by L. P. Dover
Chris winked at me, and when he turned around, I laughed. “Next time, shave your back. You could make a toupee out of that.” The players broke out in laughter and picked on him, but it didn’t seem to bother him.
“All right, love, I’m going to keep Michael with me while you hang out with Kate. I’ll see you during my breaks.” He kissed me quickly and then pushed Michael into the dressing room. He was going to be in heaven with all those men.
I heard Derek say, “You never told me what you wanted after helping me with Hayden,” as they walked farther into the locker room. I couldn’t hear Michael’s reply, but I was going to ask him as soon as he got onto the field.
I found Kate in the supply room and helped her carry out the medical supplies. The stands were filling up, and soon there would be no empty seats in the house. “Do you ever get tired of the publicity?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “Not anymore. When Cooper and I started dating, we had a lot of problems with the press making up bullshit about us, but thankfully, that stopped. I’m sure Derek’s fans will be happy to see him with you, especially after everything he’s been through. He looks so happy now. Maybe one day you can come to practice and watch him.”
“I would love to do that if I didn’t work all the time. Maybe one day I’ll be able to.”
Michael joined us out on the field, his eyes lit with excitement as he gazed at the packed stands. “This has been unreal. I can’t believe you get to be this close to it.”
I laughed. “Well, I am dating one of the players.”
“One of the most popular players in the NFL,” Kate corrected with a wink.
“So what did you tell Derek you wanted for helping him? I’m curious.”
Spreading his arms wide, Michael said, “You’re looking at it. I wanted season tickets to the games, and he’s going to get them for me.”
“You sneaky bastard.”
He shrugged. “What can I say?”
Fireworks exploded overhead, signaling the start of the game. We watched in awe as all the players ran out onto the field. Derek winked at me as he ran past, and I waved. Cameras flashed all around; I didn’t realize they were taking pictures of me until Kate pointed it out.
“The reporters will want to know more about you,” she said. “You’re taking one of the city’s most eligible bachelors off the market.”
Michael moved closer to her. “What about the rest of the guys? Any of them available?” He waggled his brows and she laughed.
“Actually, there is one who prefers men, and I do believe he’s single.”
“Which one?” I asked. She pointed him out, and the look in Michael’s eyes said he was definitely interested. “Maybe there will be a party tonight and you can meet him,” I whispered, nudging him in the side.
“If there is, we have to go.”
“I’m pretty sure there will be,” Kate claimed.
Since the other team had the ball first, Derek had to take the field. He was the outside linebacker, so I got to watch him tackle players and keep others from running the ball. It scared me every time he rammed into someone. I tapped Kate’s arm. “Has Derek ever gotten hurt on the field?”
She shook her head. “Just bumps and scrapes every once in a while. He twisted his ankle once and had to sit out a game, but other than that, nothing major.”
Just because he hadn’t been hurt before didn’t mean he wouldn’t get hurt in the future. The other quarterback was about to snap the ball, and when he did, it soared through the air. Derek was running for it, and before the other player could catch it, he jumped in the air and intercepted it. The crowd went nuts.
“Oh my God, did that just happen?” I screamed in excitement. Holding the ball tightly in his arms, Derek took off down the field, pushing the opposing players out of the way as if they weighed nothing. “Go! Go! Go!” I yelled. He made it past the thirty-yard line on down to the twenty, then to the ten, and then…touchdown. The crowd cheered and the whole place trembled. Derek raced along the end zone and handed the ball to a little boy in the stands. It was something the Carolina players always did after they scored a touchdown.
“I read on the Internet that the players get charged five grand every time they give away a ball,” Michael stated.
Kate held up her hand. “Not true. They only get fined if they throw a ball into the stands. If they hand it to people, they’re okay.”
“Wow, that’s craziness,” I said, watching Derek being congratulated by his team. As soon as he spotted me, he took off his helmet and rushed over, lifting me in his arms. Cameras flashed all around, and he smiled at the reporters before kissing me.
