by Ryan, Kaylee
“Barker!” I hear yelled across the quiet room.
Turning, I see Trent and his wife, Luna, making their way toward us. “Trent, Luna, this is my girlfriend, Emma,” I introduce as soon as they reach the table. Trent raises his eyebrows in surprise, but otherwise keeps his cool. “Em, this is Trent Caudill, our right tackle, and his wife, Luna.”
“Nice to meet you.” Luna offers Emma her hand and they shake.
“And this little one?” Emma points to Luna’s pregnant belly.
“Baby Caudill. We’re not finding out until delivery.”
“Oh my gosh, I’m not sure I could do that.” Emma smiles kindly.
“It’s been tough, trust me. I’ve almost caved a few times, but this one—” She points over her shoulder at Trent. “—he keeps me on course.”
“It’s exciting… to find out the day he or she’s born. There are too many things in life that are instant gratification. There’s something to be said for the waiting… and the suspense.” Trent pulls her in close and I happen to agree with him.
“I guess I never put much thought into it,” Emma states. “When are you due?”
“Five days before Thanksgiving. It’s bad timing with it being midseason, but you can’t exactly make these things happen on a timeline. We tried for months. The plan was for the off-season, but life had other plans.”
“Do you want to join us?” Emma offers.
“Sure,” Luna agrees.
Just like that, the women have highjacked whatever plans Trent or I had for the evening, but from the way he’s looking at his wife, he doesn’t seem to mind. I don’t either. Trent is a good guy, and his wife is his world. I don’t have to worry about him hitting on Emma, or telling her any wild stories. I’m not one to hop from bed to bed, but I’m not a saint either.
Emma scoots her drinks across the table and climbs out of the booth. I stand, letting her inside to where she pushed her drink and then slide in next to her. Luna sits across from her, and Trent from me.
“So, how long have the two of you been together?” Luna asks, her eyes flashing to me, and then her focus turns back to Emma.
“We’ve been talking for a while, but officially, me getting to call her mine, this weekend.” I lean over and kiss Em’s temple.
“Aw,” Luna sings. “You two look so cute together.”
“Welcome, how’s my favorite mom-to-be?” Harvey asks Luna.
“Hanging in there.”
“Here’s your water and glass of milk,” he says, placing them in front of Luna. “What can I get you, Trent?”
“Just water, thanks, Harv.”
“You two know what you want to eat?”
“Cheeseburger and fries. Run the burgers through the garden,” Trent orders for them.
“Coming right up.” Harv turns and walks away, only to come right back with a tall glass of water for Trent before he disappears again.
The ladies fall into conversation, as do Trent and I. We spend the next hour chatting about anything and everything, and with each second that passes, I want more of it. I want more of being a unit, a couple with her. I want more nights like tonight with Emma by my side.
* * *
“They were really nice,” Emma says in my SUV on the way to my place. “Luna’s got that pregnancy glow.”
“That’s a real thing?” I ask her.
“Yeah, couldn’t you tell?”
“No, but I’m a man. I’m not meant to notice those kinds of things, unless it’s my woman,” I add.
“Oh, I see, so there’s still hope for you.” I hear the humor in her voice.
Hitting the button to open the garage door, I pull in and turn off the engine. As if she’s stayed with me hundreds of times, Emma climbs out, reaching into the back for her bag. She doesn’t wait for me as she heads for the door that leads to the utility room. I take my time shutting the garage door and grabbing my bag from the back as well. I stop off in the laundry room and empty the contents into the hamper.
“Em,” I call out when I don’t see her in the kitchen.
“In here,” she calls back, and I follow her voice down the hall and into my bedroom. Her bag is on the bed, and she’s pulling items out of it. “I’m overdue for that shower,” she explains, not bothering to look at me.
In a way that makes this easier. “Hey, so I cleaned out a couple of drawers, you know, in case you wanted to keep anything here.”
