What the fuck do I mean? This girl has gotten so far into my head, so deep under my skin, so immersed inside my heart…
Shit. I open my mouth, but words elude me. The realization that Red has worked her way into my hardened heart doesn’t just throw me for a loop; I’m doing fucking somersaults. I can’t think, let alone speak.
I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this event.” Red turns to the crowd, a thin smile on her lips because of my faux pas. I’m sure it seemed like a lack of confidence. Like I’m not supporting her as the new coach. “You have my word I’ll work just as hard as everyone else. I’ll be the first one training every day and the last one standing every night, and I’ll leave it all on the obstacle course.”
She turns a stare on me that’s searing hot. And not in a good way. “Good luck to all of you, but I’m in it to win it. So, may the best team win.”
I’ve totally screwed this up, and I know it. So, I scramble to salvage the situation.
“Trust me when I say she’s one of the toughest competitors I’ve ever met.” My brain finally sputters back to life. “It’s been a real pleasure…” I stumble over the word, because has it fucking ever been a pleasure. “It’s been great working with her. She’s fit and maneuvers the obstacle course at my gym so beautifully that there’s no doubt in my mind she’s an asset to the event and to the team she’ll be coaching.”
Her expression softens.
Hell, yeah. I’m on a roll.
“I’m only sorry she’s not on my team.” I decide to crack a joke. Show how friendly she and I are even though we’re competitors. “And to think I don’t consider yoga a real workout.” I nudge her with an elbow.
The crowd claps and laughs and everyone seems happy.
Red keeps smiling at me, but her green eyes darken until they’re almost black.
Aaaand we’re back to me fucking this up.
“Is that so?” Laughter starts to dance in her eyes, and I’m glad she’s realized I’m joking. “Then how about we raise the stakes?”
Or maybe she hasn’t realized any such thing and thinks I’m just being a dick.
Wouldn’t be the first time.
The crowd whistles its approval.
“We compete right along with our teams. Against each other.”
This time the crowd roars with competitive energy.
And I can’t believe my fucking luck. I’ve been racking my brains to figure out a way to challenge Red without letting on that it’s sort of a staged thing just for show. She just handed it to me on a solid gold platter without me having to mention one word.
“You’re serious?” I ask.
“Sure.” She shrugs. “Why not? Afraid you’ll lose to a girl?” She smiles. “Or a yoga instructor?”
The female contestants hiss and boo at me, but I know it’s all in good competitive fun.
One side of Red’s mouth slides up, and I like seeing the brightness return to her face. Makes it hard to say no to her. Especially since this is exactly what Sean and Zach wanted.
I tap my chin, thinking on a reward that will benefit both of us since this is for entertainment. “Fine,” I say. “If I win, you teach yoga classes at my gym twice a week free of charge.”
Her eyes widen, and then a mischievous smile curls her lips. “Fine.” She holds out a hand for us to shake on it. “If I win, you have to take yoga classes twice a week. You can come to my studio.” She hesitates, the brightness in her eyes snuffed out. I know she’s wondering if her studio will still be open by then. “Or I’ll recommend an instructor who can teach the classes at A Pound of Flesh.”
My mouth goes dry. Straight dudes do not do yoga. I do not do yoga. Especially not in my own gym with all of my clients watching.
Chapter Sixteen
I greet my team since I haven’t seen them in a few days, then mingle through the crowd that has filled 7th Inning Stretch for the Weekend Warrior meet and greet. Zach is introducing Red to each of her teammates, and I steal glances at her to see how it’s going.
They’re standing in a group around her and look receptive. She seems more relaxed, like the nerves have drained away.
Sean walks up to me and turns his back to the crowd, which is humming with energy. “Great job. That was brilliant.” He’s talking low so only I can hear.
I’m about to ask Sean what he’s talking about, but Red’s team disperses except for one guy I’ve never cared much for. He goes by the name Mack. Short for Mack Truck. That should tell you something, since his real name is Vinny. He’s what my sister would call a lunkhead, and not in an endearing way like she calls me.
