Game On! (Seaside Heat) (7 page)

“Scored yet?” Dugan removed his helmet and wiped sweat from his face in the morning heat. The thermometer had already pegged ninety-five degrees on the practice field.

“Heard from your NYC lay?” Heath shot back, still huffing from the last offensive play.

“She called yesterday. Said she’d talked to Jordan. Sounded happy that you guys were hitting it off. You get Jordan a season ticket yet?”

He pulled the front of his jersey, adjusting his shoulder pads. “Yep. Didn’t mention it though.”

The coach shouted from the sidelines. “One more run-through and wrap it up, girls. Shower and then we’ll watch some footage.”

A few minutes later, Dugan sat next to Heath in the team’s meeting room. “I found an apartment on the strip.”

Heath frowned. “Don’t do this on account of me, Dugan. No need to press your finances until you know you can make it.” The man would probably have made it onto the team in Texas were it not for conduct reprimands for drinking and gambling debts.

“You don’t trust me.” His eyes darkened.

“I don’t want to see you blow a good thing. You helped me when I needed it, bro. I’m only returning the favor.” Two years older, Dugan was the brother Heath never had.

“You’re right. It’s easier to avoid temptation when I gotta come home to my bitch every night.” He pounded him on the shoulder.

A player sitting behind them laughed. “Aww, are the sweethearts fighting?”

“Fuck you.” Heath tossed back.

“He wishes, baby!” Dugan turned to the guy, laughing, and pumped his hips. The room erupted in obscene remarks and gestures.

“Sounds like you guys are ready.” The coach stepped in the room and cut the lights to show the game footage.

* * * *

Jordan pushed the lawnmower over the last diagonal strip on the front lawn. She’d rather have a house on some acreage with trees shielding nosy neighbors than being so close like her parents’ house.

The oppressing morning heat already had sweat soaking her shorts and tank. The Tritons probably cut their morning workouts short. She missed lacrosse. Gym time and Zumba kept her in shape, but it wasn’t the same as being part of a team.

After sweeping grass off the mower, she parked it into the garage. Tipping her insulated mug, she guzzled the last of her iced tea. Since she seemed to be forgotten by the media, she’d debated applying for the field hockey coaching position at the high school where she taught. Although she loved lacrosse, her reputation persuaded her in that world. She could easily learn field hockey before the end of the summer. The distraction would take her mind off the increasingly emotional game with Heath.

Once the league strike resolve and the Tritons’ season ended, he’d likely return to Texas. Or, he could go home to South Carolina. Either way, the game would end.

Planning something for their after-summer fun might save her from missing him, which she already did. Sex with him was as addicting as a drug. After kicking grass off her old sneakers, she headed into the house.

Should she call him? His deep voice always soothed her. He’d texted he’d missed her yesterday. Back in her room, she plucked her cell off her disorganized desk. Quickly, she tapped out,
U done with practice? Hittin beach to wk o/tan. Would enjoy a sunbathing buddy.

Then, she donned a bikini and stepped out to the pool, hoping to calm her nervous energy with a few laps before checking her phone for a reply.

* * * *

A vibration shot up Heath’s side as he dropped his bag into the Jeep. Ready to head home, he hoped it was from Jordan.

He checked his phone. Would he like to be her sunbathing buddy? Hell, he’d love to be her everything buddy.

Should he play it cool and make her wait a few minutes before answering? Ahh, the games of men who sought to mate. Luring a woman, and then keeping her interested without appearing needy or a total egotistical dick. The balancing act was as narrow as a laced thong but nowhere near as fun to navigate.

He turned on the radio and ran through a few new team plays, committing to memory for tomorrow’s practice. Before he finished, fantasy plays with Jordan overtook his thoughts. Naughty naughty. If he wasn’t careful, next time he’d wind up in the end zone with no time left on the clock.

Easy does it. Slow things down until she completely trusts you.

He replied to her message.
See you at the beach house in a few.

* * * *

Jordan pulled into Heath’s driveway.

The Jeep’s back gate was open. He stepped from beneath the house wearing a Texans t-shirt slit open on the sides to the waist.

As he carried the cooler, muscles flexed along his ribs. Her mouth watered. She met him and gave him a big hug.

