The Game You Play: A Rixon Raiders Novel

by L A Cotton

  “You think I want to change you?”

  “All girls do.”

  “Let’s get one thing clear, Jason,” I shot back, my voice low and sultry, “I’m not all girls.”

  Heat flashed in his eyes as he leaned closer, taking the air with him. “I’ll break you. You know that, right? This, whatever this is, won’t end well.”

  Run, the little voice in my head screamed, run far away and never look back.

  But I didn’t reach for the door handle. Instead, my hand reached for him, twisting into his jersey and yanking his mouth to mine.

  “You’re fucking crazy,” he murmured, meeting my lips halfway, attacking me with his mouth, with frantic licks of his tongue. Jason kissed like it was the final play and the whole game was on the line.

  His hands wasted no time running down my body, palming my breasts through my sweater. “Off, now,” he commanded as if his words were gospel. Perhaps they were, given how quickly I helped him peel it over my head. His lips twisted in a wolfish grin as he appraised my body. “Ever been fucked on the hood of a car, babe?”

  We were back to that.

  Not Giles.

  Babe.

  I didn’t know which I hated more.

  “Jason,” it was a breathless whisper, “you know I haven’t.”

  “That’s right you haven’t because I’m the only guy to ever have this.” His hand glided down my stomach, finding the waistband of my leggings.

  “God, I hate you,” the words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them.

  His head lifted, confusion pinching his expression. “Funny, because from where I’m sitting, it looks a lot like you’d do anything to bounce on my—”

  “Jason! Stop.”

  “Stop?” His brow shot up. Before I could process what was happening, Jason pulled me onto his body, forcing my legs apart to straddle his thighs. “You want me to stop?” He rocked into me, his erection hitting my stomach.

  “I... yes… no.” I tried to smother the moan building.

  “Which is it, Giles, because you’re sending me mixed signals over here?” He continued rocking into me while his hands played lazily with my breasts.

  “I can’t think when you’re...” Pleasure rippled through me. But it wasn’t enough.

  It wasn’t nearly enough.

  “What, babe? You need more?” Jason’s hand slid up my throat spanning my neck so that he could push me backward gently. Then he sucked the skin there.

  My hands twisted harder; pulling him in, pushing him away, I was no longer sure.

  “Say it,” his voice echoed around us. “Tell me you want me, want this.”

  “I...” Don’t do it, don’t give him so much power over you.

  “Say the words, babe.” His thumb pressed into my center, causing me to jerk above him.

  “I want you,” my voice trembled, mirroring my body. “I want... this.” The words left me in a sharp exhale. Victory flashed in his eyes, the air around us shifting as an understanding settled between us.

  I did hate him.

  I hated that he made me feel so alive, so desired.

  I hated the way he knew exactly how to kiss me, touch me, to get me to fall at his feet.

  But most of all I hated how I didn’t hate him, not even a little bit.

  “Relax,” he said as if he knew I was all up in my head. “If it makes you feel any better, I hate you too.” His thumb brushed my neck slowly before he chased his touch with his lips. “I hate how I can’t stop thinking about you.” Kiss. “I hate that you say the most ridiculous things.” Kiss. “But most of all I hate that Thatcher and his goon had their hands on you. I hate...” His lips touched my skin again as my heart crashed against my ribcage.

  This wasn’t the plan.

  He wasn’t supposed to say all of this, to feed the small part of me dreaming of a different time and place. A time and place where Felicity Giles could ever end up with a guy like Jason Ford.

  I waited for his words, greedy for more. But they never came, replaced with hot kisses as he dragged his tongue up and down the hollow of my throat. Disappointment flooded my chest but deep down, I wasn’t surprised. Jason would never admit the truth. That there was something between us. That this was more than just sex. And for as much as it hurt, maybe it was better this way.

  His hands were all over me now, his mouth the same.

  “Jason,” I said, gently tugging his hair. “Slow down.”

  He lifted his face, brow arched. I took advantage of the moment, pushing my hands against his chest to move him back. Then I fumbled around to find the recline handle and pulled.

