Chicklet chuckled and motioned her around the bar, meeting her halfway, and giving her a tight squeeze. “We’re gonna have another chat, Trouble. Behave yourself until then, you hear me?”
“I will.” Sam smiled at Chicklet, the older woman’s forgiveness meaning more than she could say. Chicklet was right. She didn’t have many friends, and she couldn’t afford to lose any. She had to be more careful.
Justina was still a problem, but maybe not one she needed to deal with. Shawn had taken her home. Maybe he’d be up all night with her, then he’d play like shit and see she wasn’t worth fucking up his career, and his relationship with Ian.
Until then, Sam had Ian. He spent time with her, called her all the time, and if he had to make a choice, she was sure he’d choose her.
So long as that remained true, she didn’t have to fight to keep him.
He was already hers. The fight would happen when Shawn tried to change that.
Maybe Justina was the perfect distraction. If Shawn focused on her, maybe he wouldn’t bother Sam and Ian. And by the time he turned his focus back to Ian?
It would be too late.
Ian helped Sam into the cab Chicklet had called for them, hesitating on the sidewalk, because he needed a minute to think.
And another to convince himself not to pull out his phone and call Pisch.
He wasn’t even sure what he would say, but damn it, he missed the man. He wanted to be with Pisch. He wanted to stay with Sam. And he didn’t have to choose, which he’d thought worked out, considering all Pisch’s rules.
The idea of an open relationship hadn’t seemed like a good thing until he’d met Sam. Now, he wasn’t alone. Wasn’t obsessing over what—or who—Pisch was doing. When they hung out, they’d have a good time. When they didn’t, he and Sam could explore their own relationship.
Maybe he’d been wrong about how all this was supposed to work. He might have hated seeing Pisch with Richards, but he’d been involved in the decision to play with the younger man in the first place. Kinda.
There had been some discussion. He could have said no.
Part of him wondered if he should have reached out to Pisch before taking Sam home with him. But Shawn hadn’t seemed upset, so…was there a problem, or was Ian making more of this than he should?
He needed to know their friendship was intact. Which was why he’d asked.
Pisch saying he should have called was the first clue that he’d fucked up.
Guilt was the second.
Fuck, he was tired. He hoped Sam would be good with going back to his place and getting some sleep. If she wasn’t, he’d do whatever he could to make her happy, but tonight had drained him.
Submitting to Pisch—to Shawn—felt natural. He did it without having to think about it. But when Sam had mentioned Chicklet training her, he’d felt like he was playing a part. He’d almost used his safeword when Pearce restrained him to the cross. He didn’t like the man touching him, but he’d closed his eyes and heard Shawn’s voice.
“Not everything is a fight, Bruiser.” Shawn’s face was pale as he watched Ian get yet another line of stitches. “I wish I knew why you always throw a punch then think about it afterward. Even on the ice, you need to take a minute. Consider the end results. Sometimes, it’s not worth spilling blood.”
That was why he hadn’t hit Pearce. Why he’d done the scene. It had been weird, but not as bad as he’d expected. For some reason, he’d thought Chicklet would whip him hard. Or let Sam do it. He was tough, so people expected him to take whatever they threw at him.
He never worried with Shawn. The man got him. Looked out for him.
If he lost Shawn, who would care enough to make sure he didn’t get himself fucked up because he was stupid? Not Sam. She needed Ian to look out for her. Better than he was doing, because she’d pushed Chicklet too far and almost lost the woman as a mentor.
Sam was cool with him and Shawn. Which was good. Exactly what he needed.
But she was right. Justina might not be as cool with sharing Shawn.
He’d felt like an asshole even noticing the other girl. With Sam by his side, he shouldn’t be looking at another girl and thinking she was cute, or that she and Shawn were fucking hot together.
Shouldn’t be wondering if this whole ‘open relationship’ had benefits he hadn’t considered.
