Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1) (13 page)

I draw a hand down my jaw and release the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Tamara looks up at me through her lashes and smirks. She knows she’s killing me, doesn’t she? I close the distance between us placing my hands on her hips hoping she isn’t still too pissed to let me touch her.

“You take my breath away,” I bend to murmur against her lips. I am so relieved when she returns the kiss. I groan into her open mouth. I try to deepen the kiss tipping her head back, but she pulls away giggling up at me.

“Brad,” she breathes and peeks nervously around me at the house. “I want to see Bri. Can you carry this box in for me?”

“Sure,” I steal one more kiss before side stepping her, reaching in the truck for the box on the seat. I peek inside then turn to look at her. “What is all this?”

“My mother taught me you never show up to dinner at someone’s home empty handed,” she shrugs with a little smile.

I think she is really nervous. I have never seen her nervous. Tam is so confident all the time. I tuck the box under my arm and grab her purse off the seat turning to hand it to her. Once she takes her purse I close the door to the truck and wrap my free arm around her, kissing the top of her head.

“Relax Darlin’, they’re going to love you,” I reassure her.

“Um-hm,
sure
,” she murmurs under her breath. Tamara looks up at me and shakes her head as she quickly reaches to wipe her lip gloss from my lips.

Before we can make it all the way to the front door it flies open and my mama and daddy stand beaming at us. Brielle squeezes between the two of them and shoots into Tamara’s arms. I can feel some of the tension leave Tamara’s body but not all of it.

“Mommy,” Ellie squeals.

“Hey baby, I missed you today. How’s my baby?”

“Mommy, I had so much fun today. I met Grandma Gloria and Papa and Jess, Auntie Ann, Uncle Trev, Uncle Tom, Jonathan, Paige, Toby, Amy, George and Melissa. Oh and Mrs. Donna. Papa gave me a pony and said he’s going to teach me to ride it. Can I learn Mommy
please
,” Ellie rambles and I groan.

“Sugar, I thought we talked about that,” I sigh.

“You said we had to ask Mommy,” Ellie murmurs.

Tamara giggles. “Brielle have you been driving your father crazy all day.”

“No,” Ellie replies with a little frown.

“Well, me and your daddy will talk about your pony and your lessons. From what I remember your daddy said your Papa is great with horses,” Tam beams at Ellie.

Tam is taking the pony situation a lot better than I thought she would. I guess she is just really happy to see Brielle safe and happy. Ellie hugs her tightly around the neck and places her head on her shoulder.

“Come on you two,” I beam pushing Tam forward into the house.

Mama and daddy back up to give us some room to enter the house. Everyone else is packed into the foyer behind them. I feel my chest swell with pride as I walk in the door with my girls.

“Mama, Daddy, this is Tamara. Tamara this is my mama, Gloria Monroe and my daddy, Vernon Monroe,” I start the introductions.

“Hello, it so nice to meet you,” Tamara says nervously as she plays with her fingers.

“Honey, you are just the cutest thing ever. I see why my son is so taken with you,” my mama coos as she engulfs Tam in a big hug.

“Thank you, Mrs. Monroe,” Tam smiles.

“Oh, you stop that. Call me Gloria. I’m so happy to finally get to meet you and Ellie. I won’t dare have you getting all formal on me. We’re all family here.”

“It’s so good to meet you Tamara. Sorry about the pony Darlin’,” my father blushes as he rubs the back of his neck. “I give one to all the grands. I already have hers picked out for her, but her lessons are up to you. She can go to the ranch and just pet her pony any time.”

“It’s fine Mr. Monroe. I loved horseback riding when I was a little girl. Brielle is a lucky little girl to get her very own pony,” Tam says with a big smile.

“Vernon, call me Vernon or you can call me Papa like Ellie here.”

“Okay,” Tam laughs.

“So does that mean I can talk you into going riding with me,” I lean into Tam’s ear to whisper.

“Maybe,” she looks up at me and replies. Tamara reaches into the box I am holding and pulls out one gift basket and two envelopes. “Vernon, Gloria, thank you for having me in your home. This isn’t much, I wish I had better notice.” Tamara looks over at me and narrows her eyes.

“Oh honey, you didn’t have to do this,” my mother coos. “Thank you so much.”

“Okay Mama, let the rest of us get a turn,” Ann teases, bouncing over to Tamara and pulling her into a hug. “I’m Ann, Bradley’s twin sister.”

“Oh my God, you’re a twin,” Tamara says in shock looking back and forth between me and Ann.

“Runs in the family, hon,” Ann laughs waving over her family. “These are my twins, George and Melissa, my baby Amy and my husband Tom.”

