#playerdown: Players to Men Page 14

  Would she want to leave if I told her the truth? My gut twisted that she might, causing acid to gnaw my insides. No matter what my friends said, I didn’t dare take the risk of telling her so soon. We’d barely started our relationship. Hell, it was mere hours old, and I refused to lose her.

  “So, did you see the illustration?” Max asked then, dragging me out of my brooding.

  I frowned at his smirking expression. “What illustration?”

  “One Charli sent to Ila—”

  “Who the hell is that?” Jack growled. “And why are they looking at him like he hung the moon?”

  My head snapped in the direction he glared. My jaw tightened at seeing a dark-haired guy with his arm around Charli, who looked so fucking happy. This dirtbag couldn’t be another cheating ex since she was smiling. My gaze lowered, my fingers clamping around the bottle, squishing the plastic. I fought the urge to get up, punch the daylights out of him, and drag her away.

  “You know Max, right?” Charli said in an almost yell above the music.

  “Yes,” the dick finally let her go and nodded. He reached out, and Max, my best bud, rose and shook hands. “It’s been a while, Julian.”

  Jack frowned at me, discreetly shaking his head in warning. Max cut me a furtive look of the same. The woman had no idea of the lit fuse to a keg of dynamite I was.

  Jack stood, but at Charli’s frown, I did, too.

  “That’s Jack Griffin, Ray’s husband,” Max said smoothly. “And this is Eli Warrick.”

  Charli stepped closer, and I put my arm around her, drawing her to me. The dick narrowed his eyes, then lifted an eyebrow.

  “Yes, I saw you both on Instagram,” he murmured, tone cool.

  My expression equally cool, I remained silent. I could feel Charli’s stare burning holes in my face as she introduced us. “War, this is Julian Dupont, my stepbrother.”

  It mattered little to me. They weren’t blood.

  “Yes, the hockey player, I know.” He held out his hand.

  I didn’t fucking do handshakes. Then Charli put her arm around my waist, leaned her head against my chest, and the turmoil within quieted. I shook his hand.

  “Just so you know, you hurt her, and I’m coming after you.” His eyes resembled gray stones, his warning blunt.

  “Julian, please,” Charli groaned.

  His stare shifted to her and softened, but he let out a long-suffering sigh. I clenched my teeth. Yeah, I was a possessive bastard, especially when it came to Charli.

  “Very well. I’ll lay off the player for now,” the ass said, but I got his point loud and clear. “That weasel, Craig, got away because he’s always flying off somewhere—”

  “Oh, he’s back in town,” Ray helpfully added.

  “Is he now?” A gleam transformed his eyes to titanium bullets.

  “Julian, God, don’t.” Charli reached out as if to stop him, but then she dropped her hand. “Besides, I took care of it.”

  “I would have castrated him, not burned his clothes,” he retorted. “If he can’t keep his dick zipped, he shouldn’t come anywhere near you.”

  “Exactly what I said,” Ray piped up, and it somehow broke the tension.

  “Anyway, I have to go. My date’s waiting. Charli, you and War must have lunch with me soon.”

  For more digging into my background because I was with his sister?

  “We will,” Charli answered quickly. “I’ll call you.”

  With a nod at us, he walked away, disappearing into the sea of people.

  As everyone claimed their seats, Charli grabbed my hand. “I want to dance.”

  I let her drag me off to the dance floor. It was a fast number, but I didn’t care. I didn’t dance anyway, so I pulled her into my arms. Those dark eyes searched mine under the flashing strobe lights. Then she reached up, and her mouth touched my ear, her body pressing against mine.

  “Better?” she asked.

  I turned my head and pressed my mouth to her earlobe. “What do you think?”

  “War, he’s my brother.” She turned her face to mine, our lips almost brushing. “And no, there’s nothing between us, never was. Julian has known me since my teens, and he cares about me like a sister. He got me the job in Germany when I wanted to get away from everything.”

  Fuck jealousy. It came with a ton of unwanted baggage, and had almost cracked the bond I was trying to form with this woman. But possessive I damn well was, especially considering I never felt this way before, but there it was. It wasn’t something I’d tell her, either.

