Jaci Burton - Straddling the Line

It was love—two people who were supposed to be together. They just . . . fit.

Especially when they kissed, when his mouth explored hers and exploded her brain cells left and right, making her sag against him until all she wanted was to tear every inch of clothing off to feel his skin against hers. There was something about this man that demanded she be close to him, touching him. She’d never been a big believer in that whole destiny thing, but he was it for her.

So when he broke the kiss and took her hand to lead her upstairs to his room, she followed along, taking in the sight of his very fine ass moving up the stairs.

And when they got there, it was her who pushed him onto the bed. She climbed on top of him and continued where they left off. She couldn’t get enough of his mouth, the sexy fullness of his bottom lip, the slight scratchiness of his jaw when it was peppered with a day’s growth of stubble. She straightened only long enough to pull off her top and undo her bra, then bent down to slide one of her nipples in between his waiting lips. And when he sucked, she was in heaven, a delight of sensation to feel him pull and tug on the bud until she wanted more.

Apparently, so did Trevor, because he rolled her off him and drew her pants and underwear off, then spread her legs and buried his face in her sex, his tongue and mouth doing decadent, delicious things to her pussy. She grabbed hold of the cover and held on while he took her right to the edge.

And over. She cried out with her orgasm, but barely had time to draw in a ragged breath before Trevor got undressed and put a condom on.

She was still pulsing, still reeling from her climax when he slid inside her, his face looming over hers.

“We’re supposed to be together. I missed you when you were gone. I’m sorry I sent you away.”

He said this as he pulled out, then eased back inside her.

She wrapped her legs around him. “You’re forgiven.” She swept her fingers over his brow, his temple, then his lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. Feel free to say those words as many times as you want.”

His lips curved. “Yeah, you, too.”

Then he kissed her, and nothing else was said as he made love to her with a depth of passion that was filled with a new emotion. It was as if both of them had shed the walls they’d erected to protect their hearts. And as he moved within her, she knew without a doubt this was the man she was meant to be with, that he’d protect her, and she’d protect him.

He swept his hand under her buttocks and lifted her hips, grinding against her as he buried himself deep.

“Trevor.” She whispered his name, and her pussy quivered around him, tightening as she came close to orgasm.

“I want to feel your pussy squeeze my cock. Make me come, Haven.”

She loved the gritty sound of his voice when he was deep in the throes of passion. And the way he slid against her, rubbing her clit as he thrust in and out, was her undoing. She shattered, dragging her nails along his shoulders as she came. Trevor took her mouth in a hard, passionate kiss, taking in her cries and mixing his own groans in there as he released with a shudder.

They were glued together by perspiration and clasped arms and legs. Haven was in no hurry to move. Trevor rolled to his side, taking Haven with him. They stayed like that, stroking each other’s bodies for a while until he disengaged and left for only a few seconds. When he came back, he pulled her against him and tangled his fingers in her hair, kissed her deeply, and tucked her close.

“Are you staying for a while?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“When do you have to be back in New York?”

“After I finish my interview with you.”

He looked into her eyes. “I’d like to include the dyslexia thing in your interview.”

She drew back. “You want me to break it?”

“Yes.”

“Trevor. Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. I trust you’ll do it right.”

She laid her palm over his heart. “I will do it right. And I’ll get those recommendations for you starting tomorrow.”

“I’ll get started on it tomorrow. And I’ll go to the literacy center and talk to them as well.”

She laid her head on his chest. “I believe in you, Trevor. I always have.”

“That’s what’ll get me through this.”

She closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his heartbeat.

Together. They’d get through anything together.

TREVOR WALKED OFF THE FIELD, A MUDDY, VICTORIOUS mess. It had rained almost nonstop through the entire game against Green Bay. He didn’t know when he’d had more fun. He’d caught two passes for touchdowns, and had over a hundred yards in the game.

More importantly, they’d won, and that’s what counted the most, especially since the Hawks were on top of their division. He wanted them to stay there, which meant playing well every week. Right now they were firing on all cylinders.

Professionally, things were going well.

Personally, things were going even better. In the past two months, he’d been working with a specialist in learning disabilities who’d been patient in diagnosing his dyslexia and teaching him to read, plus work on his frustration issues when things didn’t go his way. Denise Lancaster was formidable and no bullshit, and she didn’t fall for his charm. She made him work and work hard. For someone nearly sixty and barely five feet tall, she was one scary woman.

