by Stacey Lynn
“Will and you lived together and you’re not all that hung up on moving in with me.”
“Yeah,” she says and frowns. And goddamn I want to kiss that worry of hers away but hell, I get it. I don’t like it. But I get it.
I reach out slowly, because I’m still upset. All she had to do was talk to me about this. “Listen to me, Tessa. I told you at the beginning. You need time, I’ll give it. You want to move in here? I want that. Straight up, no joke. I feel like I’ve waited a lifetime for you, and I don’t want to lose you for any longer than I have to.”
“Jason.” Her lip trembles. “I don’t even know if I’m staying yet.”
“But you took the job with Sylvia.”
“To see if I wanted it, I guess? Because I like the idea of being here. I do, and you’re a huge part of that, but as crappy as my life in Toronto became, I’m not sure I’m ready to leave either. Not just to jump into bed with another guy.”
I hate she says it like this. I hate she even thinks of me like some guy. I push that down. I’ve already been a jerk tonight, letting my own insecurity and worry of her walking away getting the better of me. Putting my own bullshit and wants and desires aside, I focus on her. Really focus on Tessa.
For as long as I’ve known her, she’s been strong. Sure, I caught moments where she stumbled over her words and blushed when I was around. I knew she had her crush on me. But she’s always been bold. And brave. And lately? I haven’t seen that.
I don’t know if Will did that to her, or if it’s an effect of what happened only a few weeks ago, but ever since I started pushing her, she hasn’t been the same spitfire she even was when I first saw her at Jude’s a few weeks ago. She’s been timid. Uncertain.
I hate I’ve had anything to do with that.
“Listen to me.” I cup her cheek with my hand softly and wait for her gaze to meet mine. To really wait for her to focus. “I want you here. I want you with me. I get this might be crazy and too fast. I get we’re still hiding a lot from people we love, but I want you to know, right now between the two of us, I want you here. Especially during the season when I’m going to be traveling so much. You’ll have your space and time alone. Loads of it. It doesn’t work out, we reevaluate. You want to set up your own home and have that, I get it and I’ll try to be patient. Or… more so.”
She chuckles and turns and then her lips are at my palm before tilting her face up to meet mine but I swear, that kiss on my palm… no woman has ever been so tender with me. “I shouldn’t have hidden this from you, it’s just that I talked to Antoine a couple days ago and I have to decide what I’m going to do. I only have a week of vacation left there available. And then you were gone and I started wondering if you wanted me here. Where would I live if you didn’t? All that started racing and I didn’t want to burden you at the beginning of the season.”
“I get it. I do. Like I said, I’ll try to be more understanding.” And at the same time, figure out how to make her stay. I’m not ashamed of that. I want her here. In my home. Always. “Come on. It’s late. I’m fucking exhausted and we need some sleep.”
“Sleep?”
As much as the disappointment in her tone makes me want to fuck her, I’m not kidding. Now, both my body and brain hurt. “Sleep.” I pull her to me and kiss the top of her head. “Sleep. That’s all. And I want you with me.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jason
* * *
I wake up two mornings later to Tessa’s alarm going off on her phone and her body pressed to mine. Two nights ago after we got back from the game, as soon as we got ready for bed and climbed in, she pressed her T-shirt covered chest to mine, wrapped her arm over my stomach and fell asleep almost immediately.
Last night was an entirely different story and we were awake well into the night. I couldn’t get enough of her. She couldn’t get enough of me and just when I thought we were done and completely spent, she pressed her thigh to me, arched her body, indicating she still wasn’t done. So I fell asleep with the taste of her on my tongue and her breathless. And I am not complaining. I love sex with Tessa. She’s not afraid to ask for what she wants. She’s not afraid to let me take control and trust I’ll give her everything she needs. I love her noises. Her body.
Hell, I just love her.
Inhaling the fruity scent of her shampoo, I can feel her short, little breaths across my bare chest. Every once in awhile through the night she shifted, burrowed closer to me and I slid my hand down her back, cupping her ass while she let out a sexy, breathy moan.
Even in her sleep she wants me. If she has to wait longer while she’s awake to realize it, I’ll be a man of my word and live up to the promises I made to her the other night.
But I’m done hiding my time spent with her. We’ve already had to do that after games when I wanted to wrap her in my arms. When we had dinner last weekend with Debbie and Sawyer.
Fucking Debbie and the comments she made the other night and the cute little wave, her wink, telling me she knows. I can only assume Tessa told her.
I doubt Sawyer does though since he hasn’t tried taking me out at the shins with his stick yet, or anywhere else I value more than my legs, but that doesn’t mean the possibility isn’t there. He loves his sister. He also knows my reputation with women.
“Hey, sleepyhead.” I tap Tessa’s butt to wake her up. Her alarm is still singing some God-awful song.
“No.” She presses her warm body closer to me. “No work. I’m on vacation.”
I chuckle and kiss the top of her head. “Not today.”
She groans unhappily and slowly twists her body, slapping the button on her phone. Silence descends before she curls back into me, eyes sleepy and barely open but her smile is sweet as sugar.
