16. Austin
SIXTEEN
AUSTIN
“Afternoon, Coach Baker,” Ronald, the head of security, greets me as I step into the Renegades’ office building.
The youth players and staff are treated like the real deal around here, per the Grant family’s request, but I can’t stop myself from getting a little excited when I think about the title having a more permanent meaning.
I’ll be eligible to accept an offer from Paul and Tony in just over two months, and while they’re still keeping their plans tight to the chest, I’m hopeful that they’ll take a chance on me as the Renegades new offensive coordinator when the time comes.
“How’s it going, Ron?” I ask. “How are the grandkids?”
A smile lights up his face, his shoulders pushing back as pride visibly fills his chest. “Xander made the varsity football team, and Freddie’s headed to Ohio State on a full academic scholarship. Those boys sure give me a lot to brag on.”
I laugh. “That’s what it’s about, my man.
Have a great day.” Lifting the hand that’s not clutching onto a carrier full of coffee, I give him a tight wave, heading toward the elevators.
The ride is long, just like it always is when I know I’m about to see Paris, but I don’t think it’s ever crawled quite as slowly as it is today.
Apparently, my heart didn’t get the memo that we left her—out cold in her bed—less than twelve hours ago, because it’s ready to punch a hole right through my shirt as we get closer to the seventh floor.
Yesterday was amazing, starting with our water balloon fight and ending with the most beautiful woman fast asleep in my arms. After I brought Paris home, her eyes already heavy with exhaustion, I helped her into bed before sliding under the covers beside her.
We lazily made out, exploring one another with our hands while our tongues danced.
I was so fucking hard for her, my cock weeping inside my boxer briefs as she fed me the softest, sweetest moans.
But it wasn’t until I was gently stroking her hair, her steady breaths growing slower and shallower as sleep pulled her under, that I came in my pants like a goddamn teenager.
Yes, you heard that right. I blew my fucking load—without ever laying a finger on myself—because she was letting me take care of her.
I should’ve been embarrassed, sneaking out of the room with a giant wet spot on the front of my shorts.
I probably would’ve been if she was awake, able to see what an absolute mess I made all over myself.
It wasn’t from the kissing, the way she was mindlessly rubbing against me the entire night, or the needy, desperate sound she made as she did.
It was because there’s a part of me that she has yet to see—a part that, if I come on too strong, could potentially scare her away.
Shit, it even fucked me up until I did some research and put a name to it, but that’s something Paris and I will have to discuss if and when the time comes for us to move to the next level.
For now, I just want to enjoy the excitement of a new connection with a woman I’m pretty sure I’m crazy about.
The thick metal doors slide open, revealing an empty reception area.
It’s still pretty early, so I’m not too surprised that Paris isn’t at her desk.
She usually likes to check items off her to-do list first thing, making sure everything is stocked in the waiting area and offices before people start coming up here.
Although, it looks like Paul is already hard at work if his closed door is any indication.
If I had to guess, I’d say that he and Tony are putting the finishing touches on their plan for the free agency, which ends in a couple of weeks.
They’ll likely be locked in there for hours, making phone calls and renegotiating player contracts to free up some of the Renegades’ salary cap.
All good news for me because that means I can find my girl without raising any red flags.
Setting the cup carrier down on the high-top desk, I listen carefully for any clues as to where she is.
It’s not a very busy floor, home to a few large offices and conference rooms, but she could be in any one of them, making sure they’re stocked and ready for the barrage of meetings that’ll be happening after our team owner and general manager finalize their plan of action.
Not hearing anything over the hum of the air conditioner that’s currently blowing through the vents, I take a chance, walking down the far hallway.
It’s just bathrooms, a break room, and a few supply closets, the lights not even fully turned on yet.
My feet pad across the broadloom carpet, all my senses heightening as I step further into the darkened area.
It’s her scent that hits me first—floral and sweet—followed by the sound of rustling coming from the same closet we ended up in together the last time.
I didn’t kiss her then, but this time, there’s no way I’m leaving without feeling those plump, pouty lips on mine.
