Play Hard

by V. K. Sykes

  Jake had forced himself to listen as patiently he could to Nate’s story. Now, he got up and began pacing the length of his sparsely furnished living room, his thoughts in turmoil. He stopped at the window overlooking the Delaware River far below, staring blindly at the view. After a few minutes, he finally turned to Nate. “I shouldn’t be too surprised, I guess. Robbie always had this kind of thing in him, and I knew it. He loves to live large, and he’s always run through money like water through a sieve. And yeah, I knew he liked to gamble. He was always running off to Vegas or Atlantic City whenever he got a chance. But I never, ever expected him to be betting on baseball.” He rubbed his hand over his face, trying to figure out what the hell to do about it.

  “It’s a total fuck-up,” Nate agreed. “But something’s gotta be done. Can you talk to him?”

  Jake sighed. “I don’t know if it’ll work, but I have to try. We have to get him to stop the betting, and right now.” He pondered for a few moments. “Not to mention pay off Nazarian for whatever he owes him. Maybe that’ll keep the lid from blowing off this thing. Once we get that taken care of, I’ll see if I can get him some help for the gambling.”

  Nate blew out a relieved breath. He put his beer bottle down and got up. “Sorry to dump this on you, but we can’t let Robbie drag the whole team through the mud for his jackass mistakes. Just let me know what I can do to help, okay?”

  Jake walked Nate to the door to let him out. Then he returned to the window, leaning his head against the glass. He fell into thought, trying to figure out what he could possibly say to Robbie to avert what would surely become a complete and total cluster-fuck for them all.

  * * *

  Jake was still mulling over his conversation with Nate when he pulled into one of the extra underground parking spaces at Maddie’s condo. It helped that his Tahoe didn’t have to be seen in front of her building almost every night, but he knew it was only a matter of time until someone put two and two together. He constantly worried about how such a discovery could affect their budding relationship, and now he had Robbie’s problems to deal with, too. That was a complication he truly didn’t need.

  As he rode the elevator up to Maddie’s floor, Jake ran possible scenarios involving Robbie over in his head. He knew for sure it wasn’t going to be an easy conversation. Robbie had an explosive temper, and he would almost certainly tell Jake to piss off. Jake was tempted to do that already, but he couldn’t—not when the team’s reputation was at stake.

  In fact, he had no intention of being blown off at all. He’d get a straight answer out of Robbie even if he had to pick the little knucklehead up and hang him on a coat rack until he came clean. And if he could manage to extract the truth, then he could also probably get Robbie to agree to seek help for his gambling.

  As he headed down the corridor to Maddie’s apartment, Jake tried to let go of his tension. The last thing he wanted was for Maddie to read his dark mood and start grilling him about it. He hated to keep a secret from her—there were already too many secrets complicating their lives—but there was no way she or any other reporter could be allowed even a hint of the kind of trouble Robbie had stepped into. That might mean hell to pay if she found out about it later, but he had to take the risk. He owed it to Robbie, and he owed it to the team.

  As soon as he quietly tapped on her door, Maddie unlatched the chain and let him in. He started to say hello but the words froze on his lips. Stunned, all he could do was drink in the sight of her.

  She closed the door and leaned against it, wearing only a sexy smile and a pink baby-doll nightgown that barely covered her perfectly rounded curves. The transparent, silky material skimmed her creamy breasts and taut stomach. Peeking out from under the nightgown were lacy panties in a matching shade of pink. It took a few seconds for his brain to fully register the unexpected but luscious vision, but his body was way ahead, already painfully aroused.

  Maddie went up on tiptoe to kiss him full on the mouth, leaning into him. He let that last for about a nanosecond before sweeping her into his arms. She looked good enough to eat, and he intended to make her into a full course meal.

  “What did Nate want?” she asked in a husky tone as he carried her into her small but cheerily decorated living room. The room might be small but her pale pink sofa, loaded with puffy white pillows, was big and comfortably soft. Good thing too, since he’d never make it as far as the bedroom, not with Maddie looking like a little fantasy come to life.

