Twenty-Six Dominic
Twenty-Six
Dominic
“S ign here,” my attorney, Craig Garrett, says.
Justice and I arrived at Craig’s office an hour ago to finalize the partnership paperwork, and I have the check from Peter for the down payment. I know Peter had reservations about me investing such a large sum, but Justice is family. He’s always had sound judgment and a good head on his shoulders. Plus I reviewed the prospectus and am confident in his idea and his ability.
However, upon further thought, I did talk to Justice about changing the percentage. If I’m putting up the lion’s share of the investment, I should be entitled to 50 percent of the business. Once it begins making a profit, Justice will pay me back 5 percent, allowing him to have majority share. He thought it was fair and agreed to the revised terms. His attorney reviewed the document and Justice’s signature is already scrolled on one side of the agreement.
“Will do.” I scribble my signature on several pages. When it’s over, I rise to my feet and offer my hand. “Congratulations!”
A grin spreads across my brother’s face. “Thanks to you,” Justice responds, pulling me into a hug.
“I believe in you and know you can do great things.” Once he releases me, I turn to Craig. “Craig, thanks for getting this done so quickly.”
“Of course. Anything for one of my favorite clients.” Craig smiles.
I laugh. “I bet you say that to all your clients.”
“Absolutely not, because I don’t bring this…” The door to his office opens and his assistant rolls in a cart carrying a bottle of Dom Pérignon and three glasses. Craig walks over and pops open the bottle. The cork flies into the air, and Justice catches it.
“Nice touch,” I say as Craig pours champagne for each of us and hands us each a flute. I hold up mine. “Cheers.”
The three of us clink glasses and take sips. I don’t bother finishing mine since I’m driving. “You ready to head out?” I ask Justice. He wants to show me the location of the offices of Fletcher Sports Management.
“Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Garrett.” Justice shakes Craig’s hand. “Appreciate you.”
Justice and I walk out of the office, and my brother is walking a bit taller and more confidently than I’ve ever seen him.
“Feeling good?” I ask, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Justice nods. “You’ve no idea. I know you agreed, but until the paperwork was signed, I didn’t know I was still on edge. It’s why I didn’t sign the lease at the office building until I was certain it was a sure thing.”
“Well, we can do that now.”
“That’s the plan. You coming with me?”
“Absolutely. I want to share this moment with you,” I reply. It feels good to help him achieve his goals. I realize I want to help other people do the same.
We take the elevator down to the garage and hop into our respective vehicles. I follow behind him so he can lead the way to his new office. In the meantime, I dial Teagan.
Ever since we’ve become lovers again, she and I have spoken or texted every day, like we did all those years ago. There’s no reason to act as if we don’t want each other. Instead, we take pleasure from each other night after night. It’s crazy to think the woman who haunted my dreams is back in my bed, though most times we stay at her house to keep the press off the scent. We’ve picked up where we left off. It’s surreal because I know we haven’t addressed the underlying issue between us, which is trust. Instead, I’m burning out whatever this is between us so I can move on with my life.
What life will you have without her?
Since Teagan and I have been together, I haven’t felt the discontentment that’s plagued me the past year. I’m lighter, happier and not weighed down by expectations and the constant struggle to win and stay on top. Being with her makes me see how life could be after retirement. It makes me want more, maybe a family and children someday. Up until now, I’ve never allowed myself to think too far into the future. I’ve focused on my next immediate goal and how to achieve it. Life has always been about the game, and nothing else could rank higher.
Maybe that’s not true anymore.
“Hello?” I hear Teagan’s voice through the car speaker. “Dominic, are you there?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I say. “I’ve signed the paperwork. It’s official. Justice and I are partners in Fletcher Sports Management.”
“Congratulations, Dominic. That’s wonderful. Justice must be over the moon,” Teagan replies. “I remember when I first opened the doors of Williams & Associates, it was a heady feeling.”
“He’s pretty stoked,” I say. “We’re on our way to the office building to sign the lease.”
“Exciting, isn’t it? And after? I thought you might like to do something fun.”
“I’m game for anything that includes you out of your clothes.”
She chuckles. “Actually, I was thinking we could go roller-skating. You remember how much we used to love it.”
“I recall otherwise. You were quite skilled while I could barely manage to stay upright.”
“Are you chicken, Dominic Fletcher?”
“Of course not,” I respond. “Tell me where and when.”
We arrange to meet later that afternoon at a skating rink in her neck of the woods, and I continue behind Justice until eventually he pulls into the surface parking lot of a beautiful office campus with a towering water feature. I park and stand in front of the precast-concrete five-story building in Scottsdale surrounded by walls of glass panel windows overlooking a retention pond.
