Sidelined: A Sports Romance

by Violet Paige

  “Just wait.” He winked. “What kind of wine are we ordering?”

  “What, no beer?”

  “Not tonight. Whatever you’re ordering is fine with me.”

  She skimmed the list. She was feeling light like summer. Like her body had been infused with some kind of magic. Yep, she was falling.

  She looked at him. His forehead creased as he read the names of the wines. She giggled. “Want a pinot grigio?”

  “Sure.” He motioned for the waitress and ordered the bottle Skye pointed out.

  “Ok. Check that out.” He waited for Skye’s gaze to move to the horizon.

  Her eyes met a sea of orange, purple, and pink. “Wow. It’s breathtaking.” She sat stunned. He was right. How had she not seen this view before?

  “One of my favorite things in the jet is to chase the sun. I can make a sunset last for an hour.”

  “That’s incredible.” She watched as the sun continued to sink past the ocean’s edge.

  “Maybe I can take you flying sometime.”

  “Really?”

  He chuckled. “I can’t take you in the jet, but I can rent a private plane for an afternoon. You’d love it.”

  The waitress presented the bottle of wine and poured two glasses.

  Skye had only flown commercially. “Is it safe?” She sipped on the wine, savoring the crispness.

  “Of course it’s safe. And you’ll be in excellent hands.” The wink he flashed sent a shiver across her skin. “What do you say? Want to fly with me?”

  If flying with Ben meant letting go and losing herself in his eyes and under his touch, then yes. If he was asking her to soar with him until the only thing they could see and feel was each other, then the answer was definitely yes. She would fly with him anywhere.

  “Yes.” She nodded.

  Ben inserted the key in the lock and pushed the door open. Skye stepped over the threshold knowing she had stepped into the next step of their relationship.

  His mouth was on her neck, his hands sweeping her long tresses to the other side.

  “This is all I’ve wanted to do since we got here.” He spun her to face him, his back closing the door behind them.

  Her arms flew around his neck. All she had wanted to do was kiss him, but the entire day they had set a slow and easy pace, giving each other time to adjust to this idea. This idea that they were about to completely consume each other. Skye hoped they didn’t instantly burst into flames.

  Her lips moved against his, taking in deep kisses. The taste of wine on his tongue was sweet, and she craved more as he tempted her with a kiss that seared her mouth with blazing heat.

  She felt his hand slide along her back and land on the little black dress’s zipper. He tugged lightly and cool air breezed across her back.

  “Wait. Wait.” She pulled away from the kiss.

  “What’s wrong? Too much?” He stepped back, breaking all contact.

  She shook her head. “No, it’s not too much. It’s just that…I brought a surprise for you.”

  “A surprise?”

  “Yes. Give me five minutes, ok? And don’t go to sleep.” She wagged her finger at him.

  “Baby, there’s no way I could fall asleep right now.”

  Skye closed the bathroom door and let the dress fall from her shoulders. She stepped out of her heels and placed her earrings on the counter. The lingerie was still wrapped in tissue paper. She unrolled it and held it up to her naked body.

  She carefully dove head first into the lacey contraption. Thick black straps held the bits of fabric in place. It was mostly all lace. The most beautiful lace Skye ever remembered wearing. It felt soft and sexy where it hugged her breasts and hips. There was silk panel that ran from her navel to the tops of her thighs. It didn’t leave much to the imagination, but Ben had already seen everything. She wanted this to be different. This was the first time she was wearing something for him. The scalloped edges of the lace narrowed to create an open V between her breasts. Her entire back was exposed and the little covering her bottom was lace. She inhaled sharply and shook out her hair. This was it.

  When she opened the door her eyes had to adjust to the lack of light. Ben had lit a few candles next to the bed. He was sitting on the opposite edge, looking at the ocean roll in under the moon. A breeze from the open balcony door made the candles flicker.

  “Hey,” she whispered.

