Hard Count: A F*** on the Football Field

(Redemption Story) Ariana St. Claire

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 HARD COUNT
OVERTIME

ARIANA ST. CLAIRE

 For the survivors who are stronger than anyone knows.
And the moments you see yourself again when someone believes in you.

Always and forever…

 CONTE NTS

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
Touch Me Down
Acknowledgments
Also by Ariana St. Claire
About the Author
 PROLOGUE
SEBASTIAN

"I don't care how you do it, but we need this. I need this."
Every damn thing I'd worked towards, gone with one stupid moment of weakness. And nothing I could do would
change it.
"Serena will land on her feet, but you won't if this gets out. And I don't want it to, but I can't do this alone. And she needs to
understand that this,” Justine cocked her to the side, “matters more than anything.”
Fucking hell.
“But, Sebastian, you didn’t sound so worried last night?”
I looked around the conference room, at the fucking door, wishing I could just walk right through and make this all go away.
But there was only one thing I could do. And if I had to be the bad guy, then so be it.
 C HAPTER 1
SEBASTIAN

"S hittiest game you've ever played, Lockwood. And quite honestly, main office isn't exactly singing your praises."
Coach never blew smoke but fuck, he was right. And after nine years in the game, my arm wasn't like it used to be.
Playing for Cleveland the past four seasons had been like being invited to dinner at your high school principal's house.
At first, everyone likes you, until they realize you might be the troublemaker causing all the problems at school.
"The fact of the matter is, I can't have a quarterback leading my team who no one wants to fucking follow," he eyed me. "Or
one who sleeps with his players' wives or girlfriends."
Fuck. "Not my fault she never told me her name," I held up my hands, "and Silva's wife showed up at my place in nothing
more than a trench coat in the pouring rain." I called her a damn cab, but Silva showed up, after the bitch texted him, and laid
me out flat before I could explain. Didn't help matters she'd slid into my DMs, and like an idiot, I'd played along not realizing
who she was at first. When I tried to break it off, trench coat gate.
Of course the rest of my line didn't believe my side of the story, and if your line doesn't protect you, you can't score.
Which means you can't win. And that translates to this fucking meeting.
He sighed, and sat back into his chair. "Lockwood, I'm going to lay it out. I know your agent dropped you, HR doesn't want
to touch this fucking thing with a damn ten foot pole, and if you were playing at the top of your game, I would do my damnedest
to fight for you. But, you're not."
Allan Brandt informed me via text that he and his agency would no longer be representing me or my interests after this
weekend.
Basically, you're fucked, Bas.
"The head office is activating the morals clause in your contract, effective immediately. And putting you on waivers."
My head shot up. Explained why Taft, the team legal head for Cleveland, entered the room just after Coach called me in a
few minutes before. And why the tension in the air was so thick, you could cut it with a knife.
"No shit."
Taft cleared his throat, but Coach waved him off.
"Give us the room," he said with a shooing motion. Taft looked put off, but no one argued with Coach if they knew better.
As Taft made his reluctant exit, Coach set his glasses on the desk and let out a breath as he leaned back in his chair. He shot a
look at the door as it shut with a thud. “Lawyers don’t get the nuances of the game. Or how chemistry and luck play into things.”
Fuck me. I hung my head, not wanting to meet his eyes. My attitude was shit, and I knew it. He knew. Hell, the team knew it.
Especially Ty, the one guy on the team who made an attempt to stop my shitty attitude.
He eyed me a few times during practice, shaking his head, no doubt at my wasted talent.
No one wanted to protect a guy who acted like a world class dick.
And then something changed.
The only guy who stayed on for extra practice time with me. Of course, no one on the team except him knew I stayed,
besides two of the trainers who left the door unlocked to the practice field twice a week for me after hours.
The first time Ty walked in on me to grab his lucky water bottle, he looked dumbstruck that I was still there, running snaps
and throwing balls. Covered in sweat after a three and half hour practice, and a two hour workout on top of an hour run on the
treadmill.
Typical day for me, though I never let on that I put in the extra time.
The intense physicality of it all kept the demons at bay. Chased away the regrets I had. Didn’t help my attitude, but at least
by the time I got home, I was too exhausted to think, let alone dream. Or if I did, I didn’t remember shit.
After that first time, Ty ‘left’ with the rest of the squad, but came back fifteen minutes later. Each time, we’d run a few
plays, simple runs. Neither of us said a word. Just two guys running the ball. Ty caught what I threw his way, sometimes a little
out of his way to test our chemistry as the days went on. A little play action, and then we hit a few moments without having to
say a word.
Fucking chemistry on the practice field that didn’t translate anywhere else. And then I’d get on my bike or in my truck and
leave.
Too bad the rest of the guys thought I was an asshole.
I let them. I knew I had a shitty attitude along with the walls I built up.
I wasn’t the prince in a fucking fairytale. People thought I was the villain. The fans here were diehard, but even they were
tired of my attitude.
I went from being the most loved QB a few years ago, to the most hated.
“Lockwood, the simple fact is that most of the organization thinks your career is over. And the way you’ve been handling
yourself this year hasn’t helped your case. But, I know more about you than you think.” He stood and walked over to the
window that overlooked the parking lot.
Empty, save for a few cars, since most of the team had left for the day. Including Taft’s fancy fucking Jag. And my Audi,
because I didn’t use my bike when it rained. Fucking weather should’ve clued me in that today was going to be a shit show.
“I know you do extra practice after everyone leaves two or three times a week, and think no one knows. Train like a mad
man. You might not get along with the entire team right now, but I’ve heard about the hospital visits, Lockwood.” Hands in his
pockets, he turned to face me, eyes shrewd and seeing far fucking more than I was comfortable with. “And Ty had a lot to say
when I pulled him in a few days ago.”
Fucking Ty. I ground my teeth together, jaw clenched and fists tight. But I kept my mouth shut.
“When he came to my office the other day, I have to admit, I thought it was going to be about your attitude. You two have
had a few moments on the field, but without the rest of your team backing you up, it means shit, Lockwood.”
Nothing I hadn’t told myself a million times before. But I couldn’t bring myself to care. Even when the damn fans began to
boo whenever I took the field. It just made the anger and indifference stronger beneath it all.
“Then Simmons actually pleaded your damn case, even though the rest of the line seemed to miss out on whatever he saw. I
noticed the two of you connecting on a level on the field, and when he told me he had been staying a few nights a week to run
plays? I knew my instincts weren’t far off. Now, I don’t know what the hell your issues are, but I also know I wouldn’t be
where I am if someone hadn’t offered me a path to make up for the shit I did when I was young and stupid.”
I bristled at the comment, but deep down, I recognized what he was saying. To a point. “Doesn’t matter if I’m getting cut,
does it?”
“Lockwood, between Ty’s bromance, no matter how strained your relationship is, and my instincts, you’re not dead in the
water.” He sighed. “But, you’re not staying in Cleveland, even with one game left in the season. I’ve called in a few favors.
I’m not sure it’ll come to anything. But for now, you’re on waivers. And Simmons talked his agent into repping you if anyone
calls.”
Shit. I knew who Ty’s agent was because he visited him a few times on game day, and shot me a look that made the other
guys in the locker room back away.
Kellan Horne. From Fortress.
Well, fuck me. Talk about full circle.
I was so screwed.
 C HAPTER 2
MADDIE

F ive and a half months later…

“I do NOT need to get laid, Jessa!”
The cackle increased in volume, and Jessa, my ‘boss’ and friend said in a gleeful tone, “That response means you
do, Mads.” She softened her tone, but her eyes still danced with mischief. “It’s been almost a year, and not a peep from sleaze
ball.”
I let out a sigh, and ran my fingers along the couch that sat in the middle of Magpie Dreams. “Because Reid’s knight in
shining armor threatened to put him through a wall if he even had thoughts of me,” I mumbled. But she was right. “And it’s been
nine months.”
Nine months since my sleaze ball ex tried to put me through the window here at Magpie, and threw my boss, Reid, into the
now long gone glass coffee table before her dark, brooding, and sexy Marine Vet came to our rescue.
I still swooned over the memory of Owen sweeping in and decking AJ. Any time he stopped by to pick up Reid or bring her
coffee and a Death By Chocolate muffin, I could barely make eye contact with him. He didn’t post any of his readings anymore
on social media. But sometimes Reid would play the one she saved from the first time she ever heard his voice.
Lucky girl. And Owen was even luckier. Reid had the biggest heart of anyone I’d ever met. She deserved to be loved and
taken care of by someone who wasn’t a sleaze ball.
Jessa threw her hands in the air. “You are so lucky Reid is off, playing hide the eggplant with Owen somewhere in the
mountains for the week,” she grumbled as she straightened a few of the dresses draped on delicate hangers mounted on the new
antique hooks that Jessa and I just installed. With a satisfied nod, she spun to face me, finger wagging. “When she gets back, we
are going out. With Kylie, and Alex, and Gia.”
I groaned. Not because I didn’t love Reid’s older sister and silent partner in the vintage couture boutique I’d worked at
since it opened. Alex and her best friend Gia were amazing, too.
Almost too amazing.
Kylie owned an open wheel race team with her husband, which was how she knew Alex Anders and Gia. Alex’s dad was a
racing legend.
Next to them, I felt like I hadn’t accomplished anything.
Until a few weeks ago, when Reid asked if I would help her and Kylie with the annual fundraiser for Kylie’s foundation.
Domestic violence, unfortunately, was something I became far too familiar with in the last few years.
The bad boy musician who noticed me one night when his band played at a club just outside the small-ish town I lived and
worked in.
I should’ve listened to Jessa when she said he was bad news, but the rush that made my body tingle at being the girl the hot,
tatted up lead singer of a rock band noticed outweighed my common sense.
But I didn’t. And slowly, he stripped me of the friends that I used to go out with, the independence I worked so hard for
when I moved across the country to the town I fell in love with when I applied for the internship at the local football team.
The one he made me quit because it meant I could spend more time watching him practice, or fawn over him at shows at
local clubs or ones a few hours away.
Magpie Dreams had been my once a week haven, and even then, he tried to make me quit until I begged Reid to let me work
around his schedule.
I was such a fool.
One morning I woke up and no longer recognized the person I saw in the mirror.
Where once was a girl who decided to move across the country, away from family and the only friends I knew, and chase a
dream, a hollow-eyed stranger stared back at me.
That was the night that AJ had what he said was the most important show of his life, because there was a scout supposedly
coming to see the band.
Little did he know, they weren’t there for him. But that’s another story. And in fact, after that night, I planned on never being
there for him again.
The subtle, then not so subtle hints that I was fat, that no one would want a girl like me, and the angry outbursts where I’d
cower in the bathroom while he broke something else by throwing it at the locked door separating us had finally knocked sense
into me.
That day, terrified of how he would react when I told him I was leaving him, I went to work at Magpie with the two women
who had become a source of strength for me again, even if they didn’t know it.
Until he showed up as we were closing up for the night, in a murderous rage because he said I was running late.
Thank God Owen had gone all stalkery on Reid.
If he hadn’t shown up when he did…
I shuddered. Jess eyed me.
“You ok?”
I nodded, and smiled. “I really am. But, I don’t need to get laid.”
“Hmph,” she scoffed. “We all need to get laid. I just admit it out loud more often than the next person.”
“And the next,” I teased in a dry tone.
She flicked her hair over her shoulder and shrugged. Hands on her hips, she glanced around and nodded. “I love it. Reid
will love it.”
“I already sent her a picture,” I laughed, imagining Reid eyeing her phone the last few days and yet, I knew she needed the
getaway.
Jessa snickered and wagged her eyebrows. “Hopefully she’s too occupied getting tied up, spanked, and railed to notice!”
“Oh my God, stop!” I flushed but laughed, because whenever Owen was around Reid, it was like he was already doing
dirty things to her in his mind. And she looked just as guilty.
Or lucky.
A low rumble startled me. Outside on the street, a vintage looking motorcycle pulled to a stop in front of the front picture
window. The driver’s face obscured by a black helmet. He paused, and sat back, flicking up the visor.
Piercing eyes, the color of the leaves on the trees up in the hills where I liked to hike when spring arrived stared back.
Locked me in place. Seconds ticked by, and Jessa droned on behind me about Reid’s sex life in her usual, filterless way, but I
didn’t hear a word she said.
All I saw were his eyes. Hands resting on his thighs, clenched into fists, slowly released.
Fingers snapped in front of my eyes, blocking him momentarily. I batted her hand away, but when I looked at where the
motorcycle had been moments before, he was gone.
“Earth to Maddie! Happy hour? Tapas?”
“Did you see-” I stopped, because suddenly, I wanted to keep him to myself. Anyway, Jessa would probably make it her
mission if I said anything to find the guy so I could ‘get laid’.
“See what?” she asked, grabbing her purse and car keys. “Come on, my treat, because it looks like I’m not getting laid
either.”
I laughed lightly, my mind still on the eyes that reminded me of the promises yet to be kept. “You seriously think about sex
way too much.”
“If you only knew,” she muttered, ushering me out the door.
 C HAPTER 3
SEBASTIAN

K arma is a bitch.
Don’t get me wrong, I saw it coming from a fucking mile away when I walked into the Browns’ head office my
last day on the team.
But, fuck, I never saw the twist of fate I was getting screwed with until it hit me like a fucking truck.
Road kill.
When my phone rang as I sat on the couch weeks after that fateful meeting, I almost didn’t answer. As it was, Kellan Horne
called twice before I picked up, and only after Ty texted me.
Ty: Asshole. Don’t throw it away because you suck. Answer the fucking phone.
Damn kid was ten years younger than me, coming into the prime of his playing career, and telling me what the fuck to do.
“Lockwood?”
The voice on the other side growled, and it was pretty damn clear Kellan Horne wanted to be talking to anyone but me.
“Horne?” I returned dryly.
“Shut the fuck up while I try to save your career. And if you mess this up for Simmons, I’ll make it my mission to ensure
every day of the rest of your miserable life sucks so much that even a fucking Taylor Swift concert won’t cheer your ass up, you
understand?”
What the hell was the guy talking about?
I grunted a response, and without missing a beat, Horne continued as if I had never uttered a sound.
“Carolina sent over a contract, and aside from a few minor details, I suggest you sign it if you ever want your hands on a
ball again, other than in the park playing catch with yourself. Check your email. Changes were agreed upon ten minutes ago.”
And silence. I pulled the phone away with a glare.
Asshole hung up on me. But I signed the dotted line.
Maybe I was a glutton for punishment.
That was just over three months ago.
And here I was.
Lightning cracked in the sky but all I pictured was her face. Pouty, full lips parted on a sigh. Eyes bright with a hint of
sadness and steely determination I recognized all too well. Innocent but tinged with the things that told me she had lived
through something that almost took her out.
I leaned back and flipped up the visor on my helmet, feet resting on the pavement. Bike rumbling beneath me.
The need to know how she looked when I made her cum shot through me before I could even form a coherent thought.
Fuck. The light changed, and I shook my head to clear it before driving in the direction of the place the Carolina Fury, my
new team and most likely my last, arranged for me until I found a more permanent residence. But the look on her face burned
itself into my memory.
The rain fell at an annoyingly steady pace as I neared the townhouse, which thankfully had a garage I could park my bike in
that was more the size of a toolshed, but at least it was out of the elements. The truck the team arranged to pick up my boxes
and furniture arrived this morning, and after stopping at my new team’s training facility, I was ready to do something other than
sit on my ass.
The headlines in Cleveland after the news broke about my status with the team were more than enough for me to want to
flip the bird, but the fans in that town were diehard, to say the least. And they liked me at one point, until they realized I wasn’t
going to be the one to turn the city’s luck around.
Then it was like I kicked a fucking puppy.
 But the team had been bought by a new owner, and he, along with the other investors, were determined to restructure the
entire organization, from the bottom up.
How I fit into that equation, I still didn’t get. Key in the lock of the front door to my new place as I glared at the front door,
I bit back a groan when I heard a voice from behind me.
“Hey, asshole.”
Without missing a beat, I turned the key and walked into the foyer, Ty tight on my heels. “Miss me, sweetheart?”
“You are a fucking piece of work, Lockwood.”
“Tell me something I didn’t know,” I muttered, tossing my keys onto the counter in the kitchen and ignoring Ty as he
whistled low. “Then get the fuck out.”
“After everything I’ve done for you? You could at least offer me a drink before screwing me over.” Without waiting for an
answer, he walked over to the couch in the middle of the room and sat down, elbows on his knees.
I went to the fridge and grabbed out a water bottle. That and five ready-made meals packed in containers I had delivered
earlier this morning were the only things in there, but for now, it was all I needed. And who knew how long I’d be here.
Less to clean out later. I grabbed another bottle and tossed it to Ty, who caught it easily.
“Make yourself at home, Simmons,” I muttered.
Silence permeated the air until he cleared his throat. “Maybe try not to be such a dick with the guys.”
I scoffed. “And change? I thought you loved me just the way I am?”
“Fuck, Lockwood. I know you’re not a total asshole.”
“Really? I thought that was your favorite nickname for me?”
He flipped me the bird before downing the entire bottle.
“See?”
“You’d be confused if I didn’t give you shit, QB,” he retorted.
He was right. Even when we’d practice in silence, we fell into a rhythm and only threw a few colorful yet well intended
insults. “Why are you stalking me? Can’t find anyone your own age to bother? Or are you just lonely?”
“Listen, old man, the only lonely guy here is you. I took pity on you.”
“Fucker,” I muttered under my breath. Ty was ten years younger than me, but I could still keep up with him. Every practice,
we pushed each other even if no one was there to see it in Cleveland.
But, the few times it showed up on the field… fucking magic.
As much as I hated to admit it, we worked well together. Which might explain how I got picked up by Carolina. Question
was, for how long?
“There’s a place not too far from here that has the best fucking tacos I’ve had, and it just so happens I have nothing to do
except make sure your sorry ass isn’t alone on your first night in town.”
I started to shake my head, but Ty held his hand up.
“You’re going. Because we need a Sebastian’s-not-a-total-dickhead game plan.” His tone softened just enough as he added,
“Brother, I know shit hasn’t been easy. But this,” he pointed between us, “it could be something.”
I snorted.
“On the fucking field. Now don’t go falling in love with me,” he drawled, standing and stretching. “Let’s go. And no flirting
with me, understood? I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Asshole,” I muttered as I followed him out the door.
Ty winked. “I love you, too, brother.”
 C HAPTER 4
MADDIE