Her back is to me when I enter, reaching up for another ream of paper on the top shelf.
Memories of how scared I was when she got hurt hit me like a linebacker straight to the chest, causing my heart to twist. Luckily, I snuck back in here after she left that day, making sure all the heavy items were on lower shelves so they wouldn’t fall on her again, which is why I don’t rush over to help right away.
Instead, I pause in the doorframe, my arms crossed over my chest as she stretches up in an attempt to reach.
The move causes her cotton sundress to become much shorter, the crease where her silky thighs meet her ass cheeks peeking out beneath the pale lilac hem.
I have to bite my fist to stifle a groan when she pushes to her tiptoes, the soft globes bouncing just the slightest bit and causing my cock to stir behind my zipper.
She’s got me by the fucking balls, and I doubt she even knows it.
When I can no longer take the distance, I close my fingers around the cool metal handle, making sure it’s twisted all the way before slowly guiding the door until it’s flush against the frame.
Only when it’s secured do I gently release my grip, managing to get the handle back to its original position and engaging the lock without being noticed.
Seconds later, my feet are carrying me across the small space, my mouth dropping to Paris’ ear as I speak softly.
“Need some help, Baby Girl?” I murmur, causing her to jump. My hands find her hips, a low chuckle rumbling up my chest as she presses a startled palm to hers.
“Austin,” she says on a rushed exhale, her muscles relaxing now that she knows she’s not in danger. “You scared me. What are you doing here?”
I dip down, unable to stop myself from dragging a line of soft kisses along her neck. She melts into my touch, a barely audible moan falling from her lips. “Bringing you coffee. And enjoying a few—hopefully uninterrupted—minutes with you in a dim storage closet before the day gets crazy.”
“Sh-should we be doing this at work?” she stammers, making no move to evade the way I’m coasting my tongue along her sensitive flesh.
In fact, she leans back into me more, no doubt feeling the evidence of what she’s doing to me as it presses to the cleft of her ass.
I’m hard, completely unashamed by my body’s reaction to her as her breathing becomes heavier and more ragged.
“The door is locked, and Paul is closed in his office. They’re trying to move money around before another team swipes Colin Coste from the free agency.
I could tell them to add a couple void years to Maddox’s contract and free up about ten million dollars, but I’d much rather stay in here and listen to all the sweet little noises you make while they figure it out for themselves. ”
A shuddered breath leaks from her lungs as I run my hands upward, stopping just beneath her supple tits.
I want to squeeze them—to feel their weight against my palms—but I’m trying to move slow.
Paris isn’t just some girl. I care about her.
I care about her kids and her brother. I care about her future, and the way she wants to stand on her own two feet after her divorce.
So, while I crave her in ways I can’t even articulate in this moment, I need to remember that it won’t do either of us any good if we move too fast.
My thumbs sweep gently along the underside of her breasts, and she turns her head, those beautiful brown eyes locking onto mine.
I lean down, pausing for a moment when our lips are mere centimeters apart, our breath mingling as tension crackles in the air between us.
Giving her the option to take what she wants, I’m relieved when she brings an arm up, wraps her delicate fingers around the back of my neck, and pulls me in for a deep, slow kiss.
I cradle her cheek, holding her still as I take her mouth, the mint of her toothpaste exploding along my taste buds and making me groan out loud.
She turns into me, our hands, lips, and tongues exploring wildly with the better angle.
We’re a symphony of quiet whimpers and moans, my cock leaking and hips involuntarily rutting into her like they have a mind of their own.
It isn’t until I flatten my large palm against her stomach and seal our bodies together that I notice the way her small, delicate frame is trembling.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, immediately sobering as I break the connection. Her lips are swollen, her cheeks and chest flushed a soft pink. She’s breathing like she just ran a hundred miles, those big doe eyes staring up at me like she has no idea why I pulled away. “You’re shaking. Was that too much?”
Her brows furrow, and she swallows thickly. “No, not at all. I just…” She trails off, searching for the words. “I don’t really know how to do any of this.”
