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This was not good. Last two seconds on the clock and the Texans were going to lose to the Patriots. It was their first away game and the score was twenty-one to nineteen. Even with a safety that would only tie things and Patriots had the ball. Cane paced the sideline. In less than a minute Alex would have to interview him. She would have to face him in a time of failure and ask him how he felt about it. Her stomach growled. Not only was it completely empty, but now bile sloshed around inside of it. This was not a moment of pleasure for her. Alex wanted to be an on-air reporter but this...this sideline interview was going to be bad. She pressed her lips together.
“Ready?” Alistair held his camera over his head. He towered over her and Alex was wearing three-inch leather boots.
“Yes, how are my teeth?” Alex flashed him an open mouth smile.
“No lipstick, you’re good.” He nodded and gave her a thumbs up.
“Okay Fonzi, let’s do this.”
The whistle sounded and the players rushed off the field. Alex patted down her hair. It was cold. She had forgone the hat and scarf as she didn’t need to add extra layers to her body. Her suede skirt barely withheld the cold from her legs and the red cashmere sweater that covered her arms was a sad layer of fabric that had failed to keep her warm.
Cane rushed over to her side. His eyes were an ice blue. They appeared lighter. Almost a reflection of the cold air and the atmosphere of the loss.
“Alex Martin here with Cane Clayburn, it’s the first away game of the season for the Texans and it’s a loss. How are you feeling right now?”
Cane nodded his head and ran his thumb over his jaw. “I’m disappointed. Sometimes the calls don’t go your way and that’s always disappointing.”
“You think the incomplete in the second quarter wasn’t right?’
Cane raised a brow at her. “Austin looked inside the line to me but the sideline ref would have a better viewpoint. So that is just one of those things that once it’s been called you have to move on to the next play.”
“You were sacked six times tonight. Almost tied the record. When are they going to sub in a different left tackle?” Alex’s chest tightened. The coach for the Texans put Cane in danger for a re-injury to his shoulder along with every other body part. Alex wanted zero of Cane’s parts being hurt. The left tackle needed to be subbed. He was not doing his job. Time for him to go.
He bit his lip. “That’s a coach call. We are all out there together as a team. If I go down, we all go down.”
“If your blindside was protected you wouldn’t have gone down,” Alex pressed further. Maybe she shouldn’t, but she had to.
“There are eleven players on the field once the ball is snapped, with a million different possibilities of how the play will run. Football is literally a live chess match with more bruises.” He nodded. She would bring this up later. A live chess match. It might be time for them to play. Alex could really get off on the idea of Cane being in check.
The sacks he took had to have left some serious bruises on his body. “How is your shoulder feeling?”
“Great, thank you.” Cane moved past her. That was a lie. She was sure of it.
Alex scanned the field. She needed to chat with Marquez, the man had been on fire tonight. His touchdown antics were even hotter. He did a full-on dance routine in the end zone that was better than the halftime show, and he had done it three times tonight.
“Marquez, congratulations on a great game. Any part of the game that was a highlight for you?” Alex turned the mic toward his mouth. The crowd was loud. Patriot’s fans really enjoyed their beer and this was a moment to pour even more. Hops filled the stadium.
Marquez licked his lips. “Hey Alex, it’s good to see you with a mic. You looked really good on that interview with Max.”
“Thank you. What was your favorite moment in tonight’s game?” Alex nodded to encourage him to answer the question. This was an interview not a speed date session.
“Man, I don’t know. There were so many great ones. I just love a solid touchdown. You know what I mean?” He licked his lips. “So, since you’re not dating Clayburn how about I take you to the end zone?” Marquez scooped her up in his arms and charged down to the end zone.
“Marquez put me down.” Alex pushed against his body.
He laughed and continued to run.
“I’m serious put me down.” She wriggled out of his grip. Alex stood tall and tugged her skirt down. She was mortified. That was completely inappropriate. As Cane crossed the corner of her vision, he charged toward them and tackled Marquez. He laid on top of Marquez and pummeled him.
“Don’t ever lay a hand on her again.” Cane gripped his jersey as he silenced him with his eyes.
“Hey man, she’s a free agent, right?”
“No, she’s not.” He slammed him down on the ground as two refs pulled him back. Every single camera in the stadium was on Cane and Alex. Live footage.
