Taking a Risk Read online

  “Oh…my…God…” She stared down at him devouring her breast with his mouth, his hands fumbling with her slacks. She thought about helping him, but currently she enjoyed cupping his head and watching him while he sucked, nibbled, and licked at her nipple.

  His fingers made their way inside her pants and panties, rolling over her wet clit, stroking it tenderly. He slipped a finger inside her.

  “Oh…” She tossed her head back, grinding her hips, her clit throbbing out of desperation. Normally, she’d prefer a whole lot of foreplay, but right now, all she wanted was release. She lay back, helping him to wiggle her out of the rest of her clothing, her body now completely exposed. The light from the fan above shined down on them like a bright flashlight in the night.

  He held her foot in his hand as he kissed her ankle, moving his way up her calf, the inside of her thigh before gently flicking his tongue against her throbbing clit.

  “Ohhhh…ummm…” She moaned, clutching his head and letting her knees drop to the sides. His deft fingers entered her while his mouth made her body pulse with heat. Rising up on elbow, she looked down at him, his tongue swirling around. She’d watched a man pleasure her before, but Nolan did more than make her body feel good; he lit it on fire.

  She tried to wiggle sideways, reaching for him. Needing to feel his hardness in her hands. Her hips grinding against his mouth and fingers. Pausing, he looked up at her and smiled.

  “Wait your turn,” he whispered.

  Gasping for air, her stomach quivered. She clutched the sheets as he continued to torture her body. “Yes.” She tossed her head back, rocking her hips faster, no longer wanting to savor the sensation. “Oh, God…” Wetness poured out of her body like hot lava flowing down the sides of a volcano.

  His groan vibrated against her hard nub. She clenched her insides around his fingers as electric pulses jabbed at her womanhood. She convulsed so hard, it forced her to sit up. Clutching his head with both hands, her body jerked over and over again.

  Her orgasm continued as he kissed the inside of her thigh.

  With tiny tremors erupting inside her, she shifted her body. “I need to touch you.”

  He let out a small chuckle as he rolled to his back, slipping off his underwear. “I dare you.”

  “Normally, I’d say don’t dare me, but in this case?” She stared at him for a moment in awe of his size, both length and girth. She ran her fingers across his lower stomach, her thumb brushing the tip of his cock. She swallowed, taking it in her hands, tracing the veins. She’d always enjoyed oral sex, but she’d never wanted to study a man before; then again, she’d never seen anyone as big as Nolan.

  He ran his fingers through her hair but didn’t push her, and that made the entire encounter even hotter.

  Lowering her head, she licked the tip, circling it with her tongue.

  He hissed.

  Knowing she’d never be able to take more than half of him in her mouth, she stroked him with her hand and licked and sucked the tip. His skin was soft as silk. A nice contrast to the hardness. She’d never felt so sexy before. When she glanced up, he looked at her intently. His green eyes glossed over with desire.

  For her.

  She squeezed him harder, taking as much as she could in her mouth.

  “Oh, Christ.” His body tightened as she moved up and down his length. “Come here.”

  She kissed a path from his taut stomach to his lips.

  “Do I need to dare you?” He reached for the condom, tearing it open with his teeth.

  “I think you just did, and I’m up for the challenge.”

  He smiled. “Crazy question, but what position will make you come the quickest and hardest? You’re all-time favorite position.”

  “No one has ever asked me that.” Her body, already flush from desire, turned burning-building hot. She straddled him, her swollen nub over his hardness, slowly grinding.

  “Or.” She bit down on her lower lip.

  “This right here isn’t your favorite position, is it?”

  She shook her head.

  Sitting up, he kissed her neck just under her earlobe. His fingers massaging her ass. “Tell me, please.”

  “Tell me yours.”

  He smiled. “Not to be crass, but I’m a guy. They all do it for me.”