  “What the fuck?” he grunted, and I stifled a giggle. Jason needed control. He needed to hold all the power. But this time, I wanted to be in the driving seat.

  I wanted to drive him wild.

  “What game are you playing, Giles?” he asked, his hands gripping my hips as I gently rocked above him. We both groaned, and another thrill shot through me. He was at my mercy now.

  With my newfound confidence, I hooked my hands into the waistband of my leggings and pushed them down over my hips. It was no easy feat getting them off, but I managed. If Jason noticed my clumsy striptease, he didn’t comment, his hooded gaze too busy eating up every inch of my bare skin.

  “Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he whispered.

  Yeah, fuck. His words were like a poisoned arrow through my heart.

  As if he noticed my hesitation, challenge glinted in his eye. He was ready to pounce, to take back the power and flip this whole thing on me. But I wasn’t backing down. I wasn’t just a pawn in his game.

  I was the goddamn queen.

  And this queen wanted her king to kneel at her feet.

  Sliding my hands around my ribs, I unhooked my bra and let it slide down my arms. Jason didn’t speak, he didn’t have to. His eyes betrayed every thought running through his head, and even though I knew it was only temporary, I had him right where I wanted him.

  “Take it off,” I demanded, my eyes fixed on his jersey.

  “Okay, I’ll play, babe.” There was a hint of amusement in his voice as he leaned forward to yank his jersey off. He was so beautiful; a perfectly sculpted Adonis. Who in this moment, was mine. Not Jenna Jarvis’ or the gymnast team’s. Not Rixon High’s or the team’s or even the town’s.

  Mine.

  But you can’t keep him, Felicity. Don’t forget that. Never forget that.

  My hands trailed down his abs, counting every ridge until my fingers hovered precariously close to the waistband of his sweats. Without giving myself any time to hesitate, I gently pulled, waiting for Jason to lift his butt off the chair so I could wiggle them off his hips.

  Holy crap. He was rock hard.

  His smooth chuckle sliced through the tension crackling around us. My eyes lifted to his. “What?” I asked.

  “I’m just wondering if you’re brave enough—”

  I palmed him roughly, his groans filling the car. “Shit, Felicity.” My name on his lips was like music to my ears.

  “Condom?”

  “Glove compartment.”

  Of course he kept a stash of condoms in his glove compartment. I rolled my eyes and his brow rose, his gaze hooded, hazy with lust.

  With great skill, I managed to lean over and retrieve one. Jason surprised me by capturing my wrists and pulling me down. He kissed me hard, bruising my lips and leaving me breathless. I could almost feel his mind working overtime, hear his thoughts.

  But I was too far gone to care. I needed Jason more than I’d ever needed anything before.

  It was terrifying.

  Exhilarating.

  And completely crazy.

  He watched me, pupils dilated, as I freed his dick and tore open the wrapper, rolling it over him. His breath was ragged, his muscles rippling with every sharp intake of oxygen.

  One hand rested on his shoulder, I rose over him, hooked my panties to one side, and slowly sank down on him.

  “Fuuuu
k,” Jason ground out, his hand clamping down on my hip, trying to steady me. But I wasn’t about to let him take the lead. Not now, not when I finally held some of the power.

  Even if it was only temporary.

  Jason

  Felicity looked like an angel. Eyes clouded with pleasure, lips parted in a soft moan.

  A dirty sassy angel.

  My angel.

  She’d caught me completely off guard when she took control. I didn’t think she had it in her, but I should have known better because where Felicity Giles was concerned nothing was as it seemed.

  And I fucking loved it.

  “Yeah, just like that,” I hummed, driving my hips up as she rocked above me.

  It didn’t matter we were by the lake, in the middle of the day where anyone could see us. The second my lips touched her, I knew there was only one way this ended. From the way she was riding my dick, she did too.

  My hands roamed over her body, desperate to touch and explore every inch of her skin. Her soft curves, the gentle slope of her hips, her perfect tits.

  I couldn’t get enough of her.

