Body Check (Seattle Serpents, #1)

by Teagan Hunter

“Have a good flight, Mr. Grumbles,” she mutters as I walk by. I laugh, shaking my head as I make my way from the lounge to my gate.

There’s no way he’s anything under six foot four, which means he’s a hot and tall asshole—my weakness.

“It was eight years ago.” He looks up at me. “Eight years ago, I was stood up at the altar.”

“You know, Auden…” I kiss her mound, the tuft of curls tickling my lips in the most delightful way. “I never did eat dinner.” A stuttered breath. Another kiss, this one closer to the meal I’m so looking forward to. I peek up at her, loving how she’s watching me with hazy eyes. She wants this as badly as I do. “And I’m fucking starving.”

“Hi, I’m Auden Sinclair.” He glances down at my hand, then back up at my face. “I know who you are. What I don’t know is why—why are you here?” “I own this hotel.” His jaw slackens, and his eyes grow wide. “You… You…” “Welcome to The Sinclair, Mr. Hutchinson.”

Not until an hour into our flight do I realize I’m missing something again—my hat. I know then that wasn’t the last I’ll see of Auden Sinclair.

I grin down at the navy Yankees hat in my hand. What a fool. It’s been a week since I last saw Hutch, and I haven’t stopped gloating about how I was able to steal his hat back.

Payback’s a bitch, Reed Hutchinson.

My eyes drift to the hat that’s still on her head. Little thief. I still can’t believe she got one over on me and stole it back. At first, I was pissed, but then I realized it gave me an excuse to see her again, and that thought rocked me to my core. I wanted to see her again. I never want to see my one-night stands again.

“I am, Auden. I’m superstitious as hell, and right now, it seems like you might be my good luck charm.”

“As much as I want to fill your throat with my cum, I want to fill your cunt even more.” He cups me through my jeans, and I swear it’s like there’s nothing between us. “But first, I’m going to get a taste of this sweet pussy I missed so much. Then I’m going to fuck you against this window, Auden. I want all of Seattle to see who you belong to tonight, understand?”

Eventually, he pulls me from the tub and wraps me in a towel. We dry off, then crawl into bed, falling fast asleep. When I wake up in the morning, I’m alone once again, but I know it’s not the last I’ll see of him. Especially since he left something behind on the dresser. His hat.

I wonder briefly if other players feel this same way too but quickly push that thought out of my head because the only thing I can see is her. Auden. She’s back in her seat against the glass. Her smile is bright and so fucking infectious I can’t help but smile back.

Then he sets his eyes on me, furious. Absolutely fuming. “You’re going to regret that,” he promises. I laugh as the linesmen tug me away. “I doubt it.”

“Just maybe?” I run my nose along the length of her neck. “That’s it?” “Yeah. It was okay. Didn’t get my panties wet or anything.” “Is that because you weren’t wearing any?” She doesn’t answer, and I pull back, peering down into her eyes. “You weren’t wearing any, were you?” She shakes her head. “Nope.” “My, my, my. Auden Sinclair, you naughty little girl.”

When I climb back into bed, she curls against me, but it’s not enough. I drag her even closer until she’s practically on top of me. “Mmm,” she purrs, half asleep. “I could get used to this.” Me too, Auden. Me too.

Only after he presses a kiss to my head does he whisper, “I’ll miss you.” I’ll miss you too, Reed.

“Ahh!” A loud squeak leaves me when he hauls me into his arms the second he walks through the door I was admittedly waiting right next to. “You’re a madman.” “Maybe.” He presses a kiss to my lips. “But you like it.” “Maybe,” I counter, kissing his stubbled cheek.

“You guess?” She gives me a knowing smile. “Please, Auden. You wouldn’t risk doing something like this if you didn’t like him. In fact, you wouldn’t be doing this if…” She doesn’t finish her sentence, but she doesn’t have to. I know exactly what she’s going to say. You wouldn’t be doing this if you didn’t love him. We both burst into laughter. It’s so loud and obnoxious, bouncing off the windows of my office and echoing. We do it for seconds, minutes—maybe even hours. I’m not sure how long passes until we finally calm down, both of us swiping at our eyes. “Good one,” I tell her. “I know, right?” She shakes her head on a chuckle. But when our laughter fades and it’s quiet again, it doesn’t sound so ridiculous anymore.

“Auden…” Lilah says softly. When I shift my eyes to her, she gives me a soft, sad smile, a knowing smile. “You love him, don’t you?” she asks quietly. I don’t answer. I can’t. Because deep down… Deep down, I know she’s right. I’m in love with Reed Hutchinson. “Oh god,” I mutter, dropping my head into my hands. “How? Why?”

