Page 9

Chapter 8

Shawn

G od freaking damn! Lee grew up and went from cute Sleeping Beauty to a fucking smokeshow. When I first saw her, I watched her face as it went through the full party platter of emotions processing that I was standing before her. I just stood there in shock, taking her in. Then I watched her head fall to her chest, a dream that I would find my way to Toronto, that she had probably let die somewhere in her teen years roaring back to life. I had been there and done the same thing as her. She was my Sunshine, and when she left, it was like a cloud followed me everywhere.

The second I wrapped my arms around her and breathed every bit of sweetness in, she felt like home. And when I touched her, I knew I was finally home.

The way she got giddy over Burna Boy playing. I couldn’t help but dance and flirt back with her. Forcing my hands to grab onto her hips to stop them from trying to find their way to her tits or, even worse, her throat to pull her mouth to mine.

Shit. What is wrong with me? This is Lee we are talking about. I keep seeing her in my head as the little girl with dandelions in her hair, but then I look over at the bombshell of a woman that is lying on my shoulder. I’m such a goner. I knew it when I was 10, and damn sure know it now as a man.

I let out a long breath, and she looks up at me, her bright green eyes piercing my soul.

“What are you thinking, Books?”

Her playful and flirty tone amping up more than just my heart.

I smirk again and look back at her. “That I never thought I’d see you again, let alone share a car with you on your way home.”

She laughs then gasps, “Oh shit, excuse me, sir?”

She says, now trying to get the driver's attention. “Can you please drop me off at the Souvlaki Place? It’s a little Greek place on Bloor Street. Thank you!”

I look back over at her. “Um, you hungry Lee?”

She tosses her head back and laughs. “I mean yes, always. But not for Sou’s. I actually live above it.”

“Oh, well, um. I’m pretty hungry too. I haven’t ventured out to the Loblaws to get groceries yet, but I should because Luna and Blaze will need more food and bones soon.”

“Luna and Blaze?” She looks at me in total confusion.

“Oh, I have two Dobermans. Luna is my baby girl. She is a light fawn color with blue eyes, my little moon pup. Then Blaze, he is my goofy, playful boy, mostly black. He helped bring a little sun back into my life.”

Ainsley looks down, and she sucks in her bottom lip, realizing I just made her feel bad as her voice cracks.

“I’m sorry it ever left to begin with...” She let out a long exhale, like somehow her 10-year-old self could have stopped her parents from needing to move.

I bring my hand to pull her chin up, using the pad of my thumb to press and pull her lower lip back out. She slowly brings her eyes up to meet mine.

“Hey, it’s okay! You just gave me a glimpse of what to look for to find my joy. Blaze and Luna have similar energy. I can’t wait for you to meet them.”

She smiles, and her face changes to a look like she has a secret she wants to share.

“What is going on up there, Lee?” I say as I tap her temple with my pointer finger, just like I did when we were kids.

“Well, are they at your place now? You’re the first stop, so I could order us some Pizza Gigi to be delivered. See the pups, unless they’re down for the night?”

She says it in almost the same nervous ramble she had as a little girl, but I can tell she has learned to make it come out more put together.

“I do not know what Pizza Gigi’s is, but I’m always down for pizza! Add in you getting to meet Luna and Blaze, and now you don’t have a choice. You’re coming up! Plus, I have an extra bedroom if you need to crash and then I can have the car service drop you off in the morning.” I say as my excitement takes over. The car pulls up to my building, she looks out and shakes her head.

“Oh duh, Soph put you up in the player condos in the S.T.O.T building. Shit, if I had clothes here, I would have just been able to get ready and take the elevator up to work in the morning.”

I smile and help her out of the car, giving the driver another twenty-dollar bill because I still need to get some Canadian cash. Lee laughs behind me as I take her hand and buzz us in.

Bill meets us at the front door. “Hi, Mr. Salisu, Miss Harris!” He nods, and I look at Ainsley as she shuffles up to Bill.

“Bill and I go way back. I bring him Timmie’s on Tuesdays! It’s a thing. Timmie Tuesdays.” Lee explains as she leans down to give Bill a hug.

I look between them both and repeat, “Timmie’s?”

Lee’s face morphs into horror as she raises her voice so it echoes through the lobby.

“GOD DAMN MOTHER FUCKING SHIT! S.T.O.T is so freaking thorough on everything, but no one mentioned Timmie’s to you?”

She looks up in utter pain and groans, “I’m so sorry, Canada. We’ve let you down.”

