Play By Play [6] One Sweet Ride Read online

  “Babe, you missed out.”

  She braced her hands on his shoulders. “Time to start rectifying that.”

  She straddled him and he grasped her hips, holding on to her while she slid down on his aching cock.

  “Oh, yeah,” he said, watching his shaft disappear between her sweet pussy lips.

  “You feel good.”

  She tilted her head back, her ponytail bobbing in the moonlight. He slid his hand under her shirt and pulled the cups of her bra down so he could get to her breasts while she rocked back and forth on his dick.

  When she met his gaze, she leaned forward and kissed him, the kiss so blistering hot he could blow his load right now. But he held, wanting her to come. The look on her face was so beautiful as she rode him, dragging her clit over his flesh, her lips open as she breathed heavily.

  She grabbed his hand and put it on her clit. “Touch me,” she whispered. “Make me come.”

  God, he loved that she was so open, so expressive and eager to explore new things.

  He shifted back so he could have better access and rubbed her clit, giving her the friction she needed by arching his hips upward. The sounds she made told him she was close, which was a damn good thing because it was killing him not to come.

  And when she tightened around him and let out a hoarse cry, he let go, gripping her hip with one hand while he continued to rub her clit with the other, releasing and jerking as he came with her. She dug her nails into his shoulder and rode out her own orgasm until she collapsed against him, her lips pressed against his neck.

  It took her a while to raise her head. Her hair was mussed, her ponytail had come undone, her lips were swollen from his kisses, and one bra strap peeked out of her tank top. She’d never looked sexier.

  “Your poor, pristine car,” she said, smoothing her hand over the back of the seat.

  “The car is fine,” he said, pulling her forward for a long, lingering kiss that made his cock spring to life again. When he released her, she arched a brow.

  “Much as I would love round two, my hips are cramping from being in this position.”

  He laughed and she crawled over to the passenger seat. They fixed their clothes and she found her ponytail holder on the floor of his side of the car.

  “I probably look like I’ve been out drinking all night,” she said, taking a glance at herself in the rearview mirror.

  He grabbed her hand. “You look well and truly fucked, which to me makes you look sexy as hell—and gorgeous.”

  She grinned. “Good enough.”

  They put their seat belts on and he started up the car. It growled to life and he put it in first, heading back toward the house.

  It was late, and he knew tomorrow—the Fourth of July—would be a big day.

  Tomorrow, he’d have to face his father again.

  Fun time was over.

  They climbed into bed and he pulled Evelyn against him.

  “I had a wonderful time today,” she said as she laid her head on his chest. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Thanks for spending the day with me.”

  He lay there silently while he looked outside and listened to the ocean waves. The one thing he loved the most about being here was the ocean, how it could always obliterate whatever thoughts plagued him and lull him to sleep.

  Not tonight, though.

  “You’re not sleeping,” Evelyn said, smoothing her hand over his chest.

  He looked down at her. “If you’re noticing me not sleeping, then neither are you.”

  She smiled up at him. “Something on your mind? Tomorrow, maybe?”

  “Maybe.”

  She sat up. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  He didn’t even want to think about it. He pulled her down and smoothed his hand over her hair, content to remember the day he’d had with this remarkable woman. He refused to let thoughts of his father ruin what had been such a special day. A relaxing day. A day he’d needed, one that had really surprised the hell out of him. Evelyn continually surprised him.

  “No. There’s nothing to talk about. It’s just one day.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Running his hand down the silky strands of her hair had a calming effect on him.

  He closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.

  SEVENTEEN

  GRAY HADN’T COUNTED ON HIS FATHER’S PRIVATE JET picking them up at the airport and whisking them to Oklahoma, but it shouldn’t have surprised him. He figured Evelyn had booked them a commercial flight, but she said it was easier for them to use the senator’s plane.

  Gray had long ago stopped making use of Preston money for anything, other than the money his grandfather had left specifically for his use. Otherwise, he’d made it on his own by working hard and earning his own money.

  He hadn’t flown in the Preston jet in years. Then again, he hadn’t been to the ranch in a long time, either, so as one of his father’s cars took them from the airport to the ranch, he wondered how much, if anything, had changed.

  He and his mother usually met on neutral ground, which didn’t sit well with her, but it was what it was and that’s how things had to be these days. He didn’t come home for holidays anymore because he knew his father would be there. His younger sister, Carolina, didn’t appreciate that, either, but she’d always been Daddy’s girl. She worshipped their father, and Gray would never get in the way of their relationship. He missed his sister, but there were other ways of seeing her, too, though she was busy with her own life. At least she’d show up at a few of his races every year and the two of them would catch up on each other’s lives.

  “Do you know my sister?” he asked Evelyn as they rode in the backseat of the private car.

  Evelyn smiled. “Yes. I see Carolina a lot when she visits your father in Washington.

  We’ve become friends. I can’t wait to see her today and catch up.”

  There was an interesting dynamic. Evelyn and his sister—friends. He hadn’t expected that. “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep what’s going on between us, just between us.”