I barely have time to register her coming back to me before her lips are at the side of my throat and her body wedges itself against mine, one leg thrown over my thigh. Her leg brushes against my hard dick, hard from the morning, and sleeping so close to her all night long. Her center rubs against my hips and she hugs herself tight to me. This is exactly what she always does when she wants sex.
“Tessa,” I warn. For the last week, we haven’t spent time together in the morning. Yesterday, she slid out of bed and left for work without waking me up at all. I spent a few hours working out at the arena and then watching game films. Besides that, I’ve usually been up and already ready to head to the practice facility or out of town when she’s had to get up in the morning. Today, we have a late morning skate, one of our last practices and finalizing lines before the season starts next week. “You need to get moving.”
“Few more minutes.” She sighs, presses the apex of her thighs harder against me and lets out a beautiful moan as she shivers and tenses.
Goddamn, this woman. She’s perfect. “Few more minutes,” I concede.
I roll her quickly to her back, surprising her with a little gasp. Then I take care of her with my fingers. Take care of both of us when I slide inside her tight, wet heat.
And later, when she’s boneless, I carry her to the shower where I take care of her there too, but this time I do it hurrying her through the shower so she’s not late for work.
“Have a good day,” I say once we’re in the kitchen. She’s dressed in a killer pair of long black pants, wide legs that cup her ass perfectly and make her legs appear three times longer. Perhaps it’s the heels peeking out from the bottom of them that give her the height. Whichever. Between the pants and a sexy pale pink top tucked in at the waist, she looks damn good.
And all mine.
I hand her a to-go cup of coffee I’ve already poured for her and she leans in, kissing my cheek. “I’ll see you tonight?”
“You bet your sweet ass you will. One more thing before you head out.”
She slides her purse strap over her shoulder. “What is it?”
“I’m telling Sawyer. Today after practice.”
I’m not sure I’m imagining it or not, but I swear her
shoulders fall. With relief? Fear? “Okay. Good. No telling how long Debbie can keep that secret anyway. You’ll let me know how it goes?”
I expect her to be concerned but thank God she’s not. Maybe the conversation we had the other night finally helped her relax a bit.
All good things. But tonight, I have something better planned.
She needs more friends than Debbie. She needs a social life. She needs girls for wine nights and shopping sprees and spa days.
And luckily for me, I’m surrounded by damn good men with even better women who are full of fun times and craziness. So tonight’s my Hail Mary, helping Tessa see how freaking good life can be if she decides to stay.
“Also, tonight, we’re going out.”
Hopefully, I can get the team to agree. Some might be hunkering down with their families before the wild travel schedule begins.
“Where?”
I know just the place. Tessa freaking loves to dance. “That’s a surprise. But it’ll be fun, that I promise.”
She takes the few steps it takes to get to me and tilts her chin back. I bend down and kiss her, knowing what she’s silently asking for. “I trust you.”
My heart grows three sizes and I take the kiss deeper, risking her makeup and making her late for work if I don’t control myself.
“Go,” I growl against her mouth.
I’m taking my shot by risking interrupting Sawyer in his post-practice routine while most of the other guys have hit the showers. He’s already taken one and I stand still for a moment while he meticulously rolls and folds each one of his socks individually before tucking them into the top right corner of his locker. Back in college, he had forgotten a pair of game socks in his bag and somehow, found an old hidden pair in his locker. They were folded the exact same way he’s doing now. He had no idea who they belonged to and after freaking out that he wouldn’t be able to play and Coach was going to kill him for not being prepared, he’d almost bawled like a damn baby when he found these socks. Now, they’re not the exact same pair… but he still folds these massive large fuckers the same way.
For good luck and all because that game had been one of his best games ever and put him smack dab in the middle of being a first-round draft pick. It’s been ten years and he still takes his superstitions seriously.
“Hey Sawyer,” I call his name and leave space to prepare in case he lunges at me or throws a punch. Not gonna lie, I’m not sure how he’s never caught on to my interests in Tessa considering it’s been me for the last several years reminding him to call her or send her a gift on her birthday, but I’ll be shocked as hell if he suspects anything.
“What’s up?” He has his head dipped down, meticulously rolling a damn sock. I’ve always given him shit for being so particular but no way am I touching it now.
“Thought tonight, we’d get the team together. And the women and head to Roxbury’s.”
He twists his neck and looks up at me from his spot on the bench. “You want to go to the eighties and nineties dance club?”
Yeah, I can see how this would be a surprise to him.
“Thought Tessa could use a night to dance. Get to know some of the women more.”
“So send the women.”
“Right. Let me call ‘em all up and demand they take out your little sister to a club.”
His dark brows burrow together. And finally, finally he stops with the sock bullshit. “What’s going on?”
“She hasn’t decided if she’s staying here yet. Thought maybe a night out having some fun could help that choice along.”
“She might leave?” He jolts from his spot on the bench and I step back. Around us, some of the first and second lines are getting done with their showers and the noise picks up. Classic locker room bullshit. I drown it all out and focus on Sawyer. “She can’t. I’m having a baby. She has to stay. Fuck, she doesn’t have anything left to return to.”
