Chapter Sixteen

Even with his Cardinals baseball cap and sunglasses, people still pointed and stared at them as they walked toward their section at Busch Stadium. Or more specifically, at Kaiden. Whispers underlined the hum of excitement. The subtle click of phones snapping pictures echoed all around them.

A big, beefy security guard escorted them to their seats and a man waved at Kaiden. After thanking the guard, they scooted past the other people in the row until they reached the waiting man. Only then did Kaiden let go of her hand to greet him, giving each other the bro hug.

“Glad you could make it,” the man said.

“Crew, this is my girlfriend Romilly,” Kaiden said and looked down at her. “This is Crew Kiles. He invited us.”

Romilly smiled and held out her hand. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you.”

Crew shook it. “The pleasure is mine, beautiful lady.”

Kaiden rolled his eyes. “Down, Romeo. She’s mine.”

Crew snickered and then half-turned toward the man he’d been sitting with. “This is the relator friend I told you about. Paul, this is the new tight end of the Archers, Kaiden Demay.”

“Yep, nice to meet you,” Paul said, smiling. “Totally fan-boying this moment.”

“Dude, no,” Crew said. “I’m now embarrassed for you.”

Paul laughed, clearly not taking offense. They all sat down, and Kaiden took hold of her hand once more, even as he talked with the two men. She didn’t feel left out, however. She was too busy taking in the site and feel of being surrounded by thousands of people. Wishing she had her sketchbook.

Knowing nothing about baseball, she surprised herself by being riveted to the game. It was one thing seeing sports on television, but something else entirely seeing it live. They were directly behind home plate and she asked a lot of questions, to which Kaiden patiently answered. She noticed a lot of people looking at them, turning to take pictures or just point. A few people waved so she waved back, not knowing what else to do. Even a few of the baseball players gave them a friendly nod.

Paul went to get them snacks and drinks. It was the first time she ate a St. Louis style beef brisket BBQ with chips, and loved it, polishing off the entire sandwich. Kaiden shared his beer with her since she didn’t want a whole one.

At the bottom of the ninth inning, the Cardinals pulled ahead and won the game and the stadium started to empty. She figured they would stay there until the crowds thinned, but to her surprise, Crew beckoned them to follow him. Kaiden held her hand as he guided her behind him, into the deeper bowels of the stadium.

The men talked about plays and statistics, both baseball and football, and she let it wash over her. It was like hearing them speak Latin. Many people rushed through the hallways, waving and greeting them. They entered a large open locker room where a lot of the players were half-dressed or nearly naked. She slapped a hand over her eyes, much to the amusement of the men. Only peeking when they assured her nothing was dangling.

After a few minutes, with handshakes and selfies complete, they left the locker room. Once more, Kaiden held her hand as they exited the stadium.

“What are you cool cats up to this evening?” Crew asked.

“No plans,” Kaiden replied.

“We’re going to a nightclub named Creation. Wanna tag along?”

Kaiden stiffened next to her and she tightened her grip around his hand.

“That’s what got me into trouble,” he admitted.

Crew nodded like he understood. “What better way to show you’re not the drunken asshole that got fired and sent off as a misfit, then to go to a nightclub and dance your ass off? Just don’t get drunk.”

Kaiden snorted and looked down at her. “What do you think?”

“I think he’s right,” she replied. “You’re not an alcoholic. You’re not a troublemaker. You just had some bad press at a bad time in your life. I think this would be an excellent message to counteract all that.”

Crew held out his fist to her, and she blinked before bumping it with hers. Kaiden looked at her with a soft gaze and leaned over to kiss her temple.

****

When they arrived at Creation later that night, they were immediately ushered in past the waiting line. Several people shouted it was bullshit they got special privilege, and it was an eye-opener how people bowed to Crew and Kaiden. One of the bouncers escorted them to the VIP lounge and Romilly sank onto the love seat next to him. Crew had brought a date, but the woman wasn’t exactly friendly. She seemed more concerned how she looked next to Crew, so Romilly let the woman have the spotlight when people came up to have selfies taken with the two football players or to get their autographs.

The music was a bit too loud to talk. Kaiden brought her out on the dance floor and they stayed wrapped up with each other for hours. When she needed to go to the bathroom, he escorted her. All they had to drink was water or soda.

During the slow songs, Kaiden would cup her face and kiss her passionately. It felt like they were in their own little world. Around midnight Crew and his date drove them home. Kaiden’s phone kept buzzing and he was answering back with a frown on his face.

As soon as they stepped into the apartment, he spun her around and pushed her against the door. Fire blazed in his eyes, singeing her with their intensity. All of it focused on her. Heat surged through her, creating need. Desire. Making her heart pound, and shallowing her breath. Fingertips danced over her cheek to cup her jaw, tilting her head right before his kiss sent the world spinning. His lips were soft, like kissing velvet or silk. It started gentle and then, in an instant, turned fierce. He plunged his tongue into her mouth as he pinned her hands above her head. Claiming her in the most primitive way.

Unable to keep still, she bucked against him, pushing her pelvis against his. His hand drifted down her neck, where it stopped just under her breast. Time stopped, her heartbeat the only sound she heard. Switching both of her wrists to one of his hands, it allowed him to explore her body. Cupping one breast, he lightly grazed his thumb over the turgid peak. Then, through the rapturous haze, it took a moment to realize he let go of her arms.

