Catching the Pass (Football Fantasies) (7 page)

Chapter Ten

The last two weeks had been hell on Maggie.  Training beside the man she was sure she was falling head over heels for and not being able to say or do anything about it was nuts.  She couldn’t get away from him, nor could she ignore him.  He was too much man to ignore.

Especially now.  When he was lying half naked on her massage table and she was helping him stretch his leg muscles.  The feel of firm, hard man under her hands was enough to make her heart speed up and sweat to form on her brow.

Jennings, for the most part, was his normal controlled, collected self, making her feel even more out of joint and frustrated.  Yes, they needed to be professional and focus on his training, but knowing he was struggling as much as she was would make it a tiny bit easier on her. 

Maggie closed her eyes and tried to get a grip but all she could see each time she closed her eyes was them.  Together.  In bed.  She could almost feel her body writhing against his as she sought completion in his arms.

His big, strong arms.

“You okay?”

Jennings’ words brought her out of the daydream she’d been having.  Heat blossomed on her face and her lips parted.  It was too hot in there, especially with his inquisitive stare on her.  She pulled her shaking hands away and stood, turning away from him.  Moving to a stack of gear, she started putting things away, anything to prevent herself from saying or doing something to ruin their newfound professionalism.

She couldn’t be the reason he failed.  Biting her lower lip, she took a deep breath and calmed herself, knowing she was doing the right thing.

“I asked if you were okay,” Jennings said, his drawl deepening.  Why did he have to do that?  His sweet Texas twang did something to her.

Maggie looked over her shoulder.  “I’m fine.”

When she went back to her tidying, she could feel the words left unsaid hanging between them.

“Fine?” he asked, inches behind her.

She nearly jumped out of her skin.  She hadn’t heard him move, so intent on ignoring him.  Now, he was all she could feel.  His heat leeched into her and she started to tremble.

“Yes.  I’m fine.  Why don’t you go shower and I’ll finish straightening up down here?”

Maggie clenched her jaw.  Bad idea.  Why did she have to suggest him getting in the shower?  Now all she could see was his naked body, the water sluicing down his cut muscles.  Heat flooded between her folds and she wanted to reach between her legs and ease the ache that had been building since the last time he’d had his hands on her.

Jennings didn’t move.  He stood there behind her and she could feel the weight of his stare.  The longer he remained—silent—the more awkward the tension became.  She wouldn’t look him in the eyes.  As soon as she did, her secrets would come tumbling out and they’d be right back where they didn’t belong.

Finally he left, without a word.  She continued to straighten up until she heard the water come on.

Then she fell onto the couch, her legs feeling like rubber.

Maggie had no idea how she was going to make it through two more weeks, but she needed to find her backbone and ignore him the best she could.  Or else.

* * * *

Jennings stood at the edge of the field, his body thrumming.  The last month of intensive training, practice, and more practice had been hell on his mind and body.  Maggie had been hell on both, too.  Having her so close, but out of reach had nearly killed him.  There had been so many times he’d felt the need to pull her close and kiss the hell out of her.  He’d sensed she struggled, too.  Hopefully they’d put themselves through the strain for a good reason. 
I’ll get the chance to find out now.

A large gathering of coaches and staff had come out to watch him try out.  Jennings had met the GM and a couple of the coaches when Rhett had flown him and Maggie north to see R play in the big game.  The staff had all seemed quite receptive to seeing him on the field then, and he hoped the glow of their winning game rings only made them more willing to give him a shot.  Jennings couldn’t wait for the opportunity to have a ring just like Rhett’s.

Rhett walked out on the field, ready to throw to Jennings after he ran a 40-yard dash.  Last week at the combine, the young players had put in some impressive numbers, and Jennings needed to be somewhere in the range if he wanted to keep the coaches’ minds open.  He’d already pulled off a 37” vertical jump with a 37” arm reach, putting up comparable numbers to those of the younger players.

Jennings walked over to the end of the track before glancing up in the stands to see Maggie.  She and Taylor were up there, thick as thieves, both rooting for him.  After today, no matter the outcome, he was taking his sexy little brunette to bed.  The self-imposed chastity was about to be ripped to shreds.  The thought brought a smile to his lips as he braced himself to start.  The quicker he ran, the better chances he had of getting her into his bed, so that was enough to propel him a little faster.

