Page 31 of Mr. Irrelevant
“Relax, Dimes,” he says quietly into my hair. “Everyone in this room knows. If this is the only taste of normalcy I can get with you for the next month or two, please just let me have it.” My eyes slide over to the couple, finding both of them looking our way—Jett with a subtle grin lifting one corner of his mouth, and Bailey looking as guilty as ever.
“Sorry,” she croaks, shrinking into his hold. “He’s my best friend. I tried to keep it from him, but it slipped out, and I couldn’t lie. He’s a vault, though. I promise, your secret is safe with us.”
“I’d never say a word, Livvy,” Jett chimes in. “Bailey truly didn’t mean to tell me, and I just wanted Maddox to know he had a friend to talk to if he needed one. That’s the only reason I brought it up to him after I found out.” He pauses, his expression softening. “I just know what it’s like to feel alone, and I didn’t want that for either of you. But you have my word that everything stays between us until you’re ready to share it with the world.”
My tense posture loosens, and I offer him an understanding smile. Maddox is right. It’s not like we can just walk around the city hand-in-hand. Because of our circumstances, what should be the most exciting stage of our new relationship is shrouded in secrecy, with us sneaking around behind everyone’s back. Sydney would never tell a soul, and if Bailey and Maddox have put their trust in Jett, that’s good enough for me.
“Okay,” I say, bringing my arms around Maddox’swaist and inhaling his sandalwood cologne. The scent calms me, putting me even further at ease as we enjoy our very first experience around others as a couple. I can’t lie—it feels good to be held like this, as foreign as it is. Unless we were on a red carpet, Deacon was never affectionate toward me in public. At the time, I was perfectly fine with it, telling myself I didn’t need that kind of thing. I never used to be the kind of girl who got hearts in her eyes over small touches and gestures, but now that I know what it’s like to have someone who goes out of his way to show how much he cares, I can easily see myself getting addicted to it.
I know we have a long, bumpy road ahead of us—first with telling my dad about everything that’s happened since I chased Maddox down in the stadium parking lot, and then going public with our relationship—but I’m all in with him. Hiding the way we feel about each other has gone from being something I insisted on, to something I wake up every day wishing I didn’t have to do. I certainly don’t want to cause the franchise any distractions by letting the cat out of the bag too early, but as soon as our season is over, I fully plan on revealing my adoration for this man to the world. I’ll do it right, first apologizing to my father for not being forthcoming from the beginning, and then, hopefully, getting his blessing to date his quarterback like I probably should’ve before we made it official. But that would’ve meant telling him that I went behind his back and talked Maddox into letting me coach him, and the last thing the Renegades need right now is a divide between the coaching staff and the front office. Not tomention, the possible backlash Maddox could face when he’s already skating on such thin ice.
I’ve woven a pretty tangled web for myself and the entire organization, even though that wasn’t my intention. I just wanted to win games and show my dad that going after his dream wasn’t a mistake. The last thing I expected was to fall in love in the process, but one thing is abundantly clear. I’m head over heels for Maddox Dane, and I’m tired of having to hide it from the world.
THIRTY
MADDOX
I putthe finishing touches on the hotel suite, waiting for Livvy to arrive. I’ve made plans for us later tonight, as well as tomorrow—but first, I’m dying to get her alone. I want to worship my girl the way she deserves and check off as many items from her kinky list as we can before it’s time to head back to Cleveland. It’ll be a nice break from the city, where we can’t even look at each other without worrying about someone catching on. Here, people might recognize me because I’ve been on TV a lot recently, but the activities I’ve set up won’t put us in the middle of any crowds.
Angst builds in my chest the longer I’m alone, desperately needing everything about this weekend to be perfect. I haven’t gotten a chance to do much boyfriend-type stuff for her since we made things official. I understand and respect her reasons for wanting to wait until the season ends to go public, but it sucks not being able to hold her or kiss her whenever I want. I just need her to know that I’m all in on us, and thatgiving me a chance is the best decision she’s ever made. Soon enough, I’ll shout from the rooftops that I’m in love with Olivia Grant. But for now, I just want to escape reality and whisper the words I somehow haven’t blurted out yet, so she understands exactly what she means to me.
I can’t help but laugh to myself when I think about the conversation I had with Jett just a handful of months ago. He asked if I had a girl, and I told him I couldn’t afford the distraction. He was willing to bet that I’d be wifed up in a year, which sounded ridiculous at the time, but now that I have Liv, my entire outlook on all of that has changed. I’m not saying I want to put a ring on her finger tomorrow—we still have so much to learn before we take that step—but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t see my future with her in it. Not only has she made me a better teammate and player, but she’s helped me find the confidence I struggled with for so long. She’s exactly the type of partner guys like me trip over themselves for, and I’ll never take her for granted.
I’m broken from my thoughts as a quiet knock echoes through the room. My pulse quickens, excited energy flowing through me like a kid on Christmas as I stand from the couch. Shaking the nervous tension from my arms, I walk to the entryway and pull open the door. I immediately choke on a laugh as I take her in, caught off guard by the ridiculous getup she’s wearing. My eyes are promptly drawn to her feet, where her glittery pink Crocs are completely covered in rubber charms, no evident theme coming to mind as I look them over. Raking my gaze upward, I scan her red plaidpants, my brows furrowing in confusion at the fact that they’re covered in tiny dancing hot dogs. Her plain black hoodie is the only thing about her attire that doesn’t make my brain hurt, and that’s solely because it was swiped from my closet and I’m a possessive motherfucker. She finished the look with a giant pair of sunglasses and a green hat with the phraseBad Hair Dayembroidered across the front in shiny white thread. It’s cute. But also…yikes.
