Page 27 of Brick Wall

Sebastian

T here’s an extra layer of excitement when you play at home. The players are more excited and well-rested, the locker room is comfortable, and the crowd is loud and rowdy.

I love playing at home; nothing beats it.

I also love that I often have familiar faces in the stands, more so than at away games.

My sister, Scarlett, tries to attend most of the home games, especially since she’s local.

My mom still lives in my home state of California, and my sister, Olivia, is out of state attending graduate school.

Both my mom and baby sister only attend a few games a year, and neither could make our home opener.

However, I have an extra special person in attendance for this four o’clock game: Annie. I gave Annie two tickets for the game and the tickets are actually right next to Scarlett and a friend of hers from the foundation. Annie and Scarlett met briefly at the gala, so they know each other a bit.

I texted Scarlett earlier to give her a heads-up and asked her to bring Annie down after the game. I want to see her.

I haven’t seen her since our first date, and I am eager for more.

I wish I asked her out the night I met her and didn’t react so poorly.

Maybe we would have been dating for months at this point.

Instead, I feel like we are fighting against time to spend with each other.

Oh well, I can’t change the past. All I can do is concentrate on the future.

For a home opener, this is great. The crowd is packed and full of energy. It doesn’t hurt that our offense is on fire. We are up by a touchdown, with only a few minutes left in the game. Our defense is on the field to secure the win, and the crowd is loving every second, confident in our team.

I chug a bottle of water and look downfield to the play at hand.

Their rookie quarterback threw the ball deep toward the end zone, but our safety is right on him.

Our safety tips the ball and can’t come up with the catch, but our cornerback is right there and makes the catch before the ball hits the ground.

The receiver can’t contact him in time before he gets up and makes a run for it.

He’s running down the field, and the more he runs, the more excited the players and fans get.

Ten yards left. Now five. Now one. Touchdown!

That pick-six secures our win, and we take over with a minute left in the game. We spike the ball until the clock runs out and secure our first win at home and a second total win for the season. Fuck yes.

The locker room is packed with excitement and people.

The media is in the locker room now, asking questions as players finish up to go home.

The perks of being an offensive lineman are that I don’t have to engage with reporters too often.

I grab my bag, pat Calvin on the back to say goodbye, and then head down the hallway to the family room, where I can find my people.

The family room is packed, especially because I’m one of the first players out.

I find Scarlett first.

“You’re usually one of the last players,” Scarlett comments with a knowing smile.

Yes, I usually move slowly, and yes, I was motivated to be finished extra early today.

I glance around for Annie, but according to Scarlett, she ran to the bathroom and will be back soon.

At that, my eyes travel toward the doorway right when Annie steps through. She’s wearing the team colors and has a big smile on her face.

Fuck, she’s so beautiful.

I stride over to her and go in for a hug, and by her surprised expression, I don’t think she was expecting it.

“Ready?” I ask.

She pauses for a moment. “Um, yes.”

“I’ll catch you later.” Goldie gives Annie a pat on her back and disappears into the crowd of waiting families, probably to find Bryce. I didn’t even notice her until she was gone. Goldie and Annie must have attended the game together.

We walk through a special exit into the player parking lot, and we hop into my truck. I wasn’t necessarily planning to drive her home, hence her confusion, but the moment I saw her, I knew I needed to spend more time with her.

“This okay?” I need to check. I didn’t mean to steamroll her or anything. I just realized how much I’ve missed her.

She simply nods in response, but there’s a small curve to her lips to show her happiness.

We are quiet in the truck. I’m exhausted from the game and not very chatty. Annie looks out the window, at the peaceful night sky.

I love that we can both sit together in comfortable silence without the need to fill the void. I love her company, and I hope she shares the sentiment with me.

In fact, I really want to spend more time with her. It’s already past nine, thanks to the four o’clock start time.

I’m driving automatically to her place, but I don’t live far from her.

“Do you mind if we head to my place?” I ask her.

“Not at all,” she says, still looking out the window.

I take the next turn, and within a few minutes, I pull into an underground garage and get out.

“Fancy,” Annie says as I swipe the key card to the garage elevator and then once again to my apartment door when we reach the correct floor.

We enter the kitchen, but I have an open floor plan, and we easily make our way back to the living room, my main hangout space.

“Wow, look at that view!” Annie gushes as she looks out my windows that overlook Boston Harbor. Lights from the skyscraper dance over the stillness of the sea, making the water slightly visible.

“Yeah, it’s one of the things I love about this place.”

I love my condo, which is housed in one of the original buildings in the Seaport District before more modern structures took over in the area. My place is a mix of old and new with high ceilings but classic charm. It suits me.

Also, the views and location don’t hurt either .

“How long have you lived here?” Annie asks me.

“Three years or so.”

“Mmm,” she hums as we are both standing by the window side by side, enjoying the view. Although, I’m looking directly at her.

“I need to take care of something. Can I get you anything? Dinner? Dessert?”

“I’m all set, thank you. I ate at the stadium.”

I throw my duffel into my bedroom and head to my kitchen to make a snack.

Because of the open layout, I can easily watch her while I work on making my protein drink in the kitchen. I have never been more thankful for open concept living.

I grab a banana from my fruit bowl and my protein drink, then set both on the end table next to me, and sit on the couch. Shit, that feels good. A moan accidentally escapes when I put my feet up.

“Anything I can get you?” Annie teases me as she moves away from the window and closer to me.

I silently pat the cushion right in front of me, and Annie thankfully sits close, near my chest. I wrap a hand around her waist, and she reflexively slides back a little, her ass cozying up to me.

Fuck, now this feels good. I’m glad I sprung for the extra wide black suede couch because I love Annie next to me like this.

