Holy shit. Ford was beyond the point of no return, lost in euphoria, only kept from release by Cort’s tight grip returning to the base of his cock whenever he sensed him coming close to the edge. But he stopped trying to get Cort to keep moving. To let him come.
He wanted everything. Needed what he was doing now. What he promised to do in the future. This place Cort had brought him to, surrounded by him, feeling him inside and out, was an exquisite escape he’d needed so fucking bad.
The only thing that would make it more perfect would be if Akira was here.
And, in a way, Cort made sure she was.
“All of that. FuckfuckFUCK!” Ford’s throat ached as his voice rose in time to Cort’s quickened pace. He’d angled his dick perfectly, hitting Ford’s prostate and ricocheting the erotic sensations even further, until Ford was sure they would blast him into a thousand pieces. “Cort!”
“Again.” Cort slammed his hands on the mattress by Ford’s hips, pistoning in and out so hard the whole bed shook. “I want to hear you scream my name until you can’t make another sound. Until you never forget that I’m the only man who will ever have you like this.”
The slight growl underlying Cort’s words brought back just enough reality for Ford to remember what he’d been trying to escape. It didn’t lessen the pleasure, but he wanted Cort to know this would always belong to them. This moment no one else could touch. The connection they had.
He’d known the sex would be amazing, but as he looked up at the man he loved, feeling him deep within, his throat tightened. “Only you, Cort. I promise.”
Bending down, driving in deep, Cort claimed his lips. “Good. Because I’m going to wreck you for anyone else.”
Ford smiled against Cort’s lips. “I think you’re wrecking me in general.”
With an evil grin, Cort tugged at Ford’s bottom lip with his teeth. “That’s the plan.”
The steady sound of flesh on flesh surrounded them as Cort slammed in and out, rising up enough to jerk Ford off in time to the pace of his thrusts. His gaze held Ford’s as he slid his thumb over the head of Ford’s dick, spreading his precum, then gripping the base to cut off his release yet again.
Desperation took hold and Ford’s eyes stung as the ache within reached the point of pure agony, laced with electric jolts of rapture. He found himself repeating Cort’s name over and over, getting louder with each breath, until his throat was so sore he struggled to be heard. But he didn’t stop. His lips kept moving.
“Now, Ford.” Cort’s fingers dug into his hips as he rammed in one last time with a low, feral sound. “Now!”
Every muscle in Ford’s body tensed as he came, the world tearing apart, exploding into too many pieces to count. Like a blazing star within blasting out until every nerve, every pore, every inch of him from the inside out shattered into white-heat that stole his ability to do anything but evaporate into the pleasure.
Neither of them moved for a long time. As Ford slowly came back to solid earth, Cort undid his wrists, easing onto the bed, still snug in his body, lying down with Ford on top of him. He stroked Ford’s back, pressing his lips to Ford’s sweat soaked hair.
Ford buried his face against the side of Cort’s neck, wincing as he swallowed. Then he laughed. “Holy fuck.”
Cort chuckled, resting his hand at the base of Ford’s spine. “Yeah. Pretty much.”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to move again.” Ford’s voice sounded funny. He cleared his throat. “This was…more than I was expecting.”
“Mmm.” Cort raked his fingers into Ford’s hair, tugging until Ford met his eyes. “But you needed this.”
“I needed you. All of you.” Ford folded his arms on Cort’s chest and braced his chin on them. “Everything’s been so fucked up. You’re right, I was fucking scared. Scared we wouldn’t get here before—”
Rising up, Cort withdrew from his body in a smooth motion, while flipping him onto his back, not giving him a second to react before he pinned him to the bed with his hands on Ford’s shoulders. He eyes were hard as he stared down at Ford.
“This was for us. Something we both wanted. Both needed.” Cort gritted out every word, holding Ford’s gaze as though to make sure he understood them. Then his jaw hardened. “Everything might still be fucked up, but one thing hasn’t changed. And never will.”
“I know. I love you, Cort. But—”
“No. You fucking listen to me.” Cort pressed his eyes shut. Inhaled slowly. “I love you. I will protect you. If you lose control of the situation, if you don’t think you can stop Kyle from going too far, promise me you’ll tell me.”
“Cort—”
“Promise. Me.” Cort closed his hands around Ford’s shoulders and gave him a little shake. “One way or another, I will end this. We’ve fought too hard and too long to get where we are. You let me in, in every way. That’s where I belong.”
Ford pressed his lips together, not sure he could keep that promise. He’d try, but that wouldn’t be enough for Cort. He loved being here, like this, held and safe, surrounded by love. But he couldn’t stay like this. Couldn’t forget how much his son needed him. Or ignore what might happen if he told Cort what he wanted to hear.
“You know me, Cort. I might play dirty, but I always make it out in one piece.” His lips curved as Cort’s brow furrowed. “I can promise you won’t have to save me again.”
“Ha.” Cort shook his head, pushing up and off the bed. “Keep telling yourself that. Maybe I should work on keeping you here, like this. It’s harder to get in trouble when you’re too sore to move.”
