Page 20

Jack

A llie stands in front of me in that cute white skirt and red Cooters & Shooters tee. She was helping my sister tonight, and I told myself I was going to stay away.

The last time I went to Dare Night, I took her outside and kissed her. Then I told her we had to wait.

I don’t want to play games with her or send her mixed messages, so I decided the best way to deal with these feelings would be to stay away from situations where I’m tempted to touch her—like Dare Night with all my siblings insisting we dance together.

Then after only two hours of pacing my house in my bare feet, I realized nothing would kill my desire to touch her. I’d have to erase her from my mind if I wanted that to happen, and the only place I’ve seen that done is in movies.

Pressure was in my skull, and my head was hot, like I had a fever. I realized denial only made my craving for her more intense. At least if I went to Dare Night, I could see her, and my family and half the town would be there.

They’d keep me from going too far .

The way they did last time?

Still, I shoved my feet into a pair of boat shoes and grabbed the keys to my truck, driving into the night. The restaurant was lit and music poured from the windows when I pulled into the parking lot, but her car wasn’t there.

I sat for a minute, wondering what to do as more and more people entered through those double doors. I decided it was a sign. She wasn’t at the restaurant, and I should go home.

Then like the devil, another thought hit me—everyone is here… Everyone except the two of us.

I quickly turned the wheel and headed back the way I came. Parking in my driveway, I took off on foot, moving fast, not knowing how much time we had.

Sure enough, Allie’s car was in her driveway.

Now I’m standing in front of her in her living room looking exactly like what I am, a man obsessed.

Not only that, Allie can see right through me. Why are you really here?

Lifting my hand, I scrub my fingers over my forehead. I can’t say because I’m a horn-dog who can’t stop fantasizing about seeing her naked.

I’m losing my mind, and I don’t know why, after years of control, I can’t stay away from her for one more second.

I’m a big liar. Allie Sinclair is the reason I wasn’t at the restaurant tonight.

Her cool hand touches mine, and she steps closer, the apple scent of her hair juicy and fresh. “Tell me, Jack. Why are you here?”

Clearing my throat, I meet her bright blue eyes, and an invisible hand reaches in and squeezes my heart. “Everyone’s at the restaurant.”

“I know.”

It’s no use. I reach out to slide a glossy tendril off her cheek, behind her ear. “I like your hair like this. You looked really pretty this week. ”

Her cheeks turn a soft shade of pink, and she smiles up at me. “You like it?”

“Yeah, and I didn’t know you wore glasses.”

“They’re new.” She blinks up at me so expectantly.

I move my hand to the side of her head. Cupping her cheek, my thumb is on her full bottom lip.

“Can I kiss you?”

She nods, rising higher on her toes, putting her soft chest against my hard one. Lifting my other hand, I hold her face as I cover her mouth with mine.

Like before she opens to me readily, and our tongues slide together. It’s a cascade of sparks through my veins. She’s so soft and pliable in my grip. This need burns so strong in my chest. It beats like a drum in my brain.

Anxiety twists my chest, but I can’t deny myself. She has to know, and I have to know what she will say. Before we go any further, I have to say it.

Moving my lips to her ear, I kiss the shell first. “How would you feel if I told you what to do?”

My hands still hold her cheeks, and I feel her frown. “What do you mean?”

She’s whispering as well, like we’re sharing a secret.

“I want to tell you what to do, give you orders, and I want you to follow them without question.”

Her breath stutters, and she lifts a hand to hold my wrist.

The thunder of my heartbeat is in my ears, and I brace for her to push me away, to tell me she’s a smart, intelligent woman, not an object to be ordered around.

“You want to…” she hesitates. “Dominate me?”

“I need to.” My voice is quiet, neutral so I can be sure she understands.

She shivers in my arms, and my chest tightens.

“Jack…” It’s a sigh akin to a moan.

Her body is turned so her shoulder is at my chest, and the light casts a silhouette over her curves, the little points beneath her shirt, and heat surges below my belt.

Lifting my hand, I lightly graze my palm over her breasts, her hard nipples. “Does this mean you like the idea?”

She turns in my arms to face me, and I’m hanging off the edge of a cliff. Her expression is serious, and she swallows once.

Then she nods, speaking quietly. “Only with you.”

“Because you trust me?”

She nods again, and my eyes slide closed. I pull her to me, wrapping one arm around her waist. I hold the back of her head in my hand, and I lift my chin, feeling the imprint of her body against mine.

