24. Tom

Chapter 24

Tom

I left the locker room, Walker's words echoing in my head. He had a knack for getting under my skin, but this time, his questions about my future hit a nerve. My feet dragged as I made my way to my office. The familiar surroundings did little to ease the storm brewing inside me.

I plopped into my chair and pinched the bridge of my nose, hoping to stave off the headache that threatened to settle in. The silence of the office seemed louder than usual. I had a fuck load on my plate already—championships to defend, players to manage, and now this looming decision about where I was heading next.

And then there was Ally. She lingered in my thoughts like an unfinished sentence, her presence haunting every corner of this room. I missed her—her laugh, her touch, even the way she challenged me without saying a word. This office felt emptier without her, a constant reminder of what we shared and what we lost.

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling as if it held answers. The night we met played on repeat in my mind—a whirlwind of passion and connection that neither of us expected. But it wasn't just the physical that got me; it was the way she saw right through me, past the tough exterior and into the broken man beneath.

Damn it. How could I focus on anything else when every thought circled back to her? The pain in her eyes at the awards ceremony was seared into my memory. She hid something deep, something that tore at her as much as it did me.

I needed clarity—for myself, for Ally, for whatever came next. But right now, clarity felt as distant as an unattainable goal.

"I still can't believe you coach the Crestwood Titans," Ally said as I led her to my office. The building was deserted, everyone long gone for the night.

I let out a snort, closing the door behind us. "Yeah, well, some dreams do come true," I said with a smirk.

"Is it weird?" she asked, glancing around the room.

"What?" I asked, settling into my chair.

"Dating a student?" She turned to face me, her eyes searching mine.

"Dating? Is that what we're doing?" I leaned back, eyebrow raised. "I don't think I've taken you out on a date."

Ally arched a brow. "If you're not interested ? —"

I grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer. "I didn't say that." I tugged her into my arms, feeling the heat between us. My height loomed over her as she stared up at me, breath catching in her throat.

"Have you ever done this before?" she asked.

"Fuck someone in my office?"

She glared at me. "Date a student," she clarified.

"Fuck no," I said, shaking my head. "I've never been interested in that."

"If you knew I was a student, would you still have approached me?" she asked, her voice quieter now.

"Probably not," I admitted, watching as disappointment clouded her eyes. I reached out and grabbed her cheek, tilting her face toward mine so she had no choice but to look at me. "But I'm so fucking glad I did."

I kissed her then, pulling her against me like she was the only thing grounding me in that moment.

The kiss ignited something fierce between us. I felt her lips soften against mine, melting into the moment. My hands roamed down her back, gripping the hem of her sweater and tugging it upwards. She lifted her arms, allowing me to pull it over her head. Her skin was warm to the touch, inviting.

Ally’s fingers fumbled with the buttons on my shirt, each one slipping free with growing urgency. I helped her, tearing it off and tossing it aside. The contact of her bare chest against mine sent a jolt through me.

“Can we… Are you sure…” she murmured, her breath hot against my ear.

“No one’s going to catch us,” I assured her, my voice rough with need.

Her jeans were next. She unbuttoned them quickly, kicking them off along with her boots. My eyes drank in every inch of her as she stood before me in nothing but a pair of lace panties. Her vulnerability struck me—this was more than just physical for her.

I stood up, towering over her as I stripped off my own pants, leaving us both exposed and raw. The room was silent except for our ragged breathing.

Once we were completely naked, I pulled her back into my arms, capturing her lips with mine again. The kiss was deeper this time, more desperate. I sat down in my chair and guided Ally into my lap, feeling the heat of her body against mine. Her legs straddled me, our skin pressed together in an intimate embrace.

I could feel every curve of her body molded to mine as we moved together in sync. My hands roamed freely now, exploring every inch of skin they could reach while our mouths continued to consume each other.

“God, you look so fucking good like this,” I growled, eyes fixed on Ally’s flushed face. “You’re so wet for me, aren’t you?”

