Betting Bad

by Cathryn Fox

  “Everything okay?” he asks.

  I don’t want to tell him I’m spooked. God knows what he’d do to Caleb if he found out the situation bothered me more than I’m letting on. Then again, he handled the situation at Studio Paris in a non-violent way. I grin at him. “I think Cassie has a crush on you.”

  He frowns. “Yeah?”

  “Hey what’s wrong?”

  “I just…this job is important to me in a lot of ways. I don’t want any kind of tension or conflict or anything to mess it up.”

  As the determined Tyler I once knew stands before me, my heart goes out to him. He really wants to make this work, and I can understand his worry where Cassie is concerned.

  “It’s just a schoolgirl crush, Ty. I’m sure it will pass.” I shrug and say, “Maybe we should have told her I was your girlfriend. That we were committed.”

  He turns to me, takes me in his arms. “I am committed to you, Sara.”

  My throat squeezes so hard it’s near impossible to talk, let alone breathe. “And I promised a commitment to you while we ride this thing out,” I say to remind him what we have here isn’t permanent.

  He nods and looks up and down the street. His body stiffens, his jaw locks—a man changed.

  “Ty?” I ask.

  “Let’s go.”

  He guides me toward a car, and opens the door for me. The gesture warms me. He might be a lot of things, but he’s still chivalrous, that’s for sure. Dad would appreciate that trait in him. As soon as that thought races through my mind, my stomach sinks. Yeah, I’m thinking Dad wouldn’t appreciate any of this. As Tyler closes my door, I catch the way he’s looking around again. My heart misses a beat, at the worry backlighting his eyes. God, is he spooked too?

  “What’s wrong?” I ask after he circles the front and climbs in beside me.

  He scrubs his chin and I like the sound it makes. “I don’t know.”

  “I think maybe we’re both just spooked because of what happened last night.”

  His head jerks my way. “You’re spooked?”

  Dammit, I hadn’t meant to go down this path, or let him know just how jittery I really am.

  “I’m just…I mean…”

  “I’m staying with you,” he says, his voice hard, adamant as he turns his focus back to the road like it’s not open for discussion. “If you don’t want me inside the apartment, I’ll camp outside on the steps.”

  “Ty…” I begin, but something inside me softens as his blue eyes move over my face with careful concern. “Okay,” I agree, partly because I am afraid, and partly because I want to be with Tyler. After seeing him reading to the kids tonight, there’s no way I can walk away just yet. But there is that little voice warning me that I won’t be able to walk away at all.

  How bad would that be?

  He gestures with a nod to the building on the corner of the street. “I was thinking about hitting the gym. Want to join me? You did say you wanted some self-defense lessons.”

  I glance down at my jeans and sweater. “I’m not really dressed for the gym.”

  “I have some extra clothes in my bag.”

  “Which will float on me.”

  “We can go back to your place and you can change if you want.”

  I shake my head. “No, that’s too far. I’ll wear your clothes.”

  “Or you could wear nothing,” he says innocently, but the smirk on his handsome face alludes to the dirty things going through his mind. “Your choice, of course.”

  “I’ll choose clothes, thank you very much.”

  He wags an eyebrow at me. “We’ll see about that.” I chuckle and whack his stomach, only to meet with a wall of hard muscles.

  “Where did you get this car, anyway?” I ask, glancing at the console.

  “My bike was stolen last night.”

  My mouth falls open, a gasp catching in my throat. “You’re kidding me?”

  “Nope, would never kid about my bike. It wasn’t on the street where I parked it last night. Cops said it was probably chopped by now.”

  I shift in my seat to face him. “You called the cops?”

  “Yeah. Lucas knew I needed wheels for the winter, and had this waiting for me when I got home.”

  “That was timely.” I put my hand on his thigh. “I’m sorry about your bike.”

  “Yeah, it was timely wasn’t it?” He places his hand over mine and squeezes. “I have my buddy looking into another one for me. He’s the guy who got me a good deal on the stolen one.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “A guy I know.”

  “From around here,” I press, noting how secret he’s being.

