Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Ariana walked towards Nicole’s apartment and couldn’t wait to see her.
She thought back to last night, watching Nicole and Shealyn calling the Dallas game.
Now that she knew Nicole as a friend she thought the sound of Nicole’s voice would lose some of its magic.
But she had leaned her head against the back of the couch, closed her eyes, and let the smooth timbre of Nicole’s voice wash over her. If anything, her crush had deepened.
As she walked through the entrance to Nicole’s building she was surprised to see Dave at the desk. He smiled at her. “Great game Friday night.”
“Thanks,” Ariana said. “You work on Sundays?”
“Sometimes,” Dave replied. “I was off earlier in the week. Ms. Neal is waiting for you on the roof.”
“Oh, thanks,” Ariana said. “She thinks she’s going to beat me again at one-on-one, but I have news for her.”
Dave chuckled. “She beat you? Why does that not surprise me?”
It was Ariana’s turn to laugh. “I know. Talk about competitive!”
“Enjoy your day.”
“Thank you.” Ariana walked towards the elevators then turned back to look at Dave. “Hey, would you like to go to a game sometime? I always have extra tickets.”
The surprise on Dave’s face made Ariana chuckle. “I would love to,” he said.
Ariana nodded. “I’ll bring tickets by the next time I’m here.”
She stepped into the elevator and hit the button for the roof. Once the doors opened she could hear the ball bouncing on the pavement then a swish as Nicole made a basket.
“Getting in a little practice before I beat you, huh,” Ariana said, dropping her bag before stepping onto the court.
“All the practice in the world will never make our skill level even.” Nicole turned and gave Ariana one of those smiles that melted her heart.
“Ah, but you have tricks.”
“That I do.”
Ariana had to fight the urge to wrap Nicole in her arms. The other night in her excitement she’d grabbed her by the shoulders and a jolt of heat had surged through Ariana’s body. Her heart had immediately sped up as flutters ignited deep inside her.
She walked over to Nicole and swiped at the ball, but she held it behind her back.
Ariana didn’t let that stop her. She pulled one of Nicole’s favorite tricks and grabbed her around the waist then tickled her.
Nicole’s laughter rang through the air as she dropped the ball.
Ariana scooped it up and dribbled to the basket for an easy layup.
When Ariana turned around Nicole was staring at her with her hands on her hips. “You are very handsy, Villa.”
“I learned from the best.”
“Ha ha,” Nicole deadpanned.
Ariana passed her the ball and Nicole shot from distance, the ball dropping through the hoop. “Okay, that’s one for me.”
Ariana grabbed the rebound and dribbled past the three point line. “It’s on.” She faked going one way then stopped and dribbled in place.
Nicole closed the distance between them and grabbed Ariana’s wrist. “Okay, let’s see you make a shot now.”
Ariana chuckled and heaved the ball towards the basket but it fell short.
Nicole hustled over and got the rebound. She went behind the three point line then once again shot and made it. “That’s another one for me.”
“Okay,” Ariana replied, taking the ball and matching Nicole’s shot.
They traded baskets, each taking turns dribbling and shooting. Ariana laughed every time Nicole tickled her, but made her shots.
She reached for the ball and dribbled past Nicole.
“Okay folks, the score is tied, only a few seconds left, and Villa dribbles down looking for an opening.” She mimicked doing the play-by-play like Shealyn did during the games.
“She passes to Nia, but she’s double-teamed.
” Ariana grinned at Nicole. “Nia flips it to Neal.” She passed the ball to Nicole. “Will she take the shot?”
Nicole laughed, lined up the ball, and let it fly. “Oh, she will!”
The ball swished through the hoop and Ariana jumped up. “Neal wins it at the buzzer and the crowd goes wild!”
“Is that what I sound like?”
“No, you’re much better.” Ariana ran for the rebound. She turned, passed the ball to Nicole, and hurried after it to play defense.
Nicole was about to shoot and Ariana threw her hand up to block. “Too late!” Nicole exclaimed.
Ariana grabbed both of Nicole’s hands and pulled them to her chest. She heard Nicole gasp as she looked into her eyes. “Is your heart beating as fast as mine?”
Nicole slowly nodded as they stared into each other’s eyes.
