waist and slid right off without any effort at all, taking my underwear with them. Almost as if I’d planned it.
How could you have planned for this?
I was naked and horny and about to get fucked by a guy I’d only met yesterday. And I couldn’t fucking wait.
“Rowdy. Your turn. Now.”
I could barely get enough air into my lungs to speak, and I didn’t wait for him to respond. Reaching for his jeans, I grabbed the waistband, made sure his briefs came with them, and shoved them down his thighs. Holy shit, the man’s thighs were massive, roped with muscle and the perfect frame for his thick cock.
I let myself stare for a few long seconds, hoping I didn’t literally drool. He was hard and ready. And my brain took that moment to remind me how long it had been since I’d had sex. Like, a year, at least.
“I love the way you’re staring at me,” his voice was barely a rasp, “but I want you to touch me. Now.”
I had to swallow before I could answer. “You’re getting awfully bossy.”
“I have a feeling you like it, Princess. And you know you want to.”
Fuck it. I did. I really did.
“Lay down.”
His mouth quirked at the command, but he did what I wanted, shoving his pants and socks off along the way. Now he lay naked with his arms crossed beneath his head, his erection hard and angled away from his stomach, and that grin that made me want to straddle his thighs and take him in immediately.
Instead, I took a page out of his book and forced myself to slow down. Getting up on my knees, I let my gaze stroll down the length of him. He had a few tattoos, one on his left upper arm, another on his right pec and one down his right thigh. I’d explore those later, because right now, I had other ideas. Like easing the ache between my legs.
“Are you going to?—”
I put my hand over his mouth. “I’m going to do whatever I want.”
He sucked in a sharp breath, then released it on an amused huff. “Guess I deserve that.”
“Oh, you definitely do. Don’t worry. You’ll get what you need.”
“I appreciate that, Princess. But I’d really like if you could hurry it up a little. My dick’s getting cold. ”
Another laugh caught me by surprise, and I shook my head. “Are you ever serious?”
“What’s there to be serious about? This is the most fun I’ve had in a damn long time. You’re just about the most fun I’ve ever had.”
That last part hit me dead center in my heart. No one had ever said that to me. Not one single person had made me feel like his best time.
Before I got too sappy and declared my undying devotion, which I’d never do anyway, I swung my right leg over his hips so I could straddle those thick thighs. Damn the man was built . And I didn’t mean like obscenely so. Just muscled enough to make me want to kiss my way from that stubbled jaw all the way to his kneecaps, because, okay, shins didn’t really do much for me.
Settling my hands on his stomach, I felt his muscles tighten as I curled my hands then dragged my fingernails up to his pecs.
Groaning, he said, “Fuck, I like that. Do it again.”
I considered letting him wait, but I liked playing with him too much. Raking my hands down to his waist this time, I didn’t stop until I reached his thighs, then dug my nails in as he blew out a breath.
“Goddamn, I like that, too.”
I repeated the motion several times, watching as he tipped his head back and closed his eyes, jaw tight. Leaning forward, I put my hands on the floor of either side of his chest.
“Don’t move.”
I intended to get up to grab the sling bag I’d taken to the game, where I’d stashed the condom I’d had in my makeup bag, but his eyes opened, and he grabbed my hips.
“Back pocket.”
Turning my head, I saw his pants only a few feet away. I reached for them—at the same time I dragged my sex over his cock .
My eyes closed and I shuddered at the sensation of his heated shaft sliding through my sensitive folds.
“Get the condom, Princess.”
I felt another rush of wetness at the rough growl in his voice.
“And hurry, because I’m fucking dying to get inside you.”
Oh, god, yes, I wanted that, too.
I snagged his pants, dragging them closer as he continued to tease me. Anticipation electrified every nerve in my body, my heart beating so fast, I felt it in my throat. Finally finding the right pocket, I extracted my prize and tore open the packet.
“Rowdy.” Holy shit, he hit the exact right spot on my clit to make me moan. “Put this on.”
He met my gaze for a brief, hot second before taking the condom from me. I moved just far enough away to allow him to roll it down his shaft. I barely gave him time to move his hands before I shimmied into position, lined up his cock and sank down.
My eyes closed as his heated groan made flames lick through my blood. He was almost too much to take. It’d been a long time for me and the toys I’d been playing with didn’t match his width. Like, at all.
With my hands on his abs, I held myself in place, letting my channel clench around him and my clit tighten with anticipation. His heavy breathing and mine filled the air, and I opened my eyes to find his closed, his expression tight and filled with lust.
My body wanted to move, to ride him hard and fast, but I didn’t want it to be over too soon. I wanted to have sex with him all night, even though I knew I’d walk funny tomorrow. Even though I knew his mom would know I’d spent the night having sex with her son. Right now, nothing else mattered but what was happening here between us.
“Princess.” His eyes opened and his gaze snagged mine. “You gotta move soon, ’cause if you don’t, I’m gonna take the reins.”
“I might like that. Later. Right now, you’re mine. ”
I started to move, slowly at first, taking an infinite amount of time to draw myself up his cock until only the tip remained inside. Then I slid back down, just as slowly, every ridge of his shaft rubbing against my inner flesh.