The coach on the opposite end lifted a hand and Jennings prepped to run.  The hand dropped and Jennings took off like a demon, running with every ounce of energy he had.  His body flew to the end and he passed the mark, slowing once he was done.  He headed back to the coach to hear the time.

“Four point five-three,” the coach yelled to the others.

Not bad for an old man.
  It was a better time than some of the guys eight years his junior who’d performed in the combine days before.  Jennings looked at the crowd of nodding gray heads, knowing he was in contention.  Free agency wasn’t a great place to be, but since he’d long passed his graduation, he couldn’t be drafted.

Jennings smiled up to his sister and his woman, ready for whatever came next.  Regardless of whatever the outcome was, he was proving to himself he was capable.

And maybe that was enough.

He glanced back up to Maggie and felt a rush of emotion hit him.  Jennings knew he was head over heels in love with her at this point.  If he went into the NFL, he wasn’t sure how it could work out for them.  He’d be on the road a lot, or training like mad.  Would there be time to see where they led?

The NFL was his dream, though.  If it was meant to be, they’d find a way.

“Get your head in the game, man,” Rhett whispered as he clasped Jennings’ shoulder.  “Now let’s play some catch.  You ready?”

Jennings nodded.  He was past ready.

Eye on the ball.  Eye on the ball.

His gaze drifted to Maggie once more.

Eye on the damned ball!

* * * *

Maggie’s whole body shook as she sat on the edge of her seat.  The last month of hell had better have been worth it.  Her nerves were absolutely shot at this point and they still had a long road ahead of them, even if the tryout was a good one.  Once he got in, there was more training, conditioning, and practice he’d be doing twenty-four seven.  Well, maybe not when he was sleeping, but he’d be dreaming football then.

“He’s looking good.  Really good,” Taylor said, excitement in her tone.  “You did an incredible job with him.  I was just telling our head athletic trainer about what you’ve done with Jennings.” 

“Thanks.  It’s just what I do,” Maggie said, her gaze never leaving Jennings. “What do you think his chances are?”

“He might actually pull this off.” Taylor leaned back in her seat and grinned.  “I recently found out that one of the coaches had had his eye on Jennings in college and had short listed him for the team.”

“That could be good news,” Maggie said.  “But eight years later, will they still put their money on him?”

“He’s lived football his entire life.  He loves the game, and this is his world.  Think about it—after a couple of months, he looks this good, after not touching a ball in a decade.  Give him a couple more months of intensive practice and he could blow the roof off.”

Maggie hoped Taylor was right.  “Let’s hope the coaches see it that way.”

“I’ve already put seeds in their heads.  The same way I convinced Jennings to get the surgery in the first place.  Six months ago, Jennings thought I was nuts for even suggesting it.  There’s no way he should be here right now, but he is.  I have no doubt in my mind he’s going all the way.”

“You’re awfully sure of your brother.”

“He’s due for some good in his life.”  Taylor smiled.  “You’ve been good for him.  Now it’s time for more.”

“Good?  I did my job. That’s all.”

“There’s more to it than that and you know it.”

Maggie stared at Taylor.  “No.  Nothing but training.” 
At least this past month.

“Broken record, Maggie.”

“There’s nothing going on between me and your brother.” 
For now.

“Yet,” Taylor said.  “And I, for one, can’t wait.”

Maggie shook her head, doubt filling her.  The last month, Jennings had avoided her like the plague.  But there had been moments, moments she’d caught a glimpse of the lover she’d shared one night with.  Yet, she couldn’t get her hopes up.  He seemed to have a destiny to fulfill and so far, she couldn’t help feeling like she was more in the way than anything.

She stared at Jennings catch ball after ball, as he zipped all over the field.  He was a machine, the perfect player for any team.  The front office would be stupid to let him go, because she knew what kind of stock he was made out of. 

Jennings was the kind of man you wanted behind you.  He was humble, talented, and strong, a winning combination in any athlete.  His work ethic was unlike any she was used to, even more hardcore than her father and her brothers—incredibly high praise since the men in her family were top notch in her book.

“You look at him the same way he looks at you, you know,” Taylor said.

Maggie kept her eye on Jennings and didn’t let his sister’s words get to her.  “He needs to keep his eye on the ball.  His dream is within reach.  He doesn’t need to worry about me.”

“Maybe he has a new dream now.”