  He pivoted from his spot on the bed. “Hey.” His eyes studied every line and curve of her silhouette.

  Her hips swayed as she walked toward him. “Like your surprise?”

  He nodded. “You look amazing.” His palms landed on her hips. He pressed against the lace.

  Skye didn’t need the courage from the wine. She was on fire for him. Her body knew exactly what she wanted. She nudged Ben back on the bed and crawled forward to straddle him, planting her thighs against his. She needed to take all of it in. The way his eyes filled with lust for her, the way his rapid breath felt on her neck, the way his hands explored her curves. Thirty days was an eternity when you wanted someone this badly, but Skye needed it. As Ben held her with his gaze, she knew he wanted all the same things. Skin on skin was louder than words sometimes.

  She grinned as she took his face in her hands, tracing his sharp jawline with her thumb, admiring the symmetry of his face.

  “If you don’t kiss me now…” Ben teased.

  Skye toyed his lips with her tongue, and his mouth parted. She gave in fully to the kiss, pressing hard against him, her breasts thrusting forward to melt into his chest. It was as if he was drinking in all of her. His tongue danced faster as she locked her fingers around his neck. He rocked back until the bed had fallen under them. Every nerve in her body burned. Ben’s hands moved from her back to her hips, until he discovered the lace panties under the lingerie.

  “I love all these surprises.” He grinned.

  “I might have some more.” Skye yanked at the buttons on his shirt, forcing the sleeves off his sculpted arms.

  “I have a few for you too.”

  She started a trail of kisses on his throat, layering them down his chest, his skin was warm.

  “Remember what I promised you our second night together?” Ben toyed with the V and the edge of the lace around her breast. His thumb ran over her nipple, and Skye had to stop from bucking under the contact.

  “What was that? I don’t remember.” Her hand landed on his belt buckle and tugged it free. She wanted everything inside those pants.

  “I said you were going to want me.” He laughed, rolling her so she was under him. The room spun, but Skye knew it was the magic in her veins making everything so dizzying. Like a fever consuming her limb by limb, it had spread to the sweet spot between her legs.

  He hovered over her, his beautiful body bare and golden in the moonlight. “So, Skye Stephens. I said I’d wait. But you have to tell me. I want you to tell me.” His hand roamed lower, pausing against her stomach before pushing up the hem of the silky front panel. His hands slid between her thighs.

  Her hips rose to meet him, aching on all sides, wanting him so badly to consume her. One finger began to tug at the panties. Skye let out a moan.

  “Tell me, baby.” Ben’s gaze was fierce.

  All the desperation and passion that had built all month gripped her from within, clawing to be unleashed. Knowing, the only way she can feel whole, to feel free, is to be with Ben in every way possible.

  “I want you.” Her eyes flashed to his, hoping he’d take her right then, fill her, and rock her until she was completely breathless and limp in his arms.

  “What was that?” He began to slide the tiny straps over her hips, peeling the panties off her legs.

  Skye arched toward him. “I want you. I want you here. And I want you now.” She pulled his mouth towards her, crashing his lips against hers. Ben let out a groan as her legs parted, allowing him to settle between them. She felt the weight of his body press against her.

  “Take me now. Please.�
� It didn’t matter to her if she begged. He needed to know this was everything she had waited for. Her body was meant to be entwined with his.

  A smile spread across his face. He reached for the nightstand and Skye heard him tear into the foil packet. Seconds later he kissed her. Light and smooth at first, but then deep and hard as his body surged to meet hers.

  “Oh God.” Skye bowed off the bed, taking him deeper. Digging her hands into his back, she clutched at him trying to find balance in the bliss that consumed her.

  Ben eased out gently, and Skye’s head rolled to the side, in the background she could hear the waves crashing against the shore. That’s how she felt—like the ocean was carrying her on the surface then dropping her into a pool of ecstasy as the water circled her limbs. Was it possible to drown in total desire?

  The intensity rippled through her veins, her blood fueled by heat as Ben rocked against her. She met his movements, her hips fused with his body.

