Behind the Camera (Love through a Lens, #2)

by Chelsea Curto

“You might want to put a shirt on, buddy. Shawn gave me that necklace.” “Fuck,” I mumble again. I dig through my suitcase and yank a hoodie over my head. “I’ll text you later.”

“It’s from Mexico.” “Oh my god. I love that brand.” She reaches for the bottle, and I hand it to her. “This is the fancy shit. I’d never buy this for myself.” “Which is why I bought it for you.” “Spoiling me, Lansfield?” “Taking care of someone I care about,” I say, correcting her. “Want me to grab some glasses?” “No.” I turn the cap and look down at her. “We don’t need them.” “Are we going to throw it back old school?” “Sort of. Sit on the edge of the cushions.” Maven wiggles to the end of the couch and rests her feet on the floor. “Now what?” she asks, and it’s softer than before. “Tip your head back,” I tell her roughly, and her eyes widen in understanding as she tilts her chin up. I hook my fingers around her chin and stroke her jaw. I bring the bottle to her mouth and she opens her lips, her tongue out and ready. Her smile is coy, but she doesn’t speak. She waits patiently, and I pour a small taste of liquor on her tongue. “Swallow,” I say, and she does so immediately without batting an eye. A groan works its way up my throat, and my sweatpants grow impossibly tight. “Christ, you’re good, aren’t you?” “I try to be.” “You’re so good, Maven.” I press my thumb on her bottom lip, and she moans. “Open again.”

“Doing okay?” I ask, wanting to check on her. “Never better,” she says. I pour another round of tequila in her mouth—more this time—and watch in amazement as she stares at me. There’s not so much as a grimace on her face and her eyes twinkle. She squeezes her thighs together, and I think she’s enjoying this. “Fuck. I wonder what you’d look like with a mouthful of my cum,” I murmur. “Beautiful, I bet. Taking everything I give you. Swallow nice and slow. Let me watch you.” Her neck bobs, and the tequila glides down her throat. Once her mouth is empty, her tongue sneaks out. She licks away a lingering drop of alcohol that hangs on the corner of her lips, and I’m hot all over. “Not wasting a drop, are you?” I ask. “Never.” Her eyes bounce to the front of my sweatpants. “I wouldn’t waste a drop of that either.” “I know you wouldn’t. You’re greedy, aren’t you?” “For you? I’m fucking ravenous, Dallas.” I grin and close my hand around her throat, applying the slightest bit of pressure. This woman is from my dreams, and it doesn’t surprise me when she arches her back to get closer. “You want more, pretty girl?” “You know I want all of it.” We’re not talking about tequila anymore. I want all of it too.

“Lie on the sofa. Prop up your head,” I tell her, and she scrambles to get into the position.

I climb onto the couch and straddle her, my legs on either side of her hips. My erection presses into her, and instead of pulling away, she nudges her thighs open so she can feel more of me. “Are you just going to sit there and stare at me all night, or are you going to do something?” she asks with the smug defiance I love about her. “Two sips of tequila, and she’s feisty. I never pegged you for a lightweight, Wood.” “It would be a lot nicer if you did peg me, Lansfield.” A laugh bursts out of me, and it makes her giggle, too. “God, I like you,” I say softly. “I like you so much.” “I like you, too. I like you more than I’ve ever liked anyone else.”

I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear, and she turns her cheek to kiss my palm. Overwhelming desire sweeps over me, and I can’t remember why I’ve stayed away from this woman. It’s like I’m permanently stuck in her orbit, and I hope I never have to leave. This is the part where I kiss her, right? I want to. I think I might die if I don’t.

“Maven,” I whisper, and she licks her lips, like she knows what’s coming. “I⁠—” A wail travels down the hall and cuts me off. My head snaps toward June’s room, and panic rushes through me. “Shit,” I curse, and I try to pull myself off of Maven. The tequila spills, and my foot gets caught under a cushion. “I need⁠—” “You need to calm down first,” Maven says, and she gestures to where I’m still hard. “I’ll get her.” “But she⁠—” “I’ve got it, Dallas. Really.” She pops off the couch and takes the bottle from my hands. “You trust me, right?” “Yes,” I say, and I crane my neck, hoping I can see what’s going on. “More than anyone in this world.” “Good.” She bends down and kisses my forehead. “You’re not alone, remember? Let me do this for you.” “Okay.” I nod, and that same swell of emotion that hit me earlier sweeps me up again. “Thank you.” She jogs away, and after a minute, her voice drifts toward me. She’s singing a soft song, and I imagine her holding June in her arms. Rocking her back and forth just like I do as she quiets the nightmares. It hits me, then, as I think about someone else taking Maven’s spot one day down the road.

