Chapter Fifteen
Denis
I’d been planning a quick exit from the dinner, but now everything changed. Today had been a day I’d waited a month for. The roar of the crowd set my blood singing, and when I skated out, the cold air blasting in my face, it was like coming home. This was all I needed. My team. The fans.
Or so I’d thought. Because walking out of the locker room and seeing Sterling wearing a jersey with my number—a jersey I knew he’d bought—I realized I missed him and his crabby attitude.
Our sniping and verbal sparring got my juices flowing, and I hadn’t gotten laid in ages.
Now I was hoping that might change. I itched to have him under me, maybe wearing nothing but my jersey.
All that had to be put on the back burner for the moment because I was not going to fuck up this opportunity.
Sterling had come uninvited to one of my games, my first since the injury, and was wearing my jersey.
He’d waited for me afterward, and was coming to dinner.
It was Saturday, so he didn’t have the excuse of work the next day.
If all went as I hoped, he’d be naked in my bed by midnight.
We arrived at Rip and Adrian’s, and though I’d known Rip had changed the furniture, it had been remodeled completely—a totally new apartment.
I understood why. I got myself a glass of wine and a juice for Sterling.
As others from the team arrived, I maneuvered him to the stretch of windows overlooking the river.
We watched the boats and the Staten Island Ferry chugging across the gray expanse of water.
“Is it awkward for you to be here?” he asked me.
“It’s been years, and the apartment underwent a complete remodel. And as I said, we’re very different people now. I feel nothing for Rip but friendship.”
“Strange, isn’t it? Considering you were once in love.”
I sipped my wine. “I’m not sure we ever were. I barely remember us being together.”
He gazed up at me. “I guess if you don’t know, most likely it wasn’t.”
“I have a feeling being with you would be unforgettable.”
His lashes lowered, but he stayed silent.
“Dinner,” Rip called.
Everyone gathered at the giant island where the feast had been set out and tore into the food, except, of course, Sterling. He took a small piece of chicken and some vegetables. I was starving and demolished half a chicken, some ribs, and a big dollop of mashed potatoes.
A blond man showed up with a full plate and a young woman on his arm. “Hey, guys. Great game, Denis. Not sure we’ve met. I’m Tag Gold, the new sports reporter for Channel 8. I work with Sterling and Adrian.”
As pretty as he was to look at, I had little desire to act on the vibes I was receiving from him. I’d had enough of men who’d bend over backward to give me anything I wanted.
My only interest was in the stiff-necked man at my side who fought me at every turn. It wasn’t a game between us any longer. I hungered for him physically yet also wanted to know what in his life had made him so unyielding and afraid. I had a feeling it all revolved around Dahlia Dumont.
Oblivious to it all, Tag continued to chatter. “This is my sister, Nora. She’s a huge fan of the Blades.”
As bubbly as her brother, Nora tucked her hair behind her ears and clasped her hands. “Hi, so amazing to meet you. I watch you all the time on the news, Sterling, and I’m your biggest fan, Denis. There’s something so…larger than life about a goalie.”
Her enthusiasm was sweet, but I wanted them both to go away so I could keep talking to Sterling. I prepared to make small talk before shooing them off, but then Sterling gave me the ultimate surprise.
“I think Denis needs to go home and rest. Playing his first game after his injury, I’m sure you’ll understand he’s a little tired.”
“Oh, of course. We completely understand.” Tag nodded like a bobblehead. “You took a ton of shots on goal tonight and handled them perfectly. No lingering issues from the groin pull?”
“None,” I responded pleasantly but with enough bite in my tone to indicate I wasn’t interested in being interviewed at the moment. This person would not be allowed to get in the way of my goal.
“Definitely go home and go to bed. You need to unwind.”
After they left us and mingled with the others, I caught Sterling by the elbow. “You heard them. Go home and go to bed. Are you coming with me?”
“Is that an invitation?”
“If we weren’t with other people, I’d drag you out the door,” I growled, and heat flared in those luminous blue eyes. I wanted to see them catch fire when I moved on top of him.
“Maybe you wouldn’t have to drag me.”
Considering how the two of us bickered all the time, I was a little taken aback by him embracing the idea of us having sex, but I didn’t care. It was going to happen, and judging by that one sizzling kiss we’d shared, it promised to be explosive.
