Unbreakable Together: A New Adult Romance Novel (5 page)

Devon watched Matt score four touchdowns during scrimmage.

“You guys
aren’t rushing and you sure as hell aren’t hitting. The teams we lose to have fullbacks just like me waiting to take full advantage of that. What the fuck?” Matt scowled at the defense, slammed his helmet to the ground and trudged to the sidelines.

The coach landed his fists on Matt’s shoulder pads.
“Son, you’re going to have to use that energy to build this team up. One defensive hole is spreading to the entire team. This team is demoralized, Matt. We need you to build them up, not tear them down.” His eyes fixed on Matt for a moment to emphasize the point before he turned and walked towards the field.

“Defense, get over here!”
The coach stood on the edge of the field as the team gathered around him. “Your job, individually, is not to take Matt down. Your job, as a team, is to hit him and then take him down. One good hit stops him, and another solid hit takes him down. Understand? You’re trying to take him down with one hit, and you’re bouncing off him like pinballs. Hit to stick, and let the next hit stop him or take him down. Got it?”

Some grumbles
rumbled around the circle of players. “I said did you hear me!” the coach roared.

“Yes
, Coach!” The team shouted in unison.

“Then execute. No one is the star today
, boys. You work as a team, you win as a team, and you lose as a team. Got it?” The coach circled the team with his eyes.

“Yes
, Coach.”

“Then do it!”

“We need bigger players, Coach,” the defensive coach whispered as the team scattered.

“I know it. We have no chance otherwise.” Coach Tyler placed his hand to his chin,
and watching another massacre of his defense.

“One player could intercept passes and
score, and stop key offensive plays. It makes a hell of a difference,” the defensive coach barked, glancing at Devon.

“You’re telling me,” the coach snorted.
“I told that kid he may not have the commitment level for me to give him a college recommendation.” The coach jutted a thumb backwards at Devon.

“No way,” the defense coach guffawed.

“Yeah. Any college would be lucky to have that kid on the defense. Hell, we’d be lucky to have him come back if his arm was better,” the coach sniffed.

“What a difference one strong player
makes,” the defense coach said.

Matt stalked through the hallway after practice to grab a few books from his locker.
Only the recessed lights scattered in the hall and over the emergency exits were on. Devon was down the far end of the hall gathering up his stuff from his locker. He was going to catch a ride home with Matt.

Matt
got his things and closed the locker door. He reached for his keys from his jacket and waited for Devon. Two figures turned the corner and the sound of laughter echoed down the empty, dim hall.

“No way
, dude. I would trade a star pitcher for solid fielders any day. What happens if the pitcher is injured, or has a bad day? You’re still stuck with a suck-ass team.”

Matt
narrowed his eyes as he watched the
two
figures, one with a bat and a glove hooked on the end, and the other making hand motions. Steve Pelton walked toward Matt with Robbie Davis, the first baseman. Pelton stopped when he saw Matt. Steve slapped Robbie’s chest with the back of his hand, motioning him to stop.

“Hey, Matt
.” Pelton jerked his chin at him.

“Steve Pelton. Getting ready for another losing season
, are you?” Matt snorted while glaring at him.

Steve
glanced away and brushed the ridge of his nose with his index finger. He shrugged. “We’ve been doing okay. We have our ups and downs just like your team. It’s a new season.”

“He
y, Matt. I’m Robbie.” Robbie swallowed and offered his hand to Matt. Matt stared at him for a couple of seconds before he returned his gaze to Steve.

“Funny thing about that, Steve. We were actually winning. We even had a chance at the
playoffs.” Matt took a menacing, slow step towards him, as his eyes stormed downward on him. “Maybe even a championship,” he said with a deepening, angry tone.

Matt straightened up and
walked towards Robbie. “The thing is, we started losing about three weeks ago, when a group of lowlifes broke our strong safety’s arm. I am pretty certain it was a group effort, since they were too cowardly to face him alone.” Matt glared at both of them.

“That sucks
, dude,” Robbie said with a nervous grimace.

“
Yeah, it does, Robbie. It actually more than sucks. It really pisses me off. More than you know. You see, I wouldn’t mind so much if he were injured at practice or playing a game like he told most of us. Because, you know, shit happens. But the thing is, the team knows he’s lying about the whole goddamn thing.”

“
It’s not our problem. We have to get going.” Steve motioned his head at Robbie.

“I think you need to hear the rest of it
, Steve. I know some lowlifes outnumbered him and came after him with baseball bats.” Matt circled Robbie. His eyes grew cold as he glanced at the bat and back to Robbie.

