Freight Train

by Sapphire Knight

  I was thinking of the best way to get Kadence to come over to the house without coming off as some desperate douchebag, so I suggested we have a barbecue instead of just a kegger. I have a feeling she’s not the typical party girl, so this may give me some room to get her to give in and come too. My dumb ass even agreed to do the initial grilling. The shit you’ll do to get time with a chick you want is freaking crazy.

  JJ and Chandler follow me out of the locker rooms, planning to ride with me back to our place. Kash is driving his car over now as well, to help get stuff set up. Everyone else is supposed to be bringing alcohol, the food, and any other supplies needed for the night.

  One step into the hallway and I’m reminded exactly what Kadence was wearing for the game. So help me, if I wasn’t beyond exhausted my dick would already be tenting my shorts, hard as granite for her. She’s a stunning sight and to know that she’s waiting for me is even more exciting. I don’t know what it is about this chick that has me so sprung. Maybe because she acts as though she couldn’t care less about me? Whatever it is, she’s driving me crazy inside.

  “Hey! Great game, you guys!” Brianne jumps to her feet and cheers, giving Chandler and JJ hugs. JJ introduces her to Kash, and for once, Brianne acts a little bashful towards a guy, growing quiet while staring wide-eyed at him. Chicks always stare at Kash like he’s hung the moon. Wish Kadence would look at me that way too.

  “Hey, Pretty,” I greet as Kadence gets to her feet. It’s become my nickname for her from when I didn’t know her name. I called her Pretty to the guys, and they thought it was hilarious.

  Jackasses.

  “Hi, Tyler.” She stands and glances at the ground like she’s tongue-tied herself. Something’s clearly on her mind. I want to pull her to my body and kiss her until her own turns to putty in my hands. I could fix that tongue-tied issue really quickly.

  She’s not usually like this around me; she’s spunkier. I hope she doesn’t change just because of seeing me play football today. One thing I like about her is that she acts like me being a football player is completely normal to her. She doesn’t make a big fuss or try to coddle me. It really isn’t a big deal to her or else she just doesn’t care. Fingers crossed that it’s the latter.

  Chicks who try to show me off all because of me being a football player do nothing but turn me off. Kadence, on the other hand, has me damn near chasing and panting after her. I’m enjoying it too. It’ll make it that much sweeter when I finally get her right where I want her.

  She’s so fucking gorgeous up close too. Her shorts hug her body, while the cropped jersey shows off about two inches of smooth, creamy skin on her stomach, and best of all, her cheek has my number painted on it in maroon—big and bold. I fucking love that cheek.

  Not being able to stop myself from touching her any longer, I reach out, sticking two fingers into the super tight pocket and pull her closer to me.

  She steps forward, still looking at the ground while she plays with her bottom lip, lightly biting it between her teeth. If only she had any idea how innocent and sexy it makes her look. My brain’s on total overload when it comes to her and all the things I want to do to her. Delicious images plague me, imagining her naked body underneath mine undulating while she pants my name. Where has this girl been the past few years? I don’t get it how I could’ve missed her until now. She’s stunning.

  With my other hand, I lightly push her chin up until her luscious chocolate and gold-speckled irises meet mine. “You okay, sweetheart?”

  “Yes,” she answers quickly, glancing away for a brief second before meeting my gaze again. Softer, she finishes, “But did you see the Facebook post?”

  “No, not yet, I haven’t checked my phone. Why what’s up?”

  She pulls her own phone free from her back pocket, tapping a few times until she can show me a post that Brianne had made earlier. It has five hundred fifty-two likes already and two hundred thirty-seven comments underneath.

  Closing out the screen, I hand it back to her, without paying much attention to it. I’m too worn out to care at the moment if I’m being honest. “We can talk about it later?”

  “Are you sure? I mean, I understand if you don’t want me to come to any more of your games.” Her mood lightens some, and one of her eyebrows rises. She’s adorable, every new little quirk she shows me, I swear it’s my favorite. I can only imagine how much I’ll enjoy seeing her head back, moaning in bliss.

