Park Avenue Player by Vi Keeland
Chapter 36
Elodie
I had to slap my hand over my mouth to stop from cracking up when Hollis turned his back to me.
We had taken a bath together. I’d needed the long soak after all the exercise we’d gotten in bed last night. Muscles ached that I hadn’t even realized I had. I couldn’t count the number of times we’d had sex. All I knew was it had been a long time since I felt this satisfied.
I’d drawn the bath while Hollis was still sleeping, and he’d surprised me by joining after I’d settled in. But when we were done, I’d lied and said all of my towels were in the laundry and handed him one of my furry winter bathrobes to dry off. I don’t know how I kept a straight face as I encouraged him to put it on—telling him the inside had more moisture-wicking ability than the outside.
Now I had this gorgeous, normally stern, wound-too-tight, six-foot tall, masculine man standing in my bathroom wearing a bright pink fuzzy robe. He turned around and caught the gigantic smile on my face.
His initial reaction was to return the smile, but he’d already gotten to know me pretty well. He knew the difference between my happy smile and an amused one, and the progression of his own smile halted as he squinted at me.
He looked around the bathroom. “There’s no linen closet in here. Where do you keep your towels?”
I tried my best not to laugh. “In the closet right across the hall.”
Hollis’s eyes dropped to my smile, and then he examined my face some more. Without another word, he opened the bathroom door, stepped into the hall, and swung open the linen closet.
Ten fluffy, clean towels greeted him.
He stood with his back to me, looking into the closet for a long moment. Then he very calmly closed the closet door and turned around to face me. The smile on his face could only be described as wicked. It shot straight to between my legs.
He arched a brow. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
I arched one back and a little chuckle escaped. “I am.”
He took a step toward me, and, instinctively, I took one back. Seeing me retreat turned up the volume on his already mischievous smile.
“Nervous I might get even?”
My face should’ve cracked from how wide my smile stretched. “Nope. Not at all.”
He took another step toward me.
I took another back.
His eyes sparkled…right before he lunged at me. I yelped and laughed as Hollis bent down, leaned his shoulder into my belly, and lifted me up and into the air in a fireman’s hold. He swatted my ass while I kicked and giggled.
“I couldn’t help it. You look so cute in pink.”
Hollis marched out of the bathroom and maneuvered his way down the hall. “You like games, do you? I’m all for it, but it’s my turn to pick the next one we play.”
I continued to laugh as he walked us into my bedroom and sat down on the edge of the bed. In one fluid motion, he lifted me up and off his shoulder and brought me down across his lap so I was bent over one of his knees.
He applied firm pressure to my back when I tried to get up.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I told you. It’s my turn to pick the game.”
My head hung nearly to the carpet, and I had to crane my neck to look up at him. “And what exactly is this game? Because I seem to be bent over your knee with my ass almost exposed.”
Hollis smirked. “Oh yes. Let me rectify that.” He lifted the hem of my short, silky robe and exposed my entire ass. “Now we’re ready to play.”
I probably should’ve felt nervous in such a vulnerable position, but instead I felt kind of turned on. Hollis’s wicked grin was so damn sexy, and I loved how powerful and in control he looked right now. Only this man could rock a pink, furry robe.
“Let me up,” I said.
He ignored me. “My game is sort of like Jeopardy—except you don’t get points for correct answers. You get smacks for getting things wrong.”
“You’re out of your mind.”
“First question: favorite body part on your master, Hollis?”
“My master?” I scoffed. “Gee, let me guess, would the right answer be his dick?”
Hollis swatted my ass hard enough that it stung. He made a playful buzzing sound. “Bzzzt. I’m sorry. You failed to use proper form. The correct answer is What is Hollis’s dick?”
I snorted. “You’re insane.”
“Next question. When Hollis takes a bath or shower next time, what will you give him to dry off when he’s done?”
I couldn’t help myself. “What is my red silk robe?”
He swatted my ass again. In the same exact place, and a little harder.
“Ow!”
“Bzzzt. Incorrect answer. Did I fail to mention that like Jeopardy, the stakes go up as you answer?”
“Let me up, you nut job!” I tried to sound pissed, but it’s impossible to pull off when every word comes out of a smiling mouth.
“Final question. This is worth double, so pay close attention.” He paused and smoothed his hand over the part of my ass he’d smacked. “Will you ever screw with Hollis again?”
I braced for it this time. I actually wanted to feel his big hand on my ass again. “Yes! Yes! I definitely will!”
His hand connected with my ass in two swift smacks. The first one stung, but the second was hard enough that it would definitely leave a handprint.