Being with Sam, he’d wondered if Shawn would want to play with them. Unfortunately, even he couldn’t miss how much the two disliked one another. He wasn’t sure why, but that had to change. Even if that didn’t lead to the three of them naked together.
The cab driver rolled down his window. “You getting in?”
“Yeah.” Ian sighed and slid into the backseat beside Sam. He put his arm around her as she leaned against him and closed her eyes. Looked like they would get some sleep tonight.
Which was good. He wasn’t in the mood for sex. Or much of anything besides resting his head on his pillow and letting today end. Maybe tomorrow would be better.
If he got to talk to Shawn, it would be.
His brain was stuck on fucking repeat.
I miss him.
Chapter 20
What the hell have you gotten yourself into, Justina? As she followed Shawn from his car to his front door, she considered all the reasons she’d given him—and herself—for not asking him to drop her off at home.
Most importantly, because she wanted this. Wanted him.
Yes, learning about his relationship with White could make things more complicated, but only if she let it. Shawn had almost convinced her to look beyond tonight, to wonder what more they could have. But she had to sleep on it.
Why not do that sleeping with him?
But of all that had transpired, one little issue had absolutely no impact whatsoever on her decision come morning.
Sam.
Making snap judgments on people wasn’t her style, but she knew Sam’s type. The girl was a bully. Whatever else she had going on in her life—having a baby, being kicked out of her father’s house, the rumors had it all—hadn’t suddenly made her into the kind of person who’d step over those that got in her way.
Justina was in her way.
What the hell does she want though? She has White.
Maybe, but White wanted Shawn. And while Justina wasn’t sure what exactly was going on between the men, Sam clearly figured she couldn’t have White without Shawn. It wasn’t hard to imagine Sam planned to seduce Shawn so she could have her cake and eat it too.
Let her! You don’t need to get wrapped up in this mess.
True.
So why haven’t you gone home yet?
Because this wasn’t about Sam. This wasn’t about White.
This was about Justina and Shawn. And tonight.
No drama. Nothing beyond taking what he’d offered. An experience she wouldn’t pass up. She’d missed out before because she’d always done the right thing.
He might be all kinds of wrong, but she still wanted him.
And he wanted her.
It’s that simple.
If things were gonna get complicated? Well…she’d had to fight for things she wanted before. She might not be tough. She had no idea how to play the games the people around her were so wrapped up in.
She was a pretty fast learner though.
Shawn held the door open for her, reaching in to flick on the lights. “You’re thinking hard. I know you said Sam won’t be an issue, but I’ll tell you again. If she becomes one, let me deal with her.”
“No.” Justina spun around as she stepped over the threshold. She grinned and poked him in the center of the chest as he pushed the door shut behind him. “You want to give me a reason to consider anything beyond tonight? Here’s a tip. Don’t try to protect me from your world. If I decide it’s worth taking on, I refuse to be some fragile little thing you need to watch over.”
Damn it, the concern in his eyes, the way his muscles tensed like he was already imagining the battles he
’d need to fight for her, was fucking sexy. Unnecessary, but sexy.
“What if I want to watch over you?” He closed the distance between them, wrapping one arm around her waist, delving his hand into her hair and tipping her head back. The green in his early forest mist eyes darkened as he studied her face. “I hate how she treated you.”
“I know.” She lifted her hand to his cheek, loving the scruff, which hadn’t seemed to get much longer since the beginning of the playoffs. It didn’t look patchy, like some guys who couldn’t grow beards tended to end up with. She’d watched a few of his interviews, and he’d never been completely smooth. He always had the same shadow along his chin and jaw, with a bit above his lips.
A little rough around the edges, but so controlled.
He grinned as she traced her fingers along his jaw. “That’s very distracting.”
“Good. I don’t want to talk about Sam. She’s a bitch.” She frowned, hating the surge of rage she couldn’t tamp down. She’d probably called less than a handful of woman that insult in her life. And Sam hadn’t done much to deserve it. “Fuck, I’m sorry.”
