Three and Out

“Maybe.”

  His hand trailed up and under her shirt, landing right on her bare breast. A little hiss escaped her lips as he pulled on her nipple.

  “Mason…”

  “Does that feel good?”

  “You know it does,” she whispered, as she could feel herself start to get lost in his touch.

  As he stroked her nipple, her fingers fell below his waistline and made contact with the tip of his cock that was already erect and ready to go. His body jumped from the contact, making her giggle.

  “Do you think that’s funny?” he asked, as he shifted his body on top of hers, trying to be careful with his knee.

  “No, not at all,” she answered, as his lips ran up and down her neck.

  His lips found hers and his head lowered even further so they could deepen their kiss. Her hands wrapped around his neck as they continued to torture each other with their lips. Sometimes in their frantic rush to get naked, Piper forgot to revel in the feeling and emotions a simple make out session could deliver. Mrs. Dashel was right, as Mason kissed her back with the same forcefulness she was kissing him with, she felt the love pouring out of Mason. It was hard to miss. The way he cupped her face, pressed his body against hers, and cooed in her ear, she knew she’d found her soul mate, the person she was supposed to be with for the rest of her life. The person worth fighting for.

  Pulling away for a second, she cupped his face and looked into his eyes. “I love you, Mason.”

  A small smile crossed his gorgeous lips as he looked back down at her and said, “I love you too, Piper.”

  Even though they told each other they loved one another often, the words never grew old, especially coming from him.

  They had been through a lot, but Mrs. Dashel was right; they were perfect for each other, and even though they’d had a rough start, they were going to have a smooth finish, Piper was determined to do so.

  Chapter Twenty

  **Ryker**

  “I can’t believe you do this every year,” Hannah said, as she tailed behind Ryker, dragging ass.

  “Why wouldn’t I?” Ryker asked, as he hurried up to get in line.

  “Because you have to wake up at some God-awful hour, and the lines are ridiculous. There’s a lot of pushing,” she whined.

  “Boo, have you forgotten my profession? A crazy, foaming at the mouth, stay at home mom with the need to get thirty percent off on a blender is not going to deter me.”

  Hannah leaned in to his ear as she looked around and said, “But they’re crazy.”

  “It’s all part of the fun. Plus, once you look at your receipt and see all the savings you got, you’ll feel elated and re-energized.”

  “But you have money, lots of it,” Hannah pointed out.

  “Yeah, but might as well save it while we can. Plus, don’t you want to make my apartment a place where we both can stay? Don’t you want to make it our own?”

  “I do,” Hannah responded, as the doors opened to the retail store and women started screaming and pushing. “But I don’t want to get killed while doing it.”

  “Don’t worry, boo, you’re with me. I won’t let anything happen to you. Here, let’s grab a cart.” As Ryker reached for a cart, a lady came up from behind him, swatted his hand and hissed at him, literally hissed, making Hannah squeal and tuck her head into his shoulder.

  “Shit, lady, it’s a fucking cart, not a damn blue light special.”

  “Fuck off,” she called over her shoulder, as she sprinted toward the back where all the major electronics were.

  “Well, she was rude,” Ryker responded, as he grabbed a cart, this time making sure to look over his shoulder for any hissing lady folk.

  “She was terrifying,” Hannah said, as they started walking through the store, watching dignified women lose their minds over half-priced items.

  “She did have crazy in her eyes. We’ll steer clear of her in case she decides to come after you,” Ryker teased, as he kissed the side of her neck. Ryker positioned Hannah so she was in front of him and his arms were wrapped around her pushing the cart. She smelled like heaven, and honestly, he would do anything just to be close to her. He was well on his way to being totally pussy-whipped, but he didn’t care, he had the love of his life wrapped in his arms and they were shopping for items for their place together.

  A gasp came out of Hannah’s lips as she pointed to a scuffle in the corner. “Oh, my God, it’s the hisser, and she’s fighting over a TV with some poor woman.”

