I ached in all the right places. Some of it was from the game against Las Vegas, but most of it was from Eva Montgomery. I unabashedly stared at her lying beside me. She was on her back, her braids spread out on the pillow like a halo. With only a cotton sheet draped over her naked body, she was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.

  I traced my fingertips along the defined bones of her clavicle. “You’re so beautiful.” My voice was a low, reverent murmur. “It hurts sometimes to look at you.”

  She turned her head and smiled. “You’re not so bad yourself, charmer.”

  I worried my lower lip as I contemplated the question I’d been deliberating for some time. “Can we make this official?”

  Eva rolled onto her side to fully face me. “Official? What does that mean? Like, change my status on social media?”

  Her voice was teasing, but I was determined to have this conversation. We’d been tiptoeing around who we were to each other for long enough.

  “No. I mean, like, tell people,” I clarified. “Our friends? Our families? Our teammates?”

  I didn’t like that her first reaction was to frown.

  I laid it all out. “I’m falling for you, Eva. I don’t want to hide anymore.”

  Still, she hesitated.

  “What’s got you worried?” I tried to keep my tone gentle despite how her delayed reaction made me want to die.

  “Everything is so good right now,” she tried to reason. “I don’t want to mess that up.”

  “What do you think would get messed up?” I questioned. “Lots of players are Out.”

  “But they’re not rookies, babe, still trying to navigate the league and being a professional athlete.”

  “I’m Out to everyone who matters,” I reminded her. “And your family already knows about you, too.”

  “Yeah, but it’s one thing to be Out. It’s something else altogether to be dating a teammate,” she tried to justify. “I’m not trying to get noticed in the league for the wrong reasons.”

  I swallowed hard. “So you think dating me would be wrong?”

  “Of course not.” A look of frustration took over her beautiful features and her body seemed to tense. “I’m not wording this right. You know what I mean.”

  “Do I?”

  The question hung between us for a long moment. Eventually, I couldn’t take the silence anymore.

  “I’m going to take a shower. I’m sure we’ve got to leave for the airport soon.”

  I tossed off the sheets and got out of bed. I didn’t look back to either Eva or the bed. I strode directly toward the hotel bathroom door.

  She didn’t try to stop me.

  I closed my eyes and stepped under the shower head’s jetted spray. I tilted my face toward the falling water and surrendered myself to the water’s warm embrace. My conversation with Eva had left me numb. I turned up the water’s temperature—not to scalding, but enough to shock my system.

  I methodically went through the ritual of washing my hair. Shampoo. Conditioner. Body wash. It was the reset I needed to face the day and possibly Eva, too. I washed away the strip club. I washed away Eva’s poorly hidden jealousy. I washed away the vulnerability I’d gifted her.

  I was rinsing out the remnants of my conditioner when I heard the bathroom door open. My eyes were closed, so I heard, rather than saw, the shower curtain being drawn back. The cheap plastic curtain and metal rings rustled and clanged when it was pulled back into place.

  Eva’s slender arms slipped around my waist. “I’m sorry,” she quietly apologized. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

  I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. I knew if I started to vocalize the words and feelings ricocheting inside of my head that I’d become overwrought with emotion.

  Eva moved my damp hair out of the way and pressed her lips against the side of my neck. She kissed the nape of my neck. The top of my shoulder.

  I’d felt numb only moments before, but her mouth on my skin began to coax me back to life.

  Her hands traveled down my back and brushed over my naked backside before she rounded my hips and pulled me solidly against her. Fingers ghosted over my stomach and ventured north. She cupped my breasts and squeezed.

  Her right hand slid between the valley of my breasts and down the flat plane of my abdomen. My breath hitched when her fingertips slipped over my clit.

  I raised my right arm and reached back. I curled my arm around her neck, pulling us even closer. Her naked breasts flattened against my back.

