Dirty Player_A Football Romance Read online

  I laughed. “Nah, we can all do it if we set our minds to it.”

  “Yeah, but not all of us are as dedicated as you,” he said.

  I smiled. I was dedicated. I was also more than ready to take a break and forget about the practice and forget about Coach Bane. I climbed into the shower, and then quickly got changed.

  “Coming for a beer?” Tim asked.

  I shook my head. “Nah, not this time.”

  Harry laughed. “You see! You’re more dedicated than any of us. I bet you’re going to go back to your room to study while the rest of us go for a drink. No wonder you’re going to make it big.”

  I chuckled. “Something like that,” I said as I walked off. It wasn’t entirely a lie. I was going to study. It just wasn’t my books that I was going to be focused on.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Candice

  I wondered if my mother had talked to my father yet. If she had, she wasn’t showing it. She hadn’t called yet, and I was sure it was because she didn’t know. Surely she would call. I decided I would phone her soon. It was probably better if it came from me rather than my father. I was a little upset that he hadn’t called me yet either. I would’ve loved to have heard him apologize, even though I knew that would probably never happen. But, other than the lack of communication from my father, my day had been excellent.

  I hadn’t heard from Derek yet, which had been one of my biggest worries. After hearing how he had approached Dominic in a drunken stupor, I’d been worried that he would do it again. Also, I’d been so sure I saw him lurking in the quad that day, but perhaps I’d been wrong. My mind could easily have been playing tricks on me. I’d always had an overactive imagination anyway. If Derek hadn’t tried to contact me then maybe he was finally coming to terms with what had happened. Maybe he finally realized that I had done the right thing by breaking it off with me. I knew that word was going to spread about myself and Dominic. More than enough people had already caught us holding hands that day, and I was sure it was going to get to Derek soon enough. But I hoped that he had only gotten angry because he was drunk. If he was sober, then maybe he realized what a mistake he had made.

  I’d bumped into Professor Jackson later in the day, and he had commented on what a good job I had done on the presentation with Dominic. He told me that the grades for it would be out the following week but that he could assure me that I would get flying marks. He said that Dominic and I had been one of the best. Then he’d smiled at me.

  “Is anything going on between the two of you?” he’d said.

  I had felt the heat rising to my face, and I knew without a doubt that my cheeks probably matched the color of my hair. I was usually so good at hiding my emotions, but it seemed I was unable to when it came to anything to do with Dominic. Even just thinking about him would bring a smile to my face. “Uh, no. What do you mean?” I said with as much innocence as I could muster. Although, even to my own ears, I sounded like I was lying. I knew he could see it too.

  “The two of you just seem awfully cozy. That’s all.” Cozy. I liked that word. Professor Jackson was the only person that I knew that could get away with saying things like that.

  I had laughed. “Well, we just spent all this time on the project, so I suppose it forced us to get to know each other pretty quickly. Oh, and as it turns out, we actually know each other from when we were kids. We were like best friends when we were eleven, but then he moved away. We haven't seen or spoken to each other since then.”

  “Oh yeah? Small world. Isn’t that amazing? Sounds like the plot of a great romance novel. Well, for what it’s worth, you look good together.”

  I thought about his comment now as I waited for Dominic to finish with practice. We didn’t just look good together, but we felt good together. It was a pity it had all happened so soon after Derek, but it wasn’t to be helped. I thought about all the times I had waited for Derek. I’d never once felt as excited as I was now.

  Dominic sent me a message to tell me that he was on his way and I grinned. I decided it would be fun to surprise him by waiting for him without any clothes on. I’d never dared to do something that bold with anyone else, but with Dominic, things were different. I took my clothes off and made a trail of them from the door all the way to the room. I made sure the door was unlocked and put a sign on the floor that read: Lock the door and meet me in the room. Then I made my way to the room and climbed onto the bed, and sat waiting for him.

