After The Rain (One Pass Away #1) Read online

  “You’ve discovered my evil plot. Find a has-been football player, torture him, and watch as he dies a slow, horrible death. Gaige is in on it, too.”

  “Urrr.”

  Logan swallowed the curse words he wanted to spew at Claire. He knew she was his trainer. He should look at her like anyone else doing the job. When he looked at her, however, he saw a woman. A beautiful, desirable woman. His father raised him according to certain rules. He simply didn’t use foul language in front of the fairer sex. No matter how much of a sadist she was.

  “Go ahead,” Claire taunted. “Let it out. It isn’t healthy to hold words like that in.” She leaned down next to his red, sweating face. “Another thirty seconds and your brain is going to explode.”

  “Arg.”

  “You want to be a football player, not a pirate.”

  Claire kept the smile off her lips and out of her voice. This was day one. She needed Logan to understand who was in charge. Yes, he could bitch, gripe, and generally tell her where to get off. She wanted that. When he started to think of her as his trainer – not a woman – they could really get down to work.

  “Give me another set of ten.”

  Taking a deep breath, Logan gripped the bar. Lat pulls had never been his favorite. Now, he hated them with a passion. With every rep, Claire counted along. Six. Only four more. Seven, eight. Nine. Ten was such agony that he finally snapped. As he slowly pulled, he let a long string of curse words in colorful combinations.

  “There you go.” Claire beamed like a proud parent.

  Breathing hard, Logan’s chin rested on his heaving chest. He was soaked in sweat. His hands ached from gripping the bar. Tomorrow, his arms and shoulders would be a mass of aches and pains. He couldn’t bring himself to worry about a few, or maybe a dozen, expletives.

  “In a few hours, I won’t be able to move.”

  Logan took the towel and water bottle that appeared in front of his face. Simultaneously, he wiped his face and drained every last drop of liquid.

  “Here.” Claire handed him another full bottle. “One more. Then I want you to strip and hop up on the table. You need to hydrate. I need to give you a rubdown. If you start to feel the least bit of stiffness, I’m not doing my job properly.”

  Logan wasn’t so tired he missed the word strip. As in naked. As in naked with Claire’s hand on his body. Suddenly stiff took on a completely new meaning.

  “Maybe I should keep my shorts on.”

  “Don’t be such a guy.”

  Claire set out a tray of bottles. Each was filled with her own massage oil concoctions. One couldn’t find them on the market. Someday. Another dream for another time.

  “Claire…”

  “I need access to your glutes.”

  Claire began oiling her hands from bottle number one. It was a progressive process. Each stage required a different mixture. Hot, then cold, then hot. Combined with her magic fingers, when Logan woke up tomorrow, he should feel loose and relaxed, instead of tight and miserable.

  “Come on.” She patted the padded table. Seeing his continued reluctance, she sighed. “It will be much more serious if I have to maneuver in and out of your shorts. Now, get your ass up here.”

  “Turn around.”

  Claire did as Logan asked. Like a freaking virgin on her honeymoon, she mumbled under her breath.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  Lying on his stomach, his head faced her way. The small, self-deprecating smile on his face made Claire chuckle. She never could resist a man who was able to laugh at himself.

  “What can I say?” he shrugged. “I’m shy.”

  “I’d tell you I’ve seen it all before.” Claire rubbed her hands together, warming the oil. “I bet I know what you’d say.”

  “You’ve never seen mine.”

  “I’m sure yours is very special.”

  “That smart mouth must get you in a shitload of trouble.”

  Claire started on Logan’s shoulders. She felt him tense for a second before his muscles began to relax.

  “I’m fast and smart,” she said. “I either talk my way out or run. So far, it’s worked out fine.”

  “One of these days—”

  “Shh.” Claire moved to the knots in Logan’s back. “Don’t talk. Don’t think. Let your mind drift and your body relax.”

  “I can do that.”

  Claire chuckled. “Then prove it. Mouth. Closed. Mind. Clear.”

