Page 53 of The False Start (Off the Bench)

I round the corner and stop stock still. Lila is reclined on the bedspread against the pillows. Her long legs bare, one knee bent enticingly and my jersey pooling around her hips. Her hair is loose around her face like a halo—my own personal angel, designed to bring me to my knees.

“I got your present,” I say with a smirk, holding up the panties dangling off one finger.

“I thought you wanted me in nothing but your jersey.” She lets her knee fall open, exposing a strip of pink flesh peeking out from beneath the hem of the jersey.

“I thought I also told you to be on your knees.”

She smirks. “I’ve been thinking about that. You didn’t really score, did you? I’m not sure it counts.”

I’m not sure what the sound that comes out of my mouth is, but it takes me by surprise, though Lila’s eyes darken with need.

I crook one finger toward me. “Come here.”

She pushes up on her knees and crawls across the bed toward me, her bare ass swaying in the air. She waits at the end of the bed, her pupils blown wide with lust.

I lean forward, wrapping my hand around her throat and bringing my lips to her ear. “On. Your. Knees.” I let my teeth graze the shell of her ear and squeeze my thumb and middle fingers against her pulse points. She swallows and slides off the bed, kneeling in front of me between my legs.

She leans into my hand, pressing it harder into her neck, and I slip my thumb around to cradle her cheek instead. She pouts, and I smirk down at her.

“You’ll want all the air you can take right now, love.” Her mouth drops open in surprise. “Take it out.”

Her eyes drop to the tent in my jeans as she reaches up, slowly undoing my belt and dragging down my zipper.

With my free hand I shove them down, kicking out of them leaving me standing in my boxers.

She reaches in with one hand, pulling my weeping cock out, and I hiss as she squeezes it once.

My hand moves from her cheek to her hair, and I tighten my grasp at the back of her neck.

“A deal is a deal, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yes, sir.” My dick twitches, and she smirks as she takes it in her hand. I grip the base, tapping it against her mouth, and she opens voluntarily her pink tongue poking out to lick the wetness off the crown.

“You know what we agreed on. Beg for it.”

“Please fuck my mouth, Cal.” I give her a moment to breathe and then give her what she wants, sliding deep into her wet, hot mouth until the head of my cock nudges the back of her throat and she gags.

I still, waiting for her to adjust, to breathe around me, and when she swallows, I groan at the constriction. But I need more.

I ease out slowly, pumping back in, savoring the feel of her mouth on me, her tongue as it swirls around the underside of my shaft.

“Fuck,” I moan, my release building much too quickly for the amount of time she's actually been sucking me off. I tilt her head back, opening her throat and thrust forward faster, as she braces her hands on my thighs, letting me take what I need.

“Taking it so well. You love this, don’t you? Getting your throat fucked?” She whimpers, her thighs rubbing together. “You can touch yourself, love.”

She parts her knees, one hand leaving my leg to trail between her own as she circles her clit slowly. The vibration from her hum of pleasure rockets through me, building at the base of my spine, and I tighten my grip in her hair even further.

“Swallow for me like a good girl, yeah?” Her eyes meet mine, her free hand moving to cup my balls, and it doesn’t take anything more before my release is spiraling through me, my spend shooting down her throat.

She swallows every drop, sucking me dry as she massages my balls. When I pull out, she licks her lips, and I swear I’m ready to go again, though my body didn’t quite get the message as it begins to soften post-orgasm.

“Your turn,” I say, pulling her to standing.

“Hang on.” She puts a hand to my chest halting my move to kiss her.

“Love, I don’t care,” I laugh, attempting to find her mouth once more. Tasting my seed on her mouth isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever done, and I’d rather kiss her than not.

“No, it’s not that, I just want to talk to you before I forget.”

I pull back with a sigh. “Seriously? Right now?” I motion between us.”

“Well, you’re on hold for a few minutes anyway.” Her eyes flick toward my now flaccid dick.

