“Have you Googled yourself?” Eve asked. “You’re practically naked on every page.”
Not the least bit embarrassed, Dylan chuckled. He worked his ass off to stay in tip-top shape. When a sponsor requested that he promote their products with a lot of skin showing, if they granted him final approval of the pictures, he agreed without hesitation.
“I’m proud of my body,” Dylan said.
“I should hope so.” Eve nodded. “You’re a beautiful man. Inside and out.”
Dylan wouldn’t call himself a humble man. He understood the physical gifts he possessed and used each one to his advantage—on and off the football field.
The fact that Dylan did his job better than anyone else wasn’t bragging but a fact. Plain and simple. His teammates respected him. Management relied on him. Ownership rewarded him with a hefty paycheck.
What other people thought of him didn’t matter to Dylan. Never had. Never would. However, knowing Eve liked him meant the world.
“You lied,” Dylan said.
“Did I?” She frowned. “When?”
“You said you don’t know how to seduce a man.” Holding her gaze, Dylan brought Eve’s hand to his lips. “Everything about you is a seduction. Your face. Your body. Your smile. Damn, that smile kills me. Without fail. Every time.”
“Do I need to ask?” Eve’s gray eyes held his. “If I say, touch me, Dylan, will my words be enough? Are you truly and thoroughly seduced?”
“I am.”
Dylan spanned Eve’s waist with his hands, lifting her until her body lay on top of his. He ran his hands up the back of her legs. Higher. Higher. He lingered on the curve of her butt.
“You like?” Dylan asked when Eve made a humming sound deep in her throat.
“Very much.” Eve sighed. “The callouses on your palms feel rough yet tender against my skin.”
“If I do something you don’t like, tell me.” Dylan wanted Eve to enjoy every second of his lovemaking. He never wanted her to feel pressured. “Anytime you want, I’ll stop.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Slowly, Eve brushed her mouth against Dylan’s chin. Then, his cheek. Finally, her lips found his.
Dylan drank in the taste of Eve as she sank into the kiss with a sigh. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment he’d dreamed of for so long. She was right. The reality was so much better.
Eve tilted her head, allowing Dylan access to the soft, sweet curve of her neck. She sighed and laughed. Such a happy sound. Like a burst of spring sunshine heating his body after a long, cold winter.
“What do you have on under the covers?” Eve asked.
“Nothing,” Dylan answered with a knowing smile.
“I don’t believe you.” Eve tugged at the comforter. “Prove it. Show me.”
Dylan was more than willing to share his naked body with Eve. But he felt like a giddy kid on Christmas morning. Impatient and a little greedy. She was his present. He was hers. The question was, who unwrapped their gift first?
“After you,” Dylan teased. “I want to know what you have on under your nightgown.”
“A full suit of armor.” Eve’s laugh was wickedly husky. “Doesn’t everyone wear chainmail to bed?”
“Now I know why you weigh so much,” Dylan said, grunting when she jabbed him in the ribs.
“I’m a feather. You said so yourself. Remember?”
“Vaguely.” In truth, Dylan recalled with perfect clarity every conversation they’d ever shared.
“Seems sarcasm is lost on your puny jock brain,” Eve said with a twinkle in her eyes. “To save you any confusion, from now on, I will be literal. I have nothing on under my nightgown but my skin.”
“I don’t believe you.” Dylan threw Eve’s taunt back at her. “Prove it. Show me.”
Dylan didn’t know what to expect. More teasing? Would his bold, fearless Eve suddenly turn shy? He wouldn’t blame her. Instead, she surprised him. In the best way possible.
Rising above him like a dark-haired angel in white, Eve straddled Dylan’s hips. In a slow, burning tease, she grasped the hem of the gown, inching the material up her smooth, shapely thighs.
“I’m on the pill,” Eve announced as she flung the nightgown over her head revealing her body to him in its full glory.
“Are you trying to kill me?” Dylan clutched at his heart.
“I’m trying to finish what I started.” Eve brought his hand to her breast. With a sigh, her head fell forward. “Seduction isn’t easy. But, oh, it feels so good.”
