“Shhh,” she said. The sound of his banging and clanging would wake up Jake.
Seth emerged from the closet. “Come on.”
Morgan walked into the closet to see Seth had laid out a sleeping bag on the floor and had fashioned several pairs of jeans into makeshift pillows. She closed the doors behind her.
“Very classy.” She giggled as he pulled her down on the floor on top of him.
Morgan nipped Seth’s neck as he unbuttoned her shirt. The camisole she wore underneath was no match for his nibble fingers. He slid it off her with ease. She returned the favor by unbuttoning his shirt, careful not to tear the buttons off this one. As she slid the fabric down his sculpted arms, she caressed every muscle and moved to his back as he shrugged off his shirt. Seth flipped her over on her back and liberated them both from their jeans. He braced himself on his knees, and Morgan opened wide to welcome him. He looked at her for a moment and didn’t say a word, but she knew what he was thinking. The culmination of this intimate act, in a walk-in closet on a floor no less, would result in creating another life. Just like the perfect one that was spread out in the middle of their bed taking a nap during his first birthday party.
Seth raised her hips up a bit and plunged into her. The feel of that first contact of him inside of her never failed to take her by surprise like it was the first time they’d made love. Each moment with him was a series of first times that never got old. After all, his body was made for a rigorous, full body contact sport like football. He once told her that he used every muscle in his body when making love to her, just as he did on the field. He gave it his all, in pursuit of the lusty victory of claiming her as his and his alone.
The muscles tightened in his chest as he found the rhythm with her body. He pulled her up to meet him, and Morgan tightened her legs around his waist and anchored her arms around his neck. The satin and lace of her demi cut bra created a scintillating friction between them. Seth trailed kisses down and between her breasts, and he pulled at the bra with his teeth to expose a nipple. The feel of his breath so close made her skin tingle. He licked and sucked her nipples, and she shuddered—they’d become more sensitive since she’d had the baby. Morgan sighed as Seth rocked back, manipulating her buttocks to meet his thrusts halfway. The friction of sliding up and down on his steel rod was making it hard to stop the orgasm building inside her. Seth’s sweat mixed with hers, his hair plastered to his head. Morgan leaned back to give in to the feeling ripping through her body, but he pulled her forward and covered her mouth with his to smother her climactic moans and followed her into rapturous oblivion.
Jake repositioning himself on the bed brought them out of their lust-filled haze. Morgan and Seth slipped into the bathroom and cleaned up before he could fully wake.
“What time is it?” Morgan grabbed Seth’s wrist and spied his Rolex. “Crap, we’ve been gone for two hours!”
Seth laughed and tried to kiss her again, but she ducked and headed for Jake’s bedroom for a change of clothes. Once Jake was up and ready to return to the party, they walked out of the house as casually as possible. No one said anything but the look on Tate’s face said everyone had been discussing their absence. Seth shook his head while Morgan tried to slink back into the house. She didn’t get too far. Teri-Lyn and Sydney were waiting for her at one of the tables. Channing and Tyler were back at the party with Jake’s present: a border collie puppy named Rowdy. Jake clutched awkwardly at the puppy at first, but when Seth showed him how to pat Rowdy, they became the best of friends. Morgan smothered J.J., Channing, and Tyler with kisses for coming up with such a wonderful present.
The photographer was ready for a group photo. It took almost an hour to wrangle everyone together and get them perfectly placed before the picture was taken. When the camera flash started going off, Morgan teared up, knowing all of the Blakes and Reeds and their friends were in the photo. No matter where they lived, she would always have that memory of the day they were all together. The photographer finished up and everyone retreated back to their party spots. After disappearing for hours, Morgan handed Jake over to Sydney and Teri-Lyn without a fuss. The Dirty Rascals began to croon another slow tune. That was her cue to keep moving again even though her life was changing. Morgan went in search of her husband. It was time for another dance.
Chapter Ten
Seth told Morgan he wanted to take her and Jake to the Titans stadium to get one last look at the place. Since their return from the ranch, the wait for the free agency window to open was interminable. She went through the emotional wringer while Seth showed very little reaction at all. She went to work, he took care of Jake. They’d even planned a vacation to take after he made his announcement.
Today was the day he’d announce to the whole world that he was leaving the Titans and would become a Tomcat. He’d spent all morning talking to his agent, Luke. As expected, the Tomcats made an offer to Seth, which was communicated to the league and to the Titans. Seth had had a meeting with the Titans three days ago.
There was an eerie silence in the stadium as they made their way to the field. She laughed to herself, thinking how funny it was that this giant building felt like home to her. The first time she’d seen that larger than life banner they had of him on the outside of the building, she had a better understanding of what the sport of football and its heroes meant to fans.
Seth would stop and show something to Jake, who listened like he knew what his father was talking about. She liked the relationship that was developing between the two of them. She’d been around Seth and John Jacob enough to know they had that same bond. Seth listened to his dad and enjoyed spending time with him. Now that Seth was a dad, they talked more about life and family.
