Chapter Fourteen

They spent the weekend getting used to being in each other’s space. He wanted so badly to take her to bed and bury himself so deeply, they wouldn’t know where he ended and she began. The one thing he didn’t want to do, however, was pressure her. Romilly meant too much to him.

On Saturday, he helped her package up her sales and drove her to the post office. That evening they watched a movie. On Sunday, she retreated onto the balcony to paint while he went for a long jog.

Monday morning, he was right back on the practice turf, going through his paces. It was hard work, but he loved it. He thrived on the challeng e— the blood, sweat, and tears that made up the fabulous game of football. Once practice was over, he didn’t want to leave, so took to running laps in an effort to clear his head. Things were beginning to get jumbled. His emotions. His ambition. Especially his greed and duplicity. He kept reminding himself to stay the course.

Lost in thought, it startled him when Crew came running up next to him and fell in sync. Kaiden glanced at the quarterback and wondered if he was about to shatter his hope.

“So,” Crew said. “I’ve been throwing the ball at a lot of players the past two weeks.”

“Yep,” he replied.

“Coach brought in a lot of misfits from the cleared waivers and undrafted free-agent world.”

“ Misfits is an interesting word to use.”

“Not sure if you realize this but I was one before the Archers picked me up. Sigworth brought six of us here to audition, his word not mine. I was the lucky bastard that won.”

“Congrats.”

Crew chuckled around his huffing breath. “Thanks. When I didn’t get drafted, shit, I thought I was going to end up in prison, or something. My mentor got me into football and I was devastated when I thought I let him down.”

“Then definitely congrats. The only thing I ever wanted to do in my life was play football.”

“Same,” Crew said and held out his fist. Kaiden bumped it with his. “Sometimes, you get overlooked even though you might be the best player in the league. Or you don’t get along with the people you’re playing with. I was written off because I wasn’t drafted, and yet here I am. The quarterback for the newest NFL team.”

Kaiden wondered where Crew’s story was heading. Then a whistle rang out and both he and Crew stopped running.

“Demay!” Coach yelled. “My office.”

“Fuck,” Kaiden muttered. Now he understood the story. He didn’t gel and now he was being cut before he even made it to training camp. As he turned to head toward the back offices, Crew patted him on the back. Dick. He thought they’d been on friendly terms. With a heavy heart he trudged toward the demise of his career.

Coach Sigworth sat behind his desk and glanced up when Kaiden got there. “Close the door.”

After following the instruction, he sat down in the chair in front of the large metal desk. Coach leaned back in his chair and stared at him. Kaiden maintained eye contact because he refused to cower from the crushing disappointment bubbling up.

“I want to thank you for showing up every day and giving a hundred percent.”

Unable to say anything, Kaiden only nodded.

“But, and I can’t stress this enough, you’re going to have to give a hundred and ten percent during training camp.”

Kaiden blinked, not sure if he heard correctly. “Uh. What?”

Coach snickered and held out his hand. “We’re buying your contract, Kaiden. Welcome to the Archers.”

It took a moment for his brain to catch up, and when it did, he shot forward to grab the handshake.

“Seriously? You’re not fucking with me?”

“Didn’t Crew tell you?”

“Nah, he left that little bit out. I was scared shitless when I came in here.”

“I could tell.” Coach let go and Kaiden sat back, his heart racing like a Thoroughbred. “Now, remember, no bad behavior. Like we said, kiss babies and puppies, or whatever else you’ve got planned. Understood?”

“Loud and clear.”

“Go on, get out of here. Report back next week. You know the drill.”

Kaiden shot to his feet. “Thank you, Coach.”

“Thank me by playing hard. The inaugural year for any team is supposed to suck, but I want to prove people wrong.”

“Championship here we come.”

Coach chuckled. “Go big or go home. See you next week.”

With a wave, Kaiden left the office and practically floated back to the field where Crew waited, smirking.

“Could’ve told me,” Kaiden said.

Crew grinned. “Now, where would the fun be in that?”

“I hear ya.” He held out his hand and Crew shook it. “I probably have you to thank.”