  Ryker turned his attention to the corner where Hannah was pointing, and she was right. The hisser was hissing like a lunatic while yelling at another lady that she’d gotten to the TV first.

  Laughing, Ryker said, “See, boo, and you could have missed all of this.”

  “Yeah, good thing I came out to watch people lose all of their self-respect,” she said sarcastically.

  The aisles were filled with frantic women, searching high and low for the sales they’d marked in their ads, and screaming at salespeople, trying to find out where the robotic ninja was located. Must be the toy of the season.

  Black Friday was something he got into one year when he wanted to see what the big deal was. After one year of marking off sales, finding out the times when each store opened, and making a plan of attack, Ryker was hooked. Every year, he went out and enjoyed the sights and sounds of ravenous women clawing their way through the stores to get a present for someone at an extreme discount. The first year he went, he bought items for his family, but the second year he went, he bought toys for kids who wouldn’t be having a Christmas because their parents were down on their luck, or the kids just didn’t have parents at all. This year, he would be doing the same, but Hannah didn’t know that.

  “Uh, linens are over there,” Hannah said, while pointing behind them. As she looked forward, she noticed they were headed right for the tornado zone. “Ryker, why are we going toward the aisles where we’ll be eaten alive?”

  Chuckling, Ryker said, “I got you, boo. I just have to pick up some toys.”

  “Toys? For who? Do you have some kids I don’t know about?”

  “Actually, I do,” Ryker said, while filing into the Lego section.

  “What?!” Hannah spun around with eyes wide and a hurt look on her face.

  Smiling, Ryker placed a kiss on the tip of her nose and said, “Every year, I sponsor at least five families who can’t give their kids the Christmases they deserve. Every kid deserves to open a present on Christmas day.”

  Watching intently, Ryker saw Hannah’s face soften and her tears well up. “Oh, my God, Ryker, you’re so sweet.”

  He shrugged his shoulders, pulled out a list from his back pocket, and said, “Here’s what we need to get, and then we can head over to the linens. Does that work for you?”

  She took the list in her hand and said, “I get to pick out the Barbies!”

  “They’re all yours, boo.” A giant grin spread across her face as she kissed him on the lips. “God damn, you’re adorable,” he said, while pulling her into a hug.

  “Move it!” a lady called out as she bumped her cart into theirs. It was the hisser, and this time, she had the TV in her cart and her hair was pulled out of her ponytail on one side. Hannah was right, she was terrifying.

  “You don’t have to be rude,” Hannah spat back, while clutching onto Ryker a little tighter as a shield.

  The lady spun around and said, “If your husband had a tongue like a damn paddle board, and he refused to use it on your pussy until he got a flat screen, you’d be rude too. Now, if you don’t mind, I have some board games to purchase for five dollars each.” With that, she took off, leaving Ryker and Hannah to think about what she’d just said.

  They looked at each other, and at the same time, burst out in laugher.

  “Oh, my God,” Hannah said, as her hand went over her mouth. “Did she just say that?”

  “I think so,” Ryker replied, as he looked after the lady. “Paddle board, huh? Does that seem appealing to y
ou?”

  Hannah blushed as she thought about it. He poked her in the side as he wrapped her in closer to his chest and whispered into her ear. “Apparently, I’m going to have to show you the wonder tricks I can do with my tongue when we get back to our place.”

  She smiled up at him and repeated, “Our place.”

  “That’s right, boo. Our place.”

  They spent the next hour in the toy section, gathering everything needed, and actually had to grab an extra cart. Hannah had a wonderful time picking out all different kinds of Barbies, as Ryker flocked toward the Legos and bought the biggest sets he could find. Hannah also put a girl’s set of Legos in the cart, as well, stating, “Girls can play with Legos too.”

  After they were fully stocked in the toy section, they went over to the home section and started looking at bed linens. Ryker could care less what was on the bed. As long as it was soft and easily washable, he didn’t care what they slept on, but he knew he needed to add a touch of Hannah to his place, so he let her pick out what she wanted.