She nodded, her breath hitching. I gripped the delicate lace of her panties, yanking hard enough to rip them in two. The fabric tore easily, falling away and leaving her completely exposed.

I grabbed her hips, feeling the smooth skin under my fingers as I guided her onto my cock. The sensation was electric, her warmth enveloping me as I sheathed myself fully inside her. We both groaned at the intense connection.

Ally started to move, slowly at first, adjusting to the fullness. Each shift sent waves of pleasure through me, intensifying with every roll of her hips. The heat of her body melded with mine, creating a rhythm that felt almost primal.

I leaned forward, capturing one of her nipples in my mouth. The softness against my tongue contrasted sharply with the taut peak. She moaned deeply; the sound vibrating through both of us.

“That’s it, sweetheart,” I murmured against her skin. “Let everyone know who’s fucking you.”

Her movements picked up speed, and I moved to the next nipple, sucking it into my mouth with equal fervor. Her moans grew louder as she rode me harder, our bodies finding a perfect sync.

The sensations were overwhelming—the slick slide of her against me, the taste of her skin in my mouth. Each thrust sent another jolt of pleasure coursing through my veins.

She moved faster now, and I tightened my grip on her hips to match her pace. Her head fell back in ecstasy as we lost ourselves in the rhythm we’d created together.

"Tom," she gasped, her voice trembling.

"That's it, sweetheart," I urged, feeling the tension build between us. "Come for me."

"Tom," she said again, louder this time, her nails digging into my shoulders as she rode me, hard and fast.

"Who's fucking you, baby?" I demanded, my own control slipping as her body tightened around me.

She shattered then, her pussy twitching with each spasm. The sensation was almost too much, pushing me to the edge.

"Milk me, that's it," I groaned, gripping her hips tighter. "Fuck, Ally, I'm going to come ? —"

And then I did. The intensity of my release tore through me like a wildfire, igniting every nerve ending. My body convulsed as I spilled inside her, each pulse a mixture of pleasure and raw need. The world blurred around the edges; there was only Ally and the overwhelming sensation of being connected to her in the most primal way possible.

I buried my face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her scent as I rode out the waves of my climax. Her body trembled against mine, our breaths mingling in the charged air of my office. It felt like an eternity and an instant all at once—a moment suspended in time where nothing else mattered but the two of us.

Finally spent, I leaned back in my chair, still holding Ally close. My heart pounded against my ribs as our breathing gradually slowed to a more manageable rhythm. We stayed like that for a while, tangled together in the aftermath of our shared intensity.

It wasn't just physical; it was something deeper that neither of us could ignore anymore.

Our breathing slowed, the room thick with the remnants of our passion. I traced slow, comforting circles on the small of her back, savoring the closeness.

Eventually, she stood up, and a swell of pride crossed my features as I watched some of my essence slip onto her thighs.

"I have no underwear," she muttered.

"I'm not sorry about it," I replied, amusement dancing in my eyes as she tugged on her jeans.

"Ass," she said, but there was no real heat in it.

I smirked, leaning back to watch her pull on her bra and shirt. She continued to look around the room, taking in the trophies and memorabilia cluttering my office. Finally, she stopped, her gaze fixed on something.

"Why do you have a picture of Nick Morgan?" she asked, holding up a framed photo from the filing cabinet.

I pulled up my pants, frowning as I glanced at the picture. In truth, I'd forgotten it was there. "Oh," I said. "That's my son."

The picture slipped from her hand, clattering to the floor.

"What?" I asked, concern etching lines into my forehead. "Ally, what the fuck?"

She laughed then—a hollow sound that made something twist in my gut. "It's… it's nothing," she muttered. "It's just…" She looked at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of disbelief and something else I couldn't quite place. "I should have realized it sooner. You're Nick's father."

"And?" I prompted, trying to make sense of her reaction.

"Nick was my ex," she said softly.

