#playerdown: Players to Men Page 13

  “You’re damn beautiful, Blue. I could eat you for breakfast, lunch, supper, and in between.”

  He trailed a finger down my sternum and across to circle my bra-covered nipple before replacing it with his mouth on the silky fabric. At the sharp tug from his teeth and tongue, I whimpered, held in the grip of an impossible need, one I desperately needed him to fulfill.

  “Take this off.” I lifted his tee from him, revealing sculptured, inked pecs and ripped abs.

  God, the guy was sin, made for sex.

  A growl rumbling from his throat, he pushed my bra cup lower, and his warm mouth covered my nipple. I groaned, the sucking and tugging sensation stealing my mind, and pushed into his mouth. With a low rumble, he reared up, his mouth back on mine, and he devoured me in a kiss so hot and sensual that I grabbed his hair, grinding against his rigid cock, desperate for him.

  “Fuck—” he grunted, moving with me, then he grabbed my hips, stopping me. “Charli, wait,” he rasped. “I want you so damn much, but there’s something you need to know. Straight-up fucking is not enough for me when it comes to you. I want more.”

  More? I blinked, his decree finally piercing the passion-filled haze in my mind.

  He was leaving it up to me?

  Breathing hard, I struggled to swallow, my throat gone bone-dry—feeling as if my entire being hovered on a precarious edge with my growing feelings for him. Terrified to take that leap after my past fails.

  His gaze flickered between my eyes, and his hands tightened briefly on my hips, but a nerve pulsed on his jaw. Then his lips compressed. He set me aside, and rose. His erection evident.

  “At your lack of a response, I guess I have my answer.”

  His cell buzzed. He removed it from his jeans pocket and read the message. “Get ready. We’re meeting with the guys and your friends at Screamers.” He grabbed his shirt and stalked off.

  Desire faded, and my belly knotted, I watched him go.

  He was upset that I’d turned him down again, and I didn’t like the way it made me feel, as if a crater had opened in my chest, one I had no way of filling. With no idea how to fix this mess, I picked up my shirt, dragged it on, and ran after him as he headed down the corridor. “War, wait—”

  He turned, his expression shut off.

  “What you’re asking me,” I rushed into speech, so sure my hammering heart would crash through my sternum, “I’ve tried it before, and I always ended up hurt. And you, you don’t have the best rep…”

  The tick on his jaw grew more pronounced. “What is it you want to say, Charli? For me to leave you alone? Go fuck myself? Yeah, got it.”

  “No, no!” I yelled, rubbing my chilly palms down my shorts, wishing I could trust my heart. “I’m terrified because I like you too damn much, and-and—”

  And then I recalled him taking me to the amusement park, and I knew it wasn’t for him but for me since it made me feel closer to my father. And there were the daisies he’d gathered from the rain and put on the old table because I said it was the little things that counted when you liked someone.

  Swallowing my wariness and risking my heart once more, I whispered, “Okay.”

  His gaze skimmed my face, and I shut my eyes, feeling as if I were falling and there was no one—

  And then he was there, his warmth surrounding me, his calloused roughened palms stroking my upper arms. My eyes flashed open, and I met his tender gaze.

  “That’s all I wanted, Charli,” he said softly, caressing my face with his knuckles, “to know you wanted me enough to try. We’ll take this one day at a time.” A little smile flickered on his mouth, reflecting in his eyes.

  But having his arms around me, it felt like I could be brave enough to take this step and see where this went as long as I kept my stupid heart, the root of my problems, bolted.

  “As much as I’d like to finish what we started in the living room, our friends are waiting,” he said in a low voice, his breath caressing my skin as he trailed his mouth along my jaw to kiss the corner of my mouth, stirring me like a lit fuse. “And I don’t want to rush making love to you.” His hands gently squeezed my butt, stoking the embers of desire again. God! “Go, get ready.” He turned me to my room, and I bit back a groan. A light smack landed on my tingling bottom—

  Eeep! I jumped and pivoted, glowering at him.

