Chapter 11

Pop congratulated the team on their win. No matter if the team won or lost, he made a point to give the guys positive feedback after every game. He only pointed out areas they needed to improve at the following practice. Even then he somehow managed to not make it seem like criticism. Even if he coached another twenty years, Striker knew he’d never be as good at it as Pop.

“Hit the showers. And then enjoy your weekend. Be ready to work again Monday,” Pop said, looking around and meeting each player’s sweat-stained face.

The guys gathered around him didn’t need to be told twice. After leaving the sideline, most headed toward the school and the showers. A few stopped to talk to their parents or their girlfriends on the bleachers. None lingered, and soon the area cleared out, leaving only Cat, Ella, and Kelsey.

I decided to surprise you. He replayed Ella’s words. She’d damn well done that. Even better, she’d agreed to come over.

“You’re smiling as if someone offered you a million dollars,” Tony said when they were the only two left on the field.

Better. “Just in a good mood tonight.”

“Guess you’re out of the doghouse. Nice job,” Tony said as they walked. “Try not to screw it up this time. Ella won’t give you a third chance if you do. And forget about your sister. She’ll do bodily harm to you if you hurt Ella again.”

Since they’d reached the three women, Striker held back his response. Some things were better left unsaid in front of women.

“Nice game, guys,” Kelsey said. “The team looked great out there.”

He’d been surprised to see Kelsey sitting near his sister tonight. From what he heard from Cat and Ella, Kelsey kept constantly busy with work. He hadn’t thought much about it until they pointed it out, but afterward he realized he didn’t see Kelsey around North Salem much anymore.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Cat asked Kelsey. “You can just come to the movie with us. Go home and correct papers right after. It’ll be fun and the movie’s gotten great reviews.”

“Thanks, but really, I’ve got a ton of work.” She gave them a tight smile. “I’ll see everyone tomorrow.” Kelsey left the small group and walked toward the parking lot.

His sister stuffed her water bottle into the oversized bag she had. “I’m good to go, too,” she said, slipping her arm around Tony. Then she looked at him, her expression telling him he wasn’t going to appreciate what she said. “Consider yourself warned, Striker. Behave tonight or else.”

Like she could ever physically harm him. He towered over her and could bench press more than her body weight. He decided not to remind her of either. “Maybe I’ll take a play out of Tony’s book tonight,” he said with a wink.

Cat’s face turned pink, telling him she knew just what “play” he referred to. They never talked about the night he’d accidently walked into her apartment and found them practically having sex on her kitchen table.

Since Ella looked strangely at them both, he guessed she’d never heard the full story from Cat. He’d only told her he found them together. He hadn’t gone into the specific details. Details he’d purge from his head if possible.

“Have a nice night, Ella. See you at the wedding.” Cat turned a fake smile on him. “Goodbye, Alfred.”

Mission accomplished. She only used his real name to get under his skin or when she was angry with him.

Ella stepped off the bleachers and nodded toward Cat and Tony’s backs. “What was your comment all about?”

“Nothing important.” He reached for her hand, but she pulled it behind her back.

“Out with it. Cat called you Alfred. She was ticked at you. What play should you take from Tony’s book?”

He’d brought this one on himself. He needed to start thinking more before he spoke. “Remember when I found out about them and I punched Tony? Well, that night I showed up at Trina’s apartment and found them fooling around in the kitchen. Trina was practically naked.”

Ella giggled.

He failed to see the humor in the story. “It wasn’t funny.”

“Yeah, it is a little. Talk about embarrassing. Poor Cat.” She stopped laughing and let her hands fall by her sides again.

“Poor Cat? What about me? A brother doesn’t want to see that.”

“Okay, poor you, too. I don’t know how you recovered after seeing something so terrible,” she said, her smile suggesting she wanted to laugh again. “C’mon, let’s go. I think I felt a few raindrops.” Ella dug her car key from her purse. “I’ll meet you at your house.”

Rain clouds had filled the sky all day, and he’d expected rain for the game. Surprisingly, it had held off. But as they reached Ella’s car, the heavens opened and cold, heavy rain poured down on them. Ella wasted no time ducking into her car. “See you soon.”

By the time he reached his own car across the parking lot, his North Salem football T-shirt clung to his body and his jeans were drenched. Thankfully, the unusually warm September evening kept him from getting too cold.

Elvis greeted him with a lick on the hand when they walked inside. Then he went straight for Ella, his tail wagging like a pendulum on fast-forward. Despite being abandoned at the shelter, the dog loved people. He greeted everyone he came in contact with the same way.

