Two Hard

by Amy Brent

  Sharise pursed her lips, wondering if she would find out there was something deeper to this man than his fixation on sports. “Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell. It was one of the more interesting things I've read lately.”

  Ben nodded. “I've heard of that one. It jumps around a lot, between different timelines and characters? Pretty impressive, if you ask me. I can't imagine how someone could weave together so many different story lines and do it so effectively. Though I'm always interested in authors who challenge the traditional narrative structure.”

  Sharise stared at Ben, her eyes wide, trying to keep her jaw from dropping open. It had been a long time since she'd met a man who could actually discuss literature with her. “So you're not a fan of traditional structure then, I take it?”

  “Oh, I enjoy a good traditional literary work as much as anyone else. But the old formula gets stale after awhile. It's nice to see books that play around with the format, moving between different timelines and perspectives, or weaving together multiple character arcs. When it's done well, it can be really compelling.”

  “Well.” Sharise leaned her elbows on the table, looking at this man in a whole new light. “I must say, I'm impressed. Most people I know say they'd rather wait until the movie or TV show is out instead of reading a book.”

  Ben waved a hand dismissively. “I don't watch TV. Except for ESPN.”

  They chatted for awhile longer, sharing a bottle of wine. Sharise started to relax, glad that she had given this unusual, yet compelling man a chance. She was genuinely enjoying the evening, and after dinner and dessert were over, she found she didn't want the night to end.

  After he finished his last glass of wine, Ben stood up and offered her his hand. “Come on. I want to show you something.”

  She arched her eyebrows, curious, but took his hand anyway. He led her to the elevator, then inserted a key into a slot near the bottom. The elevator started to rise, going up past the highest floor listed on the buttons. When it opened, she stepped out into a spacious room and her breath caught in her throat. They were in a luxurious penthouse suite, with broad floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the entire city. The lights of the city sparkled below them like a sea of stars, and she started to get just a bit dizzy from the feeling of being up so high.

  “Beautiful, isn't it?” Ben asked.

  “I bet you ask that of all the girls,” Sharise said.

  Ben chuckled and slipped his arms around her. “I don't bring just any girl up here. Like I said, I don't care for anything or anyone who's just average.”

  He pulled her close and leaned down, pressing his lips against her mouth.

  Sharise hesitated at first, but his lips felt warm and firm against hers. She let her body meld against his, while his hands caressed her curves. His hands were warm and strong against her soft, caramel skin. Her head felt light, either from the wine, the altitude, or the lust. She couldn't believe that this night was real. But Ben's body felt very real pressed against hers.

  He led her over to the sofa and laid her down on it, lowering his body atop hers while he tasted her lips. She wrapped her legs around him, eager for more. He reached up and pulled down the straps of her dress and bra, exposing her full, firm breasts. He took them in his hands, kneading her soft caramel flesh. She gasped and whimpered. It had been a long time since anyone had touched her like that. She didn't want him to stop.

  He pressed his body closer against her, until she could feel his hardness through his pants. She reached down and grabbed it, squeezing it and rubbing her fingers up and down its length. He groaned and leaned back, unzipping his pants to give her full access. She rubbed him in firm, quick strokes, getting him even more worked up. He started pulling down her dress, and she knew he wouldn't be able to wait much longer before he got what she wanted. Part of her still wanted to hesitate, to wait and save this for another night. But her sensible objections were lost in the waves of arousal passing over her. She needed him, needed a night of passion. And she knew that this was a situation where Ben was right: there was no point in accepting anything average when she could embrace the extreme pleasures that life had to offer.

  She pulled off her panties and spread her legs for him. Ben grinned and knelt on the couch, then slid himself inside of her. He took her hard and fast, driving it in deep and pinning her down on the couch. She clung to the cushions, biting her lower lip as moans of pleasure erupted from her throat. The man had the stamina of an athlete and he knew exactly what he wanted. He didn't stop until he'd driven her over the edge and she floated in wave after wave of orgasm, then he leaned down closer and held her body tight against him as he was driven to the edge himself.

