Chapter 37
The bar is packed by the time we get here. And everyone that is here, is here to support us, greeting us like champions. Drinks flow freely as a feeling of pure joy settles over the room. This is the team as a whole's first time making it to the playoffs, but it does matter if it's the first time you’ve made it to the playoffs or the 47th, it's still a big deal. I spot Ziggy almost immediately, standing near the bar with a drink in hand, her eyes brightening when she spots me. My breath catches in my throat.
The sight of her makes my pulse race. She is wearing a tight black leather skirt that hugs her curves in all the right ways, paired with heels that make her legs look endless. But what really floors me is the Red Wolves jersey tied up just above her waist. Number 32. My jersey. Her lips are painted a deep shade of red that makes my cock stand at attention. The very sight of her does things to me and stirs something primal and possessive deep inside. She is a knockout, and for now, she is all mine.
“Elliot!” she calls out, pushing through the crowd to reach me. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight hug. “Congratulations! You guys were amazing out there.”
“Thanks, Anatife,” I reply, grinning from ear to ear. “It feels incredible.” I hesitate for a moment before releasing her. Knowing that if I keep her in my arms much longer, there will be questions.
We stay close as the celebration continues, enjoying the company of my friends and teammates and their families. Laughter, music, and toasts to our success fill the bar, melting away any of the remaining tension, replacing it with a renewed sense of purpose and a rightly earned sense of accomplishment. Ford, stumbles over next to Ziggy with a grin that is too smug for my liking.
"So, Ziggy, how about celebrating our win with a drink on me?" he flirts, leaning in a little too close.
I can feel my mood shift–a grumpy cloud forming as I watch them. Ziggy, quick as ever, flashes a polite smile and pats Ford on the arm. "That's sweet, but I'm already covered," she says, holding up the drink I'd gotten her. She turns to me, her eyes twinkling with amusement over Ford's drunken play. The ease with which she brushed off his advances didn't just relieve me; it made me happy.
“Fine, your loss. Just like the catch that I am.” Ford tells Ziggy.
She gives me a quizzical look. “Who knows?” I tell her, ignoring Ford entirely. Ziggy bursts out laughing before turning back to Ford. She pats him on the back and says, “Time to move along, big guy.”
We both laugh as we watch him wander further into the crowd.
As the night wears on, the bar fills to max capacity, and everyone’s energy is almost overwhelming. The natural progression of the evening has Ziggy pressed close to me, the noise and heat of the room creating an intoxicating build up. I can see the spark in her eyes, a reflection of the excitement I feel.
“Want to get some air?” I whisper in her ear, my hand resting on the small of her back.
She nods, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “Lead the way.”
We slip out of the main part of the bar, finding a quiet spot on the rooftop overlooking the river and the people down on the patio. The cool night air is a welcome relief from the stifling heat inside. Ziggy leans against the wall, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that filters straight to my growing erection.
“This has been one hell of a night,” I say, my voice low as I step closer to her.
“It’s not over yet,” she replies, her tone full of desire.
I close the distance between us, pressing my body against hers. The rooftop is dark and somewhat secluded. An area meant for the kind of reckless abandonment that I was planning on partaking in with her tonight. I kiss her deeply, our mouths melding together with a hunger that borders on desperation. Ziggy’s hands roam over my body, pulling me closer as I deepen our kiss. The noise from below, hell, the world around us, fades into oblivion, leaving only the two of us.
As our lips part, I let my eyes roam over her again, taking in every tantalizing detail. With a wicked grin, “Are you wearing those special panties you were teasing me with?” I ask, my voice husky with desire, as my fingers brush the hem of her skirt.
The thought of what lies beneath, the promise of what is to come, makes my pulse quicken even more. Ziggy’s coy smile tells me everything I need to know. A rush of anticipation courses through me. My hands move to her hips, lifting her slightly as she wraps her legs around my waist.
I press her back against the wall, my hands sliding under her skirt to feel the warmth of her skin. She moans softly, her fingers tangling in my hair as I kiss a trail down her neck. The thrill of being out in the open, the risk of being caught, only heightens the intensity of the moment.
“Elliot,” she breathes, her voice needy.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask, my voice rough with desire.
“Absolutely,” she replies, her eyes dark with lust.
I don’t need any more encouragement. Our movements become urgent, driven by a primal need that developed earlier. A passion that neither of us can deny. I move my hand up her thigh, my finger edging the fabric of her crotchless panties.
“Anatife, you are dripping down your thigh,” I whisper, my lips brushing against her ear. “Did you buy these just for me?”
