by J. H. Croix
I met his dark green gaze, and my heart clenched while my belly executed a slow flip. Somehow I managed to answer his question over the need roaring through my body.
“I thought you said I shouldn’t let anyone else see it down.”
His mouth curled at one corner, a devastating grin that pierced me through. “So I did. I’ve reconsidered. I’d like to see it down more often, so I don’t mind sharing.”
A laugh bubbled up. I should’ve been affronted, but I wasn’t. Not even a little. A buzzy joy rose inside to think he noticed me that much.
His grin stretched to the other corner of his mouth, his dimple making one of its appearances and sending my belly in another flip. His grin faded as his eyes dropped and he toyed with the ends of my hair.
“I only have a few minutes. We have a game tonight. I might’ve detoured a few blocks to see you.”
“Oh? You didn’t have to do that.”
His eyes swung back up to meet mine. “If I wanted to see you I did.”
I didn’t know quite what to say, so I stuck with the concrete. “If you have a game, when were we going to have dinner?”
Another half grin from him. “Ah. You are a woman of detail. Truth is, I meant to chase after you and pester you until you said yes. I lost track of what day was what.”
That teasing manner that came so easily to him. He was utterly unabashed at admitting he was chasing after me. Given he was a man who could probably have his pick of women, I didn’t know what to make of that. It made my insides feel funny and made me hot all over.
“Oh. Well then, I guess tomorrow works better then,” I managed over the pulse pounding in my ears.
“Unless you want to come to the game,” he said.
I don’t know why, but that startled me. His eyes were hopeful, and I found myself nodding. “Okay. I’ve never been to a soccer game. What time do I go?”
My answer seemed to surprise him as much as it did me. His eyes widened and then narrowed. “It’s football, luv.”
He seemed so affronted, I laughed, but then he slid a palm down my back to curl over my bottom, bringing me flush against him. The hard heat of his cock was impossible to ignore. He carried on as if we were having a casual conversation, while I thought I might melt on the spot.
“I’ll let it slide since you’re American. Anyway, the game’s at six. If you come around five, I can introduce you to Olivia. She’s Liam’s wife. She’ll take you up to the box with her. Any other way, and it might take some doing to get you in without a ticket this late.”
My eyes flicked to the clock on the wall above the door. It was four o’clock now. Again, my body seemed to be running the show. I was nodding before I realized it.
“Okay, where do I go?”
“Please tell me you know where the stadium is,” he said with a look of trepidation in his eyes.
“I know where that is. Give me some credit.”
He grinned again. “Right then. Go around back to the entrance there. I’ll tell security to look for you. I’ll do my best to meet you there, but it depends on a few things. I promise Olivia will wait for you. You’ll like her,” he said firmly.
I knew who Olivia was only because I’d seen her picture here and there in the media when she attended functions with Liam Reed, another one of the soccer stars on the team. She was an orthopedic surgeon of all things, and the media had swooned over Liam falling for her. I hoped I didn’t come across as a love struck idiot to her. Maybe lust struck was the better way to put it.
“Okay. I can handle finding her. Don’t worry about me,” I replied.
Ethan was quiet for a beat, his eyes searching mine—for what I didn’t know. “Right then. I should be going.”
He said that, but he didn’t move. We stood there, pressed together with the air humming around us. He muttered something and then his lips crashed to mine. Inside of a millisecond, his tongue was tangling with mine. I’d come to learn any kiss with Ethan was hot, wet and overpowering. By the time he pulled away, I was flushed inside and out and on the verge of desperation. I didn’t want him to leave. Not at all. Rather, I was wondering if we had time for him to sink inside of me.
He had far more control than I did and stepped away. The saving grace was the fierce need in his gaze. “Later,” he said curtly before turning and striding quickly out of my office.
Chapter 15
Ethan
I caught the towel tossed my way and dragged it over my face. The sounds of the crowd were nothing but buzz to my ears. We’d barely squeaked out a win on this game, and I was bloody exhausted. The opposing team’s offense had worked our defense to the bone. Alex, as usual, had managed to keep any shots out of the net, but that didn’t mean we weren’t fucking worn out. This same team had almost bested us last season too, and it felt like they were out for blood this year.
