by Megan Ryder
“No noise, Mr. Wainright. Or someone might investigate and what would they think?” She chided him lightly.
He gritted his teeth against any sounds, wordlessly begging with his hips. She obliged, wetting her lips then licking the tip ever so gently. She leaned forward and sucked him deep inside in one motion, her cheeks hollowing with suction as she took him to heaven and beyond.
All too soon, he was jerking and crying out, his climax shooting through him as if coming from deep within. She gentled him, with soothing licks and lashes from her tongue. Finally, he stopped, and found himself seated on the bench, Miranda resting her head against his thigh. During his peak, he had tangled his hand in her hair, and the blond waves tumbled about her shoulders and pins littered the floor.
He massaged her scalp, caressing her neck. That was about all the motion he could make. After several long minutes, she pushed to her feet and grabbed a bottle of water from the bench and drank deeply. She handed the remaining half to him and he wordlessly drained the rest.
“Miranda…” he began.
“Shush.” She placed a finger on his lips. “A little preview for tonight. I’ll see you in the owner’s box when you’re ready. Use the employee locker room showers if you want. Through there.”
She pointed to the door behind them. She slipped out to the main corridor quickly, ensuring no one could see inside.
He slumped against the wall, his heartbeat thudding almost out of his chest. Damn, if that was a preview, he wouldn’t survive the night.
*
Later, long after the game, the employees gathered for the traditional Opening Day celebration on the field with their families. Lucas sipped a beer and watched the festivities, the players mingling with the staff. The mood was light and celebratory since the Knights actually won the game handily, eight to two. First time they’d won an Opening Day game in four years. It was a good start.
“Didn’t know you had it in you, Wainright.” Cole Hammonds clapped him on the back.
Lucas whirled and glared at the other man who was grinning. “Nice trick, Hammonds. Watch your back, because I owe you.”
The words flashed him back to the locker room and Miranda and his blood heated, thoughts of the night to come just under the surface. Cole just watched him, his body loose and relaxed, but his eyes held a glint of something, a hardness that belied his relaxed impression.
“Miranda seemed happy with your performance today.” The words were casual but the eyes glittered sharply.
Lucas reminded himself Cole didn’t get to be general manager of the team without being able to bluff and make deals.
Lucas nodded, not taking his own attention from the other man. “Yup. Opening Day will be memorable, until the next game.”
Cole stepped closer, invading Lucas’s personal space, their hands almost touching. Lucas resisted the urge to step back, refusing to give an inch to this man, another alpha male his same age competing for dominance in the team. Deliberately, Lucas raised his can of beer and drained it, all without taking his eyes off of Cole.
“I know there’s something going on between the two of you. It’s not my place to get in the middle of it but, since her father isn’t around, I feel it’s my place to look out for Miranda. I don’t know if you’re playing a game or being serious, but don’t hurt Miranda.”
“Or what?” Lucas drawled. “I don’t see where Miranda’s personal life, or mine, is any of your damned business. Unless you have a more personal interest in her. In which case, I’d say get over it.”
A muscle in Cole’s jaw jumped and his shoulders tensed. “I assure you, Miranda is no more than a colleague to me, at best a sister. So you’re damned right that I care about what happens to her. I don’t trust you, Wainright. And I don’t want to see her hurt.”
“You’ve been listening to Seamus too much. I’m here to do my job, that’s all. Anything between Miranda and me is completely separate and personal. I appreciate you looking out for her, but I’m telling you to butt out. Got it?”
Lucas slapped the other hand on Cole’s shoulder and pushed past him, suddenly done with socializing and having his motives questioned. Miranda must have seen his scowl because she excused herself from the people she was chatting with and came across the field.
“Is everything okay? Did you and Cole have an argument?”
Lucas willed his muscles to relax but, suddenly, all he wanted to do was sweep her up in his arms and finish what they started so many hours earlier. “I think I’m ready for my payment.”
She flushed, and bit her lower lip, looking around her nervously. “I can’t leave yet. The party is still going strong.”
He gritted his teeth. Now that he could smell her sweet perfume, his body wanted nothing more than to bury itself deep inside her until she was wrung out. He leaned down to whisper in her ear.
“You have two hours. I’ll come to your condo then. Be naked.”
She shivered but nodded. He strode off the field, unable to be social any longer. Two hours. He only had to wait two hours. Damn, it would be the longest one hundred and twenty minutes of his life.
Chapter Nineteen
A knock at the door startled Miranda. Her hand shook, sloshing wine over her wrist. She sucked the liquid up, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep calming breath and straightened her robe, her skin rubbing against the white silk, exciting her further. As if the two-hour delay wasn’t anticipation enough. Her skin tingled and burned, her nipples like hard little diamonds rubbing against the material until she almost moaned with the sensation. At the second knock, her core swelled and clenched, as if on command for Lucas.
She gripped the back of the chair for a moment, willing her body to calm but that wasn’t happening. She slowly walked to the door and opened it, staying in the shadows of the entranceway. Fortunately, it was Lucas because she hadn’t checked, lust clouding her judgment.
