Playing To Win: An Elite Athlete Sport Romance Anthology

by Mignon Mykel

  He returned carrying a foil packet out in front of him in triumph.

  “Found one.”

  “Then get over here.”

  I opened my legs further and bent my knees in invitation. He managed to open the packet and roll the condom on without breaking stride. Kneeling onto the bed between my thighs, he plunged inside me in one long stroke.

  “Christ. Are you okay?” he asked. “You’re so tight. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Besides the fact it’s been a long time between guys, I’ve never been with one quite as large as him. I shifted my hips and focused on relaxing my muscles to make room for him.

  I nodded. “It’s just a tight fit.”

  He bent his head and sucked my nipple into his mouth. I felt tiny flutters and a rush of heat below and he slipped inside a little further. Sweat beaded his brow and if I was going by the look of concentration on his face, I’d think he was doing advanced calculus instead of having sex.

  I finally relaxed enough to let him all the way in and he slowly pumped in and out. He increased the rhythm and my inner walls grabbed him with every thrust and gripped, trying to keep him inside as he pulled back. His thrusts got shorter and shorter and I lifted my hips to meet every one, grinding my clit against the base of his shaft.

  “Penny,” he said, his voice a mere rasp in my ear.

  He picked up the pace even more and I got sucked into a vortex of sensation. Wanting to feel more, needing to feel more, I wrapped my legs around his waist.

  That did it.

  I let out a long, hoarse moan as I came for the second time in less than five minutes. Some part of my brain registered the fact that Kenny had let out his own shout just before he collapsed on top of me.

  Kenny

  The smell of fresh-brewed coffee roused me from a deep sleep. I pulled on a pair of shorts and walked into the kitchen. Penny stood at the stove, wearing one of my T-shirts and a pair of boxer shorts.

  I sat at the breakfast bar and she looked up and smiled.

  “You look cute,” I said.

  “I have some extra clothes in my backpack, but I left it in your car yesterday. So it was either walk around naked or steal some of your clothes.”

  “Honestly, I have no issue with either.”

  She slid an omelet onto a plate and shrugged. After adding three pieces of sausage, she handed it to me. Cracking two eggs into a bowl, she whisked them then added ham and cheese and stirred again before pouring it into the waiting pan.

  “It seemed a little unhygienic to cook while nude,” she said. “Not to mention dangerous.”

  “You have a point.”

  Lifting the spatula, she toyed with the edges of the omelet before flipping it. She placed some sausage on the plate then took the pan to the sink, washed it, and placed it on the drying rack.

  “You don’t have to do that,” I said. “You’re cooking. I’ll wash the dishes.”

  “Thanks, but when I was growing up, my grandmother insisted on cleaning as we cooked, so now it’s just my habit.”

  I don’t know much about Dale and Penny’s upbringing other than their parents are deceased and they were raised by their grandparents.

  She shut off the stove, picked up the pan, and slid the omelet onto her plate. After giving it a quick rinse, the pan joined the other one on the rack.

  I stood. “Come on, let’s eat at the table.”

  “Here, take this.” She handed me her plate. “I’ll grab coffee.”

  She joined me a few minutes later and handed me a mug. “I hope this is good. It looks like it’s the same color as what you were drinking at Gabe’s.”

  I took a quick sip. Coffee with cream, no sugar. Just the way I like it. Holly had always “forgotten” and added sugar to mine, making it the way she liked it. Even after seven years. Yet here’s Penny knowing after one date. Well, one date and one incredible night.

  “It’s perfect.”

  We ate in silence for a few minutes then I decided to get to know more about her.

  “Tell me about your grandmother. Well, your grandparents.”

  “They were amazing. My grandma was the most incredible cook and thankfully, she made me learn how even though all I wanted to do was play softball. My grandpa played minor league ball back in the day. He didn’t make it to the majors and quit when my mom was born. After that, he opened a handyman business. Eventually he hired a few guys and had a little crew so he could take on more jobs. He could do it all and people liked him because they knew he wouldn’t rip them off.”

  “They sound like great people.”

  “They were, and the older I get, the more I appreciate them. I’m sure the last thing they wanted to do when they were in their fifties was take on two kids to raise full-time. But they did it and I never once heard them complain. Even when we made it difficult on them.”

  “They loved you. I’m sure they didn’t even think twice.”

  “And I guess that despite any stupid things Dale and I did, it wasn’t as bad as what my mom put them through.” She met my gaze. “She liked to party a little too much and from what I understand, she started young. My grandparents straddled the line of not telling us bad things about our parents and using them as a cautionary tale.”

  “Your parents are deceased, right?”

  She nodded. “They both overdosed. I was nine and Dale was fourteen. He remembers more of life with them. I remember some things but I think I blocked out the worst of it.”

  She was about to say something else when her phone rang and she jumped up to grab it off the kitchen counter before it vibrated its way to the floor.

  “Hey Dale.” She smiled. “I’m your only sister.” Her eyes shifted between me and the far wall. “No, I’m fine. Just relaxing. Watching TV. Reading. Napping.” Again with the shifty eyes. “I’m sure the weather is much better here than in Aspen.”

