Rebound (14 page)

Chase cleared his throat. “I want you to know you have me to thank for this, Davis.”

Steve turned around to face his friend.

“While you were at the All-Star game, I was in Portland begging this lady to give you another chance to prove you weren’t the asshole you proved yourself to be the last time she saw you.”

He looked at Brook, his heart sinking. “You’re only here because Chase convinced you to come?”

“No, I wanted to be here to help you celebrate. Chase just told me about it and gave me the ticket.”

Chase leaned over his shoulder and said quietly, “Don’t forget about the room I booked upstairs, in case you guys need to sneak away for a while.”  

Steve turned around, hitting his friend on the shoulder. “Okay, I owe you one.”

Chase rolled his eyes. “You owe me more than one, but who’s counting?”

Brooklyn tugged on the sleeve of his blazer, whispering, “You can’t walk out on your own party. These people are here to help you celebrate.”

Steve chuckled. “They’re here to get drunk on management’s dime. They don’t care if I’m here or not.” He slipped his hand into hers. “Come on; let’s go upstairs. We need to talk.”

She looked around the crowded ballroom. “Don’t you think we should wait a while?”

“I’ve already waited too damn long. Let’s go.” Without waiting for her consent, he tugged her hand, coaxing her along behind him. He couldn’t wait to get her alone, to touch her, taste her, to tell her he loved her.

Once inside the elevator, he backed her against the mirrored wall. “I’m so sorry for the things I said that night, baby. The thought of losing you made me crazy.”

“It’s okay,” she said, slipping her hands inside his jacket, stroking his back. “You don’t owe me an apology. This whole thing was my fault. If I hadn’t…” 

He touched his lips to hers. “No more regrets, okay?”

“Deal. No more regrets.” She reached into her beaded handbag and retrieved her key card, handing it to him.

He took the card, kissing her hand. “There’s so much I need to say, so much I need to tell you.” He stepped off the elevator when it stopped at their floor. “I don’t even know where to begin.”

When she started to walk ahead of him, he jerked her hand, bringing her back up against his chest. “Yes, I do,” he whispered, his lips to her ear. “I need to start by telling you I love you. I can’t live without you.”

She tipped her head, brushing her hair aside to give him access to the creamy column of her neck. “I love you too, Steve.”

He pressed his open mouth to her neck and knew they would risk breaking the law if they remained out in the hallway any longer. He pushed her forward, his hard cock pressing into her back as he slid the card into the lock. He didn’t want to talk about the past or the future, not until he proved to her how much he wanted her.

Once inside their suite, he backed her against the door. He slid the zipper down her back, letting her dark blue strapless dress fall open to reveal a silver lace bustier with matching panties. He placed feather light kisses just above the swell of her breasts, aching to be rid of the material so he could feast on her lush curves. But he didn’t want to rush this; he felt like he’d been waiting forever and this was his reward. 

She pushed off the door, bringing his head down. “I want to feel your tongue on me. I want you to lick and suck on my tits.” She turned her back to him, pressing her cheek to the door. “Help me take this off?”

His fingers fumbled on the closures, which was a testament to his angst. Getting women out of their clothes was one of his best skills, but he couldn’t push aside the fear of rejection to focus on the task at hand.

She turned into his arms, smiling. “Having a little trouble?”

He dropped his head, embarrassed by his incompetence. “I’m sorry. Jesus, I feel like a fifteen-year-old kid about to get laid for the first time.” 

She reached behind her to un-do the remaining fasteners. “It’s okay; relax.” She reached down to grab his hand, encouraging him to cup her full tits. With his hands caressing her, she raised her hands over her head. “Hmm, that feels so good,” she whispered.

He dipped his head to pull her dusky nipple into his mouth. Once he got his first taste, all the fear and anxiety melted away. The only thing on his mind was all the ways he intended to excite, then satisfy her. Holding her tits, he licked and sucked her into a state of frenzy. Dropping to his knees, he gripped the strings holding her panties together, tearing them off.

She moaned, letting herself fall back against the door.

“Step out of the dress and spread your legs,” he whispered. He pressed his hands into her inner thighs. “Wider, spread your legs as wide as you can.” 

When she was finally exposed to him, he plunged in, insatiable after months of being deprived of the one thing he wanted most. He consumed her tender, quivering flesh, leaving no spot untouched by his roving tongue.

She cried out, gripping his head and grinding her mound into his open mouth. He thrust one, two, three digits into her tight, wet hole, fucking her with his fingers while torturing her with his tongue. He eased his fingers out when she reached the peak, but continued to feast on her with his mouth, intent on watching her soar again. Satisfied she was ready for the next phase of his erotic onslaught, he led her toward the bed and stripped his clothes off.

She laughed, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you made me come twice and you don’t even have your clothes off yet. You’re amazing.”

His cock was rock hard by the time he finally released it. Easing on top of her, he brushed her hair off her face. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “Tell me you’re mine.” He edged his cock into her slowly. “Tell me you’ll never give yourself to another man. Promise me.”

“I promise,” she whispered, looking him in the eye. “You’re the only man I want.”

