CHAPTER FOURTEEN
One team, one dream.
Jack buried his face in Ana’s hair and hoped the conversation they were going to have when she woke up would be enough to dispel any doubts she had about his character. Feeling her move, he pressed his mouth to her neck and tightened his hold. “Morning, honey.”
“What time did you get in last night?”
“It was around two before I crawled into bed. You didn’t move a muscle when I wrapped you in my arms, so your usual sleep of the dead was in full effect.”
“My ability to sleep through anything is both a blessing and a curse, since getting up is always a struggle.” Rolling out of his arms, she sat up and pushed her hair out of her face. “Coffee?”
Levering himself up, he took her hand. “You believe that woman, don’t you?”
“Not really…at least I don’t want to.”
“Then why are you getting out of bed?” Pulling her into his arms, he rested his head against hers. “We haven’t seen each other since last week, so why the hell are you so ready to hop out of bed?”
Twisting around, she slung her legs over his hips and frowned. “Don’t get all feisty with me before I’ve had coffee. And for your information, I mostly don’t believe the rumors, but can’t say it doesn’t bother me.”
He let his hand glide over her leg and nodded. “I get that, but please don’t pull away.”
“Fine, just quit giving me orders and start talking, so I know exactly what we’re dealing with.”
“Okay, but I want you to promise you won’t make any big decisions until I have a chance to disprove the allegations.”
“All right.”
“I mean it, Ana.”
“So do I. Now tell me who this woman is.”
He let out a long breath and rolled his shoulders. “As best as I can remember, I went on one group date and one regular date, and that’s it. We didn’t have anything in common and had one chaste kiss. I barely remember her or the time we spent together, but I do recall thinking she was only interested in me so she could bed a football player and brag about it.”
Running his hand down his face, he let his shoulders relax. “Honey, I’m not into bright, shiny wannabe models since I’m smart enough to know those women are one thunderstorm away from disaster.” He lifted his hand and ran it down her arm slowly. “You, on the other hand, would just end up looking prettier. I’d love to see you caught in the rain because the idea of seeing you all wet and sexy is mind-blowing.” Watching her hand move against his chest, he prayed she wasn’t going to push him away. “Ana?” He felt her hand rest against his heart and knew it meant they could find their way out of the disaster. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“For your information, I look like a wet dog when I’m caught in the rain.”
“I doubt it, but that’s not the point.” Leaning forward, he kissed her gently and then did it again for good measure. “I know this situation sucks and I don’t want you to change your mind about me because of what my life sometimes entails.”
He moved his hand and let his fingers trace the contours of her face and knew no one could ever be more beautiful to him. The desire to wrap her up and keep her bound to him for the rest of their lives almost swamped him, and he wished he could get an iron-clad guarantee that she’d always be at his side. “Tell me how I can fix this.”
“I don’t think it’s for you to fix. As long as you’re always honest with me, then we can figure it out.” She leaned her face into his hand and closed her eyes. “Promise me you’ll always be truthful, even if you think it’ll hurt me.”
“I promise, honey.” Pulling her into his lap, he let his mouth fall to her shoulder and dragged his lips across her skin. “You taste like home, Ana. And there are only three things that I need to be happy.”
Tilting her head, she moaned. “What’s that?”
“To see you, to kiss you, and to hold you in my arms.” Feeling her body relax with his words, he took his first full breath since getting hit with the news yesterday. Ana was his person and the more she opened up to him, the more he wanted. He knew that loving a guarded woman wasn’t going to be easy, but it would be worthwhile because when she let him in fully, he knew it would be forever.
Placing small kisses along her neck, he made his way to the spot behind her ear and felt her shudder under his lips. “You are mine, Ana, and I’m never going to let anyone or anything come between us.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Jack.”