“T here’s no such thing as too big, Mads,” Jessa half-yelled over the noise in the bar as I giggled as a result of the
incredibly strong margaritas the bartender sat down twenty or so minutes ago with a grin at my incredibly flirtatious
and kinda gorgeous friend. Sweeping her straight as a pin hair over her shoulder, she glanced back at him with a wink
and raised her glass.
“When it comes to tacos, there might be!” I kinda yelled over the music playing and people chatting with each other.
The Prickly Pear had become our favorite place to grab a bite after work when it opened six months ago, and the vibe
inside the bar/Mexican restaurant was usually low key, but the small town we lived and worked in was buzzing with all the
news about the new owners of the Carolina Fury, and how the new owners were basically starting from the bottom up, bringing
in all new personnel.
Football fans were a boisterous lot, and it didn’t help that the TV over the bar was playing an interview with one of the
new owners, Resnick Gentry.
More than a few female eyes were glued to the screen. The man was a dark, smoldering fantasy of a man. And more than a
few of the men in the room were glued to everything he was saying, and everyone was voicing their own opinions.
“Ugh, it’s so loud.”
Jessa laughed. “Which is probably why Frankie made our drinks extra special tonight.”
I glanced at her cleavage, visible and out there for the world to see. “Or he liked the view.”
“If only the view did more than get me a strong margarita,” she muttered, then grinned. “Maybe he thinks we’re going to
have a threesome! Which is ridiculous because even I have standards.”
Hand on my chest, I feigned indignation. “And I’m not enough for you to have a threesome with a bartender after a triple
shot margarita. Jessa, I thought we were friends!”
She cackled. “If pretending to have a threesome then ghosting you with a hot dude would get you laid, I’d take one for a few
minutes. But,” she nudged my shoulder and raised her glass, “we both know we like cock way too much. So, here’s to no
threesomes and probably not getting laid!”
“Oh my God,” I groaned, and clinked my glass to hers before downing it alongside my crazy ass friend. With a shake of my
head, I raised my hand, about to signal Frankie for another round when I caught a man standing just past Jessa, leaning on the
bar. Looking like he was waiting for his drink order, his friend oblivious behind him.
Piercing green eyes shot in my direction, and the world stopped spinning for a few seconds.
It couldn’t be.
Jessa waved her hands in front of my face, deja vu washing over me as I focused on her. Desperate and definitely a little
buzzed, I swatted her hands away. “Earth to Maddie. Food’s here. Grab it before I do!”
I glanced down at the mouth watering array of empanadas, tamales, salsas, and other delicious things. But all I wanted to
see was him.
I tried to look over her shoulder, but he must have gotten his drink because he and his friend were nowhere to be seen.
Disappointment crept over my body like a cloak, heart pounding out its misery. The air felt palpable with something I couldn’t
name. Like this was a moment I’d look back on later, and know.
My life was about to change.
The only question was, for better, or worse?
 C HAPTER 5
SEBASTIAN

“I think I’d sell my favorite trophy for just one more bite of this fucking taco,” Ty moaned, and I fought back the urge to
roll my eyes.
He wasn’t wrong, but the guy was eating the damn thing like he just found out that pussy could be licked and sucked
and tasted.
It was damn near obscene. And from the way a table of girls across the bar were staring, they were thinking the same thing.
Except they probably liked watching him.
Throwing back what was left in the bottle I snagged when we placed our order at the bar, I turned away.
And instead found myself looking at the same fucking girl from earlier today.
The one that made me stop and stare like I was a fucking freshman in college again.
Or even a goddamn teenager who discovered tits in a worn out copy of Playboy that the neighborhood kids passed around.
Stolen from somebody’s dad.
Not mine. God forbid the man ever reveal that he was remotely human by having a girly magazine hidden away from his
kids. Owen, the asshole, found everything, and not a tit to be found.
Thank God for Bobby Hallstucker’s dad’s stash.
“Seriously, this would even make a mean motherfucker like you smile.” Ty’s eyes rolled in pleasure like a girl was
kneeling under the damn table.
“You’re freaking me the fuck out, Simmons. Stop looking like that when you’re sitting so fucking close.” I eyed him as I
signaled the server skillfully making her way through the crowd for another round. The damn TV over the bar was on
SportsCenter.
The topic?
Resnick Gentry rebuilding the damn Carolina Fury.
And the debate on whether or not signing me to a one year, performance-based contract for a single season with an option
was smart or the dumbest mistake this year in the NFL. Every person at the damn bar had an opinion it seemed.
Not all leaning in my favor, either. I tugged the brim of my hat down my head, and focused on the girl sitting at the bar. The
one with an aura of innocence and something that drew me to her like a moth to a flame. Her hair reminded me of honey, or
maybe caramel. All I knew was that I had a sudden urge to lick her in places a fucking gentleman wouldn’t consider.
I turned away, only to see Ty staring, still devouring his damn taco like a fucking perv. “What?”
“Nothing at all, Q.” He grinned in between bites. “But, if you take a picture, it might last longer.” Ty shoved the last bite
into his mouth and pulled out his phone. “Want me to? Don’t want you hurting your throwing arm by-”
“Shut the fuck up, Simmons, before I tell everyone here who you are and ruin any chance you have of getting out without
signing a million napkins.”
He snorted. “Like that’s a bad thing.” One finger pointed in my direction as he picked up his drink the server sat down in
front of him. He smiled at her before turning back to me. “You wait and see. I’m making it my mission to make you loved again,
Lockwood.”
“I don’t need to be loved, Simmons,” I muttered, sipping my beer. She looked over her shoulder, and the world melted
away.
Then, just as quickly, the noise returned.
“Everyone needs to be loved, even if they don’t think they deserve to be.”
 C HAPTER 6
MADDIE

“M r. Tall, Dark, and Asshole keeps sneaking peeks, Mads.” Jessa’s lips formed a smirk. “Maybe you will get laid, after
all.”
I rolled my eyes, gathering my hair into a bun and securing it with a scrunchie. AJ hated my hair long, and I only
started to let it grow out after he made his exit from my life. “I’m not getting laid. Before you get any crazy ideas, I’m serious. I
just want my margarita and tacos. And guac. That’s it.”
She snorted. Her eyes narrowed, then widened. Mouth formed a perfect O. “Shut the fucking front door.”
Taco halfway to my waiting mouth, I stopped. “What?”
Her straight hair flew side to side as she shook her head vehemently. Then nodded. “Hell yes. Got it.”
“Wait. I’m getting whiplash here, Jessa,” I said, setting down my taco, and wiping my hands before placing my palms flat
on the table. “Why the turnaround?”
Her eyes rolled, then turned icy. Head jerked in his direction. She pointed, and I hissed, swatting at her finger. “That,” she
growled, “is not allowed anywhere near you.”
My brow wrinkled. “Why?”
She cocked her head like I was missing the biggest piece of a puzzle ever presented to someone. “He’s Sebastian-”
“How do you know his-”
“Lockwood, Maddie.”
Wait, what?
I must’ve not used my inner voice, because Jessa nodded. “Yep. Owen’s brother. And our team’s newest fucking
quarterback. And the biggest asshole in the NFL.”
“Owen has a brother?”
“Yep,” she popped the P. “And there’s no love lost between them, from what Reid has said.”
I glanced over my shoulder, and while he was hiding under a ball cap, the resemblance was faint, but now that I knew what
I was looking for, I saw it.
The jaw line. His frame, though Sebastian (now that I knew his name, it felt like I knew a secret) was leaner and less
intimidating.
But it was his eyes that were strikingly different.
Owen took everything in, and the few times we’d been in the same room, his gaze went from all the doors and where Reid
was in relation to them. As if he had to protect her in the case of a bad situation arising. And even then, he didn’t relax unless
his hand was on her, somewhere. Reminding her, steadying her…keeping her safe.
But Sebastian?
Earlier, when he was sitting on his bike in the rain, his green eyes stole my breath. Unfazed by the world around him and
yet so intense. I felt his gaze like a lover's hand on my body. The world faded away, and he saw me. Not the scared girl I had
become, but the woman I wanted to be. Strong, with dreams and wishes and all the things I had left behind when I was with AJ.
With that one fleeting moment, he saw all the places I kept things hidden.
The crowd grew louder as the TV over the bar flashed his picture, and I glanced back at him again. Hat pulled low over his
eyes, intensity rolled off him in waves. The air crackled with electricity, but we were the only ones who felt it.
He glanced up, catching me studying him. My cheeks flushed, and I hastily looked away.
“Gotcha,” Jessa said.
Even though I wasn’t looking, the intensity of his gaze was like a weighted blanket. I waved my hand at her. “Stop. It’s
nothing.”
 “Bullshit. That,” she added pointing between us, “Is not nothing. That is definitely something. And it’s not the best idea,
trust me.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. There’s no ‘something’ or ‘bad ideas’.”
“Not yet.”
I rolled my eyes, and focused on my drink. Over a mouthful of taco, I shrugged and said, “I’m not interested in anything.”
“You might not be, but someone definitely is.” She went to point at him, but I smacked her hand down. “I’m serious, Mads.
It’s not a good idea. The guy has a reputation. Grade A asshole. He was put on waivers partly because his team went to
management. This is Cleveland we’re talking about, too. The city that could use a damn quarterback that can throw.”
“Then how did we get him?”
She hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “Because the guy he’s with? One of the best tight ends in the league.” Her nose
wrinkled. “Seeing the two of them together is like seeing Clark Kent and Superman in the same place. Talk about a paradox.
And it looks like the rest of the bar has realized who is in their midsts.”
A few people were at their table, asking for autographs from the look of things. Sebastian looked mildly annoyed at being
recognized, but most of the attention was on his friend. Simmons?
He was smiling and signing autographs while taking selfies with a few kids who were smiling like they’d just won the
lottery.
“Only question is, not how, but why. The how is right there.” Jessa jerked her head at Ty Simmons. “But, the guy must still
have an arm if we signed him. The attitude, though? I don’t know if that’s worth all the trouble. And he’s trouble, Mads.”
I didn’t answer her as I took another sip of my drink. I knew all about trouble. But Sebastian Lockwood looked like the
kind of trouble a girl could get lost in, and never want to leave.
 C HAPTER 7
SEBASTIAN

W hen the new owners bought the team, they did an extensive renovation on the facilities, including renovating a
warehouse just outside of the small ish seaside town with the best equipment a new influx money could buy.
Carolina made Cleveland look like a run down summer camp.
Along with training staff, PT’s, and a former Olympic Gold Medalist in swimming turned kinesiology and somatic healing
expert.
“Fuck, hot yoga? I’m in heaven.”
I snorted as Simmons dropped his bag on the bench next to where I was lacing up. “You would like hot yoga.”
“Somatic exercises would release all that damn tension you hold onto, QB. And you’d probably be less of an asshole.”
“No chance of that happening any time soon,” I muttered. The locker room at the training facility was bigger than any other
NFL locker room I had been in during my career. Off one end was a room with various rehab equipment, ice bath set ups as
well as a sauna.
It was like a goddamn spa for football players. The weight room was spacious enough that I could workout and not be
bothered by anyone else, which was how I liked it.
Ty, however, couldn't take a hint.
The fucking guy was starting to grow one me. Not that I’d tell him.
“Staying over after your run?”
I nodded. Kellan Horne had it written into my contract that I had after hours access to one of the training areas so I could
continue the practices I ran post practice three days a week in Cleveland. And he made it so only the coach and a few trainers
knew.
Of course, fucking Simmons still showed up. But, when we ran plays with the practice squad, it would show.
We read each other better than any other receiver I had ever worked with.
“Cool. I have to make a quick phone call, then I’ll see you on the field after. Have a good run.”
Forty minutes later, the bright light filled the practice field, the green turf laid out like a welcoming mat.
Simmons went long, and I passed the ball. He caught it easily. We did a few plays we had been working on, and an hour
later, dripping with sweat we sat on the bench off to the side.
Taking a long swig from his water bottle, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “That last one? Two-point
conversion written all over it. Easily.”
“I know.”
“Are you smiling, QB?”
“This?” I pointed at my face. “Involuntary reaction to being stuck with you all the time.”
Ty grinned, and stood up. He held out his hand, and pulled me. “Come on, old man. It’s taco night.”
And just like that, the fantasy running through my head all week played like a song you can’t get out of your head. I didn’t
know her name. I knew where she worked, and drove past every day, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
The way her hair fell in front of her face when she smiled and looked down, like she was used to hiding it from the world.
Or the one time she had been laughing so hard, her nose was wrinkled up and her head was thrown back. Six days. Four smiles.
But the laugh? Fuck, I needed to hear it in person.
“Let a guy shower first,” I grumbled. And just like that, the fantasy I stroked myself off to twice a day popped into my head.
The way she would look after coming with me on her knees, licking and sucking and tasting her sweet pussy. Learning what
she liked, and making her come over and over. Then running my hands over her body, rinsing the lather off her skin, toweling
her off. The way her soft sighs would make all the shit I’d done disappear.
 I didn’t even know her name, but I was jerking off thinking about her more than I ever had in my life. It still wasn’t enough.
“I think it’s sweet you get yourself all pretty for me, QB,” Ty teased then laughed when I shot him a death glare. “Stop by to
get you?”
“Fine. But it’s your treat. This time, you can buy a round for the damn bar.”
His laughter followed him all the way down the hall.
Who really was the asshole? Little shit cost me almost $500 last week.
But it was all worth it if she was there. I’d pay double to be that close.
And this time, I was getting her name.