He turned the brim of his ball cap around, leaned close and nibbled at her lips. His masculine essence mixed with a minty flavor. A hoarse whisper followed. “Hmm, missed you.”

“Ditto.” His sweet kiss left her lips tingling.

Glad you texted me.” He held her gaze.

“Thought you might want to cool off and relax after such a blistering practice.” And she hoped for some fun time as well.

“Thoughtful too. You’re racking up points.” He loaded her beach bag and chair.

“Which beach?” She hopped onto the passenger’s seat. “You feeling social today?”

“Yeah, I wanna show off my date.” He winked.

After a short drive, they parked and found a spot near the crowded Virginia Beach shore. Flat without dunes or vegetation the commercial beach lacked the laid-back vibe of Sandbridge.

“Did you come here a lot when you were a kid?” Heath set up their chairs.

“Dad usually took us to Sandbridge. Not so many tourists. But I usually come here with GiGi. She likes to hunt. Or did.”

He chuckled. “Has she returned from New York?”

“Texted me last night. Your bro was on his way over.”

“Figured. He left the house smelling like a bottle of cologne.”

She laughed. “Well, do you want to walk the boardwalk a bit?”

“Sure.”

She retied the knot on her tie-dyed beach cover-up.

“You looked fine in just your suit. He winked and took her hand.

He never seemed to be in a hurry. His laid-back nature calmed her without trying. They ambled along the boardwalk. Opening up to him came easy.

“Do you ever visit the Outer Banks?” He slipped his arm around her waist.

She grinned. “It’s my favorite getaway. For a couple of weeks each summer, we used to rent a place. I’d hoped Dad might eventually buy a house there.”

“Your mom doesn’t like it there?” Heath squinted.

“You are intuitive, Mr. Eighty-seven. Not high society enough for her.” She clutched his bicep.

“I’ve never been. Could I persuade you to give me the Jordan Walker tour? Maybe over a weekend? All expenses paid, of course.” A dimpled grin, wooed her.

The man certainly knew how to crack through her defenses. “Absolutely. For now, let me buy my sunbathing buddy lunch. I’m sure you’re starving.”

“Lunch will only stave off my real hunger until we’re alone, darlin’.” He snugged her against his hip.

She bet those baby blues were smoking behind his shades.

The sweet aroma of Italian sausages, onions and peppers led them to the nearby truck vendor.

“Is here okay?” Heath glanced at the short menu. “I haven’t had one of these in forever.”

Jordan giggled. “Fine with me.”

“Which kind do you want?” He got in line.

“My treat, remember?” She stepped ahead of him.

She’d rather have Heath served on a bun instead. Was her lust-crazed demeanor from being pent up too long? Now that her scarlet letter stigma had faded, she needed to explore activities her former lovers had found too adventurous. He was shaping into a perfect playmate to help her shed her inhibitions. “You want a six or twelve inch?”

He laughed. “The bigger the better, baby.”

They lunched on a bench along the boardwalk while people watching. “I’ve never been to a big city like Houston.” She sipped on her lemonade. “Do you like it there?”

He finished the last bite of sausage. “Too much traffic. I grew up in the suburbs near Folly Beach in South Carolina. Houston is too far from the ocean for my tastes. I liked the people though.”

“What do you think of Virginia Beach so far?”

He smiled.

“Be honest.”

“It’s growing on me.” He traced along her cheek.

Back on the beach, she worked sunscreen over the peaks and valleys of his sculpted back, imagining seductive play. “I avoided dating jocks in high school, even though I played a sport. Wanted a different type of guy, I guess.”

Heath glanced back. “An intellectual?”

“Maybe I thought they’d be more faithful than my get-around brothers.”

He turned and took the tube from her palm. “It’s the man, Jordan, not the profession.”

“It was a hard lesson.” And not one she wanted to repeat.

His muscular arm snaked around her and tugged her back against his chest. He caressed the shell of her ear with warm lips. “Baby, I want to help you forget that time in your life. I would never intentionally hurt you.”

His gentle assurance rang true. Another layer in her resistance cracked. Later, as she lay dozing, His hand covered hers protectively. The idea that he might leave after football season didn’t sit well.

