Love's Freedom

by Misty Wright

  His demeanor was all off. He didn't seem upset that she was there, just surprised. If he had another woman, wouldn't he be acting guilty or angry that she had interrupted them? Regardless, she was going to let him know how she felt. She placed her hands on her hips and stared up at him trying to avoid looking at how well-shaped he was. Gosh, she had almost forgot how he looked without a shirt!

  "I called you earlier and a woman answered the phone. I'm here to tell you face to face that I don't want to see you again!" She waved an arm toward him. "Obviously I interrupted something."

  To her complete chagrin and surprise, he threw back his head and laughed. If she wasn't so angry, she probably would have found that attractive.

  "Mark!" she said, suddenly feeling stupid and not knowing why. He really didn't act like he was having an affair with another woman.

  "I'm sorry, honey," he said, getting himself under control, but another laugh escaped him. "That was my sister."

  She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

  "Really." He took her arm and led her farther into his apartment and down the hall. He stopped in front of a room, opened the door and flicked on the light. On the bed was an open suitcase. It looked like it had been rifled through.

  "She's here for a wedding and is crashing here for one night."

  She flushed and said, "Oh, lord."

  Then he pulled her farther down the hall and opened another door which was clearly his room from the masculine touches. It was neat and tidy except for the bed that he had obviously crawled out of to answer the door.

  "This is my room," he said, looking down at her with clear amusement in his eyes. "If I had a woman in this apartment, I doubt very much I would be sleeping in a separate room with her if we were lovers."

  "I feel so stupid," she muttered, bowing her head.

  "No, absolutely not. I love the fact that you got jealous enough to confront me, but honey, no worries. I only have eyes for one hot-headed female."

  She looked up at him, still embarrassed. "Well, Mark, and look at you. You can't really blame me for thinking-"

  He cupped her face and stared down at her. "No, and I do understand why, but I told you before I'm monogamous."

  "But," she said softly, "I, I mean, we-"

  He smiled slowly, knowing she was having some difficulty discussing intimacy. "Just because we haven't been together, doesn't mean I'm going somewhere else. I like you, and I like you a lot."

  She nodded. "You didn't call."

  "I'm human, Evangeline. I needed some time, that's all. I've been neglecting my responsibilities with the team. Every time I get near you, I can't think straight. Even calling you to explain would make things worse." Hell, he wanted her. He really did, but he wasn't an ass who would take advantage of her vulnerability.

  Her mouth parted. "Really, Mark?"

  "How did you get here?" he said, changing the subject. Having her in his apartment alone was way too dangerous.

  "I took a taxi."

  "I'll go get dressed and take you home," he said, releasing her.

  "I woke you, didn't I?"

  "It's fine."

  "Mark, I can take a cab home."

  "Yeah, then I'll worry and wait up until you got there and called me to make sure you're okay. I'll only be a minute."

  "I suppose you have a game tomorrow?"

  "Practice at five in the morning."

  "Now I really feel bad," said Evangeline.

  He bent down and gave her a light kiss on the forehead. "I'll be fine, now go wait in the living room or I'll have to take you in my room."

  She widened her eyes and left quickly while his eyes wandered down her backside. He shook his head and went in his room.

  While he was getting dressed, Evangeline spent a few minutes looking at the pictures hanging on his wall. He had a wall full of them. Some were from when he was little and in a uniform, all the way up to what looked like the junior league, and beside him in most of them was a boy who could only be Janine. They were so cute. One dark, one blond. She saw others who must've been family and friends. She was wondering what his sister looked like and spotted a beautiful woman with long blonde hair and blue or green eyes-it was hard to make out the color.

  "That's my mother," Mark said from behind her, making her jump. He chuckled. "Sorry."

  She saw that he'd pulled on a white t-shirt and a pair of jeans. "Your mother?" His hair was still tousled, making him look a little untamed. It was sinfully appealing. She had to redirect her attention and quickly looked back at the photo remembering what he'd said about the woman being his mother. "No way. I thought she was your sister."