“I’m not, and you will soon have enough trust in me to believe it.” He kissed her cheek, nose, eyes, and finally her mouth and vowed not to let the outside world touch what was between them. Capturing her mouth, he ran his tongue along her lips and felt himself fall into her grace and kindness. Desire roared down his spine, leaving him breathless as they moved together. “I could have every inch of your body pressed tight against mine and I’d still say, closer.”
Lifting her mouth, she traced his lips and let out a shaky breath. “How can you make an ordinary kiss feel like magic? You make my heart race and steal my breath, making it impossible to resist you.”
“It only feels like magic because we’re meant to be together. Our hearts recognize each other, and if we don’t let our past mistakes, fears, and general stupidity get in the way, then our brains will soon give up fighting what already is.”
Leaning forward, she let her lips fall against his and laughed against his mouth. “How is it that you know so much about relationships?”
“I don’t, but I do know about you and me and what we’re supposed to become.” Grinning like an idiot, he slid his hand under her camisole and felt her stomach muscles tense. “Are you ticklish?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
Moving away from his hand, she shook her head. “Don’t you dare tickle me.”
Tipping her back across the bed, he gave her a devilish grin. “Maybe I will and maybe I won’t.” He leaned back on his legs and quickly removed her clothes and let out an evil laugh. “With every press of my tongue and glide of my fingers, you’ll be anticipating both pleasure and discomfort, and I bet it will drive you crazy.”
Scooting back, she put up her hands and giggled. “If you don’t want to die in your sleep, you will not tickle me.”
He gave her a careless shrug and moved over her. “I’ve had a good run, so do whatever you feel is necessary.”
“Jack!”
He grabbed her hips, pressed her against the bed, and let his mouth fall to her hipbone, raining small sweet kisses across her skin. Looking up, he grinned. “Now, lie back and let me find all the spots that are ticklish.”
“No way,” she replied as she slid her hand into his hair.
Kissing his way across her stomach, he felt her wiggle and figured he was getting close to a right spot. “Quit moving and behave, or I’m really going to torture you.”
She flopped back against the bed and scrunched up her nose. “Just remember you might not enjoy the payback, Jack.”
“If it involves our naked bodies and your mouth somewhere on mine, then I’m willing to live with the consequences.” He dragged his tongue along her stomach and moved up her body until he captured a breast in his mouth. “So sweet,” he murmured. Seizing her nipple with his lips, he groaned when it hardened against his tongue and relished her sweet vanilla scent. Letting it pop out of his mouth, he looked down and winked. “Hope you know I’m going to take you more than once this morning because it’s been too long.”
“As long as you don’t tickle me, then I suppose I’ll just have to endure it.”
Laughing, he bent down and kissed her with every brutal out of control feeling in his body and let his fingers slip into her folds. “You’re soaking wet.”
Letting her head fall to the side, she kissed the palm of his hand. “I usually am around you.”
He leaned up on his knees, grinning as he stroked himself a couple of times. “And this is what you do to me.”
“I guess we should do something about it then.”
He drug his tip through her cream and grinned. “Yeah, what is that?”
“Jack…”
“You don’t have to beg, because I’ll always give you more than you can handle.” Hearing her laugh, he pushed his hips forward and almost blacked out once Ana’s heat enveloped him.
His body loved it, along with his heart and soul.
Connection is what he craved, and when they were joined like this, he felt it was almost close enough. Feeling her hand skate to his shoulder, he started to move with long, slow, powerful strokes as her hips moved in tandem.
The pleasure of being enveloped in her tightness blew all of his brain cells as he turned into an animal, operating on instinct and his driving need for release and union. Lifting her leg over his arm, he sank deeper into her body. “More,” he hissed out.
“More,” she repeated.
Opening his eyes, he locked them on Ana’s and drove into her again and again and watched her face as her release hit her. Nothing had ever been more beautiful or meant more than seeing his woman fly apart as her orgasm exploded.
He’d given her that, and there wasn’t anything more powerful. Following her over, he took two hard strokes and every cliché happened as he came inside of her body and emptied himself.
