Good Catch, page 16
She turns and smiles at me as she crosses home plate. “That’s the best you got?” she huffs, a bead of sweat dripping down her forehead.
“It’s the first inning, calm down Miggy,” I say, taking her spot at home while she goes to the pitcher’s mound.
The next eight innings were back and forth, making us tied during the top of our last inning.
I want to beat her because I know it’ll rile her up. I’ve had fun regardless though, and I think she has too. We teased the shit out of each other and laughed the entire time. But now, it’s time to play for the win.
Rylee’s back at home plate. It’s her last time to score a run because if I score the next one and she doesn’t, it’s game over. I give her an easy pitch, not because she can’t hit a curve or fastball, but because I like when she challenges me too. I want her to hit the ball and make me work for the out.
She smashes the ball, sending it into right field, close to the foul line, which means I need to fucking sprint. I race my way over there, and when I turn around, she’s already rounding second.
Fuck, she’s fast.
I run forward and wind up my arm, preparing to throw her out at third, but I stop when she suddenly slows down. Confused, I watch her turn toward me, walking backward toward third base.
I wind up my arm again just as she quickly grips the bottom of her shirt and lifts it over her head. Fucking hell. She’s wearing a pale blue lace bra, and it’s making her boobs look delectable.
I’m frozen to the spot, even when she starts running home because all I can do is watch the way her breasts bounce as she runs.
It isn’t until she starts cheering that I realize she played me.
I grunt, trying my best to remain playful while my cock is urging me to play with her. “I think that counts as grounds for cheating.”
She pulls her shirt back down, and I frown. “I didn’t hear that in the official rules earlier.”
She winks at me, then takes up residence at the pitching mound.
“Are you going to cry when I beat you, sunshine?” I tease, setting up at home plate.
Rylee arches an eyebrow, all business, she’s not messing around. “Not going to happen, so keep dreaming. Ready?”
I nod, and she throws the pitch. My bat connects with it, and, just by the sound, I know I fucked up. It pops up into the high sky, giving Rylee plenty of time to catch it, which she does.
A wide smile forms on her lips, and she throws her hands up in victory. I can’t even be mad because seeing the look on her face is better than the satisfaction of winning.
I approach her at second base and she halts her celebratory dance party.
“How does it feel to be a loser?” she chuckles.
I abruptly pull her into my chest, wrapping my arms around the small of her back.
I nuzzle the side of her head with my cheek, and whisper in her ear, “Losing to you feels like a win when I get to see that smile on your face.”
She melts into my arms. “Don’t ruin my gloating moment by being soft, dammit.”
A deep laugh emits from my belly, and I kiss the top of her head. “Cute.”
She tilts her head back to look at me, and the softness in her eyes warms my chest. “Thank you for this date. It was perfect. My first and best date yet.”
I frown at her. “It’s not even close to being over. Let’s go.” I nod toward the equipment.
We collect and store it in my truck. Rylee puts her hand on the passenger door handle, and I gently swipe it away, opening it for her.
“You don’t need to do that every time you know,” she says sincerely with a shy smile.
“Riles, you need to get used to expecting more of me because I’ll always give that to you.” I lean in and press a kiss to her lips.
God, I do love this girl.
Her hands snake up my chest and rest around my neck, tugging on my hair.
I pull back before we get carried away, and walk around to hop into my side. I start my truck, hop on the highway, and head toward Target.
We pull into the parking lot and she looks over at me, confusion written all over her face. “Uh, Miles? Why are we at Target?”
I smirk. “Another challenge for my girl. You up for it?”
The right side of her mouth tilts up in response. “I’ll always say yes to an opportunity to kick your ass. What is it?”
“The challenge is we have to buy for each other to see who knows the other best. There are three categories: something the other likes to eat, something they’ll use, and something to make them smile.”
“Oh, you are so going down. I know you too well,” she says, pride etched in every word.
I like how confident she is in how well she knows me.
I can’t help but grin as we head out and into the store. We split up and do our best to avoid each other in the store. Since it was my idea, I’d already picked out the items making it easy for me to find and check out before her.
I wait for her inside the truck and hide the things I got for her in the back seat where she won’t see them.
A few minutes later, Rylee walks out of the store, her items hidden in a large party bag she must’ve bought.
Clever.
I get out to open her door before she gets to it, but she halts her steps and she yells at me, clutching the bag to her chest. “Nope, save your chivalry. No peeking.”
I put my hands up in peace. “Fine, I’ll let it slide this time,” I mumble.
While I know she can easily open her doors and take care of herself, I want to do it for her. I want to care for her like no other man ever has or ever will.
She puts her bag in the back, but I don’t glance at it because I know she won’t be very happy with me. One year when we were kids, I knew my birthday gift was hidden in Rylee’s room, so I took a peek.
Rylee loves giving gifts, and she was really pissed when she caught me.
Once seated and buckled in the front, I head back to her house, the clouds darkening the sky above. Soft rain pelts against my windshield, the kind of rain that’s welcome on a warm summer day.