  He laid her down on the sofa and started kissing her face and neck. “Oh, it wasn’t a big deal,” he said absently as he nibbled the satiny skin behind her ear. Right now, he could give a shit about anything but the sweet, feminine package in his arms. “Nothing we can’t handle.”

  “Good,” Maddie breathed, “because I was a bit worried. I thought it had to be something pretty important if you were ready to bail on our dinner.”

  “Sorry about that,” he murmured, trailing kisses down to the delicate hollow of her throat.

  “I’m sure you’ll make it up to me.”

  Oh, yeah. Count on that, babe.

  Maddie sighed with pleasure as he took her breast and lightly stroked it, rasping the silky material across her nipple until it drew into to a tight, rosy bead. “Sorry about the loss today,” she murmured breathlessly as she arched into his hand.

  “It was a lousy game. We lost, and I sucked big time.” Fortunately, he knew just the remedy for his troubles.

  Maddie gave a little gasp as he ran his other hand up the inside of her thigh and lightly rubbed his index finger along the seam of her sexy little panties. God, she was already wet.

  She let her legs drop open, sighing with pleasure. “Maybe I can help take your mind off it.”

  “I’m confident about that,” Jake growled, tugging first one strap and then the other from her shoulders. The wispy fabric slithered down, exposing her plump, gorgeous breasts. He circled one rigid tip with his tongue, then sucked it into his mouth, licking and biting it gently as she squirmed beneath him. Maddie fumbled with his belt and zipper to reach his swollen cock through his briefs. It was already so engorged the tip was protruding past his waistband. Jake groaned, his mouth still on her, as she ran her fingers up and down his shaft, then moved lower to cup and caress his balls.

  Only able to tolerate that action for a few moments, Jake pulled back, yanked his shirt over his head, and stripped off his pants and briefs. Pulling Maddie quickly into a semi-sitting position on the couch, he kneeled in front of her. He slid her panties down her slender legs as she pulled the flimsy gown over her head, her luscious tits bouncing slightly as she did so. She was completely, gloriously naked and, as he took in the sight of her, Jake couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have found her. Luring Maddie to that restaurant in La Jolla was the smartest thing he’d ever done.

  He slipped both hands under her bottom, tilting her up to his mouth. He inhaled, breathing in her scent and feeling his cock stiffen even more in anticipation. Maddie spread her legs wider, her breath coming in excited pants.

  Jake ran his tongue over her soft outer folds, licking her to a creamy heat. When she began writhing with pleasure, he circled her clit, then flicked the hard little nub with the tip of his tongue. She gasped, pressing her head against the cushions of the sofa.

  As he draped her legs over his shoulders, he glanced up. She was the most erotic sight he had ever seen, with her back arched, thrusting her breasts high, and her sex all soft and wet, ready for his cock. Jake increased the intensity, taking her clit into his mouth and sucking it deeply as his fingers stroked and probed her slick heat. Gently sliding two fingers deep inside her, he stretched her, feeling her muscles grip. His need flashed into urgency.

  He sat back and whispered, “Turn over, sweetheart.” He gently applied pressure to help her shift her position. As she settled her face into the sofa, her sweet ass tilted up, her arms out wide to her sides, Jake reached into his pants on the floor and pulled out a condom.

&nb
sp; Maddie stirred restlessly. “Hurry up, Jake. God, I want you in me now!”

  Stifling a shaky laugh, Jake unrolled the condom, then rubbed his fingers over her clit one more time. She was totally wet and ready, so he surged into her with a powerful thrust of his hips. Maddie cried out beneath him, but he knew it was a cry of pure pleasure, not discomfort.

  He continued to thrust, stroke upon stroke, his cock filling her completely. Maddie pushed her bottom against him, moving her hips to match his rhythm. She murmured sweet encouragement in a low, breathy voice, and every word made him wilder still. Pleasure and need built in an overwhelming crescendo.