Someone nudged my shoulder, and I glanced up to see Liam. “Great work, mate. They made you boys work for it. The offense had it easy tonight,” he said with a wink and a grin.
He handed over a bottle of water, which I promptly guzzled. I looked up toward the stands, my eyes landing on the owner’s box where I knew Zoe was with Olivia. I loved knowing she was here. Back in London, I was accustomed to having my family watch me play. At any given game, one or all of my sisters were there, along with my parents. Ever since I’d signed with the Stars, it was rare for me to have anyone specifically here to see me play. My family had flown out a few times, but it wasn’t the same. If I had to put my finger to one thing I missed playing here, it was that. As such, it felt strangely good to know Zoe was here. My heart tightened and gave a kick. I shied away from thinking too much about what that meant.
I’d been all but obsessed with Zoe ever since the other night with her. It was fair to say I’d never chased after a woman. But then it was fair to say no woman had even remotely affected me the way Zoe did. I didn’t want to ponder about any of it. I just wanted to see her. Again and again and again.
With my teammates crowding around me, we made our way down the stadium hall toward the locker room. Alex nudged me and before I knew it, I was trapped in an after game interview with him. Since our defense had been all that stood between our team and a loss, we had to talk about it. Our offense had scored one goal, but otherwise, the opposing team had managed to control the game.
I still didn’t understand the sports media in America. They wanted to talk to you right away when you couldn’t even catch your fucking breath. For big games, they liked to do that and throw clusters of players up for longer questioning sessions after we showered. All in all, for a country that didn’t have the fervor for true football the way the rest of the world did, it was rather confusing and tried my patience.
I managed to avoid the second round of interviews, but I was annoyed and worried Zoe might take off before I got to see her. I rushed through a shower and threw on clothes before heading out. The stadium hallway echoed with the murmur of voices from various points. As I rounded the corner to where Coach’s office was, I smiled because I heard Zoe’s voice. I leaned against the doorway to find Olivia with Bentley’s leash curled in her hand talking with Zoe who was squatting down to pet Bentley. Bentley was Olivia and Liam’s spoiled rotten dog. He was small and brown all over with one ear that stuck up. He was so endearing that basically anyone walking by slathered him with affection.
Zoe and Olivia didn’t notice I was there, so I took the moment to enjoy the sight of Zoe. She’d changed since I saw her at work earlier. Aside from being bare naked with her, this was the first time I’d seen her in something other than her usual work uniform of a fitted skirt and blouse with a cropped jacket. By the way, I fucking loved those outfits. She looked so tidy and buttoned up, it made me want to just rip her clothes off. Yet, it was nice to see her more relaxed. She wore another skirt, this one of soft black fabric that twirled around her knees. It made me want to flip it up. She’d paired it with a pair of black cowboy boots and a silky white blouse. Fuck me. I
was bloody exhausted, and my body started humming just at the sight of her.
Someone clapped me on the shoulder, and I glanced over to find Liam. I’d been so zoned out staring at Zoe I didn’t even hear him approach me. He leaned against the opposite side of the door and winked at me. “So? Zoe,” he said, his voice low.
Liam might’ve fallen head over heels in love with Olivia, but that hadn’t cured him of his tendency to tease. Just now, he had a sly grin, and I knew he was hoping to get under my skin. Funny thing was, I didn’t really care.
“That’s right.”
His grin faded, his gaze flicking to Olivia, Zoe and then back to me. “She’s not your usual type.”
Now that got to me. “Why…?” I started to ask, but then Olivia looked over.
“Hey boys!” she called as she dropped Bentley’s leash and strode across Coach’s office to Liam.
