THE SUN'S DOWN by the time we leave evening meetings. It's been a long first day and things will grow tougher from here. I head to my apartment for dinner and my bed. Carma will have something waiting for me. She's my housekeeper, primary cook, and shopper. She does all the things my mom made me do myself when I was at home. That's why I love Carma so much. She doesn't mind taking care of a man who is more than capable of taking care of himself. She's in her sixties or I might consider marriage just to lock her into the position.The elevator takes me to the tenth floor. There are two large apartments on this floor. A banker owns the other and we occasionally pass in the corridor with a brief hello. I'm new money and he's old. He's rarely here and only uses the apartment to stash his latest girlfriend. I figure his wife is fully aware he's a cheating douche. Not my problem if she isn't.When it's time to finally settle down, I want a relationship like my mom and Ty. Until then, I'll
Jordan also takes a bite. She closes her eyes as she slowly chews. She's not wearing lipstick, but that doesn't detract from the sensuality of her lips. She slowly opens her eyes and puts another bite on her fork. "Lane is helping me on that score. We've got this covered," she says after swallowing.I make a low, deep sound in my throat and my fingers tighten on my fork. I'm surprised the damn thing doesn't bend in half. So this is what jealousy feels like. "Lane, huh?" I ask in a deceptively mild tone."Yeah. You know, the punter?" Her mouth opens and she slips the fork between her lips again. She licks her bottom lip after swallowing the bite and I almost come in my pants. I swear she's driving me crazy on purpose."I know who Lane is." The words slip out much harsher than I planned to let on and Jordan misses nothing.She gives me a closed mouth grin and chews another bite. Very daintily, she wipes her mouth. Hell, I'm fascinated with everything to do with this woman's lips. "I'
AIDEN PATRICKSON IS the most aggravating human being alive. He has a strong mother and two strong sisters and he still can't get over the realization that a woman can possibly play football.I sink back against the couch cushions when the door closes behind his amazing ass. Today's practice wore me out physically and emotionally. Aiden showing up with dinner doesn't help. Aiden might be fucking gorgeous but he's also a class "A" dick.After a long sigh into my clasped hands, I go to bed. Tomorrow will be rougher than today and since I didn't manage sleep last night, I really need to catch a break tonight. I toss and turn for about an hour and then exhaustion wins out and I fall into a deep sleep.My alarm goes off long before sunrise. I splash water on my face and pull on my running clothes and shoes. I decide not to risk the chance that Aiden is waiting for me at the side door and head straight to the front lobby. It's too early for the media to be here, which is a relief. The run
He's being a goof and when he winks at me, I go back to being comfortable with him. "One ass slap after a field goal or extra point is in our rulebook.""The other players have no idea what they're missing.""We'll keep it that way." We banter until we reach the restaurant. Lane comes around the car and helps me out."This will be good for the team," he assures me. "You need to see them when they let loose a little and they need to see you in the same light." He takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze before releasing it. He opens the restaurant door and we enter Dominque's Grill. A section in the back is sectioned off for the team. From the sounds coming from their direction, the drinks are flowing freely.This is a team-only dinnerno family, wives, or girlfriends. This could be the first time a woman has desecrated their season kickoff party. We enter the back area and several players toss out hellos to Lane. Besides the long stares at my body and a few whistles, I'm ignored.
THE TWO IBUPROFEN I swallowed last night have zero effect on my pounding head when I wake up. It's pitch dark in the room because of the blackout curtains, and I slam my hand down on the nightstand trying to find my phone and turn off the loud and insistent alarm."Fuck."Once the sound stops, I turn on the bedside light, squinting into the room with a groan. The bus leaves in forty-five minutes. Thank God I'm packed and ready to go. I take a quick shower, pull on board shorts and a T-shirt, and grab a protein bar on my way out of the apartment. The entire time I'm heading to the bus, small glimpses of my drunk-fest last night flash through my head.I drink a few beers here and there and don't usually go overboard. I have no idea what got into me last night. My lack of enthusiasm for this coming season and my desire for a sexy little kicker could have something to do with it.I should have left the party early like I originally planned. Seeing Jordan all buddy-buddy with Lane flipp
I MANAGED SOME sleep and feel like a new person. I was just too exhausted to search out dinner and my brain needed the downtime. Luckily, I'm one of the few players without a roomie. Being the only female has its perks.A bus will transport us to the practice field at seven-fifteen sharp. It's already hot outside when I head to the hotel lobby for a quick breakfast before leaving. I jump on the bus with a bottle of water and apple that's half eaten. Most of the players are on board and I'm relieved when I don't see Aiden. I assume he is on the other bus. I take one of two free seats up front and Lane joins me a few minutes later. He looks rested too. Nervous energy is in the air during the short bus ride.Lane doesn't say more than a quick hello. I watch the scenery closely on the way to the practice field. Rolling white sand dunes surround the stadium that we'll be calling home for the next three weeks.The stadium isn't as large as our home turf, but it has the necessities and tha
THE LOOK ON her face pushes my cock harder against the zipper of my shorts. Her eyes are closed and her beautiful lips partially open in ecstasy. I've accomplished everything I set out to do this evening."You're not into him, are you?" I ask as I run my fingers along her calf."Into whom?" she moans.Whom, I love it. "Lane," I clarify."Is that what this is about?" She peels open her eyes and gives me a glare. I dig into a small ball of muscle and her eyes close again.I change the subject. "If Kelson becomes a problem, at least talk to Morely. If I hear through the grapevine that you're putting up with shit and not reporting it, I'll handle it myself.""You will, will you?" She doesn't bother opening her eyes this time.My fingers dig in and travel farther up her leg. She smells heavenly. Once I've reached the stopping point, I skim my fingers across the crotch of her shorts. Her eyes pop open and I lean up and kiss her. Her moan into my mouth is better than the others combine
I NEVER IMAGINED in a million years that this many girls would show up at the airport, and it fills my heart to near capacity. Larry being here is another plus. He sent me a text about the fans with pink footballs waiting for me. I didn't receive it until we landed, so I had no time to mentally prepare.Eventually, the crowd dwindles and I'm able to autograph the last few balls. I give Larry a quick squeeze before joining the team on the waiting bus."Fan club finally thin out?" one of the players asks when I board.For the most part, the players ignore me, so I'm surprised there's no animosity in the words. I offer a faint grin and move to the empty seat beside Lane. He puts his arm up. "No big heads allowed in this section. You might want to move to the back."I bat his hand away and sit down. "This big head needed relief from first-game jitters. Now I feel better and oh so popular.""Pink footballs are something I never thought I'd see."A voice from behind us adds, "Yeah. Wha