Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Jamie
The door snicks shut behind me and I tiptoe across the room to my side to dig through my bag for clothes. I need to get ready for breakfast and focus on the game we’re playing tonight.
“Where were you all night?”
I jump out of my skin and whirl to the other bed. Squinting in the dark, I can barely see Suli on the bed with his arm behind his head. He flicks the light switch and I cringe at the bright light.
“Couldn’t have said you were awake, bro, instead of scaring the shit out of me? What’s the team gonna do if I drop dead from fright?”
“Put on Nick.”
I clutch my chest. “Brutal. I’m not even cold yet and you’re putting on my sub.”
Suli shrugs. “It’s how the game works. Where were you?”
“Out.” I avoid the question and go back to finding clothes.
“With Daisy?”
I sigh and face him. Clearly I’m not escaping this conversation. “So what?”
“So, have you talked to management? You know we aren’t allowed anyone in our hotel rooms.”
“Not yet, and I realise that, but it’s Daisy and she was upset.”
“All night?”
I stay silent and stare at him. There might be issues with management if they hear I stayed in her hotel room. But that’s why no one’s going to find out. “Her dog’s sick and she misses him.”
“Like management will give a fuck about that. The married guys aren’t allowed their spouses in their rooms. You think management will like you staying in Daisy’s?”
“She’s part of the staff, so technically, it doesn’t matter. It’s like me staying in Johnny’s room instead of with you.”
“It’s completely different, and you know it. You have to talk to management.”
I fall back on the bed and dig the heels of my palms into my eyes until I see spots. “I know. I know I do. I’ll do it before we leave.” My arms drop to the bed and Suli flings the sheets away and heads to the bathroom.
“And don’t mention last night.”
The door shuts and leaves me in silence to contemplate everything. Management will be fine once we sign documents. They’ll be less fine if they find out we were switching rooms and doing bad things to each other. Especially since she’s my physio. Not exactly a good look for either of us. I groan. Suli’s right. It’ll be easier talking to them sooner rather than later, before anything else happens and they decide to find another physio and hooker. But they’ll be more lenient with me, unfortunately. They always go after the woman, especially in sports when they want to keep the player. I reach for my phone and open my email.
Time to do this the right way.
* * *
Having Daisy tape me up after I’ve seen her face thrown back in pleasure and heard the high moan she releases when she comes is torture. I have to sit still while her fingers touch my skin, in a room full of other guys getting strapped, and I can’t touch her back. Can’t brush the tiny curling strands of hair under her cap, or touch the sprinkle of freckles on her cheeks.
The sooner we get this sorted, the better.
The day runs like normal and then we’re on the field for kickoff and I push Daisy from my mind. Instead, I focus on winning and not getting my body ruined by South Africans.
The stadium’s loud, and not in our favour. Especially when we win after a game filled with yellow cards and close calls.
Sitting in the sheds, my body begins to feel the aches and pains. It’s possible I’m getting too old for this. I roll my shoulders and drop my head to the back of my cubby and breathe deeply. Am I looking forward to an ice bath? Am I so old that I want the ice bath because I know I’ll feel better after it? There is no way I can tell any of the younger guys that.
Something taps my boot, and I open my eyes. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face when I see her serious one, hair braided away from her face, team cap casting shadows on her cheeks.
“You okay? No blood today,” she observes.
“All good. Just a bit sore.” I lean forward and wait until she comes closer to whisper, “Don’t tell anyone, but I can’t wait for the ice bath.”
Daisy snorts and leans back. “I think you’re the only athlete who’s ever told me that.”
“I’m just too wise.”
She makes a rude noise of disagreement, which I choose to ignore. “Want me to remove the tape?”
I nod and stand so she can remove the tape decorating my body. I removed the tape and gauze protecting my ears already, but was waiting for her to rip everything else off. My face scrunches when the tape on my thigh rips off hair. Maybe she’s right and I am a masochist, because I look forward to this every game.
I had a call with Linda from management before the match to sign the relationship form. She wasn’t as shocked as I expected her to be, just wanted my signature and contacted the PR team in case a statement needs releasing. Daisy doesn’t know it yet, but today is the last day she’ll treat me. Adam’s taking me on now instead, so while I don’t like her ripping hair from my body, I try to enjoy her fingertips brushing my skin while she finds the edge of the tape before ruthlessly pulling it.