  She rubbed my clit with short, deep circles. Her other hand kept busy, rotating between my nipples, pinching and pulling at the sensitive buds. Her fingers found a steady rhythm between my folds. She didn’t increase her pace nor slow down, regardless of how my breathing changed. The constant, gentle pressure kept me at the edge of my climax.

  She didn’t say a word. My lower abdomen clenched with the telling signs of a slowly rising orgasm.

  “I’m close,” I managed to gasp.

  A strangled noise bubbled up my throat as my orgasm finally crested. An intense wave—a warm tsunami—washed over me.

  I leaned my head back against her shoulder while her arms held tight around my midsection. We took a collective breath. I could feel the rise and fall of her chest behind me, syncing with mine.

  Eventually, I turned off the shower faucet. We wouldn’t run out of hot water, but we still had a plane to catch back to Boston.

  I stepped onto the bathmat and reached for the nearest towel.

  “After all of that, and you still won’t be my girlfriend?” I felt a little unnerved and a lot annoyed.

  Eva’s hands gently caught mine, stopping me from completely drying off. Her honey brown eyes searched my face. “I’m your girlfriend, Lex. I am. But let me get used to the idea of other people knowing.”

  I chewed on the inside of my cheek, and then finally nodded. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do. For now.

  The only consolation about Eva insisting that we keep our relationship private is that she didn’t worry if everyone knew we were friends. A secret relationship would have been all the more unbearable if she insisted we keep our distance in public as well. Instead, we remained inseparable—sitting next to each other on buses or chartered flights and rooming together during road trips.

  I wasn’t satisfied with the stolen moments and behind closed doors intimacy, but she insisted it was the best she could do. I could be patient, however. I knew this secrecy couldn’t last forever. Or at least that’s what I hoped.

  Unfortunately, the timing of our nascent relationship coincided with a confidence-crushing losing streak. We’d managed to beat Las Vegas on their home court, but then we’d dropped the next four games to New York, Atlanta, Washington, and Chicago. With only forty games in the regular season, a bad streak like the one we were currently experiencing could ruin our chances at a playoff run. Only the top eight teams in the league earned the opportunity to play into October.

  Despite the losses, Eva’s star continued to shine. Hordes of fans continued to crowd the space near the player tunnel on the court, waving jerseys and mini basketballs and glossy promo photos for her to sign. And at the conclusion of each game, Eva patiently signed each and every item before going home for the night. My wrist ached just thinking about all of those signatures. The more playing time I earned, the more sought out my own autograph became, but it was nothing compared to the crowds that Eva attracted.

  I asked her about it after she’d signed t-shirts and game day programs for close to half an hour following our loss to Chicago. I’d been waiting in the wings while she’d finished up.

  “How do you do it?”

  Eva looked to me for clarification.

  “The photos. The autographs,” I explained. “Doesn’t it get exhausting?”

  “Sure,” she acknowledged. “Especially after a tough loss. But it’s what we’re supposed to do—show our appreciation for the fans.”

  “Is it?” I challenged. “In the men’s league, the players don’t⁠—”

  She gave me an incredulous look that had my argument dying on my lips.

  I snorted. “I know, I know. Double standards.”

  “The men could literally murder someone and their league or a big sponsor might release a slightly disappointed PR statement. If I say no to someone wanting an autograph—forget it—I’m an uppity bitch who got too big for her britches.” Her disgust deepened. “Grown ass men with multiple things for me to sign drive me crazy. I know they’re just selling that stuff on eBay. But I can’t refuse them because then I’m an ungrateful bitch.”

  I grimace at the response. “I’m sorry I said anything.”

  “I hate this. I hate losing,” she vented. “I just want to go home and eat ice cream and cuddle with you on the couch and watch HGTV.”

  I exhaled. “Careful. You’re turning me on.”

  Eva chewed on the inside of her cheek. “What if we told Mathilde?”

  I arched an eyebrow. “Really?”

