Chapter 18
18
KILLIAN
I 'd woken in the middle of the night, resting on top of the towels and comforter. I'd gotten up to grab a warm washcloth, slowly bathing the sticky residue off Noelle's skin. After a few seconds, she shifted, her hand gripping the base of my cock. Then she moved down the bed to wrap her lips around my length.
I was still on my knees, and she was on all fours. It was hot as hell.
I couldn't help but pump into her mouth, my fingers tangling in her hair. With my free hand, I tweaked her nipples, which caused her to moan around my length.
I wanted so much more than this, but I wasn't sure how to ask for it. Did she feel the same way about me? Or was this purely a physical relationship for her? Would she be okay when I was gone? Or would she long for me, like I knew I would her?
I had a feeling leaving her was going to be the hardest thing I ever did.
When I felt myself losing control, I lifted her to straddle my hips, my cock easily sliding into her warm heat as if it were coming home. Being with her like this was as easy as breathing. It felt natural.
I gripped her hips, helping her move up and down, her nipples beckoning me closer. I sucked one into my mouth, letting my teeth scrape over her sensitive skin.
Her arms wrapped around my neck, keeping my mouth on her. The added benefit of nothing between us, no barrier, had me barreling toward an orgasm faster than usual. I reached between her legs, locating her swollen nub, circling it as she moved over me.
She was so wet; it was hard for my fingers to work her clit. Our movements were jerky, but her lips found mine in the dark. When I pressed hard on her swollen nub, she jerked over me, her walls spasming around my cock, drawing the orgasm from the base of my spine.
With a grunt, I thrust hard one more time and let go, spilling into her. It felt primal, this excitement about being bare when I had sex with her. I'd never gone bare with anyone else. I never had a serious girlfriend or long-term relationship where I even would have considered it.
I never fully trusted that the person I was with wasn't with me because of my name, the publicity, and what I could buy them. Noelle needed money to care for her family, but she wasn't impressed by it. If anything, it repelled her.
She wanted me in spite of my success. She knew me on a level none of those other women had. I should hold onto her with both hands and never let go.
I eased her off me. "I'll grab another washcloth."
She fell onto the bed and threw an arm over her forehead, her legs splayed. "What's the point? You're just going to get me messy again."
I knew without looking my sperm was spilling out of her. It satisfied a deep urge within me to mark her as mine. "No doubt. But it's my job to take care of you."
Her rib cage jerked as if her breath hitched at my words.
Was she not used to being taken care of by a man? I knew she wasn't into relationships, and I guessed she didn't let anyone do this for her. I wanted to change that. I wanted to be a good man for her.
I grabbed the other washcloth and threw it in the hamper. Then I grabbed a second one from the bathroom, waiting until the water was warm before running it under the stream. By the time I returned, her breathing was even. She was asleep.
I gently cleaned her, not wanting to wake her. A wave of tenderness for her overtook me. No one saw her like this, angelic in sleep, relaxed. Only I got to see this side of her. It was a privilege, one I wouldn't take for granted.
I threw the second washcloth in the hamper, then lay down next to her. I couldn't stop staring at her, the even fall of her chest, the occasional sigh. Was she dreaming about me? Would she want me again in the morning?
I fell asleep, my mind and body full of her.
I was having the best dream. A mouth wrapped around my cock, licking and sucking. Small hands gripped the base, squeezing me just how I preferred.
I was having a wet dream with Noelle sleeping next to me. That had me startling awake to find that Noelle was on all fours between my legs, my cock in her hands.
She grinned around my cock. "Morning, sleepyhead."
I grunted, not fully awake but loving this new development.
She licked me, teasing the head before swallowing me whole. She was going to be the death of me. I wouldn't be able to walk after this. I'd have to cancel my doctor's appointment.
I wanted to stay in bed with her all day. But it was a Monday, and we had a full schedule of appointments this morning, and I knew she had a list of personal assistant tasks to attend to. I wished I could whisk her away for a day or a weekend and keep her in bed, doing nothing but having my naughty way with her body.
"Come here," I urged her until she got the hint and turned, her thighs straddling my chest. I pulled her sweet pussy down to my lips and feasted on her. She jerked in my arms, trying to squirm away from me, but I held her fast.
If she was going to drive me crazy, I was going to return the favor. This woman was all-consuming. When I was with her, nothing else mattered.
I slipped one finger into her channel and then a second. Her thighs trembled, and I knew she was close. I sucked on her clit, just as the orgasm shot through me.
I eased her through the orgasm, and when she came down, she rested her cheek on my thigh. I tapped her leg so she'd get the hint and turn her body around.