“ANOTHER ROUND ?” Nicky, our server, smiled as she stopped at our table. I had to admit, having our training facilities in the
small town vibe location had its perks. The Prickly Pear did have the best tacos I’d ever had, and the pomegranate guacamole
might fucking be my weakness.
And the way people here didn’t fawn over either of us, but instead made us feel somewhat welcome. More Simmons than
me, but still.
Fucking Simmons. I was not telling him any of my thoughts, though. His ego was big enough where I was concerned as it
was.
“I’m good, but,” he grinned as he pointed to the empty bowl in front of me, “I think my friend could use more pom guac.
And a few waters?”
She smiled, and nodded, sweeping up the empty plates and bottles. “I’ll be right back.”
Ty eyed her ass as she walked away, hips swaying. His grin was huge, and all Midwest with a tinge of cynicism he hid
well. But I knew, beneath the surface, he had a few demons of his own.
“Looks like tonight won’t be a waste after all.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” I rubbed the back of my neck, wishing I would’ve sat in the sauna for a few minutes after
practice instead of just taking a hot shower. Thirty-five was feeling more and more like it was closer to forty the last few
weeks. Not following my usual routine like I had been back in Cleveland was taking a toll, and if my body didn’t get in line, I
would be back to sitting on my couch watching replays of games instead of playing in them.
“Take a look at who just walked in,” he jerked his head toward the door. I shifted in my seat so I could have a better view
of the door, but not before I shot his shit-eating grin wearing face a glare.
There she was.
Oh, baby girl.
As if she heard my thoughts, she looked up at me. Blue eyes, clear and lit with a spark that I knew I’d fucking dim if I
wasn’t careful, locked with mine.
“Madison.”
“What?” I asked, irritated that he interrupted the moment we were sharing.
“Her name, QB. Madison. Or, more accurately, Maddie.”
Maddie.
She made her way through the crowd, chatting animatedly with two other women. One, the blonde she had been with last
week and worked with. The brunette shook her head, laughing, as they grabbed a table near the brightly painted mural covering
the far wall. Maddie ducked her head, a blush making her appear both innocent and so fucking gorgeous that my damn cock
reacted instantly. The idea of seeing that fucking color across her chest and spreading along her face as she came beneath me?
Fuck. I gulped the rest of my beer, then drew my eyebrows together in confusion. “How the hell did you find out her name?”
Ty shrugged, then jerked the hand holding his beer in my direction. “I drink, and I know-”
“You’re not quoting that fucking show.”
His chuckle was irritating as fuck, but evidently my death stare was no longer a deterrent. “I have my sources. Plus, I
figured your wingman better do something to earn his place, or you’d kick me to the curb.”
“You are one interesting guy, Simmons. Just don’t tell me you’ve been stalking her, and I won’t have to take you out back
and hide the body.”
He snorted. “Stalking is so Netflix. I followed you home a few days ago. Remember? When I dropped off your fucking
phone because you were running late and were afraid you were going to miss closing time at the shop she works at. You know,
the one. Huge window. Perfect for staring at the girl you’ve probably been jerking off-”
“Dude,” I growled. “Don’t go there. I get the damn point.” As much as I hated that he found out her name before I did, Ty
was a good guy. Who knew why he was hanging out with me, though.
“She’s 23, dude. Total age g-”
“Don’t say it.” I warned, which only made him laugh harder. “You’re fucking enjoying this, aren’t you, asshole?”
 “Absofuckinglutely. You think you’re the bad guy, Lockwood, but I know better. And she will, too,” he added, pointing to
where Maddie was laughing and eating with her friends. “I told you,’ he winked. “I know things.”
“Fuck off.”
He waved down the server, and as she neared to take our order, Ty grinned. Eyes filled with mirth and the same look he had
when we nailed plays on the field last season in Cleveland. The plays we spent hours practicing after the rest of the guys left.
Like he had a secret.
Fucker.
I sighed. “Fine. I’ll bite. What else do you know?”
He gave our order to the server, and added, “Extra pom guac?”
My jaw clenched, I nodded, and offered the poor girl a tight smile. “Please.”
After she left, Ty leaned forward, elbows on the table. “The store stalk, ahem, drive by after practice every single day-”
“Asshole,” I muttered.
“Is a vintage couture boutique,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken, “Owned by Kylie and Reid Taylor. Reid happens to be
engaged to, wait for it…your brother.”
I nearly choked on my drink. “What did you just say?”
Eyeing me over his beer as he drank the rest of it, Ty jerked his head in her direction. “Brunette? Reid. I have no idea who
the other girl is, but she works there, too.”
“Owen’s in town? Here? A sleepy little place like this?”
“This ‘place’ is not sleepy. I’d fucking come here just for the damn tacos. And so would you. Yep. Did you think I didn’t
know you had a brother, QB?”
“Half-brother.”
“Fuck that. You grew up together. You’re brothers. Family is family. Doesn’t matter if you’re half or whole or whatever.
Brothers always have your back.” Not for the first time, Ty dropped his happy go lucky demeanor and gave me a solemn look.
“Brothers always have your back. That’s how it works.”
I let out a long breath. “Unless they don’t. I haven’t talked to Owen in years. Even before that, we weren’t that close.”
He scoffed. “I bet you were, more than you think. Besides, now you’re in the same town. And,” he added as Melinda, our
server, sat our order down on the table. “Maybe things happen for a reason.”
Damn pomegranate guacamole made my mouth water almost as much as Maddie did.
Fuck, it suited her. Sweet, innocent. Mouthwatering.
“If things happen for a reason, what the hell is the reason you keep bugging me so damn much?” I muttered, shoving a
mouthful of heaven into my mouth. I bit back a groan, because I was picturing feeding it to her, watching her lips, imagining her
licking them because I missed on purpose. How she tastes. Smell. How it would feel to take care of her.
“I’m here to save your damn career. And maybe your soul along the way, QB. And win the fucking Super Bowl.”
 C HAPTER 8
MADDIE

“S hut the front door! You did what?”

Reid laughed, smoothing her hair down from the light drizzle that began to fall right as we locked up Magpie and
headed for Happy Hour. “Owen and I found an old antique shop that had the matching trunk to the one Grandma Lena’s
best friend had. And Owen totally wore the poor shop owner down on the price. And now, Magpie has the matching set. After
that we went skinny dipping in the lake.” Her eyes twinkled.
“Fuck, and I missed it?” Jessa pouted. Reid playfully swatted at her. “What? I need to live vicariously through you. The
least you could’ve done was take a sneak attack pic and text it to me.”
“Jessa, I am not sending you nude photos of Owen. Ever.” Reid rolled her eyes, a smile playing on her crimson painted
lips. “Even if you did kinda introduce us, that does not mean-”
She sighed. “I know, but he’s such a knight in shining armor. But I’ll just have to live with my Henry Cavill fantasies.
Stupid chin dimple,” she muttered.
“Weren’t you worried about, I mean-”
“You will not catch me jumping in the water a la Luke Bryan country song. Nope. I’m with you, Maddie.” Jessa nudged me
with her shoulder. “Unless there’s some high caliber abs and a few shots of vodka involved. I’ll put in an order with my little
bartender friend, with extra pom guac,” she added before I said a word.
I wrinkled my nose and mouthed thank you as she headed towards the bar.
“So,” Reid said as she sat down on the high pub stool and propped her chin on her hand. Elbow on the colorful table,
smiling at me.
“Yes?”
“How are you, Mads?” she asked, eyes soft and full of concern.
The music changed, and a song started playing that I loved, and that’s when I noticed he was here.
Again.
Sitting at a table with the same guy he had been with last week. Simmons? Sigh. One of these days, I might have to figure
this football thing out.
My eyes shifted from the magnetic pull of Sebastian to my other best friend. “I’m good. Really good. And,” I bit my lip
with a smile, “I talked to Kylie about helping.”
Her smile grew and she grabbed my hands in hers. “Good. And it’s not just ‘helping’, Maddie.”
This time, I wrinkled my nose at her. “But I have absolutely no qualifications, Reid. I mean I left in the middle of college to
come out here, and well, we know how that ended up.” Her flinch was so slight that I almost missed it. I squeezed her hand. “I
am so sorry about-”
Her cool hands took both of mine in her own. “Stop right there. We absolutely never apologize for other people’s toxic
behavior.”
I bit my lip, then smiled. “Grandma Lena?’
Reid nodded as Jessa came back from flirting to get her way with Frankie, the bartender who loved to make our drinks just
strong enough that the pom guac became a necessity. Which I was good with. Sigh. When I found out I could take an order home
with me, I squealed with delight. “She was a wise woman.” Her eyes teared, and she wiped underneath her eyes with a quick
motion. “And she also said never ruin good mascara unless the reason is everything. So, cheers?”
We raised our glasses. “Cheers!”
THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT , I kept stealing glances over at Sebastian. Except they weren’t exactly stolen, because every time I
glanced his way, piercing green eyes caught me red-handed. It became a game of sexy chicken. Who would break the spell first.
I did, because guilt at the whole thing with Owen’s estranged brother was eating away at me.
Three very strong drinks in, though, my inner self, the girl who had moved out here in the first place all on her own, was
kicking down the door and deciding to make an appearance. She was in no mood to let anyone else dictate her actions. Even if
it meant staring at one of her best friends off-limits future brother-in-law.
Phew, that was a mouthful, I thought as I ran the lime along the rim of my glass then licked the gingered salt off. Eyes
daring Sebastian to look away first this time. Jessa kicked me under the table, and broke the spell. “What?” I suppressed the
urge to stomp my foot, then giggled. “Shit, I’m buzzed, aren’t I?”
Jessa nodded, then pointed at Reid’s retreating back. “You’re just lucky Reid is too starry eyed about planning her wedding
to Tall, Dark, and Daddy to notice. But she will if you don’t knock it off.”
Not sure if it was the buzz or the ‘Tall, Dark, and Daddy’, but suddenly I couldn’t stop the case of the giggles overwhelming
me. Jessa crossed her arms over her head and flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. Her lips twitched, and finally she let
out a snort and smiled. “Fine. But it’s true. You making googly eyes all night is pretty fucking obvious. Told you, need to get
laid. But,” she held up a hand before I could get a word in edgewise, “Maybe not with Tall, Dark, and Asshole over there. Or
ride it once, get on the horse, then let him gallop off into the sunset.” She stopped, and put her arm around my shoulder in a half
a hug, because neither of us would relinquish our drinks. Our very strong drinks.
“Pshaw. My buzzing buddy takes care of me better than most men ever could. Who needs that disappointment?”
“No disappointment wanted here!” I raised my glass and as we tapped them together, Nicky showed up with a round of
water bottles. “We didn’t order these, Nicky.”
She winked then jerked her head toward the table Sebastian sat, staring and broody. His friend was talking animatedly, but
Sebastian ignored him. “Somebody said you looked dehydrated and asked me to bring it over.”
Jessa’s eyes widened. “No shit?”
Nicky nodded. “No shit. Plus a big tip, too. Even if his rep is bad, the man is my best tipper. And,” she added, “He glowers
at anyone who tries to grab my ass.”
“Nice,” Jessa said as she downed one of the waters.
“And,” Nicky added, setting down an order of pom guac, “he sent this, plus he paid for your to-go order, Maddie.” She
winked before walking away with a big grin on her face.
“Well, fuck.” Her sigh was borderline epic. “Any man who sends over pom guac? Le sigh.” She spun me around, face to
face, hands on my shoulders and said, “Ride him, leave him, and tell no one. I’ll hide the body if he’s an asshole. If you go
down-”
“Stop quoting country songs, Jess!” I giggled, but as my gaze snuck over her shoulder, Sebastian raised his water bottle,
and pointed it at the table. “Bossy, much,” I muttered, but grabbed the damn thing anyway. One side of his mouth tilted as he
watched me drink the entire bottle, then wipe the back of my hand across my mouth. I slammed the empty bottle on the surface
of the table just as Reid returned.
“I am so thirsty,” she said as she picked up a bottle of water.
I shot Jessa a glare before she could utter a word, and announced, “I’m heading to the ladies room.” My look must have
been murderous, because Jessa backed off when I shook my head.
As I weaved through the crowd, because I wasn’t the only one who loved The Prickly Pear’s tacos and pom guac, I started
to feel the way I had a few weeks after AJ’s arrest after the incident at Magpie Dreams.
Like I would shatter if anyone dared to look at me, and even if they meant well, Reid and Jessa held their breath around me,
like I was delicate and couldn’t handle the simplest things without falling apart. Reid’s getaway with Owen, even if she didn’t
mean it that way, felt like a test. And if I said so myself, I passed it with flying colors.
Stupid strong margaritas. And asshole football players who just stare across the room and look all broody and sexy.
The bathroom was larger than the typical bar, but then again, The Prickly Pear was not typical, without a line. One of the
reasons had to be that the menu rivaled most sit-down restaurants, and the atmosphere was perfection.
Still working out that equation with my slightly buzzed (and wearing off, thankfully) and flustered brain (because, hello,
Mr. Tall, Dark, And Asshole.) I nodded my head as I stared at my reflection in the mirror after I touched up my lipstick. I’d
show him. Sending water then demanding I drink it? I was my own person, and he could just stuff his pretty green eyes under
that damn ball cap and deal with it.
And I was keeping the pom guac.
Yep.
All. Mine.
Mind made up, I clutched my vintage handbag in one hand, and pushed open the bathroom door with the other, only to run
into a wall.
A solid, muscular, yummy smelling wall.
My eyes drifted up, and there he was.
Mr. Tall, Dark, and Asshole.
 C HAPTER 9
SEBASTIAN

