Game for Tonight (16 page)

He just wanted her happy. Wanted her to feel on top of the world too, just like he did.

“That and a few other things,” she said mysteriously, her hand creeping up his leg to pause right at the top of his thigh before sliding down so her fingers were nestled between his legs. They brushed against his cock and it twitched to life. Just like that. “We so should not do any of this here. On the plane.”

“We may as well live a little,” he whispered against her lips just before he took them in a deep, wet kiss.

“But Flynn…” She’d already turned into him, one hand clutching his shoulder while the other…hell, the other rested directly on top of his dick.

“Don’t put on the
but Flynn
act for me while you’re touching me like that,” he muttered. He kissed her again. Fiercely this time, determined to let her know exactly how he felt about her. If he still couldn’t quite put his feelings into words, then he could at least show her. And don’t most people prefer actions to words?

But showing Aubrey how much she meant to him by touching her, kissing her…yeah, that he could do. That’s what he wanted to do.

“You like it when I touch you like that?” She deliberately stroked him, her fingers curved around his erection, and he lifted his hips the slightest bit.

“Hell yeah,” he whispered. He slid his hand around her neck, his fingers at her nape as he held her still and kissed her. A little moan escaped her, and he hoped like hell no one had heard it. He wanted Aubrey all to himself. Just for a little bit.

Flynn drifted his other hand down her front, underneath her sweater to skim across her stomach. She nipped his lower lip, indicating she knew exactly what he was doing but would not put a stop to it, and he smiled, let his fingers continue on their path upward. Until he encountered soft lace and warm, plump skin. He brushed his thumb across her hard nipple, a surge of pleasure bolting through him at her soft gasp.

“Feel good?” he asked against her lips as he slowly circled her nipple with his thumb.

She nodded, seemingly at a loss for words, and he devoured her mouth while simultaneously slipping his fingers beneath the lace of her bra so he could touch bare flesh.

“Flynn.” Her voice was an achy little whisper, and he withdrew slightly so he could study her face. Her lips were parted and swollen, damp from his kisses, and her hair in disarray from his fingers. She lifted her wild gaze to his and blinked at him, shaking her head. “You should stop. I’m this close to unraveling.”

“Really?” He knew he sounded hopeful, and she laughed.

“Really,” she whispered just before their lips met in a gentle kiss.

“I could make you come. No one would know,” he murmured when they broke apart.

Her sharp intake of breath told him she liked the idea. And was also scandalized by it. He became a totally different person when he was with Aubrey.

And he loved it.

“I don’t know…” Her voice drifted, and he knew she was giving him unspoken permission to do what he wanted.

“Let me.” His fingers went to the waistband of her jeans, and he undid the snap, slowly slid down the zipper. Her exhilarated breaths sounded close to his ear as he leaned over her, barricading her body with his own so no one could really see them. It was dark and quiet in the back of the plane, the lights were dim and a movie was playing. No one paid them any mind.

He slipped his hand inside her jeans, his fingers encountering the silky fabric of her panties, and when he moved lower, he could feel how wet she was. Christ, he wished he could do more, but that would have to wait.

For now, he’d give Aubrey a little satisfaction. But the moment they arrived in California, he was taking her home and trapping her in his bed for hours.

A little hiss escaped her when he dived his fingers beneath her panties and touched her wet, hot flesh. He pressed his mouth against the pulse point at the base of her neck at the same time he pressed his thumb against her clit, and she arched against him, her little moan muffled against his lips.

“More,” she whispered just before she captured his lower lip between both of hers and sucked.

He continued, sliding his fingers in her wet folds, pressing and circling his thumb around her clit. Aubrey lifted her hips, moving with him, her shuddering breaths fueling him, until he felt her tense beneath his hand. He lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers, and she looked completely out of control.

Completely beautiful.

“So close,” she choked out, and he kissed her, swallowed her moans as she fell apart with his hand still in her panties, his thumb pressed firmly to her clit. Her climax came surprisingly fast, and he couldn’t help the surge of pride that went through him. Knowing that he did that to her. That he could satisfy his woman so quickly.

When the last tremor from her orgasm had subsided, he withdrew, carefully zipping up and buttoning her pants, smoothing his hand over her hair, along her flushed cheek as he flashed a gentle smile. “Good?” he asked.

She burst out laughing and shook her head. “Better than good. How about amazing?”