“Do you guys know anything about that?” Matt
clenched his fists.

Steve s
wallowed and hit Robbie’s chest with his fist. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

“See ya
, dude. Good luck with the rest of the season.” As Robbie turned around, Matt reached for the bat resting on Robbie’s shoulder.

“Give me the fucking bat
, dude. What the fuck!” Robbie’s eyes grew wide.

Matt easily tore the bat from Robbie’s hands and pushed him against the locker
with a powerful thrust of his arm. Robbie’s body clamored against the locker doors.

Devon looked up from the
other end of the hall. “Matt!”

“What the fuck are you doing?” Steve’s eyes widened with shock.

“Taking care of business. Isn’t this how you boys do it?”
Matt said with a clenched jaw and wide eyes. Matt’s massive arms swung the bat towards Robbie’s groin, checking his swing as he spoke. “Practice,” he snarled.

“Give me the fucking bat
.” Robbie approached him. Matt pushed him back to the locker with his massive arm, ramming Robbie backwards and jarring his head against the lockers. Matt picked up the bat and swung full force towards Robbie’s head. The bat flew towards Robbie and crushed the vents on top of the locker only inches from his head.

“Damn, I missed
.” Matt’s wide, crazed grin betrayed his deadpan eyes. A vein throbbed visibly by his temple.

Devon was running towards Matt now.
“Matt, stop it!”

“Dude, what the fuck!” Steve took a step backwa
rds as Matt swung the bat again. The bat hurtled down towards Robbie, smashing into the locker and narrowly missing his head.

“Goddamn
it, I need more practice.” Matt’s eyes were demented with rage as he turned his gaze to Steve. “Don’t you think?”

“Dude, we’re cool with Devon
, man. Talk to him—you’ll see.” Steve pleaded as he extended his arm towards Devon running towards them. “This isn’t cool, man. You’re gonna fuck everything up,” Steve huffed.

Matt grabbed him by the scruff of his collar and threw him against the locker doors.
Steve placed his hands in front of him in a defensive posture.

“You know
, Steve, it seems you already fucked everything up.” Matt glared at Steve and gripped the bat. His eyes remained wild with rage. He swung the bat towards Steve’s head. The bat came down towards him and smashed in the steel hinge just inches above his head.

Devon approached Matt. “
Matt! Matt! What the fuck are you doing? Put the bat down. Goddammit, Matt!”

Matt turned briefly towards Devon before turning his attention back to St
eve, who was now stumbling backwards towards the double exit doors with his eyes wide and fixed on Matt. Matt gripped the bat with one hand and threw it at him. The bat hurtled down the hall towards Steve, just missing his legs by a few feet. The bat clamored down the hall as it revolved and banged off the floor and walls into the distance. Matt stared at Robbie and then Steve as they froze. “Stay away from our team, motherfuckers. Next time I won’t miss.”

Robbie picked up his glove by the locker and scurried down the hall with Steve.
They burst through the double exit doors, one on each side, and ran into the parking lot, not looking back.

Matt leaned against the locker and looked down at the floor.

“Holy shit, dude, what the fuck?” Devon ran his fingers over the dent in the lockers.

“T
hose fuckers deserved to get pummeled with a bat.” Matt looked up at Devon. “I just wanted to scare the shit out of them. But if they gave me a reason, fuck yeah, I would do it,” he snarled through clenched teeth. “I would fucking do it,” he repeated, regaining his composure.

“You certainly succeeded in scaring the shit out of them,” Devon
gasped. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I had to get that out of my system. I’m glad I ran into them,” he sneered.

“Holy shit, dude. Let’s go grab something to eat. It’ll make you feel better.” Devon hit Matt on the shoulder, bringing him back from his tantrum.

“Yeah, right
,” Matt said, as if awakening from a trance.

Devon sent a text to me
.

Devon:
Can you come over?

Erin:
Now? It’s a school night, are you crazy?

Devon:
Yes, and yes. I have a surprise.

Erin:
Give me an hour to finish my homework.

Devon:
Forty-five minutes.

Erin:
We’ll see.

I
plopped onto my bed stomach first with my legs crossed behind me, staring at my chemistry homework. I found it hard to focus on chemical bonding after Devon’s text.
What did he have up his sleeve?

I
crunched through my homework before browsing my closet for something to wear. I put on a green shaker sweater and skinny jeans, threw on my fleece jacket and strolled into the cool fall evening. I walked the familiar block to Devon’s house and knocked on the door.