Oh. My. God.
Great. Her first live on-air performance and it was something out of an episode of Friday Night Lights. Alex didn’t need or want this immaturity. She wasn’t in high school. She was a professional and this scene was the complete opposite of that. Alex made her way out of the stadium, her heart pounding against her chest. The studio had seen enough of her sideline performance. It was time to get out of here. The crowd couldn’t be louder but all Alex could hear was “No, she’s not.” On repeat.
But she wasn’t anymore. She was done with this game. No more. It had to end tonight. No. She didn’t want it to end. Shit. Even though she knew the road they were on, she didn’t want to get off. Why? Why did he have this effect on her? Why couldn’t she be wise and stop? This would not end well. It wouldn’t. Alex slid her hotel key into the door. They were supposed to get together after the game. But she wanted to cancel. The end zone tackle with Marquez was too much. But even more than that was that he said she wasn’t a free agent. Like he had a say over her. No. He didn’t. No.
Against her own better judgement, she glanced at Twitter. Of course they were all the #hashtags which included #NotAFreeAgent. Her phone vibrated.
“Fab sideline, but so perf with the end zone tackle, was that planned? ;)” It was Hailee from the studio. The air from Alex’s lungs felt sucked out. She took in a deep breath as if she could resuscitate herself.
“Thank you. No, unscripted.” She left her phone on the side chair and grabbed some celery that she had packed out of the fridge. At least she hadn’t been fired, yet. The sound of knocks against her hotel door made her jump.
Cane’s massive frame reflected at her through the small glass peep hole. Alex opened the door and let him in.
“How much were you fined?” Alex shut the door and her hands found their way to her hips.
“It doesn’t matter. Whatever it is it was worth every penny.” He made his way to the small table in the corner, and set down several bags on it. Cane strode toward Alex. Anger fumed inside her mind. Cane ignored the obvious frown on her face as his hands pulled her toward him. He leaned down to kiss her.
Alex held up her index finger. “You can’t do that again.”
The sides of his mouth pulled up. “Sweetheart, no one touches my girlfriend.”
“No, this is my career. You can’t do that. I can handle myself.” She poked his chest.
“It’s my job to handle those types of situations. No punk ass is going to man handle my woman.” His lips ran along her neck. “Ever.” He breathed into her ear. Little bumps of pleasure spread over the back of her neck.
“We don’t have a contract. I can cut you at any time.” She pulled back.
Cane shook his head. “Not going to happen. But let’s eat first. I’m starving.” He picked through the bags and pulled out a bucket from KFC.
“Are you serious? You brought chicken in a bucket to my hotel room?” She raised an eyebrow at him.
“Ahem. Our hotel room. I’m staying the night. And I’m going to hold you all night long. Consider tonight the Super Bowl of Cuddling.” He let out a laugh.
Alex couldn’t help but laugh with him. “You are funny. But you are not staying the night.”
Cane finished off a chicken leg and wiped his hands on a napkin. He picked up her phone and pulled up the calendar app. “See this.” He tapped the screen. “Super Bowl of Cuddling. It’s even on your phone, Alex. Don’t act like this is a surprise.” He gave her the phone.
She blinked several times. It was in her phone. How and when had he done this? Her nostrils flared. With two clicks it was deleted. “It’s not there anymore.” Alex raised an eyebrow.
“But I am.” He scooped up some mashed potatoes. “Here try these, almost as good as the ones at Perry’s.”
Alex stepped back and waved her hand. “No. I’m good.” She scanned through her phone. “How many dates did you schedule?”
“A lot. But I think we need to change my name in your phone. Corn Fed is fine every once in a while, but I think Soon-to-be-Fiancé has a better ring to it.” He stuffed the rest of his fluffy white biscuit in his mouth.
“No. I think I will just delete your number from my phone all together.” Alex held up her phone and pushed the red button so Cane could watch.
Cane laughed. “I’m not a number you can’t delete me.” He gathered her in his arms and pressed his lips against hers. The anger that traveled through her veins had begun to escape. She opened her mouth to him and he latched onto her tongue. With the speed of a house drenched in gasoline that had been set ablaze, Cane undressed both of them. He laid her down on the bed and kissed his way over her stomach and down her thighs until his face was on top of her clit. Cane’s tongue swirled over her pleasure zone and paused. “Can a number do that?”
