Catching Ava (Spring Training Book 3) Read online

  It suddenly felt like that realization on her part would do more to turn his own existence upside down than hers. He knew instinctively after he slept with her, he would never willingly let her go. If she dumped him, he would be devastated.

  * * *

  Ava lost herself in Xavier’s kiss. He consumed her, and it felt so good. So right. She knew she should be pushing him away, telling him to leave, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

  There was no doubt she’d lost her mind. The list of reasons why she should show him the door were a mile long. For one thing, everything he’d said before was true. Lame but true. She hardly knew anything about baseball. He ate, slept, and breathed the sport. She was young. And he was famous. She was naïve. He was rich. She didn’t make enough money to pay her rent on her own. He was swimming in cash. She had no understanding of what his life was like under the public eye.

  But there were other issues. The weird conversation with his dad was one small glitch. She didn’t frankly care what his father thought. And she doubted Xavier would either. In fact, if he ever found out, he would probably blow his lid.

  More importantly, Xavier was going to break her heart. There was no doubt. There was no way to avoid it. She had already fallen for him. Hard. So hard she was stupid. No matter when she slept with him, she would give him her heart against her better judgment.

  Eventually, this would end. There was no hope for a lasting relationship between two people so very different. He had a demanding career in baseball, and she had to find a job and get control of her life.

  But the reality behind all those cons was that she wanted him. For however long he would have her. He was wrong about one thing. She would never regret this decision. She may regret giving him her heart, but she knew in her soul she would never regret giving him her body. To hell with all the reasons why she shouldn’t do this. She wanted this man to be the one to take her virginity.

  She trusted him to do it with care and consideration. He hadn’t even touched her, and already she’d been hornier in his presence than she ever imagined feeling. Several times.

  If she never again in her life felt the way he made her feel with her clothes on, she would die with at least that. It scared the fuck out of her to consider how much more powerful those feelings would be when he finally took her completely. The earth would no doubt stop rotating. She wanted that experience even if it ruined her for all other men.

  Determined, she slid her tongue deeper into his mouth and danced with his. She eased her hands up his hard pecs until they roamed over his shoulders and then around his neck and into his hair.

  Her heart raced. A tightness formed in her belly. It grew by the minute. She squeezed her legs together, the seam of her jean shorts rubbing against her sex through her panties.

  Unable to stop herself, she squirmed forward, lifted her legs, and wrapped them around his waist.

  He groaned into her mouth and finally pulled away an inch to catch his breath. “Jesus. You’re like a drug.”

  She smiled, holding his head with both hands, her legs trapping him tight against her. “Swallow me then. Take another dose.”

  This time, he growled. “Ava, you’re killing me. Why do I feel like you’re giving me an ultimatum?”

  She pursed her lips. If he turned her down again, she wouldn’t have it in her to give him a third chance. She’d be mortified.

  He groaned, lowering his gaze.

  “If you truly find me attractive, prove it. Take me to bed.” It was a dirty move. She didn’t care.

  He inhaled slowly, his gaze lifting to hers once more. “Ava, you drive a hard bargain.”

  “I’m not bargaining at all. I’m giving you options.”

  One second, he was on his knees and the next second, he was standing, hauling her with him. He cupped her ass with both hands and turned toward the short hallway.

  She held his gaze, willing him to take her to the bedroom. If he developed a conscience again today, she might physically hurt him.

  She hardly saw anything around her, and she wondered how he did either since it didn’t seem as though his gaze ever left hers. His eyes were dark and brooding. They told the story of an arousal that rivaled her own.

  Then she was falling backward. She yelped as she hit the mattress, Xavier landing on top of her, blocking his fall with his hands enough to keep from crushing her.

  This was going much better than expected.

  He still held her gaze as he reached for the hem of her tank top and hauled it over her head.

  She breathed heavily and released the grip she had with her ankles at the small of his back.

  He planted his hands at her sides and lifted away from her, his gaze finally leaving her face to wander to her chest.

  She watched his expression, her body shivering as he closed his eyes slowly and then opened them again. His tongue reached out to lick his lower lip. Reverent. That’s how she would describe his look.

  He leaned back farther until he was kneeling between her legs. His hands rose to her torso. He flattened both palms on her belly, nearly covering every inch of skin.

  She shuddered under his touch and reached for him.

  He shot a glance toward her hands as they wrapped around his biceps. “Put your hands over your head, Ava. And don’t move them.”

  She hesitated.

  “Now, hon.” His voice was lower, commanding.

  Wetness leaked into her panties. She fought the moan that wanted to escape as she did his bidding. Her arms shook, and she intentionally grabbed the comforter above her head to anchor herself.

  He said nothing more as his gaze lowered to her chest. With one finger, he traced the edge of her bra over and over until she arched her chest upward.

  When he reached his index finger under the V of lace to flick it over her nipple, she whimpered. The sensation went straight to her sex, making her grip her channel.

  Oh. My. God.

  She turned her head to one side, tucked both lips into her teeth, and bit down.

  “Damn, you’re gorgeous. Look at me, hon.”

  She slowly met his gaze.

