Chapter 24

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

“I can’t believehe’s flying back and forth to Chicago every day. Ohmigosh, that is sooo romantic.” Lucy gushed into the phone.

London weaved her way around a crowd of people taking photos in front of Chicago’s famous bean sculpture. The upcoming Labor Day weekend brought with it an influx of tourists taking advantage of the final days to enjoy the city in all its summer splendor.

“There’s nothing romantic about it,” she reminded her friend for the umpteenth time. “It’s just a long-distance booty call. That’s all.”

“For crying out loud! Will you stop selling yourself short, London,” Lucy insisted. “Trey Van Horn is a sexy as sin, rich as crap professional athlete. He doesn’t have to schlep ninety miles for a booty call.”

“Gee, thanks. I think.” She turned onto Columbus Drive, headed for her office. Trey was right, Pops’ condo was very convenient to the Nolan and Hemphill offices. The nearly fifteen-minute walk would be brutal during wintertime, but London was enjoying it this week.

Not as much as she’d enjoyed the evenings, however. She ducked her head to hide her blush from the strangers milling around her. True to his word, Trey had practiced all his moves on her, well into the wee hours last night—and the three nights before. The man’s stamina knew no bounds. She could attest that he was going into the season in peak condition.

“Please don’t make more of this than what it is, Luce.”

Especially when I don’t even know what it is.

Her friend sighed. “Okay, I hear you. But I’m not going to stop being happy for you. It’s about time a man put you first. You deserve this.”

London nearly lost her balance. “No one said anything about him putting me first, Lucy.” She hated the punch to the gut brought on by the reminder that no man had ever done that. Certainly not her father or one single boyfriend. Especially not Trey.

Even now, when they were tearing up the sheets every moment they were together, he’d made it abundantly clear not to count on any commitment. In his own words, the Van Horn men sucked at relationships. Keeping that foremost in her mind, London locked her heart into one of those neat little boxes Lucy accused her of keeping. Meanwhile, she’d enjoy what he was offering.

“By the end of next week, he’ll be so micro-focused on football he won’t even remember my name.”

“Oh, don’t count on it. I’m pretty sure he still needs a way to blow off steam during the season,” Lucy lowered her voice. “I read this sports romance book once where the dude couldn’t pitch unless he had sex before the game. He was convinced it increased his testosterone levels. Given Trey’s obsession with his performance, my money says he’ll be interested in generating as much testosterone as he can get before hitting the field every week.”

“See. You’ve made my point. I’m simply a booty call.”

“Absolutely not. Booty call sounds too slutty. You guys are more like friends with benefits. Two people bent on avoiding any kind of commitment who enjoy each other’s company. Both in and out of the bedroom,” she finished with a giggle.

London considered her friend’s words. Lucy was right. Friends with benefits didn’t sound as risqué. Or limited. And she and Trey were friends of a sort, weren’t they? His admission the other day that she was the only person he could be “himself” with had touched her deeply. She felt freer with him, too. More relaxed, yet also more adventuresome. At least more daring than she’d been with any other man.

She wasn’t ready to give that up. Friends with benefits would work. After all, they wouldn’t be living in the same city in another month. London was putting a deposit on a cute place up by Lincoln Park at lunch today. Which reminded her…

“Luce, why don’t we get breakfast this weekend?” She waved to the security guard monitoring the turnstile in the lobby of her new office building. “Trey is headed to Lake Geneva after practice tomorrow. He’s got stuff to do for Luke Kessler’s bachelor party Saturday night. Everyone at Nolan and Hemphill is working remotely to get a head start on the long weekend. I’m planning to head back to Milwaukee and check on a few clients, so I’ll be around all weekend. We can go first thing Saturday, before the liquor store opens.”

“Oh, I would love that, but I won’t be in town. That’s the reason I called. Mike surprised me with a babymoon! He rented a friend’s place in Door County for the weekend.”

“That’s awesome, Luce. I told you Mike was perfect for you.”

“He is, isn’t he? We need some time alone. And my OB called Mike and told him he was being ridiculous with his hands-off policy. You won’t be the only one enjoying some sexy times, girlfriend.”

London couldn’t help but laugh. It was worth putting off the conversation they needed to have so Lucy and Mike could enjoy some serious couple time before the baby arrived and made them a threesome. And who knew? Perhaps Lucy would return relaxed enough that she wouldn’t have a meltdown when she heard the big news.

* * *

Trey whistleda Harry Styles tune as he pulled on his street clothes after practice. He looked up to find the rest of his teammates’ attention focused on him.

“What?”

The team’s punter, Kane Palmer, shot him a foolish grin. “We’ve just never heard anything so sweet come from our QB One’s lips. You usually use them for growling and ripping someone a new one. Who knew you had other talents.”

His teammates laughed.

“Yeah,” The team’s big center chimed in. “You flying to Chicago every night for music lessons, Captain?” He turned and winked at the rest of the guys.

Guffaws and wolf whistles filled the room.