  “Oh, look at this one, it’s so pretty,” Hannah cooed, as she held up a white quilt with pink flowers. Inwardly cringing, Ryker nodded and smiled, telling himself that this was for Hannah. The pink and white quilt was a stark contrast to his black comforter back home, but if it made her happy, he didn’t care.

  A half hour later, there were pink and white sheets and accents piled up in their carts, as well as the quilt and matching shams. Yup, he was losing his man card today, but the look on Hannah’s face made it all worth it. He would do anything to see that bright smile and glow radiating off of her.

  “You really like them, right?” she asked, as she practically bounced up and down toward the checkout counter.

  “Love them, boo. And they pass the comfort test, which is the most important thing.” Surprisingly, they did; they were almost too soft, as if the manufacturer was trying to pull a fast one on men. They knew what they were doing…draw women in with the daintiness of the fabric, and suck the men in with the comfort. Evil bastards.

  “Yay,” I can’t wait to show Piper. Maybe we can paint the walls a blush color.”

  “Blush? Is that a fancy word for pink?”

  “Light pink,” she answered, as she started piling things on the conveyor belt.

  Ryker stopped her and said, “Boo, I love you, but I don’t think I can do pink walls. You have to let me have some kind of manliness in the room.”

  She thought about it for a second as she cocked her lips to the side and then poked Ryker in the chest. “We can keep the walls grey; that’s a manly color, and it will look precious with the new quilt.”

  Rolling his eyes, Ryker said, “If the wall color is going to be the manly part of the room, can we refrain from calling it precious?”

  Laughing, Hannah flexed her arms and said, “Fine, the color will be so macho against the quilt. The perfect match. Flowers and muscles.”

  “Just like us, boo.”

  Hannah squeezed his bicep and said, “Maybe, but you might want to hit the gym.”

  “You crush me,” Ryker said, as he gripped his heart.

  They spent the rest of the day unloading the presents in their home, wrapping them up, and setting them to the side for delivery. Ryker had never enjoyed a day more in his life. If he had to be thankful for something, it would be for Todd the fuck up, because without him, Ryker never would have had a chance at claiming Hannah as his.

  **Jax**

  Jax sat in his apartment, alone, going over film for this Sunday’s game. He missed Brooke like hell ever since she’d gone back to San Diego for the holiday, but he was able to get some work done. They decided to spend the holiday apart, because they weren’t quite ready to display their relationship to the public yet. Given Jax’s status and Brooke, who was starting to become a rising celebrity in Denver, they thought it would be best to keep everything on the down low until they were fully prepared.

  That being said, Jax spent his Thanksgiving volunteering at a homeless shelter downtown, while Brooke went back home to see mommy and daddy dearest. They weren’t really able to talk on the phone, given the busy schedule Brooke’s mom had for Brooke, visiting family and going shopping. She did text him at one point, a picture of multiple lingerie items that gave him many ideas of what he was going to do to her when she got home.

  The thought that Brooke, Mason’s Brooke, was the one who brought light back into Jax’s life was almost mind-boggling. He remembered seeing Brooke on occasion, attached to Mason and thinking how gorgeous she was, but Jax never thought that he would end up with the beauty.

  He was starting to get over the Piper whirlwind he’d fallen into, and was able to mend his heart back up in order to give it over to Brooke…who was doing an excellent job protecting it. They hadn’t said it yet, but he loved her, no doubt about it.

  People always said love is so hard, which Jax could see, but when it came to Brooke, love seemed like the easiest thing on earth. He couldn’t get enough of the girl, and when she was around, he was happy. Simple as that.

  The film he was watching cut out as it ended. He sat back in his chair, pulled his glasses off, yes he had to wear glasses, and massaged the bridge of his nose. Sunday’s game should be an easy win, and then they would go on a long road trip. They’d been home a lot, but after Sunday, they would be away for the next four weeks. Their schedule was all kinds of fucked up.

