Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Tate
We played like shit. Everyone knows it.
The other team dominated from the first period, and by the third, we were simply going through the motions. This happens when you lose focus—if your head isn’t in the game.
Levi plops down on the bench next to me, his jersey pulled half off, sweat dripping down his neck. He looks frustrated and angry, which is understandable, given that we just lost.
“Why the hell are you smiling?” he asks. “We got our asses handed to us out there.”
I force my face into a neutral expression. “I’m not smiling.”
“You so fucking are,” Levi insists, nudging my shoulder. “We got destroyed out there. So why are you sitting here looking like it’s the best day of your life?”
The answer is simple: Abby was watching.
She drove all the way out here for an away game that was close to home, and she was sitting in the stands wearing a black T-shirt that read “Bench Me, Coach” in white letters across her chest. Every time I looked at her, I felt heat creeping up my neck and a pull in my stomach.
I’m completely fucked.
“Just thinking about something,” I reply blankly.
Levi doesn’t look convinced, but lets it drop as more of the team members file into the locker room, their expressions matching his frustration. The loss hangs over all of us like a dark cloud, and nothing is going to change that.
I watch distractedly as the players filter out of the locker room after my brother has torn verbal shreds off them. It was deserved; they know they can play a lot better than they did today.
I’m gathering my things when a large hand grabs my arm and pulls me into an alcove. I barely have time to register what’s happening before Landon has me pinned against the wall, his body close enough that I can smell his cologne.
“What the fuck?” I whisper-yell, looking around to make sure no one saw.
“Tell me you weren’t smiling up at Abby the entire game,” Landon says, his jaw clenched. “Like some lovesick puppy.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You’re a terrible liar.” Landon pushes closer. His eyes are dark, and there’s something possessive in the way he’s looking at me. “Did you forget all about my cock? And what it felt like to have my hands on you?”
I swallow hard; this is dangerous. Anyone could walk by and see us—how close we are.
“We can’t do this here,” I whisper. “I mean it, Landon. There is too much at stake.”
“Is there?” Landon asks, and he’s so close now I can feel his breath against my neck. “Or are you just afraid?”
“I’m realistic,” I snap, trying to pull away, but find myself trapped. “You’re a player on my team. If anyone finds out about us, my career is over. And your career could be affected too.”
Landon’s hand moves to my chin, tilting my face up to meet his. There’s a smile playing on his lips, and it makes my stomach clench.
“Imagine,” he says softly, “what it would be like with Abby between us. Both of us touching her, inside her, making her come until she can’t remember her own name.”
My entire body goes rigid as the image floods my mind before I can stop it. My cock stirs in my jeans and Landon’s smile widens as he feels my reaction.
“You like that idea . . .” he says, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Don’t you?”
Heat crawls up my neck, spreading across my skin.
Landon notices and chuckles. “Look at that,” he murmurs, his eyes following the red trail up to my face. “You’re blushing. That’s fucking hot.”
“Stop,” I say. “Someone could walk in any second.”
“Then I guess we should make this quick,” Landon replies, but instead of doing anything more, he steps back, adjusting his jeans.
“We can’t keep doing this,” I say firmly, trying to regain some semblance of control.
“Keep telling yourself that, but we both know how this is going to end.”
He walks away before I can respond, leaving me alone. My heart races, and my traitorous body wants everything he’s offering, even though it’s the worst possible idea.
The parking lot is practically empty as I turn the key in the ignition for the third time and get nothing but a clicking sound in return.
“Fuck,” I mutter, resting my forehead against the steering wheel.
I try again.
Click.
Nothing.
My brother’s response to my text comes through, saying he’s already left.
Apparently, my niece snuck out with a boy, and he has to go and try not to commit murder.
At times like this, I’m glad I don’t have children.
The players have all gone; the last I saw of anyone was Levi getting into a car with Abby.
I step out of my car and pop the hood, staring down at the engine, but I don’t know what I’m looking at. Oil cap . . . Battery? I’m completely out of my depth.
“Trouble?”