  “Look at the contrast of your skin against mine. It’s hot as hell.”

  She glanced down where his fingers danced in the cleavage of her bra. His skin tone was so dark against her nearly white breasts. It was heady. He wasn’t kidding.

  He lifted his hands and leaned forward. She met his gaze again as he flattened his palms over her hands and held her down. “Ava, talk to me.”

  What the hell did he want her to say?

  “Is this really what you want?”

  “Yes.” The word came out on a breath.

  “I don’t think I can stop myself if we go any further.”

  “I don’t want you to.”

  “That’s why I couldn’t continue the other night. I felt my resolve snap. I’m human. You’re sexy as hell. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted a woman in my life.”

  She nodded.

  “We do this my way or not at all.”

  She nodded again, her breath catching. She didn’t care how they did this. As long as they did.

  “You can’t touch me with those delicate hands of yours, or I’ll come before I want to.”

  Was that really a possibility?

  “I’m going to take my time.”

  “Okay,” she whispered, fighting the urge to squirm.

  “When I’m done, you’ll never look at another man the same.”

  She couldn’t breathe or move.

  He released one of her hands to grasp her chin. “You’ll be mine, Ava. I won’t let you go.”

  She didn’t believe him, but she nodded. If he truly stuck around, she would thank her lucky stars, but she wouldn’t allow herself to believe it was a possibility.

  “If I didn’t think you could handle my level of dominance, I wouldn’t be on your bed right now staring at your amazing breasts, wondering what color your nipples are.” As if his comment needed em
phasis, he lifted both hands and cupped her breasts from beneath, molding them over her bra until the lace abraded her nipples and made them stiffen.

  He kept talking, even though it was harder to concentrate on his words. “Your reactions to me tell me we will have no concerns when it comes to my dominance. Your reactions lure me closer.” He leaned his face closer to hers, forcing her to hold his gaze. “Your reactions fuel me. When I touch you, your eyes glaze over. When I lifted your hands above your head, you shuddered. I bet your pussy is so wet right now it’s making you squirm. Am I right?” He leaned even closer. “Am I right, Ava?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s what makes my cock so hard it hurts to breathe.”

  “Okay.” All she could do was agree. She would agree to anything. If by some crazy chance he really kept his word, she would be the luckiest woman alive. No argument there.

  He released her breasts and popped the front clasp of her bra.

  She bit her lower lip in the corner as he took a long, deep breath. His hands were shaking when he lowered them slowly to cup her swollen chest and then rub his thumbs over her nipples.

  The slow smile spreading across his face soaked her panties completely.

  “Jesus,” he murmured, pinching her nipples lightly.

  She bit down so hard on her lip it hurt.

  He released her nipple to pluck her lip from between her teeth. “Stop that.”

  She let her lips fall open, his reprimand thick in the air. How did he control her like this? It was insane.

  When his thumbs stroked her nipples again, she whimpered.

  “Hon, you’re going to come before I get your shorts off. It’s so fucking sexy, my dick is about to burst.”

  If he didn’t stop talking so dirty to her, she was going to come in two seconds.

  Xavier scooted down the bed, lowering himself onto his belly between her legs. He pressed them wider with his torso and settled his mouth over her nipple.

  She nearly bucked off the bed the second his lips landed on her tight bud and his tongue flicked over the tip.

  “Easy, hon.” He grabbed her waist and held her steady. “So squirmy.” He kissed a circle around her nipple, the rough hairs of his shadowed beard scraping her sensitive skin enough to bring goose bumps.

  Ava’s vision blurred. Guys had felt her up before. More like boys. Stupid, inexperienced kids in high school and college. Not often, and not many of them, but occasionally. Nothing compared to this.

  When he released her nipple to nibble a path down her belly, she sucked in a breath and held it. His hands landed on her thighs, pressing them wider. His thumbs stroked the tender skin under the hem of her shorts while he licked a line along the waistband.

  Holy mother of God.

  When his chin rubbed her clit through the denim, she arched her ass off the bed.

  “Damn, you’re hot.” Xavier unbuttoned her shorts and lowered the zipper in slow motion. He leaned his face back down to tease the triangle of skin above the lace of her panties.

  Finally, he lifted a few inches, drew her knees together, and slid her shorts and panties over her hips and down her legs. He tossed them to the side, leaving her naked while he was still fully clothed.

  At least he took a second to reach over his head and tug his T-shirt off.

  When he resumed his spot between her legs, his hands clasping her thighs, she squirmed. “Xavier. You can’t… I mean…”

  He smiled as she lifted her face to discourage him from whatever he had planned. “Ava, relax. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. Lie back and enjoy yourself.”

  “No.” She shook her head. The thought of him kissing her there was more than she was ready for. “I feel weird.”

  He held her gaze while he stroked a finger expertly through the folds of her sex. He drew the wetness up toward her clit as she gasped and fell onto her back.

  Fine. Let him do whatever he wants. Why should I care?

  She closed her eyes and concentrated on the feel of his fingers touching her so reverently.

  He spread her folds, and she could feel his eyes on her exposed sex. It should’ve made her more uneasy than it did. A glance at his face told her he was mesmerized.

