by Alice Ward
“Starving,” she agreed.
I took her hand, we ran across the street, and ordered the largest pepperoni pizza they had. “Let’s eat on the beach,” she said. Wow.
“That sounds like a fabulous idea,” I agreed and ordered a six pack of beer to go with our meal.
The sand was still warm from the blistering sun that day, even though it was long gone. We found a place under a large palm tree, away from any businesses, locals, or tourists. I wanted to say so much, but I didn’t know how, or even what. Her eyes pierced through my soul as she gripped a large slice of the pie and folded it before bringing it to her beautiful red lips.
“Are you going to watch me eat?” she asked, ripping off a bite after she spoke.
I laughed. I could watch her eat. I could just watch her forever.
I reached into the box, pulled my own slice out, and folded it the way she had. She smiled, grabbed two beers, handed me one, and then sipped on hers to wash down her food.
“I haven’t liked not seeing you this last week,” I finally said.
Our eyes locked, and for a second, I thought she would lean in and kiss me. “What’s that?” she asked, pointing over my shoulder. I turned, squinted my eyes to see the dark shadow resting on the shore.
She was already up and heading in that direction by the time I made out a turtle. “It’s trapped,” she said as I finally caught up with her.
It was huge, not just large, but huge. Holy fuck. She’d asked if I was afraid of anything. Well, I was a little intimidated by this guy’s pointed, sharp mouth. “You have to help him,” she cried.
I reached down to grip the plastic that had entangled around his flippers. He snapped, and I pulled back, looking for another angle. Kat cried again, “Please, help him.”
Shit. I reached back down, quickly grabbing the plastic in both hands. I gave a quick tug, snapped it, and the big guy settled down, letting me work. It was as if he knew we were trying to help him.
Kat snapped picture after picture as I worked, freeing the plastic and fishing line digging tightly into his skin. I talked to him, telling him it would be okay, and he lifted his head, gazing at me with his ancient eyes.
When he was finally free, I stroked a thumb down his head. He bowed, as if he were saying thanks before heading back into the water and disappearing into the dark depths.
Kat’s arms wrapped around my neck, her lips pressing against my cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered, her breath warm against my cheek. I turned my head and found her lips with mine, connecting us the way we both wanted. If this was my reward, I’d free a snapping sea turtle every day of my life.
My cock shifted, coming alive from her touch, my breathing speeding up, my heart racing. I needed her, now. I walked her toward the secluded spot in the sand where we had eaten with my arms wrapped tightly around her waist. My lips continued to deliver small kisses to her flesh as I lowered her to the soft sand. Her body melted into mine, her eyes closed, and her breathing slowed as I unfastened her shorts. My hands slid to her hips, gripping the denim that clung to her body and pulled it away without any resistance from her.
“No panties?” I asked with a chuckle, delighted at the sight of her pink flesh. I dove in, pushing my tongue deep between her folds, tasting her again.
Her back arched, her body pushed toward me, showing no signs of fear, reluctance, or even embarrassment of being in a public place. My body was drenched in adrenaline as I unleashed my cock and slid up her body, taking one breast in my mouth from above her shirt.
Those moans, those little sighs, all the sounds of her pleasure were pushing me closer and closer to my edge. I didn’t want this to end, but as my cock rested at her hot pussy, I knew it wasn’t going to last long.
“Don’t leave me again,” I whispered in her ear as I slid deep inside of her.
“Never,” she gasped, my cock thrusting into her squirming body.
Her legs wrapped around my waist, her arms tightened around my neck. Lips pressed hard against my shoulder, and then teeth grazed softly at my skin. Her warm, tight flesh tugging at mine sent a furious rush of pleasure through my veins. My toes curled into the sand, digging deep into the earth as I thrust deeper and deeper into her.
Nails scraped at my back, her hips bucked against me as her breasts pushed upward to my open, ready mouth. Moans escaped her throat and fell onto the night air without remorse as her orgasm let loose and her inhibitions disappeared. That was all I needed for the extra nudge over the edge. My body tensed, tightened, and then relaxed as my weight dropped to her, and cum exploded from the tip of my cock.
