“Mommy always puts pastrami.” He took a bite. “And salami.”
“Well, your mother has me beat once again.” I winked at him, then turned to David and whispered, “Tamara is going to kill me.”
“She’s going to kill me too.” David took out his phone. “I’m going to call Idris.”
“You haven’t called him? Isn’t the lawyer the first person you should call when you see something like this?” I paused. “Shit. I have to tell Pilar.”
“I’m sure she already knows about it.”
“All the more reason I should call her.” I picked up the phone and dialed. “I have practice at three today. You’ll take Asher to the playground while I’m there?” I looked at David.
“Of course.” He smiled at Ash. “We’re going to the museum. Right, buddy?”
“Yes, and we’re going for ice cream.”
“Not too much ice cream,” I warned.
“What’s too much ice cream?” Pilar asked in my ear, startling me. I walked out of the kitchen to find a quiet spot. “Nothing. I was talking to David. So, have you seen the news?”
“How could I not?”
“And?”
“And what?” she waited.
“How do you feel about it?”
“I think she’s crazy, and you need to do some serious damage control before it gets out of hand.”
“I’m not asking you for public relations advice, Pilar. I asked how you felt about it.”
She was quiet for a moment. When she spoke again, her voice was almost a whisper, “I don’t love it.”
“Why?” I held my breath. Why was I asking and feeling as if my life depended on the answer she gave?
“For starters, I know this can’t be easy for you. You’ve done such a good job of keeping most of your personal life out of the limelight. I didn’t even know you had a brother before I met you. And, well, I don’t like that she has so much insight to begin with.” She was quiet for a long moment. “I’m jealous.”
“You have nothing to be jealous about,” I said but couldn’t help my smile.
“I feel like I don’t know you, not like she does.”
“You do know me. I want you to know me.” I sighed, suddenly wishing we were having this conversation face-to-face. “Come by the arena later. I have practice at three, but we can do something afterwards.”
“Will I get to watch you practice?”
“Do you want to watch me?”
“I would kill to watch you practice,” she said, a squeak in her voice. I laughed.
“Come by a little before three. I’ll let security know to be on the lookout for a very important fan.”
“Number one fan, you mean.”
“You’re my number one fan?”
“Of course, I am.”
I was smiling so hard, my face hurt. Jesus, I felt like a kid again. I looked over at Asher, who was finishing his lunch. I knew he would come running soon. I needed to tell Pilar about him. I would later today. We hung up, and I spent the rest of my afternoon with Asher until I needed to head to the arena for practice.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Pilar
When Amir and I pulled up to the arena, I was practically bouncing in the passenger seat. He looked over as he put the car in park.
“I hope you’re going to at least try to play it cool in there.” His eyes twinkled. “Because you sure are acting like one of those kids at the school the other day.”
“Amir.” I reached over and grabbed his forearm, squeezing it as I spoke. “We are about to watch Le Bleus practice. In real life. On the pitch. In front of us. Without a million other people in the stadium.”
“I got that.” He laughed. “Because you’re dating one of the players. You are dating, right?”
I thought about how to answer that as we got out of the car and met in front of it.
“I mean, we go on dates.” I smiled. I couldn’t seem to stop smiling.
“I like seeing you like this.” Amir grinned at me as we walked. “You’re lighter. More fun.”
“More fun?” I gasped, laughing. “Are you saying I was boring before I started dating Ben? Is it because we weren’t able to do things like this?”
“You know that’s not what I meant, but this is definitely a perk.” We slowed when we reached the second security gate, and he walked ahead. “Let me see where we’re supposed to go.”
“I’ll be here.” I looked around the stadium, refraining from jumping up and down only because I knew there were cameras everywhere, and I didn’t want to look like a fool on video.
I started walking down the sidewalk, looking at the plaques on the wall, reading about past players and the team’s record.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” The voice startled me, and I was even more surprised to see it was Kayla. So taken aback that I couldn’t even think of words. She smiled, seemingly amused by my reaction.
“What are you doing here?”
“Picking up some things I left at someone’s house.” She lifted the Le Bleu duffel bag in her hand for me to focus on. “Has Ben taken you to his place? Probably not, right?”
“That’s none of your business.” My ears were ringing.
I wondered where Amir was. We hadn’t yet filed a restraining order against Kayla, but seeing her here made me want to. We still hadn’t gotten proof of what had happened with the accident. The car had been taken to the pound and logged as a total loss with the insurance company.
“I can’t say I blame him for not taking you,” she said. “He likes to keep things hidden from the women he dates.”
“I don’t know what the point of all of this is. If it’s to scare me away from Ben, it won’t work. We’re adults, and we do as we please.”
“Of course.” She shrugged. “You’re probably only looking for a casual relationship.”
But I wasn’t, was I? I hated the way her words seemed to seep into my brain and marinate. And stew they would. I knew, and she seemed to know it as well.
“Don’t you have a book to write?” I asked. “Your claim to fame.”
“I never said I was going to write one. I said I could write one with all the things I know about him. The papers twisted my words.”
“I’m sure they did.” I stared at her.
