Offside (67 page)

Becky didn’t kiss him in front of the cameras. They wouldn’t announce what they had to the world and he understood that. But she did something even better. Once they were in the hall leading away from the ice, she motioned for Casey to go with Zach.

She pulled off his gloves, dropped them, then laced their fingers together. A few players lingered by the rink door, others down the hall, all cutting off the press, giving them some privacy. His heart pounded as he gazed into her warm grey eyes, and he finally got what Zach had been saying.

Forever. Forever to make this woman happy. To be the man she needed because he couldn’t expect her soon to-be husband to pick up his slack. Together they could—they would—give her more than either could alone.

“I love you, Scott.” Becky drew his hands up, kissing their clasped hands. Her eyes repeated the words with so much intensity his breath caught. She smiled, rising up on her tiptoes to reach his lips. “I was waiting for the right time to say it.”

“It’s always the right time, Becky.” He kissed her, freeing one hand so he could delve his fingers into her hair, holding her still so he could kiss her harder. Deeper. He smiled against her lips. “I expect to hear it often.”

Becky laughed, smacking the center of his chest. “You jerk. You’re supposed to say it too.”

“Am I?” He chuckled, hauling her back when she moved to storm away. He kissed her cheeks, the tip of her nose, the length of her throat, breathing hard because he really didn’t think just saying it would be enough. His voice was rough when he spoke again, trying to put all his feelings into those three simple words. “I love you.”

She was crying again, those happy tears that messed up her makeup even more, making her look as undone as when he made love to her. He dried her tears with the sleeve of his jersey, keeping her close to his side as they headed to the locker room. Maybe those words
were
enough.

Because he meant every single one.

T
his night had been planned for a week—or so the men had told her as they’d left the forum after the game—but Becky had no idea what to expect when she stepped into the club. In the day-to-day flow they’d eased into, things had become so . . . normal. She’d made love to Zach, quietly in her bed. Had a quickie with Scott in the shower after washing the calamine lotion from his body. Wonderful, all of it, but there was nothing kinky. Nothing besides their relationship going beyond the status quo of one man, one woman, to make what they had any different. Not even a threesome to add a bit of spice.

Then again, she hadn’t expected the proposal either. Her men were sneaky, and she’d come to love their little surprises. Whether it be flowers, stolen kisses between the three of them behind closed doors after a press conference, or a sudden trip to a BDSM club.

But . . . at the same time, she wasn’t sure what they were doing here. Zach hadn’t given any indication that he wanted to be her Dom again. She’d tried to regain his trust by being open about her insecurities. By sharing everything from her bitterness about Patrick losing interest in his daughter, to how she felt when he spent the night in the basement with Scott, instead of sleeping by her side. He’d been quiet for a while after she’d admitted she wished both he and Scott could sleep with her but was afraid of the questions from Casey if she came in and saw them together. Then he’d told her to do whatever she felt was best, with a subtle reminder that Casey was perceptive and would ask about the three of them either way. Becky had to be prepared for that.

And maybe she was.

Sometimes she worried that he’d get tired of her going on about
everything
, but all she saw in his eyes was compassion. And, more importantly, his reservations about their future had slowly dissolved until none remained. Clearly, since he’d placed his ring on her finger, committing himself to her for the rest of his life.

The rest of
our
life
.

She couldn’t help but be a little concerned that Zach would want to play here, the first time it was the three of them together. It made her feel horrible to think she’d damaged his confidence so much that he’d feel the need to be supervised to do a scene with her. She’d never hide from him again. She’d done her best to prove that.

“You better get rid of that worrywart face before Zach decides to start the night off with a spanking,” Scott whispered in her ear as he took her long, white wool coat. He shrugged off his own jacket, then handed both over at the new coat check that had been built near the door, narrowing the once open entrance. An influx of new people vying for membership had Tim—who was temporarily running things for Dean—making a few changes to protect the privacy of the players who made up a good third of the regular attendees. Becky took a deep breath as she peered into the darkened club, seeing little more than the bar from where she stood.

You don’t belong here.
Becky stiffened her spine, even as Zach’s past words made her steps falter. “The way you play is downright dangerous.” He’d been right. But she’d changed. Learned from her mistakes. A tiny, sharp voice in her head thought otherwise.
Have you? Really?

