Winning Her Love

by Hazel Gower

  Shrugging, she got in the front. She shot a glare at Owen when she found the front filled with empty take-out containers. “Thanks, Owen. That was real nice of you.”

  He chuckled.

  Alex got in and at least had the good grace to look embarrassed. “Sorry about that, Lana. I’ve been on stake-out this past week.”

  She looked down at the floorboard then back up at Alex as he started his car. “This is only a week?”

  He shrugged, and she shook her head. Alex was a cop, a detective, and he worked weird hours, but she knew he made almost all of Chad’s games. Lana studied Alex as he drove. He and Chad were very similar, but now that she really looked Chad was better looking, well prettier, where Alex was rugged, with his five o’clock shadow and his longer hair that fell just past his ears, and she knew he didn’t have dimples like Chad did. Alex was thirty-nine and a hard, stern man. Besides his looks, he was gruff and closed off, the opposite of Chad.

  “Do I have something on my face?”

  Mortified that she’d been caught checking him out, she felt her cheeks heat. “No. I was just noticing how different you are from Chad.”

  She glanced back at Owen. He was the quiet one. His blond hair fell to his shoulders when it wasn’t in a ponytail, and he had their mother’s color, even her blue eyes. He was handsome and had a defined chin and high cheekbones. All the Douglas brothers were hot, but now that she thought about it the best looking of the bunch was Chad.

  “I’ve never really noticed how different you all are.” She chewed on her lip and cast her gaze at Alex. “I mean, I’ve crushed on Chad for years, but always thought you were all pretty hot. But now I see you’re so very different.” She continued nibbling on her lip. “It was you, Alex, that I was attracted to first. I wonder if it was because you’re the oldest. I don’t like you like that now. I haven’t for a long time.”

  Alex, Owen, and Steph burst out laughing. Alex shook his head and she saw color rise on his cheeks. “I’m glad you cleared that up. Poor Chad hated me for weeks, and Steph gave me death stares.”

  Lana giggled, joining in the laughter that came from the backseat. She loved the Douglases, they always made her feel like part of the family.

  When they arrived at the stadium she and the Douglases sat in the family area they’d been appointed. Steph had offered her something to wear with Chad’s team colors but Lana said she was happy in what she had on. Olivia was so excited she talked nonstop. Catharine was amazing with her, and seemed to relish in every moment with Olivia. When Lana had tried to calm Olivia down all the Douglases told her not to worry, that they loved Olivia and she was fine. So Lana sat relaxed in the family box and couldn’t tear her eyes away from the guys on the field.

  God, if she had known Rugby League was filled with this much hotness, she would have watched it a long time ago. She remembered going to a game or two when Chad had first started but now she was old enough to appreciate the uniforms, short shorts, and tight shirts.

  Lana had no idea what the score was, she was too busy looking at long legs and arses in short shorts, and every time they tackled each other she bit her lip to stop a groan. “Wow. Just yum. Eye candy galore.”

  “Yeah, I told you, you were missing out, Lana.” Steph giggled beside her and roared when one of Chad’s team members tackled the other team.

  Lana watched the game captivated. Olivia squealed and bounced around in excitement every time Chad came on the field. By the end Lana only knew who won because the announcer said and Chad’s team jumped all over each other. Lana had had the best perve in weeks. When the stadium started to empty the Douglases stayed seated along with some of the other family boxes.

  “What happens now?” Lana asked Steph.

  Steph had a huge grin on her face as she turned to her. “Oh, there will be a big party. Mum and Dad don’t go to those, so they’ll take Olivia home with them.”

  “I can’t ask them to miss out. I will see Cha—”

  “Mum is excited about having Olivia. I thought she’d told you.”

  “Um, no.” Lana looked at Catharine. She was talking animatedly with Olivia who had a huge smile on her face. Lana walked over to them. “Hi. Steph just told me about a party. I’ll take Olivia home. You can go.”

  “No. Charles and I don’t need to go to that. You go. I’m looking forward to spending some more time with my granddaughter. Chad told me that you have her in a daycare when you work on Saturday? That is just ridiculous. She should get to spend every Saturday with her grandma.”

