“But he hasn’t caused any more problems. Maybe he’s given up his plans for revenge.”
Troy faced Andrea. His eyes widened with surprise. “Do you believe that?”
She spread her arms. “He wasn’t involved with the blog.”
“If you believe Mindy.”
“He’s not pushing negative stories about the team.”
“That we know of.” He turned back to the window. The scene didn’t calm him anymore.
Andrea’s shoes tapped against his hardwood floor as she came to him. She laid her head between his shoulder blades. “Troy, leave Gerry to Jackie. She can handle him. Focus on what you can control.”
“I don’t have control over anything anymore.”
“Yes, you do. Finding another job is in your control. Jackie will provide you with a good reference. I’m also sure she’ll use her contacts to help you get another position.”
He didn’t want to think about Jaclyn giving him a reference for another job. He wanted his job back. He wanted the Insider blog gone. He wanted Gerald away from the franchise, and he wanted the Monarchs to win tonight. But he didn’t have control over any of that.
He couldn’t even control his feelings for Andrea. They were more than want, stronger than need. How had she gone from being a threat to being his friend? His lover?
Troy turned to take her into his arms. “Talking about control, do you want it?”
Her eyes heated. She raised her hand and cupped his cheek. “Why don’t we share it?”
The temptation of her smile. The sexy promise of her words. The knowledge that she trusted him enough to share control with him. All of these things combined to set Troy on fire. He bent his head to kiss her deeply, showing her with action the feelings he wasn’t ready to put into words.
Andrea wrapped her arms around his neck and moved closer to him. She parted her lips and let him inside. Troy’s blood heated. His pulse raced. He released her to tug the blazer from her shoulders. Without breaking their kiss, Andrea lowered her arms to let him. Troy felt her warmth through her thin pink blouse, her slender curves beneath his palms, her full breasts against his chest.
Troy pulled away from her to close the living room’s bronze curtains, leaving only the faint hallway light behind them. In the shadows, he saw Andrea’s wicked smile. She held her arms out to him. Troy joined her.
He lowered his head to resume their kiss. Troy stroked his tongue along the seam of Andrea’s mouth, coaxing her to open for him. She did, and Troy pressed inside. Her taste was intoxicating, like fine wine. His thoughts spun. He caressed her tongue with his own, stroking it and suckling it as he undressed her. In her arms, he was as confident as she thought him to be.
Cool air rushed against Andrea’s skin as Troy tugged her blouse from her. She trembled from the chill and the desire building inside her. She felt his nimble fingers at the belt and waistband of her pants. He stepped away as her trousers fell to the floor. He claimed her gaze, then, without a word, dropped to his knees before her. He pulled down her underwear. Andrea stepped out of her shoes and nudged the pile of clothing aside. She took off her bra and stood naked in front of him.
Troy pressed his face against her abdomen. He kissed her navel, then twirled his tongue inside. Andrea’s breath hitched. His right hand moved up her calf to her knee, then slid between her thighs. Her body tightened with excitement as she anticipated his touch. Troy palmed her as he continued to kiss her stomach. He teased her navel and nipped her hip bone. Slowly, he moved his hand back and forth against her, n
urturing her need, making her crazy.
Andrea closed her eyes. Her knees began to shake. She felt the familiar hunger building for this man. She braced her hands on his shoulders.
“Troy, please.” Her voice was thin, so thin she could barely hear it.
“Soon, honey. Soon.”
He stroked two fingers between her folds, and Andrea jumped. She parted her legs farther to encourage him. “Please, Troy.”
“Yes, honey.” Troy slipped his index finger inside her and stroked her with his thumb.
Andrea sucked in a breath. Her hips moved back and forth with the rhythm of his touch. She tightened her grip on the muscles of his shoulders. Her body began to shake. Her nipples tightened. Every nerve ending in her body felt his touch. Troy removed his hand, and her body sagged with disappointment. She opened her eyes.
He took her wrist and pulled her toward him. “Come here.”
She went down on her knees in front of him. Troy kissed her as he lowered her to the plush Oriental rug. His right hand molded her breasts, moved down to her waist, and cupped her hips. Troy worked his way down her body, kissing her nipples and suckling her breasts. His soft jersey brushed against her skin. Andrea’s body began to buzz again. She heard the blood rushing in her ears. He kissed and licked her navel, nipped her hip bone, then pulled her knees over his shoulders.
Andrea’s eyes popped open. “Troy—”
He kissed her deeply, intimately. Andrea sucked in a breath, arched her back, and pressed her head against the rug. Electricity flooded her. Her nipples beaded painfully. Troy kissed her again and licked her, stroking his tongue over and around her. Andrea’s hips lifted for his next caress. Her body yearned for it. Begged for it. She gasped. She moaned. She pressed her forearm against her mouth to keep from screaming. And then she shattered against his tongue.