With a mental sock stuffed in to shut that voice up, she gave Scott a sly look. “If he’s going to spank me, it won’t be because I seem worried about something.”

“Oh really?” Scott grinned, drawing her away from the entrance to the bar where he sat and stood her between his parted thighs. He unbuttoned her silk blouse, then stroked the bare expanse of her stomach with his fingertips, making her shiver at the frisson of pleasure. “What are your intensions, my naughty girl?”

“You’ll see, Sir.” Becky dropped her gaze when she caught Chicklet glancing over at her from behind the bar. She couldn’t help but feel like every Dom in the place was watching her, like that little voice had spit out the sock she’d stuffed in its mouth to laugh and whisper that they needed to. Because she couldn’t be trusted.

I’ll show them. I’ll make my Master proud.

If he ever wanted to be that to her again.

“Hey, lovebirds. Wanted to say congrats.” Luke came over, a lot of swagger in his walk even though he was wearing nothing put a pair of low-riding, snug silk boxer briefs, his feet bare, a decidedly submissive outfit. He winked at Chicklet when she met his gaze with a hard one of her own, as though assessing his behavior. Chicklet shook her head, grinned, then came over to serve the drinks Scott ordered. Three shots of tequila. Luke stared at Scott, then tapped his finger by his shot glass. “Uh, I really shouldn’t . . .”

“You get to play with my man, I get to corrupt you.” Scott gave Luke an easy smile as he lifted Becky’s wrist to lick it. He sprinkled salt on her wet skin, then held her wrist out for Luke, his lips brushing Becky’s neck as he spoke. “Taste her. She’s delicious.”

Luke shuddered, his gaze still on Scott as he licked the salt. His tongue was hot on Becky’s flesh, and for some reason, having Scott hold her while Luke had his mouth on her had hot liquid pooling in her core.

“Open.” Scott picked up Luke’s shot glass and tipped it to Luke’s lips, a positively wicked glint in his eyes. He put a possessive hand on Becky’s shoulder when Luke’s gaze shifted to the exposed swell of her breasts above her cream-colored bra, then fed Luke a lemon slice. “One shot for courage. You better go. They’re waiting for you.”

“You sure you’re not a Dom?” Luke asked, sounding a little breathless as he dropped the lemon slice on a napkin. “’Cause . . . damn.”

“Naw, I’m pure vanilla, boy.” Scott chuckled at Luke’s doubtful look. “Can’t you tell?”

If that’s true, I think vanilla just hit the top of my favorite flavors.
Becky squirmed as Scott idly traced the waist of her suit pants, fiddling with the top button.

“Right. Vanilla.” Luke snorted. “With sprinkles, chocolate sauce.” His eyes glistened with amusement. “Maybe a few nuts.”

“Ha!” Scott watched Luke as he drew Becky’s loose hair over one shoulder. He undid the front clasp of her bra, brushing aside her hands when she moved to stop him. “I don’t envy your nuts tonight, pal.”

“
Niño
.” Sebastian called. Luke turned, a flush spreading across his skin as Sebastian gave him a hooded look. Sebastian pointed to the spot beside where Jami knelt at his feet. “Come.”

“Fuck, I think I’m gonna.” Luke mumbled before quickly crossing the room to kneel in front of his Master.

Scott pressed his hand to Becky’s cheek, bringing her gaze back to him. “We have a few minutes before we have to go. Pretty slaves get their drinks last, right?” He cocked his head as he lifted her bare breasts in his hand. “I think I’ll take my time with mine.”

“Go . . . ?” She whimpered as his thighs gripped her hips tight and he flicked his tongue over one nipple. Then the other. A sprinkle of salt and his mouth was on her again, the sensation of the salt adding a slight scrape to the smooth press of his lips. He sucked her nipple into his mouth, holding her still as her knees buckled. The zip of pleasure traveled down like a sharp electric pulse straight to her clit. Moisture dampened the plain white panties she’d worn under her pants.

He gave her other nipple the same attention, then dipped his finger into his shot glass. Sucked it dry. Eyed her as he tipped a quarter of the liquid over her breasts. “I don’t drink and drive, but I can’t leave you all wet.”

He squeezed the lemon over her breasts, lapping up the cool droplets as they drizzled down. Then he kissed her, his mouth sweet and sour all at once, making her taste buds sizzle almost as much as her skin.

