by Hart, Lane
"Don't worry about me. I'm just going to get a cab and head home," I respond. I'm not sure I trust myself to let Zack take me home and not give in to his charm. Even if he is angry and I'm right on the verge of the emotion, too.
"No, don't leave yet, sweetheart. You should come party with us for a little while," the rocker says.
"That's not going to fucking happen," Zack answers for me.
"Oh, this should be fun," Cain says with a smirk, anticipating my wrath.
"You know what, I'm not that tired after all. I think I'll stay, but you can go on without me, Zack."
"Natalie...I don't think that's a good idea. Let me just take you home."
"No," I say quickly, grinding my teeth together in aggravation. "There's that word again, twice in one week. Maybe you'll finally figure out what it means."
"You..." Zack starts, then turns away from me, running his fingers through his hair, tugging on a blonde chunk of it. "You are the most...stubborn woman I've ever met!"
"Why, because I'm the first woman that refuses to sleep with you? I warned you that I wouldn't. Did you think I was just playing hard to get? Did you think that if you spent a fortune on a date that I'd change my mind? Because I can tell you right now, I'm not!"
"So you won't fuck me, but you'll fuck him, is that it?" he asks, pointing to the singer who is still snickering while watching our argument.
"I’m not going to fuck anyone!" I yell at him. "There, do you feel better? Is your ego appeased now? Have I finally convinced you to stop pursuing me?"
"We had a deal," he mutters through his clenched teeth and my jaw drops.
"And you're going to hold me to it for the calendar, aren't you? Why, Zack? It can't be because you remember me from college and want a second chance. You didn't even realize who I was until a few hours ago! I'm just a random girl, no different from the however many others that came before me and all the ones that will come after me," I say, shaking my head and blinking back tears. Tears of frustration that I'm nothing more to him than another piece of ass. "So, unless you can give me one honest reason why you're doing all this," I gesture with my hands to the club. "I just want you to leave me alone."
Rage fills Zack's dark eyes, and for a second I'm almost scared that he's going to hurt me, either with words or his tightly clenched fists. Then the angry but still gorgeous giant does the last thing I'm expecting. He picks me up and kisses me.
I gasp and push my palms against his chest, fighting to escape his strong arms when my feet leave the floor. Oh, but he doesn't fight fair. Once I feel the slide of his tongue against mine I'm a goner. I moan and my entire body goes limp in surrender. The next thing I know he's sitting down and I'm clinging to his neck right before my bottom lands across his lap like he's a naughty Santa Claus.
Zack's arms stay wrapped tightly around me, with one large palm cradling the back of my neck to force me to keep my mouth on his. He controls the kiss, forcing his tongue into my mouth, while I try to reciprocate as best I can. I savor the familiar sweet taste of him with each of his deep thrusts, wanting more.
My fingers comb gently through the back of his thick hair until I give the strands a tug. When he retreats in response I take advantage, pressing my body against his chest and exploring his mouth more thoroughly, feeling the contrast of his bristly chin stubble rubbing against the smoothness of mine.
I gasp when I feel his hard bulge growing underneath my bottom but the sound of my surprise, along with his own groan, is drowned by the kiss. Now I know why my mom always told me not to sit on boys' laps when I was a teenager.
Zack is very obviously a big man all over. Despite my denials, as soon as I feel his thick arousal my lower belly tightens with longing. For the first time I can actually feel how much he truly wants me. I never said I didn't want him. I just told him I wasn't going to sleep with him. And I'm not.
I'm not?
No, I'm definitely not.
Our incredible kiss seems to go on forever, the rest of the world forgotten. I can't remember where we are or what I'd been yelling at him about.
When my lungs feel like they might explode from oxygen deprivation I reluctantly pull away, resting my forehead in the crook of Zack's neck, unable to meet his eyes just yet. My body shivers from the intensity of how damn good that marathon kiss was, even better than all the ones before it.
"Cold?" Zack asks rubbing a warm palm up and down my arm. I shake my head since it's not the temperature wreaking havoc on my body.
