“A test?” I say, raising my eyebrows.
“Yeah, like, a pregnancy test?” He says, trying to keep his voice even.
I laugh and shake my head. “What are you talking about?”
“I know it sounds crazy, but maybe that’s why you’re sick.” His eyes are scanning my face.
“Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the flu,” I whisper, as if it’s a scandal. “Besides, we’ve used something every time.”
“Yeah, well. . . “ He says, looking away.
“Well, what?” I ask, my voice getting defensive. “Did it break or something and you didn’t tell me?”
“No!” He shakes his head. He runs his hand through his hair as he continues, “Just, Tiffany said something kind of weird.”
I roll my eyes. I never wanted to hear her name from his lips ever again.
“At the cabin party, she slipped a condom in my wallet. I didn't pay attention, and you and I used it on Christmas Eve. When she came to my place to apologize, she told me not to use it. Obviously it was too late,” he says, looking away.
Suddenly the floor is buckling beneath me and I have to sit back on the bed. Of course she would tamper with a condom to try to trap him. Even the timing made sense for me to- I can’t even think it.
“Let’s just see what happens,” I say. “See if it gets worse. If the nausea doesn’t go away, I’ll take one.”
“Breezy, let’s just take it now. That we don’t have to worry about it if it's nothing. It says first morning pee is best, anyway,” he says, and I see he has the box already laid out on the counter.
“God, were you studying it last night or something?!” I ask, feeling a strange mixture of annoyance and amusement.
He shrugs and helps me to my feet. The cool bathroom tile feels like ice on my feet, and I try to come up with another excuse not to take it. But he’s shushing me and handing me the stick. My panic is matched with his calm.
“So you just hold it under the stream for a few seconds, then lay it on the counter,” He explains from behind the door. “We check it in two minutes.”
“Okay. Go away,” I say, closing my eyes tightly. As annoyed as I am, I’m glad that he read the instructions. There’s no way I could understand them right now, however simple they may be. I do as he says and wash my hands. I can’t bring myself to look at the test.
He hears the sink and pokes his head in. The stress of the situation prevents me from getting a good look at him, but he appears more interested than scared. I sit on the edge of the tub and cover my face.
“Has it been two minutes yet?” I ask through my hands. He sits next to me, his strong arm holding me against him. Feeling the solidness of his frame reminds me that this is real, even though it seems like a dream.
“Hey,” he says, taking my hands in his. I lift my face to see him properly. His blue eyes are blazing with sincerity and love. “We'll be alright. No matter what. Okay?”
I nod, but I’m not sure I can bring myself to believe him. We’ve only been together a few weeks, and even though we’ve known each other forever, what if that’s not enough? Plus, I had plans and goals. How would I accomplish those with a baby?
His phone chimes. “It’s time to look.”
I cover my face with my hands again and shake my head. “I can’t look, Sean. You look.”
He gives my hand a squeeze and stands up. For what feels like a lifetime, he analyzes the stick. I hear his footsteps as he walks towards the tub, then I feel him sit next to me.
“It’s positive, Breezy,” he says. His voice sounds surprised, but laced with happiness.
“What?! No!” I say, and I snatch the stick from his hand. “How do you know?!”
“See the two lines?” he points.
I squint, and sure enough, there is a faded second line that appeared.
“It’s barely even there!” I say. “You can’t count that as a positive.”
“Breezy, it is. The instructions say that a faint line counts as positive,” He says calmly.
I stand up and rustle through the instructions to see for myself. He’s right. Tears are brimming around my eyes, and I blink them back in disbelief.
He’s next to me, wrapping his strength around me and holding me tightly against him. I sob into his shirt and he kisses my head. “It’s okay. It’s okay.” He soothes. I say nothing and cry. Through the reflection of the mirror, I can see him smiling as he holds me close.
Sean
“How are you so calm?” She asks before taking a drink of bottled water. Her eyes are weepy and her voice shaky.
I shrug. I wasn’t calm last night. In fact, I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned, thinking about every possible outcome. Every extreme passed my mind, from losing Bree to making a family. That’s when I realized that the outcome that frightened me the most was not having Bree in my life at all. Having a baby was scary, sure, but only because it was unknown. She'll be an excellent mother, even if she is young. Plus, we have strong family support and soon, I'll be earning a good salary.
That’s the hope, anyway.
“You’re so Goddamn beautiful, Breezy. Inside and out,” I say, touching her heart with my fingers. “We got this.”
“Sean, I don’t think you know what this means, A baby is work! We need to have our shit together. We have to grow up.” She’s looking at me out of the corner of her eye.
"What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, trying not to take offense, but the look she gave me makes it impossible not to. She lifts her hands as if exasperated.
“Let’s face it, you don’t have the best track record of choices,” she says. Then she softens her voice when she sees my face. “I’m sorry, but it’s true. You have to know that it’s true.”
Yeah. It was true. I’d fucked up most of my life. I ran with a wild crowd. I broke laws. I even did a little time. Most every decision I made was made recklessly. I’ve disappointed every single person close to me. The only thing I've ever got right was football.