  “Of course, I’m sure. No worries about whatever’s going on, I want you to be here. There’s stuff on social media constantly; I ignore the majority of it.” Caressing her jaw lightly with my thumb, her cheeks tint under the crimson-colored numbers, and I drop my hand, grabbing hers. “Come on; everybody’s waiting on us. I’m driving everyone, well excluding Kash. He’s going to meet us at the house. We’re having a barbecue to celebrate the amazing win, and you need to join us,” I say matter-of-factly. There’s no room for argument; I want her there. Especially after seeing her looking like this, she’s my own personal prize for kicking ass today.

  “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. I have to go to our room and wash this war paint off and change my clothes.” She points to my favorite cheek. One look at her and I can tell she’s full of anxiety, probably over the party and all the people that’ll be there, but I’m not letting her out of it.

  It’s not the answer I wanted from her, but I roll with it for a minute and think of how to get her to the house. Pulling her lightly we start walking to the parking lot. Most of the other players have taken off in a rush to get supplies for the party, ready to get their drink on and stuff their faces after our easy win.

  We get to my truck where JJ, Chandler, and I, all throw our bags into the open back. Kash climbs in his car parked a few spots over, waiting for us. The guys load up in the back seat while Brianne takes the front passenger seat. Opening the driver’s door, I let Kadence climb into the middle like before when I gave them a ride home. I like having her right beside me; she fits in that spot perfectly.

  “Fine, but after you wash up, you have to come,” I mumble, trying again and starting the truck up. We head toward the back road that’ll let me pass up any lingering traffic so I can get them back to the dorm safely and quickly. “And I love the war paint, by the way. Especially because of what number it is.”

  “Oh yeah? It is a pretty good number, I suppose,” she teases. “Why do I have to stop by? Won’t you be busy with everyone else? I don’t want to take you away from visiting with your friends.”

  “Well, because I’m doing the cooking and I want you there, and no, I don’t care about anyone else. I want to spend some time with you.” My response brings a small smile to her face, and my chest grows warm inside seeing it.

  “So, like cooking-cooking or just ordering food and then pretending that you’ve been cooking?”

  Chuckling, I reach for the radio and hit a different channel while lightly brushing over the smooth skin of her knee. “I’m grilling all of the meat. What do you like to eat and I’ll make it for you.” Chicks love it when you cook for them.

  “Wow, you surprise me, Mr. Owens. Let’s see, could you do some chicken kabobs if I were to show up after all?” Her eyes sparkle and I decide that I may have to send someone to the store if necessary to get me the right stuff. It’ll be worth it, though, just to show her that yes, I can, in fact, cook like a damn pro as well as play football. I have many talents, and if she’ll let me, I’ll share them all with her.

  “Just promise me that you’ll be there, and I’ll have them for you.”

  “I guess we could stop over since you’re offering food and all. It’d be rude to turn down a meal, and I’m sure Brianne would like to go. Besides, she owes me now.”

  “Well, don’t let me put you out or anything.” I grin as we pull into her dorm parking lot, the drive entirely too short for my liking.

  “I’ll hang out for a little while with you and eat. I don’t drink, though.”

 
“You a chicken to let me see you have some fun, Pretty little Kadence?”

  “No, but I’ve heard the rumors. They’ve been whispered all over campus about one of the football player’s videoing women. And, I’m not little, I’m actually five-foot-five, you’re just ginormous.”

  Her declaration sends me on edge even with her being cute about the size thing. I know exactly who the fucker is that she’s talking about when it comes to the rumors. For the first time, other than my family and team, I feel protective over someone else—her. I don’t know why I feel like that, but I’ll be damned if anyone hurts her or makes her uncomfortable around me. She’s too sweet of a person to have to deal with anybody’s shit around here.

  “Listen to me, Kadence.” I face toward her, speaking lowly. My hand rests on her knee, so she’s leaning toward me as the truck completely comes to a stop. “You never have to worry about anything like that happening to you. Do you hear me? And if at some point you end up having any issue at all about something, I don’t care if it’s with my best friend. You tell me about it, and I’ll sort it out, okay?”

  “Okay.” She easily agrees, not taking me very seriously, “I will.”

