Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
Kelsey
“Okay, but hear me out,” Bryn says between bites of her brekky sando as we sit in the restaurant of our Sydney hotel. “What if you came to the golf tournament with us for a few hours? Just a few. And you got back before the concert even starts.”
“Their tee times are too late,” I object for the third time that morning. “I’d miss part of the full team meeting.”
Having Lila and my sisters around has been a lot of fun, and even though Carter wasn’t able to hang out with us as much as he wanted to, the last three days have gone smoothly.
Both Melbourne concerts went off without a hitch, despite Trent’s unexpected arrival and the disruption his presence and constant idiotic suggestions caused.
Thank goodness he brought his wife and her gaggle of friends with him to whisk him off to the beaches that I won’t get to set foot on during this trip.
“I know it would mean a lot to JT if you came,” Lila says, offering the only argument that has any sway over me.
JT went through a lot last season, and I do want to be able to support him.
I was so frustrated we weren’t able to make it to Sydney in time for their first round yesterday.
Fortunately, we’d been able to go out for dinner as a group.
Unfortunately, Trent wanted to review staffing with Carter, so he hadn’t been able to join.
I know everyone will love him, but I am a bit anxious to see how he’ll mesh with everyone, including the guys who have quickly become part of the family.
I shake my head, feeling the weight of the expectations pressing down on me.
“I’m sure Jaxon won’t mind,” Lila offers.
“What won’t I mind?” a voice asks from behind me.
I turn, catching Jaxon, Trent, and Carter as they follow behind a waitress on their way to a table. Jaxon stops in front of our table, and I quickly confirm the location of his security team by the front entrance.
“Hey, Bryn, Lila—” Jaxon’s friendly greeting cuts off when his eyes land on the top of my middle sister’s head.
Everyone’s eyes dart to Izzy, who is practically hiding behind the drink menu.
I look back at Jaxon in time to see him wrestle his shock under control.
It’s taken some coordination on my part, but I’m pretty pleased to say I’ve successfully been able to keep Jaxon and Izzy from running into each other while staying at the same hotel—until now, I guess.
“What…what can I help you with?” he asks, his eyes still glued to my sister.
“We’re trying to convince Kelsey to come to watch JT and Jameson this afternoon,” Lila says. “But she thinks she needs to be at the security meeting.”
“We can handle the meeting,” Trent offers, a smug smile on his face.
I want to punch him.
“We can, Kelsey,” Carter agrees, his offer so much more sincere than his brother’s.
“I’ll think about it and get back to you,” I offer.
“Are you all coming to the concert tonight?” Jaxon asks, looking around the table at the last second as if curious what Lila and Bryn are doing.
“Not tonight,” Bryn says with a shrug. “The guys won’t be done, but some of us will be there tomorrow.”
“I’ll be working it tonight,” Lila adds.
“Did Kelsey hook you up with passes?” Jaxon asks, his gaze back on Izzy’s menu.
“No,” Bryn says with a pout. “She didn’t want to abuse her power.” She does little air quotes around the last three words, and I sigh.
“I’ll make sure Annie leaves five backstage passes for you,” Jaxon says, his eyes begging Izzy to look at him.
She doesn’t, her face remaining hidden behind the menu. “Just four is fine. I don’t listen to country music.”
I swear Jaxon, the man who has energy and charisma shining from him at all times, deflates at her words.
“Well, I’ll have her leave five, just in case.” He offers a halfhearted smile. “And, Kelsey, you should go to the golf tournament. Carter and Trent can handle the meeting. It’s essentially just rinse and repeat at this point, isn’t it?”
Bryn and Lila both look at me with victory in their eyes, but it’s the slight shudder I feel run through Izzy’s leg that’s touching mine that makes me agree.
“Yeah, I’m sure they’ll do great,” I say. “Carter, can we chat in the hall for a minute, then? Just to make sure we’ve got everything covered?”
“Of course,” he says, nodding to his brother and Jaxon to continue on.
“Why didn’t you guys ask me to grab breakfast?” I ask once we’re out in the hall. It wasn’t what I meant to ask first, but it just came out. I hate feeling like important meetings are happening without me.
Carter’s face drops, clearly following my train of thought. “It’s nothing like that, Kels. Trent asked if I wanted to grab breakfast after our meeting, and we ran into Jaxon in the elevator. It wasn’t a premeditated thing.”
I stare at his face, trying to find some sign that he might be lying, not that I have the best track record of spotting the signs of deceit on a man’s face.
“I promise, Kels.”
“Okay,” I say slowly. “I believe you.”
“Am I allowed to kiss you in front of all these people?” he asks, staring at my lips.
I look around, taking in all the people who would see us, and slowly shake my head. “Not here.”
“Okay. Later, then.” He winks at me, dispelling the cloud that had settled between us at my doubt.
“Are you sure you’re okay to take the meeting today?” I ask.
“I’m happy to step up. Plus, with Trent here, we both know it’s not likely going to go how either of us planned. It might as well just be me he’s talking over.”
“And you don’t think it’ll look bad if I’m not there?”
“No. Everyone who matters knows what an excellent job you and your team are doing. Honestly, it’ll probably make you look even more important if you’re too busy to come to a meeting.”
I bite my lip, trying not to let the memory of Lukas taint everything I’ve come to know about Carter.
He is not Lukas.
“Okay,” I say. “Thank you.”
“Of course, Kels. I’d do anything for you. You know that,” he says, sliding his hands into the pockets of his slacks.
Taking in his muscular frame, I’m once again annoyed by the fact that Trent pulled him from our bed this morning.
“Anything?” I ask, twirling a piece of hair around my finger like I just stepped out of a ’90s rom-com.