I just grin up at him, and I love the way he looks back at me. There’s no judgment. No annoyance. Just pure happiness. I love happy Hutch. Hell, I love grumpy Hutch too. Aw, screw it. I just plain love Hutch.

My sister’s gaze narrows on him. “Then you also must have heard my name is Rory, not Crazy Cat Lady.” “Uh-oh,” I sing. “Someone’s in trouble.” Hutch laughs, not looking the least bit fazed by this.

He remembers what I was wearing when we met? “Kind of hard to forget,” he says, looking right at me. Did I say that out loud? Oops. “Hi! I’m Lilah!” my best friend yells. Literally yells. Once again, Hutch isn’t bothered by it at all. He gives her an amused smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Lilah. I’m Hutch.”

“Hey, wait—what are you doing here? It’s the middle of the day.” “Oh, I’m aware, my little day drinker. I have a game tonight.” “Ah. You want a little pre-game bumping and grinding before you go off and do some other, less fun bumping and grinding.” I nod, everything clicking into place. “All right. Let’s go do it. Let’s have S-E-X.”

“You’re drunk, Auden,” he states as he pushes open the door and walks us inside the room I call home. “How about we cuddle instead?” “Cuddling. That sounds nice,” I say, sliding into the silk sheets I love so much. I run my hand over the spot next to me, patting the bed. “You can sex me up later.” He slides in next to me, dragging me until I’m sprawled across him. “Shh. Sleep, Sinclair.” “Sleep, then sex. Got it.”

“Did you mean what you said earlier?” “Which part? I said kind of a lot.” “About loving me.” “Oh. That.” She gulps, then slowly nods. “I meant it, Hutch. I meant it a whole lot. I love you. So much. I didn’t mean to. I know that wasn’t the deal, but it happened. It happened and I’m not sorry about it, okay? I just can’t be sorry about it.”

“Well, that’s good,” I say as the plane picks up speed, takeoff just seconds away. Her eyes widen. “It is?” “Yeah.” I nod. “Because I love you too, Sinclair.”

“I love you, Reed.” His eyes widen at my words like he’s surprised to hear them again. I don’t blame him. I’m still surprised I’m saying them, but I’m even more surprised by how natural they feel, how right it is. Everything with Hutch feels like what I’ve been missing for so long. He closes his eyes, sighing contentedly as he rests his forehead against mine. “I love you, Auden. So fucking much. I can’t…” He shakes his head.

“Are you ready to stop being stubborn and come inside now?” Hutch asks, back to rubbing my arms to warm me up. “I-I-I s-s-suppose.” He laughs, grabbing my hand and tugging me toward the door. “Come on. I think I know just the right way to warm you up, Sinclair.” “Are you trying to woo me with orgasms again, Mr. Grumbles?” “Always.”

He smiles then kisses me quickly. “Come on. I promise to make it up to you later.” I know without a doubt he’ll keep that promise, again and again and again. Because this thing with Hutch? It’s not a fling. It’s not just fun. It’s fate…and I think it might just be forever.

Rory takes off down the hallway without another word, leaving Lawson standing behind with his tongue practically hanging out as he stares after her in wonder.

“She’s so mean,” he mutters, then he grins. “And she so wants me.” I laugh, patting his back. “Keep dreaming, buddy. Keep dreaming.”

When she hands it back, I’m confused. I peek over at her. “This is where you want to go?” She bobs her head up and down. “Yes.” “For lunch?” “And dinner. Breakfast too,” she adds, then she sighs. “I was even thinking Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. And New Year’s, of course. Maybe a little repeat of this last one.” She bumps her shoulder against me then tries to walk ahead, but I don’t let her. I grab her hand, pulling her to a stop, and she spins toward me, a grin etched across her face. “Yes?” She says it so innocently I almost believe her. “Auden…” I roll my tongue over my lips, running my thumb over the back of her hand where it’s entwined with mine. “Are you saying what I think you are?”

She tucks her lips together, piercing me with those hazel eyes of hers I love so much and nodding several times. “I am.” “And you’re sure?” “Surer than I’ve ever been.” I drag her the last remaining inches toward me, not stopping until she’s flush against my body, hers pressing on mine in that familiar way I’m not sure I’ll ever tire of. “You moving in with me, Sinclair?” Her lips twitch. “I’m moving in, Hutch.” “Fucking finally.” I capture her lips with my own, showing her with my mouth just how happy I am with her decision.