Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
KEELEY
Iwipe my mouth as I stand, while running the tip of my finger across his length, admiring his grooming. It’s so Sal. Of course he couldn’t be neatly groomed everywhere but his cock. He has to have it all. Even if nobody sees it.
Unless they do?
With a smile, I glance up to find Sal watching me, his gaze falling to my lips before his head drops backward on a sigh.
“Fuck. It’s been a long time since…” He trails off, laughing under his breath, answering my unspoken question.
“What are you doing to me? We’re in a goddamn changing room. At work.”
“I’d love to say I’m sorry, but I’m not. Plus, you came to me.”
His chuckles get louder before a groan rumbles from the back of his throat. “Fuck, I know. I have no words.”
“How about you say thank you then leave me alone. I have to finish my shower and get to a meeting with Wes.”
“Jesus. Are you late?”
“Not yet.” I raise a brow, and he shakes his head, my strong powerful man now a flustered mess. And God, it’s hot.
“Okay. Alright. I’m going.” He turns toward the door before pausing suddenly and glancing over his shoulder, stopping me from sneaking a look at his ass. “Thank you.” He winks back at me and I internally swoon.
“You’re welcome.” I bounce my fingers in a wave, and Sal chuckles again, wrapping the wet towel around his waist before disappearing out the door.
I listen until he’s settled back into the stall next to me, laughing when I hear his soft growl.
That man is the whole package rolled into one, and he doesn’t even know it. He’s hot, powerful, kind, generous, swoony, a freaking god at getting me off… and the crazy part is that he thinks I’m the one in control.
I’m not. I may be able to push his buttons to get what I want, but if he were to tell me to do anything, in that deep commanding voice of his, I’d be putty in his hands.
I’m secretly hoping that scene plays out soon.
When we’re not strapped for time.
With only fifteen minutes to spare, I rinse off and get dressed in record time. At least I thought it was a record time until I open the door to discover I’m alone. Sal not only finished before me, but he snuck out so quietly I didn’t even notice.
I quickly reapply my makeup, focusing mainly on the lip area—hoping to hide the fact that my lips look a little more swollen than they did when I walked in here—and I’ve just made it back to my office when Wes arrives.
He knocks softly, and I’m pleased to say I am cool, calm, and collected, despite Sal giving me an incredible orgasm barely thirty minutes ago.
What an end to my workout session.
“Wes, come in.” I motion for him to sit down at the round table in my room and grab my laptop on the way to join him.
“First things first. Was Thomas excited?”
Wes slumps in the chair, shaking his head ever so slightly. “He said no.”
“What do you mean, he said no?” I stare at Wes bewildered, my eyes wide as I let his words sink in. Not once did I consider that an option. Thomas loved it here, and I know he’s not doing anything else yet.
“He didn’t think it was fair for Beckett to be coached by the guy he replaced, when they only started a year apart in the pros. He says it’s like a teacher trying to explain a task to someone they went to school with, after they both learned the exact same thing at the same time.”
“That happens. My next-door neighbor tutored me in music, and we went to the same school. She was the year above me.”
“Yes, but were you both professionals in your field?”
“God, no. I sucked and she went on to play in the Boston Symphony Orchestra, I think.” I glance away, puzzled, and Wes chuckles sadly.
“Exactly.”
“Dammit.” My shoulders drop as I catch up, understanding Thomas’s reasoning. It’s unfortunate, but it makes sense. “Any other options?”
“I have a couple. And if they don’t come to fruition, we’ll put the word out publicly.”
“Best of luck.”
“Thank you.” Wes huffs out a laugh. “I might need it. Now back to tomorrow’s media session. What do you need and when?”
Wes and I run through the plan for tomorrow, and he grunts and groans at the exact moments I thought he would.
We’ve had media here all week; that’s nothing new.
The difference is that until now, they’ve had limited access to the field, and no interviews have been approved.
Wes wanted the team to have the chance to train together without the thought of media requirements in the back of their minds.
And while I respect that, I can only hold them off for so long.
