Page 52

51

BODHI

Breathing through the frustration of seeing Briggs with his hands all over my woman, I enter the kitchen, only to be met by everyone I care about most.

Fuck.

Is this for me? I didn’t think anyone remembered.

“Happy Birthday!” a large mass of bodies cheer together, and my mouth hangs open in shock.

Not only do I see every player on the Strikers team, but I see their partners, my sister, Gwendolyn, and my dad. There’s no way I could possibly hide the smile on my face.

The care behind this planning is monumental.

Now that I think about it, I haven’t celebrated my birthday since my mom was around. Celebrated like this , I mean. Cal and I usually go to Joe’s Tavern and shoot the shit, but that’s it.

Never this. Never a party where people show up for me.

I thought this was a team party, but the whole house is covered head to toe in streamers, balloons, and fuck…is that cereal?

Cereal.

Only one woman knows and understands my love for cereal, and it’s because she shares the same love.

I turn to look behind me and my eyes lock on the most hypnotizing emerald greens I’ve ever seen.

“Happy birthday, catcher,” she tells me with a wink, her expression telling me I’m not completely off the hook for my behavior.

A wink. Navy Willow Hayes just winked at me, and I think I fell in love all over again. Cheesy as shit, but I’m a whipped man when it comes to her.

She did this for me, and I acted like a lunatic, practically pissing on her and marking my territory.

I throw back my head at her, signaling for her to come here.

Her eyes frantically search the room, almost like she’s looking for someone to save her, and it’s cute as shit.

I told her I was coming for her, and I meant it.

This is only the start.

Navy sidles up beside me, and I wrap my arm around her, pulling her in close and placing a chaste kiss on her head. “Thank you,” I whisper so only she can hear.

She looks up at me and smiles. “You deserve it.”

I grin, and I’m confident I’ve never sported one brighter. Fucking hell, I’m happy.

Before anyone can say anything further, King yells, “Let’s party! Steaks are on the grill, B. Grab yourself a beer to hold and get your ass in the pool!”

I chuckle and squeeze my girl a little tighter. “Let’s do it.”

* * *

The house is packed.

There’s got to be close to fifty bodies in the pool and another thirty or so littered throughout the house and pool deck.

This is incredible, and I can’t believe Navy planned all this for me.

With the help of King, he couldn’t help but mention.

Speaking of Navy…where is she anyway? I have yet to decide how I’ll come for her, but I know for a fact it has both of us coming with my dick buried to the hilt inside her tight little pussy.

Preferably sooner than later.

I laugh to myself while searching the party for Navy.

“Hey, son.” My dad approaches me and pats me on the shoulder. “Great party.”

I smile at him. “Yeah, it is. Thanks for coming, Dad.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” He smiles. “That your girlfriend over there?” he asks, pointing to where I find Navy chatting with Gwendolyn and Penelope.

“Soon enough,” I tell him confidently.

My dad chuckles and it’s good to see. “You look good, Dad.”

Navy and Penelope make their way over while Gus drags Gwendolyn into the pool. Penelope throws her arm around my dad’s shoulder. “That’s because he’s got a girlfriend!”

My brows rise. “Wait, really?”

Dad plays it off like it’s no big deal, but it’s a really fucking big deal. I haven’t seen my dad date, ever, and to know he’s finally putting himself out there and moving on from my worthless mother makes me happy to hear.

Dad fumbles in place, looking slightly embarrassed. “We’re just seeing how things go. Nothing is official or anything.”

I can’t help myself; I reach forward and pull him into a hug. “I’m happy for you, pops. It’s good to see you doing something for yourself.”

“I could say the same for you, son,” he tells me, looking at Navy.

Thankfully, Navy is equipped to handle pressure as she locks her arm with mine and faces my dad head-on. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. St. James.”

“I could say the same about you, Navy. I’m happy to finally meet Bodhi’s girlfriend,” my dad tells her.

Navy giggles like it’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard. “Oh, I’m not his girlfriend.”

