Chapter 24

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FOUR

DANI

I’m playing with fire. Xander looks like he wants to devour me, and I’m here for it. I almost suggested we leave and go to his place, but I couldn’t ask him to leave during an important game. Surprisingly, he doesn’t seem too interested in what’s going on down on the field. That gives me the confidence to suggest finding some place a little more discrete. Would his office be the perfect place? Sure, if I hadn’t already been up there today before meeting him in the suite. I left him a little surprise and prefer he find my note tomorrow.

He intertwines his fingers with mine and gives a slight squeeze, silently acknowledging what’s coming. He moves us through the crowd with an obvious destination in mind. He uses his badge to open an unmarked door. The security guard nods slightly. “Mr. Decker.”

“Carlos,” he acknowledges. He doesn’t slow down as we enter a dimly lit, nondescript corridor. The game is piped in through the speakers, echoing down the hall .

“Where are we going?” I bite my bottom lip in anticipation of our destination.

“This is the behind-the-scenes tour you asked for. This leads to the clubhouse, workout center, indoor batting cages, and offices for the players to meet with agents, lawyers, that sort of thing.”

“Oh wow. There’s a lot under here, isn’t there?”

“Yep.” We continue to walk down the corridor until he opens the door to our left and pulls me in. The lights must be automatic because the dark room immediately lights up to an office with a small couch, desk, computer, and a few chairs. Large, framed pictures are on the wall, all Reapers promotional posters.

He leads me into the room, and the door closes behind us. I automatically step back until I’m against the cool, painted brick wall, and he stalks toward me. His forehead barely touches mine. His blue eyes are dark, his pupils wide, and they search my face.

“I want to taste you so bad I can’t think straight,” he says, his voice so low, I question if that’s what he actually said. His hand reaches up and cups my cheek, his thumb lightly tracing my bottom lip. He hesitates.

He’s controlling himself, no doubt still worried about me being a victim. I take matters into my own hands.

I stand on my tiptoes and reach around his neck, pulling him down to me. When his lips hover over mine, I pull him down the last inch and stretch to kiss him. His lips mold to mine, and the butterflies take flight in my belly. His tongue sweeps out, gently seeking entrance. I open for him, and what started as sweet quickly morphs into a sultry, passionate kiss, our tongues wrapping around each other, dancing, tasting, devouring.

His hands embrace my head, his fingers threading through my curls until he tilts my head back further for a new angle. I’ve never been so thoroughly kissed. He moans into my mouth, and I gobble it up, his presence all-consuming. My core heats, and if we don’t stop, this will be more than our first kiss .

My nails drag across his scalp and neck until I trace his shoulders, and my hands come to rest on his pecs. I gently push him away, breaking our kiss.

His forehead rests against mine, his eyes searching for a reaction.

“I knew you’d taste like heaven,” he says, more to himself than to me.

“Um, wow. I don’t think I have words, Mr. Decker. You’ve taken them all away.”

A smile fills his face, reaching his eyes. “I’ll give you a few words, Ms. Franklin. Fucking amazing, delicious, erotic, sensual, life-changing.”

Life-changing? I felt that too. It was like the Earth shifted on its axis, finally where it’s supposed to be.

“Yeah, those will work.” His hands slide back to my face, holding me in place. He gives me another chaste kiss, which makes my toes curl.

His hands slide down my shoulders and arms until his fingers wrap around mine.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t wait a minute longer. I’m usually more in control of myself, but something about you makes me want to lose control. I promise I’m not an animal.”

“This sounds like an apology, and I told you no more of those.” His smirk returns. Yeah, I’ve got your number, Alexander Decker. “I’m just afraid if we don’t stop, we’ll start something we can’t finish.”

“Oh, I assure you, sunshine, I can finish you, but you’re right. This isn’t the time or place. But I promise you, when the time is right, prepare to be worshipped like you deserve.” He gives me a smoldering look and seals it with a wink.

Worshipped? Is he for real? Yes, please.

He pulls me away from the wall and toward the door. "I need to get you back into public view, or I can't be held responsible for my actions.”

“Why, Mr. Decker, are you saying you might end up in detention for being a naughty boy?” I laugh at him as his face gives away his thoughts.

“Come on, before Jenny sends out a search party.” We exit the room, walk past the locker room door, and await an elevator, the sexual tension thick between us.

“Trust me, she won’t be looking for me.” I laugh at his assumption Jenny would worry. She’ll be disappointed if I don’t get thoroughly fucked soon.

We step into the empty elevator, and I catch my reflection on the shiny walls. My lips are swollen from the kiss, my unruly curls untamed. I lick my lips, and I notice Xander watching me.

“You okay?” His voice has a hint of concern.

“Yeah, I just look like I’ve had the best kiss of my life, that’s all. Not sure I want to advertise that to your friends and family.”

“Best of your life, huh?” His smug smirk returns. His hands run through my hair, attempting to smooth the wild curls down, but he doesn’t know that makes them even worse.

“Don’t let it go to your head, Mr. Decker.” He leans down and kisses me again. This one is just as hot but more controlled. The doors open, and he breaks our kiss.

“Come on. You can freshen up before we go in.” We take a few steps, and he stops in front of a ladies’ room. He leans down and whispers in my ear, “But for the record, I like the thoroughly kissed look on you. It’s hot as hell.”

I reach up on my toes and give him a quick peck. “You’re cute.”

I turn around and enter the ladies’ room. As soon as I see the padded bench, I sit down and take a deep breath. The smile practically hurts my face. My fingers trace my lips, remembering every detail of the most amazing kiss of my life. I can’t stop the sigh that escapes. There is no doubt this man is going to rock my world. I hope he doesn’t break my heart in the process.