The Player and the Pixie (Rugby #2)

by Penny Reid

  I stood abruptly, my hip banging off the table in my haste, but I was too emotional right then to feel any pain. Tears pricked at my eyes as I began moving through the room, dodging wait staff and other customers just to get to him.

  Sean’s eyes found mine and they warmed instantly as he held his arms out. I ran the last few feet, throwing myself into his embrace. He caught me, pulling me tight to him as I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his scent.

  “What are you doing here? I thought I wasn’t going to see you for another two weeks,” I asked when I finally found my voice.

  Sean’s warm hands massaged the base of my spine as he smiled down at me, smiled at me like I was the center of his entire universe.

  “I wanted to surprise you,” he murmured, dipping down to steal a kiss.

  I clutched his cheeks and began planting kisses all over his face like an affection-starved lunatic. I couldn’t believe he was actually here, that I was actually feeling his heat and his body against mine.

  “I missed you so much,” I said, almost on the verge of tears. “Seriously, I’m not sure how much longer I can keep doing this.”

  He stared at me, his expression turning serious for a moment. “I know, darling, I know. Let’s go join your brother and Annie. We’re blocking everybody’s way.”

  I pulled back, suddenly aware that there were several people trying to get by where we stood between two tables. “Right. Yes. Sorry,” I said, shooting an apologetic look their way.

  Sean slid his big fingers through mine and led me over to the booth. My heart sang in my chest, all of my insides alight with exhilaration and relief. He was here now. I didn’t have to miss him anymore. At least until he had to leave again.

  No. I refused to think of that. I just wanted to enjoy him while I could, for however long it might last.

  “Christ Cassidy, I’ve seen pile ups on the motorway make less of a disruption than you. I think you need to cut down on those steroids,” said Ronan.

  Over the years, my brother and Sean had fallen into a grudging sort of friendship. They’d both accepted the presence of one another in their lives, and honestly, I thought they might even secretly enjoy each other’s company. Still, they’d never let themselves admit it out loud. They also couldn’t carry out a conversation without at least five insults being thrown back and forth.

  The male ego was a strange breed.

  “Don’t hate me for what I was born with. It’s okay to be hobbit sized, Fitzpatrick. Nobody’s judging you,” said Sean, a big grin on his face.

  “I’m normal sized,” Ronan retorted. “You’re the one whose biceps block out the sun.”

  “Exactly, my biceps are phenomenal. Thank you for pointing that out.”

  “It wasn’t a compliment, dickface,” Ronan bit back with a smile.

  “Dickface at the dinner table, really Ronan? I see you have more work to do on your manners.” Sean tutted.

  I rolled my eyes at them both and tucked myself under Sean’s arm, snuggling close and looking across the table to smile at Annie. We both grinned, used to their banter by now.

  “Oh my God, would you two just shut up and kiss already? This is getting ridiculous,” Annie teased and I laughed loudly. They both instantly quieted their bickering. My sister-in-law was an evil genius sometimes. Ronan frowned and Sean’s face formed a grimace. I snuggled closer to my boyfriend and pressed a kiss to the underside of his jaw.

  “I’m so happy you’re here,” I whispered.

  ***

  “Can we talk about the picture you sent on Tuesday?” Sean growled when we arrived home from dinner, i.e. to Annie’s apartment. As soon as I closed the door to my bedroom he was on me, hands in my hair, mouth on my neck, nipping, biting, licking.

  “The one of me wearing the lingerie you ordered?” I asked coyly, closing my eyes in ecstasy when his hand slid beneath my top to cup my breast. “I thought that was the whole reason you bought it.”

  His thumb grazed my nipple and I swear I felt it all the way down between my legs. “I opened the message during a meeting with my agent. Do you know how inconvenient it is getting an erection while trying to discuss work opportunities?”

  I let out a guffaw of a laugh that quickly transformed into a moan when Sean threw me onto the bed and mounted me, his hard cock pressing between my thighs. The bed creaked loudly. A second later there was a knock on the wall, followed by Ronan yelling, “I don’t want to hear that shit, Cassidy. Keep it down.”