  "Well, she'll love you for just saying that. My sister," he said, moving over to a shelf and picking up a framed picture, "has my dark looks."

  "Oh wow, she's beautiful," Evangeline said, taking the picture. Her hair was just past her shoulders and she glanced back and forth at his mother. "She looks like her but with dark hair."

  "And dark eyes," he said, taking the picture and placing it back on the shelf.

  "My mother was young when she had Emily, and I was born the following year. She still looks good," he said proudly. "My father has more grey hair, but my mother says I'm a spitting image of him when he was my age. My sister, believe it or not, is this tall." He leveled his hand with his chest. "But hell on wheels when she's mad. Much like you."

  She frowned at him but he just grinned.

  He nodded back to another photo on the wall. "Those four dark-haired boys with Janine, the only blond, are his brothers. Cole" he said, pointing to one of them, "is with us. This is his second year. He's our star rookie. You met him at Janine's."

  "How long have you known Janine?" she said, nodding toward the photo.

  "Since we were four. We're as close as brothers."

  "He's really handsome," she said.

  He narrowed his eyes at her. "Yes, but married, very married."

  She laughed this time. "Now who's jealous?"

  "Very much in love with his wife, too," he continued, not changing his tone.

  She laughed harder. "You say I have no reason to get jealous. You're so sexy I never even noticed."

  "What did you just say?" he said, cutting her off with an expression of astonishment. Not once until now had she admitted to him her attraction. Oh, he could see it in her expression, but she was stubborn in not letting herself be vulnerable toward him.

  She snapped her mouth shut and blushed. She couldn't believe she just blurted that out.

  "I'm sexy?"

  She groaned. "Gosh, Mark, I'm such an idiot."

  "For complimenting me? Are you crazy? That's the first time you said anything along those lines. I was beginning to think you were immune to my looks."

  After a pause, she spoke softly, saying, "No, I'm not immune."

  His eyes went over her lovely face for a moment before he responded. "So, how susceptible are you, then?"

  "We should go. I've said too much already."

  He reached out and held her arm to stop her from turning away. "I've been dreaming about you. About us."

  Her eyes went back to him in question.

  "Being together," he elaborated. "It keeps me up at night. I'm tired for practice. I can't concentrate when I'm on the ice, unless I get worked up to the point of passing out and stay out of your life for a few days."

  "Mark," she started to say.

  "I'm not done, Evangeline, so be quiet," he said, gently moving his hand over her cheek. "I've never felt that way about a woman before."

  She took a deep breath but matched his stare. It was getting a little easier despite how much he towered over her. It wasn't hard to figure out that she was in love with this man and it was something she came to terms with when she missed him over the past two weeks, but his confession just pushed her that much further. He was really good to her, except with the long absences, but she really didn't have a right to demand he check in with her constantly. Seeing him now and how he looked down
at her, made her feel like the only woman in the world.

  "Stay with me tonight," he said softly.

  "Gosh, I can't." Gosh, I want to, she thought.

  "Honey, stay with me and let me show you how it can be between a man and a women, especially us. Then you wouldn't ever suspect that I was with another."

  Her stomach seemed to be filled with butterflies now and her eyes went to his mouth. "I'm scared."

  He nodded. "I know you are. I can take care of that," he said, stepping closer to her.

  "Really scared," she stuttered. It was hard for her to admit that she was so vulnerable toward him. She'd never dealt with feelings like this before.

  "I know." He bent his head and kissed her.

  If she thought of protesting earlier, she didn't protest now. Her hands slid up under his t-shirt and pressed against his hard, sculpted abdomen.

  "You need to tell me yes, Evangeline," he whispered against her mouth. He needed this to be her decision without him feeling as though he had seduced her. He respected her too much and he didn't think he could handle the guilt the next morning if he felt he had pushed her into it.