“What a cutie,” Ella said, scratching the dog behind the ears. In turn, Elvis’s tail moved faster. “How old is he?”

Sick of the wet shirt clinging to him, Striker pulled it over his head. “Two. At least that’s what the previous owners told the shelter when they left him.” He didn’t understand how they’d been able to leave him. “If you’re not careful he’ll have you scratching him all night.”

“Sound jealous there, my friend. Don’t worry… I’ll scratch you behind the ears, too. Promise.” Reaching up, she gently scratched the skin behind his right ear.

He’d prefer her hands elsewhere, doing much more enjoyable things. “We both like belly rubs, too.”

Slowly, she moved her hand down his neck and slick chest. Flames licked his skin and he half expected to see steam rising up. Her fingers brushed over his pounding heart. Striker wondered if she could feel it. Ella continued her trek south, stopping when she reached his jeans. He held his breath and waited for her next move.

Soft lips kissed his chest first, and then moved up. When they reached his mouth, Ella pressed her body into him and kissed him with a hunger matching his own.

Elvis’s sudden barking echoed around them as he bolted for the window. Ella pulled back. Large damp spots dotted her shirt from leaning against him, and he saw the outline of her bra underneath.

Thanks a lot, Elvis. The dog had terrible timing.

“You should go put on some dry clothes,” Ella said, pulling the damp fabric away from her skin.

With her no longer touching him, he became aware of the wet denim sticking to his legs. “Do you want me to get you a dry shirt?” He made the offer for both their sakes.

She tugged at her shirt again. “Sure. I’ll hang with Elvis while you’re gone.”

Satisfied he’d scared away whatever leaf or squirrel he’d spotted outside, Elvis left the window and retook his spot next to them, nudging Ella’s hand for another scratch.

In his bedroom, Striker threw on an old pair of jeans and dry T-shirt. The pants had holes in both knees and half the belt loops were gone. He should chuck them, but they were his favorite. Instead, he only wore them at home.

He found Ella and Elvis on the sofa. The dog was stretched out on his side with his head on Ella’s leg. “Move it, pal.” He touched the dog’s back leg. “You’re in my spot.” The dog’s ear twitched, and he looked at him, but otherwise didn’t move.

“He listens to you well,” Ella said, laughing as she continued to pet the dog.

He didn’t blame Elvis. If Ella had her hands on him, he wouldn’t leave her side either. “Here.” He held out the shirt he’d grabbed for her then gave the dog’s leg a shake. “You want to eat?” At the word “eat,” Elvis jumped off the sofa.

“I’m going to change while I can still get up.”

“Good idea. After he inhales his dinner, he’ll be back looking for more of your attention.”

She walked back into the living room a few minutes later, her feet bare and wearing his T-shirt. Her hair hung loose around her shoulders, now taunting him to touch it, and he pulled her down next to him. “Love you in my shirts.” He didn’t know why, but he found her sexier than hell when she wore his stuff. Especially first thing in the morning when she walked out of the bedroom in nothing else, her hair a wild mess from the previous night’s activities.

“Seriously?”

Striker ran his fingers through the silky strands and nodded. “Especially when it’s all you’re wearing.” He ran his other hand up her thigh and wished her leggings weren’t covering her skin. The pulse in her neck sped up and he kissed it as he slipped his fingers under the T-shirt.

“I’m glad you didn’t get any better offers during the game.” He inched his hand up until he reached the spot where the waistband met skin.

She swallowed, her tongue darting out to lick her bottom lip. And he remembered the way it felt when she’d used her tongue on him. Instantly, he got hard.

“Me, too.” Her mouth grazed his cheek before settling on his lips.

Her lips caressed his and grew more demanding with each pass. Blood pounded in his ears when she slipped her tongue between his lips. Lust and desire raced through him, and he moved his hand up her stomach. Her muscles contracted under his palm, but she didn’t pull away. Hooking his index finger inside her bra, he pulled the material away and cupped her breast. Her soft skin and hard nipple burned his palm. If he didn’t make love to her tonight, he’d die.

He ran his other hand down her spine. “I love you,” he whispered.

In one movement, she pulled the shirt off and straddled him. She moved against him and moaned, her head falling back. When she did it again, he grabbed her waist and held her still. If she kept it up, he’d never be able to stop. He didn’t get a chance to explain before she took possession of his mouth again, her kiss raw and hot.

She hadn’t come over intending to sleep with Striker. Then he’d gotten out of the car, his soaked T-shirt clinging to the body she knew so well. She might have survived that temptation, but then he pulled the stupid thing off and her body reminded her how long it’d been since he touched her. She’d always been a sucker for a guy with great abs, and Striker’s were superb. She’d managed to keep from jumping him right there, but only barely. Even when he’d come back in the room fully covered, she’d seen his naked torso standing there, begging to be touched. His admission about loving her in his clothes had been the final push off the ledge.

