Passion on the Pitch: A Contemporary Sports Romance Page 2

  Coming to DC, and this pub in particular, became more and more interesting as he watched her interact with the waitress. James, his manager, had been dead-set against Aedan traveling to the US. He wanted to set up more photo ops and meetings with potential endorsement partners. Aedan, however, thought he needed a break from the grind more than he needed more endorsements and promotional campaigns. He was usually dressed up with as many ads as a Formula One car whenever he left his house.

  With all his endorsement deals, he was required to wear some brand name or another at all times. Dior for formal, Nike for informal and a dozen other brands in between. On the upside, he hadn’t had to buy any underwear for about five years; his underwear endorsement kept him well-stocked. A thousand pairs of boxer briefs per year was enough to keep a hundred men in underwear.

  But with a 32-week work season, these precious few weeks off before training camp began were something he wasn’t going to give up for any amount of money.

  Visiting the US had been his Aunt Aoife’s idea, but it was a good one. She knew he was burnt out the last time she’d visited for the Premier League Championship. Since soccer—as Americans called it—wasn’t so popular in the states, he could wander around pretty much anonymously. Taking a break from the constant spotlight sounded like a great idea, so he hopped on a plane just a few days after the season ended.

  The constant grind and stop/start nature of being in the League was what Aedan had to put up with to play the game that was his entire life. He’d began at only fourteen in development leagues, so it was all he knew. One of the great ironies of attaining the pinnacle by becoming a professional footballer was that you weren’t actually able to play the game as much as you wanted.

  Training was usually two hours of time on the field per day, followed by workouts and then nothing until match day. No time out on the local pitch to play around, no picking up and just going out to kick around a ball. With so many outside possibilities of injury, Aedan and all his teammates were contractually forbidden play the game they loved outside of those couple of hours per day and in matches.

  This meant a lot of other people in the league turned to gambling or whoring to eat up the rest of the time in the day. Not that Aedan hadn’t done his fair share in the beginning, but that got old fast. Since their diets were so strict during the season and a person can only eat so much plain grilled chicken and fish before they go insane, Aedan started learning to cook. He knew that he could hire someone, but what else was he going to do at home all day?

  He started with proteins, then branched out and started learning how to make things like croissants, breads and other verboten delicacies during the season. He often gifted those to neighbors and his coaching and support staff. Sometimes he wondered if his excellent cooking and baking ability was why they’d given him the captain’s pin for Chelsea FC.

  A chance to visit his aunt and spend some time with the family away from all of the pressure was just what the doctor ordered, especially with the World Cup coming up later this summer. It was going to be a brutal season and Aedan needed to rest up as much as he could physically and mentally. Being on the world stage could certainly take its toll if you didn’t take time out for a bit of rest and relaxation.

  He hadn’t been to the States for more than a flying weekend since he was ten and visited Aunt Aoife for a summer up in Boston. He was also excited to seeing his cousins. Siobhan, Seamus, and Bryan had always given him crap when he visited or they visited him and treated him like he was just an average guy instead of a celebrity. That was precisely what he needed right now.

  James had been pissed when Aedan told him he would be going to the States because there were some events coming up and he wanted Aedan to make a few appearances at them with Kate, his recent ex. That was another situation sure to really tick James off. Aedan hadn’t told him he’d broken up with Kate before leaving town. Imagining his response almost made Aedan wish he had told him in person before coming to the US. After landing in DC, the day before, he hadn’t had much chance to explore, but stopped in a pub near his hotel for a drink before turning in. That’s when he’d spotted Jess.

  Making his way over to her, he’d taken a chance and hadn’t regretted it one bit since he’d sat down. He talked to Jess for most of the night about just about everything including which studio was making the best superhero movies, and the recent bout of some pretty abysmal films. Things got a bit heated in the Captain American vs. Iron Man Civil War debate, but they managed to agree to disagree on that one.

