Love On The Rebound: A Basketball Romance Read online

  “Did that line used to work in your teenage years?” I ask.

  The truth is, it might work now. I’m not going to let him know that just yet though. I do want him though, but patience girl, patience.

  “I used to make out with girls behind Neptune’s castle over there,” he replies, pointing at what looks like an undersea kingdom on the other side of the course.

  “How romantic,” I say, laughing as I shake my head.

  TJ acts like he’s offended.

  “Making out under the sea Little Mermaid style is not romantic? Wow, what kind of a teenager were you?”’

  “Truthfully, I read a lot of books. My teenage years weren’t that great.”

  TJ eyes me skeptically like he doesn’t entirely believe me.

  “Well, I wouldn’t worry about it. You’ve definitely blossomed. Let’s play.”

  ◆◆◆

  The mini golf game is actually pretty evenly matched. Either I’m lucking out, or TJ is a little bit distracted. Of course, the whole point of my outfit was to distract him, and I’m happy it’s having the desired effect. One thing I’m wondering though is when will TJ make a bigger move. There have been hints throughout the game, a wandering hand here, “helping” me line up a putt there. The course, although largely empty, isn’t completely empty. Could that be holding him back? At this point, I wouldn’t mind being taken behind King Neptune’s Castle. Like I said, my teenage years weren’t that great. Perhaps it could be fun?

  “Man, you’re a lot better at mini-golf that I thought you’d be,” remarks TJ. We’re on the final shot, and my ball is much closer to the hole than his is. It’s his turn, but he’d have to make a crazy putt to make it. If he misses, I’m almost surely going to win.

  “I’m actually kind of happy about this,” I reply. “Now, when you lose, I’m going to get to see how you react to losing to a girl.”

  “I haven’t lost yet,” replies TJ.

  I take another look at the final hole to make sure I’m not missing anything.

  “You have to make an impossible shot. If you miss, I’ve got a bunny, I’m not missing that.”

  TJ smiles.

  “You appear to be very confident, and you should be. You’re right; I’m in a precarious position. Care to make it interesting?”

  I shake my head.

  “You’re trying that line again? I’m not having sex with you on the first date, Mr. Cunningham.”

  This may or may not be true. Nonetheless, it’s part of the game, and I’m not talking about mini golf.

  “Fine,” replies TJ. “How about this. If I win you let me take you on a quick excursion to Neptune’s Castle …”

  I roll my eyes and smile at him.

  “… and if you win…you can get anything you want.”

  I tilt my head and look at him as I’m beginning to imagine a lot of possibilities.

  “You know, Mr. Cunningham, anything can be quite a lot.”

  “I’m aware of that.”

  “I mean, it could mean that you take me shopping and I’ll make your credit card scream.”

  TJ nods his head.

  “It could mean that, indeed.”

  My spidey sense is really tingling at this point. I’m sensing a trap, but I just don’t see where it is.

  “Are you sure you want to do this. I’d drag you to every clothing store without mercy.”

  TJ acts surprisingly nonchalant.

  “If that’s my fate, I accept it. I’m honestly surprised that you’re hesitating. Like you’ve said, it’s an impossible shot. Free clothes are being offered, unless, of course …”

  TJ suddenly stops and looks at me with one eye.

  “Unless, of course, what?” I prompt him.

  “Unless, of course, you’re chicken.”

  Arg! One thing I can safely say about this man is that he knows how to push my buttons. He’s going to pay and pay through the nose, for that comment.

  “Fine, it’s a bet,” I reply while I shake his hand to make it official. “You better make sure that credit card is ready to go though because I intend to make it scream.”

  “Oh, absolutely,” TJ replies nonchalantly. “It would have to be, because, like you say, this is an impossible shot, right?”

  TJ says that in an almost teasing tone like he knows something that I don’t. Casually, he positions himself to make his putt, and he puts on a bit of a show about it. He checks various angles, stretches a bit, gives me several looks…

  “Will you get on with already?” I say to him in a slightly frustrated tone.

