Joel had no plans to make this easy on me. I ground my teeth because I refused to get into a word war about rugby that I would hands down lose. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I've never played a sport in my life beyond what was forced on me in PE. As a matter of fact, I have two left feet and the hand-eye coordination of a dinosaur with flappy arms. What I am good at is research and I spent many hours preparing myself for this interview. Is there anything else you'd like to know or do you think you could explain sevens to me?" God I was a bitch, but I could see the twitch of his lip as he fought a smile. He held it back and I sighed internally. Hostility with this brother and sexual pressure from the other. I wasn't sure which one was worse. Both took me far outside my comfort zone."Sevens is played with seven players and the rules are vastly different than league ball or union ball. Sevens, league, and union have separate rules similar to the differences in NFL football and are
For the first time, I watched league rugby matches opposed to sevens and union on YouTube. I don't know what I expected, but being confused even more wasn't it. I shut down my laptop and headed for a local fast food drive-through for a salad.I was on the field again at two. From my discussion with Van the evening before, I knew a little more about the practice drills. I walked up into the stands and watched from there. I used my recorder to remind myself of things to ask Van. After practice, I tried sneaking out, but Van called for me to wait up.Sweat and dirt took nothing away from his sexual pull. It may even have made it stronger. I don't know where my cave girl mentality came from, but I had a horrible feeling it was here to stay. I'm sure I could find a man at my office who would happily partner me to sports events. If not, maybe I could join some of my co-workers when they had tickets. I needed to attend something with lots of muscle on display and somehow get it out of my sy
"This is where I grew up," he said softly."Your mother's house?" Now the decor made sense."Now mine and my brother's. We share the place.""You both live here?""Yes, but he has a date tonight and won't be home until late. Come on into the kitchen and I'll grab the chicken for the grill. I have potatoes in the oven and a salad made.""Your domestic side.""The easiest thing I could think of to make. I can grill, but kitchen duty is not my strong suit."This was not a good idea, but wild Cami pushed my nerves aside. I followed him into the kitchen walking past a winding staircase that I guessed led up to the bedrooms. Modern appliances filled the kitchen, and I envied the space. I would love to run loose in here. My tiny apartment had a small L-shaped counter with two barstools. It had a total of about three square feet to move around in. This room was a chef's dream."Your mother liked to cook?"His grin disappeared for a moment. "No, well yes- all this is new. Joel likes to
The kiss changed as Van took over. His fingers sought the zipper on the back of my dress. Once the material was loose, he pulled the sleeves down, exposing my lace bra and dipping his rough fingertips under the material."God, your tits are incredible," he said with a whispery groan. Every nerve ending on my body centered on each stroke against my breast. Before I realized what I was doing, my arms were around him, my fingernails digging into his back. A dizzying whirl of sexual need shot straight to my inner thighs. His mouth took complete control. He sucked my lower lip continuing his assault with gentle nips. I could no longer think past the driving ache that wanted to explode from my body. Never had I felt such blinding need. He pushed my dress past my hips until it pooled on the floor. I had no idea that he unclipped my bra until it fell to the floor too. He swung me into his arms without ending the kiss. My shoes fell off along the way. I couldn't think. I didn't want to think
Joel didn't seem surprised to see me. He casually placed the panties and bra on top of the dress, picked them up, and carried them to me. Our eyes remained locked the entire time. A foot away, his arms came out offering me my clothes. I did the worst thing I could possibly do. Tears rolled down my cheeks. Joel looked at me for one long moment before doing the last thing I expected. He pulled me into his arms, my clothes pressed between us.That's when I lost it. I sobbed against his chest feeling like the biggest idiot on the planet."Shhh."His whisper coincided with his tightening arms."I'm sorry," I hiccupped, but didn't pull away.He stood there holding me, swaying gently. Finally, he loosened his arms just a bit. "You need to get dressed, and I'll drive you back to the hotel."I took a trembling breath and moved back slightly. "You will?""Yes." It was said so gently I almost started crying again. I stood wrapped in a sheet with Joel comforting me because his brother was an
We were on the main road now and Joel pulled into an old-fashioned small diner. I noticed his rigid jaw on the unmarred side of his face. I got out of the truck before he could walk around and lift me out. If anyone was behind me I'm sure they got a glimpse of my panties, but I just didn't care at the moment. Joel held the door open for me and we walked inside. The place was clean and quaint. The aroma of fried bacon hung in the air."Big match today. Wondered when you'd be by to fill up those engines," an older waitress said while she grabbed two menus.Joel gave her a brief hug before introducing us. "Maggs, this is Cami Avesque from a Cleveland newspaper doing some articles on The Slam."Maggs didn't look twice at my dress. With a warm smile she shook my hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm glad you brought this man in for his meal. It's good luck for him to eat our half a pig, dozen egg special before a match."I had to laugh. "I thought he was joking.""Well it's a bit of an exaggera
