Chapter 11

Zora

“Dad,” I exclaimed. “Would you calm down?”

“How can I calm down when my daughter is gallivanting around Philadelphia with a known playboy in this industry in a goddamn dress? Did he make you wear it? Shame you to wear it? You always wear your uniform. I didn’t even know you owned a goddamn dress. I’m calling your brother so I can get in there to have a conversation with this asshat. I don’t give a shit if he’s filthy rich and as big as the Rock. He can bounce those pecs at somebody else’s daughter.”

It was not my intention to laugh, but I did because that was a perfect example of how big Harvey was and he could bounce his pecs. I’d seen it several times.

“Dad, you’re not calling, Morris. You do realize I am thirty-fucking-seven and grown, mind you. I have been on my own for a long time now. I can and will take care of myself. And no, he did not make or goad me into wearing a dress. I’ve had it for years and never had an occasion to wear it and then I did. Okay, mystery solved.” I shared with the man who taught me how to cuss three ways from Sunday.

“Fuck,” he snapped. “If you’re thirty-seven that means I’m old as shit.”

“Dad, really?” I shook my head.

“Girl, do you know what you’re doing?” His voice grew low.

Malcolm McCoy was a man’s man, who raised both me and my brother as if we were both boys. I dressed and looked like a boy most of the time. I also played sports, video games, tackle football and dug worms out of the mud like my brother. It was an easier life that way, for all of us. Shit, life was easy.

However, there were times when my dad didn’t know what to do with a girl. Periods, hair, boys and definitely shopping. So, he kept it simple. Took me and my brother to the unisex salon, where they braided my natural hair and cut his. Morris and I wore similar clothes all the time. He had the school teach me about my period and threatened most boys by having a talk with them. This was life in the McCoy household.

Now, when he gets the low tone, it’s when he’s out of his depth. The strong man is out of options and looking for a rope.

“Dad, I’m fine, and I know what I’m doing.” I tried to calm him down. “You didn’t raise a fool.”

“You’re definitely not that.” He laughed. “Ready to take this season and turn it on its head?”

He was changing the subject.

“Yeah, we’re working hard.” I shared. “We’re going to make it, this year. I feel it.”

“I feel it too, Zor.” He was just as excited. “This is the year. Everything you’ve worked for is coming.”

I could hear his grin over the phone, and I grinned too. Despite the things my dad actually called about, the one thing that was never in question, he was my biggest fan. The loudest, the greatest, and if he didn’t have so much chest hair, he would have painted his body with my name and colors like the college kids did at games and run around the entire stadium. In high school, he’d been ejected from a few games where the referees weren’t calling a fair game. In college, he was only ejected once, but that’s because the university fans were crazier than he was. I think Dad, secretly was their leader. He’d never share.

“So, when do I meet this fella?” he asked, changing the subject again.

“When it’s time,” I answered.

“Fair enough,” he replied. “I’ll be at that opener on Saturday.”

“Oh good.” I smiled. “I’ll see you then, Dad.”

“You will. Take care.” He hung up.

I settled back at my desk and prepared for practice. We were three days away from the season opener. I rubbed my neck as the small ache reminded me of the pulse between my legs that Harvey had ignited weeks ago. The small indents in my skin from his teeth spoke the ownership he definitely had over my body. With each touch of his teeth mark, I could feel my pussy clinch. The man was good; a lady had to give him that.

Without thinking, I picked up the phone and called his office line.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he answered on the first ring. “How are you feeling?”

“Horny and achy,” I replied.

“Fuck,” he lowered his voice. “Can you take a lunch break? I can fix all of that in an hour.”

I burst out laughing at his seriousness.

“I’m not playing,” he said with a sober tone.

“I know you’re not.” I continued to laugh.

“Sweetheart, don’t get me riled up at work like that,” Harvey said in a low tone. “You know I put my duty to please you at the top of my priority list.”

Shit.

I chuckled, but it was not funny because, mother fucker… Harvey was right.

“Hey, I got to go. I just wanted to hear your voice.” I was retreating.

