Roughing

asy in them.

“Harder, Bash. I’m not going to break.”

Her muscles tighten around me, and even though I could make love to her all day long, I know it won’t be long for either of us, so I pick up the pace, knowing she can handle it. I want her to enjoy every second as Tori comes undone beneath me.

I lose control and collapse on top of Tori, kissing her lips before rolling onto the mattress next to her. It takes a few minutes for me to get my bearings before I can formulate a coherent thought.

She curls up into the nook between my arm and shoulder, resting her head on my chest. “That was…” She whispers, her voice trailing off. “That was amazing.”

“You were amazing,” I mutter.

“Don’t hurt me, Bash.” She glances up at me from beneath her light brows, her features softening. “I’m trusting you this time.”

I bring her hand to my lips to plant a kiss. “You’re my queen, Tori. I promise this time I won’t let anything get in the way of us.”

“Good.” The corners of her mouth turn up into a wide grin. “Because I expect the royal treatment.”

“Always,” I say against her hair. “That much I can promise.”

She doesn’t speak another word, just squeezes me tight, as her fingers grip my side. I waited a long time for this moment. For the first time in a very long time, I am legit happy. And in love.

Chapter 14

Tori

After several weeks of being in the spotlight, I’m used to being Bash’s girlfriend. Again. The adjustment was not easy with all the unwanted stares in my direction. Girls can be such jealous bitches when it comes to men. They’re even more vicious when it comes to Bash. But he just shrugs them off, pretending as if they don’t even exist.

Dressed in full uniform and holding his helmet at his side, Bash comes strutting out from the locker room and into the hallway where I’ve been waiting for him for the past ten minutes.

He reaches out to stroke my jaw, cradling my face in his big hand. “There’s my girl.”

I smile and lean in to plant a kiss on his lips. He opens his mouth, parting my lips with his tongue, threading his fingers through my hair as he deepens the kiss. Every time Bash as much as touches my skin, my entire body comes alive. He has always had this effect on me, and now that we’re building something new, the old feelings mix with the new, heightening the sensation of each kiss.

Lost in one another, we’re grabbing at each other’s clothes, ready to get naked in the hallway, when a man clears his throat behind Bash. We still for a second, our lips still locked, and stare into each other’s eyes.

“Get your ass on the field, Prince,” he growls.

Bash turns around to look at his coach and the players now crowding around us. “I had to get my good luck kiss,” Bash says, his tone serious.

His teammates’ laughter fills the hallway. I feel like such an ass that I wish I could click my heels together and disappear. We avoid public displays of affection for this particular reason. Still clinging to my side, Bash tightens his grip on my waist, before giving me one last kiss. In front of everyone. And it’s fucking hot. Like so hot my panties are wet, and I don’t want to pull away, even though I’m somewhat embarrassed.

I have trouble getting my bearings once our lips separate, still high on Bash and wanting more.

“I’ll see you after the game,” Bash says.

I nod and then he walks down the hall with his teammates, toward the entrance to the field. A few minutes pass as I wait for the announcer to welcome the team onto the field. The crowd goes wild, the stadium brought to life and buzzing with energy. I still don’t share the same enthusiasm as my peers when it comes to football, but I have no problem cheering for my man in the stands.

My cell phone dings with a text from Jessica, wanting to know where I am. Walking down the hallway, I type out a quick reply and shove the phone back into my pocket. Once I reach our seats, Jessica throws herself at me, squeezing the life out of me.

“You’re here. I was starting to worry that you wouldn’t show.”

I take my seat next to Jessica and get comfortable on the bench. “Of course, I’m here. Bash would lose his shit if I missed this game. It’s way too important to him.”

Her eyes travel away from me and onto the field. “Clay has been talking about it all week. Those assholes broke Clay’s arm, and they’re the same…”

Even though her voice trails off, I know what she was planning to say. One of the defensive linemen for the Cougars was responsible for Clay’s broken arm but also for what happened between Bash and me. Luckily, Clay healed without any issues and Bash, and I made amends and moved on with our lives.

Bash was so amped for this game that we had sex three times before he left his house today. As always, he was insatiable, but I think all the testosterone and nerves about playing this team were making him even more of a caveman than normal. Jessica holds my hand, giving it a nervous squeeze, as we watch Bash head onto the field for the coin toss. He stares down the dark-haired boy responsible for some of our darker moments. Bash wins the coin toss and chooses to receive the ball from the other team.