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  I nod in agreement. “That’s true, but it remains to be seen how he performs on the big stage.” I know full well how the stakes are raised when you’re playing in the Super Bowl. Nerves become a huge factor.

  “Now let’s chat about something a little closer to home now that we have you here,” Mike says, changing topics. “Speaking of big days and all, congratulations on your recent engagement.”

  I nod and grin. “Thank you.”

  “Can you tell us when the big day is?”

  “Well,” I pause, looking over behind the camera to see Melody’s big brown eyes on me. “I would marry her tomorrow, but I’m told it takes time to put a wedding together, so it looks like we’re still a few months out.”

  “In other words, you haven’t set a date yet.”

  “Not yet, but the sooner the better,” I say, still staring at Mel. She knows I don’t give a shit about a big, opulent wedding. I just want her to have my last name as soon as possible so we can get started on making babies and lifetime memories.

  “Well, ladies and gentlemen, I know the look of a man who is smitten when I see it.” Mike laughs and the rest of the studio joins him.

  We finish up the segment a few minutes later, and I stroll over to my smiling fiancée.

  “You looked great on camera, baby,” she gushes. “I told you that dark navy suit would go great with your skin tone and bring out the blue in your eyes,” she continues, brushing a few of my dark brown hair strands away from my face.

  I grab her hand and press a quick kiss to her palm. “Hey now, I’m not just a pretty face.”

  She laughs. “Yeah, I hear you’ve also got a pretty good throwing arm.”

  I smirk mischievously and lean in closer to her. “I’ve got a pretty big cock too.”

  “Landon!” she gasps, eyes bulging. Her toffee skin changes to an interesting shade of red.

  “Say it,” I growl, using my finger to raise her chin.

  “I’m not saying that here!” She tries to look to see if anyone’s watching us, but I don’t let her take her eyes from me.

  “Why not? You had no problem saying it last night. Remember? Oh Landon, your cock is so big. I can’t breathe,” I pant, mimicking the very words she’d used in our lovemaking the night before.

  “Oh my God! I can’t believe you.” She swats my arm and tries to walk away, but I pull her in even closer.

  “Tell me you love my big cock,” I say low in her ear. I feel her breathing a little heavier.

  “You’re such a jerk.”

  I smile at the truth of her words, but also because I hear the breathy tone and I know my words are hitting their mark. “Tell me you love my big cock.”

  “I love your big cock, you jerk,” she says.

  I grin before planting a huge kiss on her.

  When she pulls back she attempts to give me a scowl, but I see the heat in her eyes. Before I can tease her some more, I hear a few snickers around the room. Mel notices it too and steps out of my embrace, looking around the room. We notice, at the same time, there are eyes on us, and some of the camera crew are laughing. Melody whips her head back to stare at me before she begins feeling over my chest. Before I can ask her what she is doing, she finds what she’s looking for.

  “Oh my God, Landon! Your mic is still on,” she shrieks as she pulls the tiny microphone from under my tie.

  I can’t help the roar of laughter that erupts from my chest realizing the entire crew had just heard our little exchange.

  “That’s so not funny!” Mel swats my arm and walks away.

  I simply take a bow for the crew, who then erupts in cheers before I head off to follow Mel.

  ****

  Landon

  I took Mel home so she could get ready for her lunch date with Paulette and headed over to where my construction and landscaping company is building our new home. Eight years ago, my buddies, Tank and Marco, and I decided to put our knowledge and finances together and start our company, LMT Construction, Incorporated. Because Tank and I are mostly occupied with football during the year, Marco, our former teammate from college, works for the company full-time as the president. Since starting the company, we’d grown every year since the first, even during the recession, and we’d just acquired a new contract to build all the homes in a new subdivision. Business was looking good, and this was part of my retirement plan once I was done with football. Now that marriage and kids were on my mind, I found myself investing more time in the business to have something to pass on to my children and to take care of Melody long-term. This company plus the many investments I made over the years had earned me more money than I could spend in a lifetime. I was not about to become one of those pro athletes who goes broke five years after leaving the game. Hell fucking no!

