The Baller's Baby (4 page)

“Stacey, I realize that this is scary for you. There's a certain amount of nervousness that can come with unknown experiences,” Cole soothed. “I'm not going to say I don't want you. It's rather obvious that you and I share more than a mutual interest in basketball. But I'm not rushing you. If you want to wait, we'll wait. That doesn't stop the wanting, but it can make getting there much, much sweeter.” Cole kissed her again, rougher this time, filtering some of his frustration and hunger into the kiss. The fact that she met him more than half way seemed to thrill him. She threw her arms came around his shoulders in what would be seen as an invitation, an asking. She might not say the words out loud, but her body language spoke volumes. “Why don't we call it a night?”

“Alright.” Stacey huffed, opening her car door. She turned back to Cole who still stood next to her. “My place or yours?”

Cole grinned, taking her hand in his, running his thumb across the back of her slender palm. “Why don't you give me a tour of that cute townhouse?”

“Alright. Get in,” Stacey ordered, with more courage than she felt. They weren't even being intimate and she was already trembling. “There's no need to take both cars and finding yours here tomorrow is a sight better than having someone post a picture of it at my house.”

“Agreed.” Cole nodded. He could see that she was nervous. It showed in the way she drove, stiff and formal. He grinned, knowing inside himself that if he touched her now, she'd probably jump through the roof and ruin her pretty car. It was smaller than he'd expected. Of course at nearly six foot five he wasn't exactly the smallest person on the planet. He ran large hands over the leather seats, noticing that Stacey had turned the seat warmers on to ward off the damp chill in the air. Autumn was coming quickly and seemed to have a score to settle if Cole was any judge.

“I hate the cold,” Stacey said, feeling awkward, too uptight. “If you're too warm you can kick your seat warmer off.”

“I'm fine,” Cole replied, still watching the clouds outside. They were dark, gray and thick, laying down gloomy weather that would mean a frigid night for anyone unfortunate enough to be out in it. “Do you ever think about where you'd be if your parents or you had made different choices?”

“Sure, why?”

“I don't know.” Cole shrugged. “I always loved basketball. It was the only sport I was good at though. I was just thinking about how cold it's going to get tonight. I was thinking about how horrible it'd be to not have a place to sleep tonight and wondering how people get themselves into situations like that.”

“I was homeless once,” Stacey admitted, her voice low, wispy with memory. “My parent's had both lost their jobs and my brother and sister and I became like ropes around their necks, dragging them down. They wouldn't leave us, though. My parent's families didn't get along and fought constantly about who should take care of us while my parents got on their feet. Thankfully, my grandfather stepped up and took all five of us in. He said he was tired of living alone, although I doubt he knew quite what he was in for with all of us underfoot. My father helped him build an addition onto the house for my sister and I to share as our bedroom. Before that, though, when my parent's missed their first rent payment, the owner kicked us out. I remember standing in line to get free bean soup. I hated bean soup, but I remember eating it as if it were filet mignon.”

“Wow. I can't imagine what that must have been like.”

“I didn't suffer the worst of it like some kids have, but I knew I never wanted to go back there again.” Stacey continued, “In school I tried to focus on what I excelled at. I used my grades to get a full ride through college and then worked hard to get a 4.0 gpa. I worked my way through my Masters and the rest, as they say, is history.”

“What about your parents?” Cole asked, intrigued now.

“They're doing well, now. Staying with my grandfather allowed them to get really solid jobs. My father is now the assistant supervisor of the nuclear plant down in Bronson and my mom stays home now. She spends most of her time freelance writing so that she and my dad have spending money for the flea market or a small day cruise or something simple. She also has one account that she lets fill up all year. Then she transfers the two or three thousand dollars she collects into their savings and she and my dad take a long trip somewhere.”

“That's inspiring.”

“How do you mean?”

“Well they could have simply just remained homeless without asking for help with you and your siblings. Instead they took the help and turned it around into a really positive outcome,” Cole explained, appearing moved. It wasn't long before Stacey pulled up to her driveway. She stepped around the car and smirked when Cole offered his arm. “I was too slow to open your door for you.”

She shrugged. “That's okay. I drove so it's no biggie.”

“So how'd you decide on a townhouse near the Bixby Center?” Cole asked, admiring the architecture while Stacey unlocked her front door.