I brushed the hair gently from her face, stared into her eyes. I didn’t say anything, but I wanted to. I wanted to say so much.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Katrina
Juggling the job of media manager for the Beasts and attending to Rhett’s demand for ten positives for every one negative was proving more exhausting than expected. At least I had Todd, at night anyway. Snuggling up in his arms, falling asleep after making love, or sometimes just talking, it was nice. Was it too nice? I was getting too close to him. I knew that.
“You’re doing an incredible job, Katrina.” Rhett slapped me on the back as the players all lined up behind the long tables I’d set up. Each one had a stack of photographs, a pen, and a large canister to hold donated food.
“Thank you,” I said, stretching up to hang the Beasts Battling Hunger sign. Lana stood beside him, her hand on her hip, and her lips tightly pursed into a dead smile.
I hated her being there, but it seemed she had no plans on leaving. “Yes, great job,” she said quickly and moved down the table toward Todd. I watched her, trying my best not to be noticed by Rhett. Todd smiled, laughed at whatever she said, but snuck a quick glance in my direction that eased my anxiety.
Lana had me confused. She hated when I screwed up, like letting Todd venture into a bad part of New York where he was videoed in a fight. But she also seemed to be irritated when I was doing a good job. At career day, when I chose Ace Newman to speak, she cringed when Rhett told me how smart my choice had been. I was pretty sure she'd cringed when he just complimented me here.
“I can’t wait to hold you,” Todd whispered in my ear as he walked by. Lana glared in our direction.
“What did the bitch want?” I snapped, realizing as soon as I spoke that my tone was less than flattering.
“She actually asked about you. She wanted to know if I was tired of having a full-time babysitter yet.”
I was fuming. “Calm down. I think she was just feeling me out for adrenaline cravings,” Todd said, brushing his hand slowly up my arm.
“You’re right,” I agreed, even though I wasn’t certain he was right. Lana was smooth, but she was also sneaky. Maybe she was on to us.
“My room or yours?” Todd asked, changing the subject and easing my mood.
“Mine,” I said and moved away to talk to the other players.
Lana had caught me once going up in the elevator, so I wasn’t taking that chance again. Todd knew to punch the lobby button in the elevator to pass my floor if Lana made it on there before he hit my floor. It was exhausting hiding out relationship, but I knew, we both knew that I’d be fired if caught. What Todd didn’t know was how much I truly needed this job. Without it, where would I go? To my mom and dad’s tiny condo?
“How long do you plan to stay?” I asked Lana, trying my best to make small talk.
“As long as I need to,” she said coldly.
“I think I have things pretty well under control here.”
Her eyes went dead. “Yes, we all thought you did in New York too.”
I exhaled then pulled in a long, cleansing breath. “What exactly is your problem with me?”
Her smile tightened, and her eyes narrowed. “What makes you think I have a problem with you?”
Why did I open my big mouth? I knew her type. She was the queen of spinning a situation to her favor. “I just get the impression that you
’re not happy with me, whether I’m doing a great job or not.”
She laughed, tilted her head, and widened her smile. She appeared to be more than a little amused at my observation. “That’s the key phrase, Katrina. Or not. If there weren’t any issues, that or not would not have been in your statement, now would it?”
Fuck! She made me so angry. Walk away, Katrina, walk away.
I forced a smile, greeted the fans, and continued my job while my blood boiled from Lana’s words, tone, and even the look on her face. God, I hated her!
Rhett didn’t stay long, and thankfully Lana tailed him. Was there something going on there? No way, Rhett Hamilton could have anyone. Why would he want the ice queen?
“Let’s grab something to eat,” Todd said, sneaking up behind me. I could feel his hands resting gently around my waist, and the scent of his cologne rolled from his tight body to my nostrils. I fell back into him, melting before realizing Blake was eyeing us. He smiled, and I blushed, pulling myself away from Todd.