Mack eases up to Red, the gleam in his eye telegraphing the fact that he’s picturing her naked.
Oh, hell no.
“Excuse me, Sean.” I don’t wait for him to respond. I stalk over to Red and Mack.
“Yeah, the National Geographic Channel had this great documentary on baby dolphins being born in the wild,” Mack says. “You should check it out.”
Baby dolphins? Pretty pathetic pick up line.
“Quick coaches’ meeting,” I say, putting my hand on Red’s elbow. “I’m sure you understand, Mack.”
He nods, slides a hand into his pocket, and sips a drink, still undressing Red with his beady eyes.
“What is it this time, Dick?” Her tone is irritated as I lead her to a private corner.
I don’t answer because I’m not sure what this is about except that I don’t like Mack or his cheesy pick up line.
“That’s the second time tonight you’ve intruded on my conversation.” She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, and pink seeps into her cheeks. I know she’s thinking of what happened in the storage room right after the first interruption.
I can’t help it. A smile as big as a skyscraper curves onto my lips.
“That smile of yours isn’t fair, you know.” She scans the crowd, unwilling to meet my gaze.
It’s all I can do to resist the urge to pull her into a kiss. Or pull her into the storage room for round two. Either would work just fine for me. But I don’t. I keep a good twelve inches between us so we look like we’re having a professional conversation.
“He’s trouble.”
Her gaze snaps to mine. “Who?”
“Mack. I didn’t think to warn you until I saw the way he looked at you.”
“That’s what this is about?” She all but snorts. “You’re jealous?”
My eye twitches. “No. I’m not jealous.”
“I’m his coach. He was just being polite and friendly.” Her tone is crisp and sharp.
I smirk. “Trust me, Red. When a guy strikes up a conversation about baby dolphins with a beautiful woman wearing a sexy-as-fuck dress like the one you have on—” I lean back and give her a once over, devouring her with my eyes. “—He’s not being polite or friendly. It’s a come on, and he’s already tried to sleep with every woman on both teams. I thought you should know to steer clear of him.”
She folds her arms. “You’ve got to be kidding me? Weren’t you the man just telling me that tonight will be the only time we ever sleep together?” Her foot starts to tap.
“Uh, yeah. But—”
“But nothing.” She drops her voice. “That means you don’t get to tell me who I should steer clear of. I’m not planning to sleep with anyone on my team, but if I did, it wouldn’t be any of your business.”
I know she’s just busting my balls for getting in her business. She’s right, but the thought of Mack or anyone else putting their hands on Red drives me insane after what we just did in the storage room. And because of what I plan to do with her once we leave here tonight.
I lean in and drop my voice to a husky whisper. “Yet, I’ve got your panties in my pocket.”
She doesn’t just blush; her pretty face goes up in flames. “Maybe I don’t need the whole night with you, Dick. Maybe the few minutes we spent in the storage room was enough for me to want to move on.”
She brushes past me.
I watch the sway of her hips as she struts back to the crowd. She is one sassy woman.
And it makes me want her even more.
When Mack falls in beside her with his tongue wagging, she’s all smiles and politeness and refuses to look my way.
Well, hell.
I walk to the bar where Chase and Noelle are still talking while he fills drink orders.
“Got any pretzels back there?” I ask Chase.
He pulls a bag from under the counter and pours some on a napkin in front of me. “Looks like it’s going well,” Chase says. “Is the music appropriate for the occasion? I can change it if you want.” He gives me a shit-eating grin.
I return it with a go to hell look. Never mind that I was getting it on in his storage room. The fucker owes me one for getting him out of a jam not long ago. “The music is fine the way it is.”
Noelle sips a fresh Appletini. “Adeline was nervous, but she’s doing great, isn’t she?” It was more of a statement, and Noelle’s concern for her friend makes my heart beat in an odd rhythm.
