CHAPTER NINE
Hustle, hit and never quit.
Jack sat on the bench and gulped his protein shake. Practice had gone better than expected, and he was playing at his peak performance. He was definitely in the zone and gave credit to how he’d spent the last twenty-four hours. Even the defensive coordinator had commented on how well he’d done in practice.
Clark and Justin walked over, joined him on the bench, and drank down their own shakes.
Clark elbowed him and wagged his eyebrows. “So, you and Ana didn’t last long at the party. Did you guys have someplace to be or special plans?”
“Shut up. It’s none of your business, and I don’t want you talking about Ana that way.”
“What way? I was just asking about how you spent your Sunday off. Relax, man.”
“I am relaxed, but I want you to show respect for the woman who is going to be my wife.”
“So, you’ve known this woman for how long?” Justin asked as he stretched out his legs.
Standing abruptly, he threw his cup in the trash and glared at his friends. “I met Ana a month ago, and have gotten to know her over the last two weeks. I know it’s crazy, but she’s the one, and maybe we’ll have a kid by this time next year.”
Clark snorted and slapped his knee. “She’s not going to be having babies any time soon. She’s in that fellowship program, and Ella told me she is one of five people to be accepted. She’s not going to be giving that up to start popping out babies.”
“We’ll definitely be married by this time next year, and the babies can come when they come. The point is that I want you both to show some respect.” He watched them put up their hands in surrender. Spinning around, he walked toward the weight room, making a mental note to discuss babies with Ana and see how many she’d be willing to give him. He wanted three or four but would settle for two if that’s all she wanted.
Halfway across the field, he remembered that he hadn’t taken her on a real date yet and made a mental note to do that a couple of times before he brought up the babies. As he opened the door to the complex, he ran into the head coach. “Hello, Coach Bellows.”
“What the hell have you been doing, Ellis? You had an outstanding practice today. I know you work hard, but today you made it seem effortless.”
“Thanks, Coach. I think things are coming together and the work is paying off.”
The big grizzly bear of a man shook his head. “No, son, it’s something different.”
“Things are just clicking, sir.”
“Well, keep it up.”
Nodding, he moved in the direction of the weight room and laughed to himself, knowing the answer to his performance was Dr. Ana James. He entered the weight room and spotted Brian. Walking over, he noticed his friend looked a little pissed off and was confident the dumbbells were not making him feel that way. “Hey, B.”
“Hey, Jack. Where were you this weekend? I never heard from you.”
Staring down at the ground, he waited a moment before answering. “I went to Ronnie DuMond’s Halloween party, and then spent the day with my new girlfriend.”
“What the hell, man? Why am I just now hearing about this?”
“I met Ana at the beginning of the month in San Diego. She’s Ronnie’s best friend from college, and I’ve been hanging out with them for the last couple of weeks. I would’ve invited you, but you’re persona non grata with her, and she would’ve been too tempted to kill you if you got within ten feet of her.”
“She wouldn’t kill me, but maiming is a whole other question. It happened over a year ago, and I was hoping she’d be over it by now.” He scratched his head and let out a breath. “I wonder how many voodoo dolls have my face.”
“Five.”
“What did you say?”
“I said five. She has five dolls with your face. She likes to stick the really big needles into them, and I don’t know why you think she should be over it when you’re not.”
Kicking the carpet with his feet, Brian rested his hands on his hips. “I never technically cheated on her since we were on a break. It was all a big misunderstanding.”
“When you use the word technically and then describe a big fight as a break, you lose all credibility. No offense, friend, but there’s no coming back from that, and you can’t really blame her for going for the heavy artillery.”
“I realize it wasn’t one of my best decisions. But when Ronnie threatened to break up with me, I figured we were all but done and had nothing left to lose. I drowned my sorrow in the woman who made herself available.”
“Like I said, I can’t really blame Ronnie. You humiliated her in the press with the people she works with.”
“I know, man. I got scared and acted stupid, and have paid the price. I had the best woman in the world, and destroyed any chance with her.”
“Yeah, you did.”