“That was all for you, baby.”
I giggled. “Think you can do it a second time?”
“Like this?” he asked, kissing me again.
“That wasn’t what I was talking about.”
He winked. “I know. I just wanted to kiss you again.” He hurried off to the sidelines to wait for his turn back on the field. The energy was so electric that I could feel it in the air: They were going to win.
—
It took a while to get past the reporters, but we stayed until they got their story. Thankfully, we weren’t asked details on why he’d been sorry at the last game. But now it was public news: Derek and I were officially a couple. A few of the female reporters looked at me like I wasn’t good enough for Derek, since I was just a veterinarian. I’d gone through a lot of schooling to be a doctor. That sure as hell was more lucrative than being a fashion model. A model’s expiration date came quickly, whereas I could be old and gray and still have a good-paying job.
The players all congregated out in the parking lot after the game, and I was able to talk to Evan and Cooper again. Michael was ecstatic to meet them, especially Cooper. However, they stepped aside with scowls when Derek called Jax over. It was clear there was some animosity between them.
“Hayden, I want you to meet Jax, the best kicker in the NFL. I think he’s the only one you haven’t met yet.”
I held out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Jax. Your kicks were amazing today.”
He shook my hand and smiled. “Thanks. I’m glad someone appreciates them.” Then he turned to Derek and slapped his shoulder. “Good game, D. You have a lot to celebrate.”
Derek winked at me before answering. “That I do.” Then he focused back on Jax. “Say, how about we go to the tavern one day after practice next week?”
Jax nodded. “I’m down for that. Might want to be careful hanging out with me, though. You’ll find yourself blackballed.”
Derek snorted. “Not gonna happen, bro.”
Jax walked off and got into his car while the other guys slowly congregated around Derek. Evan crossed his arms. “Fraternizing with the enemy, huh?”
Derek shrugged. “I had support when I was at a low point in life, and now he needs it.” He grinned and wrapped his arm around Evan’s neck, giving him a wet, sloppy kiss on the cheek. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous, sweetheart. It’s not like he’ll take your place. You know I love you.”
Evan burst out laughing and pushed him off. “Just don’t let him around your girl. You know how he is.”
Derek snorted. “I’ll rip off his balls if he even thinks about messing with Hayden.”
Kate rolled her eyes and laughed. “So are you going to the wedding next weekend?” she asked me.
I wondered if she had mentioned it before and I didn’t realize it. I had no clue what she was talking about. “Wedding?”
Evan smacked Derek on the arm. “Surely this dumbass invited you to it.”
I shook my head. “Not exactly. Who’s getting married?”
Evan smiled wide. “Summer and I are. We were going to do it before the baby, but time slipped past us. I’m surprised fuckhead here hasn’t invited you yet. You’re all he seems to talk about.”
“Which is a good thing,” Kate offered.
Derek sighed and put his arm around me. “Want to b
e my date? You might have to sit with one of the guys during the ceremony, though.”
Chris walked by and winked. “She can sit with me. I’ll make sure she’s not lonely.”
Derek pointed at Chris as he strolled off. “Don’t you dare put your hands on her. I’ll fuck you up.” Everyone around us laughed.
“Are you one of the best men?” I asked Derek.
He nodded. “Evan asked me when I moved back to town. I couldn’t say no.”
Evan slapped him on the back. “Damn right he couldn’t.” Then he looked at me. “It’ll be a good time. You’ll get to meet Summer and our daughter, Emma Grace.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Have a good night, everyone,” Evan shouted. Michael was still talking to Cooper, but another guy had joined them. It was Aaron Grainger, a running back for the Cougars and the one who was Michael’s type, according to Kate.
“It doesn’t look like there’s a party tonight. Do you want to head back to my place with me?” Derek asked.
I nodded. “Let me say goodbye to Michael first.”
