Meet Me in the Penalty Box (Orchid City, #1)

by Cali Melle

“Do you want me to throw the tape out for you?” My eyes widened and I shook my head. “Absolutely not.”

“You never touch Nico’s tape,”

“You sleep in your damn suit every night before a game.” Wes simply shrugged. “It’s good luck, bro.” “And so is my ball of tape.”

She was diagnosed with cancer when I was finishing up college. Her prognosis wasn’t good and she didn’t last very long with us after she found out.

Just as I placed my order, someone ran into my back, pushing me forward slightly in my seat.

“Oh my god, I am so sorry.” The sound of her voice slid across my eardrums like silk and I slowly turned around to face her. She was still standing close and I caught a whiff of her floral perfume. The corners of my lips lifted as her blue eyes met mine. Under the flashing colored lights from above, her blonde hair changed hues with each flash.

Reaching out, I placed my hand over hers and pushed the card back into her small bag as I shook my head. “You don’t owe me anything.” I smiled at her as she turned to face me. “I have a better idea. How about I buy you a drink instead?” My eyes were drawn to her plump lips. They were stained a dark red from her lipstick and I wanted the matching stains on my own lips. “I like that idea.”

leaned closer to her, my lips brushing against her ear. “I’m actually an angel and as innocent as they come.” She snorted and pushed me back before hopping out of her seat. “I highly doubt that,” she winked as she grabbed her drink with one hand and grabbed my bicep with the other. “Dance with me?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

I threaded my fingers through hers and followed her into the crowd. She abruptly stopped and I dropped her hand, grabbing her waist to hold her upright as I crashed into her back. She lifted her arm up, snaking it arou...

Her back was pressed flush against my torso. We had about a foot difference in height so her ass was just below my pelvis as she began to roll her hips. I moved along with her, grinding against her as I slid my hand across the front of her dress, stopping with my fingers splayed across the bottom of her stomach. Holding her drink in one hand, she spun around in my grip and I was holding the small o...

wanted to explore her body and get lost in the valleys and p...

Her lips parted slightly and my gaze dropped down to her mouth before finding her eyes again. “Kiss me,” she murmured. I could barely hear her over the music, but her body spoke louder. “Make me forget it all.” My face dipped down to hers. “What are you trying to forget, love?”

“The asshole who broke my heart.”

“So, you’re looking for someone to replace the memory of him tonight?”

She flashed me her bright white teeth and her eyes danced under the flashing lights. “Exactly.”

was claiming her mouth with my own. She tasted like the vodka she was drinking and her nails dug into the back of my neck as I traced the seam of her lips with my tongue. Gripping onto her waist, I slid my tongue against hers, breathing her in as she moved against

She made it clear what her intentions were and I wasn’t going to deny her a fucking thing. Our tongues were tangled together and there was an urgency behind our kiss. My lips bruised hers and I wanted more. Fuck playing it cool, fuck waiting till later. Abruptly breaking apart, I left her breathless and she stared up at me with wide eyes.

I needed to get her alone. Somewhere I could do whatever she wanted me to do. She followed along after me as we moved toward the back of the building and discarded our drinks along the way.

can’t see a thing. Is there a light in here?” I turned around to face her, my fingers trailing up her neck and across her jaw. “I don’t want anyone to interrupt us.” I could hear the smile in her voice in the darkness. “Good idea.”

“Nico,” I told her as I dropped my mouth to her neck. “But you can call me whatever the fuck you want.” “Mmm, Nico,”

“Different. I like it.” “I like the way my name sounds rolling off your tongue, but you know what I really want to hear, love?” She looked up at me as I pulled the straps of her dress down her arms. “What’s that?” “I want to hear you screaming it instead.”

😍😍

My lips found hers again as my fingers traced the dips and curves of her body. Sliding the material under her breasts, the feel of her skin was soft against my palms and I rolled her nipples between my fingers.

She moaned into my mouth and I swallowed the sound. Her hands found the waistband of my pants and she worked them open. Shifting my hips back, I gave her access to my cock as she slid her hands under my boxers.

“He left with these two girls. I don’t know what the hell happened, but they kicked him out of his car.”

“I shouldn’t drive and I didn’t know if you could.”

“Give me a minute and we’ll go get his dumb ass.” “Thanks, Nico.”

hate to leave like this, but I gotta go.” She smiled up at me. “I get it. You go do whatever you have to do and maybe one day our paths will cross again.” “Let me see your phone,”

“There, now you have my number,” I told her as I handed it back and slid my hand up to cup the side of her face. “I’m not done with you. Call me if you decide you want to finish this sometime.”

watched her disappear back into the crowd. “Who was that?”

“I have no idea,” I paused as I slid my phone back into my pocket, “but I have every intention of finding out.”

The air left my lungs in a rush and my eyes widened as his gaze collided with mine. I watched the recognition pass through his expression and my brain tripped over itself as it quickly tried to connect the dots. I didn’t make the connection until now. He looked older and different than he did in his rookie picture.

Mischief danced in Nico’s dark eyes. “Hey, Harper.”

“Hi, Nico.”

“She’s new to the city. Maybe we could show her around sometime…”

My phone vibrated in my pocket and when I had another short break, I pulled it out. My heart pounded erratically in my chest as I saw I had a text message. It was a number that wasn’t saved in my phone, but I knew exactly who it was. Nico Cirone.

“Who could possibly be more important than me?” I snorted and shook my head at Wes just as my phone vibrated in my hand. “Your ego is borderline suffocating.”

Don’t fuck with me, pretty girl. You know exactly who this is.

Are you going to see her again?” I side-eyed him. “Depends on if she wants to see me or not.”

“I’m going to tell you one time and this is the last fucking time.” My voice was as sharp as ice. He was my best friend but I knew how Wes operated. He ran through girls like it was his job. “Forget her name and stay away from her.”

“Ah, so you’re all about yourself and getting what you want?” Mischief danced in his irises and he shrugged. “I’m used to getting what I want.”

wanted you to want me for me, not because of my status.” “Are you always this forward with people?” A chuckle vibrated from his chest and I swear I felt it in between my legs. Heat crept up my neck and quickly made its way across my cheeks as I clenched my thighs together. His lips twitched. “You’re blushing.” “No, I’m not,”

“I like how you look when you blush, knowing I’m the one who put that color in your cheeks.”

😍❤⭐

“I wasn’t done with you that night and I’m not done with you now.” Cue melting into a puddle on the ground around his feet.

“This changes things now, Nico. We both work for the same organization. You know how their policies are regarding fraternizing with other staff.”

“Fuck the policies, Harper. You don’t strike me as someone who follows the rules.” “Maybe not, but I need this job.”

“Can I tell you a...

“Tonight was literally the best game I played since they moved me up from the farm team.”

“I think I found my good luck charm for the season and I’m not giving that up.”

😍❤⭐

“You can’t be serious.”