“Lick.” He offered her his palm. His skin tasted fresh and clean from the shower he’d taken after the game. She eyed him as she took her time running her tongue over his rough flesh. The control he’d displayed so far faltered a bit. His hand wasn’t quite steady as he shook the salt shaker over his hand. She sucked rather than licked off the salt.

Her shot of tequila burned all the way down. Every single inch of her was aroused. She pulled at the lemon slice he brought to her mouth, using her lips and the gentle press of her teeth to show him what she’d do once she had her mouth on him.

“Damn, woman.” Scott stood, his arms still around her to keep her close enough to feel his erection through his pants. “Keep it up and I won’t wait for Zach.”

“We have to, Scott. Tonight, I need—”

“I know. So do I.”

Zach returned from where he’d been speaking to Sebastian, his eyes on her as he took hold of Scott’s wrist and sucked his fingers. Then he pressed her against the bar and lowered his head to clean the droplets of lemon and tequila Scott had left on her breasts and stomach. He rose to kiss her.

“Get the keys to Ford’s bike, Scott. I’m ready to go.” The edges of Zach’s lips quirked up as Becky stared at him, confused. “You didn’t really think we’d share this special night at the club, did you, little doe?”

“Actually, I did.” Becky dropped her gaze to Zach’s shoes, not sure she could take the disappointment in his eyes once he heard how badly she’d misjudged him. “I hate that I made you feel lacking as a Dom. But I know I did. And—”

“No, Becky. I let myself feel that way. We’ve both learned a lot about one another since then. I’m not perfect. I can’t read minds.” He tapped a fingertip under her chin, then waited for her to meet his eyes. “You’ve made it clear that I don’t have to. I want this for us. Want what brought us together. And so much more.”

“I was scared that I’d ruined it. I couldn’t stand to see you here, feeling like you needed to be watched over with me.” She gave him a hesitant smile. “So we aren’t staying? Why is Scott getting Ford’s bike?”

Zach leaned against the bar, a crooked smile on his lips. “Because I left mine here and he needs a way to get where we’re going. Do you remember the dream you told me about? You on my bike, both of us touching you? The dream aroused you until I told you to forget everything else. As though you had to choose between your life and what we share?”

“I remember.” She hadn’t liked telling him about that dream. How could anything positive come of it? But she didn’t keep things from him anymore. She whispered her thanks as he did up her bra, then her blouse. Being dressed made it easier to talk openly. “I know you’d never ask me to do that—”

“Yes, but it’s a shame to waste such an erotic setup. We’ve both been working to replace some of Scott’s negative memories with good ones. Scott and I plan to do the same for you.” He rested an elbow on the bar as Scott returned with Ford. “Are you ready?”

“I’m not sure
I
am.” Ford fisted his keys in his hand. “You sure this man can drive, Zach? My bike’s my baby. Scott’s my friend and all . . .” His eyes narrowed at Scott’s frown. “Hey, I saw footage of you ripping up the side of a rented Camaro against a brick wall street racing. Sorry if I need a second opinion from someone sane.”

Becky smiled, snuggling close to Zach’s side, liking Ford a little more for his assessment of her Master. Maybe he was smarter than he looked.

“You have it, Ford. He’ll get your baby back to you without a scratch on it,” Zach said, slapping Ford’s shoulder. “That aside, how are things going here? You feeling it?”

“Ah . . . let me get back to you on that. Experiencing everything from the side of a sub is a little weird. It feels wrong.” Ford took a deep breath as Chicklet called out for him to take a tray to a waiting table. “The Cobras and their crew are enjoying this way too much. Becoming a Delgado came with a price. Mason sends his order back one more time and I’ll—”

“I wouldn’t suggest you doing anything besides saying ‘Yes, Sir.’ He’s one of the most respected Doms here.” Zach gave Ford a pointed look. “And he knows
exactly
why you’re doing this.”

“Yeah, well he can go fuck himself.” Ford grumbled, picking up the tray Chicklet slid across the bar. “With all due respect. Which I won’t repeat.”

“Good idea.” Zach casually slung his arm over Becky’s shoulder, grinning when she shivered at the proprietary gesture. “Most of us have been through this, boy. If you’re meant to be a Dom, this will make you a better one.”