Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

FOUR MONTHS LATER

BAILEY

I walk out of my room in the morning to Kam sitting in the same spot on the couch where I left her last night, still with her head buried in her laptop.

“Did you sleep?”

“Meh. I wasn’t tired. I’ll catch a few hours tonight.”

I shake my head. “I don’t know how you function. What are you always doing on your laptop?”

She shuts it. “Nothing. However, I did learn that female snakes have a clitoris. Isn’t that shocking?”

“I can’t say I’ve ever put any thought into that topic.”

She smiles as she nods. “I have and they do. Now you know.”

“I’m sure it will come in super handy should the need ever arise for me to help a snake get off.”

She laughs, realizing the absurdity of it.

“You should save that for one of Quincy’s random facts. I promise you no one else thought to research that topic. ”

She shrugs. “I’m a wealth of useless knowledge. You know that. I always come up with something interesting when I’m the last to arrive.”

“I know you do. The depths of your brain will be studied in a scientific lab one day.”

“Probably.”

I point to her bedroom. “Go get dressed. Let’s grab a quick breakfast at the diner before practice. I’m jonesing for their blueberry pancakes.”

Her face lights up. “With a side of pineapples?” I nod. “Sounds like a plan. Give me five.”

I’m waiting for her when my text tone pings. I look down at my phone and smile.

Tanner: Fuck buddy isn’t feeling very fucked lately.

For the past few months, Tanner and I have managed the whole fuck buddy thing. I’ve channeled my inner Kamryn and am happily in a purely sexual relationship.

We meet at his office, our cars, kitchen tables, bathrooms, stairwells, and we even once did it in his garage when he got his new sports car because it’s the hottest car ever and I couldn’t wait another second for him to be inside me.

Me: Been busy. I’ll stop by Daddy’s office after practice.

Tanner: Such a good girl. I’ll be waiting.

Kam walks back out. “What are you smiling at?”

“I might stop at Tanner’s office after practice. Have someone give you a ride home.”

She rolls her eyes. “This isn’t you. I never should have given you the rules. You’re going to get hurt again.”

I place my hands on my hips. “Admit it’s lasted longer than you thought. You didn’t think I could be in a purely sexual relationship, and I have been.”

“I absolutely didn’t think you’d go through with it. What if he told you tomorrow that he met someone?”

“I’d be fine.”

“Bull-fucking-shit. You’d be heartbroken all over again. And you won’t even look at another man. You’re basically in a relationship. Just because you don’t call it one doesn’t mean it isn’t.”

“If I’m interested in someone, I promise I’ll go on a date. It’s going well with Tanner though. I’m happy, and I’ve managed to adhere to all your rules.”

Kam gave me a list of casual sex rules she thought I needed to abide by in order to keep this casual. Never in a bed, never unprotected, never more than once a week, keep it on my terms, don’t be too available, keep the post-sex talking to a minimum, and never actually fall asleep together. I always leave as soon as it’s over. I think that last part upsets Tanner more than anything, but it’s too intimate. I can’t stay.

Kam told me that it’s all about control. I told her he likes to be in control, but she said it’s not about what goes on in the bedroom. It’s about what goes on out of the bedroom. I definitely control everything except the actual sex. I’m not sure if she’s a genius or completely diabolical, but Tanner is always begging for it by the time I agree to meet with him.

She rolls her eyes. “Whatever. Let’s just go. I can’t have this conversation for the thousandth time.”

“No one will sit on these snakes, right ladies?”

We’re in the huddle with Coach Billie giving us her daily dose of inadvertently sexual snake comments.

We all start giggling as practice comes to an end and we do our final cheer. The Anacondas’ season can best be described as dominating. Ripley came back with a vengeance. She’s happy and it shows in her pitching. Her mother is now our team pitching coach. She’s fantastic and has Ripley throwing the best she ever has in her life.

The Olympic committee has been to several of our games. It’s still three years out, but they’re starting to put thought into who they want on the team.

They’ve interviewed Arizona, Ripley, Kam, and me. The three of them were bouncing off the walls with excitement. I’m still a little indifferent about it. Maybe I just don’t want to get my hopes up only to be heartbroken if I’m not selected. I’m probably the last of the four of us who they’ll consider, and taking four players from the same team seems unlikely to me.

Arizona pulls us aside after practice. “Sorry for the late notice. Are you guys free this afternoon for a bridesmaid dress fitting? The woman just called and said there was an issue. She needs to see everyone to make sure the right sizes arrive in time for the wedding. Gemma said she’ll meet us there.”

