by Ciara Cole
He held on to her tightly as he walked them to the bed. Their lips and hands clung tightly to each other when he finally lowered her onto her sheets.
Leah burned with desire, twisting impatiently beneath her lover. He kissed his way down her body to her stomach, bestowing a gentle smooch there. Instinctively, her every muscle tightened in response to his lips.
Every soft caress—pleasurable, erotic, satisfying—that they shared between them made time slip like a dream. Derrick was hot and hard between her thighs, demanding, tormenting, claiming. Leah whimpered as she coiled her legs around him, inviting him to take her completely.
Staring deeply into his eyes, Leah’s lips parted wide as his impressive member thrust within her slick entrance. His big hands held on to her hips as she began to glide along with him. Leah half-sobbed with every inch of him that sank deeper and deeper inside her. Her tight, tingling walls were wet for him, giving no hindrance to Derrick taking what he wanted while her hip movements picked up speed to match their climbing passion.
Derrick’s gaze burned into hers, mirroring the pleasurable thrill she felt in her core. He growled her name between gruff expletives, and Leah’s mind zigzagged to mountain peak heights of building ecstasy. It almost hurt to take his massive size so deep at this angle, but Leah wanted to feel all of him, take it all. It was sweet pain, and it had never felt so good.
“Fuck, Leah,” groaned Derrick. It seemed almost like a mantra now. His hands moved from her waist to her breasts. They spilled within his palms, and he squeezed roughly in time with her tight muscles contracting on his throbbing shaft.
“You’d better be close, baby,” he warned. “Can’t— fuck!—hold back much longer.”
Leah loved the idea that she’d pushed him so close to the edge. He plunged deeper still, locking them in a slow, controlled rhythm that Leah knew even she couldn’t withstand much longer. Suddenly, she was climaxing. The sensation swelled tighter and tighter within her, encompassing Derrick inside her to the point of no return, both of them cresting as he spilled inside her.
Her brain misting over, Leah lay within Derrick’s arms, sated. Their bodies were tangled together, and she contentedly stroked his ivory skin, so stark against her deep chocolate.
Derrick’s response was to nuzzle the column of her neck, brushing her skin with tiny kisses as he nibbled. He had her quivering with aching need for him all over again.
In no time, he picked up her body language, and with a growl, he rolled them over until she was on her back again. He thickened inside her and Leah moaned, feeling so full. Having his big, powerful body on hers would have been intimidating but instead, it felt elating. She found she loved the feeling of being overpowered by his strength, his passion, and the gentle intensity of his gaze pinned on her.
“Time to take it slow, baby. Real slow.” Derrick took her wrists and slowly pulled them above her head. Kissing the sweet spot at the hollow beneath her ear, he withdrew slightly and then thrust inside her with purposeful force.
Leah gasped at the solid impact that sent reverberations through her womb. Oh, shit, that felt so good. He pulled back painstakingly until he was embedded to just the tip. Then he plunged inside her again, her moistness giving barely any resistance as her eager walls stretched around his imposing girth.
“Derrick!” She unthinkingly bucked her hips and sent his stiffness even farther inside her tightness. She didn’t even know she could feel him that deeply after their first powerful coupling.
He took it as slowly as he promised and sent her on a spiraling slide down, down to wade within a pool of bliss. Flinging her head from side to side, Leah matched his rhythm, rotating her hips and feeling her clit rub against his flesh. Her quivering legs tightened around his waist, heels digging into his rock-muscled ass.
The more she squirmed and moaned, the tighter he kept her wrists imprisoned above her and the harder he thrust his thick shaft through her walls.
Helplessly bound in ecstasy, there was only one option for either of them. Implosion.
Even as she came hard for him, Leah already knew she could never have enough. Derrick finally lost control, thrusting his entire length into her entrance. Leah took all he gave, wondering in awe at just how deeply he could go inside her that he could make even her kidneys feel the impact.