“Which is why I want her to feel connected to more than just you and Debbie. Or me.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Of course, I get it.” He runs his hand through his hair and blows out a breath. “She’s still that uncertain? I figured when she took the job—”
“Me too.” I shouldn’t have assumed. If I’d asked more questions, none of the other night would have happened. “Listen, there’s something else—”
“Will?” His jaw goes so tight I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter.
“No. I need to tell you something and you gotta promise not to get pissed.”
“I don’t make those promises. You start with that, I guarantee I’m going to get pissed.”
I can go with the slow and easy route, but instead I decide to rip it off like a band-aid. If he punches me, I’d rather not draw it out. “Tessa and me. We’re together.”
“Yeah, living together.”
“Right. In a way, I don’t want her to ever leave.”
“Well, yeah, I don’t want her to leave either.”
Swear to God this guy was dropped on his head multiple times as a baby. Many multiple times. My best friend is not the sharpest crayon in the box.
“Sawyer, man.” I shake my head and try not to laugh. “I like your sister. Tessa. In a way that means we’re not living together as roommates, but we’re dating. Like dating dating.”
There’s a pause. Maybe twelve. I have no idea how many beats of my heart pass while Sawyer gapes at me, either clueless still or processing.
“If you hurt her I’ll kill you,” he finally says.
“That’s it?”
“You want me to what, fuck you up? Be pissed?”
I mean, I don’t want that, but I sort of figured it’d be the natural progression of things.
Now it’s my turn to stare at him, stupefied. He huffs a laugh and shakes his head before taking his seat back on the bench.
“You’re my best friend, the best man I’ve ever met and you’ve known her for years. You know what she needs. Why would I be pissed if you two finally started dating?”
Maybe because I’m also sleeping with his sister. I’m not sure he’s gotten that far yet.
“You serious about this? Because I’ve been hesitant as hell to have this conversation with you and if you’re just playing along so you can kick my ass when I’m not expecting it, I’d rather get that over with right now.”
“You care about her?”
“Yes.” I love her, but I’m not telling him before I tell her.
“She’s not just one of the women you fuck and dump?”
“No. Fuck. Of course not. It’s Tessa.”
“See. That right there. You look like now I’m going to be the one getting a fist to my face because I only implied that. So why would I be pissed when I know you’ll take care of her?”
He has a point. Also, it takes effort to relax the fists I’ve made.
This has gone… well, shit… this has not gone the way I assumed it would at all. I stare at Sawyer for another beat and then grin. “Getting married and becoming a dad has made you soft.”
“Fuck off.” He glares at me and this time, I know he’s going to do it. “Fuck off, J. I’m not soft.”
“You’re so damn soft you could be one of those biscuits your mom makes.” Damn, those things are good. Soft and gooey on the inside.
This time he lunges and I’m prepared. I let him take me to the floor and we roll around like idiots, laughing, getting slapped in the asses and back and head with towels from the other guys on the team as they join in our insanity.
When we’re done, Sawyer’s pinned in front of me, his arm pulled back into an armbar. “Who’s soft, Chauncy?”
“Fuck off, asshole.”
“We’ll see you tonight at the Roxbury?”
“Yes. You fool. Now get off me.”
I let him go, giving him a playful shove that sends him almost to his knees.
“You’re a dick.”
“Yup.”
“I love you like a brother.”
“Someday I coul
d be one.”
“Yeah… that’d be pretty fucking awesome, too.”
I reach forward and slap his chest. I need to get home to see Tessa before tonight but I want to get her a few things beforehand.
“Later.”
“I’m serious about killing you if you fuck up,” he calls out as I’m walking away.
I throw my hand in the air in acknowledgment. I’ve already screwed this up along the way. I’m determined not to let it happen again.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Tessa
* * *
My hands are clasped together behind Jason’s neck. I figured the guy could dance with the way he can move his hips in bed, the man can move. We’ve been out on the dance floor so long he has sweat at his temples and sideburns.
So. Damn. Sexy.
And his ability to grind his hips, making me think of sex while I’m in the heels he once told me he wanted me wearing and nothing else? I’m about ready to pack this night in and spend some time with him dancing horizontally.
I would, but I’m having a freaking blast.
“Have I thanked you yet for bringing me out?” I kiss his sweaty cheek and smile up at him.
His hands at my back press me closer, as if I can get closer. “Only a dozen times.”
“Well, I really mean it this time.”
“Good.” He twists his head to the side, we’ve had to shout in each other’s ears to be heard and kisses me. His tongue slides across my seam and I open for him. He’s cool despite the heat pouring off him and tastes like fresh water since that’s all he’s been drinking all night.
Me, on the other hand? I’m a few glasses of wine in and having the time of my life.
When he came back to his place earlier and told me to dress to dance, I’d looked at him strangely.
“What? Why?”
“Because you’ve had weeks of stress. Months and years of it if I’m guessing and you don’t get out enough. We’re going to shake off your funk and let you have some fun.”