Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

RIPLEY

M y chin all but drops to the floor. Without moving my eyes from the near-pornographic yet sexy as fuck cover image, I mumble to Arizona, "Holy shit. I think I just came from that picture."

I turn and look at her. I'm not sure she heard me. She's in shock. I think everyone is in shock except maybe Layton. He's smiling like—

Before I can finish my thought, Kam leans over and whispers, "Layton is smiling like his dick is being sucked right now."

I wordlessly nod. Exactly.

After a few minutes of madness, in which hordes of people congratulate them, Layton and Arizona disappear. Bailey approaches us with a very attractive older man next to her. He's tall and has a beard. He's got dark hair with a little gray mixed in.

Bailey smiles. "Ripley, Kamryn, this is Tanner Montgomery. Tanner, this is Ripley St. James and my sister, Kamryn Hart."

I see Bailey mouth to Kam, "Behave."

Tanner smiles and shakes my hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Ripley. I've been watching you pitch all season. I have a budding softball player myself. She idolizes you." He looks around. "She idolizes all of you. The Anacondas are the best thing to ever happen to women's sports in Philly."

I return his smile. "Thank you. The support of this town has been amazing. I didn't have this in Houston. The Daultons have done an incredible job promoting us."

He gives me a knowing smirk. I know he's well aware of the Arizona and Layton PR relationship.

Kam takes his hand. "I believe we briefly met by the bar earlier, but it's nice to officially meet you, Daddy Tanner."

Bailey narrows her eyes at Kam. Tanner looks confused for a moment before collecting himself. "Oh, because Bailey babysits my daughter. I get it."

Kam nods. "Riiight. That's it."

I'm pretty sure Tanner catches on, but he continues playing it smoothly. "Bailey mentioned that you two have offers for endorsements. I'm more than happy to assist you with your contracts. Anything to support this team and its continued success."

Kam and I look at each other in shock. Tanner Montgomery is one of the biggest sports agents in the world. We're small potatoes for someone like him.

He continues. "I work with Trey DePaul, Cruz Gonzales, and obviously Layton and Arizona. They all speak highly of you."

Kam smiles. "That would be fan-fucking-tastic, Daddy Tanner. "

He looks at me, and I nod. "Agreed. Thank you."

"Great. Let's strike while the iron is hot. Everyone in this town is talking about the upcoming playoffs. Why don't we set up a meeting right away?"

He turns to Bailey. "Are you positive that you're not interested in pursuing these opportunities?"

"A thousand percent. I'm not interested in being in front of the camera again."

I see a small smile find his lips as he gives her one quick nod. I wonder what that's about.

Looking back at us, he says, "I'll have my assistant contact you on Monday morning."

We agree, and he walks away.

Kam is practically bouncing up and down. "Rip! Holy fuck. Tanner fucking Montgomery is taking us on as clients. Are you so excited?"

Quincy interrupts, "Excited about what?" as he and Cheetah approach us.

Kam answers, "Tanner Montgomery just offered to represent Ripley and me for endorsements. I already have a skincare campaign coming up, and Rip has the lingerie shoot, but he thinks there could be more."

He snaps his head to me. "You're doing a lingerie shoot?"

"I have the offer. I haven't accepted it yet."

He licks his lips and discreetly adjusts himself. Wide-eyed, I look around to see if anyone else notices. They seem blissfully unaware.

Cheetah wiggles his eyebrows up and down. "You might need a bodyguard, Rip. Perhaps I should accompany you. I can hold your clothes for you while you get naked. Maybe be your oil boy to make sure you're at your shiny best."

I giggle. "I think I'll be okay. Thanks for the offer though. "

He turns to Kam. "What about you, Kam bam? Need an emotional support snake?"

She shakes her head in disbelief. "Your cojones are both literally and figuratively enormous."

"Want to gargle with them again?"

The two of them go back and forth, but I lose interest in what they're saying. Quincy is looking me up and down, unashamedly undressing me with his eyes. He's trying to hide it, but I know his body like the back of my hand. He has an erection right now.

The fact that the mere thought of my lingerie shoot turns him on is turning me on. His eyes move down my body to the spot that has grown slick with need. I see a smile find his lips. Yep, he knows my body too.

Cheetah and Kam disappear to the bar, leaving Quincy and me alone. My back is to a wall, and he leans over me, asserting his dominance. With one hand over my head, he slowly runs the fingers of his other hand along the tops of my breasts.

I look around to see if anyone notices before I breathe, "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to fuck you in this dress tonight. It's going to be around your waist before the evening is through. My tongue will slide through your sweetness. My cock will run through your tightness." He moves his hand down to my ass, applying a little pressure along the center. "Maybe I'll take you here again. Another first that belonged to me."