He promptly lifted her against him and kissed the hell out of her. Precisely what I wanted to do to Zoe. But that’s not where things were with us. Perhaps if we’d been alone, I might’ve. Hell, I definitely would’ve done far more than that. It wasn’t that I had a problem with heavy PDA. In fact, I was easy come, easy go with that. But then, all I’d ever done was casual. Zoe didn’t feel casual, and I had no idea how she’d feel if I snogged her right here with Liam and Olivia as our audience and whoever else might walk by.
She straightened and looked over. The second her eyes locked with mine, it was as if a match lit the air between us, a flame licking its way across the room. Her hair was down. One look at those tousled auburn locks tumbling around her shoulders, and blood shot straight to my groin.
“You two out for a staring match?” Liam asked, his voice breaking into my fuzzed thoughts.
I glanced his way to find Olivia nudging him in the side with her elbow. She looked to Zoe. “Don’t mind him. He doesn’t know how to behave in public.”
Zoe bit her lip and smiled. “Okay then.” She straightened her shoulders and strolled over to us, stopping just in front of me. “Nice to see you again, Liam.” Her eyes bounced between us. “Great game.”
“Your boy here did most of the hard work,” Liam added with a grin. “I had it easy tonight.”
“We always do the hard work,” I countered.
“Not always, mate, but tonight for certain,” Liam returned with a roll of his eyes.
Though the air around us felt electric with Zoe near me, I sensed a reserve from her. Only belatedly did I realize she was likely worried about any appearance of impropriety. Little did she know that only made me want her more.
I relied on habit to get through a few more minutes of teasing from Liam and casual chatting with Olivia. I was relieved when Olivia nudged Liam and said they had to go. Though I wanted to slam Coach’s office door shut and bend Zoe over the desk, I hedged my bets. I’d have better luck somewhere private. We walked alongside Liam and Olivia through the stadium hallway outside. With the crowd still filtering out, it wasn’t likely anyone would notice Zoe with me. Knowing she’d likely be furious if I did what I wanted—yank her to me and kiss her senseless without giving a bloody damn for anyone who noticed—I kept my hands to myself and played calm.
Meanwhile, lust surged through me. I’d meant what I’d said earlier that I wanted her to wear her hair down more, but I hadn’t pondered the effect it would have on me. Between that and her flirty skirt, I was exercising phenomenal restraint. It was a damn good thing I was exhausted from the game, otherwise my tether would have snapped.
***
A bit later, I stood outside the entrance to Zoe’s flat. I’d persuaded her to share a cab with me. Seeing as my flat was only a few blocks away, I’d hopped out and paid the cab driver before she could argue the point. I could tell she wanted to argue, so when she opened her mouth, I kissed her instead. That had flustered her enough, she’d shot me a glare but stayed quiet when I got out with her.
It wasn’t rainy tonight, but the air was damp and cool. Her hair glinted from the streetlight nearby. She paused at the entrance, her hand curled on the handle as if she was holding on for dear life. When she looked over at me, she was chewing the inside of her cheek, and I could tell she was worrying about something.
“No need to worry, luv,” I said without thinking.
Her eyes flashed and she cocked her head to the side. “What makes you think I’m worrying?”
I swear, she just wanted to be contrary with me. Fine. I stepped closer and reached over to slide my fingers through the ends of her hair, which conveniently happened to be over her breast. I could feel her nipple tighten against the backs of my fingers and took my time toying with her hair just to prolong the moment.
“Because you’re doing that thing with your mouth,” I explained.
Her eyes narrowed as she stared at me, but I didn’t miss the flutter of her pulse in her neck and the way her breath came in short little pants. She was silent, long enough that the moment tightened around us and the air became heavy. I was coming to learn it was nigh impossible for me to be near her and not want her like mad. I was already hard, and we were just standing there.
“Invite me in,” I said, my voice a gruff whisper.
I slid my fingers through her hair once more before lifting my hand and trailing a fingertip along her jaw and down the side of her neck. Her gaze held mine for an electric moment before she tore her eyes free and yanked her keys out of her purse. Inside of a hot minute, my hand was curled around hers as we made our way down the hallway upstairs, our footsteps echoing on the hardwood floor. The second the door to her flat clicked shut behind us, I spun her around and fit my mouth over hers.