  “No, Sara.” He exhales harshly. “A guy I knew in prison.”

  “You still keep in touch with the other inmates.”

  “There were five of us who grew really close. Justin, Ryder, Jamie, and Christian.” There’s a hitch in his voice as he rambles off their names. He casts me a quick look and says, “I love those guys like they were my brothers. I’d do anything for them, and vice versa.”

  “That’s nice, Ty,” I say quietly, and sink back into my seat, hoping that their bond, their willingness to be there for each other, doesn’t lead him down a path to trouble.

  He pulls into the gym, quiet this time of night, grabs his bag from the back seat, and he uses his key to let us in.

  “I’m surprised you have a key,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.

  He ushers me inside, locks the door behind us and presses me against it. “That’s a smart mouth you got there. Does it get you into trouble often?”

  “Not often,” I say, playing along.

  His hand goes to the wall and he flicks the lights on. I blink against the brightness as his lips graze mine. “First I thought I’d go over some self-defense moves on the mats with you, then maybe I’ll see what we can do about this mouth of yours.” He inches back, his gaze dropping to my lips. His lids are heavy, as he gazes at me.

  “I thought we were here to work out.”

  “Yeah, we are. Your safety is important to me, but I know that after rolling around on those mats with you, I’m going to need to spend some time here.” He brushes his thumb over my bottom lip. “And then here,” he murmurs, his hands sliding to my breasts. “And definitely here,” he says, and slips his fingers between my legs. I practically drop to the floor when I catch the hunger in his eyes, the way his hard cock is pressing against my body. He sucks in a fast breath, and grimaces as he inches back. “Okay, let me show you some moves.”

  I follow him to the doors leading to the locker rooms and take in the mats, ring, punching bags, and exercise equipment. This gym is more for hardcore MMA training than the one I used to go to near the campus. I stand outside the ladies change room and hold my hand out. “Clothes.” He smirks, grabs my hand and drags me into the men’s locker room. “Hey, what do you think you’re doing?”

  “We’re the only two here.”

  “And this locker room smells like old socks.”

  He laughs. “Fine,” he says, and we step back out into the hall and he follows me into the girls’ room. “Better?”

  “Much,” I say, even though this space is no better.

  He reaches into his bag and pulls out a pair of sweat pants. “These tie at the waist.”

  I shrug out of my coat, and have a zip-up hoodie on, which will be good enough to work out in, but the tight jeans I’m wearing definitely have to go. I slide the button through the hole, and Ty goes still, his gaze latched on my hand.

  “Turn,” I say and circle my finger.

  He grunts. “I’ve seen you naked, Sara. I’ve been inside you, remember?”

  “Oh, I remember. But if you keep looking at me like that…” I pause and point to the door. “We’ll never make it out there.”

  He steps closer. “Is that because you want my cock inside you as much as I want to put it there?”

  “Yes,” I say without hesitation. “Now turn.”

 
“Good to know.” He spins, and rolls his broad shoulders to remove his leather coat. “If this training wasn’t so important to me, I’d have already had my cock inside you.”

  My heart squeezes. I like that he worries about my well-being and is putting that over this insane lust we have for each other—a lust I’m hoping I’ll soon get out of my damn system.

  I tug on his oversized sweats, tie them tight at the waist, then sit on the bench and look over his hard body as he tugs off his shirt and pulls another pair of sweats from his bag. My gaze roams over his hard back and tight ass, and my fingers itch to touch him, to trace the scars that mar his once flawless body.

  He turns and I lift my gaze to his, my smile a bit wobbly. He doesn’t say anything when he catches my melancholy, the downward turn in my mood. He knows where my thoughts have gone, and he’s made it perfectly clear that his time behind bars isn’t something he likes to talk about.

  He holds his hand out to me. “All set.”

  I take his hand and stand. “I’ll try not to be too hard on you,” I tease.

  He pulls me to him, and I feel his erection. “I can’t say the same.”

  I laugh and push him away. “Come on, show me your moves.”

  I pull open the door and his groan curls around me as he follows me out. I hop onto the mat and face him as he grabs a pair of boxing gloves and pulls them on.