Justice walks up beside me and glances up. “Come on. Let me show you inside.”
He heads to the double doors and holds one open, allowing me to precede him. The two-story foyer is impressive with its high ceiling, modern furniture, tasteful artwork and sleek dangling chandelier. I follow him to the bank of elevators and he presses the button for the third floor.
Once we arrive, Justice exits and opens the glass doors. He walks me around the large floor plan with bright white walls. It has space for reception, perimeter executive offices, conference and break rooms, and can accommodate a few low cubicles for future sports agents.
“What do you think?”
I glance around the suite. “It’s great, Justice. You’ve thought about everything.”
“I have a vision.”
I walk over to him and pull him into an embrace. “Yes, you do, and I’m proud of you, bro.”
Afterward we discuss meeting up on Sunday at family dinner to tell everyone our good news. Maybe Teagan can join me.
Where did that thought come from?
Teagan is not my girl, though at times I feel like she is. We’re supposed to be kicking it and working through this heat between us so we can both move on. So why does my heart say something else? It’s not like Teagan has said she wants more. She knows I have to get back to the tour, and whatever this is won’t go beyond the tournament. That’s what I have to focus on. I remind myself it’s a casual affair, nothing more. It can’t be—not if we can’t resolve the issues of the past—because without trust, a relationship won’t work.
* * *
A couple of hours later, after I’ve gone home to shower and change, I meet up with Teagan at the roller-skating rink. She has no idea I called ahead. Since it was closed until early evening, I rented it out for the rest of the afternoon. It will be just the two of us.
When I arrive, the manager is there to greet me. “Mr. Fletcher, thank you so much for the business,” the young brunette states enthusiastically.
“No, thank you . I know it was short notice.”
“I’m glad we’re able to accommodate you.” She grins broadly. “We don’t get celebrities of your stature in a place like this.”
“Is everything set up like I asked?”
She nods. “I’ve got Pandora playing your music mix, the strobe lights are going, so all you need is your skates and your girl.”
I glance down at my Movado watch. “She should be here any minute.” Just as I’m saying the words, Teagan’s Mercedes GLE SUV pulls into the empty parking lot.
“I’ll be inside,” the manager replies, and heads back through the sliding doors.
Teagan gets out of the car and glances around as she approaches wearing jeans and an off-the-shoulder T-shirt. She looks sexy. All I want to do is take her back home and ravish her.
“Perhaps we can’t get in. I didn’t think it would be closed.”
“Naw, it’s open.” She walks toward me and tips her head back so I can kiss her. She tastes like honey and vanilla and I eagerly explore her lips. She opens to my invading tongue, allowing me entry. I deepen the kiss and within seconds it turns hot and feverish, tongue sliding against tongue.
It’s Teagan who puts her hand on my chest and pushes me away. “Dominic. We’re supposed to be skating not making out.”
I laugh. “Can’t we do both?” I give her a wink and we head inside.
“The place is empty.”
I smile broadly. “Yep, I reserved it for the rest of the afternoon.”
“You did?” She seems genuinely surprised by my thoughtfulness. How can she forget I’ve always tried to put other people’s needs above my own?
“I did. Let’s go get our skates.” We walk over to the manager, who is waiting for us at the counter. We get our skates and head to the nearest bench to lace up.
“Oh my god, I can’t believe they are playing our favorite songs. I don’t suppose you had anything to do with that?” Teagan asks with a smile.
I shrug and continue tying my skates. When I’m all done, I stand up on wobbly feet. It’s been years since I was on roller skates. I hope I don’t fall. I can’t afford any injuries before the tournament or the tour. Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea after all.
Already suited up, Teagan grabs my hand and leads me toward the rink. “Don’t be scared. I’ve got you. Trust me.”
Those are dangerous words for both of us, but I accept her hand and she leads me onto the rink. She skates backward and I move forward toward her.
“See, it’s so easy. It’s like riding a bike. It comes back to you.”
I laugh nervously. “If you say so.”
She moves alongside me and together we whirl around the rink. As we practice, I can feel the tension ease away. It’s because Teagan brings out a youthful side to me that’s been missing for a long time. I used to have fun instead of being serious and focused. It’s a hard habit to break when my entire world has revolved around tennis.
Eventually, she lets go of my hand and, because I’m confident on my feet now, I follow her lead. I’m not about to try any fancy moves, but I don’t mind watching her sway her hips to the beat of Usher’s “Yeah!” song. I don’t how long we glide before Teagan motions for a break with her hands. We slide off to the exit and head to a table where the manager has graciously laid out snacks of beer and nachos. Ordinarily, I would never be caught dead eating junk food. My body is a temple and it’s all about putting in the right superfoods, but occasionally you have to let loose. Today is one of those days.