Once on the field, a bittersweet feeling took over. He’d helped change the course of a football dynasty. He’d won three Super Bowls with this team. No easy feat in the history of the sport. Now he was off to accomplish a new dream. She was rooting for that ten-year-old boy who’d made the declaration to his dad that he would be a Tomcat one day.
Seth stopped at the fifty yard line, pulled a mini football out of Jake’s bag, and gave it to him. “OK, Jake, throw a pass to Daddy.”
Jake ran for a bit then threw the ball at Seth and yelled, “Touchdown!”
Morgan got out her cell and snapped pictures of the two of them. “Jake, this is where all the magic happens. Your daddy did some good work here.”
Seth picked up Jake and put him on his shoulders. “The first time I set foot on the field, I was terrified. I’d just left a defunct team, the Titans were in a slump, and I didn’t know if this was the right move despite the money they were paying me. Philadelphia was so foreign to me.”
“What changed?”
“Patton Hawkes.” Seth smiled. “The first words Patton ever said to me were ‘So, you’re here to save the world.’ Then he laughed.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I told him I didn’t know about saving it, but I brought my shovel to help the Titans dig themselves out of the hole they were in.” He sighed. “Patton told me he was here to dig with me.”
“And the budding bromance of Seth Blake and Patton Hawkes begins.” She giggled.
“I guess you could say that. I didn’t do all of this by myself. Patton and the other guys all made an effort.”
“I think you gave them inspiration.”
“I like to think I did.” He nodded.
She rubbed his cheek. “I know you did. That’s why it’s been hard for some of them to see you go. I’ve been on the receiving end of one of your speeches. You have a way of inspiring people to want to reach their fullest potential. How do you think I’ve trudged along with my reading programs? You believed in me, even when there were days when I didn’t believe in myself. You didn’t try to buy a solution for me; you helped me find a way through them. Obliterate an obstacle, and you won’t have to worry about seeing it again.”
“You are always in my corner.” Seth kissed the
top of her head.
“That’s what you do when you’re crazy in love with someone.” Morgan gave him a squeeze.
“Even give up everything you love and move to another state?”
“Well, we’ve been living in two places for over a year now. We’ll just be spending more time in Texas.”
“What about the bookstore? The job offer? Your non-profit? I know they’re more than jobs to you. It’s a part of who you are.”
“Just like being a professional football player is part of yours. Concessions will be made, but we’ll adjust. Life will go on, just a bit differently.”
Seth put Jake down and reached in the bag for a juice box and an apple slice. Jake took it and walked down the field.
“Joining the Tomcats has been my lifelong dream. I never wanted anything so badly in my life. It was what drove me to become a football player. It was the most important goal in my life.”
Morgan smiled. “Your dream is coming true. Congratulations.”
Seth looked into her eyes. “You’re going to miss your life? Your family?”
She nodded. “Who would have thought I’d grow closer to those lunkheads. Or have a relationship with Sydney? Just when I stop running from everything, it’s time to go.”
Seth pulled her to him. “Having you in my life will always be the best thing that has ever happened to me Morgan. I love you.”
Morgan put her arms around his waist. “Love has a way of changing a person’s life. You’ve changed mine in every way imaginable.”
Seth ran his hand through her hair. “Morgan, I renewed my contract with the Titans.”
Morgan froze. “What?”
“The good things you achieve with the bookstore and your charity are just as important as my football career. You’re making great strides and keeping you away from it isn’t fair. This is about more than my legacy as a pro athlete. It’s about our legacy as a family. The Titans have been good to me, and I want to continue to play for them while you continue following your dreams.”
Morgan shook her head. “I-I can’t let you do that.”
“I’m invoking my get out of anniversary jail free card. So you can’t object to my decision.” He laughed.
“Is that why you didn’t do anything crazy this year for our anniversary? Because you were saving your card for this?”
Seth grinned. “Yes. I am crafty.”
“This would be using up all of your cards for a lifetime.”
“That’s not fair,” he drawled.
“Why are you doing this?”
Seth put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to meet his gaze. “I want our kids to know that we are partners in our life journey. I want them to know that a man’s legacy is greater than what he achieved in his career. It’s about being a good husband and father.”
Morgan stared up at him, tears burning her eyes. “I love you so much, Seth Blake.”
“I love you too.” Seth kissed her long and hard. “The new contract is for five years. After that I’m thinking about retirement.”
“Retirement?”
Seth laughed. “You do remember that I have another job? Blake Enterprises, the company I own with J.J. and my dad?”
“Yes, I vaguely recall my son inheriting a golf resort last month,” she quipped.
Seth caressed her cheek. “You should talk to Maura at the library and see if that position is still available. I think it would be a great fit for you.”
“My personal spy Harriet came into the store the other day and said she hadn’t filled it yet.” Morgan smiled.
“And don’t worry, we’ll work it all out. Look at how well we’re doing with Jake.”
Morgan looked around. “Where’s Jake?”
It took a minute for her statement to register. “He’s at the twenty yard line.”
“How did he get all the way down there?”
Seth looked on in amazement. “That boy takes off like a rocket.”
“Can you believe how much he’s grown?” She sighed.
Seth kissed her again. “Yes, and he’s a very independent toddler.”
Morgan smiled at him. “I’m late.”