* * * *

Jennings felt like collapsing after the long workout, but he remained on the field, talking to several of the coaches.  The atmosphere was positive.  They all seemed impressed with the numbers he’d managed.

And that was all thanks to yoga and Pilates and a sexy as hell woman waiting for him in the stands.

His gaze went to hers again.  He was burning for her and couldn’t wait to get away from the men he’d so desperately wanted to impress.  The moment he realized he was more interested in being in her presence than that of the men who could hand him his dream, then he knew he was too far gone. 

“Jennings, very exciting showing,” the offensive head coach said, offering Jennings a hand.

Jennings shook it and smiled when the coaches all turned to head back inside.  He was glad to be free.  The other men left him and Rhett on the field, and Jennings shook his friend’s hand.  “Thank you for the help getting me here.”

“You deserve it.  Now, go take care of that lady you’ve got eyes for.  Your lovesick looks are driving me nuts.”

Jennings grinned and jogged over to the bleachers and watched Taylor and Maggie head down—especially the latter.  Maggie moved with such grace.  Later tonight, she’d be writhing under him.  Once they reached the end, Rhett swept Taylor away.

“I wanted to congratulate my brother!” Taylor cried.

“He knows,” Rhett said, turning to look at Jennings with a wink.

Jennings took a deep breath and stared at Maggie.  “Ready to go home?”

“Home?” she asked, her brow furrowing.

The question had rolled off his lips without thought.  After two months it had pretty well become her home, too.  “You know what I mean,” he answered, not willing to dig deeper into where his thoughts were going.

Maggie smiled wanly.  “I suppose.”

She looked a little lost.  Maybe a little lonely as well.  The desire to protect her, and make sure she never looked like that again struck him in the chest.  A physical ache ran through him, and he was at a loss for words to say. 

Nothing was simple when it came to Maggie. 

She was his muse.  She was the bane of his existence.  She’d come into his life ready to make his dreams come true, and then she’d ravaged those dreams and made him yearn for new ones.

Ones she was a part of.

The thought of her not being at his side made him feel rage.  Maggie had become an obsession, when his only desire should be for what those coaches could offer him.

But perhaps he was still getting ahead of himself.  No matter how interested those coaches had seemed, he was still a long shot at best.  The dream he’d wanted for so long might not be something he could acquire.

His new dream was within his reach.

Home.  She felt right there.  She belonged.  Now he just had to figure out how to keep her there.

“Let’s go,” he said, holding out his hand to her.

Chapter Eleven

Maggie sat in Jennings’ pickup as they hit the rural route to take them to Dixon.  They were the lone vehicle on the road once they left the city.  The tranquility and slower nature of Jennings’ hometown was so ingrained in her now.  She was a city girl, but two months in his home had brought the country out in her.  For the first time in her life, she felt at peace.  The thought of leaving him sounded horrifying.

But now that he’d had his try-out, her job was over.

“I guess I’ll be leaving in the morning,” she said as she stared out at the countryside.

The car slowed a second, then sped back up.

“Leaving?”

“I was supposed to train you and get you ready for your try-out.  My job is done.”

Silence filled the cab.

Jennings stretched in his seat slightly, looking uncomfortable.  She hadn’t wanted to make him that way.  “What if I don’t want you to go?”

Maggie felt hope spring in her chest, but didn’t want to get her hopes up too much.  “I’ve already had two calls about new jobs coming up.  I need to move on.”

Jennings beat his thumb against the steering wheel.  She turned to see him clenching his teeth.  Usually he was calm and silent.  He was silent now, but definitely not calm.

He veered to the side of the road, spinning slightly in the gravel on the edge.  Maggie held on to the door until they came to a complete halt then turned to gape at him.  “Are you nuts?”

His seatbelt came flying off and he bent over the center console, grabbing the back of her head.  Jennings kissed her with intent, his hands gathering her close.  His tongue swept into her mouth as one hand moved up to cup her breast.  He moved his thumb, circling the tight peak as she put her arms around his neck and kissed him back with everything in her.

Jennings drew back and looked down at her.  “Don’t go.  Not yet.”

Maggie looked down.  “It’s inevitable.  I suppose it was nuts to think this would ever work.”

“We can make it work,” Jennings said. 

“You need to go live your dream,” she whispered.

“But what if I have a new one?” he asked.

Maggie looked up into his stern face.  “What’s that?”