Lucas leaned against the frame, his face tense, a bottle of wine in his hand. His eyes widened when he saw her, then darkened with lust.
“Damn, Miranda.” He groaned, then pushed through the door, shutting it firmly behind him and engaging the lock with a loud snick. “I thought I told you to be naked. A robe, even one as sexy as that one, doesn’t count.”
A shy grin spread across her face, along with a blush. She shrugged out of the robe and let it fall off her shoulders to pool on the floor beneath her. “Is this better?”
He rested the bottle on the end table next to the door and reached for her. “Yes.”
They came together in a rush. He lifted her against the wall and kissed her as if his life depended on it. She twined her arms around his neck and her head fell back as he peppered his way down her throat, to the tops of her creamy breasts, tonguing the tops, then working his way down to take a tip in his mouth, sucking hard.
“Wait.” She gasped. “Not here. Down there.”
He followed where she pointed down a hallway. “One floor? Thank God.”
He carried her down the hall and to a sensual paradise.
*
Miranda stretched and moaned at the delicious soreness throughout her body. Sex was much better exercise than going to the gym. More fun and she got to stay in bed. Win-win.
She reached out to the other side of the bed. It was rumpled but cool to the touch. When had Lucas left? She suppressed a flash of disappointment. After all, it was nothing more than she had done in Florida. Maybe she deserved it. She lay back against the pillow and closed her eyes. The day after Opening Day was always an off day for the team, but business departments met as usual, though some came in a little later. She had time before she had to be in. One of the perks of being the boss.
A sound from the down the hall caught her attention. She rolled out of bed, yawning, and grabbed her robe. Belting it, she wandered down the hallway and stopped abruptly. Lucas, wearing only his jeans, slung low over his hips, was busy at her stove, opening and closing cabinet doors. The sense of relief almost brou
ght her to her knees.
“The pans are below the stove.” She offered.
He jumped at her words, then grinned a sheepish smile. “I was hoping to have breakfast going before you got up. Did I wake you?” He bent down flashing a bit of skin at the top cleft of his ass and claw marks on his back.
She flushed. “I need to trim my nails.” She hopped onto one of the bar stools at the breakfast bar and propped her head on her elbow, hesitating to say what was on her mind. “I thought you had left.”
He paused, but didn’t turn around. “I almost had to, if I couldn’t find the pans. Good thing you keep your fridge stocked.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
He placed the pan on the stove and turned on the burner.
Finally, he crossed the small space and took her face in his hands. “If you want me to leave, I will. But I’d rather stay.” He pressed his lips to hers, a gentle, fleeting kiss that ended almost before it had begun.
She curled her hand around his arm to pull him back but he separated from her. “No more of that if we want to eat.”
She made as if to slide off the stool. “What can I do?”
“Nothing.” He slid a cup of tea across the counter. “I can use a teapot at least. Drink your tea and relax.”
Feeling a bit superfluous, she sipped her tea and watched him whip up a couple of omelets and make toast. “You know your way around a kitchen. Unusual for a man who lives out of a suitcase.”
“I’m with most teams for an extended period of time, a few months at least, so hotels and restaurants get old fast. Most teams keep apartments or have deals with management companies for short term housing for players who are traded. They’re great for privacy and not having to go out all the time.”
“Sounds kind of lonely. Do you ever get together with people from the office? Oh wait, you don’t get involved.” The last was said without any real heat, just a teasing tone.
He laid a bowl of fruit on the breakfast bar. “Not like here, true. I’m usually too busy to be lonely.”
“Are you? Or do you just keep yourself busy?” She popped a blueberry in her mouth. “Do you have a girl in every city?”
“What’s this? An interrogation?” He folded the omelet and sprinkled spices on it.
“Just trying to get to know you and my competition.” She held her breath at the last word, trying to gauge his reaction.
He arched a brow at her. “If you want to know if I date a lot, why don’t you just ask?”
“I thought I just did. I want to get to know the guy I’m sleeping with, to see who I’m in contention with.”
He split the omelet and slid it onto two plates. He laid them down in front of her, pulled out the second stool, and sat down to eat. “I wouldn’t have gotten involved with you if I was seeing anyone else.”
She took a bite of her breakfast and moaned, onions, peppers, and spinach flavors teasing her taste buds. “Wow, that’s so good. Or maybe I’m just starving.”
They ate quietly until the plates were scraped clean. She got up and gathered the dishes. “You cooked, I clean.”
“That’s the easy part. You have a dishwasher.” He teased.
She shot him a look. “Fine, you can do the dishes, too. More coffee?” She poured him another mug from the carafe and herself another cup of tea from the kettle. Then she sat on the stool, tension rising inside her, muscles previously relaxed now tense and strained.
“So.” She bit her lower lip, not really sure what else to say.
He waggled his eyebrows. “Want to save some water and shower together?”
Saved from her stupid desire to talk through everything, her stiff shoulders relaxed. “Race you.”
