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Eleven. The heart wants what the dick wants

Elias

W aking up in a stranger’s bed is always startling at first, even if you spent the night before doing the wickedest things. Waking up in a stranger’s bed without them anywhere in the vicinity makes it even worse.

I remember Vera saying something about a meeting in the morning. It’s a miracle I can even think straight with how exhausted I am. I push the covers down around my waist, exposing my bare chest to the cool air conditioning and I smile, replaying everything we did. I’m pretty sure that balcony has never seen that kind of action in its existence, because not only did Vera come hard enough to mess up my clothes, she dropped to her knees and sucked me off until I saw stars. I’m still a little embarrassed about how I came all over her face and hair, but washing it off her in the shower was a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

Then she all but demanded I fuck her and I did. From the first night we shared, I knew the sex was always going to be toe-curling and soul-altering. I think I underestimated how fucking spectacular it would be the second, third, fourth and fifth time. We took our time, fucking slowly as she stared into my eyes while her fingers dug into my ass. I’m certain I was so deep inside her I’ve left my mark in places it probably shouldn’t be. But Vera didn’t complain. If anything, she was begging for more. Which is how we ended up on the balcony again, with her bent over the edge and my fingers in her mouth to muffle her sounds.

The one thing that hasn’t changed is Vera’s incredibly vocal.

I’ve heard horror stories of people at hotels complaining about noisy guests and posting videos to social media, and I never want that to happen to me. I definitely don’t want to put her in that situation either, so finding ways to keep her quiet was my solution.

After all that, we had another shower and collapsed into bed. I remember wrapping myself around her naked body as she mumbled instructions to me, but I don’t have a clue what she said. Her scent lingers in the air, mingling with my cologne and sex, and it’s all so fucking hot.

Calling her peaches last night was an unconscious thing, but she seemed to like it and I’m going to stick to it.

Peaches and her superstar, I can live with that.

Still grinning, I reach for her pillow and the crinkle of paper makes me stop. On hotel stationery and in loopy handwriting, her note says:

Stay. Order room service.

Build up that energy. I’m expecting another good dicking before I leave.

x V

I know better than to defy her instructions, especially when I’ll get to enjoy the benefits of a good dicking too. I order the full breakfast and extra coffee, use the bathroom to wash up before pulling on a robe. There’s no point putting on clothes if it’s going to come off anyway. Besides, the robe is really comfortable and I’ve never lounged around in a fluffy one before. I return to find my phone lighting up with countless texts and groan at the multiple rows from Dhruv. For a brief moment, I’m worried something else has leaked, but I choose to ignore it. I switch to my group chat with Bash and Samar instead.

Bash

You better have gotten laid, because I had to deal with Sam’s snoring all night

Samar

I could have stayed in my room, you were the one who felt lonely

Bash

My best friend abandoned me, of course I was lonely!

Samar

I thought I was your best friend.

One, I did get laid. Two, I apologise for leaving you with his snoring. Three, I’m your best friend?

Bash

Asshole.

Samar

So…is she still worth it?

Yup.

Bash

Is she your girlfriend now?

It’s just sex. Fuck buddies, if you will.

Samar

By the way you were looking at her, I’m not sure this was ever just sex.

He’s right. My distaste for this arrangement isn’t a secret, but this is the only way I’ll have anything to do with her, so I accept my fate. I’ll practise hiding my feelings from her, it’ll be a piece of cake. Groaning, I shake my head at my stupidity. This is the compromise I had to make, because there’s no way I’m going back to life before Vera. And I’ll eventually get over this burning need for more. Right?

The heart wants what the dick wants too .

Grunting at my inner voice, I reply to my friends.

Well, she doesn’t want anything more than sex. And I want her.

Bash

Must be some kind of magical pussy.

Wash your mouth out or I’ll do it for you.

Bash

Oooh, possessive. I gotta say, seeing Florian sad about being abandoned was worth it, though.

Samar

He wasn’t that sad considering he went off with another woman.

Bash

For real? That man has too much charm.

I’m glad his charm didn’t work on her.

Bash

Speaking of her…does she have a name?

Vera.

Samar

Pretty name for a pretty babe.

Bash

We said we’d never call women ‘babe’ again.

Samar

My apologies. I forgot about this conversation we supposedly had.

You were drunk out of your mind that day.

Bash

But wait, why are you texting if you’re getting laid?

She’s out at a meeting.

Bash

And you’re…

Naked and waiting in bed.

Samar

*GIF of Mr. Bean wiggling his eyebrows*

Bash

I’m jealous of your life.

I’d be jealous of my life too .

When a knock sounds on the door, I toss my phone aside and rummage around in our discarded clothes for my wallet. Slipping out a few notes, I dip my head and open the door enough so they can push the cart inside. I don’t need them seeing my face and having those rumours flying around the internet. With a quick nod, I hand them the tip. I pull the cart over to the bed as my phone starts pinging again.