  She cocked her head to the side. “Of course, Gray. I’m very discreet.” She gave a quick glance to the private screen between them and the driver before shifting her gaze back to his. “I’d also appreciate your discretion. Though you don’t think much of your father’s politics, my job is very important to me. If your father senses any impropriety, or thinks I’m not giving this campaign my all, it could put my position with him in jeopardy.”

  He’d never thought about it from her position, only how everything having to do with his father—with his family—affected him. Sometimes he really was an insensitive ass. He picked up her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “Despite how hard it’s going to be to keep my hands off you today, Miss Hill, I’ll do my best to pretend we’re just working together. I’ll even let my father know how much I resent your interference in my everyday life.”

  She beamed a smile. “That would be perfect. And speaking of my interference in your life—” She pulled out her laptop. “This is the agenda for today, including media opportunities and what I plan to post to your social media accounts. I’d like your approval before you get too busy with family things.”

  He looked it over. True to her word, she kept it all pretty benign, the information she’d put together saying only that he’d be spending the holiday with his family, including his father, the senator, and his mother. No campaign stuff, at least not yet, though she had mentioned they’d be taking photos throughout the day. They could go over those later.

  “This looks fine,” he said, swiping his knuckles across her cheek. “Thanks for checking with me.”

  “You’re welcome. Thanks for letting me post something about today.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Her gaze lingered on his. It was going to be difficult not touching her today.

  Yesterday had been great, because he’d been
free to be with her, to spend time with her, and to put his hands on her whenever he felt like it.

  Today they’d go back to being professional strangers again.

  “Have you been to the ranch before?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m excited to see it. Your father talks about it a lot, and your mother loves this place. She tells me she can’t wait for your father to retire so they can spend more time here.”

  He couldn’t imagine his father ever retiring from politics. “Which could be a while, especially if he gets the VP nomination and they win.”

  “That’s true.”

  The car pulled down a dirt road. Gray had to admit he was looking forward to visiting the ranch, and when they pulled up to the main gates and he saw Preston Ranch scrolled in iron, he took a deep breath.

  His issues with his father aside, this was home. Thousands and thousands of acres of home.

  “Wow,” Evelyn said, leaning closer to the window to look out as they drove past a herd of cattle. She dragged her gaze away from the window. “I’ve read the books about your father and studied his bio extensively, so I know the ranch has been in your family for generations, but seeing it in person is a sight to behold.”

  He smiled. “Yeah, it was a privilege to grow up here. I learned a lot from my grandfather.”

  They drove the mile or so to the ranch house. The car stopped and Gray got out and held his hand out for Evelyn.

  She stepped out and he wanted to pull her against him and kiss her. She looked so fresh and cute in her white pants and navy striped top. She’d pulled her hair up today since it was hotter than a blazing forest fire out here. That was the one thing he remembered about the family Fourth of July barbecues. You could always count on them being blistering hot. Then again, there was the pool to cool things down.

  Maybe Evelyn would don her bikini today. He had that thought to look forward to.

  “You ready for this?” she asked.

  He cocked her a grin. “Are you? There are lots of family members here. Plus, I might have invited some of my friends.”

  Her brows rose. “You did?”

  “Yeah. A few of my college buddies are in town for a charity golf tournament. They asked me to join in, but I wanted some downtime at my place in Florida so I turned them down.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad, but I’m looking forward to meeting your friends.”

  He laughed. “Wait ’til you meet them before you say that.”

  He led her through the front door of the house, a blast of cold air instantly cooling him down.

  “Oh, this is lovely,” Evelyn said. “It has your mother’s mark on it.”

  “Yeah,” he said, smiling as he saw the simplicity that was the earmark of his mom.

  He’d always loved the two-story house. When he was a kid it had seemed like a mansion. Hell, even now it was oversized and his mother complained that she was waiting for him and Carolina to fill it with grandkids. He sure as hell wasn’t ready for that, and Carolina was busy becoming the next great fashion designer, so he doubted she’d be popping out babies anytime soon.

  Speaking of his mother—ever the eagle-eyed hostess, she spotted them in the crowd and moved in a hurry to greet them. She enveloped Gray in a hug.

  “Thank you for coming,” she said, and after he hugged her back, she pulled away, but didn’t let go of his hands. “I wasn’t sure you’d show up.”

  “With my bodyguard here? You think I had a chance to say no?”

  His mother glanced over at Evelyn and grinned. “So, she’s doing a good job?”

  “She’s a pain in my ass.”

  “Grayson. Watch your language.” His mother let go of him and hugged Evelyn.

  “I’m so happy to see you. Is my son being mean to you?”

  Evelyn gave Gray a once-over. “Nothing I can’t handle. Don’t forget I swim with sharks every day.”

  His mom patted Evelyn on the shoulder. “That’s so true. But don’t take any guff from him. He can be . . . difficult to manage at times.”

  “Hey. I’m standing right here, Mom.”

  She winked at him, then looped her arm in Evelyn’s. “Let’s go find you two something to drink. Come along, Grayson.”