  “I love your ass.” He cast me one of his sexy half-smiles that melted my glare. “Later, when we get back, I will kiss it better, kiss every inch of you. Hell,” he groaned. “Talking about it isn’t healthy or good for me.” He pivoted to his room, pressing a hand to his groin.

  I stared after him, trying to catch my breath. Then shook my head, a smile starting as I headed for my room. Well, it made two of us.

  11

  CHARLI

  Cars idled, their running engines adding to the night cacophony as we made our way to Screamers nightclub in Soho. I smoothed my palms down my short black skirt I’d teamed with a sleeveless wrap top in burgundy, thankful that when we left the beach house this morning, I’d grabbed my duffle and threw in clothes.

  But agreeing to a relationship and knowing I was risking everything had my belly tied into knots, with anticipation, yes, and also a little wariness. Because with War, I felt so much more than I did with Craig or the other two. Hence me dressing up. It helped soothe the edges of my jangled nerves.

  At the crush waiting to get inside the club, I sighed, my fingers tightening on my black evening purse, hoping we didn’t stay outside too long. Because, heels!

  Ugh, I had to wear them, wanting to look good and not feel too short next to War.

  He put his hand on my lower back, and the tangle within me eased. We walked right past the crowd, startling me a little. Voices rose, shrieks of War’s name echoed. He didn’t look back.

  “You could have waved,” I murmured.

  “Why?”

  “Duh. You’re a sports star.”

  “I love the game. It’s why I play.”

  Right. From what he’d told me, it was true. What I’d also come to learn about him since the wedding several weeks ago, and these past few days—he worked hard at whatever he did, and he’d earned the respect of his peers.

  We made our way to the muscled bouncers, who gave him a nod of recognition. Once carded and stamped, we walked into the dimly lit club.

  “Guess being a well-known hockey star has its perks?” I teased him since he was back in his quiet mode. He gave me a slight smile but remained silent. Then we stepped into the split-level dance club, music resounding off the walls and strobe lights bouncing everywhere.

  The energetic vibe spilled through me, and I had to curb the urge to move to the beat. I loved dancing, just not the crowds. Gyrating bodies jampacked the lower-level dance floor, the frenzied movements giving the place a hive feeling.

  War grasped my hand, and we navigated through the crammed tables to one overlooking the dance floor. My friends and their hubbies were there.

  “Charli!” Ila jumped up, and War finally let me go. She grasped me in a hug, and Ray followed. The guys fist-bumped each other, and seats were taken again, my friends snagging the chairs next to me.

  With drinks ordered from a passing waitress, I glanced at my friends, setting my purse on the table. Despite the loud music and manic energy here, Ila and Ray’s bristling curiosity surrounded me like a fast-closing net.

  Yeah, I knew why.

  War and I arrived together, and they’d seen him holding my hand. Yup, the sisterly inquisition was about to pounce. I was in for a grilling.

  I remained silent on that topic, being coolly nonchalant as I looked around the club. “This is nice,” I said, glancing at the dance floor. “I haven’t been to one since Germany.”

  “Who cares about the dance floor?” Ila retorted, dragging my attention again.

  “Yeah, deets, girl, c’mon.” Ray grinned. She leaned closer. “He’s holding your hand—hell, you’re both trending on Instagram!”

  “A
nd he’s now got an account, too,” Ila arched an eyebrow. “With only one photo. You in the rain, paint on one palm.”

  “And you have its counterpart on your account with a handprint on his shirt,” Ray added.

  Oh, man. I was just grateful they hadn’t bombarded me with texts about this. Ugh, why would they, when they’d planned a siege to interrogate?

  I scrunched my nose and pushed back my unbound hair, eyeing War furtively, only to find him watching me. He winked. Gah. Heat flooded my face. He knew.

  Ray burst out laughing. “You two are so cute. Now, c’mon, give us the 411!”

  “Not much to say.”

  “For heaven’s sake, Char, I’m about to yank my hair, so just spit it out already,” Ila groaned.

  Crap, where to start?

  I cut Ray a gimlet look. “It’s all your fault with your sneaky wedding and all,” I moaned.

  She grinned, revealing cute dimples. “You’re welcome.”