With a cup of coffee in hand, I smile at the texts from my siblings. We’re a close trio, leaning on each other in good and bad times, turning to the other for advice and we make sure to see each other as often as possible. The only downside is we’re all professional athletes who travel a lot. Patrick plays field hockey, while Nina is one of the highest ranked badminton players in the country. So when we’re not together, they’re off winning medals and prepping for the Olympics—which is what they both should be doing right now.

Leaning against the cushioned headboard, I FaceTime them. Nina answers first, short dark hair with light blue ends pointing in every direction.

“You could reply to the text, you know?” She yawns and stretches, showing me all her teeth.

“Wanted to see your face. Nice hair,” I tell her, sipping on my coffee.

“Getting into the Team India spirit.” She squints and leans in. “Where are you?”

Before I can answer, Patrick joins the call and he looks as sleepy as the two of us. Even though we’re all in the same timezone and we’re usually up earlier than this for our respective practices, I clearly picked a cheat day for my siblings.

“Why are you naked, Patricia? Put some clothes on!”

My older brother rolls his eyes and sits up, flashing us more his tattooed chest. His beard is unruly and threaded with greys, but he’s still the best looking of us all.

“You don’t have to be jealous of how good I look, Ninan.”

I shake my head at their regular banter. I’m the lucky one with a name that can’t be turned into a different one, so I usually sit back and let them battle it out.

“You’re insufferable.”

Patrick grins, long hair tucked behind his ears. “Love you too, kid.”

“Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, what was your question, Neens?”

“Are we on for Mahabs next month?”

“Have we ever not done Mahabs?” Patrick retorts.

Nina growls. “I wasn’t asking you, you dumb tree.”

“Yeah, we’re still doing Mahabs,” I reply, hoping they’ll stop winding each other up. It’s pointless, because they don’t know how to have a normal conversation. Ever.

“Where the fuck are you, E?”

“Mumbai. Played the Legends yesterday.”

Patrick’s eyes widen. “Wait, you played? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m still being punished, remember? And that requires me to travel with the team.”

“Duuuuuude.” Nina shakes her head. “Sorry you missed out on kicking Mumbai’s ass!”

We’re also really supportive of each other and watch every match we play. The whole time Patrick and the Indian hockey team were winning medals to qualify for the Olympics, Nina and I were glued to our screens. Pat and I do the same for her and they do it for me. We’re also a little too involved in each other’s lives, knowing minute details about our bowel movements and sex lives. But that’s the way it’s always been.

Five years older than me, Patrick’s my hero and I admire how hard he’s worked to get to where he is. Nina and I are only two years apart, but our bond is far less volatile than the one she has with Patrick. It might sound dangerous, but it’s how they show love. We’re lucky to have such a close bond and to know if anything happened, the others would come running. When I was benched last year, Patrick came to live with me in Chennai for the first three months. He helped me through recovery and was at every PT appointment. When he had to leave for international games, Nina took his place.

I envy people who don’t love their siblings the way I love mine. I would be nothing without them.

“How’s training going?” I ask, taking another sip of my coffee.

“I’d be okay not playing badminton until I get to Paris. I’m soooo tired,” Nina whines.

“For once, I agree with Ninan. This is fucking brutal. I know we need to be at our best, but I’m gonna fall apart soon.”

I wince on their behalf, because as someone who knows what training for a professional sport is like, I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. But talking about it makes me miss the routine and having somewhere to go and things to do.

“Any idea when you’ll be back on the pitch?”

I shake my head. “Dr. Theo needs to sign off on everything, but I’m hoping soon. Things have been pretty good. A few twinges here and there, but nothing unbearable.”

“And what about the woman that got you in all this trouble?”

Flashing them an awkward smile, I say, “She’s…uh, here?”

“Like in bed with you?” Nina’s eyes are so wide as she leans in, like she can see anything else.

“No, calm down.” I laugh and set my cup aside. “Okay, technically this is her room. But she’s at a meeting, so I’m eating breakfast while I wait for her.”

“ Shame you’re not eating her for breakfast,” Patrick says with a smirk. My big brother presents as a ladies man, but I know he’s waiting for the right one to come along.

“Jesus, Patricia.” Nina groans and rubs her face.

I laugh at my sister. “I’d love to eat her for breakfast. Maybe another meal.”

“Atta boy,” Patrick cheers and we crack up as Nina continues to groan, shaking her head at us.

“You two are the fucking worst.”

“Aw, poor Ninan. We’ll find you someone to eat for breakfast.”

She flips us off and Patrick grins at riling her up. “Maybe I have a hot, leggy pixie in my bed after I had the best meal of my life.”

I scoff and my brother brings the phone closer to his face. “Do you, really?”

“Ugh, I wish. Sadly I’m all alone, like you, big brother.”

Patrick shrugs. “I choose to be alone.”

“The women of the world chose to leave you alone,” Nina responds, grinning at her comeback.

As much as their bickering can sometimes get out of hand, I enjoy watching them verbally spar. They’re only like this when it’s the three of us and never in front of our parents. Seeing the various sides of my siblings amuses me to no end, but it also makes me miss them.

