Torn: A Contemporary Sports Romance (Pathways Book 3)

by Krista Carleson

  Here goes nothing.

  “Hello, stranger.” My sultry voice was right on point. He whipped his head up to look at me. I smiled at his surprised expression and motioned at the seat next to him. “Is this taken?”

  He didn’t reply immediately, taking his time to study my appearance. His face showed nothing, but his eyes, oh those eyes, flashed for a brief moment with something that could only be described as lust. That was a good sign.

  “No,” he replied gruffly and looked away, his jaw tightening.

  With a small sigh, I sat next to him and clasped my hands together on my lap, bringing my gaze to the game.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked, his tone distant, not bothering to look at me.

  “Trying to see the match?” I responded, hoping to turn this into a more comfortable moment.

  “You wanted to see this match?”

  “Yep.”

  “Do you even know who is playing?”

  I could sense him watching me from the corner of my eye, and I turned my head to look at him. His face was mocking me, his eyebrows too winged up as he studied me.

  “Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls?” I made a half-baked joke.

  “Wrong sport, honey.”

  “Wrong timing for my outburst too.”

  He knew exactly what I was talking about. “Then why did you do it?”

  I glanced away, biting my lip. One of the players was close to scoring, but the rival player stole the ball from him and rushed to the rival’s goal.

  It occurred to me that Liam and my “relationship” resembled soccer. Both of us were fighting for the ball, chasing around and hoping to score, at odds because Liam’s career was always looming over our heads. I committed a foul, so now I was treading a thin line.

  “Because I like you.” There. I said it. “I like you, maybe, too much. So I acted pretty selfishly because I feared I meant nothing to you.” I kept our eye contact, ignoring the maddening thumps of my heart. “And now I feel guilty for getting mad at you when you were in trouble. I’m supposed to support you, not make things more difficult for you.”

  The referee blew his whistle, calling foul. The audience was becoming tenser with each minute ticking by, but I couldn’t care less about the game. Apparently, Liam couldn’t care less about it either, if the way he was looking at me was anything to go by.

  The coldness in his gaze was gradually ebbing into softness, the one that was reviving me and making me feel like everything was possible. Like we would be alright.

  “I tried reaching you—”

  “I wasn’t ready to talk to you,” he interrupted me. “I wanted but… At first, I thought you wouldn’t understand me. I thought we would just fall into another argument.”

  “No.” I placed my hand over his before I was even aware of what I was doing. Both of us looked at our connected hands, and both of us did nothing to break our contact. “I understand this is a major moment in your career and you need time to deal with it. I’m sorry, Liam. I want to help you. I want you to count on me to stay and be with you through everything. I don’t want to argue with you or stop you from doing what you want.”

  He had yet to say anything about my confession. I was feeling extra vulnerable, but then again, I had nothing left to lose anymore. I had to be honest with him and communicate, as Marissa had told me.

  And then, his other hand was on mine, and the edgy lines were gone from his face. “I also have to apologize. It’s not all your fault.” His thumb was caressing my wrist in circles, and my blood pumped faster. “As much as I hate it, I was wrong. I was acting obsessed and trying to do the impossible, instead of facing the fact that I was barking up the wrong tree. Even if I played in the cup, I wouldn’t have been at the top of my game, which wouldn’t do well for my career either.” He tucked a curl behind my ear, leaning a bit closer to me.

  “I just needed a few days to come to terms with not being able to play. Now, I’m much better.”

  His lips broke out in a gorgeous smile. I was dazed. “That’s good to hear.”

  “You know what is even better for you to hear?”

  “No. What?”

  His face was only inches away now. Our breaths mixed. “That I fell for you too.” Our lips were only an inch apart... “I feel like I can go through any crisis with you next to me… And I need you.”

  And then we were kissing, and the fireworks were erupting in me. I grabbed his shirt to pull him closer, not caring in the slightest that we probably had quite a few pairs of eyes set on us. His taste pervaded me, the silky feel of his tongue on mine reaching depths that were starving for him, for his touch, for his body.

  He grabbed my head and deepened our kiss, pressing harder against me, and everything in me pulsed in urgent need. As if we were separated for weeks, I embraced him with all of me.

  “Let’s get the hell out of here,” he muttered hoarsely and pulled me to my feet.

  He took me to a locker room that was completely empty since the game wasn’t finished yet.

  “We don’t have much time until the guys arrive, but it will be enough,” he said as he yanked me into the first shower.

  His lips and hands were on me again, no time left for words as our bodies moved with urgency. His kisses were too potent, owning me, creating a pool of desire in my panties.

  He ground against me as his lips lowered to kiss my breasts over my dress, and I was glad for the thin material of my bra that allowed me to feel his lips much better than the push-up bra I had originally wanted to wear.

  His hand snaked its way under my dress and into my undies, finding my wet clit.

  “I’ve fantasized about this all these days. I was so mad at you, but I couldn’t help but want you... This pussy… Everything.”

  I moaned, and he clamped his other hand over my mouth. “Keep quiet.”

  It was next to impossible to stay quiet when his fingers created such divine pleasure. He knew exactly how and where to touch me, increasing pressure or speed at right times, and it was all too easy for him to bring me to my first orgasm.