My eyes shoot her way.

“No?” Dad asks.

“Nope. Bodhi has months of tears to make up for. I’ll take nothing less than begging.” Her smile is infectious, and I find myself beaming with pride for her, despite her roasting being directed at me.

She’s sticking up for herself.

My dad turns to me. “Smart woman you have here, son. Looks like you better get to work.”

“She definitely keeps things fresh,” I joke.

Turning her attention back to my dad, Navy says, “You’ve raised an amazing man, Mr. St. James. You should be proud.”

Jesus, she’s perfect. How did I not see it sooner?

My dad hesitates for a moment and smiles. “He did that all on his own.”

I did.

My dad taught me how to be a wall—that’s the job of a great catcher. He taught me how to hold a bat and a glove. He taught me how to be a family man who sacrifices the things I want in order to be what my family needs.

But I taught myself how to be a man.

It took a lot of growing up and perseverance on my end, but it got me to where I am today.

I’m really fucking proud of that.

I know my dad did the best he could at the time, and I don’t hold a grudge against him for it. My mom leaving was an awakening for us all—one that needed time to come to terms with.

Time. It’s the simplest word with the most crucial significance.

“I think you played a big role in that, too, sir,” Navy tells him.

My dad blushes, and I didn’t think I’d ever see this day.

“Aw, look at your cheeks, Dad. You’d think you’ve never got a compliment before,” Penelope teases.

Dad rolls his eyes at Penelope. “It’s been a long time. A long time since someone has said something so kind as well. Thank you, Navy.” He looks at her sincerely.

I need to tell her how much I love her.

It can’t wait any longer.

“Steaks are ready!” King announces over the music.

“Steaks?” I look toward Navy, and she nods. “Fuck yeah, baby.”

Navy smiles and kisses my shoulder, looking up at me. “When are you gonna realize how much I love you?”

If it were possible, my heart would fly out of my chest right now because the woman I love openly told me she loved me . Although everyone else has walked away, this is the first time I’ve heard it from her lips.

It means everything.

The steaks can wait.

I send Navy a smirk filled with promise and drag her behind me, searching for the nearest place with privacy.

The shed.

I’m not sure why we have this thing anyway. I’m the only one in the house that actually does yard work, but even then, we don’t have enough equipment to fill the thing.

That works to my advantage today as I do my best not to cause a scene, pulling Navy into the light blue shed to the side of the pool deck.

Navy whispers, out of breath from my brisk walking, “Bodhi! What are we doing?” She giggles and it’s a sound that settles in my veins.

She’s becoming every part that’s good in me and I’ll take it if it means the way life was without her never returns.

I give her no time to take in the shed before I’m on her—my hands deep in her wild red curls and my body pressed against hers.

A moan leaves her mouth the second my tongue slips inside, giving her no time to react. “I love you,” I tell her, unlocking my lips from hers quickly, “So fucking much, Navy.”

She whimpers and I kiss her again. The kiss is hurried and tangled but filled with enough passion I could burst. I can’t get close enough to her.

“I don’t know how I pushed you away. I’m a fool,” I tell her as I lick and suck my way down her neck. “I was scared, baby, and I’m not afraid to admit it.”

Navy nods, and I pause to look her in the eyes. “I forgive you,” she tells me, not hiding the emotion behind those tantalizing greens.

I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear her say that. I’ve felt unworthy of even her time since Fiji, and the guilt has been eating me alive.

“I don’t want to live another second without you being mine. Mine ,” I growl.

In one swift motion, I lift the hem of her dress and pull it over her head, leaving Navy in a skimpy, bright yellow bikini.

“This for me, baby?”

Navy shakes her head.

“No?” I ask again.

Another head shake. “Then who is it for, Navy?”

“Me,” she says with confidence.

“Good girl,” I tell her, smacking her on the ass and spinning her body around. “Because this”—I back her into the door and slide her bikini bottom to the side, swiping my finger through her wet pussy—“is for me.”