  “Absolutely,” he replies. And like he doesn’t have a care in the world TJ lands up his putt and takes his shot. We both watch as the little white golf ball bounces off one wall, then another, easily avoiding various obstacles. It reaches the back of the course where my ball is before it ricochets off the end and…falls into the hole. I don’t believe it. I’m literally frozen in place as dreams of my future shopping spree literally disintegrate into dust. TJ reaches over and grabs my golf club from me.

  “You won’t be needing this,” he says.

  “That was an amazing shot,” I reply, still looking at the scene of the crime.

  “In basketball, I’m actually known as a clutch performer.”

  A clutch performer, really? Might he be a clutch performer in other areas? TJ suddenly grabs me by the hand and starts to lead me to Neptune’s castle, which is good, as recent events have left me a little stunned. Still, as we make our way to the undersea kingdom by stepping over ponds and various courses, a thought suddenly materializes in my mind. It’s such a strong thought that I find the strength to stop TJ’s forward progress momentarily.

  “TJ, did you just hustle me?”

  We’re nearly at Neptune’s castle, but TJ turns around and gives me what I can only interpret as a maybe-I-did grin.

  “Come on, we’re running out of time,” he replies.

  Damn it, I’ve been played by a player. Of course, I’m not that unhappy; I just hate losing at any game, especially this one. However, I’m not a sore loser. As I watch TJ’s tight ass lead me to Neptune’s Castle, I don’t feel like I’ve lost at all.

  ◆◆◆

  TJ leads me through some tropical bushes that hide a secret entrance to the back of Neptune’s Castle. It’s actually surprisingly romantic as the sounds of the ocean are all around me. What’s more, I feel like I can smell the sea. I know it’s all part of the illusion that the golf course designers created, but it makes it very easy to imagine that I am, in fact, under the sea with my love. There’s a nice big patch of grass, which I presume is artificial turf, in the back of the Castle. With a wicked grin, TJ sits down on the lawn and beckons me to join him. How many times has he done this? Oh, well, if I were a teenage girl, I’m sure I’d be smitten. Seeing as how my teenage years sucked ass, I’m prepared to go with it too. Maybe we can park at make-out point after this?

  “This really brings back memories,” says TJ dreamily. “Do you see the stars and the fireflies?”

  I look up and, sure enough, there are a number of little lights that look like stars and fireflies. Do fireflies exist under the ocean? Maybe they’re supposed to be something else. Still, it’s a cool effect.

  “Come here,” he says as he grabs me with his big, masculine hands and places me onto his lap so that I’m straddling him. He moves me so easily; it makes me feel small and delicate. It’s definitely a turn on.

  “Did you have a good time tonight?” he asks.

  I nod as I let my hands roam around freely over his chest. I love how I’m able to make his shirt move, which occasionally exposes glimpses of his muscular chest. TJ is really built for a basketball player.

  “The night’s not over,” I point out. This elicits a knowing smile from TJ.

  “But if I call you tomorrow, you’re not going to judge me for being too eager to speak with you again?”

  “To be honest, Mr. Cunningham, I would be a little bit insulted if you didn’t
. “

  TJ puts his hand behind my neck and pulls me in close. His luscious lips are only inches from mine when he quietly says, “If you don’t want this, let me know now. In a few seconds, I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to stop.”

  “I don’t want you to stop,” I reply, “not even a little.”

  TJ then pulls me towards him, and those last few inches vanish as our lips meet with pent-up tension. He kisses me, but it isn’t like how he kissed me before. Before was good, but this kiss is full of passion laced with yearning. He grips my neck so hard that I feel utterly under his control. Is this a sneak preview of what he’d be like in the bedroom? If so, then I want this, more than anything I’ve ever wanted before.

  Wherever he touches me, it’s like my skin is melting as his mouth glides across mine. It feels like our lips are old friends and they are enjoying getting reacquainted. Our tongues meet, and we caress each other hungrily, only stopping for the occasional desperately needed breath. I’m actually stunned at how this man makes me feel. From deep inside I feel warm and a little bold. More than that though I feel a need, a need for him.