Confusion washes over me as I spin her in my arms, keeping a loose hold on her waist. If she’s having doubts, or something feels off, I want to know. Otherwise, how can I help her? “Any of what, Baby Girl?”
She groans, dropping her face into her hands as though she’s trying to hide. But I don’t let her, pulling them away before pinching her chin gently and guiding her gaze to mine. I don’t say a word, though, imploring her to continue with a lifted brow.
“The kissing,” she says quietly, the flush on her cheeks deepening.
“The way it makes me feel when you touch me. I haven’t…
” She pauses again, takes a deep breath, and starts over.
“Braxton was my first and only everything until yesterday, and he certainly never put his hands and mouth on me the way you do. I guess I’m just afraid to disappoint you. ”
“Hey,” I reply, making sure her stare doesn’t avert from mine.
She looks nervous, a hint of abashment hidden behind her mahogany-colored eyes.
Fuck that, though. We’re going to address that shit right here, right now.
“You could never disappoint me. I know I’m probably about to show all my cards here, but I feel more connected to you than I have to anyone else in a long fucking time.
I’ll take whatever you give me, even if that means moving slow until you’re ready for more. ”
She traps her lower lip between her teeth, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress. “I just started this job, Austin. I don’t want to get in trouble for doing…whatever it is that we’re doing here. Isn’t there a no-fraternization policy or something?”
I smirk. “Have you seen the shit that goes on here? I happen to know for a fact that Livvy and Maddox have done filthy things in almost every equipment room at Renegades Stadium. And don’t even get me started on Syd and Steele.
Those two don’t even attempt to hide the shit they do.
But if it makes you feel better, we can keep this quiet until we figure things out.
There’s no pressure to put a label on it or turn it into anything you aren’t ready for.
Let’s just keep getting to know each other, and we’ll cross the other bridges when we get there.
I’m not trying to rush this, Paris. I just really want to take care of you.
If that means stealing kisses in a dark supply closet when nobody’s looking, I’m perfectly fine with that. Okay?”
Unable to watch her abuse her lip any longer, I pull it free with my thumb, my eyes searching hers as she considers my words.
I know this is scary for her. Shit, it’s scary for me, too.
I tried telling myself it couldn’t work.
I went over the reasons for staying away from Paris in my head a million times.
But no matter how I frame it, the urges I have to serve her—to care for her in all the ways she needs—are entirely too relentless to overlook.
She smiles timidly, releasing a shaky breath before she nods in agreement.
“Yeah. Okay.” It’s hardly even a whisper, but she may as well have hired a goddamn skywriter with the way it makes me feel.
My heart flips in my chest, an ear-to-ear grin blooming across my face.
I’m not even going to pretend to act cool here.
The woman I’ve been thinking about non-stop since the second I laid eyes on her is agreeing to let me in, and I’m fucking excited.
I don’t give a shit if I have to keep it to myself.
As long as I get to kiss her, hold her, touch her, and remind her at the end of every day just how amazing she is, that’s all that matters.
“Thank fuck,” I say, wrapping my arms around her waist and pressing my mouth to hers chastely.
I don’t deepen the kiss, respecting her wishes to lay low, especially at work.
We’ll figure out a way to be alone together again soon, and maybe we can explore one another in ways that we haven’t done yet.
She giggles against my lips, flattening her hands to my chest and playfully shoving me back. “Alright. We’ve been in here forever. I need you to stop distracting me, so I can get back to work.”
I let her go reluctantly, moving to the side and giving her a path to the door.
My gaze falls to her ass as she passes, stifling a groan at the thought of running my lips and tongue all over the soft, supple flesh.
There are so many things I want to do to her, and I have a feeling that—if she lets me—there’ll be a lot more firsts in her future.
Her ex may have dropped the bag when it came to making that hot little body feel good, but I’m not a stupid man, and I won’t repeat his mistakes.
I’m going to show Paris Bellamy how she deserves to be worshiped if it’s the last thing I do.