Page 25 of Arrogant Rucking Player

I clung to him, almost sobbing with the overwhelm as he kissed me gently. Our lips moved sweetly, tongues tangling in a slow dance.

“That was beautiful. Do you remember my promise?”

I blinked up at him, my heart starting to slow as I leaned against him in a pool of sweat, every limb languid. “No?”

He laughed and tucked me against him, folding my hands behind his neck. “Hold on to me, okay?”

“Okay—” That one single word became a scream I couldn't control as he slammed into me from below, over and over and over. I guessed I was about to find out how sound proofed—or not—my walls were because the man beneath me was beyond relentless. I clung to him, my nails digging into his skin as he railed me, fucking me hard and fast without ever shifting his position from where he sat beneath me.

I buried my face in his neck, breathing him in as I panted and muffled my cries against his skin, but he wound his hand in my hair, and pulled.

“I want to hear you scream for me, Nyla. Knowyou’re mine tonight,” he grated, never stopping, his fingers digging into my hip like he branded me with his touch.

And so I screamed for him, coming again like I couldn't stop. My thighs clamped around his hips, locking me in place. I thought I’d never stop shivering, my entire body trembling by the time he slammed hilt deep and roared my name above me.

The hand tangled in my hair clasped my head to his chest. His heart pounded rapidly against my cheek as I lapped salt from his skin. Mason collapsed backward bringing me with him.

“Damn girl. I think I’m in love with you.”

“Mmmmm.” I made a long, contented sound, because nothing else wanted to come out right then.

He laughed, holding me to him as something vibrated on the floor. “Ah, they can go to hell. Probably Hansen telling me to get on with it.”

“Mmm. Or reminding me to move my car.” I yawned and snuggled into his chest.

How good could a man possibly feel? I’d never had the luxury of sleeping with a man before in my life. Stuart refused flat out, sleeping on his side of the bed and never touched me after our brief rounds of one-sided sex that left me more than wanting. He proposed to me straight out of high school and wedivorced shortly after having Brady because family life wasn't what his mother sold to him. Funny, that. A pity that his toxic traits drove mine away…not that this moment was the time to reflect on my shitty past.

I yawned again, sinking into Mason’s embrace. The vibrating stopped and started again a moment later.

“Fuck. Off,” Mason enunciated clearly for a man who should be exhausted. I frowned and shifted in his arms, straining for the edge of the bed. “Ignore them, gorgeous. The boys get rowdy on a Saturday night. Prank calls are the name of the game.” He stroked my hair back from my face in a tender motion I wanted to savour forever.

But that vibration twigged something low in my stomach. “Not if it’s not yours ringing.” I elbowed him not so lightly in the stomach. He grunted and let me go. The cool spots where he had held me a moment before sank in as I scampered over him, naked, to get to my phone. I reached my purse and fumbled a hand inside in the darkness just as it stopped vibrating.

Finally I found the device and stared at the number that I missed twice, my stomach sinking.Lisa.Times two at one a.m. plus change. Brady’sbabysitter who my sister-in-law insisted we still use so she could go to bed whenever she wanted for the night.

My thumb hit thecallbutton without thinking. “Lisa?” I thumbed the speaker button and went searching for my panties then realised they got destroyed earlier and hunted for a fresh pair.

“He’s not here, Nyla. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to do. I looked everywhere!” Lisa’s hysterical sobbing left me colder than the wet spot I tried to avoid on the other side of the mattress earlier.

I grabbed for my clothes, shoving them on in the darkness. Something tore. I threw the black skirt aside, reaching for my trusty jeans. “It’s okay, Lisa,” I lied. “I'm sure he’s somewhere about.”At two in the morning?“Is Claire there?”

“I’m here.” My sister in law’s cold voice closed over the hysterical babysitter’s.Good to know someone keeps their head in an emergency.“What the hell sort of bullshit did you bring to my house? You’re lucky he’s my brother’s child,” she snarled.

I closed my eyes. Or not.Family sucks.Mason’s arm wrapped around my chest from behind, pulling me into a tight embrace. I squeezed his shoulder and gently disentangled myself, but kept a hold of his hand, grateful for his support as my panic skyrocketed.He frowned at me, flicking a bedside table lamp on.

He’s looking for you?Mason wrote on the screen of his phone, showing me the illuminated display.

I shrugged. That had been my thought too, but I didn’t think he’d climb out of bed in the middle of the night for that. Brady knew I was out with Mason, and he loved his coach, supported my relationship with him. At least, I thought he did.

“Did you hear him leave?” I asked the phone to a general silence, willing myself to remain calm despite my own raging panic as I shoved my legs into my oldest jeans and gratefully grabbed the t-shirt that Mason tossed my way.

The only response for the first few seconds was Lisa’s muted sobs and Claire's hushed snarls. Mason’s arm wrapped tight around me as he battled his own clothes one handed. He tipped my head back and kissed me hard, still not speaking but the message passed between us with clarity as he tucked me tight into his side and finished dressing.

We’ll find him. You’re not alone.

Never in my life had I been so relieved to have someone on my team. Someone like Mason.

“No,” came Claire’s clipped answer.

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