Fourteen

Max

“Okay, how about you look over here over your shoulder?” Charles, the photographer, says while he shoots me standing on a stool because he’s that much shorter than me. I’m dressed in my gear, minus my jersey. But my mind isn’t on the fucking guy. It’s on his assistant, Rico Suave, there in the corner chatting it up with Allison.

The Sunday breakfast went off without a hitch. We were all tired as hell that day, but the guys showed up and smiled big. I owe them big time. That night I texted Allison.

Should I call you tomorrow to make sure you’re up or just show up?

I don’t really have to go.

Neither do I.

It’s your job. I need the pictures.

I don’t care. I’m not going if you’re not there.

You better bring me coffee. I’m exhausted.

See you later, sunshine.

Then I pulled up and she was sitting on the steps wearing another pair of skintight jeans that were too fucking tight and a big gray knitted sweater folded up at the wrists and khaki running shoes. She came down the stairs, her sunglasses hiding her eyes.

“I’m beyond exhausted,” she said, buckling her seat belt. Then she took the coffee that was waiting for her, smelling it before taking a sip. “Heaven.”

“I thought Sunday was a rest day?” I asked her as she took another sip of coffee.

“You would think, but little Cooper, Vivi, and Franny wanted to see if I would wake up when they pulled my eyelid up.” She shook her head, “Newsflash, you do.”

I laughed at her and proceeded to the rink as she filled me in with stories about her nieces and nephew. We walked in together and she told me to meet her in her office. When I took off my glasses, I winced a bit, thinking. Fuck, it was tight. It was also a dark purple. I got dressed and made my way to her office and she was talking to a short guy when she looked up and gasped.

“Oh my God.” She came over and touched my face for the first time ever. Her touch was exactly how I thought it would be. Soft, like an angel.

“It’s okay,” Charles said. “We can Photoshop that. Trust me, you’ll still look big and tough.”

So Charles and Allison talked about everything that she needed from him when his assistant finished bringing in his equipment and introduced himself to Allison as Christian. What a pussy name, I thought.

So for the last three hours I’ve watched him blatantly flirt with her and she just laughs at him and touches him. I’m going to break his fucking hand if he tries to touch her hair one more time.

“Okay, so one more time and try to smile,” Charles says, frustrated with the scowl that I’ve had on my face. “Allison,” he calls her and she comes over, folding her arms over her chest. “Does he do anything but scowl?”

She looks at Charles and then at me. “Nope, it’s his face. I don’t think I actually ever saw his teeth.” She points at me and I turn my gloves up and give her the finger. She walks over to me. “You ticklish?” she asks and I glare at her. “I do that to my niece when she doesn’t want to smile. I usually tickle her belly.” She brings both hands up and bends her fingers. Her short nails are painted a soft white color.

“If you even try I’m going to shove my hand in your face,” I tell her, holding up my gloved hand. “It’s still a bit wet from Saturday.” I lean forward, snatching her wrist, and she shrieks loudly. Pulling her to me and wrapping my arm around her waist as she bends over, laughing to get away from me. “Here, Charles, a big smile.” I smile and Allison moves sideways and turns to look up at me, laughing.

“You stink,” she says, standing up in front of me, and I loosen my hold on her as she puts her hands on my arm. She reaches me under my chin with my shades on.

“Look this way,” Charles says, snapping pictures of us. “Christian, take the stool to her.” He gets off the stool and Christian rushes over to bring it to her. “Now stand on it and put one hand on your hip and the other on his shoulder.” She complies. “Perfect, now, Max, turn and look at her scowling.”

I roll my eyes, looking at her, while she turns and looks at me, squishing her nose.

“You really need to spray your shit,” she whispers.

I lean closer to her. “If you say it one more time I’m going to put them in your bed.” I tap her nose with my glove and then she tilts her head back and laughs. All the while Charles is taking pictures.

“Okay, perfect, we are done,” he finally says and I walk toward the changing room, turning right before I disappear.

“I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be out in ten.”

She nods at me, looking at the pictures on Charles’s camera

When I come out of the shower exactly fifteen minutes later, I walk to her office and see that she is on her computer doing something and I don’t have to ask her what because I get the email.

To: Best Team in the World

From: The best PR girl you’ll ever have

Subject: Major FAVOR also not a request

I have joined forces with Denise Horton who runs the pediatric oncology at Hudson Children’s Hospital in Brooklyn. We will be assisting her with the following.

Meet the players day is scheduled November 12. If you notice it is also a travel day. We will travel there later than scheduled. So please make appropriate changes.

We will be having a Christmas Wonderland Auction. This will take place on Saturday, December 2. It’s mandatory and it will be a black tie event. I will be sending another email in detail about this event.

Adopt a family. Each player is going to be adopting a family this year and a list will be given to each of you as suggestions. AGAIN, IT’S MANDATORY (I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ALL MAKE. DON’T BE CHEAP ASSES).

Finally, since we are playing New Year’s Day in Buffalo I have rented out the ballroom at the hotel. The party finishes at 12:01. It’s also a dry party.

That’s it for now. See you guys next week.

GO, STINGERS, GO

“You really don’t mess around,” I say as I finish reading her email.