  It was only when I heard the door opening that I realized what a tricky game I was playing. Of course, up until now, there had been no unexpected visitors coming my way. I didn’t exactly have any friends that would feel the urge to come and visit me. But it was possible that someone would open that door. It was possible that Derek would open the door and my heart began to thump loudly in my chest when I realized this. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard a low chuckle come from outside my bedroom door. It was Dominic.

  Dominic walked into the room, and I watched as his eyes widened as he took me in.

  “Wow, this is the best surprise ever.”

  I smiled as I crossed and uncrossed my legs. I couldn’t believe that I had the guts to do something like this for him.

  “Take off your clothes,” I said just as he was about to come forward. “I want to see you undress.”

  I was glad to see that he wasn’t self-conscious in front of me, although it probably helped that I had dimmed the lights for the occasion too. He got undressed slowly, taking off his shirt first and then lowering down his jeans and his underwear. He was fully erect, and I made him stand there for a while as I took him in. There was something about the distance between us and our nakedness that turned me on. And, as it seemed, that turned him on too.

  “Come here,” I said, enjoying the authority.

  He came over to the bed and immediately pushed me down, kissing me, sucking me, and touching me until I felt as if his hands and mouth had covered every single part of my body. I liked that about him. I liked how he enjoyed getting to know my body. I liked how sex wasn’t just about enjoyment for him but also enjoyment for me. He flipped me over so that I was lying on my stomach and then gently caressed me. I stuck my hands under the pillow and opened my legs. When he flipped me back over I was wet and ready for him, but I wanted to be on top, so I pushed him down and climbed over him. I arched back as I did so, took his hands and placed them on my breasts. As I rocked over him, he squeezed my flesh gently, tightening his grip the more intense things got. He was breathing hard now, his eyes closed as I quickened the pace, grinding down on him more forcefully as my passion grew. I hadn’t had sex with many guys, but even with my lack of experience I knew that sex with Dominic was out of this world. I felt him hard inside me, and as I closed my eyes and let myself go, I felt myself falling down a black hole like I was rushing through on a rollercoaster. My adrenaline pumped through my veins as the pleasure overcame me. This time, we managed to keep the intensity of the orgasm going longer than the last time, and I cried out as my body shuddered against him.

  We lay there for a long time after that, just trying to control our breathing again. And, just when I thought it was over, I felt his hands trickle down my stomach, finding the wetness between my legs. I didn’t think it was possible for me to come again, but before I knew it, I was panting all over again wanting more of him. He kissed me as his fingers moved inside me and I came all over again with probably just as much force as I had the first time. When I opened my eyes and looked at him, I saw that he was smiling at me.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been this relaxed in my whole life,” I said.

  “Same here. That was a wonderful welcome, by the way. You do realize that anyone could’ve walked in on you.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, I only realized that as you opened the door. Thankfully, it was you.”

  “You know, Candy, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as beautiful as you. I loved you with your blonde hair, but this red hair is something else.”


  “Oh yeah? I was thinking of going blonde again. So you think I should keep the red?”

  “You would look good in any color. But yeah, for now, keep the red. When I saw you naked on the bed, your hair looked incredible against your pale skin.”

  “I should tan,” I said.

  He laughed and shook his head. “Don’t. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my whole life.”

  I smiled. “I can’t believe how comfortable I am with you. I mean, I know we knew each other when we were kids, but that was different. It wasn’t like we were running around without our clothes on back then.”

  “That would’ve been a little strange,” he said. “But yeah, I know what you mean. I feel very comfortable around you.”

  “Oh, by the way, I saw Professor Jackson. He told me that we can expect excellent grades for the project. Also, he wanted to know if there was anything going on between us. I told him no, of course. But he said we would make a good couple.”

  He laughed. “He really said that?”

  “Yeah. I guess we’re a bit more obvious than we think.”

  “Probably because I can’t stop staring at you,” Dominic said.

