by Jaci Burton
She laughed. It felt really good to laugh, to release the tension after an emotional cry. “Maybe.”
And when Trevor pulled off his shirt and handed it to her, she was way more interested in his naked chest than she was in his shirt. It felt cathartic, that she could move on from grieving to something infinitely more appealing. She tossed the shirt on the floor and snaked her fingers over the warmth of his bare skin. “I might need a little more comforting.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes.” She moved over him, straddling his lap now. “A different kind of comforting.”
Trevor grasped her hips, his fingers digging into her flesh, causing an uproar in her nerve endings.
“Well, you know I’m here for you, Haven. Whatever you need.”
She pulled off her tank top, baring her breasts. “Anything?”
His eyes gleamed hot and dark as his gaze zeroed in on her quickly tightening nipples. “Anything. Do you need me to make you feel good?”
“Oh, yes.”
He cupped her breasts, using his thumbs to draw lazy circles over her nipples. She grabbed his shoulders and held on while he pulled her forward, drawing one taut peak between his lips. She gasped as he sucked and rolled his tongue over the bud until she felt it between her legs, her sex throbbing with need. And when he released, he pleasured the other nipple as well, making her moan with delight.
Haven threaded her fingers in Trevor’s hair and pulled his head forward, needing his mouth on hers. He wound his hand around the nape of her neck, instantly making that connection the moment their lips touched, holding her there while he explored her mouth with a deep, soul-searching kiss that fueled her fire to scorching levels. Every part of her felt him, tasted him, breathed him in as he took command with that kiss, sliding his tongue over hers, nipping at her lips, his hand cupping her butt to anchor her as he stood, carrying her to the bed.
He sat her down on the edge of the bed, then pulled off her shorts and underwear, his hands taking a slow, leisurely cruise along her legs before parting her thighs. He nestled down between them and put his mouth on her sex.
Sensation exploded as his mouth found her clit, his tongue slipping along her folds, taking her right to the very height of pleasure as he relentlessly pursued every inch of her pussy. She threw her arms over her head, abandoning herself to the extremes of indulgence, letting herself get carried away by Trevor’s mastery of her body.
She needed this rush of bliss, this total recklessness of heady pleasure, her mind emptied of heavy thoughts, her body tuned in to Trevor’s tongue and mouth. She delighted in every stroke of his tongue, her hips rising toward him with every suck of his mouth around her clit.
She was going to come. Everything tightened within her as he flicked his tongue over the tight, pulsing knot, the current center of her universe. And when he grabbed the hood of her clit and sucked, she climaxed, holding his head there while she undulated against his expert mouth, wave after wave of orgasm making her gasp until she felt like her breath had been stolen from her.
Shattered, she finally rested her hips against the mattress, catching her breath from that phenomenal orgasm. She lifted her head to see Trevor drop his shorts and climb onto the bed next to her.
“I didn’t bring condoms with me. I had no intention of coming here to have sex with you tonight.”
She rolled over onto her side, her fingers playing with his very fine chest. “It wasn’t my intention, either. But I don’t want you to leave and go get them.”
She moved her hand upward, over his jaw, then leaned in to brush her lips against his. His mouth was wet—from her—taking her right to the edge of desire once again.
She pushed him onto his back and climbed on top of him, deepening the kiss, tangling her fingers in his hair, tugging just a little as she felt the edge of need take over.
Too bad about that lack-of-condom thing, because right now she’d like nothing more than to slide his hard cock inside her.
But she could do something to take the edge off—at least for him—just as he’d done for her.
She kissed her way along his jaw, his neck, flicking her tongue along the column of his ear before snaking her tongue down the very muscular line from his neck to his shoulder, using both her hands and her mouth to map his body.
And what a body he had. She used her own to slide down over his magnificent chest and rock-hard abs, stopping to tease her tongue over his nipples, causing him to suck in a hard breath, his cock lurching between them. He obviously liked that, which made her smile.