Yet I wasn’t pissed off at all. Instead…
I was hornier than hell. Again.
Hollis lifted me to standing. He still had that gleam in his eye as he sat on the bed, watching to see what I’d do, how I would retaliate. But I didn’t want to get even; I wanted to mount him. I was practically dripping and oh-so turned on. I took a step back so he could have a full view and slowly untied my robe and let it fall to the floor. Turning around, I bent over enough to rest my hands on my knees and pushed my ass out so he could get a good look at his handiwork, then gazed back at him over my shoulder.
I watched his pupils dilate as he stared at where he’d smacked. The spot was warm, so I figured he could probably see the entire outline of his hand raised in a bright red welt.
He gaped and swallowed. “Jesus Christ. That’s fucking hot.”
I couldn’t agree more.
I turned back around and tilted my head coyly. “It’s my turn to pick the game now, right?”
His eyes jumped to meet mine. Hollis was smart. He wasn’t sure if I was screwing with him again.
“That depends on what you have in mind.”
I opened my legs and straddled his knees as he sat on the bed. Licking my lips, I smiled. “My game is ring toss. Guess who’s gonna play the part of the stick?”
***
Hailey was coming back soon. She’d kept in touch with Hollis to let him know what time they were leaving Block Island so he could pick her up when she returned. It had worked out pretty damn amazingly well that we’d had a whole night together alone, and didn’t have to rush this morning. Hollis had done some work from my place, but for the most part he’d taken the day off—though he was currently standing in my dining room, talking to his partner on the phone. He looked over at me as he spoke.
“Because I wasn’t home last night or this morning. I’m at Elodie’s house. I stayed here last night, if you must know.”
Hollis pulled the phone away from his ear, and I heard Addison screeching. He shook his head and rolled his eyes, but his voice was playful. “Don’t hold your breath. You just got as much as you’re going to get out of me.”
I finished loading our breakfast dishes into the dishwasher and decided it was time I finally got dressed. On my way to the bedroom, I stopped in front of Hollis under the pretense of kissing him, but then I snatched his cell phone from his hand.
“Hi, Addison. It’s Elodie. Why don’t we have lunch soon, and I’ll fill you in on everything you want to know.”
She laughed. “That would be awesome. Not only because I’m nosy as shit, but because I’m positive he hates the thought of us going to lunch together.”
I looked at Hollis, who didn’t look too pleased, and nodded. “He sort of looks like he sucked on a lemon, so I think you’re right. How does next weekend sound?”
“That sounds perfect.”
“Great. I’ll see you then.”
I handed the phone back to Hollis and strutted off toward the bedroom. Hollis came in as my arms were behind my back, clasping my bra.
“I don’t like the two of you together.”
“Why not?”
“Because she’s nosy, and once she gets into my personal business, I’ll never be able to get her the hell out.”
I walked into my closet and grabbed a powder blue tank top and a pair of white shorts. “You need someone who cares about you in your personal business, Hollis. We all do.”
“I do just fine on my own.”
I pulled my shirt on and walked out of my closet shaking my head. “Really? How long has it been since you had a relationship again? Six years now?”
Hollis took the white shorts from my hand and knelt down on the floor in front of me. He opened them so I could step in and then pulled them up to my hips and reached for the zipper. The small gesture of helping me dress made the inside of my chest feel all warm. When he wanted to be, Hollis was really sweet and thoughtful. He didn’t seem to have to try. He naturally wanted to take care of me.
After he buttoned my shorts, he stood and snaked his hands around my waist, locking them behind my back. “Drive with me to pick up Hailey and then come home with us. Stay at my place tonight. I’m not ready to let you go yet.”
That warm feeling in my chest turned to goo. “What about Hailey?”
He shrugged. “What about her? We already spoke to her. She knows something is going on between us.”
I wrapped my hands around his neck. “She knows something is going on. But I don’t think it’s a good idea that she sees us in the same bed so soon. She’s impressionable, and we’re setting an example for her—that includes how fast you jump into bed with someone.”
Hollis dropped his head and groaned. “I want you in my bed.”
I smiled. “And I’d like to be there. But I think it’s important that we put Hailey first, instead of our libidos.”
“Fine. Come home with me tonight and stay in the guest room. You’ve done that before. I’ll tell her I picked you up before coming to get her today because I have an early day tomorrow. She sleeps late. She won’t know what time I leave.”
I bit my lip. It was a tempting offer, but I wasn’t so sure we wouldn’t wind up in Hollis’s bed. Neither one of us had much self-control around the other.
I needed some assurances. “Okay. But no sneaking into the guest room. She caught us once already, and I definitely don’t want her to walk in on us naked and doing the dirty.”
