by Claire Adams
"That's it, Val. Get it, girl. Lay it up. Show them what you're make of." A tall blond guy a few rows in front of me hadn't stopped yelling for her the whole time we were there. To say it was getting on my nerves was an understatement. I couldn't help but wonder who the hell he was. Was the guy trying to hit on Val?
"Martin..." I leaned over and tapped his shoulder. "That guy looks familiar. Is he on the team with us?"
"No. He's quarterback here, man. He's a senior. Kade Jones." He moved back away from me as my stomach tightened.
Kade Jones. Who hadn't heard of him? He was headed to the NFL, and from what I could tell, he was interested in my girl.
I forced myself to focus on the game, trying like hell not to let his cheering and encouragements bother me, but they were too intimate. He knew her. I wanted to know how.
The game ended with Val sinking a damn-near impossible three-pointer and the crowd going wild, myself included. I was so proud of her. She had no idea how fucking talented she was. Her business degree could come later. She needed to do something with her skills on the court while she was young enough to do something about it.
"Wow. She was incredible." My mother glanced over at me as her eyes widened. "My heart is racing in my chest."
"Mine, too." Sam stood up and turned toward Martin and the girls. "You guys going out or what?"
"Not sure, but you can come with us if you want." Lucinda moved around Martin and Katelyn to get closer to us.
"I'll be back." I squeezed through the crowd and stepped down on the floor of the court as my eyes met Val's.
She was covered in a light sheen of sweat, and wisps of hair had pulled from her ponytail and were stuck to her neck. She looked like heaven, and I wanted to touch every part of her, to worship her until she got in her head that she was every bit the woman I wanted, even if I acted like a wayward teenage boy most days.
Kade made it to her before I did, and she turned her attention to him. I was a little surprised to see him wrap her in a hug and pick her up off her feet. He spun her around before letting her go and touching the side of her face like I did.
Anger burned through me, and I moved up to stand beside him.
Val turned her attention to me with nothing but innocence on her pretty face. "We did it! Did you like it?"
"I loved it." I reached for her and pulled her in for a quick kiss. "Who's your friend here?"
"Oh. Kade, this is my boyfriend, Tate. Tate, Kade Jones." She moved back, and I turned and gave the guy an unspoken, “back the fuck up” look.
"Nice to meet you, man." I shook his hand firmly.
"You, as well." He gave me a curt nod and released my hand, turning back to Val. "Great job. I'm crazy impressed. See you tomorrow."
"Okay. Thanks for coming tonight. It means a lot to me." She reached out and touched his arm before turning back to me. "Wow. That was a rush. Just knowing that you were in the stands made me want to play that much harder."
She was breathtaking, and though I wanted to drag her to me and kiss her a hundred times to ensure that she was in fact mine, and only mine, I forced myself to stay put.
"You were amazing. What's up for the rest of the night? You got time for me?" I reached out and took her hand.
"Always."
"Good. Let's go out to the old YMCA near the edge of town. I used to swim there all the time as a kid. There's a great indoor swimming pool where we can have some fun." I licked at my lips and took her in as she panted, trying to catch her breath.
"It'll be closed this time of night, right?" I half expected her to have her attention all over the place with the number of people moving around us, most of them calling out to her, but she didn't. Her eyes were locked on mine. I'd never felt more loved, more cared for, more important. Not ever.
"I have keys." I wagged my eyebrows. "Private swim lesson from the best guy on the team?"
"Hell, yes. Sounds like my kind of night." She moved in and kissed me once more before turning to the crowd of her friends that had rushed in all around us.
The team lifted her up on their shoulders and pranced her around the gym as MVP.I moved back to stand next to my mother and Sam, who was busy laughing with Lucinda.
I couldn't help but notice that Kade hadn't left, but was standing by the door with his focus on one thing.
Val.
Chapter 26
Val
The afternoon with Kade had been fun, but a little unnerving. While I felt like he was hoping for something to start between us, I couldn't help but think that I was overreacting. I didn't feel anything but a great friendship starting between us – or so I told myself. Our lives were too much alike not to take notice, but most friends had something in common.
After the basketball win, I was on a high like no other. We'd lost to our opposing team a few weeks before, and I wasn't willing to take another beating by them. I'd pulled out everything I had to give and encouraged my team to do the same. Somehow it had worked, and we were victorious. Everyone was in the stands.
Everyone but my parents.
It was probably for the better. I didn't need to look up and see their disdain over my choice to play college ball though they'd tried to forbid it.
"What are you thinking about?" Tate reached over and took my hand as we drove away from Sam's house. Seeing that my car was shot and it was too cold for his bike, we'd dropped his mother off and then Sam back at his house. My friends were all headed to a party later that night, and Lucinda was picking Sam up. Some part of me felt like we should have joined them, but time alone with Tate sounded much more appealing.
"Nothing. Everything." I moved closer to him as the snow hit the windshield harder and harder.
He wrapped his arm around me when I got close enough and pulled me in tightly against his side. "You reliving that win? It was pretty fucking incredible."
I laughed. "No. I love playing, though. I wish my future included something to do with it, but it's just not in the cards."