If you were just passing by, you would think this girl just found out her cat got run over. I laugh as as she looks over at me with a serious look and calm voice.

“The holy grail that is Tim Hortons is like Starbucks, but cheaper and better. We’re getting Timmie’s in the morning. It’s a requirement if you are going to live here. End of discussion.”

She says as she nods, agreeing with herself about the decision that she made for the both of us.

“Deal, but you can’t buy pizza and Timmie’s in the morning. Let me get it.”

Bill chimes in as we make our way to the elevators. “Mr. Salisu, you know in your team binder you have a new AMEX to use, and it’s connected to your home unit iPad if you need anything.”

One eyebrow shoots up as I look back at him. “Bill, my man. You're a lifesaver. Thank you.” I throw up a fist, and he slowly bumps it with a smile.

“I already got the pizza coming. I have a connection at Pizza Gigi’s and can order pizza whenever I want,” Lee says.

We step into the elevator, and Lee leans on the railing opposite me, trying to give us as much distance as possible, like if she gets any closer, I will shock her.

“Have a good night, Bill!”

She shouts as she waves at him, and I badge for my floor. The doors shut, but wait a minute.

Did she just say that she can get free pizza whenever she wants? I look over at her and cross my arms across my suit.

“So what connection is this at Pizza Gigi’s? An ex?” I’m poking around to see what she will give me.

I need to know what I’m up against right now, or at the very least, what she has been up to the past several years to land her free pizza.

She side-eyes me. “Well, I did frequent Pizza Gigi’s with an ex at U of T, but no. Liam and I would go there when we were both in school together for sibling dates and then when he got drafted and became Mr. Toronto himself. They told me I could have any pizza I wanted for free at any time. Guess it pays off to be related to weirdos that can skate in a hockey city.”

I laugh. “More like a hockey country, but I’ll get the city to love the Titans. I’m glad you both are here. I was worried I would come up here and not know a soul.”

“Here we are. In the flesh. It's been weird since the rest of the family is back in Texas. So it’s just me, Liam, and Mimi here.”

Oh yeah. My head goes to the time that her Mimi visited us in Texas. The kindest, most fun grandma I have ever met.

“That’s right, I almost forgot that Mimi lived up here. How is she?” The elevator opens, and we walk down the hall.

“She’s a freaking angel, that woman. I love her with my whole heart. She taught me so much and still does.”

“I can’t wait to meet her.”

I say as I push open the door. I turn towards the mudroom to remove my shoes and Ainsley removes her heels. As I turn the corner and take off my blazer, I smile at the sound of Lee’s bare feet slapping on the concrete floors as she follows me to the kitchen. Laying my blazer on the barstool on the kitchen island, I roll up the sleeves of the button-up shirt I’m wearing. I look up, and Ainsley is staring at the tattoos on my arms as her cheeks turn bright red. I love that her face can never truly hide how she is feeling around me. I slowly raise two fingers up to my mouth, opening slowly as I press them in. Ainsley’s mouth drops, assuming I’m going to suck them in front of her. I press my tongue down around the edges of my fingers and blow, whistling to bring Luna and Blaze running in here with us.

The whistle startles Lee out of her turned-on state, and she spins around just as Blaze rounds the corner, Luna close behind. I bend down to greet my best friends. Blaze bypasses me immediately, like he hasn’t known me his whole fucking life and runs straight to Lee. Luna slowly looks at their snuggle fest, which has now brought them both to the floor, and approaches my legs.

“Hey, baby girl!” I say as I get face to face with her, scratching behind her ears.

“I have a girl for you to meet. Think you can go say hi?”

She snakes herself through my legs and then slowly makes her way to Blaze and Lee. Lee looks up from Blaze, who is literally trying to sit in her lap, and warmth takes over her face as she sees Luna. Ainsley leans over, wrapping her arms around Luna, giving her the biggest hug, and whispers to her, barely loud enough for me to hear.

“Thanks for keeping him in one piece for me, baby girl.”

Now, my mouth is hanging open. I swear my body doesn’t know what to fucking do. It honestly feels like my heart is beating so violently, it’s pumping extra blood straight to my dick. I knew the day this girl left I was missing something in my life, and I’m so startled by these emotions that have come swarming to life all at once that I grab my home unit iPad from the wall and start taking off down the hallway.

“Lee, I’m going to go take my suit off. I’ll be right back. Make yourself at home.”