  I unfurled the construction plans of the two-story home we’d broken ground on just the week before. The concrete had already been poured, and the beginnings of the structure were in place. Marco knew his shit, and from the looks of it, this home would be finished ahead of schedule just like our last two constructions. I smiled internally as I looked around at the subdivision and pulled up the collar on my pea coat. A few seconds later, the prickly hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Turning to see what caused the reaction, the semi-smile I wore immediately turns into a frown.

  “That was a cute little show you and your friend put on this morning.”

  My frown turns into a full-blown scowl as I stare at Mindy. The wind whips her long brunette hair around her face, yet she never takes those sea green eyes off of me.

  “My fiancée,” I correct her. She’s been doing this since Mel and I got engaged. Referring to her as my friend instead of my fiancée. Mindy works at the news channel I’d commentated for this morning. I’m sure she got a front row seat to Mel’s and my little scene after the show. The thought actually made me smile. This woman’s been trying to get my attention again ever since Mel and I became public.

  “Whatever,” she huffs. “What are you doing with her, Landon?” she practically whines.

  I don’t give into her histrionics. Women like Mindy enjoy getting a rise out of you. As soon as they know they can get a reaction, they know they’ve won. There was a time I thought we could be cordial after we parted ways last year, before I even met Melody. Apparently not. Since Mel and I became an item, Mindy has seemingly become obsessed with winning me back. This isn’t the first time she’s shown up where I am, unannounced and uninvited.

  “What my fiancée and I are doing is none of your business. Now as you can see, you’re on private property.” I pause, looking around the property for emphasis. “It’s time for you to make your departure.” I barely glance at her as I gather the construction plans.

  “You don’t get to dismiss me so easily, Landon!”

  Again, I don’t respond.

  “You will regret leaving me for her. Just remember you brought whatever happens on yourself.” Her voice has taken on a bit of a shrill tone.

  I continue to wrap up my plans and then look at my watch as if bored.

  “Fine.” I hear before hearing her departing footsteps. Although I haven’t given any outward indication, Mindy’s words do give me pause. I get the feeling she can be a loose cannon. I make a mental note to contact Michael, my manager, and have him speak with my publicist about that one. It’s their job to handle problems, and Mindy’s words indicate she’s going to be a problem. I tuck the construction plans under my arm and make my way back to my Range Rover parked in front of the house. When I reach the driver’s side I see there’s a piece of paper tucked under the windshield wiper. I know no one else is around, but I look up and down the street anyway just to double check. Picking up the paper, I read Mindy’s ominous warning.

  This isn’t over!

  The words are written in her handwriting, and it confirms my earlier thoughts. Oh yeah, she’s going to be a problem, I think as I sigh and climb into my vehicle.

  Chapter Three

  Melody


  “What happened to your eye?” I ask, peering at Gabriella from across my desk. Though she’s attempted to cover it with makeup, the purple and blue bruise under her right eye is evident after staring at her for a few minutes.

  “What?” she asks, attempting to play like she doesn’t know what I’m talking about, but she gives herself away when her hand automatically shoots up to her right eye.

  I raise my eyebrow, “I said, what happened to your eye?”

  She looks down at the floor for a few seconds and bites her lower lip.

  I get a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach but remain quiet.

  “This girl on my street was talking shit…I mean mess,” she corrects her foul language quickly.

  I might be laid back with my students, but I do not let them curse in my presence.

  “She said she could beat me up, so I told her to try, and that’s it.” She shrugs.

  I know her that’s it is code word for we fought. Still, something isn’t sitting right.

  “That’s it?” I inquire.

  “Yeah, Ms. James. She was talking, so I had to handle it. No big deal.”

  “What’s this girl’s name?”

  Gabriella continues to stare at the floor as she remains unresponsive.

  “Is she a student here?”

  “No, Ms. James,” she finally huffs.