  “Jason...” My name slipped from her lips, caught somewhere between a sigh and moan, the needy sound a direct line to my dick.

  I wanted to take to control, to grab her waist and show her exactly how I liked it, how I needed it, but she’d worked her voodoo bullshit on me again because I couldn’t do anything but sit back and enjoy it.

  Enjoy her.

  Every roll of her hips. The way she rose above me ever so slightly, holding the tip inside her and then sinking back down slow and deep. I’d never worried about a girl owning me before because there had never been a girl who had come close. Not even Aimee held that mantle. Felicity was different though. She was everything I never knew I needed.

  It was a damn shame I couldn’t keep her. And I couldn’t. Because while she felt fucking fantastic riding me, this, right here, was where we had to end. Before she became the wrong kind of distraction.

  The kind of distraction I’d vowed never to fall for.

  My chest tightened as I tried to get my head back in the game. “What is it?” she asked, barely able to catch her breath. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I replied coolly. “Come here.” My arm looped around her waist as I sat up putting us chest to chest.

  “Jason, what are you—”

  “Ssh.” I whispered, rocking back and forth, the intimate position so much deeper and intense. I could feel every inch of her pressed against every inch of me and it was fucking breathtaking. In that moment, it was hard to deny how perfect she was. The way her body molded to mine, like two pieces of the same puzzle.

  “You weren’t supposed to...” her voice was broken with pleasure.

  “Do you have any idea how crazy you drive me?” The words hung between us as I slowly regained control of her body.

  Her.

  Felicity buried her face in my shoulder as my hand threaded into her hair and our rhythm increased stealing the breath from my lungs. I’m going to fuck you right out of my head.

  She froze, her body rigid above me.

  Shit.

  I hadn’t meant to say the words aloud. But now they were out there; a vast ocean between us.

  “Felicity, I—”

  She grabbed my lips, forcing them together as she moved faster. Harder. Chasing the fall.

  Her body began to tremble, her breath choppy and labored. The familiar tingle at the base of my spine told me I was close. Ready to fall right alongside her; she just needed one final push. Dipping my head, I closed my mouth around her nipple and bit down gently. Her cries echoed around us, pleasure crashing into me like a freight train. But like any good high, the inevitable comedown sucked ass.

  Felicity clambered off me, grabbing her leggings and sweater and awkwardly dressed herself.

  “That’s something for your list,” I said through strained laughter. I sounded like a fucking idiot. As if some lame assed joke about her list changed the fact I’d accidentally slipped out I wanted to fuck her out of my head.

  “We should get back to school.” Her voice was cold, sending the temperature inside the car down by a few degrees. “I don’t want to miss fifth period.”

  “Uh, yeah.” I tucked myself back into my sweatpants and pulled on my jersey. Things had gone from great to shit in two seconds flat all because of my big fucking mouth.

  But this is what you wanted, right?

  One more time with her. A chance to rectify how things had gone down in New York.

  The ride back to school was painful. Felicity barely looked twice at me and every time I tried to fill the suffocating silence, the words died on the tip of my tongue.

  It was a clusterfuck.

  Exactly what I’d known would happen, but I’d gone and done it anyway. Felicity wasn’t Jenna or any of the other chicks I usually went with. She was different.

  I was different around her.

  All too soon we rolled into the parking lot, school looming up ahead. “Felicity, I—”

  “Save it, Jason. I knew what this was. I knew and I came anyway. But it’s done now, right?” She didn’t sound sad or pissed, just resigned. “You’ve fucked me out of your head so I guess we can just both move on.”

  “I...” Say something. Say anything. But nothing came out, my thoughts too incoherent to form words.

  “Okay then…” Felicity grabbed the door handle and pushed. But not before turning back to me. “I guess it’s true what all the girls say about you,” she said, holding my conflicted gaze.

  “Yeah, and what’s that?” I managed to choke out.

  “You’re worth the ride.” Her eyes didn’t sparkle and her voice was devoid of any emotion. “See you around, Jason.”

  Then she was gone.