“Do you really think that’s a good idea with ice queen here?” I asked, still fuming from her coldness.
“She’s up Rhett’s ass somewhere. We can have a meal while discussing your media plans, right?”
“Yes,” I agreed. Pizza and room service was beginning to get old. I wanted to get out of my room. I needed it.
Todd found a quaint little place on the north end of the beach. It was tucked so tightly into the grassy roadside that we almost missed the turn. We sat at a long picnic bench, ate hush puppies, fried catfish, and French fries overlooking an almost green marsh.
I knew he had to be tired of listening to me rant about Lana, but I couldn’t get her off my mind. “You can’t let her get to you,” he said, eyeing me with a strangely hungry look.
“I wish it were that easy.” I needed to calm down and decided to splash some cold water on my face. “I’ve got to use the little girl’s room,” I said politely as I got up.
The restaurant was empty with the exception of the few staff members. I imagined during peak season it was lively as I noticed the unlit party lights along the long corridor toward the bathrooms. A strong grip on my shoulders pulled me backwards. I spun around to a familiar scent and was face to face with Todd.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
He pulled me in close, pressed his lips hard against mine. The taste of vinegar and lemon was thick on his tongue, but the passion he expelled onto me made me somehow love it.
His eyes were still displaying that hungry look as he pulled away. I’d melted, my knees almost buckling beneath me. “You’re so damn hot when you're mad, Kat.”
His hand slid up my leg, his fingers slowly making their way into my shorts. My insides ached for his touch as he teased me with light tickles and gentle strokes along my inner thigh. “You want me?” he whispered.
God yes! “Here?” I asked, snapping back to reality.
“Do you want me?” he whispered again, his finger sliding higher up my thigh, brushing against my swollen flesh.
“Yes,” I gasped. He pushed a finger inside of me, causing my body to drop toward his hand for more. “Not here.”
“Yes. Here. Now,” he said, pulling my hand to the hard cock beneath his jeans.
Another finger followed the first, making its way inside of me, filling me even further. My body contracted, my pussy pulsated around his digits, pulling him deeper into me.
“You’re angry, Kat. You have to release it somewhere. Release it on me,” he whispered.
His hand gripped my wrist, pulling my arm high above my head. His lips sucked my neck as he continued to work his fingers inside of me. Fuck, I want to come.
“Let it go,” he whispered in my ear as my body began to tremble.
“Someone will see,” I protested softly.
“So, they see,” he said, unzipping his jeans. He placed my hand on his warm flesh. His cock was so hard my hand barely wrapped around it. Pre-cum oozed from the tip, causing my fingers to slide easily along his shaft. I couldn’t believe I’m doing this.
He released my wrist, smacked the door open beside me. I didn’t notice if it was women’s or men’s, and honestly, I didn’t care.
His fingers worked vigorously between my legs until I began to quiver. My clit swelled, my pussy tightened, and Todd lowered himself down my body, slowly lowering my shorts as his fingers pulled from their warm place. Instantly, I felt empty. I needed him back inside of me, cock, fingers, tongue, I didn’t care.
The warmth of his tongue against my skin made me moan too loudly. The noise echoed in the small tiled room. He chuckled but continued to lap at my center until I came in his mouth. I heard the wrapper of what I assumed was a condom, and then his body stood tall, pressing hard against mine.
My back was pressed against a porcelain sink as he lifted my legs around his waist. I mounted him as he rocked his hips into me. “Feels good to let go, doesn’t it?” he asked, thrusting his cock deep inside of me.
My nails dug into his flesh through his thin t-shirt as I called out his name. A soft growl escaped his throat as he swelled inside of my body, spreading my hips even further apart. “Come for me,” I heard myself say, surprised by my own candor.
A loud growl rolled from his lips and echoed against the cold tile walls. Warmth filled me as his body grew limber and he slowly let my feet touch the ground.
