Page 28 of Unrivaled Love (D.C. Renegades #2)

Jo

Bridge Troll Vibes

My eyes drink in the sight of Bryson as his taste lingers on my tongue. His solid, firm body is loose and he looks completely spent. Not post game tired, but blissed out and boneless.

Vulnerable.

Flora should consider this as an attack method. Give Sigrun a little anal play and then strike.

Except, the same could be said of the orgasms Bryson gave me. My core continues to hum even as I try to fight it. I was fully focused on his experience but that seemed to set off sparklers in my own body too.

"I was going to suggest swimming before we got sidetracked by all this sex." Bryson says as he stretches out and rubs at his neck.

"I could go swimming." I shrug and stand. I push out of the tent's door and then break into a sprint. "Last one there is a rotten egg!"

"Oh, you're dead!" Bryson yells and I squeal with laughter as the earth crunches under my feet. I hit the water and dive forward just as I hear Bryson splash into the lake.

The water is cold and it shocks my lungs for a moment as I slowly resurface. I'm about to inhale when Bryson wraps his arms around me and pulls me under again.

My brain is split between fear of being underwater and the absolute safety of being in Bryson’s embrace .

When we come up for air he blinks before shaking the water from his face.

"Guess I'm still faster than you." I smirk.

"You had a head start." He squeezes my side. "Plus," He leans in closer and his breath disturbs the droplets of water on my neck. "I was distracted by your ass as you ran away."

"I use all the advantages available to me."

"Yes you do."

We're slowly spinning in the water. It's shallow enough for both of us to stand but I keep my legs wrapped around his waist instead. It makes me feel delicate and ladylike.

Bryson’s fingers dance along my spine but the stimulation isn’t enough to distract me from my racing thoughts.

Am I really naked in the lake with Bryson Svoboda?

I am, and I’m enjoying it.

Are we dating or just hooking up?

I don't think I can be casual with Bryson.

What about the fact we live across the country from one another?

He travels up to Salt Lake City for maybe one game a year. Plus my off-season is during his season so I guess I could move to D.C..

But will moving distract me from my goals?

He has his championship and I am working towards mine. I can’t afford distractions.

"I can see the questions swimming through your mind, Jo." Bryson says. Then he drags a hand up my back and nudges my head forward to kiss him.

The questions and the worry pop like bubbles as I lose myself in this kiss. When he pulls away with another nip to my lips he smiles.

"Your career comes first, I would never ask you to sacrifice that for me."

"How did you even know that's what I was worried about? "

"Because I’m worried about the same thing.

This might not be easy. It might not look like the relationships our friends have.

But I've known you forever, Jo, and I want to keep getting to know you for the rest of my life.

" He leaves a kiss on my lips and then rolls so our foreheads are pressed together and continues to melt away my doubts with his words.

"I want to know the sounds you make in bed. I want to know your morning routine. I want to know what keeps you up at night. What you’re working to improve at practice.

I want to know if scrambled with cheese is still your favorite way to cook eggs.

Do you still sleep with socks on the night before games? "

"I do."

"I had a feeling," he smiles.

It matches my own.

"Do you still put your left skate on first?" I ask him.

"Absolutely, I do."

I smirk. I used to make fun of him for it. Even when we laced up together for figure skating classes as kids, he’d go left first. And when he left for college the year before me I missed him. I’m not ready to admit that to him but I can share something. "I, umm, do that too."

"Copycat." He tickles my side.

"Yeah, well it works." I say through the giggles. "Stop tickling me."

"Ask nicely."

"No."

He digs his fingers into my ribs a little harder so I push off of him and swim away. We splash around like we did as kids. He looks younger like this. More like the boy I used to know and not the man I find myself falling for.

Our playfulness slows down as the sun disappears from the sky.

"C'mon, let's get out." Bryson says as he holds his hand out to me. I take it and together we walk back to the tent. He hands me a towel and I dry off. "Now for dinner I can offer you a chocolate coconut protein bar or the caramel chocolate chip one. "

"Chocolate coconut, please."

"Excellent choice, ma'am." He says with a little bow. I keep the towel wrapped around me. The clothes I borrowed from Bryson this morning are laying on the ground in a soggy heap. They’re probably all muddy now too. Fan-fucking-tastic. I’ll have to go back to my uniform again.

I grab them off the ground and when I turn back to the tent Bryson looks downright indecent with a towel slung low around his hips giving me a view of his sculpted body.

"I fucking love that I can read you like a book, Killer." He says as I reach him. Instead of touching me or pulling me in for another kiss like I want him too he tugs the clothes out of my hands. "You bummed these are wet and you’ll have to wear your uniform again?"