  It was her first time suggesting we tell someone about our relationship.

  She breathed out harshly. “God, I don’t know. Maybe she’d be cool, but maybe she’d sell the story to TMZ.”

  I laughed. “You think Mathilde even knows what TMZ is? Do they have that in France?”

  “I’m frustrated, Lex.”

  My impulse was to grab her hand and pull her close, but I was mindful that we were still in our home stadium where event staff were cleaning up. In lieu of being able to comfort her with touch, I leaned closer and lowered my voice.

  “I know you are, baby. I am, too. And I’m still letting you take the lead with this. I’ll play it cool for as long as you want us to be on the down low.”

  “But why? Why hide in this closet with me? Is the pussy really that good?”

  I frowned. I knew she was in an antagonistic mood, but I wasn’t going to let her rile me up and cause a fight.

  “What flavor?” I asked instead.

  “Flavor?” The pinched look on her face softened somewhat.

  “Ice cream.”

  Her rigid shoulders sagged. “Rocky Road.”

  “I’m filing that away for the future,” I vowed. “Whenever that might be—on your own timeline.”

  She closed her eyes and shook her head. “You’re too good to me, Lex.”

  My lips quirked up in victory, knowing I’d said the right words. “Don’t ever forget it.”

  Tough times in Boston as the team faces a four-game losing streak leading into the All-Star break.

  While the Shamrocks have shown some bright spots this season, they’re struggling to find consistency when it counts.

  One of the more surprising and encouraging developments has been the on-court connection between first-year players, Eva Montgomery and Lex Bennet. Bennet, initially coming off the bench, has been earning more playing time thanks to her solid defense and growing synergy with Montgomery.

  Their connection has been a rare highlight during this challenging stretch. As first-year coach Scottie Spirit continues to experiment with his lineup, one has to wonder if Bennet will become a permanent fixture in the starting five.

  But with the clock ticking, Boston’s playoff hopes are in jeopardy. Time is running out for the Shamrocks to break the losing streak and make a final push for a postseason spot before the upcoming trade deadline.

  Chapter

  Twenty-Seven

  The forty-game regular season schedule was pretty relentless with few days off. The one exception, however, was the All-Star break. The top players, as voted on by the fans, faced off against each other in an exhibition game along with skills competitions like the three-point shooting contest.

  Mya Brown and Briana Davis had been selected to represent the Shamrocks, giving the rest of the team a few days off to spend with family and friends. If I hadn’t been dating Eva, I might have gone back to Wisconsin to see my family, but Mathilde had left on a trip with some of her old Euro League friends, which meant we would finally have the apartment all to ourselves.

  We had no formal plans, but I was looking forward to cuddling on the couch and unhurried make-out sessions.

  We’d been going nonstop since April’s draft—and October if you counted the previous college season, too. It would be nice, but also a little weird to have an extended break. Coach Spirit had implored us to stay away from the practice facility, so I didn’t even know when next I’d touch a basketball.

  Luckily I had a beautiful girl to help keep my mind off of it.

  I sat on the sectional couch with Eva’s head in my lap. For once she was actually watching television with me instead of reading a book, but probably only because the All-Star game was on.

  I leaned down for a quick kiss. “That will be you next year.”

  I was certain of it.

  I’d honestly been surprised that Eva hadn’t been selected to the All-Star roster even though it was her rookie season. She was a popular player with league fans, despite how our team overall was underperforming. Even if we hadn’t been dating, I would have considered her exclusion to be a snub.

  Eva stared up at me and smiled. “I don’t know. This isn’t so bad.”

  Her fingers reached for me. She drew my face back down for another leisurely kiss.

  Sometimes, especially when Eva and I kissed, I couldn’t believe that this was my life. I was living out my dream of being a professional basketball player. I got to play the game I loved alongside a woman who unraveled me in every way possible. And the wildly unexpected cherry on top was that it was Eva Montgomery.