I sat my things on the end of my bed and headed straight for the shower. I removed my clothes vowing to never wear the dress again. The scent of sex hit me. I still smelled like Van. Could Joel smell it on me? The thought was mortifying. I held back additional tears, but couldn't stop thinking "What if?" What if I hadn't gone out with Van? What if I hadn't melted into his arms with the first kiss last night? What if I hadn't had so much to drink? What if I drown wild Cami in a vat of poison? That was the best what if I had.I scrubbed myself, even my tender lady bits that were swollen and raw. The small stubble scratches on my skin pissed me off. What the hell did he do, mark his harem so everyone could see? I was such a stupid fool. My first real assignment and I fell into bed with my contacta stupid, blowhard jock.I set my alarm on my phone and crawled naked under my covers. Again the what ifs swamped me, but I managed to shut them down. I slept until the bing bing bing on my phon
"Fans drive hundreds of miles for the match," Charlie said as he assisted Stub and me down from the bus. "We're proud to fill the stadium every time. I've never even seen weather keep people away." He put his arm around Stub. "Come on, let's go in. They should have your name at the side door and you'll be getting a field pass like me."All I could do was follow, and sure enough I had a pass waiting for me. Stupid that I hadn't asked what I needed to do to get in. The place was so empty during my previous trips to the stadium that it hadn't occurred to me. My official seat was a few seats down from Charlie and Stub. People happily switched places and gave me their adjacent seat."So you want to tackle your first locker room?" Charlie asked as he stood up."You're joking."Everyone around us laughed as heat raced to my cheeks. I followed Charlie through the crowd on the familiar path to the locker room. I heard them before I saw them. Good-natured shouts and cheers had me smiling all
I hid in Italy for three weeks. Greg came with me and kicked my ass on the court. He actually made a great practice partner. I was back to clean eating and drinking only water. It surprised me when Greg brought a bottle of wine to my room one night."What's this for?" I asked when he gave me one of his golly-gee smiles. Greg was cute. And, married to a lovely woman who worshipped him."I've been your coach for three months now and I have no idea what makes you tick. It's time for a come to daddy talk. Or in your case, come to coach. I figured the alcohol might make it easier.""You'll need more than one bottle," I told him. He came back to my room ten minutes later with two more bottles in his hands. "Does your wife know you're getting drunk with a slutty tennis star tonight?" I smiled to take the sting out of calling myself a slut."She suggested it. We've had many long conversations about you.""How romantic."He poured our first glasses and tilted the edge of his glass against
I never returned to the hospital, which was entirely unfair of me. My anger at my father carried over to Brack. I was horrible. The man I loved hadn't fully recovered and I left him at the hospital alone. Okay, he had his parents and his team. But, bottom lineI was horrible and a coward. I ignored the calls from Brack and my father. Again- coward.I needed complete control of my life. It took me two weeks to come up with a plan. During those two weeks, I hired a new coach and trained until I could barely walk. I trained with a purpose. I'd had my own money. Not just from tennis but from my mother. I'd never used it. That was the way I punished her and myself. Now, for the first time, I paid for my own coach.I liked him. I could actually smile over the fact that my father paid for Jerry all those years while the two of them hated each other. Greg, my new coach, kicked my ass. I had no idea if I had a chance this season. But, winning the Grand Slam was in my peripheral vision and not
Two days later, the doctors discontinued the medication that kept Brack in a coma. My father showed up the morning after surgery and made me go home, shower, and change clothes. Brack's parents were staying in shifts. His mom promised she wouldn't leave his side until I returned. I hadn't really spoken to them. We stayed relatively quiet in Brack's room. I whispered encouragement and told him I was there. They gave us privacy, too. That's when I told him I loved him. Again and again, I whispered the words.My father and Senator Jacobs were cordial. Brack's mother treated my dad like a family friend. Apparently she'd been friends with my mom. I tried not to think about the ramifications of our two families tied together through me and Brack. It was too much to take right now.Brack still had the ventilator. The doctor reviewed best and worst case scenarios with us. I refused to listen to brain damage, paralysis, learning to walk and talk again, and so on. My focus was full recovery. I