I f there was one thing I had in spades, it was patience. And a stupid fucking compulsion to take care of stray kittens and
innocent women, even when they sometimes turned out to not be so innocent as they let on. Two hours of watching
Maddie across the room while listening to Ty drone on about everything from hot fucking yoga to the latest version of
whatever damn album released online, and I was at my limit.
Especially because whatever drinks her friend kept bringing over were making her giddy, bright blue eyes shining and
haunting me. Teasing me.
Fucking temptation in a sweet package that had no business being around a man like me.
Not every story begins like a fairytale. Once upon a time and Prince Charming didn’t happen in the real world.
I wasn’t a good man.
But watching her the last hour or so?
I wanted to be for her.
I wasn’t even close, though. A girl like that deserved to have the knight riding in on a white horse. Who wouldn’t want to
fuck her against the wall in the hallway just to hear how she sounded when she came under my hands.
I flagged down Nicky. “See that table over there?” I yelled over the music, which had grown steadily louder as the night
progressed. She nodded. “Round of water, on me.” I handed her a hundred. “Keep the rest.”
“It’s too much,” she protested, but I had been watching her work her ass off all night, glaring at the prick who couldn’t
remember her eyes were up higher.
I shook my head. “You’ve earned it listening to this guy,” I said dryly as Ty flipped me the bird with a grin. “Send over pom
guac then for part of it.”
She leaned and added in a conspiratorial tone. “Maddie always gets an order to-go…”
“Then that’s on me, too. See, earned every fucking penny.”
Nicky laughed, and put her hands on her hips, tilting her head. “Watch out, Lockwood. That mask is starting to slip.”
As she walked away through the crowd, Ty laughed loudly. “Told you.”
I glared at him. “I’m afraid to ask.”
“Underneath that facade is a guy who just wants to be loved.”
“Fuck off.”
He threw his head back, and slapped his knee. “It’s always the girl that makes a guy step up his game and turn shit around.
And me, of course.”
“Fuck off, Simmons.” I drank the rest of my beer down, glaring at him over the bottle, “Don’t whine when I make you run
running plays for two hours next time.”
He shrugged. “I get it. It’s your love language. Mine? Acts of service. And food. Particularly tacos. From here.” Batting his
eyelashes at me, he continued. “And you are checking off all my boxes. Too bad you’re a dick.”
“Don’t you mean I have a dick?”
“Said what I said.” His grin, unapologetic, irked me, but instead of being an asshole like I usually would, I drained my beer
with a death stare. He raised his eyebrows with a jerk of his head in the direction of where Maddie sat with her friends. And
my dickhead half-brother’s girl.
“Here’s your chance, QB. No play action fake, get it in the red zone.”
“You seriously have issues.”
“And you love me despite our problems. But seriously, go. Talk to her. Use your mutual love for fucking pom guac to spark
a conversation.”
 For a moment I considered walking out and leaving him with the check, but then my dick decided to join the conversation. I
stood and headed in the direction of the bathrooms without looking back. God knew Simmons was loving every second of this,
but right then, I didn’t give a fuck.
When I neared the darkened hallway, I glanced around. Nearly empty, and the perfect place a creepy asshole would stalk a
poor girl and wait outside the damn door for her to come out. I was just about to turn and leave, when someone came barreling
through the ladies room door.
And slammed head first into me.
The scent of berries mixed with something warm and exotic drifted up from her warm skin, bracelets on her wrists making
the sweetest noises as she steadied herself. Hands on my chest, warm and real.
Clear blue eyes blinked as she realized where she was, and she tried to step away, but my hands covered hers and held her
in place.
Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. “Hi,” she said, all breathy and sweet and everything that I didn’t deserve.
“Oh, baby girl.”
Gaze wide and innocent, she curled her palms into fists, clutching my shirt in her fingers. My fucking cock nearly exploded
at the contact, wishing her hand was clenched around it instead of the material of the thin t-shirt.
“Yes?”
I smirked. This conversation, the way she looked up at me, had the potential to go all sorts of ways. “You should have
another water before you leave.”
Her head jerked back. “Um, you do you realize I don’t even know you?”
I noticed she still hadn’t pulled her hands from mine. If anything, she was holding on tighter. A fiery spark lighting her eyes
that reminded me of the Fourth of July. “Name’s Sebastian Lockwood.”
She almost rolled her eyes, and my fucking palm twitched. Either to stroke her cheek or spank her ass. Both ideas made my
cock even happier.
“Tsk, tsk, Maddie.”
Her blue eyes narrowed. “How did you know my name?”
“Small town. People talk.”
“Like servers who get big tips from football players?”
My shoulder lifted and fell, and she swayed the tiniest bit, but when she did, her sweet body brushed up against the
happiest part of me at the moment. Because my cock was mere inches away from where it really wanted to be.
Making her come, chest flushed, gasping and trembling.
The heat between us was making me crazy. She leaned in, and I nearly groaned but I didn’t want to break the spell.
“God, why do you smell so good?”
I let out a low, dark chuckle. “All the better to lure you in.”
“What?” She was too sweet, beautiful and damn near too young to be fantasized about the way I was doing. But fuck, I
wanted to know what she liked, how she liked to be touched. Licked.
Fucked.
To be the man who made her shatter and fall apart, over and over until she was spent, boneless, lying naked in my arms.
Pupils dilated as breath came faster and she bit her lower lip. Her hands slid down my chest. I stopped them before she got
any further. My nose inches away from hers, breathing the same air.
“Oh, baby girl. I’m not the knight in shining armor. I’m the big bad wolf, and you should walk away before I devour you.” I
ran my hand along her jawline.
Her eyes locked on mine, lips softly parted, she said, “Maybe you’re the safe place I’ve been searching for all along.” She
stood up on her tiptoes, trying to close the space between us, just as I bent down and claimed her lips as mine.
Honey, and sun ripened raspberries with lime. She tasted like summer and the promises of things yet to come. When she
whimpered into my mouth, my cock strained against my zipper, begging to be released.
My hands slid into her soft, sun-kissed hair, long and in loose waves down her back. Fuck, the way she tasted, smelled?
Cumming just from kissing her was becoming a real life possibility. In the damn hallway of the place that made the best
fucking food I’d ever had. She deserved so much more than that. I began to pull away, to leave her before I ruined her when she
grabbed onto my shirt and pulled me in closer. Hips grinding and trying to mold themselves to my groin.
I delved into her mouth, sucking in her tongue, showing her what I fucking wished we were doing as I tasted and sucked and
licked her. Kissing her with an urgency I didn’t understand.
Like at any minute, she’d realize her mistake and walk away just like I told her to. But I wouldn’t let her leave. Not now.
Not after I knew how she tasted, how her body felt pressed up against mine. Her sweet curves against my hardened body.
She was fucking mine.
“Take me home, please, Sebastian,” she begged into my mouth when we finally came up for air. “I promise, I won’t break. I
need this. With you. And only you.”
 Summer days at the beach followed by sunset nights by a bonfire. She was all that and fucking more. And I needed to take
away that look in her eyes. The one that said she was scared and vulnerable and tired of everyone treating her like she was
breakable.
“Just this once, give me one night of not having to be that girl anymore. Give me…me back.”
I nodded. “Oh, baby girl, I’ll give you so much more than that. For just one night.”
 C HAPTER 10
MADDIE

H oly. Shit.
Was I really going to do this?
Mouths and tongues and teeth. Breath and gasps and growls.
The taste of a sunset, midnight promises, and late night whispers. Kissing had never felt like this before. Or ever would
again.
His hands snaked their way up my arms from where my hands were still tightly clutching his shirt. I swallowed, holding on
to him. Afraid he would change his mind. Walk away. Reject me because I was too fragile.
But he didn’t.
When they entwined in my hair, I bit back a moan. It had been too long since someone touched me without making me feel
like they were afraid I was going to break.
Hell yes I was.
When we finally came up for air, I begged, “Take me home, please, Sebastian.I promise, I won’t break. I need this. With
you. And only you.” I swallowed, searching his face, breathing in his scent. My cheek flushed and the hard length of him
pressed against the most intimate parts of my body. It wasn’t enough. I needed more. Damn the consequences. Just this once,
give me one night of not having to be that girl anymore. Give me…me back.”
“Oh, baby girl, I’ll give you so much more than that. For just one night.”
My heart beat faster, and I hated that I had to say it. “And we can’t tell anyone. Because…”
“Shh,” he said, finger on my lips. My tongue darted out on its own, tasting his skin. He growled. “I know. The less
complications, the better.”
I backed off, immediately missing the warmth of his body. Smoothing my hair from his touch, and regretting having to, I
licked my lips. His eyes tracked the movement with a feral growl and I giggled breathlessly.
His brow quirked. “You like that, Ember? Fuck, you make me burn. The way I lose it and want to make you make more of
those sweet moans and gasps? That I love seeing your tongue dart out like that, your lips, how you react to me?”
Unable to form a coherent thought for the moment, I nodded.
“Good.” He stepped in closer, and I almost swooned. Jessa would love this as a scene for our Drunk Boyfriend Book Club.
But, oh my God, the real thing was so much better.
He ran his nose along the shell of my ear, hands on my hips. I shivered, anticipation ran down my spine. His breath tickled
my neck, and images of his head between my legs flashed before my eyes. “Oh, God, please, Sebastian.”
With a groan he pulled back, but didn’t release me entirely. “Go back and tell your friends you called an Uber because
you're tired.”
I nodded, touching my fingers to my lips, swollen and sensitive from his kisses.
“And then, Ember, I am going to find out all the ways to make you say my name like a prayer as you come over and over
again. Just for me.” His hand flexed where he still held me. “But, only one night. I’m not good for you, Ember.”
“It’s-”
“I know, Maddie. But, fuck, you remind me of summer. Fourth of July. Bonfires on the beach. And since we’ll only have
one night, you’ll be burned forever in my memory.” He shook his head. “One last chance to walk away.”
My smile was small. “Big bad wolf? I don’t think so. More like burn the world down?”
His eyes darkened. “For you? I might. In a different life. But this life? I’d burn us both to ashes.”
The air crackled with tension, and I knew this was the start of something that would either burn me down, like he thought,
or remake the world the way I wanted it to be.
 “I’ll meet you outside in five.”

“HEY,” I said, breathless from my encounter in the hallway with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Maybe Not an Asshole. Most hated
quarterback or not, Sebastian knew how to kiss and make my toes curl.
And now I had to lie to my best friends in the whole world. I knew Jessa would cover for me, especially since we decided
it was only for one night. But Reid would try to talk me out of it, given my past shitty relationship with AJ. I couldn’t blame
her, not really, but enough was enough.
The fact that my hot and broody one night stand-to-be was Reid’s fiancé’s half-brother, and kind of my protector in a weird
twist of fate, was the one thing I probably couldn’t talk my way out of. Was it a betrayal?
I didn’t know if I cared anymore.
“Hey,” Jessa drawled as her eyes flicked to Sebastian as he made his way through the crowd. I watched as he threw a few
bills on the table, and patted Ty Simmons on the back. He glanced up at me, jaw ticking, and headed to the door. Reid was too
busy eating her tacos and moaning to notice. “You ok? You were gone awhile.”
Reid paused mid bite, eyes filled with concern.
Fuck. This was what I didn’t want. When Reid worried, she mothered. Hard core.
I waved my hand with a breathless laugh. “Some girl was getting all teary eyed over a boy in the bathroom. Girl code.
Couldn’t leave her with mascara running down her cheeks.”
“Ugh, that’s the worst. Unless it's for a good reason,” she winked and cracked up. Jessa joined her, and I tried. But Jessa
shot me her yeah, right bitch look.
Busted.
“Anyway, I am so ready for bed. I ordered an Uber while I wiped her tears and bad mouthed her ex, so,” I drawled, trying
to lie but doing a shitty job. My bracelets jingled as I smoothed my hair again when Jessa’s eyes darted to it. She gave a shit-
eating grin. “I'm going to call it a night.”
“Sounds like you thought of everything, nice planning out so no one has to worry about leaving before the pom guac is
gone.” She raised her eyebrows. “Do you want me to drop off your to-go on the way home?”
I shook my head frantically, and she cackled. Reid moaned again as she swallowed a huge bite. “No, you can just bring it
tomorrow. Or keep it. Whatever.”
“Oh, I think I’ll keep it.” Her eyes danced. She knew she had me, and was taking full advantage of the situation. “Now, go
and get all the rest you need tonight.”
Reid looked back and forth between us. “What am I missing?”
“Nothing. We did have a long day, and it’s not like Mads is walking home alone. She’ll be just fine. Let’s eat all of her pom
guac. Cause I’m famished.”

THE NORTH CAROLINA night air was unusually cool for this time of year. August typically was still hot and humid, but tonight
there was a breeze that tickled my hair as I stepped out of The Prickly Pear’s front door.
A black SUV pulled up before I got any further, and Sebastian got out of the driver's side. I didn’t even get close to the
passenger door, and he was there, opening it for me. His hand held out. I took it and climbed in. He leaned in and kissed me,
hard and without mercy. “Buckle up, Ember.”
Even though a part of me felt guilty for lying to Reid, another, bigger part thrilled at the thought of doing something daring.
For far too long, I let the actions of others dictate how I lived my life. Who I talked to, where I worked, what I wore.
If AJ had seen me wearing the outfit I had on, he would have made me change. But since he was no longer an issue, I made
my love of vintage and whimsy into something totally me. And my short, light denim cutoffs, tank, flowing vest with ankle boots
and all the funky jewelry made me feel…like me.
And my new position at the Magpie meant finding local artisans who made things like the earrings I was obsessed with. I
finally felt comfortable in my own skin.
Right now, though, I wanted Sebastian’s hands all over my skin. Maybe even his teeth. His hand ran up my thigh, softly and
dangerously close to the hem of my shorts. I shivered from the simple touch.
“Does anyone know where you are?”
My eyes shot to his face. “That’s a serial killer question there, don’t you think?” The words held little effect, my voice
breathless and needy from all the thoughts running through my head.
His chuckle was dark, but his eyes glittered. “Text your friend the address I’m going to tell you. You can confirm it when
we pull up.”
I let out a long breath. “See? Not such a big, bad wolf.”
“Oh, baby girl, you haven’t seen all of it yet.”
He gave the address, and I typed out text. When he pulled into a parking spot not too far from where I lived, my brows
drew together. “Did we just drive past Magpie on the way here?” He nodded, shutting off the engine and getting out. The door
made not a sound as he opened it for me as I unbuckled, then sent the address to Jessa with a devil face. “How many times have
you driven by when I’m working?”
He didn’t say a word or answer me, just took my hand, and led me up the steps to a townhouse. Once we were inside, he
took my face in his hands, kissing me until my head spun in a million different directions. The door clicked when it closed, then
I was scooped up in his arms. Tasting, biting, fervent kisses that promised things that I never knew existed. My body was on
fire, my earlier buzz long gone. My head buzzed from his kisses, his arms, his scent. The way he changed his technique,
depending on how I responded.
It was a heady mix. My nerves sung with awareness, my pussy begged for attention after so long. Never had anyone treated
me like he wanted to learn what I liked, let alone from a simple kiss.
But this kiss wasn’t simple. It was a promise, tinged with the darkness of the night sky when the world shifted off its axis.
“Oh, Ember, I’m going to fucking love getting you off.” He set me down on my feet, and I looked around, realizing we were
in a bedroom. Faux fur brown blankets laid on the bed. The air chilly inside despite the season. There were just enough
pillows on the bed, in shades of browns and navy. A book on the nightstand next to a watch and wireless speaker. A chair next
to a door that had to be a closet, his gym bag carelessly left next to it. The same dark hardwood floors from downstairs.
“Did you carry me all the way upstairs?”
“There’s no way I’m fucking you for the first time on a kitchen counter or my couch. My bed. So I can spread you out,
watch your face while I lick and tease you until you can’t take it anymore.” He whipped off his shirt, and I almost swooned.
I knew he would be fit, because, hello, quarterback, but his body was like the kind of thing girls imagined in a romance
novel. Ridges and lines and all muscle. Just enough hair, leading to the waistband of his shorts. My mouth watered as I stood in
front of him, the bulge enough to be intimidating yet, God, I wanted him.
Now.
My hands reached for a button, but he grabbed my wrists. I looked up, confused. He laid a gentle kiss on my lips, licking
along the seam. “Oh no, Ember. I’m doing whatever I want. And what I want?” He chuckled darkly. Eyes hooded and taking me
in from head to toe. I flushed under his scrutiny, squirming because I had never been so turned on in my life.
Every cell, every nerve ending buzzed with anticipation.
When he kissed my lips again, demanding, hands on my shoulders, cool air hitting my body as he slid off my top layer of
clothing. My tank went next. The baby blue lace bra he kept on, choosing to unbutton my shorts. When he sank to his knees to
remove my ankle boots, my knees almost gave out. I steadied myself on his shoulders as he took them off one at a time.
I stood before him, in my bra and panties. And my jewelry. When I went to remove my bangles, he shook his head.
“Oh no, baby girl. Leave them on. I like them. And these,” he said, standing, his fingers traced the longest of the necklaces I
wore. “Stay, too.”
He walked around me, gaze hot and filled with desire. Eyes hooded. But when he disappeared behind me, I felt him even
more keenly. My senses were amplified. Suddenly, a silken slip of fabric was placed over my eyes, and the room went dark.
Sebastian stepped in closer to me, breath hot on my bare shoulder, then my neck as he lifted my hair and moved it to one side.
A shiver ran down my spine, and I trembled with the want and need coursing through me.
“If we’re only going to have one night, I need,” he growled against the nape of my neck, “to make sure you never forget a
single second, Ember. Every touch, lick. Bite. Quiver.”
My hands flexed and relaxed as his hands skimmed the side of my ribcage, and then up along my spine. With a flick of his
fingers, he unclasped my bra then pulled the straps down my arms, until it fell to the floor. His strong hands cupped my breasts
from behind, and I gasped in pleasure as he took both nipples between his fingers, gently tugging them. My head fell back to
rest and his shoulders as he murmured his approval.
Slowly, with agonizing precision, one hand found my belly, then the waistband of my panties, delving in. I moaned, begging
him incoherently. Knowing I was wet, ready, and needed him to do…something.
Now.
“I can’t, I need,” I murmured, making absolutely no sense at all. But he knew what to do. What I wanted. What I was
begging for without saying it. My body told him, and with every stroke, and tug, I felt myself heading towards the precipice of
something.
And I was ready to fall.
 C HAPTER 11
SEBASTIAN