Slender yet strong, Eve’s body was a feast for Dylan’s eyes. Every inch of her was perfect. Soft, fragrant skin. Warm. Beautiful. Irresistible. He couldn’t wait for his first taste.
Wrapping his hands around her arms, Dylan tugged until her breasts hovered above his mouth. He swiped his tongue across her nipple before sucking the small bud into his mouth. When he took a bite—ever so gently—Eve gasped. Her fingers clasped the back of his head, urging him not to stop.
“Do you want more?” Dylan asked, using the pad of his thumb on the tip of her other breast.
“I want everything,” Eve told him without hesitation.
“Everything might take a while,” Dylan warned. “Daisy will be home soon.”
“I called your mother and asked her to keep Daisy until this afternoon,” Eve informed him. “Is six hours enough?”
“For a start.” Dylan grinned. “I’ll need more in the days to come. Much, much, more. Okay with you?”
“My schedule is wide open,” Eve said, her eyes closing when Dylan slid his hand between her thighs. “Holy crap, you know exactly how to touch me.”
As his fingers teased the slick flesh between Eve’s legs, Dylan covered her mouth with his. He felt each sigh of pleasure vibrate across her lips. His tongue toyed with hers, deeper, hotter. Changing angles, again and again. Searching for more. Finding an endless bounty of pleasure.
Dylan flipped Eve onto her back. Pushing aside the covers, he rose above her just as a shaft of light burst across the bed.
“I thought your pictures were as good as it gets.” Eve reached for him, then hesitated. Eyes wide met his. “How can you possibly look better in person?”
Taking her hand, Dylan kissed her palm before placing it on his chest. He laughed as she oohed and awed. He groaned when her fingers traced the curve of his pecs with lingering caresses.
“I thought some of the shots had to be photoshopped,” Eve said.
“Excuse me?” Dylan sniffed, offended that she would suggest such a thing. “Everything you see is the real deal.”
To prove his point, Dylan moved Eve’s hand to his flat stomach.
“Feel,” he told her. “I earned my six-pack the hard way.”
“And I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Eve sighed. “So pretty.”
Dylan laughed. Eve looked like a kid in a candy store.
“I taste even better than I look,” he said.
Eve licked and nibbled her way across Dylan’s abs with a thoroughness he admired and enjoyed. Eyes closed, head thrown back, he almost came undone when her hand closed around his erection.
“All for me?” Eve asked, her eyes glowing with anticipation. “I’m impressed. And a little intimidated.”
“We’ll go slowly,” Dylan promised, removing her fingers before he embarrassed himself. “You set the pace. But we aren’t there yet.”
“I’m ready,” Eve assured him.
“Maybe.” Dylan had his doubts. “I’m not. Before we’re done, I want to touch and kiss and savor every inch of your body. Then, start all over again. You’re welcome to return the favor.”
“Every inch?” Eve took in the size of him, head to toe, and smiled. “Sounds like a plan I can get behind.”
Dylan was a man who enjoyed sex. From his first time until now, he indulged himself whenever the mood hit him—which was often. Experienced and confident in his skills as a lover,
he took his pleasure with unabashed freedom, always giving the same in return.
Each woman that Dylan took to his bed was unique. He wouldn’t call them memorable. Over the years, names were forgotten, faces blurred. He wasn’t cavalier about sex. When your body is involved but not your heart, one encounter tends to blend into another.
From the beginning, Eve was different. She didn’t fawn or fall all over herself to gain his attention. She didn’t care about his fame or his fortune. Perhaps he was perverse, but he liked her screw you attitude layered over a core of vulnerability she hid from the world.
Eve infuriated him. She intrigued him. She made him angry one second and laugh the next. Her strength amazed him; her fierce, unwavering sense of loyalty humbled him.
Dylan knew five seconds after they met that he wanted to kiss her. He would have taken her to bed the same night if she asked. She kept him waiting longer than any woman he knew. For her, he would have waited longer. A lifetime and beyond.
“Why do I suddenly feel nervous and unsure?” Eve let out a shaky breath. “I always have a plan. But with you, here, I’m afraid.”