“He can come back to the house if he wants. I know he leaves in the morning.”
Taking my hand, he walked me over to Michael and the other guys. Before I could speak, Michael turned to me. “Do you mind if I go out with some of the guys tonight?”
His eyes sparkled, and I couldn’t be selfish. This was the opportunity of a lifetime for him, hanging out with the team. “Of course not. Go and have fun. Just be careful.” I hugged him hard and kissed his cheek.
“I’ll come by in the morning to tell you goodbye,” he murmured in my ear.
“You better.”
Once he’d left, Derek and I said our goodbyes to everyone else and headed on our way back to his house. “You look beautiful tonight,” Derek said, raking his gaze up and down my body.
I rolled my eyes and laughed. “I’m sure my makeup has all sweated off by now. I swear it was a hundred degrees today. I can’t wait to take a shower.” My T-shirt had been stuck to my back all day.
“So what you’re trying to say is that you need to cool off?” he asked mischievously.
Pursing my lips, I stared at him. “Maybe, why?”
He shrugged. “No reason. I think I might have something in mind.” He reached over and placed his hand on my bare thigh, sliding his finger under the hem of my denim shorts.
“If you’re trying to cool me off, it’s having the opposite effect,” I said, trembling with his touch.
He bit his lip. “Spread your legs and unbutton your shorts for me.” Then he smiled. “Please.” I did as he said and sucked in a breath when he pushed his way down my shorts, sliding my underwear out of the way. He fondled my clit before slipping a finger inside me, then another, slowly thrusting them in and out. “So fucking wet,” he groaned.
If we hadn’t been in a moving vehicle, I’d have climbed on his lap and finished what he’d started. I was close to losing control, but then Derek slowly slid his fingers out. “Why did you stop?”
He sucked his fingers and moaned. “Because I like to torture you. We’ll be home soon.”
I crossed my legs, hoping it would stop the throbbing, but I still ached for him. “You are going to pay for that, McLaughlin.”
He grinned wide. “Oh, I sure as hell hope so.”
We arrived at his house and I got out, expecting to go to the door, but he walked around to the side of the house. “Where are you going?”
He glanced back and me and smiled, so I hurried up and followed him. Before I knew it, he was fully naked and jumping into the swimming pool. When he surfaced, he laughed and waved me in. “You said you wanted to cool off. The water’s pretty warm, but I think it’ll do. Unless you’re scared.”
Moving to the edge of the pool, he leaned against it, watching me with his raw blue gaze. I wasn’t scared, and I was going to show him. Slowly, I lifted my shirt and tossed it on the ground, followed by my bra. A slow smile spread across his face, and I almost lost it when I could see him stroking himself underneath the water. Not only did it empower me, it made me feel sexy. No man had ever shown this much interest in me. Once my shorts were off, I dove into the water and surfaced.
“That was so fucking hot,” he growled, stalking toward me. “I think you need to strip for me more often.”
I slowly backed away, loving the way his eyes darkened. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
“Then why are you running away from me, love?”
“Because it’s my turn to torture you.”
The tension in the air spiked, and I knew at any moment he’d come full force at me. I knew he’d catch me, and the thought thrilled me. I wanted him to, and even more so, I craved the chase. It was almost as if he heard me and something inside him clicked. Dipping under the water, he pushed off the side and shot toward me. There was no escape, but I swam as fast as I could away from him, laughing the entire time. I didn’t get far before his arms clasped around my waist and I was thrust to the side of the pool.
“I got you now,” he said, pressing his hardened body against my back.
I bit my lip and pushed my ass into him. “And what are you going to do about it?”
He growled deep in his chest and lowered his lips to my neck, his teeth nipping my skin. “I’m going to make love to you right here,” he said, kissing his way up my neck to my cheek. His fingers grasped my chin and he turned my head, closing his lips hard over mine. “And right now.”
