Unexpected Rush (Play-By-Play #11) (35 page)

She clutched his shoulders, her body pulsing with sudden need. “So what you’re saying is that a walk-through of your new place was a turn-on?”

“No. Walking next to you while you’re wearing that hot dress is a turn-on.”

He kissed her and she fell into the taste of him, the way his mouth always worked a dizzying array of magic on her senses. She’d been pent up this week, focused on nothing but work. So had Barrett, and they hadn’t spent any time together. She missed his mouth on her, the way he always touched her when he kissed her, the way he made her melt all over.

He swept his hands over her dress, then lifted it, cupping her butt. He picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down on it.

“What do you say we christen this nice new house the proper way?”

Her lips curved. “Appointment, Barrett.”

He bent and licked the curve of her breasts. “I’d rather not make an appointment with you for sex, Harmony. How about I make you come instead?”

The business side of her wanted to object, but then he lifted her dress, drew down her panties and planted his mouth on her sex. The business side of her dissolved in a puddle. Now, she was simply a woman who craved the release her man could give her.

She fisted the comforter in her hands, disregarding the care she’d taken in smoothing out every possible wrinkle. At this moment she only cared about his mouth, his lips and his tongue, and the way he glided smoothly along her clit and pussy, making her clench and lift against him as she catapulted her way toward orgasm.

And when it hit, she arched and cried out, her entire body
shaking from the cataclysm of her climax that had been denied for too long.

Barrett stood, grabbed a condom out of his pocket and unzipped his pants. He pulled her to the edge of the bed and slid inside of her in one smooth motion.

Still quaking with aftershocks of that incredible orgasm, her pussy vibrated around his cock.

Barrett leaned over the bed, bracing his hands on either side of her. His soft gaze penetrated her as he stilled his movements, making her quiver with unexpected emotion.

“When I’m inside you like this, I feel like I never want to let go of you. I could stay like this forever.”

She blinked back the tears that welled in her eyes, unsure of what to say in response.

She was in love with him, and the emotion tore at her. With Barrett buried deep inside of her, she knew with one hundred percent certainty that he was the only man for her, and always would be.

But she didn’t know if what he was talking about was love, or just sex. So she wasn’t going to tell him how she felt.

He began to move within her, easing in and out of her so slowly it was unbearable in the sweetest, most torturous way. She felt every inch of him, and when he pushed in all the way, burying himself deep and grinding against her to rub his body against her clit, she moaned.

“I love those sounds you make,” he said. “They make my cock even harder. They make me want to fuck you hard and come in you.”

She met his gaze, giving him a slight tilt of her lips. “Wasn’t this supposed to be a quickie?”

He grinned down at her. “Yeah, but I can’t seem to do it fast
when I’m with you. I want to linger, to feel you for as long as I can. To watch you when you come.”

He brushed his fingers lightly over her clit, making her gasp. “Yes. Make me come again, Barrett.”

“I want you to remember this first time at my house, Harmony. Remember this first time in my bed. No man will ever make you come like this.”

She already knew that. His voice was embedded in her heart, his body was enmeshed with hers. There was no one else for her. There could be no one else for her, because she loved him. And as he moved within her and used his fingers to take her to the very height of reason, she fell, his name spilling from her lips as she came.

He dropped down over her and kissed her, pistoning his cock faster and faster, prolonging her climax and making her moan against his lips. And when he groaned with his orgasm, it only heightened hers more.

After they caught their breath, he kissed her, a deep, soul-shattering kiss that made her tremble. He broke the kiss and met her gaze. “Sorry for the lack of a quickie.”

She smiled. “I don’t think you’re sorry at all.”

He held out his hand and lifted her off the bed. “You’re right. I’m not.”

She dashed into the bathroom to clean up, then straightened her dress, which fortunately would de-wrinkle in the Tampa humidity.

They went downstairs, where, unfortunately, there was nothing to drink. She’d stop somewhere before her next appointment and grab something cold.

“So you really like the house?” she asked.

“I really love the house. I’ll move in over the next couple of days. I’m already packed.”

“I’m so glad.”

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, this time a long, lingering kiss that was warm and tender and made her want to cancel her appointments for the rest of the day so she could stay with him.

But she had a job to do. So she pulled away. “I’ve gotta go.”

“Yeah, me too. You’re coming to the game Sunday afternoon, right?”

“Of course. Mama and I wouldn’t miss it. And I expect you to slay the opponent.”

He grinned. “I intend to.”

She wanted to say the words. They hovered on the tip of her tongue. But she didn’t.

“I’ll see you later, Barrett.”

“Okay.”

Barrett headed back to his condo. He’d spent the past few days packing up the things he was going to take over to the house.

He was just about finished taping up all the boxes. As he looked over the condo, he realized he was not going to miss it. Especially after seeing the renovated new house.

Harmony had done a great job. From the art on the walls to the sheets on the bed, it was perfect, and just as he wanted it.

Now he just had to convince her to move in with him.

She was independent, and it was one of the things he loved about her. So she might not go for it.

