Page 58 of Shot Taker

Nova’s lips curve, her eyes dancing with humor and satisfaction. “Okay, it was really good. You’re so sexy, with or without clothes. This is just one more way to have fun together.”

The pleasure from her words hits in a different way than the orgasm. I love how honest she is with me.

“You’re the sexy one,” I murmur, brushing her hair from her face. “Thought I might die if you tapped out early.”

She grins. “I’m guessing there are other ways to finish you off.”

“Uh-huh. You keep talking like that, I’ll show you. Sooner than later.”

I slip out from under her long enough to dispose of the condom, then return, tugging her over me again. I’m stroking her hair when her words cut into my thoughts.

“You don’t seem like the kind of guy who panics.”

“Hmm?”

“What you said before. About panicking and that’s why you gave me that letter? You don’t seem like a guy who panics.”

“I do panic. I don’t show it.” I rarely explain myself unless it’s at media going over my game, but this is Nova. I want to let her in, so I reach for the words to express the things I normally try to keep hidden. “It turns over and over inside me, getting worse and worse. I bury it, like throwing dirt on lava, but eventually the dirt gets burned up too.”

“How do you fix it?” Her hand strokes my face, her eyes full of compassion.

“I don’t. I guess I got used to feeling terrible and not showing it. When it came to you…” I swallow as the deal rises up in my mind. Mentioning it feels crass and ugly after what we just did. “I didn’t want to fuck up the things you’ve worked for. I knew I’d hate myself if I did that. I guess I’ve never trusted myself outside of basketball.”

“Then it’s definitely time to start.”

I pull her into my arms and lock them around her from behind, getting comfortable.

“I’m not letting you leave again,” I murmur.

She’s already asleep.

14

NOVA

“Nova?”

Brooke’s voice from the other room has me blinking open my eyes.

I was in the middle of a wild dream. One where I was flying and falling and aroused all at once. I inhale deeply, my ribs pressing against a hard, warm band of muscle and bone that smells deliciously male.

It was only a dream, except…

There’s a wide, firm chest pressed against my back. The possessive arm around my waist is carved with black lines, bold swirls that look like ropes surrounding not only him but me too.

Clay stayed over.

I wanted to hold him at a distance. It worked, until he carried me into my bedroom and proceeded to strip away every idea I’ve ever had about sex.

It was the closest I’ve ever felt to another human and not only because I’m deliciously sore in places I’ve never been sore before.

The first time was intense enough. But when I woke a few hours later, he was right there ready to go again.

And again.

Now, a hard shape presses against my butt, and I sneak a look over my shoulder.

Oh God. His cock looks every bit as huge today as he felt last night, thick and long and hard.

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