  My gaze skimmed the delicate lines of her lovely face, my breath escaping in a whoosh…because in her, I saw a light, a strength I needed in my fragmented self. And having her in my arms helped ease this fear that she could leave, disappear like some carefree butterfly, in an instant.

  Exhaling roughly, I rested my cheek against hers. Her fingers stroked my back, pulling me deeper and deeper into her as we moved to the music…

  The song ended far too soon, and we headed back to the table, where Ray and Jack were the sole occupants. I sat and pulled Charli onto my lap before she lowered to the other chair.

  “How are we supposed to eat in this way?” She glanced back at me.

  I shrugged, didn’t care about food. Max and Ila, both breathless, joined us again after their dance.

  Charli picked up a slider and took a bite, then she shifted a little and fed me her half-eaten mini burger. I grabbed her hand and took it, sucking her fingers as I did.

  She bit her lip. Fuck, I so badly wanted to kiss her. But with eyes on us, I refrained for now, and chewed the damn burger, took a draft of my water, and ate a little more.

  Max reached for his beer, and I recalled what he’d said earlier.

  “Max? The drawing you mentioned, what is it?” I asked.

  Smirking, he glanced at Ila. “Logan, can I see that illustration again?”

  She frantically shook her head, making me even more curious.

  “C’mon, Logan. We’re all family here,” he coaxed.

  “I’ll send it to you.” She sighed, casting an apologetic look at Charli who stiffened on my lap.

  “Ila, no, don’t—” She dived across the table for Ila’s cell, but I hauled her back before she sent the food scattering and drinks spilling. “No, no—” She smacked my hands, but she was too late anyway since her grimacing friend had already hit send.

  Groaning, Charli palmed her face.

  “Wait, what am I missing?” Ray demanded, looking from Ila to Charli.

  “Did you not see your messages?” Ila asked.

  “No. I had a hectic day…”

  “God—” Charli reached for her glass, found it empty. “Sorry, Jack.” She grabbed his Grey Goose and slugged it back, then coughed at the strong liquor. I rubbed her back.

  He laughed, amusement lighting his pale eyes. “Now I’m really curious. What is it?” he asked.

  Ray scrambled for her small black bag on the table, got out her cell, her fingers swiping the display…then her eyes widened, and she screamed with laughter.

  Jack leaned over and angled his head, studying this mysterious illustration, then started grinning. “We must try this, Bug.”

  “Not on your horny life, babe.” Ray snorted.

  Charli moaned and bumped her forehead against the table.

  “I’m sending it to you.” Max grinned at me.

  A moment later, my cell next to Charli’s arm buzzed. I opened the message, then stared at the erotic illustration, painted in realistic colors, revealing the man and woman in a—

  I had no idea what to call that position. A smirk tipped my mouth. Who knew a kinky side existed beneath Charli’s innocent facade?

  “Is this what you really like, Blue?” I teased. “We could try it, but you’d need to up your exercise. I wouldn’t want you falling.”

  “God, kill me now,” she groaned, reaching back and slapping her hand on my mouth. I kissed her palm and lowered it.

  “Now thi
s one, I’m totally on board with,” Ray grinned, flashing her cell to Jack, who groaned.

  My cell pinged with a new image. I opened it and laughed at the guy in bench position with the girl riding his dick. Charli was damn good with her illustrations. Jack’s fresh drink arrived. She nabbed that too and guzzled it back.

  “Looks like I’m going home stone-cold sober,” Jack said, grinning.

  “Charli, slow down.” I gently grasped her wrist, stopping her from finishing it.

  “Let me go, I want to drown my em-embarrissshment,” she slurred, already tipsy.

  “It won’t help in the morning,” I warned softly, stroking her back.

  “Don’t care—” She swiped my hand away. “I’m gonna be per-permanently drunk from now on. Get used to it.”

  Smiling, I kissed her shoulder. Charli was cute when hammered. But I didn’t want her going through a nasty hangover. My girl was a serious lightweight, so it was probably better I took her home.

  “I think we’re gonna call it a night,” I said, pushing Charli to her feet and keeping my arm around her.