When her face was next to mine, I said, "Shower?"
Her face screwed up. "I need one desperately."
I got out of bed, then reached for her, lifting her body until she was over my shoulder face down. I slapped her ass. "We need to clean you up."
The bedroom smelled like sex. I'd have to clean the sheets later because I fully intended to do this again tonight. I only had a short time with her, and I wouldn't waste it.
In the bathroom, I set her carefully on her feet and turned on the shower nozzle without turning away from her. I pulled her against me and kissed her long and slow, tasting my essence on her tongue. She pressed her nipples against my chest, which were hard points.
My hands drifted down to her still-swollen folds. "You can't get enough of me, can you?"
She huffed out a laugh, and when I eased a finger inside her, she moaned.
I played with her pussy, and when the water was warm, her skin was flush, her eyes bright with desire. In the shower, I let her get soaked, and then I lifted her against the tile, entering in one motion.
It was quick and hard, because I had this built-up desire for her that was apparently not extinguishable. Before I knew it, I was racing to another epic orgasm. With each thrust, I made sure to grind against her clit. Her nails were tearing at my skin, my hair, wherever she could find purchase, which was difficult with the water streaming over us.
I pulled her down to kiss me, and when she moaned into my mouth, I let go, loving that she was as into this as I was.
I couldn't believe I came home and found the woman for me. I hadn't thought much about settling down, but Noelle could get me to do anything. I just hoped she wanted the same things.
I eased her to the floor and grabbed the body wash, soaping up her body. I avoided her sensitive areas. She was probably sore from the sex, and I didn't want to hurt her.
She washed her hair, and I helped her rinse out the suds. She stepped out, and then I washed quickly. By the time I made it to the kitchen, she was cooking eggs, just how I liked them, and dropping them on avocado toast.
"Breakfast of champions," I murmured as I kissed her bare shoulder.
She grinned at me. "I wondered if you liked this."
"Eat it every morning at home."
Her smile faltered.
Why had I said that? This was my home. Not some hotel where I raced or trained surrounded by strangers. But the moment was gone, and she'd turned back to the stove.
"We have a doctor's appointment this morning, and then your therapy appointment. I was hoping to run some errands."
"Sounds good to me." I never wanted to interfere with her businesses.
Noelle turned on some music for background noise. "What are you hoping Dr. Sterling will say to you today?"
"That I'm cleared to go back to full training, but I don't think that's going to happen today. I'm still getting twinges in my knee when I'm working out. I think it will be another week or two before he gives the all clear."
"I didn't realize it would be so soon."
"They gave me an estimate for recovery after my surgery, so this is right on track."
She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "That's great. I bet you're excited."
Normally, I would have said that I was anxious to be cleared even sooner, but I couldn't muster up any enthusiasm for the moment.
Her brow furrowed. "You're not?"
"I never want to see those crutches again," I said, even as my chest tightened.
Noelle got up to clear our dishes. "I bet."
A few minutes later, we were in Noelle's car, driving to the doctor's office. She dropped me off out front, and I went inside with a wave.
When the nurse called my name, I followed her to an exam room.
Dr. Sterling knocked, then entered the room. "How are you?"
His family lived outside of town and were districted to a different school, so we hadn't run in the same circles. But I'd heard he'd recently returned to work in Tori's family's practice as a partner of sorts and was dating someone who lived in town, a transplant from Florida. I heard town gossip at the therapy center. "I'll be better if you tell me my knee is one hundred percent."
His brow furrowed at my teasing. "I told you not to expect that at this exam. I never want to give you false hope."
I held my hands up. "I'm just giving you a hard time."
"You wouldn't be a professional athlete if you didn't. When I moved here, I thought I'd get mainly colds and flus. I never thought I'd be in charge of a famous snowboarder's care."
"I'm not that famous around these parts. I'm just Killian Wilde from the ski resort." Which I'd enjoyed immensely. No one asked for my autograph when I saw them in public. It was more likely they'd reminisce about some trouble me and my brothers got into when we were younger. It was refreshing.
Dr. Sterling manipulated my knee, checking occasionally for any pain. "How are you doing getting around?"
"I'm just getting the occasional twinge in therapy."
He slid back on the wheeled stool to enter his notes into the laptop. "Are you off the crutches?"
"I told Noelle to throw them out."
Dr. Sterling chuckled. "In your line of work, you should probably keep a spare around just in case."
I winced. "Haven't you heard that athletes are superstitious? I want those things out of my space."
He gave me a sheepish look. "I forgot about that. How are things with Noelle? I heard she's making donuts at the resort and offering personal assistant services."