And when it was her turn to spread his legs, when she reached his cock and cradled the shaft between her hands, he propped his head between his hands and looked down at her, giving her one very hot, one very primal male smile.
But she was the one who held all the power at the moment, a very heady feeling, especially when she flicked her tongue across the wide, soft head of his cock and saw the way his lips parted, heard his raspy breathing. She knew she had him when she got up on all fours and turned sideways so Trevor could watch her take his cock between her parted lips and slide her mouth down over it, inch by slow inch.
“FUCK,” HE WHISPERED. “OH, FUCK YES, JUST LIKE that, Haven.”
Trevor swallowed, but there was nothing to lubricate his throat. He’d gone sand dry watching Haven take his cock in between her beautiful lips. He gripped the sheets and held on when his shaft disappeared and she seemed to swallow him whole. Watching it and feeling it was like nothing short of a mixture of pure heaven and utter sweet hell, because he could erupt. Right now, right this instant, with Haven’s hot mouth surrounding his dick, squeezing him as she tightened her hold on him, her tongue flicking around him as she lifted off him, his cock wet from her mouth, then went down on him again.
Sweat broke out on his brow when she cradled his balls in her hand, giving them a light squeeze while at the same time rolling her tongue around the crest. He’d never wanted anything more than to shoot his load right into her sweet mouth, and never wanted to hold on more so he could watch his cock disappear once more between her full lips, to feel the incredible pressure of her clamping down around his shaft and squeezing while she tightened her grip around the base and pumped his cock into her mouth.
Christ, she was beautiful when she sucked him, occasionally gazing up at him, letting him know she had him, that she was with him, that she was going to give him exactly what he needed.
He reached out to sweep his hand over her soft hair. “Haven. You’re going to make me come, honey. Like right now.”
It was all the warning he could give her, because he began to pump with her, to lift his hips and drive his cock deeper into the recesses of her mouth. She stayed with him, continuing to grip his shaft and force it deeper into her mouth.
He felt the stirrings of orgasm rise up from the base of his balls. He arched, let out a harsh groan, and erupted, his gaze glued to Haven’s sweet mouth as he jettisoned what felt like gallons of come into her mouth. It was the sweetest climax ever as he watched her throat work while she swallowed everything he had to give, until he was spent, emptied, his legs shaking from the force of his orgasm. She licked the head of his cock, taking every drop he had.
It was a damn good thing he was lying on the bed, because she’d zapped his energy. He wasn’t sure his legs would even work. She moved up beside him and he wrapped an arm around her to pull her close, then tipped her lips to his to kiss her.
“Thank you,” he said.
“Mmm, you’re most welcome. Just returning the favor.”
He held her there next to him for a few minutes, then said, “So, not kicking me out this time?”
She tilted her head back and gave him a sleepy smile. “No. Not this time. I’d like you to stay.”
He pulled the covers up over them both. “I’m not going anywhere. But, Haven?”
“Yes?”
“We need to get a box of condoms for your room.” Because he would have liked to be inside he
r tonight. Not that he was complaining about the way she’d pleasured him. Damn, she’d been sweet. She had a perfect mouth.
She let out a short laugh. “Yes. Box of condoms. We’ll take care of that tomorrow.”
He liked the sound of that. He settled in against the pillows and closed his eyes.
NINETEEN
HAVEN WAS ALL ALONE IN TREVOR’S HOUSE SINCE HE was traveling to Atlanta today.
She’d stayed behind to finish up her work here with the camera crew. And tonight she was going out with Alicia and Liz and some of the other Riley women, so she told Trevor she’d meet him in Atlanta tomorrow. It wasn’t like she’d be missing anything today anyway, since it was only a travel day for the team.
But she did miss Trevor. They hadn’t spent much time together the past couple of days. He’d had back-to-back games finishing up the series with Los Angeles, where they’d won the last two games, giving them hope facing Atlanta, which was a make-or-break series for them. Though they hadn’t had much alone time, and she’d had late nights getting her edits finished so she could send her work to the studio, she’d gotten some great interview stuff with Trevor on camera.
