Running Forward: A Quick Snap Novella

by Crystal Perkins

  “What if you get bored?” he teases, tearing one of the condoms open and sliding it over his dick. He strokes it a couple of times, and my hand moves of its own accord to my clit.

  “Now,” I demand.

  “Hold on,” he warns, slamming into me in one thrust.

  I grab the wood of his black headboard. My fingertips barely cling to it, and he withdraws and thrusts again. “Yes. Oh, God, Alec. Yes.”

  His muscled arms and chest strain as he rides me hard, and his gorgeous eyes behind his glasses are almost black with desire. I wrap my legs as far around his back as I can and dig my heels into his ass while capturing his mouth for our hottest kiss yet.

  Alec

  It’s taking every ounce of self-control and strength I have not to drop my arms and rest my weight on Karli. She may have teased me about not being a gentleman, but I feel farther from one than I’ve ever felt before in my life. I just want to pound into her until she forgets every other man in the world exists. Yeah, that comment about getting bored got to me, and I’m making sure it’s not even an option for her.

  Going to my knees, I loop her legs around my arms and pull her up. The new angle has me going even deeper, and she screams. I know it’s pleasure and not pain because I feel her walls clamping down on me.

  “That’s it, sweetheart. Squeeze my cock with your pretty pussy. Take it. Take it all and come for me.”

  “Alec!” she screams again, her orgasm washing over her and making her lose control of her body.

  She’s thrashing and digging her nails into my sheets, her hips bucking up. It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in my life, and when her eyes open to meet mine, I go over with her.

  “Karli!” I roar, slamming so hard into her, it’s a wonder my bed doesn’t break as I release into the condom.

  “That was so good. Fuck, Alec. Your dick is so good. When can I have it again? I need it again.”

  Damn, this woman. She lightly scratches those colorful nails of hers over my chest, and I’m already hardening again.

  “Let me switch out the condom, and I’ll give your greedy pussy what it needs.”

  I head into the bathroom and take care of things. When I come back out, she’s on her knees, facing my headboard, with one hand on her clit and the other pinching her right nipple. “What are you waiting for, stud?”

  “You. I’ve been waiting for you,” I tell her honestly, sheathing myself again and entering her hard enough to lift her from the mattress.

  I’ve had good sex. Great, even. But nothing compares to this, with her. And I know in this moment, that nothing ever will. She’s it for me. Now, I just have to convince her.

  Chapter 12

  Alec

  While I would love to spend my entire day off in bed with Karli, we both have things to do before going back to work tomorrow. We worked out together in my small gym shed in the backyard, but now she’s doing laundry and I’m at Will’s place stealing an hour of his free time.

  “Are we going to talk about yesterday or pretend it didn’t happen?” he asks, setting a water in front of me on his kitchen island.

  Meg took their kids out for an hour, but she warned me that’s all I get with her husband. We all have a charity benefit to attend tonight, and she wants some time with her man before then. I totally get it.

  I consider his question for a minute. “Let’s pretend.”

  “Okay, well, if that’s not what you wanted to talk to me about yesterday, what is?”

  “How do you do it?” I ask, sweeping my hand around to encompass his house. “How do you only handle one day off a week with your wife and kids?”

  He shrugs. “I just do. I have most nights here with everyone. Meg is a great partner, and when it’s the offseason, I spend every single day with them.”

  “And the rest of your family?”

  “We do vacations and plan alternate holidays when we have to. They know they can call me anytime I’m not playing or practicing, and I’ll do what I can to be where they need me to be. It’s not easy, but it’s my life.”

  “I don’t know if I can live like this for years,” I tell him honestly.

  “Well, it’s better you decide that now when you only have a one season contract. What does Karli think?”

  I hang my head, admitting the truth. “I haven’t talked to her about it.”

  “So, you really are just friends?”

  “I thought we were pretending you didn’t see anything?”

  “Dude, really?” he asks.

  I blow out a long breath. “It’s more, and that’s another thing I’m not sure I can handle. Tonight, we’ll be at the benefit, but we can’t be there together. If I lived and breathed for this job, I would maybe be okay with that.” Or not. “But as much as I loved being on the field on Sunday, I’m not sure it’s enough for me. I want to have a rush every single day I go to work and not just one day a week.”

  “Damn. What would you do if you quit?”

  “I have an idea for a new app,” I admit. “There’s a non-compete with the company I sold my business to, but that’s only for scheduling software and business applications. I’m thinking about doing a game.”

  It’s impossible to keep the excitement out of my voice, and I can tell from the way he’s nodding, he hasn’t missed it.

  “Just promise me you’ll give it your all while you’re still with us, and also, how do I invest?”

  “You have my word. As for investing, I don’t need the money, but I’m happy to have you jump on board with me. I think you’ll be pretty excited about it, too.”

  His smirk is back. “Honestly, I just want dibs on trying it out early so I can rub it in to my siblings and cousins.”

  “And enjoy the food at the launch party, too, right?”

  “C’mon now, that’s a given, Alec.”