“Don’t move,” he ordered.

He squatted down to remove her shoes and socks. He pulled her pants and panties down, and then helped her out of them. Delicious shivers. The rhythm of her heart fluttered. That was what he did to her. Glancing up at her, with that one simple look, she knew instinctively he was hers and she was his. And that power terrified her.

With her half-dressed, he parted her thighs and buried his face in her pussy. Her head thumped back on the door when he licked her slit. His whiskers tickled the inside of her thighs, teasing the skin with feathery kisses. Licking her slit, dipping into her wetness, sent stars over her vision. He flicked his tongue over her clit, the throbbing little bud pulsing with lust. Kissing, sucking, touching her pussy like it was precious. Made just for him. It wasn’t long before his touches drove her over the edge. Waves crested, and sent her flying through the heavens. She shook and moaned his name as the intense orgasm ripped through her.

As she came down from the high, he stood and practically tore off the rest of her clothing. Quickly doing the same to his own. Lifting her up, his fingers dug into the fleshy globes of her ass. Poised to plunge inside, he hesitated for a moment, his cock resting at her soaking-wet entrance.

“Condom?”

“I … it should be safe. I’m not ovulating.”

He gave an imperceptible nod. “I’m clean. Got tested when I got here as a health screening for the team.”

“I’m clean too.”

The words hadn’t left her mouth before sinking inside her with one swift thrust. He groaned, leaving his forehead against hers.

“Holy shit, I never realized how amazing this could feel,” he murmured. “I’ve never been bare before.”

Kaiden set a pace, with nothing gentle as he fucked her. Grunting every time her inner muscles squeezed his cock. Pounding harder. Moving more urgent, more frantic. Chasing the orgasm he craved while wrenching up her own.

“Fuck, baby,” he groaned. “You feel fucking good wrapped around my dick.”

Her eyes rolled back as her orgasm built. There was no holding it back. No way to prolong the moment. If she could have him inside her forever, she’d gladly take it. His rhythm completely collapsed and she came so hard stars burst over her vision. Kaiden roared as he quickly yanked out of her, his cum bathing her stomach.

She couldn’t move. Didn’t even want to. If she could live under him for the rest of her life, she’d be happy. But nothing lasts forever. He backed away far enough so her legs could drop, holding her to make sure she could stand properly and not like a newborn doe.

Kaiden cupped her face, and she stared up at him. No words were needed. She could see their lovemaking had affected him just as it had her. Then he bent and slid a hand under her knees, hoisting her into his arms, bridal style. Their eyes locked as he walked to the bathroom. It only took a few moments to shower and brush their teeth. Standing next to him while they did such a mundane chore brought a sense of intimacy that even sex hadn’t provided.

Then he held her hand and guided her into bed, curling his body around hers. Her back to his chest. Wrapping her in the cocoon of his arms, sleep dragged her under. She slept so soundly that she was disoriented when she awoke.

Slipping from under Kaiden’s arms, she used the bathroom and washed her hands. Dressing, she decided to walk Toby to give herself a moment to think. Last night was one of the best of her life, and that scared her. Kaiden had the power to break her. To crush her heart and feelings to death. All she could do was hope he didn’t.

While Kaiden slept, she left the apartment to go next door to walk Toby. Using her key, she let herself inside, expecting the little dog to come running. Only he didn’t. Confused, she looked around the room, seeing if he still napped in his little dog bed, but it was empty. She tentatively took a step toward the kitchen, but her neighbor came down the hallway in his boxers, yawning and scratching himself in a place she didn’t want to focus on.

“What’re you doing here?” he asked.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were home,” she replied. “I was going to take Toby to the dog park.”

“Shit. Forgot to tell you. He’s dead.”

Romilly blinked and took a step back. “What?”

“Yeah, he ran out in the street and got hit. Sorry.” He held out his hand. “Can I have my key back?”

She felt like she was in a tunnel, swimming against the current. Robotically, she took his key off her ring and handed it back.

“Thanks for looking out for the little guy. He liked you.”

“Um. Sure. You’re welcome. I guess … I’ll, uh, see you around.”

Her lips were so numb she couldn’t even form sentences. On her way back to her door, tears poured down her cheeks. Devastation gripped her and as soon as she made it to her couch, she collapsed. Unable to hold back her sobs, she grabbed a pillow so she could cry without disturbing Kaiden.

“Babe? What’s the matter?” Kaiden’s arms came around her and he pulled the pillow away. “What happened? Talk to me. Are you hurt?”

She shook her head. “T-Toby. He died.”

His jaw dropped. “What the fuck?”

“Hit by a car.” Romilly wiped her eyes. “My neighbor didn’t even care. Like it was no biggie that Toby’s dead. Asked me to give him back the key I had.”

Kaiden pushed her head to his shoulder and just held her as he rubbed circles on her back. “I’m so sorry, Babe.”

“My neighbor is a jerk,” she whispered.

“Yes, he sure is.”

He held her for a long time, until her tears ran their course. They exhausted her, so Kaiden took her back to bed and helped her slide under the covers. Then he joined her. Curling around her body, his warmth lulled her into sleep where she dreamed of Toby.