Not so much just his bed. His arms. She’d liked the feel of being held in those big, strong arms and wanted to know how it felt to belong there.
He’d claimed she was his. He’d been so very right.
Rhett Banes had marked her as his own the night he’d had his wicked way with her. The very first illicit touch had etched his name on her soul. Taylor had thought she’d had it bad for him when she was fourteen. That crush had nothing on the raw ache she felt for him a decade later.
Yet, if she moved home, she’d have to admit defeat. She’d also probably admit to Rhett she was an absolute sucker for him. He’d not expressed the same for her. She wouldn’t be his plaything, like the other women he’d been with.
No, she wasn’t moving home. Better to forge ahead and find her way instead of running back with her tail between her legs. If she went home, it would be the worst mistake she could make.
“Honey, why don’t you and Jennings go find the car and pick us up? I want a minute with my baby,” Taylor’s mom said to Taylor’s dad.
Both men took off without a word. As soon as they were out of earshot, Mama Bear came out. “What’s wrong, Taylor?”
“Nothing,” Taylor said, slapping the best smile across her face she could. “I’m wonderful.”
“Don’t you lie to me, young lady. I know when there’s something up, and there’s something up. You just achieved one of your dreams. You should be ecstatic. Why aren’t you?”
Taylor sighed and looked off into the distance for a moment, something catching her eye. As soon as she caught a glimmer of it, it was gone. She wasn’t sure what she’d seen, but it couldn’t have been. She turned to her mother and smiled half-heartedly. “I feel like a failure.”
“A failure? You just walked across the stage, how is that a failure?”
Taylor walked a few steps to an open bench and sat down. “In my rush to leave Dixon, I took the first job thrown in my lap.”
“And you hate it,” her mother finished.
“How did you know?” Taylor asked as she lifted her head to stare at her mother.
“All the phone calls over the last few months, well I figured it out. As time went on, the less good you had to say about it. Eventually all I got was a It’s fine, and I knew it wasn’t fine.”
“I hadn’t planned to spend my days listening to snobs spend their day in the country club or on the back nine. It’s not even a good use for my degree. I’m a glorified servant to those people. And my director—uugghh, that man—he’s a menace. He had the audacity to lecture me one day I wore a pencil skirt. This isn’t a place for you to dress inappropriately. You’re not here looking for a rich husband. You’re here to work. As if I’d want to marry any of the old, pompous windbags I’ve had to deal with! I felt like wearing my old Sports Shack uniform the next day, just to see what they’d think of that.”
“Then it’s not the job for you. Come home and start a new search.”
Taylor jumped up and pulled off her cap. “And admit failure? Not happening.”
“You’re just like your father. Too proud. There’s nothing wrong with saying I made a mistake. Better to correct it now before it sucks you in any further.”
“I’m not coming home. I’ll suffer with a job I hate until I can find a new one. And I will find a new one.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to look without working eight to ten hours a day?” her mother asked. “You sound exhausted when you call me. How are you supposed to focus on the job hunt if you’re exhausted?”
“Mom, I love you, but stop. I won’t admit defeat and run back home with my tail between my legs.”
“Like I did?” a masculine voice asked.
Taylor spun to see Rhett standing a few feet away with a dozen red roses in hand. He looked so handsome, wearing a suit. She’d never seen him in a suit, except on television. He cleaned up pretty well. A hint of his warm cologne hit her nose, and she breathed in the scent, her body immediately reacting to his presence.
“Our stories aren’t the same,” Taylor said after the shock of seeing him there wore off. “Technically, you’re still employed.”
“I won’t be if I can’t get my head straight for next season,” Rhett said as he took a couple of steps closer. He held out the roses. “These are for you.” He leaned in to kiss her check after she accepted them. The feel of his warm lips on her skin made her nipples tighten. Something so simple made her want him with a ferocity she’d never encountered. He was her drug, and she was slowly becoming addicted.
“Congratulations,” he whispered against her ear.
Taylor shivered, the warmth of his body making her pussy begin to dampen, the need to have him inside her overriding. “Thank you,” she replied lowly before looking up and staring into his eyes. His gaze heated the longer it remained locked with hers. “Why did you come?”
“And miss your big day?” he asked with a grin. “I couldn’t miss the chance to tell you how proud I am of you.”
He’d wanted to be there on her special day? Why did that make her all warm and squishy on the inside? Stop it! He’s your kryptonite! Danger, danger!
“There’s your father. I’ll just go wait in the car,” her mother said. Taylor had almost forgotten she was still there. Embarrassment flooded her face as she turned to nod her mother’s way. Her mother patted Rhett’s arm as she walked through the two of them. “Take all the time you need, sweetheart.”
“Thanks … er … for coming, I guess.” Taylor wasn’t exactly sure what to say. Her family was waiting for her, but inside, she wanted to stay close to him. She felt the pull, even if she couldn’t admit it to him.
“You’re mine, remember?”
Taylor felt anger creeping up through the desire she felt. “I already told you that you didn’t own me. Nothing has changed since the last time I saw you.”