“What?”
“I was thinking it was the stress of your impending decision, but I feel it. I had this feeling when I was pregnant with Jake, I just didn’t know what it was at the time.”
“What does it feel like?” Seth touched her tummy.
Morgan thought about it for a minute. “It feels like love is growing inside me.”
“Let’s go to the doctor now,” Seth said.
“How about I call and make an appointment? In the meantime, we can get one of those pregnancy tests at the pharmacy after we grab a bite to eat.” Morgan looked down at Jake pulling on her jean pocket. “See, he’s hungry.”
“No, he just loves tugging on his momma.” Seth laughed.
Morgan gathered her bag, and they made their way off the field. Jake took his place back up on Seth’s shoulders, giggling.
“Did the Titans match T.K.’s offer?”
Seth winked. “Sure did.”
“Did you talk to him?”
“Yes. He was formally notified, but I called him and we talked.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he was disappointed, but there was a new Blake he had his eye on.” Seth patted Jake’s knee.
“T.K. is too funny.”
Seth shook his head. “T.K. doesn’t joke around, especially when it comes to football.”
Morgan took his hand in hers. “Thank you for changing your dreams for me. For us. For our family.”
“Thank you for giving me something new to dream about.” Seth kissed her.
“So where do you want to go on vacation? What do you think about going back to the island? You know they named bungalow twelve, the Blake bridal suite.”
“Is that right?”
“We can make sand castles, think of baby names, and discuss your retirement in five years.”
Seth walked off the field with Morgan beside him and Jake on his shoulders. They were going to have another baby, and Seth was ready. Five years seemed like a lifetime, but he was sure it would all fly by in a whirl of laughter and love.
~ About the Author ~
Rhonda Laurel is a contemporary interracial/multicultural romance writer whose two great loves are writing and landscape photography. She uses both as a vehicle to convey the complexity of the human spirit and the beauty of the world around her. Ebb Tide, For the Love of the Game and Masquerade were released in 2012. Shutter, Memories of You, Star Crossed, MVP and California Bored and Tourism in 2013. The print anthology, The Rhonda Laurel Collection, featuring Ebb Tide, For the Love of the Game and Shutter released June 2013. The author is happily building her backlist.
Discover more about Rhonda Laurel here
http://www.rhondalaurel.com
http://www.facebook.com/authorrhondalaurel
http://www.twitter.com/rhondalaurel
http://www.goodreads.com/RhondaLaurel
http://pinterest.com/rhondalaurel/
~ Also by Rhonda Laurel ~
The Blake Boys Series
For the Love of the Game
This quarterback is making the greatest play of his life…
Quiet bookstore owner Morgan Reed can’t wait to lie on the beach on her much-needed tropical vacation, but getting tackled by a tall, green-eyed stranger playing touch football isn’t exactly what she had in mind. Neither is falling for said stranger, or going along with the eccentric islander who sends them off with a mock wedding. But all’s fair when it comes to vacation romance, and Morgan has plenty of time to get back to reality when she gets home.
When he slams into the beautiful Morgan on the beach and sends her to the infirmary, superstar quarterback Seth Blake insists on helping her recover—if she agrees to share his bungalow with him. Seth is nothing less than smitten, and the best part is that the beauty has no idea who he is.
But when
he finds out that their little “wedding” was the real thing, Seth finds himself in a sticky situation. Especially when Morgan finds out the man she fell for isn’t at all who he made himself out to be…
Buy For the Love of the Game here
http://www.amazon.com/Love-Game-Rhonda-Laurel-ebook/dp/B00A3X2NS6/
MVP
The game has just begun…
Morgan Reed-Blake discovers that being the wife of MVP quarterback Seth Blake has its perks…and its challenges. Thrust into Seth’s high-profile world, she must wade through the celebrity, status, and the ghosts of girlfriends past. So when Seth takes Morgan home to his ranch in Texas and introduces her to his family and friends, she’s not surprised when his high school sweetheart comes to call. Morgan suspects she wants to rekindle the flame, and how can she blame her? Distraught over the changes their relationship has caused for Seth, Morgan wonders if maybe he’s better off without her.
Pro quarterback Seth Blake is elated that his wife Morgan is giving their “fake” marriage a real chance. But he doesn’t anticipate running into the woman who broke his heart years ago. He hasn’t told Morgan about the complicated relationship with his ex, but as he guides Morgan through the maze of his celebrity lifestyle, can he convince her the past is in the past? The MVP does not accept defeat, and he’s determined not to lose. But winning Morgan might be the most difficult game of his life…
Buy MVP here
http://www.amazon.com/MVP-Rhonda-Laurel-ebook/dp/B00DI9WD3W/
Ebb Tide
Simmering passion at play.
Natalie Griffin is an attorney who is practical, smart and good at her job. Legalese is the least of her worries, for much of her time is spent keeping her employer, playboy extraordinaire Evan Darchon, out of trouble. Natalie has managed organize everything for him--his company, his home, and his women--but if she could teach him to control some of his wilder impulses, her job would be a heck of a lot easier.
The Blake Legacy (The Blake Boys) Page 14