  I giggled and Sean put his hand over my mouth to stifle the sound. “We really should have gotten a hotel room. I want to fuck you loudly tonight, and I can’t exactly do that with your brother in the next room.”

  “Fuck me quietly. Tomorrow when he’s out we can be loud,” I smiled.

  Sean groaned and began divesting me of my shirt and bra. “I’m not sure I can wait that long. I’ve missed you so bloody much.” His eyes travelled over my face for a second. “God, you’re beautiful.”

  That blasted emotion clutched at me again, and I nearly got weepy because I’d missed him so much, too. Then my mind tracked back to what he’d said a minute ago.

  I stared at the top of his head as he kissed his way down my body. “Sean.”

  He glanced up. “Yes?”

  “Why were you discussing work opportunities with your agent? You already have a job.”

  He went still, the muscles moving in his jaw as he exhaled. The quiet went on for so long I began to grow worried. “Damn it, I wanted to wait until tomorrow to tell you. I had a whole day planned.”

  “Tell me what?” I said, my body tensing and my heart pounding.

  Now he looked up at me, those blue eyes of his so bloody handsome I couldn’t take it sometimes.

  “I’m retiring from the team, Lucy,” he said.

  My mind reeled. My voice barely a whisper. “You’re what? Why? How?”

  “I’m getting old.”

  “You are not old.” I smacked his shoulder, making a face at him.

  “For professional rugby, I’m ancient. I’m not going to be able to play forever. There are younger players out there more than willing to take my place. It’s time.”

  Suddenly, everything he was telling me sank in, and my heart pounded for a very different reason. This wasn’t bad news. It was good news. The best news I’d ever had.

  “Are you…does this mean you’re moving over here?” I practically squealed.

  When he smiled it was glorious. Moving up the bed, he took my face in his hands and kissed me delicately on the lips. “Yes, love, it means I’m moving here. I’ll be working with ESPN, New York office, as their international rugby liaison.”

  “Is this for real? Am I dreaming?” I asked, hardly able to contain my smile. Seriously, I was smiling so hard right then my jaw hurt. Everything inside of me rejoiced. Sean was staying. I didn’t have to go through the pain of watching him leave again.

  “You’re not dreaming, Lucy,” Sean murmured and gave me another kiss. “I can’t stand it when I’m not with you. I feel like a piece of my heart is missing,” he went on and I knew exactly how he felt, because I felt it too.

  “God, I love you so much, so, so much,” I told him between kisses.

  “I love you too, Lucy. It feels like you’ve always been here, is that mad? I can’t remember my life without you. It feels like someone else’s life.”

  “I feel exactly the same,” I said, sucking back the happy tears at his murmured declaration. I lost myself in him, his body, his taste. I was a whirl of emotions, so many wonderful thoughts swirling between my head and my heart. Then, the most exciting realization hit me, as I pulled my mouth from his and looked him dead in the eye.

  “Oh my God, you do realize what this means, don’t you?”

  His smile was indulgent. “What does it mean, darling?”

  I grinned so wide my face hurt again. “It means we can finally get a dog!”

  ***

  For a long time, circumstances had been
against us. Annie’s apartment building didn’t allow pets and Sean travelled too much to be able to care for one properly. So, I volunteered at the shelter as often as I could, giving all my love to the animals that didn’t have families while desperately wishing I could take all of them home with me.

  Now, two weeks after Sean had moved to New York permanently, we signed the lease on a top floor apartment with a roof garden. The best part of all? Pets were permitted in the tenancy agreement. I wasn’t sure who was more excited, me or the big hunk of rugby muscle who currently held my hand as we walked through the kennels at the shelter, saying hello to all our friends.

  “Hello Sam, hello Patch, hello Charlie, hello Buddy, hello Hampton,” I sing-songed as Sean went to greet his favorite canine.