  “You feel amazing.” Ben’s teeth grazed her neck.

  “Don’t hold back.” She breathed. “I need all of you.” She wanted him to take her over the edge, farther than her body had ever gone.

  “I want you too. I want to feel everything.” He growled deep from his throat. His hand trailed over the lace barely covering her breasts. Skye had gotten too caught up in their lovemaking to realize she was still wearing the black ensemble. He seemed to like that she had it on while he was guiding himself in and out of her. His head dipped over her breast.

  “You are so sexy, I’m doing everything I can not to lose control right now.” He blew over her breast until her nipple was hard and taut against the fabric. Skye whimpered, fearing if he did much more she would come right then.

  “Please,” she begged. “Please, Ben. Lose control. Lose yourself in me.”

  His hands gripped her hips, lifting her from the bed. The angle was intense as he buried himself in her.

  Her head rocked back. “Don’t stop.”

  He hooked his arm under her knee, pushing harder. “I’m just getting started. I’m going to make you come all night.”

  Skye’s knees shook. She was already on her back, how could he give her more than what she was already taking?

  She nodded her head, but she didn’t know if he could see her. His eyes were all over her body. She writhed under him as his mouth descended over her breast. He began a slow, tortuous sucking motion through the lace.

  “I can’t, Ben. It’s too much.” She thrashed under his mouth. His teeth clamped on her nipple and the exquisite sensation shot through her body. There was no turning back, she clenched around him, feeling the pulsing and building pressure in her core. He eased out of her, leaving her desperate for him, and just when she thought her craving for him would consume her from the inside, he plunged hard filling her with total ecstasy. She rose from the bed, gripping his shoulders. He kissed her and wrapped his arms around her as the shudders of pleasures surged through her.

  “I love it when you come.” He smiled. He laid her back on the bed. Before she could relish in the release of her body, he guided her ankles behind his head.

  She urged her body to follow his commands, to let go of all restraints, to give him everything she had. She matched the wildfire that took over him. She didn’t know her body could do the things he wanted, but it was as if they had become one wave. Together they rolled into the deep ocean taking each other under with every kiss, touch, and thrust.

  “Skye,” he called out her name. And that was it, she felt her core tighten once again against him before she shattered in a million pieces in his arms. Her legs throbbed as the sensation seared through her thighs and echoed through her body.

  He pushed deeper. “Oh, baby. I—I—” Skye met the unbridled desire in his eyes with a smile. Then his body stiffened before he collapsed in a heap, sinking against her chest.

  She hugged him against her, his head resting on her breast. That was the single most amazing experience of her life. Her body was numb, content, bathed in sexual bliss.

  Ben rolled on his side, pulling her with him so they were cocooned together.

  “I don’t have words.” He kissed her neck.

  Skye let the moment consume every part of her. She smiled, loving how it felt with Ben’s chest nuzzled against her back. She finally knew what it meant to fly.

  Twenty-Three

  The morning sun filtered through the blinds. Bolt leaned over the balcony. Skye was still sleeping in the room. He didn’t want to disturb her. A seagull perched on a nearby light pole. It was early.

  Last night had surprised him. Sex was always good. He loved sex, but he had never had sex like that. The look in her eyes, the way she felt under him, the softness of her skin. He shook his head. She was amazing. It was hard to think about wanting to do anything else but get lost in her. Isn’t that what she begged him to do? God, she was sexy.

  He glanced back to the bed, where the sheet covered half her body. No one had taken him like that. He had slept with a hundred women and not a single night had come close to what he experienced with Skye.

  He had made a lot of stupid mistakes in his life, taken unnecessary risks, and they were mostly selfish. He always made fun of guys who laid it all on the line for a woman. Now, it seemed to make sense. They all knew something he had never taken the time to see.