  Chatting with a woman with no expectations because of who he was gave Aedan the ability to let his guard down a bit. He could breathe easier and just be himself without worrying about what it was that she was after. It wasn’t everywhere that someone with a face as recognizable as his could blend in, which was part of the reason he had insisted on this time in the States before the season began. He needed some normalcy.

  And, as Jess had pointed out earlier in their conversation, her rack was pretty out of this world. He hadn’t meant to check them out so obviously, but the neckline of her dress coupled with her smooth skin meant he had to consciously keep himself from glancing down throughout their conversation. He bet that they were the perfect handful, with just a bit of overflow, and Aedan didn’t have small hands.

  It didn’t seem like she was really interested though; she kept trying to divert his attention to other women in the pub. Perhaps he had lost his touch, because he tried to make it clear that he wasn’t interested in anyone else, even when a few people had been rude enough to try and interrupt their conversation. He wasn’t interested in anyone but Jess right now and the thought of getting his hands and mouth on her was enough to make him adjust his jeans as he signaled to the waitress for another round.

  Enjoying playful conversation with a woman wasn’t something Aedan was often able to indulge in, so he was more than willing to forgo anything physical and continue the conversation to spend a bit more time with her. Although his little head down below was not in complete agreement, they would have to compromise on this one.

  He didn’t want this evening to end, but also knew that he wasn’t really in a position to start anything with anyone since he would only be in the States for such a short amount of time. Also, she didn’t seem like the type of woman who would want to put up with all of the shite that came along with being with someone like him.

  Maybe for a while, he could just pretend he was a regular guy and she was a regular girl and enjoy the evening.

  3

  They continued talking about their favorite TV shows, new summer blockbusters, and favorite travel destinations. Jess’s travel list was quite unimpressive. She’d only been to Canada and the American Virgin Islands, but Aedan seemed to have travelled all over the place. He gave Jess some tips on the best places to visit in Europe and South America. Adding about fifteen new places to her already-long list, Jess was enthralled with how much of the world Aedan had seen.

  “I will tell ya, that the Irish pubs in Thailand are actually pretty good. There’re tons of old Irish guys who’ve picked up, moved over there and opened these tiny hole-in-the-wall pubs. Great craic, those old guys.”

  “Where haven’t you been?” Jess said soaking up everything he was saying about his world travels.

  “Antarctica? Yeah, that might be the only place, and maybe somewhere like Micronesia.”

  “This is depressing me.”

  “Don’t let it get ya down. There’s a right time for everything and it sounds like you’re coming up on that time now. Get out there, book yer tickets and do it.” He gave her a slight nudge with his shoulder and Jess felt that warming butterfly sensation back in her belly at his gentle prodding.

  “You might be right. Once the project from hell is finished, I’m going to do it! I’ll buy a ticket and go somewhere.”

  “That’s the spirit!” he enthused.

  Aedan remained completely focused throughout the conversation and didn’t even ba
t an eyelash when a few ladies and one guy tried to sidle up to the table to divert his attention. After each approach, he would turn a bit further from the room until he was standing right next to Jess. She worried that he was trying to avoid being seen standing with her.

  As the night wore on, Jess thought that he was just being polite and wouldn’t actually break off their chat session until she moved first. “Listen, you don’t have to keep me company all night. If you want to head to another table, that’s cool with me. I’m actually going to head out soon. If my friends hadn’t invited me out and then stood me up, I’d already be two episodes into my scifi Netflix binge.”

  “What?” he asked, seeming genuinely disappointed. “Are you trying to ditch me? Have I been that much of a bore?”

  No, not a bore at all, I just—,” the band took the stage and the volume level went from loud to unbearable, preventing her from finishing her sentence. Jess finished off her drink and placed it back down on the table.

  “It was really nice meeting you Aedan,” she shouted over the band’s opening chords, “but I think that’s my cue to leave. I hope you have fun visiting with your family.” Jess grabbed her bag and started digging for her wallet.