  “Argh…” Lana was lost for words. “How about we see how it goes today? Every Saturday is a big commitment.”

  Catharine held her hands. “You have fun tonight. You can pick Olivia up late tomorrow. Think about what I just said. I would love to have her.”

  “Thanks so much. I’ll think about it.”

  Catharine nodded and let her go. Lana walked back over to Steph who was talking about the game with her brothers. Steph look at her as she approached. “I told you. She is so excited about having a grandbaby.”

  “Yeah, thanks for that. She is off our backs now that she has Olivia.” Lockie hugged her, and Lana rolled her eyes at his words.

  “I’m glad I’m useful for something.”

  Owen nudged her. “You’re useful for other things too, like keeping our brother in check.” He winked at her. “I haven’t had to bail him out of any sticky situations lately.”

  “Thanks, now I know my life is complete. I just have to monitor Chad.”

  They all laughed, and Lockie let her go.

  “Come, we better go,” Steph said.

  “Where is this party at?” she asked Steph.

  “It’s at the club, the one that’s their sponsor. Alex will take us back to my place so I can get changed. You can borrow something to wear.”

  Steph’s brothers went over to talk to their parents.

  “Why do I need to change?” She looked down at her jeans and tank top with her black high heel wedge sandals.

  “Trust me, you’ll want to change. This will be filled with skanks throwing themselves at Chad. I can’t believe I’m about to say this about my brother.” She gave a dramatic shiver. “They say sex with a rugby player after a game they’ve won is amazing.”

  Lana grinned. “Really? Well, I better make sure I wear something nice and go without certain things.” Lana laughed as Steph made gagging noises.

  “Yuck, I don’t want images of my brother’s sex life. It’s bad enough my best friend dates him.”

  Lockie came back and put his arm around Steph and gathered Lana to his other side. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing, Lockie, I just told Lana about why the skanks will be all over Chad.”

  “Oh, send some over my way. I’m having a dry spell.”

  Lana rolled her eyes because she highly doubted Lockie was having a dry spell. He was a walking woman magnet. It also helped that he was a TV weatherman. Lockie was really smart. He knew all about weather systems and had a masters in meteorology, and with his handsome looks he’d been offered a job with the highest rating TV station.

  “Yeah, right. What, you’ve been without a woman for a night or two?”

  Lockie let go of Steph and clutched his chest and blinked at her, trying to look innocent. “I’m hurt you think I’m that bad of a man whore.” Lana raised her eyebrow and Lockie sighed. “It’s been almost two weeks.”

  Giving a fake gasp, Lana burst out laughing when Lockie nodded, a serious expression on his face. “Oh, you poor baby, a whole almost two weeks. I just bet cobwebs have started to grow down there.”

  Lockie grinned and they started walking toward what she assumed was an exit out of the stadium, but it wasn’t. Lana followed, knowing the Douglases knew where they were going.

  They came out at a place where the players were talking to the media. Chad stood talking to a TV presenter. Lana took a step back, not comfortable with being so close to everything. She glanced back to make sure Ol
ivia was safe and out of the limelight. Lockie’s arm tightened around her, and she looked over at Steph who smiled at her.

  Chad stopped talking and excused himself, coming over to them quickly. He was still in his uniform and Lana could see the sweat covering his body. His parents congratulated him. Olivia threw herself at Chad. “Daddy, yous were very good.” Chad picked up their daughter who kissed him. “I love yous, Daddy.”

  “Love you too, princess. I’m happy you like watching Daddy at work.”

  Olivia beamed at her father.

  Lana sank back into Lockie’s hold as she watched. Chad kissed both of Olivia’s cheeks and gave her to his dad, he then turned around to her and a smile stretched over his face as he came straight for her. His huge grin faded to a glower before he gathered her to him.

  “Lockie, get your fucking hands off my girl.”

  Lockie laughed and let her waist go. She tittered for a moment, realizing the weight she had leaned on Lockie.

  “Sure, bro. I was just guiding her so she knew where to go.”