She stops messing with her clothes and turns to face me. “Mr. Domestic.” Her tone is teasing and I don’t know what I expected, but it’s not that.
“There might be some closet space too.”
“Might be?” A grin tilts her full, kissable lips.
“There is. I told you I moved some things around today.”
“For me?”
“Only for you.” I reach out and pull her close, kissing her soft and slow.
“Hold that thought, QB. I need a shower.” She grabs what she needs and heads to the bathroom.
“Wait,” I call out just before she disappears behind the door. Reaching into my dresser drawer, I pull out the same shirt she slept in last time and toss it to her. Her only reply is to smile and continue on into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
I’m tempted to put her clothes away, but I want her to do it. I want her to feel comfortable here. I know I’m moving us right along in this relationship, but I can’t seem to help myself. The more time I spend with her, the more I want. It’s like she’s an addiction. One I don’t want to break.
Ignoring the nagging feeling to put her things away, I strip down to my boxer briefs and T-shirt, tossing my dirty clothes into the basket in the closet. I turn off the overhead light and turn on the TV instead. It gives off just the amount of light she’ll need to put her things away.
The bathroom door opens and, even with the low glow of the TV, I can see she’s beautiful in my T-shirt, her wet curls piled on top of her head. I don’t take my eyes off her as she makes her way to the bed and finishes unpacking her clothes for tomorrow.
“Where should I put these?” she asks.
Realizing I told her but never showed her, I climb out of bed and meet her at the dresser that the TV sits on. “This side is yours. All four of them.”
She peers up at me under long, wet lashes and I swear my fucking heart stutters in my chest. “You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you, Landon.” She quickly turns away and makes quick work of placing her clothes in the top drawer and tossing her bag on the floor beside the dresser. When she turns back around, I step forward and wrap my arms around her.
“I’m glad you’re here, Em.”
Tilting her head back, she gazes up at me. We’re stuck in this silent stare. My cock twitches as my ache for her increases with her this close. She’s wearing my shirt and by the looks of it, no bra, and I would assume panties. She’s practically naked and I want to explore her body. I want to savor every inch of her, but I promised her she would have the power when it comes to us and sex. I wish I would have taken a shower to help soften my need for her—no pun intended.
“Landon,” she whispers, swiping her tongue across her full lips.
I take a step closer and align my body with hers. My erection brushes her belly and she inhales a breath. I don’t say a word, keeping my eyes locked on hers. I hope she can see it. That I won’t hurt her and that this isn’t just about winning a date or winning her. It’s so much more.
She’s so much more.
My chest rapidly rises and falls just from being this close to her. When her small, soft hands land against my chest, I feel as though I can’t breathe. I stand stock-still, letting her do her thing while her hands roam over my chest. I swallow hard when she reaches the waistband of my boxer briefs. The same boxer briefs that my hard-as-steel cock is peeking out of. Her eyes never leave mine as she slowly rakes her index finger over the tip.
“Emma,” I warn.
She bats those lashes at me, her deep green eyes shin
ing. “What’s it going to take, Landon?”
“W-What?” My voice cracks; I’m barely maintaining my control.
“To break this calm you have. It’s like nothing fazes you.” Her voice is soft, almost a whisper.
“Trust me, Em, my control is hanging on by a thread.”
“Yeah?” she asks, hopeful. “So what’s it going to take?” She swipes her index finger over the head of my cock again, making me fist my hands at my sides. “What if I did this?” She cups me, her small hands gripping me through my boxer briefs.
“Emma,” I growl. It’s supposed to be a warning, but it sounds more like a mating call, which is pretty accurate at this point.
“What if I did this?” She slides her hands under the waistband of my underwear, and I snap.
Hands on her hips, I grip them firmly and lift her in the air so we’re eye level. “I want you, Emma. Any fool can see that, but I need to hear you say it. Tell me you want this. I promised you we would go at your pace, and if you’re fucking with me right now—” I pause and swallow hard. “—I’m going to need a cold shower. A long one.”