Damn, this was so much better than any toy.
Beneath my hands, Rowdy’s abs moved in time with his harsh breaths, then flexing as I moved his hands to my hips. He didn’t try to control my movements, but just the feel of that warm flesh on my skin was enough to make me clench around him.
“Fuck, Tressy. Do that again.”
My breath hitched at the growl in his voice, my body unconsciously giving him what he wanted. What I wanted. My pace picked up because I couldn’t help myself. I chased my pleasure, knowing he was right there with me. But I needed more.
Leaning forward, I draped myself over his naked chest, my clit finding the angle I needed for a short, sharp orgasm. It sparked like electricity, my moan ruffling the soft hair on his chest.
His arms rose and wrapped around my back, holding me in place.
“Goddamn, do that again.”
Yes, I really wanted to, but I wanted even more.
“Move with me, Rowdy.”
As if he’d been waiting for my permission, he thrust, hard, burying himself inside me until my clit could barely take the pressure. Then he started to move in earnest.
“Kiss me, Princess. And hold on.”
I didn’t move right away, enjoying the sensation of his cock moving inside me too much to think straight. Then I did put my hands on either side of his shoulders and lifted up just enough for my lips to be within reach of his. He tilted his head down to reach my mouth, nipping at my bottom lip before kissing me hard, his tongue sliding against mine and demanding control.
One hand slid down my back to cup my ass, and he squeezed me before he gripped my hips, held me steady and began to thrust hard, sinking as deep as he could before drawing out and seeking to bury himself even deeper the next time.
My body went slack with surrender. I let him have whatever he wanted. And he wanted everything. His kiss demanded my full attention, but the way he moved between my legs held me captive. So many sensations, so much pleasure.
He held me so tightly, I felt each individual finger sinking into my flesh. He controlled my movement, and I let him, loving the sense that I could give myself to him and he wouldn’t let me falter.
When he ripped his mouth away from mine, I whimpered. Actually fucking whimpered, but I couldn’t care less. And when he rolled us over so that I was on my back and he was stretched out over me, I sank my hands into his hair and held on.
Now I felt the full strength of his body as he thrust into me, starting slow but building in power and strength. But it still wasn’t enough. And he must have sensed it. Before I knew what he was doing, he pulled out and leaned back, making me protest with a frustrated moan.
“Rowdy—”
“Hang on, Princess. Just one sec.”
He didn’t move far, just enough to grab a pillow off the nearest chair, which he shoved under my ass to tilt my pelvis.
“So fucking pretty.”
His gaze traced fire between my spread legs, which turned into a blaze of lust as he put his hands on the inside of my thighs and pressed them even farther apart.
“I can’t wait to watch you come like this.”
My pussy clenched, aching to be filled again. So I reached for his cock, wrapping my right hand around it and tugging on him.
“Fuck, Princess, you do that too much, and I’m going to come on your stomach.”
“Then you better move, because I’m not stopping until you?—”
He tugged me closer, making me yelp in surprise, then replaced my hand on his cock with his and lined the tip with my entrance. His eyes never left mine as he thrust inside. This position made him feel twice as wide, and I sucked in a breath, even as my legs wrapped around his thighs and tried to pull him even closer.
“Play with your nipples while I fuck you, Princess. Give me a show.”
I didn’t think twice. Lifting my hands, I cupped my breasts and plumped them together, making circles around my nipples with my index fingers until they hardened to diamond-sharp tips, so sensitive I felt every touch go straight to my clit.
With a groan, he began to thrust harder, keeping one hand on my hip to hold me steady and moving the other to my stomach, using his thumb and forefinger to play with my clit. My breath caught as my entire focus became the coiling anticipation in my sex. Every flick of his index finger and press of his thumb pushed me closer to an orgasm.
My eyes closed as I chased it, every sensation becoming more intense. My stomach contracted as my sex clenched and rippled around his cock, wanting more. He swore under his breath as I moaned, my hands releasing my breasts and reaching for his wrists to hold myself steady.
“Come on, Princess. Come for me.”
Whether it was the words or just his voice or the combination of both, I finally went over the edge. My back arched as I came, raw undiluted ecstasy pouring through my veins as I spun out.
With another rough curse, Rowdy stretched out on top of me and fucked me through my orgasm until I felt him shudder and shove himself as far into me as he could get, then he held still. He nuzzled his head into my neck, his breath hot on my skin and his body heavy. A good heavy, like an anchor I needed to keep myself grounded.
We lay there, breathing like we’d just run a marathon. Our skin, silky with sweat, melded together. I didn’t want to move, didn’t want Rowdy to move, but I released my hold on him when he rolled to my side. After he took off the condom, he scooped an arm around me and draped me over his chest.
Ridiculously relieved that he didn’t get up and move away, I settled my head on his still-rapidly rising chest and put my hand over his heart, feeling it pump hard and fast.
Damn, this was way too comfortable.
I might just have made the most incredibly stupid mistake of my life. And one of the best.