Chapter Twenty
Later that morning, much later than Miranda had planned, she and Lucas rode the elevator to the executive level, holding hands. The doors parted and Cole and Stacia stood on the other side. For a moment, everyone froze like a rabbit scenting a predator, unsure of how to act. Stacia’s gaze dropped to the entwined hands and her brows rose slowly. Cole’s face quickly went blank, not showing any emotion, but his eyes darkened as he looked at Lucas.
Miranda straightened, then tugged Lucas, and they stepped out of the elevator. After a long moment exchanging looks with Lucas, Cole only nodded and got on the elevator. The doors started to close before Stacia shook out of her surprise and slipped inside before they shut.
Miranda let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and looked at Lucas, who was studying her with an unreadable expression. Her hands shook and she stepped into a small alcove off the side of the elevators. Lucas followed her.
“Everything okay?”
“I’m not sure. I didn’t expect to see anyone,” she replied.
He plunged his hands in his pockets. “Does it matter so much?”
“We hadn’t talked about bringing this into the office. How do you feel about it?”
He shrugged. “I’m not ashamed and I won’t hide from us.” He cast her a sideways glance. “How do you feel about it?”
How did she feel? Obviously she felt comfortable enough to be holding his hand in the elevator, in the office. A part of her must have wanted to get caught.
“Why should it matter? We’re both adults. What we do on our own time doesn’t affect anyone else.”
“What if word gets back to your father?”
Shit. Her father. She bit her lower lip and leaned against the wall, mind racing. “Cole won’t say anything. Stacia has no reason to talk to Dad, so I think we’re good.”
He advanced further into the small space, until she could feel the heat radiating off his body. “Maybe I don’t care what your father thinks. Maybe I want everyone to know. What do you think about that?”
She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “I’d prefer to tell my father in my own way. Not have gossip get back to him.”
He retreated a few steps. “So you want to keep this a secret?”
“No, I want you to come to dinner.”
*
Miranda spent the morning trying to concentrate on status reports, while a part of her whirled away to Lucas and the scene that morning. She hoped he didn’t feel trapped into admitting to the relationship, forced because they were seen. No matter. They were in for it now.
A quick knock at the door was a welcome distraction. She glanced up and saw Stacia in the doorway, an excited look on her face.
She looked behind her then slipped in the door, almost racing to the desk. “So, when did that happen? Opening Day?” Stacia sat in one of the chairs, leaning forward with her elbows on the desk. “I didn’t know you two had gotten so close.”
Miranda face burned, taking her time to choose the right words. Not that she knew what to say. “I’m not really sure how it happened.”
Stacia snorted. “I’ll tell you. Late nights, long hours, traveling. He’s hot and you’re pretty. What else do you need?”
“Respect.” The word came out before she had time to bite it back.
Stacia nodded. “Respect is critical. Do you have it?”
Miranda pursed her lips and gazed out over the empty stadium. “I think so. He listens to me, and offers suggestions, not orders. I didn’t expect that.”
“The brain is the sexiest organ.” Stacia grinned.
Miranda thought for a long moment. It was nice to have someone to talk to. She could trust Stacia. Stacia and Jason rarely spoke with Seamus so her secret would be safe with her. Not only that, since Miranda had taken over the presidency, she had lost several of her friends. Different interests and all that, not to mention time. She and Stacia had known each other for years growing up but had gotten much closer since last fall when Stacia helped, and subsequently fell in love, with Jason Friar. She had had the same struggles and figured it out. Maybe she could help Miranda.
“Is that how it happened with you and Jason?”
Stacia leaned back in the chair and crossed one leg over the other. “I’m not
really sure how it happened. Hot sex helped but it was more important that he was there for me, supporting me with my job, my father. It happened slow, over time.”
Miranda shifted forward in her chair and propped her chin in her hand. “You only had a few months.”
“That was the beginning of our relationship. We didn’t decide to marry right away. We work on it every day. You and Lucas are just getting started. You’ll figure it out.” Stacia paused. “What does your father think?”
Miranda laughed. “I haven’t told him yet. But I have to, especially now that it’s in the open.”
Stacia stood up. “Well, stick firm, Miranda. I like Lucas and I think he can be good for you. Don’t let anyone else into your relationship. It’s hard enough with two people, never mind adding in a third person.”
She walked out of the room, leaving Miranda to her thoughts.
Chapter Twenty-One
Two weeks later, Miranda and Lucas stood at the front door of her parent’s house. Miranda fiddled with the strap of her purse, dropping the keys to the house. She cursed softly and Lucas bent down to pick them up. He held them just out of reach when she grabbed for them, a teasing smile on his face.
She stopped and planted her fists on her hips. “Give me the keys, Lucas.” She tapped her foot on the concrete porch step.
“Not yet. You’re too tense.”
“I’ll be better once this night is over. Trust me.”
“Nope, we can’t wait that long.”
He tucked the keys in his back pocket and slid a hand around her waist, pulling her close to him. She placed her hands on his chest, holding them apart. He slanted his lips on hers, soft and gentle, designed to relax her, not get her all excited. He slid his other hand up her back and into the loose blond waves. He held her head in place for his devastating kiss, stripping her mind of all thought and worry. When he lifted his head, she blinked at the blinding porch light that his head had been blocked.