  Her hands were a minor miracle. Logan didn’t know when it happened. Every knot, every ache, every spasm that had racked his body only minutes before, dissolved under her ministrations.

  Floating. That was how it felt. The last time he felt so detached from his body was when they pumped him full of drugs after his leg injury. Then he fought the feeling. He couldn’t let go of the panic. Deep down, he knew his career hung in the balance.

  Today, he had no worries. Claire had his back. Literally. Logan laughed to himself. He felt a strange combination of giddy and calm. Then her thumb worked a particularly tense muscle.

  “Holy shit.”

  The unexpected pain followed by pleasure had his eyes popping open.

  “Don’t worry,” Claire said in a soothing voice. “You aren’t a latent masochist. What you’re feeling is natural.”

  “It’s freaky how you know what I’m thinking.” And reassuring at the same time.

  “Your reaction isn’t singular, Logan. Men especially get a little anxious that they will start seeking out black leather-clad women who want to be called Mistress Ursula.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them already do.”

  “Undoubtedly.” Claire moved to oil number two. “I make it very clear from the start that they won’t get that from me.”

  Now that was a slice of heaven, Logan thought as the sensation of cool replaced heat. Whatever Claire used made his skin sing with gratitude. He was so relaxed he didn’t object when she removed the towel covering his backside.

  “I’m a professional,” Claire said more for her benefit than his.

  “For which I am grateful.”

  Logan’s eyes had drifted closed. When Claire didn’t resume the massage, he lifted one lid, peeking at her over his shoulder.

  “Is there a problem?”

  “Forgive me, but I have to say it. That, my friend, is a very fine ass.”

  Logan hid his smile. He wasn’t offended. He was… intrigued. He didn’t doubt for a second that this was a first for Claire. She would consider every person she massaged to be a patient. Sexless. As she said, she was a professional. Realizing he could make her step over that line gave his ego a much-needed stroke. The jolt it gave his dick was an unexpected bonus.

  Hello, old friend. Logan shifted. The need to accommodate his growing erection made him want to cheer. It seemed the lovely Claire brought all of him back to life.

  “Logan?”

  “Hmm?”

  Leaving temptation, Claire walked around the table. Kneeling in front of him, she waited until he shifted his head, until they were eye to eye. His? A deep, relaxed chocolate brown. Hers? A bright, uncertain blue.

  “I don’t do this.” Claire smoothed back his long, dark hair. So thick and soft, she wanted to run her fingers through it. Instead, she lightly massaged his scalp.

  “You should.” Logan leaned into her touch. “It feels amazing.”

  Seeing how much he enjoyed what she was doing, Claire added her other hand. Logan sighed. His eyes stayed open. Barely.

  “I never comment on a client’s ass.”

  “Have you ever seen one as fine as mine?”

  Claire’s fingers moved to the base of Logan’s neck. The move brought her closer. She could feel his warm, steady breath on her face.

  “You aren’t going to make this easy, are you?”

  “You’re the one making it hard, Claire.” Logan shifted his hips. No pun intended. “We’ve already established our attraction. We kissed. Twice.”


  “I shouldn’t bring it here.” She looked around the room. “This is my office.”

  “Office sex happens all the time.”

  “The Knights won’t give me a job if they think I plan on seducing the players.”

  “I’m not a player,” Logan reminded her – and himself. “Not yet.”

  “I know…”

  “One question.”

  “Okay.”

  “Are you going to make a habit of this?”

  Claire felt her unease drop away. They both knew how ridiculous that sounded. Yes, she hoped this was the start of a long career. As a trainer, not an easy lay for whichever athlete was on her table.

  Logan was different. He had been from the moment she read his file. There was something about him. His story spoke to her on a personal level. Small town boy determined to make something of himself. Raw talent didn’t get him to the NFL. Work. Sweat. Heart.

  Having his leg and his dreams smashed had taken the fight out of him. Temporarily. Claire felt deep down inside that she would be the one to help him find it again. It wasn’t until she met him that it became more than one professional helping another.

  She tugged playfully at his beard. She could plan her life down to the smallest detail. Something like this. The instant attraction. The immediate connection.