M y cock hardened as she trembled from my touch. The way her body responded and reacted only made me want to
make her lose herself over and over.
Lower and lower, I delved into her panties. Finding her wet and ready. But I wasn’t about to give her what she
wanted yet. At least, not what she thought she wanted.
“Baby girl, I’m going to find out exactly what makes you come on my hand. Feel you come apart against me. Then I’m going
to do it again,” I growled as she whimpered. Her clit was swollen, begging to be played with. I dipped my fingers into her
heat, wetting them before I slowly made my way back to the bundle of nerves. Her hips bucked when I pressed down, and fuck
if my cock didn’t twitch.
Her breath came faster, breasts heaving and tempting as my other hand slid up to her neck, gently holding her in place.
Unable to move until I was done with her.
“This pussy is so ready for me, isn’t it?” I withdrew my fingers, needing to taste her, and sucked my fingers clean.
Her head canted at the noise, a desperate sound falling from her lips. I chuckled darkly, going right back to playing with
her. I pinched her clit, loving the gasp that escaped from her lips. The way her thighs clenched together. Torturing and
prolonging her pleasure until she begged to come.
I licked the outer shell of her ear, holding tight and grinding my cock against her sweet ass. “That’s it baby girl, come for
me. Come all over my hand.” I pressed the heel of my palm on her, then delved into her pussy with two fingers. Stretching her
and fucking her. She moaned, head thrown back, her inner walls greedily clenching around me. My hips jerked, wanting to be
in her, but loving making her come. Her body began to shake as her orgasm washed over her. Again and again until she finally
stilled as I relaxed my hand.
Boneless, she sagged against me as I scooped her up in my arms. Gently setting her on the bed.
“Oh my God, these blankets-”
“Are going to smell like you for a long fucking time, Ember. I’m going to make you come all over them so I can smell you
whenever I fucking want to.”
Maddie covered her face with both of her hands, but I took her wrists in my hands. Removing them so I could see her
beautiful blue eyes, I said, “Oh, baby girl, this isn’t a fairytale. If all I get is one night with you, I’m taking everything I can get.
Every fucking drop.”
Keeping my eyes on hers, I worked down her body. Kissing her neck, her collarbone, nipping at the sensitive skin. Licking
her belly, nuzzling her bellybutton. My thumbs found the top of her panties and drew them down her legs. I tossed the pale blue
slip of fabric into my gym bag. “Mine.”
“But-”
I gave her bare pussy a smack. “Shh. Lie back, and fucking let me eat your sweet pussy until you come all over my face.” I
ran my tongue along her inner thigh as I settled between her legs. Running my nose along her skin. Inhaling her scent. Back
arched, she looked like a goddess, the gold chains at her neck framing her tits. Bangles on her wrists and nothing else.
Fuck. She tasted like the kind of day you never wanted to let go of when the sun started to set because it was so damn
perfect.
I grazed my teeth on her already sensitive clit, and her hips bucked. Fuck, she was so responsive. The flush starting on her
chest and working its way up told me she was going to come again. I licked, and sucked at her. Tasting and fucking her with my
tongue until she cried out again, falling apart beneath my lips. Her juices dripped as I sucked and kissed her. Spreading her
wider as I shucked my pants off. When we were face to face I whispered, “That’s it baby girl. Now I’m going to fuck you. Do
you want my cock?”
 “Sebastian, please fuck me. Now. I need you so badly,” she whimpered.
I grabbed a condom, and rolled it before thrusting into her warmth. I nearly came when she clenched around me, nails
scratching my arms, my ass as she met me thrust for thrust until it was a mindless frenzy. Fucking harder and harder until she
screamed, flushed and beautiful and everything I never knew I was missing. Watching her orgasm, so fucking beautiful and lost
in the moment, made my balls draw up. I followed right after with a roar. Burying myself in her wet heat, filling her and
pumping my hips until I collapsed on top of her.
I slid to the side, taking her with me. After a few moments, She sighed and nuzzled my neck.
“Do you like bubble baths, Ember?”
She nodded, and I slid out of bed, holding her in my arms as she squeaked in protest. “Damn, Sebastian, this one night might
ruin me for the rest of my life.”
My chest tightened as I said, “That’s the fucking plan, baby girl.”

THE LIGHTS WERE low in the kitchen, and I flipped the lights on over the countertops. Sweatpants slung low over my hips, I
glanced over at Maddie, who sat at the island, eyes still filled with post-orgasmic bliss from me making her come three times.
Fuck, she was glorious. And it made me want to see the lazy smile on her face more and more.
Be the cause of it. Every moment. Day and night. Morning and before her head hit the pillow next to me.
But, one night was just that. I wouldn’t ruin her, no matter how much I wanted to.
For one night though, I’d make her know what it’s like to have a man really take care of her.
Because there was no doubt in my mind that somewhere along the line, some asshole hurt her. Made her smaller than she
was. Dampened the spark in her eyes and made her not believe in herself any longer. But, my baby girl was fighting her way
back. Being a part of her journey?
I might be an asshole, but I wasn’t that kind of asshole.
I would do anything in my power tonight, here and now, to help spark the fire she thought had been snuffed out.
Maddie propped her chin on her hand, and asked. “Are you really cooking for me?”
“One night, Ember. I told you. A night you won’t ever fucking forget.”
“Remember your big bad wolf bravado?” She laughed softly, stretching her arms over her head. Fuck she wore my shirt,
and the memory would be emblazoned in my brain forever. Her breasts straining against the fabric, the slip of thigh I peeked
when I rounded the island to take out ingredients from the now fully stocked refrigerator.
Precooked meals, no matter how expensive, were horrible when you could have the real thing.
And my Ember was getting the real thing. If I had anything to say about it, she would be moaning in pleasure not just from
my tongue and cock, but also from my cooking soon, too.
She watched with rapt attention as I prepped and cut, readying the gas stove and adding spices. The aromas filling the air
were nothing compared to her scent, but Maddie licked her lips, and fuck, I wanted them wrapped around my cock, but first,
food.
“Why is that so sexy?”
I arched my brow. “What, the way I handle a chef’s knife?”
“All of it. How did you learn to-”
“When I was in college, I couldn’t stand going to the student center. I was there on a full scholarship, including meals. It
was disgusting. So,” I smirked, “I took out a book from the library. This huge book, green and filled with all kinds of recipes,
tips. What to use, what not to. The New York Times Cookbook.” I added things to the skillet I heated up, and pointed at the
open shelf on the wall next to the window overlooking a small courtyard I hadn’t stepped into once since moving in. “I loved it
so much, I bought a copy. That book has gone everywhere with me since. College ball, to my first pro team, Cleveland. Then,
here.”
A sweet and sexy expression on her face, Maddie sat, watching me. Blue eyes tracking every movement. Cooking wasn’t
just throwing things in a bowl or a pan. If I learned anything from my stepmom, it was that food was a love language. I wanted
Maddie to feel and know that this was one way I showed her that I knew what made her happy.
If the last hour and forty five minutes hadn’t, then I definitely had a problem.
“What’s the smirk for?” she asked, swirling the wine I poured and placed in front of her before taking a sip.
“Three times.”
She sat back, confusion written all over face. My smirk grew, and she opened her mouth. A prefect ‘O’ formed a delicate
flush on her cheeks. “So proud, aren’t you?”
I shook my head. “No. You can still walk.”
Her laugh was sexy, beautiful, confident, and innocent all at once.
I craved it almost as much as her orgasms.
 Her eyes sparkled as she lifted her eyebrows, taking another sip. Her tongue darted out, and fuck, my cock took notice.
“You can always try harder. And I love cupcakes. And maybe you could drive me home on that bike you rode by Magpie that
day.”
Challenge accepted, baby girl.
“Deal. And, baby girl? I will try even fucking harder.” I snatched her glass and drained it. “Right after I feed you.” Maddie
watched as I refilled the glass then handed it back to her.
A comfortable silence filled the air as I finished preparing our midnight meal.
“Can I ask you something?” Maddie asked, voice soft and timid.
I hated that she sounded that way talking to me, so I nodded. Hell if I would be the reason she ever felt like less of herself.
Sitting up straight, she tilted her head. “What happened, that made you this way?”
“This way?” I plated her food, and made another for myself.
We ate in silence until I finally spoke. “It was my third year in the league. I had signed with Unified Sports Agency right
before I was drafted, but I had an injury my first season. Got traded. And suddenly things clicked. Top of my game. The
endorsements rolled in. I had more money than I knew what to do with.” I let out a sigh, forcing myself to continue. If this was
our only night together, she deserved to know why. “I met with my team at the agency one day, and there was this intern. Smart,
sexy, and beautiful. We started dating. And then, I fucked up.”
“How?”
“Ever meet someone, and they seem to be struggling with things that maybe you can help them with?” She nodded. “So you
do. Once. Twice. Then it becomes a habit? And when you question why, they tell you reasons. Whether they make sense or not.
So you try even harder to help them? Justine was the other female intern Unified had. She was a former cheerleader and knew
all the things to say to reel someone in.” My vision went red when I thought of how she used me. Set me up. “Anyway, I had
been dating Serena for maybe six months, when Justine started pushing things. Texting me at 1:30 in the morning. Sending
pictures. Sob stories about her past. How her boyfriend was an alcoholic and didn’t treat her right. Then, it got intense. She
told me she thought she was falling for me, and wanted to leave him to be with me. All along, I thought I was helping her out.
But, I was also partying more and more, and Serena was still in college.”
“So this girl was trying to use you.”
I nodded, taking a bite. Loving how every time Maddie did, it was like the first. She savored every single forkful. Fuck.
Me. “And I let her, because it was easy. She fed my damn ego. And my performance started suffering, but I covered well
enough that it took awhile to notice. Then, it was time for the internships to end.” Recalling how Justine begged me to help her
get the position because Serena had connections she didn’t. I fucking fell for her sob stories. “I realized I wasn’t in love with
Serena. And I fucking showed it by almost sleeping with Justine. I didn't, but I did get Serena out of the running by insinuating
she was only with me to get the job so Justine had a better chance.”
Maddie gasped. “Asshole,” she muttered.
“It didn’t end pretty. And the clusterfuck was that I didn’t even realize how far into crazy the cheerleader had gone into my
life. Messaging anyone who followed me on social media. Showing up at events and making sure we were photographed
together. Calling or texting at all hours. Screenshots of our conversations. She even went after one of my teammates' wives she
thought was hitting on me after a charity event. Tried to sell some made up story to fucking TMZ.”
“No. Way.”
“And so I threatened her. Told her I’d share her messages about how she manipulated me and cost Serena her job. The
pictures. I’d leak them all, and she’d lose her job and the life she built. It was ugly, but in the end, she fucking stopped. But, I
fucking refuse to let anyone use me like that again. So, here we are.”
She stood, and made her way around the island and nudged my knees apart. “You may have reacted like an asshole,
Sebastian, but you aren’t one. And even if you don’t believe me after this, tonight, to me, you are the safe place, the spark I
needed. That person, the one I see? Not an asshole. Not even close.”
A strange sensation washed over me as she ate another forkful, and closed her eyes in ecstasy.
Fuck, she was so sexy. And way too young to look haunted. But her spirit? It burned bright.
No one would break my girl.
“Since we’re sharing…” I let my words trail off.
She finished chewing, and pushed what was left around her plate. “My last boyfriend wasn’t exactly,” she murmured, and
drew in a deep breath, not finishing the sentence. Spine straight, she ate a final bite, sat down her fork with a satisfied smile.
“Typical bad boy. Lead singer of a local rock band. Smitten by the thought that someone so sexy and worldly would look twice
at me, let alone ask me out. Anyway, things went downhill. I lost my dream job, but he ‘let’ me stay at Magpie. Mostly because
I think he thought Reid would fail. First mistake. Then, he started controlling everything. What I wore, my hair, where I was.
And one day, I woke up and no longer recognized the girl in the mirror.”
The growl came out before I could stop it. I grit my teeth. “Did he ever lay a hand on you, baby girl?”
Her snort was adorable, but it didn’t soothe the beast simmering below the surface. “No. Though I’m sure it was heading in
that direction. The verbal and mental abuse weren’t exactly keeping me ‘in line’. Now that’s an asshole. Don’t worry, Owen,
Reid’s fiancé, took care of AJ,” she chuckled. “You don’t cross Owen.” She flinched. “Sorry, I just stuck my foot in my mouth.
I know you don’t-”
I put my hand up. “Any issues Owen and I have, past or present, have nothing to do with this.”
“Because just one night, right?”
Fuck.
Why did she have to say it that way?
And why did I hate the sound of it so much?
 C HAPTER 12
MADDIE

M addie
Two months later…
Every time I thought I heard the roar of a motorcycle driving by, my eyes immediately looked out the front
picture window at Magpie. Heart pounding. And every time, it sank.
Because my Mr. Tall, Dark, and NOT an Asshole was nowhere to be seen.
But once a week, a cupcake arrived from the local bakery down the street where Owen bought Reid her Death By
Chocolate muffins.
The simple card inside had one hand written sentence each time.

For my Ember…
7

Sebastian’s number.
My new job helping Kylie with her foundation, though, kept me busy during the day. When there was a lull at Magpie, I
sorted through emails and set up appointments.
It was, for all intents and purposes, my dream life.
Late at night, though, he was there. A phantom lover, the one person who made me forget that anyone had the right to ever
make me feel small again.
I missed him. His eyes. His touch. Watching him cook for me in his dimly lit kitchen.
Knowing he was so close, yet so far away.
My fault. The sleepless nights. I decided on the rules.
One night only.
“Kylie just left me a message, and she wants to know if we can go to the opening game to meet with the new owners. I told
her I wasn’t sure I could make it, but maybe you’d like to?” She let out a sigh and plopped down on the small sofa and stared
up at the chandelier. “Owen has ‘plans’ for us,” her eyes twinkled, “but I think a huge part of it is that he hates the thought of
watching his brother play. It’s so ridiculous. I can’t imagine not talking to Kylie. Ugh. men!”
My heart pounded in my chest, an unsteady staccato echoing in my ears so loudly I was sure Reid had to hear it. “The
season opener?”
“Maybe I can talk him into picking me up after. I’m sure I can entice him. Or if not, I’ll just go and-”
“Oh, God, please! I can’t hear it right now!”
She flinched, but smiled wickedly.
“I want to hear,” Jessa said cheerfully as she leaned over the back of the couch. “All the dirty, nasty Big Dom Daddy
details, please? I haven’t had any kind of action in far longer than I’d like to admit. Well, with another person, anyway!”
“Fine.” I joined Reid on the couch as Jessa shot me one of her grins. “But I am not helping you brat and whatever. Maybe
Owen will just let you go? Because I'm going?” I fluttered my lashes.
She typed out a text. “Good play. Ha, plus I told him if he let me, I’d be extra good when he came to pick me up. We’d be in
the owner’s suite, but Resnick Gentry asked if we wanted to come early. He’s addressing the team before the game, and he
wants to use it as an opportunity to introduce the partnership.” A ping on her phone made me jump, and Reid grinned. “Good to
go. But, I might have to sneak out early. Which means you, my beautiful friend, finally get to do more than just return emails and
set up appointments. Sounds like the perfect plan.”
Ever since the night I spent with the enemy (the guilt from lying to Reid and Owen was eating away at me even now), Reid
had looked differently at me. As if she saw something different in me.
God, I felt different.
And I hated that he wasn’t here to see it.
Maybe I could change that.
“I’m in.”

