Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1) Read online

Satisfied that I have licked up every drop I crawl up her body as she purrs in sated bliss. I lift her legs onto my thighs as I hover over her and slowly lower myself until I am sliding into her nice and easy. I still can’t believe how hard I am right now.

  I slide my arms beneath her back and cup her shoulders. With one smooth lift I bring her up from the mattress and cradle her in my arms as I start to rock into her faster as our slick chests press together. Her head loathes into the croak of my neck and I feel her warm mouth suck at the flesh there.

  I groan and slide one hand down the center of her back. I go on pure instincts when I slide a hand down her back and slip a digit between her ass cheeks and into her forbidden hole. Instead of the Tam freak out I expect she locks her arms around my back and she bites into my shoulder.

  “Shit,” I growl thrusting up hard and shoving my other hand in her hair pulling her head back.

  “Brad,” she moans. It is deep and throaty and such a turn on. “Baby that feels so good.”

  “Yeah Baby, you like that?” I grunt as I push my finger in and out.

  She gasps and starts to rock and grind her wet pussy into me. “Yes, yes, yes,” she cries. “I’m coming.”

  “Come for me Darlin’, give it to your man,” I growl. I know I’m going over with her, there is no stopping it this time.

  “Bradley,” her scream pierces the room.

  “Tamara,” I bellow back.

  She is trembling in my arms and I can feel our hearts beating as one as they settle. If I didn’t know it before I know it now. Tamara is the only one for me. She is my woman and I love her with everything I am. I’ll make all this right.

  Chapter 17

  I spent the majority of last night making love to my woman. As tired as Tam was she reached for me just as often as I reached for her throughout the night. Our love making was full of passion and everything we hadn’t said out loud to one and other. When we finally did fall asleep Tam told me she loved me once more before kissing my chest and falling into a deep sleep.

  I fell asleep a very happy man, although I woke up confused. I expected to wake up with Tam in my arms. The room is quiet so I know she is not in the bathroom. I push up off the mattress and plant my bare feet on the floor. I run my hands through my hair to push it out of my face and look over at the clock next to the bed.

  It is already eleven in the morning. I hadn’t meant to sleep so late. Tamara and I have a lot to do today. I left my bags downstairs so I go into the bathroom and grab a towel to wrap around my waist. I splash some water on my face and rinse out my mouth before going in search for Tam.

  When I get downstairs I find coffee already brewed. I know Tam has done this just for me, which makes me smile. I make a note to come back for a cup after I find her. I walk toward her home office and hear her voice behind the half closed door.

  I push it open and lean against the door frame. Tam is sitting in front of her laptop while on her phone. When she notices me in the room she looks up at me with a smile, holding up a finger for me to wait.

  “Yes, two will be fine. Thank you so much for seeing me today,” Tam says to whoever is on the other end of the call.

  “What are you up to,” I ask with a smirk on my lips as I watch her eyes roam greedily over my towel clad body.

  “I booked visits with three of the schools on the top of my list and I lined up a few interviews for nanny’s later this afternoon.

  I sigh and lift a brow at her. “Darlin’, I thought we were going to do this together?”

  “You were sleeping so peacefully and I know you don’t get to sleep in like that so I just started making some calls. But if you want to join me for the first day care interview you better get moving. The first one is at noon,” Tam says as she closes her laptop and walks around the desk.

  I take in the fact that she is already showered, but she is only wearing a robe, thigh highs and heels. At least that is all that I can see at the moment. I groan and reach for her waist pulling her into my arms.

  “Oh no Brad, we do not have time,” Tam starts to giggle as I place soft kisses down the side of her neck. “Babe.”

  “You are so beautiful and you smell great. I don’t think I’ve had enough of you yet,” I growl against her ear.

  “Remember Ellie. I’ll let you have your way with me when she has a new sitter and a new day care,” Tam purrs back.

  “I’ll hold you to that, Sweetheart. Trust me,” I say with a smile and peck her on the lips before letting her go.

  ~B~

  After last night you would think I would be content, but I just barely fought Brad off this morning. We are just making our first appointment because he spent twenty minutes whispering words of love in my ear as I dressed in front of the mirror. By the time a slipped into my black skirt and blue silk blouse we were rushing to get out of the house.

  My mouth is still watering at the sight of Brad in his charcoal grey suit and crisp blue dress shirt. The grey tie is just icing on an already handsome cake. I can’t blame the director standing before us for drooling. She is trying her best to be professional, but even so she has looked Brad over more than once.

  Brad for the most part has paid her no mind other than to ask her questions about our daughter’s safety and education. His hand has remained possessively on my lower back as we move through the grounds of the day care. This place comes highly recommended and it would be great to get Brielle in here.

  “Do you have any more questions for me?” The director, Regan asks as we come to the end of the tour.

  “I think I have seen enough,” Brad responds before I can.

  “Well, we can step into my office and discuss enrollment,” Regan says to us both, but she looks as if she is having fantasies of just her and Brad stepping into her office.

  “If you don’t mind, I would like to see the other schools we have appointments with before we make a decision,” Brad says firmly before turning to me. “Is that okay, Darlin’?”