He was like an animal and felt a bone-deep satisfaction in filling her body with his seed, marking her as his. And, if he could do it over and over until there was no question who she belonged to, he would.
Collapsing, he rested for a moment, and then quickly rolled off, pulling her with him. “Thank you for giving me the benefit of the doubt, honey. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Not hearing any response, he lifted his head and realized she’d passed out. Tugging her close, he pulled up the blankets and threw his leg over hers. “Never going to let you go.”
***
Ana leaned against the counter and drank her coffee. “I have no words.”
Draining his cup, he shrugged. “I told you I had some new ideas.”
“I’m never going to be able to go into my shower and not think about what we did.”
“Good!” he replied as he took her cup and put it next to his. Pulling her against his body, he hugged her tightly. “We are two pieces of a puzzle that fit together perfectly.”
Wrapping her arms around his waist, she rested her head against his chest. “Maybe we do.”
“Did you know that my game yesterday was one of my best? I haven’t put up stats like that in a long time, and last week the defensive coordinator complimented my focus and performance. He wanted to know how I’d changed my routine and I showed him a picture of us.”
“What did he say?”
“I was damn lucky and better not do anything to screw it up.”
“Ella told me that you were already having an amazing season, so I don’t believe our dating is having that much effect on your performance.”
“Sweetie, that touchdown I made yesterday was all because of you, and there’s nothing you’re going to say to change my mind.”
Pulling away, she stared into his eyes and saw how sincere he was. “I think you’ve had an effect on me as well.”
“Other than a headache?”
She pressed a kiss to his chest and laughed. “With the exception of yesterday, my mind has been blissfully quiet. All the usual static has all but disappeared and the breakthrough I had after we made love for the first time was monumental.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and I’m hoping the more time we spend around each other, the more it will happen.”
“I’d love nothing more.”
Putting her hand on his neck, she pulled him close. “Give me a kiss, Jack Ellis, because I’ve decided that you’re having a pretty positive effect on me as well.” The moment their lips met, both of their phones started buzzing. “Please, no,” she said quietly against his mouth. “I have a feeling that reality is calling, and I don’t feel like answering.”
“But we better, so we can deal with it and get back to our bliss. He grabbed her phone and passed it over and then picked up his own.
Ana started reading through the incoming texts and accompanying links to the websites that featured the latest installment in the crazy the woman was stirring up. “It’s a shakedown, and she’s praying you fold.”
“Not going to happen,” Jack replied tersely. “Everything she’s claiming is untrue, and I expect it to be revealed by the end of the week. I have faith in my attorney and have instructed him to go after this woman with everything we have.”
“Well, let’s hope that’s true.”
“It absolutely will be.”
“Maybe she’s doing this for her fifteen minutes of fame and nothing more. Clearly, she knows Immaculate Conception doesn’t really happen, so it’s just a matter of finding out what her real motivation is.”
He kissed her head and let out a deep breath. “I’m going to my attorney’s office this morning and leaving a DNA sample, so when this woman stops running her mouth and submits to the tests, this thing will finally go away.”
She patted his chest and nodded. “The look on your face is the same one I saw you give yesterday to the offensive linemen.”
“Which tells you how determined I am to shut down the shakedown, so we can get on with our happy ever after.”
“Is that what we’re doing?”
Leaning back, he smirked. “I thought someone as smart as you would’ve figured that out.”
“I’m smart about some things, but love isn’t one of them.”
“Then I guess it’s good you have me.”
“I can’t disagree.” Checking the clock, she groaned. “I should get going because I have to finish writing the protocol for the study you’ve generously funded. I’m almost done, and promised it to the committee by the end of the week.”
“I have the day off, so can I drive you to work?”
Patting his massive chest, she shook her head. “No, honey. Go and enjoy your day and relax. I saw the hits that you took yesterday, and you should rest.”