"Natalie, when I kiss you...I've never felt anything like this before. I want more. I'll do anything for more. Is that a good enough reason?"
Feeling the same way, I nod since I don't have any other response to his sweet words. Even now I'm fighting the urge to run my tongue along the side of his neck and kiss down his scruffy golden jaw to feel the prickly texture.
"Are you ready for me to take you home? And no, I'm not going to try and get you to invite me up tonight," he says, resting his chin against the top of my head. "But eventually you will. It's just a matter of time and you know it. You wouldn't fight me so hard unless you want me as much as I want you. Not because you're like every other woman, but because you're nothing like them."
I know I'm no different from all the others, but he's probably right about me sleeping with him and that scares the shit out of me.
...
The next day at work I'm dragging from exhaustion. Zack dropped me off at my apartment and I went inside alone as he promised around one a.m. Apparently, our kiss at the club had gone on for a really long time, and was noticed by those around us.
"Look at you, all cuddled up in the lap of a sexy quarterback!" Rachel exclaims when she strolls into my office holding up a printed photo from one of the celebrity gossip websites. "I'm so flippin' jealous! Now I want to hear everything about the entire date."
After she takes a seat I happily go through the night in extraordinary detail for her, even the argument before the kiss.
"Wow. You not only met Cain Blevins, but you actually got to touch him? You could've partied with Tri-Polar?"
"Yeah, but then Zack sort of distracted me for the rest of the night."
"That is one decision between two sexy men I'm glad I'll never have to make. So, when are you going to see him again?"
"I don't know yet."
"Have you heard from him since last night?"
I smile thinking about the photo he sent me this morning. I grab my phone and pull up Zack's selfie to show Rachel.
"Yeah. He texted me this picture with a message that said, Aren't you glad you didn't have to wake up to this? and his hair is all messy." I flip my phone around to let her see it.
"Son of a monkey's whore," Rachel gasps, clutching her chest in awe, and making me giggle. "That man is too pretty to be real."
"I know, right? I mean, even with bed head he's still magazine cover gorgeous."
"And those shoulders and pecs...damn girl. Did you send any pics back?"
"No way. He probably has pictures of naked models on his phone. I don't want my mugshot lined up next to all them."
"You have issues, and one day soon I hope you get the hell over them. You are beautiful, and don't just take my word for it. Zack Bradford and Cain Blevins think so, too."
I roll my eyes and then we stop gossiping to discuss actual work, including the ideas I got from last night's concert to possibly host our own in the future.
A half an hour later my cell phone vibrates across my desk with an incoming call from an unknown, out of state number. Rachel stands up to leave and give me some privacy.
"Hello?" I answer right away, wondering if it might be...
"Natalie, hi. It's Cain."
"Cain," I repeat, glancing up at Rachel who's standing in the doorway. She fans her face with her hand and then drops dramatically to the floor, making me giggle into the phone. "My coworker just fainted hearing that it was you on the phone."
He gave a masculine chuckle. "Well, good to know someone swoons for
me. I take it you and Zack Bradford, ah, kissed and made up?"
"Um, yeah. I guess you could say that."
"Well, my offer still stands. If you give me your address I'll head over with a couple bags full of items signed by all three of us."
"Wow, that would be great! We're at 1477 Trade Street in downtown."
"Oh sure. We're staying at a hotel about a block away from Trade. I'll see you in a few."
"Thank you so much, Cain!" I say before hanging up. "Cain Blevins is on his way here!" I tell Rachel.
She jumps up from where she'd dramatically fainted and starts running around the office, notifying Tracy and Amanda who join her in celebration. Cain is going to think we were all lunatics in North Carolina.
Before he arrives my cell phone rings again. My mom. It must be important since she never calls me while I'm at work.
"Hey, Mom," I answer. "Is everything okay?"
"Why didn't you tell us you were going out with Zack Bradford?" she exclaims.
