The Changeup (Men of the Show)

by Shaw, Rhonda

  Empowered by his acceptance and apparent satisfaction, she pulled herself closer to him, letting her breasts press against his chest. Chase inhaled sharply as she gently nipped at his soft earlobe before starting a path of slow, savoring kisses toward his mouth, while her fingernails lightly scraped up into the buzz cut along his neckline. Turning her head, she kissed the two freckles along his jawline as her fingers twisted into his hair. She tugged his head up from where he was gently scraping his teeth against her shoulder and pulled his lips down to hers.

  Levering herself up, Maddie pressed tightly against him and slowly rocked her hips. She could feel the hard length of him and an extreme sense of need hit her like an injection of caffeine. She was suddenly skittish, jumpy and reckless. Hot, molten lust erupted and spread everywhere within her. She tried to pull away from him while still kissing him frantically so she could reach down to unbutton his jeans, but her hands were so shaky that she couldn’t get a good grasp and groaned in aggravation before grinding against him again.

  “Christ,” he growled as the urgency between them spiked.

  Chase grabbed both of her wrists and manacled them behind her back while his other hand went under her butt as he carried her out of the front room and up the stairs to his bedroom.

  She knew she wasn’t making it easy for him as she squirmed and twisted in his arms, needing him everywhere, but she couldn’t help it. The itch that she couldn’t scratch for years, that was always just out of reach, was finally within striking distance. It was impossible to ignore or fight against it.

  Chase managed to make it to his room without both of them tumbling down the stairs. Stretching out on the bed, he pulled her down to him as he toed off his shoes. His fingers slid inside the waistband of her pants and followed it around to the front, where he effortlessly unsnapped them before dragging the zipper down. His mouth continued to work under hers as one of his hands gently cupped her, eliciting a gasp from her and a moan in response from him.

  He was driving her mad. She wanted to get rid of their clothes so she could feel him move inside her, but he was taking his sweet ole time and she was about ready to jump out of her skin. She decided she was going to have to take control if she was going to survive the night.

  “Jesus, Chase. You’re killing me,” she said breathlessly as she pushed herself up and onto her side.

  Unhooking the back strap of her silver sandals, Maddie shucked them across the room and pulled her pants off, tossing them onto the floor. In nothing but her white lacy hip-hugging panties, she knelt between his legs and unbuttoned his jeans. Chase propped himself up onto his elbows to help her pull his jeans down his long legs with his socks following. He lay there in nothing but green boxers with tiny white polka dots, which he filled out very generously, as her eyes moved hungrily over him.

  Her fingers began at his feet and worked upward, stopping to explore the muscles in his powerful thighs before gently brushing against the steel length of him struggling to break free from its confines. She could feel him pulse under her fingers and he took in a sharp breath at her light touch, which encouraged her to go further. Grabbing at the waistband of his boxers, she could almost feel him in her hand when he suddenly grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

  “Shit!”

  Maddie froze, afraid to move. She wasn’t sure what he was upset about, but she could only pray it wasn’t some embarrassing situation for him. She wasn’t sure exactly when guys learned more control, but she was afraid to look down.

  “What?” she asked hesitantly while looking in the opposite direction.

  She wasn’t sure what expression she had on her face, but whatever it was had Chase laughing so hard he shook the bed. “What are you thinking?” he asked as he struggled to breathe.

  “Um, I don’t know. I’m not sure...” she mumbled.

  “You think I just came, don’t you?” he teased.

  “Well, I didn’t know. The timing did seem to fit...” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the thought and felt her cheeks flame in embarrassment.

  Chase’s shoulders continued to shake in amusement as he pulled her down to him. He kissed her nose and then her lips. “I’m not saying you’re not driving me crazy and that I couldn’t go off at any minute, but I have a bit more control than that.”

  “Then what is it?” she asked, still blushing.

  “I was thinking that I don’t have any condoms and I’m guessing you don’t either. I definitely wasn’t planning on this.”

  The smile fell from her face. “Oh! No, I don’t. Damn it.”

  He pressed his lips against her hair. “Yeah, I agree, but we can...wait a minute!”

  Maddie watched as he jumped up from the bed and threw on his jeans. He rushed out of the room and down the stairs, the sound of the front door opening and closing following a moment later.

  “Huh...okay,” she said aloud to an empty room.

  A few seconds later, the front door opened and closed again, and he stomped back up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He strolled into the bedroom with a victorious grin on his face and box of condoms in his hands.

  “Uh, is there a condom vending machine outside or something?” she asked.

  Chase chuckled as he threw the box on the bed and sat back down. “No. I remembered I had a box in my car.”

  “And why would you have a box of condoms in your car?”

  “Because you just never know. The groupies, you know,” he added with a smirk.

  “Huh...interesting.”

  “I’m just kidding. It was actually a joke, a little hazing from my teammates. I came out of practice one day and they had filled my car with them, had even blown up a few of the colored ones and stuck them all around the outside. I gave a lot away but remembered I had a couple of boxes left.”