She was really pretty, in an unassuming, fresh-faced way that might have made me feel slightly uncomfortable had it not been for the fact that I knew Ben didn’t want her.
“So, I’ll get out of your hair now,” she said, smiling. “Tell Ben I’ll see him when he’s finished exploring this…whatever he thinks this thing is with you. As if a princess would ever truly fall for a man from the other side of the tracks.”
“It doesn’t matter what side of the tracks he’s from. It matters what side he’s on now, and last time I checked, he was on mine.” I flashed her a smile. “But if you want to wait for him to go back to yours, be my guest.”
“Tell yourself whatever you want, Princess. It doesn’t change the fact that it’s not me or you he’ll choose. The two of us are distractions. I just happen to be a long-term one. But I know my place, and soon, you’ll know yours.” She walked away without another word, and I was left wondering what she meant by all of that.
“Is everything okay?” Amir asked from behind me. I jumped and turned to him. “I was here the whole time. I just didn’t want to overstep. You seemed like you had it handled.”
“Until she threw that last curveball.” I gnawed my bottom lip for a second before taking a deep breath and reminding myself of who I was and where I was. “But yes, I’m okay. Do we still not have news on the tires?”
“Not yet.” He looked at me. “I know you don’t want to make a big deal out of this because you think she’ll run to the papers if you place a restraining order against her, but I think it’s necessary. It’s getting out of hand.”
“I think you’re right.”
We started walking toward the entrance of the arena. Amir turned to me. “
So, what does that saying mean? Threw a curveball? Is that an American thing?”
“I have no idea. Adeline says it all the time, and now I can’t seem to get rid of it.” I frowned, thinking about it. “I think it has to do with baseball.”
“Baseball? Who watches baseball?”
“Americans.” I felt myself smile. “And Adeline.”
“Interesting.”
We walked through the gates and into the section of the stadium where the lockers and suites were. The security guard escorting us pointed at things as we walked, giving us a tour of sorts. I tried really hard to pay attention, but I was too amazed at being here and walking these halls to wrap my head around any of the fun facts. He took us to the locker rooms, which were empty since the guys were on the field, but he couldn’t let us go inside because of that. We saw the suites, the dining hall, and the seating areas that only people with connections to the team and the media were allowed in. I knew my brothers had been in here with their friends, but of course I’d never been invited. It wasn’t like I’d ever asked to come. If I had, they would have brought me along. As we walked out toward the field, I felt the adrenaline pumping through me as if I were the one who was about to run out onto the pitch.
“Do you see him?” Amir asked as we looked at the team, running back and forth on the field. When Ben caught my eye, I pointed and jumped up.
“There!” I laughed and turned to Amir. “Take a picture of me. I have to send it to Eli and Aramis.”
When he gave me my phone back, I sent the picture and typed: I’m pretty sure I have the best seats in the house.
Aramis: NO WAY
Eli: WHY DIDN’T YOU INVITE US?
Me: You never invite me when you come. So there.
Eli: Not fair
Aramis: Tell Ben we’re no longer friends
I laughed as I read their responses aloud to Amir, who laughed along with me. When Ben was finished playing, he introduced me to some of his friends. I’d already met Alex in Ibiza, but I was giddy at meeting the rest of them, not only because I was a fan, but because Ben was obviously making it clear that this wasn’t temporary.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Pilar
I loved being in his house. Everything about it was so…him, from the neutral walls to the library filled with memorabilia and trophies he’d won. I’d caught a quick glimpse of his bedroom during the tour he gave me, but our food arrived before I could explore much else. Now, we were on the floor around his coffee table, having sushi and drinking wine. It was the most glorious date I’d ever had.
“Are you in pain?” I watched as he finished chewing the roll of sushi he’d just put into his mouth.
“Do you mean am I sore?”
“Yes. I’m sore just from watching your drills today.”
“I think I’ve forgotten what not being sore feels like.” He chuckled. “I’ve been playing since I was three. I guess I’m just conditioned to it.”
“That’s pretty amazing.” His stamina was pretty amazing too. I felt myself blush as the thought crossed my mind and tried to hide it by looking away, but Ben reached for my hand. I couldn’t help but meet his gaze, which was slightly amused, a bit turned on.
“What are you thinking about?”
“How much I want you.”
“Ah.” He chuckled lightly as he brought my hand to his lips and nipped my thumb. “That’s a nice thing to think about.”
“I also can’t help but think that you’re much more experienced than I am.” I fought to keep my gaze on his.
“You’re perfect.” He tugged my arm and pulled me closer to him, searching my eyes. “Hey, you’re perfect. I couldn’t imagine a more ideal woman.”
His hands grazed my torso as he pushed them under my shirt, stopping at the elastic of my bra.
“Is this okay?” he whispered against my neck, breathing me in as he kissed me.
“More than okay.” I pushed out my chest, inviting him to do more.
He didn’t work his hands under my bra the way I thought he might. Instead, he brought his hands behind me, unsnapping the clasp. Ben pulled back and looked into my eyes. There was so much more than lust in them, and I didn’t know what that meant. Regardless, my heart galloped with such force that I thought he might hear it. Bringing my hand up to touch his face, I caressed his jaw, the five o’clock shadow tickling the tips of my fingers. Even as I touched him, I couldn’t quite believe that I was with him, with the man I’d crushed on for years and pictured doing this with more times than I cared to admit. He watched me for a long while, his hands still just under my breasts as he seemingly savored my hands on his face.