Shaking his head, Ford tried to sit up. The throb on the flesh of his ass, and deep inside, made moving a very bad idea. He thunked his head back on the pillows. “You may be right.”
“I know I am.” Cort’s lips slanted. “And don’t think I’ll forget that anytime soon. You needed some time where you didn’t have any choices to make. To let everything you were afraid of go. Let’s get some sleep and talk about what to do in the morning. Maybe then you’ll finally realize you’re not dealing with this alone.”
“Or I can just focus on how obsessed you are with my ass.”
Cort’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t comment. He left the room, returning with a damp cloth, which he used on Ford’s ass, cleaning him and soothing the swelling welts, before grabbing some Arnica lotion and smoothing it over Ford’s skin.
He climbed into bed shortly after, pulling Ford into his arms and holding him close, silent for so long, Ford was sure he’d fallen asleep.
Then he spoke softly, his lips brushing Ford’s cheek. “You’re not alone.”
Tears blurred Ford’s vision as all the emotions from the night, from the past few weeks, slammed into him. He still didn’t know how this would end, but he had to believe when it did, he’d still have the man and the woman he loved. They didn’t have to do anything to convince him. They’d been doing just that, all along.
“I know.”
Chapter 24
After a long night of meetings and planning to make sure every single detail was considered, Akira didn’t resist when Oriana led her to the spare bedroom and insisted she get some sleep. But she woke up early, shaking with fear and excitement, eager to get home. Dressing quickly, she hurried downstairs, guilt tugging at her when she saw Max in the kitchen, serving up breakfast, an extra plate set for her.
He paused, smiling as he took off his oven mitts. “I know that look. And I won’t force you to stay, Akira, but you’ve got a long day ahead of you. Give yourself a minute. Have something to eat. Oriana will be down soon and Sloan is just changing Westy.”
“I had a feeling you were going to say that.” Akira eyed the plates, her stomach growling. They’d had pizza last night, but she’d barely finished a slice. Knowing she might have finally found a solution had her tense and relieved and so wound up the food tasted like cardboard. She’d somehow managed to sleep well, but she was still worried about the last step in her and Oria
na’s plans.
Getting Ford to go along with them.
“I can tell you’re stressed, but you came to Oriana for a reason. I don’t know all the details, but I know enough to say you’ve got this.” Max pulled out a chair. “Come sit down and tell me what’s bothering you.”
Akira plunked down into the chair, raking her fingers through her hair and resting her elbows on the table in front of her plate. “This might solve everything with Ford’s son, but it solves nothing for the team. Oriana and I talked about that a lot last night too. The team will be relocated. And that changes everything for all of us. Ford might have been fighting for his son, but he was also fighting for our life here and it’s all tangled together.”
Max nodded slowly, dragging out the chair beside her and dropping into it. “I know. And things are changing for everyone. We all have a lot of decisions to make. But I have a feeling you already know what you want to do.”
“I’m staying in Dartmouth. So is Cort. And I think it will be the best thing for Jaxon. We can give him a great life here.” Akira lifted her head, rubbing one hand over her face. “But it’s going to be hard for Ford. He’s losing both of his sisters.”
“He isn’t losing them. This is their home too.” Max leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. “I… I wasn’t willing to consider the move. And when I did, I tried to find a way where it wouldn’t change anything for my family. I was ready to retire.”
Blinking fast, Akira struggled to school her features. She couldn’t imagine the team without Max. Not again. Things hadn’t gone well the last time he’d left them.
He gave her a stiff smile. “I only have a few years left. And I’m still learning how to be a father. I figured I could just be that. Just walk away from the game.”
“Can you?”
“No.” Max folded his hands on the table. “I was so angry, because back then neither Sloan or Oriana would even entertain giving it up. I thought that meant our family was less important to them. But they did the one thing I haven’t been. They’ve been able to be parents, while still balancing their own needs. If they aren’t happy, aren’t fulfilled, what kind of life can they give our son?”
“Some people stay home with their kids. And are happy doing it. That’s not a bad choice either.” Akira wasn’t sure if Ford would want a life like that. He still had the bar. But the team had meant family to him for so long, she knew he’d have trouble letting that go. “But it’s not a choice I could make.”
“And there’s nothing wrong with that. I want to keep playing. I also want to raise my son. I’ll try to do both, for a little longer.” Max lifted his shoulders, then picked up the syrup, spreading it over his pancakes. He went still as someone walked into the room. Set the bottle down. “Life changes. Sometimes, you have to be willing to change with it. And I wasn’t.”
Easing into the chair at Max’s side, Westy cradled against his chest, Sloan met Max’s level gaze. “It might have been easier for you if I’d listened more. If I didn’t act like your opinion didn’t matter.”
Max inclined his head, reaching out for his son, inhaling slowly as Sloan settled the baby in his arms. “Maybe. But I wasn’t ready to talk, so that didn’t help.”
“No. But I want you to feel like you have a say. Not just with the team.” Sloan brushed his fingers over Westy’s soft puff of blond hair. “With him.”
“I’ll try, but…you and Oriana have everything figured out.”
