Page 21

NINETEEN

ARDEN

“Alright, ladies. Let’s get the side out!” I shout, clapping before lowering my hand so my middle hitter, Izzy, can see the signal. The league isn’t doing a formal pre-season for us, so instead, our coaches arranged for a joint practice with the Carolina Sparks so we can get some gameplay simulation before the real matches start. I’ve noticed that their back row has been dropping back for the entire set because Alaina has been hitting deep, so if I can trick them into thinking it’s going to her again, we should have a nice open hole in the middle of the court.

“Alaina!” I say, grabbing her attention and giving a dummy signal before slyly switching to the real one quickly. She nods her head, pulling all the focus her way as the serve comes over. Zara passes it right to me, so I make a show of getting ready to shoot a high set to the outside where my hitter begins her approach. But as soon as the ball touches the tips of my fingers, I quickly pop it low and tight, just as Izzy comes flying through the air and hits it with exact precision, right into the giant empty space behind the middle blocker.

“Yes!” I cheer as we huddle up and congratulate each other. We’re playing so well together now that we’ve had enough time to gel, and I’m ready to see what the season brings. I’ve played for a lot of different teams since high school, and I have to say, I’ve never been this excited about the prospect of a championship with any of them. But there’s a strong possibility that come playoffs, I might experience the same thing the boys are feeling right now. Unfortunately, yesterday’s game didn’t pan out well for them, but I’m hoping tomorrow’s will, and they’ll be one step closer to the pennant they’ve been working so hard for.

My stomach flips when I remember that I’ll get to see them as soon as I’m done with practice. The Fury caught a red-eye from Boston after their game last night, and Hawk and Jacks were both still asleep when I left for the practice facility. I almost woke Hawk because, even though it’s only been a few days, it feels like an eternity since I felt his lips on mine—but I decided it could wait a little bit longer.

“Bring it in!” Dahlia yells through her cupped hands, beckoning us all to the sideline. This scrimmage isn’t structured, and we aren’t keeping score, so we abandon our spots on the court and head her way. “Nice hit, Izzy,” she says, skimming right over me and looking at Alaina. “Great fake approach. Keep it up.” I internally roll my eyes at how she’s always quick to point out when I screw up but seems to be unable to give me credit when I make a good call.

I’ve been learning to let her actions and words roll off my back with the help of my new therapist. I can’t believe that after just two visits, I’m already starting to focus more on the things I can control and less on the things I can’t. Instead of panicking about being benched or cut, I’ve been doing my best to find a healthy balance of practicing, meditating, and giving myself the rest I need. That, paired with a low dose of anxiety medication, has made a huge difference, and I can already feel the pressure being lifted off my shoulders. I’m so grateful to Hawk for understanding what I needed—even when I didn’t—and encouraging me to make the appointment. While I still get in my own head from time to time, at least now I’m learning some useful skills to cope with my anxiety in a much healthier way.

“I think that’s good for the day,” Dahlia says, getting a nod of affirmation from Carolina’s coach. “Give me three laps to cool down, then you can get out of here.” We all take off in a slow jog, Zara falling into step next to me as we run.

“Is she kidding me with that bullshit?” she mumbles. “You’re the captain of this team, a great leader, and she can’t bring herself to utter a single nice word after a solid set? Did you fuck her boyfriend in college or something?”

I purse my lips, pretending to think carefully. Her eyes go wide, and I bark out a laugh, shaking my head. “Definitely not. She was a senior when I was a freshman. I was so focused on being a starter that I don’t even recall going on a single date that year. I can assure you that her apparent hatred toward me has nothing to do with anything I did to her personally.”

She scoffs. “Well, she needs to get over whatever it is, because her inner mean girl is showing. Coach or not, people are going to have trouble respecting her when she isn’t respecting her players.”

“It is what it is,” I reply. “I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. If she wants to push me out of here, there’s nothing I can do but show the other teams why I’m an asset.” A month ago, I’d have never felt settled after saying those words, but I can honestly say I believe them with my whole heart. There’s a reason my teammates chose me as their captain, and I’ve been giving one hundred percent to this game, day in and day out. It’s taken a while to get here, but what I’m doing is good enough for me right now.

“Okay, fine,” she says. “But if you want me to key her ugly brown Beemer, just say the word.”

I laugh, shoving her in the shoulder as we finish our final lap and head to the locker room to shower. I race through the process of getting clean and dressed, refusing to waste precious minutes standing under the warm spray like I normally do. I just want to get home so I can spend as much time as possible with Hawk and Jackson before their game tomorrow night. It will be the first one I’m actually able to catch, and I’m beyond excited. I haven’t watched them play in person in way too long. Hopefully, it’ll be a fun night for us all.

I ride home with the windows down, the cool Daytona breeze blowing through my hair as I sing along to Bella Simon at full blast. After all the years I’ve been a fan of hers, she still hasn’t made a song I don’t like. She definitely makes a drive through rush hour traffic a little easier to handle, that’s for sure.