“It’s so nice to meet you all,” Tamara says giving a nervous smile and turning to the box again. “Um, I have something for the kids too. I was hoping I got this right. Brad said he had four nieces and three nephews.”

Tamara hands George a blue envelope that looks like it holds a card. She then turns to the girls handing them both a large envelope in pink for each of them. The kids beam at her as they each accept their gifts, murmuring and exclaiming, ‘thanks ma’am’ and ‘thank you Miss. Tamara.’

“You’re all very welcome and you can call me Tam.” Reaching back in the box she pulls out a large gift bag and two more envelops handing them to Ann and Tom.

“Oh Tam, you really shouldn’t have,” Ann says.

“Well, let me get a good look first and then we’ll say whether or not she shouldn’t have,” Tom teases with a warm smile for Tam.

“Ha, I may not have had much time or warning but I think I did okay,” Tam laughs at Tom.

“Well, I like you without the gifts already,” Ann beams.

“Next,” Trev booms and nudges Ann aside. I chuckle and shake my head at my siblings.

“This is my older brother Trevor and his family. Jessica is the oldest – ,” I start.

“Jess is my new best friend,” Ellie breaks in beaming at her cousin. Jess laughs and strokes Ellie’s hair.

“It is great to meet you Jess,” Tamara laughs reaching in the box for a pink envelope and whispering in Ellie’s ear before turning to the box and pulling out the last gift bag handing it to Trev. “Nice to meet you as well, Trevor.”

“Great to put a face to the name, this is my wife Donna, my twins, Toby and Paige and my youngest Jonathan,” Trevor finishes the introductions, while I took the last of the envelopes from the box and help Tam place one in everyone’s hand. “What do you say kids?”

“Thanks Tam,” the kids chime in unison.

“You’re all very welcome,” Tamara beams.

I had two extra envelopes still in my hands. I look at Tam and raise a brow at her. She smiles plucking the pink envelope from my hand. “You didn’t think I’d leave you out did you?”

I nuzzle her neck. “You’re what I really want right now,” I whisper in her ear. “You’re so adorable all nervous.”

“Wow, Uncle Brad she gave us tickets to see the Rangers, Astros, Rockets, Spurs, Cowboys and Texans. Dude you never did anything this cool,” Toby croons.

“So you’re going to sell me out that easy,” I grumble.

“Alright, now we can all open our gifts later. Dinner is getting cold,” Mama announces, rounding up the crew.

She is already too late. Everyone is squealing in appreciation as they open gifts to either sporting events or a spa retreat. Tam nailed it. She found something to make everyone happy and give us time to be a family together. She already fits in perfectly.

Chapter 16

Dinner went better than I could have ever have dreamed. My family took Tam in as if she has been here a million times over the years. Well everyone except Donna, who glared at Tamara throughout dinner. She made a few snide remarks that had my brother hissing in her ear.

For the most part Tam ignored her, as did everyone else. After my mama’s peach cobbler and some homemade ice cream we all retired to the living room. Tam went to sit beside me, but I quickly pulled her into my lap, nuzzling her neck.

“My family loves you,” I murmur against her skin. “I can tell my mama really likes you.”

“I like her too,” Tam chuckles back, “she doesn’t hold anything back does she?”

“Not at all,” I throw my head back and laugh.

“I think I better get Bri ready to go. I have a busy day tomorrow,” Tam informs me.

“I can watch Ellie tomorrow,” I offer.

“I was actually going to take the day off. I have a lot that I have been putting off concerning Bri. I might as well get it all taken care of,” Tam shrugs. “Besides you have practice tomorrow.”

Before I can reply Donna is opening her trap. “I guess snapping up Bradley Monroe is working out well for you. You’ll never have to work again,” Donna sneers.

“Excuse me,” Tamara’s head snaps around to glare at Donna.

“What is it that you said you do again?” Donna says ignoring Tam’s words.

“I didn’t say,” Tam hisses. “But trust me. I have no intensions of living off of Brad and his money so you have no worries there.”

“Oh honey please. You saw a pay day and took it right away. Can you really say for sure that that little girl is Brad’s,” Donna snarls.

“Donna,” my mother growls.

“No please let me,” Tam answers. “It seems that she has had this on her chest all night so let me put her in her place. My family alone nets more than Bradley’s new contract. My trust fund would make you blush and then there is the fact that I am one of the top attorneys in my firm and in line for partnership. Neither my daughter nor I need a dime from Brad, never have and never will.

“As far as Brad being Brielle’s father, I don’t know what kind of woman you are sweetie, but I know who the father of my daughter is without question,” Tam turns to me with her chest heaving. “Brad I have to find my daughter a new school in the morning so I better go.”