  This, she could never see coming.

  “Claire.” He whispered her name.

  “Logan.” She said his name with absolute conviction.

  “I can’t make any promises.” Leveraging himself onto one elbow, Logan took her hand. “Chances are I’ll flame out. No.” He stopped her before she could protest. “That isn’t negative thinking. I’m through with the self-pity.”

  “That pity was a good friend for a little while, wasn’t it?”

  “How do you do that?” Logan kissed her palm. Soft and strong all at once. “How do you know so much about me?”

  “I understand how easy it is to embrace those feelings when nothing is going your way. There’s something to be said for a constant companion – no matter how destructive.”

  “It doesn’t take long for the friend to start eating at your insides. If you and Gaige hadn’t shown up, I don’t know where I was headed.”

  “Eventually you would have pulled yourself out of that funk.” Claire didn’t say it to be kind. She believed in Logan.

  “It’s nice that one of us is so sure.”

  “That’s the beauty of having a real friend who understands what you’re going through.” Claire leaned her forehead against his. “You don’t have to be strong, or right, or confident all the time. I’m here for you, Logan.”

  “What about in six months?” Trying to draw in some of her strength, Logan swallowed hard. “What if I fail?”

  “I’ll still be your friend.”

  Claire grabbed his beard with both hands. Tugging him close, her mouth covered his. She wasn’t in a teasing mood. The kiss was hot. Deep. Instantly sensual. Her tongue tasted, and then retreated when his wanted to play.

  “I need more.” Logan reached for her.

  “Me, too.” Rising to her feet, Claire trailed her hand over the long, lean muscles of Logan’s back. “Starting back here.”

  Claire hadn’t been exaggerating about Logan’s butt. Sexually, her experience wasn’t varied. However, in her work, she had seen many, many backsides. As far as she was concerned, it made her somewhat of an expert.

  This made it easy for her to say without reservation. Logan Price had a prime ass.

  “Brace yourself.”

  “Why? What? Hey!”

  Logan jumped. She bit him! Claire bit his ass! He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Then she lapped at the bite. Her tongue took its time soothing. Caressing. Ratcheting up his desire.

  “Sorry.” Claire circled the bite with her finger. “It was an impulse I couldn’t resist.”

  “What else can’t you resist?”

  Claire pulled her shirt over her head.

  “Let’s find out.”

  Not wanting to miss anything, Logan rolled onto his back. He enjoyed Claire’s eyes on him almost as much as he liked watching her reveal her soft, creamy skin.

  “Don’t stop now,” he urged when she paused at the front clasp of her bra. The swell of her breasts made his mouth water, wondering if they were as sweet as he imagined.

  “Woof.” Claire’s smile widened. “Impressive equipment, Mr. Price.”

  “I was a bit concerned about that. It’s been awhile.”

  “Impotence?”

  Wincing, Logan shook his head. “That isn’t a word men like bandied about. I prefer, temporarily uninterested.”

  As intuitive as she was, there was no way Claire could understand his fear that if the interest returned, he wouldn’t be able to perform. Maybe it was Claire. Or it could be he and his body were ready. Perhaps it was a combination of the two. Either way, he felt like he was back – and ready to make the most of it.

  Reaching down, Logan gave his cock a long, attention-grabbing stroke. Then one more for good measure.

  “You like what you see?”

  “Mmm.”

  “Time to return the favor.”

  Laughing, Claire slipped the strap off her shoulder. “The old, I’ve shown you mine, time to show me yours?”

  “Every luscious inch.”

  Play time? Claire liked the idea. She liked trying new things. Before now, her sexual partners had always been by the book. It was… nice. She gave Logan’s slowly moving hand another glance. She would bet her first year’s salary from the Knights that he knew how to use that thing. Claire almost did a happy dance. Lucky me!

  “You’re lagging, Claire.”

  “I can’t stop admiring the view.”

  He might not be professional athlete ripped, but Logan’s body was a beautiful thing to behold. Firm muscles. Flat abs. The external obliques that drove women crazy. She included.