I swallow hard. Holy fuck. He's never publicly done anything like this before. I'm not sure where it's coming from.

He gives me a deep inhale. "I can smell how wet I'm making you. I bet no other man has ever made you this wet."

Damn fucking straight they haven't.

He whispers in my ear, "And if anyone is going to be your oil boy, it will be me. I know every inch of your body. I look forward to exploring it in a few hours."

He pushes off the wall. "Later, Shortcake. Don't go disappearing on me."

QUINCY

We're on the bus heading back to Philly. Gemma and Trey are full-blown making out in the corner. It's not remotely unusual for those two.

Layton is unashamedly groping my sister throughout the entire ride. I'm trying not to look, but I think his hand is up her dress.

I keep telling myself that she's twenty-eight, smart, and can more than handle herself. It's not easy.

Normally I would say something, but right now I'm focused on Ripley. Seeing her in that dress and knowing she'll be modeling lingerie has given me a never-ending boner. I will absolutely be going to that shoot, no matter what.

We've been glancing at each other all night. She's as turned on as I am. I can tell. She's flushed and has gnawed at that lower lip for over an hour. The sexual tension between us is about to reach a boiling point.

I'm sitting there with a drink. My legs are spread as I mentally stalk my prey, just counting the seconds until I can pounce.

I see her staring at me, rubbing her legs together. She's breathing at an increased rate. She's so beautiful I can barely manage myself .

I pull out my phone.

Me: How wet is your pussy right now?

She pulls her phone from her purse and looks down at my message. She's still for a few beats, contemplating her response.

Finally, my phone pings.

Ripley: It's a good thing this dress isn't a loaner.

I look up at her, and she's running that damn lip through her teeth.

I write back.

Me: I can almost taste you. My Strawberry Shortcake. Where do you want to come first, my tongue or my cock? Both are happening.

Her phone pings and she looks down. She briefly closes her eyes before opening them. Staring at me, she mouths, "Tongue."

I nod at her. I'm so fucking hard right now. This bus couldn't possibly be going any slower.

We drop Trey and Gemma first. He carries her and sprints off the bus. They're followed by Ezra. In a surprise move, Bailey gets off the bus with Ezra to a sea of catcalls.

Cheetah and I look at each other in shock. We know he's been crushing on her, but she's shown no interest.

As we pull up to Layton's building, I offer to escort both Arizona and Ripley home, to which Kam lets out a laugh and says, "Did you even see the cover photo? Did you pick up on any tension at the party or on this bus, or are you simply deaf, dumb, and blind? If you don't realize that they're about to go fuck their brains out all night, you're an idiot."

I cringe at her words but Cheetah bursts into laughter. "Kam bam, you're one of a kind. Q, have another drink. Say good night to Layton and your sister. She's definitely not staying on this bus with us."

Arizona waves and gives me an antagonistic smile. "Have a good night. I know I will."

They exit the bus and walk toward his private elevator. I run my fingers through my hair. "Oh god, is he going to hurt her?"

Kam rolls her eyes. "He's the one who should be afraid, not her. My girl knows what she's doing."

She and Ripley both smile.

My chin drops. "That was an unnecessary statement."

Layton and Arizona step into his private elevator. As if on cue, she rips open his shirt as the doors of the elevator close.

I turn my head away and close my eyes. "I really wish I hadn't seen that."

Kam and Ripley giggle and high five. Cheetah is pinching his lips together, trying to hold in the laughter.

Cheetah and Kam begin talking about going out to a club tonight. I quickly whip out my phone again.

Me: They're going to ask us to join them. It's a hard no for you.

Ripley: Don't boss me around. I'll go if I want to.

Me: Shortcake, your pussy has been screaming for me from the first second you saw me tonight. Don't pretend otherwise. If you want me to make you come like you know only I can, then tell them no. While you're at it, cancel your plans for the week. You won't be able to walk.

I can see her face flush again. She stares at me from across the bus. I nod toward her phone and mouth, "Do it."

Kam looks at her. "Rip, do you want to join us?" She turns. "You too, Quincy."

I shake my head. "I'm traumatized from the evening. I'm heading home. I want to pretend like everything I saw tonight was a nightmare and I'll wake up from it tomorrow."

She laughs and moves her eyes back to Ripley, waiting for an answer.

She's quiet for a few long beats before finally saying, "I'm beat. I think I'm headed to bed."

Kam sighs. "You're totally going home to that bizarrely long vibrator you have, aren't you?"