  And just like that, he was eight years old again, tagging along behind his mother. He rolled his eyes and followed them out to the back patio. There were kids in the pool and at least a hundred people spilled out over the back lawn. Shade tents had been set up all over the property, beer and whiskey were plentiful, and the smell of barbecue permeated the whole area. It was controlled chaos, and there were plenty of staffers present to make sure everyone was catered to.

  Typical Preston holiday party.

  His mother had disappeared somewhere with Evelyn while he’d been gaping, so he grabbed a beer and settled in against the wall, greeting a few cousins and aunts and uncles and doing his best to ignore the obvious political types he could spot ten miles away. Despite everyone being in casual dress, he knew who was here to enjoy the holiday and who was here to gain political favor with his father.

  Speaking of, he spotted his dad surrounded by a circle of men, no doubt talking the state of the country and how their political opponent couldn’t possibly solve those issues. His dad appeared to be reveling in being the center of attention as the men hung on his every word.

  Yeah, some things never changed.

  “I can’t believe you showed up.”

  At the nudge in his back, he swung around and grabbed his sister in a hug. “I can’t believe you showed up.” He kissed her cheek, then set her down. “Aren’t you afraid to be gone from New York for more than fifteen minutes? What if a fashion trend changes and you miss it?”

  “You are such a smart-ass.”

  “And you cut your hair. I like it.”

  She swept her now chin-length brown hair behind her ears. “It was long, and always in my way. This is easier. And thanks. Look at you, being all complimentary.

  You’ve hardly even noticed me before.”

  “I’ve noticed you plenty,” he said, slinging an arm over her shoulder. “I’ve noticed you being a pain in my ass my entire life.”

  She laid her head against his shoulder. “You’ve always said the sweetest things to me.”

  “Yeah, well, I do like your hair, but you’re too skinny. You need to eat.”

  She laughed. “Dork. I am not. I’m perfectly healthy. I’ve just discovered yoga and good eating and finally lost the weight I needed to lose. That and the stress of work.”

  “You were never overweight.” Though he had to admit she looked great in her skinny jeans and some kind of silky tank top. Still, she was his sister, who he’d once nicknamed Pudge, which was cruel as hell, but that’s what brothers did.

  “Okay, then, you look awesome.”

  She patted his chest. “There might be hope for your species yet.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Don’t get excited. I didn’t say there was hope for you.”

  “See, this is what I enjoy about homecomings. All the family love.”

  “Yeah, me, too,” she said, grabbing a carrot stick from the food tray.

  “Have you seen Mom?”

  She straightened. “Yeah. Why?”

  “She ran off somewhere with Evelyn.”

  “Oooh, Evelyn. What’s going on with you and Evelyn?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Nothing. I need to talk to her about the plan for today.”

  “Oooh. You and Evelyn have plans for today?”

  “Jesus, Care. Are you twelve?”

  She laughed. “Sometimes. When it’s convenient or when it pisses you off. So what is going on with you and Evelyn?”

  He’d have to be careful what he said in front of his nosy sister. He led her over to one of the many picnic tables spread out on the lawn, choosing one in a shady spot.

  They took a seat next to each other. “Nothing’s going on with Evely
n. Dad assigned her to do some social media shit with me for his campaign. I want to get it over with so I can actually enjoy being here today.”

  “Yeah. Right. You and Dad in the same hemisphere? You won’t enjoy today.”

  “You have a point.”

  “And you need to get over it. He’s not the same person he used to be.”

  “So everyone keeps telling me. He looks the same to me. Though he’s lost a lot of weight, no doubt to be more camera-ready for this big election.”

  Carolina grasped his upper arm, focusing his attention on her. “Seriously, Gray.

  When was the last time you sat down with Dad and had an honest conversation with him?”

  His senior year of high school, when he’d told his father he wouldn’t be going to Harvard. “I don’t need to have a conversation with him. I know who he is. And what he’s capable of.”

  “Give it another try. He’s changed in the—what—twelve years since the two of you had that blowup?”

  Gray shrugged. “It’s not worth rehashing. We both said everything that needed to be said back then.”

  “You know, if you agreed to work on Dad’s campaign, at some point the two of you are going to have to talk.”

  He looked at her and smiled. “Hey, I can talk. I’m good at talking.”

  “I mean a real talk.”

  “Not going to happen. But I can toe the party line as good as any of them. You’ve seen my media interviews, right?” He shot her a golden boy grin. “I’m a star, baby.”

  “Oh, for God’s sake. I give up.”

  “What do you give up on?”

  “Hi, Evelyn,” Carolina said, smiling up as Evelyn stood on the other side of the table.

  “Am I interrupting a private talk?”

  Carolina laughed. “My brother and I do not have private talks. Sit and tell me what’s been going on?”

  “Did Gray tell you I’m working with him?”

  “He did. How . . . tragic for you.”

  Evelyn smiled. “He’s not too bad. Though he wasn’t happy at the beginning.”

  Gray folded his hands on the table. “I love how people talk about me like I’m not even here.”