  “I hope that fight was the last of it. I’ve told you about fighting simply because someone was talking mess. I don’t want to see you or anyone else get seriously injured or worse over something you won’t even remember a year from now.” My tone has taken on a sad lilt.

  Gabriella looks up at me as she catches my meaning. She’s a bright girl and knows exactly what I am referring to. The previous year at our feeder high school, two girls got into a fight over some high school drama. Some say it was over a boy, and others say it was he-said-she-said drama. Either way, the two girls got into it outside a local convenient store where kids often meet up to fight. Apparently one of the girls fell, hit her head on the concrete and later died. The girl she fought was charged as an adult with manslaughter. Both were only sixteen. One young life was stolen and another’s forever ruined over petty drama. I did not want to see that happen to Gabriella or any of my other students.

  “I hear you, Ms. James,” Gabriella concedes.

  “You come talk to me if this girl gives you anymore issues, all right?”

  “Okay,” she agrees and nods.

  “You should be hearing back from the high schools you applied to in a few weeks.”

  At this reminder, Gabriella’s face brightens up. I’m really aiming for her to get into one of the magnet schools she applied to. It could open up so many doors for her.

  “You’ll let me know as soon as they come in, right?” she asks nervously.

  “Of course.” The letters are sent to the school administrators to give to the students.

  Just then the bell rings.

  “Cool. I got class. Later, Ms. James,” Gabriella says before she exits my office, waving over her shoulder.

  I smile and wave back, but once she is gone, I am left with a funny feeling in my gut. I don’t think Gabriella has given me the whole story on that fight. All I can do is hope she remains safe and out of trouble, which is the same as I do for all my students.

  A few hours later, I make my way to my car, checking over the grocery list in my phone. Tonight I’m making Landon’s favorite meal: steak and potatoes. My man is a Midwesterner through and through. He’s been acting a little odd lately. I’m thinking this new contract his construction company has taken on may be adding to his stress. That with the wedding, which we still haven’t set a date for, and guest commentating. He may be taking on a little too much. That’s why tonight it’s all about making sure he has a relaxing evening.

  ****

  Okay, ladies now let’s get in formation

  Okay, ladies now let’s get information

  Prove to me you got some coordination…

  I dance around the kitchen to Beyoncé’s latest hit, singing as I remove the steak from the oven. The words of this song have me daydreaming about what Landon’s and my future children will look like. I wonder if we will have a daughter and will she have a little afro or more curly ringlets. She’ll be loved no matter what she looks like and I already know she’ll be a daddy’s girl. Just as I finish that thought, I look up to see my love’s blue eyes staring intently at me. My whole body feels flushed from the way he’s eyeing me.

  “Hey, baby.” I smile and pick up the glass of wine I had ready, waiting for him. I make my way from behind the counter and I’m pleased when I hear him gasp.

  “Fuck,” he mumbles.

  Just the reaction I was looking for.

  I smile. I’m wearing a silk negligee that stops at the tops of my thighs, and cups my breasts to perfection, with matching thong panties. And of course, it’s all in the color red my man loves to see me in.

  “You’re looking for trouble tonight, aren’t you, Red?” His voice is low, but filled with that tone that gets me instantly wet.

  “Only if it’s with you,” I respond, pressing my body to his and standing on my tiptoes with my head turned up.

  He obliges my silent request and leans down, letting his lips brush across mine. I sigh contentedly at the first touch of our lips, and Landon takes advantage. He deepens our kiss, but I pull back before it gets out of hand. I laugh when Landon growls, attempting to pull me back into his embrace.

  “No!” I say holding up my hand with the glass of wine in my grasp. “This is for you.” I take a step back. “Your dinner is still cooking. You take this and go up and shower after your long day. By the time you’re done, dinner will be ready, and I promise we’ll get into all the trouble you want,” I wink at him as he takes the glass and I turn back to the kitchen.

  “Only because I need a shower after being at the site most of the day,” he returns, eyeing me as if I’m on the menu for dinner.