Even though they’re already married, Arizona and Layton are throwing a ceremony and wedding reception right after our season ends in a few weeks.

Ripley and Kam both answer that they can come.

I check on the time. “I need to make a quick stop. I’ll meet you guys there.”

Kam gives me a look of warning, but I don’t care. I’m going to see Tanner.

Forty-five minutes later, I walk out of the elevator toward Tanner’s office. His assistant, Shannon, smiles as I approach. She knows why I’m here. I was embarrassed the first few times, but I simply don’t care anymore. I’m a grown woman taking what I want from a sexy man. I won’t apologize or feel bad about it. Not when it feels so damn good.

I innocently return her smile, as if she doesn’t know I’m about to get defiled in the office right behind her desk, and cheerily say, “Good afternoon, Shannon.”

“Good afternoon, Bailey. He’s expecting you. He said for you to come right in when you arrive.”

I respond, “Great. Thank you.”

As soon as I walk through the door, it closes. He pins me against it with his big body. His delicious scent immediately invades my nostrils, setting my body on fire. I swear, his smell is my orgasm trigger.

He grabs my wrists and quickly wraps a telephone charging cord around them before holding them above my head with one of his hands.

He barks out, “Leave them here. Don’t move them.”

I innocently bat my eyelashes. “Yes, Daddy.”

He growls and then falls to his knees and roughly pulls my leggings down and off before sinking his face straight into my pussy.

I smile. “Hungry, Mr. Montgomery?”

He mumbles, “Famished.”

He lifts one of my legs over his shoulder while his tongue plunders in and out of me like he can’t get deep enough. He’s always excited for our rendezvous, but he’s on a different level right now. I’ve left him hanging for longer than usual. I think it might have been worth it to get this ravenous reaction from him.

Without thinking, I lower my arms and grab onto his hair. He immediately pulls his face away, appearing angry.

“What did I tell you?”

I breathe, “Sorry,” before my lips curl up in amusement at what I know is about to come.

He stands and straightens his tie before making a bit of a show of licking around his lips and beard. Fuck, he’s hot.

With a giant tent in his pants, he calmly walks over to his desk and sits in his big, leather executive chair looking every bit as demanding and in charge as he likes to think he is. Without any words, he simply spreads his legs and pats his lap knowing full well that I’ll obey his every command.

I feign indignance and hide my excitement as I make my way over to him. I can’t help but inwardly laugh at my appearance right now, all of two minutes since I walked in the door. I have nothing on from the waist down. I’m wearing a hoodie. And my wrists are bound by his iPhone charging cord. It’s kind of ridiculous, yet I’m beyond turned on by it all.

When I approach, he runs his hands under my hoodie and then closes his eyes. “No bra?”

I shrug. “I thought it would be faster.”

“Very smart. Now take your punishment like a good girl.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

He grabs his dick and squeezes it before gritting out, “Do it. Now.”

I lay on my stomach across his lap and stick my ass right in the air. Before I know it, his hand is striking my fleshy backside, and I almost come on the spot.

He does it three more times, and I’m dripping like a leaky faucet. My clit is engorged and throbbing. The sounds reverberate throughout the room. What must poor Shannon be thinking right now?

Picking me up, he places me on his desk. “Lie back, keep those hands above your head, and spread that pretty pussy all over my papers. I want to smell you on them later.”

As if I have a choice, I happily obey. He moves his chair forward and wraps his arms around my thighs. He briefly pushes his tongue back into me before eventually latching onto my clit and bringing me to orgasm in no time at all. He knows my body so well and always gives me exactly what I need.

I’m still in the blurry clouds of my post-orgasm bliss when I feel him slam his sheathed cock into me. Again, bringing me to orgasm in no time. Again, acting like he’s a man possessed .

When we’re done, I slip back into my panties and leggings and shake my head. “What got into you today?”

He looks angry. His jaw looks like he might grind his teeth off. “Nothing. It’s just been a while.”

“It’s been less than two weeks. You know I had a long road trip, and I’ve been…busy.” I do my best to act unaffected.

His jaw releases a drop and he gives me a hopeful look. “It’s fine. Do you want to stay for lunch?”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t. In fact, I have lunch plans with Champ. I should go.” Obviously I don’t, but I know it pisses him off.

“I thought—”

“I told you, he’s my friend.” I wiggle my fingers at him. “Bye, fuck buddy.”

His mouth opens and closes a few times like he wants to say something else but decides against it.

I inwardly giggle as I walk out the door. This is fun.

TANNER

“Tan? What are you doing here?”

