Chapter 25
Vee
The Waldorf Astoria was situated in the heart of the Vegas strip but was a gambling-free hotel.
Through the tall windows in my bedroom, I looked out upon the bright lights associated with the iconic city.
My current view included Paris with the glowing Eiffel Tower replica, Planet Hollywood, and Aria.
Changing out of my work clothes, I donned soft pajama pants and a tank top when my phone rang. Leigh’s name was on the screen.
“Hi,” I answered.
“Hayden, Lip, and I are going to get dinner downstairs. Would you like to come along?”
I looked down at my change of clothes and smiled. “You are about ten minutes too late. I’m in comfy clothes and in for the night.”
“Okay. We’ll miss you.”
“Thanks, Leigh.”
“Vee, we’re worried about you.”
“Don’t be. I’m not great with time change. I’ll be good, I promise.”
“All right. See you tomorrow?”
“On the plane home,” I said, “if not before.”
“Go Coopers.”
“Go Coopers,” I repeated.
Over three hours later, the remains of my dinner were on the dining table while I was curled up on the sofa with Bre’s notes. She’d copied more of Dad’s schedules. I was currently looking at the week before he died.
Among many other things listed, he had a call with an NFL International Office. He also had a meeting with Lexington city officials and a call with a representative from Under Armour. “What did you talk about?” I asked aloud.
I made a note to ask Bre for more information. There should be notes after each meeting. Knowing that Dad spoke to certain people wasn’t helpful if I didn’t know what was discussed.
I laid the papers on the coffee table. The small bottle of wine that came with my dinner was empty, replaced with a bottle of Evian. While it wasn’t even ten o’clock, my eyes were tired and my temples throbbed.
My phone vibrated on the table beside me. A smile curled my lips at the sight of Fin’s name. “You should be sleeping,” I said as I answered the call. “You have a big game tomorrow.”
“What’s your room number?”
I sat forward. “Oh my God, Fin. You’re not coming to my room.”
“How much Fin’s-in-control time have you had today?”
Shaking my head, I scoffed. “Not near enough. I’m headed to bed.”
“I don’t have much time until curfew, but I promise I can take some of that stress out of your voice. You just need to give me your room number.”
“You can’t hear my stress.”
“I can,” he said, his voice dropping an octave. “Don’t make me ask again.”
My nipples beaded at his deepening tone. “Promise me you won’t be seen and photographed.”
“I’ll do my best.”
With much reservation, I told him the number of my suite.
“You’re closer than I thought. See you soon.”
After disconnecting the call, I whispered, “This is a bad idea.”
Bad idea or not, I hurried to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and splashed my already-washed face with water. I was brushing my hair when I heard the knock on the door. A quick peek out the peephole showed me a tall man with a Cincinnati baseball cap over his eyes.
Laughing for the first time all day, I opened the door and pulled him inside. “Did anyone see you?”
Fin palmed my cheeks and brought our lips together. His smile was panty melting and his blue orbs shone. “You’re feeling better already, aren’t you?”
“You’re very cocky.”
“Very, but if we start with that, I will definitely be late for curfew.” He took off the baseball cap, lifted his head, and looked around the suite. “I need to renegotiate my contract.”
“That’s not happening.”
“Then tell me why I’m happy to have a room to myself and you have enough space up here for ten people.”
“Ten people would be cramped.”
Fin laughed. “You should try two grown football players in a hotel room.” He shook his head. “It’s not pretty.”
“Curfew is eleven?”
He looked down at his watch. “That gives me almost an hour.”
“Share this stress relief you had planned.”
“You’re so fucking gorgeous.” He teased the strap of my tank top and arched an eyebrow. “No bra, I approve.”
My breathing deepened.
“I won’t get to see you like this again until very late tomorrow night.”
Taking a step back, I scanned from his leather shoes, his long legs covered with navy blue slacks, to his muscular torso and wide shoulders covered by a lighter blue button down.
My gaze went higher yet to his square jaw covered with a day’s worth of beard growth, to his sexy grin, and sparkling eyes.
“Mr. Graham, you’re quite handsome yourself. ”
“Come here,” he said, taking my hand and leading me to the bedroom.
“I thought you said we didn’t have time.”
“This is Fin’s-in-control time.”
“I don’t want you to get in trouble, and I sure don’t want anyone to know where you—”
Once we crossed the threshold, his lips covered mine, stopping my concerns from coming forth.
This wasn’t like our hello kiss. Now, in the bedroom, with his arm wrapped around my waist and my hips tugged against his, our bodies melded together, soft against hard.
Our tongues danced as my senses filled with sandalwood and my circulation raced.
By the time we pulled apart for air, I was breathless. “I don’t remember what I was saying.”
Fin smiled, his cheeks rising and small lines forming near his eyes. “You were saying, yes, Fin. Whatever you say.”
It was my turn to grin. “I’m pretty sure that wasn’t what I was saying.”