I pull into the parking garage much later than I’d like, noticing that Jackson’s car isn’t where it was when I left. Although part of me is disappointed because I want to see him, I’m also kind of relieved that I won’t have to be quiet if Hawk is as needy for me as I am for him right now.

I’m barely even through the door of our condo before he’s rounding the corner, a mischievous smirk plastered across his handsome face. He looks as sexy as ever, wearing nothing but a pair of low-hanging gray shorts, with the waistband of his designer boxer briefs peeking from the top. My mouth waters as he stalks my way, wrapping his fingers around my delicate throat and pressing his lips to mine. I drop my bags where I stand, kicking off my shoes right before he slides his hands under my ass and lifts me from the floor.

“I fucking missed you,” he rasps, urging me to wrap my legs around him as he heads straight for the stairs. We only get halfway up them before he pushes me against the wall, grinding his huge erection into my core.

“I missed you too,” I moan, throwing my head back in pleasure as he makes a direct hit with the head of his cock to my aching bundle of nerves. “Where’s Jacks?”

“Don’t know, don’t care,” he growls, licking a hot line down my neck and nipping at the sensitive skin. I cry out, getting wetter by the minute as he works me into a desperate, horny mess in his arms. “I need to fuck you.” The words are music to my ears, and suddenly, I no longer give a shit when or if Jackson will be home.

“Please,” I beg, and he continues his ascent, carrying me down the hall to his room before tossing me onto the bed. I land with a bounce, air whooshing from my lungs. Before I can even react, he’s lowering his wide body between my open thighs, thrusting forward and making me whimper with need.

“Yes, Hellcat. Let me hear those slutty fucking sounds. Show me how bad you want it.” His hands and lips are everywhere, and if he doesn’t get me naked soon, I’m fully prepared to tear everything off myself. I’ve had sex with this man one time, coming off the longest dry spell in the history of the world, and here I am ready to give him whatever he asks for just to feel him inside me.

“Hawk, I need you,” I choke out, my pussy soaking the inside of my panties as he teases me relentlessly. He chuckles darkly in response, and just as I’m ready to shove my hand down my shorts for relief, he gives in, ridding me of all my clothes before moving to his own. I look down, watching as his impressive length comes into view, and my inner muscles clench when the metal of his piercings glints against the dim light of the room. My entire body is trembling with desire as he drags the head over my slit, stepping back the moment I begin bucking up to meet him.

“Bad girl,” he scolds, landing a tight slap to my swollen clit that makes me cry out. I bunch the comforter in my fists so tightly, my knuckles ache as I do my best to focus on his stern voice. “I told you last time I’d give you everything, and that’s what I’m going to do. But if you try to take , you’ll be fucking sorry. Do you understand?”

I nod my head eagerly, fighting the instinct to argue. I want to be good for him. I want to see the raw, unleashed version of Hawk in every way he’ll allow me to. “Yes.”

“There’s my obedient little whore,” he replies. A shuddered exhale falls from my lips at his degrading words. I shouldn’t love the way they make me feel, but I do. I want so much more. “What’s your safe word?” he asks. It takes me a moment to clear the fog from my brain, recalling our last experience. I didn’t use it, but I remember him making it very clear that I could put an end to everything with a single word.

“Muffins,” I whisper.

“Beautiful,” he replies, sliding his hand upward from my navel to my tits, stopping to collar my throat with gentle fingers. “I want to be rough with you. If you allow yourself to surrender to it, I promise I’ll make you feel so good. If you don’t like something, or my words are too much, tell me and we’ll figure it out together. Can you do that, Arden? Can you let me own your pleasure and your pain?”

I swallow the lump in my throat, practically vibrating with excitement and fear at the same time. We haven’t even started yet, and the rush he’s giving me is already more intense than anything I’ve ever felt. “Yes.” I slowly relax, truly wanting to give myself to him in every way. I’m unbearably wet, soaking the velvet skin of his cock when he leans in for a kiss. As soon as he feels it, he thrusts forward, sliding against me and making me suck in a gasp. The friction is amazing but doesn’t last long before he walks away, his perfect ass and tattooed back on full display as he moves toward the dresser. I try to focus on the art that covers his skin, but my brain can’t compute all the details through the desperation I’m feeling. I listen as he digs through a drawer, turning back to me with his hands full of various toys before dropping them onto the mattress.

“Before you ask, all of this is brand new. I bought it just for you, hoping like hell you’d let me use it someday.” I definitely have questions about when and why he made these purchases, but they’ll have to wait, because I’m currently more interested in the how part of everything. And there’s only one way to find out.

He reaches down, picks up the first item, and holds it so I can see. It’s a U-shaped vibrator, and I internally sigh in relief because I have a similar one in my room. This one has a clit sucker on the outer part, whereas mine doesn’t. But otherwise, it’s not much different. “I’m going to get you started with this. As long as you listen, I’ll let you feel good. If you disobey”—he holds up a small, matching remote—“it all stops. I have no issues with jerking myself off into one of your holes and leaving you here unsatisfied if you’re bad. You can test that theory if you want, but I don’t recommend it.”