I’m about to step off the elevator at the hospital only to see Fallon about to get on.

“I was coming down to see if you have time for a cup of coffee.”

Surprise is written all over her face. I’ve never done this before. “Oh…umm…I was just about to go upstairs for my late afternoon sugar fix. I have about thirty minutes before my next patient. Is everything okay with Harper?”

“Yes. Fine. I had an appointment upstairs and just came down to chat with you about something.”

Her face falls. “Are you okay? Is something wrong? ”

“I’m fine. Let’s go find a quiet corner in the cafeteria so we can talk in private.”

After we make our way up there and I buy her a few snacks and myself a coffee, we’re sitting at a table away from any prying ears.

She bites into a huge candy bar. “So? What’s up?”

I scrunch my face. “How do you keep your figure eating that shit every afternoon?”

She’s always had a sweet tooth, and she seriously has a flawless figure. I’ve never once seen her go to a gym. We both know where Harper’s sweet tooth comes from.

She shrugs and, with a mouthful, answers, “Good genes, I guess. Look at my mother.”

Doris has a very good figure too.

I pat my stomach. “I hope Harper gets your genes, not mine.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Yep, you look exactly like Norman. Smell like him too.”

I let out a laugh at her referring to one of the fathers on Harper’s team. “He really does have a strong body odor, doesn’t he? What grown man doesn’t use deodorant? Who does he think he is, Matthew McConaughey?”

She giggles as she takes another bite of her Snickers bar and nods her head. “He sure does. He’s probably the most unfuckable human being I’ve ever met.”

“I can’t say I’ve ever thought of him that way.”

She leans back in her chair and nods her head again. “When you have sex as infrequently as I do, you rate every man you come across. He ranks at the absolute bottom next to your brother, but Linc’s low ranking is for personality, not grotesque looks and smell.”

I ignore the warranted dig at my brother, instead focusing on her love life. “You’re still not dating?” I hate to hear that.

“Dating and sex aren’t one and the same but don’t worry, I’ve gone on a few dates. You know who just asked me out?”

“Who? I’ll hire a private investigator to check him out.”

She lets out a laugh. “Not needed. You know him. Jett Jeffries.”

“As in the coach of the Camels?”

She nods. “Yep.”

“I didn’t realize they got divorced.”

“A year or two ago.”

“He’s a decent guy. Women on social media certainly like him.” He garners a lot of attention for his good looks.

She sighs. “He’s attractive. I told him I’d let him know. I feel like it’s a little…close to home. You have a lot of clients on that team. It’s weird.”

“I see your point. It doesn’t matter from my perspective, if that’s what you’re worried about. Whatever makes you happy.”

She finishes the rest of her candy bar and tosses the wrapper. “I’m not really asking your permission, being that you banged the nanny and all, but it’s good to know you approve.”

I smile. “You’re a certified ballbuster, Fallon. Speaking of my balls, my appointment today was with Dr. Berkley.”

“The urologist?”

I nod.

“Is something wro—” And then it hits her. “You’re finding out if you can have your vasectomy reversed, aren’t you?”

I blow out a long breath. “I am.”

“Assuming this is for Bailey?”

“It is.”

“I thought maybe you two started back up again but wasn’t sure.”

I shake my head. “We’re not together. It’s…physical.”

“That’s what you said last time. ”

“Trust me, it’s purely physical this time. She won’t allow anything beyond that.”

“Allow?”

“Without going into much detail, let’s just say she doesn’t…stick around afterward.”

Fallon smiles. Widely.

“What are you smiling at? I thought you’d be pissed.”

“It’s your life, Tanner. I just think it’s funny that sweet, innocent Bailey Hart has you so fucking wrapped around her little finger that you’re considering this. She’s got you panting like a dog. Fuck, I respect her for it.”

My mouth opens in shock. “This conversation isn’t going how I thought.”

She shrugs with a bit of indifference. “What do you want me to do? Carry on like a crazy ex-wife trying to hold on? Divorce sucks. I don’t have the mental energy for ours to be anything less than the amicable way it’s always been. It’s not like I spent my life imagining myself as a middle-aged lonely divorcée, but here I am, living and breathing it every day.”

“You’re not middle-aged. I’m fucking middle-aged. That’s why I didn’t want any more kids.”

“I call bullshit. You got that vasectomy in your thirties, about five seconds after we split. It was an emotional, knee-jerk reaction to the way our marriage ended and what I did to you. You decided to never let a woman in again and that was your way of ensuring it wouldn’t happen. In comes Bailey Hart, slowly cracking the hard shell you built around that heart of yours. You fell for each other, but you always had your foot out the door. You were so wrong not to tell her from the beginning. It took a year, but you’re finally realizing that you might just want more than a life sitting home alone with your precious bottle of whiskey.”