  Chad pulled her to him and took her mouth in a kiss that spoke of possession. His tongue drove in and tangled with hers, and he yanked her closer to his body. She melted into him, even loving the smell of his sweat coated body. Boy, she had it bad when sweat smelled good.

  Loud clearing throats and Steph’s groan of “gross” had her easing away, but Chad didn’t let her go too far, his arms circled her waist as he turned her to face his family. “Give me a hour or so to finish up with interviews and stuff, and I’ll meet you at the club.”

  His family nodded and she wiggled to get out of his arms, but Chad didn’t let her go.

  He turned his attention to their daughter. “Be good for Grandma and Grandpa, princess.” He winked at Olivia.

  “Okay, Daddy.”

  His parents turned and walked away with Olivia in Charles’s arms. Lockie winked and followed them.

  Chad nibbled on Lana’s neck. Turning in his arms, she looked up into his bright green eyes. “Chad, let me go.”

  “Never,” he whispered.

  She shivered as his voice sent a jolt straight to her pussy. “I came with your family. I have to go.”

  Chad groaned, leaned down, and brushed his lips over hers before he let her go. “I’ll see you in an hour or so.”

  Lana nodded and chased after the Douglas family.

  * * * *

  Chad intended to have a beer with his team and leave with Lana to celebrate their victory alone with her. His adrenaline was still running high, and he was eager to find Lana. The league club was packed, and all his teammates were already there.

  He wandered through the crowd being constantly stopped and congratulated and talked to about how he felt about this season and what he thought was ahead. Women threw themselves at him and he detangled himself from them, telling each one he wasn’t interested and he was in a relationship. His teammates were scattered around, and he searched for his family, sure Lana would be with them. He was surprised to find her with Tim. What the fuck?

  Storming through the crowd, he didn’t stop for anyone until he reached the couple talking. Grabbing Tim, he punched him in the face, then threw him, going after him again. Fuming at Tim for talking to Lana after what he’d done the other week, and still pumped from the game, he yelled at Tim when he was down, “Stay the fuck away from Lana.”

  He could hear Lana yelling at him, but he ignored her and focused on the dickhead before him. He’d never been close to Tim, he always thought Tim was a wanker and full of himself. Tim fought back, yanking his hands off him, and came at him again.

  “I was apologizing for the other week. She was just telling me not to worry. I didn’t know you two were together.” Tim was up in his face.

  “Well, we are, so stay the fuck away from her. Actually, don’t even glance in her direction.”

  Tim glared at him, and Matt and Bob came and stood between them. “Look, the both of you need to cool it. Tim, go over to coach, he was asking for you. Chad, go out to the balcony and cool off.” Matt’s voice was clear and broke no argument from either of them.

  Matt was right, he did need to calm down. Chad wasn’t moving though, he’d wait until Tim moved the fuck away, he didn’t trust the idiot. He glared at Tim, who finally turned and slowly walked away.

  Chad looked around and found Lana struggling to get out of Alex’s arms. He nodded to his brother, and he let Lana go and she rushed straight to him. “What the hell did you do that for? You didn’t need to punch him. Tim was just apologizing for being an arsehole the other week.”

  “Yes, I did. He needed to know to stay away from you.” He gathered her to him, happy when she went willingly. He walked to the balcony door and went to the edge to look at the view and talk.

  “Tim didn’t need to have the crap beaten out of him to be told that.” Lana stared up at him, her eyes narrowed and her mouth firm. Her anger was clear.

  “Yeah, he did. Tim’s a dickhead, and I wouldn’t put it past him to apologize and try and do something stupid.” He yanked her closer to him and lifted her up so she was level with him. “I want everyone to know you’re mine. No one messes with what’s mine.”

  He took her lips to his own, showing her that she was his. Lana moaned and wrapped her arms around him.

  He wanted to take her home. Pulling from her mouth, he rested his forehead on hers. “Let’s go. I want you so bad.”