“All done.”
I turn to face her. We’ve been in this position thousands of times before. Me standing in front of her, bare-chested, with her hands full of tape, but now that I’ve kissed her, I’m finding it difficult to stop myself from bending down and covering her lips with mine. Her eyes flash when I lick my lips, but she steps back quickly.
“Ready to go?” A hand slaps my back harder than necessary, and I turn to glare at Suli.
“Yep. Let’s get this over with so we can have dinner.”
I leave Daisy in the changing sheds and follow Suli to begin our cool down routine.
Everyone’s heading to a restaurant afterwards to celebrate the win and being one step closer to the Freedom Cup, but all I want to do is show up at Daisy’s room and tell her about my conversation with Linda.
Dinner’s a long and rowdy affair. The boys are excited about the win and fired up for the game next week, desperate to win the cup. I want to win the cup too, but gazing at Daisy a few tables away, it doesn’t seem as important. Which really no one can find out about. God, if the boys found out I thought a woman was more important than footy, they’d disown me. The single guys would at least, the ones with partners would welcome me with open arms and help me choose a ring. It’s too early for rings, though.
I lock eyes with Daisy, and she smiles at me before laughing at something Adam says and throws her head back.
Is it too early for rings?
I shake myself and rejoin the conversation with Johnny and Nick. Hemi will arrive in two days and join us for the last game, but if what Daisy’s been saying is true, he’ll be glued to his phone, waiting for text messages rather than hanging with the boys.
Dinner finally ends and some of the younger guys head to a club to continue the celebration—we have tomorrow off, and they’re taking advantage of it. I return to the hotel and press the button for a level that isn’t mine.
Suli rolls his eyes. “You better not sleep there. Just because you signed something doesn’t mean it’s a free pass to have sex with your girlfriend on a work trip.”
“I’m going to tell her about the meeting. And she’s not my girlfriend.” I grin at him. “Yet.”
The lift doors open and Suli steps out and says pointedly, “I’ll see you later.”
“Later, bro.” The doors shut on his unimpressed look. And I will see him later. I’m not about to tempt fate and annoy management when they made my life a lot easier instead of making everything difficult. I’ll sleep in my room after I’ve told Daisy the good news.
I knock on her door and slip my hands into my pockets, rocking back on my heels while I wait for her. The door opens and I grin. “Hey, baby.”
She leans against the doorway and crosses her arms. She’s changed into tight leggings that leave little to the imagination and an oversized crop top. She looks edible.
“Hello, lovely. As glad as I am to find you at my door, I’m not sure it’s a great idea.” Daisy scans the hallway to make sure there’s no one around before pulling me inside, despite her words.
“I know, but I wanted to see you.”
Her eyes rake over me, and she bites her lip. “Have I ever told you that suits look fantastic on you?”
“You haven’t, but you should.” I’m wearing dress pants and a button-up shirt in a dark green. Not really a suit, but if she likes the way I look in it, who am I to contradict her?
Her arms slip around my waist, and her chin rests on my chest as she looks up at me. “They do. You look yummy. I love it when you wear green.”
“Yeah?” I gaze down at her. Her whiskey eyes darken to malt and dilate.
“Yeah.”
“I love it when you wear your tight leggings.” My hands drift down her back and land on her ass. I squeeze and lift her slightly until she gets the idea and steps onto my shoes so she’s a bit taller. Everything’s moving so fast, but I can’t bring myself to care. I just want to be around her.
“You do?”
“Mmm. So sexy.” I dip my head to peck her lips but pull back before she can deepen it. “I particularly like the ones with the seam that goes between your cheeks and over your hips.” I trace a finger where I mean, dragging it over her black leggings between her cheeks until I reach the top of her hips and encircle her.
Daisy’s breath catches, and she pushes closer to me. “The navy ones? I don’t wear them at work. How do you know I have those?”
“I saw you jogging one morning, and you were wearing them.” I groan low in my throat. “You were in a sports bra that wasn’t very supportive—” I quiet her giggle with a kiss and continue, “I had to stop myself from joining you and watching everything up close.”