Football and Bree.
I don’t say anything, and she crawls into my lap. “I’m sorry,” she murmurs, nuzzling into my neck.
“Don’t be sorry. You’re right,” I say. “I’m just frustrated because I can see Us. I can see how good we’ll be together. I don’t want my messed up past to ruin our future. It’s different now,” I say, and she’s kissing my neck. “I’ll be better.”
“I want you just the way you are,” she says. “I always have. I’m just scared.”
“Me too.” I admit. “But I think it will work out okay. Our baby will be so lucky to have you for a momma.”
She rests her weight into me. She fits perfectly in my arms, and I close my eyes to inhale the scent of her hair. I’m so full of love that I can barely breathe.
“You’ll be a good daddy, too,” she says, her fingers tracing shapes into my tattoos. She peeks up at me through dark lashes, and I can see that her face is still clouded with worry.
“What are you thinking?” I whisper. She shrugs and takes a deep breath. I brace myself, ready to hear everything.
“Just . . . our parents aren’t even used to us dating, yet. My mom and dad are going to be really disappointed. It’s going to be really hard for me to finish school, if I even can finish. I’m afraid because you and I are so new together. I don’t know what to do about money.” She inhales sharply.
I squeeze her tightly, acknowledging that I had the benefit of ruminating on everything last night. I’m not nearly as frightened as I was when I first learned of the possibility.
“Breezy, our parents are going to be over-the-moon happy. Maybe not at first, but by the time our little one is here . . .” I say into her hair.
She nods. “My parents are older, too. I was always afraid they might not . . . I’m just glad they’ll be around for it. That’s one good thing.”
“Right. And my parents will just be grateful that I somehow managed to catch someone of your caliber,” I say, shaking my head. Bree giggles and
squirms happily in my arms. “Let’s see. What else were you worried about? Money? Baby, do you know how much pro players make?”
“That’s not a sure thing. . . “ She says quietly.
“Yeah it is. I decided last night that if the test was positive, I'd declare. The minimum starting salary for a first year player is a little under half a million. I don't mean to be cocky, but I'll be a pretty high rank. I'll get a better offer than that.” I explain, watching her eyes widen.
“Oh.”
“God, I love you for not knowing that,” I laugh. I pull her backwards so we’re against the bed and kiss her neck. She moans softly, and the sounds shoots straight through me. I’m hard against her thigh, and she parts her legs for me to grind against her. Her nails glide up my tattoos, sending shivers down my back. Her sweet mouth greets mine eagerly, but I lay her back against the sheets.
All I want to do is look at her.
Her dark curls are splashed across the pillows, and her dusky skin glows warmly in the lamplight. Shining eyes and a mouth parted in want complete the picture. She’s a goddess, and for the millionth time, I’m reminded how lucky I am to have her. And to think, she’s carrying part of me with her.
I lower myself against her gently, taking extra care around her stomach.
“It’s okay, Sean. We can just be normal,” She whispers. Maybe so, but not yet. Not while everything seems so new. I move slow. Excruciatingly slow. My lips brush her collarbone, and I peel off the shirt she’s wearing to explore every part of her in detail. Her fingers are in my hair as I kiss along her ribs. My hands find their way to their favorite spot, the curve where her ass meets her thick thighs.
Her moans fill the air as I lower my head farther down. She helps me shimmy down her panties until they drop to the carpet. Trailing kisses from her ankles back to her belly button, my hands and tongue can’t get enough of her salty sweetness. I want to stay like this forever, kissing her skin, but my own primal need is overwhelming.
I dip my head between her thighs, and she parts them readily. She’s grasping the sheets and all I can hear is the rustle of bedding and her sharp inhalations as I taste her. I gauge her reactions as I move my tongue, remembering the rhythm she likes best. I’m rewarded by the breathy moans and arching back I’ve grown to crave.
Her fingers wind their way through my hair and she presses me down. I smile to myself as I feel her guiding me where she wants me. She’s grown bold.
“Right there,” She gasps, holding my tight against her. She’s everywhere around me, and it’s still not enough. I have to have her. I need to give myself to her. But not yet. I can’t stop until she’s calling my name.
My tongue is working overtime, and I feel like I’m going to explode just from her taste and moans. She starts bucking against my face, and I hold her hips to stay with her. She moves where she wants and I’m along for the ride. I keep my rhythm and I can feel every muscle in her body tense. She’s close.
I moan against her delicate spot and she hands hold me tighter. Her thighs start to close around me, but I keep her open. Then I hear the sweet sound of my name on her lips, and she shakes beneath me. I stay with her as she grinds against my face, until her muscles begin to relax and she sinks back into the bed.
She pulls me up and strips off my shirt. Her eyes are wide and curious, the way they always are as I pull my jeans off. Her hand glides along my hardness, stroking me. I close my eyes and feel her work me.
“Does this mean we don’t have to use anything?” She asks, her eyes trying hard to conceal a naughty glint.
My eyes widen and she laughs at my reaction. “What?” she asks, still moving her hand up and down. She’s almost an expert at what I like, now.