Having Derrick pin her arms above her had been such a thrill. Leah loved the dominance and submission element in the act, though Derrick never took things too hardcore.
“That feels good, baby,” she moaned as Derrick filled her with his come. Her thighs quivered around his hips as Derrick drew in air heavily. Their passion ravaged everything within its path.
Derrick moved off the panting Leah, lying on his side to gaze at her.
“What’s wrong? Why do you keep looking at me?” Leah asked with a teasing half-smile once she caught her breath.
“Nothing’s wrong. Has it become a crime to stare at such a beautiful woman?” Derrick asked, gently brushing his knuckles along her right shoulder.
“In this state, it has,” muttered Leah. Was her waistline getting thicker? Her bump was evidently rounded, but Leah hoped the rest of her, such as her thighs, weren’t getting thunderous. Thinking Derrick might be noticing some unseemly changes now that her pregnancy was starting to show, Leah flushed slightly.
Feeling shy, Leah began straightening up from bed as best as she could, even as Derrick rose to help her support her back with the pillows.
“Do you have to be so dramatic?” Derrick flashed a grin. “I may not know much about carrying a baby, but you aren’t getting any major symptoms so soon, are you?”
“Well, no, but I do feel some twinges,” she said, and Derrick was instantly all concern, asking if he’d been too rough or if she needed him to get her anything. Leah had to quell a smile. His concern was touching, and she almost wished she could keep teasing him but decided against it.
“I’m fine,” she told him, holding his face and pressing her lips against his. “If anything wasn’t to my liking, I’d have told you.”
“Ah.” Derrick’s hooded gaze matched the sensuality curving his sexy mouth. He was pleased with her words, making Leah squirm as he added, “Well, I’ll be taking suggestions, just in case there are other things to your liking that you want us to try.”
“I can think of a few,” Leah whispered.
Oh, her audacity! Why did Derrick bring out this side of her? Ever since the first moment they met, she never even thought of holding back a thing. He was so irresistible, and with him, it didn’t feel like sex but making love. Even that first time.
Leah wasn’t sure if he wanted to be in a relationship with her. But he’d indicated that he regretted staying away from her until now, so maybe there was something to build on. Judging by the intensity of the sex tonight, keeping her distance from Derrick would prove difficult or nearly impossible.
As her eyes began to feel heavy, Leah intuitively snuggled close to Derrick. His gentle laughter was a deep rumble in her ear. “Looks like we’ll have to gather our strength first,” he teased in response to her last words.
Leah could only mumble a reply. It felt so good to fall asleep in his arms, especially when she hazily observed Derrick, too, succumbing to sleep.
It felt like minutes later when Leah woke up, rolling over to place a hand on Derrick’s stone-built chest and finding . . . nothing.
She opened her eyes and jolted up, looking quickly around her bedroom. It was daybreak and she was alone. Derrick was gone. Leah wasn’t even sure what she felt about that—relief or disappointment?
Would things between them ever grow to something more than sex?
Chapter Four
Derrick woke up with a smile on his face, something he’d been doing a lot lately. One person came to mind when he thought of just who might be the cause.
Leah. Gorgeous, smart, and she carried herself with self-respect. Simply put, she was nothing like the attention-seeking types he was used to. Being with
her definitely felt like an upgrade from his past relationships, even though nothing was official between him and Leah yet.
Being a pro athlete came with its challenges, the number one for Derrick being trust. He wasn’t an open book himself and always had to be on his guard against gold-diggers and moochers. Sure, he had a few close male friends, but Leah was the first in the female category whom he felt ready to break down his walls for.
He’d enjoyed playing the field, he couldn’t lie. But the truth was that he liked confident, independent women who didn’t need him to define their lives.
Yet he knew he was courting trouble here, steering things into a more romantic direction with Leah. He wanted to keep his logic, but when did that ever win an argument over emotion?
He truly felt connected to her, and not only because they were having a baby.