  Right at the end, he almost pulled out, but she grabbed his face and held it close to hers. “No. Inside me.”

  He didn't hesitate, and they clung to each other as his seed filled her. Then he collapsed on top of her, sweaty and breathless, and they held each other until their bodies cooled down and the euphoria passed into a tender, comfortable silence they shared together.

  In the morning, they had breakfast together while looking out at the cityscape that spread out below them. They at in a comfortable silence, though Sharise couldn't help wondering about the question that had plagued her mind since they first woke up. Towards the end of the meal, she finally asked him, “So, Ben, what was this to you?”

  He paused with his knife and fork in hand. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean last night. Us. Was this just about experiencing another thrill? Or is there something more to it?”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “You mean, was this just a one night stand?”

  She nodded, a slight pout on her lips.

  He got up and moved around the table to kneel beside her. He took her hands in his and kissed them. “I told you, I don't do anything half-assed or average. I'd never get involved with a woman just for a quick, easy experience. Whatever I do in life, I commit myself to it fully.”

  “So that means you want to see me again?” she asked, her breath caught in her chest.

  “Absolutely.”

  They kissed, then got dressed. They spent the rest of the day together, and over the next few weeks, they saw each other regularly. Ben took her out to dinner at fancy restaurants. He took her on tours of the city's museums, including some private exhibits that he had to pull a few strings to get access to. They drove up to New York and saw a few shows on Broadway. He even convinced her to go to a few football games and see how the Philadelphia Eagles were doing this season. She didn't enjoy the game itself too much, but she had a good time anyway, especially when she saw how excited Ben got every time his team scored a touchdown. He was so passionate about everything in life, from his sports to the way he doted on her and worked hard to show her the time of her life.

  Though as their relationship wore on, there were days that he was less and less available. He seemed too busy to spend time with her, and it started to make her wonder if he was losing interest. For awhile, she wasn't sure how to bring it up. Then finally one day, while they were having dinner at Ben's penthouse, she worked up the courage and asked the question that had been bothering her for some time.

  “Ben?” she asked.

  He looked up at her, raising his eyebrows questioningly.

  “Is something wrong?”

  He frowned in confusion, then wiped his mouth with a napkin and asked, “What do you mean?”

  “With us.” She folded her hands on the table, giving him a serious look.

  He shook his head, still wearing a confused frown. “I don't think so. Why? Did you think there was something wrong?”

  “Well, you've been so...distant lately. It feels like you only have time for me on the weekends. We used to go out a few nights each week.”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “Oh. Is that what this is about?”

  She frowned. He got up and brought his chair around to her side of the table so he could sit with her and put his arm around her. �
�There's nothing wrong at all. I've just been starting up a new training regimen. It's been eating up a lot of my time. But I'll find some time to rearrange things and make sure I have more time for you.”

  “Training regimen?” Sharise asked. “What for?”

  “Well, there's this decathlon coming up,” he said. “Running, high jump, long jump, hurdles, javelins. It's in Italy this fall. I've got to get in shape if I'm going to make it.”

  She shook her head, frowning in confusion. “Wait, what did you just say? Italy?”

  He grinned wide. “Yeah, it's gonna be great. I was gonna tell you about it when it got closer. I'll be overseas for a few weeks. I was going to ask if you wanted to come with me.”

  Her face went pale. She counted the months between now and then, a sickening feeling developing in her gut. She couldn't go to Italy in the fall. She would have loved to visit another country, and she knew Italy was beautiful and full of history. But the timing couldn't be worse.

  “What's wrong, babe?” he asked. “I thought you'd be excited. Look, I know you don't like it when I do something where I could get hurt, but this isn't like the obstacle racing. The odds of me getting hurt are slim.”

  She shook her head, keeping her eyes down on the table. “It's not that.”