We found Rip taking some beer out of the refrigerator. “I think I’ll be going. I’m a little tired and want to rest. Go to bed early.”
Rip nodded, but I could see the gleam in his eye. “Completely understandable. You should get off your feet.”
“I intend to, mon ami.”
Sterling cleared his throat. “Thanks, Rip. Tell Adrian I’ll see him Monday.”
“I will. He’s around here somewhere, being the perfect host. Make sure Denis doesn’t overdo it. We need him ready for the next game on Tuesday.”
Sterling nodded, but his neck was red. Even though we were in the hall waiting for the elevator, I brushed my fingers along his nape, and he shivered. I bent to press a kiss right above the edge of the jersey.
“You blush so easily. Are you red everywhere?”
He twisted away as the doors opened. “Not here.”
Amused, I kept my hands and lips to myself, and we walked the half mile to my apartment. I was pleased that I suffered no achiness or pain from the injury. I wanted nothing in the way of enjoying Sterling.
Once inside, I kicked off my sneakers and stripped off my hoodie. Watchful eyes met mine, and I held out my hand. Waiting. Hoping. For the first time, unsure of a man’s desire. Would he run a second time? Was I about to be the victim of the consequences of my actions?
He took my hand, I went weak with relief.
“Come.”
Our fingers entwined, we walked into my bedroom. My bed was custom-made—plenty of room for the two of us. We sat and I cupped his cheek and touched my lips gently to his.
“I’m very happy you’re here tonight.”
“I think I should make something clear.” He shifted a bit away from me, and my hand fell from his face.
“I’m not looking for a relationship, Denis.
I just…I want to have sex with you and get it done.
It’s been hanging over our heads for several months now, and I figured if we do this, we’ll get it out of our systems and move on. ”
Unsure whether to laugh or tell him to get the hell out, I did neither.
I rubbed my chin. “Get it done…move on…mon cher, these are not words that should ever be uttered when I take someone to bed with me. Usually it’s yes, please, more.
” My lips twitched as his face burned bright red.
“Why do I have the feeling you’ve never been properly made love to? ”
He made a face. “That’s not important.”
Torn between pity and anger, I took his hand. “Ahh, but it is. It’s very, very important. And I assure you, after tonight, you will know what true lovemaking is.”
“I don’t—”
Enough with the talking. I settled my mouth on his and held him firmly.
He stiffened for only a moment before softening and opening to the pressure of my tongue.
The velvet heat of his breath pulled me into a vortex of lust and desire, and I sucked and licked.
Hard nails dug into my shoulders, and I pushed him on the bed and straddled him.
“You have too many clothes on.” I yanked at his jersey, deciding I needed him fully naked. “Take this off.”
I watched as he dragged it over his head, the flat ridges of his muscled abs flexing and bunching.
Finally he lay under me, chest smooth except for the points of his brown nipples.
I lowered my head and licked one, loving how he squirmed and hissed.
If nothing else, Sterling Forest was going to lose control tonight.
I tugged at his pants, pulling the waistband past his thighs. A thick cock bulged from his black briefs, and I smiled.
“Have I ever told you that black underwear is very sexy? I love the contrast with your skin.” My fingers played along the elastic, and he shifted, bucking his hips. “Do you want me to touch you?”
He didn’t answer, eyes wide, tongue playing with his bottom lip. It didn’t matter. We didn’t need words between us. The passion we were about to share was enough.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited to have you like this.”
Sterling remained silent but held my nape to crush our lips together.
I pressed kisses to his jaw and neck, teasing his earlobe.
A hard groan split the quiet, and my fingertips skimmed the hard dips of his quivering body, stopping at his underwear again.
I leaned in close, took it between my teeth, and pulled.
The rich scent of his desire filled my senses, and I finished removing his clothing, freeing his beautiful cock.
I took the head between my lips and sucked, but I concentrated on his face.
I wanted to see him fall apart in my bed.
“Oh, God.” He sighed, and I smiled around the shaft, licked its straining length before taking him fully to the back of my throat. “Fuck!” Sterling slapped the bed, his fingers curling on the sheet. “Please,” he gasped, the normally hard lines of his mouth soft and slack with need. “Please.”