She nods and continues to play with Luna and Blaze. I run back to my closet, gripping my cock as hard as I can to get it to calm down. How am I about to make it through the night with this girl when I feel like I have to cum every five minutes I’m around her? I hit the doorman button on my iPad, and it rings.

“Mr. Salisu, I was just about to call you.”

“Oh yeah, what’s up, Bill?” I take a deep breath, thankful for the distraction.

“Your Pizza Gigi’s, is here. Should I buzz them up?”

“Oh, sure thing.” I make a note to call them in the morning to leave them a large tip for the pizza.

“Yes, sir, buzzing them up now.”

“Thanks, Bill. Um, oh, and one other thing. I need a HUGE favor.” I say as I put him on speaker so I can change out of my suit.

“Sure thing. How can I help?” I hear the doorbell ring.

“One second, Bill.” I lean out the bedroom door to see Lee laughing with the dogs, now playing with a ball they brought her. I smile and shout out.

“Hey, Lee. Do you mind bringing the pizza inside? They are at the door.”

She yells back. “I’m on it, but if you are asking me to do this because you’re naked back there, I might just accidentally open the wrong door.”

I chuckle under my breath. This girl.

She walks towards the front door, and I go back to Bill.

“Bill, I need a full outfit for Ainsley to wear to work in the morning. I don’t want her to have to go all the way home and then turn around and come right back here for work.”

“Completely understand, sir. How thoughtful. Do you have anything in mind?”

“Maybe just a bag of several business professional options, size medium and shoes around a size 9/10.” I hit the wallet app on the iPad.

“I just sent you $500 from my iPad. Does that work?”

“Yes sir, my daughter is in university here in town, and she is great at this stuff. I can have her go now and be back in an hour. We will leave it at your door.”

“Thanks, Bill. You’re the best; whatever she doesn't spend, you can just keep it for helping us out. I owe you, Bill.”

“It’s just me doing my job, Mr. Salisu.”

“Appreciate it, Bill. Bye.”

“Bye, sir.”

I hang up and notice things in the living room have gotten quieter. Quickly finding a pair of basketball shorts and an old SMU tank to throw on. Shit. I didn’t think about what Lee would wear to bed. I jog a little towards Lee.

“Lee, do you want to wear one of my old…” I stop mid-sentence. Looking up to see Blaze and Luna are back on their beds, drifting off to sleep, and Lee is jumping up and down, trying to get out of her dress but failing. I cough, and she spins around so fast I think she might fall. She catches herself and looks up.

“Oh hey, they crashed after we played for a bit, and I was getting uncomfortable. So, I was going to get out of my dress.” She says very matter-of-factly, like that was the next logical step for her.

“And what were you going to put on, Lee?” I look at her dead in the eyes, cocking my brows up in invitation for her to carry on.

Her face drops. “Umm...I didn’t think that far. I just wanted to be comfortable and not get pizza on my dress.”

I nod, pulling my lips into a tight line to fight the fact that she was just about to be completely undressed in here eating pizza half-naked. Fuck. That sounds like a good time. I shake the thoughts from my head, regretting the decision to put on basketball shorts. Turning around, I wave for Lee to follow.

“Come this way. I can grab you an old shirt to throw on.”

“Thanks, Shawn.”

She says as she holds up her dress with her hands and follows me. From the corner of my eye, I can see her tucking her chin to her chest and biting the corner of her lip as she shuffles behind me.

She stops at the doorway, and I peek at her from my closet.

“You can come in, Lee.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.”

She looks around. Trying to figure out where to draw the line, feeling like we have been lifelong friends but still haven’t seen each other in years.

You’re good. Come here. You can wear this.”

I step out of the closet, and she takes the oversized concert shirt in my hand and goes into my bathroom, shutting the door. I blow out a long breath. A couple of seconds go by, and then the door opens. Lee is still in her dress and looks into my eyes, then stops and stares at my lips as she sucks her lower lip into her mouth.

Shit, come on Lee, you’re killing me.

“Books, I need a little help. I can’t get the rest of my zipper down. It’s stuck.” A little smile appears on her face. Double shit.

I slowly step towards her, and she turns around, gathering her hair to one side. Grabbing her shoulders as I go for the zipper. She lets out a breathy gasp as my cool fingers glide over her bare skin, and my body heat rises.

Damn it, we’re so screwed.

I slowly lift the zipper up to get it working properly before sliding it down to the edge of her perky ass. As the black lace of her thong appears, I pivot hard on one foot to stop myself from getting harder than I already am.