“Watch it.” He traced his finger across her lips, the one that had just been inside her body, and she darted out her tongue, licking the tip. Hell, if she didn’t watch it he might come in his jeans, he was that aroused by what just happened. “Your praise will make me beat on my chest and shout like a gorilla.”

Her laughter grew, and he placed his fingers over her lips, silencing her. “I mean it,” he whispered, gazing directly into her wide, sated gaze. “Being with you, Aub…makes me feel like I can do anything.”

She blinked, her eyes going wider, if that was possible, but she didn’t say a word. It almost appeared like she…couldn’t.

“We need to talk when we get back home,” he continued, wanting her to understand that his entire world had changed. His name was on every sportscaster’s lips. If he couldn’t stay with the Hawks, his potential to go somewhere else had just gone sky high. And he was falling for Aubrey.

Completely.

They could make it work, even if he left the Hawks. He knew it. But did she?

“You up for that?” he asked.

Aubrey nodded, still not uttering a word. But that was okay.

Flynn slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her back into him, her cheek pressed against his chest, her hair catching on the stubble on his jaw. They could talk later. They had all the time in the world.

And if he had his way, they would have forever.

Chapter Fifteen

“You’re avoiding me.”

Aubrey stopped short as she exited her office, her eyes going wide as she rested her hand against her chest. Flynn knew he’d startled her, but damn it, this was the only way to get her attention. It had been days since he’d seen her. More than a week, closer to two, and now that she was in front of him? She didn’t appear too pleased.

Great.

He leaned against the opposite wall that faced her office door, where he had been waiting for her for the past ten minutes. She had her purse slung over her shoulder, her hand reaching out to shut off the lights. It was almost six o’clock, and she was only just now leaving.

“Uh, hey,” she said, her gaze skittering away, as if she couldn’t face him.

What the hell?

“It’s been days, Aub,” he said, his voice as low as his patience. “You haven’t come over in days. You won’t text me back. You cut me off when I call and say you have to go. What’s going on?”

She grasped hold of the doorframe and blew out a harsh breath. She looked…beautiful, wearing a tight black skirt, which hit her just above the knee, and one of those soft, touchable sweaters she was known for. This one was a dark midnight blue, and the fabric clung lovingly to her curves, emphasizing her breasts.

He wanted to put his hands all over her. Despite the curve-hugging outfit and those fuck-me high heels, her body language screamed don’t touch.

Seeing that just about tore him apart.

“I’ve been busy. You’ve been busy…” She shrugged, her attitude seemingly nonchalant, but he saw the apprehension in her gaze. Something else was going on. He just didn’t know what.

“The last play-off game is in three days.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “I was hoping I could see you. Spend time with you before I leave.” She wasn’t traveling with him this time around. Harvey had given him some bullshit excuse as to why he needed her to stay here.

Whatever. He felt like they were all conspiring against him, with Aubrey leading the helm.

“Um.” She dropped her head, staring at her feet like they were fascinating.

Far more fascinating than he was.

Unable to take it anymore, he pushed away from the wall and went to her, one hand settling at her waist, the other slipping beneath her chin and forcing her head up so her gaze met his. “Why aren’t you talking to me, Aub? What happened to us?”

Aubrey frowned, her delicate brows scrunching together. “I’ve been…keeping something from you,” she said haltingly. “And I didn’t want to hurt you by telling you the truth.”

His heart panged. Ridiculous, since he tried to tell himself his heart had nothing to do with what was happening between them, but maybe he was wrong. What was she talking about?

He’d been falling for her from the moment he’d first seen that pretty smile when Harvey had introduced them. He’d crushed on her like a teenage boy for months. Admiring her from afar, enjoying the meetings and the interviews and the time spent with her. He’d sneak the occasional glance, always surprised when he’d caught her looking back at him, and damn, once he really thought about it, he realized they’d wasted an awful lot of time.

“Tell me. What are you keeping from me?” He wanted to hear the truth. He wanted her to admit she felt something for him, because he knew she did. She was just as into this as he was.

But maybe that had been wishful thinking on his part.

“Maybe…maybe we shouldn’t be together, you know? You don’t need me. There’s so much speculation about the Super Bowl possibility for the Hawks, the reporters don’t even ask about your relationship with me any longer. I bet they won’t notice when I don’t show up to this weekend’s game.” She withdrew from his touch, and he willingly let her go, his hands feeling empty once she was gone.

Was she trying to break up with him? “Are you mad that they’re not talking about us anymore?” he asked incredulously. She sure acted like she was.