“No, you have yourself to thank. You did the hard work and made my job look easy.”

“Man, I thought I was being let go. You’re not the only one not wanting to get a new career.”

They started walking to the locker room.

“I got some tickets for the Cardinals game this Sunday. Right behind home plate. I thought you and your girl would like to come along.”

Kaiden blinked. “Really? Wow. Thanks, man, that’d be awesome.”

“Do you gotta ask your girl?”

“I’m pretty certain she’d love to go.”

“Cool.”

“Hey,” Kaiden stopped him. “I’ve kind of taken on this project to help this school that needs football equipment and a new travel bus. Do you think that’s something you’d be interested in participating?”

“Absolutely. Let me know time and date.”

“Cool. I will.”

He held up his hand and Crew gave him the half-hug bro handshake. Kaiden took a shower and dressed, throwing his gym clothes into his bag, and headed out, suddenly anxious to tell Romilly he made the team.

****

Romilly knew something good happened as soon as Kaiden hurried through the door. She stood as he rushed over, lifting her up as he twirled her. Laughter tumbled from his lips and his eyes were alight with joy.

“They picked up my contract!” he said enthusiastically.

Happiness filled her and she threw her arms around his neck. “That’s awesome!”

He buried his face in the crook of her neck. “I thought they were cutting me today. I thought it was all over, and I couldn’t figure out what to think. Or do. Football is all I know.”

“I’m so proud of you.”

Her heart thumped heavily in her chest, and not because of his excitement but because she was pressed close to his hard body. Her hands traced the curve of his muscles. She breathed in his intoxicating scent. He went still and lifted his head. They stared at one another for a moment before his mouth crashed down onto hers.

The pressure of his lips was hard. Bruising. Not an inch of space between them. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, kissing her like his life depended on it. Devouring her lips, all signs of gentleness fading away. His taste exploded on her tongue and she came to the realization this was more, far more than just a great kiss.

They came up for air, both panting. A look of shock and awe on his face. She wondered if she reflected them back.

While they stared into one another’s eyes, one of his hands moved down to cup her breast, pinching her nipple through the shirt. The sharp sting of pain escalated the pleasure. He hesitated for a moment, watching her, giving her time to say no. Only, she didn’t want to say no. She gave a small nod and desire flared in his gorgeous hazel eyes. He continued the path down her body, across her stomach and over her hip, to reach the apex of her thighs. He pushed against the material that hid her sex, and through the yoga leggings found her clit to tease the sensitized nub.

“Oh,” she gasped.

“You like, baby?” he asked softly. “Your little pussy needing my fingers? My cock?”

She nodded jerkily, and it only took a moment for him to slip under the elastic band of her leggings. A calloused finger slid along her folds. For a brief moment she tensed. She wasn’t a virgin, but it had been years since her last intimate encounter. She’d learned long ago she wasn’t really the type of woman to indulge in affairs, but Kaiden was different. He was … more.

For a long moment he did nothing, and she wiggled her hips a little. He slid his finger into her pussy, gently easing in and out. Caressing that sweet spot inside. The rhythm caused the fire in her blood to quickly escalate as Kaiden found her clit and his palm applied just enough pressure to make her writhe. It had been so long that lust rapidly pulled her under. Before she knew it, an orgasm flushed over her and robbed her of breath for a few moments. Romilly rode it out, humping his hand that still teased, desperate for more.

When her tremors ceased and reality came back, Kaiden pulled his hands from between her thighs to lean his forehead against hers.

“Damn, baby,” he murmured. “You’re so fucking sexy.”

“Do you want to move this into the bedroom?”

He straightened. “I don’t want to push you into anything.”

She shook her head. “You’re not. Although, it’s been a while since I last had sex.”

He tilted his head. “How long?”

“Years.”

His mouth dropped open a little. “What? Uh, why? You’re a beautiful, sensual woman. Are the men here in St. Louis blind and stupid?”

Romilly smiled. “I just never found a man I wanted like that.”

“Until now?”

“Yes,” she breathed. “Until now.”