Now she had a chance to relax, to chill out with the girls tonight before heading out to Atlanta tomorrow. She was actually looking forward to it after several days of hard work.
She took a shower and chose a skirt and a black-and-white button-down sweater over a tank, then slid into her wedged heels. She did her hair and makeup and headed downstairs, just in time for the doorbell to ring.
Alicia was at the door, looking gorgeous in jeans, black boots, and a leather jacket.
“You look stunning,” Haven said. “Maybe I should change clothes.”
Alicia laughed. “Are you kidding? You look fabulous. Let’s go.”
She climbed into the backseat of the car. Liz was in front, applying lipstick.
“Hey,” Liz said from behind the wheel. “You ready for this night?”
“Absolutely. How about you?”
“You have no idea. The baby was a terror for the past few days. She had shots.”
“Aww, the poor thing.”
“I know. My mother-in-law is keeping her tonight and will love on her and not mind at all that she’s a screaming banshee. Me? I need a freaking break, especially with Gavin being out of town the next few days on a road trip.”
“You know what I love about you, Liz?” Alicia asked as they pulled through the gate and onto the street.
“What’s that?”
“That you’re not one of those, ‘Oooh, my baby is the most perfect thing I’ve ever created, sleeps all through the night and never cries’ type of moms.”
Liz snorted. “Girl, please. That baby has a set of lungs on her. She poops. She vomits. She doesn’t sleep. Sometimes I think she’s possessed. It’s a good thing Gavin and I love her to pieces. Otherwise she’d end up in a basket on someone’s doorstep.”
Haven laughed. “She sounds like a normal baby to me.”
“Oh, she totally is,” Liz said, pulling onto the highway. “But she’s hardly the type of baby you see on television. No one tells you about all the screaming. And the throw-up.”
“I consider myself warned,” Alicia said. “How about you, Haven?”
“Totally.” Though Haven doubted she’d have to worry about having a baby anytime soon.
But the thought entered her head. She was approaching thirty, and hadn’t had a serious enough relationship—talking marriage and having children—in her entire life. Maybe it was time she started getting that kind of serious with someone, consider settling down and having some babies.
Then again, this wasn’t really the right time. She was embarking on the career she’d always wanted. She wasn’t in a committed relationship. Hell, she wasn’t even dating anyone. She was having sex with Trevor, and even though he’d played a part in her dreams and fantasies for so many years, he was hardly the guy she was going to marry and have children with.
He was way too busy with his career as well, and, like her, he hadn’t ever had that kind of a relationship, either.
Besides, she wasn’t ready yet. She was totally a career woman now. Life in the big city, traveling all over the country.
This was her dream, and she was living her dream.
Right?
They started out at Kemoll’s downtown, a place Liz assured her was one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
It sounded fabulous to Haven. One, because she was starving, and two, because she loved Italian food.
Once inside, where Liz had made a reservation, they were met by Jenna, Gavin’s sister, and Tara, Liz’s sister-in-law. Tara was married to Gavin’s brother, Mick, who was currently playing football for San Francisco. Jenna’s husband, Tyler, played hockey for the St. Louis Ice.
“Savannah can’t make it tonight. She’s out of town working a consulting gig for some big-shot Hollywood star,” Liz explained as they got to their seats. “Savannah is married to Alicia’s brother, Cole, who plays for the Traders.”
Haven blinked. “You all make my head spin. And I’m sorry I won’t get to meet Savannah tonight.”
“Some other time,” Jenna said with a grin. “I think there are enough of us here that we’ll make a party of it.”
“Who’s minding your club tonight, Jenna?” Alicia asked.
“My assistant manager. She’s doing a great job, so I can take a few days off now and then.” Jenna turned to Haven. “I have a music club that I started up last year. It’s doing pretty well.”
“I heard about it,” Haven said. “It sounds amazing. And congratulations.”