  “Then what is it?” He ran his fingers through her hair, giving her a concerned look.

  She got up and stepped away from the table, looking out over the city. “I wish you'd told me about this sooner. You shouldn't have made plans like this without telling me.”

  He followed her, stepping up behind her and wrapping his arms around her. “I've been planning this since before we met. I didn't think it'd be a big deal. It's months from now. I thought you'd be happy.”

  She hung her head, letting out a long sigh. “Ben, I can't go to Italy with you.”

  “Why not? I thought you'd love it there.”

  “Because I'm pregnant.”

  He stepped back. She looked up at him, trying to understand the expression on his face. He looked stunned, but she couldn't tell if he was happy and excited, or scared and panicking.

  “Pregnant?” he asked. “What...how?”

  She gave him a wry smile. “Look, I know I'm the doctor and you're not, but surely you can figure out the 'how' by yourself.”

  “No, I mean,” he shook his head, frowning, “I thought you were using birth control.”

  “I was.” She shrugged. “Sometimes it fails. I just found out last week.”

  He paced around the kitchen, running his hands through his hair. “Wow. Pregnant. Wow.”

  She watched him pace, still unable to tell how he was taking it, other than being shocked. “When your Italy trip runs around, I'll either be too pregnant to fly, or I'll have a newborn to take care of. Either way, a vacation overseas isn't really an option.”

  He looked up at her. A grin slowly spread across his face. “Really? I mean, you're sure.”

  “Of course I'm sure,” she said. She'd gone to one of her OBGYN colleagues as soon as she'd suspected, and the tests had confirmed it.

  “Wow.” He laughed, shaking his head. “I'm going to be a dad. Wow.”

  She took a hesitant step forward. “You...you're happy?”

  “Of course I'm happy!” He stepped forward and put his hands on her shoulders. “This is amazing. Look, I'll cancel the decathlon. I don't need to go.”

  “Are you sure?” She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “I don't want to be a burden. I don't want to take away something you've been looking forward to.”

  He touched his fingers under her chin. “Hey, remember what I always say? I don't do anything half-assed or average. I'm going to be a father. And that means I'm going to be the most kick-ass extreme dad there's ever been. From now on, I've only got one thing to focus on, and that's our baby.”

  She smiled, the tension fading away from her chest. She pulled him close and hugged him tight. “Oh, thank God. I thought...”

  “What? You thought I'd leave you or something?” He shook his head and stroked her hair. “No way, babe. I'm in this for the long haul. When I commit to something, I put it above everything else. And that means from this day forward, you, and this baby, are my number one priorities.”

  They sat together that night and spent hours talking about all of the plans they'd need to make. Ben had an endless stream of questions. He asked how far along she was, when she thought the conception had actually occurred, when she was due, and how she was feeling. He also had a lot of medical questions about hormones, morning sickness, and everything else Sharise would be going through over the next few months. She explained everything as best she could, though she knew she would need to get him a few books for expectant fathers before all of his questions could be answered.

  Later in the night, he started kissing her, his hands roaming over her rich, caramel skin. He was more tender and gentle than she was used to, almost as if he were afraid of hurting her. He put a hand on her voluptuous thigh, and started sliding it higher, then pulled away nervously.

  She grabbed his hand and guided it slowly between her legs. “It's okay, baby,” she whispered. “Touch me.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked. He looked up at her nervously. The man who wouldn't hesitate to climb over a stone wall, swim through ice water, and risk breaking a leg running through the mud, now hesitated to touch her in an intimate moment.

  “It's okay,” she said. “You won't hurt me.”

  He started rubbing her gently, and her body felt warm. She was used to him being eager and energetic when they fucked. Their times together had been intimate, but not usually this tender. “I won't hurt the baby?”

  She smiled at him and kissed his forehead. “It's okay, dear. Trust me. Just be gentle.”