Four hours later, I was passed out against Mack's shoulder when his cell rang. My brain registered the noise and I was pulled quickly from sleep."Yeah," he answered quietly. He listened for several minutes before responding. "I have her here with me. We'll be there in a minute." He slid his phone back in his pocket and looked at me. "He's in recovery. It was touch and go, but he pulled through. They have him in a sedated coma. He has a stent in his skull to relieve swelling. The doctor told his parents he came to before surgery and demanded to see you. His mom wants you up there if you think you can handle it."I was up and walking out of the emergency room before he finished, my heart pounding a hundred miles an hour. "What floor? I'm not waiting for you to waddle behind me."Snickers came from several of the guys. "I've got her," Molly said."Second floor."The elevator took so long I almost turned to the stairs. I'd do anything to get to him. Brack asked for me and I had to se
I ran toward Brack, who had fallen to the floor. There was so much blood and I tried wiping it off his face. My hands turned dark red."You did it, baby," he whispered before his body went completely limp.Sander and a woman who must be Molly ran into the enclosure with guns drawn. I could barely hear them. Echoed gunshots continued ringing in my ears."Call an ambulance and please someone check on my father. He's in the van," I said as I held Brack's head in my lap. Blood soaked my panties and covered my legs. Head wounds bleed, I kept saying to myself. Sander practically jumped over us and went straight to Ty's body. He turned back when he had assured himself Ty was no longer a threat."Where were you?" I asked softly. I didn't want Brack to hear me yelling at his team.Sander sat down next to me and took Brack's arm checking his pulse. "The bastard used some kind of scrambler. It took us a while to figure out the van didn't leave the premises. We recovered the phones. Brack had
Kids laughed. A mother scolded a young child for attempting to go under the bar and get closer to one of the cages. Brack and I stood in the center of the primate exhibit. My phone chirped. It didn't startle me this time; I was too numb. "Yes.""Walk over to the primate exhibit sign and you'll find another cell phone behind it. Exchange it for the one you're using. Have Mr. Jacobs leave his phone behind, too."Brack followed me to the sign and I did exactly as told. The phone was there. I picked it up and lay mine down. "He said to leave yours, too." Brack took his from his jeans pocket and placed it beside mine. Thankfully, no one paid attention to us. I had no idea what we needed to do next. The phone in my hand vibrated. This time I clicked the call button without saying a word."Go to your left and keep walking on the path. Did you bring my present?" I carried a bag with the dress inside so both of Brack's arms would be free. He carried a gun in a hidden leg holster."Yes, it's
The inside of my father's home was a crime scene. We sat on the couch in the front room away from the forensic team that arrived a few minutes before. The media camped at the gates added to the growing chaos.Even knowing Ty would eventually call, I jumped when my cell phone chirped. The display read "Unknown." My fingers trembled as I picked it up and answered, "Hello, Ty, or should I call you Leo?"His husky laugh sent goose bumps across my arms. "I told you not to call the police. You wouldn't listen and you'll pay for disobedience."My voice remained steady. "It wasn't me. You killed your mother, so what exactly did you expect? She worked for my dad for over thirty years. One plus one equals two, Leo." Fuller and Brack told me not to push him too hard. I had to make him believe I hadn't gone to the police, though."My mother had cancer and it was eating away at her. I did her a favor. She didn't walk in God's light. By making her repent and then killing her God may show mercy."
My heart stopped. Dread and terror filled me. Colors danced before my eyes making it hard to see. The whoosh of blood traveling into my head made it hard to hear. I had to get control of myself. I gulped in air. "You goddamn son of a bitch. If you hurt my father I'll kill you.""He that blasphemeth the name of the LORD shall be put to death and stoned. Remember that when you feel the pain of my hand, Olivia."Brack startled me by gathering me close and placing his head against mine so we both listened. "Where's my father?" I demanded."That's better. I have instructions for you, Olivia. You will follow them to the letter. Please bring that man with you. The one you've been with lately." His voice took on an eerie quality. "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death." He breathed heavily and then gave a sadistic laugh. "You may choose your father or lover to pay for your sins. One shall die and the other walks away.""But-"He
I don't know what I expected love to be like. Violins playing, little cupids flying around with bow and arrows, hell maybe just cuddles in bed for hours. That wasn't what happened the following morning. Brack paced across the carpet of my living room with his cell to his ear listening to one of his men on the other end. He cast a glance or two my way. I could tell before the call ended that he would try his non-communication shit with me again.I was right."What's the news?" I asked the second he lowered the phone.He came over and sat beside me. "Nothing to worry about."I gave him my I'm-about-to-slam-you-with-a-tennis-racquet look. "Bullshit." I was beginning to notice his tells. The fingers traveling through his hair was a sign that he didn't want to enlighten me. I waited.He breathed out a slow and steady breath of air. "Mack didn't see his attacker, but he heard him before he lost consciousness."My heartbeat accelerated. "Okay. Spill it.""Mack told Herman that most of