Play Maker Read online

  “Hi,” she said, her voice a breathy whisper as she turned toward me.

  “Hey.” Without waiting, I reached for her and stole a kiss. She melted into me, and her warmth rushed over my skin. It felt so good to hold her, even if there were far too many layers of clothing between us. “I’m so sorry about yesterday,” I said once we parted. I kept a hold of her waist with one hand while the other went to wipe a trace of wet snow from her cheek. “The holidays are kind of rough for me. You and your family did nothing wrong. I had a really good time.”

  Shelby gave a slight nod, her eyes fluttering down as she looked at her lap for a minute. “I don’t want to pry or anything, but just know that you can trust me, and whenever you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here to listen.”

  I tipped her chin back up, bringing those chocolate brown eyes back to mine. “Thank you.”

  She kissed me and the intensity went through the roof, as though a barrier between us had been broken and we could get closer, touch more, feel more. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer. I needed more. I wanted to taste her skin, explore every inch of her body, and make her cry out my name.

  Shelby pulled away, her breathing ragged as she dragged her fingers through her hair. “Whew. Okay, let’s maybe go somewhere where my parents can’t see us making out like crazy high schoolers.”

  I laughed and put the truck in drive. “Buckle up, baby.”

  She giggled and clicked her seatbelt in place as I pulled away from the curb.

  12

  Shelby

  There were still a swarm of questions floating around my mind, but there was an overwhelming urge—a need—that spoke louder than the unknown. I wanted Ross. In every meaning of the word. I wanted to be in his arms, in his bed, to give him my body for the night.

  Hell, maybe even forever.

  I wanted to know every little thing about him, to see inside the deep, shadowed places that he kept close to his chest. I was willing to wait for those things to be uncovered, but I could no longer ignore the ache I had for him.

  Ross kept one hand on my knee and one hand on the wheel and every minute we drove made me more antsy. I glanced down at his large, strong hand as it rested against my leg and remembered what Maggie said at Christmas dinner. “Big hands, big feet…”

  I wished he would drag that hand up my thigh. Every nerve ending was on high alert, tuned into Ross’s every move, glance, and flicker behind his stormy eyes. The more aware of him I became, the wetter I got. The pressure deep inside was building to unbearable heights and we were barely touching. I knew when we were finally alone, there would be no resisting the undeniable pull between us.

  He turned into an underground lot in the heart of downtown, not all that far from the stadium. I recognized the building above the lot, although I’d never been inside of it. After he pulled into a marked parking spot, we got out of his truck and doubled back toward the elevator. He reached for me and wrapped his arm around my waist, one hand resting naturally on my hip. His touch was so casual, comfortable like a well-worn pair of jeans, but he still managed to light me on fire and spin my head with possibilities. Without saying a word, Ross unearthed my buried fantasies and wants.

  Or should I say needs?

  Inside the elevator, he tugged me even closer against him after hitting the button for the twenty-seventh floor. The elevator rose smoothly, and I savored every moment wrapped in his strong arms. I still felt like I was watching someone else’s life through their eyes. It was almost like some kind of trippy out-of-body experience. As though it wasn’t really me in Ross’s eyes, but some other sexy, sultry, more confident version of me.

  But I liked it. Ross had dug up some hidden confidence that I didn’t even know existed. The stress and drama over what to wear in the time between his phone call and him arriving in front of my parent’s house was all but gone. As soon as we were together, all of my insecurities melted away. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that his eyes wandered like a hungry tiger, just enough to let me know he liked what he saw without being creepy.

  Even as we rode the elevator, silently knowing there was only one reason we were going to his condo, I was filled with nothing but anticipation and desire. Not terror at the thought of Ross seeing my every flaw and imperfection.

  In college, I missed out on real enjoyment and pleasure of the moment because I was lost in my own head. I was determined to not repeat those mistakes with Ross. And something in his eyes told me he’d effortlessly steal away all my thoughts and clear my mind.

