The Long Ball

by Aria Cole

  “Perfect.” I hung up, my cheeks still turned up in an impossible grin. Damn if Jenson wasn’t getting to me, his charm and sense of humor, the dogged persistence, and, oh yeah, the incredible good looks and the reminder of his hands on my skin.

  I sighed, turning to my closet and wondering if I should change. For the first time, I actually cared what I was wearing now that he was coming over.

  I rifled through a few hangers before deciding I didn’t want to try too hard or encourage him—he didn’t need anything in that respect. I pulled on a tank top and a pair of casual shorts.

  Simple, sporty, comfortable. What did he expect? It was after 9 p.m. on a weeknight, and I had an early class.

  This was not a date.

  Not at all.

  But then why did my stomach feel like it was humming with energy at the prospect of sitting next to him on the couch?

  I ran a brush through my hair for good measure, then rushed out to the kitchen, pulling microwave popcorn from the cupboard and popping it in the microwave. Just as the timer went off, the doorbell rang.

  “Showtime,” I murmured, wondering what in the hell I was thinking inviting him over to watch this stupid documentary with me. He would probably want to bail within thirty minutes.

  “Hi.” I swung the door open, plastering on my most casual smile.

  “Evenin’.” He planted a gentlemanly kiss on the apple of my cheek. “You look beautiful.”

  “Stop, you’re embarrassing me.”

  “Don’t be. A beautiful woman deserves to be told so.” His words dusted across the shell of my ear, sending a shiver coursing through me. My eyes fluttered closed as I enjoyed the sensations washing through me. I’d never felt this way before. Never in my entire life could someone turn my stomach upside down with just a few words.

  “Jenson?” I sang, not even sure what was on my lips.

  “Don’t say anything, Bethany.” The pad of his thumb traced the line from my temple down to my cheek. “I’m a patient man.”

  I sucked in a breath, not even sure what to say.

  “Hope you like red wine.” He lifted the bottle in his hand.

  I smiled, thankful he’d changed the subject. “Yes.”

  I waved him in, his heavy footfalls trailing behind me. I wondered if he was checking me out, the shorts I’d pulled on suddenly feeling too tight too short, too revealing for his hungry eyes.

  “Popcorn and wine are definitely a date,” he said teasingly when we reached the kitchen, the scent of the buttery kernels in the air.

  “I don’t know what kind of dates you’re used to…” I trailed off.

  “I don’t date,” he stated simply.

  “What?” I spun, shock no doubt clear on my face.

  “Too busy. Never met anyone who seemed worth it.” His icy blues blazed into me, pregnant with unspoken words.

  I paused, finally breaking eye contact and reaching for two wine glasses. Jenson opened the bottle, pouring us each a half a glass while I dumped the popcorn into a bowl.

  “Ready to learn about the discovery of penicillin?”

  “Penicillin?!” His face twisted adorably.

  “Told you it was boring. Maybe we can fast-forward a few parts.”

  “No, no, I’m in. More couch time is a good thing, no fast-forwarding allowed.”

  “Look at you, Mr. Responsible.” I smiled as we walked into the living room.

  I hit play on the documentary as we settled on the couch. The opening scenes started, and my stomach swam. I was oddly aware of every sensation as I sat next to him, so close, just inches apart.

  I cut a glance out of the corner of my eye to find him watching me, one hand resting on his thigh. Golden hair dusted his wrist, and I wondered what it would feel like beneath my fingertips. I wondered how it would feel to wrap my legs around his waist again.

  I’d been so damn drunk the last time we’d done that, it felt like a lifetime ago, the snippets of our passion hazy in my mind.

  The scene changed, flashing across the scene. Outside, the sun had completely set, and the room was now awash in total darkness, save the screen.

  This felt more like a date than ever. My heartbeat kicked up a notch as I shifted in my seat, crossing my legs and angling toward him.

  I picked at my nails and shifted a glance at him. His sweet blue eyes held mine, crinkling up in a smile as we caught each other looking.

