Once Upon A Half-Time 1(17)

His tongue teased against my clit.

One. Two. Three quick swipes.

And I was gone.

I tensed. Lachlan caught me as I dissolved into the water itself.

I gasped his name as my body completely betrayed me. How could I give myself to him again? Sex with a stranger had been bad enough, but now Lachlan knew me. After three days of animalistic, remorseless fucking, he’d learned what I liked. Lachlan anticipated my body’s every desire.

And the bastard loved it. He gave me that playboy laugh, the carefree arrogance earned with dimples and a skilled tongue.

“I knew you’d want me again, Elle.” He made a show of licking his lips. “I knew you’d beg for me. That you’d give into it.”

“A mistake…” I whispered.

“It’s not a mistake to want me. Not when you know I’m the best you’ve ever had.” He grinned. “I thought it’d take a lot more chasing before I got to taste that pussy again.”

Wrong thing to say.

“That’s it, loverboy.” I kicked his knee. He sprawled backward, landing on his ass. “You are the cockiest man on the face of this earth.”

Just to make the point, he waved a hand over his package, rock-hard and waiting for me to go deep.

My threat might have sounded harsher if my voice hadn’t trembled. “One of these days, Lachlan Reed, you’re going to find out that you aren’t the center of the universe.”

“As long as I get to be the center of yours.”

How could a man so arrogant sound so…genuine? I crossed my arms, but that perked my breasts and left the parts of me he had so thoroughly delighted completely exposed.

“It won’t happen,” I said. “You are rude, crude, and you think you’re God’s gift to women. You’ve never struggled a day in your life.”

Lachlan looked down to his hardened cock. “I’m struggling right now.”

“Poor baby.”

“I’m not asking for another night of sex.” He stood, his voice soft. “I just want a chance, Red. There’s a lot we have to talk about—a lot of stuff I don’t think you remember.”

“I remember plenty, thank you.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.”

The shampoo was out of my hair, and the shower’s heat suffocated me with my own scorching desire. I stepped out of the water and faced him.

“It was fun,” I said. “But I rather stay out of trouble, especially the kind you cause.”

“If I can get with you, I’ll play by the rules.”

Yeah right. A man like him? “How can I be sure you’re not just another over-sexed, trouble-making superstar jock?”

“Maybe that’s why you like me?”

I walked away. Lachlan darted after me, taking my hand.

“Wait, Elle,” he said. “How can I prove that I deserve a chance…aside from using my tongue?”

I didn’t know if it were possible. “I’m looking for someone who knows the meaning of humility.”

“No problem, Red. I’m the humblest guy in the world!”

I poked his chest, wishing I hadn’t touched that hard pack of muscle. I hadn’t yet caught my breath, and I trembled so near his hands, his mouth, his straining cock.

“Anyone can be the loudest, the biggest, the baddest in the locker room,” I said.

“Not just anyone. Me.”

I rolled my eyes and slammed the shower off. He still didn’t understand.

“Do you know what separates the men from the boys?”

Lachlan nodded. “A weekend in Vegas with you.”

“Nope.” I grabbed my towel, rubbing the wetness from my arms as I walked back to the main locker room. “If you want me, you’ve gotta show me one thing.”

“I’m all ears.”

He was all cock, but I’d forgive it. I grinned and rounded the corner.

“Learn how to be modest—”

My words choked in my throat as the main doors opened.

The entirety of the team funneled into the locker room.

And I was completely and totally naked.

The team went silent, but the little voice in my head screamed a hell of a lot of words.

In a moment of panic, my towel dropped to the floor, crumpled in a tight ball with my pride, dignity, and every bit of respect I’d cobbled together.

I wasn’t sure what was worse…my nudity or Lachlan appearing at my side with an obscenely throbbing erection.

Jack was the first to speak, his voice hoarse. “Damn, rookie. Put that away before you poke someone’s eye out.”

Oh God.

Jack tossed me a towel and motioned for the team to avert their eyes while I tucked the terrycloth around my curves.

“Jesus Christ.” Cole grunted, rifling through his locker. He pitched his towel at Lachlan’s head.