“Wait,” he put the phone down and I heard him tell people to give him a few minutes.

Shit.

“Zora,” he called.

“Yeah, I’m here.” My heart skipped a beat.

“Everything alright?” Harvey asked, not missing much of anything coming from me.

“Yes, everything is fine. I didn’t want anything, just running my hand over the bite mark on my shoulder and it made me think of you,” I shared.

“Fuck, did I hurt you?” He rushed.

“No, no. It was a good thought.” I laughed. “A horny one.”

“Oh, you like when I mark you?” he asked.

“I guess I do.” Glad that I wasn’t facing him because he would see how uncomfortable this conversation made me.

“Noted,” Harvey commented with that devious tone.

He would definitely be marking more of me as soon as he got a chance.

“Okay, I have practice and an event tonight. We’ll meet up tomorrow?” I asked him.

“Shit, I forgot about that event.” I heard his computer turn on. “Uh, let me get back to you on that, but I’ll check in with you tonight. Okay?”

“Yup. Okay. Later,” I said.

“Later.”

The line went dead, and I made my way to start practice.

****

The art show featuring female athletes in all their glory was actually, pretty nice. I thought it was going to be a bunch of naked women holding balls. Thank goodness, it was a lot more sophisticated than what I imagined. Women of all shades, sports and various positions posed in different stations. Displaying their strength, determination and focus.

It was beautiful.

I was admiring the volleyball station with a woman high up in the air, with her arm back about to spike the ball over the net. She was tall and fit, with muscle strength in every aspect of her exposed body. Calves, thighs, butt, stomach, arms and even her neck. Her goal was clear, and the blown-up image, the size of a floor to ceiling painting, made the images, more than life-like.

It made them magical. 

“Beautiful,” the words were whispered in my ear, before strong arms wrapped around my stomach pulling me back into a large frame.

The funny part was I knew that smell, that strength and possessiveness anywhere without even having to look.

“Harvey, what are you doing here?” I leaned into his body.

“Enjoying the show,” he said. “I minored in art, you know.”

“I did not know that, Mr. Black.” I wrapped my arms around his. “Why are you here?”

I knew the answer but maybe I just wanted him to say it out loud.

“You know that already, sweetheart.” He nuzzled my neck with his nose.

Yeah, he would keep me waiting until he was good and ready. I was about to turn around and shock the hell out of him, when I heard a catty, unfamiliar female voice.

“So, the rumors are true. The great Harvey Black has fallen.”

I turned around to see a tall, slender but very fit woman who looked oddly familiar.

“Ciara, nice of you to taint this party,” Harvey commented in a cold and removed tone.

She narrowed her eyes on him and said, “If you’re here, it was already tainted. I mean, that’s what you do right. Taint shit, and move on, like it had nothing to do with you.”

I turned to Harvey and said, “I’m going to get some wine, would you like something?”

There was no time for an old lover’s spat in my space and time. That I was making clear, and he could settle whatever he had with the nasty woman.

“You should probably hear this,” the woman, Harvey called Ciara, said.

“No, actually your issue is with him, so deal with him. I have nothing to do with this.” I tried to go but Harvey held me.

“Actually,” he interjected, “Ciara’s issue is with herself and not me. Hence, what kind of woman comes to a public event to make a scene in front of a man and his woman after years of not seeing that person?  See, sweetheart, that’s not my problem, that’s hers.”

The woman’s mouth stood wide open as Harvey moved us toward the bar. When she regained herself, she had some choice words to shout but then people were looking at her like she was crazy. Which, she might have been. Harvey made a great point about the type of people that do shit like that.

“Sorry about that, sweetheart,” he said after handing me the glass of wine. “Some people go out of their way to be bitches.”

I nodded and took a sip of wine, but then I asked again.

“What are you doing here?”

His eyes leveled on mine before he answered, “Seeing my lady. Is that a crime?”

“No,” I said. 

“Then, what’s with the interrogation?” he asked.

“No interrogation, Harvey. I just wanted to know why you decided to come,” I noted.