I jerk up so fast I almost hit my head on the hood. Landon’s standing there, his truck keys dangling from his fingers.
“Car won’t start,” I say, slamming the hood down. “The battery’s probably dead. How come you’re still here?”
“I was looking for Levi.” Landon tucks his keys into his pocket.
“He left with Abby about fifteen minutes ago.”
“That fucking asshole. Do you need any help?”
I lean against my car, flustered, and I hate it. I hate that Landon Kane makes me feel vulnerable. “Nah, I’ll call a tow truck. No big deal.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Landon says, moving closer. “I’ll drive you home. Your car can wait until morning. You can get it towed tomorrow.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re not. Come on. My truck’s over here.”
With a sigh, I lock my car and follow him across the parking lot to his truck. It’s a beast of a thing, black with tinted windows and custom rims. He opens the passenger door for me, and I climb in.
The inside smells like him. My pulse thumps in my neck as he rounds the front and slides into the driver’s seat. He starts the engine and pulls out of the parking lot smoothly, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gearshift.
The radio plays softly in the background. The drive to my apartment would normally take about thirty-five minutes, and we sit in silence for the first five. It’s not awkward exactly, but with neither of us talking, it may cross over into that territory soon.
“You played well tonight,” I say, trying to make conversation.
“Thanks.”
More silence.
I stare out the window, watching the trees blur past.
Landon exhales through his nose, his eyes on the road. “About earlier,” he says, “in the locker room.”
My shoulders tense. “What about it?” I really don’t want to keep rehashing the same thing over and over again, but it’s hard to ignore the pull between us.
“I shouldn’t have cornered you like that.” His grip tightens on the wheel. “You told me to back off, and I didn’t.”
I don’t respond right away because there really isn’t anything to say. Also, I’m afraid things will go further, and I won’t want to stop it this time.
“I know nothing can happen between us,” he continues. “I know the rules, and I know what it would cost you.” He finally glances at me. “But that isn’t enough to stop me wanting things.”
My pulse kicks hard. “That doesn’t make it easier.”
“I wasn’t trying to make it easier,” he says. “I only wish the situation was different. My head is all messed up with things with Abby and things with you, but make no mistake, I want you, even just once.”
“Just once—would that even be possible?” I say, and his head whips around to look at me.
“Very possible,” he says with a smirk curving one corner of his mouth.
I clench my hands into fists. “This is a bad idea.”
“Probably,” he agrees.
My pulse is hammering as he takes a turn that’s not toward my apartment.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Somewhere more private,” he says simply. “Unless you object.”
I should. Every rational part of my brain is screaming at me to tell him to turn around—to take me home—but I don’t. Something Abby said during our date runs through my head, about it being okay sometimes to just say, “Fuck it.”
He drives for another few minutes, then turns down a road that leads toward the state park. It’s late, and there are no other cars. He shifts into park and turns off the engine.
“If you want me to take you home, I will.” Landon’s hands grip the steering wheel like he’s trying to hold on to his control. “Just say the word.”
I don’t say anything; instead, I unbuckle my seatbelt and shift in my seat so I’m facing him. I can see the muscles working in his jaw, and the tension in his shoulders.
“Just tonight,” I whisper.
“Yeah.”
“If anyone found out—”
“I promise I won’t tell anyone, Tate. All I care about is this.”
He reaches over and cups the back of my neck, pulling me toward him. And god help me, I let him.
His mouth smashes against mine. I twist my hands in his shirt, fisting the fabric as I pull him closer. The gear shift digs into my hip, but I don’t care.
“Fuck,” he breathes against my mouth. “I have wanted to do that for so long.”
“Me too—”
He cuts me off by kissing me again, his tongue sliding against mine, and I can’t remember why this is a bad idea.
His hand moves from my neck to my thigh, sliding up the outside of my jeans, and I’m already tenting my pants.
“Tell me to stop, right now,” he murmurs, his lips moving to my jaw, my neck. “And I’ll take you home.”
I can’t say it. I want this.
Just one night where I say fuck it.