  Being such a large dog and almost six years old, Hampton had a hard time getting adopted into a home. Sean had sponsored him at the shelter and visited with me whenever he was in town. I knew without even having to ask that he was the one Sean wanted, and I was already mentally preparing to purchase a year’s supply of lint rollers and some sort of handheld vacuum cleaner to deal with all that long black fur getting everywhere.

  “You want him, don’t you,” I said, grinning down at Sean where he knelt by Hampton’s kennel, reaching through to rub him on the head. Hampton barked in greeting and gave Sean’s hand a big slobbery lick.

  He only nodded quietly and smiled, his attention all for Hampton as he opened his kennel and the big dog came barreling out, knocking Sean off balance and causing him to fall flat on his bottom. I laughed loudly as Hampton proceeded to hop all over Sean, licking his face, delirious with excitement to see his most favorite human.

  It was as I was smiling at the two of them that I saw something zipping by me out of the corner of my eye, a little ball of tawny fur. Several more zipped by and I looked down to see four Pomeranian puppies play fighting with one another at my feet.

  “They’re adorable, aren’t they,” said Linda, one of the full-time volunteers. “A woman came in with them the other day. She found them in the bushes at the back of her house, thinks the mother abandoned them after giving birth. That being said, I doubt we’ll have any trouble finding them new homes.”

  “Me neither,” I agreed as I stared down at the ball of fluff biting and yipping at the toe of my shoe. “I think I’ve just fallen in love.”

  Linda smiled as I bent down to pick the puppy up and cradle her in my arms. She was a girl and she was so adorable I could seriously die.

  “Hello,” I said, staring down at her.

  She barked a tiny puppy bark and I was convinced she’d just said hello back. Sean approached with Hampton and I peered up at him, mustering my most pleading expression.

  “I have to have her,” I said beseechingly.

  Sean frowned, then glanced down at Hampton, who made a sort of huffing noise like he wasn’t too sure either.

  “I dunno. That crazy little face kinda freaks me out,” he said but I could tell he was holding back a grin.

  “Her face isn’t crazy! It’s the most adorable face ever created and I’m putting my foot down. I won’t leave this kennel without her. I’m sorry, but we’ve bonded and are now best friends for life.”

  “You just picked her up five seconds ago.”

  “Yes, and when I stared into her eyes I silently told her I was her mother. It’s a done deal. There’s no turning back now.”

  Sean laughed as he ruffled Hampton’s fur. “What do you say Hampton? You okay with sharing your home with a spoiled little furball?”

  “She won’t be spoiled. She’ll be a lady.”

  Now he smiled at me. “You know I love giving you everything you want. Of course we can have her.”

  “I’m so happy right now. So happy. Can we get her a rainbow-striped kennel with her name on the front?”

  “Perhaps. I haven’t bought you anything in a while. You’re due a gift.”

  “You just bought me lingerie.”

  “That doesn’t count. Lingerie for you is a gift for me, and is as essential as breathing.”

  I shook my head at him. “Only you could say that and make it sound normal.”

  “You know I like to treat myself to something extravagant for you at least once a month. This month you can have your rainbow-striped kennel, with rainbow rhinestones if you’d like.”

  “And what about next month?” I asked with a hint of flirtation.

  His eyes heated up as he gazed at me and there was something about his look that made my tummy do a flip. “You’ll have to wait and see,” he winked.

  “No clues?”

  He paused a moment, a glint coming into his eye. “There might be a diamond involved.”

  My heart stilled and all I could do was stare at him. I’d been joking around, flirting harmlessly, and then he went and dropped a bomb the size of a small country on me.

  A diamond? A DIAMOND?

  What did that mean?

  Okay, yes, I knew what it meant, but that didn’t stop my heart from trying to leap its way out of my chest. Sean gave a throaty chuckle and shook his head. “Calm down, Lucy. Rest assured that when I do finally buy you a diamond, you’ll be ready for it.”

  I continued staring at him, mindlessly petting the puppy I held as I stood there in silence. Finally, I spoke. “Sean.”

