Page 15 of Blocking Her Love

Sean

Other than a softcircle of light from a bedside lamp, the room is dark when I peek in on Maya. She’s lying on her back, eyes open, staring at the ceiling. I take a short step into the room. “Need anything?”

Her head turns toward me. “Stop hovering. I’m as good as I’m gonna be for now. The pain meds have kicked in again. I don’t want another ice pack right now. The water in my mug is still cool. I ate my chocolates. Thanks by the way. I’m going to try to sleep.”

“I’ll be right out there.” I point over my shoulder toward the living room.

“Just go to bed.”

“What if you need something?”

She lifts her phone. “Speed dial. Really, Sean. I’m okay for now. Go get some rest. Where did Ellie run off to?”

“I sent her to bed. In my room so she isn’t tempted to hover.”

“Like you’re doing?”

“I guess. Okay, okay, baby sis. I get your point. We all need to sleep. There’s a lot we need to accomplish tomorrow.”

Her eyes close and she sighs. “I’m sorry. All the work you and Ellie put in to make this a successful tournament for us… all ruined because I’m awkward.”

“You know that’s not true.” I move to the bed and take her hand. “Injuries like yours happen. No matter how careful someone is. No matter how graceful or not. You haven’t ruined anything.”

She gives me a dirty look.

“Maya, you know what I mean. Once you’re rehabbed, we’ll do the work again. It’s not like if we miss the Olympics this time we’ll never have another chance.”

“Maybe I d… never mind. You’re right. I’ll see things in a better light once this stupid knee heals. Now do me a favor and get some sleep.”

My mock salute and “Yes, ma’am,” finally bring the hint of a smile. “Don’t hesitate to use that speed dial. You won’t be disturbing me.”

She closes her eyes. “Turn off the light, will you? I think I’d like pancakes for breakfast.”

“Pancakes it is.”

“And close the door on your way out. Love you, big bro.”

“Love you, too, baby sis.”

I have to trust Maya knows her body even with the injury. She won’t try to hide the pain or pretend she’s doing better than she is. Of course the timing isn’t great but, fuck, I hate she has to go through this. Once I check to make sure we have the needed supplies for pancakes and some bacon for me, I stand at the kitchen island staring at the couch.

It's fine for sitting, but I’m not convinced it will make a comfortable bed. And sleeping in my jeans is not ideal. I glance down the short hall to my bedroom. Ellie should be asleep. Maybe I can sneak in to the bathroom and grab my sweats without disturbing her.

Or what I really want to do—join her in the bed.

She’s not ready for that. We haven’t even broached the subject of last night’s kiss and why she shut down afterwards. I thought we were on the same wave length, going in the same direction. Now I’m not so sure. Maya’s injury and the huge question marks hanging over our future as a team don’t help.

I won’t come to any solutions just standing here. Not sure things will look better in the morning but if I can at least rest my brain I might be clear headed enough to fake it.

I pause at my bedroom door, my hand clutching the knob. Flexing my fingers does nothing to relax them before I aim for silence as I open the door. So far, so good. I don’t want the light from the other room to disturb Ellie, so I step inside quickly and push the door nearly shut. There’s enough ambient light I can make my way to the bathroom without running into the bed or the chair angled in one corner.

A soft moan rises from the bed. I freeze, my breath stalls in my chest and my cock stirs at the sensual tones. I lift my gaze to where Ellie is curled on her side, clutching the comforter against her chest. She’s kicked off the rest of the bedding and I follow the length of her shapely leg to the curve of her hip. I’ve seen her in tight shorts and bikinis often enough but tonight the sight of her skin makes my mouth water.

Her hips rock. Fuck, her hand’s… she’s pleasuring herself. Shit, what do I do? My cock has no problem with the question or an answer, as the blood leaves my brain and heads south.

“Oh, Sean,” she moans.

“Ellie,” I say without thinking, her name a rough whisper of sound.

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