The amount of pleasure I take in knowing she has a long vibrator should be illegal. I have to bite the inside of my mouth to mask the grin threatening to break through.

Cheetah cough-laughs. "You like a long shlong, Rip?" He subtly turns to me and winks. We've shared a locker room all year. He knows how long I am.

Ripley simply smiles sexily. "What can I say, I need it deep."

I can't help but smirk. "Mariana Trench deep?"

She nods. "Exactly. "

Cheetah and Kam instruct the driver to drop them at a club, leaving me and Ripley alone on the bus.

We're sitting on opposite sides. The sexual tension that's been building all night reaches new heights. My fingers physically twitch to touch her. My tongue wets my lips, anticipating her sweet taste being on them soon.

I slowly walk up to the bus driver and hand him a wad of hundred-dollar bills. I quietly instruct, "Keep your eyes on the road and drive around until you hear from me again."

He looks down at the huge payday and grins widely. "Yes, sir. No problem."

I turn around and stare at Ripley. She bites her bottom lip and squirms in her seat. She crooks her finger at me, letting me know it's go time.

I take a few long strides toward her and run my fingertips up her long legs until I'm just under her dress. Even through the material of her dress, I can see her nipples harden. "I'm going to fuck you from behind on this bus with that dress around your waist, as promised. Then I'm going to take you home, tear that dress off you, and fuck you all night in every hole."

"Quincy—"

Before she can finish her sentence, undoubtedly protesting some part of my plan, I slip my hand all the way under her dress and straight to her pussy. She gasps. Even through her panties, I can feel how wet she is. Applying pressure, I grit out, "Let's not play our normal cat-and-mouse game tonight, Shortcake. Your nipples are hard, and your pussy is begging for my cock. Don't even try to deny it."

I move her panties to the side and slide two fingers into her. Deep into her. I can already hear the sounds of her arousal, that's how turned on she is. "This pussy has wanted me all night, hasn't it?"

She stills for a moment before nodding.

"Have you been thinking of my cock inside you?"

She breaks eye contact but nods again.

Pulling my fingers out of her, I slip them into my mouth and mumble, "Hmm. So good. Strawberries. I'm going to feast on you tonight."

I begin to slide her dress up her legs. She stares at me with pure heat in her eyes, spreading her legs further and further as her dress moves up. The old Ripley would have been shy about this. The woman before me is anything but. She wants me and is making it known.

I drop to my knees between her legs and lick up her inner thigh. Her whole body immediately shakes. Responsive as ever.

I run my nose over her panties and inhale deeply. "So good."

I then grab them with my teeth and rip her panties from her body.

She gasps. "Oh my god."

I bark, "You'll be shouting that all night," as I bury my face between her legs again and lick through her one slow, long time.

She arches her back and moans, "More. Give me more."

"Put your feet on my shoulders and spread as wide as you can." She does as she's told while I simply rest my mouth on her mound for a second, taking her in. The taste of Ripley St. James is my drug of choice, and I'm addicted.

I love the short, trimmed red hair that surrounds her pussy. I think redheads have pinker pussies than the rest. I purposefully haven't been with any others, wanting her to be the only one.

I wrap my lips around her swollen clit and suck hard. Her hips buck. "Ah, Quincy."

After a bit of nibbling, I flatten my tongue and methodically circle her clit the way I know she likes it. She enjoys me building her up this way before sliding my fingers deep into her. It doesn't prevent my fingers from teasing her entrance, which I start to do.

She squirms, begging for more. I mumble, "This cunt is so fucking wet. Tell me how much you want me inside you."

She pulls my hair as she whimpers, "Please. I need it."

I slowly slide two fingers into her hot pussy, feeling her walls immediately tighten around them. I'm desperate for that to be my cock again. The way she spasms around me when she comes is the greatest pleasure I've ever known. It usually sets me off right away.

I mumble, "That's right. Squeeze me when you come. Your pussy will be choking on my cock soon."

I look up in time to see her eyes roll back in her head. It's time to move in for the kill. Pushing my fingers in to the knuckles, then past the knuckles, I apply pressure to the spot I know as if it's my own.

She fists the end of the seat cushion to the point where I think she might tear it, arches her back, and screams out, "Oh god. Oh, Quincy. Fuck yes." I can feel her toes curl on my shoulders as she comes in my mouth. Her whole body convulses uncontrollably. I suck on her clit to draw it out for as long as I can.

When she eventually comes down from her high, I lift my head. "You're so fucking sexy when you come. "

She looks spent, breathing out, "That was amazing."

I rub her thighs. "I know, baby. You came so perfectly for me. Such a good girl. Let's do it again. Let me see that plush ass of yours. I'm going to watch it bounce as I fuck you."

