Slamdunked By Love (One on One #2) (14 page)

“Caitlin, you’re throwing good money after bad.” He pointed to the paper she still held. “Look at that estimate. Those are just the most serious repairs. I’m sure there’s a whole list of other recommended repairs, too.”

She hid the invoice behind her back. His look told her it was too late.

“I know you’re concerned about spending money,” he said. “But I’m concerned about you being stranded on the side of the road somewhere, and it not being me who pulls over to help you. You have the same concerns, too. Don’t think I’ve forgotten how you basically accused me of being a serial killer.”

Damn it, she hated when he was right. But she kept her mouth shut. It was one thing to think he was right, it was another to open her mouth and let him know it.

“Not going to say anything, huh?” he asked. He cupped her shoulders with his big hands and squeezed. “Look, I understand being poor and the fear that comes with not being sure where your next meal is coming from or if your parents have enough gas in the car to get you to school and them to work. That’s part of the reason I was so obsessed with basketball. But you can’t let fear win and overrule good sense. You know that. That’s why you have a new car fund in the first place.” He grabbed her purse off the coffee table. “Let’s go.”

“Hey, give that back!”

“Not until we pull into a car dealership and you actually look at a car.”

He held the bag above his head. She glared at him. She would not jump like a dog. She had too much respect for herself. Besides, even if she did, she wouldn’t be able to grab the purse. Being short sucked monkey balls sometimes. Instead, she lifted her chin. “Fine. Let’s go.”

She marched to the door and ignored his low chuckle behind her. She didn’t speak to him when they arrived at his Porsche or when he unlocked the door and she got in.

“What kind of car do you want?” he asked after he slid in.

“Probably a Toyota,” she mumbled.

“Been doing some research?” he asked, the laughter silent but heard all the same.

“Yes. Leave me alone.”

“I wouldn’t dream of messing with you.”

“Unless it’s bullying me into going car shopping.”

“It’s for your own good.”

“Leave me alone.”

“Yes, Ms. Caitlin.” Amusement colored his tone.

She knew she was being silly. This was precisely the reason she’d been saving for a car. And doing research on the car that would offer the best combination of good gas mileage, safety features, and reliability. But letting go of her money, knowing she’d never have it again, made her anxious.

They didn’t speak again until he pulled into the dealership a few blocks from her place. He shifted toward her. “Ready?”

“Sure.” Maybe.

She stepped out of the car. Shiny cars in a variety of hues filled the lot as far as the eye could see. A fire-engine red sedan caught her eye. It sparkled underneath the bright sun like it had known she was coming, and it was making its best effort to impress her. She found herself in front of it, her hands balled into fists at her sides. It was so pretty and shiny, she almost didn’t want to touch it. Thanks to her research, she already knew all its specs and what it could do. The only thing she didn’t know was how she would feel behind the wheel. Great, she didn’t doubt, but she wanted to test her theory out to make sure.

Brady didn’t say anything as she prowled around the pretty, pretty car, studying it from every angle. She maintained her dignity by not pressing her face to the glass to look inside. Dignity, she had it. In tiny, tiny amounts. But the car was so pretty.

An hour later, she drove off in a brand-new car.

And she had Brady to thank for pushing her to do what needed to be done. If it weren’t for him, she’d still be trying to get Hans to work while her money didn’t do what she’d intended for it to do. He’d acknowledged her concerns without belittling them, but still giving her the tough love everyone could use every now and then.

What was she going to do about him? About them? About the fact that her plans to take things slowly had no chance in hell of withstanding the Brady onslaught? Not with the feelings he awakened in her. And if she looked closely into his eyes, the feelings she’d awakened in him.

But she could obsess about that later. She cranked up the radio in her brand-new car. When she arrived back at her apartment complex, she parked next to Brady. He’d already gotten out of his Porsche. She jumped out of her car. “Thank you for making me go and stare down my fears.” She ran around to caress the bumper. “I’m so excited! Look at my baby.”