First things first, though. He’d have to have that long-put-off conversation with Drake. Once that was out of the way, he could move forward with Harmony.

He wanted her in his life. In his bed. In his future.

He was in love with her. He didn’t want to spend any more nights without her.

He just had to get through this first preseason game, and have that talk with Drake.

And then he’d have a big conversation with Harmony about their future.

It was the first preseason game. Barrett always felt like he’d waited forever for the season to start. Now it was here, and he was damn ready for it.

Drake gave him a crooked smile as they dressed for the game. “Defense is gonna dominate today.”

“You know it.”

“Then we’re gonna take the season.”

Barrett was pumped, and he felt the adrenaline rush from his teammates.

They gathered for a team meeting and their coach gave them a pep talk, told them what to watch out for in terms of the other team’s defense and offense. Then it was time to take the field.

About damn time. Barrett had all this pent-up energy, and he was ready to expend it on some offensive players.

He had a feeling this was going to be a good game. And it was going to end in their favor.

As they waited in the tunnel, he thought about his family, always behind him. The Cassidys were a dynasty. Barrett was proud to be a part of that dynasty.

Tucker had been the first one to text him this morning to wish him luck, and then added:
Not that you need it.

He’d smiled. Coming from Tucker, that had been one hell of a compliment, since they mostly insulted each other. But when it came to the sports they played, they always had each other’s backs when it was game time.

Flynn had his own first game today. San Francisco was playing Detroit on the road. Flynn had texted him last night and told him he’d better win and not besmirch the family name. That had made him laugh. He’d wished Flynn luck, too, and told him they were both going to kick ass.

Grant wouldn’t play until Monday night, a home game in St. Louis. Grant had texted him this morning as well. He told him he’d be watching the game on TV and he’d better not fuck up.

He loved his brothers. Pains in the asses, all of them, but he loved them all.

His parents had called him this morning to wish him luck. His little sister, Mia, had also called, kept the call short and said she’d be watching the game from one of the sports bars in her college town in Texas.

Harmony had called him first thing this morning. She’d had a late client meeting, so they hadn’t seen each other last night, and he had to be game ready anyway. But she’d called him, wished him luck and told him she’d be rooting for him and for Drake and the entire team.

Then she’d paused, as if there was something else she wanted to say. He’d waited, but then she said good luck again and she’d see him later.

He wondered what she had on her mind, but he put it aside. Game day was the only thing he needed to have on his mind today.

He was pumped and ready as he waited in the tunnel.

“Man, it seems like forever since we were in uniform,” Drake said.

“Right? I hate off-season. I’m ready for this shit to get real.”

“I’m down with you, brother,” Drake said, the two of them bumping fists.

The other guys around them slapped hands with them.

Their teammates were pumped up. They were all ready to get this season started.

First home game always gave Barrett goose bumps. Crowd noise was escalating as they were announced and ran out of the tunnel to the raucous cheers from the full stadium. It fueled his momentum as he and his teammates took the field.

Now it was time to get down to business.

After the coin toss, Tampa had the ball first, which meant Barrett would have to wait to take the field.

“Man, I hate this,” Drake said. “I mean, yeah, good for Zeman and crew. Let’s put some points up. But . . . ya know?”

Barrett read and fed off Drake’s anxiety and nodded. “I know, man. I know.”

They both paced the sidelines, watching the offense get started. Zeman marched his offense down the field. Running game got off the ground and Zeman connected on several short and long passes.

Receivers looked good. Backs looked solid. Offense ended up scoring seven on a short run from the six-yard line.

Outstanding.

Now it was their turn to show their stuff.

After the kickoff, Pittsburgh had a short ten-yard return. Tampa’s defense took the field.

They assumed a run and lined up for man coverage.

It was a run. Barrett hustled in to help with the tackles, and Tampa’s linebackers made the tackle after only three yards.

In the huddle, Barrett said, “He’s going to pass. I think he’s going to throw up a long one. Drake and I will go deep.”

He told the corners to play their receivers and the linebackers they needed to push hard on their blocks.

They got into position and at the snap, Barrett did what he’d been trained to do—he read the quarterback.

Gregson—Pittsburgh’s quarterback—dropped back and looked right, then threw long.

Barrett dug in and went after the receiver and the ball, knocking it out of the receiver’s hands just before the catch.

Incomplete.

The crowd roared its approval.

Pittsburgh went three and out without a first down, so they had to punt and Tampa got the ball back.

He and Drake made their way back to the sideline. Drake bumped fists with him.

“That’s how it’s done,” Drake said.

Barrett nodded.

That had been satisfying. Now they just had to keep on doing it.

Tampa didn’t score on their offensive series. On the next defensive series, Gregson threw on first down, this time caught by their tight end for a short gain. Tampa’s cornerback was right there on the tackle.

Pittsburgh managed to march down the field and got a couple of rushing first downs, but Tampa’s defense held them. Five minutes in, Tampa was still up seven to nothing.

Defense was looking solid. They had to keep Pittsburgh out of the end zone.