He closed his eyes, his heart clenching at her soft admission. “I want you to let me take care of you.” He kissed her lips softly. “I know you’re strong, that you don’t need me, but…”

“You’re wrong. I do need you. I had no idea how much until I left.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work, sweetheart. I’m willing to give up everything to be with you.” He thrust in and out, slowly, with as much control as he could manage, given how long it had been. She tested him, milking him while she covered his cock with her tight velvet shield.

“You don’t have to give up anything,” she hissed.

“Baby,” he said, leaning back, bracing his weight on clenched fists as his body urged him to pick up the pace. “We have to find a way to make this work. I’m prepared to retire from hockey. I’ll move to Portland.”

“Are you crazy? I can’t let you move to Portland.” 

Her inner muscles clenched him hard, forcing him give into his body demands. “Fuck, Brook, I can’t….”

Her cries told him she was right there with him when he finally collapsed on top of her, spent and confused. Rolling off of her, he eased up on his elbow, partially covering her body with his.

“What the hell are you talking about? Why can’t I move to Portland? If you’re even thinking about giving me some stupid excuse about why this would never work, don’t even waste your breath. I’m going to make sure…”  

She giggled, covering his mouth with her hand. “Can I talk now, please?”

He nodded, her hand still covering his mouth.

“Promise you won’t interrupt until I’ve said what I have to say?”

Frowning, he nodded his head.

“Okay, you can’t move there because I’m moving back here.”

He sat up, staring down at her. “What? Why…”

She pressed her forefinger against his lips. “You promised.”

He sighed. “Fine, go on.”

“I resigned today. I told the D.A. that this is where I belong.”

He raked a hand through his hair. “Shit, I wish you hadn’t done that, Brook. I don’t want you resent me because I stood in the way of your dreams.”

She caressed his back. “Honey, the only thing I ever have wanted was to be a good lawyer and make a difference in people’s lives. I can do that anywhere. It doesn’t have to be in Portland.”

“Yeah, but that was a great opportunity for you, sweetheart. You’re at the start of your career; I’m at the end of mine. If anyone should make the sacrifice, it should be me.”

“Do you know how much it means to me that you would be willing to do that for me? I love you so much.”

The idea that he could have it all, the woman he loved, the career he loved, when he’d already been blessed with so much, made him feel guilty, unworthy of such an embarrassment of riches. At least if he had to sacrifice the remainder of his career as a professional athlete, he’d feel he’d done something to earn this amazing woman’s love and respect. “I can’t let you do this, Brook.”

She sat up, leaning against his shoulder. “I want to do this. I have some money saved from the sale of my house, some investments. I can cover my expenses for about five years before I have to worry about drawing a salary.”

He smirked. “Baby, you honestly think money figures into this equation at all? I’ve earned a hundred million dollars over the course of my career.”

“You’ve earned that money; it’s not mine.”

He leaned his head back, grunting. “Are you kidding me right now?”

“No, I’m not. I don’t need a man to take care of me or support me.”  

He turned toward her, scowling. “Are you telling me you’re still not willing to let me help you make your dreams come true? You’re not willing to do the same for me?”

She took his hand. “Of course I am. I’d do anything for you.”

He smiled, stroking her cheek. “Hon, you’ve already given me so much. Offering financial support to help you live your dream is nothing compared to what you’ve done for me.”  

She bit her lip, looking up at him under the veil of her lashes. “Do you want to know what I had in mind? You may think it’s silly. You may not want to…”

“Whatever it is, we’ll make it happen. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing him hard. “I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”

He laughed, pulling back to look at her. “I disagree. I think I’m the lucky one, but I want to hear about your plans. Tell me everything.”

“Okay, it may sound a little crazy at first, but I want to work pro bono to help get inmates off death row.”

He scowled. “What? No way am I going to let you put yourself in harm’s way working with those psychopaths again, Brook. It’s not gonna happen.” Just the thought of some madman putting his hands on her again made him nauseous.

“Sweetheart, look at me.” She took his hand. “There are so many people on death row right now who’ve been wrongfully convicted. I have the ability to do something about that. I’ve been researching this subject for a long time. I often thought if I could do anything, this is what I would want to do. Think about it, Steve. I can’t think of anything more rewarding than saving someone’s life, giving them back their freedom.”

It sounded like a worthy cause and he knew she would work tirelessly, but there was still a chance she could put her trust in the wrong person again. “I’ll go along with it on one condition.”

She gave him a cautious sidelong glance. “Okay, what’s that?”

“You’ll never be alone with an inmate. Someone will be present with you at all times, whether it’s a guard, your assistant, whoever. If some bastard put his hands on you again…” He clenched his fists, thinking about what it would do to him if someone hurt her.

“Okay, I promise. Is that your only concern?”

He kissed her. “Yeah, I think it’s great. If this is what you want to do, I’m behind you a hundred percent.”

“Really?” She hugged him hard. “I was so worried you would have reservations, that you wouldn’t want me to do it.”

“Baby,” he said, stroking her cheek, “don’t you know by now I’d do anything to make you happy?”

She bit her lip. “Does that include helping me find a place to stay? I kinda sold my house.”

He laughed. “I know just the place. Swimming pool, big backyard…”

“It sounds nice.” She smiled, kissing him. “What’s the landlord like?”