  He angles his body, his hands out. “Since you seem to have the knee to the groin mastered, why don’t we practice some straight punches.”

  “I learned these when I took the class.”

  “Doesn’t hurt to refresh. Just remember, push from the ball of your foot, and thrust your hip and fist forward at the same time.”

  I nod, and do exactly what he says, hitting his gloves hard. He jerks back, his expression impressed. “Nice,” he says. “If Caleb ever comes near you again, I want you to throat punch him just like that.”

  “It’s different in the situation, though. Luckily my instincts kicked in, but after the adrenaline rush, I was a mess. I wasn’t even sure I could get myself out of that room.”

  “I know,” he says, and pulls me to him in such a familiar way that tugs at my heart he drops a kiss onto my head. “I’m going to make sure you’re never in that situation again.”

  “You can’t always be there.”

  He wipes his forehead with his forearm. “Yeah,” is all he says. He holds his hands up. “Hit me again.”

  We practice that move for a good ten minutes, then we move on to front kick to the groin, bear hug defense, and choke defense. After a good hour, I’m breathing pretty damn hard and about ready to collapse.

  “Had enough?” he asks.

  I lean forward, brace my hands on my knees and take deep gulping breaths. “I think so.”

  I’m about to straighten when Ty catches me by surprise. In two seconds flat, he has me pinned beneath him. “Are we still practicing?” I ask as his heavy weight pins me in the most delicious way.

  “No, what we’re about to do, we’ve perfected,” he says, his eyes once again heavy lidded and full of need. “No practice needed.” He rolls to the side, and reaches for the strings on my sweats. He tugs them free, and slides a hand inside. A moan rumbles in my throat and I arch my hips, aching for his touch. His finger touches my clit, a barely there touch that fills me with frustration.

  “Tyler,” I moan.

  “Yeah, baby,” he says and closes his mouth over mine. His mouth is light at first but his kiss deepens and expands as he applies more pressure to my clit. I move against his finger, and run my hands over his bare back, lightly grazing skin. “You need to come?” he asks after breaking the kiss. He circles my clit, teasing and tormenting me to the point of delirium.

  “Yes,” I say, and tired of being played with, I grab his shoulders and shove him until he’s pinned beneath me.

  “Whoa,” he says, “What the hell was that?”

  I give him a coy look. “I’ve got moves too, you know.”

  He puts his arms behind his head. “Show me,” he says, looking casual and relaxed, but the way his cock is tenting his sweatpants tells a different story.

  I shimmy lower, slowly untie the strings and give a tug until his cock pops free. I grin at him, then bend forward to take him into my mouth.

  “Jesus Christ,” he growls.

  I grin inwardly as I look up at him. “What, you don’t like my moves?”

  His hips power upward, nudge my chin. “I fucking love your moves, Sara.”

  I dip my head and take him to the back of my throat. He’s practically pulsating in my mouth as I slide him in and out. My pussy is throbbing, aching for something hard to clench around. With need driving me, I straddle him and his hands go around my hips to guide me onto his cock. I sink down, and he fills me so beautifully that tears prick my eyes.

  “Hey,” he whispers, and I try to blink the water away, but one drop trickles down my cheek. He brushes it with his thumb. “Sara…I…”

  I know he’s going to tell me he loves me, but I can’t hear that from him. Not ever again. I lean forward and close my mouth over his to stop him. We kiss softly, passionately as he moves his hips, bringing me such intense pleasure. His breathing changes, as does mine, and I gasp against his throat.

  I sit back up again, brace my hands on his hard chest and ride him. My lids slip shut as I slide into euphoria but Ty’s voice pulls me back. “Open your eyes, baby.”

  My lids flutter open with effort, and the room is haze as I try to focus in on the man beneath me. His gaze is dark, potent as it seeks me out. “Can you see me?” he asks.

  “Yes,” I say.

  “Keep looking at me, Sara. I want you to see me when you come. I want you to know it’s me.”

  “I could never forget,” I say quietly. “Whether my eyes are open or closed, it’s always been you, Ty.”