  Swallowing her breath, she moved her hips slowly over him. “Why don’t I show you?”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  She knew it was silly to be nervous about having sex a certain way. She hadn’t been overly shy in the bedroom before, but since this was going to be a one and done, she wanted it to be memorable, not only for her…but for him.

  Easing herself off him, she stood at the side of the bed, holding his hands, coaxing him to join her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pressing her belly against his hardness.

  He kissed her, his tongue teasing every crevice of her mouth, igniting a fire that burned through her body.

  She turned her body so that her back was to him. His hands roamed her stomach and breasts, occasionally reaching down between her legs, caressing in slow, tortuous strokes.

  “Climb on the bed on all fours,” he whispered in her ear. “That’s what you want, isn’t?”

  Every nerve ending in her body erupted like the finale fireworks on the 4th of July.

  His hand glided down her spine as he gently pushed her toward the bed.

  It amazed her how he could go from rough and out of control, to gentle and slow. His hands caressed her back and ass as she positioned herself. The anticipation both exciting and vulnerable.

  He bent over her, his tip gliding against her throbbing nub, putting only the slightest pressure on where she needed him most. He kissed her back, shoulders, and neck. His hands reaching around her body, pulling at her nipples.

  Dizzy with need, she pushed against him, feeling the tip enter her at just the right angle.

  Slowly, he pushed a little more, then pulled out, repeating the motion until he was all the way inside her. His hands on her hips, squeezing tightly.

  She fisted the sheets in her hands, pressing against him each time he entered her, clutching him as he pulled out. Her lungs burned as she sucked in deep breaths, letting them out in a giant moan. Their bodies rocked against each other like waves crashing into a breakwall. Slow and gentle at first, then erupting on impact.

  His hands gripped her hips tighter as his rhythmic motion increased in speed and force. Without warning, he tangled his fingers in her hair, tugging. His other hand reached around her, pulling her up so she was just on her knees.

  She gasped as he thrust himself inside, harder and faster. He moaned in her ear as he reached around and rubbed her clit vigorously, still pounding. The fan above hummed like a chopper as the blades cut through the bright light. Across the room she saw their tangled bodies in the vanity mirror, and so did he as they locked gazes. Stopping momentarily, he took her arms, looping them over her head and on his shoulders. His fingers danced across her body as if she were wet clay needing to be molded.

  He moved inside her, staring at her eyes in the mirror. A dizzy haze filled her mind as the room continued to spin in pure delight. Nothing existed but their two bodies and the mirror.

  “Oh, God,” she cried out, feeling him expand inside her, and she shivered.

  “Hmmmmm,” he whispered in her ear. “That’s it, babe.”

  For a second, she stopped breathing as an intense burn built from her nipples to where their bodies were joined.

  He slammed into her with a loud grunt, holding himself deep inside. She felt his orgasm explode, and her body shivered as her climax burst through her entire body, shaking her in violent tremors. His arms so tight around her, intensifying the feeling because her body couldn’t thrash about out of control.

  His fingers still rubbed her, though softer and with less purpose. More of a tender stroke of one’s arm by a lover’s fingers while cuddling on the sofa, watching television. Then he pinched her, making her
body shiver again.

  “I think I might have a favorite position now,” he whispered in her ear as he pinched her again.

  Another quiver. “Oh, God.” Her body continued to have aftershocks for the next few minutes as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

  He stepped away from her, pulling back the covers of her bed. She climbed under the sheets and watched him saunter across the foot of the bed toward the bathroom in his naked glory. Impossible not to stare.

  Nor did he seem to mind.

  He returned with a damp washcloth. Joining her in bed, he reached between her legs, pressing a cold cloth against her.

  Her body gave one last little shudder.

  “I’m experiencing the never-ending orgasm.”

  He laughed, drawing her in his arms, kissing her temple. “I could toy with your body all day long.”

  “I dare you,” she said, smiling.