Time to speed up their play clock.

Dusk had descended when they returned to the beach house. Heath held open the door to the outside shower. He lifted his shades. If she invited him to join her, he’d take the offer. “Would you like me to bring you a cocktail?”

“Bring whatever you’d like and we’ll share.” Jordan’s honey-brown eyes turned soft and inviting.

“Are you trying to seduce me?” He gave her a heated stare.

“Hoping you’ll wash my back.” She ran a finger down the center of his chest.

“I do all types of detailing, darlin’.” He smiled.

Heading upstairs, he counted each step, attempting to cool his libido. Inside, the air conditioning wicked perspiration from his heated skin continuing the process. He poured tequila, triple sec and lime juice into the blender then grabbed some ice from the freezer.

Would she spend the night if they made it to the bedroom? There’d be hell to pay at tomorrow’s practice. He needed to stay focused to remain on the team. Plus, if he got bounced from the Tritons, she might end their game. He returned with the drink and handed it to her.

Jordan sipped. “Yum. Margarita.”

Moving behind her, he directed the warm water over them and licked the back of her neck. “A little salt for the rim. Ahh” He took a sip. “Glad you didn’t start without me.”

He unhooked her suit top and tossed it on the shower seat. Molding his body to hers, he reveled as her head lolled back on his shoulder. A sign of trust. He soaped her breasts in leisurely circles while her firm peaks begged for attention.

“Mmm.” She reached back and ran her hand along the back of his neck.

Heath teased the tight buds between the tips of his fingers wondering how far she wanted to take this.

Then she hooked her fingers at the sides of her bathing suit and wiggled out of her bikini bottom.

Vixen. “Ahh, what you do to me.”

“What do I do to you? Make it
hard
for you to concentrate?” She rubbed her butt against his straining shaft.

She had no idea. “You make it hard for me in a lot of ways. I woke up this way in the middle of the night after dreaming about you. This afternoon, when I was doing my best to memorize the new plays, all I could envision was sex-play with you, baby.”

He slid a hand around her hip and between her thighs. He was dying to hear her scream his name.

She moaned and faced him. “So what’s next in your playbook, number eighty-seven?”

With a mischievous smile, he answered, “Be a starting tight end.”

“You certainly are in my opinion. Care to give that tight end a workout?” She traced around his waist and gave him a playful smack on his ass.

Playing dirty amped his desire. “If we do this now, then the game is up. What then?” He frowned.

Smiling, she reached for his trunks and ripped open the Velcro fly.

His cock greeted her impatiently as warm water sluiced down his belly and snaked around his balls. She stroked his length then backed those sweet cheeks against him. “There’s more than the traditional sex.”

The move lit him to a fury. Holy shit! The teacher had no idea how naughty he was willing to play. “You can’t be serious.”

“Or is that piece of anatomy not in your playbook?”

He wanted every part of her in his playbook. “Baby, we can put it into play, if you’re so inclined.” He growled and slipped his cock between her wet thighs. Sleek and soft. He pumped a couple of times.

Jordan seized and gave a worried frown over her shoulder. Had she considered that she’d pushed him too far?

He laughed, palmed her belly and drew her back to his chest. “Careful of your play calls, darlin’. I don’t want to be thrown out for a penalty.”

She snagged a condom she must have hidden on the soap shelf and ripped open the package.

Close to eruption and barely able to think, he scolded her. “Jordan.” She couldn’t be considering back door.

She turned in his arms and gave him a sultry look. “Just letting you know there’s still a sneak play left after the standard run up the middle.”

“Jesus woman.” He already ached from stroking between her cheeks.

She giggled and closed her fingers around him. With her other hand, she capped his tip and slowly unfurled the condom over his length.

Heath clasped the back of her head, found her lips and savored her like melting chocolate. How simple it would be to press her against the shower wall, raise her legs and plow his raging heat into her weeping pussy. The urge nearly overpowered him. Instead, he sat on the shower seat and drew her onto his lap.

With her thighs straddling his, she rubbed her clit against length, grazing her nipples against his chest. “So hard. Damn.”

And ready to launch. “So wet.”

He wanted inside of her more than he wanted to breathe.