“No, I’m not mad. I’m just…confused.” Her back was to him, and he stood behind her, watching as her shoulders slumped and she bent her head. “I think we just got caught up in the excitement of it all,” she admitted, her voice so small he almost couldn’t hear her.

“You really believe that?” Damn it, he was pissed. “I wasn’t
caught up
, Aub. I can promise you that.”

She turned to look at him, her gaze suspiciously damp, but then she blinked and the hint of tears he thought he’d seen were gone. Lifting her chin, she sniffed, flipped her hair behind her shoulder. Hair he wanted to sink his hands into and pull her head back so he could deliver a punishing kiss to her lips.

He was so pleased with the idea that he reached out and grabbed her, his hand going to the ends of her wavy, thick strands, his other arm sneaking around her waist and pulling her into him. A gasp escaped her just as he tugged her hair back, and she glared at him, her mouth open and ready to chew him out, he was sure.

But he didn’t care. He pressed his mouth to hers, silencing whatever protest she might’ve uttered. Her lips were firm beneath his, unyielding, but he refused to stop. He wanted to prove that there was something between them. That he hadn’t been
caught up
, as she’d so nicely put it. Needed to prove to her that she didn’t want to end this any more than he did.

A whimper escaped her when he broke the kiss, and he opened his eyes, his mouth still so close his lips moved against hers when he spoke. “Tell me you feel nothing when you kiss me, Aubrey.”

She remained silent, her eyes tightly closed, a little sigh escaping her. Her lips remained parted, soft and damp and so damn inviting he settled his mouth on hers lightly. Not pushing. Not pulling away, either.

Slowly, her lips moved beneath his in the sweetest of kisses, and everything within him roared to life. He cradled the back of her head with his hand and held her firm, increasing the pressure of the kiss, his tongue sneaking into her mouth to slide against hers.

A little moan escaped her, and she slung her arms around his neck, clinging to him as they devoured each other in the darkened hallway. Where anyone could come along and find them, if anyone still remained in the building, and he assumed someone still did.

But it didn’t matter. He didn’t care. All he cared about, all he wanted, was the woman in his arms.

He pulled her even closer to him, needing her to feel just how she affected him. Their mouths never parted, the kiss only became hungrier, hotter, until he was growling in her mouth, his hand slipping down to her ass and gripping her tight against his erection.

She broke the kiss first, and he opened his eyes to find her staring up at him, her eyes wild, her expression full of regret. He slipped his hand out of her hair to touch her cheek, her jaw, her lips…

But she shook her head, pulling out of his embrace, and he let her go, hating how empty he felt without her in his arms. “Why did you do that?” Her voice was shaky, and she visibly trembled.

He should feel triumphant. Look at the way she’d reacted to his kiss. Instead, he felt defeated. Like he’d just lost his girl for good.

“You really have to ask?” Didn’t she get it?

No. Maybe she didn’t. Now she looked mad. “This is killing me, Flynn, keeping this from you. When it started, when we first slept together and Harvey talked to us… Harvey made me pretend I wanted to be with you.”

“What?” He scratched the back of his head, confusion swamping him. “What are you talking about?”

She blew out a harsh breath. “Harvey told me I could possibly lose my job if I didn’t participate in a fake relationship with you.”

“He said you would
lose
your job?” All Flynn could see was red. Angry, infuriating red.

“It was more like a veiled threat, along with the promise of a promotion if I came through.” She slapped her hand over her mouth, as if she hadn’t meant to just say that.

Too late. And the red disappeared from his vision, replaced by disappointment. Sadness. Heartbreak. Shit. She’d totally played him. And he’d fallen for it. Fallen for her.

And now he looked like a complete sucker.

Slowly, she dropped her hand from her mouth, her eyes wide and full of—God, he really hoped that wasn’t
pity
. “I shouldn’t have said it like that. I meant—”

“I know exactly what you meant,” he interrupted her, his voice clipped, his heart in his throat. “I won’t bug you anymore, Aub. Clearly I was feeling something different than you were. Not that it could’ve turned into anything. Since I might get traded, it was always temporary.”

Her shoulders fell. “Oh, Flynn…that’s not what I meant. Yes, he coerced me into this relationship with you, but I realized when we were together at the hotel that night, the next day, that I was starting to fall for you, and it scared me. I was afraid you’d hate me more when you found out the truth.”

Damn straight he was mad, though he could never hate her. He hated what she’d done to him, though. Hated Harvey Price for putting her up to it.