“The season is about to start, Zora. I know your schedule will be fucked. So, I wanted to make sure I could maximize on my time with you before the Lady Vikings take over my woman. I have two days left and I plan to use every damn moment.”  He trained his eyes on me with a determined gaze.

This man would not be deterred and who was I to get in his way. Therefore, I put my wine glass down, stood on my toes and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“Okay, lover.” I smiled. “Let’s go see the hockey section, and then, take me home, so you can show me how you can maximize that mouth on other things besides talking.”

A swift slap to my ass, had me crashing into his body. His hand remained there as Harvey smirked his normal, my name is Harvey Black and I won’t be stopped, facial expression. I, for one, knew it to be true, but a reminder was in order.

We went to his house because it was closer. We hadn’t even made it through the door fully before, Harvey had my arms trapped in my suit jacket. He ripped open my blouse, causing buttons to fly everywhere and then he pulled down my bra and started to nibble on my erect buds with his teeth.

Goddamn, it was fucking everything.

He carried me to his massive bedroom where Harvey began to unbutton my pants and slide my panties off me. Like the man said, he put his action where his mouth was and brought me to two orgasms before I could even get the damn jacket off.

“Harvey,” I moaned as I tried to move my hips along his face.

“Fuck. Your pussy is so damn good.” His tongue swiped from my asshole to my entrance. “I swear I’m addicted.”

He stood on his knees, took off both his dress shirt and t-shirt, pants, boxers and knelt before me in all his naked glory. Harvey was definitely a man of means and I mean thighs like tree-trunks, a cock big enough to make a woman close her legs because she was scared it wouldn’t fit and his solid, massive chest. Well, that just made me want to cuddle up and let him take care of me.

Fuck.

He’d gotten past all my defenses. I was actually thinking about cuddling with him, which we did all the damn time.

He grabbed his rigid cock and squeezed the shaft.  The glistening pre-cum rolled down. Without a thought, I licked, and wrapped my lips around his bulbous head. Harvey fisted my hair with both hands and began to fuck my mouth. I gagged and slobbered and after a fucking wet mess, he stopped and wiped my mouth with is finger before placing it in his mouth.

“You made such a mess,” he whispered with low, predatory eyes on me.

Before I could respond, he pulled my legs in the air. Harvey’s big dick split my pussy lips, and he thrust inside me.

Good God.

He cleaned the dribble around my face with his tongue before he claimed my lips with a searing kiss. God, this man was so fucking nasty. I loved it. I could hear the sounds from him pounding into me, and the slaps of his thighs against my skin slick with sweat.

I moaned, reaching my third orgasm, before he came inside me with a loud roar. He collapsed alongside my body and brought me with him.  I laid there, spent and sated.

“Fuck, woman. You’re trying to kill me,” he muttered.

“Oh no, I think it’s the other way around.” I chuckled as my eyes closed.

I couldn’t be certain but I swear he said something about ‘never’ and ‘love you too much’. He could have said, ‘love it’, but I was too far gone to sleepy town to even think about asking what he said.

By the time Friday rolled around, our practices were less intense, since our big game was the next day. The ladies were amped and I swear we were ready. Justine and Sasha were equally excited and there was a buzz amongst the entire team. This was going to be our year, and we knew it.

That night was the season opener for the Lady Warriors and though I hadn’t discussed it with Harvey, I came, along with Sasha, Justine and my captains. We were late and missed the tip off, but it was as a scouting effort for both teams but also in support of him. The ladies knew what it was about and still supported me in that, which I appreciated.

“Girl, the team looks better in two weeks than they did last year,” Justine whispered to me.

She was right, which made me think Harvey’s firing of Prentice was genius. They were a much better team and to be honest, he should receive kudos for pulling that off.

“You’re right,” I answered as I watched the team and found myself cheering when they scored or took the lead.

Hell, we all cheered.

Somehow, we were visiable on the telecam, because Shaw, one of our players participated in the dance off. Then they spanned the camera to capture all of us and blew our damn cover.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we have members of the Lady Vikings in the building. Give them a round of applause,” the announcer shouted.