I lean an elbow against the bar and angle my body so I can keep an eye on Red. “She’s doing great.” But she’s dead wrong about the time we spent together in the storage room. It wasn’t nearly enough, and she damn well knows it.
Red looks in my direction, and I’m poised and ready. She does a double take when I lift a pretzel to my lips, open my mouth, and pop the whole thing in. I chew, slow and methodical and lick my lips.
No joke, she swallows, and her eyes darken with lust.
I tease her that way as the meet and greet reaches its peak, and the crowd starts to thin. I don’t get close to her, don’t try to talk to her, don’t pull her away from the crowd again. I wear her down with one bite after another. Forty-five minutes seems like a decade, and my balls are aching by the time Adeline finds Sean and whispers something in his ear.
He heads my way. “Adeline wants to wrap it up. You guys have an early day tomorrow and she wants to be fresh when she works with her team for the first time.”
Her ass will be dragging tomorrow morning, I’m sure of it. Because I plan to keep her up all night long.
“Good idea. I’m ready to call it a night.” I pop another pretzel into my mouth as Red looks in my direction.
A hint of a smile turns up one side of her plump lips. Bingo. She’s as ready as I am for the night ahead. Mack can curl up to a bottle of lotion for all I care.
Chapter Seventeen
The Uber ride back to my place is quiet, but my hand strokes Red’s silky thigh. We’re in the backseat of a black Town Car, and I play with the hem of her dress before slipping my hand underneath.
She squirms.
“Are you sure Noelle will be okay with your friend?” Red clamps a hand over mine to hold it still. “She came tonight to be my wingman, and I ditched her for you.”
“Chase is a standup guy. She’ll be fine.” I take Red’s hand from mine and lift it to my lips to brush soft kisses across her knuckles.
Air whistles softly through her lips as she pulls in a breath.
“I wouldn’t have left any woman with a guy I didn’t trust, much less your good friend.” My hand is on the move again. When my fingers brush across soft curls, Red spreads her legs for me. “He’ll see that Noelle gets home safe and sound.”
Her eyes anchor to mine, and she pulls a lip between her teeth. Her face is shadowed, but city lights glint off her shimmering eyes as we whiz through Manhattan. Her emerald greens are filled with lust and hunger and need.
We’re about ten minutes away from my brownstone. Long enough to turn her on and get her ready with some naughty we’re-sort-of-in-public foreplay. I’m giving her the works tonight, since it’ll be my only chance to do so.
See, I’m a standup kind of guy, too. Tonight is all about her. Oh, I’ll enjoy it, but I’m much more concerned about her pleasure than I am my own. Plus, I want her to eat her words about moving on after our sexcapade in the storage room. I know she was just busting my chops, but it still stings.
Truth is, I want her to want me because I want her so fucking much.
She deserves better than me, but I was honest and upfront about my one-night rule. Always am, because I’m not the kind of asshole who would mislead a woman before fucking her. I make sure we’re in it for the same thing—great sex for a short amount of time. I’m not the kind of guy who fucks a women, then fucks them over, too.
I thread my fingers with Red’s and stroke her hot pussy with my other hand. She’s wet and opens her thighs to give me more access. My stare drops to her lips and they part as my fingers find her throbbing clit.
I brush my lips against her ear and let my heated breath wash over her. A fierce shudder racks through her.
“I want you in my bed the whole night.” My words are harsh with hunger against her ear. “When I bring you home in the morning, you’ll be so thoroughly fucked that you won’t remember your name.”
“I want that, too,” she whispers, and her words are a purr against my ear.
I tease her with my fingers, touching, grazing, until her breaths are coming short and fast. Then I slip a finger inside.
She gasps, turning her face into my neck.
I ease out, teasing her entrance, then delve in again.
This time she sinks teeth into my neck to keep from screaming.
If the driver knows what we’re up to, he doesn’t show it. He keeps his eyes on the road, maneuvering through the busy streets of New York City.
