Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ariana gazed over at Nicole as she sipped her drink.
She had not expected this to happen today and couldn’t imagine a better way to spend the afternoon than having sex with Nicole Neal.
This woman was more than amazing, but Ariana had to be careful.
It would be so easy to fall head over heels for her and that could end up getting them both hurt.
Nicole looked up at her and smiled. “What’s going on in that head of yours? I can feel the buzzing over here.”
Ariana laughed. “My whole body is buzzing courtesy of you.” She pointed her fork at Nicole and narrowed her gaze. “Are we really good at this or is it because it’s been a while since we’ve had sex?”
Nicole’s brows crept up her forehead and she smirked. “I’m guessing you’re asking me because I know Ariana Villa doesn’t go without the attention of another woman whenever she wants it.”
“That’s not true. I’ve told you my reputation is untrue.”
“It’s been a while for me, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been without release.” Nicole smiled.
Ariana’s face brightened. “Yet another thing we have in common.”
Nicole giggled.
“I love that sound.” Ariana grinned and raised a brow. “So you’re telling me if I snooped in your nightstand I might find a toy or two.”
“You didn’t snoop the other day?”
“I told you I didn’t!” Ariana protested.
Nicole chuckled. “Hmm, I guess you’ll have to snoop and see.”
“After I refuel.” She pushed the urge away to gobble up her food in hopes of them immediately returning to the bedroom. “I have two questions.”
“Okay…” Nicole replied warily.
“When you’re not playing basketball or watching basketball games, what do you do?”
“Hmm, let’s see—well, today.” She grinned.
Ariana smirked as Nicole wiggled her brows.
“Okay, so you know what I did today.” Nicole chuckled. “When I’m not working or enjoying playing basketball…hmm. I like to work out, so I lift weights, do a little yoga or sometimes enjoy a walk around the neighborhood. I also like to read.”
“Let me guess, books about basketball.”
“Nope.” Nicole chuckled. “Romance novels, specifically sapphic romance.”
“Oh yeah?” Ariana leaned a little closer and raised her brows. “Do they have basketball players in them?”
Nicole laughed. “I’ve read a few that do, but they have all kinds of people in them. What about you? Do you do anything that doesn’t involve basketball?”
“I play video games,” Ariana said.
“So you’re a player, period.”
Ariana gave Nicole a menacing look. “How many times do I have to say it? My rookie year was sketchy as far as women go, but that’s the only time. I love women. I respect women. I want to spend my life with women?”
“Women?”
“Well, eventually one day, I hope with one woman.”
“Ah, the illusive right woman. I remember us talking about her.”
Ariana remembered that conversation as well.
She’d thought the right woman would understand the demands of her career and the commitment it took during the season.
Work/life balance would be a challenge, but doable if they worked together.
“Yeah, do you think we have to seek her out? Or maybe she’ll fall into your lap. ”
Nicole looked over at her with a raised brow. They stared at one another for a moment then Nicole said, “Or maybe we’ll meet her through our friends.”
“Have Shealyn and Kate tried to set you up again?”
“Nope. They are respecting that boundary so far.”
Ariana winced. Even though Nicole assured her this was going to happen whether Ariana kissed her first or not, she still felt a little guilty for crossing that boundary.
“Don’t look at me like that. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Nicole paused then smiled. “Okay, I’ll stop teasing you about your stellar reputation with the ladies. Do you play basketball video games?”
“Not really,” Ariana said. She appreciated Nicole’s efforts to alleviate her guilt. “I have, but my favorites are racing games like Mario Kart and the like.”
“Oh, I’ve played that a little. Maybe someday we can play together.”
Ariana smiled. “You’d want to do that?”
Nicole nodded. “Sure. Do you want to read one of my books?”
Ariana tilted her head. “Maybe you could read it to me.”
Nicole chuckled. “Let me guess, one of the sexy parts.”
“I’m not sure that would be a good idea,” Ariana replied. “I’d be tossing the book aside and wanting to try it in real life.”
Nicole laughed. “What else do you like to do?”
“Sometimes I like to watch TV,” Ariana said.
“I’ve been known to binge-watch certain shows.”
“Okay, the next weekend we both have off, let’s pick a show,” Ariana suggested.
“When will that happen, sometime in October?”
Ariana furrowed her brow and studied Nicole for a moment. “Is that something you’d want to do with me? I’m not exactly sure what we are. I mean, we were basketball buddies. Are we now basketball buddies with benefits?”
Nicole laughed and Ariana saw the sparkle in her eyes soften.
“I’m not sure what we are either, Ari. We’re a secret. I know that much,” Nicole said. “You’re my friend and now a friend I do really fun things with.”
