Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ariana boarded the team’s private plane and chose a rear-facing seat at the back.
There was a small table between her and the unoccupied opposite two seats.
She took the seat by the window, choosing this area of the plane because it was near the back door.
She wanted to make a quick exit upon arrival hoping to text or talk to Nicole when she got back to New York.
She stretched out her legs, pulled her phone and earbuds from her pocket, and scrolled through her music looking for a particular song. Her finger tapped the play button and Maroon Five’s song “Closer” began to play in her ears. Whenever she heard this song she thought of Nicole.
“I want to get close to you now, I want to get closer. I want to get close to you now, I want to get closer,” she sang quietly, closing her eyes.
Ariana smiled at the thought of it. Here they were navigating this new closeness and it was exciting and risky, but also unpredictable.
Their connection was strong, had become irresistible, and they’d find out if it was lasting.
Ariana felt a gentle nudge on her shoulder and opened her eyes. She had to do a double-take because Nicole was smiling down at her.
Ariana sat up and widened her eyes. “What are you…”
“Turns out you’re my ride home,” Nicole said.
Shealyn forced her way around Nicole and took the seat opposite Ariana giving her a wide smile. “Want to talk about the game?”
Nicole settled next to Ariana and bumped her shoulder. “I’m sure Shealyn has some ideas for you.”
Before Ariana could say anything Coach Bell sat down next to Shealyn. “Okay, let me tell you about my team and why we’re going to win it all,” she said, smiling at Shealyn and Nicole.
Ariana couldn’t believe what was happening. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she stole a quick glance at Nicole who looked cool as a cucumber listening to Coach Bell go on about the team.
Nicole, Shealyn, and Coach Bell continued to discuss strategies, players, defensive matchups as well as certain plays they would use in specific situations. Ariana was amazed at the basketball knowledge shared in their conversation.
“Why are you behind the mike?” Ariana asked Nicole and Shealyn. “You both could be coaching a team.”
“Oh no,” Nicole protested. “I’d much rather talk about what the coaches should be doing.”
Shealyn laughed. “Just imagine, Nicole, we could take one of the new expansion teams, choose the players we know who would work well together, and show all these teams how to play.”
“Okay, okay,” Coach Bell said. “You two need to stay where you are. We have enough competition as it is!”
Ariana watched Nicole and Shealyn exchange an amused look.
“I know the point guard we’d choose first,” Shealyn said.
Ariana met Shealyn’s gaze and raised her brows.
Nicole bumped her shoulder into Ariana and grinned. “See, I’m not your only fan.”
“You two get your greedy eyes off my point guard,” Coach Bell said. “She won’t be going anywhere.”
Ariana smiled and let her head fall back against the seat. This was fun. She didn’t need all the attention, but it was nice sitting with these accomplished women, talking as friends about her favorite subject: basketball.
“It’s a shame you can’t fly with us more often,” Ariana said with a smile. “I've learned all kinds of things.”
“That’s what we try to do for our audiences,” Shealyn said. “You’re one of the few players who actually respect our opinions.”
“I may not agree with all of them, but that doesn’t mean they won’t work,” Ariana said.
“I know someone else who could be a coach one day,” Coach Bell smiled at Ariana.
They prepared to land and shortly they were back on the ground. As the plane came to a stop Coach Bell got everyone’s attention for a quick word before deplaning.
“Tomorrow is for rest and recovery,” Coach Bell said. “You all know what that means. I’ll see you Monday morning. Congrats on another win. Isn’t it amazing the things that can happen when you execute the game plan?”
Several people whooped in response along with a smattering of applause. Everyone gathered their things as the doors opened to exit the plane.
“Thanks for tolerating us,” Shealyn said to Ariana.
“It was my pleasure,” Ariana said, giving Nicole a quick glance.
“Come on, ladies,” Coach Bell said. “We have cars waiting for the players and staff. Let’s get you a ride home.”
Ariana smiled as Nicole turned to give her one last look before leaving the plane.
She followed them down the stairs and watched Coach Bell lead them to a line of waiting cars. Ariana went to the end of the row and climbed into a car.
“I heard you won again. Congrats,” the driver said to Ariana as she buckled her seat belt.
“We did, thanks.”
Ariana was about to give the driver her address when the other door opened and Nicole slid into the seat next to her.
“Give me a ride home?” she asked with a sly smile.
Ariana’s face lit up with delight. “I’d love to.”
“Where to?” the driver asked.
Nicole gave him her address and as they pulled away Ariana felt Nicole’s fingers slide into her hand.
They didn’t say much on the ride to Nicole’s apartment, but the anticipation was growing inside Ariana with each block they traveled.
She stroked Nicole’s hand with her thumb as a smile stayed on her face.
“Was there anything else about the game you wanted to talk about?” Nicole asked.
Ariana met her gaze and leaned closer. “I think we covered almost everything. Don’t you?”
“What in the world will we do tomorrow?” Nicole asked innocently.
“I might have an idea or two.”
“Here we are,” the driver said, pulling up to the curb.
“Want to help me carry this up?” Nicole asked.
Ariana reached for Nicole’s bag and opened the back door. “Thank you,” she said to the driver, handing him cash.
“You’re welcome, good luck with the rest of your season.”
Ariana shouldered Nicole’s bag and held out her hand as Nicole climbed out of the back seat.