She’s irreplaceable. Not just as a nanny or someone behind the camera at football games, but as the woman I want by my side until the end of time. I’m totally and completely head over heels for her, and I need to figure out a way to fucking have her once and for all.

I follow the noise. I stand in the entryway and see Maven on the couch. Her phone is in her hand and her bottom lip is caught between her teeth. It looks like she’s thinking hard about something, but before I have time to wonder what it is, my phone buzzes twice in my pocket. I pull it out and find messages from her on my screen. Maven Hi. I hope the hotel is fun. The apartment is always so lonely when you aren’t around. Can you hurry home, please? I love that she calls my place home, and I type out a quick reply. Me Hey, sunshine. Kind of sounds like you miss me. I watch her reaction, and I feel victorious when she smiles and answers right away. Maven Only a little bit. Don’t flatter yourself. “Just a little bit?” I ask. Her phone goes flying. She lets out a noise that’s somewhere between a screech and a squeal, and I double over laughing when a shoe comes flying at my head. “What the fuck? Dallas?” Maven clutches her chest and stares at me like an ax might be coming for my head next. “Are you insane?

Who the hell sneaks up on a woman alone in an apartment you absolute asshat? You’re lucky I put my dinner knife away, or that pretty face of yours would be all marked up.” “You think I’m pretty?” “Fuck you. You almost gave me a heart attack, and it’s a miracle you didn’t wake up JB.” I clutch my side and wheeze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think that through. I was trying to be romantic, and it came off as incredibly serial-killery.” “Uh, yeah. I feel like you might rival Ted Bundy with that entrance.” She pulls the blankets off her legs and stalks toward me with her hands on her hips and the cutest angry face I’ve ever seen. “What are you doing here?”

“I missed you too.” Maven blinks, and I swear her eyes sparkle. “That’s why you came here? To tell me you missed me?” “Among other things.” “Like?” “Like that I can’t get you out of my head,” I say, and my words crack around the edges. “I think about you, every second of every day. I’ve tried really fucking hard not to, but I can’t stop, and I’m done pretending like I can. I’m weak, Maven, and you’ve ruined me. I never stood a chance when it came to you.”

Her breath catches and she parts her lips. I stare at her, and a flash of color catches my attention. I take a step back, and that’s when I realize what she’s wearing. A jersey. My jersey. With nothing but bare legs underneath it. “What are you—” I run my fingers across the neckline and down the front, tracing the numbers that sit over her chest. She arches her back and her breaths come out in soft, strangled pants. “Why are you wearing my jersey, Maven?” “Because,” she whispers, and her fingers hook in the belt loop of my jeans. “You said it was mine for the rest of the season. It makes me think I could be yours, too.”

“Tell me to stop.” I settle my hand over her heart. “Tell me to leave you alone.” “No.” Our chests press together, and there’s fire in her eyes now. “I’m done playing games.” “Fuck it. Fuck staying away. Fuck shouldn’t. I don’t just want you, Maven. I fucking need you like I need air. Can I have you? Please let me have you.” “Yes,” she says, and that single word rearranges my entire world. “You can have me. All of me, Dallas, because you’ve always had me.”

“Fuck, Maven,” I say, coming up for air. “Why did we wait months to do this?” she asks, and she rolls her hips. A strangled sound leaves my mouth, and she laughs softly, pleased with herself. “This is so much more fun than looking.” I dip my chin and kiss her neck. “You’re driving me fucking wild in this jersey.” “Does that mean you’re going to leave it on when you fuck me?” She runs a hand down my chest and cups me through my jeans. “So I know who I belong to?” “Jesus.” I drop my forehead against hers and squeeze my eyes shut. Her thumb drags up the zipper, and I swear I see fucking stars. “I’m not going to fuck you tonight. I want to tell you that now.” “You’re not?” Her voice turns hesitant, and I pull back so I can look at her. “Did you—am I⁠—” “Don’t you dare finish that sentence. You know you’re perfect, Maven. I’m not fucking you tonight because when I do, I want to take my time. When you touch me, I’m not going to last very long. It’s not you—well, it is you. You’re a fucking goddess and⁠—” Maven cuts me off with another kiss, and I don’t remember what I was saying. “I don’t care how long it lasts. Take me to your room, Dallas,” she murmurs against my mouth. So I do.