My fingers are covered with her sex, so I use it as lubricant to moisten her clit. I glide over her throbbing flesh in circles, stroking in a steady rhythm. She keeps her face buried in the crook of my neck.
I’ve got a raging hard-on and my balls are tight with aching desire. “I want you so fucking much. Every position. All night long.” My voice is growing more hoarse with each word, but I keep it low so only she can hear. “Is that what you want, Red?”
She nods against my neck.
The car veers into the left turning lane, and I move my fingers over her silky slick clit in sync with the blinker.
It’s the most erotic goddamn thing I’ve ever experienced.
“I want to put my mouth right here.” I press my fingers into her nub, and keep my voice a soft whisper against her ear.
She bucks against my hand.
“I want to lick you. Taste you. Fuck you. And you’ll come for me so hard, so often, that it will be the night of your fucking life.” Maybe mine too because I’ve never been this turned on.
I sink two fingers deep inside her hot pussy just as our driver punches the accelerator and scoots through the intersection. A tirade of honking horns covers Red’s gasp as she explodes into an orgasm, her tender flesh convulsing around my two fingers.
“So sorry,” the Uber driver says over a shoulder, his thick accent rolling the Rs.
“No problem,” I say like I’m totally cool. Nothing going on back here. Nothing at all.
Except that I’ve just gotten Red off with just my words and my fingers, and we’re just getting started.
I pull my hand from between her thighs, put both fingers in my mouth, and suck the tips. Her tongue slips through her lips, and she traces her mouth while watching me taste her. Arousal pounds through my veins.
We turn onto my street. “Up ahead on the left,” I say to the driver.
We’re out of the car and bustling up the steps of my brownstone before the car rolls to a complete stop.
I don’t let go of her hand until I have to unlock the door. When I reach into my pocket, my hand closes around her silky panties. I pull them out and lift them to my nose, inhaling her scent with my stare locked onto hers.
Her eyes dilate. “That’s so fucking hot, Ethan. You turn me on so much.”
I pull her into a hard kiss. “How much?”
“Enough to make me come in the backseat of an Uber.” She cups my hard-on and squeezes. “Enough to make m
e want to suck your cock in the storage room of a full bar, and then ask you to fuck me against the wall.” She strokes me, and the friction of my pants between her lovely hand and my shaft is exquisite. “I’ve never done any of those things until I met you. One night of wild passion is exactly what I need.”
I hook an arm around her waist and pull her against my dick. Then I drag my nose up her neck all the way to her ear. “You want to get wild?” Because there will be no vanilla ice cream tonight like she had with her ex. Vanilla isn’t in my vocabulary. There’ll be thirty-one flavors, baby. With all the toppings.
Amazing how so much of our attraction revolves around food. I’ll have to see what’s in my fridge. Hopefully, something tasty I can lick off her tits. I sink my teeth into her earlobe, and a shiver quakes through her.
She nods. “Yes, I want to get wild,” she pants out.
“Be careful what you ask for, Red,” I say, pulling away to unlock the door.
Chapter Eighteen
I’ve never been so desperate to get a girl naked in my life. Not even in the eighth grade when Denise Williams—two grades ahead and a woman of the world in my horny fourteen-year-old eyes—offered herself to me in the dugout of a vacant baseball field after both teams had gone home.
She so generously rewarded the two home runs I’d hit during that game with the bases loaded by relieving me of my virginity. And let me cross home plate two more times that day.
Fucking Red at the bar only whet my appetite for more.
I fumble with the lock and key, and Red plasters herself against my back. Her arms encircle me, and one hand drops to my cock.
I groan. “You’re killing me, Red.”
“We only have one night, Ethan. I want every minute to count.”
Something shifts in my chest. I’m on fire everywhere. My skin tingles from her touch, my dick throbs with need, my mouth waters for her taste. But something that feels like regret bubbles up and lodges in my throat. The thought of only having one night with this woman bites at my heart.
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