  She took his hands and led him into the bedroom. They shared a deep, intimate kiss, while she slowly undid his pants and dropped them to the floor. Every moment was drawn out, savored as if it would never return. Her fingers caressed his firm muscles while he tenderly touched her most precious places. They climbed onto the bed and he lowered himself atop her, holding his body up a few inches from her, as if he were afraid of crushing her. She gently coaxed him to relax, to press his body against hers. And when he slid himself inside of her, instead of the hard, eager thrusting she was used to, his every movement was slow and deliberate. He made love to her with the utmost care, moving slowly while she stroked his hair and his face. She whispered softly into his ear, spurring him on, telling him when he hit just the right spot. Then she pulled him close and cradled his head against her shoulder, holding him tight while he built up to the slow climb towards a powerful, mind-blowing orgasm.

  Afterwards, they laid there together in the dark. Ben gently placed a hand over her stomach. She took his hand and slid it lower, over her womb, where the new life inside of her was slowly growing.

  “Sharise?” he whispered into the darkness.

  “Yes, Ben?”

  “Do you think I'm going to be a good father?”

  She looked into his eyes in the darkened room. She had never seen him so unsure of himself. This was the man who had refused her advice as a doctor and run a race with a leg that had barely healed after a break. The man who had pursued her with confidence and certainty, never hesitating to go after what he wanted. But now, when faced with something bigger than anything he had achieved in his life, he seemed uncertain. Even scared.

  “I think you're going to be wonderful,” she said.

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “I know you'll provide our baby with everything it needs,” she said. “I know you'll love it and care for it and help it to grow and learn. I have no doubt that this child will grow up with supporting parents and an amazing life.”

  She thought about it for a moment, then added one more thing. “There's just one thing you need to promise me.”

  “What's that?” He laid there for a moment, tense, waiting to hear her question.

  She s
mirked at him. “If our child ever gets hurt, like every child inevitably does, don't tell them to 'tough it out' like their macho dad always does. For once, listen to your doctor.”

  He laughed and kissed her, holding her tight. “Definitely,” he said. “I promise I'll keep our baby safe. And when they grow up, they are never running with the Tough Mudders. That stuff is way too dangerous.”

  “Well,” Sharise said, grinning at him, “it's about damn time you finally admitted it.”

  BBW BILLIONAIRE SPORTS ROMANCE

  RIDE

  Chapter one

  Tina was sitting there in her office looking over reports and there was a knock on her door. She had told her Secretary Jennifer to leave her alone for the next half an hour. She wanted to catch up with her work and not be bothered by any kind of interference that might keep her from getting out of here early tonight for a change.

  The knock was this resounding echo that drummed into her skull. She was getting annoyed and tried to put it out of her mind, but it wasn’t going away. “Jennifer, I don’t think that I have to tell you this again, but I’m not ready for any of your nonsense.” She had long dirty blond hair and a body that she tried to hide from those eager eyes. She couldn’t deny that her work in the gym lately had gotten her the results that she was looking for.

  “I really think that you should come out here, Dr. Sterling.” Jennifer stood on the other side of the door looking over her shoulder nonchalantly at the man that had just entered. He had walked in like he owned the place and was sitting there in a pinstripe suit looking as dapper as ever. “I don’t think that this guy’s going to take no for an answer. He won’t leave, until he talks to you face to face. I’ve tried to tell him that he could come back later, but he says it’s a matter of life and death.” Jennifer knew that this man was only using that term to get a quick response.

  “Tell him that I don’t have time and that he should come back later. If he continues to be a nuisance, then just give him a card to one of the other doctors in the building. I’m sure that one of them will be able to see him in the manner that he requests. I will not be coerced into seeing a new patient. If you need to, you can tell him that I only see female patients.” Tina was getting this migraine. She knew that eventually she was going to have to pop a couple of pills to get rid of it. It was always that way on a Friday afternoon when things had piled up on her desk. She was a bit of a procrastinator. Her mother had warned her that these days would weigh heavily on her shoulders.