Shit.

So much for scouting them out, secretly.

“Sorry, Coach,” Shaw said and sat down. “The music got me caught up.”

We all laughed but then a security guard came down and said, “Hello, Lady Vikings. Mr. Harvey Black would like you to join him in the Owner’s box.”

“Oh, hell yeah.” Justine climbed over me and so did Shaw, Joyce and Sasha.

“Ms. McCoy,” the security guard said as an invitation, but I swear the man might have picked me up if I didn’t leave.

“Right,” I picked up my popcorn with the drink and followed them to the owner’s box.

When we walked in, there were a lot of people in there already but the first body I saw moving toward me was Harvey.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming,” he greeted me with a huge smile before wrapping his arms around me and kissing me on the lips in front of everyone.

I swear, everyone stopped speaking at the same time and turned to stare at us. This did not stop Harvey who continued to keep his arms around me.

“We were supposed to be on a secret mission.” I gave Shaw a look, who had sense enough to bite into a hot wing and look away.

“Scouting, huh?” He laughed.

“Something like that.” I buried my head in his neck and put my arms around him.

Someone gasped but Harvey just laughed and whispered in my ear, “Busted, huh?”

I nodded and tried to hide deeper into him but he pulled my head back.

“It also didn’t help that you were cheering louder than our regular fans,” Harvey murmured against my lips.

My mouth quirked up in a smirk, before I sarcastically whispered, “Go Warriors.”

To this, Harvey burst out laughing before kissing me out right with tongue and all. The entire box had gone silent and not because I was in a daze but because every single person, wait staff and all, had their mouths open and starting openly at us.

He turned us around and said, “Sorry, sorry. Eat up and enjoy. My lady surprised me, is all.”

I, on the other hand, looked at no one, especially my team, because they would never let it die.

“Come on,” Harvey said, “I want you to meet some people.”

Tucked under his arm, we walked over to an older couple and I almost stopped because I knew by the regal look of the gentlemen, who they were.

“Zora, this is my mother and father. Ralph and Amanda,” Harvey introduced me. “Mom, Dad, this is my lady, Zora McCoy.”

Well, fuck me.

“Yes, I can see. Nice to meet you.” Harvey’s father stood to shake my hand. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

The man was as big as Harvey, big in the upper chest area but not quite like his son. He stood tall, and it was apparent, he had been in the military. He still had the cut and posture of an army man.

“Oh honey.” His mom stood but she wouldn’t take my hand. “I want a hug.”

Her small frame enveloped me and she held on for a long time. When she finally pulled back, I said, “Nice to meet you both.”

“You’ll have to come over for dinner soon. How about next Sunday?” His mom dove right in.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am, but I’m not—”

“Mom, she’s a coach, her team is travelling the next few Sundays.” Harvey interjected as I swiveled my head to him.

“You know my schedule?” I asked.

“Damn right,” he noted.

“Son,” his father said in a warning tone. “Not in front of your mother.”

“Sorry, Mom.” He nodded in her direction.

“Well, she has to eat sometime,” Mrs. Black said in a pleading tone.

“How about we look at the schedule and plan for dinner within the next two weeks? How about that?” He reasoned with his mom.

“That works. Two weeks, Harvey,” She warned and then turned to face me. “You hear?”

“Yes, Ma’am.” I nodded with a smile.

“Okay, you too. Go enjoy yourselves,” Mr. Black interjected, probably to free us of anymore dinner hassle.

Harvey took me around the room, introducing me to his staff, friends and other colleagues. They all looked at me in amazement or shared how they liked my coaching style. Some even noted they were hoping I had joined the Warriors after Prentice. I just smiled and laughed, I was a Lady Vikings and we were already warriors.

When we circled around to my team who were openly watching and talking amongst themselves, it was my turn to introduce him.

“Ladies, this is Harvey Black, and Harvey this is Sasha and Justine, my Assistant Coaches and my two team captains, Joyce and Shaw.” I introduced the circle.