She opened to me instantly, her tongue tangling with mine on a low moan. I pressed her back into the door and plastered myself to her. I needed—hell I needed more than I could even contemplate, but right now I needed to anchor myself against her. Every curve of her pressed to me, and the wild need drumming inside of me found a release valve.
I lost track of everything but the feel of her against me and the damp heat between her thighs against my throbbing cock. I wasn’t much for rushing when it came to sex. I preferred to take my time and enjoy the ride, so to speak. It was fair to say I’d never lost control this way. Zoe made me bloody crazy. All thought went offline, and I was driven by nothing by hungry need and sensation.
I tore my lips free from hers only because I was frantic for the taste of her skin. I yanked at her blouse, barely registering that I tore the thin silk when a button tried to hold its ground against my tugging. We stumbled away from the door as she shoved my shirt up, swearing when it caught on my chin. I reached behind my neck to lift it free, sending it sailing to the floor. She was already busy unbuttoning my jeans and sliding her palm inside my briefs to free my cock.
I opened my eyes to see her breasts spilling out of the ridiculous excuse for a bra she was wearing—see through sheer black silk—and her nipples taut and pink and begging for me to suck them. I was distracted at the fact she was still in her skirt and boots and knew just what I wanted. I grabbed her hips and spun her around.
I hadn’t meant to make her stumble, but it worked for me when she caught her balance on the wall. I flipped her skirt up over her bottom, just like I’d wanted to do ever since I’d laid eyes on her tonight. Fuck me. Her lush, generous bottom was bare to me with nothing but a slender strip of black silk tucked between her cheeks. As I steadied her with one hand on her hip, I slid my palm down her back, savoring the hitch in her breath as her spine arched. As if she read my mind, she flattened her other palm against the wall. With her skirt riding up over her hips and her boots on, I almost came just looking at her.
I slid my hand down between her cheeks, my breath hissing when I felt the wet silk between her thighs. I nudged them apart with a knee and shoved the silk out of the way, burying a finger knuckle deep inside of her. She pressed back into my touch and—another first for me—I was torn between how fucking sexy it would be to finger fuck her until she
came, or sink inside of her soaking wet channel post haste. I drew my finger out and added another, stretching and teasing her channel until she was moaning and riding my hand. I meant to hold out, but yet again, it turned out my discipline was bloody weak when it came to her.
Still letting her ride the stroke of my fingers, I freed her hip and fumbled in my pocket, yanking my wallet out and using my teeth to free the condom tucked in it. I threw my wallet aside and smoothed the condom on in record time. I reluctantly eased my fingers out of her channel and glanced down. She was the sexiest woman I’d ever seen. No question about it. With her legs that went on forever, her sweet ass, her fiery hair and her pink, wet pussy, I’d have died happy if this sight was the last I ever saw. I must’ve waited a beat too long because she glanced over her shoulder and my knees buckled. Her lips were pink and swollen and her cheeks flushed. She arched back, pressing her drenched folds against my cock. The look in her eyes almost made me come.
I gripped my cock and positioned it at her entrance, the kiss of wet heat so tempting, it took every ounce of control I had to hold still for a beat. “Tell me what you want.”
She pressed her hips into my cock, her eyes narrowing, and muttered something I couldn’t hear.
“What, luv?”
“You. I want you!”
“You’ll need to be more specific.”
She tossed her hair back as she looked over her shoulder. “Shut up and fuck me.”
How could I fail to follow an order like that? I surged into her creamy clench, straight to the hilt. Her head fell forward before she lifted it again when I began to move. She was so fucking wet and so fucking tight, I didn’t know how long I’d last. Her entire channel pulsed and clenched around my cock. I forced myself to slow my strokes, savoring every inch of her throbbing around me. I gripped her hips and watched as she tilted her ass up and rode my cock like she’d been born to it.