  TJ begins to slip his hands under my blouse, and his touch is electrifying. I find myself holding my breath as his fingers begin to play with the thin straps of my underwear. He definitely knows what he’s doing and every movement he makes literally sends chills across my skin that plunge deep into my core.

  Sensing how relaxed he’s made me, TJ starts to kiss me along my collarbone. Then, very slowly, almost imperceptivity, his hips begin to rock into mine. I can feel his impressive hard-on with each gyrating movement he makes. It feels so good.

  “Keep going,” I whisper to him, urging him on. Our lips meet, and I love how hot his mouth makes me feel. Then he starts to kiss my chin, my neck, my breasts, it’s almost more than I can stand. I arch my neck as he continues to rock his hips with controlled fury. I can sense his power, even though I know he’s holding back. I want him so badly to unleash his full fury, I want to experience it in all its animalistic intensity, I want him to…

  “Uh, pardon me, you shouldn’t be back here.”

  I flutter my eyelids like I’m coming out of a trance. Did someone say something?

  “Uh, I said, you shouldn’t be back here, it’s against the rules.”

  TJ stops his gyrating. Apparently, he heard it too. We both look over and see a pimply faced teenager staring at us. He looks incredibly uncomfortable as he alternates between looking at us and staring at the ground. He gives off the distinct impression that he’d rather be anywhere else than here. Now feeling the white-hot heat of embarrassment, I immediately dismount while TJ props himself up on his elbows.

  “Sorry,” I manage to say.

  “You’re going to have to go,” says our teenage interloper, “you can’t be back here … uh, hey, aren’t you TJ Cunningham?”

  Our teenage friend’s expression immediately transforms from one of mortifying embarrassment to excitement.

  “Yeah, it’s me, kid,” said TJ.

  “Oh wow, it’s great to meet you, Mr. Cunningham,” says the teenager excitedly before he bows his head and looks away. It’s almost like he’s ashamed of what he has to say next to his hero. “But you still can’t be back here.”

  “I know, kid, I was just showing my girl here the old stomping grounds.” TJ sounds remarkably calm, given the situation. Apparently, he possesses a much higher threshold for embarrassment than I do.

  “Yeah, lots of people do this, but they’re usually way younger. That’s why we have to check.”

  TJ crawls toward the teenager and puts his arm around him.

  “Hey, kid, what’s your name?”

  “Brian,” Brian replies.

  “Nice to meet you, Brian. Hey Brian, man to man, do you think you could keep this quiet?”

  “Keep it quiet?”

  “Look, this was stupid, I know it. But look at my girl here, she’s gorgeous, you know how it is.” TJ gives Brian a little shake. “I just don’t want this to get into the press, OK?”

  Brian thinks about it.

  “I understand sir…but it’s going to cost you…”

  ◆◆◆

  “Well, I was really worried I’d lost the ability to show a lady a good time. How did I do?” says TJ as we drive through the Portland night.

  “That was so embarrassing,” I say with a laugh. TJ shrugs.

  “Part of the fun of doing something like that is the thrill that you might get caught. Well, sometimes, you get caught.”

  “I know you’re right, but I still prefer the thrill of might-be-caught to actually-getting-caught.”

  I think about the night and what has just occurred. The immediate embarrassment I can live with. I don’t really care what Brian the pimply-faced security guard thinks. In fact, I hope Brian was taking some notes as TJ was putting on a clinic before he interrupted us. But in the real world above the sea, I’m an elementary school teacher. I really don’t want this to get out to the press.

  “Do you really think Brian will stay quiet?”

  TJ nods his head in the affirmative.

  “I’m confident that Brian an I are on the same wavelength. He was quite infatuated with me if you didn’t notice. Celebrity does have its advantages.”

  “I suppose it does.”

  “Plus, I promised him free, courtside tickets to any upcoming Pumas game. That will do the trick.”

  “Well, I’m relieved to hear that.”

  “As I said, I handled it. You have to love the selfie he took though, don’t you?”