Sloan’s lips slanted. “We’re good at pretending we do. But we’re still learning, Max. Just like you are. He’s your son as much as he is mine. I remember you telling me how much your grandmother was involved in your life after your mother died. How your father always let her take charge. He figured she knew better than he did. I had to step back and stop being frustrated about how closed down you’d become to see you were doing the same thing.”
“Damn.” Max shook his head, staring down at his son. “I reckon I was.”
“You were.” Sloan curved his hand around the back of Max’s neck. “But West needs you to give him the balance I can’t. He needs you to stand up to me when I’m seeing everything in black and white. To be the man he’ll need in his life as much as I need you in mine. As much as Oriana does. As much as a team full of messed up players with all kinds of issues always has. They’re not ready to let you go. Not yet.”
“And neither are you.”
Shaking his head, Sloan let out a rough laugh. “I never will be. Get used to it.”
Oriana joined them, a soft smile on her lips as she looked at her men and her baby. She met Akira’s eyes across the table and winked.
Her own way of saying things could work themselves out. Not always in the simplest way, but none of them had chosen simple lives.
They’d chosen love.
Love could be complicated, and the world didn’t pave an easy road for it. There was always a past, a present, and a future full of obstacles, but if love was worth fighting for, those obstacles could be overcome. The most important thing was to find a way to keep moving forward.
Akira had a feeling that was why Max had been so honest with her. He considered her part of his family and believed she had the strength to fight for the men she loved. Two men who’d never had it easy. Who might always take the more difficult road, because the past had taught them not to trust any other.
She wasn’t sure she could teach them to trust it. But she knew they trusted her.
And that was all that mattered.
Once she’d finished breakfast, she gave Oriana a hug, then leaned over to press a light kiss on Westy’s forehead as he slept in Max’s arms. She smiled at the men, then headed out, bracing herself for what, she had a feeling, would be a tough battle.
She had to convince Ford the path to bringing his son home didn’t have to be the dark, twisted one he’d gotten lost on.
When she finally got home, silence greeted her, but there was some peace to it. Neither Ford or Cort was working today, so she knew they were home. Hopefully still in bed. If Cort had gotten Ford to relax enough to sleep in, that was good. He’d need his energy if everything went as planned. The first appointment she’d set up with Oriana was in a couple of hours.
It had taken a lot of work to make it happen on a weekend, but timing was everything.
This could lead to an end to what they’d been struggling with for way too long.
As she walked quietly down the hallway, she glanced into Jaxon’s room, biting her lip as she looked over the posters on the wall, and all the things they’d gotten for him to make it his. Just waiting for him.
“You won’t have to wait much longer, sweetie.” She inhaled slowly, all she’d learned making her want to scream, but she needed to keep her cool. “We’re gonna get you here. Where you belong.”
Across the hall the door to the room she shared with Ford and Cort was open, but the room was dark. Padding into it, her socks brushing the round carpet, she made her way to the side of the bed, her heart swelling as she looked them over. Cort took up a good half of the bed, the blanket kicked off one bare leg and draped across his waist on one side, then spread up to his chest to cover Ford, who rested his head on the other.
Curled up on his side, Ford had one arm and one leg over Cort, sleeping almost as tangled with the other man as she usually slept with him. He looked more at peace than he had in a long time, and she wished she didn’t have to wake him.
But if the day went as planned, he’d be having a lot more nights like this. And she’d be right there with both of them to enjoy it.
“Hey, Tiny.” Cort gave her a sleepy smile, reaching out to take her hand and draw her onto the bed at his side, careful not to disturb Ford. “I was hoping you’d be home early. I missed you.”
Akira leaned over to kiss him, needing a taste of his comfort and warmth, morning breath and all, before things got serious. “I missed you too. We both work too damn hard. I wish we got to spend more time together.”
“Will be hard with the season starting, but let me know when your next break is and I’ll take a few days off.” He combed his fingers through her hair, studying her for a moment. “Last night…was it about work?”
“No.” She sighed and laid her head on the pillow. “Can you wake Ford up? There’s something we need to discuss. Nothing bad, but he might not like it.”
Brow furrowing, Cort gave a hesitant nod, then turned his head and nudged Ford’s shoulder. “Wake up, my man. Akira’s home and she needs to talk.”
Pushing off Cort’s chest with a groan, Ford flopped onto the pile of pillows, rubbing his eyes. Sitting up a bit, he looked at her, a soft smile on his lips. “’Morning, beautiful.”
“Good morning.” Rising up on her knees, she leaned over Cort to give Ford a kiss. He latched onto her arms, dragging her to him as she giggled. Pressing her lips to his, she took note of the way he shifted under her with a slight wince. “I’m guessing you enjoyed your night. Did you behave?”
“Always do.” He winked at her and stroked her thighs through her jeans. “What’s up?”
Inhaling slowly, she slid off him, moving to the middle of the bed and facing both men. Cuddling with them would be awesome, but they had a schedule to keep.
If Ford agrees to any of this.
“I went to see Oriana the other day to discuss how to get you custody of your son. Please don’t be mad, I know you wanted to handle this your way, but…you haven’t been handling it at all, Ford. Bringing Luke isn’t working and—”
OverTime (The Dartmouth Cobras Book 9) Page 29