"It's just a few dates, no big deal-"
"No big deal? This is a huge deal! Going out with the guy you fell in love with in college and have crushed on ever since!" she says, making me cringe with embarrassment.
"I didn't love him, it was just a silly crush."
"Uh-huh," she says, disbelieving. "If I remember correctly, that video of you two helped get you through your worst days after chemo. No matter how bad you felt, it always put a smile on your face. And now you're dating him?"
"Seriously, Mom, everyone knows what a player he is. I'm not getting my hopes up that I'm any different."
"Oh, but, sweetie, you are different, and after seeing the photos of you two last night on the Internet, I think Zack Bradford agrees."
"Whatever," I say, waving off her enthusiasm.
"How have you been feeling?" she asks, and I know exactly what she's referring to. My family worries more about recurrence than I do, which is really saying something.
"I feel great."
"Thank goodness. You're only a few weeks away from your semi-annual checkup. Have you already scheduled your appointment with Dr. Turner?"
"Yep, I go back to see him on November twenty-ninth, right after Thanksgiving."
"Great. I'll plan to take the day off to go with you and celebrate."
"You know I won't have the blood work results back until a few days later."
"I know, but I'm feeling optimistic."
The front door jingles and then Tracy squeals, making me groan. She could at least try to find some composure now that he's in the building.
"Sorry, Mom, but I've got to go. Cain Blevins just walked in."
"Cain? Cain Blevins?" I hear her gasping over the line.
"Talk to you later. Love you, Mom," I laugh before hanging up on her stuttering.
I quickly roll my chair back from my desk to go save the famous singer. In the front lobby dressed in plain jeans and tee he's surrounded by my starstruck coworkers.
"Um, ladies, let's give Cain a little room to breathe, okay?" I ask them.
He smiles at me, holding up the two big bags. "Hi, sweetheart," he says in greeting and the three women whimper. "Sorry, but this was all we had with us."
"No, this is great. Seriously. We really appreciate it. I'll get it up on the auction in a few hours and then let you know how much we raise at the end of the month."
"Great. Save my number in your phone," he says, making Rachel squeak, and drawing his attention to her as he heads to the front door to make an escape. "Is she the one that fainted?" he asks me gesturing to her with his thumb.
"Um, yes."
"Then text me her number." He chuckles when Rachel squeaks supersonically again.
"Absolutely," I promise.
We all shout goodbye as he walks out of the building.
"Natalie, I swear I think you're a freaking hot guy magnet," Tracy says, making us all laugh.
Chapter Seven
Zack
Friday after practice I shower and get ready for my and Natalie's third date. Only one more after tonight. I have to figure out a way to convince her to keep seeing me.
The press from Wednesday night had been insane with headlines like, "Who's the mystery woman who wrapped Zack Bradford around her finger?" Dean says Satan and Jerry are happy, which means I can't do anything to fuck this up with Natalie. I need her to keep going out with me, so I can keep my contract. I also want to keep seeing her.
There's something about her...and kissing her, well, it's unlike anything I've ever felt before. The exhilaration, the heat, it reminds me of my first kiss as a teenager. Feeling that amazing tingling sensation and connection with someone for the very first time...only with Natalie, it happens every single time.
And of course I want a helluva lot more than to just kiss Natalie. I mean, who wouldn't? She's gorgeous and just so damn adorable. There's also something about her that draws people in, like my teammate and that fucker, Cain Blevins. Thinking about how he'd tried to make a move on her, and hell, now had her phone number, has me so enraged I want to break his jaw. And the part I can't figure out is I actually liked the bastard and had been a fan of his until he made a move on Natalie.
I'm still not sure why I got so fucked up about her and him that night. She's just the saintly woman I need around me if I want to keep playing football, nothing more. But I can't afford to have her fall for someone or even agree to date someone else. I'd be screwed if the press found out we were no longer together. And fucking her, well I'm telling myself that would just be an added benefit. Although...something about that has my stomach in knots.
I pull into her apartment complex, turn off the car off, and head up to get her. I still can’t believe I'm actually going to comply with her spending limit rule. I've never had a woman tell me to not spend money on her.