But she was his savior, and for the first time in his life, he was starting to enjoy reading. And even better, he was learning to comprehend what he was reading. It was like the lightbulb had finally gone off in his head, and a whole new world was opening up for him. He could already imagine diving into books he’d waited his whole life to read. Sure, he’d enjoyed audiobooks, but he’d waited a lifetime to read books—really read books.

Denise told him she’d set him up with someone just as scary as she was once he moved back to St. Louis.

He couldn’t wait.

He’d flown home to Springfield and had a long talk with his mother, telling her everything he should have told her years ago. She’d cried. Hell, he’d cried, too, and they’d talked out a lot of shit about his dad. His mother apologized for not being there to help him, and he shouldered the blame for hiding everything, explaining about how he was afraid he was going to end up like Dad.

She’d understood, and she told him she was so grateful he’d had Haven in his life.

Yeah, so was he. He promised to bring Haven there so his mom could meet her and his stepdad soon.

Tonight, Haven’s network was broadcasting his interview. His life story. Which meant the revelation about his dyslexia was going to be front-page news. He’d already told both his coaches and all his teammates. No one had thought it was a big deal, and many had asked why he’d waited so long to talk about it.

But he was talking about it, and he was going to keep talking about it. After the special, the network agreed to do a public service announcement about dyslexia and other learning disabilities, including an 800 number for people to call to find out more about assistance programs. Trevor had insisted, and Haven’s producer had agreed that it would be a great public service.

Trevor and Haven had invited the team over tonight to watch. Trevor was having the event catered, which made Haven roll her eyes.

“I can cook, you know,” she said in between showering and tidying the place up. She’d wrapped up her interview months ago, then promptly quit her job with the network, which had shocked the shit out of Trevor.

They’d argued about it, too. Trevor had told her she had all these ideas for interviews. And she’d told him she was trying to find her place, and while she’d enjoyed the interview, she’d found something she loved more.

“You don’t need to cook for that many people. And are you sure when you watch this tonight you aren’t going to regret giving up your job as a sports reporter?”

“Absolutely not. Working with you has reminded me of my first love—education. I’m doing exactly what I want to do—going back to school to get my master’s in special education, so I can work with kids and adults with learning disabilities.”

“You enjoyed sports reporting, but I’ve seen a real fire lit under you since you decided to reignite your career in education.”

She finished setting the dining room table, then turned to him and grinned. “I know, right? Before my dad died, he told me to follow my dream. To do what I love. At the time, I thought that was journalism. And I did enjoy it a lot. But when I started working with you, I realized that this is what I was meant to do. This is what really makes me happy, Trevor.”

He came over to her and put his arms around her. “You’re what makes me happy.”

“What? Not a dual career of baseball and football?”

“Surprisingly, no. You come first.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “So do you. I’ve never been happier. And I think this—you and me—would have made my dad very happy.”

He brushed his lips across hers. “I hope so.”

“It’s making my mom extremely happy.”

He grinned. “I know. I’ve always been her favorite.”

Haven rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

She started to pull away, but he held her tight. “It’s true. When you were sad and depressed over your dad, she called me and asked me to help.”

Haven frowned. “What? She did? When was that?”

“Right before you got assigned the interview.”

Haven couldn’t believe he’d done that for her. “You orchestrated that interview for me.”

“Partly. And partly to be the focus of a feature story.”

“You weren’t at all interested in that. You did it for me.”

“Yes.”

Haven took in a deep breath. Even back then, he cared about her. “That makes me love you even more.”

“Wait till you see the interview. I’m handsome, I’m charming, I have charisma.”

“Don’t go overboard.”

“I have a nice ass . . .”

She laughed as he walked away.

She was . . . happy. Content with her life, and looking forward to an amazing future. And for a lot of that, she had Trevor to thank.

If not for being assigned to interview Trevor, she might not have come to terms with her father’s passing. And without Trevor’s admission of his learning disability, she might not have rediscovered her love for teaching. She’d been honest with Trevor when she’d told him that while she’d thoroughly enjoyed her time in sports reporting, when she’d dug in and started working with him again on his dyslexia, she’d discovered a newfound passion. And it had taken this journey for her to realize this was where she was meant to be.

Funny how life had such twists and turns sometimes. And how one person could intervene and change your entire life.

She smiled, thinking about her dad. For some reason, she wondered if he had something to do with the matchmaking, if somehow, he’d maybe put a heavenly whisper in her mom’s ear to send Trevor in her direction.

Knowing her dad, he would have found a way. Because Trevor had come into her life when she’d needed him most. He’d turned it upside down and inside out, but she’d ended up happier than she ever thought possible.

She smiled up at the heavens.

Thanks, Dad.