“I’ve imagined what this would look like,” I say, and my throat is dry. “Have you been thinking about me, Dallas?” she asks with a sly smirk. “More than I care to admit. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be this good. And I haven’t even touched you yet.” I position myself between her legs and run my palms up her thighs. They’re just as glorious as I thought they would be; creamy white. Silky smooth. Muscular and curvy. Being suffocated while my head is between them is the only way I want to go. My hand moves up to her thong. I brush my knuckles along the front seam and find it already wet. I give her pussy a light tap before I curl my fingers in the waistband of the lace and snap the elastic against her skin. Maven hisses and drops her head back, and I stare at the spot on her neck that’s been distracting me for days.

“Maybe you should hurry up and actually touch me,” she says around another soft moan when I massage her thighs with both hands. She grips the sheets next to her hips, and her legs open wider. “Or I might do it myself.” I lean forward. My body covers hers, and I drag my teeth up her throat. “Fucking needy, aren’t you?” I whisper in her ear. “Are you wearing anything under my jersey, pretty girl? Take it off and let me see.” She scrambles to pull the jersey over her head, and I sit back on my heels to watch. I’m at a loss for words when I see a matching lace bra, black as night. She’s a daydream, and I have to take a deep breath. “Do you like it?” she asks, playing with one of the straps and with my sanity. “Yeah,” I say, but it’s more like a croak, and I adjust myself over my jeans. I’m so fucking hard, and I need some relief. I rub my palm across my length, imagining her chest covered in my cum. “Can you just wear that from now on?” “If that’s what the boss wants. What else do you want?”

“You know it’s been a long time since I’ve been with someone. I want this to be about you, Mae. Not me. Lay down,” I say, and her mouth curves into a beautiful smile.

I unbutton and unzip my jeans, yanking them down and getting rid of them. I run my palms up her stomach toward her chest. She lets out a shaky breath, and I take her tits in my hands. “Look at you,” I murmur. I pinch both nipples, and she moans. “I want you to tell me what feels best, okay? What you like and what you want more of. Can you do that for me?” “Yes,” she gasps. “I like that. Right there.” “Good. So good.” I reach down her body with my right arm and cup her pussy possessively. “And already so wet. Does wearing my jersey turn you on, Maven? Do you like to pretend I’ll come home and find you in it, then bend you over the couch and fuck you like you were mine?” “I’ve done a lot of things pretending you’d come home and find me.” “Like what?” I ask, and my thumb finds her clit. She cries out, and I move the hand on her chest to cover her mouth. “Shh, honey. If you want me to take care of you, you have to be quiet.” “I’m trying, but it feels so good,” she says, and her voice is muffled. “No one has ever taken their time before. They usually just jump right into it.” I freeze, and our eyes meet. “Never?”

She shakes her head, and I lower my hand. “Never.” “No one has made you come just by touching your tits?” I ask, and I pinch her nipple again. “No,” she whispers, and she bites down on her bottom lip. “And they’ve never fucked your pretty cunt with their fingers until they had your come all down their hand?” “No.” She squirms and reaches for me, tracing the outline of my dick through my briefs. I jolt forward and almost fall on top of her, the sensation already too much. “Is that what you’re going to do, Dallas? Are you going to please me in a way that no one else ever has?”

“You’ve been with boys, Maven, who don’t know how to take care of you. But I do.”

“I’ve read your books. I’ve watched you get off. I know exactly what you like.”

“Prov...

“Fucking brat.”

“I need to find a way to shut you up.”

“That’ll do it, won’t it? I’m going to tease you like you’ve been teasing me for fucking months.”

“Fuck. You’re so goddamn tight.”

“Told you,” she whines. “You’re not going to fit.”

“I’m going to fit. I’m just going to have to get you ready so you ...