"Not bummed. Thrilled.” I deadpan. “I'm so dedicated to my team."

"Bullshit. Tell me why all you have to wear is your kit?"

I lean into a hip and try to ice him out. My brother, Chris, could never handle the silent treatment and Al and I used it all the time. I'm hoping Bryson is just as weak.

With a lift of my chin I step past him into the tent and take a seat on a little camp chair Bryson set up. It is tough to take the tough-as-nails stance when I’m wrapped up in a towel but I’m no quitter.

"Fine, no sex until you tell me." He shrugs and makes himself comfortable.

Well shit, that isn't how I expected my little protest to go. Sex hasn’t historically been a motivator for me. Bryson doesn't know the kind of dry spell I can endure.

He is, however, playing dirty. He has propped himself up on a pillow and has his hands casually clasped behind his head which makes his biceps pop. The towel is still across his waist but the material drapes over the contours of his bulge and it's making my mouth water .

"This could be yours, Killer," He takes one hand and gestures to his body. "You just have to answer one little question."

"What are you, a bridge troll?"

"Maybe." He winks and I hate myself for wanting to cave.

I remain firm in my stance until he bites his bottom lip and gives me a full body once over. My resistance disintegrates when he licks his lips and I see his cock twitch.

Bryson wants me as much as I want him.

Which is a lot.

"I already told you; I left straight from practice."

"Left Salt Lake City for Telluride straight from practice.” He repeats slowly. “Where was the bag you packed again?"

"I didn't pack one. I left on a whim." I drop my towel as I stand. "And that was two questions. Sex me."

Bryson lets out a belly laugh. "As you wish.”

***

I wake up before Bryson and I observe his face relaxed in slumber. Before I even move I know I’ll be stiff. Sleeping on the ground is the opposite of what every trainer and chiropractor I’ve worked with would advise.

But, it was worth it. Bryson and I have created a beautiful little universe that is just the two of us. There is zero outside influence except for Mother Nature who has smiled upon us again with a serene morning.

I inhale deeply, the scent of fresh earth and Bryson filling my senses. I wish I could bottle it. Birds are chirping in the trees that surround us and the lake laps gently against the shore. It’s like the gentle mountain soundtrack I listen to at night.

Then my stomach rumbles and the giggle I can’t suppress wakes Bryson.

“Morning babe.” He says slowly as he stretches. “Fuck, sleeping on the ground sucks.”

“No shit.” I tell him as I roll up and try to crack my back.

“Is it possible to be sore from sex?” He asks and I laugh.

“I haven’t heard of it.”

“Huh, then it’s just sleeping on the ground then.”

“Why do you think you’re sore from sex?” I ask. “Is my pussy too much for you to handle?”

“Your mouth is what I’m afraid of. Fuck Josie, that was the best blow job of my life.”

“How many blow jobs have you had?” You hear shit about professional athletes. I’m sure plenty of women have taken the opportunity.

“Not many.” He says and I must look surprised. “What? I’m not a slut!”

“Okay! Fine!” I lift my hands up in surrender.

“I dated a girl for like six months a few years ago. And besides that I haven’t taken a lot of girls to bed.”

“Really?”

“Not all the way to bed. But I probably have the most club makeouts of anyone on the current roster.” He admits as he looks down at his lap.

“Doesn’t making out get you hard?” I ask. I’m really failing to understand how this man will make out with a girl and then end it with an erection.

“Sometimes, but I take care of it myself at home.” Bryson says as he lets his eyes rake over my body. He gently caresses my arm, leaving a trail of sparks behind.

“Oh.” I breathe as understanding washes over me.

“Yeah.”

“So, this?” I ask motioning between us.

“Is every dream I’ve ever had come true. My wrist is so glad you’re here.”

I let the realization that Bryson has been pining for me, and whacking off to me, for years, sink in. This is more than a hookup for him too. I still don’t know where it’s headed or how we manage a relationship across the country from one another but it’s vital we try.

And, fair is fair. I did Jill off to the memory of him fingering me just a few days ago in the hot tub. “I think about you, too.” I admit.

“Yeah?” He looks so boyishly hopeful I smile. “Fuck Jo, I wanna see that.”

I stroke my hand up my leg, ready to give him a show and see one in return but then his stomach rumbles.

“Damnit. I want to see you send yourself over so bad but, I can’t survive on protein bars anymore.

” He stands and slides into his boxers. He hands the clothes he wore yesterday to me since mine are damp and crusty.

“Let’s head back, you can change into more clean clothes of mine and we’ll walk to town.

Then later, we will absolutely pick up where we left off. ”