  She blinked a few times to focus. Her eyes went over his handsome face. She may not have said the words, but she did nod.

  For Mark, that was good enough. "Thank God!" He bent and scooped her up into his arms and carried her to his room.

  Evangeline didn't even remember having her clothes removed, but she certainly would never forget the feel of his naked body on hers. He was hard, hot, and surprisingly tender for how big he was. He kissed her, caressed her and moved deliciously against her body until she started whispering his name breathlessly against this mouth. Then he moved his attention lower; much lower.

  "Oh God!" Evangeline tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled while arching off the bed. At first she tried to get him to stop, but he was persistent, and after the first feel of his mouth and tongue, that was it! She was lost.

  Mark didn't stop what he was doing until he knew she was ready for him. She trembled and cried out as she reached her first orgasm. He wasn't done yet. This was going to be a long night and he was going to taste and touch every inch of her gorgeous body.

  He sat back on his heels and moved his eyes down her naked, satiated body with blazing heat before he bent and slid back up her slowly, seductively. Instantly, she started to respond to him again. Then he lifted himself up and over her, suspending himself above her on his arms.

  "Tell me what you want, Evangeline," he said huskily.

  "You, all of you," she whispered, reaching for him.

  He moved to the side and reached into his nightstand drawer for some protection. He may have seemed calm and collected, but his hands were shaking when he sat back on his heels and put it on. He wanted her so bad that he'd literally kill to have her. Then he moved back over her, taking her mouth under his as he settled between her thighs.

  "Wrap your legs around me," he said against her mouth. She did. Then he moved forward carefully sank into her. She gasped.

  "Tell me if I hurt you," he said, trying to control himself.

  "No, it's just different," she said.

  He kissed her hard and long while moving further and further into her. He was still trembling, not just with restraint, but anticipation. He would be her first and if the rest of the night was like this, he'd never look at another woman for the rest of his life. Nothing felt even close to what he was experiencing now, physically and emotionally.

  He was thankful that she was moist from her release because she was so damn tight he doubted he could have fit inside her if she wasn't. The last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt her. He couldn't handle it. Suddenly he felt the barrier and pushed through it, sinking deep within her, followed by a groan of unbelievable satisfaction that rumbled deep from within his chest. Every inch of him pulsed and shuddered with exquisite pleasure. He arched his back and pushed deeper, unable to get close enough. She whimpered and he lifted his head to look down at her, but he didn't move again.

  Evangeline could feel his whole body shiver and knew that he was doing his best to hold back from hurting her. "I'm okay," she said weakly, knowing what he was thinking. It hurt, but there was something else there, too. Somehow, having him so close to her made it all worth it.

  "Tell me how it feels," he said with his voice cracking huskily while he moved out, then back in again. It was easier this time, but she still winced. He reached down and moved his hand under her bottom to tilt her hips up to get deeper.

  That did it. She tilted her head back as something inside seemed to come alive. "It, it feels…" He moved again. "Oh, Mark, I can't-"

  He grinned and covered her mouth, thrusting his tongue deep into it to tangle with hers as he found a slow, torturous rhythm that she responded to. He was tender and patient despite the overpowering urge to claim her roughly. Yet, there was something about her that made him want to make love to her with all the patience in the world. It made everything come into perspective for him. This is what it was supposed to be like with a woman, he thought. A woman like Evangeline.

  The light of the moon silhouetted through the blinds and cast a dim, blue-white glow on the bare skin of the lovers as they moved as one in a newly discovered realm of ecstasy. Evangeline could feel that pressure building again and she tightened her legs around his hips. He must've known, because he gave her what she was thinking. Deeper, harder. She might have even whispered it in his ear. Soon she was calling out over and over again, unable to keep it in.

  "Open your eyes, baby, look at me," he said roughly while suspending himself on his forearms.

  She did as he asked and saw his handsome face grow taut through the blur of her own desire. Then he bent his head and kissed her hard while emitting a deep, visceral groan before bringing his full 210-pound muscular body down on her, too slack to move. Still he kissed her, tenderly.