  He was taking a sip of his beer when his phone started ringing. Looking down at the screen, he saw Brooke’s gorgeous face appear, making his insides warm immediately.

  “Hey darlin’,” he answered, feeling instantly comforted by her calling him.

  “Hey, how are you doing?” her sweet voice rang through the phone. “How was your Thanksgiving?”

  Slouching on the couch, Jax got comfortable to talk to his girl. “It was good. There were a lot of people who visited the shelter, some families. It made me sad, but I was able to make a great donation to the shelter, and pick up some families’ names for Christmas. Ryker already took a couple to support, and the rest of the boys and myself will help support the others.”

  “You’re so amazing. That is so sweet, Jax.”

  He shrugged his shoulders, not that she could see. “It’s nothing. We’re blessed to have the opportunity to play for the Stallions; it’s only natural we give back.” Wanting to change the subject, he asked, “So, how is your family?”

  “Good. Daddy couldn’t be happier that my clothing line is launching, and mom and I went out shopping all day.”

  “I saw that,” Jax said in a gruff voice. “Did you get anything for me?”

  Giggling Brooke said, “I might have.”

  “Do you wear it?”

  “Maybe,” she responded, making Jax’s entire body tense up at envisioning her in some of the items she’d taken pictures of.

  “When do you get back again?”

  “Not sure yet. But I’ll be home before you leave for your away trip.”

  Jax groaned. “You better be, because we leave on Wednesday. Don’t you have things to do here? I’m pretty sure you need to come back so you can take care of some clothing things.”

  “You’re so full of shit,” Brooke said, while laughing.

  “Can you blame a guy for trying? I miss you.”

  There was silence on the phone for a second, making Jax sweat, but then Brooke responded in the most sincere voice he had ever heard.

  “I miss you too, Jax. A lot.”

  “Darlin’, you’re not making this easy on me when you talk all sexy like that.”

  “Well, I’m in my room now; we can have a little fun…”

  “Do you really think that’s a good idea? Last time we had phone sex, or tried to, you just laughed the whole time.”

  “You said lady garden! How am I not supposed to laugh at that?”

  Chuckling from his choice of words, he said, “I was confused, and my mind wasn’t working. It was the first thing that came to mind.”


  “And pussy wasn’t? Honestly, Jax.”

  “Yeah, I royally fucked that one up.”

  “You kind of did, but I would be willing to try again.”

  “Really?” Jax said with hope, as he shifted on the couch.

  “Yeah, I miss you, and right now, I could really use a chance to relax and listen to your deep southern voice bringing me to climax.

  “Fuck…that turns me on to hear you say that.”

  “What else turns you on?” she asked, as Jax could hear her shifting around. So, they were really doing this, fine by him; he was already turned on.

  “Let’s see, you in a white see-through bikini, wet as fuck, and not just from the water.”

  “I don’t own a white bikini.”

  “You do in my head.”

  “Something I should have purchased, apparently.”

  “Yes. Purchase one, and we can hang out in my hot tub in the cold night air.”

  “It really seems like you’ve planned this all out.”

  “You have no idea, darlin’,” Jax said, as he breathed heavily. “Ever since you left, I’ve thought about you in my arms, naked and wet.”

  “Mmm, that sounds go good,” she replied.

  “Not wanting to sound cheesy, but dying to know, what are you wearing?”

  “One of your shirts…the blue one with the state of Texas on the front, and a pair of panties.”

  Smiling to himself, he said, “When did you steal my shirt?”

  “Last time I was over. I knew we were going to be apart for a little while, and I wanted a piece of you with me.”

  This woman opened him up and buried her soul so far into his, he had no clue what to do about it, especially when she said things like that.

  “You have no idea how great that makes me feel.”

  “Are you hard?” she asked in a sexy voice, changing the topic quickly.

  “Now I am,” he admitted, as he started to stroke himself while listening to her sweet voice.

  “Is your hand wrapped around your hard cock?”

  “It is.”

  “Are your pants down?” she asked in a husky voice.