Risking the Crown

by Violet Paige

  “Thanks.”

  I stepped closer to watch him take another lap.

  I felt the anger bead in my veins. Another lie. Another playboy move to get me back in bed. There was no story. The pool wasn’t closed. Blaine was swimming while the entire world watched him cross one length after another.

  And now what? I didn’t have anything to give to Vic. Nothing. Not a single damn story. I didn’t have anything feel-good or newsworthy. What I had was a bunch of pickup lines from a professional player.

  I could kill him for what he had done. I growled lowly and stomped toward the swim block where his coach held the timer outright.

  “Ava?”

  I turned around at the shock of hearing my name. I stood awkwardly staring at my former boss.

  “Wow. Phil. Hi.”

  He stood from the seats. “Good to see you here. Looks like you still have the Blaine Crews beat.”

  “Something like that.” I wasn’t going to explain my reason for marching in to see the swimmer.

  Phil had on a blue polo like always. He adjusted his glasses. “You know I hated how things went for you down in Sydney.”

  I held up my hands to stop him from embarrassing both of us. I didn’t want to relive the shame again.

  “Really, Phil. It’s water under the bridge. I have a new job—I love it.”

  “Really? That’s great. I’m glad to hear it.”

  I tried to smile. The anger for Blaine was bubbling under my skin. I wanted to get my hands around his neck.

  “It was good to see you again,” I lied.

  “You too. Maybe we can get a drink or something before the games are over.”

  “Maybe.” I stepped away and turned. I was not interested in spending time with anyone from Sports Now.

  I continued my march toward the dive block, ignoring the signs to stay behind the sold red line painted on the tile.

  I recognized Blaine’s coach.

  “I need to speak to Blaine,” I announced.

  His eyes focused on the time. “Come on, damn it,” he muttered.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m talking to Blaine.” He never looked up.

  “Well, I would like to talk to Blaine.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

  “He’s in the pool and he isn’t doing any interviews until Opening Ceremonies. Are you on the list?” he asked absently.

  “Oh, I’m on a list.”

  There was a burst of excitement behind us as Blaine touched the wall and emerged from the water.

  He slid the swim cap from his hair, dipping his head backward in the pool. He pushed himself from the surface, shaking the water from his hair. My mouth dropped as I watched the droplets glide over his skin, rolling over his torso and dropping toward that deep V of sinful muscles. Shit.

  “How was that?” he asked his coach.

  “You’re off pace, but it’s warm-ups.”

  I cleared my throat and Blaine whipped his head in my direction.

  “Ava.”

  I couldn’t let his thrilling shirtless wet body get to me.

  “You owe me an explanation.” I glared at him.

  “Aww, love, what’s wrong this time?”

  I hated and loved that pet word all at once. “You fed me a bogus story, Blaine Crews,” I fumed.

  “What are you talking about?”

  I knew the chatter behind us had stopped. Everyone was leaning toward us to listen to our exchange.

  “The pool?” I looked around us. “It looks fully functional to me.”

  “It wasn’t. I swear.” He cocked one eyebrow up in confusion, while his muscles glistened under the lights.

  “And you conveniently showed up here to swim in front of two hundred members of the press. Come on, I know this was planned. I can’t believe you. For a minute today, I almost believed you. Almost.” I spun on my heels, catching a slick patch on the tile.

  My arms flew out to the side as my feet gave way and I squealed for something to break my fall. That something was Blaine.

  “Gotcha, love.” His hand wound around the small of my waist, clutching me with one arm.

  I looked into his green eyes and caught the quick wink he gave me while the press went ballistic taking pictures.

  “Shit,” I whispered.

  He leaned down and pressed a dripping wet kiss against my lips. “Not the first time I’ve caught you in my arms.”

  I wiggled for him to free me, but my heels were like slippers on an ice rink. I couldn’t gain any traction on the wet tile. It only made him hold me tighter.