  Staring deeper into her eyes, I sternly demand, “Promise me, Kadence. It’s important.” She has to take me more seriously and know inside that I mean what I say. I want her to trust me.

  “You really don’t have to do this. I know I’ll be fine. It’s just that my dad drills it into me about needing to be careful, especially around guys and not to go anywhere by myself.”

  “I said, promise me.” I need her word on this one. I won’t tolerate her being hurt in any way on my watch.

  Blinking a few times, another soft smile overtakes her mouth, and she nods, finally getting it. “Okay, Ty...I promise you that I’ll speak up if anything makes me uncomfortable.”

  “Good. Now go wash your face, but keep these sexy short-shorts on and get your ass over to my house. This game day outfit you have on right now has to be my favorite set of clothes you own.” Chuckling, I open my door and climb out, then hold my hand to her so I can help her step down.

  “Geez, you’re pretty bossy today, you know that?”

  “You haven’t seen bossy yet, Pretty.” Grinning, I grip her hip, squeezing it just enough to show her that I definitely want her right now and not being able to hold myself back from touching her in some way again. I want to slam her against my truck and own her mouth before letting her out of my sight. I stop myself from doing it but damned if it won’t happen in the future.

  “Bye, Tyler Owens.” She winks, setting my heart fluttering like I’m fifteen years old and fuck if I don’t love the small rush.

  “Later, Pretty little Kadence Winters,” I reply, teasing her about the size thing again and then wait outside my truck, watching as she walks inside with Brianne. I hate to see her leave, but boy do I love to watch her go in those shorts. She needs a pair to wear every single day.

  Loading up, I mumble, “Fuck, those shorts,” and adjust my own pair that has grown a bit tighter after watching her ass sway back and forth. It’s loud enough that the guys razz me about her the entire way home. The crazy thing is that I couldn’t care less. They’re right, I do want her, and I’m going to do whatever I can to get my way.

  As much as I pretend not to be rushing around to leave sooner, I really am. Thankfully, Brianne doesn’t notice, excited herself and helps me again with my wardrobe by letting me borrow more of her clothes. I have nothing at all that’s similar to what I was wearing today, and for some weird reason, I want to look sexy. I have shorts and everything, but they’re three inches longer, and none of my jerseys are cropped. They’re my size, but cover me completely, and no way in hell am I cutting up signed NFL jerseys just to impress a man, even if he is undeniably hot. And Christ, Tyler Owens is scorching hot. To the point that I forget how to talk sometimes when he’s around.

  By the time we’re ready, I’m in a pair of tiny, dark-wash blue jean shorts and a burgundy with lace halter top. I’ve never dressed this way for a guy, and frankly, I don’t know why I’m suddenly okay with doing it now. Maybe it’s because of the type of guy Tyler is? He’s insanely popular and well-liked by everyone that maybe I’m dressing to sort of ‘go’ with him?

  Regardless of what I’m wearing today, I’ll be back to my normal attire of jeans and comfy t-shirts tomorrow. But, the burgundy color does sort of match the team colors, so hopefully, that’ll make him happy.

  Finding his house was easy. He lives nearby, and it took us ten minutes to walk here. Not to mention the music coming from the backyard and the twenty vehicles parked out front were a dead giveaway. I wonder if the cops get called on them a lot for this sort of thing. I imagine they party a lot though and everyone around here’s most likely used to all the noise by now.

  One of his teammates answers the door. The guy’s practically the same size of a mountain. If I remember correctly, his name’s Niner and he plays on defense. He also kicked butt today, getting two quarterback sacks.

  “’Sup, ladies?” He smiles, flashing a deep, perfect dimple. The type you want to stick your finger in, or tongue, whatever.

  “Hey, good job today,” I mumble following him inside.

  “Thanks.” He flashes a grin, telling me that he knows he kicked ass. “I’ll show you where Owens is.” I nod gratefully, even though he doesn’t catch it. I’m impressed he knows I’m here for Tyler too.

  How does everyone know who I am, anyway? Oh God, probably that damn post earlier at the game and from the jumbotron.

