Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
I woke up this morning feeling like something was missing.
For the first time in I don’t know how long, I stayed in bed for fifteen minutes after my alarm went off, trying to figure out what felt off, only to realize it isn’t a “what” that’s missing, but a “who.”
Is it crazy to miss something I’ve never experienced?
Lilah texted me last night to let me know she was safe and would be spending the night at her date’s house, then again this morning to let me know he was bringing her home.
I have coffee brewing, and a stack of waffles warming in the oven, when she stumbles through my front door still wearing the same clothes from last night, with a large t-shirt over top.
Her makeup is smudged around her eyes, her hair mussed, and when she removes the t-shirt I note there’s a hickey above her right boob, but she looks happy and—most importantly—safe.
“I take it you had a good night?” I ask, motioning to the purple splotch on her chest.
She looks down and giggles when she sees it. “I sure did. God, he did this thing with his tongue…” When she looks up at me she winks. “He’s definitely one I’ll remember for a while.”
“Are you going to see him again?”
“God no.”
“Why not? I thought you wanted to get married, have kids, fall in love.”
“Oh, I do! I already have my dream wedding planned, but the guy from last night was not my forever love.”
“How do you know if you don’t give him a chance?”
“I already know who I’m going to marry, I’m just waiting for him to pull his head out of his ass. Until then, I’m having fun and learning what I like sexually. Ooo breakfast looks delicious. Do I have time to shower before eating?”
“Yeah, I’ll keep everything warm for you.”
“Perfect! When I come out, I expect a full breakdown of your night with your hunky rugby player.”
Oh boy.
To say Lilah was disappointed I didn’t have much to tell her would be an understatement. I kept the most explicit details to myself, explaining we didn’t have time to do everything we wanted because his roommate interrupted.
She didn’t understand why I couldn’t just… fuck him in my apartment, so I had to explain the situation about hearing Kendall through the wall, and how I don’t want him to hear me.
She offered to distract Kendall tonight after the game so I could finally get some, and even though I declined, it seems she’s still interested in hooking up with him.
The Knights won tonight, so we’re at Muddled Intentions, celebrating. Dakota’s working at the bar, and was so excited to see Lilah and Levi when we came in. I wish we had more time to chat, but with a whole rugby team plus the regular patrons to make drinks for, she’s busy.
Ezra and I are sitting at a booth with Levi and his friends, discreetly touching each other’s hands under the table while Levi asks Ezra all the questions family members tend to ask prospective partners.
Though my cousin has a firm ‘don’t fuck with me’ scowl, I know him well enough to know from the relaxed way he’s sitting, and way he jokes with Ezra, that he likes him. He’s impressed with his skills, even though Levi doesn’t know shit about rugby.
Lilah’s been chatting with Kendall all night, twirling her hair and flirting up a storm.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up in bed together later, and after what she told me this morning, good for them.
Kendall may be a crass, flirtatious, player, but I know he wouldn’t hurt Lilah, physically or emotionally.
And if he’s busy with her…
Maybe Ezra and I can finally spend more than fifteen minutes together.
Neither of us have had any alcohol tonight, but I still feel hot from my nose to my toes.
The heat between my hips burns hotter as Ezra’s hand slides from my knee up, up, up, to where my thigh meets my hip.
His fingers trace lazy circles as he asks Levi questions about bull riding, but the blood rushing in my ears keeps me from being able to hear his answers.
“Sutton, you good?” Levi drawls, giving me a look that tells me he knows exactly what has me so distracted.
“Yep, I’m good. Just tired from going out two days in a row.” Not entirely a lie. I’m exhausted from the socialization over the last two days and want nothing more than to be in bed.
I’d just prefer if Ezra joined me.
“You ready to head out? I could use a good night’s rest after tonight’s game,” Ezra says, squeezing my thigh. Kendall drove him to the game, but we rode here together so we could go home together.
Do I need to shower before we do anything? I know he showered after the game, and I showered this morning, and it’s not like I was playing… Plus I’m excited for him to get to see the lingerie I have on under my work clothes. Lingerie I hesitated to put on, but Lilah talked me into.
God, why am I so nervous? This is Ezra. He’s seen me practically naked! He came in his pants after I humped him like a cat in heat. He clearly wants me, and I’m aching for him, but my nerves are getting in the way.
“I think I am. Let me tell Dakota and Lilah goodbye first?”
“Sure thing, I’ll be waiting right here.” He leans in like he’s about to kiss me, but we can’t. Not in front of the team. He must realize it at the same time because he reaches for his water and takes a sip instead.
I slide out of the booth and head to the bar, where Kendall, Silas, Corbin, and a few of the other players and their girlfriends are sitting. Kendall has his arm lazily wrapped around Lilah’s waist, his pinky breaching the waistline of the denim skirt she’s wearing.
I feel like I’m interrupting when I grab Lilah’s attention. She plants a kiss on Kendall’s cheek, whispering something in his ear that has his eyes smoldering before she makes her way to me.
“I’m headed out and wanted to say goodbye. Looks like you won’t be coming back to my place tonight, but I’m sure I’ll see you before you head out tomorrow.”