  Awkward giggles erupted between us, and I’d never even felt this much like a teenager, not even when I was a one.

  “Pay attention,” he mock-scolded. My grin deepened for a moment, and I shifted closer to him.

  “You’re so strict with the rules,” I joked, then turned back to the screen, only noticing out of the corner of my eye that he’d shifted, too. Closer.

  “I think about that night all the time.” His words hung in the air between us.

  My heart nearly fell to the floor as I swallowed, thinking what I could possibly say to that. Me, too?

  “How you felt beneath me.” He shifted closer. “How you tasted.” Two long fingertips danced across my shoulder, and I was suddenly very sure that he was not watching the movie. “I can’t stop thinking about having you again.”

  I licked my lips, suddenly aware of every nerve in my body tingling and burning with his words.

  “Tell me why I shouldn’t kiss you right now.” He tipped my chin to his. “Give me one good reason and I won’t.” His eyes trained on me, searching my face.

  I felt arousal pooling between my legs and dampening my panties, the need for his body against mine so strong and powerful I didn’t have any kind of sense to turn away. Without thinking, I lunged across the couch at him, my hands dove in his hair, my thighs wrapped around his waist just like I’d been dreaming of.

  I ground my core against his pelvis, the steely press of his erection grinding against my center and relieving the ache only just briefly.

  His tongue lashed inside my mouth. His hands trailed up my skin, spanning the expanse of my back, wrapping my hair around one fist and tilting my head away from him. His lips hovered at my skin, dusting across the curve of my neck, his tongue laving up the line of my throat before his teeth nipped across the horizontal line of my collarbone.

  Small whimpers escaped my throat as he covered my body in his touch.

  “I haven’t been able to stop thinking of you, of this,” I confessed.

  His hands landed at my waist and tightened.

  “I’m trying to do the right thing,” I murmured as I rocked my hips, my words lost in the air as I moaned between pants.

  “Fuck the right thing, Bethany. You’re all I want,” he growled, his hand gripping my hair tighter. His tongue crawled across my jawline, then he smashed my lips against his in a punishing kiss. Our tongues tangled, and we kissed so hard I was sure my lips would be bruised in the morning. This was what I’d been missing in my drink-fueled haze—these moments, the feel of his lips, the bite of his teeth, the press of his thumbs at my hips.

  “I wake up every morning, and I’m thinking of you. I want to put you to bed at night,” his hands cupped my ass cheeks, grinding me against his erection, “and wake up to you every single morning.”

  “I’m pretty sure I met the most beautiful man on earth at work today.” My sister crashed through the front door.

  “Taylor!” I shrieked and shot back to my corner of the couch.

  “What’s wrong?!” My sister spun, an umbrella in her hands, ready to use it as a club. Her eyes must have adjusted to the darkness because she cocked her head and said, “Jenson?”

  “Hey, Taylor.” He waved at her jovially.

  “Oh…” My sister’s grin split her face. “Date night?”

  “Oh my God.” I pressed my forehead into my hands.

  “She still won’t agree to a date. I’m working on her, though.”

  “She can be a total prude.”

  “Taylor!”

  She shrugged and dropped the umbrella and
purse from her shoulder. “Anyone want pizza?”

  “No!” I replied just as Jenson said, “Yes.”

  “Perfect, pineapple and bacon okay?”

  “This night couldn't get any worse,” I groaned as she shuffled through drawers in the kitchen.

  Jenson laughed next to me. “She’s entertaining at least.”

  “You’re being generous,” I countered, finally settling down after being interrupted, inching my way closer to him again.

  “Well, on the bright side, we made out for so long the movie is half over.” He winked at me.

  I couldn’t help my cheesy grin at that.

  This night had turned out to be so much more than I’d ever imagined.

  And I’d kissed Jenson. I’d given in to him, and letting go of the control for once had felt…incredible.

  Chapter Ten

  Jensen

  I pushed another forkful of chicken breast into my mouth, trying to power up on complex carbs and lean protein before the game.