  I couldn’t imagine what I looked like. Blaine dripped all over me, smiling and laughing. He didn’t give a shit how this appeared. He was enjoying every minute of it.

  “Let me go,” I hissed. I didn’t want to make any more of a scene than I already had.

  “Only if you promise something,” he taunted.

  “What?” I was at a complete disadvantage. If he let go of my waist I’d fall.

  “Drinks tonight.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  “Not after what you did today.”

  He began to loosen his grip and I squealed, clutching at his shoulders. “Don’t you dare, Blaine. I will land on my ass in front of all those people.”

  “So?”

  “My old boss is over there,” I whispered. “Please don’t do it.”

  He laughed. “The pool was closed. You can ask Jim. So tell me you’re sorry and I won’t drop you on your sexy ass in front of all these reporters.”

  The horror spread through me.

  “You wouldn’t.” I seethed.

  “Wouldn’t I?” There was nothing but cocky mischief in his eyes.

  “Fine. One drink, but that’s it.”

  “One drink with you is all I need.” He picked me up by the waist and carried me to the textured entryway and placed me on my feet.

  He waved to the crowd.

  “I’ll pick you up at seven, love. And I’ll be ready for the apology then.”

  I groaned and turned for the exit. How the hell had Blaine wrangled that out of me? But I would never tell him I was sorry. Never.

  13

  Blaine

  I showered in the locker rooms. Warms ups didn’t go the way either Jim or I wanted, but it was early in the week. I had time to get in the zone. And knowing Ava might be a part of that put a smile on my face.

  I didn’t expect to see her at the pool, but once I did I knew my last laps were the best ones.

  I picked up my gym bag and slung it over my shoulder.

  Jim was waiting for me on the other side of the door. “The press hasn’t left,” he warned.

  “I’m not up for interviews right now.” I exhaled. “I’ve got dinner plans.” I wanted to get back to the village and change before my date with Ava. She wasn’t calling it that, but I was. I had an incredible night planned for us.

  “About that. Who’s the girl?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “Someone I met at finals last month.”

  “You met her in Sydney?” He looked surprised.

  “Yeah, why?”

  He took his cap off and adjusted it on his head. “Not used to you seeing the same girl twice. She’s lasted over a month.”

  I chuckled. “I didn’t say that, but we don’t tell each other everything.” I gripped his shoulder.

  “Don’t stay out late, Blaine.” He eyed me as we reached the door.

  “Now you sound like my dad.”

  “Or the coach that wants you to take the gold back to Australia.”

  “I’m taking it home.” I grinned, backing out of the aquatics center.

  “Don’t get distracted. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “Okay. Okay,” I groaned.

  Jim waved to me as I hopped on the shuttle for the village.

  Thirty minutes later, I was getting ready for my date with Ava.

  She was waiting for me when I walked into the hotel lobby. I eyed her long legs under her skirt. Her tits had
never looked more full and delectable in a tight top. She might be pissed, but she dressed like she wanted something from me.

  I could see the anger in her eyes. I didn’t know which thing she hadn’t forgiven me for: Sydney, Rio, or both.

  “You look gorgeous, love.” I leaned toward her for a peck on the cheek, but she turned her head.

  “Do you have any idea what you cost me today?”

  I shook my head. “I didn’t try to cost you anything. I think it was a mis-communication. A language barrier.”

  “We both speak English,” she spewed. “Some of us better than others.”

  “I don’t see how I did anything to you.”

  “Well, you did. I put everything into that story and it was a complete bust. You were out of the pool for what? Four hours? That’s not news. It’s an inconvenience, but it’s not news, Blaine.”

  “It was news to me. It happened. I was supposed to swim today and I couldn’t get my ass in the water. Sorry.” I felt the tension grip my shoulders. This wasn’t how I wanted to start our date. I had half a mind to swing her tight ass over my shoulder and carry her upstairs, but I listened to her berate me in the lobby instead.