“Why am I jealous of a car?” he grumbled.

“Aww, you don’t have to be jealous. I wouldn’t have her without you.”

“Yeah?” He snagged her belt loop with a finger and drew her closer.

“Yeah,” she murmured against his neck, wanting a taste. Just a small one. He smelled so good. She inhaled the spicy scent she would forever associate with him.

“Why don’t you bring your mouth to the left?” he whispered.

She did just that. His mouth, that talented eighth wonder of the world, was waiting. She got lost in him, in how he made her feel.

“Let’s take this inside,” he said.

“Good idea.”

“Caitlin.” Her mother appeared out of nowhere. Okay, that wasn’t exactly true. She’d gotten so wrapped up in Brady, she hadn’t heard her mom approach. Her mom’s eyes immediately homed in on the spot where Brady’s hand rested possessively at Caitlin’s hip.

Caitlin froze. Fought the impulse to move away from the man at her side. “Mama, what are you doing here?”

Her mother adjusted the designer handbag on her shoulder. She was impeccably dressed as always in trouser jeans and a sleek green sweater, a matching scarf shot with gold loosely tied around her neck. “I didn’t realize I couldn’t visit my only daughter.”

Guilt wormed its way into Caitlin’s heart. “Of course you can. You usually call first, that’s all.”

“I thought I’d surprise you. I was on my way to the mall and thought I’d see if you’d like to join me. Looks like I’m the one to get a surprise.”

“Brady and I went car shopping,” Caitlin said inanely.

“You did?” Surprise flashed across her mom’s face. She peered behind them. “I see you did. I assume the Toyota is yours and not the Porsche.”

“Right.”

Her mother returned her attention to her daughter.

“I’m sorry. Where are my manners?” Probably buried underneath the chaos running rampant through her brain. “Mama, this is Brady Hudson. Brady, this is my mother, Miranda Monroe.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Monroe.” Brady held out his hand.

To Caitlin’s relief, her mom didn’t hesitate in taking it. “Likewise. I thought I recognized you from that photo in which you seemed to be
very
interested in my daughter in a very public place.”

“Mama.”
Concrete, please open up and swallow me whole.

To his credit, Brady didn’t flinch. “Yes, that photo was unfortunate. I didn’t realize someone was out there.”

“Maybe you should have,” her mother returned coolly. “You are a public figure. People are always watching.”

“Indeed.” Brownie points to Brady for not rising to the bait. He clapped his hands together. “It’s getting late. Why don’t I take you two to dinner, if you don’t mind me horning in on mother-daughter time?”

“That would be excellent.” To Caitlin’s utter shock and amazement, that statement came from her mom.

They agreed on an Italian restaurant a few blocks away from Caitlin’s apartment. Unfortunately, that was the last smooth interaction. They’d barely sat at their table at the restaurant when Miranda spoke.

“Are you toying with my daughter, Mr. Hudson?” It didn’t seem to occur to her mother that Brady was a foot taller and over one hundred pounds heavier than she was. “How many other women are you seeing or should I say sleeping with? You did get into a fight over a woman who isn’t my daughter at a nightclub recently, didn’t you?”

“Mama!” Caitlin stared at her in horror.

Brady squeezed her leg under the table. “It’s okay. No, I didn’t get into a fight at a club over another woman. That was a misunderstanding. No, I’m not seeing anyone else and no, I’m not toying with your daughter.”

“Talk is cheap,” her mom said, her tone casual like they were discussing the weather.

“Indeed it is. Only time and my actions will tell.”

“You are correct.” Her mother picked up her menu and serenely inspected it like she hadn’t engaged in a verbal smackdown.

The rest of the dinner passed uneventfully. Miranda was unfailingly polite, but inaccessible, offering only tepid responses.

“I’m sorry about my mom,” Caitlin said later that night back at her apartment.

Brady shrugged. “She’s reserving judgment.”

Caitlin snorted. “Is that what we’re calling it?”