“Hey Ladies, I’m Harvey Black, her man.” He held out his hand to shake each of theirs as they burst out laughing and instead of letting me pull away, he tucked me deeper into his arm. “She’s shy.”

“Her ass ain’t shy,” Justine commented, “She’s whipped.”

“Shut up,” I hissed.

“Yeah, Coach. She’s ain’t lying.” Shaw nodded. “He put his arms around you and you melted like a piece of chocolate on the concrete of a scorching day.”

Oh goddamn.

Harvey laughed, while I glared at Shaw and said, “You want to start tomorrow?”

“Fuck.” She looked at Justine and Sasha, who burst out laughing at the player’s expense.

“Stop, Zora.” Harvey kissed my temple. “Ain’t nothing wrong with being whipped. I know I am.”

I looked up at him and said, “Can you stop adding fuel to the fire?”

“Nope.” He looked at me with that knowing smile. “Plus, I like seeing you squirm. It’s hot.”

“Oh hell.” I shook my head. “Well, I guess that’s enough scouting for today.”

I clapped my hands, and they all looked at each other with smiles.

“We’re not leaving,” Justine said.

“Nope, and neither is she.” Harvey pulled me farther into him. “Let’s go.”

I followed the man as we sat off to the side watching the game and discussing it in hushed tones.

“You ever think about owning a team?” Harvey asked me.

“No, not really. Maybe when I’m through with coaching,” I shared.

“You’re an excellent coach which would make you an exceptional owner,” he said. “You’ve got an eye for the game and often see what others don’t.”

I smiled and looked back at the game. The Warriors scored, and we all jumped up in excitement.  The basket tied the game in the last minutes before the time out break. Harvey grabbed both my hands and said, “You know I’m smitten with you, right?”

I held his gaze, and I answered, “Yes, I know.”

“Good.” He nodded before he said, “Don’t break my heart.”

My entire body went tight as the big man exposed a huge part of himself without a warning. Not what he would do if I did break his heart but the fact that I had his heart. He was leaving it up to me and that was not Harvey’s M.O. He danced to the beat of his own drum and if you did not follow, then it was fuck you. Not here. This or us. He was saying it was up to me. Not him. He was vulnerable, and I was his weakness.

Without a thought, I touched the side of his face as I felt the soft hair from his beard against my palm. We held each other’s gaze for a while and that was when the buzzer rang with the Lady Warriors winning by a foul shot.

The moment was officially broken, but I hoped he understood that I was in the same boat. 

That evening, we remained in our perspective homes. I told him I needed to have a clear mind and not full of Harvey Black. He did not like that one bit, but said, that he understood. Tomorrow was our big day, and that was my prime focus and it had to be.  This year was ours for the taking.

*****

The tip-off was perfect and orchestrated as planned. Hightower was 6’7 and would easily dominate Liberty’s starting center. We scored the first basket and their coach nearly lost her mind. I’m almost certain she said something about ‘this was a semi-pro team’, but I ignored her ass. We had a lot of work to put in. By the end of the first half, we were down three points and Shawn was three of six from the foul line. She used to be zero for six, so this was an improvement. Joyce was pumping the girls up, reminding them about all the hard work we did. Justine was getting into the ears of her guards and Sasha was down at the bottom, showing Hightower, Shawn and the other forwards how to best move their big players on the other team. I remained focused on the overall game, while everyone played their part.

Six minutes before the second half was over, we were down twelve points, so I held up a T with my hands for a time out.

Bringing the ladies in a huddle, I said, “We have six minutes left. You know what we came here to do and I don’t care if that is the dream team over there, we came here to do something. You remember that. We have a plan and we’re all on board. You got this. I know you do. Now show them you do.”

Joyce started our saying with everyone hands in the pile, “We play hard,” and they all chimed in, “we work harder.”

The Lady Vikings went back out there, scored ten points back to back, after a couple of steals, rebounds and a turnover on their part. We were down two points and I yelled, “We came here to do something. Let’s do it.”