“It sort of called to me, I guess,” she replied with another shrug. Cole wondered if her confidence in her career was a front. She didn't seem all that confident in any other aspect of her life. “I was out shopping with some friends and saw the For Sale sign on the lawn. I'd been saving up for a home for about four years. I was fresh into my Master's certificate and ready with excitement. When I heard the asking price I jumped on it.”

“How long have you lived here?”

“Almost six months now.” Stacey smiled brightly, proud Cole would say. “I still have some of my stuff in the attic, but I figure if it stays there another six months I'll go dig it out and sell or donate it. I hate clutter and despite having a great place to store stuff, I don't want my attic to be full of useless garbage I'm never going to put to use.”

“I'm horrible at house cleaning.” Cole chuckled. “I'm twenty eight and still have no idea how to run a dishwasher.”

“Don't worry. When you're old and decrepit in two or three years, you can retire and learn to be domestic.”

“Domestic huh?” Cole laughed, reaching out and snagging Stacey's hand. With a gentle yank, she came to him on a laugh.

“I was going to go change.”

“Now why would you want to waste all that time when I'd just be taking whatever you changed into right back off?” Cole smiled, his eyes growing dark with desire. Stacey thought fleetingly that she could easily live in those eyes for at least a year or two.

“Well there is that.” She grinned, bringing her lips closer to him.

“And then there's this,” Cole whispered, taking what Stacey seemed hell bent on offering him. The kiss sizzled between them, like trying to hold a lit sparkler as flecks of light shot out in every direction.

                                                        ***

His lips were like silk against hers, full and lush in a way that turned Stacey's insides to liquid pools of lusty need. She'd felt the fringes of desire before, had participated in her fair share of make out sessions, but nothing, absolutely nothing compared to what she felt now. Opening to Cole on a sigh, Stacey invited him deeper, silently begging him to sweep them both beneath the hunger that would eventually swallow them whole. She felt massive hands run down her toned arms, grasping her hands and bringing them around his neck. “Hold on.”

“Why, wha-” Cole bent down and picked her up. He chuckled when her arms clamped around his shoulders, hanging on for dear life. Solidly in his arms now though, she relaxed, her brown eyes laughing when she looked at him. She had the most beautiful skin, Cole thought. All that creamy, silky brown that reminded him of melted chocolate. She glowed in a way most women could only hope to gain. Stacey enjoyed another taste of him, his mouth taking hers in a seductive move that made the very female parts of her body ache. “My god you're amazing. Do you practice that skill set often?”

“Um, not as often as some people but I'm not a novice if that's what you're asking.” Cole chuckled nervously. She told him which room was hers and was rather thankful when he put her down on the carpet, having cleared the door without banging her head into the frame. When she reached for the hem of her shirt, she felt Cole's hands on her wrists, his electrically charged eyes piercing her. “Some things are better done for you.” Reaching down, Cole ran warm hands over the smooth skin of Stacey's lean torso. She wasn't extremely tall, but the woman had a body that made Cole's weep with appreciation. Using his hands to entice her, Cole ran them up along her ribs, molding his long fingers to her breasts before lifting her shirt over her head. “Do you have any idea how you effect me?”

“I think the feeling's mutual,” Stacey murmured, when that gorgeous mouth touched hers again. Despite her inexperience, Stacey slid her arms around him again, pressing her body against his in what she hoped was a clear offering. Feeling his hands cup her bottom, she jumped when they slid down to her thighs. Those warm lips moved to her neck now, tasting the supple flesh along her collarbone. She felt a hand cup her breast and moaned, the punch of pleasure was so strong. She could feel him beneath her, the bulge in his shorts telling her that he was thankfully just as sunk as she was.

“Cole I-”
Oh god
, Stacey thought when that mouth took her breast, wetting her already peaked nipple through the lacey cloth of her bra. Her head fell back as the sensations that rushed through her swamped her body in heady need.

Needing to feel him, Stacey gave a strong tug and had them plunging onto the bed together, her body still wrapped around him.