He lifted her chin with one hand while drawing her close with the other arm around her waist. “Here’s the deal. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what she thinks. It matters what you think.”

“She’s my mother.”
Please understand
, she pleaded with him silently. A message he didn’t seem interested in receiving.

He frowned. “And? She can’t control you forever. You’re an adult. You have no problem telling me what’s on your mind. Why aren’t you like that with her?”

“I don’t want to let her down again. I got involved with an athlete, and it blew up in my face. She was always there for me. Still is.”

“So you’re going to break up with me if she tells you to?”

“No. It’s just—that time was so crazy. I felt like the biggest fool.”

“Don’t you think it’s time to forgive yourself?”

She shook her head. “I almost ruined a marriage. My mom tried to warn me about him, but I didn’t listen.”

“One of the things I admire about you is that you put others first, but that doesn’t mean you should let your mom rule your life.”

“Brady.”

“Look, I get wanting your parent’s approval. I was never what my parents wanted. Look, I get wanting your mom’s approval, but I also know you have to give up on that dream at some point. I was always drawn to basketball. It made me happy and I was good at it. My parents tolerated basketball, but no more than that. They resented the money it cost, the time it took. I got it. We didn’t have a lot of money, but I thought if I could turn pro, it would be worth it. They saw it as a pipe dream. When it became clear that I was headed to the pros, they started paying more attention. I thought finally they loved me. They saw what I had to offer. They came to my games. They cheered.” He shook his head. “Then I turned pro, and the money demands, I’m sorry—the money
requests
started. Just a little at first. I gave it to them because they were my parents, and I wanted them to love me. Like a chump.”

“You’re not a chump for wanting your parents’ love. You should expect it.”

He shrugged. “It got to the point that all of our conversations centered around money. So-and-so needed money. They wanted to buy a bigger house because surely it’s embarrassing for Brady Hudson’s parents to live in a 3000-square foot house. Never mind that I’d paid off the mortgage on that ‘ridiculously small house.’ I did that on my own to say thank you. But it wasn’t enough. It was never enough. I finally got the courage to cut them off.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed. He’d told the story in a matter-of-fact tone with no bitterness, but she knew the situation had killed him. He was still dealing with the scars of their betrayal. “You don’t talk to them?”

He shrugged again. “Once every few months. Very stilted conversation. At some point, I get accused of being a bad son for not sending them a blank check, and I hang up the phone.”

“But you keep trying.”

“Only to a certain extent.” A resolute light entered his eyes. “I refuse to let them dictate my actions. I refuse to be used. By anybody.” His expression softened, a gentle smile spreading across his normally arrogant face. “That’s why I’m lucky to have you. You want me for me with no ulterior motives.”

Caitlin pushed her lips upward, hoping he couldn’t sense her unrest. She should tell him about Mack. But she couldn’t. Not if she wanted him to continue looking at her the way he was. And she did. So much.

Chapter Twelve

“W
hy the hell am I in Milwaukee?” Brady grumbled the following Wednesday.

“Um, because you have to play the Bucks tomorrow?” Caitlin offered.

He glared at her through the computer screen. “Thanks, smart-ass.”

“You’re welcome,” she said with a grin. “Seriously, though, what’s up?”

“I’m bored.” He straightened against the bed’s headboard, his legs stretched out in front of him, his computer resting on his thighs. His white T-shirt stretched across his chest.

“Why didn’t you go out with your teammates?”

“I did. We had dinner, and a few of us came back to watch film. But I kicked them out. Tilly kept talking…chattering. I needed some peace and quiet.”

“You’re talking to me.”

“You’re not people. You’re Caitlin.” He said it like it was obvious. Like she was special and in no way could others compare to her.

Warmth spread through her veins. “What’s stopping you from watching more film?”

“Feeling like I know what play the Bucks are going to call before they do. There’s only so much film I can watch. I’m just antsy. We haven’t played a game in three days, which is weird. I’m ready to go.”