  “Don’t dare me,” he said, running his hand up and down her arm. “Because if I ever do get to spend an entire day with you, it will be in bed, and I will find all sorts of ways to give you pleasure.”

  She draped her arm around his middle and rested her knee on his thigh. “You should have turned off the light before you got into bed.”

  “I can’t fall asleep. I’m sorry. I really don’t want to leave you, but I need to get to my parents’ shortly.”

  Closing her eyes, she did her best to keep her breathing normal. She understood. But it didn’t change the fact that it made her feel bad. Not cheap. Not used. Just bad, even if she’d been the one who wanted the no strings.

  Nolan would always have his family.

  8

  Nolan stood in the doorway to the room his daughter slept in, which used to be his room when he’d been a little boy. Pictures from various football-related accomplishments graced the walls, and many of his trophies were prominently displayed on shelves.

  When he’d first moved in with his parents a month ago, the plan had been to have Heather stay in his sister’s old room with its frilly décor, but Heather demanded to have her daddy’s room. She’d stomped her foot, folding her arms and puckering her lips. No one could say no to that face.

  Heather squirmed in her bed, her little face scrunched by her favorite teddy bear. The sun had yet to touch the morning sky. Part of him hated waking her, she looked so peaceful. But his heart ached to talk to her. Just him and his little girl.

  He set the plate of pancakes on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. “Hey, munchkin.” He shook her shoulder gently.

  Her eyes popped open. “Daddy!” She jumped up, throwing herself in his arms, knocking the side of his face with her pink cast. No greeting could ever be this good.

  “I made us pancakes.” He kissed her cheek, holding her tightly. Oftentimes, he resented that Gina kept his daughter from him for a year. He might not have loved her, or even liked her all that much, but he wouldn’t have turned his back on her, or their daughter. But holding on to that anger wouldn’t do him or Heather any good now.

  She snuggled up next to him as he brought the plate of buttered pancakes to the bed. They always shared a plate. Five pancakes loaded with butter and syrup with two forks. “Do I get to see you on the television?”

  He’d tossed and turned all night about whether or not that would be a good idea and based on the language and what the words implied, he opted it would be best if she didn’t hear it. “Not this time. Some of the things the reporters asked aren’t things little girls need to hear.”

  She looked up at him, brushing her curly locks from her face. “Because they didn’t know about me? Or my leg?”

  He coughed. “Where did you hear that?”

  “I overheard Papa talking with Auntie Karen when I got up to use the bathroom. He said the reporter was rude and insen…insen…” She tapped her lips with her forefinger.

  “Insensitive?”

  “That’s the word.” She smiled, stuffing a large bite into her tiny little mouth. “Mmmmmm.” She waved her fork in the air.

  Heather could reduce him to a puddle of raw emotions in two seconds flat. He’d do anything for her.

  Anything.

  “I’m very proud of you,” he said, fiddling with the fork. “I love you very much, and you know that my job sometimes puts me in the public eye.”

  She nodded. “You made the front page last week!”

  He laughed. “I don’t like being the center of attention, nor do I like my family being there. Just remember that no matter what, the things I do are to protect you.”

  “I know.” She continued to dig into the pancakes. The girl had a healthy appetite.

  They sat in the bed for another ten minutes, finishing the entire plate. She told him about the night before, and the story Grandmamma had read.

  His mother waffled between having some energy to sit up and have conversations to being so weak she could barely eat. Her pain level increased so high they had to put her on medication. The doctors told them if she lasted the month, it would be a miracle.

  “Will you be home tonight for dinner?” Heather asked.

  “I plan to be.” He batted her nose. “Maybe we can go out for ice cream after.”

  “Yay!” She wrapped her arms around him. “Daddy, is Jessica your girlfriend?”

  “What gave you that idea?” His daughter had ears like a hawk and eyes in the back of her head. Nothing got by his little girl.

