Free Headstrong Quarterback: A New Adult Sports Romance by Ava Catori Page A

you? You need somebody to be in control.”
    I stared at him, desperate for his kiss, as angry as I was.
    He dropped my wrists. “I’m not giving you the satisfaction.”
    I could barely breathe. Stunned, I watched him walk away from me.
    “Steel,” I said.
    He was on me. His lips tearing at my neck, his hands in my hair. His teeth grazed my skin. Pinned against the wall, I needed him. It scared me how much I needed him.
    “God, I fucking want you,” he whispered.
    We switched gears so quickly, it confused me. I couldn’t deny the words he said, and yet I wanted his big, fat cock to stretch my pussy open wide. I wanted to ride him until we had nothing left. I wanted to feel his tongue all over my body, and taste his saltiness while sucking on his balls and cock.
    With the spontaneity of a summer storm rolling in, we ripped off our clothes. Every sensation was heightened. I had no idea where we’d stand after this, but as long as he pushed his cock into me, I’d be able to breathe again.
    “I love you,” he growled, “I just want what’s best for you.”
    “You don’t get to decide,” I groaned as he pushed into me, his knee pressing my thighs apart.
    “You have to trust me,” he grunted as if his movements were carved with purpose. Each thrust had us speaking less.
    “You can’t always be in charge,” I moaned, unable to speak any longer. I wanted him to take me to the edge. As our bodies tangled and melted into one another, we drained our stress.
    I wanted to love him forever. I needed him to love me back.
    We moved to the bed, collapsing. “I love you, Steel, but I’m afraid of losing you. I’m not broken anymore, and you can’t rescue me.”
    My words hit like cold water to his face. “You think that’s what this is? What the hell, Avery.”
    “What else, then?” I hated stating the obvious, but I needed to – for both of us.
    “I don’t have time for this.” Steel rolled out of bed and ignored my words. “I’ve got to get out of here.”
    Sex was easy; it was talking that was the real challenge.

Chapter 15
     
    Kira decided that Pennsylvania wasn’t home. She wanted to go back to Seattle. She’d become more independent than she’d realized. When she was younger, she liked her brother leading the way. As an adult, it wasn’t the same. It felt restrictive and controlling.
    Quite honestly, I was ready for her to go. We’d gotten over our initial bump, but we never really found our stride.
    Before she headed to the airport, Kira pulled me aside. Her words surprised me. “He means well, Avery. He couldn’t save Mom, so he’s going to try to save you and me over and over again. You need to accept that. It’s who he is. He loves you, he really does, but he’s battling his own demons. Let him be the hero once in a while. It helps.”
    I looked at Kira differently after that. It explained so much about their bond. She let him save her. She knew how much he needed it. I thanked her for the advice, and then she was gone.
    ***
    It was the third game of the season, first and goal. In the fourth quarter, the Red Hawks put Steel in the game. They were hoping he’d pull off the win. With the Red Hawks behind, a field goal was the safe bet, making it a tie game, but the coach was going for a touchdown. A win was a win. They’d give Steel three attempts to get the ball into the end zone. If he didn’t do it, they’d kick on the fourth down and take the three easy points.
    Steel lined up, found his target, and then threw a perfect spiral to his receiver. When the driving tackle came, he went down hard. He didn’t see it coming. Pain shot through him with a force that not only took him down, but kept him down. He didn’t know if the ball connected, but as the roar rose through the stadium, he knew they’d scored.
    Officials and medics ran to the field as the rush of excitement fell to silence. Steel wasn’t getting up. People waited. The tackle was shown over and over on the big screen. My