Carter fights a battle against the smirk that wants to cross his face, ultimately losing. “Oh, definitely that. Whatever you’re thinking, I’m more than happy to oblige.”
“Amazing! I was hoping you’d go for a ten-mile run with me tomorrow,” I tease.
“I would do anything…but I won’t do that.”
“Sure you would.”
“Okay, I definitely would,” he says before leaning closer to whisper, “But you’d have to help me forget about my sore muscles once we got back.”
“All I’m hearing is excuses,” I say as I turn to walk away.
Carter catches my arm, pulling me back into him. “You like being on top anyway. It’s a win-win.”
“I’m starting to see the benefits of changing it up,” I concede, offering him a smile as I walk back to my table.
“Holy crap, Kelsey,” Bryn says, coughing. “I can barely breathe with all the sexual chemistry floating around in here.” She waves her hand like she’s trying to fan away smoke before breaking out into a teasing grin.
Lila snickers beside her.
“Why do I hang out with you?” I ask.
“Because you love us,” Izzy replies, her smile not quite meeting her eyes.
“You good?” I ask her.
“Yup.”
“Just too many drink options?” I tease.
“So many choices. How am I supposed to decide if I don’t thoroughly examine the menu?”
We finish our breakfast in a whirlwind of laughter, avocado toast, and good-natured jokes. After I finish, I quickly run back to the room I’m sharing with Carter to change into the golf outfit Lila brought for me to wear.
“On second thought,” Carter says when I pass him in the hallway outside our room. “You should be at the meeting. I can’t handle knowing you’re walking around Australia like that.”
“Jealous?” I tease.
“Yes. One hundred percent. And I’m confident enough to admit I’m also a tiny bit terrified that one of Jameson’s pro-golfer friends is going to take one look at you and stop at nothing to make you his.”
I laugh at the ridiculous notion, and Carter grabs me around the waist.
“I’m serious, Kels. They’d be idiots not to on a normal day, but with you in that little black skirt?” He bites his lip, and I feel his body go taut.
“It’s a skort,” I whisper in his ear, laughing when he realizes I didn’t actually say anything sexy.
“I like a challenge,” he says, lifting me over his shoulder and carrying me back to our room.
“I’ve got to go, Puff!” I say, slapping him on his ass as I hang over his shoulder.
“They can wait five minutes. I’ve got plans.”
“Plans that only take five minutes?” I ask as he opens the door to our room.
“Well, that’s mostly up to you, babe,” Carter says as he sets me on the floor. “I’m not going to take the whole time.”
“You’ve got five minutes,” I say, dropping my hands to trace the outline of his bulge. “Don’t let me down.”
“You’re so beautiful.” Carter buries his nose in my hair. “I can’t wait to show you just how much I want you.”
He kisses his way from my neck down the front of my shirt before dropping his hands to the hem of my shirt.
“Not enough time,” I say, shaking my head.
His eyes meet mine, a soft intensity filling them. “There is always enough time to make sure you get what you need.”
With a conceding grin, I lift my arms over my head, my collared shirt quickly following.
He leans in and licks a line from my collarbone down to my nonexistent cleavage.
Goose bumps spill over me, my nipples hardening.
Using his thumb, he pushes down one side of my bra, lightly licking my right nipple before sucking it—hard.
I moan, and he presses me against the mirror in the entryway, my back flat against the cold glass.
“Hurry,” I manage to get out.
He glares at me as if I’m ridiculous for even suggesting he not take his time.
“Carter,” I demand.
He pulls my black skort down in one swift movement, and I kick it off from around my ankles as his mouth devours mine. Sliding a hand around the back of my legs, he lifts me, notching my center directly against his bulge.
He lets out a hiss as I press myself against him.
“Less clothes,” I say on a gasp.
He props my back against the mirror, holding me as he pulls his pants and boxer briefs down just enough for his cock to spring free. I grab the wallet out of his back pocket and extract the condom from there. I rip the package with my teeth and slowly wrap him.
Gripping my hips with enough pressure I know I’ll have marks, he lifts me up, sliding my heat against his erection. Once. Twice. Three times.
“Touch yourself,” he whispers in my ear. “My hands are full, and I need you to feel good.”
I reach down, placing two fingers over my clit.
“Good girl.”
With that, he lifts me again, slamming home inside me with a low moan.
My body begins to tremble as my orgasm builds inside me. The heels of my tennis shoes are digging into the back of his legs. I scrape my fingers along his broad back, a laugh escaping me as his hips spasm at the light pain.
I increase the speed of my fingers, matching his relentless pace. And it feels good. So good.
“Carter,” I moan.
“That’s right, Kels. Say my name. Let the whole floor know who’s making you feel so good.”
My back arches as I chant his name, unable to stop myself from giving him what he wants.
It’s too much.
It’s not enough.
Ohh— I break, all my senses fully giving in to the pure ecstasy that’s flowing through me. Carter follows, hissing out my name as his hips jerk.
We stay like that, my back pressed into the mirror, his forehead against my shoulder, for a few breaths.
“I’ve got to go,” I whisper, attempting to convince myself I shouldn’t just stay here and do this all day.
Carter pulls away, gently setting me on the floor. He leans in and gives me a light kiss, his fingers stroking my arm gently.
I return the kiss before bending over to pick up my discarded clothes.
“Fuck, Kels. You can’t bend over in front of a mirror like that.” He runs his hand through his hair, his eyes staring intently at my reflection.
I wiggle my ass, laughing as he reaches down to stroke himself in a move I can only assume is unconscious.
“Are you sure you have to leave?” he asks.
“I’m sure,” I say, pulling my underwear and skort on in one go.
Once I’m ready, I stand on my tiptoes to give him one final kiss. “Thanks for covering for me this afternoon.”
“I’ve got you, Kels.”