THE HARDEST YARDS (A BAD BOY FOOTBALL ROMANCE)

by Andrea Rose

  The ceiling fan continued it’s lazy circle, air blowing down on my face. I glanced over at a clock on the bedside. It was just shy of seven in the morning. Break mumbled something quietly and rolled away, pulling the thin blanket with him. The sudden draft cooled my sweat soaked body. Part of me wanted to just get up and run away. Instead, I nuzzled up behind Break. He let out a soft sigh as I pressed against his skin, letting his scent of sandalwood and leather fill me.

  I let myself drift for a few moments before finally crawling out of bed, careful not to wake Shawn. One corner of his makeshift bedroom opened up to a small bathroom and I could see a shower through the open door. It had been days since I truly felt clean, and I welcomed the chance. The cascade of water pulsed against my back as I rolled the dream around in my mind. Why had Shawn left me to Jude? What was I so afraid of? The strong side of me tried desperately to reason with my emotions. Surely I was safe here, surrounded by the club. Jude wouldn’t dream of coming back… He would have to be crazy…

  My fingers reached out, turning the shower handle until the penetrating heat was almost unbearable. Steam rose up like a cloud in the cool room, enveloping me in mist. How long would I need to live in fear? My knees buckled, my body collapsing to the tile floor of the shower, pressing myself up into the corner and wrapping my hands around my knees as the water crashed down.

  Shawn won’t leave me…

  It felt comforting to remember that I had someone to protect me…

  You can protect yourself…

  I imagined the feel of the beretta 92 in my hand, the cool grip and balanced weight, the smooth action as it fired. I’d spent enough time at the range to know I could put a bullet where it needed to go. This whole thing was silly, I was scared of a monster that might not ever show his face again.

  “You all right in there sweetheart?”

  The voice made my jump, my head smacking against the back tiles of the as I let out a little yelp. Break started to laugh. My eyes opened and I looked through the hazy glass, his tanned outline visible as he sat on the toilet.

  “Bad dreams, that’s all…”

  “Bad?”

  “Jude was in it.”

  I stared up at the crashing water, letting it fall on my chest and arms, the searing heat pouring down my body. Break pulled the door open, stepping inside.

  “I do love a hot shower,” he said, smiling as he moved to block the flow of from the shower head, a hand reaching down toward me. His body was shrouded in the steamy mist, every rippling curve of tanned muscle shining as water poured over him. I grabbed the hand he’d offered, letting him lift me to my feet. Without a word, I pressed myself into him, our bodies flattened against each other as I drove my head into his chest. My teardrops were lost to the cascade.

  Break pulled down a bottle of body wash, a subtle scent of shea butter filling my nostrils as he squeezed out a small handful, running it between his hands. Soon, those strong hands were upon me, wet and slick as they ran across my back, dipping down to cup my round bottom. He drew downward, dropping to one knee as he swept the soap down my legs, then back up my calves. The hands wrapped just around my hips and pressed me backward, my skin coming into contact with the still cool tiles and making me gasp. I stared down at Shawn’s dark curls as he leaned forward, lips planting a delicate kiss just below my belly button. His hands swept upward, carrying soap over my twin mounds, his hands slipping softly over my flesh and back down toward my core.

  “Yes…” I whispered as his mouth traveled lower. Another soft kiss was planted lower, just at my bikini line. More soft kisses followed as his hands dropped, pressing my legs apart. The steam was intense, my breath coming in deep gasps as the warmth seemed to fill me inside and out. Break continued his quest toward my core, his lips planted firmly on one side of my shaved mound. Without warning, he moved toward the center, his long wet tongue drawing a delicate line between my folds. My whole body shuddered in joy as his tongue found my clitoris, nearly forcing me to shout in anger as he left it again, a kiss planted on the other side.