Ariana felt the pull between them and began to lean in when she dropped Nicole’s hands and ran after the ball. Her back was to Nicole as she took a deep breath trying to get control of herself. It was becoming apparent that they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
“You okay?” Nicole asked.
“Yep. You?” Ariana said, turning around.
Nicole was staring at her with her hands on her hips and one brow raised. God this woman is sexy, Ariana thought.
“I think you like fouling because you like to grab me,” Ariana said, dribbling the ball from one hand to the other.
“You’re just now figuring that out?” Nicole smirked.
Ariana leaned over and held the ball while Nicole lined up opposite her.
“I told Stuart the other night that watching you is beauty in motion,” Nicole said.
Ariana’s breath caught in her chest as Nicole’s voice started low and dropped even lower. She was gazing at Ariana with those intense brown eyes and Ariana was falling deeper into them.
Suddenly with a flash Nicole grabbed the ball, turned around, and made a shot. Of course it went in.
“That’s not fair!” Ariana protested. “You used your voice against me. You know about my crush and what it does to me!”
Nicole scoffed. “I’ll tell you what’s not fair.
” She dribbled the ball with one hand and made a circular motion in front of Ariana with the other.
“You’re a ten in my phone. I could’ve changed it, but I haven’t.
There you are with those gorgeous, long, muscular legs and then you have to add your sexy arms with your tunnel walk.
Plus you have your hair up in that messy bun. That’s not fair!”
Ariana smiled as Nicole threw her the ball.
“It’s tied,” Nicole said. “Next make wins.”
“You’re so competitive,” Ariana said, holding the ball over their heads.
“Not in everything.”
Ariana raised her brows and met Nicole’s gaze. Her eyes were sparkling now with an intensity Ariana hadn’t seen before. Nicole reached for the ball and her lips were so close…
Ariana touched her lips to Nicole’s and heard the softest moan.
Fears that Nicole would pull away vanished when Ariana felt Nicole’s arms encircle her neck.
She dropped the ball and her arms fell around Nicole’s waist, pulling her closer.
Their lips fit perfectly together and Ariana gently caressed then sucked Nicole’s bottom lip between hers.
Another soft moan reached Ariana’s ears.
She could feel and hear her heart thumping wildly in her chest, but she was focused on Nicole’s luscious lips.
When they finally pulled apart Ariana saw a hint of a smile on Nicole’s face. “Get your bag,” Nicole said quietly.
Ariana quickly grabbed her bag as Nicole retrieved the ball and shouldered her small bag. She walked towards Ariana and she tried to read Nicole’s expression. She didn’t seem upset which was a good thing because Ariana felt like she’d crossed a boundary.
Nicole reached for Ariana’s hand and led them to the elevator. Neither of them said a word as Nicole pulled them inside the elevator.
Once the doors closed Ariana felt Nicole’s body push her up against the wall. Their lips met again, but this wasn’t a soft first kiss. Ariana met Nicole’s lips with passion that had been building ever since she’d fallen into the woman’s lap. This kiss was full of desire, heat, and exploration.
Before their tongues could touch, the elevator stopped. Ariana could feel Nicole sigh against her. She led them to her apartment and once the door was closed Nicole started down the hallway. She threw the basketball into her office and dropped her bag.
She turned around and looked at Ariana. “Are you coming?”
Ariana smiled, dropped her bag, and walked down the hall. She watched as Nicole took her shirt off and stepped out of her shorts once she walked into the bedroom.
She looked over at Ariana. “Are you going to make me undress you?”
“Not this time,” Ariana said.
A big grin grew on Nicole’s face.
Ariana liked Nicole’s eyes on her as she pulled her shirt over her head then slipped out of her shorts. “There’s no graceful way to take off a sports bra.” Ariana tugged the bra over her head and dropped it on the pile of the rest of her clothes. She took her undies off and walked over to the bed.
Nicole’s eyes had never moved as Ariana undressed.
“Hold up,” Ariana said, before Nicole reached the bed. “I’m not the only ten with sexy arms and legs around here.”
Nicole smiled and crawled onto the bed. Ariana saw her take a deep breath and slowly release it. Was she trying to calm her racing heart just like Ariana was?
They faced each other on the bed. “Pretty brown eyes,” Ariana said, putting a lock of hair behind Nicole’s ear. “I’m trying not to go too fast, but I really, really want you, Nic.”