“I can do other things you know,” I deadpan.

“Yes,” she mocks, patting my cheek twice. “And you’re very good at them too.”

I frown. “Your orgasms all were real, so I’d say yeah I’m pretty good.”

“Seriously, Cal. I want to talk to you before we finish celebrating.”

“So celebrating isn’t off the table entirely tonight?”

“Cal,” she starts.

“Okay, okay.” I hold my hands up in surrender. “What do you want to talk about?” I pull up my boxer briefs and cross to the bed to sit down.

“You remember where we left the conversation about the job?”

Well, that’s a great way to kill my mood. “Yes, vividly.”

“I think I want to take it,” she nearly whispers.

“You can’t be serious.”

“Do you really think it’s that bad of an idea?”

Yes. No. I don’t know. “Why do you want to take it?” I ask instead.

“I know it’s more money, but that’s not the main reason.” I raise my eyebrows for her to continue. “I’d be basically running the division, and he wants to open a Chicago office, so it might be a lot of travel at first, but within the year, I’d be almost entirely full-time here.”

“And you’re interested in running a division?” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s the equivalent of making partner, and what I was hoping to do with the promotion I got passed up for.

And I could hand pick my team, build my own client profile, take on problems that are exciting and matter.

I wouldn’t be stuck in tech just because I’m actually young enough to know what Instagram is. ”

“It’s going to take time to build the team and your client book.”

“I know, but I think it’ll be worth it. It’s everything I’ve been looking for in my career. It’s just attached to your father.”

I suppress a sneer. “I can find a way to live with it if it’s what you really want.”

“I think we should talk about what it means for us.”

My heart sinks, and it must show on my face because Lila immediately follows up with a reassurance.

“Not like a ‘I can’t date you because I work for your dad,’ but maybe just a mutual understanding that this is real?

Because I don’t think I can take it if we’re not serious about this.

” She laughs bitterly. “I’m actually pretty sure he’d fire me on the spot if we broke up. ”

“Hey, you’re definitely qualified for the job, it’s not a handout.”

“I know I’m qualified, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a hundred other people waiting to take my place the moment the chance to prove myself is ripped away. It’s about opportunity, not ability.”

“I think you know how I feel about you at this point.”

She glances up at me through her lashes. “Maybe, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a bit more confirmation before I hit accept.” Her cheeky grin gives her away.

I roll my eyes and pull her to me. “I love you.” I shrug. “You’re it for me. I don’t see a life where you aren’t right there with me. Where you go, I’ll follow, even if it’s to the ends of the earth.”

“You’re hot when you’re confessing your love for me.”

“Yeah?” I quirk an eyebrow at her. “That’s what does it for you?”

She laughs. “It helps.”

“If you want the job, take it. I don’t have any plans to not be with you, so if you’re sure this is what you want”—I motion between us—“don’t let it stop you from taking everything else you want. I’ll be here behind you for support every step of the way. We’re a team.”

“You don’t feel like I’m taking your place at the family company, right? I know you never wanted the job, but it was always there with your name on it.”

“You’re the better pick for it. But no, even if you didn’t take it, I wouldn’t want it. I like playing football, and when it’s time to retire, I’ll find something else to do.” I kiss her forehead, cradling her into my chest.

“You’re sure?”

“One hundred percent. Maybe I’ll become a full-time whale watcher and give tours.”

She laughs but sits up and looks me squarely in the eye. “I’m taking the job.”

“You know what this means right?”

“What?” Her face freezes in panic, and I laugh.

“We now have two things to celebrate.” I yank her down and roll on top of her, pinning her to the bed with my hips.

“I guess we do.” She smirks.

I work my hand between us and groan. “You’re still soaked.”

“Some of us didn’t get to cum earlier,” she pouts.

“Pardon me, ma’am. I’ll rectify that immediately.” She’s wet enough, and I slide in easily, and this time, it feels like the last puzzle piece snapping into place.