“Fine.”
Hollis agreed to that way too soon. Something was up.
“Why did you agree without an argument?”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to get you to come home with me.”
“So you’re not going to try to get in my pants later? Why do I not believe you?”
He smiled. “I figured you’re probably sore anyway. I should give you a break.”
My gut said he was full of shit, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I nodded. “Okay. I’ll come home with you.”
Hollis planted a chaste kiss on my lips and moved his mouth to my ear. “Plus, we already determined that sex doesn’t include oral, and I can’t wait to put you on your knees and watch you suck my cock later.”
***
“I want to run next door to check on Bree before we go. This weekend was really hard on her. Plus, I’d love for her to meet you, if she feels up to it.”
Hollis smiled. “That would be nice. I feel like I know her already from everything you’ve told me.”
“I’m sure she feels the same way, too.” I looked at the time on my phone. We had about fifteen minutes until we needed to leave to pick up Hailey, and I’d already packed an overnight bag. “I’ll be back in five.”
I slipped on a pair of flip-flops and walked next door. It took Bree a few minutes to open the door. Once she did, she smiled, even though she didn’t look so hot. Her skin had a tint of gray to it, and I heard the hiss of air from her nasal cannula. Her oxygen was turned up pretty high this morning.
“How are you feeling?”
She opened the door wider so I could come inside. “I used to feel like a thirty year old with a sixty year old’s lungs. But today my entire body feels like it’s seventy.”
I felt her forehead. “Are you sick? Do you have a fever? Do you need to go to the doctor?”
She smiled sadly. “No. It’s just the progression of the disease. This is all normal.”
“The trip this weekend was too much. We should have all come over here.”
She shook her head. “No. I wanted to be at the lake.”
Bree took a seat in her reclining chair, and I sat on the couch across from her. I’d come over to check on her, but also to tell her about Hollis, and at the moment that felt incredibly selfish.
“Why aren’t you at work?” she asked.
“I…uhh…Hailey was at her friend’s house for the weekend and decided to stay another night. I’m actually going to take a ride with Hollis to pick her up in a little while.”
Her brows furrowed. “Hollis? He’s coming here to pick you up?”
I didn’t want to lie to her, but I also didn’t want to rub my good fortune in her face. “He, ummm…came over last night, and we talked.”
“Oh?”
“We’re going to give things a try—a relationship, I mean.”
“Oh. Wow. That’s…” She coughed a bunch of times. “…good news. That’s great news.”
I nodded. “Yeah. But I feel like an idiot talking about my blossoming romance when you’re so sick.”
“Nonsense. I want you to be happy. You know that.”
We talked for a few minutes, and then I realized Hollis and I needed to get on the road. I reached over and took her hand. “I have to run, because we need to pick up Hailey at two o’clock. But call me if you start to feel worse. Please.”
Bree nodded, though I knew she wouldn’t call anyone if her health declined, which really sucked. She struggled to get up from her chair.
I told her to stay put, but Bree, being Bree, insisted on walking me to the door.
I mentally debated asking her if she felt up for a visitor, and when we got to the door, I figured her health wouldn’t likely be getting any better. I also knew she truly wanted me to be happy, so maybe meeting Hollis might bring her a little comfort.
“Would you…want to meet Hollis before we go pick up Hailey? He’s next door, and I could bring him by to meet you really quick.”
Bree frowned. “Not today. I’m sorry. But let Hollis know I’m rooting for him, okay?”
I kissed her cheek. “I will. And I’ll text you later to check in.”
She nodded.
I went back home feeling deflated. Hollis took one look at my face and pulled me against his chest for a hug. He kissed the top of my head. “She’s not doing well, I take it?”
I swallowed a salty lump in my throat and shook my head. “She’s not really up for visitors.”
“Of course. Another time.”
I held on to him for a minute, and then pulled my head back. “I almost forgot—Bree said to tell you she’s rooting for you.”
“Oh?”
“She’s been rooting for you from the get-go. She seemed to sense that we should be together.”
“You have a smart friend.”
I smiled. “I do.”
Hollis motioned toward the door. “Come on. We have a few minutes before we need to leave to get Hailey. I saw a little flower shop when I went into town yesterday to get something to eat. Why don’t we go pick her up some flowers, and you can drop them off before we go?”
God, I loved relationship-Hollis. He was so thoughtful. “You’re the best. Thank you.”
“No reason to thank me.”
I stretched up and brushed my lips with his. “Maybe. But I’ll do it anyway—later, after Hailey is sleeping…on my knees.”