  “Please…” I pleaded as he drove me higher. His tongue returned, writing delicate love letters upon my flesh. My feet arched, pressing me up on my tiptoes as he followed me with his lips. Gasps and cries of pleasure filled the room as Break took ownership of me in a way that was more tender and joyful than anything I had ever experienced. He worshipped at my altar, held me up on my pedestal and drank deeply of my waters. Break slipped his tongue into my tight tunnel, plundering my depths even as I exploded upon him, my fingers wrapping through his hair as I pulled him hard against my core, his tongue probing and tasting me like a starving man who’d been given the finest of meals. Blue eyes stared up at me, the water losing its heat as my hands reached down and stroked his cheek. How long had we been in here like this? Time didn’t seem to have meaning anymore… My clitoris screamed out, too sensitive, but Break seemed to understand, simply laying pressure against it as my body quivered and shook. Just being here with him was the greatest thing that had ever happened to me, and his masterful touch had brought me over in the most incredible way. All thoughts of Jude washed away like the water down the drain.

  Break pulled back, lathering himself up and rinsing off as I stayed still, my back pressed to the tile and breath coming in gasps. His rock hard erection stood proudly as I watched him clean off, but he made no further move toward me. I almost wished he would spin me around and spank me again, but before I could catch my breath enough to make demands, he’d stepped back out of the shower and wrapped himself in a towel.

  “Get yourself dressed sweetheart, I’ve got something I want to show you…”

  I sighed, stepping forward into the now rapidly cooling water, rinsing off the last of the body wash. What in the world does Break want to show me? I thought to myself, turning the water off and stepping into the warm and steamy bathroom. Break had left me a towel, folded up on the countertop. I cleaned myself off, wrapping my hair up in it before stepping back into the bedroom.

  “Goddamn baby, we’re never gonna get anything done if you keep walking around like that…”

  Break was busy trying to tuck his thick cock into a tight pair of jeans, his shirtless body dripping of sex appeal.

  “Maybe I don’t want to get anything done,” I said, grinning. “Can’t we stay in just a little longer?”

  “You’re gonna kill me honey, you know that, right?”

  “You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”

  ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

  Hours passed before Break managed to get his pants back on, and I definitely needed another shower. Finally clean again, I finished combing through my hair, pulling it into a simple braid before stepping back into the bedroom. Shawn grabbed me up, giving my ass a light smack that stung through my denim as I laughed at him, our lips crashing together into a soft kiss.

  “So, what is it you wanted to show me?” I asked, the grin permanently plastered across my face.

  “What, we’re not staying in bed all day?”

  “Don’t tempt me,” I replied, teasing him as I bit my bottom lip. “Do I get another ride from my big bad biker man?”

  “Not today… We need to talk. We’ll take my car.”

  We need to talk.

  The words rolled around in my head. Rarely did that sentence lead to happy memories. The last time Jude needed to talk I ended up with a black eye. Maybe Break saw it in my eyes, because he reached out and lay his hand on my shoulder.

  “Relax sweetheart, the club is lying low for a few days and I just want to spend a little time with my lady… You’ve come crashing into my life and I don’t even know your last name.”

  My head spun, the realities of the last few days settling in around me. Break was right. All this craziness and adrenaline and fear and sex, I had to be totally out of my mind!

  “It’s Love…”

  “What?” Break asked, staring at me quizzically.

  “Callie Love,” I whispered back, lost in his
icy blues. Love was my maiden name, but with Jude gone, I didn’t want to so much as utter his filthy last name. Even thinking about him made me shudder.

  “It suits you Callie Love… Now how about we get out of here?”

  “I’ll follow you anywhere,” I replied, smiling as he took my hand. Soon we were strolling through the MC clubhouse like two teenaged lovers, my hand clasped in his.

  “It looks different,” I said, staring around the space. The floor sparkled, and the bar was empty. Most of the bikes were gone as well, only a few Broken were visible, both of them guarding the main door.

  “Like I said, we’re running clean for a little bit until this last little deal goes through. Heat is on after what happened with the Kings, the LAPD isn’t going to let that slide. Right now there’s nothing to link it to us, but I’m not about to give them any reason to go poking around if they decide to show up and check us over.”

