Page 21 of The Umpire Strikes Back

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget this man. Ever.

He continues pushing his finger into my back entrance as he pounds into me with his dick. He moves up to where he’s on his knees, moving a pillow under the small of my back. His eyes gaze down on me. “You’re so fucking hot.” He’s got one hand working my ass, as the other hand moves down my body, pressing against my clit.

He’s gorgeous, and right now, he’sallmine. I reach out toward him, wanting to touch him. He leans closer, his hand working my clit forgotten as he braces his hand beside my head.

“Your body’s so responsive to me, Kali. It’s like it was seriously made for me. How did I get so fucking lucky?”

I want to fight with him, tell himI’mthe lucky one, but I can’t form the words. I can’t do anything but focus on the subtle climb of my body. The orgasm looming close by.

I’ve never had an orgasm twice in one night. This is insanity. What is this man doing to me?

However, the sensations coursing through my body are unstoppable. “I’m so close,” I shout out, my nails raking down his broad chest. My breath hitches as he pounds harder.

“Come on my cock. I want you to mark me, Kali. Make me yours.”

My chest tightens as my orgasm is so freaking close. Fuck, I can nearly feel that overwhelming feeling again. “I want you to be mine,” I admit, hoping that I’m not laying my feelings all on the line for him to crush them. Yet, I trust him, right?

His eyes lock with mine, softening just a tad. “Iamyours, Kali.”

My entire body seizes the moment those words leave his lips, the heat inside me building like a pressure cooker that finally explodes. A shuddering gasp rips from my throat, and I scream his name—“Oh, Rip!”—as the orgasm tears through me in unstoppable waves. Each pulse sends electric sparks racing along every nerve, making my muscles quiver and my mind flood with a sensation so intense it borders on surreal. My toes curl, my back arches, and for one endless second, I’m lost—no conscious thought remains, only the raw, dizzying bliss of pleasure that slams into me over and over until I’m left breathless, trembling, and utterly consumed.

“Fuck,” Rip says on a groan, his body holding onto me tightly. He removes his finger from my ass as his dick pulses inside me. “Kali, fuck, baby. You have no idea what you’re doing to me.” His own orgasm rips right through him as he thrusts into me a few more times.

After the last tremors of ecstasy fade, I’m left with a lingering warmth coursing through my limbs. He rises first, disappearing into the en suite bathroom with a lazy, satisfied smile. A low hum of pleasure still thrums in my veins as I slip off the bed and follow. Inside, the soft glow of the vanity lights casts shadows across the tiled walls, and I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror—flushed cheeks, tousled hair, a happy curve to my lips. I rinse off, letting the water soothe my still-sensitive skin, then dab my face gently with a towel. My heart hasn’t quite returned to its normal rhythm yet. Stepping back into the bedroom, I scan the space for my sundress, finding it draped haphazardly over the arm of a nearby chair where I flung it in the heat of the moment.

“I, uh… I should go.” My voice wavers as I tug my dress over my head, the fabric sliding against my still-warm skin. I glance around the floor, searching for my panties in the jumble of discarded clothes. My eyes skim the bedside table, the plush rug, then the chair in the corner—nothing. Probably lost in the shuffle of heated moments.

“You have a game tomorrow, and I’ve got…” The rest of my sentence falters, my mind scrambling for some plausible excuse to leave. Truth is, I can’t think of a single reason except the creeping worry that if I don’t take control and slip away now, he might be the one to usher me out.

Memories of the things he whispered while we were tangled in each other still pulse through my thoughts. But I’m no fool. I’m not expecting some grand invitation to stay—even though a part of me clings desperately to that hope. The reality is, people say things in the heat of the moment. I try to tamp down the flutter in my chest that demands otherwise.

He quirks an eyebrow, his gaze pinning me in place. “Where are you going?” There’s a note of challenge in his voice. He shakes his head, dark hair ruffling over his forehead. “No way am I letting you leave, Kali. Not after that. Not after what we just did.” He points to the rumpled sheets, eyes flashing with a familiar hunger. “Get in. Now.”

A wave of relief and excitement washes over me, and I can’t help the small, hopeful smile that tugs at my lips. Carefully, I shimmy out of my sundress again, the cool air brushing my skin before I slip under the covers. My heart thrums a wild beat, and as I settle against the warmth of the bed, I realize I’m exactly where I want to be.

13

Ripley

I wake up feeling more rested than I have in a long time, my body draped around Kali’s like we’ve been sleeping together for years instead of just one night. It’s one of those perfect moments. Her head’s pillowed on my chest, one arm slung across my stomach, her breathing soft and steady. For a second, I can’t quite believe she’s really here, that last night actually happened. My heart thuds, a pleasant warmth coursing through me.

I resist the urge to pull her closer, afraid of waking her. She looks so peaceful, dark lashes resting on her cheeks, lips parted in a faint smile. Carefully, I ease out from under her arm. The mattress shifts, but she doesn’t stir, just burrows into the pillow like she’s determined to cling to the last remnants of sleep.

I slip on a pair of sweats and pad quietly into the kitchen. The sun streams through the windows, illuminating the space in a soft, golden haze. My mind flickers to Juniper, who’s still off with Hattie until this evening. Part of me wishes I could see my daughter’s reaction to Kali here, though I know we’re not quite there yet. Even so, the thought of them all together in this house makes my chest flutter with something alarmingly close to hope.

Focus, Ripley. First things first: breakfast. I scavenge the fridge, grabbing eggs, cheese, and a few veggies to whip up an omelet. My cooking skills may be questionable at times, but I’m determined to do better than scorched taco meat. The coffee pot gurgles as it brews, filling the kitchen with that comforting, rich aroma.

While the eggs sizzle in the pan, I sense movement behind me. A drowsy-eyed Kali appears in one of my T-shirts, hair mussed from sleep, and my heart nearly stops. She gives me this sleepy, lopsided grin that might just be my new favorite sight in the world.

“Morning,” she murmurs, voice husky from sleep.

I grin back. “Hey there, Sleeping Beauty. Hope you don’t mind, but I’m making you breakfast.”

Her face lights up as she pads closer. “Mind? Not at all. Smells amazing… and coffee.” She nudges her chin at the steaming pot. “Heaven.”

I hand her a mug, trying not to stare too obviously at how good she looks wearing my T-shirt, how it just barely skims her thighs. She leans against the counter, taking her first sip with a soft moan. I have to clear my throat to keep my mind from wandering back to last night.

“I was going to bring this to you in bed,” I say, flipping the omelet. “But you beat me to it.”

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