“Nothing. I’ve just never had that before,” I say, and I can feel the color rising to my cheeks. I bend back down, kissing her neck and shoulders.
“Well, I’m glad I can be your first in some way,” She laughs.
“You’ll be my last, Breezy. Nobody but you,” I whisper as I position myself between her legs. Her smile disappears and her eyes grow serious. For a moment I think she wants to stop, but then her hands find my hips and she’s pulling me passionately. She spills kisses along my neck and chest, frantic. All the work I did below is now irrelevant. My words made her ravenous and needy with want. And there's no waiting.
I swallow hard because I’m about to feel all of her, no barriers. I'm between her thighs, and I can feel the warmth from her against my cock. It already feels incredible, and with the way she’s writhing beneath me, there’s no way I’ll last. Thank God I used my mouth first. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, like I’m about to dive into a pool.
With one hard thrust, I’m inside her. She moans as I enter and brings her legs around my hips, pulling me deeper. The warm wetness surrounds me, and suddenly I’m drawing X’s and O’s and running plays in my head to keep from losing myself. But she’s wiggling and moving, and for the life of me, I can’t concentrate on anything but being inside her.
“Easy,” I whisper. But my warning just encourages her more. Her legs hold my hips tight and she’s twisting, moaning every time we circle past the 12 o’clock position inside her. I look at her face but then have to close my eyes. She’s so fucking hot, arched back and bouncing tits, using me.
I can feel her clenching around me, and I give a few gentle thrusts, just trying to acclimate myself to the new senses of being completely bare. “Fuck me, Sean,” She pleads, and I have no choice.
Holding her wrists above her head, I rake my free hand down the length of her body. My thrusts are slow and deliberate, each one with a purpose. A singular goal of making her cum before I release. I just have to ignore the perfect wetness and the sounds she’s making.
Except it’s impossible to ignore. I’m aching, wanting more than anything to fill her with myself. She’s making the sexiest whimpering sounds with my every movement, and I swear that it’s for the sole purpose of torturing me. The wicked smile she flashes me when we make eye contact confirms it.
Taking her hips, I hold her firmly in place. Then I do the same rotating movements she was doing herself, making sure to hit the top of her slit with every circle. I’ll teach her what happens when she teases me. Her smile slips away, and she’s gripping my wrists now. Her eyes are closed tightly and she’s biting her lips.
She grows quiet. The kind of quiet that comes before a storm. Her body is tight and her legs are trembling. Below, It feels as if it’s raining around me.
“Sean-” She begins, but she isn’t able to finish telling me what I already know. The first clench comes and any hope I held for being able to hold off are dashed. She feels like she’s simultaneously pulling me and pushing me away. With each pull she draws me further inside.
I groan as I feel myself drawing up and shooting inside her. She’s still clenching and her body is rolling, taking everything I have, milking me completely. Her eyes are shut in ecstasy, but I can’t keep my eyes off her.
Her beautiful mouth is open and her gorgeous breasts are full. I can't believe I’m inside her. And to think, I’m the lucky son of a bitch who has a prayer of keeping her. The thought overwhelms me, and I can’t help but close my eyes tightly as the final shiver rolls through me.
I collapse next to her, my heart hammering. All I want to do is pull her close to me and sleep. I want to savor the emptiness from below and the fullness of my heart. But her face is next to mine and her eyes are shining.
“I love you,” I say, stroking her prominent collarbone.
“I love you, too,” She whispers, kissing me. She smiles, content, against my lips. The weight of the situation is lifting, giving way to only happiness.
"You know I'll take care of you, right? No matter what," I say, my heart making an unbreakable oath. She nods and gently brushes my cheek with her fingertip, sweeping away a fallen eyelash.
"Make a wish," she says softly. She holds the lash out before my lips, waiting for me to blow it away.
I shake my head, and I place my hand on her warm tummy. My chest is so tight that it might burst. My mind is filled of Bree and our baby, and there's no room for anything else.
I have everything I've wished for.
Lucky Catch
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* * *
Jake
* * *
I’ve been called a lot of things: cocky, superstar athlete, womanizer . . . superstitious.
I have a routine. Same socks, same playlist, same breakfast. But the same woman?
* * *
She was supposed to be a one-night stand, a way to mend my ego. But after a steamy night together, I put up the best game of my life. Now, with a championship on the line, I need all the luck I can get. So I have a new goal: getting her in my bed before every game.
* * *
The problem with superstitions is when you play your best after hooking up with a girl who doesn't want a repeat performance, you have to reassess your game. Off the field.
* * *
Kirsten
* * *
I’m his math tutor. I’m supposed to behave professionally. There are boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed.
* * *
But Jacob Shaw doesn’t care. He’s already trespassed into my every thought, and made it perfectly clear he wants more. He wants me. In every way possible . . . and every position.
* * *
He’s irresistible, but my reputation is on the line and my heart has already been broken. Do I really want to risk everything for a man who thinks I'm his good-luck f*ck?
* * *
This is a full-length standalone novel.
* * *
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Snapped: A Sports Romance Page 11