  It fucking stung to see her walk away, but I knew it was better this way. Better she thought I was just a cold-hearted bastard who had used her in a game of push and pull. Cat and mouse. But the truth was, I wasn’t so sure anymore. And although I’d never do it, for the first time in my life, I wanted to chase the girl.

  Life wasn’t a fairytale though. The only happy ending I needed was the one where I won State, went off to college, and made my dream of going pro a reality.

  “Okay, ladies, gather in.” Coach beckoned us over. “Two games to go before the play-offs.” The guys began cheering but I barely managed a grumble.

  “Okay, okay, you’re excited, I get it. You’ve earned it. But we need to keep our heads. Tomorrow is Seniors Night, which means best behavior. There’ll be the formal walk out at the game and then the presentations at the party afterward. Mrs. Hasson is cooking up something special for the occasion so I want to see you all in your best clothes. Grady,” he looked at the guy across from me, “that means you too, Son. If I see you in so much as a pair of sweats or a jersey, I’ll break out my old dinner jackets. Consider yourself warned.”

  A few of us snickered while Grady flipped me off behind his helmet.

  “Any questions?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “Good. Don’t forget we have Miss Raine’s unveiling too. I want you to remember to show her some respect. She’s worked tirelessly on this project and I think I speak for the whole team when I say I’m excited to see what’s she’s created.”

  My eyes went to Cam who had a goofy grin painted on his face. He was so gone over my step-sister it left a sour taste on my tongue.

  “It’s just nearest and dearest Friday. Right, Coach?” I don’t know why I asked the question, and I instantly wanted to take it back when all eyes landed on me. Asher was smirking but Cam looked worried. I hadn’t told them about earlier with Felicity, but they knew something had happened because I’d been a dick during practice, taking my frustrations out on my teammates.

  “Something you want to tell us, Jase?” Coach asked with a hint of amusement.

  “Nah,” I kept my voice even. “Just wanted to make sure we weren’t inviting the entire cl
ass.”

  “Rest assured it’ll be intimate, Son. The team, close family… girlfriends,” he scoffed at that, “and the cheer squad.”

  A rumble of appreciation echoed around the field.

  “Best behavior, remember?” Coach shot us a bemused look. “Okay, get out of here. Jase, a word please.”

  I hung around, waiting, while my teammates headed for the showers. “What’s up, Coach?”

  “All set for tomorrow?”

  “Sure thing.” I ran a hand over my damp hair and down the back of my neck.

  “I just wanted you to be aware. Principal Finnigan has asked your father to give a speech at the presentation.”

  My spine stiffened. “I see.”

  “Now, I know the two of you haven’t always seen eye to eye, but he’s your father Jason, and the town consider him to be—”

  “A local hero.” As if I needed any more of a reminder.

  “It’s out of my hands but I wanted to give you a heads up.”

  “Thanks,” I grumbled.

  “Piece of advice, Son. It’s important to know where you came from, but you don’t have to let it define you. You’ve earned this, Jason, and when we’re crowned State champs, you can rest easy knowing you made it happen. Not your father or his legacy. Football might be in your blood, but you have a rare gift that’s all yours, Son. Own it.”

  “Thanks, Coach.” I barely got the words out over the lump in my throat.

  He gave me a small nod. “Now get in there with the rest of them.”

  As I walked off field, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be normal. To walk out tomorrow with my family, a girlfriend maybe. People who loved me unconditionally, not because of who I was and where I was going, but for the person behind the jersey.

  The person behind Rixon’s golden boy of football.

  I couldn’t even remember the person I was before. Before Varsity football, and state records; before being scouted by some of the best colleges in the country. Most people spent their whole lives chasing their dreams, trying to turn fantasy into reality. Yet, here I was, barely eighteen, with the whole world at my feet. My dreams were right there for the taking. It should have been the best fucking time of my life and it had been until recently. Until I started to care. But I couldn’t afford to care. I couldn’t afford to open myself up to distractions. To make myself vulnerable. Not now. Not when I was so close.