To have this strong-willed man so weak with desire that he pled with me to make love to him was an aphrodisiac.
His taste consumed me, his smell soaked into my skin.
I wanted to swallow him whole, take him inside me so I carried him with me for always.
I nuzzled his groin, the hairs rough, while my hands and mouth continued to play with his dick.
“Denis,” he whispered, tremors racking his body, and the sound of his broken voice hurt me to my soul. Who had made him so afraid to let go and enjoy life?
“Je te désire.” I kissed his knees, sliding my tongue up his leg to lick the precome gathered at the tip of his dick. “I want in you. I need to feel you holding me tight.”
He gripped his shaft, stroking himself hard and fast. I reached for the condoms and lube, stopping to capture a kiss from him. The unexpected wetness on his cheeks sent shockwaves through me, and I raised my head to meet his gaze.
“I’m okay,” he responded to the unasked question in my eyes. “It’s…it’s been a while.”
I nudged his nose with mine. “For me too, mon cher. We’ll take it slow. Savor each other. Pleasure like we will be giving each other should not be rushed.” I licked my finger and reached down to play with his rim.
His mouth fell open as I slipped in farther and added another finger. “Denis, oh please, Denis. More.”
I could’ve kept him there all night, touching him, kissing him, drowning in his eyes. He was everything beautiful. And he was mine.
“Are you ready for me?” I brushed my lips to his.
“I have a feeling I’ll never be fully ready for the storm that’s Denis Bouvier.” A teasing smile curved his lips, and the years fell away from his face.
I rolled the condom on. “Maybe we’ll have to keep trying to make sure.
But for now?” I guided the tip of my throbbing cock past his rim and sank in slowly, trying to be gentle.
Feeling his walls clasp me tight was both perfection and torture, but I’d gladly live with this pleasure-pain forever.
He wrapped his legs around me, driving me in deep, and I lost control, thrusting into that silken fist. The sting of his nails scraping across my shoulders only heightened my lust, and I sank my teeth into his neck, then kissed the reddened spot.
“You are incredible. Perfect. I have to have you. All of you. Give yourself to me.” The ache in my balls grew, my heart thundering until I was certain it would burst. Sterling drove me wild and incapable of any coherent thought, except to hold him and never let go.
“Take me, oh God, Denis.” Sterling’s head thrashed on the pillow, and he writhed against me.
Warm stickiness spread between us. A harsh cry escaped him, and we kissed, my tongue plundering his mouth.
I soared high, then plummeted to earth, waves of desire engulfing me.
Nothing and no one had transcended anything before this moment.
My lips were buried in his hair, and I was covered in sweat. Sterling’s heart pounded in sync with mine. When I’d put the pieces of my brain together, I lifted off him and pulled out. After I got rid of the condom, a wave of exhaustion hit me, and all I wanted was to sleep.
“Mon cher, come with me. We’ll shower and go to bed.”
Hazy eyes met mine, and he rose from the bed.
We stood under the hot water, and there was a special kind of intimacy in washing Sterling’s hair and soaping his body.
As tired as I was, I looked forward to having him again.
I wanted to fall asleep with him naked and warm by my side.
We’d wake up and make love while the sun rose over the river. The dawn of a new day. A new beginning.
I chose to wear a compression bandage still, to keep from aggravating the newly healed injury, and went to fetch it from the drawer. Upon my return, Sterling wasn’t waiting for me under the duvet, but stood in the middle of the room, half-dressed.
“What is this?” I asked, sensing his withdrawal with each second that passed.
“I’m going home.” His head disappeared under the jersey and popped out through the top. “Like I said, we got it out of our systems, and that’s that. I’m glad you’re feeling better now.”
He put on his socks and stepped into his loafers.
My anger rose. “That’s that?”
He tipped up his chin to meet my gaze. “Yes. Have a good night.” He opened the door and walked out.
Angry and hurt, I lashed out and called after him, “How are you and Dahlia Dumont related?”
He froze, then took off, sprinting down the hallway and vanishing from sight around the corner. It confirmed my hunch that there was some relationship between him and Dahlia Dumont.
“You can run, but you can’t hide from me. I’ll see you soon.”