“It’s something that I feel strongly about, so I’m going to do anything I can.”

I don’t say anything. Instead, I just nod as she closes her laptop and packs it up. We walk out together; no one really paying any attention and no one is there. It’s a rest day. Once we get in the car, I do something I know I might regret. I go straight to my loft. “Where are we going?”

“Home. I’m going to cook for you,” I tell her, focusing on the road. “Did you have plans with Fabio back there?”

She turns her back to the door. “I did, actually. Is Shannon joining us?”

“Shannon is a friend.”

“You mean fuck buddy,” she counters and I turn to look at her. “Is that the wrong term?”

I shake my head, not willing to have this conversation.

“You eat salmon?” I ask her and she hums yes.

We don’t say anything else until I park and we walk up the industrial stairs to my fifth floor. The door is still the original big brass door. I unlock it and open the door for her to walk in and I hear her gasp.

“I love this.” She walks into my open floor plan loft.

I toss my keys on the wooden island in the corner that is the kitchen, opening the fridge, and taking the things out to prepare. “You can go and watch television if you want,” I tell her as I place things on the island and she walks around to the stool.

“No, I’m good here.” She sits down and then leans sideways. “You have a cat?” She gets off her stool and picks Stanley up. “Aren’t you the cutest cat ever?” she says as Stanley takes in all the attention.

She puts her down and walks into the kitchen and I see that she took off her shoes and she is now barefoot. Her toes are painted the same color as her nails. She turns on the water, washing her hands. And then she peels her sweater off, her tank top under rising a bit, and I’m completely aroused. I look down and I can’t even begin to hide it. I don’t even know if it’s possible to hide this. I’ve never been this hard before. I turn a bit sideways.

“Can you go and see if the cat has food? It’s around the couch down the little hall to the bathroom.”

“Sure.” She walks away, her ass swaying, and it makes it even fucking worse. The jeans are so restricted I’m afraid my cock is going to suffocate and have to be cut off for lack of oxygen.

“Get a hold of yourself. She doesn’t want you like that.” I shake my head and focus on the fish in front of me, my mind forcing me not to think of the white bra straps that peek out of her tank top, the fact that her jeans are so low, they barely have a zipper.

I place the salmon and veggies in the oven to bake. When I look up, I find her in the living room looking at the pictures I have around the room.

“So you do have teeth,” she jokes as she looks at the picture that I took last year when I won the cup. My beard was disgusting and I couldn’t wait to shave that shit off.

I walk to my oversized U-shaped brown couch and turn on the television. The replay of my fight last night is playing. I laugh when I see that I almost face-planted as she stands and watches, shaking her head. She comes to sit next to me, putting her feet under her. “Want to watch Game of Thrones? I can give you side commentary,” I joke with her as I turn on Netflix.

“Great, just what I need, side commentary. This chick fucked her brother and had two kids with him and she’s the queen,” she jokes, but I put it on and she is more into it than she admits. We end up eating on the couch as one episode slips into the next and then she lays her head down near my leg, her hair spanning across my couch and also my leg. I look down and her eyes slowly close and then blink open till she closes them and I hear a soft snore. I don’t wake her up as one hour goes into another and I get up to get a blanket on her. She is now stretched out, one leg bent. One arm is bent over her head, her tank top is rising a bit, and I see a little heart tattoo on her hip. Her other hand is draped around her stomach and Stanley is cuddled at her side and looks at me with a glare when I walk over and cover her.

I look at her, not even sure what to do. I’ve never had a woman here, ever. Well, Denise, but she’s my sister. Other than that, she’s the only other female I’ve had here.

I pick her up finally and carry her to my bed. I’ll sleep on the couch. She moans out and cuddles into my chest as I place her on my bed. She turns on her side and blinks her eyes open. “What time is it?” she asks groggily.

“After midnight,” I say. “Sleep here. I’m going to sleep on the couch.”

“Okay,” she says. “Or just sleep here. I won’t move.” And she just closes her eyes again.

I place my hand on my waist and tilt my head back, asking for a sign, anything to tell me what I’m about to do is wrong, so very fucking wrong, but it feels so fucking right when I get into bed with her and she comes closer. I don’t move and start off on my back, but when I open my eyes as the sun comes up, I’m still on my back, but she’s wrapped up around me. I don’t move except to put my hand on hers on my chest as I close my eyes and drift off again. The next time I wake up I’m all alone as she walks into the room, her hair piled high on her head and she’s carrying a tray with coffee and orange juice.

“Morning.” She puts the tray down and then climbs into the bed.

“Hey,” I say, leaning over and checking the time. “Shit, it’s late.” I grab the glass of orange juice.

“I know. Good thing I can work from home, so you can drop me off there on your way.” She smiles at me and it’s then I notice that she really never wears makeup.

“Did you sleep okay?” I ask her, getting up, and taking off my T-shirt. I usually sleep naked. But her eyes open as big as saucers as she looks at me from neck to belly button. “Hello,” I say as she blinks again and I laugh.

“I slept like a baby.” She gets up and looks at the floor. “You change. I’ll wait for you out there.” She points to the door and walks out. I know that look. I’m sure I’ve given her the same look once or twice yesterday. The question is, now what the fuck do I do with that?