“Goddamn, pretty girl. If this is how good you feel on my fingers, what is it going to feel like when my cock is inside you?” “Heaven.” Maven’s hand tips my chin to look up at her. Her whole body is flushed and her eyes are glazed over, but she’s never been more beautiful. “It’s going to feel like heaven.” “Can I taste you? Please?” “God, yeah.” She flops back down and threads her fingers through my hair. “Show me how badly you want me.”

“Yes,” she hisses. “That’s good, Dallas. So good. You like eating pussy, don’t you? You’re not such a nice guy after all.”

“Only your pussy, Maven,”

“And you want to talk about not being nice? Look at you. The sunshine girl likes to be bad, doesn’t she?” “Close,” she says through a strained breath when I curl all three of my fingers. She reaches out and wraps her hand around my length. The cotton of my briefs rubs against me, and I groan at her touch. “So close. Are you going to come with me?” “Yeah, honey. I’m going to come with you,” I say low in her ear, and she tightens around me. “There you go. You’re doing so well, Maven. Let me see how gorgeous you are when you come.”

“That—I—” she tries to say, and she finishes with a sigh. “Yes.” I pull my fingers out of her and massage her thighs, calming her down. “Good?” “The best.” She gives me a tired, satisfied smile. “Did you⁠—?” “Almost. But not yet.” I move back down her body. “Let me clean you up first.” “Are we going to—oh,” Maven whispers when I lick her again. “Dallas. I can’t.” “You sure about that?” I ask from between her legs. “Come on, Mae. We both know you’re not a quitter.”

“Circle my clit,” she says. “I like that—yes. Fuck, Dallas. Right there.” I love that she’s not afraid to tell me what she wants. I love that she’s greedy about it. “On my tongue this time,” I say, and I shove one hand down my briefs. I grip myself, jerking up and down as her breathing gets harder. “Let me imagine what it’s going to feel like on my cock.” Maven moans, and a second orgasm races through her. She rides my tongue like it’s her own personal toy. She reaches out and tugs on my necklace, and that’s what does me in.

Neither one of us says anything for a handful of minutes, and when I lift my chin, she’s smiling at me. “Dallas,” she says, and I move for her. I wipe my hand on my jersey, not caring about the mess. I kiss her roughly and sigh when she wraps her arms around me and pulls me close. “You okay?” I ask against her mouth, and she nods. “Nothing about you could ever be considered just okay, and that includes the aftermath of what you did to me. I’m on top of the world.” I blush and kiss her neck. “Such an ego inflater.” “Can I stay in here with you tonight?” Maven asks.

“You can stay in here every night,” I say. “I do need to get up early and try to sneak back into the hotel before our team breakfast, but I won’t leave without saying goodbye.” “Okay.” She runs her hand down my back and settles her palm between my shoulders. “You’re my favorite person in the world. Did you know that?” “I had a feeling. Only because you’re mine, too.” “Shower then bed?”

“Good idea. I should try to get some sleep. With you next to me, though, I doubt that’ll happen.” “I’ll behave. You have a big game tomorrow, and I don’t want to be the reason you lose.” I laugh. “If we win, though, we’re going to have to do that before every game. I might have found my new favorite meal.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks. He reaches up and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, and his fingers dance across my jaw, in no hurry to pull away. It’s easy, tender affection. The kind that makes butterflies flutter in your stomach and your cheeks hurt from smiling so much. “Are you okay?” “Yeah.” I nod, and I’ve never been so sure of something in my life. “I’m perfect.”

“I really wish I didn’t have to leave.” He rests his forehead against mine, and now that he’s closer, I can see the flecks of gold around his irises. Light swatches of color that make the room infinitely brighter. “I could stay in bed with you all day.” “We have tonight,” I say, and I drag my thumb across his swollen bottom lip. I might have bitten it too hard when we tumbled back into bed. “And tomorrow. And the day after that. But I know this isn’t really your thing, so if it was just last night, well, it was fun.” “Fun?” he repeats slowly, and his eyebrows pull together. “What do you mean my thing?” “This.” I gesture between us and the mess we’ve made. Half the pillows are missing, and the comforter disappeared hours ago. “Dating. Hooking up. I don’t want you to feel obligated to act a certain way just because you had your head between my legs.” His mouth twitches. “I see. Give me a second.” “Where are you going?” I ask, and the mattress sinks as he hops off the bed. He doesn’t bother with clothes, and I don’t know if I should frown at how mysterious he’s being or admire his ass as he walks away. “Oh, god, is this the equivalent of dining and dashing? You ate me out and now you’re leaving before things get awkward?” “Your unfilteredness is one of my favorite things about you,” he says, and he disappears into the walk-in closet. “What else is on that list?”

