Forever Blake (Once Upon a Player Book 3) by Elena Matthews (free books to read .TXT) 📗

She rolls her eyes. “How do you think I’m able to get in the office by seven every morning? It’s not by burning the candle at both ends—that’s for sure. Plus, I’m hardly dressed appropriately while your brother is here.”

I take a good look at her, appreciating every inch of her. “I don’t see any tits or pussy on show, so I think we’re okay.”

“Blake,” she hisses with a tilt of her head.

I chuckle as I wander over to my dresser and pull out a pair of basketball shorts and a T-shirt.

“It’s only Jace. Honestly, he’s seen much worse—” I immediately shut up, my lips pressing into a thin line as I step into my shorts and pull them up.

Though we’re not official or anything, one thing I’ve learned over the years is that chicks don’t like it when you talk about other chicks while you’re with them. They also don’t like it if you say somebody else’s name in bed either. I learned that the hard way.

When I glance at her, I’m relieved to see a smile on her face, although she’s giving me a pointed look, her arms crossed over her chest.

“I don’t think I want to know what kind of hussies you’ve had in your bed.”

I throw her an apologetic wince. “Yep, I don’t suppose you do. What I’m trying to say is, you don’t look indecent in the slightest. Plus, he won’t be here long. I was kind of hoping you’d spend the night…” Throwing my T-shirt over my head, I pull it down. Then, I inch closer to Ever and bring her into my arms, my hands drifting down to her ass. “Because I’m not done with you yet tonight, especially since we were rudely interrupted by Jace. Plus, the last time you stayed over was honestly one of the best nights of my life.”

Ever brings her hands to my chest, and I shiver at her soft touch. “Really? One of the best?”

“Why else do you think I haven’t been able to resist you? In fact, that night was so incredible that I was going to break my cardinal rule with you.”

“And what cardinal rule is that?”

“To sleep with a woman only once. Then, you came along…and fucked it all up for me.”

“That was until our chance meeting on that Monday morning,” Ever points out.

“Yep, and not my finest moment either.”

“So, what happened between then and now?”

“Well, I broke my rule despite the age difference and who your father is. Plus, I’m kind of smitten with you.”

“Just kind of?”

“I was trying to be nonchalant about it—you know, help keep my player rep in place…but no, not just kind of. I’m a lot smitten with you. Happy?”

“I’m not unhappy,” she muses, breaking out into a grin.

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Well, you were pretty strict on the one-night stand thing, too. What happened between then and now?”

“Well, you kept buying me lattes. I mean, how is a girl supposed to resist?”

I chuckle, caressing her ass cheeks with my hands.

“I know what a sucker you are for lattes, but give me the real reason.”

“The real reason, huh?”

I nod.

She’s quiet for a moment. “You’re arrogant. You’re funny. You get under my skin like no one I’ve ever known. You’re smart. You’re tall and handsome.”

I can’t help the smile that forms on my lips at the handsome remark.

She brings her hands up to my hair and brushes her fingers through the sides. “I love that you’re embracing your gray hair, which is appearing just here. Like a total silver fox.” She winks. “You’re charming. You’re passionate. You’re never afraid to admit you’re wrong to me, but you’d never show opposing counsel your vulnerability. You like to kill with kindness, and you don’t beat around the bush. I actually understand why my father likes you so much.”

“Wait, he thinks I’m handsome, too?”

She smacks me in the chest, giggling. “No, you doofus. I’m just saying that after spending these past few weeks working with you, I understand why he picked you to be his next junior partner. That isn’t the reason why I want to bone you into next week though.”

“No?” I ask, jerking my head back, humor in my eyes.

“No. Like you, that night was pretty unforgettable for me. I was gutted I hadn’t gotten your number and hoped like hell you’d be back at Happy Hours the following Friday.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I have my weak moments.”

“I like your weak moments.” I lean forward and press a kiss to her mouth, unable to resist her pouty lips. I only allow myself a second to get lost in her embrace before I pull back, realizing we’ve gone completely off topic. In fact, I only came in here to change, and I’ve become distracted simply by Ever’s presence.

“So, will you stay tonight? It seems we got off track a little then.”

She lets out a sigh. “I don’t have anything with me—no change of clothes, no makeup.”

“How about this? I’ll have you home by dawn, so you can do your beauty regime and change into clothes that I haven’t ripped off your body yet.” I snicker, earning me a flirtatious grin. “And I’ll meet you at the office at seven thirty with not one, but two lattes. I mean, that’s an offer of a lifetime.”

“Two lattes? I would have done it for one; you know I’ll never say no to free coffee.”

“So, you’ll stay the night?” I ask with anticipation.

“Fine, I’ll stay the night, but only because my air conditioner is on the fritz again.”

“Again?”

“Yes, it’s so annoying.”

“Hey!” Jace shouts from the living room. “You know, I can take off if you guys don’t plan on coming out anytime soon. There’s only so long I can stay out here before I start feeling pervy.”

“Hmm, that’s one way of getting rid of him,” I say, bringing my little finger to the corner of my mouth, doing my best Austin Powers impression.

“Come on. Let’s head back out.” She latches on to my hand and pulls me in the