  Eva was elegant in her movements as she stood from the couch only to settle again on my lap. She straddled me between strong, solid thighs and cupped my face in both hands. She leaned forward so our mouths connected once more. Her teeth took solid purchase of my lower lip. She sucked me into her mouth and lightly bit down.

  My fingers reached beneath the lower hem of her crop top. My palms slid over her feminine abdomen and up to her braless breasts. She made a quiet noise into my mouth when I stimulated her nipples. I pinched and tugged at the tender buds, coaxing them into stiff peaks.

  Eva slid onto the floor before me. Her fingers curled around the elastic waistband of my cotton shorts. I only had enough time to lift my hips off the couch before she was forcefully tugging my boxers down.

  I looked anxiously in the direction of the apartment door and then back to Eva. “Bedroom?”

  Eva rose up on her knees and took my hands in hers. “We’ve got the place to ourselves, Lex,” she soothed. “We can do whatever we want, wherever we want.”

  My pulse jumped a little faster to know that I was what she wanted, and that she wanted me out in the open like this.

  I swallowed hard.

  Eva sank back down and settled between my already parted thighs. My cotton boxer shorts were bunched uncomfortably on my upper thighs, but I didn’t anticipate wearing them for much longer. Eva raked her short, polished nails down the insides of my splayed thighs, leaving faint red streaks in her wake.

  My head fell backwards. “Oh, God.”

  I lost myself to the sensation of Eva’s tongue lightly fluttering over my clit. Her touch was warm and wet, and I settled in to luxuriate under her talented ministrations.

  I barely registered the jangle of keys coming from the hallway and the sound of our front door unlocking.

  Mathilde’s unsurprised and victorious voice reached my ears: “I knew it!”

  I sat at the kitchen island, shuffling a glass of water from one hand to another. Mathilde pulled up a second stool on the opposite side of the island. Eva stood several feet away from both of us, arms crossed across her chest. She shifted her stance, cocking out one hip. I thought maybe she was trying to look intimidating, but Mathilde had just caught her on her knees.

  “What, uh, what happened to your trip?” I asked. We obviously hadn’t been expecting her back so soon.

  “Oh.” Mathilde blinked a few times. “Everyone went overboard the first night at the rental house. They were all super hungover, so I ended the trip early.”

  “That’s too bad.” Eva’s words were cool and detached. It made me nervous. Would she retreat even farther into her closet because of this?

  “How long?” Mathilde wanted to know.

  I looked to Eva for verification. We had never talked about an official anniversary date, a calendar day that we considered the start of our relationship. Had it been the night we’d first had sex? Maybe the Vegas trip? Or was it another time altogether?

  Eva dodged the question. “You suspected?”

  “It was a hunch,” Mathilde confirmed. “I thought you hated each other, but then you were suddenly getting along.”

  “That doesn’t mean anything,” Eva rejected. “Maybe we put our differences aside for the good of the team.”

  Mathilde laughed. “I don’t know about that. What I walked in on,” she grinned, “I don’t know anyone who’s that good of a teammate.”

  Eva scowled and rubbed at her temples.

  “Does anyone else know?” Mathilde asked.

  “No,” Eva said, voice sharp. “And we’d like to keep it that way.”

  Mathilde looked to me to confirm.

  I nodded. “It’s still new, you know? We don’t want to complicate it by bringing in other people.”

  “If you say so,” Mathilde allowed. “For the record,” she said, smiling broadly, “I think it’s fucking awesome.”

  Eva turned on her heel and retreated to her bedroom. I glanced at Mathilde who only shrugged.

  Eva returned to the kitchen a few moments later. She dropped a medium-sized box on the island in front of Mathilde. The packaging indicated it contained noise canceling headphones from one of Eva’s endorsement companies.

  Eva snagged me by the elbow. “Put those on,” she told our roommate. She pulled me off the island chair. “Lex and I have unfinished business.”