“Okay. But let me take you out to dinner tonight.”
“I don’t think I’m ready to try that quite yet.”
“Why?”
“The last trip to the ER is still fresh in my memory. Why don’t we order takeout and just relax at home?”
“All right. But I want you to know that I’m going to take you out on a real date, woo you, and win your heart. We don’t need to hide away at home to have a good time.”
“Let’s not discount the good time we have when we’re hiding away at home, though. This morning, for example, was some pretty powerful wooing, and we might want just to keep doing that.”
“Are you saying you just want to get at me and nothing more?”
She put their cups in the sink and patted his arm as she walked out of the kitchen. “Don’t say it like it’s a bad thing.”
Catching up to her in less than two strides, he picked her up and swung her around. “I know you saw the television coverage yesterday after the game, and I’m sure that my speech is burned in your brain. So you can play it fast and lose all you want, but we both know where this is going to end up.”
“And where is that, Jack?”
Pasting on his most charming smile, he took her hand. “Married, of course.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, it is. Get your mind right, woman, because the inevitable is headed your way.” He leaned down, kissed her gently, and then tapped her butt. “Quit dawdling. You have a study to get approved and lives to change. Let’s not stand here squabbling over insignificant details.”
“Yeah…marriage, such a minor detail.”
“See, I knew you’d come around to my way of thinking.”
Shaking her head, she muttered quietly to herself and hoped whatever brains got scrambled in the game would soon right themselves because there was no way they were rushing down the aisle anytime soon.
“I know you’re trying to sift through the crazy I just threw at you, but don’t worry, honey, it’ll all become your new normal before you know it.”
“I’ve got a new normal for you too, so take the day and rest because when I hit you with it, you may not survive.”
He bent down and picked up his travel bag and her satchel and threw them over his shoulder. “I’m a big bad football player, nothing you got, woman, is going to frighten me.”
“Said every man before the great fall.”
“I’ve already fallen for you, so it’s fine.”
“We’ll see about that,” she said with extra sass as she opened the door and an explosion of flash went off in her face.
“Back off,” Jack yelled as he moved in front of her. “Jackals,” he muttered as he looked down. “Are you okay, honey?”
“No, why are they less than a foot from my front door?”
“Because they’re animals.”
She leaned to the left and tried to peek around his massive frame, but he moved before she could. “Why do they care about me?” She stepped into him and leaned her head against his chest.
“Let me get you in the car, and then I’ll take you to work and call my brother to get a security detail.”
Lifting her head, she ran her hand down her hair. “Jack, look at my hair. Is anything sticking up?”
He checked it and smiled. “It’s perfect, honey, just like always.” He glanced over his shoulder and growled. “Take my hand, don’t give them direct eye contact, and let’s get into the truck. We’re going to act as normally as we can.”
“All right. So, just like when we left the restaurant, right?”
“Exactly.” Taking her hand, he led her toward the driveway where his truck was parked and helped her in.
Once they were both inside and the doors were locked, she let out a breath as the paps continued to take pictures. “It was smart of you to back into the driveway. Makes the getaway that much easier.”
“My brother got me into the habit years ago, and I’m damn glad, considering running over a pap is sure to send my day into the shitter.
Ana looked at the five cars parked on the street along with the pack of men with cameras pointed directly at them and shook her head. “I can’t believe they want pictures of us.”
“After I get you to work, I’ll call Chris and have him give me a couple of names.”
“Let’s just call Joel because he has a whole office of people who can do it. That’s who Chris is going to call anyway.”
“All right, I’ll do it as soon as I drop you off. You’re going to have to move in because I can’t keep you safe in your house.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “I’m not moving in with you. I’m not even moved in completely to this house. I have an alarm system and will be perfectly fine at home.”
“No way, Ana!”
“Nice try, but that’s not going to work.”
“I can’t put up gates around your house, and I’m not going to have some sicko come up to your window or door when I’m on the road.”
