Playing Dirty (Leighton U, #4)

by C.E. Ricci

To the ones with the odds constantly stacked against them: Fuck what everyone else will think or say. Use it as fuel to write your own happy ending.

“I can’t promise you fair sky above. Can’t promise you kind road below. But I’ll walk beside you, love. Any way the wind blows.” — Hadestown

Unfortunately, after I come out of the bathroom from brushing my teeth, I realize the one massive problem I’ve overlooked. One that’s impossible to ignore now that he’s stripped down to nothing more than a pair of tight-fitting boxer briefs. Theo Greyson is hot as hell.

Unfortunately, Madden’s faster than me—and possibly a mind reader—grabbing my wrist before I can even take a step back toward Camden. His skin singes mine where it makes contact, and there’s an intensity in his gaze as he leans in a little closer. “Don’t worry, Theo. The only guy ending up in my bed tonight is you.”

“Play with fire, and you’re gonna get burned, Teddy Bear,” I utter, the warning coming out barely more than a gruff whisper. “Especially if you keep looking at me like that.”

“I don’t need to read your mind, Theo. Not when your body is screaming.”

But I don’t get the chance, because Theo’s hand lands on my forearm. And those emotions? Well, they boil over the second his lips crash into mine.

I don’t know what caused me to snap, only that the second I do, I realize it’s the greatest mistake I’ve ever made. Because nothing—fucking nothing on this planet—could prepare me for kissing Madden.

“I hate that I want you,” I whisper, the words coming out in a snarl. His dark chuckle floats over my skin like satin. “About time we agreed on something.”

“What do you—” “You!” I shout instantly. “Jesus fuck. It’s you, okay? I want you.”

Theo Greyson hasn’t just gotten under my skin. He’s clawed his way into my psyche, burrowed himself through muscle and cartilage, sliced straight to the bone—and he’s managed this in an unthinkably short amount of time.

I crave him down to the marrow of my bones, the ends of the earth. To the edge of my fucking sanity.

“Lie back. Relax. Let me take you for a ride.”

Me: You better make good on that promise, MadDog. Then, for good measure, I pluck one of the peach slices out of the dish and snap a selfie of me biting into it, which earns me an instant response. Madden: Always playing dirty, aren’t you?

But God, that smile…it causes devastation to my heart anytime it’s aimed at me. It eviscerates my soul.

“God, that sounds like a dream. Imagining my cum leaking out of you all game. None of your teammates knowing I railed you in this very spot only hours before taking the field. Fuck, just the idea…” He trails off with a groan, holding himself balls deep inside me before pulling back again. “You make me so fucking stupid, Mads. This is so, so stupid.”

“Because I love you, okay? God, I thought that’d be fucking obvious.” A soft, exasperated laugh leaves him, and he shakes his head. “I love you so much, sometimes I fucking hate you for it—for making me fall to the point where I’d abandon everything else for you. Because I would. I’d sell my team out and give you the pennant. I’d hand my soul over to Hades himself if it made you smile.” He licks his lips and releases a resounding sigh. “You’re the one I’d turn around for, Theo. Over and over again.”

“I meant it, though. I meant everything I said, but if there’s anything you should take away, it’s how stupidly in love with you I am.” “I love you too.”

“What? You didn’t have to turn around,” I say with a confused laugh. “I just wanted to hold your hand.” He hits me with one of those decimating smiles. “I’ll always turn around for you.”