  The elevator dinged as it came to a smooth stop and the doors slid open. “After you,” Ross said, smiling as he ushered me out with a hand at the small of my back. God, he was such a gentleman. It was sweet and deliciously sexy. “I’m this way.”

  He directed me to his condo, number 2732, and unlocked the front door with an electric key fob, almost like a hotel room door. A green light blinked, and we stepped inside. Soft lights automatically activated once we walked in, and Ross placed his key fob in a glass bowl that sat in the center of a small table. He took my coat while I glanced around the place. It was fairly small, with an open layout that allowed me to see the kitchen, dining, and living room all from the entryway that was walled off by a low pony wall.

  “Well? What do you think?” Ross asked, hanging my coat on a peg on the wall before removing his own and hanging it beside mine.

  “Not your typical bachelor pad,” I said, craning around to flash him a teasing smile. “I don’t see a single pizza box or beer can. So, you’re miles ahead of most guys I’ve ever met that lived alone.”

  Ross chuckled. “You’ve clearly been dating the wrong guys.”

  I nodded. Truer words had never been spoken. What little experience I did have, was mostly bad and left me wishing I’d just stayed single. “What about you?” I asked, tracing my fingers around the curve of the glass bowl that held his keys. “What kind of girls have you been seeing?”

  Ross stepped behind me and wrapped his hands around my waist, his thumbs caressing my hips. “None that compare to your beautiful heart and brilliant mind. And definitely none that made me feel…” He dropped his lips to my neck and pressed into me, his hardness evident. “…like this.”

  I sucked in a silent breath at the rush of heat that flooded me at feeling his cock pressed against my ass. Shivers raced up and down my body as his lips grazed my neck, kissing and teasing me. He rolled his hips, and I dropped my head back against his chest. “You’re trouble. You know that?”

  He chuckled, his breath warm against my skin. “I could say the same thing. I’m supposed to be studying the playbook. Living, eating, breathing football. But all I can live and breathe right now is you, sexy lady.”

  Damn it, he knew just what to say to make my toes curl. Thank God for these damn boots!

  He released me, only long enough to spin me around and gather me against his chest. I melted into him, neither of us saying a word for a moment. When he pulled back, he lifted my chin and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “I’m glad you’re here, Shelby. Thanks for giving me another chance.”

  “You didn’t do anything to need another chance, Ross. We’re still on chance number one as far as I’m concerned.”

  His eyebrow rose into a smoldering look that made my lady parts tingle and when he stroked his thumb across my cheek and said, “Then, that’s very good news,” I almost lost it. My knees buckled, and I silently prayed I could hold myself up. I’d never had a man make me feel as wanted and sexy as Ross did.

  Never.

  Not ever.

  And I found that I liked—no—loved it.

  He kissed me again, lingering a few seconds before he let me go. “You want anything to drink?” he asked, starting for the kitchen. “I’ve got water, tea, coffee. A couple of hard ciders—don’t tell Coach.”

  I laughed at his expression as he made his way to the fridge. “Cider sounds good. I’ll take one of those off your hands. Keep you out of trouble.
”

  He laughed as I winked at him. “Deal.”

  Minutes later, we both had a bottle in hand and were seated on the couch. I drew my legs up onto the cushion and faced Ross as he sat in the corner where the L-shaped pieces connected.

  After a little while, he set his bottle on the coffee table and pushed off the couch. “So, I know it’s a little late, but I got you a Christmas present.”

  A big smile stretched over my face as he crossed the living room, going back toward the front door. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”

  “I wanted to.” He pulled open a slim drawer built into the cherry wood desk in the entryway where he’d dropped off his keys. “It’s selfish, really.”

  “Selfish?”

  Ross didn’t answer. He pulled an envelope from the drawer and came back to rejoin me on the couch. “Open it. You’ll see.”