“You sitting up in the stands, watching me play my first NFL game.  And waiting for me after, writhing under me as we celebrate all our hard work.”

A shiver raced through her body. 

“And then the next game,” he whispered, dropping a kiss on her lips.

“And the next,” he punctuated with another kiss.

Maggie pulled away from him.  The sound of it all was so enticing.  “What about my work?  My career?”

“We can talk about this later.  Right now, I just need to touch you.”  Jennings pulled her seatbelt off and snatched her into his lap in an instant.  He drew her down and she straddled him, the steering wheel jammed into her back.  Jennings pushed his seat back to give her space, then gripped her hips and ground his hardness into her.

She was already wet for him, her body responding quickly at the thought of him claiming her body again.  Her nipples burned, and the need for them to be between his lips made her throb in other places, too.

His deft fingers moved quickly to pull her running pants off her.  He pulled his cock out and pulled her panties to the side, sliding into her in one swift surge.  She sucked in a deep breath, the air hissing from between her teeth as he found home.

The realization he wore no condom hit her and she pulled up.  “We can’t do this.”

Jennings gripped her hips so tightly she couldn’t move.  “I don’t have anything with me.  But I had to feel you gripping my cock in that tight little pussy of yours.”

Maggie let out a shuddered gasp, the rough words making her want him to continue instead of stop.  “I’m fairly certain you’re clean?” she asked lowly.

He nodded, putting his forehead against hers.  “Yep.  And you?”

“Tested before I came here, thanks to you know who.  All clean,” she said.  “I’m on the pill.  I didn’t stop … after … I just kept on for some reason.”

Jennings fingertips dug into her hips.  She knew he was more than likely marking her skin, but damn it, she liked the touch of pain.  Maggie ground her hips, forcing his cock to go a fraction of an inch deeper.  They both moaned at the sensation.

She moved again, lifting off his cock a few inches.  He drew her down with that tight hold of his and rammed in deep.  The feel of his heat, unsheathed inside her, made her dizzy.  He felt so good, skin to skin. 

He kissed her, drawing her closer to him with his lips.  They moved together on that front seat, Jennings pumping his cock up into her as she rode him hard and fast.

A month of built up tension had pushed Maggie to the edge.  She looked out the window and saw the slowly setting sun, knowing there would eventually be another car to pass.  Someone could see her fucking Jennings in the front of his truck and she didn’t care.  She needed him to be inside her, connected again, after such a long absence.

Jennings reached between them and toyed with her clit, rubbing her as he thrust inside her.   Maggie clasped his shoulders, holding on as she felt like she was about to splinter apart.  Her orgasm approached quickly, the fast and hot meeting of flesh pushing her to the edge.  She felt it building in her, ready to be unleashed at any moment.

When Jennings’ cock spasmed inside her, seconds before he came, the sensation sent her flying.  Maggie cried out, the waves of her orgasm crashing into her as he held her close.  She could feel the hot jets of his cum filling her as her pussy squeezed around his shaft.  He groaned loudly next to her ear, his body tight, his hold on her tighter.

As Maggie regained her breath, she looked down where they were joined. 

A little shame slammed into her as she looked around to make sure no one had seen them.  They were out in the middle of nowhere, but it was still a public road.  Her need had driven her to this, fucking him in the front seat of his truck.  After so many weeks of being strong and ignoring the call her body had made, she’d succumbed the first moment he’d pulled her into his arms, completely helpless when it came to him.

“That was incredible,” he said with a smile.  He kissed her sweetly and brushed the hair from her forehead.  “By the time we get home, we can have act two.”

“And then I leave in the morning,” she added.

The smile drifted from Jennings’ face.  “If that’s the way it has to be.”

“It does.  You have your dreams to go chase after.  I have my life to get back to.”

“And you’re so sure the two can’t meet?  We can find a way,” he said, staring at her intently.  “If we want it badly enough, we can.”

She felt the breath rushing from her lungs.  “And do you want it that badly?”

He stared down at her, his green eyes alight with lust.  “I want it more than you know.”

“I travel the country, working with athletes from all walks of life.  Half the year, you travel, from game to game to game.  We’d be two ships in the night.  Distance is hard.  I’ve been there before, as you know.  They never end well.  And I think we both deserve more than that.”  He was too special to her to fuck things up.  She wouldn’t go through the same drama she did with Brian.  Brian’s betrayal had stung.

If Jennings left her for another, it would break her.