                                                        ***

Cole had felt her tremors; the tiny shaking that spoke of pleasure given and everything yet to come. Landing on the bed with her, her giggles rippling out, made him chuckle to. Then she was straddling him, her hips grinding against him. He watched as she reached back and unhooked her bra, a feat men never seemed to get right. Even the one handed job wasn't as good as how smoothly and easily women seemed to put them on and take them off. Reaching up, Cole ran his hands up her smooth, brown torso; cupping her warm, gorgeous breasts in his hands. Kneading them gently, he ran his strong fingers over her erect nipples, fueling his own desire. He ran gentle hands up the flawless skin on her back, and pulled her closer. Taking her mouth, Cole drove them deeper under those rippling waves of passion. Needing to pleasure her, Cole turned, tucking Stacey beside him. He watched her breath, noticing that she still looked nervous and unsure. “Relax Stacey. No one's rushing anything tonight.”

“Sorry I just-”

“You're a smart, beautiful, stunning woman,” Cole said. “I want this beautiful, smart and stunning woman to sleep with me, when she's ready.”

“But I am ready,” Stacey assured him, grabbing his hand and placing it suggestively between her thighs. “Please don't leave me like this.”

“Stacey I...” he tensed when she slid his hand under the lace pink panties she wore. “Holy hell.” Unable to resist, and who in their right mind would try, Cole sank into her. Sliding easily into the wet heat of her willing body, Cole used his fingers to tease her, awakening the nerves along her core so she'd truly be ready for what he'd bring to her. Building her up Cole cranked down the desire that wanted to eat him alive. Wanting to show her just how beautiful it would be, he pushed her sliding greedy fingers deeper with every stroke.

                                                        ***

Over and over again, Cole created a rhythm that had Stacey gripping the bed spread for purchase, half afraid she'd fly into oblivion. The climax hit her like a tsunami; giving no care to how it would completely wreck everything she'd thought she knew.

As the aftershocks rippled through her body, Stacey felt an empowerment she'd never known before. Her brains had carried her nearly as far as they could. Now it was time for her body to take her the rest of the way. Reaching for Cole's shorts her hand was under them and around Cole's hard erection before he had time to object. Stacey sighed when she felt the warm, soft skin against her palm. Realizing that touching Cole this way gave her control she'd never had before, Stacey exploited her knew knowledge. Removing his shorts had been simple, giving herself to him, even with this overwhelming want, wasn't quite as uncomplicated.

Rising over him Stacey brought her hips down resting over him. She could feel him slide against her. Leaning over Stacey kissed him, sinking with him as he opened to her. Their bodies electrified by their passion, Stacey moved over him, allowing his momentum to take her. The flash of pain was instant and enormous as Stacey's body learned to accommodate Cole's length, his girth. “Ugh,” Stacey moaned, as Cole thrust into her. Gripping his shoulders, Stacey learned to move with him, slowly understanding that this first time would be her learning curve.

All too soon, Stacey felt Cole slow down. His breathing was deep, focused. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Um, no.” Cole breathed heavily. “You're perfect, it's...it's just been a while and it can be intense.” Taking her face in his hands, Cole brought her down to him, stoking her desire with warm, wet kisses and gently kneading hands. “God you're perfect, Stacey.”

                                                        ***

Rising against her, Cole smiled when she gasped. “Now you're learning,” he said when Stacey ground her hips down on him.  Feeling tender, Cole moved slowly, gently rolling so he could tuck Stacey beneath him. Lifting her legs up Cole showed her how good a different angle could feel. He sank deep into her, her body straining to contain the intensity of their lovemaking. “I want you weeping with satisfaction.”

Gripping her hips, Cole pushed Stacey to the brink, bringing her down slowly and ruthlessly shoving her back up. Pressing her with every thrust, closer and closer to that beautiful peak. “Hmm, you feel so damn good,” he murmured, gritting his teeth to hold on. He felt her tighten around him, clenching him in a rhythm unlike any other. His body became her ground as she shot over that edge, peaking in an orgasm that simply ripped from her hands. “Hold on to me sweetheart.” Cole, still holding her hips, thrust into her, deep, pressing hard against her body as his own orgasm swam through him. Falling with her, Cole shut out everything except the way her body felt when she climaxed and how easy it'd been to follow her. “Are you okay?” He hated the way the words sounded, as if she'd done something stupid to hurt herself, but Cole had never been careless lover and he wouldn't start with her.