“Your eyes, they're such a deep blue right now.” Her hands that are resting on my shoulders cradle my face. “I want you too.”
The words are barely spoken before I’m crashing my lips to hers. In three longs strides, I’m peeling my lips from her mouth and tossing her back on the bed. “Strip.” She climbs to her knees with her eyes locked on mine and pulls my shirt over her head. My mouth drops open as I stare at her naked body. “No panties?” I grit out.
She shrugs. “An unnecessary barrier.” Crawling to the edge of the bed, she reaches for me, but I take a step back. I can’t let her touch me, not like this. I’m ready to blow as it is.
“Top drawer.” I nod toward the nightstand. Understanding crosses her face and she moves to grab protection. With both hands, I strip out of my underwear, kicking them out of the way. Emma places a strip of condoms on the pillow, tearing one off and handing it to me.
I shake my head. “Too soon. Lie back on the bed.”
She does as I ask, and I wish her hair was down. I’ve imagined her dark locks splayed out on my pillow a hundred times. That’s all right, though. We’ve got plenty of time. My eyes rake over her, and I can’t decide where I want to start first.
“Landon.” My name is a whispered plea. “I need you.”
Something happens. I don’t know what this feeling is. My heart races, my palms sweat, and my stomach flutters at her confession. I’ve never wanted anyone to need me. I’ve even had women say those same three words to me in the past, but none of them made me feel this way. None of them made me feel… breathless.
“I’m a lucky bastard,” I murmur before climbing on the bed and settling between her thighs. She wraps her legs around me, causing me to fall into her. I’m worried I’m going to crush her, but her laughter tells me that’s not the case. “I’m supposed to be taking my time with you,” I say, pressing my hands flat on the bed on either side of her head.
“I’m ready now.”
“You sure about that?” Needing to be sure, I balance my weight on one arm and slide a hand between us. Painfully slow, my fingers find their way to her clit and lower as I guide one then two inside her.
“Told you,” she breathes. Her eyes are shut and her head is tilted back.
“Open your eyes, Em.” I wait until she’s looking at me. “This for me?” I ask, slowly pumping my fingers in and out of her.
“You know it is,” she sasses.
“You’re making this very difficult for me to worship you.”
“Next time,” she states as she locks her knees around me, not letting me go.
My cock brushes against her pussy and a shiver races down my spine. “Condom.” My voice is gravelly. She reaches beside her and hands me one from the strip. I pull away from her, and she whimpers when the connection between us is broken. “I had plans,” I tell her as I rip open the little foil packet and slide it over my length. “I wanted to take my time with you. I wanted our first time together to be magical, a night we would both always remember.”
Her eyes soften. “Anytime with you is magical, Landon. We’re in this, right? The two of us? We’ll have time to go slow and explore later. Right now, I need you. I feel like we’ve had weeks of foreplay and then last night… I want this. I want you,” she confirms.
I hover over her, and her legs are once again fastened behind my back. Her eyes are locked with mine. “You’re beautiful.” She is. I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman. Her face is void of makeup and her freckles are on display. Just a light dusting, but I love them and plan to trace them with my tongue later. She’s real. She’s here for the right reasons. I can feel it deep in my soul. As I stare into her eyes, I know I’m falling in love with her. Hell, I might already love her. There has never been anyone like Emma Deaton in my life.
Reaching between us, I guide my cock into her entrance, and her back arches off the bed. I freeze, giving her time to adjust to me, but she lifts her hips, seeking more.
More of me.
More of us.
“Landon.” Her voice is a half plea, half moan.
“Tell me what you need, Em. You’re in control here.” She has no idea how true those words are. I would do anything for her.
“All of you.”
With a nod, I give her my acceptance. I give her all of me. Not just my cock, but my heart. Nothing has ever felt like this before. Like being inside her is being home. Like nothing else in this entire world matters. Football is the closest I’ve come to ever feeling like this and it doesn’t hold a candle to Emma.