She tucked a leg underneath her on her bed. “TV?”

“I thought about watching
The Wire
again, but I’ve watched the entire series five times. Not in the mood for that tonight. I miss you.”

“I miss you, too.” And she did. She’d seen him that morning before he left, but that recent visit did nothing to dull the sensation that a part of her was missing. She bit her lip as an idea occurred to her. Could she do it? Did she have the nerve? “I can think of something that won’t bore you.”

His brows lifted. “What? Got a pirate joke for me?”

“Not tonight.”

“Then what?”

She kept her eyes on him as she wiggled.

His eyes widened. “Are you…?”

She held up her shorts. “Yeah, I am.”

“Caitlin?” he croaked. The only way to describe the sound that came out of his mouth.

“It’s time to stop dreaming, Brady,” she said, looking him dead in the eye. He’d joked about this once before, but she hadn’t forgotten. She’d do just about anything for him. She set aside her laptop, making sure the webcam faced her. She rose on her knees and whipped her T-shirt over her head, leaving her clad in a matching blue bra and panty set, and nothing else. “What do you want me to do, Brady?”

His gaze swept her figure, missing nothing. She felt the look like a caress. His eyes darkened. “Do you trust me to make you feel good?” His voice had deepened.

“Yes,” she said simply. Calmly.

“Take off the bra.”

Her eyes trained squarely on his, she reached behind her. A second later, she drew the bra down her arms. “Now what?”

He didn’t answer right away. “I love your body.” His eyes traced every curve. “Your breasts. Your hips. Your skin. I wish I was there to lick you all over.”

A tremor of desire coursed through her at the erotic promise. “Next time.”

“Count on it. Your breasts always taste so good. I love when your nipples go hard in my mouth. Touch yourself.”

“Where?” She grazed her neck and shoulders with the tips of her fingers. “Here?”

“Lower.”

Her fingers slipped to the upper slopes of her breasts. Skimming the skin there. Tracing the outline of the mounds.

“Don’t play with me, Caitlin.”

Her nipples tightened at the command in his voice.

His tone went amused. “You like that, huh? Looks like a certain part of you doesn’t like all your teasing. Touch your nipples, Caitlin. Imagine it’s me doing it.”

Her eyes fluttered closed, his words washing over her. Like they had a mind of their own, her fingers wandered the few inches south and touched her hard nipples. A shaky moan slipped through her lips at the first contact. A delicious dart of desire lined its way between her legs. Brady loved touching her breasts, playing with them, sucking them. She loved when he did it.

“Just like that, baby,” he murmured.

She rolled her right nipple between her index and middle fingers. She pinched her left nipple with her other hand. Ribbons of lust unfurled in her. Her legs pressed together in a doomed attempt to control the arousal rampaging through her system. “Brady.”

“Don’t close yourself off from me. I want to see everything. Take off your panties.”

She stood on shaky legs only long enough to do as he’d demanded, then lay back on the bed and opened her legs for his view only. She was wet, her inner thighs slippery with want. He could see everything. How wet she was. How close she was. She hid nothing from him. She couldn’t even if she wanted to. He saw her. He got her.

His voice, dark and compelling, washed over her. “That’s what I want to see. It’s time. Touch yourself.”

She needed no further direction. Her hand slipped down to the area between her legs. She found her clit, which was begging for mercy, and squeezed. A flood of heat rippled through her. She felt so empty. She needed relief. But only at his direction. Her eyes opened. The fire in his eyes scalded her. She licked her lips, forced them open. “I need you, Brady.”

“I know, baby, but you’re going to do this by yourself. Go ahead.”

Caitlin slipped a finger inside her, her flesh eagerly clamping around the digit. She pumped once, twice, but it wasn’t enough, so she added another finger, scraping across her nerve endings. A little better. She settled into an intoxicating rhythm, her bliss just out of reach. Wanting it to be him filling her. She moved her hips in counterpoint to her fingers, wanting to make it good for him. Sending a new wave of pleasure through her system in the process.