  “Ah, flattery will get you everywhere, my friend. So, how was practice today?”

  He sighed. “It was fine. But Coach Bane took me aside and told me that I was slipping. He said I’m not concentrating as much as I used to. Said I wasn’t as focused.”

  “Is that true?” I asked.

  Dominic shrugged. “I don’t think so. I know I’m thinking of you all the time, but my mind is focused when I’m playing football. It’s weird; he’s never called me out like that before. I have always been one of his favorite players. I guess I just need to try a little harder and prove myself to him.”

  “I hope I’m not distracting you,” I said. “I know how important football is to you.”

  He smiled. “Oh, you’re a welcome distraction. Trust me.”

  I smiled and curled up into him. I didn’t want Dominic to see how worried I was about the whole thing. I couldn’t help but wonder if my father had talked to Coach Bane after hearing from me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had done some digging and discovered that I was seeing Dominic. Even if he didn’t yet realize who Dominic was, it didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try and cause trouble. My father was a college booster, and he had a lot of say at the school. If he said something to the coach, the coach would listen. My father had contacts all over the city, but he had a big influence at the school. I wouldn’t tell Dominic, though. I didn’t want him to think he was making the wrong move by being with me, and I also didn’t want him to worry. And anyway, maybe I was making a big deal out of nothing. Perhaps I was just looking too much into this.

  I snuggled in closer and smiled as Dominic kissed my neck. It sent a small shiver up my spine.

  “You staying over?” I said to him, hoping that he would say yes.

  “I wouldn’t mind. If you don’t mind, of course.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “Good. I’m too tired to move.”

  I turned around and planted a big kiss on his mouth; then I pulled the duvet up around him.

  “Me too. Goodnight, Nicky.”

  “Goodnight, beautiful Candy,” he said. And at that moment, I didn’t really care about my father, or Derek, or even Coach Bane. The only thing I cared about what was how happy I felt in Dominic’s arms and how right it felt to finally be back together with him.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Dominic

  Life was wonderful. I didn’t even mind the teasing that I was getting from the boys. I knew I had it coming. I had been adamant for such a long time that having a girlfriend was not part of my plan. I had said no to every girl that had come my way and ignored the guys whenever they tried to get me to be with someone. And now, here I was, doing the complete opposite of what I had always said. But I didn’t mind. It was worth it to be with someone like Candice. She was different from all the girls I had been with before, and all the girls I hadn’t been with before. She was . . .

  “Dominic!” The coach called out as I stepped onto the field.

  I turned to face him, snapping out of my thoughts.

  “Yes, Coach Bane?”

  “Come and see me afterward.”

  “Sure,” I said and didn’t think much of it. He couldn’t be upset with me. The practice hadn’t even really begun, and I’d done nothing wrong. Just in case, however, I put all thoughts of Candice aside and concentrated on the game.

  Practice went well, and there was no denying that we were ready for the upcoming games. Even some of the guys who weren’t usually that good during practice had stepped up and done their best. It was a great feeling. Football had always exhilarated me in a way that no other sport ever had. I had known that it was what I wanted to do with my life from the moment I had picked up a football and thrown it around. I’d been young then, and had seen the game many times on TV before, but there was something very different about actually being out on the field and playing yourself. It was like my brother, Silas, who had always known he wanted to be a country singer. Everyone had teased him growing up, but he had ignored them and continued to go after his dream. That’s just what the men in our family did. They found what they wanted to do in life and they didn’t let anything get in their way until they got it. And I was not going to be an exception. I was going to become a football player, and I was going to play in the NFL.

  I saw Coach Bane waiting on the sides for me and walked up to him with a smile on my face. Whatever he was going to tell me, I was sure it was going to be good.

  “Hi, Coach. Great practice today. I think I’m going to sleep like a baby tonight.”