“Oh yeah?” Ariana felt a little flutter in her stomach. Nicole Neal’s secret friend? She was fine with that.
“Was today fun for you?”
“You know it was and I hope it will be even more fun this afternoon.” Today had been magical as far as Ariana was concerned and she certainly didn’t want it to end just yet.
“Me too.”
“Oh, hey,” Ariana said excitedly. “We’ve added to our list.”
“Have we?”
“Mmhmm. Pretty brown eyes that get really, really dark when you’re about to—um, come undone,” Ariana said.
“I could say the same for you,” Nicole added. She took a deep breath. “Okay, the list. Let’s see nice jump shots, playing with kids, Stuart.”
“You can’t leave out students of the game,” Ariana said. “And now we’ve added sex. Really good sex.”
Nicole stared at Ariana, stood up, and reached for her hand. “Let’s see if we can be even better.”
“What about—” Ariana looked at the table where their mostly empty plates were left.
“Do you really want to do the dishes now?”
Ariana grinned, took Nicole’s hand, and pulled her down the hallway to the bedroom. She stopped at the bed, turned around, and reached for Nicole’s shirt.
“Oh, is this where we undress each other?” Nicole grinned.
“You’re too slow,” Ariana said, dropping Nicole’s shirt and taking her own off.
She spun Nicole around and pulled her shorts off before pushing her to sit on the bed.
Nicole’s giggles filtered around the room as Ariana slipped her shorts off, kicking them to the side.
Neither of them had bothered with underclothes and Ariana now saw the brilliance of that decision.
She stepped between Nicole’s legs and looked down at her.
“Thank you for lunch. I know what I’m having for dessert.” Ariana gave her a sexy smile and dropped to her knees.
“That’s a little cliché, don’t you think?” Nicole ran her teeth over her bottom lip and Ariana could feel the wetness rush between her own legs.
“I don’t think so and neither will you in a few minutes.” Ariana didn’t wait for Nicole’s reply and claimed her lips in a passionate kiss.
Nicole moaned as Ariana placed her hands on the top of Nicole’s thighs. Nicole had wanted to run her fingers through Ariana’s hair and she could feel her do so now as she squeezed the muscles in Nicole’s thighs.
“Let’s see how strong your legs are,” Ariana murmured as she put her hands under Nicole’s thighs.
Nicole quickly scooted back on the bed and Ariana followed, kissing a path up her inner thigh to her center. Ariana lifted her head just enough to gaze into Nicole’s eyes. A smile was on her face and Nicole’s fingers trailed down Ariana’s cheek while her other hand combed through Ariana’s hair.
Ariana tilted her head into the caress then her lips were back on Nicole’s skin as her hands reached around Nicole’s legs. Her tongue licked from Nicole’s opening up her slit in one firm motion. Ariana could feel the pleasured groan start deep inside Nicole until it echoed around the room.
Ariana wanted to hear that sound again and again, so her tongue repeated this path, now circling Nicole’s clit then teasing her opening.
“Good God, Ari,” she moaned.
Ariana flattened her tongue against Nicole’s clit while she used one finger to trace around her opening. Nicole’s fingers tightened in Ariana’s hair as she slowly pushed one finger inside.
Another pleased moan encouraged Ariana and she sucked Nicole’s clit into her mouth as she added another finger. She let her fingers still while her tongue flitted across Nicole’s sensitive clit.
Nicole’s hips pushed up trying to get closer to Ariana.
She could hear Nicole gasping and panting for a breath as Ariana started a rhythm with her fingers.
Slowly at first, in and out. Nicole’s hips began to move with her and Ariana’s tongue searched for that place next to Nicole’s clit that drove her wild earlier.
“Oh! Right there!” Nicole exclaimed.
Ariana smiled to herself, not daring to let her tongue move off that spot. She knew where it was now and would remember going forward.
Her fingers began to move a little faster and Nicole moaned. “I’m close, so close.”
Ariana moved her fingers a few more times then pushed them in deeper as her tongue pressed a little harder. She felt Nicole’s muscles tense then her hips stopped, her fingers fisted in Ariana’s hair, and her legs closed around Ariana’s head.
Moments later Nicole fell back on the bed with a satisfied moan. Ariana felt Nicole’s fingers relax in her hair as she rested her head on Nicole’s stomach. They stayed like this while Ariana listened for Nicole’s breathing to slow.
She lifted her head and saw the most beautiful look on Nicole’s face. There was a small smile and her eyes were closed. Ariana was sure they were the softest velvety brown color.
Nicole’s eyes fluttered open and she gazed down at Ariana.
“Cliché?”