  I grinned up at him and took the envelope. It was heavier than I’d expected, and I tore it open carefully so I wouldn’t damage the contents. I peeked inside and pulled out two slick pieces of paper. The first was a ticket to the Knights vs. Cougars game. “This is in New York?” I asked, reading the front of the ticket.

  “That’s what the second ticket is for,” Ross said.

  I glanced up at him and then peeled back the first ticket to see that the second was a first-class plane ticket to New York for the morning of the game. My eyes flew to Ross’s. “Oh, my gosh!”

  His lips rolled inward as he smiled, looking guilty. “Like I said, selfish. I’m really just trying to fill out my cheering section.”

  “Right, totally selfish. I can’t believe I’ll have to endure in-flight champagne, a hit movie, and a warm blanket. Not to mention reclining chairs—all for your damn ego. How despicable!” I teased.

  He chuckled, and I fought the urge to lean into him, to feel the vibrations of his rich, deep laugh. “I booked a hotel suite too, so you’ll probably have to suffer through some gourmet chocolates and fancy wine as well.”

  With a mocking sigh, I rolled my eyes. “The horror! Make it stop! Next, you’ll be telling me about a massage.” I peeked over at him.

  “Is that a hint?”

  “It sure would take the edge off all the other trauma.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  I glanced down at the tickets in my hands. “Seriously, though, thank you.”

  “I hope this wasn’t too presumptuous,” Ross said quietly, reaching for my free hand and holding it in my lap. “I can book a separate room if that would make you more comfortable. Beauman’s lady, Lacey, is going as well. I’m sure you two would hit it off. She’s really cool, works with underprivileged kids here in the city.”

  “Yeah, that’d be great. I’m so excited!” I hoped she wasn’t the playboy bunny type, but I kept my mouth shut. If she was—I didn’t want to sound ungrateful. Not after this fine hunk of man candy just handed me a first-class ticket to his game in New York of all places.

  “Oh, and another little perk of this game?” Ross put his thumb and forefinger up, leaving a tiny space between them. “Chance Beauman is a huge star. Way bigger than I am and he buys luxury box seats.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Well, I don’t really know how New York is set up, but usually, they have a bar, a TV to watch the game up close, comfortable seats, and a private bathroom. And I think they’re catered—and have a heater.”

  “Wow. This is going to be insane. What’s Chance’s girlfriend's name again?”

  “Lacey. She’ll be in first class with you on the flight.” He looked down at our entwined hands, deep in thought, as he softly rubbed my thigh with his thumb. “I’m glad you like it, Shelby. I really want you to be there.”

  His beautiful eyes quickly flickered to my lips before moving back up to my eyes, where they stayed locked, causing me to lose my train of thought. I didn’t think I’d ever had a man look at me the way Ross was right now. He might think his gift was selfish, but it meant something to me that he wanted me there with him, and I could see that sentiment written all over his face.

  “Ross, this is so sweet. I’m so excited to see you play again in person. This is the best pres—” I couldn’t even find my voice to finish when Ross’s hand moved from holding mine to trailing up my thigh.

  He closed the remaining space between us, and I sucked in a deep breath as my body shivered against his solid chest, his hand making its way between my legs at a torturously slow pace. My nipples were hard under my bra, and I ached to be free of the constriction to feel his bare skin against mine. The thought of his rock-hard muscles against my breasts had me squirming in my seat. My thighs clenched tightly around his hand, trying to ease the pressure building between them.

  Ross moved his hand up, across my hip and under my sweater, and I moaned as his rough fingertips scratched my skin. Heat and tension collided as he slid his hand around to my back and pulled me just another inch closer. “Damn, you feel good,” he said, his voice ragged, almost a growl.

  I dared a glance up at him and was instantly lost in the hunger and fire lighting up his eyes. The stormy color had returned, but this time it was richer, like the sky right before a thunderstorm. Anticipation. Desire. Urgency. “Is this really happening?” I whispered, more of a thought than a question.