“Of me?” Dylan couldn’t fathom the idea. He was putty in her hands. “Why all of a sudden?”
“I always thought sex was fun. Enjoyable enough, but something I could easily live without,” Eve explained. “Now, every touch, every kiss, seems bigger. Important. What if…”
“Yes?”
“We haven’t finished, and I already want you again,” she said in a rush. “What if you don’t feel the same?”
“You’re overthinking.” Dylan kissed Eve again, long, slow, and thorough. “You walk into a room and I want you. You can have me whenever, wherever with a crook of your little finger.”
“I can’t decide where to put my hands.”
Charmed by Eve’s honesty, Dylan flattened her palm against his chest.
“Here,” he said, sliding the other around his neck. “And here. Better?”
“Much better,” Eve said with a relieved smile.
“Ready?” he asked as he pulled her under him.
Eve’s eyes widened as Dylan wrapped her legs around his hips.
“Now?” Color rushed to her cheeks. “Silly question.”
“Eve?” Dylan said, his lips inches from hers.
“Yes?”
“Stop talking.”
Dylan covered Eve’s mouth with his, trapping her answer. She wound her arms around his shoulders, returning his kiss with a renewed passion. Knowing she was with him, mind and body, a wave of satisfaction coursed through him.
With quick sure movements, Dylan rolled a condom down his length. Slowly, he entered Eve. Wet, ready, her body opened for him.
“I’ll take my time,” Dylan promised through gritted teeth, He needed every bit of his control not to race ahead.
“No.” Eve’s fingers bit into his back. Her hips surged toward his. “I can’t… I need…”
“Tell me.”
Dylan waited. Each second feeling like forever.
“Don’t hold back,” Eve sighed. “Now. Please.”
The magic words. Dylan felt close to tears, the relief was so intense. He moved, meeting the trust of Eve’s hips. Again. Again. Their bodies found the perfect rhythm taking them higher.
Up. Up. And over. They soared. Eve reached the peak, Dylan followed close behind. Their breath mingled in another kiss as the pleasure washed over them in long, heavy waves until the last bit of passion emptied onto the shore.
Dylan collapsed onto his back. Eve did the same. Their hands, fingers threaded together, rested between them.
“You don’t need to worry,” Dylan gasped, his chest rising and falling in rapid succession.
Eve rolled to her right, snuggling close. She rested her head on Dylan’s chest and smiled when his arm slid around her waist.
“Worry?”
“I plan to want you again,” Dylan said. He kissed the top of her head. “Soon. And often.”
“What if I changed my mind?” Eve asked.
“I’ll convince you.” Dylan turned until their bodies were flush, and Eve’s head was tucked under his chin.
“Promise?”
Dylan grinned.
“Have I ever lied to you?”
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲
EVE DIDN’T BELIEVE in omens. Good or bad. She believed people made their own luck and if something went wrong, you worked hard until the problem was fixed.
Nor did Eve think a person could be too happy. How was such a thing possible? Joy wasn’t handed out in dibs and dabs. However, if Eve were pushed to answer, she would say her cup was about to run over.
In the yard, Daisy and Nana played inside the fenced area Dylan had built to keep them safe and sound. The sound of the little girl’s laughter was sweet and pure.
Dylan handed Eve a glass of iced tea. Taking a seat, he put an arm around her shoulders. The kiss they shared was brief but memorable.
“Let’s plan a party,” he said without preamble.
“What kind of party?” Eve asked, resting her hand on his denim-covered thigh.
“One of the birthday variety. For you.”
“Hm.” Eve frowned. “I’ve never had a party.”
“Never?” Dylan looked shocked. “You’re joking.”
“No.” Eve shrugged. “My mother wasn’t big on celebrating anything. After I left home, I didn’t bother to tell anyone the date I was born. How do you know?
“A person’s birthday is the easiest information to uncover,” Dylan explained. “I knew yours before we ever met.”