After my knock, Natalie answers a second later, wearing a sleeveless black dress that hugs her curves and ends just above her knees. Again, she's wearing a pair of black, fuck-me heels.
"Hey," she says, sounding out of breath.
"Hey. You look great," I tell her, unable to hide my smile.
"You, too," she says with her own wide grin.
Pulling the door closed behind her, she locks the door then throws the keys into her little purse. "So where are we going? The Rinky Dink?" She giggles.
"Not tonight," I respond. "The Comedy Zone."
"Sounds fun. I could use a few laughs," she says as we head for the parking lot.
"Me, too," I agree. "So how was work this week?" I ask, opening the car door to help her into the passenger seat.
"Great," she replies, sliding in without another word.
I want to know if that punk rock fucker made good on his offer. "So did you hear from Cain Blevins?" I ask, needing to know for whatever reason. Oh, to make sure she wouldn't be seen in public with anyone else. Yeah, that’s it.
"I did. He came by with some signed hoodies, shirts and posters yesterday morning. We sent out notices on all our social media sites and email list, and I've already added everything to the auction site."
"That's good. Did he flirt with you when you saw him?" I ask.
"Um, no," she smiles. "He actually wanted one of my coworker’s number, so I texted it to him."
"Oh really?" I ask in relief. I don't want to date the woman who’s also dating that fucker. Now I hate him a tiny bit little less.
"Yeah, but I don't think he's called her. She's still taking her phone with her everywhere just in case. Her and my other coworkers are freaking out that they met him, and they're pissed they didn't think to get any pictures with him while he was there."
"You ready?" I ask as soon as I park outside the club. I really didn't want to hear any more about that jackass.
"Sure," she says.
I jump out of the car and go around to open the door for Natalie. When she takes my hand and stands up, I lean down and cover her shimmering pink lips with mine. I'm hoping to loosen her up and maybe have a few pi
ctures snapped. But hell, really I just want to taste her again.
I moan against her lips which are the same delicious flavor as before. "Mmm. You taste like cupcakes," I tell her after I straighten back up and lick my now moist lips.
"It's vanilla, and you're not going to make this easy, are you?" she asks breathlessly.
"Of course not." I smile at her lustful expression. Now, I know better than to anticipate anything happening at the end of the night, but a man can wish. "Come on, let's go in."
We walk through the entrance of the comedy club, and once we're inside with other people around, Natalie tries to pull her hand away from mine. I hold it firmer just to aggravate her.
She’s the opposite of every other woman I've ever dated. In public most women latch on to me like we're Siamese twins and can't wait to have their picture taken. Even Lacy was clingy the few times we were out in public together, although hers was more of staking her claim than affection, since she knew I’d cheated on her. I've never had a woman try to pull away from me. Natalie really is rough on my ego.
"Table for two reserved under Bradford," I tell the hostess.
The woman bites her lip and shamelessly looks me up and down for several seconds before she gasps. "You're Zack Bradford! Oh my God, it's really you!"
I hate when people do that shit, tell me my own name. I squeeze Natalie's hand and look over to see how she's holding up. She looks amused, but happy at least.
"Yep, it's me. Is our table ready?" I ask trying to move the hostess along.
"Sure, right this way," she says as she finally walks us over to a semi-circle booth in the back. Perfect. I can sit beside Natalie and keep my hands on her.
Once we both slide in, we meet in the middle with our thighs touching. I put an arm over the back of the booth, and give Natalie's shoulder a squeeze. I know I'm probably sitting closer than she likes, but she's too nice to say so. And I'm going to take advantage of that.
"You're server will be right with you," the hostess says. I'd forgotten she was still standing there.
"Thanks," I tell her so she'd know she's free to go.
"Everyone's looking at us," Natalie says softly while her eyes sweep around the room. This date will be different from Wednesday night since all those uppity people at Chemistry didn’t gawk at us. Now that we're out in the general public, well, that's a whole other ballgame.