Alex’s chest tightened. “Corn Fed, don’t pause on me.”
“Tell me, Alex. It’s a simple yes or no answer then I’ll continue.”
“No.” She pushed him away from her lips. Alex didn’t want to, but she did want Cane to continue.
His tongue began to circle again and he lowered his face further until his tongue began to stroke deep inside of her while his thumb increased the rate of speed on her clit.
“Cane.” She moaned.
He was going to send her over the edge into the oblivion of orgasmic ecstasy. Faster and faster, he inserted his tongue into her as he made a merry go round of pleasure on her clit. Her skin sizzled until the fire transferred into a snowy blast that burst through her veins and spread over her body. It reached the bottom of her feet, and her toes curled from the intensity.
Cane slammed into her. “Can a number do that?” He breathed against her neck. He was so deep he hadn’t even given her a chance to catch her breath. He thrust deeper. “Alex, tell me.” An array of goosebumps spread across her arms. Cane pulled out so she could fill her lungs with air. She let out a deep breath.
“What are you doing?” Alex squeezed his biceps. His muscles were so large she couldn’t even curl her fingers around half of them.
“Say it, Alex.” His eyes were a cool shade of blue and they matched his confidence. There was no way to deny it. He knew what he was doing at all times. Except the one time. But now was not the time for bad memories.
“Say what, Corn Fed. Come on, don’t choke. Give it to me.”
“I will, once you say ‘Cane, you are not a number.’” He pushed his cock near the apex of her thighs.
Alex lifted her hips as if she could capture his erection and guide him back in. Cane let out a laugh. “I know what you want, Alex and you know what I want.” He ran his finger along her jaw and over her lips. His finger was rough. She bit at it then began to suck on the tip.
“We can do that, too. But I know what you really want right now and that’s not it.” He leaned down to her ear. “Say it Alex, don’t be afraid.” His words were like drops of lava and they flowed into her mind and down to the organ that was afraid. He wanted her to be vulnerable. A safety. He wanted her to let down her guard of protection. Could she do it?
She released his finger from her mouth. “Cane, you are not a num—"
He rammed deep into her. The power behind his erection was like she had been sacked and he had cut off her voice. He thrust faster and harder until he reached her cervix. His cock made contact with the most ultimate of places and a tidal wave of ice and lava boiled through her skin in a repetitious tsunami of revelry. Over and over waves passed energy through her veins as he continued to pulse deep within her. It took her to the highest level possible. The crest was a mixture of white and blue until it went clear.
Like an underwater volcano the warmth of Cane’s satisfaction filled Alex’s insides. He slipped out of her and wrapped his arms around her. Her chest rested against his heart. The beats were a rhythm of something more than desire as it vibrated against her ear. This was different. This wasn’t merely pleasure of two bodies that had sexual chemistry. It was more.
“You have no idea how hot it is when you say my name as I pound deep inside you.”
“You asked me to say it.”
“You said it before but I wanted to hear it again.”
“No, I didn’t.” She shoved him.
Cane captured her hands and kissed her knuckles. “You said it right before your first orgasm.”
Alex’s cheeks warmed. She had no idea if she had or hadn’t. Her mind was full of pleasure in that moment. Who knows what she shared.
“Alex, it’s okay to be honest about your feelings. You don’t exactly have a poker face.”
Honest. She should be honest with him but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Besides, it wasn’t entirely up to her. He played an equal part and it wasn’t her fault that he had no idea. She snuggled in closer to him and inhaled his scent. Tobacco and spices with a mix of vanilla. His cologne reminded her of sexiness and something else. A sensation that she had never experienced in bed before. It was a moment of comfort and security, like when she slipped into her favorite pair of jeans. Size six. Alex had begun to lose weight and the sixes were back in action. Being a six meant so much more than the number. It was the idea of motivation and the level of success over her self-control. The security of her job now that she was able to lose the weight so she could be on air. It was everything to her and Cane was this. He was security and he was comfort and he was something else. Something she couldn’t bring herself to think. No, it was too soon. She wasn’t sure if she would ever be ready again. Had Alex ever been ready before or had it been an infatuation? No, the hurt that followed wouldn’t have been so strong if it had only been a crush.