That meant all of it, everything they’d shared, everything he’d experienced with her, he doubted. What was real? What was fake? He didn’t know. She was a good actress, he’d have to give her that.

He had serious feelings for Aubrey. He still did. But knowing it was all based on a lie felt like the wind was just knocked out of him. His dad was right. Women were a distraction, and Aubrey was no exception.

She said nothing else and neither did he. They just stared at each other for long, torturous seconds that felt like hours, until finally he turned and started walking down the hall toward the exit so he could get out of this building.

Get away from Aubrey.

Man, he never believed he’d have that particular thought.

“Flynn.” She called his name, and he paused in his steps, though he didn’t turn to face her. He didn’t think he could, for fear his stupid feelings would be written all over his face.

“I know you’re mad. I know you probably think I’m some evil witch who toyed with your emotions, and I’m sorry,” she murmured, and he closed his eyes, letting out a harsh breath. “But you have to understand that it was real for me, too. Every bit of it,” she whispered.

Great. Now she was sorry. What sort of fresh hell was this? He turned to face her again. Big mistake. She looked so damn pretty and lost and sad. “Real? None of it was real. It was all temporary, right? You were faking to protect your job and I knew all along it couldn’t last. I can’t invest in anything right now. My career, my entire life is up in the air.”

“You don’t believe me,” she said, her voice soft and slightly incredulous. “Yet it was all temporary for you?”

“Yeah, it was temporary but at least it was real. How can I believe you? You’ve already proved you’ll lie to me about our so-called relationship. There’s no way I can trust anything that comes out of your mouth.” He turned and started walking, offering her a half-assed wave like they were just having a passing conversation when really she’d just broken his heart.

Without waiting for her to say anything in answer, he hightailed it out of there.

…

“So that’s it? You and Flynn are over? Dones-ville?” Willow’s jaw dropped open and she slowly shook her head. “What happened? I thought you two were perfectly happy, boinking each other’s brains out.”

Aubrey sighed.
Boinking.
There was a word she hadn’t thought of in a while. And yes. She had definitely been boinking Flynn. It had been the best boinking of her life. And now she would never have him in her bed, between her legs, ever again. The Flynn ship had sailed.

But it was more than that with Flynn. More than having him between her legs. She loved him.

She enjoyed talking to him, spending time with him and, yes, fine…boinking him.

When he’d come to her earlier and confronted her, she’d viewed it as her chance to tell him the truth so she could get the ugliness out of the way. Confess that Harvey had put her up to pretending to be in a relationship with him, but she’d fallen for him, too. She was in love with him, and she’d tried to get that point across, but he wouldn’t listen to her.

He was too pissed off. Not that she could blame him. Her mom warned her that being with a football player was more heartache than it was worth. She should’ve paid closer attention to her mom’s advice.

The tears started falling all over again. “I know,” she wailed, burying her face in her pillow. She’d gone home from work early and called Willow on the drive to her apartment, sobbing hysterically into the phone. She felt like an idiot. Like one of those girls she used to make fun of. The ones who got all weepy dramatic when their boyfriends left them. Those crazy, silly girls, who were supposedly so in love they could hardly function whenever they were dumped.

Well. Showed her, to laugh at someone else’s pain. She’d become one of those girls. She was definitely in love with Flynn. And somehow she’d screwed it all up. Now he’d left her. And she was alone.

Willow had come right over, bringing a giant bottle of wine and a grocery bag full of various flavors of Ben & Jerry’s. Aubrey remained stretched out on the couch, alternating stuffing her face with ice cream or downing wine or, the worst option, sobbing into the throw pillow.

Like she was doing right now.

“Tell me what happened. Without sticking that spoon in your mouth or gulping any more wine,” Willow said just as Aubrey lifted her head. “And no more pillow action, either.”

Aubrey threw the offending pillow onto the floor. “Flynn came to my office and cornered me. And we argued and then we broke up.” Okay, she was skimming over the more pertinent details, but she couldn’t admit to Willow exactly what she’d said to Flynn and how it ate her up inside. She’d look like the world’s biggest asshole.

She
felt
like the world’s biggest asshole. Someone who couldn’t be trusted. When Flynn had hit her with that, it was like his words had shattered her heart into pieces.

“Who was breaking up with who first?” Willow asked.

“Does that really matter?” Aubrey held out her empty glass, and Willow grabbed the wine bottle off the coffee table and filled Aubrey’s glass, until the bottle was empty.