“Jesus,” Trey murmured as he chucked his practice jersey at the laundry basket in the center of the aisle. “Is nothing private?”

Beside him, Fletcher chuckled. “Social media is having a field day with the rumors that you are hooking up with Bree Moynihan.”

“Are you kidding me?” He glared at his friend.

Trey didn’t bother with social media. He paid his agent to handle all of that. Collin should have put a stop to those rumors immediately. Unless it was Bree who was feeding fake news to the beast.

“Don’t give me the stink eye. I’m not their source.” The kicker gestured at Trey’s shoulder. “But those love bites you keep arriving with every day only add fuel to the fire.”

Trey swore beneath his breath as he tugged on a T-shirt to cover up the keepsakes from last night. Or maybe they were from the night before. He had no idea. What he did know was that every fantasy he’d ever had about London had been far exceeded by reality.

Just thinking about her passionate response to him stole his breath. Even better, she wasn’t one of those needy or demanding women. There was no artifice with London, and it made their relationship so much more relaxed. Easy, even. She genuinely seemed content to take things day by day.

Like him, her career was important. He continued to be impressed by how hard she worked. How devoted she was to her clients. Even though he hadn’t arrived until after seven every night this week, she’d still be on the phone chatting, smoothing ruffled feathers and making everyone feel as if they were the most important person in her life.

It was a chore to quiet the voice in his head demanding he be the most important person in London’s life. Especially since that voice grew louder and more insistent whenever he was with her. Trey shook the feeling off. They needed to keep things status quo. Especially with the season kicking off next week.

But that didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy their time together whenever they could. Tonight, he was going to surprise her by arriving early. He had big plans for them. Starting with dinner and a dessert that involved a can of whipped cream.

“Jay-sus,” Fletcher said. “You might want to warn a guy before you break out that grin. No one here is used to seeing that, either.”

Trey flipped him the bird.

Fletcher laughed. “I was going to extort some cash from you for my mathletes by promising not to let it leak who you’re really spending your nights with, but it’s nice to see you working your facial muscles for something more than a smirk.”

“I know,” Luke Kessler added, joining them. “I don’t think I’ve seen you this loose, like, ever. I hope this means you’re not going to be a party pooper this weekend.”

“I’m hosting the damn thing. Isn’t that enough?”

Kessler clapped him on the shoulder. “Thank you again, by the way. I didn’t want one of those overly planned bachelor blowouts. Just some time with the guys who mean the most to me.”

“Jay-sus, if you start getting all mushy, Kessler, I’m staying home with my wife and babe,” Fletcher complained.

“Just for that remark, I’m adding circle time around the bonfire to the agenda,” Kessler teased before turning to Trey. “Is your dad still planning to join us?”

“As far as I know.” Which wasn’t saying much, because Trey hadn’t heard from Jay since their awkward phone call before training camp began. From what he could gather, no one else had, either. “But who knows with Jay? Something better could come along, and he’ll forget all about Lake Geneva.”

Kessler shrugged. “Either way, I really appreciate you letting us use your grandfather’s place.”

“Don’t mention it,” Trey said.

“Yeah, and no more mention of an agenda, either,” Fletcher grumbled. “I’m using part of my time at the lake to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Lily is still teething, and Andi refuses to let me give the babe a nip of whisky before bed.”

“Sleep is overrated,” Kessler replied before ambling back to his locker.

“What are you still grinning like a fool about?” Fletcher demanded.

Trey hefted his duffel over his shoulder. “Just thinking about how much sleep I won’t be getting tonight.”

* * *

John Legend’sAll of Me was playing over the sound system when London arrived back at Pops’ condo later that day. She dropped her messenger tote and her gym bag by the door and cautiously walked into the kitchen. A single glass of white wine was on the counter. It was barely five o’clock. Too early for Trey to arrive. Had Pops and Olivia returned from their honeymoon?

“Hello?” she called out.

No answer. She was pulling her cellphone from her belt bag when the front door swung open and a man carrying two shopping bags walked through.

“Trey,” she said, her relief palpable. “You’re early.”

He hurried past her, depositing the delicious smelling shopping bags onto the counter. “You’re the one who is early. I wanted to have dinner waiting for you when you got home. But you beat me.” With a long-suffering groan, he pulled her into his arms. “Not that I’m complaining. It’s been too long since I’ve kissed you.”

She thought about rolling her eyes, but tilted her head back to give him better access to her neck instead. Trey was a master at neck kissing, and she didn’t want to miss a moment of it. “It’s barely been ten hours.”

“Nine hours and fifty-five minutes too long,” he murmured beneath her ear.

“Mm.” She caressed his muscled shoulders and back. Judging by how quickly her body was responding to his, maybe he had a point. “Then I’m glad I was a good girl and got all my work done early.”

He backed her against the Sub-Zero refrigerator. “I’m glad too. Right now, though, I really want you to be a bad girl.”

Oh my.

“How bad?”

His erection jumped against her belly. “I bought some whipped cream.”