"Why not?" He snuck a quick kiss against the side of my neck as we pulled to a stop sign.
"I don't know. I guess because there is no money in it?" I turned my attention to focus on him and let my eyes move along the tats at the base of his throat. "When did you get all these tats?"
"Over the years, but you're changing the subject." He smirked, and my stomach contracted. I'd never been with a man before that had such power over my hormones. It was thrilling and bit nerve-wreaking all at the same time.
"Maybe I am, but there's no reason to dwell on it. I'm getting my business degree and probably going to work for my father's company. My sister Allison seems to be doing well with all of it." I ran my hands through my hair and moved away from him as we took the final turn toward the YMCA.
"Is she? Have you asked her point blank if she likes it?" He parked the truck and glanced over at me. "And just so you know...there's lots of money in sports, playing, competing, and coaching."
"No, I haven't asked her." I got out of the truck and moved to the front to wrap myself around him as we moved to the front door. "You sure we're okay going in here?"
"Nope, but that's yet to stop be before. Why? You scared?" He looked down at me and laughed. The sound of it filled me with warmth.
"Scared of what? You? Never." I moved into the building as the smell of sweat and chlorine filled my senses. "I've never been to one of these gyms."
"It's the poor folks gym, baby. I've gotta teach you a thing or two." He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the pool area. "We don't have suits, so it's looking like this first lesson is going to have to be in the buck."
"The buck?" I laughed and followed him in. My eyes moved along the top of the room in search for cameras, but I found none. "I'm not getting naked in this public pool. Firstly, that's just gross, and secondly, someone could come in."
He kicked off his boots, pulled off his shirt and turned to look at me. "Fine. Just sit there and watch me swim, then."
I let out a frustrated sigh
and moved to the closest bench before dropping down. I was ballsy, but not that much. The sight of his naked ass caused my heart to flutter and my pulse to quicken.
He glanced over his shoulder. "You sure? I'd love to feel your body against mine in the water."
"Then let's take a bath back at your house." I smirked. "You've been trying to get me in that bathroom with you, anyways."
"Tease." He dove in, barely making a splash.
I leaned back and watched him with unabashed interest as he cut through the water. His body was beautiful, a long line of lean muscle that I wanted to get my hands on. It didn't take more than a few minutes of watching him before I was cursing myself as I pulled at my clothes.
He resurfaced about the time I walked toward the edge of the pool, completely nude.
"Change your mind?" He moved back and reached for me as I carefully got down into the pool
"Nope. This is an illusion. I'm still sitting on that bench over there." I wagged my eyebrows as he pulled me against him and slid his hands down my back to cup my rear.
"Damn good illusion." He leaned in and kissed the side of my neck before growling softly. "I don't want to ask, but I gotta know..."
"Know what?" I encircled his neck with my arms and pressed my breasts to his chest.
"Who was the guy today?" He flinched, and concern pumped through me.
"What guy?" I moved my legs up and encircled his waist before pulling him closer.
"The blond." He moved us back to where he could stand and gripped my ass before pushing himself into me a little. "I don't have a condom, so go easy on me."
"What blond?" I pressed down on him and closed my eyes as pleasure rippled from the center of my stomach. I groaned and he caught me in a long, hot kiss. His fingers entangled into my hair, and I didn't care about a blond or anything else but him and me.
"Hold your nose." He nipped at my lips and took us fully under the water.
I opened my eyes to see him watching me. A smile lifted his lips and I laughed, sending bubbles to the surface. He was all I wanted, all I needed to find the warmth that life offered so many others around me, but seemed to avoid me at all costs.
We popped back up to the surface as he pressed me to the wall and forced his way deep inside my body. He grunted, and I groaned in tandem.
"The football guy. Mr. Big Shit." He licked from the side of my throat and worked me until my body was lose and lubricated.
"Kade. He's just a friend." I dug my nails into this back as my breasts bobbed between us. He reached up and palmed them as his eyes closed, and his breathing got off kilter.
"Whoa. Hold up. Shit." He opened his eyes, and I could see the need in them. He was worried about me having feelings for Kade.
"No one matters but you, Tate. You don't need to worry. I'm not that kind of girl. At all." I ran my fingers along the sides of his head, dragging my nails back and forth as he pressed his lips to the top of my chest and started to fuck me again.
"Alright. I'm just waiting for the other shoe to fall." He laughed, but the sound fell flat.
"It's not going to." I lifted myself off of him and swam toward the middle of the pool. "Come give me a lesson and we can finish what you've started in a hot shower later. This place has showers, right?"
"Yes, you little tart. We do wash up when we're done working out." He shook his head.
"Oh, I know. You clean up well, greaser." I laughed and let out a yelp as he headed after me. I'd never swam so fast in my whole life, and yet it didn't matter. He was too quick for me. Then again, I was pretty sure I wanted to be caught.
*
"It's this way, baby." Tate opened the door to the locker room and touched my back. We'd finally found two towels near the front desk.
"You know they're going to be able to tell that someone was here tonight." I gave him a knowing look.