I see her eyes move toward the driver, who so far seems to be doing as instructed. I draw her attention back to me. "His eyes are on the road. Stay with me."

She smiles, looking satisfied, though she does look around. "I hope there aren't any cameras in here. Cheetah will probably come across it on one of his porn sites."

I chuckle but quickly scan the bus, thankfully not seeing any cameras.

Though still shaking a bit, she manages to flip over. Fucking hell, her ass is straight from heaven. I've missed it so much. I begin to massage it and then rub the precum leaking from my dick all over it. "Feel what this ass does to me." I then spank her hard, and she moans. She loves a little pain with her pleasure, even more so when it's around her neck.

I can't help but bury my face in her ass, licking all around her back entrance, squeezing her round ass with my hands.

"Oh god, Quincy. So good."

I quickly reach for my wallet and grab a condom.

As I sheath myself, she whines and wiggles her ass into me. "Get inside me."

With the tip of my cock just breaching her entrance, I reach around, grab her by the throat, and practically bark into her ear, "You'll get it when I'm ready to give it to you."

Her body starts shaking. For a moment I think I've hurt her, but that's not what's happening. She's coming again…from me grabbing her throat. Only my tip is inside her right now.

She's clawing at the seatback in front of her. Her movements seem involuntary and out of control. It's like she's having a seizure.

I stand there in shock for a moment. I've never seen her do this. Maybe it's just the aftershocks of the last orgasm. It was intense.

I reach down and run my fingers through her pussy. Nope, she's coming again. It's pouring out of her. Holy shit. I need to be inside there.

I quickly thrust my cock into her. She yells out, and I suck in a breath at what I feel. She's convulsing so damn hard, squeezing my dick. "Shit, Shortcake."

I push in all the way, which only serves to make her screams intensify. The poor fucking bus driver must think I'm murdering her.

Reaching down into the top of her dress, I grab her tit. She loves having her nipples pinched. I've got one hand on her throat and the other on her nipple.

She yells out, "Ah, Quincy."

And the orgasm rolls on. The longest I've ever seen.

I begin my thrusts inside her. Long and deep, just where she wants it.

She's got a vice grip on my cock, making it hard for me to focus, but I want to give her everything she needs and more.

I thrust and thrust, doing my best to drag this out for her and also to enjoy what her body is doing to mine.

Her juices are dripping down my balls and onto my pants. I happily welcome them.

She gains a little control and pushes back onto me. We're going at it with reckless abandon. Ripley and I have shared a lot of great sex throughout the years, but it has never measured up to this.

I pull out my hand on her nipple and grab her ass again. Despite my rapid thrusts, I manage to slide two fingers into her slickened back entrance. Deep inside her. She practically mewls when I do. Her grip on my cock is like nothing I've ever felt. I don't think her orgasm has ended. If anything, the intensity just went back up.

I feel my orgasm building all over my body. My balls feel so full they might explode. And when I come, it feels like they do. I roar into it. This woman fries my brain.

I fall over to the seat, completely out of breath and covered in sweat. She falls over, sitting in a similar position to me.

I look down. My load was so big that it's spilling out of the condom. She looks over at it and starts giggling. "Hell, Quincy, that was a whale load."

I let out a laugh. "How do you know how much semen whales produce?"

"It's like a few gallons every time, right? I know I read that somewhere. Kam probably made a joke about it."

"It's actually four hundred gallons every time a blue whale ejaculates."

Her mouth opens wide. "Holy shit. That's a lot of fluids. Poor pink whales."

We both smile at the fun post-coital banter we used to have. We're half-dressed in the back of a party bus, her dress is around her waist and my dick is hanging out of my pants, yet this still feels more right than anything ever has with any other woman.

I remove my condom, tuck myself in, and then help her pull her dress down .

I rub her re-covered thighs once her dress is back in place. "Come home with me. I'm not done with you."

She thinks for a moment. I assume she's going to say no, but she surprises me by asking, "Will you come home with me? We both know your sister won't be there tonight."

I wince. "Ugh. Don't remind me of what's going on over there."

Ripley wiggles her eyebrows. "For her sake, I hope it's half as good as what just happened in here."

I look up into her blue eyes. "You want me to stay with you tonight? All night?"

She nods. "I do."

After another round of mind-blowing sex, we lay sated in her bed. We're front to front, staring at each other, running our fingertips aimlessly over one another's naked bodies, reacquainting ourselves.

The feelings we share are so strong. There's so much I want to say but know I shouldn't.

She looks up at me. "Penny for your thoughts."