“Lie down on the bed on your stomach.”
I tilted my head in question.
“Ms. Hubbard, we don’t have time for you to question my methods.”
Scooting onto the covers, I crawled to the middle of the mattress and lay with my head near the foot of the bed. “This feels a little scandalous.”
He moved a pillow from the head to the foot. “Here.”
I pulled it under my head and shoulders. “Oh,” I said loudly as Fin’s long fingers stroked my neck.
“I’m warming the muscles,” he said.
My body reacted as his strokes morphed to kneading and circular motions.
A massage.
That was his secret weapon.
Closing my eyes, the tension I hadn’t admitted was present began to ease from my tightened body. Squeezing and rolling my muscles, Fin’s strong hands worked out knots of stress. My hums and noises of approval filled the air.
Fin’s attention went lower to my back and waist. He had me lulled into a state of semi-consciousness, when he tugged the waistband of my soft pants down. Cool air startled me.
“Fin?”
“Trust me.”
I wiggled, allowing him to fully remove the pajama pants and my panties, fully aware he had a bird’s eye view of my behind.
“Up on your knees.”
How much time has passed?
If I argued, I wouldn’t find out his plan. I had to admit that so far, his plan was working. With my curiosity piqued and my tension waning, I hugged the pillow and complied. A moan escaped my lips as those strong fingers that were massaging my flesh were skillfully eased between my folds.
“You’re wet.”
“Fin.”
“Trust me. A good orgasm is the best stress reliever.” He playfully swatted my raised ass. “Roll over, Vee. I’m going to give you the orgasm you need.”
“I-I…”
His hand again connected with my ass. This time with more of a sting.
“Ouch.”
“Roll over.”
The back of my head landed on the soft pillow as Fin spread my knees and buried his face in my pussy.
There was no warming up—no easing into this.
My hips bucked, and I screamed out as he nipped my clit and lapped my essence.
Fire came to life within me, a smoldering ember that with the mere striking of his tongue and fingers ignited a raging blaze.
Flares detonated throughout my nervous system as the kindling of my flesh singed from his searing touch.
“Fuck me, Fin,” I cried out, desperately pleading. I didn’t know how much time we had. I only knew one thing. I needed him inside me. I wanted his closeness, to feel his heart beating in his chest and to share the same breaths.
The mattress shifted as the sound of Fin’s zipper filled my body with anticipation. “Back on your knees, Vee.”
Scurrying to comply, I rolled, again hugging the soft pillow. While we weren’t face-to-face, the scandalous nature of our rendezvous came back to me as Fin pierced me, thrusting deep inside my wet core, stretching me to a delicious sense of fullness.
“Vee, this is going to be fast.” His warm breath was on my neck. “Don’t hold it against me.”
“You said Garcia wanted you to be faster in the pocket. Consider this practice.”
His baritone laugh filled the air.
Fin’s hands roamed beneath my tank top until he seized my hips, pumping faster and faster.
Our labored breaths combined with moans and whimpers echoed throughout the suite.
It was as his hand lowered to my clit that my entire body exploded, a series of detonations, from my scalp to my toes.
I fell to the bed, my knees giving out with Fin over the top of me.
His lips came to my cheek with butterfly kisses. “I didn’t come here for sex. I truly came here to relieve the stress I could hear in your voice.”
I craned my neck. “You did it.” My eyes opened wide. “What time is it?”
Fin shifted, breaking our union. “It’s 10:54.” His smile radiated in his loving gaze. “If I get reprimanded, I’ll have to confess.”
“You will do no such thing. I promised Tilson our relationship wouldn’t affect our working together.”
Fin stood, pulling up his boxer shorts and pants.
Staring in disbelief, I shook my head. “You’re still wearing your shoes. And, well, everything.”
He reached down and cupped my cheeks. “There’s the smile I adore. Power play is hard to pass up.” He kissed my nose. “Get a good night’s sleep.”
Rolling over, I stretched across the bed. “You too.”
By the time I had my pajama pants back in place, Fin was gone. Locking the door, I leaned against it with a smile I wouldn’t have predicted an hour earlier. With my gaze toward the ceiling, I said, “Don’t let him get caught.”
It was then I noticed my water bottle was missing. After turning out the lights, I crawled into the large bed and sent Fin a text.
“DID YOU STEAL MY WATER BOTTLE?”
His answer came right away.
“IT WAS A PROP. I WAS OUT OF THE ROOM FOR WATER. Smiling emoji. IT WORKED. NO CONFESSION NECESSARY.”
I shook my head.
“IT FEELS LIKE WE’RE KIDS SNEAKING AROUND.”
“KEEP SMILING. I’LL BE WATCHIING YOU TOMORROW ON THE SIDELINES.”
“WATCH THE BIG GUYS WHO WANT TO KNOCK YOU DOWN.”
Closing my eyes, I fell sound asleep.