  I was writhing against the wall when it hit me, my legs shaking as he continued rubbing me until the pleasure faded away.

  “So sexy. And mine. You know that, Alison? You know that you’re mine?” He cupped my cheek, pushing his wet fingers into his mouth. “Mmm as always, you’re so delicious. I wish I could eat you right now.”

  “Jesus, Liam. You really know how to turn on a girl.” His chuckles turned into a smirk when I reached for him. My hands worked quickly, unfastening his belt and unzipping his jeans. His erection sprung free, standing out in all its glory, and I grabbed him with both hands, dying to touch it.

  “No time for that, sweetheart. Later.”

  He removed my hands and pulled my dress higher. Positioning himself at my entrance, he picked up my leg and wrapped it around his waist before he pulled my underwear to the side. His lips covered mine the moment he plunged inside of me, drinking my breathy moan.

  I was so full, so high, responding to his thrusts frantically. The whistle in the distance signaled the end of the match, which meant the guys could arrive here any minute, but the prospect of getting caught only made me hotter. It seemed that Liam felt the same about it since he started moving faster and more forcefully, tearing through my swollen walls.

  “You’re so tight and wet. I’m going to cum really hard.”

  “Yes. Cum inside of me. I need you to cum deep inside.”

  This seemed to really turn him on, because a few violent thrusts later, he was filling me with his load to the brim.

  “My naughty girl.” He tapped my nose, staring into my eyes while drawing long breaths in. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you—”

  The voices sounded in the distance, and we disentangled from each other in an instant.

  “The girls’ locker room is right next door. It’s open, so you can clean up there.”

  “Thanks,” I said and pecked a ki
ss on his cheek. I picked my bag up from where I had dropped it earlier and scurried to the girls’ locker room as fast as my wedges allowed me.

  He took me to his place, promising to make me a delicious dinner.

  “Wait for me here. It will be ready soon.”

  I responded with a goofy smile and slumped onto his couch, turning on his TV to flip through channels as I waited for him. He had told me a lot during our car ride to his place, mentioning how he had gotten attached to me and how confused he was with his feelings at first.

  “I wasn’t sure if what I felt for you was real,” he said in the car. “I’m really not used to this—to attachments—so I just wanted to spend more time with you and see where it would lead us. But now I know. I want to be with you.”

  My heart was dancing in joy, but then, there was a part of me that realized we hadn’t talked about his future. Would he stay? Would he actually stay now that he felt the same way I felt about him?

  I wanted to talk about it during this dinner and clear everything up once and for all. I needed to know what I was in for.

  Liam’s phone, which he had left on the couch next to me, started ringing.

  “Liam! Your phone!”

  “Who is it?”

  I glanced at the screen and said, “Roger Raymond.”

  He was next to me within half a minute, and I could see this was an important call.

  “Who is that?” I asked him.

  “My manager. Hello, Roger. How are you doing?”

  He sat down next to me and palmed my knee. My eyes closed, my mind unveiled the fantasy in which he would move that hand upward and touch me like earlier. My mound was ready for round two.

  “I got a what?” his voice was filled with incredulity and my eyes snapped open. He was now back to his feet, pacing in front of me left and right. “You’re kidding me right?” His lips stretched into a gigantic smile, his whole face glowing. “Yes!” he exclaimed, fist-bumping the air, and several moments later, he ended the call.

  “Liam?”

  He picked me up and kissed me, locking me in a bear-hug. Our lips mashed together, his joy rubbing off on me.

  But then he pulled away and uttered the words that put all my rushing thoughts to a halt.

  “I got an offer to be a coach in England.”

  12

  “What?” I asked, almost dumbstruck.

  “Manchester United offered to hire me as a coach. Yes!” He picked me up and twirled me around, laughing almost maniacally. “I can’t believe it!” He put me down and fist-bumped the air again, too ecstatic to stay calm even for a second. “We need to celebrate this. Wait, I’m going to take the glasses.”

  I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. I watched him move with an unusual lightness in his step as if he wasn’t injured at all. As if this gave him the strength to keep going.

  This was totally unexpected. I had never heard him mention anything about coaching.

  He returned with glasses and a bottle of Chardonnay, his smile never wavering.

  “This is great news, but I didn’t know you wanted to be a coach.” Even to me, the enthusiasm in my voice didn’t sound that convincing.

  “Actually, yes. That was my long-term goal, which was why I wanted to make the most out of my career before I became one.” He whistled. “This was a hell of a surprise. I thought it wasn’t the right time, but Manchester United needs me now and they think I’m the best choice. Oh, man.”

  He handed me my glass, sitting next to me. “To becoming a coach.”

  “To becoming coach.” We clanked our glasses, and I took a huge swig.

  “Damn.” He shook his head. “I really can’t believe it. And Manchester United of all the clubs… Then I need to work much harder to get ready for the next season.”

  “That is… That’s terrific.” I forced my lips to curl up, part of me feeling happy for him, so happy, but the other part… This meant he was definitely going away.