  This was the big one. The MLS Cup play-off final game was what we’d been working all season for. Every other one had led up to this one. I was in good shape. I was in a good head space. Yes, I’d had Bethany on my brain 23.5 hours a day, but other than that, I was ready.

  I pushed from the table, clearing my plate, and dropping it in the sink, then headed for the clubhouse, where most of the other guys were hanging out.

  As long as Bethany and Taylor were still coming, they’d have the best seats in the stadium so I could keep an eye on her, maybe even sneak a wink or two.

  “Am I gonna see Taylor tonight?” Luc jogged up to me in the back hall.

  “Hope so,” I responded as we walked.

  “Damn, she has me on fire.” My Italian teammate whistled as he made an hourglass shape with his hands.

  “Good genes,” I murmured, relieved to finally get into the locker room with a handful of the other guys. Now was downtime, going over runs and strategy. This was the part I loved most, the butterflies in your gut just before you ran out onto the field.

  Soccer had been the only thing in my life to give me that. That is, until her.

  Bethany was the first woman who’d ever come close to enthralling me more than the game. It had always been my only obsession, but Bethany is presenting a challenge in those stakes.

  “Maybe we can take the girls out tonight after we win.” Luc smacked me on the shoulder.

  I grinned. “Maybe next time, man. Got something special planned for Bethany tonight.”

  His eyebrows rose in surprise. He’d never seen me this interested in a girl in the few years we’d been playing together.

  Coach came in then, slapping backs and getting everyone stoked to play. My mind zoned out from the chaos of the locker room as I thought about her.

  I hoped she’d come.

  All I had was faith that Bethany would feel the pull to me like I did her.

  I didn’t know what I would do if she wasn’t planted in that chair waiting for me when I jogged out on the field.

  I couldn't even go there.

  Chapter Eleven

  Bethany

  Taylor and I were escorted to our seats and shocked to find we were so close to the pitch. Taylor was over the moon to have a first class shot of Luc’s ass the whole game, and when he’d peeled his shirt off and wiped his face with it at halftime, I think she’d almost fainted on the spot.

  Jenson had been the perfect flirty charmer throughout, casting me sideways glances, a few winks, and even blew me a kiss after he’d scored his first goal.

  There were three more coming, so he’d blown me a lot of kisses.

  With only 20 seconds left in the game Luc, Jenson, and another teammate had powered down the field on a breakaway and landed the last and final goal, cementing their title as MLS Cup champs.

  I’d clapped uproariously, so excited for Jenson. All the hard work and hours of practice time he put in had paid off in a big way. The crowd paused and shuffled around as Jenson’s team lingered on the field, the PA announcing all the players and their positions, before naming an MVP.

  They’d saved the best for last. I shouldn’t have been surprised.

  The announcer passed Jenson the mic after he’d congratulated him, asking for a few words. After thanking the fans and his teammates, saying he couldn’t score a single goal without their persistent support, his eyes turned to me, and my stomach dropped.

  “Oh no.” I covered my mouth, my cheeks flaming. “He’s going to—”

  “And to the very special girl from the other night.” Jenson’s eyes sparkled as he spoke, that cocky grin that took my breath away lifting one side of his face. “I found her. She even came to watch me play,” he boasted endearingly. “Seat 22.”

  The overhead camera panned the crowd, then found my scarlet face. Taylor sat beside me with a big goofy grin and waved enthusiastically.

  “There’s something for you under your seat, Bethany.”

  His words froze my hammering heart.

  “Look under your seat. Everyone is watching,” Taylor grunted out of the corner of her mouth through a smile.

  I bent, dreading every single second of having thousands of pairs of eyes trained on me all thanks to him and his damn dogged persistence.

  Didn’t he know he’d already won me? I’d never stood a chance long term against his beautiful smile and sweetness.

  My hands felt around until they landed on a box.

  Lifting it into my lap, I saw the small white rectangle was wrapped in a neon pink and glitter bow.

  This wasn’t looking good.