Rhett stepped in closer and kissed her. Her knees went weak as soon as his mouth was on hers. She grasped handfuls of his shirt to hold herself up, but soon felt him grasp her waist and help her keep upright. As soon as he released her from his kiss, the world spun and she couldn’t catch her breath.
“You’re right. Nothing’s changed since the last time I saw you. Only I realized something else.”
Her heart beat a staccato in her chest. “What’s that?”
“It’s not a matter of ownership, it’s a matter of what’s right. You’re mine.” He smiled widely. “And I’m yours.”
And I’m yours. The words sounded so good. But her plan. She had to remember the plan. Rhett wasn’t a part of that. He was going to wreck everything.
Or make it more wonderful.
The girly parts of her stood up and cheered that sudden idea. Since the beginning, she’d been unwilling to think something between them could work, only because she didn’t want to get her hopes up. In her desire to protect herself, she hadn’t left open the chance for something real to blossom.
Could it?
Fear slipped back into her head, and she glanced at her parent’s car. “I’ve got to go. They’re waiting. We’re supposed to go have lunch and celebrate.”
Rhett backed away a step and looked down. “Will you ever stop running from me?”
Taylor didn’t know what to say to that. She didn’t want to run, but it seemed to come so naturally when it came to him. “I don’t know …”
Rhett let out a sigh. “Then I suppose you should go.”
Taylor nodded. Rhett turned and started walking away.
When he’d gotten about five paces away, words bubbled from her chest and sprang unbidden from her lips. “You could always join us.”
Rhett paused and slowly turned around. The smile that started to spread across his face was contagious—she was fairly certain hers was just as wide.
“I’d like that,” he said, a glimmer in his eye.
Chapter Nine
Rhett watched as Taylor peeled off the sexy little dress. She’d taken the regalia off before they ate, and he’d not bee
n able to ignore her body all through lunch. She’d sat next to him, her body proximity doing things to his body. He’d been hard for three hours and if he didn’t get inside her soon, he was sure he’d die. His whole body was on fire for her, his cock throbbing with every beat of his heart.
Now she stripped for him as they stood on the edge of his pond. She’d been chased out of that pond for skinny dipping for years, but this time he would chase her in. And then he’d sink between her thighs as the warm water lapped their bodies.
“The pond looks cleaner,” she said as she unhooked her bra.
He was so focused on her movements, he almost didn’t catch what she said. “I had Mr. Branscomb come out and dredge it out last month and clean it up.”
Taylor wiggled out of her panties and walked closer to the edge. She put one foot in and smiled back at him. “I can see all the way to the bottom.”
She dived in and he stood there watching her frolic in the water a moment. Taylor belonged here, on this land. She’d snuck over as a child because it called to her. Just like she called to him. Not a night went by that he didn’t think of her, but he’d kept his distance, not wanting to push her away. Three long months he’d spent alone with the house and the land, fixing it up. All the while, he’d known he was making it right for her. This was all hers.
“You gonna come in or just stand there and watch me,” she asked as she popped out of the water, her hair molded to the sides of her beautiful face. The wicked smile on her lips only made him harder, which was impossible.
Rhett kicked off his shoes and quickly disrobed before jumping in. As soon as he was in the water, she splashed him and he chased after her. Once she was in his arms, she fought a little but then stilled and molded her nakedness against his. His hard cock rested against her stomach, throbbing to let her know it was there. Taylor rubbed herself against him, making a groan come from his lips.
When she lifted her legs to wrap around his waist, he knew he was done for. In the position, her pussy pressed against his shaft. Even in the water, he could feel her slickness and heat. She was as ready for him as he was for her. Rhett leaned in to kiss her gently before he broke away to gaze down at her.
“I want you so much,” he whispered. “But I want more than a few random fucks.”
“I have a plan—”
He cut her off, not needing to hear her spiel again. “You’re going to let a plan get in the way of something wonderful?”
Taylor wrapped her arms around his neck. “If you’d let me finish. I have a plan, and I lost sight of everything else just to reach my goals. Now I have a job I hate and a man I want and I don’t know what to do.”
A smile played at his lips. “Sounds like it’s time for a new plan.”
She nodded. “You’re right. But what about you? You came here to sort out your life. Fixing up a house is all well and good, but did you worry about fixing up what’s in here?” She pressed her hand to his heart.
Rhett captured that hand and held it closer. “I think I just needed to be reminded of the man I was, the man I wanted to be. I allowed too many people to get me spun around and off-track. The money, the lifestyle … well it can get to you. This house will be my sanctuary. I can come here and remember what’s important.”
Taylor looked up at the house. “You did a fine job, by the way. I can’t wait to see everything inside. Jennings said it looks amazing. You better not have torn it up too much, though.”
Rhett nodded. “What? And incur your wrath? Not on my life.”
She smiled.
“It’s all for you anyway,” he said.
Her smiled faded, and he feared he was losing her. “For me?”
“You belong here more than I do. You laid claim to this land years ago and never let go. Now, you’ve laid claim to me, too. It’s a package deal.”