  His hips move faster, pound into me, and I struggle to keep my eyes open, but I want to see Tyler, want to see the pleasure on his face as he comes too. He slides a hand between our bodies, and with each downward thrust, he brushes the rough pad of his thumb over my clit.

  “Oh, God, yes,” I cry out.

  “I’m there, baby. I’m right fucking there.” He thrusts hard, creating a mind-numbing kind of friction.

  His words, and his heat push me over the edge and I let go, give in to all the pleasure centered between my legs. My hot release drips down his shaft, and wets my thighs. He holds my hips to still me, buries his cock high inside me and his eyes dim as he lets go. I clench, he pulses, and it’s the most glorious feeling in the world. One I don’t ever want to stop feeling.

  When our bodies stop spasming, I cry out, “Ty,” and collapse onto this chest, his cock still inside me.

  “Come here,” he murmurs and peppers soft kisses to my head. I lay there, his strong, fast heart pounding against my cheek, and all I want to do is stay like this forever. Curl up in him, and forget the real world exists, for just a little bit longer. He rolls to his side, and pulls me to him. Our bodies mesh and he gently slides his fingers up and down my arm. I crane my neck to see him, note the way he looks so lost in thought.

  “Ty,” I whisper, and lightly touch his chin. “You okay?”

  A long pause and then, “Do you ever think about the plans we made?”

  “You mean of opening our own store, running sports clinics and nutrition classes for athletes?”

  He laughs, but it’s a hollow sound full of regret. “I guess that’s a yes.”

  He rolls to his back and settles me on his chest. “I’m thinking about taking some classes at the campus. If I’m taking you back and forth in the evenings, I might as well do something with my time, right?”

  “Really?” I ask, shocked yet happy to hear that. “Ty, that’s wonderful.”

  He drops a kiss onto my head and says, “Let’s go away Thanksgiving weekend.”

  Taken by surprise by this sudden turn of events, I lift my head to see him. “Ty, we—”<
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  Before I can finish my protest he hurries out with, “Let’s get away from this place for a few days. We can hop in the car and take off to New York. We’ll watch the parade. Just you and me, forget about everything but us.”

  Oh, how tempting.

  “I can’t, Tyler.”

  “Why not? It’s on your bucket list. Remember we talked about all the things we wanted to do.”

  “I can’t believe you remember that.”

  “I remember everything, Sara,” he says so quietly I have to strain to hear. “So what do you say, want to start checking things off?”

  I give him a look that suggests he’s dense. “I can’t, and you can’t either. Your brother will be back from school, and you don’t want to miss dinner with your family.”

  “Mom works Thanksgiving Day. She’s cooking her turkey on Sunday. The parade is Thursday, and we can spend Friday and early Saturday being tourists. If we leave really early Sunday morning, we can be back for dinner.”

  “You’ve given this some thought.”

  “Say yes.”

  “No.”

  He frowns, and runs his thumb over my kiss-swollen bottom lip. He looks so lost, so forlorn my heart squeezes, urging me to agree to anything he asks.

  “At least tell me you’ll think about it.” He climbs on top of me, pinning me with his hard body. “I’m not letting you up until you say you will.”

  I lift my hips like I’m going to flip him off me, and he groans. It’s crazy how much we want each other again so fast. “You’re leaving me no choice but to use more moves on you.”

  “Please do,” he whispers as his mouth captures mine.

  As we kiss, I envision the life we were supposed to live. I can’t deny that I want to go away with him, forget about everything that happened between us and for one blissful weekend pretend the future is ours.

  There is a part of me that wonders if a future is possible. Could we make this work?

  15

  Tyler

  With the season’s last football game in full swing, there’s so much excitement and anticipation in the air, I can taste it on the tip of my tongue. I examine the guys as they huddle on the field, their captain Jackson going over the last play I’d gave them, a little something special I had up my sleeve so Tanner can find an easier way to get around Lincoln’s monster linebacker. He’s been giving us hell all night, but that hasn’t stopped us from keeping it a tight race, and a three-point spread.