A garbled groan had her eyes flying to the computer screen. Brady’s chest heaved like he’d just completed five wind sprints in a row, his wild eyes focused on her. She did this to him. She added a third finger, stretching herself. Adding to her pleasure. Yes. That. So good. Too good.

Caitlin gasped. Brady’s answering groan let her know her actions were appreciated. Her clit was begging for attention, so she circled it again with her free hand, teasing herself.

Pleasure twisted inside her, tighter and tighter, until she started to shake with the need to hold it in check. She was so close.

His voice washed over her. “Do you like me watching you pleasure yourself?”

“Yes,” she moaned, pressing a finger against her clit.

“Come for me, Caitlin.”

She did, the orgasm sweeping through her body, over and over in undulating waves. When the shaking finally stopped, she drew in a breath. “Thank you.”

“It was my pleasure, believe me.”

Maybe, but he looked tortured, his eyes wild, his mouth drawn tight, his chest still heaving. She drew up, curling her legs behind her. “It’s your turn.”

His eyes darkened. “What do you want me to do, Caitlin?”

“Do you trust me to make you feel good?”

“Y
es,” Brady said simply. Calmly.

“Take off your clothes.”

He whipped his T-shirt and shorts off.

“Man, I love your body.” Her eyes slipped down his frame, boldly leaving no doubt to the truthfulness of her statement. She stopped at his erection and licked her lips. “Especially that part.”

His cock jumped like an eager puppy waiting for a treat.

“Did I cause that?” she asked.

“You know you did.” He’d nearly gone off like a rocket earlier, but he hadn’t wanted anything to distract him from watching Caitlin find her pleasure.

Her lips curled into a magnificent, wicked grin. “Good.”

“I can’t wait until I see you in person. I’m going to make you pay.”

“Promises, promises. Don’t you think you should take care of that first?”

Holding her gaze, he wet his palm with some pre-come seeping out of his dick and then grabbed himself. Taking care of himself was nothing new, but having Caitlin’s hot, covetous eyes on him, knowing she could look, but not touch, ramped up the eroticism about ten notches. He pulled hard, the way he liked, the action sending a fresh wave of arousal through him. He gritted his teeth. Tingles crept up his spine, then spread to all corners of his body.

“Keep going,” she murmured.

He did. He worked harder. He squeezed. He was rough. He used both hands. His balls drew tight as he reached close to the end. He alternated his strokes, harder, then softer, trying to prolong the ecstasy. The agony.

“I wish it was my hand, my mouth on you. Licking you. Sucking you. Taking you all.”

Shit. Was she trying to kill him? Caitlin’s mouth was pure magic. Remembering her pleasuring him—how she looked on her knees, how she made him feel when she put her talented lips and tongue to work on him, the sensual look in her eyes—was his undoing. He came with a hoarse grunt, stars exploding behind his eyes.

Sometime later, when he returned to Earth, he immediately sought out his computer screen. Caitlin watched him with a satisfied-with-herself grin on her face. She’d covered that magnificent body of hers with a sheet. Too bad. He’d never get tired of seeing it, worshipping it.

“Hey, stranger,” she said. Her eyes slipped down to where he had softened, but was getting harder under her perusal.

“Hold that thought.” He gathered the strength to rise from the bed and head for the bathroom.

“Hmm, the back view is almost as nice as the front. Tight, round ass.” She let out a wolf whistle.

Brady stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder at the computer. “Are you objectifying me?”

“Yes.” She nodded eagerly.

He grinned and continued on his way. He grabbed a towel and cleaned himself up, then returned to the bedroom and drew up his shorts.

“You don’t have to do that for my benefit,” she said.

“I’m doing it for myself. That was…”

“Incredible?”

“Yeah, for starters. I can honestly say I’m no longer bored.”