We have a new starting quarterback this year after winning the Super Bowl, and everyone wants to know how the players are feeling, especially Beckett. Most other franchises are already allowing team interviews. The San Francisco crew is getting restless.
“I really appreciate you accommodating this, Wes. I know we need to focus on the game.”
“It’s a necessary evil. One I will never get used to.”
I laugh and Wes’s eyes widen. “No offense.”
“None taken. I’m not the media; I’m the go-between. A babysitter of sorts.”
“That’s the most accurate description I’ve heard. They certainly need someone taking care of them. Making sure they don’t fuck up.”
“Not that it works.”
“No. I’m afraid nothing will. Anyway, I’ve got to run. I’ve got a call with another potential coach.”
“Ooh, can I have any hints as to who? Do I know them?”
“You might. I’ll let you know how it goes after speaking with him. Keep your fingers crossed.”
I almost pout like I would with Sal but thankfully stop myself, making me wonder if I’ve ever been professional with that man.
We certainly weren’t professional while naked in the changing rooms. God, I wish I was back there now instead of…
Fuck, Wes. “Yes. My fingers are crossed. I look forward to hearing from you.”
“Thanks, Keeley. Talk soon.”
Idon’t see Sal for the rest of the day, and that’s probably for the best. If I had seen him, I’m not sure I could have stopped myself from asking him to meet me in the gym or his office. Anywhere for a replay of what happened earlier.
That man knows what he’s doing and— Nope. I am not going to think about how he knows because that’s a recipe for me to spiral. He’s had more years of experience than I have, and that’s all I need to know.
For the next few days, I throw myself into extra, unnecessary work to distract me from thinking about Sal. That is, until I remember I’m supposed to be dedicating time to my bridesmaid’s duties—helping to plan a rehearsal dinner for the man-I’m-not-thinking-about’s daughter. Dammit.
Since Paige refused a bachelorette party, she decided to make the rehearsal dinner a bigger deal, a week before her wedding, and I’m giving it my all. At least, I’m trying to.
I’d consider channeling my inner Paige, otherwise known as the queen of event organization, if I hadn’t realized how wrong that sounds.
Everything makes me think about Sal and the complicated situation we’ve found ourselves in. Meanwhile, Sal seems completely unaffected. When I pass him in the halls, he smiles, just like he always did. When he needs me, or I him, he’s there ready for anything, as though nothing has changed.
Except it has. For me.
If I thought I’d be able to get him out of my system after a couple of incredible, mind-blowing orgasms, I was dead wrong.
I want more.
All the time.
I can’t stop thinking about him.
The following Friday, I’m deep in thought, pretending I’m busy on my laptop when I swear I hear my name. I glance up from where I’m hiding away in the corner of my local café to find Paige walking toward me.
“Keeley, hi.”
“Hey, Paige. How are you?” I smile awkwardly, my mind spiraling with how bad of a friend I am, until I subtly pinch my leg, snapping myself out of it.
We’ve spoken plenty since I all but fucked her dad, and it was fine.
Having her standing in front of me now is a different story.
A little part of me wants to blurt it all out and beg her to forgive me.
Lucky for me, that part of me doesn’t get a say in the matter.
Paige lifts her lips in a soft, hesitant smile, and I almost panic as she sits down.
Until she speaks. “I’m good. If you don’t count the fact that my mom and my brother have decided they’re flying in four days before the rehearsal dinner.
I thought they’d fly in the day before and fly out right after the wedding. ”
I bite back a laugh, instantly relaxing as I pass her the menu. “I can’t believe you’re getting married in a few weeks. Where are they staying?”
“I’m not sure about Marc, but Mom’s staying at our place.” She cringes and I immediately feel her pain.
“Your apartment? God, I’m surprised Easton agreed to that. You need cake.” I gesture toward the dessert list, and Paige laughs before it turns into a strangled groan.
“Easton didn’t agree. Mom invited herself and made it impossible for him to say no. You know, since she thinks we have a perfectly good spare bedroom. We don’t. It’s my art studio. But do you think that matters?”