Jennings laughed.  “That’s assuming I make the team.  I know I’m a long shot.  Who’s going to want an aging rookie?  Them giving me a chance to show them what I’m made of, them considering me at all, it’s more than I could’ve hoped for.  I’m in the shape of my life, thanks to you.  And I gave it a good run.  I can be happy with that.”  He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip.  “I can go back to the refinery.  They’re keeping my job open.  You come home to me between your jobs.  We can make it work.”

Maggie looked at him and laughed.  “You and your sister are such polar opposites.  She’s so sure you’re going to make the team.  You’re so sure you’re not.  It’ll be interesting who’s right in the end.”

“Better to not get my hopes up too much.”  Jennings lifted his hips and pushed into her deeper, his cock still hard.  “Let’s not talk about my sister when I’m inside your body.  If you don’t mind.”

Maggie chuckled.  “Deal.”

Jennings rubbed his hands over her hips and stared at her, that intense look of his capturing her.  “Are you coming home with me to stay for a little while?”

“My job—,” she said.

“I’m not asking you to give it up.  Just give me a couple of days.  No intense training.  No Pilates.  Just you and me.  I want to touch you when I want.  I want to taste you when I want.  No limits.  No rules.”

Maggie thought that sounded like heaven.  “A couple of days.  Yeah.”

Jennings smiled, then kissed her with all the built-up emotion they’d shared the last month.

* * * *

Maggie stretched in Jennings’ bed, her body sore in so many places.  The good kind of sore, the kind a woman gets from being loved right by a good man.  Jennings had done just as he’d promised.  He’d tasted and touched her whenever he’d wanted, however he’d wanted.

And she was addicted.

She wasn’t sure how she was going to walk away from him.  The weekend was almost over, and she’d given him until then.  Monday morning, she was on a plane back home so she could figure out where she was going next.

And when that job was done, she’d come home to him.  She knew a good thing when it was thrust in her lap.  The last few days in Jennings’ arms had shown her that.  They could find a way.  Maybe.

Either way, she wasn’t letting go until she had to. 

Jennings grabbed her and pulled her close, his drugging kisses making her lose her mind.  If they could only stay in his bed forever.

Maggie’s phone started buzzing again.  She really needed to go over and put it on silent so it would stop interrupting them in moments like this.  When she drew away, Jennings pulled her tight.

“Ignore it,” he growled, capturing her lips.

“It’s been going off like crazy.  It might be important,” she said.  “Just let me check real quick to make sure everything’s good.”

Maggie pulled herself out of his arms, even though she didn’t want to.  She snatched her phone.  Ten missed calls from numbers she didn’t recognize.  She pulled up voice mail and listened to the first of several messages.

“Hello, Ms. Anders.  This is Reid Hamilton, head athletic trainer for Houston.  Taylor Ashby has some really good things to say about you, and I’d love for you to come up and talk to us.  If you can give me a call today, I’d like to see you tomorrow, if possible.”

Maggie pulled the phone away from her ear and clicked on the next message.  “Maggie!  Pick up!  It’s Taylor.  I know Reid called you, and he’s really anxious to talk to you.  Please call me back.  And why isn’t my brother answering his line, either?  Hmmm?”

“What is it?” Jennings asked.  “Is something wrong?”

“No,” she said.  Shock and excitement roiled in her belly.  Was fate stepping in and offering her a way she could keep Jennings to herself.  “The head athletic trainer for Houston wants to talk to me.”

Jennings looked up at her.  “A job, you think?”

“I don’t know,” she said with a smile.  “But if it is, and it’s the right one, that would bring me to Houston.”

A smile spread across Jennings’ handsome face.  “It would, wouldn’t it?”

Maggie leapt on the bed and crawled up Jennings’ body, straddling him.  His cock immediately reacted, growing hard against her.  The man was insatiable.

“At least one of us is going to Houston,” Jennings said, his face falling a little. 

Maggie gathered his chin in one hand.  “Your chance isn’t over.  And we don’t know what it is they want to talk to me about.”

Jennings tapped the phone.  “Better call them and find out.  I need some good news.  Knowing I don’t have to give you up would make me very, very happy.”

She laid the phone on the bedside table and rubbed her pussy along his hardening shaft.  “They can wait another hour or so, can’t they?”

Jennings smiled up at her just moments before he drove his cock inside her depths.