“Why do you look like you just escaped from prison and dressed yourself with items from the nearest gas station’s Lost and Found?” Her jaw drops in indignation, the space between her eyebrows bunching together like she’s truly offended by the question.
“I was trying to blend in,” she hisses. “I had no idea I’d be traveling to the middle of nowhere until I got to the airport, and I didn’t want anyone to notice me.”
My mouth presses into a flat line. “And you thoughtthis”—I wave a hand toward the mismatched monstrosity—“would make people look at you less? Dimes, I guarantee there are photos of this very outfit being passed around the internet as we speak.” She huffs an annoyed sigh, and I can just barely see the way her eyes roll behind the dark lenses of her sunglasses. I tuck my lips between my teeth, trying not to laugh as she shoves me out of the way, wheeling her luggage into the suite. Taking the handle from her grip, I drop a chaste kiss to the top of her head before bringing everything to the bedroom. By the time I return, she’s removed her shoes, hat, and glasses, with her longblonde locks cascading over her shoulders in loose waves.
“There she is,” I say, stalking toward her until I’m close enough to yank her into my body. I reach under her chin with two fingers, tilting it upward as I lower my mouth so it’s hovering right above hers. “How’s my birthday girl?”
“Perfect, now that I’m with you.” A sweet smile blooms across her face, and she presses to her tiptoes, closing the remaining inches that separate us and ghosting her tongue along the seam of my lips. Blood rushes straight to my dick with the motion, and I can’t stop a quiet moan from rolling up my chest as I open for her to taste me. Her hands slide up, gripping onto the fabric of my t-shirt, while mine skate around her back, palming her firm ass. I thought maybe she’d be tired or hungry from a day of traveling, but by the way she’s trying to climb my body, it seems the only thing she’s starved for is me.
I pull away, chuckling as she chases the kiss, whining like a little brat when I stand to my full height. “Did you eat? And drink lots of water like I asked you to?” I gave her a few instructions for the day, since the next item on her list could end poorly if she isn’t well-fed and hydrated. We’ve dabbled in the kinkier side of things before, but this is on another level, and her safety will always be my main priority.
“Yes, Daddy,” she says sarcastically, lifting her chin in challenge. I dart my hand up, squeezing her cheeks between my thumb and fingers firmly. Her eyes gowide, and I watch as she swallows, her throat working before her lips part from the force of my hold.
“Watch your mouth, baby,” I warn. “You’re about to be at my mercy. I’d hate to have to turn that pretty ass pink when I could be fucking it with my tongue instead.” A forced exhale pushes from her lungs, her eyes rolling back the same way they do when I sink inside her. My cock thickens in my briefs, and I lean down for a barely-there kiss before releasing her. “As much as I’d love to fuck you in your hot dog pants, I’m going to need you naked for me. Go in the bedroom, strip, and wait for me with your back facing the doorway.” I fix my eyes on her. “And remember that you can stop this at any time. You’re in charge, okay?”
“Yes,” she replies, her voice shaking with anticipation. I give her a subtle lift of my chin, as if to saygo, and she disappears into the bedroom while I stay put. My heart pounds wildly in my chest, adrenaline and nerves coursing through me because I can’t mess this up. Without even knowing it at the time, Liv created this listfor me, and I need it to be flawless. I’ve planned every detail carefully—I’m just hoping it turns out to be even better than her fantasies.
Listening carefully, I wait for the rustling sounds to stop, indicating that she’s followed directions. I walk over to the kitchen area, gathering a package of Twizzlers and two bottles of water before joining my girl. As soon as I enter the room, I freeze, taking in every supple curve of her frame as if it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her naked. To be fair, I’m pretty sure I’m addicted toevery inch of this woman, so I doubt I’ll stop feeling this way anytime soon.
I set the food and drinks down on the dresser, stepping up behind her and dragging my fingertips from her thighs to her hips, dropping my mouth to the side of her neck and sucking the tender skin between my lips. She tips her head to the side, allowing me to kiss and nip, her breath quickening with every agonizing second that passes. And when the sharp pants turn to deep moans, I back away, making her shoulders slump in frustration.
“Poor girl,” I mock. “I bet you’re all achy, huh? I could tell by the way you were trying to hop on my dick before you even made it into the suite. I’m going to help you, but first, I need to get you ready.”
“Ready for what?” she questions, her tone soft and airy. She brings her thighs together, shifting around as if she’s desperate for friction, but I kick her feet apart, preventing her from doing so.
“Well,” I begin, reaching for the bag I left on the nightstand and pulling out several leather straps and cuffs. She keeps her eyes trained on what I’m doing as I lay them out one by one on the mattress. “I’ve become quite obsessed with the thought of crossing every single thing off your kinky list. I did some shopping after I got here yesterday, and if you’re down, I’d love nothing more than to earn another checkmark. Is that okay?”
She nods her head, squeaking out her affirmation. Pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek, I kneel down, fixing a black, fur-lined cuff to her ankle. Each one has a clip dangling from it, which allows for a million possibilitiesonce she’s all harnessed up. I plan on putting her in so many positions tonight that her muscles will ache in the morning. My cock grows even harder knowing that she’ll go the whole weekend with a physical reminder of who she belongs to, and how good I made her feel.
“M-Maddox?” she breathes, barely a whisper as her voice trembles. Twisting her body so she can see me, she looks down, biting her lip nervously.
“Yeah, baby?”