  The gull flew toward the shore and nibbled on a pile of seaweed that washed up. The beach was quiet. Bolt peeled off his shirt and tip-toed through the room to collect his running shoes. Sunday morning runs were his favorite. He scribbled a note for Skye and closed the door behind him.

  Forty-five minutes later Bolt stuck his head in the door. The bed was empty. He strolled in and closed the door. He heard the shower running through the bathroom. He smiled.

  “Hey beautiful, you have room for one more?” He dropped his shorts and stepped into the shower before Skye could protest.

  “How was your run?” Her arms circled his chest. “You look sweaty and dirty. So dirty.” She shook her head, while biting her bottom lip.

  “Great. The beach was empty. I ran to the end of the island and back.” He watched as Skye reached for the body wash and dabbed some into her palm. She began lathering it against his chest. Her hands were smooth along his skin.

  “That’s quite a run.” Her hands followed the lines of his chest, pausing every few inches to rub her fingers into his muscles.

  He studied the water that trickled between her breasts. She was driving him crazy and she knew it. He reached for the back of her neck and brought his mouth on hers. The taste of her alone brought him to his knees. He was drowning in want and feelings he’d never felt before.

  Skye dropped the bottle and it clanged against the bottom of the shower floor.

  He felt her press against his body, all her curves, her breasts, the smoothness of her stomach. He’d never wanted anyone so much in his life. He groaned as she snaked a leg around his waist. His tongue trailed the side of her neck, lashing against the stream of water. She ignited something in him he couldn’t explain.

  He twirled her to the side, pressing her back against the tile.

  She smiled up at him. “Good morning, Ben.”

  “We don’t have to check out until after breakfast. What are you in the mood for this morning?” Bolt asked.

  They had gotten dressed and made a reservation at one of the hotel’s restaurants for breakfast.

  Skye shoved her heavy shades on her forehead. “What I want is not on this menu.” She winked.

  He laughed. “I think I’m rubbing off on you.”

  “Maybe.” She shirked. “Coffee. Lots of coffee and then pancakes.” She folded the menu on the table. “With lots of whipped cream.”

  Bolt choked on his water. “You’re killing me. I promise we’ll go back to bed after breakfast, but I have to feed the machine. I can’t exist on sex alone.” He loved the pouty look on her face.

  The waiter meandered over to the table and took their pancake
and coffee orders before leaving again.

  “So, was it worth the thirty-day wait?” Skye teased.

  “Who is this girl? You are bold.” He leaned forward so his hand could rest on her thigh. “Yes. It would be worth a year’s wait if it was always like that.” He settled into his seat, wondering if he had unleashed Pandora’s box by sleeping with her. If that was the case, he was glad he had found a way to unlock her inhibitions.

  She changed her expression. “Thank you for waiting. I know I didn’t make it easy, but thank you.”

  “Baby, I would walk through fire for a night like that with you.” He nodded at the waiter as he placed a pot of coffee on the table.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really.” He poured a cup for each of them.

  “Ben, I was thinking about something.” Skye fidgeted with the sugar spoon.

  “What’s that?”

  “I know this sounds crazy, but what if we take off this week from work and just go somewhere? Like Catalina or Cabo. I don’t know, you can pick the place.”

  Ben closed his eyes. Fuck. He had every intention of telling her, but every time he thought about it, something else came up. She could read the look on his face.

  “What’s wrong? Did I say too much? Is that moving too fast?”

  “No, I would love to take a trip with you.”

  She beamed. “It would be amazing. Shower sex every day, guaranteed.”

  “The thing is.” He stopped to let the waiter deliver two heaping piles of pancakes complete with berries and whipped cream. He inhaled sharply. This was going to suck. “See, I can’t take any time off work this week. We’re on lock down.”

  “Lock down? That sounds serious.” Skye poured syrup on the pancakes before dabbing spoonfuls of whipped cream on top.

  “It’s not that kind of serious, but it’s what always happens the week before a deployment.”

  “A deployment? Who is leaving?” Skye was focused on breakfast.

  “I am.”