Page 16 of There is No Try

“Fuck off, Luc,” he laughs. “Not all of us have thunder thighs and tree trunk torsos to work with.”

“As beautiful as that alliteration is, to be fair, if I played American football with men who had that kind of physical advantage, I’d need padding too.”

Vicky comes on the call and greets, “Good morning, gentlemen. Who would like to start today?”

“Where’s Ronan?” Russ asks, and though his question is directed to Vicky, it feels accusatory towards me.

She adjusts her glasses and replies, “He emailed that he would be unable to make it.”

Fuck, I hope it’s not because of me.

Will begins, talking about how he’s contemplating retirement. I can’t say I blame him. All of us are in our early thirties, but being in contact sports, it takes a toll on your body. He complains, yet again, about his team’s PR manager, and so far today’s session is a rinse and repeat of every other meeting we’ve had. I do mybest to stay present, but I’m bloody exhausted and want nothing more than to climb back into bed with Bridget.

When Will is finished, Vicky moves on to Russ, who I’m pleased to admit has made great progress since we began these calls. For so long, he was in denial about an altercation he had on the ice. Now, not only has he seemed to come to terms with it, he’s been working hard to control his anger using healthy outlets.

Vicky directs her attention to me. “Lucas, I know you don’t typically have anything new to share, but?—”

“He does this time,” Russ snickers.

As much as I’d love to tell him to fuck off, Vicky doesn’t like us using profanity… and also he’s right. I take a deep breath and admit everything that’s happened, from confessing how I feel about Bridget, to the not-so-fake marriage. Vicky remains quiet, taking notes and occasionally prompting me to continue. When I’m done with my story, Will’s mouth is agape. Russ is smothering a smile, but his eyes are still twinkling through the screen.

Will takes a moment to work through everything I’ve shared then barks out a laugh. “I thought you were just friends with her. All this time, you were fucking his sister? No wonder he’s not here.”

Fuck, is he really avoiding me?

“I wasn’t, we haven’t,” I insist. “Ronan’s less than thrilled about everything, but I can’t help how I feel about Bridget. He’ll come around.”

Vicky suggests I reach out to Ronan and says if I need to meet with her separately she’s available. We wrap up our call and uneasiness settles in my gut as I close my laptop.

If I go back to bed, I’ll have at least two more hours before I need to wake up and get ready for the day. I keep my pyjama pants on but remove my shirt, then slide into bed with Bridget. As I reach for her, I’m met with the smooth, soft skin of her hip, not her shirt or pants. They must’ve slipped or adjusted while she was sleeping.

I tuck in behind her, and my chest is met with her bare back. I still, unsure what to make of it; Bridge definitely had clothes on when I took my video call. She glances over her shoulder, and her sweet lips are so close I could claim them.

“What are you up to, pup?”

CHAPTER 8

BRIDGET

We’ve had a rough weekend. I’m still processing everything, and I’m likely giving Lucas mixed signals, but while Lucas was on his call, my pyjamas made their way to his floor. I selfishly want to feel his chiselled, naked body pressed against mine. I can’t remember the last time I felt the weight of a man on top of me, and I’m desperate for it.

I’m tired of talking it into the ground and questioning everything. Twisting in his arms to get closer, a feral groan rumbles in his chest as he asks again, “What are you up to, pup?”

“I was warm,” I lie, and it earns me a playful smack on my arse. His hand lingers, keeping a fistful in his grip.

“Fuck, Bridge, I was trying to be a gentleman and not touch you.”

“And now?”

Lucas rolls me onto my back, his hard length pressing against my centre. The smile in his voice is undeniable as he replies, “Now I’m going to make you scream my name louder than when you’re fucking yourself thinking of me.”

“You’re quite confident considering you don’t have fourteen settings.”

Luc kisses my neck and chuckles against me. I feel the vibration everywhere. “I’m going to have so much fun with you.”

My fingers tangle in his hair as he kisses down my body, swirling his tongue around each of my pebbled nipples. Grazing his teeth against them, I can’t help the moans and whimpers escaping me. His mouth trails lower and my breath hitches as my legs are tossed over his shoulders.

“You don’t have to if you don’t—Oh, fuck.” I shudder on contact as he licks firm circles around my clit. He doesn’t stop until my back is arched and I’m gripping the sheets for dear life. I’m so close and he hasn’t even been inside me.

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