“Thanks. It’s been fun. It hardly seems like work when there’s music involved.”
“Jenna sings beautifully,” Liz said. “I keep pushing her to record her music and go for a record deal. She’s resisting me.”
Jenna waved her hand. “I’m happy where I am, staying an amateur.”
“Now I’m really curious,” Haven said. “I’m going to have to stop at your club and hear you sing.”
“You’re welcome anytime.”
Their waitress came by and took drink orders.
“Just sparkling water for me,” Liz said. “I’m the designated driver tonight.”
They decided on a bottle of cabernet to share and a couple of appetizers as well.
“I hear you’re profiling Trevor Shay,” Tara said. “That must be interesting. I know Mick has talked about playing against him in football. He’s quite the athlete.”
“He’s definitely interesting. We’ve captured a lot of him on film and I haven’t run out of interview questions for him yet.”
“Haven’s actually known him for a lot of years. They went to the same college, and her parents were his dorm parents,” Alicia said.
“Oh, really?” Jenna said. “So you’re friends with him. That probably helps.”
“It has.”
Their waitress brought the wine and poured for everyone. It was incredible, and Haven felt immediately more relaxed after a few sips.
“Or are you and Trevor more than friends yet?” Liz asked with a waggle of her brow.
“Oh, is there something going on between the two of you?” Tara asked.
“Liz,” Alicia said. “You’re such a busybody.”
“That’s me, honey. Always up in everyone’s business. But that night we were all together at your place, Alicia, I definitely saw some sparks when Trevor and Haven looked at each other. I’m just doing follow-up.”
“I have . . . no comment,” Haven said, returning Liz’s smile over the rim of her wineglass.
“I think that means yes,” Jenna said.
Haven should have been uncomfortable with the line of questioning. But actually, she enjoyed it, liked the ease and camaraderie with these women. They weren’t mean-spirited, they were fun and genuinely curious. And God, she liked having women friends to talk to.
They ordered dinner, and she loved that everyone select
ed something different. She was going to enjoy seeing their food.
“Mick’s got three road games in a row,” Tara said as she took a bite of her salad. “Which means I’m going to have to rely on Mom to help me with Sam. Thank God I have her. If we hadn’t made the move to come back here, I don’t know what I would have done. I have to deal with my business, which is picking up a lot, and I love having the little guy, but now that Nathan is off at college, I’m kind of on my own when Mick is out of town.”
Tara shifted to look at Haven. “Nathan is my other son. I had him when I was very young, well before I met Mick. So yes, I have one kid in college, plus a toddler. I know, it sounds insane.”
Haven grinned. “It sounds like a beautiful family. You’re very lucky.”
“Thanks. I feel that way. Crazy sometimes, but still, so happy.” Tara turned back to Liz. “Anyway, I’m kind of on my own when Mick is out of town.”
“I know what you mean,” Liz said. “Since Genevieve arrived, it’s been great, but I’m still on maternity leave. As soon as I go back to work—which will be all too soon for my liking—I’m going to have to give serious thought to hiring a nanny.” She finished that off by scrunching her nose.
“You know Gavin’s mom will be happy to help out,” Tara said. “She’s offered to babysit.”
“I know she has, but she’s already watching Sam, and I don’t want to burden her with an infant. Besides, Genevieve is a handful. To burden her with an infant when she’s already watching a toddler? I don’t know.”
“Uncle Jimmy can deal with Sam while Aunt Kathleen takes care of the baby,” Alicia said. “I think they could do it.”
“They could, and they wouldn’t balk. I’ll have to talk to Gavin about it. Plus, he’ll be available to watch the baby once baseball season is over with, but that’s only a few months.”
“And babies need consistency,” Jenna said. Then she shrugged. “Or at least that’s what I’ve heard. Since I’m not a mom, I’m just offering useless advice.”
Tara laughed. “Your advice is never useless. Everyone’s welcome to weigh in.”