  She finally opened her eyes to see him staring down at her. Then he reached up and moved her hair off her face.

  "Christ, I can't even begin to explain how amazing that was," he said. He bent his head and kissed her again.

  Evangeline felt like weeping. She loved him so much and now she knew that it was her heart that was invested more than his. She had just gave herself to him and it left her completely vulnerable. He seemed to sense it, but misunderstood.

  "Did I hurt you, Evangeline?" he asked gently.

  She shook her head. It wasn't what he thought. This time, tears did fall and she was embarrassed at her weakness.

  "Then why are you crying?"

  She bit her bottom lip, not wanting to tell him.

  He felt like a brute, thinking that he did actually hurt her. His heart felt like it had just been crushed. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry." He brushed her tears off her cheeks. "I rushed you."

  "No, Mark, please don't think that. You gave me the choice."

  "I'm experienced in getting what I want, Evangeline." He was worried that he didn't give her much of a choice at all. He knew he was physically persuasive and an innocent woman like Evangeline never really had a chance.

  She nodded and actually smiled a little. "I know, but this was my choice, really," she said honestly. Thankfully, he seemed to accept that.

  "Really?"

  She nodded.

  He moved to the side and pulled her tight against him causing his body to envelope hers completely like he'd never let go. His thigh moved over her hip as his arms wrapped around her. She buried her face into his neck and fell asleep. He fell asleep soon after.

  *

  "Hey," Mark said, sitting on the side of the bed, "time to wake up, sleepy head. I've got six o'clock practice."

  "What time is it?" she said, opening her eyes.

  "Four thirty."

  She was so tired that she could barely think. It took her a moment to get her bearings.

  "How do you guys do that?" She sat up, holding the sheet to her bare chest and couldn't help the blush that followed. In fact, she was su
re it went all the way to her toes. He was looking at her with those dark, sinfully seductive eyes, too, so that really didn't help. This newness between them had her completely unsettled.

  "I've been doing it since I was four, it's not that hard." He reached out and cupped her jaw. "How are you?" he asked with his eyes searching hers.

  She averted her gaze. "I'm fine."

  "I mean, are you sore?" he asked. Her shyness was completely spellbinding. He loved the raw freshness that she held.

  Her eyes came back to him, "Mark, some things are personal."

  He shook his head. "Not anymore." He bent over and gave her a scorching kiss. "There's nothing between us now. I know every inch of you." He smiled slowly. "However, I will give you some grace and allow you to dress without me ogling you, because chances are, I'm going to want to make love to you again and I can't risk being late for practice. I'll wait out in the kitchen." He got up and left, giving her privacy to dress.

  They didn't say much on the ride to her place because Mark knew that she had some things to deal with that were unfamiliar to her. He, however, was going crazy with wanting her again already. He pulled up in front of her house and turned off the car before turning to her. His eyes went past her to the house.

  "Are you going to be all right?" He was talking about her family and her not going home last night.

  She nodded, causing him to bring his eyes back to her. "They'll still be sleeping and chances are, they didn't even know I left."

  He gave her a smile. "Evangeline, you little deviant. Sneaking out with boys."

  She actually laughed. "No, just you."

  "That's right," he said, dropping his smile.

  She leaned over and kissed him. "Jealousy looks good on you, Mark."

  "I'm not jealous," he denied terribly, causing her to laugh again. He grinned. "Well, maybe a little." He looked at her for a moment. "About last night-"

  "I'm fine," she interrupted, blushing. "I really mean it." Her eyes searched his. "Mark, you made me feel like a beautiful woman." It was really hard for her to say, but she needed him to hear it. She honestly didn't want him to feel guilty. Evangeline always had had trouble expressing her feelings except for anger because of how her siblings were, but it was important that he know that she wanted to be with him of her own accord. "I know you feel as though you persuaded me, but really, it was my choice."