For my entire life, I have always followed the fucking rules and dedicated myself to hockey. But what about me and what I want?
“That’s what I thought,” he growls.
I’m hyperaware of the fact that we’re in a truck at a public overlook, even if it’s late and there’s no one around. Someone could drive up at any moment, but that thought only makes me want this more.
Landon shifts his seat back, creating more space, and pulls me toward him. I’m awkward, but he guides me onto his lap with surprising gentleness. The position is uncomfortable, and the steering wheel presses against my back, but I don’t care.
He’s hard beneath me. I can feel him, and it sends a jolt of arousal straight through me.
“This is fucking crazy,” I breathe.
“Completely crazy,” he agrees, his hands sliding under my shirt, his palms hot against my skin.
He pulls my shirt over my head, tossing it into the back seat. Cool air hits my chest, and then his mouth is there, kissing a line down my sternum.
He shifts beneath me, unbuttoning my slacks, and I lift my hips so he can push them down. His hand wraps around my hard cock, stroking me slowly, and I can’t help the groan that escapes me.
“That’s it,” he murmurs. “Just like that. Let me hear you.”
He increases his pace, and I give in to the sensations, letting the sounds come out.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful like this,” he says. “Desperate and needy for me.” He leans forward, his mouth meeting mine again. “I don’t care about anything right now except making you come.”
His words do something to me, breaking down my defenses piece by piece. I haven’t felt wanted like this in a long time. I reach for the button on his jeans, but he catches my wrist.
“Not yet,” he says. “I want to make you come first.”
He continues stroking me, his other hand tracing patterns across my chest, down my ribs and to the dip of my waist.
My orgasm builds quickly, coiling tight at the base of my spine. I’m close, so close, and he seems to know because he increases his pace.
“Come for me,” he whispers against my ear.
My orgasm crashes over me, and I come in his hand with his name on my lips, my body shaking as pleasure rips through me.
I collapse against him, and as his arms wrap around me, I don’t move away.
“I really want to fuck you now,” he says, and I nod against his chest.
“We can only do this once, you know that right?”
His laughter vibrates up and into my ear. “I do.”
He reaches over to the glove box and pulls out a condom, then before I can shift off his lap, he opens his door and slides us both out. I cling to him for dear life, but he lands on his feet and I slide down his body, my pants pooling at my ankles.
Landon opens the back door as I take off my shoes and pants.
I’m awkwardly aware of being fully naked as I climb into the back of his truck, but the bench seat back here is long enough that we can lie down.
I push up on my elbows as Landon clambers up.
He has removed his jeans and hovers over me, using one arm to hold himself up while the other drops the lube packet on my chest, tears the condom open with the help of his teeth, and rolls it over his cock. Fuck, I want him inside me.
“You okay?” he asks.
I nod, my throat tight. “Yeah.”
His weight shifts slightly, and he leans down to kiss me. His mouth moves against mine, and one of his hands slides to my side, while the other comes to rest above my head, trapping me beneath his body.
“I want this so bad,” he murmurs against my mouth. “But I won’t take more than you want to give me.”
I pull him back down, my answer clear. His mouth trails from my lips to my jaw, then to my neck.
“Tell me if I need to stop,” he says.
“Don’t,” I breathe. “Please don’t, I need you to fuck me.”
He pushes up to kneeling, so he can take the packet of lube and rip it open, then lathers it over his cock. He doesn’t say anything as he lines himself up and pushes inside me.
“Mmm, fuck,” I moan.
Landon doesn’t rush; he thrusts in and out slowly. I need more, which he must notice because he grabs one of my legs, throws it over his muscular shoulder, and drives into me harder.
The change in pace steals the breath from my lungs. I clutch the seat beneath me as his thrusts keep coming, faster and faster until my head spins.
He leans down, close enough that his breath brushes my ear, and I can’t stop the needy sound that slips out of me.
“Landon,” I breathe out raggedly. “Fuck, I need to come again.”
His eyes lock onto mine as one of his hands comes up to grip my throat, and he fucks me into the back seat of his truck until we both spill over into oblivion.