I cringe on her behalf. “Shit.”
“Yep. Dad offered for her to stay at his place, because he holds the empathy gene and could see we were both uncomfortable with it all, but she wasn’t interested in that. Her exact words were, ‘I want to be with my daughter before her wedding.’”
At the mention of Sal, a pang of guilt settles in my stomach, followed by the sting of jealousy. He offered for his ex-wife to stay in his apartment?
Was that before or after he was fingers deep in my pussy?
Said pussy throbs and I internally scold myself, crossing my legs to hide my pain, as Paige continues on. “Can I come and stay with you?” She holds her hands out as she jokingly begs, and I laugh as I take her hands, squeezing them in mine.
“You know you’re always welcome. But she’s your mom. She wants you there. And my guess is that Easton already has plans to move into my apartment with Isaac. If I know that brother of mine, you’re on your own.”
“Oh, I know. He asked your mom. You were his second choice. Followed by Reed. He’s that desperate.”
“Not desperate enough if he hasn’t suggested Luke as an option.”
“Not yet, but I’m ninety-nine percent sure he’d go there. He gets along fine with my mom, but since she’s been in wedding mode, even I’ve found her insufferable. The only one she’s not driving crazy yet is Dad. And that’s because he’s mostly stayed out of the planning.”
Her easygoing smile drops, and I curse Sal under my breath. He’s once again let work distract him, and I’m annoyed on Paige’s behalf.
“Wait. No, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Like what?”
“You look like you want to strangle my dad.”
“Oh, shit. I do?”
“Yes.” She laughs. “But the truth is, I haven’t asked him to do anything. I didn’t want to bother him with it. And now, I’m kind of regretting it. He’d be much easier to deal with than Mom.”
Her hesitant smile returns, and my chest aches for Sal. He would have loved that.
“You should ask him. I’m sure there’s some last-minute stuff to do. Double-checking the venue or taste testing the cake?”
“We’ve already…” She trails off when she catches my raised eyebrow and laughs out loud. “You’re right. I should double-check both of those things. Thanks, Keeley.”
“You’re welcome. You know me. Always here to help you.”
“And my dad. I’m a little jealous he gets to see you so much. I miss you.”
“God, I’m sorry. I promise to be better.”
“Don’t be. You’re fine. I’m just going a little crazy with the wedding coming up and the Mikklesons’ trial not long after that.”
“Shit. I heard about that.”
“From Easton?”
“Ahh, yeah. Probably. Or maybe Mom.” Definitely not your dad getting hounded about it in a press conference. “How are you feeling?”
“Nauseous. I’m going to be a witness during the trial.”
“What?” My eyes grow wide as our server arrives. “She’ll have the cake of the day, please. Actually, make that two.” I order for myself and Paige before my focus is back on her.
“Does your dad know?”
Dammit. Why the hell would I ask that?
Paige shakes her head. “Not yet. But I promise to tell him soon.” She stares at me pointedly, silently asking me to be her friend instead of her dad’s, and I nod in return.
I’m not going to tell him. But it’s going to break him when he finds out. He wants her as far away from that family as possible. They almost broke her once; he won’t let them do it again.
I have a million questions, but I don’t get to ask a single one before Paige moves the topic back to her mom, filling me in on the many over-the-top things she’s done since finding out Paige was engaged. I laugh along with her, but the moment she’s gone, my happiness fades.
What’s going to happen when she finds out about me and her dad? Will I still be the friend she confides in?
You’d think all this talk of brothers and dads, ex-wives and family connections would have squashed any ideas I had for continuing to sneak around with Sal.
Yet, after spending the rest of my day racked with guilt, I’m right back where I started, wishing he was here to help me through it.
A little part of me wonders if he’s wishing he was here too.
Or at least, hoping he’s thinking about me.
Only me. Not a past relationship that he never chose to leave.
I don’t recognize the person I’ve become, but I can’t stop myself from spiraling, and by the time I fall asleep, I’m struggling over what I’m going to do.
One thing is for sure though… I’m in this deeper than I thought.