  “What about the little business in back?” I asked quietly. I’d seen the operation, and it was clear the moans weren’t coming from joyful back rubs.

  “Already told you, that’s a legit massage parlor. Told the girls no happy endings till all this shit blows over. We’ll piss off a few repeat customers, but they’ll get over it. We’re handing out free rain checks for now.”

  “So, what do you want to show me?” I asked, squeezing his hand in mine.

  “Told you, it’s a surprise,” Break replied as we reached the far side of the warehouse. Totally opposite of the board room and the space Break had turned into his home was a separate closed off area beneath the upstairs bedrooms and bunk rooms used by the club members. Break pulled the door open and we stepped inside, his hand reaching over to press a button against the wall. Light spilled into the space as a power garage door opened, revealing a sleek looking long and low four door sedan. I traced it’s lines with my eyes, the black sedan ending with a chrome leaping cat on the front of the hood.

  A jaguar… Villains always seem to drive jaguars…

  Break pulled a key from his pocket, unlocking the doors as he walked me around to the passenger side, letting me in so I could sink into the dark leather seat. Soon, he’d made his way around the drivers side and was with me, the key bringing the beast to life.

  “Nice car,” I said, smiling.

  “I like a girl who appreciates a classic,” Shawn replied. We rocketed out of the roll-up and toward the coast. Break opened the sunroof and I took in a deep breath of the cool and fresh humid air.

  “Why are we driving, really?” I asked, trying not to pry too much.

  “The bikes draw attention. I don’t need one of the Kings fucking with me when I’m out with my woman.”

  “Does this mean we’re dating now?”

  Break stared at me, giving me a stern look that made us both laugh. Clearly, we’d left dating far behind. Break was more than a rebound fuck, and staring into his eyes I could see his concern for my safety.

  “So tell me Callie, why the hell was a good girl like you hanging round with Jude?”

  I took a deep breath, shrinking in my seat. Break pressed the throttle, rocketing us from another red light, the rush of acceleration exhilarating.

  “The bad girl in me wanted a bad boy… I was stupid. I got trapped…”

  Break glanced over at my trembling hands, shaking his head. “You could have left him behind.”

  “Jude said he wouldn’t live without me. You don’t understand what he’s capable of.”

  “No, I think I figured that out,” Break said, reaching across and rubbing his shoulder. “He’s a crazy fucker. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

  “I made my mistakes. It’s over now,” I whispered, as if saying the words would make it true.

  “Ever have any dreams Callie?”

  I thought about the nightmare… About Jude dropping me off the cliff. My breath caught in my throat.

  “Not those kind of dreams sweetheart,” Break said, noticing my hesitation, “have you ever wanted to be part of something bigger?”

  “You’ll think I’m silly…”

  “Never sweetheart. I will never think you’re silly.”

  “I like arranging flowers.”

  Break glanced over again, the car stopped at another intersection, a funny smile on his face.

  “I know, I told you it’s silly.”

  “Big bad girl Callie wants to be a florist?”

  “Sure, make fun of me why don’t you. And I’m sure you’ve always dreamed of being a big bad drug dealing biker?”

  “Boats…”

  “What?” I asked, glancing over as Shawn shook his head.

  “I love boats. Had a little hobie cat as a kid, sailed it three times a week. Always wanted to start up a little boat dealer. Buy them, sell them, sail them. Boring, I know…”

  “The florist and the used boat salesman. Not exactly Romeo and Juliet, is it?” I said, laughing.

  “Now who’s making fun?” Break said, reaching over and poking me in the ribs.

  “I’m sorry…”

  “I was born into this shitpile. I never wanted this club to be my whole life. Dad never gave me a choice in the matter. I’m in too deep.”