He sensed she felt the same way. They couldn’t keep things unconfirmed between them with the way their attraction exploded the charts. Should he take things to the next level or hold back and wait for a sign?
He found that he did care for her. He respected her. And he hated that there were still false rumors being carried around on the web and in the shitty tabloids.
Needing to keep his head straight for the busy morning ahead, Derrick headed for the shower. In half an hour, he was dressed, wearing an outfit from his signature Athleisure Collection. Thanks to being known as one of the most stylish players in the NBA, he made a point of showcasing his personal style, even if just for practice.
Breakfast was quick, and soon, he was in his garage which held a fleet of luxury whips. He jumped into his Range and pulled out of the driveway. His mind again turned to Leah, wondering what she could be doing right now. Was it just last night that he’d slipped out of her bed?
They’d spent the day together and ended it with a smoldering hour or two of red-hot, wall-denting sex. Regrettably, Derrick had to leave her sleeping form in the early hours so he could head for practice from his place, which was more convenient.
It was a month after the time they met up again at that conference, and since then, he knew Leah had started having some mild morning sickness. His fingers itched to make a call or send a quick text to check on her, but he steeled himself. He had to be sure what he was getting into before crossing boundaries. Leah had already made it known that she didn’t need him being a control freak or fussing too much because of the baby.
Derrick couldn’t help but worry about her, but he had to figure out a way to be more hands-on without making Leah think he didn’t trust her to take care of herself and the little one.
Letting out a sigh, he pulled into the parking lot at the indoor arena. Focus, Derrick. He grabbed his gym bag and in minutes, was in the locker room with the rest of the guys. There was the usual banter before they all headed out to the court where the coach was waiting.
Derrick’s head was back in the space as he went through the usual practice drills. Then the coach had them shooting hoops, with all forwards, centers, and guards in separate groups.
Derrick took a shot beyond the three-point line just as his team member and friend stepped up to join him.
“What happened, man? You could have at least texted me back yesterday,” grumbled Kevin. “We were supposed to hang out, remember?”
“Something came up, sorry. Can’t believe I forgot about our man date.”
“Let me guess—you’ve got a girl now? That’s what’s up,” said the dark-skinned Kevin with a bright grin. “I only hope for your sake that it’s not another Jennifer.”
Derrick caught Kevin’s wry look and shook his head firmly. “She’s definitely no Jennifer.” Just the mention of his ex-girlfriend made Derrick’s skin crawl. It was a few months since their breakup—in fact, right before he met Leah—and it still left a bad aftertaste.
“I like the sound of that. So, how did you guys meet?” Kevin asked, taking his shot right after Derrick’s.
Derrick sent him another look. “Oh, I’m sure you’ve picked up a few things in the papers already.”
“I’d like to say I haven’t, but yeah, I may have heard a few things. Seriously, though, you’re really having a baby?”
Even now, hearing someone else say it in the open caught Derrick right to the core. He was having a baby. Leah had once said he needed to adjust to the whole idea, but Derrick was quick to realize he would be in this perpetual state of wonder. Did he even know anything about being a father? All he felt sure of was that he wanted to be a good one. The best.
“Yes,” he finally said to Kevin, his lips broadening in a proud grin. “And suddenly, I can hardly wait to see what the future brings.”
For a split second, Derrick wondered if the baby would have his looks or Leah’s. He much preferred it to be the latter—Leah’s beautiful brown eyes, her plump, soft lips, and her contagious smile, bright and warm.
Damn, he couldn’t even keep her off his mind for a minute. What exactly did that spell for him? Maybe that was another part of his future that he was eager to find out about.
***
Leah was having an off day. She wasn’t sure what it was, maybe pregnancy hormones or just the fact that she hated inactivity due to being out of work. But the moment she picked up the phone when it rang and she heard Derrick’s voice, her heart lifted.
It was game one of the finals, and he wanted her to be there. Leah hesitated, but then Derrick insisted. Two tickets, VIP courtside access. “It would really mean a lot to me to have you there,” said Derrick.