  Ross kissed me hard and let out an eager moan, leaving no doubt.

  He was real. This thing between us was very real.

  His hand moved up my back, taking his time to explore my body as he continued to kiss me with a passion that shot straight to my core. His lips trailed off, grazing my jaw and nibbling my earlobe, sending a shiver through me as his hand moved around and held my breast, moving ever so slightly as if he didn’t want to break me.

  And God, how I wanted him to break me. Hard. Like a caged animal. My heart beat so hard in my chest, I could barely hear his words.

  “You’re so fucking sexy, Shelby. Do you have any idea?” He teased my nipple again, watching the pleasure play across my face. I bit down hard on my lip to stifle the moan that wanted to escape.

  I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My brain was melting and short-circuiting to the point where I couldn’t trust myself to put together a sentence. Ross didn’t wait. He reached for the edge of my sweater and stripped it away. I shook my hair as he tugged it over my head, letting it fall loosely around my shoulders. Ross smiled at the sight, moving a strand of hair from my face. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” I choked out, blushing at his words. No one had ever been so into me before.

  He pushed me back against the couch, dragging his knuckles across my chest. I shuddered under his touch as he turned his hand and cupped my breast, giving it a little bounce. When he dropped his head down and nipped at it over the thin fabric of my bra, I pushed forward and ran my fingertips along his back before frantically tugging at his t-shirt. Ross straightened up and grinned down at me as he stripped off his shirt, casually tossing it to the floor.

  I blinked twice at his torso—his chest. Every muscle from his shoulders to his abs was solid, defined.

  I ran my hands across his arm, unable to get enough of his solid, smooth muscles that lay underneath. When I reached the lines of his perfectly segmented abs, he sucked in a sharp breath and his eyes fell shut.

  We’d just crossed the point of no return. There was no turning back. As though we both realized it at the same split second, we crashed together in a heap. Ross went to work on my bra, and I tore his belt off.

  Somehow, we made it to his bedroom, a mess of clothing scattered on the floor and frantic breathing, until he had me laid out on the bed. He pulled at the button and then the zipper of my black denim jeans. They were skintight and took some wiggling, but he pulled them over my hips, and I kicked out of them as I perched on the edge of his bed. His own jeans had been left in the hallway, leaving just a pair of black boxer briefs between me and every last inch of his skin.

  Ross met my eyes, and I bit my lip as he reached
for the elastic band. He slid his boxers down his legs and when he straightened back up, it was like watching him in slow motion. Every muscle moved with the fluid grace of an athlete. Honed for his sport. But damn it if he wasn’t made for sin too. His nice-guy persona was completely gone. Stripped as bare as his body was. Back to his caveman side that had its sights set on one thing and one thing only.

  Me.

  He was pure perfection, as though he’d been carved out of marble and granite. Every inch of him. Especially his cock. Just the sight of it had me squirming, waiting for the very first taste.

  Ross’s eyes were just as busy, searching my body, taking in every imperfect inch. “I think you’re overdressed,” he drawled, taking a step toward the bed.

  I choked out a throaty laugh. “It looks that way,” I replied, giving my clothed body a look over.

  “Let’s fix that,” he said, gliding his hands up the outside of each thigh. I shuddered when his fingers curled into the waistband of my panties and stripped them away. He kept his eyes on mine until he discarded them to the floor and only then did he allow himself a look.

  And he looked for a long time. I wiggled on the bed, uncomfortably so, and he reached for my hips, anchoring me in place. “I want to see you, Shelby. Every. Perfect. Inch.”

  I drew in a shaky breath but let him part my thighs until I was completely bared for him. He brushed his fingertip over my pussy, and I almost came undone. “Ross—” I pleaded, biting down on my lower lip to keep from begging. His featherlight touch was not enough. Not even close.

  He slipped his hand back down between my thighs and rubbed his fingers through my swollen lips. “Damn, baby...” he lifted his fingers to his mouth and licked. “so sweet.”