  “What nice teammates to be so concerned about your well-being and provide you with a lifetime supply,” she said as she put her arms around his neck and kissed him. “You look very sexy in just jeans, by the way.”

  “Not as sexy as you in your panties, which I like very much, by the way,” he murmured.

  Hooking her leg across his hip as they lay facing each other, Chase ran his hand up and down her smooth thigh before tucking it into her panties. He toyed lazily before thrusting deep inside her, catching her off guard with his quick change of pace.

  Already in overdrive, she gasped and her breathing quickened as she started to tremble from head to toe. He drove her over the edge in record time, moving in tune with her and sending tremors coursing throughout her body while she twisted and bucked against his hand, moaning in ecstasy. When she fell onto her back panting, he quickly pulled down her panties and tossed them aside. He took in the complete naked length of her and his eyes went black, his control teetering on edge.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he said in a raspy breath. “And you feel amazing,” he added as he pulled her closer to him.

  Maddie felt revived. Renewed energy surged through her with impatience right behind. She propped up on her elbow and hurriedly started tugging at his pants.

  “Why do you still have your pants on?”

  “Good question,” Chase said as he watched her pull them down and away. She immediately returned for his boxers and threw those quickly aside. When he was lying fully naked beside her, she took him in her hand and squeezed gently as she stroked his warm, velvet skin. His vision clouded at her touch and he had to take a deep breath to steady himself, not wanting to prove her previous assumptions correct.

  Reaching for her hand, he rolled her over and grabbed the box of condoms. Ripping open the box with one hand, he continued his assault on her mouth until he finally had to break away in order to tear open the wrapper. Repositioning himself over her, he looked deeply into her eyes as he gently brushed her hair away from her forehead.

  The ant
icipation was killing Maddie and she struggled not to squirm and writhe underneath him. She expected him to take it slow, so she gasped with surprise when he suddenly plunged into her.

  He slowly began to move, but soon insatiable need overtook him and each thrust was like the resounding pound of a hammer. It was as if a war had suddenly broken out between them as they tore and clawed at each other, panting as they greedily gasped for air. He was all over her, but it was as if she couldn’t feel him at all. She tugged and pulled down at him as he pushed her closer and closer to the edge.

  As she wobbled at the precipice, she hooked her arms around his neck and pressed her open lips to his as the climax rocked through her. She rode it out as she held on to him and felt him tense in her arms.

  As she tightened and convulsed around him, Chase couldn’t have held out even if he’d wanted to. He sought out her face, but saw nothing but a red haze of passion. Blinded by the overwhelming need for release, he finally gave into it with a low groan.

  He collapsed down onto her and rolled off to the side out of breath. “Holy shit...I’m never having sex with someone who isn’t older than me again.”

  Maddie laughed lightly as she tried to put words to what she had just experienced. It had been so beautifully devastating that she couldn’t do it justice. All she could do was purr in contentment as she languidly stretched from head to toe.

  Turning her head, she slowly trailed her eyes up his long, beautifully sculpted body. He lay on his back, relaxed and still, with his eyes closed and his lips curved in satisfaction. Feeling her gaze on him, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.

  Chase placed her on top of him, and threaded his fingers through her unruly hair to pull her face down to his. “Hmm,” he rumbled deep in his throat. “I could very easily get used to this.”

  Even though his words caused a slight ripple of panic to shoot through her, she fought to hide it. She forced herself to remain in the moment and enjoy the best sex she’d ever had. She’d treasure the time she had with him and when it was over, she would walk away whole, complete and richer for the time spent with him.

  But it didn’t stop her from wishing she were only a few years younger. She felt fragile and vulnerable, and she knew deep down that she’d just opened up her heart for Chase to take and crush.

  * * *

  Maddie’s lips kept up with his, but Chase could feel when a change came over her. One second she was soft and pliant in his arms and the next she was rigid and stiff. He could practically hear the gears grinding in her head. He knew her mind was eventually going to go into overdrive, but he’d held out hope that it wouldn’t happen as soon as it did. There was a lot they were going to have to hash out between them, but he wasn’t ready to break their closeness yet. He was going to have to distract her again.

  He tipped his head back so he could look into her eyes. “Maddie...” he softly chided.

  “What?”

  “I can hear your mind going a mile a minute.”

  Her cheeks flushed at having been caught. “I know, I know.”

  “We have all the time in the world to talk about things. Can’t we enjoy the moment before we start piling on?”

  “I’m sorry,” she said as she took a deep breath.

  “Hey,” he said and waited until she lifted her head. “There’s nothing to be sorry about just knock it off, ok?”

  When she smiled and it reached her eyes, Chase kissed her quickly before sliding out from underneath her. “I’ll be right back.”

  Maddie watched his perfect behind until he shut the bathroom door, cutting off her view, and closed her eyes with a sigh. He made it all seem so very easy while she constantly seemed to make everything difficult. But the situation was different for him than it was for her. He only had to do what was right for him, but she had to do what was right for her and Bree. Every decision she made not only affected her, but also affected her daughter. She couldn’t be careless in her choices; she had to weigh all options.

