The security guard stepped up and leaned close. “Mr. Masterson...”
Hal glanced at the man, then looked around at the fans ogling him. He took my hand and said, “Come with me.”
He led me through the door and down a hall that lead to the locker rooms. He pulled me into a room to one side, filled with equipment for physical therapy.
As soon as we were in there, he kissed me.
He didn't stop at just a kiss. His arms reached around me, caressing my generous curves. I held myself stiff for a moment, then melted into his embrace. I'd wanted this, even when I'd tried to deny it. I still felt like I was a mess, that I would screw up any chance we might have at a real relationship. But I was aching for his touch.
“Hal,” I said, pulling back reluctantly. I touched my forehead against his as he held me. “We need to talk.”
“I know,” he said. “But you're here. That's a good thing. Right?”
I looked into his eyes. He seemed so carefree and eager. I hated to break the news to him.
Better to get it over with quick. Like a band-aid.
I kissed him again, then stepped back, taking his hands in mine. “Hal,” I said. I took a deep breath. “I'm pregnant.”
“Really?” he asked. His eyes widened.
I nodded. I held my breath, bracing myself for his reaction.
“That's wonderful!” he said.
I let out my breath and stared at him in shock. “Really?”
“Of course it is!” He laughed, squeezing my hands. “Wow. Damn. Pregnant?” He grinned, fidgeting where he stood. “Damn. I'm going to be a father!”
I watched him carefully, wondering if the news wasn't really sinking in. “Hal, this is serious. What are we going to do? A baby is a lot of responsibility.”
“Everything is going to be fine,” he promised me. “I'll take care of you and the baby. You know I can provide for it. Our kid is going to have a great life.”
“But...”
“But what?” he asked. He frowned in concern. “What's wrong, Jane? Look, I know you haven't been returning my calls, but...”
I sighed and stepped back into his arms. “I'm sorry about that. I was...I was just scared.”
“It's okay,” he said, stroking my back. “Everything's going to be fine. We'll make this work.”
Then he was kissing me again, and this time I let go of all of my fears. There was still a lot to think about, a lot to plan for, but he'd taken the news far better than I could have hoped for. If he had been my ex, the news of a baby on the way would have sent him running for the hills. But Hal was actually excited!
We didn't have much time before Hal had to start his game, but we seized the moment. Hal lifted me up onto one of the tables they used for medical exams, caressing my body with his athletic hands. I kissed him hungrily, feeling a rush at the forbidden idea of fooling around right here in the stadium. My body grew warm as I ran my hands across Hal's muscular chest. Then my fingers strayed down to his uniform pants, tugging at the laces.
Hal dropped his pants, still wearing his cleats and his knee pads. I tugged at my own belt in a rush, afraid now of getting caught, but unwilling to stop what we'd started. Hal kissed my neck and nuzzled my soft skin while he helped me get my pants off. Then he took me right there on the exam table with eager, frantic thrusts of passion. I buried my face into his neck to stifle my moans, certain that someone would catch us, but not caring if they did.
“Come on, baby,” I whispered in his ear. “I need you. You're going to be a father. We're going to be a family.”
He grunted in exertion and pleasure as I guided him to his climax. Pleasure swept over me, filling me with a forbidden rush of energy. I clung to him, my nails digging into his shoulders, panting and out of breath. He held me close, trembling, and I could feel that smile of pure contentment on his face.
We heard voices from the hall and quickly got dressed. We were mostly cleaned up when the door opened and one of the coaches found us. “Masterson!” he shouted. “What the hell are you doing? We've got a game to play!”
“Yes, sir,” he said. “On my way.”
He turned and gave me another quick kiss, then hurried off to prep for the game. I was led to a VIP box where I could watch the game. Hal was in true form this time, showing none of the distraction that had spoiled his last few games. He was a warrior on the field, full of energy, showing all of his fans why they loved him. The crowd cheered, and I even cheered along with them. I didn't really care which team won or lost. But I was caught up in the moment.