  I cut a sausage link into bite-sized pieces and shoved one into my mouth, then another. She leaned against the counter with her back to me. I focused on breakfast instead of her conversation. Although if she wanted total privacy, she could just go into another room.

  With my plate clean, I’d just finished my coffee when she joined me again.

  “We usually call each other every day or so,” she said. “I didn’t talk to him yesterday so…” She shrugged.

  “When’s he coming here?”

  “In about three weeks. He said he plans on getting here a couple days before he needs to report so he can get settled in. Right now, he’s enjoying the snow.”

  I wanted to ask her if she wanted me to talk to her brother about us, but figured the first morning after is not the time to discuss that. We’ll deal with Dale eventually.

  “So, are you busy Saturday?” She shook her head and chewed the bite she’d just put in her mouth. “Would you like to go to Max’s wedding with me?”

  After taking a drink, she said, “Isn’t it kind of late notice?”

  “After I went to your table Friday night, he asked if I needed a plus one.”

  “Really?”

  I nodded. “And he texted me again yesterday afternoon.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked around a sly smile. “I mean, I’ll be with your friends and I can pump them for stories about your crazy college days.”

  “I guess that’s the price I’ll have to pay to share the company of a beautiful woman.”

  A blush spread up her neck and across her face.

  “I’d love to go.”

  “Great!” I said. “Would it be pushing my luck to also ask you to the rehearsal dinner on Friday night?”

  “Two nights in a row?” I nodded. “Oh, I’m gonna get so much dirt.” She danced in her seat. “It’s going to be fun.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  Penny

  I took a sip of wine and watched Kenny across the room as he posed for pictures with the bridal party. The poor photographer. He has his job cut out for him getting them organized and snapping pi
ctures before they get out of hand. It looks like herding cats. But everyone seems to be having a great time.

  I’d met the bridal party at the rehearsal last night, and everyone was very welcoming. Kenny had told them what I do for a living and they found it fascinating, especially the part about the Olympics. I think it’s the first time people who’ve known who my brother is asked more questions about me than him. But since they know Kenny, I guess the Waves aren’t a big deal to them.

  “Hey,” Kenny walked toward me, wrapped his arm around my waist, and kissed my forehead. “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s your job as a groomsman,” I said. “You guys could have made it easier for the photographer, though. That poor guy is gonna need therapy after this.”

  He shifted to my side, sliding his hand to the small of my back. We’ve only been together five days...six if you count breakfast Monday...and it feels like we’ve been together forever. I still have to tell Dale about us and then we’ll need to figure out what we’re doing once I’m in training again, but I won’t let that upset my happiness. For now, life is good and I’m going to enjoy it.

  “It’s funny. None of us act like idiots normally, but put us together and we act like children.”

  “As long as you’re having fun.” I patted his stomach.

  He met my gaze and smiled. “Have I told you how beautiful you look?”

  “You have, and thank you. It’s nice getting dressed up every once in a while.”

  “You’re almost as tall as me with those heels on.” He pulled me against him. “It makes us better aligned.” He bobbed his eyebrows.

  “So you want me to walk around in heels all the time going forward?”

  He looked up at the ceiling and tilted his head from side to side.

  “Not all the time. I mean, you’d have a hell of a time playing third base wearing those, but I’m thinking you can leave them on when we get home later.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” I said with a chuckle.

  He looked at his watch. “Is it time to go yet?”

  “Behave.”

  He was about to say something else when the DJ called the bridal party to the dance floor.

  “Duty calls,” he said and gave me a quick kiss. “Don’t go too far. I plan on dancing with you to every slow song that comes on.”

  And he hadn’t lied about that. We’d danced a few of the fast ones too and I’m happy to say that Kenny has some nice moves. But since I don’t wear heels all the time, my feet started to hurt so we sat the next few out.

  When Kenny was called outside for one last round of pictures, I took the opportunity to sit down and take a break. I poured a glass of water and took a long drink, watching the people on the dance floor bounce up and down to Love Shack by the B-52’s.That ended and Someone Like You by Van Morrison started to play, clearing some of the people off the floor, leaving room for couples.

  I felt him behind me before he made his presence known. His citrus scent surrounded me, and I broke out in goosebumps when I felt his warm breath against my neck.

  “Would you like to dance?” he asked.

  I turned in my chair and looked into his warm gray eyes. He held out his hand and I took it. Without another word, he led me to the dance floor and pulled me into his arms. I rested my cheek against his as we swayed in place.

  The beat of his heart was strong and steady and mesmerizing. I tangled my fingers into the hair that brushed his collar and moved closer. Kenny groaned and squeezed me tighter, encouraging me to shift closer still. By song’s end, my body was fully plastered against the solid wall of his.

  “Penny?” Kenny’s voice sounded thick.

  “Hmmmm?” I purred.

  “Let’s get out of here.”