Joyce nodded at me and they went on another six-point spree with two minutes left. Our bench started to chant, “Defense. Defense. Defense.”

I paced up and down the floor, sometimes running with my team, yelling for them to pass the ball and not commit any turnovers. Shawn went up for a rebound and their center fouled her. We were still up by four points with one-minute left in the game.

“Fuck,” one of our players shouted.

I turned and snapped. “You put faith in your teammates. If not you, then who?”

That had them all chanting for Shawn.

“You got this girl… Do it Shawn… Up and easy.” Someone shouted.

Shawn looked at me and I nodded toward her. She bounced the ball three times, went up on her toes and missed the basket. The shot was too short.

“It’s okay… Next time… Jump.” The ladies shouted.

She looked at me and I said, “Remember what we’ve practiced, Shawn. It’s already there.”

She dribbled the ball three times, squared the ball so her elbow was at a ninety-degree angle and this time she jumped when she released the ball.

Nothing but net. 

We were up by five points.

The Liberty ran the ball down the court, shot a three, made it with forty-five second left in the game. As soon as we tried to take it out, they fouled Joyce, our point guard. She shot two for two from the free-throw line and I called my last thirty-second time out.

Once we were all in the huddle, I said, “They’re going to try to get another three, which will put them within two points of the game for us. What we’re going to do is switch players. Shawn, you block the person bringing in the ball, Hightower, you block the person getting the ball. You three are going to stand back near the half court line and you a little farther back. They get no threes. You two get all in their damn faces. Fluster them, steal the ball and score. Do you HEAR ME? They get NO threes.”

“No threes,” they repeated.

Joyce started our saying with everyone hands in the pile, “We play hard,” and they all chimed in, “we work harder.”

They ran out, changed up the play according to how I called it, and low and behold, Joyce and Hightower were so big, the guards didn’t know who to throw it too because the Vikings were jumping up and down in their face. This caused a turnover where Hightower tipped the ball from a sloppy pass thrown inside. Shawn caught it, went right up for the layup, made it and was fouled with fifteen seconds left.

Our whole bench jumped up and yelled, “And one!”

The place erupted as the fans cheered for us. Lucky for us, it was a home game.

The Lady Vikings were up by seven points and Shawn was on the foul line again.

She looked at me, and this time I said, “Show them what we came here to do.”

She nodded, bounced the ball three times, squared up and hit nothing but net. Bringing us up by eight points. The crowd grew wild and even with the final attempt of trying to get a three off, the Liberty lost to the Semi-Pro Lady Vikings by eight points. We slapped hands with the other team and at the end, the Head coach said to me, “Well played, Coach. Can’t believe y’all pulled that off.”

“Nice game, Coach,” I commented.

“I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon.” She smiled. “Looking forward to having to play against you on our court.”

“The Vikings don’t—” I started to answer her.

“Not with the Vikings, Coach.” She laughed. “You’re far above a Vikings coach.”

She patted my back and went to her team’s locker room. A few reporters, which was odd, came up to me after the game and asked, “How does it feel to win against a Pro team for your season opener?”

The light, camera and microphone were in my face, almost blinding me.

“I can’t lie, it feels great. The Liberty played hard and I know they’ll have a great season. Tonight, the Lady Vikings came together like we’ve been working on and pulled a win. I’m proud of them. It feels great.”

He started to ask some more questions, but I said, “I have to go congratulate my team. They played their tails off, but I can talk more after that.”  

“Okay, Coach.” The reporter smiled, before he turned back to the camera. “You’ve heard it here first, directly from Coach Zora McCoy, a proud coach waiting to get to her team and congratulate them for their unanticipated win.”

I walked into the locker room and all the ladies were still jumping up and down, throwing water on each other and smacking Shawn on the butt for the clutch points.

“Ladies,” I yelled over top of them until they quieted down and listened. “Y’all played with heart today. You played with dignity. Fuck the ‘semi’ in front of our leagues name, you played like professionals. You should be proud of yourself and this is only the opener. This will now put everyone on notice. We’re coming to play and taking names. Meaning, they’ll be prepared for us. So, we can’t stop now.” I smiled at them. “Shawn, way to shoot out there today. All of y’all. I’m so proud of you, I can’t even tell you how much. Nobody expected us to win, but we knew.”