“Why? You’re adorable when you’re all worked up.” He brushed his lips over hers in that soft, teasing way he had that made her head spin. Not even a real kiss, but it promised so much more. “You don’t swear often. It’s kinda hot when you do.”
“Hot is better than adorable.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “You have tonight, Shawn. You sure you want to waste time talking about your boyfriend’s new girl and how cute I am?”
He blinked at her. Then chuckled in a way that made goosebumps spread all over her skin. “Touché. I should focus on giving you a reason to want more of me.”
“Do you have more to offer?”
“So much more, Röschen.” He kissed her cheek, then whispered in her ear. “Should I show you?”
Oh god yes! She shivered as he lifted her hair over one shoulder, then eased down the zipper at the back of her dress.
“Cold?” He didn’t pause as he pulled the straps of her dress off her shoulders, slipping it down and letting it drift to the floor. He smiled when she shook her head. “Good, because I want to see you. All of you.” He moved behind her, kissing her shoulder as he undid her bra. “And I don’t think you’re cute.”
She pressed her hands over her breasts, keeping her bra in place. “You don’t?”
“No.” He stepped in front of her again, gently lowering her hands and taking her bra, leaving her breasts completely bare. “You’re beautiful, Justina. So fucking beautiful and pure. Not just because you’ve never been with a man. There’s something about you that’s so good, I know I shouldn’t touch you. Shouldn’t want you.”
“But you do?” She struggled to keep her hands at her sides. Covering herself would make this so much easier. She couldn’t help wonder if he’d see something he didn’t like. Maybe she wasn’t as sexy as he expected. She wasn’t bold, wasn’t sure what came next.
But he the way he looked at her, none of that mattered. He saw something she never did in her own reflection. In his eyes, she imagined a woman that could be desired.
Who was.
“I do. But I will take my time with you.” He brushed his knuckles over her nipples, sending sparks of pleasure straight down to her core. “Since, as you continue to remind me, I might not have much once I let you leave.”
Her brain wouldn’t shut up. Everything he said made her want to throw herself at him. To enjoy the next few minutes, or hours, or…all right, she was losing her grip on the time limit already. But she did know there was one. Maybe not for them, but on what they had to spare. She had to perform tomorrow night. Or maybe it was tonight now? Midnight had definitely passed, which meant the fairytale would end.
But she’d never been the type of girl to dream of princes and pumpkins and happily ever after. She kept to the real world.
The one where there were responsibilities. And tomorrow meant taking another step toward fulfilling her dreams. He’d fulfilled his. He was part of a team.
And they needed him ready to play that role.
“You’ll probably take a nap tomorrow, but you still need to get some sleep.” Ugh, did she sound like a nag? That would definitely turn him on. “I mean—”
“Exactly what you said. And you’re proving you’re a perfect fit. You don’t see the game as an obstacle. You know how important it is.” He kissed her, stealing all the air from the room, making her heart skip in a way that couldn’t be healthy. His lips were hot. The touch of his tongue made it impossible to voice any more objections. Then he laughed, and she pressed her eyes shut, not sure she could take a rejection now.
She gasped as he swept her up into his arms.
“I should go to bed now.” His muscles surrounded her as he carried her down the hall. “I’m not tired, but I will be when I’m done with you.”
Hiding her face against his neck, she nibbled at her bottom lip. “That’s a good plan.”
“I hope you mean tiring myself out, because if you think I’ll be done with you any time soon, Justina…” He carried her to his bed and laid her down, leaning over her and speaking against her lips. “I’ve never had to convince someone to stick around. This is new, but I’m up to the challenge.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea, Shawn?” She laced her fingers behind his neck, wondering if she’d end up being the one hurting him. She couldn’t make any promises. Not yet. “I meant what I said. In the morning—”
“Don’t give me the speech again, Justina.” He pressed a finger over her lips before she could protest. “I get it. And if anyone told me what I’m about to tell you, I’d show them the door. Don’t tell me I can’t keep you. Let me prove that I can.”