THE AIR CRACKLED with electricity as we followed Resnick Gentry and a few other men I didn’t recognize, and two women,
one an icy blonde who introduced herself as Resnick’s lawyer, and the other a tall, black haired woman, who stared cooly at
everyone.
“Olivia is one of the owners, but she’s not very friendly, at least at first,” Miranda said to us as she came over with a few
water bottles. When we met her at the entrance to the restricted area, she was standing with one of the team’s trainers, who I
recognized instantly as Damon Ward, the Olympic Swimmer. And one of the most decorated. She waved to him across the
room with a secretive smile. “Yes, I’m with Damon. Yes, it’s him, and yes, he’s a part of the training staff.” With a smirk, she
added, “And part of the new way the organization will be doing things from now on.”
Kylie, Reid’s big sister and owner of an open wheel racing team, snapped her fingers. “That’s where I know him! I mean, I
knew he was a swimmer, but his technique! My husband had…well, let’s just say I’m familiar with his innovative approach.
Nice.”
Miranda shrugged. “He’s brilliant, but tell him that. The ego is enough with all the medals. If you need anything, let me
know, or the concierge in the suite. Res tends to not stay in one place and I have to keep an eye on him.”
“I heard that, Miranda,” Resnick Gentry drawled as she came over from where he had been addressing the players just a
few moments before.
Including Sebastian, who stood off to the side with Ty. I refused to look at him. His stare burned my body, and even though I
didn’t look, I knew. I knew he saw me, standing behind Reid and Kylie.
Jessa nudged me with her shoulder and whispered, “So, one night? Damn. What a tangled web…”
“I could blame you for this mess,'' I grumbled, straightening the cropped Fury tee and fidgeting with the hem of my shorts.
Same shorts, boots, and jewelry I wore the night Sebastian Lockwood made me orgasm not three, not four, but five times.
And yes, I was boneless and completely blissed out after, just like he wanted.
“Sigh. Looks like your pleasure Dom wants to repeat the experience. From the way he’s staring.”
I groaned. “This is hard enough, Jess. I feel like I'm being disloyal to Reid, and yet-”
“You want to be begging for him to not give you your one hundredth Big O.”
Yep, one night at The Prickly Pear, I spilled all the dirty details, at least about the mind blowing orgasms over margs and
pom guac. I kept the spilling of our secrets to one another to myself.
Especially after I found out the Serena was a local sports agent, and had connections to Owen via one of his closest
friends.
At least I knew now why Owen hated him so much, even if Sebastian had told me no one, except me and the crazy
cheerleader, knew the truth.
Even up in the owner’s suite an hour later, the crowd was going crazy. Carolina hadn’t had a horrible team, but they were
nothing to call home about either. This game, though?
Opening up against the Championship team from the previous season should’ve meant a blowout. But Sebastian and the
offensive line were driving the ball and were only behind by a touchdown.
Our defense was shining, too, led by another veteran player brought in during free agency.
When Sebastian took a hard hit after making a long pass down the field to Ty, I gasped so loudly and grabbed Jessa’s arm in
a tight grip. Reid watched the whole thing, then widened her eyes. A few minutes later, I snuck away, but when I turned, Reid
was there.
Hands on her hips. Fury scoop neck crew hanging off one shoulder. “Spill, Mads. Jessa is not that good at covering up shit,
and I know something is up. Especially with how concerned you were over that play.”
Eyes wide, I feigned innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Reid.”
She rolled her eyes, then added, “I know the post sex empowerment afterglow better than anyone, Mads. I figured you
picked up some guy that night that you met when I was out of town that night. But, I didn’t think you’d keep it from me. Or lie.”
Not knowing how to respond, I threw myself at her, and hugged her, trying not to cry. She hugged me back, and released me.
“I’m sorry. You and Owen have been so good to me, and I just didn’t know how to-”
 “Mads! Have you met Owen? There’s a reason they are related!” She shook her head, waves of hair falling over her
shoulder. “Owen can be a Grade A Asshole. Growly. Grumpy. But,” she said, her tone softening, “He also has a heart that is
bigger than anyone knows. People don’t become assholes or grumpy just because they are. Sure, some people just can’t help
themselves. But other people? It’s a defense mechanism that hides the marshmallow underneath it all.”
“You’re not mad?”
“That you obviously had amazing, life changing, and I’m sure kinky, sex with a hot older quarterback? Hell no!”
“How do you know it was kinky?” Jessa asked from behind us. She nudged her way in and wrapped an arm around both of
us.
Reid snorted. “He’s a Lockwood. And he has issues. Two plus two, then add in the ooey gooey marshmallow center.”

WE LEFT the stadium along with a few thousand slightly disappointed fans a little less than three hours later. The home team
lost by a field goal, which was better than anyone thought they would, but they showed such heart that the crowd easily got
behind them. If it wasn’t for a late hit that got called, Sebastian would have connected with Ty for another six points.
But, the clock ran down before they could get their momentum back. We waited with Reid for Kylie in the hallway where
we had talked Res and Miranda earlier, when the team came down the hall and piled into the locker room. A few of the guys
patted Sebastian on the back as he passed. Green eyes locked with mine right before he disappeared from sight.
Reid let out a sigh. “Great. I'm really going to get a spanking for this one,” she muttered as Jessa burst out in loud laughter.
“I hope you two work this out, because now I’m going to make my fiancé get over another of his issues.”
“Oh, this is turning out even better than I ever thought it would! Can you imagine? Mr. Tall, Dark, and Daddy and Mr. Tall,
Dark and Asshole in the same space? Can we watch? Like crazy stalkers?”
“Jessa!” Reid and I exclaimed at the same time.
“What? Come on, the possibilities! My ovaries would explode. You know you thought about it!”
 C HAPTER 13
SEBASTIAN

F our days later…

“Dude, stop moping. Plus, we ran twenty ‘two’ points, and I am fucking famished.”
Ty talked me into going to The Prickly Pear on the same night I knew Maddie sometimes went, for the first time in
almost two months. The first time I saw her here the week after our night together, I almost left the minute I spotted her. But,
instead, I stayed in the corner where she couldn’t see me while Ty ordered carry-out, then made me take him back to my place
with all the damn food.
It became our new routine.
Catch a glance of my Ember, order takeout, eat at my place.
Guy looked like he was starving and hadn’t seen a taco in years. But, he always ordered extra pom guac. I had a sneaking
suspicion he paid for Maddie’s usual take home order of it, too.
But, tonight he wore me down. And here I was. After losing game one by only a few points, heading into a bar that bled
Fury’s colors.
To say I was slightly terrified was an understatement. Especially if Frankie, the bartender and biggest Fury fan, was going
to be pissed at me. Guy might deny me my pom guac.
“You’re always famished, Simmons. And those conversions will pay off at least once in your career. Could be the thing that
gets a ring on that hand.”
“Aw, and here I thought you were proposing.”
“Not until you promise me you don’t snore. Deal breaker.”
“I’ll never tell.”
I chuckled as he opened the door. The usual Thursday night crowd milled around the bar, standing or seated at tables
scattered throughout. When we stepped in, Frankie said our names loudly, and I cringed inwardly, but the smiles and cheers felt
like we had won.
“No one expected that kind of showing. Good game, Lockwood. You too, Simmons.”
“Thanks. QB has been feeling down. Pom guac?”
He chuckled. “Nicky headed to the kitchen the minute she saw you through the front window. It’s coming right up. Usual?”
“Frankie, you’re the best.”
Ty glanced around, but all the tables were taken. He shrugged. “Bar?”
“Why the fuck not?”
One order of pom guac and two drinks later, Ty excused himself. “Be back in a sec.”
I toyed with the napkin, soggy from my beer, not bothering to look around. I already knew Maddie wasn’t here, because I’d
been checking for the last 40m minutes.
“She’s not coming.”
My head dropped. Fuck. “Hey, big brother. Fuck off.”
Owen, my older half-brother, ignored my attitude and sat down next to me at the bar. He ordered a Falling Leaves Bourbon
on the rocks, and laced his fingers together, resting them on the bar top.
“Came to gloat at my failure? Or did you have another fucking reason to be where you’re not wanted?”
“Fuck, Seb, way to be an asshole. You’re fucking lucky I don’t lay you out again for the shit you pulled with Serena.”
“Once was enough, bro. I’d think you were past that by now.”
He swirled the bourbon before taking a drink. “It was fucking shitty.”
“And you found out two fucking years later.”
 “And you fucked up your career. Maddie is family.”
I looked up at him with a humorless laugh. “And what am I, Owen? Still not good enough, right?”
He stood, leaned in, and growled, “You’re fucking lucky Reid asked me to talk to you, and yes, you’re not fucking good
enough, asshole. No one is good enough. Not for Maddie, not for Reid. Maybe even Serena. You’re lucky Ellie never asked me
to kick your ass again for screwing over Serena.”
We sat in silence, the crowd noise like an annoying buzz. I huffed out a breath. “I didn’t. Not really.”
“You cheated on her, and got her fired.”
“I didn’t.”
When he didn’t respond, I continued, refusing to look at him. I told him about Justine. The low level stalking, the lies.
“And when she pulled her shit, I actually fucking went to Kellan Horne, who pretty much hated me anyway because I was a
cocky prick. And asked him to hire Serena because Justine was prepared to do some shady shit if I didn’t agree to help her.” I
slammed the rest of my beer back and motioned for another.
“Well, shit.”
“I was still an asshole. Then, and the years that followed. But I did Serena a favor. My agent was an asshole and never
listened to her. I was too concerned with the paper to notice before her.”
Owen sat quietly next to me for a few minutes, drinking his bourbon.
Frankie sat my beer down in front of me, and I nodded my thanks before drinking half of it down.
“Since we’re confessing shit. I was an asshole to you because of your mom. And our dad’s affair. It wasn’t fair. Then when
you started playing ball, I was pissed. Selfish. And a little proud,” he confessed.
“Proud?”
He tossed back the rest of the warm amber liquid, then raised the glass for another. “Yep. Two years younger than me, and
you had your shit together despite being forced to live with a family that didn’t want you at first. When your mom left you, Dad
knew it would be tough. But mom, she tried to love you even when I was an asshole.” A quick glance at me, before he
continued. “And that game? Old spark was there. But maybe it’s always been there.” He paused. “I know about the off the
record hospital visits in the kids ward, too. Proud, little brother.”
Fucking. Speechless.
“But this thing with Maddie? Sebastian, she’s special. To me, to Reid. And I won’t let anyone fucking hurt her again.”
He stood, drained his glass and slapped two hundreds on the counter. “We’ll be there Sunday. Gentry is a client, and I’m
finishing up things with the team this week. Maybe after, you could try not to be an asshole.”
With a last pointed look, he pounded his fist on the bar top, and left.
I couldn’t speak for a few moments. Ty came up. “So. Family reunion?”
“Something like that. Shit.”
“What?’
“We need to win Sunday, Simmons. You ready?”
“Fuck yeah I am, QB.”

THAT WEEK, I worked with Damon a few more times, doing the somatic routine he laid out for me during preseason, tweaking
the program. Truth was, my arm felt like it had a few years ago, in my prime. And Ty convinced a few of the guys to come and
run the two-point with us, along with a few plays the new defensive coordinator and I worked out the week before.
“I think you're leading your team, Lockwood,” Damon said as he passed the huddle on the practice field. “Not bad, QB.”
 C HAPTER 14
MADDIE

“H ell, yes,” Jessa looped her arm through mine as we followed Owen and Reid through the back hallways until we
came to a door. He opened it, and ushered us inside.
The room was packed, but as Owen steered us towards the front window, Miranda walked up and handed a few
shirts that looked like jerseys to me, smiling. “For you and the other girls. Enjoy the game.”
Jessa took the pile from me before I could even take a look, and grabbed Reid and my hand, shoving the jerseys under her
arm. “Costume change, BBFF’s.”
The door shut loudly behind us, and the room was eerily silent. Jessa whipped off her shirt, and put on the jersey, which
was cropped.
And had the number seven on it.
Sebastian’s number.
Reid shrugged. “He’s family. Let's do it.”
“Not afraid of another spanking?”
Jessa teased as she helped me pull off my cardigan, careful to not snag or tug at my necklaces or get my bangles caught.
“You act like I don’t like it,” Reid snorted with a twinkle in her eyes. She reached out and straightened my shirt, and
grinned. “I like. I mean, if you have to football, add accessories.”

“HE WASN ’ T MANAGEMENT ’ S first choice,” Miranda said as she slid up next to me. On my other side, Reid was clapping her
hands as the team ran onto the field. “Our first guy,” she sighed, “decided to do a little surfing. Down rapids, after his buddies
dared him because he refused to go bungee jumping. Season-ending injury. Then, Kellan Horne, who reps Ty, met with Res and
myself along with Coach and Tony, the GM,” she pointed to a guy sitting in front of a computer, looking incredibly nervous with
a chuckle. “Tony could use a few days at Res’ place on the islands.”
“The islands?”
A dreamy look came over her face. “Hawaii. It’s no St. Thomas, but…anyway, and then last night, Wright pulled his groin.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Typical, so back-up kicker. Should be an interesting game. Murphy is second string, but he’s decent.
Used to play college soccer and football.”
One coin toss later, Carolina was kicking, and Seattle received.
The ref blew the whistle, and even before his foot connected with the ball, something looked off. The ball whiffed through
the air, barely reaching the 50 yard line. Special teams looked stunned for a minute as Murphy went down, but a few of the guys
had the presence of mind to stop Seattle at the Carolina 40.
Trainers ran onto the field, and Murphy stood, but didn’t put any weight on his kicking leg, a grimace on his face.
“And that’s not good,” Miranda said, hand on her neck. Damon ran out and was talking to him. Her eyes followed him. “But
he’s in good hands. There's no one better to calm your nerves. Ugh, just when I was getting excited.”
Seattle ended up scoring a field goal after failing to get a first down on third and ten.
We were down 3-0.
And then Sebastian got sacked.
But then, the team seemed to slowly turn things around. A pick six score on the next possession, and the crowd went wild.
When Sebastian and the offensive line took the field, the air was electric.
 Seattle failed to score and punted.
And within two drives, they were first and goal.
Ty and Sebastian looked like they had been playing together forever, and the offensive line protected and made a pocket.
The ball sailed through the air, and Ty ran it in for a touchdown.
Two-point conversion. Because our back-up kicker was out for the game.
At the half, Carolina was up, 16 to 3.
Things only got better from there.
Owen came up behind us, and leaned forward. “I know I’m the last person who should say anything other than live your
life, Maddie. But, Sebastian never told me what really happened until a few days ago. And I feel like shit that I’ve judged him
all these years. Not that we didn’t have history, but…if he hurts you-”
Reid elbowed him. “No threatening family.”
He smiled down at her as she rested back against him. “You know it takes me a few times to learn things sometimes,
Angel.”
Her smile was serene as she reached up and touched his cheek. “Old dog, new tricks.”
Owen growled in her ear.
Jessa hissed under her breath, “Listen, we know, spankings, yada yada. But we are in public, you two.”
Reid blushed, but Owen only chuckled and gazed down at her. “Should we bet on the number of two-point conversions?”
“Winner gets to decide-”
He nodded.
“Oh, please, sir.”
Jessa groaned. “Why do I get the feeling I’m the only one not getting laid tonight.”