"No, they aren't. We'll clean up before we go, okay." He laughed, and I loved the way his expressions were relaxed. Whether he was turned on or happy, or even upset, he had a calm about him that I wanted to tap into. It was a lot like the calm that sat on Sam.
"Did Sam tell you he gave me a ride to campus this morning?" I walked into the locker room and laid my towel down.
His eyes moved down the length of my body as he tugged his off, too. He was fully erect again, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was always turned on. Maybe he was just one of those guys.
I reached out and stroked him as I pressed my free hand to his chest.
"No, but I assumed he did because your car is still out at the house." He bit his lip and nodded. "Keep doing that, but harder, faster."
I picked up my speed and glanced down, wanting to see him thick and ready to go. "God, that's hot."
"Not nearly as hot as you." He touched my chin, lifting my eyes back up to his. "Have I told you that? You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
"You tell all the girls that?" I gave him a cheeky grin and tugged at his cock before getting into a rhythm again.
"Nope. None of them." He leaned down and pressed his cold lips to mine, turning his head and nudging my lips open with his tongue. He grunted as he pressed his hips forward against my hold. "Right there."
He panted against my mouth, and I memorized the beautiful look of ecstasy on his face as he opened his eyes and dove into his orgasm. His mouth was slightly parted, his eyes wide and breathing sporadic at best.
"Fuck," he whispered and reached down to help me finish him strong. "You're so good, Val. I'm starting to fall for you. Be careful."
"Starting to?" I walked to the shower and turned it on. "I've already fallen for you. That's not very fair. You should catch up."
"You have not." He move up behind me and squirted some soap into his hands. "Let me wash you."
"I'd like that." I looked over my shoulder at him and took a shaky breath. I wasn't lying. I'd already fallen for him – hard.
"So, there's really nothing going on with Mr. Football God?" He squatted and worked up a lather on my thighs, taking his time to be thorough as he moved up and spent more time than necessary between my legs.
"No, baby. He's just a friend. I'm trying to set him up with Amy." I reached down and ran my fingers through his dark spiky hair.
"The chunky one?" He glanced up at me.
"She's not chunky." I moved back and glared down at him. "She's just feminine. Curvy."
"I think a woman with meat on her bones is hot, but your friend Amy is a little chunky, baby." He got up and ran his hands over my stomach and up to encircle my breasts. "She's not fat, Val. She's chunky. So what?"
"Don't you ever say that to her." I pushed at his chest a little as he turned me around and scratched large circles along my back.
I sagged against the shower wall and slid my hands up to access more of its chilly offering. My skin was hot, my body needy for far more than a good rubdown.
"I would never say anything to hurt a woman, especially not one of your friends." He moved up behind me and ran his hands up my arms, pressing himself to the back of me. "You have no idea how fucking good look right now, do you?"
"If you're happy, then I don't care." I tucked my pelvis as he moved into position to impale me. One strong push back and he was inside of me. Both of us let out a long groan and stood there for a minute, enjoying the intimacy of being together.
"You were made for me. No woman has ever taken me like you do." He brushed his lips by the side of my neck as his fingers slid past the wet curls resting between my thighs.
His attentiveness combined with his deep thrust left me reaching a high I didn't know was possible. I cried out and the sound echoed around the room along with his naughty encouragements. I'd never made love anywhere but a bed, and I wasn't sure I ever wanted to go back to one.
"I need to get a condom." He nipped at my ear, and I stiffened.
"Okay." I pressed myself to the shower wall again and let out a long sigh as he left me there with hot water pelting my skin.
I
worked to reconcile the girl I was a few weeks ago with the new one I was becoming. Never in a million years would I have gotten in a public pool naked, much less fucked some hot guy in one.
"Or have sex in a public shower." I closed my eyes and let my teeth sink into my lip as Tate got back in the shower.
"Come here, baby. I want to watch your face while I take you."
I turned and wrapped my arms around him as he lifted me up and pressed my back to the wall behind me. After wrapping my legs around him, I locked gazes with him and fell in love watching him make love to me. I expected hard and fast, but that's not at all what I got.
I got deep and slow as he rubbed his chest against mine and touched the side of my face. He didn't break the stare as we brought each other over the edge again. The need to tell him that I loved him was almost too much to hold back, but I did.
It was too soon, though the time would come before I knew it.
He pressed his forehead against mine and smiled before closing his eyes and nodding. "You're mine, Val. All mine. Only mine."
I didn't need to speak or confirm his statement.
We both already knew it was the truth.
Chapter 27
Tate
After making love to my girl at the gym, I took her back home and promised to work on her car the next day. I slept like a rock and found my mother gone the next morning when I got up. Valentine's car wouldn't start or turn over, which was frustrating, but Jerry would let me borrow one of our two tow trucks to get it and haul it up to the shop.
I'd talked myself into putting school off for a while by the time I got to my first class that morning. The professor was teaching on something that I found interesting, and though I'd miss learning something new every other day, I'd deal with it.
Mom might have gotten a small raise, but we still needed more money at the house. The bills from the hospital would show up soon, and they were never cheap.
"Tate, a moment, please?" My psychology professor glanced up and smiled at me as everyone was packing up.