I park in the driveway, knowing we have another three hours before Ryan gets home and another five before we have baseball. Time seems to fly when I’m with her, and it’s a bittersweet feeling.
Her brow raises in questioning. “Why are we back at the house?”
I unbuckle myself. “Because there’s still a fort to build. That’s where we will exchange the gifts.”
I don’t miss the mixed look of shock and appreciation that fills her face as I hop out, grabbing my bag from the back. I cover my eyes to avoid looking into hers to be safe.
The fort idea came to me late last night when I was thinking about us and how that fort represented something pivotal in our relationship.
When I decided to disappear from her life like the idiot that I was.
Tonight, that changes. This fort will show her how much I’ve changed since then, and change our relationship in a way I hope is better than the last time we spent time in one.
“Give me your keys and wait in here until I have the door unlocked,” I say, the light rain making my shirt uncomfortably wet.
Rylee unbuckles herself and glares at me. “I won’t melt in the rain you know.”
“Yeah, well you in a wet, white t-shirt is going to derail the rest of my plans, so sit your pretty ass still until I get it unlocked, got it?” I demand playfully.
She rolls her eyes again, and I can’t wait to see her do that under different circumstances.
Rylee tosses me the keys, and I quickly run up the steps to her front door, unlocking the door and waving her on. She reaches behind her to grab the bag, then hops out and runs toward me, smiling.
I shut and lock the door behind her. We then head downstairs to the basement to set up our fort, eager to share our gifts.
I move toward the laundry room, and take off my shirt, flinging it over my head, the dampness making my skin uncomfortable. I throw it in the hamper and don’t bother getting a new one.
I grab a few spare blankets and pillows, then head back to the living room space, where Rylee has already gathered some bar stools.
I place them down when Rylee turns around. Her mouth drops open. “You… Jesus, Miles.”
I smirk. “Something wrong?”
She shakes her head, realizing she was staring. Not that I mind. “Nope, pass me a blanket and help me set it up.”
I do as she says, and we build our fort together in comfortable silence. Once it’s built and sturdy, with blankets, fairy lights, and pillows inside, we both crawl in with our bags behind our backs.
It’s not a large fort, the space cramping us together. We’re so close that my senses are swarmed with her signature vanilla and cherries scent. It’s intoxicating.
We settle into the space, and it feels like déjà vu. The last time we were in here, I kissed her before I pushed her away seconds later.
But this time? There’s nothing holding me back from taking her as mine.
Chapter
Twenty
Miles
“Alright, losers get to go first,” Rylee quips, shooting me a cocky grin.
“Wait till you see what I got you. I think I’ll be classified as a winner,” I say, putting my bag in front of me. I pull out a bag of sour patch kids. “Something you love to eat.”
She beams like a kid on Halloween and takes the bag from my hand. “Okay, good choice.”
“Something to use.” I grin, handing her a pineapple-flavored chapstick. “I liked the taste on you.”
I tasted this on her lips the other night, and I wouldn’t mind tasting it again. This one is partly for me. What can I say? I can be a selfish bastard.
It doesn’t surprise me that she tastes like pineapples, considering she’s loved them ever since our obsession with SpongeBob as kids started.
She blushes, realizing the meaning, and places it next to her candy. “Oh.”
“Lastly, something to make you smile, well, other than me,” I joke.
She scrunches her nose at me. I take out the pineapple-stuffed pillow and hand it to her. It’s her favorite color and a memento from our childhood.
The smile lighting up her face is so bright, it makes the sun look dull in comparison. Rylee reaches for it and hugs it to her chest.
I tug her closer, needing her to wrap me with the energy she emanates with her smile. “You like it?”
“I love it.” She smiles, leaning forward to kiss me softly before she grabs her bag.
Honestly, I don’t even care what she got because the simple fact that she was thinking of me while trying to get me something I would like, makes me feel like I’ve already won.
“Something you love to eat,” she says, pulling out peanut butter m&m’s, my absolute favorite.
I grab it and eagerly tear the package open while she gets ready to pull out the next item.
Her cheeks turn the darkest shade of red I’ve seen yet, and I can’t help but wonder what she got.
“Come on, let’s see it,” I urge her.
“Something you can use,” she says, taking out a single medium-sized condom.
Laughter rumbles deep within my chest, and I can’t stop.
Her face twists in mock hurt. “What’s so funny?”
“Come here,” I say, inviting her to settle between my legs.
When she takes too long, I grip her hips and bring her closer.
My hands rest on her hips, holding her in place and I tease her. “You think that’ll fit me?”
Her mouth gapes open, and she feigns shock, her eyes drifting to my crotch. “Oh right, you might need a smaller size. My bad.”
I scoff. “You’ve sucked my dick, Riles. You sure as shit know it’s not small.”
“I guess we’ll just have to wait to test that out,” she teases, her scent consuming the small space between us.
I know she bought the wrong size just to fuck with me and I love seeing this playful side of her, where she teases me without restraint.