  “Grandmamma said it was about time you had one when Papa mentioned the girl on the news was the girl who was with us when I broke my arm.”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose. He certainty didn’t regret going to bed with Jessica, but the plan had been to have dinner, maybe a kiss or two, and plan a date for another day. “She’s a friend that happens to be a girl.” Besides, Jessica was the one that wanted a no-strings-attached romp in the sack.

  “Can she come with us for ice cream?” Heather looked up at him with her bright-blue eyes, pleading. Her life had been far from normal. Shortly after she’d been born, her mother started to deteriorate. Heather had been taken care of by friends and family, all while her mother slowly died right before her eyes. It wasn’t that Gina didn’t want her daughter to have the surgeries, but she’d barely been able to take care of herself.

  The last time he’d seen Gina before she died, he promised he’d do whatever it took to give Heather a good, happy life.

  “I can ask her, but I can’t promise she will be able to.” Then again, it was Friday, so maybe she didn’t have any plans.

  No-strings-attached ice cream.

  Heather nodded, her curly hair bouncing up and down.

  “Let’s go downstairs. Daddy made a big mess, so I could use some help.”

  He lifted her up. “You’re getting too big for Daddy to carry.”

  She mushed his face, puckering his lips. “I don’t need to be carried.” She pressed her forehead against his, staring at him with a look of determination. Even when she’d been in physical therapy, in pain, she wore that look with pride. He wished he had half her resolve.

  He laughed, setting her down. “All right, big girl. Let’s go do the dishes.”

  Heather made her way downstairs while he gathered up his backpack with his computer and a few other things he needed for the day. He’d have a cup a coffee and visit with his mother and daughter for a bit longer, then head into work. His heart skipped a beat thinking about seeing Jessica and her beautiful smile. Somehow, he’d have to figure out how to manage a new career, being a father, and dating a woman who clearly, he had stronger feelings for than he wanted to admit.

  With a spring in his step, he made his way down the stairs, where he saw his father standing at the front door, shaking his head.

  “What’s up, Dad?”

  “I don’t know, but there’s a news crew out front.”

  “Shit,” Nolan mumbled. The last thing he needed was for his daughter to be plastered all over the news for a second day.

  “Nolan!” h
is sister called. “Come to the family room.”

  He turned to see his daughter with a scowl. “Auntie Karen says I need to go upstairs.”

  “I bet Grandma would like a visitor,” Nolan’s father said.

  Just as Nolan bent over to kiss Heather, his phone buzzed.

  He headed toward the family room, checking his phone, seeing a couple texts from Jessica.

  Did you see the morning tabloid news program? WTH? They have a pic of me…well, outside. And they dug up crap from my past.

  He paused mid-step, scrolling to the next text.

  Call me. I’m sorry.

  “Sorry for what?” he mumbled as he turned the corner into the family room, quickly texting her back.

  We’ll talk later… I

  He hit send by accident when he saw his sister. He made a mental note to finish the text shortly.

  “Watch this,” his sister said as she clicked the television remote.

  “Jessica Roads, the social media director for the Miami Dolphins, recently linked romantically to the offensive coordinator, Coach Nolan Greer, was spotted with Coach Greer in the backyard of her apartment building. We had to black out most of the image as it appears Miss Roads flashed him.” Behind the newscaster, a picture of him kissing her lit up the screen, followed by the now infamous flash. “Yesterday, Coach Greer made a statement about his young daughter. Considering this isn’t the first time Miss Roads had bared all…” Another picture of Jessica, arms over her head, with five other women, all shirtless, popped up on the screen.

  “Shit,” Nolan muttered, stuffing his cell in his pocket.

  “…at a woman’s rally three years ago,” the newscaster said.

  “Shut it off,” Nolan barked.

  “I like this Jessica girl,” Karen said. “I wouldn’t have the nerve to do something like that at a protest, but I wish I did.”

  “I’m sure your Green Beret husband would love to see that happen, especially when he’s deployed.” His tone dripped with disdain.