  Slipping out of her shoes, Claire dropped her shorts before nimbly hopping on the massage table, straddling Logan’s hips.

  “I knew these would be long and shapely.”

  Logan’s hand ran up her leg from the side of her knee to the edge of her panties. Eyes half closed, he watched with interest as Claire unhooked her bra, letting it slide down her arms and onto the floor. He sucked in his breath with appreciation. A man could live a long time without ever seeing breasts as pretty as hers. His hands cupped the firm mounds. A perfect fit.

  With a sigh of pleasure, Claire’s head fell forward, her blond hair brushing the top of Logan’s hands.

  “You like the way I touch you?” He brushed her nipples with the rough pads of his thumbs.

  Her sigh became a gasp. Everything felt heavy. Her arms. Her legs. She could barely keep her eyes open. However, closing them was not an option. She wanted to see what Logan was doing with his big, strong hands. What would he do next? She didn’t want to miss a second.

  Logan sat up, meshing Claire’s body with his. Lacing his fingers with hers, he moved her hands behind her back, trapping them, bowing her body until the stiff peaks of her nipples were in easy access for him to savor.

  He was in control. After letting his life spiral out of reach for so long, Logan was taking it back – starting now.

  “Are you mine?” Logan drew the tip of her breast into his mouth. His teeth scraped the sensitive surface, causing Claire to gasp, her fingers tightening on his.

  “For now,” Claire breathed.

  Now. It was all Logan wanted. Tomorrow was still uncertain. Here. Now. Claire. The focus of his world had been reduced to this. He sucked harder. Logan. His name had never sounded as sweet as when Claire cried out in passion.

  “Shit.” Breathing deeply, Logan rested his forehead on Claire’s chest. “No condoms.”

  “Shit indeed.” Frustrated, Claire tugged until Logan freed her hands. “I knew there was something I forgot when I stocked this room with supplies.” She kissed the top of his head. “Silly me for not anticipa
ting sex on the massage table.”

  Not so silly, Logan thought. He wanted Claire – more than his next breath. However, part of him was glad condoms weren’t the first things on her mind. Having sex in the training room wasn’t an everyday occurrence. Until now. With him.

  “I’m healthy.” He should be. It was hard to contract an STD when your only sex partner was your own hand.”

  “Me too,” Claire told him. “But I’m not on the pill. I went off about six months ago.”

  “There hasn’t been any reason to get back on?”

  Claire’s eyes met his. Steady. Honest. “Not until now. I’ll get a new prescription, but it will take a while for it to kick in.”

  “Note to self. Buy a big box of condoms. Today.”

  Claire laughed. “More than one.” Giving him a long, hard kiss, her hand circled Logan’s cock. “I plan to have you soon. And often. Until then. Let me help you with this.”

  The sight of Claire, naked, straddling his legs was any man’s fantasy come to life. Watching her jack him off? It was a wonder he lasted as long as he did. It was only through sheer will, determination, and the hope he wasn’t going to suddenly wake up to find this all a cruel dream, that kept him from coming.

  Still, Logan was only human. When Claire spread her fingers to accommodate the swipe of her tongue, that was it. With a shout, he felt his release take over. Wave after wave of pleasure coursed through his body.

  Logan collapsed onto the table, his arms no longer able to hold his weight. He was spent. Literally and figuratively, there was nothing left in him to give.

  “Done in?” Claire asked, leaning over his inert body.

  “In the very best sense.”

  “This is why some people believe the theory that athletes shouldn’t have sex the night before competing.” She picked up Logan’s hand then let it go, laughing when he fell onto the table like a limp noodle.

  “Do you buy that?”

  “As you know, especially for athletes, it’s true if you believe it’s true. Personally, I think it’s a crock. Those essential juices aren’t going to make you run faster or throw the ball farther simply because they are still inside of you, instead of me.”

  Logan lifted one eyelid. God, she was gorgeous. And completely unselfconscious about her nudity. Instead of covering her luscious curves, Claire moved around as if it was the most natural thing in the world.