She laughed, unabashedly. Freely. Like she did everything. Holding nothing back. Her eyes sparkled. Her skin was radiant. She was radiant. So caring. So giving. So Caitlin.

“I love you.” The words slipped out before he could stop them. He didn’t want to anyway. They were the truth. She made him feel again. Made him realize that he could let people in. He didn’t have to hold people responsible for what others had done to him. He was so lucky to have her. The decision to pull over to help her was the best decision of his life.

Her laughter cut off abruptly. Her eyes widened. “What did you say?”

“I said I love you. You’re everything I’ve been looking for and never knew I wanted.”

She blinked. “That’s, that’s—”

“I don’t expect you to say it back. At least not yet. But you will.”

“I will, will I?”

He’d never been surer of anything in his life. “Yeah. I’m done pretending you don’t mean the world to me. Our relationship might have started out as a means to an end, but we’ve moved so far past that. What we have is the truth.”

A smile, stunning, spread across her face like she could no longer contain it. Like she had no desire to do so. She pressed her fingertips to her computer screen like she could actually touch him and trace his features. Her eyes shone with joy. “Why the hell are you in Milwaukee?”

C
aitlin moved back and forth in front of her desk. Stupid office. It was way too small for pacing, but it was all she had at the moment, so she’d have to make do. For at least the tenth time, she reached the end of the room and turned and headed for the other side.

“Caitlin?” Noelle asked. “Are you going to tell me what’s up? The room isn’t that big. I would think the pacing would get old after a while.”

She stopped mid-step and faced her best friend. Noelle was perched on the edge of her desk, the concern in her eyes belying her light tone. “Brady said he loves me.”

And hearing the words, remembering how he looked when he said it, sent her pacing again.

“Oh.” Noelle sounded stunned. “That was fast, but okay. Seems like it was only yesterday that you were telling me y’all had decided to take your relationship from fake to real.”

“I know, right? At first, I was shocked, then he said some really sweet things, and I was all ‘aww.’ Now I’m freaking out.”

“I assume by the way you’re acting that you don’t feel the same way.”

She stopped again. “No. Yes. I don’t know. He’s so not what I thought I wanted except he is. We’re so good together, and I care about him. A lot. But to say ‘love,’ you know that takes a lot for me.”

“Is he pressuring you to say you love him?”

“What? No.”

“Then what’s bothering you? Something obviously is.”

Caitlin flopped down in a chair and buried her face in her hands for a second. “I’m keeping something from him.”

Noelle settled in the matching chair. “From me, too, I’m assuming, because I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You’re right.” She took a deep breath. “I found my father.”

Noelle’s mouth dropped open. “You did? How?”

“I found a letter he wrote my mom. He’s Mack Jameson.”

Noelle’s eyebrows did their best to leap off her face. “As in the Stampede coach?”

“Yes.”

“Wow.” Noelle reached for her hand and squeezed. “How are you handling this? Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I’ve had some time to adjust.”

Noelle studied her for a second, then nodded. “Okay, but what else aren’t you telling me?”

Noelle was her best friend for a reason. She could read her like a book. “I wanted to get close to Mack to get some intel to expose what a fraud he is, which is the real reason I agreed to pretend to date Brady. I planned to write a scathing tell-all column and publish it on Zach Brantley’s website.”

“Wow. Okay. This is a lot to take in.”

“It is, and I know you’re going to say that wasn’t the healthiest way to handle the situation.”

Noelle sighed. “Which is why you didn’t tell me.”

“Which is why I didn’t tell you.”

“Is it too optimistic to assume you’re having second thoughts?”

“I don’t like lying to Brady. I have conflicted feelings about Mack. Brady loves him, and from what I can tell, he’s been great for Brady. But I can’t forget the hard times growing up. I can’t forget how he abandoned my mom without a second thought.” She took a deep breath. “But blindsiding him like this doesn’t feel right either. I’m finally ready to admit that. The column is finished, but I haven’t been able to press send. I kept telling myself it needed tweaking, but that wasn’t it.”