“Do you want to watch something?” I ask, and then I hand her the remote when she says yes.

She flicks through the channels and stops when she notices Dirty Dancing is playing. The two people are dancing on a log, and she leaves it on .

“This okay?” she asks.

Honestly, I’d watch anything she wanted right now. I don’t care. I’m happy.

The two characters on the screen move their training into the water to practice their famous lift.

“You know this summer was a missed opportunity for us,” Annie teasingly says.

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah, we should have practiced this lift in the water at the camp.”

“So I could drop you in the water a dozen times?” I tease back.

“You wouldn’t dare!” She lightly swats me on the arm, but before she’s able to pull away, I grab her wrist and pull her closer to me, pinning her against me.

There’s mischief in her eyes, and a hint of something else I can’t quite place.

Annie takes her free hand, and before I can grab it, she tickles me under my armpit. I immediately squirm and loosen my grip on her, and she easily breaks free from me and howls in carefree laughter.

“Think that’s funny?” I ask.

“No.” But the huge grin on her face says otherwise.

“Maybe I need to give you a lesson.” I gently push her, and she falls straight back with no fight to her. Her feet are still hanging off my couch, but I climb over her upper body, our faces inches apart.

Our eyes lock together, with neither of us looking away. I thought I’d see a hint of playfulness there, but all I see instead is arousal and desire.

For .

Me.

At least I think so. I need to test my theory. I dip my head lower and brush a series of light kisses along her jaw. Annie closes her eyes and lets out a little whimper.

I take my time, trailing kisses until my lips find hers. Our kiss is tender and slow at first, and my body is throbbing for more.

I beg her with my tongue, and she parts her mouth open for me.

I dip my tongue to discover her warm mouth, exploring and enjoying her.

The kiss is now the opposite of soft and sweet.

It’s fast and frenzied, and I can’t get enough.

Our hands are all over each other, exploring and doing whatever they please.

My heart is racing, but now my mind is racing too. Shit. Am I moving too fast?

What is that rule when it comes to sex? Was it date three or five? Shit. I don’t know. Maybe I should have asked Cal that question too, although he’d probably tell me it doesn’t matter. Just go at your own pace and do what you both want.

I need to get out of my own head. I shake off my nerves, and drop down to my knees in front of her.

“Fuck.” I barely hear her murmur.

I look directly into her darkened eyes. “This okay?”

“Mhmmm,” she hums and the sound spreads directly to my dick.

My thick fingers glide to the top button of her jeans, and I fumble for a second with it until the button snaps open for me. I slowly draw down her pants until only her red panties remain and take a minute to enjoy the view.

I gradually work my way back up to her, teasing her with kisses, starting from her toes to her inner thighs .

I dip a finger inside her to find her soaking wet for me. I quickly exhale and then tease her clit in a smooth, circular motion. She moans, and I add another finger, picking up the pace.

She arches her back and spreads her legs wider for me, and I know what this formation means.

I lift her legs over my broad shoulders for better positioning and lower my mouth to the promise land.

I take my time planting feather-light kisses across her tender skin in appreciation. I swirl my tongue across her bud, teasing and tasting her. She whimpers and moans.

I move my free hand underneath her shirt, making my way up her soft skin. I slip my fingers underneath her bra, cupping her breast. I flick one finger over her nipple and give a light pinch. She lets out a needy whimper in response as I continue teasing both her nipple and clit.

I am savoring every pant, every moan, every inch of her. Fuck me. She tastes so good, so sweet. I can’t get enough.

She rolls her hips, grinding her clit against my tongue, until she completely falls apart.

Her blushed cheeks and relaxed smile make her look so incredibly sexy. She’s clearly serene and happy, and I’m proud that I am the one responsible for her current look.

I struggle slightly to get up, but I stand right in front of Annie where she can see my dick throbbing for her.

She moves closer and trails her hands around my body before finding the edge of my T-shirt to take it off. I grab her hand to gently swat hers away. I squeeze my eyes shut, my hands start to shake, and I begin to sweat.

“Hey, are you okay?” Annie drops her hand and stands up next to me, engulfing me into a hug instead. She’s soft and warm, and the panic that almost took over slowly dwindles.

“I’m good,” which is kind of true now.

She’s hesitant with her reply, taking a few seconds to assess me. “I’m good,” I repeat. I add a flirty smile and ask, “Are you good?”

An adorable blush takes over her face. “Oh yeah. I’m good.

Are you…sure? You don’t want me to take care of that?

” She waves her hand, pointing to my very large erection still present between us.

The hug and our current closeness have done nothing to tamp down this thing. Also, I still taste Annie on my lips.

I take a deep breath, slightly hating myself for what I’m about to say next. “Yes, I’m sure.” I’d love to do more with Annie. This is going to sound stupid, but I’m not sure if I’m ready. I’m a little nervous.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved what we’ve done so far, and I regret nothing, but when she came close to undressing me, I panicked. I’m not sure why, especially since it’s not my first rodeo.

“Next time,” I say with a racing heart. “I had fun tonight.” A grin appears on my face as memories from a few minutes prior play on repeat in my mind.

I’m instantly regretting my decision, especially as she’s placing her clothes back on.

“I’m going to request a ride home.” Annie, now fully dressed, picks up her phone from the end table and starts to type.

“I can drive you.” The words come out fast and easy. “You are also welcome to stay,” I tack on. I don’t want her to think I’m kicking her out. I’d love to spend more time with her.

“That’s okay. I have to get up early tomorrow and it’s going to be a long week. ”

“Okay, let me grab my keys.”

I swipe my keys off the kitchen counter, and we exit my apartment. I’m slightly hating myself for playing it safe.