“When was this?”
“A few months ago.”
“I’ll have to buy more then. Now kiss me.”
I listen to her command and lean down to capture her lips. She opens for me, and I stroke into her mouth, tongues tangle together, and I lift her higher to reach her better. To experience the heat of her tongue on mine, to feel her teeth tugging my bottom lip, to roll my hips into hers as her hands thrust in my hair and grip tightly, tilting my head to the side so she can get her preferred angle.
I stride deeper into her room and set her on the bed. Daisy grabs my shoulders and manhandles me until I’m sitting on the foot of the bed. I raise my eyebrows at her. “Is this where you want me?”
She nods and runs her hands up and down my arms. “Perfect. You played amazing today.”
My chest lights up with warmth, and a smile tugs at my lips. “Yeah?”
Hearing the woman I love tell me I did good at my job is one of the best feelings. And Daisy knows how much work I put in and everything I put my body through—nothing could stop me from wrapping my arms around her waist and tugging her onto my lap.
“Yeah, you did.”
The simple confirmation solidifies everything. I don’t remember how long I’ve been in love with her, but Daisy telling me simply I did good today, no running through stats or improvements or what I should have done, just ‘you played amazing today,’ means there’s no going back. She sees me.
“Thank you.”
“So, I was thinking.” She threads her fingers through my hair and massages my scalp. My head drops back at the feeling. Kind of makes sense why Westley always wants her hands on him. “I refuse to buy condoms in South Africa surrounded by rugby players, and I know you’re tired after the game and probably don’t want to do much.” My head jerks upright. Is she about to throw me out? She’s right. I am tired, and I’m not sure my thighs would survive thrusting, but I’d make it work. “I thought I could suck you instead.”
I tense at her suggestion, and my dick takes particular notice, chubbing up and pressing against her.
She moves her hips in a slow figure eight and smirks. “Interested?”
My throat bobs. “Very. But I resent the implication I wouldn’t be able to get you off.”
“My lovely, I’ve been your physio for three years, and I’ve worked with rugby players since I was twenty-three. I know you’re tired.” I try to protest, but she talks over me. “You could totally make me come if you wanted to, but as your physio I don’t want you to overexert yourself, and as us together,” she stumbles over the words, “I want to make sure you’re comfortable. So, want me to blow you? Or cuddle instead before you need to head back to your room?” she offers.
I drop my forehead to hers and breathe her in. Honey and herbs and home. “I like it when you think of me. It makes me feel good in here.” I capture one of her hands and press it to my chest, right over my racing heart. “I’m not gonna stop you going down on me. In fact, I can’t wait, and when we get back to NZ, I’ll do the same for you.”
“I look forward to it. We probably shouldn’t do anything else after tonight. Don’t want to get in trouble with anyone,” she says regretfully.
“I know.” I kiss the skin above her eyebrow on one of her freckles. “And we probably need to talk about this, but just know I’m serious about it. I have been for a while.”
“Really?” Her voice is shocked, and she pulls back to see me better.
“Really. But enough about feelings. Let’s do feelings in Auckland, and you can get to sucking me.” I push her off my lap playfully until she’s standing in front of me, but she’s laughing so hard she has to clutch my shoulder to stay upright.
“Eager now, are we?”
“Look, he’s all lonely.” I point to the tent in my dress pants and pout at her.
“Well, I don’t want that.” And she gets to her knees in front of me and it’s not so funny anymore.
Daisy glides her hands up my thighs, over my sore muscles, and finds the zip of my pants. She drags it down carefully, and I suck in a breath when her fingers graze me.
She taps my thigh and says, “Up, please.”
I lift myself, so she can yank my pants to my ankles and sit back on the bed, thighs spread wide with Daisy between them, black briefs still on, hard dick attempting to push through the fabric.
We lock eyes, hers like warm golden syrup, soft and sweet. Daisy slips her fingers under the elastic of my briefs and that small touch causes muscles to tense and my dick to throb. She taps my thigh again and I lift up, and she tugs my underwear down to join my pants.