“Looking forward to seeing you two at the beach. Been a long time,” I say, drawing their attention back to me.

Nina smiles, her beautiful face lighting up. “I miss you guys too.”

“Bring your leggy pixie, Ninan. I’d like to meet her.”

She scoffs. “In your dreams, Patricia.”

I shake my head as Patrick says, “I shall definitely dream about your pixie.”

She sticks her tongue out at him and I chuckle. “On that note, either of you bringing anybody?”

“Nope. Just me, myself and I,” Patrick replies and Nina shakes her head.

“All right. I gotta go refuel before my girl gets back, I’ll see you both in a few weeks.”

“That’s too much information!” Nina yells.

“Get some, baby brother!” Patrick’s laughter echoes as I end the call.

While I eat, I email the owner of the beach house to confirm the dates for our family getaway. I’ve been doing this for a few years now, as a chance for the three of us to unwind and take a break from the constant pressure we’re under as athletes. The eight bedroom house comes with a fantastic cook that knows all of our favourite dishes, access to the beach and a swimming pool. It’s the perfect escape and clearly my siblings need it this year, who am I to deny them that?

“Hey superstar,” a husky voice breathes into my ear. Hands slide over my bare skin as the covers are pulled back and I look up at the goddess straddling me. “Good morning, handsome.”

“Peaches,” I mumble.

She smiles and circles my nipple with a finger. “Are you well rested?”

“And well fed.” I stop her hands from wandering again. “How was your meeting?”

“You’re looking at the person responsible for marketing the Chennai Renegades.”

I prop myself up on my elbows and blink at her. “ What do you do?”

She leans forward, hair falling around us like a curtain, “Your bosses hired me to make the team look good.”

“That explains nothing.”

“The firm I own is now on contract with the Renegades for all marketing purposes. Commercials, hoardings, PR, social media. You name it, we do it.”

Holy shit, she’s accomplished as fuck . “You’re working for us?”

“ With the Renegades. A small group will follow the team around capturing moments for content.”

“Amazing,” I whisper, not fully understanding what that means.

“It’s pretty cool.”

“You’re a boss and I’m a…this.”

She frowns. “What’s wrong with you?”

Everything. The night we met, she was confident and captivating, and now she’s accomplished, beautiful, powerful and owns a whole ass company. I might have lots of money to my name, but I’m…

“I’m an injured cricket player with nothing else to offer.”

“And what do you think I need you to offer me, Elias?”

I don’t know how to answer the question. What can I offer her she doesn’t already have?

“Elias.”

“You’re okay slumming it with me?”

She narrows her eyes. “I didn’t realise I was slumming it.”

“You’re all of these incredible things, Vera. I’m…not. I feel like maybe I overestimated what I brought to our… relationship .”

“Sex, food, friendship, company…what more could I want?”

“Someone with far more accomplishments, maybe?”

Vera slides off my lap. “You think because I own a company I need someone with the same thing?” When she puts it that way, it sounds silly. “I have met tons of people with the same job and they have zero charm or personality. Their lives revolve around their jobs and they certainly don’t know how to have fun. From the night we met, you’ve kept me on my toes.”

Either because of the way my past relationships ended or because I don’t see myself as anyone special, I truly do believe I don’t deserve someone like Vera. My exes broke up with me because I had nothing to offer them. I believed I was a good boyfriend, taking them out and spending money on them and finding time to see them. But clearly they wanted more. When I asked what the more was, neither could give me a proper answer. So I figured I was the problem. That I lacked something they couldn’t put their finger on, something they wanted but couldn’t get from me.

All these years, I let their opinions make me believe I’m not enough .

“I’m not slumming it with you. I don’t even want anyone else. I could have gone home with anybody in that bar, anybody on that rooftop. You think I picked you because you were there?”

“Why did you pick me?”

“Because you’re the only person I’ve met in years that made me stop and stare. You might not know this, but you have an incredible effect on people around you.”

I scoff, blushing as I shake my head. “I think you’re talking about yourself.”

“I know the effect I have on people. Last night, every woman on the roof was watching you . You stared me and Florian down, but everyone else wanted you. Three of the women with me asked Florian for your number.”

“Did he give it to them?”

She snorts. “Yes.”

“Because he knew if he distracted them with me, he could have you.”

“Elias.” She’s back in my lap, hands framing my face. “I don’t care for ego stroking. But I want you . The reasons are not important. All that matters is it’s you and me. Okay?”

It’s one thing to feel her need for me when her body responds. But to hear her say the words? Fuck, it blows me away. Maybe I’m enough after all .

“Now…” she peels her shirt off, leaving her completely naked and my mouth drops open. “Can I show you how much I need you?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I flip her over, eliciting a surprised squeal as I pin her to the bed. She winds her arms and legs around me and with the covers out of the way, our hips are flush, my dick thickening as I rub against her.

“I want you too, by the way. Of every woman I’ve ever met, you’re all I’ve ever wanted ,” I mumble and kiss her, our lips and tongues doing the talking.