  Then she leaned her head back again.

  When his tongue flicked over her clit, her entire body stiffened. Inside her head, she screamed. Outside, she fought the urge.

  But when his lips closed over her sensitive nub, she whimpered and tried to pull her knees together instinctively. As if sensing she would close her legs, Xavier was prepared, his hands grabbing her thighs to hold her steady. The ensuing assault on her clit drove her to the edge immediately.

  She tipped her head back, gasping for air, her chest arching off the bed. Nothing she’d read or felt or done had prepared her for this level of arousal. She was so close to coming her body shook with the need.

  Xavier continued to suckle her swollen flesh, flicking his tongue over the tip rapidly until she couldn’t hold back another second. Her orgasm rushed through her with such force she cried out. Still he sucked and licked and teased her engorged skin. As she fluttered back to earth, he eased his strokes.

  Like a psychic, he knew exactly what to do and when.

  “Oh. My. God. Xavier…” she said when she could finally speak. “There are no words…”

  “You seem to have a few,” he teased, his fingers still dancing over her wet clit, circling it and pressing the hood back.

  “I’ve never…”

  “I know, hon. And I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life. I will never forget this gift.”

  She swallowed. Tears threatened to well in the corners of her eyes, but they quickly vanished as her arousal began to build again. She squirmed to get out of his reach, but he held her steady. “Don’t move. Stay with me. Let it build again.”

  “Again?” Was he crazy? She was done for.

  “Oh, honey. Lots of times. You’re going to lose count.”

  Now he was making fun.

  She lifted her head again to meet his gaze. “Don’t be crazy. I’m spent.”

  He winked. “Just getting started.” He continued to watch her face while circling her clit over and over until it begged for direct contact again. “I’m gonna push one finger into you now. Relax for me. Lie back. Deep breaths.”

  She let her shoulders fall back and blinked toward the ceiling. She was surprised at her ability to keep her hands above her head as he requested, but holding on to the comforter helped.

  For long moments, he stroked one finger back and forth between her folds. “So wet…”

  She panted as he teased, her ardor rising higher with every stroke.

  Finally, he eased one finger into her channel.

  Her body seemed to suck him in, dragging his finger toward her core. And it felt so damn good. He didn’t need to be quite so gentle. She had vibrators. She wore tampons. This wasn’t the first time something had entered her there.

  However, it was the first time a man had stuck a finger inside her. And he had such precision. It was incredible. As he pulled slowly out, his finger curved to hit her in just the right spot.

  She almost came.

  “Oh, honey. You’re the single hottest creature on the planet. I’m so humbled.” He thrust the finger back in and drew it out. Again and again.

  She wanted more. Needed more. “Please…”

  “That sounds so sweet coming from your mouth.” He added a second finger, the stretch fuller and tighter. Amazing.

  After several strokes, he added a third, and she winced for a second and then let the bliss fill her.

  “So damn tight. Come for me, hon. It will loosen you up a little.” He hit that elusive G-spot inside once again, and she shattered. Waves of release washed through her entire body, involving every muscle in the orgasm.

  She had no idea if she screamed or if her mouth simply fell open. Inside her head, there was so much white noise the rest of the world was blocked ou
t.

  While she lay there shaking, unable to move or catch her breath, Xavier’s touch disappeared. She reached for him, not wanting to break contact. She needed more. She needed everything.

  She found him hovering over her, naked, rolling a condom on, his gaze on her face.

  “You can still say no, hon. Tell me to stop, and we stop right now. There’s no rule that says we have to have sex tonight.”

  His words were so damn sweet. Especially after he’d told her earlier he didn’t think he could hold back if he started down this path.

  But the last thing she wanted was to stop. Her body was ripe for him. Ready. Begging. Drawing him in like a magnet. “Make love to me, Xavier. Please.”

  He smiled as he nestled his body between her legs and threaded his fingers with hers. “Eyes on mine.”

  She blinked, worried he might stop if he caused her pain.

  “It will hurt for a moment, but not long. Breathe through it and then I promise nirvana.”

  She nodded and lifted her hips toward his thick length as it rubbed against her opening.

  His enormous body consumed hers, his elbows outside hers, his hands pressing hers into the mattress, his chest so wide she dwarfed under him. Her nipples grazed his smooth pecs, jumping to attention once again.

  Then the tip of his length was at her entrance. “Deep breath, hon.”

  She inhaled slowly.

  “Let it out.”

  As she followed his directions, he pushed forward the slightest bit.

  “That’s it. Keep breathing.”

  She wasn’t sure she could breathe. Her instinct was to hold her breath and thrust upward, forcing him in to the hilt instead of dragging it out like this.

  The tip of him teased her entrance, sliding in and out an inch or so. Then he started pushing a little farther with each pass.

  Her eyes fluttered closed at the fullness.

  “Eyes, hon.”

  Why was it so important to him for her to watch his face?

  But she did as he asked, sort of seeing him while all her brain cells rushed to her sex.

  Xavier eased in and out of her over and over, increasing his depth ever so slightly each time. Then, with gritted teeth, he slid all the way home.