  We shoot the shit for a little longer, and I promise to give him more info once I have it. I still have three months left until the end of the season, but honestly, I’m not sure I’ll make it that long. Thanksgiving without my dad isn’t something I’m comfortable with. I could buy out my contract a thousand times over, or just retire, so the money isn’t a concern. Letting down Coach doesn’t weigh on me too heavily, either. It’s Karli who has me worried, even though this could give us a chance at a real relationship. I’m just not sure she’s going to want me after this goes down.

  Karli

  Sometimes, being girly isn’t in the cards for me, and I have to add a masculine flair to my style. Not as extreme as the football field, but a balance between that and my normal instincts when it comes to fashion. Tonight’s fan event for charity is one of those nights.

  Fans don’t want to see one of the coaches in a dress, so I’m in a strapless, asymmetrical top with a handkerchief drape on one side. Black cigarette pants hug my legs and taper down to my black heels. My first choice for an event like this would be a sexy cocktail dress, but this isn’t too bad.

  “I can’t wait to pull that top down later and suck on your tits until you scream my name,” Alec whispers from behind me while handing me a glass of champagne like it’s no big deal.

  “Not here,” I hiss.

  “No one heard me, sweetheart, and my jacket is covering the erection the sight of you created.”

  “Stop!” I scold him again, my hand clenching around the stem of the glass.

  “Fine. Have fun, and I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  I take a sip of my champagne and watch that fine ass of his walk away from me. Damn, I am one lucky woman to be going home to him later, and not just for that ass.

  “If it isn’t the girl coach,” I hear from my right.

  Here we go. Pasting a smile on my face, I turn to one of the longtime season ticket holders, who is also one of my biggest critics. “Hello, Mr. Newton. Are you having a good evening?”

  “Who cares about this? We need to talk about the game on Sunday and what a poor job you’re doing with the running backs.”

 
; “I only discuss my performance with my boss. But if you think you could do better, you can bid on a ‘Coach for a Day’ experience in the auction later.”

  He sneers at me, and I really want to punch him. “You better hope I don’t win, or you’ll be fetching my drinks all day like a good girl.”

  “That’s not part of her job description, whether you win the auction or not,” our General Manager says, coming to stand with us. “If you’ll excuse us, I have someone I’d like Karli to meet.”

  My boss leads me a few feet away, and I turn to him. “Thank you, but I was handling him.”

  “I know. I wouldn’t have hired you or kept you on if I didn’t think you could deal with some assholes. However, just because you can deal with it, doesn’t mean you should. We have your back, Karli.”

  “I know, and I appreciate it.” I do know it, but it’s hard to drop my guard sometimes.

  I mingle and eat for the next two hours, posing for pics and having a pretty good time. I’m tense when the auctions start, but thankfully, the coaching one doesn’t go Netwon’s way. Winery owner Dominic Salvatore wins, and the entire Montgomery clan except for Will cheers. I might have smiled a little, too, because that’s going to be an interesting day.

  Soon enough, I’m able to leave and make my way home. I know I should wait up for Alec, but he had a line from one end of the ballroom to the other for pictures and autographs, and I really want to sleep. I’ll make it up to him tomorrow.

  Chapter 13

  Alec

  It’s been a long week, and missing out on time with Karli hasn’t made it any easier. It was after midnight when I got out of the benefit, and she was already asleep when I tried texting her. Then, I was the absolute worst of the group during the shuttle sprints we did inside when it was raining on Wednesday. Yesterday, my tempo runs were better, but I’m still off my game, and I’m the only one who knows why. Well, Will probably has a clue, but he doesn’t know all of it.

  He doesn’t know I’ve been sleeping less than four hours a night as the evolution of the app has taken over my waking hours. Or that I ignored Karli’s texts from Wednesday until it was too late, and she wouldn’t respond to mine yesterday. I’m alternately doing something I love professionally and fucking up personally all at once.

  “Flynn, do you even want to play football?” Karli yells, causing me to flinch mid-stride.

  “Yes, of course, I do,” I lie.

  “Then move your ass. You’d be knocked out by now if we were in a real game and not a scrimmage.”

  “Got it, Coach Jensen!”

  Honestly, I’ve got nothing, and if Dad wasn’t so excited about flying in this weekend for the game, I probably wouldn’t be putting in any effort. The other guys deserve to be playing on Sunday, but short of refusing to suit up, I don’t get to make the call.

  “What’s going on with you?” Coach asks, appearing at my side without me noticing, which really makes me look good. Not.

  “Just been a little distracted. I’ll step it up.”

  “See that you do. The media loves you, and so do the fans. You’ll be playing this weekend, but I’ll bench you next week if you don’t give us your full effort.”

  “I thought the running backs were my decision,” Karli says, anger radiating off her in waves.

  “This came from the top, Karli. He’ll make you proud,” Coach tells her.

  Shit. This is not good. I knew she was probably going to bench me, and while I didn’t want her to with Dad coming, now she has no choice. So, she’s already pissed at me personally, and now, I’m unintentionally screwing with her professionally.

  “I will,” I assure her, trying to convey how sorry I am.