“Are you upset I’m hooking up with one of your players? Because I can pick someone else.”
“No, not at all. Kendall may be a cocky mouthpiece, but he’s not a bad guy. I’d rather you hook up with him than a stranger.”
“Good! He promised he’d show me how to—” I hold up my hand.
“Respectfully, I don’t want to know.”
“You’re no fun,” she pouts. Her pout quickly turns into a sad smile right before she pulls me into one of the Kane family’s signature crushing hugs. “I’ll miss you, but I promise I’ll be back soon. Or you can bring your boyfriend down to us. Either way, we’ll see each other soon. Love you, Sutton.”
“I love you too, Lilah.”
Lilah makes her way back to Kendall, and they immediately start fucking each other with their eyes again.
Dakota slides around the end of the bar, sagging against the counter. “You heading out?”
“I am. I wanted to make sure you were okay, though.”
“I’m fine. Ace has been begging me to join a sport, but I don’t know where we’ll find the time to add that to his schedule.
Everything happens in the evenings when I’m working, and I don’t want to drag Blakes on the weekend.
Maybe we’ll try this summer, but I’d run into the same problem since Parker works during the day.
I don’t know, I’m just tired, you know? I barely have a second to myself when the kids are home, but when they’re with their dad, I spend the whole time missing them. ”
I pull her in for a hug, once again wishing there was something I could do. “We can talk about this later, I might have a solution for you. Do you work May 18th?”
“I don’t know, but it’s far enough in advance I could ask for it off.”
“Good, do it. How would you feel about being my plus-one to the team gala? We can make a day of it—my treat. Manis, pedis, hair. It’ll be like getting ready for prom, but with champagne and without the teenage awkwardness.”
“That sounds great, Sutt. Thank you. Now, you have a hot rugby player who looks like he’s ready to rip your clothes off so you better get going. I expect a full debrief next time we talk.”
I hope I have something to tell her.
When I get back to the table, Levi stands to give me a hug. As he does, he whispers for only me to hear, “I like this guy a lot, Sutton, but if he ever hurts you, I’ll break his knees and he’ll never play rugby again.”
“You’re so full of shit, Levi.”
“I’m dead serious. The last asshole wasn’t worthy of threats because he wasn’t one, but Ezra? I think you two are the real deal, but just know if this were to end, I will always choose your side.”
“Thank you. Drive safe, and let me know when your next rodeo is so I can come.”
“Sure thing.” He turns to Ezra and offers his hand. “Nice to meet you, Ezra. I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you in the future.”
“It was good to meet you too. I sure hope you will,” he says, looking directly at me.
It takes concentrated effort to get my key in the lock with Ezra’s lips tracing a path down my neck and his hands squeezing my hips.
I can feel the hard press of his cock against my ass.
He had his hand on my thigh the entire drive back, and as soon as we were enclosed in the elevator, his mouth was on mine.
He’s been touching me in some way for the past hour and each brush of his fingertips sends a fresh wave of lust through me.
When I finally get the door unlocked, we stumble through, stopping briefly to lock the door and take off our shoes before we wind our way around the furniture to my bedroom.
Ezra peels off his suit jacket and tosses it on the floor, then starts to work the buttons of his dress shirt.
I’ve seen him shirtless before, but… Fuck. Me.
I follow suit, pulling off my polo while I take in the physique I’ve never let myself appreciate. He’s not cut like a body builder. It’s a soft strength. He doesn’t have chiseled abs or defined pecs, but his body is strong, honed from years of playing rugby.
For a moment, I feel a wave of doubt, but as the pine green lingerie he’s seen me in before is revealed, he curses softly.
He prowls across the room and falls to his knees before me, looking up at me like I’m something to be worshipped, and any self-consciousness vanishes at the heat in his blue eyes.
He buries his face in the soft swell of my stomach, pressing kisses and nibbling on the plush skin of my belly gently through the lace as he helps me step out of my pants until the only thing I’m wearing is the lacy undergarments.
“Sutton,” he rasps, “I—fuck, you look incredible. Did you wear this for me?”
“I wore it because it makes me feel pretty,” I admit. “But also so you’d get a better look at it than you did before.”
“I didn’t want to look last time, but god, it was hard not to. I was trying to be respectful, but my thoughts were anything but.”
I run my hands through his short brown hair scratching his scalp gently. “I don’t want you to be respectful right now Ezra.”
“No?”
I shake my head as his hands trail up to cup my ass. “You want me to fuck you, baby? You want me show you how fucking badly I want you?”
“Yes, I want that. Show me everything you want to do to me.”
“Buckle up, Sutt, because I’m not rushing this.
I plan on taking my time and learning every fucking inch of your body.
” He stands slowly, bending down to brush his lips against the shell of my ear.
“I’m going to make sure by the end of the night, the only thing you can remember is my name, because you’ll be screaming it.
” He nips my earlobe, sending a rush of goosebumps down my arms. “Then maybe you’ll feel half of the desire I feel for you. Now, get on the bed.”