“Okay,” I say quietly, watching as he lowers the toy and swipes it through my wetness before sinking it inside me. Tapping the power button, he brings it to life, making me moan out loud as it vibrates against my walls. The pressure feels like heaven after being teased for what seems like forever. I relax into the mattress, letting my eyes flutter closed, and enjoy the sensations flowing through my body. Just as I feel my orgasm bloom to life, a sharp sting radiates throughout my thigh. I suck in a startled gasp, my gaze landing on Hawk as he towers over me with a heart-shaped crop in one hand.

He tilts his head to the side, a cocky grin stretching across his face. “Did that hurt?” he asks. I hesitate for a moment because, yes, it did—but it also felt good, and I don’t know what to make of it. Apparently, I take too long, because he rears back, slapping the leather on the sensitive skin of my other thigh. “Answer me. Did it hurt? ”

“No,” I say, shaking my head rapidly as I blurt out what I really mean. “Yes.”

A condescending laugh fills the air, making my orgasm build again. I never thought my body would react to being degraded in this way, but the more he does it, the closer I get to coming. “Which one is it?” he demands. “Or are you just conflicted because I’m slutting you out and you love the way it feels?”

“Yes,” I moan, my legs shaking as my release barrels toward me. I spread wider, and my hips involuntary buck up, trying to chase the pleasure as warmth begins to flow through me.

“Arden,” he warns. “You know you’re not allowed to come unless I say so. Don’t you fucking dare…unless you’re ready to be punished.”

Panic washes over me because I already know it’s too late to stop myself. Between the vibrator, the way my skin is still stinging from the crop, and his dominant tone, it’s happening whether I want it to or not.

I reach my hand down, attempting to pull the toy out, but he shoves me away, pushing it even tighter to my pussy as he climbs on top of me and holds my body down so I can’t squirm away. The clit sucker hits dead-center, and my vision goes hazy as I pass the point of no return.

“Hawk!” I shout as electricity snakes throughout my limbs, gathering between my legs and exploding violently. My back bows off the mattress, and a string of unintelligible, guttural noises tumbles from my open lips as I attempt to endure the most intense climax I’ve ever experienced in my life. By the time I float back down to earth, I’m gasping for air, letting it out in harsh whines as the vibrator begins to cause painful overstimulation against my swollen, sensitive core.

He picks up the remote, cuts off the toy, and pulls it from my body before pressing a seemingly gentle kiss to my cheek, although I’m still numb and buzzing through the aftershocks of my orgasm. Exhaustion settles in, and I relax, humming contentedly. But before I can even form a coherent thought, his warm, comforting weight is gone, and I’m being flipped onto my stomach.

My eyes shoot open just as strong hands grip my hips, lifting me onto my knees seconds before an open palm cracks against my ass. I yelp, attempting to crawl away, but Hawk digs his free hand into my hair, halting me and bringing his mouth to my ear. “I told you I’d punish you if you didn’t follow directions. You’re going to learn that I control every part of you when we’re in this room. By the time I have you fully trained, you’ll come at the snap of my fingers, you’ll kneel at my feet with a single look, and you’ll let that sweet little head go empty as soon as my lips touch yours. Until then, there will be consequences for not listening. You’re lucky I’m taking it easy on you because you’re new. Next time, I won’t be so understanding.” Rearing his hand back, he spanks me again, but this time, a low moan bursts from my chest. He chuckles in response, and I feel the mattress dip under his weight right before the head of his cock presses through my opening. Even though I’m overstimulated, I push back, practically begging for him to sink all the way inside. But I stop in my tracks when he fists a thick chunk of my hair and squeezes tightly, making a delicious pain bite at the tender skin of my scalp. My eyes fill with tears, and an involuntary, very loud whimper escapes me.

“Shhh,” he warns. “What if Jackson comes home and hears how needy his sweet sister is for his best friend’s cock?” My inner muscles clench on their own accord, and Hawk goes still behind me for a moment as realization washes over us both. I swallow thickly, throwing up a silent prayer that he’ll let it go, but of course, he doesn’t. “Ooh. I think you like that idea,” he chides. “Does that make you wet, Hellcat? Would you want him to come watch us? Or maybe you’d like it if he walked in and put his hands all over this hot little body while I made you come until you cried.” I say nothing, because what the hell can I say when he’s reading me like a fucking book? I do want that. I’ve fantasized about it more times than I’m proud to admit, but I certainly wasn’t prepared for anyone to find out.

“Come on, baby,” he mocks. “Answer the question. Or better yet”—he pauses, pulling my head up so I’m looking into the open doorway—“ tell him .”

I gasp, my eyes going wide in horror. “Jacks.”