Devon opened
it. “Hey, thanks for coming.”

“Sure
.” I grinned. “So what’s the surprise?” I took off my jacket.

“Let me get that
.” An amused expression played across his face. He grabbed my jacket with one arm, his other arm still in a sling.

Devon
slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me close. “I wanted you to be the first to know.”

“What?”
I said with a curious smile.

“Close your eyes.”

I heard a slight shuffling around before Devon spoke again. “Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

Devon was standing slightly closer
to me.

“What, I don’t see
ee!—” I shrieked the last word out as Devon lifted me up with both arms. “Devon, your arm! Where’s your cast?”

“The doctor took it off today. The X-ray showed t
hat it was perfectly healed. He said to take it easy for a few weeks, and I should be good to go.” He beamed.

“You call this taking it easy
?” I chirped as he moved me effortlessly through the foyer.

“Um
…you’re not exactly heavy, Erin.”

“Still, should you be doi
ng this with your cast just off?” I wrapped my arm around his shoulders.

“Don’t worry, I feel fine
.” Devon carried me towards the living area. “I may even ask the coach to play the last two games and salvage the season.”

“Now I know that’s not okay. There is no way that qualifies as ‘taking it e
asy,’” I protested.

“No,
you’re probably right,” he murmured, planting a kiss on my earlobe as we sat down on the couch. Devon ran the tips of his fingers down my neck followed by a stream of hot kisses. His masculine scent filled me up and caused me to breathe him in deeply, filling me up with desire. “Lift your arms up,” he commanded, and he pulled my sweater off over my arms to reveal a tiny red camisole. Devon’s eyes widened with delight.

“I can’t get over how beautiful you are.”
Devon reached for my hand. “C’mon.” We walked up the stairs together. Devon swept me up in his arms and smiled down at me.

“See, good as new
.” He said with his dazzling smile.

“
Where are we going?” I tittered.

“You know I had an offer to help me shower,” he confessed.

“Oh, so I heard.” I twisted my mouth in displeasure.

“I am going to take
a shower now.” He gave me a playful smile.

“
But you don’t need my help anymore,” I teased.

“Yeah, but it’s more fun this way.
I am going to really enjoy full use of my arm in the shower again,” he growled with a mischievous grin. “Especially with you in it.”

Devon set me
down on the small wooden shower bench and knelt in front of me. He felt my forearms with his fingertips and lifted my red camisole over my head as I raised my arms for him. I sat in front of him topless. Devon came closer to me, and I pressed my fingers into the closure of his shirt to feel his broad chest. I unbuttoned his sport shirt one button at a time while my fingers rubbed against his skin.  I stood up and prowled towards him, working the last few buttons and opening his shirt to feel the wonderful smooth muscles of his chest.

Devon was pressed against the wall
now. His eyes swept over my body and back to my lips. His arousal grew at the sight of me. His heated gaze burned my skin and ran right down to my center. I pressed my hands into his chest and planted kisses across it, circling and licking his nipple. Devon’s breathing turned ragged while his hands moved over the curves of my body.

He nibbled at my
ear before wandering down my neck, scraping his teeth and kissing me down to my shoulder. I responded with a groan of pleasure. He hooked his thumbs into my jeans and slowly slipped them down to the floor with my panties.

We
stood in front of a full-length mirror in the bathroom. Devon held me close, staring at me in the mirror and running his hands over my tender breasts. His hand guided mine over my body as he whispered in my ear. “I am so glad that I have use of both my hands right now.” His hands kneaded and fondled my breasts while I moaned. I ran my fingers over his cheek and square jaw as he touched me.

He ran
his nose along my neck and kissed me. “Do you see why you have so little competition? Do you see how incredibly stunning you are, Erin?”

I
just moaned from his touch.

Devon scraped
his teeth on my neck, tasting me and gently clasping the skin on my shoulder between his bare teeth while his hands moved over my stomach and to my waist.

“I want y
ou—in the shower,” he breathed in my ear. “It’s been so long since I could touch you, and take a shower with both arms. I may as well do both now.” He fondled my breasts. His hands moved over mine, moving them over my body and slowly back up to my breasts while he gazed at me in the mirror. He pinched my nipples with his index finger and thumb, and I whimpered and arched my back in delight.