“Gosh, I don’t know. I just finished an hour barre class. I might not have the energy,” she taunted. “And I’m awfully sweaty.”

He teased the shell of her ear. “Have I told you how much I like it when you’re sweaty,” he growled. “It means you’re really enjoying my attention.”

She didn’t have the brain cells to tease him any longer. Besides, his dirty talk and his wandering hands had her legs nearly giving out.

“Shower.”

The word came out of her mouth as a nearly unintelligible grunt, but Trey had no problem understanding her perfectly. He was cupping her butt with his hands, lifting her up against him before she even finished speaking. His lips were a breath away from hers when he whispered, “Anything you want.”

And then they were kissing. Frantically. Madly. It was insane how badly she needed him. She clawed at his hair as if she could somehow bring their mouths closer than they already were.

Trey demonstrated his expert coordination skills when he effortlessly steered them to the large bathroom off the primary bedroom. He flicked on the lights with one hand while with the other one, he slowly guided her as she slithered down his body. A sigh escaped her throat, and he pulled her in closer. He gentled the kiss, but it did nothing to soothe her. Her entire body felt like it would implode if she didn’t find her release soon.

She pulled away and, breathing hard, began wrestling with her clammy workout clothes. Trey stood and seemed to revel in her struggle. She stopped undressing—or trying to—and glared at him. He had the audacity to laugh at her.

“Damn, I love it when you act all feisty,” he drawled.

He got the message though, toeing off his shoes at the same time as he pulled his T-shirt over his head. London swore as she tried to untangle her sports bra from her arms. His hands on her belly stilled her.

“Hush, woman,” he whispered, using a voice she’d once heard on “Animal Planet” when a zookeeper was attempting to calm a hyena. “Let me help.”

Her stomach quivered when his fingers stroked upwards. The bra was sailing through the air seconds later, leaving them skin to skin. She sucked in a breath when he took a step back to roll off his joggers and briefs. One look at the work of art that was his fully-aroused body and she was glad for that breath because her lungs seemed to have shut down. Which was ridiculous because it wasn’t the first time she’d taken in the delicious view. She’d had her hands and mouth all over that body multiple times over the past several days.

“You really are beautiful,” she whispered.

He gripped her waist to move her closer. “And I’m all yours.”

And I’m all yours.

Yet, he wasn’t really. Just a friend with benefits, she reminded herself.

Really, really nice benefits.

Like, out of this world, benefits.

But nothing more.

And he never would be.

Her chest ached at the thought. It didn’t matter that he was standing there eyeing her like she was the championship trophy he coveted. London Headley wasn’t the type men stuck with. Trey had even told her so at the get-go. This was as good as it was going to get.

Not that she was going to complain about the benefits.

Friends with benefits.She was making that her new mantra.

Her attention was immediately refocused on the here and now when he slid his fingers beneath the waistband of her leggings and groaned.

“Do you have any idea what these things do for your ass?” He pushed them down to her thighs before leaning in to press a kiss to her belly. “I get so damn jealous just thinking about other guys looking at you.” He shoved the leggings to her ankles, sinking his teeth into her hip as he did so. “Any part of you.”

Snaring her fingers into his hair, she gently tilted his head up. “I’m all yours.”

His nostrils flared and he was on his feet in an instant, his mouth eating at hers while he backed her into the wide shower. He turned her so his body shielded hers from the jets, then reached up to the panel that controlled the shower heads and the temperature, all the while, his mouth never leaving hers.

The water hissed and a blast of cold air filled the space. He flinched. She pulled him on top of her as her hips settled down onto the tile bench built into the back of the shower. His lips moved south to latch onto one of her breasts, the sensation making her cry out with pleasure.

The spray from the shower was warmer now and she wrapped one leg around his slick back in an effort to bring them closer. He had other ideas. Moving lower, he positioned her on the bench so she was opened wide to him. A guttural sound of pure male satisfaction filled the air before his tongue delved into her. Her release rocked through her fiercely. He let it happen without torturing her by stretching it out, seemingly just as desperate to be joined together as she was.

Warm water pelted her sated limbs when Trey stood to grab a condom. She forced her eyelids open to watch. Water cascaded off his powerful body when he came toward her.

“Mm.” Her satisfied sigh floated through the steamy air.

He lifted her easily, supporting her legs with his forearm as he turned and pressed her palms down onto the slippery bench.

“God, you are so perfect,” he murmured.

She gasped when he entered her with one swift movement. And then she was panting desperately while arching her back to meet him thrust for thrust. Her fingers struggled to grip the tile, but his hold on her never faltered. He growled words of encouragement against her ear. Sweet words. Dirty words. All of them driving her higher and higher until she was begging him for something more.

He eventually took pity on her, tweaking one nipple and then the other. She reached up and took hold of his wrist, guiding his fingers exactly where she wanted them. A savage sounding laugh echoed off the tile before his teeth sank into her shoulder. She screamed out when her climax came crashing over her, sending her soaring higher than she’d been before. Trey drove into her twice more until his body spasmed behind her as he groaned out her name.