  I tried to explain what happened. “I had no idea the press would be there. It was as if I planned it.”

  “Did you think to call me? To let me know so I wouldn’t make a fool of myself in front of my new boss, or did you like the part where I made an idiot in front of my old boss?”

  Fuck. I should have called her. I should have realized what a colossal fuckup it could have been for her.

  “I’m sorry, Ava. Come on. Let’s have a good time and you’ll forget about the pool today. Forget about work. I have something fun planned for you.”

  She crossed her arms.

  “I only agreed to meet you because you held me hostage in front of the press. I know a lot of those people. The Sports Now people. So now that you’ve seen me, I’ve told you off, we can go our separate ways.”

  She spun on her heels to climb the staircase, but my hands landed on her shoulders, rotating her to face me.

  “You promised me one drink. And I’m going to make you honor that promise.”

  “Is this your second kidnapping attempt?” she smarted off.

  I felt my cock jerk. The last time she said that I had taken her back to my hotel and had the most fucking incredible night of my life. I wanted it again. I wanted her again.

  “Is that what you want?” I ran my fingers over her arm, pressing into her wrist.

  She pulled away from me quickly. “I don’t want to get fired again. I want to keep my job. That’s what I want.”

  “I don’t think drinks with me will get you fired. Come on, we’re getting out of here.”

  I didn’t give her a chance to protest, but led her through the lobby and outside onto the sidewalk. She was going to let me buy her a drink.

  “I know a place where the locals go.”

  “You do?”

  “I can’t stay in the village all the time.” I grinned as I felt her palm relax when I wound my fingers around hers.

  “Where is this place?” she asked.

  “Around the corner. You like music?”

  “Who doesn’t like music?”

  I laughed. “Good, because I’m taking you dancing.”

  “You said drinks, not dancing.” I saw the scowl on her face.

  “You have to dance with me to get the drink.”

  “That’s—that’s blackmail.”

  I shrugged. “It’s what I want.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “And I guess that’s what you’re used to. You always get what you want, don’t you?”

  I stopped in front of the bar, where we could hear the music blaring from inside.

  “I want the gold.” I stared into her eyes. “I want the world record.” I touched her finger to my lips, biting on the tips. “And I want you.”

  14

  Ava

  He did it again. My breath stopped. My head spun. I couldn’t remember my name or my zip code. The only thing I could do was look in Blaine’s eyes and get lost. I didn’t know how long I could hold on to the anger. He shredded it with his charm and his sexy bedroom eyes.

  He held the door for me. “Ladies first.” He grinned and I knew he was going to watch my ass when I walked past him. I glimpsed over my shoulder and caught him looking.

  There was satisfaction in knowing that Blaine lusted after me even though I refused to give in to what he wanted.

  The bar was packed. We squeezed through a group waiting for a table. I felt Blaine’s hands clasp my waist and guide me to the other side of the dance floor.

  I watched as the dancers threw their hands in the air, singing along with the Brazilian song. I didn’t know if I could dance like the women on the floor. They moved with such abandon as if they didn’t care who saw their bodies gyrate and spin. I wanted to feel that. I wanted my hair to tussle around my shoulders. I wanted my feet to find their rhythm. I wanted the beat of the music to flow through my soul. This place was intoxicating without a single drink.

  Suddenly, the music changed from a quick tempo to something slow and sultry.

  “I think this is our song, love.” Blaine’s voice was low and deep in my ear.

  The tingle he gave me shot through my spine to my toes.

  The crowd separated for us as he paved a path onto the floor. He twirled me into place and immediately his hands pulled me against his body. I gasped as I felt my chest press against his. He smiled.

  “What is it, love? Worried you’ll want me in the middle of the dancefloor and everyone will see?”

  “God, no,” I snapped, but I felt the instant flutter in my stomach as the warmth of his hands radiated through the thin fabric at the small of my back. I wore something to keep me cool, not to be closer to him.