“Baby, we will find
our
daughter a new school in the morning,” I say a little harsher then I mean to. I am not pissed at Tam. I am livid with Donna.

“We are going to be on our way,” Ann says sadly as she glares at Donna. “Tam, Brad the kids have a half day tomorrow it would be no trouble at all if you wanted to let Ellie sleep over at my place. Ellie could spend the morning with me. It would give you and Brad time to take care of things.”

“Thanks Ann, but you don’t have to,” Tam smiles at my sister’s warm offer. 

“It would be no trouble at all,” Ann reassures her.

Tam looks at me and chews on her bottom lip. I wrap my arms around her waist pulling her against my chest. “It would help us to get more done. I know you have wanted a sitter for after school we can look into that.”

Tam sighs and rubs her temples.

“Come on Tamara, you are not alone in this. Let us help,” my dad encourages with a broad smile.

“Okay, I guess it couldn’t hurt, but are you sure it will be okay?” Tam relents.

“Sure hon, it will be fine. The kids love her and I will enjoy some company around the house tomorrow,” Ann replies with a wide smile.

“Thanks Ann,” I say as I see Tam mentally caving.

“I always keep an extra set of clothes in the car. Let me get them and see if Bri is okay with the idea,” Tam says totally ignoring the presence of a now huffy Donna.

As soon as Tam steps out of hearing distance I whirl around on Donna. “Don’t you ever disrespect my family again, not my woman, not my daughter or any of my future children. I don’t care who you are married to,” I growl.

“I think it is time for you to leave my home Donna,” my father says calmly. “It would do you some good not to come back here until you learn some manners.”

“Really,” Donna gasps.

“Really,” Trevor snaps. “Mama, dad, I apologize for my wife.”

“Son we know exactly who we raised. This is not on you,” Mama says gently.

“I’ll round up the kids,” Ann says before giving me a hug and exiting the room.

Donna storms out without thought of her children or her husband. Realizing Donna is heading in the same direction Tam has gone I rush out to follow only to find Tam is already helping Ann get the children together to make their way home.

Ellie looks up at me through sleepy eyes with a huge smile on her tired little face. “Daddy, guess what? I get to sleep over at Aunt Ann and Uncle Tom’s house,” Ellie sings tiredly.

I reach to take her from Tam’s arms to carry her out to Ann’s car. “That’s good baby girl. I want you to be good for your aunt and uncle and have fun, okay,” I kiss my baby girl’s forehead and beam with pride to have such an adorable and smart little girl.

“I will daddy,” Ellie says with a sage nod of her head.

I can tell Tam is exhausted by the time we get Ellie in the car with my sister and her kids. We each climb in our trucks and start for her place. I know she is tired when she watches me toss my bags in my truck and only shakes her head and laughs in protest, not at all the fight I thought we would have over me sleeping over tonight.

I drive close behind her on the way to her place to insure she is okay. That is why I become alarmed when we turn into her block and her car comes to a halt. I pull around her SUV to her driver’s side to see what is going on and that is when I see the reporters and cameras surrounding the front of her home.

I pinch the bridge of my nose as all the blood drains from my face. I’m just not going to catch a break, am I? Before I can signal for Tam to roll her window down, she floors it and rushes through the crowd pulling into the garage door. I hadn’t noticed it open.

I quickly follow her inside. The door is already closing by the time I make it inside and cameras are flashing behind us. Once the door fully closes Tam is out the car slamming the door behind her so hard I am surprised the window didn’t crack.

She rushes into the house closing the side door loudly as well. I slowly make my way into the house happy she hasn’t locked me out. I follow the sound of her boots stumping and more doors slamming. I am in no rush for the fight that is ahead of me.

I make my way upstairs to the closed bedroom door. With a deep sigh I open the door and sag in relief to hear the shower going and see the bathroom door closed. This I could do, if I can distract Tam I can buy myself some time. I start to strip out of my own clothes.

I walk to the bathroom door and nod to myself when I turn the knob and it too is unlocked. I step into the bathroom and lose my thoughts at the sight of the woman I love standing beneath the water with her head against the tiles. However, my thoughts come crashing back down when I realize that her shoulders are shaking as the water rolls down her spine.

The sight is killing me. I never want to see this woman in pain. Just the thought itself has my feet moving toward her. I step into the shower and wrap my arms around her waist. I nuzzle her neck but Tam stiffens in my arms. I curse in my thoughts and move to turn her to face me. I reach up and wipe the tears from her cheeks. It is literally tearing me up to see this strong woman reduced to tears.

“Talk to me baby,” I plead.