  “Yes, I was thinking the same thing.”

  Regan doesn’t look too pleased, but she covers it quickly and leads us out. “It was a pleasure to meet you both. I look forward to meeting your little girl and having the opportunity to provide her with the best care,” Regan says with a wide smile, stretching her hand out toward Brad.

  “Thank you again, we will talk to you soon either way we decide,” Brad says giving her a firm shake.

  “Thank you,” I repeat to make sure Regan remembers I am here with Brad.

  Our next two appointments go pretty much the same. I was sure things would be different at the last day care when I saw the male director, but he was just as taken with Brad. At least with him, he was just a huge fan. I feel drained as I sit in the passenger seat of Brad’s truck.

  We are heading back home to set up for the interviews with the sitters. My mind is all over the place and I suddenly feel so overwhelmed. I am staring out of the window lost in thought when Brad’s voice breaks through.

  “Are you thinking about the day cares? I really liked the second one. I think Ellie would too,” he muses.

  “I actually liked that one too. But that is not what I was thinking about,” I press my lips and rub my temples.

  “Talk to me Tam. If we want this to work you have to be willing to talk to me,” Brad peeks over at me quickly before looking back at the road. Concern laces his words and knits his brow.

  I think about where to start. There is so much on my mind. I have so much I need to think about. It feels like my whole life is changing so quickly.

  “Where do I begin? You know I used to want to make partner. It was all I dreamed about and work toward. But I don’t know what I want anymore,” I relinquish.

  “Well, what has changed? I thought you loved your job,” Brad looks over at me again.

  “You know I really don’t know. I had a weird conversation with my boss and it got me to thinking about what is more important to me,” I shrug.

  Brad lifts a brow. “Wh
at was so weird about it?” He asks.

  I bite my lip not sure I want to tell him everything that was said. I am still processing it all. I huff in exasperation and decide to bare all. “He was concerned about us. Well about our relationship and how it will affect my career,” I frown at my own words.

  “I don’t see how that could be his concern,” Brad says angrily. “And I don’t see how our relationship has any bearing on your career.”

  I run my hand through his hair and turn to look at him. “But see that’s the thing. The way Cyrus put it made me think of how much our relationship can affect a lot of things. He wasn’t being negative if that is what you’re thinking. He was being …. I don’t know, proactive. He wants to help me; he and my father are close friends. I think that is why his words are weighing so heavily,” I shake my head.

  “Okay, so talk to me. What are you thinking? I mean what do his words have to do with you thinking about not wanting to be partner?”

  I pause to see how to state my next words because they are very revealing. “I never thought I would want to change my life for a man, but if I can’t have both I’m not so sure my job would come first anymore,” I say with a blush.

  Brad ignores the paparazzi and pulls into my garage. He cuts the car off and turns toward me with the brightest grin I have ever seen. “Although I am so happy to hear that I have moved up on your priority list, I would never ask you to choose. I’m your man, so I will make any sacrifices in this relationship. However Darlin’, I believe that we can take on anything as long as we do it together. I know it is not going to be easy to be in a relationship with me.

  “I’ll be gone a lot for games, there will always be some story about my life that they want to know about or that they have made up. I am green on all this being a father stuff and I am learning to understand you and how to be a part of your life. We have a lot on our plates, but I think we can make this work if we do it as a family.

  “I want this Tam. I want you. I never want to be apart from my family again. You and Ellie are my everything. I will do whatever I have to make this work,” Bradley says that last part with such conviction I want to believe that we will make it through all of this but, my stomach and the knots in it are telling me it is not going to be that easy.

  Just look, they are still camped out in front of my home with cameras. I know I can’t live like this. I have a daughter to think about.

  “Tam, baby, I see the wheels turning. I’ve been looking for a place and I was thinking that it would be better if you and Ellie move with me when I find one. It will be more secure and I just really want you with me,” Brad says almost pleadingly.

  “This is all so much so fast. I need time to think,” I place my head in my hands.

  “You have until I find a place, which is now priority so that I can make my girls safe again,” Brad says firmly before turning and stepping out of the truck.

  I am left a little stunned. This wouldn’t be the first time Brad just decided to lay the law down. While at times it can be a turn on, right now it is just serving to piss me off.

  I glare at Brad as he rounds the truck to open my door. I am still glaring at him when he opens my door and stands waiting for me to get out. He ducks his head into the truck and pecks my lips.

  “I love you and my daughter. I’m going to make this work Tam. I will fix it all, which means I need you safe and by my side,” he says against my lips.

  My shoulders sag. I don’t want to fight. Apart of me knows he is right, but I still see red flags all around what we are about to take on and I am not so sure I am going to come out of this unchanged.

  Chapter 18

  “Aw damn, Tam I have been walking around with that signed contract for days. So much has been going on,” Brad actually blushes.

  “It’s not just your contract. My boss wants to meet you and so does my dad. It’s just a little golf,” I stop and shrug. “I wouldn’t mind you handing over that contract though.”