A loud moan leaves her lips, and I’m beginning to think I’ll be the one doing the talking. Fine by me.

“Hands on the door, head up. I want you to watch our guests while I fuck you.”

Navy’s head spins fast, staring at me like I’ve lost all sense. Maybe I have, but I don’t give a shit. “But won’t they see us, B? The pool is right there.”

Yeah, it is. I’m sure some of them saw us come in here, but I’ve got nothing to hide.

In fact, I’m slightly hoping Briggs saw.

That’ll send him a clear message real fast.

The window to the shed door is frosted glass. They wouldn’t be able to see clearly unless up close. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.

“Trust me, Navy,” I tell her.

She nods and submits to my wishes. Excellent.

“Now, put both hands on the door. Lift that ass up and feel what I can do to you. I want to hear my name on your lips.” I pull the strings to her bikini bottoms one by one, sending the tiny fabric to the ground and leaving Navy naked from the waist down.

“Mhm. This right here…is my kryptonite. I could die a happy man with your ass and cunt suffocating me.” I palm her plump cheeks, spreading them wide for a better look. The evidence of her arousal is undeniable—she’s glistening with hunger for me.

Fucking delicious.

The proximity of her forbidden hole to the hole I’m about to fill, tempts me. The tip of my finger reaches its puckered opening, and Navy jolts.

“You want me to slide in right here, baby? Fill you up? Do I get it all to myself, or have you let another man in?” I ask her.

She shakes her head. “Hopefully only you.”

“That’s right. You saved it for me.” My chuckle is full of pride and heat. Goddamn, I’m desperate for her, and I can’t decide where to start. Might as well satisfy my appetite before fucking her raw.

“Stay here. Don’t move,” I tell her as I lower myself between her legs.

My hands caress the outside of her thighs, circling my touch to the inside where her throbbing center is so wet I know it’s painful. Similar to how my hard cock feels beneath my boardshorts right now.

“You look like you need some relief, baby,” I whisper as my warm breath ghosts her center.

She moans because, of course she moans. My good girl.

“I…I…I need…” Navy attempts to tell me. For a woman who always has something to say, she can’t find her words. That brings me immense pleasure.

“Shh. You don’t need to tell me. I’ve got you. I know exactly what you need.” I swipe my index finger through her opening, coating me with her wetness and dragging my finger to her puckered hole. “Stay still, baby.”

I nudge my finger in slightly, just enough for her to feel me there but not enough to penetrate. “Ahhh,” Navy moans.

“How’s that feel? Too much?” I ask her, circling her hole.

Navy shakes her head. “Mhm, more…”

“Gotta relax. How about my tongue, sweet girl?”

She nods, and I waste no time feasting on her cunt. I spread her cheeks wide and run my tongue up her center. Navy’s legs buckle beneath her, but my hold remains strong enough to steady her.

“Stay with me. I’ve been deprived of you for too long,” I growl out.

My tongue finds its rhythm as I lick, suck, and bite every inch of her pussy, relentless, not to leave a spot untouched. I feel her clit throb against my tongue, and she tightens around me as I plunge deep.

Fucking hell, she’s tight. I never want to leave.

I lap up her wetness, stroke by stroke, bringing her body to the edge and then pulling away. My finger nudges in and out of her ass and the sound of her panting when I enter spikes my adrenaline.

The moans leaving her mouth are beastly, bringing me next-level pleasure to know it’s because of me.

“God, I could eat this pussy all day. Best damn meal I’ve ever had.”

I growl, and my dick aches against my shorts. I need to be inside of her.

“You ready to be fucked deep and unruly, baby? Tell me you want me inside of you as much as I do.”

Navy pants, slowing down her breathing. “Please. Take me, B.”

My hands roam her body freely as I rise and circle around to her backside. “It’s time to roughen you up. Let them see how a real man fucks his woman. Think you can handle it, baby?”

She nods repeatedly. “Less talky, more thrusty.”

Hell, I wasn’t expecting her to say something so funny.

Pride fills me. “Feisty, terremoto. Fucking you deep is all I plan to do.”