They walked into the building to the elevators and got inside. When the elevator door closed Nicole could see pure lust in Ariana’s eyes and was sure hers radiated the same.
Nicole opened her front door allowing Ariana to step inside first. When she closed the door and turned around Ariana’s hands were on her arms stroking up to her shoulders.
“You know how much I like this outfit and it drove me wild! Every time I glanced over at you, I had to refocus my attention on the game. Then you plop down next to me on the plane in the same outfit and I somehow have to act like you’re simply Nicole Neal, broadcaster extraordinaire.
Not sexy, sultry, smooth-talking Nicole Neal who makes me weak with one look of her pretty brown eyes. ”
Nicole swallowed and stared into Ariana’s very dark eyes. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she could feel the electricity of Ariana’s touch flowing through her body.
“I know we have to be discreet,” Ariana continued, her voice dropping as she unbuttoned Nicole’s vest. “But you were asking a lot of me in that situation.”
Ariana slid the vest over Nicole’s shoulders then gasped when she stared at Nicole’s navy blue push-up bra. God, she couldn’t wait to feel Ariana’s lips on her wherever she chose to kiss her first.
“Your discipline and restraint will be rewarded,” Nicole purred in a low voice. She saw Ariana’s eyes widen and her lips curved in a devilish smile.
Ariana’s lips found the sensitive spot below Nicole’s ear and she groaned in reply. She ran her fingers through Ariana’s loose hair as she left a trail of kisses across Nicole’s breast.
Nicole could feel her chest rising and falling with heated breaths when Ariana’s teeth nipped at her neck. Ariana’s fingers unlatched her bra then she raised her head and slowly slid the straps down Nicole’s arms, revealing her breasts, nipples hard ready for Ariana’s mouth.
“Beautiful,” Ariana whispered.
Nicole pulled Ariana’s lips to her chest, offering her breasts to Ariana’s eager mouth. “Oh, God,” Nicole moaned as Ariana sucked one of the stiff peaks inside her mouth then gently bit down. She arched into Ariana wanting to be closer. “Mmm,” she loudly moaned.
Ariana’s mouth found Nicole’s other breast and Nicole could feel the wetness now pooling between her legs. This woman’s mouth and tongue were magical. The fire building inside her was intense and she grabbed Ariana’s face, pulling her lips to hers.
She hungrily pressed her lips to Ariana’s and pushed her tongue to tangle in this romantic dance of passion and pure pleasure. Their moans carried in the small foyer as Nicole’s arms snaked around Ariana, pulling her closer still.
“Too many clothes,” Ariana said breathlessly, pulling away from Nicole. Her fingers went to work on the button and zipper on Nicole’s pants, quickly sliding them down her legs.
“Wait.” Nicole grabbed Ariana’s shoulders, balancing herself, and kicked one boot then the other off. In a flash her pants were gone and Ariana knelt in front of her, sliding her panties down her legs to be thrown aside.
Ariana looked up at her and Nicole had never felt so wanted, so desperate for her touch, and so sexy at the same time.
Yes, the lust was there, but also respect, desire, and trust. Ariana wanted to take her over the edge into a place of pleasure and sensations, all communicated with a look, with her eyes and the slightest hint of a smile.
Nicole braced herself against the door, ran a finger through Ariana’s hair, and took a deep breath. She felt Ariana’s hand slide under her leg guiding it onto her shoulder. When Ariana’s tongue parted Nicole’s folds, she closed her eyes and felt Ariana everywhere.
The softness then firmness of her tongue circled Nicole’s clit. She could feel Ariana lick from her opening up and around, over and over. Nicole’s breaths were coming in pants once again as she held onto the door and Ariana’s shoulder.
Then just the tip of Ariana’s finger teased her opening.
“More,” Nicole demanded.
Ariana teased her again as she sucked Nicole’s clit into her mouth.
The groan that bubbled up from Nicole’s chest surprised her. “Please, Ari,” she begged.
“Mmm,” Ariana moaned. “Are you going to tease me with this outfit again?”
“Definitely.” Nicole heard Ariana chuckle then one, two fingers slipped inside her and Nicole groaned with pleasure. “Yes!”
Ariana started slow but then began to move her fingers faster in and out. Nicole tried to keep up but her legs were beginning to tremble. She gripped Ariana’s shoulder a little tighter and opened herself to Ariana’s pace, inviting the orgasm to take her away into Ariana’s bliss-filled world.
“I’ve got you.” Ariana’s sweet voice filtered to Nicole’s ears and she could no longer hold back.
“Ari!” she screamed as the orgasm gripped her, muscles contracting tightly, then she shook and shivered in ultimate release. Before she collapsed and slid down the door, Ariana stood and held her close. “My God,” Nicole groaned on Ariana’s shoulder.
“That was amazing!” Ariana said in delight.
Nicole took a deep breath and looked into Ariana’s joyful face. “You’re very pleased with yourself, aren’t you?”
Ariana chuckled. “Yes, I am.”
Nicole laughed. “Oh, Ariana Villa, it’s you who are amazing.”
Ariana’s smile smacked Nicole in the heart and left her breathless. She stared into those soft brown eyes and wanted to remember this moment. Nicole had had great sex in her life, but this was so much more.
“Are you going to make me take those clothes off of you?”
Ariana tilted her head and grinned. “Yep.”
Nicole bit down on her lower lip, took Ariana’s hand, and pulled her towards the bedroom.