I watched as he rolled the condom off, still hard, but no longer standing at attention. He grinned, “You surprise me, Kat.”
I'd surprised myself.
“I’ll meet you out there,” he said sweetly, kissing me on the forehead.
The walk back to the table was uncomfortable, to say the least. Our waitress eyed me with a smile smeared on her face. Yeah, she’d heard us.
Thankfully, Todd had already paid the check. I was ready to get the hell out of here and never come back.
“I can’t believe you talked me into that,” I said as I climbed into the rented Corvette that he'd decided to keep, even though he hid it behind the building where Coach, Rhett, and Lana couldn’t see.
“There wasn’t much talking involved, sweetheart,” he said with a grin.
I wondered if Todd was using adrenaline rushes to mask his own anger, or possibly pain? He'd said I needed to release my anger somehow, and I did feel better. His brother used heroine to mask his. Todd’s drug was adrenaline?
I’d enjoyed most everything Todd had encouraged me to do, but sex in a public bathroom was by far the craziest thing I’d done. I loved him pushing me past my comfort zone, past my limits, but was this an addiction for him?
“When we get back to New York, I’m taking you to the top of the Empire State Building,” he said, pulling into the condo parking lot.
I cringed with fear but felt a sudden rush flowing through my veins. He was talking about the future. Maybe it was only weeks, but it was still the future.
“I’ll think about it,” I said.
In fact, that was all I could think about that night. I could barely sleep, even embraced tightly in Todd’s strong arms.
Todd snuck out early that morning before anyone else was up, leaving me alone to shower and get ready for the day. I scrolled through my phone, checking the Google alerts, replying to comments on the social media pages, and generally, just making sure nothing had happened while I slept in Todd’s arms.
My dad posted on the page, commenting on the posts from our winning exhibition games. “You guys have one hell of an owner, a kickass coach, and the best social media manager… so, I expect big things from you this season,” he’d written under a picture of the team.
I hated to admit it, but I missed him. It was strange being on the field without him, even stranger being so involved with the players and him not being one of them. I wished he’d never retired. He didn’t have to. He was older, but not so old he couldn’t play. His arm was still strong, his stamina better than the rookies, and his talent unfading. “Get out while you’re ahead,” he�
�d always say. If only he’d followed that advice when gambling.
Something in the universe must have alerted Bobby Delaney that his daughter was thinking about him. My phone lit up and sang the "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" theme song with his face smiling across my screen. Practice was almost over, so I ducked out early to take the call.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Kitty-Kat,” he boomed through the phone.
Hearing that pet name from his lips after Todd used it in so many naughty ways was unnerving. “I’m a grown up now, you can call me Katrina,” I said as sweetly as I could.
“I’m so proud of you, Kat. I just had to call and let you know that.” His words meant more to me than he probably realized. “I’ve been following your posts. Looks like you’re doing one helluva job.”
“I saw your comment. I’m trying.”
“Your mother and I want to come see you in action. We’ll be there in a couple days.”
“You’re coming here?” I asked, not meaning to have so much surprise in my tone. “I just mean… I didn’t think you could afford the tickets.” I stammered over my words, hating them with my every last fiber as I spoke them into reality. My parents were poor. The thought made me sick.
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about that, Kit-Kat. It’s no problem. No problem at all,” he laughed with more arrogance than I knew he could afford.
I hung up feeling both nervous and excited. I wanted to see my dad, but how was he going to keep up his façade? There wouldn’t be private drivers, no fancy sports cars, and where would they stay? With me?
I didn’t say anything to Rhett or any of the team about my dad’s visit, just in case it was a bluff. When I stepped onto the field and found my dad surrounded by the players, my stomach ached.
Todd smiled at me, waved me over. “Look who’s here?” he said excitedly.
My dad, tall, handsome, and still oozing charisma gripped me by the arms and pulled me in for a tight hug. “I told ya I would be here, Kit-Kat.” Todd gave me a strange look as I fell into my dad’s chest.