Her slim arms are around my waist, and we breathe together. She feels so good. She feels made for me. Could it be possible?

“What do you want me to do?” she whispers.

“Get on your knees.” My voice is low and strong.

Taking a step back, her eyes meet mine before she obeys.

She drops to her knees, sitting on her feet and placing her palms on the tops of her thighs. I don’t question how she knew to do it exactly right.

I squat beside her, placing my finger under her chin and lifting her face so our eyes meet. Hers are open and deep and full of longing. It hits me hard.

“You’re so beautiful when you look at me that way.”

She blinks quickly, and a happy smile spreads across her cheeks. It feels so good to praise her and watch her bloom like a rose under my touch.

Standing straight, I turn away, walking to the door. “My ex didn’t understand. She thought I was broken. Her actual words were twisted pervert .” Shuffling noises meet my ears, and my tone sharpens. “I didn’t tell you to get up.”

Hesitating a moment, I look over my shoulder to see her on her knees again. This time when I walk over to lift her chin, anger and a touch of sadness is in her eyes .

Sliding my thumb along her tightened jaw, I tilt my head. “That makes you unhappy?”

“Yes,” she answers flatly.

“Why?”

“She didn’t know you.”

“I’d say she did. She was the first person I’d ever been honest with about my needs. She was my wife.”

“She wasn’t your wife.” Allie’s pretty lips are a straight line of anger, and it does something to me.

Leaning down, I cover those lips with mine. Again they part, and I sweep my tongue to hers firmly, curling them together.

A soft whimper slips from her throat, and I hiss. “Those little noises…” I kiss her again, more forceful, more demanding. “They make me so hard.”

Stepping back, I study her. Her head is waist-high to me. Her cheeks are flushed, she’s breathing fast, and her eyes are dark with desire.

“You want to touch me?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“You want to do whatever I say?”

“Yes.”

I smile at her quick responses, sliding my fingers along her cheek. “You’re so beautiful. I can’t wait to play with you.”

Her pink tongue slips out to wet her bottom lip, and it takes all my strength to hold back. “We have to lay some ground rules first.”

“Okay.”

Going to the door, I pause before leaving. “You can get up now—and arm the security system.”

It’s our first home game. The stands are packed with parents and friends. Rachel is at the 50-yard line with Miss Gina. My brothers are on the sidelines with me, arms crossed. Buddy is in the box, and I have a headset around my neck.

The cheerleaders hold a tall sign under a red-and-white balloon arch, and once the national anthem finishes, the players burst through it, running onto the field where a roar of cheers greets them.

We win the coin toss and give the Broncos first possession. A crash of helmets, and low grunts of boys running, pushing. A hole opens in our defensive line, and the Broncos quarterback runs straight through it for a thirty-yard first down.

The visitors’ side goes wild.

“Come on, Darnell!” Garrett roars from the sideline. “Where you at?”

My jaw is tight, arms crossed. Bright lights blast onto the dark green field, and the cheerleaders drop one by one off the shoulders of their bases.

Allie is on her knees, looking up at me with blue eyes full of trust and desire. I push the memory away, but the girls chant on the sidelines, drawing my eyes to hers. It’s a shot of pure adrenaline.

Josh dives to the side for a near-interception, and it’s pandemonium in the stands. The home spectators stomp their feet to the beat of “We Will Rock You” by Queen as the boys line up again.

Flynn Barnes comes out of nowhere to sack the Broncos’ quarterback, and the screams turn deafening.

Their kicker runs out to try for the field goal and makes it by a hair, putting the Broncos on the board.

It’s our turn to lead, and the boys run out onto the field. Austin speaks quickly to the huddle, and they clap, heading to the line.

On the snap, he falls back searching for a receiver. My throat tightens as he searches, searches… then barely avoids the sack by firing a tight pass to Rich for the first down.

This is my world .

The boys line up for another go. Another ten, and we make our way down the field, closer and closer until it’s first and goal.

Austin’s game is smooth. He’s controlled and focused, looking for all the world like he’s been doing this his whole life.

They make the snap, and he steps back, eyes focused on the end zone. He looks side to side, when out of nowhere he goes down, falling on his ass, his face twisted with pain.

“Austin!” I hear Allie cry, and I lunge forward as if I’ll go to him on the field.

Before his butt hits the ground, he manages to pitch the ball to Levi, who spins and takes it to the outside. Austin doesn’t get up, but Levi has caught the opposition off-guard. He jumps over a safety and runs it in for the score.