  “Yes, Lucy?”

  “What if I said I’m ready for a diamond now?”

  A slow, caramel smooth smile shaped his mouth and his look set a fire burning deep in my belly. “Then, my dear, perhaps it’s time to go shopping.”

  End.

  About the Authors

  L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

  She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.

  Find L.H. Cosway online! Facebook * Twitter * Website * Newsletter

  Penny Reid’s days are spent writing federal grant proposals for biomedical research; her evenings are either spent playing dress-up and mad-scientist with her three people-children (boy-9, girl-6, tiny dictator-8 months), or knitting with her knitting group at the local coffee shop. Please feel free to drop her a line. She'd be happy to hijack your thoughts!

  Find Penny Reid online! Facebook * Twitter * Website * Newsletter

  Please, write a review!

  If you liked this book (and, more importantly perhaps, if you didn’t like it) please take a moment to post a review someplace (Amazon, Goodreads, your blog, on a bathroom stall wall, in a letter to your mother, etc.). This helps society more than you know when you make your voice heard; reviews force us to move towards a true meritocracy.

  Read on for:

  Sneak Peek of The Cad and the Co-ed (Rugby series #3) by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid

  Sneak Peek of Showmance by L.H. Cosway

  L.H. Cosway’s Booklist (current and planned publications)

  Sneak Peek of Grin and Beard It by Penny Reid (Winston Brothers #2)

  Penny Reid’s Booklist (current and planned publications)

  Sneak Peek: The Cad and the Co-ed

  By L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid

  CHAPTER 1

  *Eilish*

  I’m a smart girl.

  If you'd asked me prior to last night whether I believed in love at first sight, I would’ve replied with an emphatic no.

  Maybe even a hell no.

  I was not and never had been a romantic sort. The term life partner sounded like a life sentence. Perhaps it was due to my time at an all-female Catholic boarding school prior to enrolling in Brown two years ago. Most of my classmates saw a cute boy and lost their mind.

  Whereas boys reminded me of my brothers. And my brothers were all stuffy arseholes who’d married for money and stature. For that matte
r, so were my brothers-in-law. Whatever the reason, men struck me as strange beings.

  With the exception of my one cousin who I considered more a brother than any of my own, I’d never met a man under sixty who I respected. Especially not one worthy of the giggling, swooning ridiculousness my classmates and girlfriends back as school bestowed on these undeserving creatures.

  But that was before last night.

  Before I’d danced with Bryan Leech under the influence of candlelight and champagne. Before he’d compared me to a rose and gazed at me as though I was flawless. Before he’d kissed me dizzy in the gardens. Before he’d spread my legs and worshipped me with his lips and tongue, seducing me beneath a blanket of stars. Before he’d taken me to his suite and made love to me.

  It was also before I’d lost my virginity.

  But now it was the next morning, after the most wonderful, most meaningful, most amazing night of my life, and I was completely and helplessly in love.

  I awoke with a start, disoriented at first, wondering if it had been a dream. But then I saw Bryan and felt a twinge of soreness between my legs. My heart slowed then skipped, relief and wistful warmth spreading through my veins and limbs. He was still asleep, his long body curled around a pillow.

  I couldn’t help it. I exhaled a dreamy sigh, smiled, suppressing my desire to reach out and smooth his tousled hair. He looked so perfect bathed in the soft light of morning.

  God! He was so gorgeous. It wasn’t just his perfect athletic body, or the strong line of his jaw, or the mesmerizing jade green of his eyes. It was everything. He was everything.

  I’d become what I’d scorned in the past. But now I got it. Oh boy, did I get it.

  How he looked at me like I was the only woman in the world. How he’d asked me questions and listened—really listened—to me. How he touched me and watched my response with baited breath, like he couldn’t get enough of me. How patient he’d been the night before, how skilled and tender. How he’d made my first time perfect for me. How he’d kissed and held me after, told me he loved me, told me I was flawless to him.