She looks up at me with big brown eyes, something innocent hiding behind the fire that could bring me to my knees. “Yes,” she whispers.
She gasps as I move my finger through her arousal, spreading it to her clit. I pleasure her with my fingers as we make out like teenagers, hiding, tucked away from all of our friends.
“Do you like me finger fucking you out here in the open?” I ask, pressing my lips to her neck.
“Yes, Elliot,” Ziggy says in a pant. “Hurry.”
I remove my hand from her heat, immediately missing the feeling of her as I undo my pants. Pulling my cock free, I pump it a few times, before slipping on a condom. I take her lips in mine again, kissing her deeply.
Dropping her back on her feet, I turn her around so she can look down at the world around her. Pulling her flush with my body, wrapping my arm around her, my fingers find her clit again. I make punishing circles around it as I bite and pull at her earlobe.
“Are you going to come for me as I pound this ass while you look down at all your friends and coworkers? Are you going to scream my name and hope that they don’t look up here to catch you taking my dick like a good girl?”
Ziggy’s nails rake down the wall as I thrust into her, our bodies moving together in a rhythm so frantic and perfectly in sync. The sensation of her tight, wet heat around me is almost too much to bear. I bury my face in her neck, breathing in her scent as I lose myself in the moment.
“Elliot,” she whispers, her voice a strained gasp. “I’m close.”
“Me too,” I reply, my breath coming in ragged bursts as I increase the pace of my fingers on her clit.
Color explodes in my vision as we reach our climax, our moans mingling in the night air. I lay my head down on her back, savoring the feeling of her body trembling against mine. For a moment I stay still, letting only the intensity of our connected bodies be my focus.
As the waves of pleasure subside, we stand there for a moment, catching our breath and basking in the afterglow of a fantastic finish.
“Wow,” Ziggy says, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. “That was…”
“Incredible,” I finish for her, my own grin matching hers.
We straighten our clothes, the reality of our surroundings slowly returning. I take her hand, leading her back downstairs toward the bar. At this point, the crowd has begun to thin out, and the bar is slowly emptying. Ziggy and I find a quieter corner, away from the leftover commotion. We sit close together, her hand resting on my thigh as we talk about the game.
“Seriously, I can’t say it enough. You were amazing out there,” she says, her voice filled with genuine admiration.
“Thanks,” I tell her, my heart swelling with pride. “It’s been a hell of a ride.”
She leans in, her lips brushing against my ear. “I’m so proud of you, Elliot.”
Those words mean more to me than anything else. Ziggy has been my rock, my anchor through the ups and downs of the season. Her support and belief in me has kept me going, and I couldn’t imagine doing any of this without her.
“Let’s get out of here,” I whisper, my voice husky with emotion.
I call us a car and we leave the bar. The city seems to have a different kind of magic tonight. A sense of possibility that mirrors the feelings swirling inside me. We make our way back to the hotel, each moment getting more and more difficult for us to keep our hands off of each other.
We don’t waste any time once inside. Our clothes quickly find their way to the floor as we stumble toward the bedroom, our lips never breaking contact. The intensity from earlier on the rooftop returns, but this time, it is charged with a deeper, more profound connection.
We fall into bed together, our bodies entwined as we explore each other. Every touch and every kiss is charged with electricity, and it isn’t long before we are lost in the heat of our passion once again. Ziggy’s touch sends me into overdrive. I can’t get enough of her, the way she feels, the way she moves, the way she makes me feel. I sink into her with a desperation that borders on madness.
With each new pleasure, our movements slow down, becoming more languid and tender. She lies there in my arms, our breaths mingling in the darkness. Eventually, we drift off to sleep, limbs still wrapped around each other. The worries and pressure of the outside world are gone, leaving only the comfort and security of being with someone who matters the most.
When I wake up the next morning, the first thing I see is Ziggy’s peaceful face, her expression relaxed and content. Waking up next to her is my second favorite way to start my day, the other being a much more explicit wake up. The sight of her makes me smile, feeling comfort and a sense of belonging spread through me. A feeling I haven’t felt in a long time. One I don't want to let go of any time soon.
Her steady breaths and the warmth of her body against mine are both soothing and unsettling. I watch her, tracing the lines of her face with my eyes, the emotions that she stirs within me wrestling to the surface. Is it worth the risk of shattering the precarious balance we have by telling her I like her? I don’t know if I can go on without letting her know. I know we didn’t like each other at first and that this started in animosity, but it has been a very long time since she has done anything other than light up my world.