Eve didn’t know how she felt about Dylan’s matter of fact declaration. In theory, she knew he researched her—after all, she had custody of Daisy. He would want to know as much as possible. Still…
“When is your birthday,” Eve said, needing to even the scales a bit.
“September ninth,” Dylan answered without hesitation. “I will be thirty-two years old.”
“Wow!” Eve gasped. “You’re old.”
“I’m in my prime, cookie.” Dylan lowered his voice. “Which I proved last night. And again, this morning. We can go another round when Daisy’s down for her nap. If you like.”
“We’ll see.” Eve tried to sound uninterested. She failed. Miserably.
“About the party,” Dylan said around a grin a mile wide. “I’ll have my assistant send out the invitations for next Saturday.”
“You have an assistant?” Eve frowned. “Why?”
“She takes care of my fan mail. Arranges my schedule.” Dylan ticked the items off on his fingers. “And the most important one. Sends out invitations to Eve’s birthday party.”
Eve laughed. Her heart was full. Yes, Eve was happy. And, blissfully blind to the storm clouds looming on the horizon.
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲
THE GUESTLIST FOR Eve’s party was larger than Dylan originally planned. At first, he only invited the people she knew.
Levi. Piper. Erin Ashmore. Dylan’s mother made the list, naturally. He hesitated over Tanner leaving the decision up to Eve. She hesitated. But in the end, she agreed Daisy’s father should attend.
Somewhere between a small, intimate gathering, when word spread to his teammates, the numbers grew to almost two hundred people.
“I’m sorry,” Dylan said as he watched as Eve decided what to wear. She discarded every choice, then picked a sparkly red sheath—the first dress she removed from the closet. “My assistant assumed I would want to invite all the Knights. Current and retired.”
“Will everyone bring gifts?” Eve asked.
“They better,” Dylan grumbled.
“Yay, me!” Eve laughed. “Zip me up, slick. I want to check on Daisy before we go down.”
“She’s sound asleep. Worn out from the mini-party we held with her this afternoon,” Dylan assured her. “Don’t worr
y. The nanny I hired to watch her arrived an hour ago. She came highly recommended. The only thing required of you is to have fun.”
As usual, Dylan had everything under control.
“You look handsome.” Eve ran a hand down the length of his gray silk tie. “You should always wear a suit.”
“Even in bed,” he asked, pulling her close.
“Wear a suit. Unless you’re naked.” Eve took his hand. “And only be naked around me.”
“I’ll do my best,” Dylan promised.
The living room was filled with people. As they descended the stairs, Eve glanced at Dylan in surprise.
“Football players love a good party,” he explained. “Free food. An open bar. We’ll be lucky if we can herd them out the door before daybreak.”
Eve wasn’t sure what to expect. She spent most of her life alone—by choice and necessity. The few times she attended a private party, she was there to serve food or mix drinks.
After an hour of meeting Dylan’s friends and eating delicious food, she decided she could get used to the novelty of not working. Especially when she was the guest of honor.
“Having fun?” Dylan asked.
“Everyone is so nice.” Eve laughed. “And big. Football players know how to fill a room.”
“Did you see the gift table?” Dylan nodded toward the corner of the room. “You made quite a haul.”
“I should feel embarrassed.” Eve thought for a second. “Nope. I don’t.”
“Good.” Dylan slid an arm around her waist. “After the way everyone shamelessly invited themselves, they better have shelled out some big bucks on you.”
“Happy birthday, Eve.” Levi brushed a kiss across her cheek. When Dylan frowned, his friend laughed. “The kiss was approved by Piper, so you can’t complain.”
“I can,” Dylan said. “But I won’t. This time.”
“While the two of you argue, I’m going to take a break.” Seeing Dylan’s questioning look, Eve sighed. “Bathroom. Sheesh. I didn’t want to be crude.”
“Saying you need to use the bathroom is crude?” Dylan asked Levi. “Since when?”
“Beats me,” Levi shrugged.
Shaking her head, Eve weaved her way through the crowd. On impulse, she decided to use the bathroom next to her room—and check on Daisy.
The Last Honest Man: A Sports Romance (One Pass Away: A New Season Book 3) Page 15