We jog out to check on Austin, who’s sitting on the ground holding his ankle. Fuck .

“How’s this?” Hal, the team trainer, kneels in front of him, holding his ankle in both hands and moving it side to side.

Austin winces, shaking his head. “Hurts.”

“We could wrap it and let him keep playing.” Hal looks up at me from where he’s kneeling in front of Austin. “But it’d be better not to take a chance on further injury.”

My chest is tight when I make the call. “Levi will finish out the game.” Pointing at Austin, I give the order. “RICE.”

He knows the old acronym— rest, ice, compression, elevation . Austin’s jaw clenches, but he doesn’t argue. Garrett bends down to help him limp off the field as the spectators clap, and when I turn, Allie’s watching me with worry lining her pretty face.

I want to go to her and pull her close, tell her he’s going to be okay. It’s only the first game of the season. He’ll be able to play more, but I don’t want him sustaining an injury that won’t heal. He needs to let this one go. We’re just getting started.

But I can’t do any of that. Instead, Garrett jogs over to talk to her while I huddle with the team.

It’s infuriating .

The announcers say Levi Powell will finish the game, and Rome trots out onto the field for a quick extra point.

Following another near-score by the Broncos, Levi takes the field as quarterback. Noah takes his spot as running back.

He’s smooth as silk, falling back on the snap, easily calculating until he finds a receiver, then making a clean pass. On the next, he rolls away from the sack and runs the ball down the outside for another first down.

We end up winning the game, but it’s a bittersweet victory with Austin on the sidelines, his ankle elevated.

The buzzer sounds, and the players flood out onto the field to shake hands. I grip the outstretched hand of the opposing coach with a Good game , before heading to the locker room with the boys.

Austin is on crutches, but it doesn’t dim his enthusiasm. He joins his teammates, yelling and clapping hands and running postmortems on which plays worked and which didn’t.

Levi is right there with them, smiling and seeming lighter than he has since he arrived.

I hold up a hand, and all eyes are on me. “That was a great start. Way to pivot under pressure, offense, and bring it home. Defense, your second half was much better than the first. I like what I’m seeing out there. If we keep this up, we’ll go all the way. Now have some fun.”

A cheer rises, and they’re pulling off their gear and changing out of their uniforms.

I pull Austin to the side on my way out. “Take it easy on that ankle. We’ll have the doctor look at it and make a decision about next week’s game.”

He nods, looking down with his jaw tight. “Yes sir, Coach.”

With a tight smile, I pat his shoulder. “We’ve got nine more games. You’ll get plenty of time to shine.”

In the past on Friday nights, I’d head to Cooters & Shooters after the game for drinks and to get Kimmie from my sister. Tonight, when I exit the locker room, only one person is on my mind.

Allie is with Liv and Dylan on the sidelines with the drill team, talking to the girls. Kimmie is on her hip, and she sways side to side.

For a moment, I hesitate, watching this woman I can’t get out of my head holding my daughter. It’s like I’m seeing my future.

“Daddy!” Kimmie jumps when she sees me, and Allie lets her down at once.

My daughter runs to where I’m walking up to them, and I scoop her onto my hip.

“You won the game!” She pumps her little fist before putting it on my shoulder. “But Aussie got hurt.”

“He’s going to be okay.” I continue walking to his mother, directing my answer to her. “It’s a bad sprain, but I told him to rest it. We’ll check him out and see if he can play next week.”

“Okay.” Her voice is quiet, and my chest squeezes.

I want to pull her to me and kiss that worried look off her face. Instead, I have to deal with a voice I don’t want to hear.

“You made the right call, Coach.” George Powell walks up to where we’re standing. “Levi won that game for you tonight. You can’t argue with the facts.”

My eyes are still on Allie’s, and a little smile lifts her lips before she turns away.

Logan is at my side, and I exhale, turning to confront this man. “He did a great job. He’s a talented kid.”

“He’s your starting quarterback. Keep putting him in, and you’ll win every game.”

“We need to keep working on our D-line to win every game.” I give him a firm smile. “The boys will play when and where I tell them.”

George holds up both hands, stepping back. “You’re the coach.”

“Yes, he is.” Logan’s tone is sharper than I’ve ever heard it .

I’m not interested in fighting, and I’m not about to give this parent more oxygen than he deserves. “Thanks for coming out and supporting the team.”

What I really want is to figure out a way to shake this crowd and find some alone time with my star player’s mother—rumor mill be damned.