  “Open it.” His sexy tenor rumbled through the crowd, and it was actually a wonder every woman in that place didn’t melt into a hormonal puddle.

  I pulled the ribbon, letting it fall, and lifted the lid slowly.

  Please don’t be panties. Please don’t be panties.

  “Chocolates.” I smiled brightly, relief pulsing through my system.

  “What's this?” My sister lifted the corner of the tissue paper nestled beneath the chocolates. “Oh my God.” She covered her giggle.

  My eyes shot down to inspect them closer.

  Nestled beneath the decadent little chocolates was a pair of panties.

  “Those are edible panties.” Taylor burst out into a full belly laugh.

  She was right, and I was mortified.

  “The man does gifts well, you gotta give him that.”

  “There’s a note, too.” I lifted it and read.

  Dinner. Just you and me, tonight. Say yes. J

  A smile turned up my lips when I finished.

  I knew what my answer would be. I knew what it would always be.

  “What do you say, Bethany?” he asked over the sound system.

  The crowd was cheering by now, chanting our names as I sat riveted, my eyes locked with his.

  Damn if all his grand gestures hadn’t worn me down. His charm, his words, and his gentle spirit rocking my world.

  I had a thousand and one reasons to tell him no, but none of them were good.

  “Yes,” I whispered. I finally jumped out of my seat and did the one thing I’d been itching to do the entire game.

  I ran to him.

  All the way across the field I sprinted until he dropped the mic at his feet and opened his arms, hoisting me up to his waist and taking my lips in a long kiss. Every person in that stadium erupted in cheers, rising to their feet, while—as I was told later—the monitor zoomed in on our passionate lip lock and sent hearts floating around our heads on the giant screen.

  Mortifying.

  Thrilling.

  The very best day of my life.

  I had a feeling there would be so many more great days coming with Jenson around.

  “Glad you said yes to dinner?” Jenson locked his hand in mine and pulled it over his bare chest, out bodies still heaving from orgasms as we lay in his bed hours later.

  “You haven't fed me yet.” I laughed, then tur
ned over, my hair falling over my shoulder and across his body while my eyes devoured his dark skin. “I'm feeling a little abused,” I wiggled, “in the best ways.”

  Jenson shoved a hand through my hair and pulled me to him in a possessive kiss. “I'll feed you something alright.” He murmured and caused me to nearly burst out in laughter.

  “I'm not sure if you're charming or corny.”

  “Both.” He planted a kiss on my forehead. “I'm glad you're back. I can die a happy man if I can go to bed with you in my arms every night and bury myself between your sweet thighs every morning.”

  “Such a charmer.” I teased before straddling his waist, his hands clutching at my hips as I pushed his impressive erection between my legs again.

  “Why Bethany, you look almost insatiable.” He arched his hips and pulled me down to him in another kiss just as he slid his cock deep into my body. His mouth caught the errant moans falling out of my throat as his hands roamed my skin, lighting every nerve on fire.

  “I'm glad you didn't stop.”

  “Mm, stop what?” He sucked his bottom lip into his mouth, his eyes focused on the place our bodies connected.

  “Hounding me for that date.” I grinned and rocked against him, enjoying every long, thick inch of him buried inside me.

  “Hounding?!” His barrel laugh sent vibrations rolling through my clit.

  “I think I was starved for you Jenson Abbot, and I didn't even know it.” I grinned, covering his gorgeous smile in another kiss.

  “So that means you'll stay?”

  “Mm, I'll stay tonight.”

  “And tomorrow?”

  “You're a tough negotiator.” I grinned, my palms planted on his broad chest. “But I'll stay tomorrow too.”

  “Exactly what I like to hear.” His hands fisted in my hair and pulled me to him, his teeth attacking my throat and soothing away the little nips with gentle laps of his tongue. “Now I just have to convince you into forever.”

  Epilogue

  Jensen

  I powered down the makeshift field, pretending to run as fast as my feet could carry me as I raced my pint-sized opponent.