  Aedan gently placed a hand on Jess’s arm, “Wait, that’s it? You’re just going to abandon me here on my own in a new city?”

  “Somehow, I think you’ll survive,” With a smile, she rooted around in her bag, finding her wallet in the abyss, Jess pulled it out and went to grab a couple of twenties. “I’m sure there are any number of ladies that would love to help show you all there is to see in town.”

  Aedan brought his mouth close to her ear to be heard over the growing cacophony as the bar transitioned to a concert hall. “But what if I don’t want them to show me?” Aedan asked as slid his hand down her arm and grasped her hand, sending a shiver through her body. He laced his fingers through hers. “What if I want you to show me?”

  Jess stared into Aedan’s eyes, searching for the truth. Her gaze fell to his lips. The temptation to kiss him was so strong that she couldn’t hold back any longer. After a moment of hesitation, Jess leaned forward and pressed her lips against his and a spark of electricity shot through her body. His soft, yet strong lips, were so easy to sink into.

  Aedan brought his hand up and threaded it through her hair, pulling Jess in tight. She let out a sound between a gasp and a moan as he took possession of her mouth. Their tongues danced sensuously, hinting at what their bodies were craving. Breaking the kiss, Jess stared into Aedan’s eyes, a bit dazed and ready to get out of the bar immediately. This didn’t happen to her.

  Almost afraid to break eye contact and the spell that she seemed to have over him, Jess turned to grab her wallet that she had placed on the table. “Don’t even think about it,” Aedan said with a smirk, as he went into his back pocket, grabbed his wallet and threw down more than enough for the drinks and a hefty tip. He motioned to the waitress and she made her way over just as they departed the table. Leading her through the crowd, Aedan served as the perfect buffer. His hand never left Jess’ and he kept looking back at her.

  She smiled and moved in closer. “Are you afraid you’re going to turn around and I’ll be replaced with some sort of farm animal?”

  He pulled her beside him and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “No, I’m just afraid that you’ll no longer find me even marginally charming and put another woman’s hand in mine and make your escape.”

  “Tough luck, you’re stuck with me now,” she teased. They finally made their way outside and hailed a taxi. One pulled up and Aedan held the door for her then slid in beside her. Jess scooted across the seat with her heart pounding a mile a minute. What am I doing? What does it matter—he’s ridiculously hot and nice and seems genuinely interested in me. Go with it.

  “Where to?” the cabbie asked. Jess chanced another peek at Aedan and rattled off her address.

  Once the trip was underway, the nerves that had been noticeably absent in the bar set upon her with a vengeance. Her leg began to bounce up and down as the taxi made its way through the city to her apartment. Aedan slung his arm around Jess’s shoulders and reached across to gently stroke her bouncing knee. Just like that, nerves were gone, replaced by a million butterflies in her stomach and tingling down below that she hadn’t experienced in way too long.

  The cab pulled up to the curb and Jess clambered out of the taxi with Aedan close behind her. I can do this, I can do this, she thought. Everyone should have a little fun sometimes. She’d always lived life by the numbers, never taking any chances. Why not live a little? She spun to pay the taxi driver and ended up cracking skulls with Aedan, “Oh jeez, sorry,” she said as she rubbed her forehead.

  “No worries,” he laughed. “Not the first time I’ve been knocked on the head.”

  “Were you seriously going to try to pay for the taxi?” He pulled out his wallet and turned toward the driver.

  “Well you paid for the drinks, so it’s only fair,” he looked at her oddly and pulled out a twenty. As Aedan paid for the cab, Jess sent off a quick text to her friends letting them know she was on her way home with a guy and if she disappeared it was an Irishman named Aedan. “I just want you to know that I don’t normally do this. You know, pick up a guy at a bar and bring him home with me. I mean, I’m not ...”

  He gently touched her chin and tipped her face up so that he could look into her in the eyes. “And I’m not the kind of guy that goes home with a girl he meets at a bar, either. What do you take me for? Some kind of slag? I’ll have you know that I’m highly offended!” He laughed and gave her a quick kiss. Jess couldn’t help but smile back at him with a cheesy grin.