  She sat up and looked around. It was dark, but the bright light from the moon shone in, casting a soft light throughout the room. Clothes were scattered about, shoes strewn in opposite directions from their mates and the bed looked like a full-out battle had been waged on it. A cool breeze from the cracked window floated across her skin leaving goose bumps in its trail.

  Sitting up on her knees, Maddie leaned to the right to see her reflection in the mirror above his dresser. The woman looking back at her had been thoroughly seduced. Her cheeks still held a high flush and her eyes looked glassy, and there was a smug smile permanently in place. Her hair was a tangled mess, despite her attempts to tame it. If she’d ever felt so alive and sexy before, she couldn’t remember it. Chase had put that spark back in her and she didn’t want to lose it again.

  It was in that position that Chase found her when he opened the door. She knelt in the middle of the bed, running her fingers through her hair while the moon cast a mellow spotlight on her. Her pale skin looked like expensive china and when she turned her head and fixed her green eyes on him, he felt a slight squeeze on his heart.

  She started to sit back down when he put out a hand to stop her. “No, don’t.”

  Maddie watched tentatively as he walked over to her and sat on the bed, pushing her hair behind one ear. He slowly trailed his fingers down the side of her face as she gave him a questioning look.

  “You look amazing in the moonlight,” he finally said in a low voice.

  With her finger, she gently traced along the soft light that highlighted all the sharp lines of his muscles. Her blood began to simmer again.

  Moving slowly, Maddie straddled his lap as she lowered her lips to his. She’d meant to kiss him slowly, seductively, but once their lips met, it was as if they hadn’t seen each other in weeks. His fingers were tight in her hair and they grasped at each other, needing each other like they needed the air in their lungs.

  Without breaking the kiss, Chase reclined back and she fell with him, keeping herself tightly wrapped around him. She frowned when she realized she couldn’t feel his hands on her anymore, the air cold and empty around her, and was about to complain when they were suddenly back at her waist, lifting her up. He positioned her over himself and gently eased her down, sliding slowly into her. They both closed their eyes and uttered twin low groans.

  She placed her hands on his chest and gave him a big grin when he looked up at her. “I’m never having sex with someone who isn’t younger than me again,” she breathed out.

  He smiled and then watched as she led them back into their own private heaven.

  * * *

  Wrapped in each other’s arms, pleasantly sedated, Chase stretched. “Thank God I don’t have to pitch tomorrow.”

  Maddie’s head shot up from his shoulder. “I didn’t even think about that. Do you have to be at the ballpark by a certain time?”

  “Yeah, by 1:30. It’s okay.”

  She glanced at the clock and bright green numbers told her it was four in the morning. “I guess I should let you get some sleep. They won’t be happy if you’re overtired.”

  He tightened his arms around her as he nuzzled her hair. “Nah, I’m all right. I don’t have to pitch until Tuesday. I just do a light workout between games to keep up my strength and my arm loose.” He nudged her as he smirked. “Besides, you’re good for my endurance.”

  Maddie settled in comfortably against his chest. His smooth skin and taut muscles felt wonderful, giving her a sense of security she hadn’t felt in a long time. She let herself bask in the bliss of feeling a man’s strong arms around her.

  “Speaking of Tuesday, I want you and Bree there.”

  “At the game?”

  Chase placed his fingers under her chin and tilted her head up. “Yeah, I want both of you there. Can you come?”

  “I don�
��t have tickets.” She laughed when he rolled his eyes. “Well, yeah. That’d be great. I know Bree will be ecstatic about it. She’s wanted to see you in action.”

  “Yeah? And what about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Have you wanted to see me in action?”

  She levered herself up and caught his bottom lip in a light bite. “In more ways than one.”

  She squealed when he flipped her over and his hungry mouth quickly quieted any protest she might have had.

  An hour later, fully dressed, Maddie walked to the front door with him. “I’m sorry. I should get home before Bree gets up.”

  “It’s okay. I understand.” He smiled down at her. He’d pulled on a T-shirt and his jeans before shoving his feet into flip-flops left by the front door and grabbing her hand. “I’ll walk you.”

  “You don’t need to do that. Get back to bed and get some sleep.”

  Chase opened the door and held it for her. “Nope, I’m going with you. I need to make sure you make the long walk home all right.”

  She was secretly happy he was walking with her. She didn’t want their night to end, but she did have to remember her responsibility waiting for her at home. It wouldn’t look good if Bree got up in the morning and found Aunt Karen there instead of mom, even if she was only functioning on a few hours of sleep.

  They walked slowly, holding hands in the dead quiet of the early morning as the sun started to peek over the horizon, trying to relish their last moments alone together. She couldn’t get past how right everything felt. It didn’t make sense, it was as if they’d been together for a while rather having only recently met each other, but she didn’t want to question it. It felt too right to even ponder.

  They stopped in the middle of the sidewalk leading up to her front door and he leaned in to kiss her gently.

  “I’ll come by before we leave for the park on Tuesday.”

  “Okay,” she said, trying not to sound too much like an excited teenager in love, even though that’s exactly how she felt.