HOURS LATER, we were up 32 to 17, and the team was on fire. One last play, and Sebastian only had to take two snaps.
But I knew he wouldn’t.
First play, Ty only gained five yards.
The second? Sebastian looked up at the suite, touched his heart then took the snap.
Ty took off, finding the hole the line made for him, and heading down field. He looked back just as Sebastian sent the ball
sailing. He spun just as a defender reached him, catching the ball and spinning before running and evading two more players.
When he crossed on to the end zone, he turned and pointed at Sebastian. Who ran and jumped up. The entire team joined in on
the celebration as the stadium erupted in cheers.
 C HAPTER 15
SEBASTIAN

“H ELL YES, QB!” Ty yelled as we headed off the field after the post game activities. The locker room was buzzing
with the knowledge that this team was no longer just a bunch of guys playing ball.
We were becoming a family. Adams, my center, picked me up and I swear, the guy was like a fucking bear.
“Dude, don’t break me.”
“You know,” he said as he put me down. “You may be an asshole, but I kinda like it.”
“That's cause he’s a cuddly asshole. And,” Ty smirked, “his girl was here.”
“Ah, got it. Can she come to every game, then? Cuddly asshole needs to be at every fucking game. Fucking two-point
practice paid off.”
“Told you it would!” Ty and Adams high fived.
“I’m going to shower, and-”
“Go get your fucking girl, QB!”
I chuckled as I made my way to the showers, the guy patting me on the back or high fiving as I made my way through.
Fastest fucking shower of my life.
Owen’s text pregame nearly threw off my whole damn game, but it made me think maybe we could get along after all.
OWEN: If your family is wearing your jersey, you’ll have a good game, right?

Then, he sent the one that made me get a fucking hard on.
OWEN: But if your girl is wearing your number? GAME FUCKING ON BROTHER

I showered and changed in record time, and headed out toward where the rest of the team’s families were waiting for me.
And there she was.
Before I could get to her, Res Gentry, one of the new owners stepped in front of me, blocking the way.
“Good game, Lockwood. Can’t wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds.” He extended his hand, and fuck I just
wanted to get by, but I shook it.
My brows drew together and he chuckled, glancing back at Owen, who tipped his chin. “I hear you have a few things to…
take care of. The owner's suite is empty, and security is under the understanding that only two people are permitted access. If
one of them has the key. Oh, and Owen is updating the security system in that area, so…”
Holy. Shit.
He left me with a smirk.
“Good game, brother,” Owen said gruffly, shaking my hand. Reid stepped forward and enveloped me in her arms as Owen
glared at me over her head.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Sebastian. Maybe we can have you over for dinner or something one night soon?”
“Angel, let’s take things one day at a time, ok?”
She stepped back and smiled with a wink. “Thanks for four conversions. Owen and I had a bet.”
My eyes on Maddie, I asked absently, “What did you win?”
“And we are out. Talk soon, brother?” Owen steered a giggling Reid toward the door.
Jessa rolled her eyes, and followed grumbling about not getting laid anytime soon.
My Ember.
Wearing my number. My jersey.
Well, a version of it. A sexy, cropped version.
 And the same chains around her neck and bangles on her wrists when I made her moan and gasp for hours in my bed. In my
kitchen.
Fuck.
Me.
The rest of the world faded around us, and Maddie tilted her head to the side. “Good game, Lockwood.”
I brushed a lock of her dark blonde hair out of her face, my fingers lingering on her cheek. Her lips parted, breath hitching,
pupils dilated. “Guess you need a ride home, baby girl.”
She licked her lips. “But not just for one night.”
“No, I’m thinking maybe…forever. But first,” I extended my hand palm up, and she placed hers in mine, “I think we need
to…go somewhere. Now.” Her eyes lit up and she nodded. I turned and pulled her in close behind me, weaving through the
crowd until we reached the elevator that would take us to the owner’s suite.
She leaned forward and hit the button, and her scent hit me. Summer and hope and fucking forever.
Her grin? Priceless.
I tapped the key against my thigh, marveling that such a simple key hadn’t been replaced when the new owners updated
every other damn thing. Impatient as hell to pull her cut-off jeans down her legs, and fuck her fast and hard. Then take her home
and take my damn time.
Weeks. In between practice and games.
The doors finally slid open, and we hurried down the dimly lit hallway. “Where exactly are we going?”
Flashing her the key I smirked. “I’ve always wanted to fuck my girl in the stadium after winning a game.”
Her eyes widened. “You mean, you’ve never?”
“Nope. Not once.”
“I’d be your first?”
I nodded, watching a flush spread along her cheeks.
“Oh, daddy, who knew you still had a first at your age?”
“Smart ass,” I growled. “And watch it, or I’ll take you over my knee, baby girl.”
“Oh my God, you are such a Lockwood.”
Reaching the door, I slid the key in the slot. A green light flashed on the door without the key turning. Guess it wasn’t so
low tech after all. “I’m not sure I want to know what you mean by that.”
Her laugh shot straight to my cock. “You probably don’t, at least not right now.”
The door pushed open with a snick, lights off. All traces of game day gone.
Click.
As soon as the door closed, I pushed her against the smooth wood and claimed her mouth. Kissing, tasting. Hands tangled
in her hair, then pinning her wrists above her head. “Jeans. Off. Now,” I growled, stepping back. My hands went to the button
of her jeans, quickly unfastening it. Then I unzipped, shimmying them down her legs. Next, her sexy as fuck blue panties. Damn,
my girl loved blue. Her hands made quick work of my slacks, sliding them down just enough and freeing my cock. “I can’t be
gentle this time, Ember.”
“I don't want you to be. You won’t break me, Sebastian. Ever.”
I hiked her leg over my hip and buried myself home, groaning and loving the noises she made as I fucked her against the
door. “Fuck, baby girl. The way you look right now.” I thrust against her, driving my point home.”So fucking sexy. And mine.”
“Oh, God, yes, I’m yours. All yours.” She arched back, jersey riding up her belly. I moved it up, loving that her bra
matched the blue panties I took off her moments before. Her nipples poked through the thin fabric, bouncing with every thrust. I
kept going, her nails digging into my back. Marking me. Claiming me.
“Oh, fuck, I’m-”
I crushed my mouth against hers, swallowing her moans as she came, her pussy clenching and milking my cock as I joined
her, jerking into her, filling her.
When we both stopped, trembling and spent, she giggled.
“Told you you were my safe place, Sebastian.”
“I love you, baby girl.”
She pulled back, tracing her fingers along my jaw, blue eyes wide. “I love you, too, Sebastian.”
“And you are wearing my jersey while I fuck you at least once a week. And nothing else.”
“Yes, sir.”
I growled.
She bit her lower lip, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Such a Lockwood.”
 EPILOGUE
MADDIE

C hristmas Day
“Families spend Christmas day together,” I teased as we walked up the steps to Reid’s townhouse. Well, Reid and
Owen’s townhouse. My helmet under his arm, my cheeks still feeling the slight sting from the wind.
It was a short ride over, but I loved riding on the back of Sebastian’s bike. My arms wrapped around him. His hand on my
thigh at the four stoplights it took to get here.
“Owen and I are on speaking terms, but fuck, Ember.”
I giggled. “You’ll survive. Besides, if you’re going to be in the wedding, you have to be in the same room for more than a
few minutes.”
Sebastian shrugged, sexy as ever, and leaned in, lips brushing mine. “If we leave early, I bet I can make you come at least
five times, maybe six.”
I shoved him back playfully. “Twice will have to do for now.”
“I love watching you come, baby girl. Motivation.”
My laugh filled the air. Snow fell, just a few fluffy flakes that landed on my eye lashes. “You do not need any more
motivation. If you haven’t noticed, you’ve been doing pretty damn well on the field.”
“That’s because you’re there at every home game, baby girl. And after.” He raised his eyebrows. “Motivation.”
The lights around the door twinkled, and in that moment, I had never been so thankful for all the things that brought me here.
Brought us here.
The good and the bad.
Because without the bad things, we might never appreciate and hold onto the good things with all we’ve got.
Sebastian leaned in, and kissed my nose. “Ok, Ember, let’s go be a family. It is Christmas, after all.”

Listen to Maddie and Sebastian’s playlist here!

 If you enjoyed Hard Count, consider leaving a review!
Want to know more about Serena’s side of the story? Read Touch Me Down here. Turn the page for a sneak peek!
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
 Geordie and the Sick Dog.
an english story.

It was Saturday afternoon, and had been longed for all the week
by little Geordie, as he was called, for he was a very little fellow.
Geordie had built himself a boat, and had promised to give it a fine
sail in a pond, not a great way from the house in which he lived,
called the fen ditch.
So away he went, before he had quite eaten his dinner, with his
boat in one hand, and the remains of a slice of bread and butter in
the other; for his mother was a poor woman, and Geordie did not get
meat every day, and never on a Saturday.
But his cheeks were rosy, and his eye was bright, and his ringlets
laughed in the wind as he ran along, looking at his boat with eyes of
delight all the way, and every now and then taking a huge mouthful,
and then stopping for breath, for fear the dry crumbs should be
blown down his chest.
There was a beautiful breeze, as he called it,—for he called
everything beautiful that pleased him. He had a beautiful piece of
bread and butter; and a beautiful knife; and a beautiful pair of shoes,
—only his toes peeped through them.
He had a kind, cheerful, and tender heart, and so everything
appeared beautiful to him, and few things had the power to make
him discontented or peevish; but, just as Geordie got over the
Warren hills, which led to the place of his destination, he saw Harry
Dyke, the groom at the great house of Lady Clover, coming over the
swale, as it was called, with several of the boys of the village
dancing about him, apparently in great delight.
 When he came nearer, he found that Harry was carrying, wrapped
up in a piece of an old sack, a little dog, which Geordie recognised
as being one which he had before seen, with its two fore paws
leaning over the ledge of the sash-pane in Lady Clover’s carriage,
when she drove through the village.
One of the boys had got a couple of brick-bats, and a long piece
of cord, and seemed very officious. He called out to Harry, “Harry, let
me throw him in, will you?—there’s a good fellow. But wo’n’t you give
him a knock on the head,—just one knock to dozzle him?”
“Why, they are going to drown that little pet-dog, that us children
used to say, lived a great deal better than we did; and, when I have
been very hungry, I have often wished I was Lady Clover’s lap-dog,
for I heard say that she sometimes gave it rump-steak for its dinner,
with oyster-sauce.” So thought little Geordie to himself; he did not,
however, say anything.
“O! here is little Geordie,” said one of the boys. “Geordie, Geordie,
come and have some sport!—we are going to drown a dog in the
ditch.”
“What are you going to drown it for?” said Geordie.
“O! to have some fun, I suppose. No, it is not that; it is because
my lady can’t bear the nasty thing—it has got the mange, or some
disorder. There;—do not touch it. Don’t you smell it?”
The poor little dog looked at Geordie, and struggled to get out of
the sacking, and gave a whine, as if it would be glad to get away
from its enemies.
“Lay down, you beast,” said Harry, and gave it a severe blow on
the head; “lay down; I’ll soon settle your business.”
By this time they had come to the fen brook, and the dog was
placed on the ground, and taken from the sack-cloth in which it was
wrapped. It was a deplorable looking creature, and its hair was off in
several places; it yelped wofully as it looked around, while the boys
began to prepare the noose and the brick-bats.
 “O! do not drown him,” said Geordie; “pray, do not drown him.
What are you going to drown him for?”
“Why, because he is sick, and ill, and dirty. He is no good to any
one,” said Harry. “My lady used to be very fond of him; but now, he
looks such an object, she says he is to be destroyed.”
“Give him to me,” said Geordie; “I’ll have him, and keep him till he
gets well—he shall have half my dinner every day. Here, little dog,
have this piece of bread and butter.”
“Go away, and leave the dog alone,” said the boy who had the
cord; “you are not going to spoil our sport. Get out of the way with
you.” And so he drew near, and fastened the cord to the dog’s neck.
“O! do give him to me! Pray don’t drown him,” said Geordie; “pray
do not. O! do give him to me; I will make him well—indeed I will. Do
let me have him?—there’s a good Harry Dyke,” and the tears came
into Geordie’s eyes.
“Go along, Mr. Dog Doctor,” said Harry; “go along, Mr. Cry Baby.”
“Here, Harry, I’ll give you my boat for the little dog—it is a beautiful
boat; here, put it into the water instead of the dog—do, do, do;” and
so Geordie thrust the boat into Harry’s hand, and, without waiting to
settle the bargain, laid hold of the dog.
“Leave go of him,” said the boy with the cord and the brick-bats,
“leave go, I tell you; if you do not, it shall be the worse for you. Leave
go, or”——
“Ay, you may rap my knuckles,” said Geordie, “I do not mind that.
—​Harry Dyke, Harry Dyke, am I not to have the dog, and you have
the boat?” said he, struggling.
“O! I do not care about it,” said Harry; “take him, if you will have
him; the boat will do for my brother Tom, and I wish you joy of the
bargain.”
The other boys hearing this, were much disconcerted; and would,
no doubt, have molested Geordie still further, but the little fellow no
sooner heard Harry’s tacit consent, than he immediately set off at full
speed, with the dog under his arm, in the direction of home.
 When he reached his home he was quite out of breath, and his
mother was fearful something had happened to him. “Why, Geordie,
Geordie, what is the matter with you; and what have you got under
your arm?”
Geordie laid down the dog, and the sight of the poor creature,
whose looks told the state of disease in which it was, made the good
woman quite afraid to have it in the house; and, without hearing
anything of the circumstances connected with the poor animal, or
giving Geordie time to explain, she declared it should not set foot in
the house, and drove Geordie and his purchase out of it together;
telling the latter to take it from whence it came, and that the house
was not to be converted into a hospital for sick dogs.
Geordie was more disconsolate than ever; he went into the fields,
with the dog under his arm: now be laid it down, and patted it; then
he talked to it, and, in his childish manner, tried to comfort it. The
poor creature looked up to Geordie, and wagged its tail, and seemed
quite glad to find somebody could feel for it.
“Ay, that is the way of these ladyfolks,” thought Geordie to himself;
“they like their pets, and fondle them enough while they look pretty
and frisk about, and play about; but, when they get sick, and ill, or
old, then they hang and drown them. I wonder what makes them do
it.”
What to do with the dog Geordie knew not. At last, however, he
bethought himself that he would take him up into a little loft, over a
small stable which his father had, and there make him a bed with
some nice hay, and try and make him better.
So he mounted the ladder, and got into the loft. He soon made the
poor thing a bed, and then he thought he would get him something to
eat; but Geordie had no money. He had, however, a good many
marbles, for Geordie was a capital hand at ring-taw; and so he took
his marble-bag, and went into the green, where several boys were
playing, and very soon sold his marbles. They produced four-pence,
for there were more than fifty, at sixteen a penny.
 He then bought some dog’s-meat at the butcher’s, and a
halfpenny worth of milk, and a halfpenny worth of sulphur, to mix with
the milk; for somebody once said, in his hearing, that sulphur and
milk were good physic for dogs.
He then washed the animal, and fed him; and what with washing,
and physicing, and comforting, in a few days the poor dog regained
his strength; in a few days more he regained his coat; and it was not
many days more before he was as well as ever.
Geordie then ventured to bring him in to his father and mother;
who, seeing the animal quite changed in appearance, and a lively,
handsome, little dog, and not very old, were quite pleased with him;
and no less pleased with their son’s conduct, when it was all
explained to them.
Some weeks after this, Lady Clover came through the village, in
her carriage, as usual, and was astonished to behold her little dog
sitting, with his fore paws out of Geordie’s mother’s parlor window,
just as he used to sit out in her ladyship’s carriage.
Lady Clover alighted, and went towards the house. The dog
immediately began to bark, nor would the soft tones of the lady’s
voice by any means pacify him. In a few minutes she learned the
whole of her former pet’s history, and wished to have him again.
“She would give Geordie a crown for him,” she said; but Geordie
would not sell his dog.
“No, I thank you, my lady.” “Bow-wow, wow,” said the little dog.
“He might be sick again, my lady, and then he would be drowned, my
lady.” “Bow-wow, wow—bow-wow, wow.”
“Keep the plaguesome creature quiet,” said her ladyship, “and
hear me.”—“Bow-wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow,” said the little
dog.
Her ladyship could not obtain a hearing, and left the cottage in
high displeasure. “I would not sell him for his weight in gold,” said
Geordie,—“not to Lady Clover.”
It was some years after this that Geordie grew almost a man, and
Chloe, for that was the dog’s name, grew old; Geordie’s father had
prospered in life; and, from being a poor cottager, had become a
respectable farmer.
One night he returned from market with a considerable sum of
money, arising from the sale of his crops, the principal part of which
he had to pay away to his landlord in a few days.
Some evil-disposed fellows had obtained a knowledge of this
money being in the house, and determined to break into and rob it—
perhaps also to murder those who might oppose them.
It was a very dark night, and all were sound asleep, when Black
Bill, and two companions, approached on tip-toe, to make an
entrance in the back premises.
By means of a centre-bit they had soon cut a panel out of the
wash-house door; they then entered the kitchen without making the
least noise. Black Bill had a large carving-knife in one hand, and a
dark lantern in the other, and, supposing the money to be in the bed-
room, was mounting the stairs, to take it at any hazard.
The stairs creaked with the weight of the robber, and in a moment
Chloe aroused the whole house with her barking—her shrill voice
was heard in every room. In a moment Geordie was up, and his
father’s blunderbuss at his shoulder.
“Speak, or I will fire!” said he. No answer,—but a scampering
through the passage. Geordie followed—he heard the robbers
making their escape; he fired—the robber fell.
Lights were procured. It was found that the fellow was only slightly
wounded in the leg, which prevented his running away. In the
morning it was discovered who the robber was—it was the very boy,
now grown a man, who had the cord and the brick-bats!
Chloe did not live long after this, but died of sheer old age; not,
however, you see, till she had amply repaid the kindness which had
been bestowed upon her by Geordie.—​Learn from this, my little
readers, a lesson of humanity!
 The Sable-Hunter.