She surprises me by reaching behind her and pulling out the last item. “Here’s something to make you smile,” she whispers, holding a box of large-sized condoms instead.
“Rylee.” I groan, frustrated with my need for her while trying to balance my respect for her wish to take it slow. “Filling you will make me smile, but there are so many things you do already that make me smile. We don’t have to if you’re not ready… that wasn’t the point of the date. I’m not trying to get into your pants. I just wanted to make you smile and have fun today.”
Rylee shocks me again by straddling me, her hands cupping my face. She eyes me seriously. “Miles, you are too sweet for my little heart. I want to give myself to you, fully.” She pauses before going in for the kill, “Please fuck me, Miles. I need you, now.”
My self-restraint vanishes. I grip her ass, squeezing as I yank her even closer.
Our lips crash against each other, both of us lost in the frenzy of our emotions. My hands roam over her body while she tugs at my hair. She grinds into my erection, seeking friction, and moans into my mouth, almost making me come.
Fuck, I need to get it together.
I pull back, and she lets out a soft whimper. I run my knuckles across her cheek.
“Slow down baby. Let me cherish you.”
Her eyes soften. “Yeah, I think I’d like that. These feelings are just… a lot. I’ve wanted you inside me since you brought me flowers this morning.”
I chuckle at that. “You can have me anytime you want.”
She smiles, and I shift my body, wrapping an arm around her waist as I lower her to the blanket. I hover over her and all the air leaves my body when I stare down at her. She’s so fucking beautiful, and all mine, eager for my touch.
“Lift up,” I whisper, my voice low and rough.
She follows my command and lifts her hips, allowing me to pull her jean shorts and panties off. Rylee sits up once they’re off, and removes her shirt, throwing it over her head.
She moves to take off her bra, but I beat her to it, unclasping and dragging it slowly down her arms and off her body. Her nipples are hard and eager for my touch. I lean down to suck on one when Rylee places her palms on my bare chest.
“Now, I want you, naked,” she orders.
What guy in their right mind would say no to that?
I lift off her as smoothly as I can in the low-ceiling fort and remove my shorts and boxers. My erection rests against her belly, and it twitches when her nails dig into my back. I need to know if she’s ready for me because I’m more than fucking ready for her.
I rest my weight on my left arm and kiss her while my other hand trails down between us, stopping my descent when I reach her pussy.
Her fucking soaked pussy. I love how easily turned on and ready she is for me.
I part her lips and brush her clit lightly, teasing, and her body bucks up into mine. Her hard nipples brush against my chest, reminding me of their need for some attention.
I lower my body and suck one into my mouth, long and hard, before licking and kissing her entire breast. My hand lowers until I reach her center, and I start with one finger, feeling her out, before adding another.
Rylee moans and arches her back, bringing her breast closer as I continue fucking her, slow, then fast, driving her to the edge.
I lower myself until my head is right between her thighs when I feel her tighten around my fingers. I lick her pussy, enjoying how she tastes and soaks my face.
I was going to let her come on my fingers, but I couldn’t resist tasting her. I remove my fingers, and she groans in frustration.
I smile against her before my lips wrap around her clit and I slam my fingers in her.
“Miles,” she yells, her thighs wrapping around my head.
I slow my ministrations while she rides her orgasm out, and I revel in my reward. I lift my head and watch Rylee as her body relaxes, her expression in a daze from the high.
I love knowing I did that to her. Me, no one else.
I reach for the large condom pack, pull one out and tear it open, placing it over my cock.
I hover back over her, and Rylee’s eyes meet mine, pure joy and lust in them. Her arms come up to rest around my neck, her finger drawing lazy circles. I lean forward and kiss her forehead, my lips lingering as I take in the moment.
I am so fucking grateful she’s mine.
“You ready, Riles?” I ask softly, my nose brushing her cheek, my breath scattering over her cheek.
“Yes,” she breathes, her voice filled with need.
I grip my erection, place the tip at her entrance, and look at her with a softness I’ve never given anyone in bed. “Let me know if it hurts too much, okay?”
She nods as my tip nudges inside her. Fuck. Fuck. She’s so goddamn tight already, and this is just the tip. I take a deep breath and inch myself in more, my eyes focused on her, watching for any sign of discomfort.
She looks okay to me, so I push in a bit more until she bites her lip and her brows narrow.
I stop instantly, my gaze frantically searching over her body. “What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing, it…you feel so good, Miles. Don’t stop. Keep going, please,” she pleads.
I give her what she wants and push until I’m halfway in and almost combust from the sensation.
I bring my hand between us to stroke her clit, and her body loosens up more for me, allowing me to slide fully to the hilt, loud sighs leaving both of us at the feeling. I hold myself still and stare into Rylee’s eyes which are locked on mine already.
The fort. Our past. Our now.
Her gray-blue eyes staring intensely at mine. Mine full of love. Her warmth choking my cock. I’ve never had someone consume me this way, so fully and completely.
Emotions build inside my chest, the warmth spreading throughout my body. I rest my forehead on hers.
