Page 80 of Loving the Legend
While the regular season doesn’t resume until Thursday, I know I’ll need a few days to get my head right. Or a lifetime. Who am I kidding? I have it bad for Sid.
I duck my head and slip out of the arena, pausing for some autographs. Then, I stop by my local grocery store to pick up dinner. I get a text from Tevin when I get home. It’s a link to a slideshow of celebrity photos from the All-Star Game. The media’s speed never ceases to amaze me. I click on it, and my pulse quickens when my photo fills the screen. There are two, one of me watching the game and a separate one underneath of my hickey zoomed in.
I read the caption.
Knights Pretty Boy Ty should change his name to Lothario after being seen spotting a gigantic hickey and bruised lip during Sunday’s All-Star game. We wonder who’s the lucky lady.”
I thumb down the text. As far as the press goes, it’s pretty harmless. I scroll down and groan at a photo of Katrina’s frame pressed against Sid’s body after the game. My brain immediately replays her mouth wrapped around his cock on Christmas.
Fuck me. Why did I have to watch them?
My regret and I toss the phone on the counter. After I put dinner on, I leave the kitchen to change into sweats, opting to go shirtless. I set up to eat in the living room, turning to ESPN,where they’re playing game highlights. Seeing Sid on the screen makes me think about him sleeping with Katrina tonight. My stomach roils. I push the thoughts out of my head, turn off the TV, and take my dinner to the patio to finish. I’m exhausted by the time I take the first bite. This is why I refuse to date. I hate distractions. I need to be focused on my game. Feeling over this day, I drop my sweats and climb under the covers. The same scent that made me orgasm earlier makes me miserable and lonely now, so I drag myself out of bed and rip the sheets off.
I’m finished putting clean sheets on the bed when the doorbell rings. I pull up the camera feed on my phone and freeze—Sid’s standing at my front door with two duffel bags. I’m flooded with conflicting emotions. My ears are pounding even as my thumb stabs the buzzer on my phone to grant him entry, and I move towards the foyer.
I’m in too deep.
The second our gazes latch, he drops his bags and envelops me in a hug. Every cell in my body relaxes into him as he dips his head and crushes his lips against mine. I moan as his tongue pierces my lips, demanding entry. He presses the small of my lower back closer to him. I kiss along his lips, jaw, and cheeks.
How is it possible for me to have missed him this much when I saw him only a couple of hours ago?
“How are you here right now?” I ask.
He rips a moan from me when he suctions my neck hard, then licks over the area before kissing it gently.
“I couldn’t get here fast enough. I sped through interviews, tossed champagne back with the team, and then ran to the hotel to grab my bags. Mind if I stay here with you? Both of us having a few days off is too good an opportunity to pass up.” His dark, raspy voice fuels the ache of my erection as his feverish kisses glide over my dimples and freckles.
He wants to stay with me for a few days. Fuck, yes.
I groan when his fingers slide past my drawstring and take hold of my cock.
But what about after?
I rut against him, desperate for friction.
What are we and where does Katrina fit in?
I need answers.
“Wait—” I say, voice hoarse. My thoughts warring between my brain and dick.
He stiffens. The light in his eyes flickers, and I hate that I caused it.
“I have to admit something.”
“Okay,” he replies, releasing me.
“I saw you and Katrina after the game.”
“That was—”
“Just hear me out. I know casual is easy for you, and I guess it’s been for me too. I don’t understand why it feels so intense between us, but it does. I’ve fought hard to get to the league and need to focus on my game. You know what I have to do for my parents. I can’t get sidetracked, and just seeing you with Katrina kinda fucked me up. I’m not cut out to be a part of your rotation of—”
“Whoa, hold up. Nothing happened between me and Katrina tonight. I hugged her, and she congratulated me on the win. Yes, she kissed me at the game, but I pulled away. She asked if we could hang out after, and I told her I had plans. I plan to meet up with her later to explain that we can’t hook up anymore. I didn't want to be an asshole in front of cameras. I promise. It really has been casual between us.”
I have so many questions, but the one that rolls off my tongue surprises me. “Will she be hurt?”
“It’s not like that. She’s always been straight up with me about seeing other people. When we meet up, it’s always to hook up. I don’t get the sense she’s emotionally invested in me. Herbeing at the game tonight wasn’t for me. It was part of a press tour for her movie. When I told her we couldn’t link tonight, she didn’t bat an eye. I told you Kat and I were casual. I wouldn’t lie to you."