The weight of her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My son’s ex? The girl I'd been so drawn to had once been with Nick? The tangled web of our connections suddenly felt more complicated than ever before, and I wasn't sure whether to throw up or punch Nick in the face.

Because this changed everything.

There was a tentative knock on my office door. It was getting late, and I had no idea who the hell would be here at this hour. I stood up, my curiosity piqued, and opened the door.

Ally stood there, looking more fragile than I'd ever seen her.

"Ally," I murmured, unable to hide my surprise.

"Can I come in?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded and stepped back to let her in. She walked past me, her eyes sweeping over my desk and chair. Did she remember what happened between us there? The thought sent a jolt through me, a mixture of longing and guilt.

I closed the door behind her, shutting out the world.

"I need to tell you something," she said, turning to face me.

"I'm listening," I replied, leaning against the doorframe.

She looked down at her hands, fingers twisting nervously. "It's really... I'm sorry I didn't..." Her voice trailed off, and she glanced up at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Honestly, I just wanted to protect you."

"Ally," I murmured, my voice softening despite the storm raging inside me.

"I know how much your career means to you," she continued, her voice trembling. "And I didn't... Knowing about Nick, and I just, I didn't want anything to risk that."

I stared at her, my mind racing. Her words cut through the fog of confusion and frustration that had been clouding my thoughts for months. She had been trying to shield me from more pain, more complications. But in doing so, she had carried a burden that wasn't hers to bear alone.

"Fuck, Ally," I breathed out before pulling her into a kiss.

The kiss was desperate and raw, filled with all the emotions we'd been holding back. My hands cupped her face as I deepened the kiss, feeling her respond with equal intensity. It was as if all the walls we'd built around ourselves crumbled in that moment.

She melted against me, her arms wrapping around my neck. The heat between us flared, our breaths mingling as we lost ourselves in each other. The taste of her was intoxicating, a blend of sweetness and sorrow that made my heart ache.

I felt her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer as if afraid I'd disappear if she let go. My own hands roamed down her back, pressing her against me until there was no space left between us.

The kiss grew more urgent, our need for each other overriding everything else. Years of unresolved tension and longing exploded in that heated moment.

"The fuck is this?"

Nick's voice cut through the air like ice water, jolting me out of the moment. I pulled away from Ally but kept my grip firm around her. Her eyes widened in shock, mirroring my own.

Nick laughed slowly, a bitter sound that echoed in the room. "This is rich," he said. "And here I thought you might actually care?—"

"What I do is none of your business," I snapped. "Especially when it comes to her."

"I wasn't talking to you," Nick shot back. "I know you don't give a shit about me. You never did."

"Nick, that's a lie," Ally said, stepping forward.

"You need to shut the fuck up," he hissed.

"The fuck you say to her?" I took a step toward him, my anger flaring.

"I warned you," Nick said, ignoring me completely. "This is what happens when you choose not to fucking listen." I grabbed Nick by the collar, yanking him closer. "You know she's been lying to you, right?" Nick sneered. "You know she's been keeping a secret."

"Nick," Ally pleaded. "I was going to tell him?—"

"I saw her," Nick continued, his voice dripping with malice. "A couple of weeks in November, coming out of a clinic. Why, Dad? Why do you think she'd do that?"

My jaw tightened as I struggled to keep my composure.

"She got an abortion," Nick spat out. "Even she didn't want your baby."

"That's not true!" Ally's voice broke as she grabbed my arm, her eyes welling up with tears.

I tightened my grip on Nick, my anger barely contained.

"It's not?" Nick demanded. "You weren't coming out of a clinic?"

"I—"

"Exactly," Nick said, his eyes narrowing in triumph.

"Ally…" I turned to look at her, needing answers.

She took a deep breath, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I would never… I didn't get an abortion."

"Then why the hell were you at a clinic?" Nick pressed on.

Ally's eyes flashed with so much pain that it felt like a physical blow to my chest. She swallowed hard before speaking again. "I was pregnant," she said softly. "But… I lost the baby."