  Man, these girls! I loved the wretches. When Craig had cheated on me, Ila had been there, holding me as I sobbed my heart out, and then she helped me with my bonfire. Ray threatened to castrate him when she found out.

  They both leaned closer, practically glued to me. “It was a bet, one I stupidly made during the rehearsal dinner. You know, when you and Jack were acting as if you lived on different parts of the planet while seated at the same table?” I enlightened Ray, and she smirked. “Anyway, I said it seemed as if you guys were over. War disagreed…” Then I told them about the silly bet, the weeding, and finally ended with the painting fiasco. “And that’s how it happened.”

  “Yeah, yeah, sure. It’s all very textbooky and dry. What? Are we ten?” Ray demanded. “You give us the G-rated version? It doesn’t explain the kiss photo, the crashing of mouths.”

  Oh, God, kill me now.

  “You should be a detective,” I grumbled.

  Ila laughed, but she was listening with avid attention. Our drinks came, and War had ordered me my usual mojito light, as I like to call my almost alcoholic-free drink. I took a deep swallow to fortify myself, then groused, “I don’t know why my life is suddenly so interesting.”

  “Because, unlike some people, our relationships didn’t start because of Instagram pictures,” Ray retorted.

  I bit back a groan. She was right. After another gulp of my drink, I set the glass down. “I can’t talk about this here,” I hissed, aware the guys were watching us every so often, probably wondering what we were huddled together about. I didn’t dare look at War again. “Let’s go to the restroom.”

  They jumped up. “Restroom,” Ray said when they glanced at us, and then we were making our way to the toilets. Once clear of our men, and in the not so rowdy corridor leading to the restroom, the music a dull pulse here, I stopped and sagged against the wall. “Oh, boy,” I groaned. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I like him so much, and I’m terrified.”

  “Wait-wait,” Ila said quickly. “You and War are actually together, right? A couple, yeah?”

  “As of this evening, yes.” I nodded. “We were in the middle of…well, you know? And—”

  “And sucking faces, maybe body parts, too, right, got it.” Ray grinned.

  Jesus. I rubbed my blistering face. “Well, okay, yes. And before it went any further, War stopped and told me he wanted more than a fling. I…I didn’t want to make that kind of commitment. Though he didn’t say anything, I knew he was upset. He just said we were meeting you here and left. But watching him go, something inside me hurt like a punch to my chest, you know?”

  Ray stroked my back, but both she and Ila nodded.

  Exhaling a shaky breath, I continued. “I knew then it wasn’t what I wanted, not being with him. So I went after him.” I met my friends’ quiet stares. “He said he’s prepared to take things slow until I’m ready. He just wanted me to try.”

  “Char, I can safely say we were there, too, where you are now,” Ray said, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear. “And it’s because, well, we all fell for players. Who knows, this might just be the best thing to happen for you, too. War is a great guy.”

  Ila gave me a one-arm squeeze. “Ray’s right, Charli. Give it a chance.”

  “If it makes you feel any better,” Ray added, “he hasn’t hooked up with anyone for a couple of months now. Or so Jack mentioned.”

  I blinked. “Really?”

  “He didn’t tell you?”

  I shook my head, then said slowly, “His agent is on his back to keep on the straight. He saw the photo of us on Instagram. It’s how we started a few days ago, a fake relationship leading to the real thing today,” I said wryly, glancing past them. Then I frowned at a familiar face, one I hadn’t seen since my return to the States.

  “Julian?” I called out.

  The tall, dark-haired man glanced my way, and a grin lit his striking features. No suit this evening, his usual dress mode. Instead, he wore dark gray dress pants and a black shirt that suited his lean build.

  “Charli?” My stepbrother strode over and hugged me. He drew back, steel-gray eyes skimming over me. His usually stern features softened. “You look well. I knew you were back, and you didn’t visit?”

  Guilt stirred. “I was going to, but life just got busy. I did text you.”

  “Yes, you did.” He smiled, didn’t say anything because he knew of my tumultuous relationship with my mother. “You know my friends?” I asked then.