  Just as he thought he couldn’t hold back a second longer, Maddie bucked her hips and cried out in a long, joyous wail. Jake gave in to the now-unstoppable urge and exploded inside her. He held tightly onto her hips, increasing the contact as she moaned softly beneath him. Then he slowly collapsed on top of her slim, damp body, stunned by the intensity of their shared climax.

  They lay in a tangled heap for several minutes, then Maddie slipped out from under him and walked unsteadily to the kitchen, returning with a large bottle of San Pellegrino and two glasses. Jake gratefully took the drink she poured for him and drained the tumbler in one long swallow.

  “Hell, that was hard work.” Jake hauled himself onto the sofa and indulged in a satisfied, lazy stretch. “But my dad always says hard work is good for you. He’s sure right about that.”

  Maddie looked at him with a pained expression on her still-flushed face. “Sometimes you are so corny, Jake Miller. But I love you that way.”

  Jake suddenly didn’t feel so relaxed. “Did I just hear you say you love me?” he blurted.

  Maddie blinked and her lips parted in a surprised oval, as if her own words had caught her unawares. “Um, I didn’t exactly mean to say that. I was saying I love it when you’re corny.” She looked down at her glass, as if embarrassed, but then sat on the couch, carefully apart from him. “But now that you’ve asked, the answer is a qualified yes—I think I am falling in love with you, which actually scares me to death. I don’t know how this is going to end up for us, but I promised myself that I would always be truthful with you. No lies and no holding back.” She finished with a hesitant, sweetly vulnerable smile.

  He felt an inconvenient stab of guilt as he thought about the stuff he was holding back from her, but he managed to shove it to the back of his mind. Robbie’s problems didn’t have anything to do with their relationship, anyway. And right now, Jake wanted to enjoy the hell out of what she had just revealed.

  Reaching across the gap between them, he slid her across the sofa and scooped her up into his lap. She let out a nervous giggle as he kissed her forehead, her nose, her chin and then her lips. He finally whispered in her ear. “I feel the same way, baby. And don’t worry, because we’ll work it out somehow. I know we will.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jake returned home well after midnight, but Robbie’s problems kept him from falling asleep. He knew only too well how mercurial his friend could be, as well as stubborn and even self-destructive. This wouldn’t be the first time Jake had to pull him out of a jam, but it was a bigger mess than he’d ever had to confront before. There was too much riding on it for him to fail, including the team’s reputation. If Robbie’s problems went public, they could trash the best season the Patriots were having in a long time.

  After a restless night spent tossing and turning, he decided to approach Robbie during the on-field workout. They could be relatively private there, but the presence of the other players and staff would, hopefully, keep Robbie from wigging out.

  As he pulled on his uniform in the locker room, Jake kept an eye on Robbie, whose stall was on the other side of the room. He could see right away that his friend was in rough shape. Instead of joking with the other guys as usual, he was dressing quietly with his head down. When another player asked him why he looked in the dumps, Robbie waved him off with an obviously forced laugh. With a sick feeling in his stomach, Jake figured Robbie was one short step away from disaster.

  On the field, after the players finished their stretches and sprints, he ambled over to where Robbie was standing near third base. Jake smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. “How are ya, little buddy? You’re looking a little grim.”

  Robbie paled under his tan, his gaze looking haunted. Jake knew right away there would be no quick repartee between friends today. “I’m okay,” he answered evasively. “I just feel a little crappy, that’s all. Maybe I’m coming down with something.”

  Nope. That bullshit wasn’t going to work. “Rob, we need to talk. Can we get together tonight after the game?”

  Robbie frowned and took a step back. “Uh, I don’t think so. Sorry, Jake, I’m going to be tied up.” His gaze darted nervously off to the side.

  “Well, you’ll have to get yourself untied,” Jake replied in a voice that left no room for argument. “Because I’m not taking no for an answer. We have to talk, and you know it.”

  Robbie’s face turned crimson. “What’s so goddamn important that you have to get on my case when I tell you I’m busy!” he snarled, his voice rising.

