Love in Lockdown

Shadows

Nate spent the afternoon in Blake and Cassy’s room after training, desperate for a distraction to keep him from stalking down to reception and pulling Paige into a quiet corner. He’d been craving her all day since he’d made her unravel in his room.

He raked his fingers through his dark hair and leaned back. He’d come early to the stairwell, eager to see her again. Being in lockdown reminded him of training camps when he was first signed to the Taipans as an 18 year old. The constant training, focus on the team, and being away from family as you pushed yourself to stand out.

As the son of an AFL legend he’d been desperate to do better than anyone else. To live up to his father’s reputation, but also to prove he deserved to be there. That he was talented. He’d long since proved his talent, but he never felt like he was able to get out of his father’s shadow.

That’s the downside of being the son of an Aussie Rules legend, the massive shadow at your back everyone is comparing you too, even when they say they’re not. The upside is the connections, which was also the reason he had always pushed so hard to earn his place on the team and not allow the conversation that blood had seen him picked rather than talent. Because he was talented; and injured.

The game had been his sole focus for so long, and now he found himself facing the end of his career at 33 with injury, and alone.

The more time he spent with Blake and Cassy, the clearer he could see the completeness others talked so much about, and the clearer he could see the emptiness in his own life, despite his success.

Nate straightened up as he heard heeled footsteps outside the doorway, smiling as they paused before opening the door. He remained seated as Paige slipped through the door into the dim staircase, not yet aware of his presence. Nate leaned back on his elbows and let himself take her in. She was so damn gorgeous.

She was the perfect mix of elegant and tousled tonight. Black silk slacks were tight on her hips and her peach knitted top highlighted her olive skin. Everything about her was tempting him to stand up and take control. She finally turned and caught him watching her.

‘Hey beautiful.’

‘Hey beautiful?’ Her expression was playful and Nate chuckled as she stepped closer and placed her hand on her hip. ‘Can you explain this?’ She moved her dark hair away from her neck to expose a large bite mark just under her ear. Nate sat forward and gestured her closer.

‘I can’t quite see it. Come closer.’

Nate chuckled as she raised her eyebrow at him. But she stepped forward to stand between his legs. He kept his touch delicate as he caressed his finger down her neck and along her shoulder, enjoying the subtle change to her breathing as she leaned closer to him.

His ego loved the idea of Paige waking around with his mark on her neck.

‘Did anyone see it?’

Paige placed a hand on each of his knees and leaned back. ‘Only my friend Alicia.’

Nate kept his hands gentle as he slid them around her waist, letting his fingers glide under the hem of her shirt. He was fighting himself, keeping his movements slow, his touch light.

‘You trust her?’ She nodded and Nate kissed the love bite, pulling her even closer to him. Closing his eyes he inhaled her. She combed her fingers through his hair, and placed a chaste kiss near his temple.

Nate felt something within him shift and before he could feel into it he let his hands move under her shirt and up along her back. Paige arched back into his hands and he traced her chest and the neckline of the fabric with his lips. She sighed and he released a hand to run along the back of her head, tangling in her hair as he pulled her head back exposing her neck.

Nate kissed and nibbled along Paige’s neck, reveling in the feeling of her submitting to him, trusting him as he tilted her mouth just below his lips. Her eyelids were heavy, and he let himself soak in the lines of her face, her honey eyes, her pink lips parted and waiting for him.

‘Nate?’ She whispered, moving to straighten up.

He tightened his grip as he pulled her to him, his mouth finding hers. Paige lifted herself to fall into the kiss even deeper, opening her lips to invite Nate to take control. Without breaking the kiss he moved his hands to cup her ass, gliding his hands under her thighs to lift her onto his lap in a straddle.

Nate released a low groan as Paige pushed herself against his erection. The subtle movements of her hips were driving him crazy and he found himself wanting more of her. His hands grabbed the hem of her top to loft it over her head when a door closing on a level above snapped them back to their surroundings.

Paige tried to lift herself off his lap but he wasn’t ready to let her go just yet. He ran his thumb along her bottom lip as they listened to someone move up through the staircase, not down towards them. ‘I wish you could come to my room. I can’t get enough of you.’ He whispered against her lips.

Paige smiled, moving a lock of hair away from his eye. Her lips were beautifully swollen, her hair disheveled. ‘You don’t even know me Nate.’

‘I want to. There’s something about you Paige which I can’t let go.’ He grabbed her ass again, pressing her against his erection, loving her little moan with the friction.

‘We can’t do this here.’

‘I know.’ Nate helped her off his lap, groaning in appreciation as she smoothed down her clothes and hair. ‘You keep forgetting to leave your number. I’m beginning to think you don’t want me to have it.’

‘I just keep forgetting. We’re not allowed to have our phones with us while we’re working.’

Nate handed her his phone, watching as she saved her number before handing it back. He pocketed his phone, aware of a change in the mood.

When Paige looked back up her eyes had lost their playfulness. ‘Sorry to be this girl, but what are we doing Nate?’

Nate stood up and tilted her chin up. ‘I honestly don’t know. We’re finding comfort in each other, having fun, getting to know one another.’

It was subtle but Nate saw a hardening in her posture and her expression. ‘So this is casual, a bit of fun?’

‘I don’t do a bit of fun Paige, and I don’t think you do either.’

Before she could reply he took her lips again, softer this time, but more possessive as he held her head firm, his tongue exploring her mouth. He wanted to say more but he didn’t have the words to describe what she triggered within him. It was too soon, so for now he just indulged in the peace he felt with her in his arms.