  That thought has my brand new red silk thong drenched. I shiver as I watch Landon ascend the stairs at the same time he pulls his sweatshirt and white t-shirt over his head. Years as a professional athlete has sculpted his body to perfection. I lick my lips as I think of everywhere I want to lick on him tonight.

  ****

  “Did you enjoy it?” I ask an hour later as I retrieve Landon’s empty plate from the table.

  His hand covers mine, halting my reach. “Let me,” he says, standing to remove my plate and his from my hand to take to the sink. “It was delicious, Red. Thank you, but I’m ready for dessert now.” The way he is looking at me, I know I’m the dessert he’s referring to.

  I slowly back away from the table into the living room. “Dessert will be served upstairs,” I croon.

  “If we make it there,” he growls and lunges for me.

  I jump and screech at the same time I turn and run up the stairs with Landon chasing me all the way to our bedroom. I am giggling uncontrollably by the time he catches me around the waist at our bedroom door. I can’t stop the moan that escapes my mouth as his lips grazes over my bare shoulder. I feel him pushing me down onto our huge sleigh bed, but I squirm out of his grip.

  “Tonight is all about you, my love.” I say just above a whisper, pushing him down to sit on the edge of the bed. “You’ve been too tense lately. Let me help you take care of that.” I sink down in between his splayed legs, bracing my hands on his strong thighs. I feel him vibrating with need through his sweatpants. I push my hands up his thighs, and reach for his t-shirt. Landon helps me by lifting his arms, so I can pull the shirt off him. I return my gaze to his handsome face, to find his eyes are heavily lidded with desire. The way he looks at me always emboldens me. To know this man, who plays one of the world’s toughest, most violent sports, and is adored by millions of fans, can be so adoring and vulnerable with me, is a feeling unlike any other.

  “I love you,” I whisper, reaching up to bring our lips together. I lick
his lips and kiss along his jaw while my hands make their way into the band of his pants. I grin when I realize he isn’t wearing boxers underneath them. “Easy access,” I say.

  His face softens as a grin appears and he winks at me.

  I manage to pull his sweatpants down and off his legs, leaving him completely nude before me. I sit back on my haunches and stare at this masculine man before me.

  “Red.” The warning in his voice tells me I better do something soon before I find myself on my back with my legs splayed open.

  I reach out and wrap my hand around his now erect cock. My fingers can’t even wrap entirely around it, he is so thick. I often wonder how I am able to take in all of him. I lean down, and stick my tongue out, making contact with the tip. Landon hisses in pleasure above me, which spurs me on. I swirl my tongue around his thick head, before taking him completely into my mouth. I continue using my tongue to massage the underside of his cock. I hear Landon moan, and it makes my pussy muscles clench. I begin moving my head up and down more quickly and maneuver my hand down to massage him below. I feel Landon’s hand tightly grip my hair that is up in a high puff. A thrill shoots through me as the bite of pain from his pulling, courses through my body. I begin bobbing up and down even more quickly as I taste drops of his precum on my tongue. The slightly sweet taste of it makes me smile around his hard cock. Landon’s moans grow louder and more urgent. Within minutes I feel his cock swell and his balls draw up in my hand and I know he is about to erupt. I slowly pull back, releasing him from my mouth and continue massaging him with my hand. I stare up into his eyes shining with need and desire. His eyes meet mine, and I silently convey to him what I want him to do as I continue stroking him with my hand to his completion.

  “Ahh fuck!” he screams as he releases.

  The first warm squirt hits my lips and I immediately lick it up. Soon more of Landon’s hot semen splashes onto my face. The look of wonder and awe on his face has my panties soaking wet. This is the only man I would allow to turn my face into a toaster strudel. He releases his grip from my hair and scrapes his cum off my cheeks, holding his fingers to my lips. I eagerly part my lips and suck on his fingers. I am barely able to get the tip of his finger out of my mouth before I feel him yank me up from my knees and toss me onto the bed on my stomach. I know I’m in for a wild ride. He is always super turned on when he sees my face covered in his cum and I lick it off.