I’m silent as I consider her words .

“Why are you even telling me this? It’s not my business anymore.”

“Because you're Harper’s mother. It impacts her, so it impacts you. And, I don’t know, it just seems like the right thing to do. Your opinion matters to me.”

“Well, if I’m being honest, my preference would have been for us to stay together as a family. I didn’t cheat on you because I fell out of love with you. I cheated because I was lonely in our marriage and had a terrible moment of weakness. You’ve changed since then. Your priorities have changed. I’m happy you’re growing as a person. I wish it happened about six years ago, but it didn’t. That being said, if I had to pick a stepmother for our daughter, it’s not like anyone better exists.”

“Hmm.”

She twists her mouth. “Obviously, if you go public, people will have opinions. You’re kind of a cliché for banging the much younger nanny, but that’s your bed to sleep in, not mine.”

I can’t help but let out a laugh. This isn’t the reaction I expected at all.

“What does Bailey think about all this?” she asks.

“I haven’t discussed it with her. I don’t want to do so until I get my results. If it can’t be reversed, I won’t put her through the heartbreak. And…she’s changed. She’s colder toward me. I’m not even sure she wants us anymore, but I’m not having that conversation until I find out if I can give her what she needs. I can only hope she still wants me.”

Fallon rolls her eyes. “Just when I thought I couldn’t respect her anymore, she’s got you feeling like an insecure schoolgirl. I think I’m in love with her too.”

I chuckle. “I think we have the weirdest divorce ever.”

She smiles. “We just might.”

“As long as our little girl is a happy one. ”

She nods. “She most definitely is. She’s perfect. I love everything about the young lady she’s becoming.”

“I mostly agree with that statement, but is she calling you Mom instead of Mommy all of a sudden? She started calling me Dad and it’s driving me nuts.”

She giggles. “Yes, I hate it too. At least it’s not bruh . Cassandra said that Dylan has started calling her bruh .”

I chuckle. “Yep. That’s worse.”

Fallon sighs. “She’s growing up too fast. She’ll be off to college in the blink of an eye.”

I suck in a breath. “Bite your tongue. I hate that thought. What about you? Do you want more kids?”

She shrugs. “In an ideal world, yes. I’m getting dangerously close to it being too late. It’s not like I have any prospective fathers.”

“You’re a catch, Fallon. You need to get out there.”

“I’m at a weird age in the dating world. It’s the age where you can either date a guy or his father and both are socially acceptable.”

I let out a laugh.

She smirks. “No judgment from you.”

I hold up my hands in surrender. “No judgment at all.”

“Though I was thinking about Jett after he reached out. I can’t believe I’m at an age where the coach is more appealing to me than the players.”

I wiggle my eyebrows. “Somehow, I’m back to the players. I’m not sure how that happened. It was never my plan. I know you’re not asking for my permission or my opinion, but I think you should give things a chance with Jett. At least I know he’s a good guy who will treat you right.”

She’s silent for a moment before she takes my hand. “I know we’ve never truly discussed it, and I know you prefer it that way, but I’m genuinely sorry for how things ended. I sometimes feel like part of the reason I rarely date is to punish myself for what I did.” Tears fill her eyes. “I’m honestly happy that you’re considering something real with Bailey. I’ve always felt like it was my fault that you closed yourself off. That I damaged you beyond repair. Hearing that you’re opening your heart again is…is…liberating for me.”

I squeeze her hand in return. “I didn’t know you felt that way. Fallon, I’m just as much, if not more, to blame for what happened to us. Your infidelity was a result of my actions. My neglect. I was a bad husband to you. If I end up doing this again, I know I need to be better.”

“But—”

“But nothing. When I say that what happened is water under the bridge, I mean it. I’m sorry if I’ve held you back. You’re a wonderful woman with so much to give. You deserve happiness. While the type of love I have for you has changed over the years, I will always love and care about you. Hear me. Nothing would make me happier than to see you happy. I want you to find someone who thinks the world revolves around you. Even after everything we’ve been through, that’s what I think you deserve. I know you want more kids. I want that for you too. Hear me, Fallon. You deserve that. Stop punishing yourself.”

Tears stream down her cheeks as she wordlessly nods. I had no idea how much she needed to hear this. I had no idea how much I needed to have this conversation with her for both me and her.