We dropped our clothes in the laundry room and then took a long, warm shower. Soap led to caresses and caresses to more. I was beginning to think everything with Killian led to more. We were too tired to watch a movie, so we went straight to bed after I braided my hair to ensure the wet mass wouldn't dry hairy scary. Killian patiently watched me and then as soon as we climbed into bed, he slowly removed the hair tie and unfurled my handiwork."Argh, you must like the Medusa look on me.""Hmm," he said tiredly and pulled me in close.His musky, just-washed scent surrounded me as I closed my eyes and fell asleep.The alarm woke me up."It's Saturday," I mumbled."You don't run on Saturdays?"I rolled over expecting him to next to me, but Killian was standing beside the bed dressed in sweats. I squinted with tired eyes and noticed the brush in his hand."Sit up."I tried to pull the sheet over my upper body, but he stopped me. I shouldn't have bothered, but I chalked it up to sle
The entire day was glorious. We watched a movie after dinner and when the movie was over, we walked hand in hand to his bedroom. I'd lost count of how many times we'd had sex that day. My body ached in all the right places, and I was surprised when he settled me in close and turned off the light."Tomorrow could be difficult for you," he said into the darkness.His voice had that low, husky timbre that made me think of sex. "Difficult how?"His tone went serious, but stayed low. "I have a game-day routine and it's pretty intense. I don't talk a lot and I need you to hang with it.""I could go home in the morning and go to the game later. I really don't need to be here."He pulled me in tighter. "I want you here.""Okay. I'll hang." I snuggled in as close as I could, glad I wouldn't be leaving tomorrow.With just a touch of light shining through the windows, I woke up to gentle suction on my nipple and Killian's fingers delving between my thighs."Is this part of your game-day r
Thankfully, Malory waited. No one else was in the skybox. She threw her arms around me and I realized I so needed some form of human connection. She pulled away and we sat down so she didn't need to crank her head back to speak with me.She wore a different team jersey, not quite as flashy as the one from the previous week, but she still looked gorgeous."I can just imagine how you feel on your first game day with Killian," she said enthusiastically."How do you know I'm with him?" She laughed. "The entire team knows you're with him. Don't be a fool; this is the biggest gossip going at the moment."Heat traveled over my cheeks, which only made her laugh harder."So why would Killian having a woman with him be gossip? It's more likely him not having a woman would add more to his rumor quota."Her face took on a secretive look. "Don't get me wrong-Killian dates lots of different women."My stomach clenched, but she went on."What he doesn't do is hide them at his house and keep
Much like the first game, Killian only played until he made a touchdown early in the first quarter. There was no blown kiss this time, and his intensity for the game only seemed to increase. He stood with the head coach talking for the remainder of the first half.During halftime, I took a walk with my friends on the lower level where we eventually checked out one of the crowded pro-shops. Amanda and Malory talked me into a team jersey with number "twenty" and "MacGregor" on the back. I don't know why I worried, but I couldn't help thinking it might bother Killian. We made it back to our seats when the third quarter started. When the final whistle blew, I was past ready to see Killian.He drove the four of us to dinner, and I had no idea where that was going to be until we pulled up at Tillomans."You okay with coming here?"I didn't have a problem, though as far as my co-workers were concerned, my dating Killian would be out of the bag. I gave him a shy smile."Yes, but I hope
"I like your friends," Killian said into the quiet car after making sure Amanda managed to get out of the stadium parking lot.He squeezed my fingers slightly and then kissed the back of my hand, his lips hot against my skin."I'm glad, and very sorry Amanda put you on the spot."His gravelly chuckle made my thighs clench. "Wait until you meet my mother. She'll know your shoe size within thirty minutes.""I have big feet, so that's kind of harsh.""Your feet are perfect, but I agree with Amanda." His grin went a little crooked.I rolled my eyes. "This can't be good.""No, I don't think it is. You tend to think poorly of yourself. Mind telling me why?"Here it was-our first in-depth personal conversation. How I wished I'd asked the first question.I took a deep breath before speaking. "I was taller than anyone I knew by sixth grade. I grew so fast that my coordination didn't catch up fully until around sixteen. I remember falling in the hallway once. My books went everywhere an
I wanted to believe him, to erase each insecurity. I wanted to be beautiful for Killian.His tongue made small circles against my back and then my side as he moved around my body. He was still on his knees and made it look graceful."Put your hands on my shoulders and watch the mirror. Keep your eyes open; just watch." His commanding tone held sensual promise.He lifted my left leg and moved it over his shoulder. I gripped his flesh hard then harder still when his tongue licked the flesh between my thighs."I love the taste of you." He did it again. "I enjoyed spending time with your friends, but god, I wanted to be here, doing this. It's becoming impossible to keep my hands off you." His fingers tightened slightly. "Watch the mirror."My eyes drifted down so I had to jerk my head back up. One finger slid between the lips of my pussy, but I couldn't see what he was doing. I felt it. I looked at my flushed face, staring into my own eyes. Killian loved my body. He didn't see the awk
He dropped me at my apartment Monday morning and another slow week began. It was harder to leave him this time and he didn't make it easier. We almost had sex in his car, in broad daylight.I went to work Wednesday night receiving sly glances from my co-workers. I actually didn't think they expected me to come in. It hurt my pride a little that they would think I didn't need a job just because I was dating Killian.Thursday night, I was back in my favorite hangout spot with Amanda and Lyle. I remained on the inquisition side while they double-teamed me again."You're flying to his game?" Lyle asked in a controlled voice."Is there something wrong with flying to his game?"Amanda took over. "No, nothing wrong, but this is going pretty fast and we're worried about you."I wouldn't tell them that I said those same words to Killian."I'm a big girl now and I love you both, but my eyes are open." Liar, liar pants on fire.They knew better, and just looked at me."I'm changing the s
A driver picked me up from my apartment and drove me to the airport late that afternoon. He handed me my plane ticket and waited while I checked in at curbside. I tried to give him a few dollars."Mr. MacGregor took care of everything, ma'am. Have a safe trip."Killian's money bothered me.I needed to let the negative thought go, so I decided to treat this trip like a mini-vacation. My parents gave me an eReader as a Christmas gift two years before, so I downloaded the newest book by my favorite author. One of the only things I didn't like about college was the guilt I felt if I read for pleasure. Study, study, study was my mantra.Of course, Killian bought me a first-class ticket. I felt truly spoiled, and after a brief argument with my subconscious, I again decided to enjoy myself.The plane arrived in Seattle late that night. Killian had told me another driver would pick me up at the airport; my heart skipped a beat when Killian stood waiting outside the terminal. He looked del
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