Page 118 of Second-Rate Superstar

I would take whatever punishment came my way for my actions tonight. But right now, all I cared about was getting my hands on Dakota.

Chapter 27

Dakota

I was a little shaken by the performance Braxton had put on tonight. I’d never seen him like that. The first penalty was clearly an accident, but after that, it almost seemed like he was trying to get himself in trouble. The fight at the end and the ensuing altercation with the ref were definitely out of character for him. Even Natalie and Hannah were surprised by his actions.

Natalie asked if I wanted to join her and Liv when they took the kids to the locker room post-game, but I declined. My head was still trying to process what had gotten into Braxton.

He’d driven me to the game, so I elected to wait for him by the car, texting him where I would be so he didn’t panic that I was missing when the rest of the crew found them.

The cool air of the parking garage was the shock I needed, and I inhaled deeply, letting the frosty chill permeate my lungs. I knew Braxton wasn’t a violent man. I knew he would never hurt me. But something was going on with him tonight, and it worried me that he hadn’t confided in me.

I squeezed my eyes shut against the pain of the past. Would my father’s actions always haunt me? Would I always be fearful that I wasn’t enough for the man I loved? Would I always be looking over my shoulder, wondering when the other shoe was going to drop?

No. Braxton wasn’t my father. He would never betray me.

I just had to keep repeating it over and over in my mind until it forced out all the nagging doubts. Emotional trauma was a bitch like that, constantly popping in to say hello. The scars left behind would always serve as a reminder, even after you healed.

Steps echoed on concrete, and I forced my eyes open.

Braxton was on approach, and my breath caught in my throat at the sight of him.

I expected him to be hanging his head, either frustrated or angry, but the man before me was stalking closer like a predator. I squirmed, realizing I was the prey.

What the hell is going on with him tonight?

Frozen to the spot, I could only watch as he invaded my space, placing both hands on the car beside my head, caging me in. The fire in his eyes was so intense I swallowed involuntarily.

Peering up at him, I squeaked out, “Five penalties? And a major?”

His chest rose and fell rapidly, nostrils flaring. “Get in the car, Dakota.” The words were said through gritted teeth, his jaw tightly clenched.

Nodding, I ducked beneath his arms, reaching for the handle on the passenger side door. A hand snagged my wrist, and I was spun back around.

“The backseat.”

My jaw dropped, and my eyes bulged. “The-the backseat?”

“You heard me.”

With his free hand, he opened the door and let me slip inside. Seated, my knees bounced. Braxton was in some kind of a mood, and I knew he was going to take it out on my body.

What did it say about me that I was more excited than nervous at the prospect?

Honestly, I became a different person when we found ourselves in those intimate moments. I wanted to press his buttons, to push him past the breaking point because, goddamn, was it hot when he was riled up and his filthy mouth came out to play. I shifted on the leather seat, beginning to ache, remembering the dirty words he spoke in my ear when he was buried deep inside me.

Braxton opened the passenger door, and the seat slid forward as far as it would go, creating space in the back.

Oh yeah, this is definitely happening.

The door slammed shut, and I jumped, the anticipation of what was coming putting my senses on high alert. Braxton climbed into the backseat, settling on his knees between my thighs and closing the door behind him, sealing us inside together.

The interior gradually dimmed, the only light surrounding us in the tight space came from the glow of the garage lighting through darkly tinted windows. The air grew thick as our breathing mixed, heady and hot.

Before I could ask if he was okay, Braxton lurched forward, taking my lips in a punishing kiss. Caught off guard, I jolted, but his hands gripped my face, holding me in place as he ravaged my mouth. There was no doubt he intended to dominate me tonight. Hell, he couldn’t wait until we got home. That spoke volumes to his need for our connection.

Whimpering into his mouth, I battled back with my tongue, and he groaned. Hands leaving my face, they tore at my clothing. My jeans and panties were wrenched down my legs so fast that I barely managedto kick my shoes off in time. The jersey I wore with Braxton’s name and number was ripped over my head, and the cups of my bra were pushed aside.

---