Dallas comes back into the bedroom a minute later, and there’s a stack of papers clutched tightly to his chest. “Take a look and find out.” “What are those?” “You’ll see,” he says, and he drops the pile in my lap. I pull the twine holding them all together and postcards scatter everywhere. I pick up the first one and run my fingers over the corners, studying it like it might hold some sort of clue as to what’s going on. It’s from California, a vintage style design with tall palm trees and a bear on the front. I turn it over and see Dallas’s handwriting on the back. M- I always get June a postcard from every away game. It makes being away from home a little easier, and I thought I’d start the tradition with you, too. It’s silly, but I have this idea that one day when she’s older, we’ll pull them out of a shoebox and I can tell her about the cities I got to see and the people I got to meet. We’re really lucky to have you in our lives, and I hope you stick around for a long time. -D “California. This is from your first road game,” I whisper.

Dallas nods and rejoins me on the bed. He scoops me into his arms with ease and maneuvers our positions until he’s leaning against the headboard and I’m leaning against him. Settled, he kisses my cheek and drops his chin to my shoulder. “Read the next one,” he says. My hands shake as I turn it over. It’s another letter to me, longer than the first, and his handwriting is smaller so he can get in all the words he wants to say. M- I’m not sure I’ll ever give these to you. If I do, there’s something I want you to know. You’ve only been with us for a month, and already, I can see the impact you’re having on June. She’s always been happy and outgoing, but she’s different when you’re around. She’s braver and more willing to try new things. I know that’s because she feels safe with you. You two sing loudly. You play in the fountain at the park. You skin your knees and you c...

JB has needed someone like you in her life. Someone vivacious and bold. Carefree, but also able to discipline and be firm when needed. I heard you scold her the other day when she ran into a kid on the playground and didn’t apologize. You told her why what she did was wrong, but you soothed her after. That’s good parenting. Good nannying, I guess I should say. I know you say you don’t have a clue what you’re doing (I’ll admit you’re fucking terrible in the kitchen, but god, it’s cute to watch you try), but you’re wrong, Maven. You’re doing so well, and I’m so grateful for you. -D I’m greedy for the next one, and my laugh bursts out of me when I read it. M- I have a bone to pick with y...

Can’t you walk around in a sack or something? My productivity has gone out the window. (Don’t, though. I dream about your thighs, and I’d be sad if I didn’t get to see them again.) -D p.s. (addendum after our FaceTime call, scribbled frantically in the airport): you’re going to be the death of me, woman. I think it’s time to invest in the sex toy market and buy you a thousand vibrators. I reach for the final one, and it’s the shortest of the bunch. M- I miss you. Fuck, I miss you. -D “Why?” I ask, and the question hangs heavy between us. “I’ve always said I don’t date because I’m focused on football. I don’t want any distractions or things that will interfere with my job. But lately, I realize that’s not true—you’re the biggest distraction of all...

years. I feel like I was made for you, and I feel like you were made for me too. I’m all in on this. On you....

“I was made for you,” I say. I bring my fingers to his neck and touch the necklace pressed against his throat. I move to his chest and settle my hand over his heart. “And I’d like to stay here for a long time.” “As long as you’d like, sunshine.” Our gazes lock and hold, a beat of tranquil silence before we both attack.

“How long until you need to leave?” I ask into the crook of his neck, and he lets out a stuttered exhale. “I should’ve left ten minutes ago, but I’m past caring,” Dallas says, and I hum in firm agreement. “Can I touch you? Can I taste you?”

“Yeah, Mae,” he says from low in his throat. “You can touch me.” “What do you like?” I ask, and I climb off of him.

“I—” he dips his chin and shudders out a breath. “Anything. Anything you do will feel good.” “I want you to feel better than good, Dallas.”

“Maven,” he croaks, and even in the heat of the moment it’s laced with reverence. I take him back into my mouth, fully this time, and I work his cock as deep as I can. My eyes prick with tears and I breathe out of my nose, but I smile victoriously when I reach the base of his shaft. “Christ. Fuck. I don’t—how are you—god, okay. I’m⁠—”

“That. Keep doing that. Please,” he begs.