CHAPTER V.
A dissertation upon going on foot.—​A fearful adventure with wolves.

Having taken leave of their Tungusian friends, the travellers

proceeded on their journey, hoping, before many days, to reach
Yakootsk—a large town on the Lena, and the great fur market of
eastern Siberia. Here they intended to stay a few days, and then
proceed down the Lena, in pursuit of game. Alexis expected also to
find a letter there, from his sister, which was to be sent by the mail,
and which would, of course, travel faster than the pedestrian party.
Incited, therefore, by several motives, the adventurers pressed
cheerily forward upon their journey. But it was now October, and the
ground was covered with snow. Every day, indeed, more or less
snow fell, and the hunters found their progress much impeded by it.
But in travelling, as in almost everything else, practice makes
perfect. A man who is well trained to walking, can travel farther in a
month than a horse; and as the power of going from place to place,
without being dependent on horses, railroads, or even money, is a
great thing, I advise all young persons—particularly young men—to
learn to perform journeys on foot. The best way to travel over a
country, is to go as a pedestrian. You can then stop and see the
people along the road, and thus get acquainted with their manners
and customs; their ways of living, acting and thinking.
Some of the pleasantest passages in my own life, occurred when
I was journeying on foot; and they are perhaps more delightful in my
recollection, that I had then a good, sound pair of legs—and now,
alas! one of them is replaced by a “timber toe!” If I had time, I could
relate many little incidents, to show that a traveller on foot is ever
welcomed to the hut, the log-cabin, or the farm-house, along the
road; and that his stories, his news, or even his company, are
esteemed good pay for his lodging and his fare.
But I must proceed with my story of the sable-hunter—or I shall
never get through with it. When I began, I expected to despatch it in
two or three chapters; but the journey, as well as old Linsk’s tongue,
is much longer than I expected.
For some time after the party started, Alexis found his feet sore
and his limbs weary, at night—and more than once, he felt homesick
and discouraged. But he was a youth of much energy of character,
and he felt the importance of making a great effort in behalf of his
father and sister, upon whose happiness the whole power of his soul
was now concentrated. Beside these motives to effort, Linsk took
pains to enliven the spirits of his party, by putting a cheerful face
upon things, and by telling his tales, of which he seemed as full as a
hive is of bees. And there was this difference between Linsk’s
tongue and the little honey-makers—that while they grow torpid as
the cold weather comes on, his organ of speech seemed to wag all
the faster for it. A flurry of snow was usually a prelude to a story, and
a real storm seldom failed to bring out something interesting. Alexis
remarked that the tale was always lively in proportion as the day was
dark, or the journey tedious; and Linsk seemed, indeed, as ready to
attack blue-devils with a joke, as he was to send a bullet after a bear.
I note these things with some particularity, because I conceive that
cheerfulness is a great virtue, and that it is of infinite importance in
those passages of life which seem to demand of us patient
endurance and protracted effort. Cheerfulness is the best of all
stimulants, and I advise my young friends to lay in a good stock of it.
It produces two excellent effects—it makes a person agreeable to
himself and to others!
As I have said, the weather was now stormy, and the country
through which the hunters were passing, was to the last degree
dreary and desolate. It was generally level, or slightly undulating,
and nearly destitute of vegetation. Occasionally they came to
extensive forests, consisting of low pines and cedars, and
sometimes there was a deep ravine, where the fir trees grew to a
considerable height, and so matted together as hardly to admit the
light between them.
One gloomy afternoon, as the party were winding their way
through a forest, which covered a range of broken hills and ridges,
the younger portion had gone before, leaving Linsk a little in the rear.
Turning an angle in the road, they lost sight of him, and went on for
several minutes, forgetting that he was not with them. By and by,
they heard a sharp whistle, and then a rifle-shot, and then a call, that
made the sullen woods echo, as if filled with twenty voices. They
instantly looked around, and seeing that Linsk was not with them,
turned back, and ran with all their might, knowing that something
must have happened, to cause so loud and urgent a summons.
Turning the angle in the road, and pushing on for about a dozen
rods, they came upon a scene which amazed and alarmed them.
There stood old Linsk, battling for life, in the midst of a pack of
wolves. One of the beasts lay dead at his feet; but another had hold
of his leg, and a huge fellow, nearly as tall as the old hunter himself,
was laying his paws upon him, and threatening to seize him by the
throat.
The coolness of Linsk was admirable. He waited his opportunity,
and then stretching himself to the full height, he brought down his
powerful arm, and striking his dagger in the side of the wolf, laid him
prostrate in an instant. He then bestowed a kick upon the rude fellow
that had hold of his leg, and hitting him by the side of the head,
made him roll over and over in the snow. Linsk fell upon him, but the
creature, being only stunned, got up, and was about to run away,
when the old hunter, now more furious than the wolves themselves,
seized him by the tail, and whirling him round and round, sought to
dash out his brains upon the frozen earth. The animal seemed
amazed and frightened, and set up such a hideous howl, that all the
rest of the pack took to flight; and even the beast upon which Linsk
had fastened, slipped through his fingers and fled for life. Happening
to take the direction of the young men, now coming up and near at
hand, he came pretty near Alexis, who levelled his rifle and shot him
through the head.
 “Well done!” cried Linsk, clapping his hands; “well done, Alexis!—
you’re a true hunter, after all! Whew! I am all out of breath. Bravo,
boys! It’s the first bit of fun I have had since we set out! St. Nicholas!
that fellow has stuck his forks into my calf, as if I was a piece of pork
—the beast! and I suppose he expected to make a supper of me. I
guess he’d found me the toughest bit of meat he ever undertook to
carve. The knave!—to think of attacking an old fellow, all alone, while
his companions had deserted him. The fool! to expect that an old
hunter wouldn’t give, as well as take. However, he’s got his last
supper; a bullet in the stomach is hard of digestion, and so he’s
finished. Poor fellow—I can’t help liking a wolf, after all!”
While Linsk was uttering this last observation, Alexis came up,
and although he was curious to know why his old friend could have
an affection for an animal that had just threatened his life, and
actually thrust his fangs into his flesh, he did not attempt now to
inquire into the subject. The hunter was, indeed, in too great a state
of excitement for any deliberate conversation. He went on, with one
exclamation after another, describing, by snatches, the attack of the
wolves, and his own feats in the fray.
After spending some time on the spot, and taking a view of the
several animals that had been slain, they proceeded on their way.
Linsk was greatly excited by the adventure, and, having talked about
it for some time, began to tell of other scenes of the kind, in which, at
various times, he had been engaged. Some of these tales were
worth repeating, and if I can remember them long enough, they shall
appear in the next chapter.
(To be continued.)
 The Tongue.

Every child has in his mouth a thing to talk with, called the
tongue. This is made to tell the truth with. When the tongue tells a
lie, it does that which is very wrong.
The tongue is made to say kind and pleasant things to our friends.
When it says a saucy thing to anybody, it is a naughty tongue.
When the tongue says a disobedient word to a father or mother, it
is a wicked tongue. When it says an unkind word to a brother or
sister, it is a very bad tongue indeed.
When the tongue swears, it does that which God has expressly
forbidden.
When the tongue speaks dirty words, it is a vile tongue. What little
boy or girl would like to carry about such a tongue in his mouth?
Now, my young reader, let me ask you a few questions. What sort
of a tongue have you? Does it always speak the truth? Does that
tongue of yours ever say saucy words?
Does your tongue ever say any disobedient words to your
parents? Does it ever say any unkind words to a brother or a sister?
Does it ever swear? Does it ever utter any bad words?
O, my little friend, if your tongue ever does anything wrong, what
shall be done? Can you tell me how to correct an evil tongue? I can
tell you. Let every child take good care of his tongue, and see that it
never behaves ill.
 What is Selfishness?

There was once a dog and a cat sitting by a kitchen door, when
the cook came out and threw several pieces of meat to them.
They both sprung to get it, but the dog was the strongest, and so
he drove the cat away, and ate all the meat himself. This was
selfishness; by which I mean, that the dog cared only for himself.
The cat wanted the meat as much as he did; but he was the
strongest, and so he took it all.
But was this wrong? No,—because the dog knew no better. The
dog has no idea of God, or of that beautiful golden rule of conduct,
which requires us to do to others as we would have them do to us.
Dr. Watts says,—
“Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
For God hath made them so;
Let bears and lions growl and fight,
For ’tis their nature too.”
But children have a different nature, and a different rule of
conduct. Instead of biting and fighting, they are required to be kind
and gentle to one another, and to all mankind.
Instead of being selfish, like the dog, they are commanded to be
just and charitable, by which I mean, that they should always give to
others what is their due, and also give to others, if they can, what
they stand in need of.
If a child snatches from another what is not his, he is selfish, and
very wicked. If a child tries in any way to get what belongs to
another, he is selfish, and is as bad as a thief or a robber.
Selfishness is caring only for one’s self. It is a very bad thing, and
every child should avoid it. A selfish person is never good, or happy,
or beloved.
How miserable should we all be, if every person was to care only
for himself! Suppose children and grown-up people, were all to be as
selfish as cats and dogs. What constant fighting there would be
among them!
How dreadful would it be to see brothers and sisters snarling at
each other, and pulling each other’s hair, and quarrelling about their
food and their playthings! We ought to be thankful that God has
given us a higher nature than that of beasts, and enabled us to see
and feel the duty of being kind and affectionate to one another.
And as we can see and feel this duty, we ought to be very careful
always to observe it.

A Thought.—There are one thousand million people in the world.

Each individual has a heart, and that heart beats about seventy
times a minute. By means of this beating of the heart, the blood is
sent over the body, and life is sustained. How great must that Being
be, who can keep one thousand millions of hearts beating seventy
times every minute—thus sending the blood through the veins and
arteries of one thousand millions of people!
 WINTER.
music composed for merry’s museum, by
g. j. webb.

’Tis winter; ’tis winter; the morning is gray:

A cold looking sky is above us to-day;
And see, where the hilltops are naked and brown,
The pretty white snowflakes come quietly down.

They come in their beauty, like spirits of light,

And wrap the chilled earth with a mantle of white:
Beneath it the daisies are sheltered and warm,
And safe from the blasts of the pitiless storm.

And soon, when the sunbeams of summer shall come,

They’ll start up anew from their snow-covered home:
They’ll spread their green leaves over valley and plain,
And catch the bright dews in their blossoms again.
MERRY’S MUSEUM.
VOLUME II.—No. 6.
 Sketches of the Manners, Customs, and History
of the Indians of America.

CHAPTER X.
Second attempt against Chili.—​Valdivia reaches Mapocho.—​Founds
the city of St. Jago.—​Temper of the natives.—​Terrible battle.
—​Sends to Peru for help.—​Officers taken.—​Their treacherous
escape.—​Valdivia Perseveres.—​Final success and
arrangements.

The next who attempted the conquest of Chili, was Pedro de

Valdivia, a Spanish adventurer, and, like all the others, eager to
distinguish himself, and to gain a fortune. However, he was not so
cruel and avaricious as many of the adventurers. He determined to
establish a permanent settlement in Chili. He began his march in the
year 1540, with 200 Spaniards, and a numerous body of Peruvian
auxiliaries; he had also some monks, several women, and a great
number of European quadrupeds, with everything requisite for a
colony.
He pursued the same route as Almagro, but, as it was in the
summer, he passed the Andes without trouble, and entered Copiapo.
But he found a cool reception, though it was warm weather. The
people had learned the fate of Peru, and were determined not to
allow their country to be plundered by the Spaniards, if they could
help it.
They, of course, began to attack Valdivia, on all sides; but still the
Spaniards made good their way, and reached the province of
Mapocho, now called St. Jago. This lies about 600 miles distant from
the confines of Peru. It was a beautiful country, pleasant and fertile,
and had such a large population, that its name was interpreted to
signify “the land of many people.” It lies upon the mountains of the
Andes, and is 140 miles in circumference. The mountains in the
north part abounded with gold, and in the east were rich mines of
silver.
Valdivia admired the country, and determined to possess it. He
accordingly began his settlement, by founding a city, which he
named St. Jago, in honor of that apostle. At that time, Christians
really believed that God was well pleased with having his followers
conquer the heathen; and the most cruel and wicked of the Spanish
adventurers always made a parade of their religion, or rather, their
superstitions.
Valdivia went on, for a time, very successfully with building his
city; but the natives were forming plans to destroy him. These he
suspected, and seized and confined a number of their chiefs. Still, he
was not at ease, and, wishing to watch their movements, he took
sixty horse, and went out to scour the country. The Mapochians in
the vicinity, who were watching for such an opportunity, immediately
fell upon the colony with terrible fury, burned the half-built houses,
and assailed the citadel, where the inhabitants had take a refuge, on
all sides.
The battle began at day-break, and was continued till night; fresh
troops of Indians constantly pouring in to fill the places of those shot
down by the Spaniards. The commander of the fort sent, during the
night, a messenger to Valdivia, who immediately returned. The
Indians were thus attacked on both sides; the musketry and horse
made a terrible slaughter among them; they had no arms but bows
and slings, yet they fought most furiously, till nearly all their army
was destroyed.
Valdivia thus relieved the siege, and rebuilt the city; but, for six
years, the natives were constant in their attacks; they cut off the
Spaniards at every opportunity, destroyed the crops, and, finally,
rendered all the fertile plains around St. Jago uncultivated and
desert; and then retired to the mountains.
The Spanish soldiers had become heartily tired of this fighting life.
A few battles did very well, but to spend year after year in warfare