“It used to be. At first, I worried it was all going to disappear.” My upbringing, coupled with what happened with Fiona when I signed my contract, exacerbated my fears for a long time. Again, I’m tempted to tell Tally the real reason, but tonight has already been hard enough on her. “Rix has been great about helping me invest,” I explain. “And I have security after nine years in the pros, which makes it easier.”
“It’s wild that you’ve been doing this since you were my age.” Tally rubs her abdomen and winces. “I should have taken a painkiller as soon as I got here.”
“You getting sore?” I push my empty bowl away.
“Yeah. Nothing a couple pills and a heating pad won’t solve.”
“There are other ways to remedy that problem.” I want the closeness that comes with taking care of her.
She narrows her eyes. “I’m not going for a walk right now.”
“I’m not talking about a walk, kitten.”
She frowns.
“Orgasms help alleviate cramps,” I explain.
“I’m bleeding.”
I shrug. “Natural lube.”
“You’re serious.” She blinks up at me. “Are you serious?”
“I’m a hockey player, Tally. I’m not scared of blood, and my libido is always at a level ten.” I turn her to face me and push her legs apart. “You want a natural analgesic? I can help with that.” I run my hands up her warm thighs. “You were pushing my buttons earlier, let me push yours.”
She rolls her bottom lip, cheeks flushed. “It’ll be messy, though.”
“I have plenty of dark towels, and I would love to make you feel better.”
She runs her hands over my chest. “I would love that, too.”
I stand, pick her up and pause to turn off the oven before I carry her through the apartment. On my way to my bedroom, I grab dark towels from the bathroom closet and wet a couple of washcloths.
Once we’re in my bedroom, I strip her out of her clothes and me out of mine, lay a soft towel over my navy sheets, and lift her into bed, climbing up after her. She reaches for me as soon as I’m stretched out beside her. I kiss her softly, fingers trailing over her collarbones, moving lower to skim her nipples.
She arches and moans. “Everything is so sensitive.”
I focus my attention there for a minute, gentle caresses, followed by a light pinch. “Just think about how good it will feel when I’m filling you up, kitten.”
She shudders and sighs. “Every time is better than the last.”
“I’m addicted to your pretty moans.” I kiss her neck, dragging my fingers lower, circling her navel, eliciting one of those sweet sounds.
She catches my hand in hers just before I reach the apex of her thighs. “What are you doing?”
I lift my head and meet her wide, slightly panicked gaze. “Getting you ready for my cock.”
“But—”
I kiss her. “Stop worrying about the mess we’re about to make, kitten. That’s what showers and the washing machine are for.”
She releases my wrist, and I cup her, soft and warm under my palm. Then gently I stroke along her seam, going low to tease her entrance before I circle her clit.
“Oh, fuck me.” She shudders, and her eyes flutter closed.
“Soon.” I cover her nipple with my mouth and lap gently as I ease two fingers inside her, quickly finding the place that makes her arch and moan my name.
“Oh God, Phillip, that’s—” She writhes under my touch.