  Niner leads us toward the open dining area where a bunch of guys are sitting around an eight-person table, playing cards. It’s one of those ugly, plain white, plastic, buffet type tables you buy for events and it makes this place scream ‘man house.’ He takes a seat, picking up his cards, basically forgetting that we’re following behind him.

  I want to say something so badly, but stay quiet instead, just staring at them all like the dork that I normally am. I don’t talk to people like them regularly, so what in the hell do I say to them, and where’s Tyler? And why didn’t he ask if we wanted to play? I may not know how to, but I’d bet my left tit that Brianne does.

  Brianne and I stand there for about two seconds before Tyler’s beside me, thank God. I felt incredibly awkward standing beside a table full of huge-ass men that I have no idea who they are. You can only look around at the bare walls so many times before the hulky figures catch you staring at them too.

  His nose trails up the side of my neck, breathing me in and causing me to close my eyes at the sensations blossoming in my stomach. He’s so close to giving me goose bumps, and I can’t help but hold my breath in anticipation. I don’t think the shock last week was from static. I’ve increased my dryer sheets, and he still makes me feel something inside each time he touches me.

  “There you are, Pretty. It took you long enough.” Tyler draws me toward his body, placing his mouth next to my earlobe. “Fuck, you look good. So good, in fact, I could eat you,” he murmurs, nipping lightly at the spot just behind my ear. His deep voice along with the light scrape of his teeth have me turning my head toward him, as my nipples grow hard, wanting him to bite me like that all over. I don’t date guys like him or even mess with them. He’s bold and smells divine like peppermint mouthwash and Old Spice deodorant. I love it. He smells clean and completely edible himself. I wonder what he’d taste like if I ran my tongue up his neck next.

  “Ty.” Breathily, his name escapes my lips as I part my eyes, in a blissful daze, meeting his. “Do you even know my name?” I ask, thinking of him calling me Pretty all the time. I love it; don’t get me wrong, it’s original. He could’ve gone with the generic ‘baby’ or something, but he decided to be different, and I appreciate it.

  “Of course I do. You’re just beautiful, so I prefer to call you something that shows it. Come here,” he mumbles, grabbing my hand and pulling me through the kitchen. He’s good...no, he’s better than good,
all that keeps running through my mind as we walk, is that I’m so done for already, and I’ve barely arrived.

  “I’ll be right back!” I call out to Brianne, following Ty through a doorway to find us in a laundry room. “What are we doing in here?” I can imagine things like me licking him and using my tongue to play connect the dots with his phenomenal bone structure, but it’s not the time or place to be doing that. Not yet, anyhow. I’m not a slut by any means, but this man does something to my mind and body that has me completely spinning and wanting to peel my clothes off. It’s dangerous. He’s dangerous to me and my well-being. He could seriously cause some damage to my heart if I let him get too close, but it seems like each time I try to talk myself away from him, I want him even more.

  Five minutes beside him and I’m already picturing us naked.

  “I wanted to get you away from everyone for a minute,” he tells me truthfully and pulls me closer to him. His large hands, just a bit rough on his palms, warm my biceps as he lightly holds them in his strong grip. His tenderness makes me feel dainty like I’m special to him and he wants me to be comfortable.

  “Okay, why?”

  “To do this.” He gazes at my mouth, licking his lips as one of his hands lightly caresses my cheek, making me tilt my head toward it slightly. “Fuck, you’re so damn pretty, Kadence.” He shakes his head, the words coming out in awe, as he stares down at me as if I’m something precious and uncommon, causing my cheeks to heat up. He finally said my name, too, and I swear it’s never sounded better coming from anyone else before. I want to beg him to say it over and over again.

  “I’m just me, nothing special.” It comes out with a nervous chuckle as I gaze up at him through my lashes. His head finally dips toward mine, and my heart speeds up, knowing what’s coming. His hand goes to my neck where he was biting earlier, pulling my face to his, the rest of the way.

  On my tippy-toes and holding my breath, I wait for his lips to land on mine. Sweetly, Ty sucks my bottom lip between his, coaxing my mouth to open for him. His soft nibbles have my eyes rolling back and my body humming.