Hendrix: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel

Having a naked Stevie in my arms is, without a doubt, the best thing in the world. The Titans won tonight against the super-competitive Winnipeg Rebels, and afterward, Stevie took me to the Duquesne Incline. In the four years I’ve been playing for the Titans, I’ve never been up the historic funicular, which boasts one the best views of any city in the world.

It was magical being with someone I’ve grown to care deeply about. Fluffy snowflakes lazily drifted around us as we huddled together on the observation deck overlooking the Pittsburgh skyline. All the buildings were lit, casting sparkles on the confluence of the three rivers. I laughed when Stevie produced a tiny metal flask filled with bourbon from which we sipped while we talked.

About the game, about life, about my neighbor who makes it his job to straighten all the garbage cans on our street for collection day, and about Stevie’s bartender who got the hiccups today for four straight hours.

But as magical as all that was—hanging out with a beautiful, smart, funny, and engaging woman—nothing is better than when she’s naked and writhing in my arms.

We’ve been in my bed for a while now—on our sides, facing each other—kissing and touching, laughing, and then getting serious when something feels oh so fucking good.

My hand slides down her back, over her ass, and in between her legs where my fingers play at the wetness I find there. Our mouths are fused, tongues dueling, and her hand strokes my cock.

I let my lips feather across her chin and along her jawline before scraping my teeth on her neck. “You are so fucking hot. Just when I think you’ve reached the height of hotness, you surpass it.”

Stevie’s laugh is husky as her hand squeezes me roughly, and there’s no stopping the guttural sound that rumbles from my chest. She pulls back from me slightly, bends her head, and looks between our bodies. I follow her gaze and watch as her hand slides up my dick where she glides her thumb over the head, gathering the bead of pre-cum she coaxed free.

She just stares at it a minute, and I wonder if she’s considering putting her mouth on me. Stevie is fucking amazing at oral, but then again, so am I, so we are well matched. If that’s what she wants to do, I’d happily flop onto my back and let her have her way with me. Probably pull her around into a sixty-nine position and have my way with her.

To my utter shock, and in a move that makes my dick harder than I think it’s ever been, Stevie takes the wetness and runs it over her lower lip.

I groan as I stare at my essence shining on her mouth. She wiggles in closer to me, hand still stroking my erection, and whispers, “Kiss me.”

Christ, that’s so fucking hot, and without hesitation, I slam my mouth onto hers with my hand going behind her head to hold her there. I taste myself, and it makes me hunger to taste more of her.

I roll to my back and haul Stevie up my body so suddenly, she gives a tiny yip of surprise. Scooting down a bit on the mattress to make room, I slap her ass hard. “Want you to ride my face, baby.”

“Hendrix,” she gasps as my hands move to her hips in an attempt to get her into position. She grabs hold of my headboard, stiff-arming it so she locks into place, and shakes her head. “I can’t. That’s too much.”

“You sure as fuck can. Going to get you off, and then you’re going to ride my cock.”

I feel her muscles relax. She doesn’t fight me as I pull her into place, but I’m stalled in my quest when her hand comes to my jaw, gripping slightly to get my attention.

Looking up past her gorgeous body with those fantastic tits, I find her staring at me intently. “I’ve never had this before.”

My chest feels filled with helium it becomes so light. I release my hold on her hip and take her hand in mine, pressing a kiss to the palm. “What’s that?”

“Such intensity. It’s always so electric between us. Sometimes your touch is so exquisite, I’m almost afraid I can’t handle it.”

I smile and take her hand, pressing it between her legs where I want her to rub herself. Her eyes flutter closed, and she moans.

“I feel the same, Stevie. No one has ever turned me inside out the way you do, and nothing has ever felt as good as when I’m coming deep inside you. It keeps getting better and better, right?”

Her eyes open and lock with mine. “Right. Better and better.”

“Which means we pay attention to that. We respect it, and we don’t let this shit go. We hold on tight.”

Her hand turns, abandoning her clit so her fingers curl around mine. She squeezes. “We hold tight.”

I grab her hips again and give a rough squeeze. “Be a good girl now and get on my face.”

♦

My hand runs down Stevie’s back with a featherlight pressure. She’s lying on top of me and hasn’t moved since she collapsed minutes ago after wringing orgasms out of us both.

She was fucking glorious, riding me with abandon. Amazingly strong, especially since I’d just gotten her off with my mouth.

“Are you alive?” I ask her.

Stevie mumbles. “I’m not sure. I think I was definitely transported to an alternate dimension. Maybe I’m back. Who knows?”

Chuckling, I wrap my arms around her and press a kiss to the top of her head before rolling us to our sides. Her legs thread between mine, and her hand comes to press against my chest where my heart beats at a steady rate once again.

“Now is the time to tell me what’s been bothering you,” I say, breaking our mellow.

She jerks in my arms, pulling her head back to look at me. Her eyes are filled with both surprise and wariness. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”

I lean in and kiss the tip of her nose. “How could you not understand that I would know when something is wrong? You and I have spent a lot of intimate time together—both in and out of this bed. We’ve had dozens upon dozens of conversations. You’re a work of art, Stevie, so I study you. I watch your facial expressions and your posture. I memorize it all. I’m so fucking interested in everything about you that it’s more than obvious to me when something is off.”

The wariness dissipates, and her eyes soften. “I don’t know what I ever did to deserve a friend like you, but when I figure it out, I’m going to make sure payment is rendered.”

My lips quirk and an eyebrow lifts. “Friends? Do friends dole out explosive orgasms to each other?”

She smirks. “My friend does. His name is Hendrix Bateman, and he is the best lover I’ve ever had, shatters me with pleasure, and then puts me back together so very easily because he observes and notices every little detail about me and knows when something is wrong. Every woman should be so lucky as to have a friend like that.”

Putting my fingers under her chin, I make sure I’ve got her attention. “Okay, friend… tell me what’s wrong.”

Stevie shrugs and her gaze drifts to where her fingertips run circles around the center of my chest. “I really don’t want to discuss the specifics.”

“Don’t need the specifics. Tell me how you’re feeling.” Her eyes lift to mine, and I see the question: Are you for real? “Lay it on me. I am ready to absorb all the feelings.”

Stevie smiles sadly and lets out a heavy sigh. “It’s the same story of abandonment. I’ve been let down. Fragile trust has been broken. Loyalty that I expected wasn’t there. A chance at a relationship—maybe even love—it’s just burned to ashes.”

Not hard to figure out the source of her angst. “Your mom?”

“Yeah. I just don’t…” She goes silent, and I let her collect her thoughts. Her voice is clogged with emotion. “I don’t think my mom has the capacity to give me anything at all. Not even the barest hint of care.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” I gather her in close, hug her tight. “I know it hurts.”

Her breath fans across my chest. “What should I do?”

I think a moment, running through everything I know about Stevie and her troubled past with her mom. I don’t know the circumstances that led to this, but I hear the torment in her voice that she’s been hurt… yet again.

She’s asking if she should try harder. She’s asking me because she knows we share the same principled values of perseverance and effort. Hell, Stevie only went out with me because I worked hard at a failing relationship with Tracy, despite me knowing damn well she wasn’t the one for me.

“I think it’s time for you to let her go,” I finally conclude. “I think it’s time for you to stop caring about what might be.”

“Yeah,” she says softly. “I think you might be right.”