Craving The Player (Amateurs In Love Book 1)(64)



"You either," she counters, the tease taking me by surprise. "If you want something, why don't you take it? The Braden I know would rather be castrated than let his nerves sho—"

"Is that a challenge?" I cut her off, sliding my fingers from her wrists to her elbows before gently pulling her from her kneeling position and onto my lap.

"Does it sound like one?" she breathes, wiggling her ass on my thighs. My eyes darken, heat flaring in my groin as she rubs against my hardening cock with a knowing smirk.

"You’re playing a very dangerous game, my little fighter.” My gaze is hungry, straight primitive as I become transfixed on the way her chest rises and falls so quickly, her attraction to me so obvious. It’s like looking in a Goddamn mirror.

Two small, warm hands fall to my shoulders, fingers slightly kneading at the sore muscles. "Sorry," she whispers. I let out a content sigh and press my forehead to hers, basking in the charged energy that’s begun to circle us. With a large open palm, I hold the side of her face, my eyes anchored to hers as I trace the shape of her lower lip with my thumb. Sierra tugs it up in a smile that I easily return before sliding my hand to her nape and pulling her towards me. My eyes slide shut and our lips brush, the touch so gentle that I struggle to catch my breath. My pulse is fast and thumping like a kick drum. Fuck. It feels like I’ve just run a marathon.

Suddenly my hand on her neck isn’t enough, and I’m gripping her hip with a splayed palm, kneading it and using it to pull her closer. A groan slips between us when her leather-clad center slides against my cock, our clothes the only thing keeping me from taking her right here.

“Braden,” she whimpers, the sound so soft, like a desperate plea. Her fingers move from my shoulders, finding purchase at the back of my neck a moment later. I wish that I didn’t love the sound of my name on her lips as much as I do. It only fuels my need to hear it fall from those pretty lips that much more.

"I knew we should have just waited in the car,” my best friend grunts, joining us again. The locker room door slams shut a few seconds later. Sierra jumps away from me at the sound of his voice, struggling to stand on her own feet, and leaving my lap unbearably cold. Annoyance slithers under my skin but I try to ignore it, not wanting to piss Sierra off.

But one look at Clayton’s arrogant smirk and my attempt at calmness crashes and burns. "Clay. Can you please get the fuck out of here?"

The prick turns to point at the blonde beside him. She’s already glaring at him, arms crossed firmly. "Wrong person, brother. Take it up with this one. I wanted to go, but she refused to leave without Sierra."

"Which clearly was the wrong decision," Sophie speaks up, embarrassment flushing her cheeks. Her eyes flick between Sierra and me with a fierce sense of curiosity.

“I'll take good care of your friend," I promise Sophie before straightening up beside my girl and properly introducing myself. “It’s nice to officially meet you, by the way. I was afraid that Sierra was going to keep me hidden in her closet of dirty secrets forever.”

With a pinch to Sierra’s waist, I kiss the top of her head and pull her back flush to my front, wrapping my arms around her as my light laughter brushes her hair.

Sophie's nose crunches in evident disgust as she watches us. "I bet. Anyway, I'm out of here. Call if you need me, Sierra.

Without sparing either of us a second look, she clutches Clayton's hand in hers, taking him by surprise, and heads for the door, letting it close behind her. I’m not sure what the two of them have planned tonight, but I’m glad I won’t be finding out. Clayton hasn’t gotten laid in a very, very long time, and if Sophie is anything like Sierra, she’ll eat him alive.

I stare at the woman leaning back against my chest and smile, feeling completely at ease. With a sigh I slide my thumb under Sierra’s shirt and rub the smooth skin above her pants. “You jumped away from me pretty quickly back there. You don't happen to be embarrassed by me, do you, baby?"

As if commanded by my words, she spins around in my arms, placing her hands on my chest to steady herself. "Why? Would that manage to chip away at your giant ego?"

"No." I shrug. "But it would make what I have planned for you later a bit more interesting."

Her eyes double in size, and I don't miss the way her throat bobs with a massive swallow. The thought of taking her home and hearing her scream my name while I fuck her against every surface in my apartment has my cook hardening, pressing into her back. Mental pictures become a distraction. I’m more than happy to take her to my place and keep her in my bed for hours—days even.

"Who said I was coming home with you?" she croaks, pushing back against me just enough to let me know that she can feel exactly what she does to me.

"Me." The word is harsh, dominant. My tone leaves no room for argument, taking me by surprise.

"Always the gentleman," she scoffs but nods towards the heavy gym bag resting a few feet behind me. "Let's go then. I work tomorrow morning."

With a helpless grin that has me feeling like a little boy, I push myself off the bench and collect my shit. Pulling open the locker room door, I wait for Sierra to walk past me before letting my right palm connect with her ass. Her shriek is immediate, bringing a chuckle up my dry throat as she spins around with her eyes narrowed. "My God, you're an actual teenager."

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