“Is that the best you’ve got, Number Eighteen?” She smirks up at me.
That’s when I realize I’ve just been holding myself still inside of her while my mind wanders, thinking about what she means to me. She has no idea what I’m thinking, but I appreciate her eagerness and playfulness. That too is something new. Maybe because I’ve never known any of the other women like I know Emma. Maybe it’s because my heart is involved, but my guess is it’s just her, just Emma. Everything I feel is because she is who she is.
And she’s all mine.
Chapter 17
Emma
He winks and rocks his hips forward, eliciting a moan from deep inside my chest. He looked all too serious there for a minute and, if it had not been for the fact that he was buried deep inside of me, I might have wondered if he was regretting this. However, I know that’s not the case. Not now he’s moving—pulling out and pushing back in, taking his time teasing me.
“Now’s not the time for games, Barker. Let’s leave that out on the field, ’k?” I tap my hands against his rock-hard chest that’s vibrating with laughter.
“I never knew sex could be fun.”
“Oh, it’s fun all right. Once we get to the good stuff.” I lift my hips, seeking more of him.
“We have all night.”
I nod. “Okay, and we have an entire box of condoms, so let’s move this along, shall we?”
“I suddenly feel used.” He pulls out, almost all the way out, and I groan as he pushes back in. There is humor in his voice, so I don’t bother to comment.
“That, more of that,” I urge him instead. I wasn’t kidding when I said it feels as though we’ve had weeks of foreplay and then last night… last night was something off the charts. Sexy and comforting. He kept his word; he never tried to move things past kissing and roaming hands. Part of me hates to admit it, but I was testing him. He didn’t seem upset or aggravated; he didn’t even mention sex. He was perfectly content.
He tilts his head and presses his lips to mine. It’s sloppy and filled with an urgency I’ve never felt before. His thrusts increase in speed, and all I can do is hang on. Sliding my hands under his arms, I grip his back. My nails bite into his skin, but he doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, it seems to spur him on.
My entire body is on fire. I have electricity coursing through my veins.
My release starts to build, the ache growing with each thrust of his hips. “Don’t stop,” I manage to force the words out.
“You wanted fast. That’s what you’re getting. I’m so fucking close. Your pussy is squeezing the fuck out of my cock,” he pants.
I don’t know if I’m supposed to respond, but I can’t because when he swivels his hips and hits that spot, you know the one that makes your legs quiver and has you feeling as though you’re free-falling off a cliff? Yeah, that spot. He hits it, and all I can do is bite down on my lip and hold on for the fall.
“Fuck, Em,” he grits out, slamming into me hard, and the fall that was on the horizon is here. My nails dig deeper, my back arches off the bed, and my legs hold tight as my release washes through me. On and on, tremors rock my body until there’s nothing left. I want to fall back into the mattress and revel in it, but he’s not done. Landon breaks free, pushing my legs forward, holding onto the backs of my calves and hammers into me. A few quick thrusts and he’s clenching his jaw, calling out my name as he releases inside me.
When he finally stills and lowers my legs, he bends to kiss my lips. I feel him start to pull away, so I lock my arms and legs around him, holding him close. I’m not ready to lose this connection. This feeling of being his. It’s more than just intimacy, more than just sex. It’s… everything. He’s everything and it’s this moment I know I’m in deep. There is no chance of me keeping my heart out of this. I’m already too invested. I was only kidding myself thinking that keeping him at arm’s length would prevent a broken heart.
Maybe we’ll live happily ever after?
Not that I believe in fairy tales. I grew up without a father, and with a mother who was still in love with a man she knew for a week. That’s not very fairy tale-ish. It’s real, and in a way, I’m glad. I didn’t grow up with some unrealistic expectations of love and relationships. Life is hard, relationships just as difficult, and it takes work. I’m willing to put in the work.