"She's doing great." It was taking her away from our condo more often lately. But she hadn't complained. I was just missing our alone time together.
Especially the naps in the afternoon when she'd be working on my laptop while I dozed. She was a comforting presence. But I knew it wouldn't last.
"You'll be on the mountain sooner if you don't rush it. Listen to your therapist. You're getting stronger every day."
I hopped off the table. "Thanks, doc. I appreciate it."
Dr. Sterling looked up at me. "I bet you'll be thrilled to race again."
"Yeah, something like that. But now that I've been home, I've been enjoying the slower pace."
Lincoln paused. "That's why I moved back. I wanted the slower pace of a family practice and to be closer to my family."
"Any regrets?" I sat in one of the chairs to lace up my sneakers.
"Not at all. I met Penny, who recently moved here from Florida. So far, things have been better than I expected."
"Good for you. You deserve happiness."
"As do you." Lincoln stood, carrying his open laptop with one arm. "Take it easy, and I'll see you in a week. You can schedule your appointment up front."
"Thanks again," I said as I stood, grabbing my jacket and running a hand through my hair.
I texted Noelle that I'd walk to the therapy office and didn't need her back until after that second appointment.
Noelle: How'd the doctor visit go?
Killian: Good. I should be cleared for full workouts soon.
Noelle: That's great news.
It felt like a hollow victory. I wasn't ready to leave. When I was training, it consumed my life. I was solely focused on my diet, training, and race times. In my free time, I watched video of my races and critiqued every tiny detail, always looking for ways to improve my time. I wasn't sure I was ready to go back to that.
I was enjoying living in my hometown with my family. But what would I do here? I had to work, didn't I? My career was far from over. If I was lucky, I had at least a few more years before my speed slowed down.
I should be focused on getting back on top, how my return to the sport was being handled by the press, but I didn't care. I wanted to hide in Telluride for a while longer.
Here, no one was asking me when I thought I'd return to the sport, if I'd perform at the same level as I had before. There was no pressure.
In the therapy office, I immediately went back to work with Rick. We understood each other. He knew I liked to push myself to the limit, and he kept me from overdoing it.
Rick waited for me to get on the table, where he had me lay back so he could massage the area around my knee and stretch my leg. "What did Lincoln say?"
"You know Lincoln; he won’t say for sure, but I’m hoping it will be soon," I said, knowing I should be infusing those words with excitement, but I couldn't muster any.
"You must be excited to get back on the slopes," he said as he worked the muscles around my knee cap.
"I'm kind of enjoying the time off."
He glanced at me, surprise in his gaze. "That's different than what you said when you first came into my office. You wanted back on the slopes ASAP."
"Things change. It was nice to take some time off and hang out with my family. Get to know Dakota and Joey."
"That's all well and good, but you only have a short window to compete. You'll have the rest of your life to spend with your family."
In a few years, Dakota and Joey will be older. That relationship might already be damaged from my absence, and Noelle might move on with someone else, starting a family with someone who lived here in town. I saw everyone moving on without me and I didn't like it. But I knew what I was supposed to say. "I just need to get my head back in the game."
Rick grinned. "That's right. You'll be faster than you were before."
The thought of the work I'd need to put in to be faster was overwhelming. I was just hoping I'd compete at the same level. That this injury wouldn't plague me for the rest of my career. I knew what the press would say every time my race times were a second off. Is it his knee? Maybe it's time for him to retire.
The doubts would follow me, and I'd have to work harder to make them go away. Some never would.
I didn't need the criticism or the pressure, but Jeremy loved to remind me of it. He thought it pushed me harder, and I always thought so too. But now I had my doubts. Since I'd been home and away from him, I'd been able to relax and see things clearer.
I'd begun to question whether I could work at the same level going forward. Was there another way to compete that allowed me to have a life here?
Jeremy would tell me no. That only the successful athletes worked year-round. If I wanted to stay relevant, I had to stay on the mountain.
Rick moved away from me to answer another patron's question. My phone buzzed.
Jeremy: What did the doctor say?
Killian: A few more weeks.
Jeremy: I'll get publicity scheduled.
Killian: We should probably wait for the official word.
Jeremy: I like to be prepared.
I didn't want to permanently injure my knee, so I ignored that. Jeremy didn't care if that happened; he'd move onto the next big thing. He was only worried about making money, and if I was on the couch, it didn't help his bottom line.
Killian: I don't know if I want to do publicity before I race this time.
Jeremy: You have to do it. Everyone will want to talk to you.
Did I have to do it? What would happen if I didn't? I always assumed Jeremy had my best interests at heart, but now I wasn't so sure. Time away helped me see everything more clearly.