Brian flipped off his friend and then laughed. “I guess I can’t expect any sympathy.”
Jack shrugged and moved over to one of the benches. “Spot me, man. I want to get my workout in and then plan a date that’s going to impress Ana.”
“So, this is serious?”
Jack adjusted the weights and then smiled. “I’m going to marry this girl.”
“Damn, that is serious.”
“As a heart attack.” Lifting the weight, he felt stronger than he ever had and knew it was because having the right person in your life made it possible.
***
Ana sat in one of the labs and wrote notes on the study she wanted to run and thought about the meeting she’d had earlier. The director had given her the initial go ahead as well as the parameters the university needed. Which meant if she could get the grants, she might actually have a shot at making it happen.
Her phone buzzed in her lab coat, and she pulled it out and watched as Jack’s face as the caller ID came up. “Hi, there.”
“Hi, honey. How was your meeting this morning?”
“I think it went well. The director was open to my idea, and I’ve been given the go-ahead to write up the protocol for the study and pursue the grants. If everything comes together, I could get started in the spring.”
“Wow. That’s great; I’m so proud of you. You have to explain what your study involves tonight. Are we still on for dinner?”
“Yes, unless you have something else to do.”
“The only thing that I have to do is you.”
Ana felt her face grow hot as the memories from last night ran through her head. “Mr. Ellis. I can’t decide if I like what you said or not.” She tapped her pen against her tablet and looked out over the sterile surface of the empty lab. This was the environment that she’d always been most comfortable in, but spending time with Jack had started to change that. The man on the phone was color and warmth, and she was beginning to crave it and his company.
He laughed into the phone. “You liked it, and I’m guessing your cheeks are that pretty rose color. I bet you’re thinking about what we did yesterday and this morning, and want to do it again.”
“You’re very sure of yourself.”
“I didn’t get to where I am by lacking self-confidence.”
“I wish I had a slice of your self-assurance because it would sure help me in this new environment.”
“I think you’re perfect and seem to have a ton of confidence when you’re around your friends and me.”
“I know, but I want to be that way with strangers as well.” Lifting her pencil, she started doodling on the paper and wrote his name as she listened to him speak. His voice was deep with a slightly flat mid-western accent, and she had no clue why the sound of it made her so happy and relaxed. She must have zoned out because he was calling her name. “Sorry, I missed that. What did you ask me?”
“What time should I come over tonight?”
“How about seven?”
“All right see you soon. I can’t wait.”
“Me, either.” She ended the call and stared into space with a big goofy grin on her face. Looking down at her notes, she noticed the hearts that she’d drawn around his name and laughed while she tore out the sheet.
This was the first time she’d ever done that, and it took a big football player to make her act like a teenager.
Ana opened her door, and all she could see was a massive chest and a huge bouquet. Jack lowered the flowers and gave her the best smile she’d ever seen. “Hi, handsome.” Stepping aside, she let him in and noticed the big bag of food he held.
He handed her the flowers, leaned over, captured her mouth, and pressed his lips against her.
She was about to lean into him but stopped when the bouquet got crushed between them. “I better go put these in water.”
“You must have gotten home late since you haven’t changed yet.”
“I’ve only been home for fifteen minutes. I had some good ideas for the study and didn’t want to lose any of them.” She walked into the kitchen and felt Jack close on her heels and slowed down, making him bump into her. Laughing, she spun around. “Are you going to tackle me?”
“No, I was staring at your ass and didn’t realize how close I was following.” He ran his big hand over the back of her skirt and cupped her behind. “I’m having a little trouble keeping myself in check.”
She put the flowers down, took the bag out of his hand, and set it on the table. Turning toward him, she moved her hand up his chest and felt his muscles contract under her fingers. “Maybe you don’t need to check yourself.” She pulled his head down and noticed something dark and hungry swirl in his gaze before she brought his lips to hers.
When their mouths met, she felt a honey-thick river of desire flow through her body as he held her firmly against his arousal, and she wondered why eating first had ever been a consideration. Their mouths opened to one another, and their tongues began moving in sync.