  “Well I guess it’s settled then. Neither of us are hussies—just two people having a good time.” “A great time,” Aedan corrected, punctuating his words with a kiss on her nose. “Although that could be the mild concussion talking.”

  Jess nudged him with her shoulder, “Oh hush up you!”

  Aedan followed her to the top of the apartment building stairs, keeping his hand on the small of her back. Goosebumps popped up all over her arms as she swiped into the lobby door.

  OK, keep calm, keep calm, Jess repeated to herself. Not being super experienced in this area, she tried to tamp down the anxiety that was attempting to creep up her throat. This is what young people do—they get out there, have fun, and sometimes, pick up random guys at a bar and bring them home. No worries.

  She gave Patrick, the overnight front desk guy, a quick wave as she pulled Aedan toward the stairs. The elevator was always ridiculously slow and always breaking down. After the second time, she got stuck in it after drinking three cups of coffee, she swore that elevator of doom would never again trap her in its creaky belly. Plus, skipping the elevator ride meant getting upstairs and alone with Aedan just that much quicker.

  Three short flights of steps and they were at her front door. With shaking hands, Jess unlocked the door and let Aedan into the apartment. She threw her bag and keys onto the small table by the door and turned to find Aedan scoping out her place. She leaned her head against the door and gave him a few seconds before pushing off and walking over to him.

  “Nice place.” He turned around and walked over to her bookshelf, which housed her extensive vinyl collection.

  “Thanks.” A small smile tugging at her lips. “I try. I’m a bit of a collector.”

  “This is pretty impressive,” he said flicking through the records. “Is this Thin Lizzy?”

  “Oh yeah, Phil Lynott is pretty amazing." And The Boys Are Back in Town is a classic.”

  “It definitely is.”

  She plucked the vinyl out of his hands and turned to the record player. She placed it on the turntable, dropped the needle and turned the volume down low. It was a great album.

  ‘Do you want a drink or something? I have beer, white wine, vodka, rum, and some OJ."

  “Yeah, sure. I’ll take a beer.”

  Jess walked into her kitc
hen and pulled out a beer for Aedan and grabbed one for herself. Pull it together, pull it together, sure you have a super-hot Irishman in your living room, but it’s cool, just go with it. Get it girl! She opened both and jumped when Aedan was right there when she turned around. She squeaked in surprise and sloshed a bit of the beer.

  Handing him a bottle, she grasped her chest as her heart rate slowed. “You scared the shit out of me.”

  “Sorry, just wanted to see if you needed any help.”

  “No, I’m good. Here you go.” Handing him his beer, Jess took a gulp from hers.

  He picked up her hand. Bringing it up to his mouth, his tongue followed the trail of spilled beer and began to kiss his way up her arm until he reached her shoulder. From there he moved onto her neck, pressing his strong lips against her pulse point and causing Jess to swoon just a bit.

  Unable to hold back a moan, Jess threaded her fingers in his silky black curls as he ran his tongue along her neck. Placing his hand against her back to bring her closer to him, he kissed his way up toward her mouth. Taking both beers and placing them on the counter, he held her face between both of his cool hands and kissed her gently.

  Moaning into his mouth, he deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue sensuously over hers. Their hands began to roam and Aedan put both of his hands on her waist and lifted her up onto the counter. Jess wrapped her legs around his waist and he ground his erection against her. Jess moaned and felt the warmth in her panties.

  Jess released her legs just enough to reach between them. She unbuckled Aedan’s belt and pants, pushed her hand into his boxers and palmed his velvety erection. He moaned into her mouth. Aedan pulled her hand back and gently pushed her hips forward. His hands slipped under the hem of her dress and up her thighs until he found the top of her underwear. She lifted her bottom and he pulled the underwear over her hips and down her legs.