  His fingertips pressed along my spine and I felt dizzy. Maybe it was the music, or the lights strung overhead. Maybe it was the way our bodies aligned together, or the smell of clean soap on his neck. Maybe it was all of those things that made me forget I was angry at him.

  He dipped me, following the lines on my throat with his eyes. I felt the burn on my skin when we touched. I rose slowly and his hands slid around my waist, pulling me to his chest. My eyes widened when I felt the hardness against my hip. Was he as turned on as I was?

  I swallowed hard, trying to pay attention to the beat. Pretending that the rhythm of the music mattered, but suddenly, the only sensations I knew were the ones from Blaine. His hands slowly trailed along my hips, digging his fingers into my skirt, gripping my ass.

  I gasped. The lights were low, but holy shit. This was hot.

  My heart beat wildly.

  His fingers began to raise the hem of my skirt. I locked eyes with him, shaking my head. This wasn’t happening.

  He licked his lips before diving toward me for a kiss. I whimpered as I felt his tongue slide along mine. God, why did he have to be such a good kisser? I threw my arms around his neck, abandoning all the reasons I wanted to stay mad. The music pulsed around us and I held on for dear life.

  Finally, the song ended and I realized neither one of us had moved.

  “Do you want to get out of here?” he whispered in my ear.

  It was like last time, except now I had all the information. I knew what this man was capable of doing. I knew he could screw me and not look back. I knew I would wake up alone tomorrow. I knew what it felt like when he looked in my eyes. I knew what he tasted like. I knew how my body shattered when he was inside me. I knew all of those things. And I knew I was going to say yes.

  “Do you have a curfew?” I asked, locking my hotel room behind us. It seemed like a dumb question, but if Blaine was going to come up with an excuse to ditch me, I wanted to get it out in the open now.

  He reached for my face, dragging my lips under his.

  I moaned at the forcefulness. He was so fucking sexy and confident.

  “No, love. No curfew until
the games open.”

  He peeled his shirt over his head and tossed it on the floor. I stared, remembering I had seen this glorious body once before. It didn’t mean I’d ever get used to it.

  He tilted my chin upward before taking a fistful of hair in his hands, yanking my head for a powerful kiss. He thrust his tongue between my lips and I sucked and bit, hungry to taste him again. My hands trailed over his skin, tracing the smoothness of his chest when I landed on his buckle.

  I couldn’t describe every man in detail I had slept with, but a cock like Blaine Crews’s was not one I’d ever forget. I knew every part of it intimately and knowing we were getting ready to get reacquainted had my panties on fire. I slung the belt buckle off his button and smiled when I unzipped the zipper.

  As I shoved the khakis from his hips he found the zipper on the side of my skirt and shimmied it over my hips.

  God, things were going fast. Too fast. But I couldn’t slow it down even if I wanted to. I looked into Blaine’s eyes when he shoved me backward on the bed.

  I sunk into the feather mattress. “What the—”

  But he knelt between my knees. “There’s something I wanted last time we were together.” His index finger drew a lazy circle on the top of my thigh and I sighed. He snapped the side of my panties.

  “Oh.” I swallowed hard.

  “I never got a taste, love.” He kissed along the top of the lace and snatched the fabric with his teeth.

  Oh my God. I watched as he ripped them at the seam. His eyes filled with lust. I couldn’t look away. I didn’t want to. I was completely turned on and fascinated by everything he did to my body. Every nerve ending pulsed.

  He ran his thick fingers through my slit and I moaned. “Shit, Blaine,” I cursed through my teeth. He had to see how swollen and needy my clit was.

  “Fuck, you’re hot.” He lowered his head between my legs. He blew a steady breath and I bucked forward desperate to feel his tongue. Desperate to feel his fingers.

  He propped my heels on his massive shoulders and started a slow lick around my entrance, stopping to circle my clit.

  “Ohh.” I clutched at the sheets, bucking for more.