the heart I’d feared to give before. Jack was passion and romance and sensuality, and every second I spent filled with his cock and swelling with his child made me feel...
Desired.
And with him, I was desired. Wanted. Cherished.
Maybe more. Maybe one day. Maybe if we both trusted each other and ourselves?
My feelings for Jack would damn us both, but for now I could simply take my pleasure in his arms while he moved within me.
While I came for him.
Only him.
Nothing else compared.
We crested together, my words broken in a gasp he kissed from my lips. I ached and heated and released everything in a sultry moan as his hands held me steady, firm, and tight.
I crashed to his chest and clung to his strength. His heat burst into my body, and I welcomed every jet of his seed as he grunted into my neck.
I was moved to tears, but I played it off.
“Hormones,” I whispered. “It’s nothing.”
Jack’s thumb brushed the wetness from my cheek. He stared at me, silenced as his cock pulsed another rush of heat.
Silence.
Words that didn’t come.
I caught my breath, gently brushing my lips against his. He met my kiss with the same uncertainty.
Except I was more certain of what I felt than ever.
And I hoped it wouldn’t ruin us both.
19
Jack
“Rivets back-up quarterback, Matt Harrington, is playing some spectacular ball.”
The TV cast a miserable glow over the den. It was the third show praising my back-up. Nothing else was on, not even a damned baseball game. All I had was Ainsley Ruport while he verbally sucked Matt’s cock for the millions of people watching Sport’s Nation.
“He really stepped up and took control of a decimated team. After this first pre-season game, I doubt Ironfield’s worrying about their quarterback problems.” Ainsley’s vile grin filled the screen. “And if I were Head Coach Thompson, I’d be considering a real quarterback switch. With Jack Carson’s image problem and run-ins with the law, is it worth jeopardizing the entire organization for a single player?” He winked at the camera. “This knee injury might have made the Rivets’ decision for them.”
I threw the remote. It imbedded in the flatscreen and crackled the glass. A spark flew, and the TV crashed to the ground. I stood, blinded with rage, and aimed a kick for the couch.
“Jack!”
Leah stopped me before I slammed my bad leg into the sofa. Pain ricocheted from my stupid leap to my feet. I swore as the agony raged through me. Leah rushed to help.
Like I needed her pity. I waved a hand. She surveyed the den, the TV, me.
And I knew what she would say.
“Are you that much of an idiot?”
Sounded about right.
She tried to pick up the TV but stopped as she bent over. Her tummy wasn’t big enough to get in the way yet, but her hand brushed her stomach. She sighed. “I might have to ask you to help clean up.”
“Kiss, I’ll get it. Sit down. You’re fucking pregnant.”
“I’m fine.”
“You look tired.”
“And you look like you just threw a remote through the TV.”
I snorted. “I’ll buy a new one if I don’t get cut from the team.”
“Jack, don’t say that.”
“Why not? It’s true. The league is counting on it.”
I shouldn’t have paced, but sitting in the same goddamned room night after night made me crazy. The knee wouldn’t heal without moving, and I couldn’t live until I got back on the field. My legs demanded to run. My arm to throw. I couldn’t watch last season’s tapes anymore. I wanted to read a real defense.
I could handle three rushing linebackers, but this uncertainty was worse than a blitz. I had no idea what would happen to my career or how I could fix it.
Or if it could be fixed.
I might have ruined everything.
I might have already fucked myself.
“It was one pre-season game.” Leah leaned against the couch. She fanned her face and then collapsed on the cushion, dropping her purse at her feet. “Just one. The starters only played in the first quarter. If you had been there, you’d have looked just as impressive as Matt.”
“Yeah, but I wasn’t. I was on the sidelines. In fucking sweats.”
“Jack—”
“He’s a fifth round draft choice. Fifth! I was first overall. I broke records. I led the team from one of the worst records in the league to the playoffs my first year. My second year got them to the championship. This was supposed to be my season.”
“It still is.”
“Bullshit. It’s not. The league is looking for a reason to