“That was fun,” Teagan says, out of breath. She reaches for the pitcher of beer and pours us each one in the plastic cups provided.
“Thanks.” I accept the cup and, after a toast to good times, take a chug. It’s cold and refreshing. “I have to agree with you, that was a blast. I think the last time I skated was with you.”
Teagan’s eyes glass over. What’s she thinking about? But she doesn’t say. Instead, she tips back her cup, finishes the rest of her beer and rises to her feet. “How about one more round?” There’s a faint edge to her voice.
I’m silent for a moment, but then place my cup on the table. “Sure thing.”
I can tell when she’s pushing me away. Her eyes become cool and distant. Her face turns into a mask, much as it did the first time we saw each other after all these years. I know there’s a warm, passionate woman behind that front. Does she think I don’t sense the change?
Instead of pushing her to express emotions she doesn’t want to share, I let it drop. I don’t want it to spoil the day because later tonight, I intend to make her surrender and unleash all the passion lurking behind those caramel brown eyes.
* * *
We enjoy the rest of the afternoon skating and eating snacks. Since we drove separately, Teagan decides to meet me at my place later. Whatever was bothering her earlier appears to have evaporated. She’s in good spirits when she arrives. I would hate to have our short time together be over when there’s still a few weeks until the tournament. I know we’ve got issues to address, but they can be put on the shelf until after this chemistry between us has razed us both to the ground.
We leave a trail of clothes from the front door all the way to my living room. When she reaches the couch, she lies backward against the cushions with her entire body naked. She’s mine for the taking.
It takes a moment for my mind to spring into action. “What do you want, Teagan?”
“I want you to make me feel good.”
“Oh, believe me, I intend to do that.” I lower myself on top of her and cover her mouth with mine. A low moan of need escapes her throat, but I’m not going to devour her tonight. I’m going to take my time. Seduce her.
I lean forward and brush my mouth over the side of her neck. Her skin is soft and warm. I kiss my way to her throat while I run the backs of my fingers lightly over the curve of one breast.
Teagan shudders at my touch, but I don’t stop. I gently brush my fingertips back and forth across her nipple until she twists on the cushions.
“C’mon, Dom, don’t tease me.”
“Oh, babe, that’s the best part.” I close my mouth around one of her nipples, applying pressure while my other palm cups her other breast.
She lets out a gasp as I erode all her control with gentle pulls of my mouth. I tug and bite one nipple before moving on to the next. I can feel her surrender, but I don’t stop sucking until she begins to shake.
“Yes,” she moans. “Oh, god, yes.”
I love that I can make her come just by sucking her breasts, but I want to taste her. So before she can climax, I head lower, past her abdomen, to her pussy. She’s dripping wet, and I bend down and explore her with my tongue.
Teagan cries out and clutches my head. I use my hands to hold her thighs firmly apart and pin her to the sofa. I hold her there so I can lick her with firm, deep strokes. I lash at her with my tongue and when I reach her swelling bud, I suck on it hard. Her entire body shakes, and she writhes on the cushions. My hands tighten in place, and I stay there until she flies apart and says my name over and over like an incantation.
Primal satisfaction courses through me, but instead of seduction, all I can think about is being inside her.
Teagan must want the same because when I look up, her pupils are dilated and glazed. “Dominic, please .”
I move up her body until her hands tighten around my dick and guide me home, easing me inside her hot, slick flesh. Our gazes meet and she shudders as I push deeper inside her. The moment is intense, and she looks up at me with wonder and satisfaction.
I drive into her and feel her inner muscles grip my dick tight like a vise. She pulls my head down and kisses me. I thrust my tongue inside her mouth as my lower half thrusts too. Her thighs clench me at the same time her pussy does, and I drown in pleasure of the best kind. Will it always be like this?
I drive into her harder and faster. Our echoed gasps bounce off the walls and vaulted ceiling. I’m so close, but not without her. I reach down between us and tweak her clit. She explodes, which causes my own orgasm to hit. I roar out my release and collapse on top of her.
It takes me a few moments to gather myself and shift so I don’t crush her, but I realize I wasn’t just making her feel good. It was for me too. There’s always been this connection between us that transcends the physical. I can’t articulate what it is, but I know Teagan is different from every other woman, for me. On a deep level, I feel like she’s mine.
Has always been mine.
I shudder to think that when this affair is over, I’ll have to go back to the beige, bland world of lonely days and even lonelier nights without Teagan’s fire and passion.