"Just wishing we could have this all the time."

Her face falls as she looks down. "I suppose I gave up wishing for that a long time ago."

"What if I want this?"

"You want sex. You don't want me or marriage and kids. I won't give that up for you."

"We have the marriage."

"No, we have a paper marriage, not a real one. Look at the way Layton treats your sister. The way he looks at her. He's not embarrassed—"

"I'm not embarrassed. That has nothing to do with it. Stop saying that."

"Whatever. You won't love me the way I want to be loved. We have different visions of our future. I've done my best to accept it. I'm not interested in having the same conversation over and over." She toggles her hand between us. "But this physical connection won't go away. That's why I need to distance myself from you. As long as I'm around you, I'll never truly move on. I'm too drawn to you. You have too much power over me."

"Maybe I want to try being together."

She's quiet for a moment. "Would we tell people?"

"Why don't we wait and see—"

"No."

I sigh. "Give it a chance."

"Do you want to have kids one day?"

I tighten my jaw. "No. Never. That's a hard line for me."

"There you have it. Having children is a hard line for me. Per always, we're at an impasse." She nuzzles her head into my chest. "Let's just enjoy these last moments we have together. Our seasons will be over in a couple of weeks, and then I'm requesting a trade."

She says it so matter-of-factly. As if my heart isn't breaking. She's completely resigned on this issue.

I do the only thing I can right now. I hold her close and wish things were different.

I wake in the morning temporarily feeling better than I have in years. It's been so long since I woke up with her in my arms. My eyes aren't even open, but her scent envelops me in happiness.

The front of my naked body is pressed to the back of hers. My hands are on her tits, my hard cock pressed against her ass.

And then I remember our conversation before we fell asleep. She's leaving. She's giving up on us. On me.

Our time together has an expiration date, and that day is coming soon.

I don't know what time it is, but I know she must have to get going, and I have to get out of here before Arizona comes home. But I need her one more time.

She's sound asleep, likely exhausted from the long evening we had. We went at it like we didn't know if we'd ever get to do it again. I know we were both thinking that.

I roll her to her back and look at her naked body. How could she ever have any doubts? She's all woman, in every way possible. Sheer perfection.

I reach my head down and suck her nipple into my mouth. She begins to stir when I hear a female voice getting louder by the second. "Rip, I need to talk to—"

I turn my head in time to see Bailey enter the door. She gasps and covers her mouth. "Holy Red Wedding! What the fudge is this?"

Ripley's eyes startle open. I quickly cover her with the sheet.

Bailey lets out a nervous laugh. "I've…umm...seen her naked a thousand times." She toggles her finger between us. "How long has this been going on? Man, what a plot twist this is. Kam was right. She's gone on and on about ho w you two were fucking on the down low. I told her she was nuts. Damn it. I hate it when she's right."

Ripley and I look at each other and then her shoulders fall as she turns back to Bailey. "It was just a one-time thing. It's…meaningless. Purely physical. Keep it between us, please. There's no reason to make a whole thing of it. We drank too much, that's all. It will never happen again."

That cut deep, though what else should I expect?

Bailey looks skeptical but nods, nonetheless. "O…kay. I wanted to talk to you before we head out to the ballpark. Just text me when you get a minute, please."

Ripley has concern written all over her beautiful face. "Are you okay, Bails? Is this about you leaving with Ezra last night?"

Bailey's eyes widen, and she motions her head toward me. "Can we discuss this later?"

"Sure." Ripley toggles her finger between the two of us. "And can you please keep this quiet?"

Bailey gives her a small smile and replies, "Of course," before she turns and leaves.

When I hear the front door close, I turn to Ripley. "Do you think she's truly into Ezra? I never saw anything before last night."

"Honestly? I think she's into Tanner. I have no idea about last night. I'm sure she was here to talk to me about it."

"Bailey is sleeping with Tanner Montgomery? Doesn't she nanny for his kid? Isn't he way older?"

"Yes, she nannies. Yes, he's way older. I don't know if they're sleeping together. Kam thinks she is, but I'm not sure. It might just be a crush." She pats my chest. "You should get going. "

"I will. Thanks for last night. I—"

She holds up her hand. "Don't. Don't say anything that will ruin this. Maybe we both needed this grand finale. I know I sound like a broken record, but it can't happen again. I don't know what you're looking for, Quincy, but I truly hope you find it one day. I hope you overcome whatever it is you're battling and that you find someone who gives you whatever it is that you need." Her eyes tear. "I know it's not me."

I want to tell her that she's the only one who can give me what I need, but I don't because I can't give her what she needs. I have to try to let her go. It's time.