I bite the plumpness of her cheeks, and she cries out in pleasure.

I swiftly pull down my boardshorts and take out my engorged cock. I fist myself hard, sending a jolt through my body. “Goddamn. This ass…and these tits,” I breathe out heavily.

With one yank at her bikini top, her perky tits spill out, and I grab the fabric before it falls.

I shove the yellow bikini top into her mouth, silencing her muffled moans. Only I get to hear her like this.

My hands waste no time palming her tits and twisting her hardened nipples.

Navy cries out against the fabric.

“Look at you…swollen cunt, pebbled nipples, and soon-to-be stuffed full of my thick cock.”

I rail my body flush against her ass and allow my cock to rub teasingly across her center. “You like that?” I ask her, thrusting slowly as my tip skims her clit, slides through her wetness, and pulls back. Only to do it again and again until her body is shaking with need.

Navy spits the bikini out and screeches with a moan, “Fuck being quiet; let them hear. Just make me come.”

My defiant girl.

I pick up my pace, edging her and causing her body to pulse in anticipation. She’s close. So close—but not there yet.

“I’m gonna come, B. Please, don’t stop.”

Oh, I’m definitely stopping. She won’t be coming anywhere unless it’s wrapped around my cock.

“Come around me, Navy. Don’t let go of that door.”

I bring my cock back before skimming my piercings along her puckered hole, then plunging deep into her pussy without warning.

Holy hell.

“Goddamn,” I grunt forcefully.

The need to fuck her raw is primal. I’ve never needed anything more than I need Navy right now.

Emotionally, physically, spiritually, all the ways I can get her, I want.

“You’re perfect,” I whisper in her ear, meeting her hips thrust for thrust.

“God, you’re deep. Feels so good.” Navy’s moans echo around the small space we’re taking over, joined by the smacking of my cock slamming into her.

I shift my hips to get a better angle, hitting her in the most sensitive spot I know will have her coming in seconds. “Ahhhh,” she cries out. “Right there. Right there. You fuck me so good, catcher. Yessss.”

She sounds erotic, calling me catcher and taking me so well.

I can’t find one flaw in her.

Thrusting in and out, I don’t let up. My right hand reaches to grab ahold of the back of her neck while the other reaches around for her tit. This is everything.

“Best sex…I’ve ever had,” Navy cries out, and I feel her pussy clamp around me. “I’m gonna come. Gonna come…”

She lets go, moaning into another realm of pleasure neither of us thought was possible. Her body tenses as a strangled moan leaves her lips at an ungodly decibel.

Monumental perfection.

“Uhhh, oh god. Yes, B. Yessss. Mhm.”

I power through thrusts, chasing my own release and destroying her slick pussy in the meantime. I growl, “Fuck.”

I’m relentless in claiming her. “I love you, Navy. I. Fucking. Love. You.” My pants are uneven, and my voice is strong, but I made my message clear.

“I love you,” I say again as my release flows to the surface, and I spill inside of her. “Take it. Take every last drop of me.”

“I love you, Bodhi. I love you,” she pants in a soft whisper.

The only sound in the shed is our labored breathing and the meaning of what we shared.

I pull myself free, right my boardshorts, and get to work on securing Navy’s bikini. “Not even gonna clean me up?” Navy asks, laughing as she catches her breath.

“Not a chance. You get to remember this one all day,” I say, smacking her ass playfully.

Navy giggles. “I don’t think I could forget it if I tried. I’m pretty sure they’ll never forget it either.” She points to our friends just beyond the confines of the shed.

“Good,” I tell her and reach out to plant a kiss on her lips. “I love you. I know I said it already, but I do.”

She blinks up at me. “I’ve always loved you.”

My heart holds tight to something abnormal. There’s a twisting I can’t ignore. I kiss her again. “Let’s talk more tonight. I want to tell you everything. Just promise me one thing?”

Navy nods. “What’s that?”

“You’ll agree to be my girlfriend after.” I wink.