  The coach had a strange look on his face. One that I had never seen before. He looked like he was trying to look upset or angry but it wasn’t quite working. I couldn’t figure it out. I frowned. “Everything okay?” I said when he hadn’t said anything.

  He sighed. “Dominic, I’ve told you once, and I’m going to tell you again. You need to start focusing more on football. I don’t want to see you walking around with your head in the clouds like this.”

  Was he joking? I didn’t answer right away, to see if he would crack a smile, but he didn’t.

  “But I played so well today. I don’t understand.”

  “Football should be the only thing that you concentrate on.”

  “But . . . you told me to talk to you before we had even played today. This doesn’t make sense. I already apologized for the last game. And today I played well. I know I did. I’m sure you know it too. Anyway, my big project is finished with, and I don’t have as much school work at the moment as I did a while ago. So everything is fine. Football is my main concern.”

  He shook his head. “Dominic, you know I like you, and I want you to do well. Hell, I want you on this team more than anyone. You know that. So do me a favor, and yourself a favor, and cut out any external influences from your life. For now, the only thing you should be worried about is football. Understand?”

  No, I didn’t understand. But I had a feeling the conversation wasn’t going to go any further. I sighed and nodded. “Sure, I understand.”

  Relief seemed to wash through him, and he smiled at me. “Good. Good. Now, hurry along and don’t forget what I said. I’ll see you at the next practice.”

  I walked away, frowning to myself. Something about the conversation didn’t make sense. He seemed to be warning me about something that he couldn’t talk about openly. But what could it be? And he hadn’t said a thing about my school work. Was it Candice that he was talking about? Did he want me to stop seeing her? I hoped not. I wished he would just come right out and tell me rather than skirt around the truth. Something was up though, and I was just going to have to prove to him that football was important to me.

  By the time I got back to the locker room, most of the guys were gone, so I hopped in the shower and changed by myself. Afterwards, I headed
back to the dorm. I felt a little better after the shower. Perhaps I was reading into this all a little too much. Coach Bane always got stressed out around this time of the year anyway. He wanted his players to do well, and I knew he had a special place in his heart for me. He was just looking out for me, that was all.

  I got back to my dorm and threw my bag down. As I did, I heard my phone ringing from inside, and I hurried to retrieve it. It was Axel.

  “Hey, Axel,” I said.

  “Sorry, is this a bad time? I tried to call you earlier, but it just rang.”

  “Ah sorry about that. I was in practice. I’m finished now, so this is a good time. What’s up?”

  “So, I’ve been on the lookout for you, ever since you called. Just in case I came across anything. And you won’t believe it, but apparently some yuppie has been sneaking around trying to get information on you and your family.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yep. One of the guys says that he was wearing a suit and that he looked like a prized idiot.”

  I groaned. I remembered Candice telling me about the new suit that Derek had gotten and how he had said suits were the new in thing. I knew, without question, that Derek had been the one snooping. The whole that made me feel sick to my stomach.

  “That would be the ex-boyfriend,” I said.

  “I thought so. Damn baseball players. So, is there anything you want me to do?”

  I sighed. “No. But if you hear anything else, just let me know. I’m not sure if there’s anything I can really do right now about it all.”

  “I’ll do that. Keep your wits about you.”

  I put the phone down in frustration. Why did Derek have to go and make trouble for us now? The guy was even worse than I thought he was. And to think I had tried to help him back up when he had fallen down. In the future, I’d just walk away and let him lie in his own idiotic stupor.

  I didn’t know what to do. I called Candice just to warn her and to see if Derek had also been bothering her, but her phone just rang. I waited a little while to see if she would call back but she didn’t. So I decided to call my father and see if perhaps anyone had been snooping around by him too, but he also didn’t answer his phone. I flopped onto the bed in frustration. The day had started off so well, but it had ended on a sour note. I couldn’t understand why some people felt they had to always meddle in other people’s lives. Why couldn’t people just leave Candice and me alone? Who were we hurting?