Unable to slow down, she found his response ignited her own, and the need to eliminate any space separating them became overwhelming.
Pulling his head back, he grinned. “If you want to eat first, then you need to stop kissing me because what you’re doing with your mouth is making control close to impossible.
Pulling him back for a kiss, she smiled against his mouth. “I’m not going to stop, and you can’t make me.”
He lifted her up and carried her out of the kitchen. “This is your fault, and I want it reflected for the record that I was willing to wait.”
“Jack, you make me lose control, and I am more than happy to take full responsibility for whatever is about to happen.”
“As long as we’re clear on who started it,” he replied as he pushed open the door. “Damn, woman, that is some kind of bed.”
Admiring her canopied bed, she smiled as he lowered her to the floor. “I know; isn’t it perfect?”
Running his hand over his head, he grimaced. “Yes, and a little scary, considering my size and what I want to do to you. I don’t want to break anything.”
She turned and started undoing his buttons. “That’s ridiculous. How would we break anything?”
“I’m not sure, but…”
“Are you planning on making me swing from the canopy?” Raising his shirt off his enormous shoulders, she took in the thick muscles covering his biceps and the trail of light hair that traveled from his belly button to his shorts. “Maybe you should just lay down and let me run the show.”
She lifted her foot, took off one shoe and then looked up, noticing the air crackled with a snap of energy and awareness.
“I haven’t heard a word you’ve said since you started taking my shirt off.” He slipped his hands around her waist and unzipped her skirt, moving it down her legs. “Step out of it.”
“I was going to…”
“Enjoy what I’m about to do to you.” Sliding his hands into the lace of her panties, he whipped them off her body. “Better.”
Letting her finger fall against her lip, she tapped it gently and then let out a sigh. “You first.”
“What?”
“Take off the rest of your clothes.”
“Love to,” he replied as he got naked in less than thirty seconds.
Looking down, she smiled and noticed his enthusiasm for what was about to happen. Stepping closer, she reached out and watched him shift his hips. “Hey, why are you…”
“Too close,” he gritted out as he took off the rest of her clothes. “I don’t just want your body, Ana, I want your soul entwined with mine and won’t be satisfied until it happens.”
Pushing his chest, she watched him fall back onto the bed and took a minute to admire the man who had just uttered words she never thought she’d hear.
“Let me see what I can do about making that possible.” Crawling up on the bed, she straddled him and then moved into position, so her mouth lay close to his hips. “Just tell me when it feels good.”
Throwing his hands out to the side, he let out a moan as she took him in her mouth and hoped she could give him a tenth of the pleasure he gave her. And if she could manage a little control when it happened, then it would be all the better.
***
Jack devoured the food on his plate and watched Ana do the same as they sat together at the kitchen table.
“This is the best Chinese food I’ve ever eaten,” Ana sighed.
Grabbing a napkin from the pile, he wiped her chin. Leaning forward, he kissed her and gave her a happy, dopey smile. It had been there since her mouth had touched his body and he didn’t expect it to disappear any time soon.
What happened between them when they were naked was freaking amazing, but what was starting to happen when they were just hanging out told him they had a hell of a future ahead of them.
Ana put down her chopsticks, took a sip of wine, and smiled. “Thank you for the flowers and dinner. This is a great date because I get to wear a T-shirt to dinner and nothing else.”
He ran his hand up her leg, moved it under the bottom of the hem, and felt her panties. “You’re wearing more than just a T-shirt.”
“I have to since we’re in the kitchen.”
“You have to wear underpants in the kitchen?”
“Of course, everyone knows that.”
“Huh. I had no idea.”
“Kitchen rules.”
“I guess that eliminates one of the ideas I wanted to try.”
Patting his arm, she smiled. “That’s okay because I’m sure you have a hundred more.”
Laughing, he held her hand. “It’s going to take us a while to make it through the list, so it’s a good thing we have the rest of our lives.” He watched her eyes fly up as a look of surprise crossed her face.
“You’re funny, Jack. I almost thought you were serious for a moment.”
“I am,” he mumbled quietly and hoped it wouldn’t be too long before she felt the same way.