Page 34 of Personal Foul

Kaiden set a pace, with nothing gentle as he fucked her. Grunting every time her inner muscles squeezed his cock. Pounding harder. Moving more urgent, more frantic. Chasing the orgasm he craved while wrenching up her own.

“Fuck, baby,” he groaned. “You feel fucking good wrapped around my dick.”

Her eyes rolled back as her orgasm built. There was no holding it back. No way to prolong the moment. If she could have him inside her forever, she’d gladly take it. His rhythm completely collapsed and she came so hard stars burst over her vision. Kaiden roared as he quickly yanked out of her, his cum bathing her stomach.

She couldn’t move. Didn’t even want to. If she could live under him for the rest of her life, she’d be happy. But nothinglasts forever. He backed away far enough so her legs could drop, holding her to make sure she could stand properly and not like a newborn doe.

Kaiden cupped her face, and she stared up at him. No words were needed. She could see their lovemaking had affected him just as it had her. Then he bent and slid a hand under her knees, hoisting her into his arms, bridal style. Their eyes locked as he walked to the bathroom. It only took a few moments to shower and brush their teeth. Standing next to him while they did such a mundane chore brought a sense of intimacy that even sex hadn’t provided.

Then he held her hand and guided her into bed, curling his body around hers. Her back to his chest. Wrapping her in the cocoon of his arms, sleep dragged her under. She slept so soundly that she was disoriented when she awoke.

Slipping from under Kaiden’s arms, she used the bathroom and washed her hands. Dressing, she decided to walk Toby to give herself a moment to think. Last night was one of the best of her life, and that scared her. Kaiden had the power to break her. To crush her heart and feelings to death. All she could do was hope he didn’t.

While Kaiden slept, she left the apartment to go next door to walk Toby. Using her key, she let herself inside, expecting the little dog to come running. Only he didn’t. Confused, she looked around the room, seeing if he still napped in his little dog bed, but it was empty. She tentatively took a step toward the kitchen, but her neighbor came down the hallway in his boxers, yawning and scratching himself in a place she didn’t want to focus on.

“What’re you doing here?” he asked.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were home,” she replied. “I was going to take Toby to the dog park.”

“Shit. Forgot to tell you. He’s dead.”

Romilly blinked and took a step back. “What?”

“Yeah, he ran out in the street and got hit. Sorry.” He held out his hand. “Can I have my key back?”

She felt like she was in a tunnel, swimming against the current. Robotically, she took his key off her ring and handed it back.

“Thanks for looking out for the little guy. He liked you.”

“Um. Sure. You’re welcome. I guess … I’ll, uh, see you around.”

Her lips were so numb she couldn’t even form sentences. On her way back to her door, tears poured down her cheeks. Devastation gripped her and as soon as she made it to her couch, she collapsed. Unable to hold back her sobs, she grabbed a pillow so she could cry without disturbing Kaiden.

“Babe? What’s the matter?” Kaiden’s arms came around her and he pulled the pillow away. “What happened? Talk to me. Are you hurt?”

She shook her head. “T-Toby. He died.”

His jaw dropped. “What the fuck?”

“Hit by a car.” Romilly wiped her eyes. “My neighbor didn’t even care. Like it was no biggie that Toby’s dead. Asked me to give him back the key I had.”

Kaiden pushed her head to his shoulder and just held her as he rubbed circles on her back. “I’m so sorry, Babe.”

“My neighbor is a jerk,” she whispered.

“Yes, he sure is.”

He held her for a long time, until her tears ran their course. They exhausted her, so Kaiden took her back to bed and helped her slide under the covers. Then he joined her. Curling around her body, his warmth lulled her into sleep where she dreamed of Toby.

Chapter Seventeen

All through the following week, she moped. Mourning a little dog that wasn’t even hers. By Friday, she looked forward to visiting the school of Sterling Pines. Hoping the joy on the kids’ faces would alleviate the sadness. Even though Kaiden’s manager, Pace, set it all up, it was Kaiden himself who called people for donations.

Crew texted he was downstairs so they headed out. The quarterback drove them to the school and the large moving truck followed them. Even though they hadn’t informed the press, media was there when they headed inside the school. Crew gave flirty waves.

An African American man, dressed in a suit, buzzed them inside. The cool interior was soothing after the harsh glare of the sun.

“Hello,” the man gushed. Kaiden smiled as they shook hands. “Welcome to Sterling Pines.”

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