  I wanted to laugh at my stupidity. Of course, he was going away. Did I actually think even for a second he would stay here for good? That he would abandon his dreams, change his plans, and stay—all of that for me? Bravo, Alison. You rock.

  “But what about your recovery? Does your rehabilitation hinder anything?”

  “No. They need me for the next season, and my manager told me I’ll recover in time to train before it starts.”

  “Good. That’s good.” I couldn’t even look at him. I should be celebrating with him, getting blitzed and all, but I couldn’t be completely happy about something that would separate us.

  “So, I guess you will continue your recovery in England.” Damn, I sounded so selfish, but this was so difficult. I was never good at these things.

  He caught my hands and kissed the back of one hand then the back of the other. He looked so happy—happiest I had seen him these days—and it was only adding to my discomfort. Here I was, gloomier by second, unable to share his sentiments.

  “I’ll stay here until I’ve recovered. You’re the best therapist for me.” I would respond to his smile if only I wasn’t so shaken.

  “Oh, so you only want me as a therapist?”

  His smile widened. “Not at all, silly. I want you. Alison Rossi. The most charming, funny, beautiful, and smart woman I’ve ever met. The woman who intrigued me from the moment I laid my eyes on her lying on that ground. I think I fell for you right then.”

  He covered my lips once more, and pain suffused me. It was so sweet. His confession was so sweet, and if we were in different circumstances, I would be melted all over his floor.

  But in this case…

  I wanted all the best for him, I always did, but this meant we had no future. His career was more important to him than me, and he would leave me. It wasn’t fair.

  I was doing my best to respond to his kiss and avoid breaking in front of him, but he noticed I was far away from here in my thoughts, and he drew away to look at me. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  I had said I would support him and wouldn’t stop him from doing what he wanted, so maybe it was for the best to let him go. Maybe we weren’t meant to be.

  “Look, don’t get me wrong. I’m so happy for you, Liam. I want you to achieve all your dreams and be successful in your endeavors. I said I wanted to support you, and that is true. I want the best for you.”

  His grin started fading away. “Why does that sound like ‘but’ is coming next?”

  I entwined my hands together, finding it so difficult to say this while looking at him. “Because ‘but’ is really coming. I want the best for you, but I feel it’s best for me to end this—whatever this is—with you now and leave before my heart gets completely crushed.”

  His frown spoke volumes. “What are you talking about? End this? Why?”

  “Why?” I stood up, not able to stay in one place. “Because it doesn’t lead us anywhere. Okay, we feel something for each other, but you’re going away, Liam. You’ll be leaving soon, and all of this, all these moments, no matter how amazing they are… They’re pointless.”

  I started pacing around, growing more and more anxious. “It’s all my fault, I know. I told myself not to fall for you. I was supposed to know better. I knew you were going away, so I can’t really blame this one on you. But still… What are we doing now? I don’t want to sound selfish, but I can’t help but be disappointed that you’re leaving.”

  He jumped to his feet. “What do you want to say? That I’m just using you before I’m gone for good?”

  “No, that is not what I mean. But the truth is that your career is the most important for you, and you would dump me sooner or later. I was wrong to come looking for you today. You will be perfectly fine without me.”

  I was breathing heavily now, my hands shaking.

  “Bullshit,” he said, taking a step closer to me. “I need you, Alison, don’t you understand that, or do I need to spell it out for you? This means that I don’t want to be without you.” />
  He stopped right in front of me, taking over my personal space, taking over my mind, taking over my damn heart.

  “It’s true that I don’t do anything without taking my career into consideration, but can you blame me for that? For my whole life soccer was all I had, but then you came into the picture, and now I have to get used to the fact that I can’t think only about myself anymore. I have to take you into consideration.”

  His knuckles brushed my cheek, his adoring gaze sliding over each part of my face. “Now you’re also important to me, and I don’t want to lose what I have with you. I want to be with you no matter what. As a lover. As a partner.”

  The air was taken forcibly out of my lungs, my heart clenching.

  “You want me to be your girlfriend?”

  “I spoke in English, didn’t I?”

  “Oh, that was English? Not gibberish?”

  He cocked his brow, trying to suppress his smile. “So what’s it going to be?”

  “I would love that, but how can we make it work if you’ll be living in England? It’s going to be a long-distance relationship, and I’m not sure it can work—”

  “Why are you doubting it before it’s even started?” He tapped my nose and placed his hands in the small of my back, bringing me closer to him. I loved the feel of him against me. I could never get enough of it. “Besides, who says we would have a long-distance relationship?”

  “You won’t be staying here, so that pretty much means we’d be Skype sexting and other things.”

  A loud laughter barrelled from his mouth, his hold on me tightening. “I love that idea. Skype sexting. I’ve never done that before.” I pouted, which only made him laugh harder. “Look, maybe I won’t be staying here, but you can come with me.”

  The world froze. “What?”

  “Yep. You can come with me. We can live together in England.”

  “Whoa. Are you serious? Are you actually offering me to live with you?”

  “No. It’s just a prank.” He kissed my forehead.

  “You’re so not funny at the moment.”

  He became serious, his hands delicately moving up and down my waist, almost distracting me.