“I worked so hard to put my life together after meeting you. The one time I do something so out of my character it bites me in the biggest way ever,” Tam sobs. “I finally have things in my life in order and here you are again. I wanted to take this slow and now I have reporters camping out outside my daughter’s day care and my home. I didn’t ask for this I don’t want this for me and Brielle.”

“Now wait a minute there,” I seethe. “Brielle is our daughter. I was just as upset and worried about her as you. I care about you Tam and it is killing me to see you like this. I had no intention to come and disturb your life, but I have a right to be a part of Brielle’s life and I want to be a part of yours if you will let me. But Tam, I am who I am and you know all about my career, you deal with your clients all the time. You had to know that it was possible that dating me would change some things in your life.”

“I don’t want this,” Tam snaps. “I don’t want to be in the spot light, I don’t want your family thinking I want you for your money, I don’t want to be in love with you. I didn’t ask for any of this.”

I lock eyes with her as her word sink in. There are a few words that I am hearing loud and clear above all the rest. I cup her face in the palms of my hands, crushing her plump lips with mine. I kiss her deeply and feel her moan vibrate through my chest as I taste her salty tears on my tongue.

“Say it for me Darlin’,” I groan against her lips.

Tam pulls back with a confused look on her face. “Say what?”

“Tell me you love me,” I smile down at her.

She frowns and slaps a hand against my wet chest. “Is that all you heard me say?” She snaps with no real bite.

“It was the most important thing that you said. Now say it for me Baby,” I reply as I back her up against the shower wall.

She pinned her hair up this time so I figure I am in the clear this time around. Even if I am not I am so turned on by her words that I can’t think pass what I want to hear.

“Brad, I love you but….,” I cutoff the rest of her words with a hard kiss to her lips.

I grab two hands full of her warm round backside and lift her until her legs wrap around my waist. I thought it would take a lot more and a lot longer for Tam to admit that she loves me. But to hear her say it now seals my mind on the fact that I will do anything and everything to make this woman happy and keep her in my life ‘til the day I breathe no more.

“Tamara,” I groan her name. “I love you, baby. I’m going to fix all of this, I promise.”

I drop to my knees holding her up against the shower wall. Hanging her legs over my shoulders, I bury my face between her thighs pulling her waist to me. Her hips start to rock against my face and I hum in satisfaction. I’ll have to wait until the morning to fix everything else but for right now I can make it all about her.

I love her taste on my tongue. Tamara has the sweetest nectar I have ever tasted. I could spend hours down here. I swear I wish I bottled this shit five years ago to hold me over.

“Brad,” Tam moans as her fingers lock in my now damp hair. I flatten the tip of my tongue against her clit then wiggle it before flicking it hard. “Ah, Brad, oh yes, yes, please.”

I look up at her face as I devour her core. I have never seen anything as beautiful as my woman falling apart for me. Her lips are parted, her face is twisted in passionate pleasure and her eyes are staring back at me in awe.

I hold her in place as her body quivers and she slowly comes down from her own personal bliss. She cups my jaw pulling me up to her. I release her legs and steady her with my hands on her waist. I kiss my way up her body until I get to her lips. Tam groans the moment she tastes herself on my lips and tongue.

I lift her in my arms and she wraps her legs around my waist. I want her now but I know this is not the time to add to the drama we have going on. So I turn the water off and carry her back into the bedroom.

“Sex doesn’t fix this,” Tamara murmurs into my neck.

“No, but you need me as much as I need you,” I reply.

“Yeah, I do,” she simply says before giving herself to me completely. I suit up quickly to give us both what we need.

She is right, sex won’t fix this, but I need her in my soul. I have never wanted or loved a woman the way I love her. My cock is so hard and I haven’t even gotten inside her. I feel this ache in my bones to be buried inside her until we cannot be told apart from each other. As a primal need takes over me, I flip her on to her hands and knees.

Tam gets in position willingly wiggling her plump ass at me. I always try to remember how much bigger than her I am, not wanting to hurt her. But right now I feel like a crazed man. This woman that I walked away from because I thought she couldn’t love me, wouldn’t see me as a man and not a color, is in my arms and she is in love with me. I love her so damn much.

In this moment all the bullshit goes out the window. I was young and stupid. If I think about it now she never said she didn’t want me. She said she had never been attracted to a white man before. It was clear that night that I was the exception and knowing what I know now. That Tam hasn’t been with another man since me, that she is just plain picky about who she lays with, I feel like a fool for being in my feelings back then. I robbed us of something good.

Never again! I thrust into her hot tight sex and we both cry out. My nostrils flare and I tighten my grip on her hips. I am blinded by passion as I piston into her body. My strokes are hard and deep, the sensation of my balls ramming against her sex is sending tingles up my spine.