AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Time-out, Boston.”
Icing the kicker had to be the rudest call of them all. Almost as bad as the whole “Lucy versus Charlie Brown” issue that still rattled around in my head. The last time this happened, in Arizona, I’d missed a thirty-two-yard attempt. It was our one loss of the season.
Rather than get in the huddle with the team, I stood on my mark and refocused. Then I made the mistake of glancing in the stands. If I had to guess, not many of them had left.
Collin walked up to me and smacked my shoulder pad. “Hey, just like before, right? They don’t have any time-outs left, so this one you’ll be free and clear. Consider that your practice kick, yeah?”
I nodded multiple times. “Okay.”
“Good girl. Now let’s win this game.”
Through puffed-out cheeks, I blew out a breath, shook my hands out, and lined up. The whistle blew, the ball was hiked, and rather than DiNardo setting the ball, it flew through his hands and toppled toward me.
Oh. My. God.
Players, including me, rushed toward the ball. I snatched it, and thanks to my pulse pounding in my ears, I heard the voices shouting at me. Glancing toward the end zone, I barely saw Collin waving his hand through the throng of men rushing toward me. Remembering what Trent had taught me, I adjusted my grip, angled my body, drew back my arm, and released the damp ball just as I was hit and taken to the ground.
The crunching of shoulder pads, grunts coming from the pile on top of me, and a moan that sounded from my mouth drowned out the fans’ cheers. Before I could fully grasp what had happened, the behemoth weight on my body lessoned as whistles blew and refs pulled them off me.
DiNardo was the first to come into view. He reached down, gave me a hand, and pulled me up. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” When I nodded, he added, “That was a killer throw.”
Nylon and spandex formed a second skin on my legs as I took a step forward, thankful that I wasn’t injured. “Did he catch it?”
Before he could answer, Collin and the rest of the team surrounded me. He snaked his hands beneath my face mask, cupped my cheeks as best as he could, and rested his helmet against mine. “Babe, are you okay? That was a hell of a hit.”
Any pain I felt vanished. “I’m fine. Did it work?”
“You’re amazing!” He nodded and enveloped me in the warmest of hugs. It hadn’t been the most comfortable, thanks to the bulky padding, but I couldn’t have cared less. The rest of the team circled us, and before I knew it, I was in the air. One of my legs was on Mack’s shoulder and the other on Jackson’s. My body felt as though I’d been in an accident with a truck, and I was sure once the adrenaline coursing through my veins subsided, I’d be in a world of hurt.
For now, I’d enjoy this moment.
We won. The fans were elated, the guys were happy, and we were going to the playoffs.
Chapter 25
Collin
I’d never been proud and terrified at the same time. Seeing Boston’s line rush toward Charlie had me wanting to forget about the ball coming my way and help her. Except I knew that if I did that she’d kick my ass. Plus, it was her moment to shine. She’d practiced that play more than once. The only difference was it hadn’t been planned.
Trent congratulated her afterward, honoring her with the game ball. Everyone on the team gave her a standing ovation, all while I wanted to kiss the hell out of her. Not only because we won, but because I’d never been so turned on in all my life.
“Mmm… that feels perfect,” she moaned into the lavender-scented bubbles. Her wet skin slid beneath the pads of my thumbs as I massaged her tender muscles. “My trapezius is so tight.”
A few moments later, I kissed the slender curve of her neck and moved my hands to the inside of her shoulder blades. “What’s this called?”
Her head lolled forward. “Rhomboid major.”
Kissing my way down, I continued making small circles with my thumbs. “And this one?”
“Latissimus dorsi. It’s the largest muscle in the back.”
“You’re very smart… and sexy.” My hands slid forward and cupped her breasts. “I know what these are, so no need to explain.”
She giggled. “I’m sure you do.”
The weight of her in my hands felt like heaven. Engulfing emotions clogged my throat as I remained silent. Charlie leaned back and relaxed against my chest. My thumb and forefinger tweaked her nipple. She wiggled her butt against me, and if I weren’t concerned about pleasuring her, my own would have been evident quicker than I would have liked.
“Do you know how good you feel?”