  She stared at him for a moment and wiggled herself down to get on the ground. “I’m so angry with you right now. I hate that you think you can just kiss me and all will be good.” She placed her hands on her hips. Her silver stilettos tapped on the tiles, and her body straightened, which brought focus to her breasts that bounced, and he now noticed were braless in the sexy little black dress. Damn, she looked stunning. Lana stared daggers at him, but he could see the passion from the kiss still lurking. She was so hot when she was mad.

  “You know what you’re doing right now is just turning me on more. You look so fucking hot glaring at me.” He yanked her to him. “I think I might have to get you pissed off more often.”

  Lana’s nose scrunched up, adding to her affect. She whacked him on the chest. “That is so not funny. I’m trying to have a serious talk and you…you are saying that.”

  Holding her hands in his, he brought her knuckles to his mouth and kissed them, grinning when she melted against him. “I’m sorry, angel. I was looking forward to seeing you and spending the night together, just you and me. When I came here and found you with that dickhead leaning in close and talking to you I saw red, and I wanted to make sure he knew you were taken and he had no chance because you’re mine.”

  Lana sighed loudly and took a couple of steps away from him. “It’s really hard to stay angry at you, especially when, after watching you run around and tackle other yummy men, I’m so turned on. You’re so delicious in your little shorts and shirt.”

  He growled and stalked her. “No other man better be yummy to you. I’m the only one you need to think is delicious.” He winked at her and she giggled, wrapping her arms around him. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  He took the back way out of the club, because he didn’t want to have to deal with anyone going back through the league club again.

  * * * *

  Lana felt like she was in bloody heat. Chad did it to her every time she was with him, but today she felt a desperate need within her. Watching him work, and seeing the passion he put into his sport, had her drooling over him. Lana couldn’t wait to get him alone. The way she felt she would jump his bones.

  As soon as she’d left the stadium and was with Steph, Lana had time to think over all she’d seen today as she got ready for the party. By the time they arrived she was in no mood to be with other people. She knew what she wanted, and she was going to get him.

  While she’d waited for Chad, the wanker from the other week came over to her and tried to apologize. Before she could tell him to fuck off Chad, in
all his masculine glory, came over and went caveman, and damn if that didn’t spike her already high need for him.

  When they started fist fighting that was when her lust turned into anger. That wasn’t what she’d wanted. She didn’t mind Chad pushing dickhead out of the way or telling him to stay away, but there was no need for the fight. When things got intense and the crowd grew she became more pissed off.

  Chad’s two friends broke the fight up, and Chad dragged her out to the balcony. He’d deflated her anger so easily, and now she sat in the car watching him as he sat squirming under her gaze.

  They barely made it through his door before Chad pushed her against the hall wall and plastered his mouth to hers. He lifted her, balancing her, and wrapped her legs around him, and using his strength, ground against her. Lana watched as his arms bulged and he panted. She felt hot all over. Chad grabbed her hands and yanked them up, holding her as a willing prisoner.

  Holding her hands in one of his, he used his other hand to frantically push her dress up and undo his pants. “I’m so fucking hot for you right now, angel. I need you so bad.” His fingers glided up her thigh, and he sucked in a deep breath when he reached her pussy. “Holy fuck. This whole time you haven’t been wearing anything under your dress.”

  Grinning up at his agonized face, she nipped his lip. “Yep, just for you.”

  He groaned and took her mouth in a deep, desperate kiss. Melting against him, she let herself go, grinding herself on him, eager for her release. The tips of his callused fingers trailed down her arms, slid the dress straps off, and caressed her burning skin, going back and forth across her collarbone and dipping down to push and mold her breasts. Clenching her thighs tighter around him, keeping her balance, she groaned as everywhere his fingers went tingles followed, flowing straight to her core. His hand on her butt squeezed before gliding down to dip into her pussy and sink in and out. His body wiggled, spreading her legs further apart.

  “I’m going to fuck you so hard.” His eyes blazed as he stared at her.

  Moving her hands down over his defined abs, she sank her fingers into his boxers and pushed them down to join his jeans that sat as his ankles. Her hands circled around his firm cock, pumping it up and down. A groan slipped from his mouth as it left hers. “If you keep that up, I’ll be finished before we’ve even started.”