  Kenny

  We said our goodbyes and I practically dragged Penny out to her car. We climbed inside and I barely had my seatbelt on when she pulled out of the parking lot, tires squealing. The ride to her condo was a veritable love fest. At the first red light, we made out like horny teenagers. At the next, I caressed her nipples into stiff peaks. And at the third one, I reached my hand between her thighs and slipped a finger inside her. When my thumb circle her clit, I felt her inner walls flutter, but a horn blast from behind us put a stop to that.

  Figuring I better cool things down before we either get a ticket or get into an accident, I pulled my hands onto my side of the car and stayed in my seat. Thankfully we weren’t too far away and before long, we were pulling into her parking garage. She’d barely parked when I was jumping out of the Jeep and running around the back to retrieve her from the driver’s side.

  I spotted the cameras in the elevator so I kept my hands to myself. The last thing I want is some horny security guard filling his nights with video of Penny and me getting it on.

  Once we got to her floor, we sprinted down the hallway and she punched the code in and opened her door. She boldly reached for the waistband of my pants and pulled me to her as I closed the door behind her. Taking the lead, she sealed her mouth over mine and thrust her tongue inside. The kiss was wet and wild and earthy.

  She practically ripped the buttons off my shirt in her rush to get it open. That task accomplished, she reached for my pants and unbuttoned them, then lowered the zipper and reached inside grabbing onto my shaft, circling the head with her thumb. I rested my forehead against hers and let out a low groan.

  “Penny,” I panted. “You’re gonna kill me.”

  Her sexy smile nearly did me in. Turnabout is fair play and, reaching down, I found the hem of her dress and dragged it up so I could cup her pussy through the scrap of lace she’s calling panties tonight.

  She pulled me down into another deep kiss and I rocked my palm against her to the same rhythm of our tangling tongues. I was just about to slip a finger inside her moist heat when the living room light turned on. I pulled my hand out from under her dress and smoothed it in place.

  “What the fuck?”

  I glanced over my shoulder and spotted a very pissed off Dale Montgomery stomping across the living room toward Penny and me. She fumbled with my pants, trying to shove my dick back inside, but she was only making it worse. Even with her brother in the room probably about to beat the shit out of me, I’m still rock hard.

  Penny

  “Dale!” I said. “What are you doing here?”

  I stepped around Kenny and ran interference with Dale while he tucked everything back into place. Thankfully I’m still fully dressed, although I’m not sure whether my brother saw Kenny’s hand between my legs.

  “What am I doing here? What the fuck is going on Penny?”

  Although my first instinct is to smooth things over here, I know that if I don’t stand up to Dale now, he’ll make my relationship with Kenny a living hell.

  “Well, I was on a date. If I’d known you were going to be here, we would have gone to Kenny’s place. But last we spoke, you weren’t coming here for a few weeks yet.”

  “Do not fucking turn this around to make it sound like it’s all my fault,” he said.

  Kenny must have gotten himself together because he turned and stood behind me, his hand resting on the small of my back.

  “Please don’t talk to her that way,” he said to Dale. Although his sentence sounded polite, it was not a request.

  Dale took two steps closer and said, “Do not tell me how to talk to my sister, Kenny.”

  Kenny stepped around me and faced my brother head on. “I asked nicely.”

  “Penny seriously. What the fu—” Dale’s eyes shifted to Kenny. “What the hell did I walk in on?”

  Kenny relaxed a little as Dale changed both the word he used and his tone. Honestly, Dale may raise his voice at me, but I can count on one hand the number of times he’s dropped the f-bomb on me.

  I looked at Kenny and said, “I think you should go so Dale and I can talk alone.”

  “Are you sure?” I nodded. He looked at Dale then back to me. “Okay.” Leaning forward, he kissed my fore
head. “Call me later.”

  “I will.”

  That said, he turned and walked out the door. This night definitely isn’t ending the way I’d expected it to.

  Walking over to the kitchen counter, I leaned my hand against it and took off one heel then the other. The cool tile floor felt good against my throbbing feet.

  I padded over to the living room and settled into the corner of the couch, stretching my legs out in front of me. Dale sat across from me on the love seat.

  “You weren’t calling and were acting weird when we did speak, so I decided to hop on a plane and make sure you're okay,” he said. “Please tell me what’s going on with you.”

  “I know you noticed Kenny and I were kind of flirting last season.”

  “Yeah, I noticed, but I thought that was all taken care of.”

  “I’m not sure what you even mean by that, but nothing happened last year, then we ran into each other down here and decided to spend some time together,” I said. “Tonight was Kenny’s friend’s wedding and we were just getting home.”

  “Penny, I don’t think you know what you’re doing with Kenny Hanover. First of all, you’re too young for him.”

  “What are you talking about?” I shrieked. “He’s five years older than me.”

  “Exactly.”

  I narrowed my gaze. “Are you telling me you’ve never dated someone five years younger?”

  “This isn’t about me.”

  “Of course it’s not. Because we don’t talk about your love life,” I said. “But don’t think I don’t see and hear things. I know you’re not exactly saving yourself for marriage.” I took a deep breath in through my nose and let it out the same way. “Dale, I love you and I don’t want to fight. I’m twenty-eight years old. Don’t you think that makes me old enough to decide on what guys I spend time with?”