  She turns and walks away. I see her taking deep breaths. She’s trying to keep her cool in front of the players and media who were out of earshot but watching us all closely. I hate that she has to hide her emotions, almost as much as I hate letting her down. This week definitely sucks.

  Karli

  I didn’t throw my tablet when I walked away from Coach and Alec, and I’m calling that a win. I also didn’t storm the GM’s office or call the team owner to rail at them. Another win. But none of it matters because I’m still losing the little bit of power I had. Rationally, I know this decision has nothing to do with my gender and everything to do with the nerdy sex god who’s left me frustrated for days. Doesn’t make it any easier, though.

  All I can do is run the rest of my practice, give the two guys who won’t be playing this weekend the bad news, and stop at Red Mill Burgers for takeout after work. Thankfully, all our meetings today were before practice, and I wasn’t required to stay for the media sessions.

  I’m lifting a ketchup-soaked fry to my lips when someone knocks on my door. I already know it’s going to be Alec.

  “Go away!”

  “I have cupcakes,” he replies, knowing I won’t turn away dessert, even if I don’t want to see him.

  I get up, open the door, grab my cupcakes, and slam the door shut again. “Thanks, bye!”

  “Karli, please let me in,” he pleads while I bang my head lightly on the hard wood that separates us.

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” I warn, opening the door for him.

  “Can we talk about how we’ve been missing each other all week, then. It sucks.”

  “Welcome to professional football season, combined with life. This should teach you not to ignore your girlfriend’s texts when she has a free night.”

  I freeze. Crap. I just said the “g-word” before we discussed what we are to each other. Setting down the cupcakes, I fuss with the box, opening it to reveal all the goodness inside.

  “Your boyfriend has filed that away in his mental databank,” he replies, tapping his temple.

  “You’re not even a little freaked out by me accidentally saying that?”

  “Not one bit. You’ve been my girlfriend in my mind from the first time you shared your fries with me.”

  “Would you like one right now?” I ask, feeling a little shy for some odd reason.

  “I’d prefer a kiss, first, if that’s on the table, too.”

  “It is.”

  I don’t know who reaches for who first, but our arms are around each other and our mouths meet. I could say something romantic about it being different after we declared our status, but it really isn’t. It’s gloriously the same, and I get lost in his taste and touch like I always have, and probably, always will.

  Chapter 14

  Alec

  I’m not the type of guy who’s going to have sex with his girlfriend and then leave her to go and work on a secret project, so I stayed the night with Karli last night. I didn’t think I’d sleep much and even contemplated sneaking over to my place for my laptop, but I somehow knocked out right after she did.

  It’s morning now, and we’ve both got to get moving. I turn to tell Karli that, but the bed next to me is already empty. I grab my briefs and take care of morning bathroom business before heading downstairs to find the rest of my clothes, and hopefully, my girlfriend, too.

  Sure enough, Karli’s already dressed and sitting at her kitchen island, drinking a smoothie. There’s a green one waiting for me, too.

  “Thanks, Kar. I never oversleep.” I kiss the top of her head while reaching for my breakfast.

  “I wore you out last night,” she reminds me with a shrug.

  “We still haven’t gotten around to that romance I promised you, but it’ll have to wait until Monday.”

  “There’s no rush. I like it dirty and rough.”

  “I need to go take a cold shower,” I groan. “See you at work.”

  “Bye,” the little minx tells me with a smirk.

  After taking my shower, I gather my stuff for later. We have to check in to the team hotel by three, so I’ll have just enough time for lunch with Dad before then. He’s staying at the same hotel, so I might be able to catch a little time with him later, but there’s no guarantee. Just another thing to frus
trate me about my “dream” job. Actually, I guess it’s a brutal reminder that sometimes dreams change as you grow up.

  I make it to the team meeting with a few minutes to spare and slide in next to Kier. “Morning.”

  “Good morning to you. You look well-rested for once this week,” he tells me.

  “Pretty much,” I admit. I don’t know him well enough to say anything else.

  The meeting and the offense one after it are pretty standard. We’re told to get our shit together before the game and bring the team a win. I have a brief practice and informal feedback session with Karli, and then, I’m free for a few hours.

  “I’m on my way,” I tell Dad while getting into my truck. He landed an hour ago and is already checked in at the hotel.

  “Do you want to just eat here so we have more time together?” he suggests.

  No, not really. I want to be away from prying eyes so we can talk, but I know he’s right about getting more time together.

  “Sure. I’ll see you in about twenty minutes.”

  “I’ll get us a table as far away as I can from prying eyes.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  I hope the restaurant isn’t crowded because I really need his advice, and I can’t afford to have anyone hear us. I could wait until tomorrow night after the game, but I know talking to him will make me feel better, and I need to be as clear-headed as possible for the game tomorrow.

  Karli

  I always get to the team hotel early, so I can check-in and eat. Yes, there’s a team dinner, but that’s usually healthy food and I don’t want my body to go into withdrawal if it’s not fed properly for over twenty-four hours. First world problems and all, but it could happen. Maybe. I’m not taking any chances.