Lifting my hips, he positioned himself behind me and pushed his way inside. I cried out and held on to the side of the pool as he thrust me up and down his cock. He had one hand on my hip and the other massaging one of my breasts, pinching my nipple between his fingers.
“Whatever I do, I can’t ever seem to get enough,” he murmured in my ear. He bit down on my neck again and I almost lost it.
“I know how you feel,” I moaned back.
His thrusts grew more urgent, his pace quickening. I could feel him pulsating inside me and I knew he was close. Sliding his hand between my legs, he rubbed my clit, and my release came hot and swift. My body tightened around him and he moved me harder against him, the water sloshing all around us. I screamed out my release and he held me down on him as he filled me with his warmth. He jerked a few times and I couldn’t help but giggle.
“Feel good?” I asked.
He kissed my neck and then slowly pulled out of me, turning me around to face him. “You have no fucking idea. Now, let’s go take a shower and begin round two.”
—
The next morning, the doorbell rang just as Derek and I started making breakfast. I’d tried calling Michael all morning to see where he was, but he never answered. I wanted to talk to him before he left town.
“I’ll be right back,” Derek said, strolling off to the door. He was dressed in only a pair of blue plaid boxers, but he obviously didn’t care. I scooped a load of eggs onto our plates and divided up the bacon, giving him most of it. Derek walked back into the kitchen and I squealed when I saw Michael behind him, his whole face glowing.
“Where have you been? I’ve been calling all morning,” I said. I jumped into his arms and he laughed.
“I was a little detained. That’s why I wanted to come over and say goodbye. I didn’t want to leave without seeing you.”
He let me go and I studied him, pursing my lips. “Detained, huh? Doing what?” He glanced nervously over at Derek, who got the hint.
“All right, I’ll leave you two alone.” Grabbing our plates, Derek looked at me and then nodded to the back porch. “I’ll take these outside and wait for you there.”
“Okay.” As soon as he was out the door, Michael beamed and grabbed my hands. “I had the best fucking night of my life.”
“Did you, now? Who were you with?”
He glanced down at our hands and smiled. “Aaron Grainger. We hung out with some of the other players and had a few drinks, but then we went back to his place and…”
> I gasped. “Are you serious?”
Nodding quickly, he smiled more widely. “I’ve never met anyone quite like him. He knows that I’m leaving today, but he wants to keep seeing me. I picked the perfect time to move away, huh?”
I squeezed his hands. “You didn’t know you were going to meet someone the day before you’re supposed to leave. I’m happy for you, though. I know you’ve been alone for a long time.”
He glanced at me and then outside at Derek, who sat drinking his coffee. “So have you, but at least now I’m leaving knowing you’ll be okay.”
“The same goes for you.” I hugged him again and didn’t want to let go. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Ditto, babe. Just know I’ll always be around if you need to call.” He let me go and kissed my cheek. “I should probably get going. I’ll see you soon though. Tell Derek I said goodbye.”
“I will. Be careful.”
He winked. “Always.” I walked him to the door and watched him drive away. My heart hurt to watch him go, but I was happy for him. We’d both gotten what we wanted.
Chapter 22
Hayden
Michael’s absence really hit me when I stopped at the Caramel Café to pick up my breakfast. I started to order two blueberry scones and then realized Michael wouldn’t be at the office to eat his. It was probably going to take a few days to get used to it. On the way up to the clinic, my phone beeped.
Derek: I love you! Have a good day!
Just like that, he had a way of making everything better.
Me: I love you, too! Don’t get hurt on the field.
When I opened the door to the clinic, Jeremiah glanced up at me from the desk and smiled, then busied himself with something on the computer. Jessica was right beside him, looking at the monitor as well.
“Good morning,” I said.
Jeremiah nodded and said, “Hey,” but kept his gaze on the computer.
Jessica looked up. “Good morning, Dr. Hunter. We’re just reviewing the schedule. We’re switching your first patient with an emergency call while Dr. Patton takes your eight-thirty exam.”