  Glancing at the other players, who were now watching them with curiosity, Jake gave Robbie’s shoulder a warning squeeze. “Just meet me after the game and we’ll talk. I’m on your side, Rob. Don’t ever forget that. But I’m not going to let this go, so get used to it.” Jake turned and walked away. Behind him, he heard Robbie curse loudly and kick a spray of dirt.

  * * *

  Maddie threaded her way through the cheerful chaos of the press box, exchanging quick greetings with the other reporters. As she took her regular seat, she automatically began scanning the field for Jake. She loved watching him play, zeroing in not just on his fabulous body, but also on the skills that were a testament to his strength and control. Okay, maybe she was zeroing in on his body first, but no one could blame her for that. Jake was a sex god and a sensitive lover, and she was still amazed by the way her body reacted with eager anticipation at the sight of him. She didn’t know whether it was a tingle, an ache, or a fire—or some combination of all three—but she knew she’d never felt anything remotely like it. Add in his intelligence and his genuinely decent nature, and the man was turning her world upside down. Sometimes she thought she’d simply burst with the joy of it.

  Last night had been a true turning point in their relationship, since they had finally acknowledged that what was happening between them was more than a casual affair. Admitting that she was falling in love with him had initially scared the crap out of her, but Jake had come right along with her. Now, a future together was no longer a theory. They had risen to the level of genuine emotional commitment. She was overwhelmed with happiness but, at the same time, huge obstacles remained to be overcome and Maddie couldn’t help but worry.

  Of course, worry was her middle name, but challenges were part of life, as her mother used to say. Nothing came without sacrifice and some pain, most especially love. Mom had always said love was worth the risk, and Maddie figured it was her turn to learn that lesson once and for all. With Jake, she thought she could do just that.

  The game was about to start, so she forced herself to stop mooning over Jake and focus on work. As she booted up her computer, the Patriots starting nine raced out onto the field. Jake took his position in right field, and Nate jogged to the mound, grabbed the rosin bag and pawed a trench in front of the rubber to give him better traction when he released the ball. While Maddie found it hard to tear her eyes away from Jake, she had to admit Nate was an incredibly imposing presence on the field. Nate’s and Jake’s combined skills and leadership were guiding the Patriots to one of their best seasons in years. Maddie couldn’t count the ways she was lucky to be part of it, not only in her personal life but in her professional life, too.

  As she took a closer look at Jake through her binoculars, she was surprised to see him frowning, his jaw set in a grim line. It wasn’t his usual game fac
e. She’d seen him play often enough now to know how he held himself, how he moved, how he talked chatter to his teammates. Today he looked on edge and jittery, and she couldn’t help wondering if his mood had something to do with the meeting he’d had yesterday with Nate. He’d told her it was no big deal, but it had been important enough to cancel their trip to the countryside that he’d been looking forward to as much as she had been.

  Her instincts began to stir. Something was wrong with Jake, and it was something she didn’t think she could ignore.

  * * *

  Baseball was all about focus, Jake grimly reminded himself. Focusing for nine long innings was one of the toughest things to do—a lot tougher than most people gave players credit for. Even if life off the field was a complete fucking mess, a ballplayer had no choice but to block all that out if he wanted to stay in the lineup. Jake had been playing pro ball for twelve years, and he still found that hard to do.

  Tonight, he was dogged by worries about Robbie and what he was going to say to him after the game. The fact that his friend was playing tonight, crouching in the shortstop’s position on the left side of the infield, made it even harder for Jake to put the coming confrontation out of his mind.

  From the very first inning, Robbie had been making a hash of things. After Nate retired the first two Braves’ hitters on strikeouts, their right fielder hit a hard grounder in Robbie’s direction. Robbie moved to his left, fielding the ball cleanly, and Cal Jones, the first baseman, moved into position to take an easy throw from him for the out. As Jones stretched to extend his glove toward the incoming ball, Jake had watched in dismay as Robbie’s rising throw passed four feet over Jones’s head, the ball ending up in the stands. Robbie’s careless error led directly to the first run of the game—an unearned one—as the Braves’ player jogged down to second then scored on the next play when the cleanup hitter stroked a single to right.