  After we said our goodbyes, I gathered her purse and cell from the table, and we headed out.

  I walked my tipsy girl to my truck parked a block away—hell, usually I just rode my bike while in the city, but since being with Charli, I was using the truck more, glad now because a bike wouldn’t do in this situation.

  An hour later, back in my apartment parking lot, I swept a sleepy Charli into my arms, kicked the truck door shut, and took the elevator up to my place.

  In the living room, I sat her on the couch.

  She flopped against the backrest and moaned. I got a glass of water and two pain pills from the kitchen and hurried back to her before she fell asleep.

  “Charli?” I sat next to her.

  She sighed.

  “Blue!”

  She grunted and scrunched her face at the nickname, making me smile.

  “Here, take this.” I helped her upright, and her eyes flickered open.

  “You’re too bossy,” she grumbled. “I wanna sleep.” She squinted at the pills. “I don’t want—”

  “You’ll thank me in the morning. Take them.”

  She popped the pills, drank the water, then pushed the glass away and scrambled off the couch.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I don’t like you and y-your pills.” She collapsed on the other couch. I set the glass on the coffee table and swept her into my arms.

  “Hey. Put me down.”

  “No.”

  She sighed and cuddled closer. “Hmm...” She nuzzled her nose into my neck, stirring me to rock hard with no hope of relief in sight. “You smell wonderful…”

  I shoved open the door to the bedroom she was using and set her on the bed. As I hunkered down to remove her heels, she rose, stumbled, and cussed. “Stupid floor keeps moving—”

  She fumbled off her top, revealing a silky black push-up bra, then she swayed, and I grabbed her before she face-planted and hurt herself.

  She grinned. “Nearly fell there. Did you see?”

  “Sure did, Blue.”

  With one hand fisted in my shirt, she shimmied out of her skirt and flung it across the room, revealing silky black panties molding her sexy bottom. Hell, she was a dream. I knew I teased her mercilessly for her blue underwear I saw thanks to the wind that afternoon outside the cathedral. But baiting her seemed to be the only thing that got her responding to me.

  She blinked at me like an adorable owl, gave me a tipsy smile, then reached up and planted her mouth on mine in a loud kiss. “Take this off…” She tugged at my shirt.

  Fuck. This had to be my penance for my wild ways, now wanting someone so badly but knowing I couldn’t do anything, not when she was drunk and probably wouldn’t remember a thing come morning.

  “We will, Blue, but not tonight. Right now, you need sleep.” I picked her up and set her on the bed again. She curled on her side, facing me as I hunkered down and removed her strappy black heels. I set them aside, then drew the covers over her.

  “I like you, War…” She sighed, shutting her eyes. “So much.”

  Me too, Blue. Me, too. She had no idea just how much.

  12

  CHARLI

  My eyelids flickered open to a dim room, and I groaned, the need to pee paramount. I rolled off the bed and stumbled for the bathroom, so sure my tongue had grown fur. And my head felt a little fuzzy, like wool had settled inside. Thankfully, no headache.

  I grasped the doorframe, frowning down at myself in my…bra and panties? Usually, I wore my boxer shorts and a tank to bed, not this. So, how—?

  Shaking my foggy head didn’t release the info I needed. Sighing, I shut the door.

  A short while later, teeth and tongue scoured, I stood under the shower and groaned as the grogginess and lethargy drained away, and when my skin felt pruned enough, I stumbled out.

  Coffee. I badly needed the caffeine boost to kick-start my brain and get rid of this sluggishness.

  Gripping my hair in a messy bun, I dressed in shorts and a loose, light blue t-shirt that was determined to slide off one shoulder, then I grabbed my cell from the bedside table and made my way through the silent apartment.

  Aw, crap. I winced, the early morning sunlight streaming through the spacious living room windows almost blinding me. The coffee-fragrant air kept me pushing forward, but then I faltered to a halt near the couch, my heart careening in my chest.

  Shirtless, War stood barefoot near the long isle in the kitchen, reading something on his cell and sipping his coffee. His gray sweats rode low on his hips, revealing all those cut slabs of muscles and the tantalizing V going down to his groin.