  My eyes looked over the deep lines in his face, he’d seen pain, loss, sadness. I knew those lines, I saw them in the mirror every single day. We were both broken. Two little cogs in a big machine that nobody could stop. I turned back to the window as we drove past the bridge that carried traffic over to Coronado island, continuing up harbor and along the water.

  “So why don’t you make the change? You said you want to take the club legit… Why don’t you do it?” I asked, feeling heavy in my seat.

  “I’ve already laid down the groundwork. We’re setting up a restaurant on the east side, I’ve got some of the guys helping fix up a couple apartment complexes up in Los Angeles. We’re already running a pretty big trucking operation for Carcetti that we’re going to run clean as soon as we pull out of the Italian contracts. It’s a risk, but I’m taking the club money and putting it to work. And… There’s this.

  The car pulled into a parking lot, a tall building sitting next to a gated space, the water stretching off behind the bars.

  “What is this?”

  “It’s the only thing my father left me that I wanted… My grandfather owned this place. Ran a little marina out back.”

  “Your boat store?” I asked, staring at the space.

  “My boat store… At least, it will be once I get some boats. And if you look right there…”

  I followed his pointing finger to the small attached building on the far side of the lot.

  “That might make a nice flower shop.”

  My breath caught in my throat, staring out the window past Break’s smiling face.

  “You’re crazy.”

  “You make me want to be crazy…”

  “What about the club?”

  “I’ll always be Broken sweetheart, always, but there’s nothing that says we need to keep dying for the cause. We’re not going to break our contracts, we’ll see this deal with the Italians through, but once that’s done it’s business and real estate. I want my son to grow up an entrepreneur, not an outlaw.”

  “You have a son?”

  “Not yet,” he replied, smiling at me wickedly. “I’m hoping I might meet a girl to help me with that one…”

  ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

  The drive back to the clubhouse was much quieter. I sat back as Break lay his hand on my leg, just staring out the window and dreaming of the future. Could it really be so simple?

  The flashing lights of a half a dozen police cars certainly had me second guessing things. The entire alley leading to the roll-up entrance was blocked off, and as I looked over my shoulder, two more cars had rolled in behind us to halt any chance of escape. Break drove calmly as I hyperventilated in the passenger seat, pulling the jag into the garage and stopping for the plethora of armed officers asking us to exit the car with our hands over
our heads.

  “Don’t worry sweetheart, it’s gonna be ok, they do this shit three times a year” Break said, stepping out of the car with his smile beaming. I was less brave, staring at the agents clad in white collared shirts and bulletproof vests. As we were walked to the main room, I could see that at least half a dozen other club members were kneeled down on the concrete as drug dogs swept the building.

  “What’s this all about officer?” Break asked the closest officer to him. She was a tall dark skinned woman with a wild look behind her dark hazel eyes. Her feet clicked on the concrete, a wicked pair of boots peeking out from under her long and dark slacks.

  “Somebody shot up a gang up on the north of town. Suppose you wouldn’t know anything about the Kings would you?”

  “Bunch of criminals, probably got what they deserved,” Break replied, flashing a smile. “That doesn’t explain why you’re tearing up my shop.”

  “Got a hot tip about your little clubhouse here. Cocaine, human trafficking, and guns that should link right back to a few recent crimes.”

  “You can search until you turn blue, we don’t deal in drugs, we definitely don’t deal in women, and any guns you come across are registered and clean. We’re a recreational MC with ties to the American Motorcycle Association, not a bunch of outlaws.”

  “Look shithead, your daddy spent plenty of time behind bars and we have every reason to believe it didn’t stop when that idiot went over his handlebars without a helmet,” the woman spat. Break went quiet, waiting patiently as I hyperventilated.

  “Tell me we’ve got something,” the officer shouted as a few men came walking out from the boardroom and others moved down the stairs from the upper floor.

  “All I’ve got is a couple bottles of vicodin with proper prescriptions and a few registered firearms. It’s all coming up clean,” one of the men replied, looking more than a little frustrated.

  “I want IDs on the girls in back.”