  Aside from the promise of future prime Puma tickets, Brian had insisted on taking a selfie with all three of us on the golf course. It’s actually a great photo. TJ, myself and Brian smiling with various fake sea creatures swimming behind us and no indication of the events that had occurred not five minutes before. It’s going to be a great photo to show my girlfriends or my therapist. I look at the picture and smile before I put it down.

  “Where are we going now?” I ask.

  “I’m taking you home, Ariel. It’s late, and I think we’ve both had enough excitement under the sea for one night.”

  “Oh,” I say. I know he’s being sensible, but I can’t help but feel a little disappointed. Despite everything, I’m still feeling turned on, and I don’t want this night to end. That’s part of being a responsible adult though. You have to go to work, pay your taxes, and go to sleep at a reasonable time. Dry humping a man behind Neptune’s Castle is something best left for teenagers. Still, I think it’s safe to say that it was a night I would never forget.

  Chapter Five

  April

  TJ: Hey, Babe, are you still awake?

  April: Babe? I’ve graduated to “Babe” status after only one date?

  TJ: You were already a babe even before our date. Of course, if you would prefer a different nickname, I’m sure we could think of something.

  April: How about Princess?

  TJ: That’s Rose’s name. You can be my queen though.

  April: I like the sound of that, although I’m fine with Babe, too. But what’s wrong with my king? Can’t sleep?

  TJ: I’ve been thinking about you and the sleep thing just isn’t happening.

  April: Ah, that’s so sweet. The big star basketball player can’t go nighty night.

  TJ: Well, I notice you’re not sleeping either.

  April: Touché, Mr. Cunningham, touché.

  TJ: Anyway, we’ve got an exhibition game coming up, and I was wondering if you’d like to go?

  April: Would I! That sounds fantastic.

  TJ: I could also get tickets for your dad. I figure we could go out for dinner afterwards too.

  April: Timothy James Cunningham, are you asking me out on a second date?

  TJ: That’s exactly what I’m doing.

  April: Well, offer accepted! My dad will be thrilled too. Like I said, he’s a huge fan.

  TJ: You know, I really can’t stop thinking about our da
te tonight. We really started something there, and I feel the need to finish it.

  April: Well, a second date is coming …

  TJ: No, I can’t wait that long. I may have to jerk off.

  April: Mr. Cunningham! It’s only been one date and you’re already sexting with me? (mock horror as I get the vapors) Well, I never!

  TJ: I’m just being honest with you, and it’s never too early to sext. Plus, the way you were dry humping me, how am I supposed to forget that?

  April: The truth is that I was holding back. I didn’t want to go full force on you and cause a tsunami. We were under the sea, remember?

  TJ: Now I think it’s my turn to get the vapors. You were holding back? Damn girl, you are my queen.

  April: And as your queen you will worship the ground I walk on.

  TJ: You really have me curious as to what full force would be like.

  April: You may not be able to handle it.

  TJ: I’ll be the judge of that.

  April: You really think you can handle me at a ten on the Richter scale?

  TJ: Baby, I want you to take it to eleven.

  April: That might kill you.

  TJ: I’d happily die with a smile on my face.

  ◆◆◆

  TJ: Good morning, Babe. Did you sleep well last night?

  April: I did. Did you wank off last night?

  TJ: A gentleman never tells.

  April: You’re claiming to be a gentleman after you tried to deflower me behind Neptune’s Castle?

  TJ: Good point. Yes, I did, and I slept beautifully. You were so hot, can you blame me?

  April: Not in the least. I mean, you had me pretty wound up yourself.

  TJ: Really?

  April: Really.

  TJ: Did you wank off last night?

  April: Mr. Cunningham, what kind of question is that for your queen?

  TJ: An honest one. Inquiring minds want to know.

  April: A lady never tells!

  TJ: You were dry humping me behind Neptune’s Castle yesterday. How much of a lady are you? You seemed more like a sultry temptress to me.

  April: I did reveal that side of my personality last night, didn’t I?

  TJ: You did, and the answer is?