Taylor’s mouth dropped open. “What are you saying, Rhett?”
“This place is as much yours as it is mine. I want you here to remind me who I am and where I want to go.”
“What about my life? My dreams?”
“I’m not asking you to give anything up, but I hope we can find a way to work things out. I think it’s possible.”
Taylor shook her head. “You’re about to leave for training camp. You’ll be half a country away. How are we supposed to work around that?”
“I just got traded.”
Taylor looked up at him. “Where?”
“Houston,” he said with a grin.
She began to smile before leaning in to kiss him. “So you won’t be the traitor anymore? Then I’d say that’s a very good sign.”
“Traitor?” he asked.
“How you could leave Texas and play for the opposition is traitorous at best. Now I can root for you.”
Rhett pulled her close, his cock slipping between her folds. “You weren’t rooting for me before?”
Her answer really didn’t matter once the tip of his cock slipped inside her without prodding. A moan drew from her lips, and he surged in a little more. Taylor began to roll her hips as he slid all the way home. She felt so good, so hot … so raw. He was uncovered, and they were unprotected, but he didn’t want to leave the heaven he was surrounded in.
“We need a condom,” he managed to sputter, his body shaking with the need to move.
“I’m on the pill,” she said, her forehead against his cheek. “And you’re the only one I’ve been with in a long, long time.”
Rhett let out a deep breath. “I just had a physical and know I’m clean.”
Taylor lifted her head some and kissed him deeply. “Then have at it, lover.”
Rhett didn’t need any more encouragement. He clasped her hips and began moving within her fiery body. She was so slick, so hot, he knew he’d never felt better. Taylor seemed always ready for him, her responsive cries pushing him to make her scream in satisfaction.
Taylor pushed her hands through his wet locks and held on for dear life. Their bodies slapped together under the water, the surface ripples growing wider and stronger as he picked up the pace. Sweat beaded and rolled down his neck and back from his strain to give her everything she needed.
“You feel so good,” she said as she let her head fall back. “Harder, Rhett, harder.”
He leaned in to run his lips across the slender column of her neck as he obeyed her command. She tasted of sunshine and the outdoors. She tasted of this place, a constant reminder of who he was and what he would always be. Rhett needed her in his life. She belonged there.
Rhett gave her everything he had, opening himself like he’d never done with anyone else. He felt raw, exposed in a way that he feared. Taylor captured his stare, and he watched the passion unfolding on her face. Each thrust of his cock made her moan. Her eyes filled with emotions he couldn’t even guess, but he hoped she felt the same things he did.
When her body tightened against his and he knew she was about to come, he reached between them and pressed against her clit. She screamed her release against his lips, her pussy throbbing around his cock and almost making him follow her. He bit the inside of his mouth, trying to stave off a release.
He was nowhere near being done.
After a moment, Taylor’s arms and legs relaxed around him. She laughed, a grin coming to her lips. “You really know what you’re doing, you know that?”
“Oh, you haven’t even begun to see my best,” he answered.
She looked up at him and laughed again. “You’ve nearly killed me over and over again, and now you tell me there’s more?”
“Let’s go upstairs and I can show you some more,” he whispered against her forehead before pulling her closer. He walked to the edge of the pond and climbed out, Taylor still wrapped around his body.
She clung to him, only pushing his cock deeper. “I want more,” she whispered.
The double meaning to her words struck him. “More?”
“More of this. More of you,” she answered. “I can’t fight how I feel anymore.”
Rhett knew he’d finally won the battle. “You can have all you want, baby.”
Epilogue
Six months later…
Taylor watched the on-screen commentary as she sat beside Jennings in his living room, the game gearing up behind the announcers. The two men on the TV had been yapping away as she drowned out the sound—until the topic of Rhett came up.
Just when we thought he was slipping, Rhett Banes has proven himself yet again. The move to Houston seems to have lit a fire under him.
That’s right, Joe. He’s been on fire for sure, connecting with an unprecedented amount of throws so far this season. I don’t know what changed between last season and this one, but whatever it was could be called miraculous. He’s playing at his best. No, I take that back, he’s playing better than his best and it’s wonderful to watch.
Indeed. And with the improvements the defense has made, I can really see this team making it all the way.
Excitement at that thought filled her with hope, and not just because she was a Houston fan. Rhett was playing great ball and she was happy for him. If he kept it up, the team would deserve a chance at the Lombardi trophy. She fidgeted beside her brother, cradling the longneck bottle in her hand, hoping Rhett would have a good night again tonight. Her beer was probably growing warm as she was solely focused on the screen. It was the first away game she hadn’t been able to go to, and it now felt odd to be sitting at home to watch. Rhett had promised to give her a sign somewhere through the game to let her know he was thinking of her. He didn’t tell her what it was, but said she’d know it when she saw it.
“You think you can sit still? You’re gonna shake this couch so much I’m going to end up seasick,” Jennings barked.
“Yeah, well, get ready for me to jump, holler, and scream at the TV.”
Sacking the Quarterback Page 7