  “Hello, Ila,” he said, keeping his arm around me. He’d met Ila while we were all in college. We were freshmen, and he was doing his master’s, but he hadn’t met Ray yet, so I introduced her. “Ray, my stepbrother, Julian Dupont. Ray is Ila’s sister.”

  “Oh, you’re that Julian?” Ray said sweetly by way of greeting. “Ila had a crush on you, you know?”

  Ila smacked her arm. “I said he had nice eyes. In what way is that a crush?”

  “I don’t mind.” Julian laughed. “It makes me feel young.”

  “Really? You’re four years older than me. How is that old?” I demanded.

  “By four years.” He deadpanned.

  I snorted. I’d forgotten how much I liked his sense of humor.

  “You’re here by yourselves?” He glanced down the corridor as if our guys would hang around here.

  “Oh, no,” I said. “Ila and Ray are both married. They’re here with their husbands.”

  “And you?” he asked me, in full, overprotective brother mode.

  Ugh. “I have a date.”

  “Good.” He nodded, then said to Ila, “I saw the wedding photos in the papers. Max Sinclair. I know his father, met Max once.”

  “You should stop by and say hi,” Ila said.

  “Give me a minute.” He disappeared into the men’s room.

  “I didn’t know you had a stepbrother?” Ray said.

  “From my mother’s fourth marriage. I liked Julian and his father a lot. When Charles died, it was hard. Julian was wonderful to the lonely girl foisted on his family through our parents’ marriage. But he and my mother don’t see eye-to-eye. So, I seldom get to see him since Charles’ death. Still, he does occasionally call to check on how I’m doing.”

  “He seems very protective,” Ray said.

  “Oh, he is,” Ila murmured with a smile. “Remember uni, Char? The guys treaded carefully around us when he was there.”

  As Ila filled Ray in about Julian and the cold looks he rained down on the poor guys who liked us, I remained silent. I’d been dating Steven back then, another dickwad unbeknown to me. I was just one of his many. Julian found out and punched him, sending him skedaddling from my life. It hurt a lot to find out the truth about my so-called boyfriend back then.

  So yeah, I knew my brother. Either way, he would have escorted us back to our table to vet out who I was with. And I wondered if he’d seen War and me on social media.

  “He’s back,” I said, hiding my trepidation at the meeting of my beloved stepbrother and my boyfriend as Julian strolled to us.
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  When the two glaciers met…I prayed to God they bypassed quietly.

  WAR

  “So you and Charli, eh?” Max eyed me curiously. He drew the nacho platter from Jack, picked up a cheesy drizzled chip, and ate it.

  The food came, but not the girls, causing my restlessness to hike.

  I nodded, taking a sip of my water.

  Jack snorted, leaning back in his seat, ice gray eyes gleaming. “Hard to say when he looks about as excited as a puddle of old rainwater.”

  Yeah, that was payback for when I tried to stop him from going after Ray.

  “Just think if I hadn’t set Ray up with Cal,” I drawled, “you’d still be moping about.”

  He laughed, didn’t seem to care about my ribbing. “True. Do I still want to break Cal’s jaw? You can bet your life on it. But I’m damn grateful she took a chance on me. She is all that is right in my life.”

  Something inside me fisted at his words. Yes, I was aware, he and Max had some serious messed-up family issues. Max blamed himself for his mother’s death. Jack never spoke about his problems, and he didn’t care much for his grandmother and her meddling. And yet, somehow, they managed to overcome it all, fall for their wives, and win their hearts. Their contentment gave me a little hope, but instilled a damn lot of fear in me, too, because my past was worse than theirs.

  Exhaling roughly, I peeled the wet label off my water bottle.

  “Chaos?” Max said, resting his elbows on the table, leaning closer, so I could hear him over the music. “We would never intrude, you know this, but if you care about Charli, and she’s it for you, then talk to her.”

  “Yeah.” Jack nodded his agreement. “Don’t leave it for later or for someone else to drop it on her.”

  I lowered my gaze to the Aquafina bottle. I’d been in a dark place most of my life. Hockey and the wins helped briefly push everything to the back, but the shadows always lurked.

  With Charli, I saw an inkling of hope, of peace.