“You’re entirely too beautiful for me,” he said, and the way he looked at me made me believe it.
“You’re entirely too handsome for me.” I smiled, leaning into him and kissing his lips.
I gasped as he brought his fingers to my jaw and deepened the kiss, his tongue dancing with mine, his erection pressing into my pussy so hard through our clothes that I had no control over myself when my body began to move, seeking the pleasure he promised. His hands finally cupped both of my breasts, his fingers pinching my nipples so hard I had to stop kissing him and throw my head back to moan. He pinched them again, his hands quickly working to rid me of my shirt and bra for his mouth to latch on to each of them, nuzzling, kissing, sucking. With his lips, his hands, he made me feel a sense of abandon I’d never experienced before. He brought out a sexually starved version of me I hadn’t even known was in there.
I continued moving against his cock, even though we were still both wearing jeans and I knew I wouldn’t find the release I needed. As if reading my thoughts, Ben pulled away. Suddenly we were both standing, rapidly taking off the rest of our clothes. He brought me back to his lap with me straddling him and continued marking my skin with his lips. His hand moved south, his gentle nips turning to bites as his fingers began moving against me.
“You’re so wet, Princess.” He groaned against my chest. “Have you been this wet all along?”
“Y-yes,” I stammered. I wished my body would stop grinding, but I knew I was absolutely unable to contain myself at this point.
“I need a condom,” he breathed. “I want to fuck you like this. I want you to ride my cock with that wet pussy.”
“Oh God.” I threw back my head. This was unlike anything else I’d ever done. The dirty talk, the naughty things. Every time I was with Ben, he brought something to the table that I hadn’t known I was missing, and I knew I’d never be the same. Because of him.
“Reach for the condom. Back pocket of my jeans.” He leaned in, his tongue swirling on my left nipple.
I reached for the pocket in his pants on the floor, not without hardship. My entire body was vibrating now. His fingers were inside my pussy and sliding against my clit, his tongue on my nipple as his other hand worked the other breast. I was sure I’d die from overstimulation. Somehow, I managed to retrieve and open the condom.
“Slide it on me, Princess.” His voice was gruff, and even gruffer when I did as I was told. “Such a good girl. Yes.”
I wasn’t going to survive Ben Drake. There was absolutely no chance of it. I knew that now more than ever. Not when he could touch me like this and make me feel this way.
“Ride me, baby.” He grabbed my hips and settled me over him, sliding me down ever so slowly, inch by inch. My breath lodged in my lungs as he filled me. He was huge, but somehow, my body welcomed him. “Ride me, Princess. Ride me.”
So, I did.
“Fuck,” I said, my heart in my throat as I moved on top of him. “Oh my Gggggggggod.”
“Yes. Yes. Yes,” he chanted. “Pilar. Fuck me, Pilar.”
Spurred on by his pleas and the way everything inside of me seemed to vibrate, I rode him hard and fast, my nails digging into his strong shoulder blades as his fingers dug into my hips, my ass, any part of me he could reach and use to control the tempo. I threw my head back, feeling another orgasm build from
deep inside me and gripped him so hard I was sure I’d draw blood.
As I reached ecstasy, I shouted his name and kept on shouting as he yelled mine and pumped into me harder than before. I shook and vibrated against him as my eyes closed, then I felt him kiss the top of my head as he whispered, “So perfect for me.”
* * * *
I was trying to be quiet as I walked out of his flat and shut the door behind me, but I gasped loudly when I turned around and found a woman and a little boy standing there.
“Hi.” I frowned, confused. This floor housed only Ben’s apartment, and he was asleep.
“Hi.” The woman smiled, a kind expression that reached her blue eyes. “Is Ben in there?”
“He’s sleeping.” I felt my frown deepen. “He told me the door locks as soon as it shuts.”
“That’s okay.” She wiggled the key in her hand. “I have a key.”
“Oh.” I moved to walk away from the door, still looking at her. “Are you family?”
“I guess.” She laughed. “If girlfriends are considered family.”
“And sons,” the little boy said, speaking for the first time since I’d seen them.
“G-g-girlfriend and son?”
“Ex-girlfriend,” she corrected. “We are definitely not together anymore.”
“But he is…his…son.” I was stuttering, but I couldn’t wrap my head around what I was hearing.
“He hasn’t told you,” she said, and she sounded as heartbroken as I felt. I shook my head, blinking back the tears I felt coming on.
I didn’t care that Ben had a son or a serious ex-girlfriend. I just couldn’t understand how he could keep those things from me. They seemed like the sorts of things someone would reveal on a first date, or a second, maybe even a third. We’d spent so much time together. Nearly every waking moment together in Ibiza and here since we’d gotten back. My heart felt as if it might beat out of my chest.
“I’m sorry,” the woman said. “Truly. I am. I thought he’d said something. If he brought you here.”
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