I cheered for the father of my child, and I knew that we were going to have a great life together. I knew I still had a lot of baggage to get over from my past, but for the first time in a long time, I could look to the future with hope about what was to come.
****THE END****
SECOND CHANCE
PART 1
CHAPTER ONE
The ocean breeze was strong as Mallory Linden walked out of her editing class and looked around the skies to see clouds gathering above. She sighed and tugged the teal hat that covered her thick honey colored hair down a bit before she took a step forward and gripped her messenger bag closer to her body. The Spring season could be so touch and go here on the Monterey peninsula and she winced as another breeze tore through the air and she found herself losing her balance as she yelped loudly. “Shit!” She was waiting to hit the ground when she realized that someone was holding onto her tightly before she looked up with wide blue eyes. “Oh my…thank you so much. Let me get my balance here.” Mallory knew that she wasn’t a light girl and it didn’t bother her at all, though she didn’t need a guy holding onto her for too long.
What a guy he was. Despite him being dressed in thick workout pants, Mallory could see how muscular his legs were along with the worried look in his eyes that were the color of a deep green forest. His arms were tense and strong and he helped her up even as she struggled. “Are you alright?” There was an accent to his soft voice as she stared at him and nodded slowly. “That could have been a bad fall. I’m glad that I was here.”
“I…yeah. Me too.” She blushed furiously and stood up to see that he was a good six inches taller than her five foot seven frame, at least. “Thank you.” She gave him a nervous look and licked her full lips. “Do you go here?”
“Yeah, I’m a senior here and I’m helping a friend coach the rugby team. My major is sports medicine though I’d rather play than assist other guys.” He gave her a charming crooked smile and watched as she lifted her head and took a deep breath. “I’m Declan Meadows. Most of my friends here call me Deck.” He chuckled and shook his head. “That’s the polite name for me. I’ll spare you of the others.”
“I’m Mallory. Mallory Linden. I’m a sophomore. You don’t play? You only coach?” She asked him curiously as he seemed to narrow his eyes.
“I do but the assistant coach has a personal emergency. I’m just coaching until they figure out what to do, though I’ll step in if we’re down a man or two.” He shook his head. “I do love it here but even if I didn’t make it in America, there’s always home to play in.”
“Home? Your accent…is it English?” Mallory asked him as the trees blew violently around them. She looked up and frowned as he glanced around. “I’m sorry. If you have to go or anything, I don’t want to hold you up.”
“It’s not that at all. A bit chilly out is all. Do you have any classes coming up?” He seemed to study her face closely as she shook her head. “Something to drink then?”
“I’ll buy since you saved my life today.” Mallory smiled he shook his head and cracked another smile.
“It’s nothing at all, lass. My car is over here if that suits you.” Declan told her as he gestured forward to the huge parking lot with one large hand. They headed over as she pressed her lips together. “Yes, I am from England. I was born there but my Dad is originally from Ireland. I think my accent is a mix myself.” She raised an eyebrow when he unlocked the door of an immaculate black sports car that Mallory didn’t know the name of, though she knew enough to know that it was very expensive. Declan opened the door for her after hitting something on his key chain and she slid in as she took another look at him.
Clearly, he was a rich kid but he said he was a student. Family money maybe that belonged to a guy that still wanted to do something, that had a skill. Either way, it made her beat up SUV look like a complete piece of shit.
“What is your major, Mallory?” The way her name sounded with his slight accent gave her the shivers and she looked over at him as he pulled out of the parking lot. De clan was the picture of confident as he leaned back in his seat and drove, with his dark hair in waves around his shoulders as she watched him pull it out of the bun that it had been in. So few men could pull that off to begin with but she couldn’t decide if she liked it better up or down.
“Film. I’m studying all of the aspects of it to see where I want to end up.” She responded after a moment and a look from him, followed by a nod.
“I would think you’d want to be in the movies, not behind the camera.” He delivered the compliment with a careless ease that almost made her believe him as her thighs heated up along with her face and neck.