  I smile at him looking up through my lashes. My father called me this evening. It was hell answering all his questions about Brad. I felt like a little girl all over again. My mother is being a little more understanding. I know it is going to take some time to work on my dad.

  Brad stands from his spot on the floor. Ann offered to keep Brielle for one more night. While we were able to square away the nanny and a new school for Brielle, Brad is being insistent on me helping with the house hunt. So tomorrow we will be looking for a new home.

  I have to admit. The more I think about it the more I am becoming excited about it. We are really going to do this. We are going to be a real family.

  I look up at my man from my perch on the couch and lick my lips. He is bare foot in a pair of gym shorts with no shirt. His hair is loose and spilling over his broad shoulders. I can’t believe I have kept my hands off him this long.

  I’ve been behaving myself as we discuss all the things we still need to do. Then I had to find the right moment to bring up the invitation from my dad and my boss for Brad to join them for golf. Right now I want to forget it all and get lost in his body for the rest of the night.

  “Tam, you’re going to get in a whole lot of trouble looking at me like that,” Brad says huskily. “I’m going to go get this contract before I get distracted again.”

  “I’m patient,” I say in a silky purr as I lie back on the couch and throw my arms over my head.

  Brad chuckles and shakes his head as he turns to leave. I look up at the ceiling in thought. This is not where I saw my life heading, but I can’t say that I am unhappy.

  “No Tiff, I’m seeing someone,” I hear Brad say as he reenters the house. He rolls his eyes as he tosses the contract on the coffee table and plops down next to my feet. “Yes, it is the one from the photo. Not that it is your business.”

  I’m a little uncomfortable with eavesdropping on his conversation, but Brad seems fine with it. He gathers my feet in his lap and starts to massage them. I just stare at the side of his annoyed face.

  “We broke up. I have a right to move on with my life. I told you I wasn’t going to lie to you about her. I’ve always been in love with her,” Brad pauses to listen.

  “Why in the world would you do that?” Brad pauses in his rubbing and sits up straight. “Coming to Texas isn’t going to change anything Tiff. I really think it is best if you stay away from me and my family.”

  I can hear her raising her voice on the other line now. It is taking everything in me not to snatch the phone from him and give this chick a piece of my mind. However, Brad beats me to it.

  “Look, enough. Lose my number Tiffany. We are done. I know you are trying to get your career back off the ground, so stalking me won’t look so good if I go to the tabloids with this,” Brad bites out.

  He hangs up the phone putting his head back against the couch. I wait for him to calm down a bit before I climb into his lap. I put my forehead to his and start massaging his shoulders.

  “Is this something I should be worried about Brad,” I ask gently.

  “Not at all Darlin’,” he replies wrapping his strong arms around me.

  “We have a daughter Brad. We have to think about her at all times. I don’t want to confuse her or put her in danger. If we are going to do this we have to do it right. I don’t want her to get hurt if we don’t work out,” I murmur.

  “As a family Tam, always as a family,” he squeezes me in his arms before he stands and takes us up to my bedroom.

  Chapter 19

  It feels so good to have Tam open up to me. It seemed like once she did that day in the truck I could really see us working this out. I assumed to understand the pressure Tam has in her life. However, the more she opens up the more I understand her reluctance to be in a relationship that could tip everything she has so carefully built. It all started to make sense when I met her dad and saw how in control he is of everything at every moment.

  My parents are way more laid back. I can see how much he loves Tam t
hough. Something tells me that he has known about me for longer than Tam thinks. She told me she never told her father who Ellie’s father is but I have feeling he figured it out somehow. I like the man. He is blunt and to the point.

  I know I can’t make decisions for Tam, but I plan to do my part in making things easier for her. I’ve spent the last three months doing just that. After agreeing on the same school we found a great sitter that Ann recommended. We weren’t too fond of the ones we had originally set up to interview.

  The sitter we chose worked out best as she happened to be the daughter of a friend of Ann’s. She is also always more than willing to take Ellie to be around her cousins when they’re at Ann’s or my parents, which Tam and I agreed to. Ellie has been busy with dance, riding horses and sleepovers since I introduced her to my family. Tam has been in a much more peaceful place.

  The media backed off since we found a place. They weren’t getting much on me and my little family since Tam and I became very cautious. They were able to place names with the faces but that was it. I always steer them back to the team and the game. Once the season started it got easy to deflect.

  We ended up purchasing a large house, well ranch actually, not far from my parents and my siblings. Since Tam’s family is not in Texas, other than Ellerie, I thought it would be good to be surrounded by mine. Besides, the way Tam’s face lit up when we walked in the door made my heart swell. I had to buy the place for her.

  The house has been just the right amount of work for us. Tam wanted a new kitchen and I insisted she redo the master bath. All in all we have made the place a home in a very short time. A few more weeks and upstairs will be finished and we can just enjoy it.

  Things haven’t changed much at work for Tamara despite our relationship and her bringing in my contract. So we have really just been settling into our new home and into our relationship. I have fallen more in love with Tam daily.

  Now remember that I respect Tam’s father. We get on well, but right now I am nervous to be face to face with the man. Her parents will be staying with us for a few weeks for Brielle’s birthday and her party.