Leah had loved to play basketball since she was younger and had always been a fan of the team and of Derrick—but she’d never watched him play courtside. She felt a renewed excitement at the chance to support him at an important game. Also, he was hot and damn, he could play basketball.
At fifteen weeks, Leah’s baby bump was getting more visible, and she only hoped she could enjoy herself without any undue attention.
If truth be told, she also couldn’t wait to see to see Derrick tonight. He’d been so busy with training and the games lately, and though he checked in on her as much as possible, it was hardly ever enough. Though she tried to tell herself he cared more about the baby and not her, she couldn’t help being happy when he showed any kind of concern or interest.
One thing she didn’t like, though, was the fact that he tried to give her money or an upkeep. She wasn’t going to be a kept woman, and she had to show him she was independent enough and capable enough to face anything without a handout. She was no opportunist and was cautious that Derrick wouldn’t get the wrong idea. She wasn’t like any of those women who hovered around men like him for what they could get.
Leah knew she’d make it back on her feet somehow. In her heart, she didn’t blame Derrick at all for how things had turned out. It only made her stronger, and if she was going to face motherhood as well as resume building up her career, then giving up was not an option.
But what if circumstances arose that would take her way beyond her powers to cope or overcome?
***
Eva drove them to the game and they were both dressed to the nines. They knew there’d be lots of fans of the teams and the media, but they simply wanted to look good to perk their spirits. They arrived at the arena at five pm, which was the time when VIPs went in. They showed their passes at the entrance and the guards led them straight in.
Leah was used to meeting famous athletes, but as she walked in and saw some of the players with their family members and fans, she couldn’t help but feel starstruck. Derrick was nowhere in sight yet and she felt a twinge of disappointment. Leah would have been tempted to take selfies with some of the NBA stars, but due to her recent brushes with the tabloids, she was avoiding any kind of spotlight.
Getting access to the VIP club inside the arena was truly a fun experience, and even Eva, the sensible one, couldn’t seem to contain her glee.
Finally, Leah and Eva made it to their courtside seats and sat down, still bubbling with excitement. It wa
s thirty minutes before the game was to start and the players had begun to come out of the locker room. Eva had opened her Snapchat app on her phone and was taking a video of the boys shooting and warming up. Leah was used to keeping up a social media profile thanks to her job in PR, but she shied away from any kind of personal stuff. Yet she couldn’t begrudge Eva uploading the video and then taking a selfie with Leah for her Instagram.
Suddenly, Leah heard someone say her name, and she looked up from Eva’s phone to see Derrick walking in their direction. An irrepressible smile lit her face that matched his as she stood up from her seat.
When he pulled her in for a hug, Leah was surprised he’d do that in front of everyone, but she didn’t protest and hugged him back. She breathed in his cologne and felt giddy as she instantly clenched between her thighs from the clean, stimulating scent of woodsy spice that was all Derrick.
“Well, hey,” she said somewhat shyly as they pulled apart.
“Thanks for coming tonight,” Derrick said, his hands seemingly slow to fall from her waist.
The warmth in his voice and in his gestures made Leah feel like she could glow. “I’m happy to be here to support my team,” she said airily. “And you, of course.”
Somehow, her dry humor seemed funny to Derrick, who chuckled deeply—or maybe he was just so glad to see her. Could Leah truly trust herself in thinking she saw something even deeper blazing in his eyes than ever before?
“Hey, so after the game, there’ll be a small gathering over at Kevin’s place,” said Derrick. “Everyone on the team is going and I wondered if you wanted to come?”
This time, Leah was definite she heard the expectant tone in Derrick’s voice. Making a quick decision, she said yes. “But only if I can bring my big sister,” she added and quickly turned to where Eva was sitting.
“Easy on the ‘big’, okay?” teased Eva as she let Leah draw her up on her feet beside Derrick and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Eva. I know who you are, of course. Nice to meet you.”