My dick slaps against my stomach, and I scrunch my nose at the obvious eagerness. We couldn’t be cool, could we? Daisy purses her lips, but her eyes light up with laughter and she can’t stop the curling at the corner of her lips.
“This won’t last long,” I say ruefully, staring at my swollen dick with pre-come already leaking at the tip. I swear I can see the vein on the left side fucking throbbing.
“That’s okay. I like how excited you are.”
She’s so close to me I can feel her breath on my skin, and I flinch at the sensation but shift my hips closer to her. “Don’t judge me if I only last ten seconds. I’ll be better back home.” I hope.
Daisy shrugs. “We’d figure it out.”
She leans into me and licks a strip up my swollen dick. I moan and my whole body tenses. Aches from the game are forgotten, and I can’t remember why I came to her room besides wanting to see her. Daisy stares up at me and wraps her lips around my tip and sucks me into her mouth. Warm and hot, she swirls her tongue around the tip, dipping into my slit, and bobbing her head down to take more of me.
“Ah, fuck.”
She swallows around me, and I reflexively thrust into her mouth.
Hands wrap around my base to guide how deep I can thrust, but she doesn’t push me away, just stares up at me and raises an eyebrow. Urging me on.
She does something with her tongue, and my hips rise off the bed and a breathy, needy moan escapes me. I didn’t know I could be breathy. What is she doing to me? My hand drops to her shoulder and clutches her close. Something low in my gut twists. My hands shake, and my balls draw tight.
“Daisy—Daze, I’m gonna—” I can’t even finish my sentence from what she’s doing to me, but she gets the message.
Her hand drops to cup my balls, and she rolls them in her hand while she sucks my tip. I pulse into her mouth and groan low in my throat but manage to keep my eyes open. No way am I going to miss her throat convulsing around me or her bright eyes scanning my face.
She draws off me with a pop and grins, wiping the corners of her plumped mouth. I pant hard and grab her with shaking hands and haul her on top of me as I fall back onto the bed. I kiss her swollen lips and dip my tongue into her mouth. Pulling away before I pass out from lack of oxygen, I drop my head to her shoulder and breathe her in, arms wrapped around her waist. Fingers sift through my hair, and I sigh in contentment. I ignore the fact my limp dick is hanging out, and my pants and briefs are tangled at my ankles.
When I catch my breath and the cold starts to shrivel my balls, I pull away from her shoulder to see her face. I shift hair from her eyes and kiss her softly.
“You sure you don’t want me to do the same?” I ask, even though it’s difficult to keep my eyes open and lethargy has spread through my body. I just want to wrap her in my arms and fall asleep. But if she says yes, I’ll jump at the chance to go down on her. It probably won’t be my best work, but still. Enthusiasm has to count for something.
“I’m sure.” The skin around her eyes crinkle when she smiles. “I kind of like being the one not falling asleep. You’re adorable.”
I gasp in false offence. “I’m manly.”
“You’re manly on the field. When you’re with me, you’re adorable. Especially post-orgasm with your dick out.” We glance at my shrivelled dick, and she giggles. “It looks a bit mournful.”
“That’s not mournful, that’s fulfilled.”
Daisy huffs a laugh and kisses my cheek. She runs a hand down my thigh and taps my ass, causing me to jump. “Off you go before we both fall asleep and make our lives difficult tomorrow.”
I pout at her but know she’s right. I stand and fix my clothing while she stays lying on the bed watching me. I sit beside her and lean down, bracketing her head with my arms and kiss her again, keeping it soft and slow so it doesn’t turn into anything else.
“All right. But when we’re home, it’s gonna be you and me in bed without the distraction of work.”
“I like the sound of that.” Daisy pushes my shoulders gently. “Now go away before I keep you here forever.”
Like I’d complain about that. But I hold my fist out for her to tap, grasp her hand after the low five, and turn it to press a small kiss on her palm. And with a kiss on her nose, and a soft goodbye, her hotel door shuts behind me.
I’m in the lift when I remember why I originally went to her room. My hand reaches to click her floor number, but I decide to wait until we have more time to talk and aren’t dead on our feet. It might be easier to wait until we’re back in New Zealand.
Either way, I can’t wait to tell her and take her out on a date.