I give Joyce the nod and she yells at the top of her lungs, “We play hard!”

Then everybody yells, including me, “We worker harder!”

They started yelling again, but we were hushed again, when Pete knocked on the doo. He asked, “Everybody decent?”

The ladies started laughing but none of them were shy that was for sure.

“Decent,” we called.

“Hey guys.” He was all smiles. “Shit, y’all just told this whole damn league don’t sleep on a lady Viking.”

We all started laughing.

“Coach, great job out there.” He looked at me; his eyes genuine. “Ladies, man, y’all keep playing like that, we may need to get another stadium. Keep up the good work. I just wanted to congratulate you.”

“Thanks Pete,” they called back in unison.

“Zora,” he said in a low voice. “You got a minute?”

“Yeah,” I answered and followed him outside.

“A few reporters are here and they want to speak to you. I’m not sure where the media coverage came from but it’s a great opportunity. I’ve talked to some but they’re waiting on the lady of the hour.”  

I nodded.

“Okay,” I answered and started walking toward the arena.

“Zora,” Pete called.

“Yeah,” I turned back around.

“Are we good?” he asked. We really hadn’t talked after his apology.

“Yeah.” I gave him a nod. “Japan has eased my angst.”

He laughed out loud and shook his head. I really did not like to hold grudges, but I would never forget. That was for sure.

When I walked out to the arena, reporters were talking with the one and only Harvey Black. This halted my steps a bit but when a few heads swung my way, he turned to me and smiled before announcing, “There she is.”

“Coach, coach,” some of them called.

I walked toward them and said, “One at a time, please. You.”

I pointed to the first one on my right and I repeated this after answering each of their questions until they thought they had everything. When they left, Harvey moved toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist before he kissed me on the lips and said, “Congratulations, Coach.”

“Thanks.” I hugged him back. “Were you here for the entire game? Are you scouting us now?”

He laughed and said, “Yup, I was here at tip-off and no, I’m not scouting. I’m here to see my lady coach her first game of the season. Katy, over there, is scouting.”

Harvey pointed to a woman who was smiling at both of us in the second row. However, below that row was a camera pointed toward us with a reporter chatting. I also saw my father waving as he left, he never liked to stay at the end due to the parking lot frenzy but I would talk to him later.

Oh boy.

“Y’all are on the road tomorrow, right?” Harvey pulled my gaze back to him.

“Yeah, we play in Dallas on Tuesday and we need a day not to be jet lagged,” I answered.

He nodded but said, “Okay, let’s go and celebrate and after that, we coordinate our schedules. So we’re both on the same page.”

This was Harvey, not asking but telling me and honestly, I didn’t mind, unless it was unreasonable. I was glad he was working with me and not just assuming, any days I had off I was spending with him. Sometimes, a woman just needed space and time.

“Okay, Harvey,” I conceded. “Let me grab my things and I’ll meet you out here.”

“Sounds good.” He patted my hip and let me go.

We went to a nice steak house where the portion size did not match the price but the food was damn good. Afterward, Harvey took me to his place, since it was closer. As we watched the news, the information about Colin Kaepernick being ousted from the National Football League was on the screen. Teams around the country were taking a knee and even politicians were chiming in and fueling the fire.

Harvey turned the television off while I was watching the coverage and said, “Let’s go to bed.”

“I was watching that.” I tried to grab for the remote.

“Sweetheart, I want to get in bed, so I can take you on your knees, not watch a bunch of men on their knees.” He gave me that cocky smile of his.

“Who says I want to get on my knees?” I countered. “Maybe I want to stand and grab my ankles.”

“Fuck,” he growled. “Don’t tempt me, sweetheart. Fucking or spanking your ass before you get on a long bus trip is not going to be comfortable for you.”