“Show me,” Nicole said.
Ariana’s lips were on Nicole’s in an instant.
All the grabbing, squeezing, and tickling from earlier was history.
They’d given each other permission to touch, stroke, and caress.
This kiss was full of purpose as Ariana pushed Nicole onto her back while placing her thigh between Nicole’s legs.
If Ariana thought she loved Nicole’s voice, her moans and whimpers were even better.
When their tongues finally touched for the first time Ariana expected a battle just like on the basketball court, but it wasn’t to be. Nicole allowed Ariana to explore as their tongues caressed in a tangle of sensual touch.
Ariana’s hand feathered down Nicole’s side then up over her stomach to cup her breast. It fit perfectly in her hand and it was Ariana who moaned. She ran her thumb over Nicole’s nipple, feeling it harden at her touch. What a rush!
She slowly pulled her lips from Nicole’s and gazed into her eyes.
Nicole’s hand cupped the side of Ariana’s face and she smiled.
Ariana sighed then trailed kisses down Nicole’s neck on a path to her breast, but she stopped and gently sucked below Nicole’s ear.
She was rewarded with a gasp and another deep moan.
“Mmmm,” Ariana murmured. “I’ve found a favorite spot.”
“Oh yeah,” Nicole said breathlessly.
Ariana let her lips continue and kissed over Nicole’s collarbone then swirled her tongue around her nipple. God, this is good, Ariana thought. She gently sucked Nicole’s nipple into her mouth and Nicole arched her back with another moan.
Ariana felt Nicole’s fingers on her hair then tangle in the strands that had escaped the bun. She pulled back and waited for Nicole to open her eyes. “You have to tell me what you want.”
Nicole nodded. “You’re doing just fine.”
Ariana turned her attention to Nicole’s other breast and lavished it with her tongue and kisses. She reached her hand down the outside of Nicole’s thigh then back up while she nibbled, sucked, and kissed Nicole’s breasts.
“God, I may come right now if you keep that up.” Nicole arched her back again. “So good.”
Ariana slid her hand over Nicole’s stomach and could feel the muscles tighten at her touch.
“You are amazing,” Ariana whispered. Nicole wasn’t the only one who appreciated the shape of a woman.
Ariana let her hand roam lower and lower until she swept her fingers across Nicole’s belly from hipbone to hipbone.
She felt Nicole shiver and goosebumps rose in her wake.
“God, Ari,” Nicole moaned.
Ariana raised up, looked into Nicole’s eyes, and could see the fire burning deep in the darkness. Her hand roamed lower until she cupped Nicole’s sex. Her legs opened and Ariana ran one finger along her lower lips while she kissed Nicole deeply.
She dipped her finger between Nicole’s folds and into the warm wetness of her desire.
Nicole tore her lips away from Ariana’s and cupped her face with both hands. “Oh, yeah,” she widened her eyes and nodded.
Ariana circled her clit and watched Nicole’s eyes close in pleasure. She let her finger roam from Nicole’s opening up and around her clit over and over. Ariana could feel the orgasm building inside Nicole with every touch. Nicole’s body quivered, her muscles tightened, and her breaths quickened.
Ariana pressed her finger to Nicole’s clit and her hips rose off the bed.
“Oh, right there.” Nicole’s breathing started coming in pants.
“Yeah?” She moved her finger over and over, pressing a little harder.
“Mmm, don’t stop and don’t move. Right there,” Nicole moaned. “That is so good, Ari.”
“Yeah, it is.” Ariana loved the way Nicole’s body was slightly and slowly moving against her. So sexy, so sensual, so fucking hot.
Nicole groaned and her arms tightened around Ariana. She stiffened and squeezed, holding Ariana until finally she let go. “Good God! That was…”
“You are strong,” Ariana said.
“Sorry.” Nicole opened her eyes and smiled. “I had to hold on. That was so good.”
Ariana smiled and softly kissed Nicole’s lips.
“You just wait,” Nicole said. “Let me breathe for a sec then we’ll see how strong you are. You’re about to find out why I had to hold on.”
“Oh, yeah?”
Nicole grinned and in a quick move flipped Ariana onto her back.
Ari’s eyes widened. “Oh, you have moves.”
Nicole giggled. “I do.” She leaned down and kissed Ariana softly. “Ready? Here I come.”