“You think they would do that?”
“Absolutely since you just became real interesting to a pack of people who have no moral code. What this woman started is going to affect more than just me and I’m not going to have you in danger. This trash sells, and you just became a player in the drama that they’re going to try to spin, and it doesn’t matter whether any of it’s true or not.”
“Well, poo.”
He took her hand as he drove down the street and smiled. “I couldn’t have said it better.”
Monday Evening
Jack leaned against the counter in his kitchen and admired Ana. “Those are some mad knife skills, and I’m going to make sure you never have a reason to use them on me.”
“I thought about becoming a surgeon for a while and did a round of classes in med school to see if it was a good fit.”
“What kind of surgery were you interested in?”
“Trauma. Ronnie’s sister, Viv, is a trauma surgeon, and I’ve always admired the work she’s done. She’s spent five years with MSF and the idea of helping the underserved has always appealed to me.”
“Well, if this study you’re doing leads to a breakthrough for dementia patients, then you will be.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.”
“Thanks for cooperating, honey.”
“You didn’t give me much of a choice, Jack.”
“If the MPD had not come to campus today and cleared the paps, it would’ve been a zoo all day. I’m not taking a chance with your safety and having you here at home is the only answer.”
“This is your home, not mine, Jack.”
“It’s ours, and once you’ve spent some time here, we can figure out what you want to change.”
“This is a temporary thing, and I’ll be back in my house before too long.”
“No, you won’t,” he mumbled quietly.
“I heard that, Jack.”
“Good,” he replied as he snatched a carrot. “I have a chef that leaves meals for me every week, and I want you to get together with him and tell him what you like, so you don’t have to cook.”
“I like to cook and having someone to do it for is fun.”
“You want to cook for me?”
“Yes, because doing it for one person is not that exciting. If you give me an idea of what you enjoy, then I’ll see what I can do.”
“Are you even real?”
She gave him a confused look and then returned to her vegetables. “This is like therapy for me because whenever I’m stuck on a protocol for my research, cooking helps me work things out. It’s very therapeutic and relaxing.” She pushed the vegetables into a bowl, pulled out another cutting board, and started taking apart a chicken.
“I knew I was lucky before, but you just took it to a whole new level.” Leaning over, he snuck in a kiss. “How can I help with dinner?”
“You can leave me to it, so I can to listen to the music while I cook. By the time dinner is finished, I hope to have unlocked the answer to my research conundrum.”
“I know something else that unlocks your brain, and we can do it after dinner.”
“All right, but I’m going to see if this works first.”
“I’m here, whatever you need—wherever you need it, and in any position.”
“You’re a prince among men, Jack Ellis. The way you sacrifice your body for the advancement of science is impressive.”
Laughing, he leaned over and stole another kiss before leaving the kitchen. “I’ll be in the office making important decisions about my career.”
She waved and went back to decimating the chicken.
He walked down the hall and felt his heart fill with happiness because his Ana was home, and they were together. Walking into his office, he looked around and wondered what he should move so he could fit in another desk. He knew she would need her own space and perhaps it made sense to start renovating after the holidays.
His phone buzzed in his pocket and interrupted his thoughts about how many children they might have. “Ellis,” he answered. “Hey, Joel. Thanks for getting back to me.” He listened to the outline of what Joel proposed and opened his email on the computer to check the outline of the schedule for Ana’s security detail. “Looks great. Send me the bills, and I’ll take care of it right away.” He hung up, reviewed the schedule Joel had set up and felt comfortable that she’d be covered anytime he wasn’t available. The vultures were aggressive, and he had no desire to see how far they were willing to push things.
Leaning back in his chair, he enjoyed the smell coming out of the kitchen and felt like his house had finally become a home.
Ana had made that possible, and he had every intention of making sure it never changed. When he heard her calling his name, it felt like she was calling him to a life that he’d always dreamed about and not just dinner.