Ella moved against him and pleasure radiated outward through her body. Slipping off his lap, she took his hand and tugged. In silence, she led him to his bedroom and closed the door. She didn’t want any four-legged furry friends following them.

Grabbing the collar of his shirt, Striker pulled it off and tossed it over his shoulder. Her heartbeat rocketed and all she could think about was her naked skin pressing against his. Unfastening her bra, she dropped it to the floor by her feet. She took a step closer, her skin crying out to be in contact with his. But Striker stopped her. His large hand on her shoulder held her in place, and his gaze moved down her neck, across her breasts and stomach, heating her skin without a single touch. He looked up and met her eyes as the hand on her shoulder slipped down and cupped her breast. The pad of his thumb caressed and teased one nipple as he took the other into his mouth. Ready to step things up, she moved closer, her hand closing around the erection behind his zipper. Striker groaned and pulled his lips away from her breast. Both his hands settled on her waist. In one movement, he pulled her leggings and panties down, then kneeling, he pulled her feet free.

She didn’t wait for him to finish undressing himself. Instead, she undid his jeans and pushed them down. His gray boxer briefs followed. The throbbing between her legs increased at the sight of him so ready, and having him touch her ruled her thoughts. Wrapping her arms around him, she pressed her body into his. “I want you,” she whispered in his ear.

In a split second she landed on the bed, Striker over her. As he kissed and caressed her skin with one hand, the other pulled open his nightstand drawer.

The sound snuck its way through her desire. Condoms. He still had them in his nightstand. How long had they been there? Were they leftovers from when they’d been together in the spring? Or were they there because of the women he’d brought back here after she left town? He’d admitted he’d slept with three women. He’d never said he’d only been with each one once. And while he’d gone to Cora’s at least once, how often had he brought those women here?

Ice water replaced the heat in her body, and image after image of Striker and Cora having sex in his room ran through her head. Planting her hands on his biceps, she pushed him.

Striker pulled back, his eyebrows pinched. His eyes searched her face before he spoke. “What’s wrong?”

“How many did you bring back here?” Merde. What he did when they weren’t together shouldn’t make a stupid difference. But, damn, it did.

He moved to the side, allowing her to sit up. “Huh?”

“You’ve got condoms in the drawer. So how many times did you bring women back here this summer?” Even she realized her voice reeked of jealousy. Doing anything about it was impossible, though.

Striker tossed the condom he held onto the nightstand. “None. The ones in the drawer have been there since we were together.”

She wanted to believe him. He’d never lied before. Been an idiot, yes, but never lied. “Really?” She sounded like a three-year-old asking for reassurance.

“You’re the only woman I’ve brought here.” He touched her cheek and kissed her forehead. “The only one I want here.”

Ella swallowed his words, a missile straight to her heart.

Striker moved so his lips hovered over her mouth. “Ever.” He kissed her tenderly.

She reached for his arms again, this time pulling him down with her and infusing the desire and love she felt into her kiss.

***

Ella pushed back the sheets and stood, giving him another excellent view of her body. A view he’d feared he’d never see again and one he’d never tire of seeing. “Stay here tonight.” Striker watched her pull his T-shirt back on, but didn’t make any move to put his clothes on.

She slipped her panties back on, too, but not her leggings. Instead, she folded them and placed them on the bed before sitting down. Her shoulder brushed against him and his body remembered he had a half-dressed beautiful woman sitting in his bed.

“The wedding starts at eleven. You’ll have time to go home and get ready in the morning.” When he’d invited her over, he hadn’t expected to ask her to stay the night. But he wanted to fall asleep with her and wake up tomorrow with her next to him more than anything.

She took his hand and laced her fingers through his. “Okay.”

Striker dropped his head against the headboard. She’d agreed. Looked like he was another step closer to having her back forever. “I downloaded the passport application. Just need a picture and I can bring it all to the post office.” He’d meant to tell her earlier, but more important and enjoyable matters had distracted him. Regardless of how much he didn’t want her to leave for a year, he wanted her to know he’d stick with her no matter what her decision.

Ella nodded. “Sounds good. Let’s watch a movie or something.”

“I like the or something idea.” He pulled the T-shirt up to her waist, revealing the purple boy-cut panties with comic book characters on them.

“Thought you might.” Reaching under the sheet, she touched him.

“Damn, that feels good.” Ella moved her hand on him and any other words slipped away.