I turned
to him and lifted my head as my eyes met his. My needy hands returned to him, running my hands down his chest, to the smooth muscles of his stomach, to his jeans. I unbuttoned his jeans and slid them over his boxer briefs now strained from his arousal. I pulled his jeans down his muscular, long legs, and tossed them to the floor with my clothes. I smiled as I pulled down his boxer briefs and tossed them to the side.

Devon stepped into the showe
r and held his hand out for me as beads of water bounced off the hard muscles of his chest and arms. I grabbed his hand and scooted into his chest as the water sluiced around his large body. I felt the rippling muscles of his rock-hard body, devouring the soft skin over the hard muscles of his chest and stomach with my hands.

“You’re not even wet yet!”
He laughed as I pressed into his chest, still dry. Devon quickly turned me into the water and I yelped. “There, now we’re both wet.” He smiled as rivulets of water streamed down our faces. Devon reached for the soap as the warm water massaged and soothed us in the shower. “Now, the real reason I’m glad my hands are free,” he said with a spirited grin.

“
You’re so bad.” I smiled while my eyes took in his chiseled body.

“You bring out the worst in me. I can’t help myself,” he growled
in a husky tone. His naked chest shimmered in the water. The eroticism of the moment scorched every inch of me and caused heat to stir in my center while the warm water caressed and massaged my body.

Devon’s eyes raked over me and lingered on my
firm breasts as he lathered soap in his hands. He pressed his soapy hands to my swelling breasts, pinching my nipples and massaging each breast. He was fully erect as I responded and whimpered from his touch.

Devon pressed
into me, spreading scorching hot kisses down my neck, his tongue lapping up beads of water. I squirmed at the heavenly sensations on my neck and breasts.

I reached down to
his hardening member, touching him for the first time, wrapping my hand around his throbbing shaft, feeling the silky skin around his steely, pulsing core.

I moved my
hand back and forth, thrusting my hand as Devon continued to massage and fondle my breasts. I marveled at his thickness and size, and how he responded to my touch. I never felt so sexual in my entire life. His erection strengthened like steel in my small hand and Devon rumbled a deep groan.

I
was panting now from his touch and the sensation of fisting his powerful member in my hand. My breathing turned to hitched gasps.

He
worked the soapy lather down my stomach, to my waist, and to my aching center. He stroked me gently with his fingers, reaching under me and caressing the crease between my mound and my ass, and turning me around to wash the cheeks and the muscle and flesh of my ass. Devon rinsed me off and pressed his lips to the curve of one breast, lapping up beads and streams of moisture from me with his tongue, and pressing his teeth and the tip of his tongue against the hard bead of my nipple. His hand continued caressing my ass and my sex, washing my thighs and my perineum, brushing his fingers and the bath sponge against my sensitive areas.

I
held his shoulders and leaned back, and scorching heat rushed to my center while Devon teased and bathed me in the steamy shower. His fingers grazed my clit, and my hips undulated in the shower—my body wanting, needing him inside me now. I moaned as his hands moved over me, cleaning my thighs as he still suckled on my breasts and nipples.

I lathered soap into my hands and ran my
fist over his long shaft, causing his massive member to press against my stomach. Devon suddenly spun me around and pressed into me, his breath hot and steamy on my neck. He reached for a condom already in the sink drawer and rolled it over his throbbing member with an adroit hand. I braced against the bar in the shower as Devon held my waist and pressed into me, gently at first, and then easing in, pushing himself inside me and gasping hot and moist breaths across my neck.

He angled
my hips to thrust into me even deeper, mercilessly now in a rhythm, wet and slippery, causing me to whimper loudly. “Oh, God!” I felt myself convulse and clench against him, and ignite into full orgasm as Devon exploded inside me in a thundering growl of ecstasy. I moaned and gasped as I eased my grip on the shower bar, regaining my breath. Devon turned me towards him and held me against his wet body, our breaths matching gasps of rapturous relief.

Devon stepped out of the shower and reached for
a towel, holding it out for me. I stepped into it and he wrapped it around my dripping body. He grabbed another towel and wrapped it around his waist. I patted the corner of my towel over his chest, wiping beads of water away and feeling the contours of his muscled chest. I rubbed the towel down to his six-pack stomach, pressing on each slab of muscle, and moving around to his broad back, patting the towel over his wet, glistening skin.

I
came back around and smiled up at him. “Hard to reach places.”

Devon smiled
back at me. “Where were you a week ago when I really needed you?”

A
smile tugged the corners of my mouth. “All you had to do was ask.”

Devon squeezed his eyes shut in
painful disbelief on what he had missed out on.