“Mmm,” I moaned as I stood up and began shedding my clothes while making my way to his bedroom. “Good point. Well, a finger or two never hurt anyone.”

By then I was at the top of the steps and Harvey was sprinting toward me, taking the steps three at a time. I barely made it into the bathroom before he had me bent over the dresser.

“You know what naughty girls get?” Harvey growled low in my ear.

His firm hand came down on my bare ass and I let out a loud moan.

“They get their asses tanned,” he breathed before another smack to my left cheek had me poking my ass out for more.

“Fuck, you love this.” The man bit my neck and began to suck. “Love when I spank your naughty ass, don’t you? Fuck you until you pass out. Make you cum until your voice is hoarse. Go crazy for you because you know I’d do fucking anything to be with you.”

He was talking too much and hitting too close to home.

“Fuck me,” I whispered as my hips circled into his crotch.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about that.” He bit her ear. “I will do just that.”

I heard zippers and a rustling of clothes hitting the floor. Then, I felt pressure on my back as Harvey pushed me down on the dresser, so my ass was in the air. His fingers slid over my tightest hole, until he reached my drenched pussy and inserted two fingers. He placed those same fingers at the entranced of my tight asshole and pressed. The groaned that escaped my mouth contained need and desire. Prior to this, Harvey had placed a finger or two in there while fucking me, but I wanted more.

“Do it,” I urged him.

One push and he was inside, fucking my tight asshole with his fingers while my nipples were rubbing up against the dresser. My entire body was ready to explode from overstimulation. Once Harvey’s cock joined the party and entered my wet heat, I came right away.

“Goddamn.” I held onto the dresser as he fucked both holes in a coordinated in and out motion between his dick and fingers.

“Zora,” he cried out as he was getting close. “You’re so fucking tight.”

He was about to come and I knew it was going to be hard by the strain in his voice. I also knew, he was about to mark me again and I couldn’t fucking wait.

“Yes, Harvey,” I sang. “It’s yours baby.”

That did it.

His griped me around my neck, pulling me up to meet his erect body and biting down on my shoulder while his other hand squeezed my breast to the point of discomfort that morphed into absolute possession. The shudder through his whole body had me coming hard right along with him.

“Sweet Jesus,” Harvey muttered as he pulled out of me. “I’m not sure I can move.”

“You?” I joked in a hoarse voice.

Eventually, we shuffled to the shower where he cleaned me and dried me off before we laid down for bed.

“Sweetheart,” he said in my ear as I settled back into his chest.

“Yeah,” I answered.

“Tomorrow is going to be the start of a long season and I know we’re going to hit some rough patches with the distance and time. However, before all of that shit starts, I want you to know where I’m planning to go,” Harvey said, causing me to turn around and face him.

“Okay,” I said with some hesitancy.

“I’m planning to go all the way. In my career, with this industry and in my relationship with you. I want a partner, Zora. You,” he says with pleading eyes. “Falling in love with you every fucking day and you just keep getting better. I ain’t saying it needs to be now, but we’re going all the way, okay. This is not a thrill, or phase. This is real. The same with my career and I know you’re doing the same with yours. I’m telling you now, no matter what, these are my plans. We clear?”

“Harvey, that’s a lot to process,” I say as I hope my heart rate is not visible. I feel like a sauna was just turned on in the room, and I was sweating profusely.

“I know but you’ll process it. Maybe not tonight, but you will. I just want to make sure you know.” He kissed me on the forehead and turned me back around. “Get some rest. You’re going to need it.”

The nerve of this man. How the hell was I supposed to get any sleep after that statement. My chest was beating faster than normal and my head hurt as I thought about our first encounter and everyone after that. How he wiggled his way into my life, made me a priority and openly claimed me so everybody knew. He was not shy about us and gave no fucks about what anyone thought. The man even introduced me to his parents, and we had a dinner scheduled with them next Thursday.

Earlier, when we went over our calendars, Harvey had already had the Viking games on his calendar. He was not playing around. In his unorthodox way, he was showing me just how much he cared.

What I did not expect was how his unorthodox ways would be the end of us.