Nicole closed her eyes and groaned. “You’re right. I’ll be your dessert any day.”
Ariana chuckled and moved next to Nicole. She kissed her cheek and rolled onto her back, very satisfied with herself. “That was fun,” she said, tangling her fingers with Nicole’s.
“Mmm, this entire day has been fun,” Nicole said. “However, we haven’t talked about the moves you’re going to make against the defenses you see this week.”
Ariana chuckled. “The moves I’m going to make? You’re the one with moves.” She rolled onto her side and rested her head in her hand as she gazed down at Nicole. “I especially like the one with your—”
“Stop!” Nicole exclaimed, meeting Ariana’s gaze with a smirk then a smile. “How quickly your focus can change. I seem to remember in the beginning all you wanted to do was talk about basketball and how to exploit other teams’ weaknesses.”
Ariana smiled and let her hand roam over Nicole’s stomach. “That’s true but a wise woman told me not to take the fun out of the game. I don’t know when I’ve had so much fun.”
Nicole laughed and rolled off the bed. Ariana watched her gather their clothes from the floor, tossing Ariana’s towards her. “You know, you’re always complimenting me on my physical beauty and the way I move. Have you looked in the mirror?”
Ariana sat on the side of the bed and slipped her shorts then her shirt on as she continued to watch Nicole. She reached out and grabbed Nicole’s wrist, pulling her onto her lap. “You are a beautiful woman, Nic. Own it.”
Nicole smiled as she gazed into Ariana’s eyes. “Thank you.”
The touch of Nicole’s hand on Ariana’s cheek sent a shiver through her body. Her thumb gently moved, tracing the corner of Ariana’s mouth as she smiled and gazed into Nicole’s eyes. She didn’t see desire or passion; Ariana saw true affection.
This moment in time would be one Ariana remembered when her thoughts turned to Nicole and she felt that little curiosity in her heart wondering what she was doing or perhaps wishing they were together.
“Okay, show me how I’m going to kick ass this week and I’ll show you a little something I discovered at my last game.”
Nicole nodded, got up, and took Ariana’s hand, leading them towards the door and to her office. “I have a busy week.”
“Uh oh, we’re away on Tuesday, but please tell me you’re calling our game Saturday in DC,” Ariana said.
Nicole pulled up her schedule and bumped her shoulder into Ariana’s where she sat next to her. “You like it when I call your games?”
“I wish you called all my games,” Ariana said, gazing over at her. “Then I’d get to see you more often.” She hoped that didn’t sound needy or too much. Ariana liked Nicole and liked being with her. Now that their friendship had become even more, she didn’t want to have unrealistic expectations.
“I’d like that, too,” Nicole said.
“You would?”
“I love watching you play, Ari,” Nicole said. “But I like being with you, spending time with you. And now…”
Ariana smirked. “Yeah, and now?”
“We just have to be careful. Okay?”
Ariana nodded. “Where are you off to this week?”
“I’m headed to Las Vegas for a game tomorrow night then on to Arizona,” Nicole explained.
“You’re not coming back here?”
Nicole shook her head. “My parents live in Phoenix. So I’ll see them Wednesday before I call that game on Thursday. I’ll fly to DC on Saturday in time to call your game.”
Ariana sighed dramatically. “Thank goodness.” Then she grinned at Nicole. “You’re spending time with your parents?”
“Yeah, they moved to Phoenix when they both retired,” Nicole explained. “I see them when I do games there and during the off season. Plus they come here to catch a game occasionally.”
“We’ve never talked about our families.” Ariana shrugged.
“We will,” Nicole said.
Ariana smiled and understood Nicole’s meaning. “Are you waiting to see if I’m worth the trouble before you tell me about your family?”
Nicole scoffed and looked over at Ariana. “You wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t think you were worth it, Ari.”
Ariana grinned. “I was teasing, Nic. I’m at a bit of a disadvantage here.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re not sure what this is and I don’t want to assume, so…” Ariana raised one shoulder.
“Ari,” Nicole said, looking into her eyes. “As you said, we have a connection and right now it is pulling us towards each other in a way I don’t think either of us wants to resist. I hope you like it here because this is where we’ll have to see each other. I’ll ask you again. Are you sure?”
Ariana’s answer was a tender kiss on Nicole’s soft lips. “I like your apartment, your roof, your doorman, your basketball knowledge, and being here with you. I’m all in, Nicole.”
“You are becoming an irresistible, seductive, sexy secret.”
“Sealed with a kiss.” Ariana pecked Nicole on the lips then turned back to the computer screen. “Okay, let me show you my latest move.”
Nicole chuckled as she pulled up Ariana’s last basketball game.