  Oh, man. With all that temptation in front of me, desire slid through my veins like molasses, coiling low in my core. Yup, my body knew exactly what it wanted, even if my head was in slo-mo this morning.

  “Morning,” I grumbled because there darn well wasn’t anything good about it, well, except for him.

  I shuffled across the massive living room, past the dining area to the kitchen, needing my nirvana. And more, trying not to look at so much perfection—clad only in sweats outlining the length of his sex clearly—so early in the morning when I still felt like roadkill.

  What the heck did I do last night besides drink too much?

  Ugh, not wanting to tax my slow-functioning brain as to why I had done so, I passed him. Warm fingers gripped my upper arm.

  “Sit,” he said, turning me to the counter stool. “I’ll get coffee.”

  “Thank you.” I collapsed gratefully on the seat, securing my bare feet around the foot bar.

  “How’s the head?” he asked.

  “Okay…” My eyes latched onto a Post-it with a message stuck on the counter, and I peered at it.

  Gone for a run, in case you’re wondering where I am. W.

  Aw, man. What time was it? I fumbled for my cell from my shorts pocket. 8:25 a.m.

  “Here.” War set the mug down.

  My phone clattered to the counter. I grabbed the cup, took a deep, fortifying sip, and groaned. A half mug later, my sanity started to trickle back, and I sighed. “I must have drunk the bar dry last night.”

  “No, just both of Jack’s vodkas,” War helpfully enlightened me.

  “I was being flippant,” I mumbled like it needed clarification.

  “I know.” His eyes twinkled. “It begs the question, why?”

  “You probably did something to irritate me.” I rubbed my dull, foggy temples.

  “I wish I could take credit for this.” He picked up his mug again. “But Ray said to be sure you checked your messages this morning.”

  I blinked at him like an owl. At his barely concealed amusement, I dove for my cell again.

  Oh, no, no, no! What did I do?

  I swiped the display to WhatsApp, opening the pics. Ohhh, shit!

  I gawked at the photo of me sitting on War’s lap, my head on the table…and it a
ll rushed back, crashing through my fuzzy mind—the erotic illustrations I’d done for my friend’s eyes only that War had now seen, and my sheer embarrassment.

  “Okay, I’m gonna go die now.”

  War laughed and grabbed my wrist before I leaped off the stool.

  “The one time I do something daring, and it comes back to bite me in the ass.” Groaning, I dropped my cheek on the cool surface. More, I recalled the pain pills he gave me…and me pulling off my clothes, which meant War must have witnessed my fumbling strip tease before putting me to bed. God.

  “If it helps, you’re cute when plastered but a total lightweight.”

  “No, it doesn’t.”

  He laughed, and it turned my heart to mush because the sound was soft and gentle, not mocking like my jerkwad ex’s had been.

  “I don’t know why you’re not running far away from me,” I moaned.

  “Why would I when I waited so long for you?”

  My heart started an erratic pounding at his words. I straightened, and meeting his quiet blue stare, I slid off my stool, rounded the counter to him, and slipped my hand around his neck. With him being so darn tall, I went on tiptoes and kissed his hard, unshaven jaw. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

  As I lowered to my feet, he left his mug in the sink, grasped me by the waist, and set me on the counter, his freshly showered skin making me want to lick him all over.

  “Now, you can thank me properly.” His eyes gleamed. “Aaand…” he drawled the word, “if you want, we can try out that drawing.”

  I huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, no. Then you’ll probably be pumping air because I’ll end up crumpled on the floor. I’m not that limber.”

  His grin widened as I parted my legs so he could move in closer. As his warm body aligned against mine, I sighed in contentment.

  This was what I wanted and needed. Him.

  I stroked his scruffy jaw and brushed his sinful mouth with mine, anticipation stirring. Slowly, I licked his top lip before sucking on his lower one. He tasted of coffee and warm, solid man. Desire darkened his narrowed stare, no sign of his amusement. His cock stirred, pressing against my core, hiking my own need.

  Yep, I was taunting him. How could I not? When he was so darn intoxicating.