Shawn imagined he’d earned himself a special spot in hell for the depravity he’d committed in his life, but this proved he was truly damned. And worse, he was being a selfish dick. A girl like Justina should go on dates. Be greeted at the door with flowers and chocolates. Experience all the romance, the sweet words, long before being seduced into a man’s bed.
For some reason, she hadn’t had all that.
And rather than wait any longer for the right man to give it to her, she’d let her curiosity get the better of her. Decided she wanted to meet him.
He couldn’t blame her for guarding her heart. For seeing him as a temporary rush. As someone who could give her a taste of all she’d never had, but nothing more. He should stick to that. Give her all she’d asked for, then gently hand her off to a man who could be everything she didn’t even know she wanted yet.
Instead, he was already wondering if he could be that man. Somehow.
To be honest, he wasn’t sure. But if he couldn’t be, he’d still take care of her. Once she’d had her fun with him, he’d make sure she had no regrets. She’d know what she needed in a relationship. Accept nothing less.
The idea of any other man filling that role already pissed him off.
You’re doomed, Easy. Accept it.
He already had. And really, if she walked away, he deserved the heartache. He’d been the cause of so much pain. His speech wasn’t a shield for anyone but himself. Hearing it from her proved that much. Knowing in advance that nothing you did would matter, that the results wouldn’t change…
It fucking sucked.
And who knew how many had felt that way before he toyed with them. How many were thinking exactly what he was now.
Maybe it will be different.
Maybe I can be the one to change the rules.
At least Justina’s rules hadn’t been in place for long. She was already wavering from them.
All she needed was a little nudge in the right direction.
If you hurt her, you’ll pay.
He wouldn’t hurt her though. No matter what he did, he’d make sure of it.
Knowing that was the only thing that kept him moving. He yanked off his shirt, tossing it aside. Bracing his hands on the bed, at either side of her head,
he leaned over her.
Her long, black lashes rested on her pale cheeks. Her lips were slightly parted, soft and red and swollen from his kisses. She had the fresh scent of spring, with the hint of ocean air and something all her. Deliciously alluring. He wondered if she’d forgotten perfume, because there was nothing artificial as he laid over her and breathed in.
She inhaled roughly as he ran his hand down her side. “Is there something I need to know? That I should say, or do? I want you enjoying this too.”
“Oh, my sweet girl. I already am.” He took her lips as he hooked his fingers to the edge of her panties, easing them down her hips as he lowered his lips to her throat. “All you need to do is tell me to stop if it’s too much. No safeword now. Just a ‘no’. Or a ‘Shawn, I don’t know if I can take much more!’.”
He grinned at her giggle. Fuck, she was the sweetest, most precious person he’d ever had in his arms. Another came close, but Shawn couldn’t think of him now. He hadn’t believed in second chances, but he’d been given one.
And he wouldn’t waste it.
Every inch his lips touched brought a reaction. She gasped. She squirmed. She shifted her legs so much he had to hold her thighs once he’d gotten her panties out of the way to avoid getting kneed in the face.
But once he had her spread open, his tongue slipping over her slick folds, tasting her sweet, hot pussy, she was lost to the pleasure.
Moving against his mouth and drinking in each and every sensation.
She was fucking delicious. He pressed his tongue into her, loving the way she whimpered and dug her heels into his shoulders. Maybe, in the morning, she’d come to her senses and walk away.
But if he had his way, she wouldn’t get far before she turned around.
For once, he would be patient.
As always, he was ‘Easy’.
But now that meant something different.
He wouldn’t be easy to take and leave. He would be easy to come back to. Easy to need more of.
Easy to become addicted to. Because he needed her to want another fix. One she wouldn’t find anywhere else.
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