She slowly turns around, letting go of the top of her dress, as it falls down to her ankles. I look up and see her standing in the doorway of my bathroom in a set of black lace lingerie.

Shit, her tits. They are my new best friends. Sorry, Luna and Blaze.

My gaze is fixed on her breasts, and I pull my head down. I think of all the most recent all-star players, willing myself to get it together.

LeBron James, Steph Curry, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards.

My thoughts are cut off as I hear Lee walking towards me, and I slowly look up.

She smiles. “Wanna help?”

“Sure thing.”

I’m so flustered and horny right now I literally stand up and put the shirt on her in one fluid motion. She smiles and looks up at me again, cocking her head to the side and then looking back to my lips.

I can’t fuck this up. It’s Lee. There is only one shot to get this right, but it’s like our bodies crave each other. I look into her green eyes, then down to her lips. She bites her bottom lip again.

Fuck it.

I step into her and wrap both of my hands around her waist, pulling her into my chest. Our eyes lock, and when they do… heavy vibrations fill the room. Our phones going off, buzz after buzz, as the anticipation falls from Lee’s eyes. I drop my hands, and a sigh escapes her lips as we both turn to get our phones.

It’s the group text. Of course it is. As if Liam knew what was about to happen and wanted to cock block me.

Liam

People!! I said text the group when you’re home and safe. I will misuse my rights and put trackers in your phones if I have to.

Millie

Liam, are you home and safe?

Liam

Mils, you’re literally down the hall in my spare room.

Millie

You never know. Just wanted to make sure you let the group know. I’m also good, everyone. In case you didn’t get that already.

Liam

Okay, Liam and Millie are good. Bouch, Soph? Books, Ains?

Books

Um, Liam, it’s a little weird that you talked about yourself in the third person through text.

Lee

Agreed. You could have just said Millie and I are good. Also, I know you are already tracking my phone, dipshit.

Liam

Books and Ains aren’t getting any letters this year. I’m keeping all your mail.

Millie

Do you realize that is probably a reward for them, not a punishment?

Liam

Good point, Mils! Books and Ains, you’re both getting everyone’s mail. You can sort and deliver as well. Good freaking luck!

Lee

You’re really taking the Postman thing seriously tonight.

Bouch

BOUCH MAN IS HOME. Chamomile tea in hand, and Love Island on the TV.

Soph

Someone smack him through the phone.

Lee

I want to so badly, but chamomile tea sounds so nice right now.

Bouch

Thanks, Ainsley, it’s fantastic!

Lee

Soph liked your text. Books liked your text. Liam liked your text.

Bouch

Ouch, what was that for?

Lee

You can call me Lee. Thank you very much.

Bouch

Noted. Soph and I are home and safe! I made sure she was tucked in at home before I made my way chez moi.

Soph

Dear God, make it stop.

But I’m home and good. Check me off your list, Liam, because I’m going the fuck to sleep. See ya in the morning, Lee! Love you, Mils.

Bouch

Sweet Dreams, Sophie!

Soph

FML

Lee

Love you Soph! See you in the morning. I’ll bring you Hortons.

Books

What’s Hortons?

Lee

UGHHHHH. Ignore him. I will fix him.

Books

Oh yeah, Tim Hortons. Is it really that good? Like, it’s just coffee and donuts. Right?

Millie

Uh oh.

Liam

YES, it’s that fucking good. Anyone that doesn’t like Timmie’s can get fucking traded out of Canada. Enjoy your Starbs, motherfuckers.

Bouch

I support this idea! How do we make it happen?

Soph

Calm down, athletes. But yeah, Shawn, it really is THAT good. Lee had her 12th birthday party Tim Horton’s themed. Her cake was just a bunch of donuts stacked in a pyramid.

Lee

Damn right I did! He will be a changed man in the morning. Goodnight, awesome losers! Love you all! The sunshine will be out in five more hours! Get some shut-eye.

Liam

Fuck that, but love you. Night party people!

Books

I will report back once Tim has been introduced. Night!

Millie

Good night, everyone! Thank you for a wonderful night.

Bouch

I can already hear Soph’s snores from here. Goodnight fam!

Soph

I laugh at this little group that formed over one evening and look over at Lee sitting on the edge of my bed in my shirt. Fuck, I almost forgot for a second how fucking good she looks in my shirt and a small groan leaves my lips. She looks up and over at me and our eyes lock again. She clears her throat, and one eyebrow shoots up.

“So, are you going to kiss me or not, B?”