Full Court Press Read online

  “Are you sure?” His gaze bounces back and forth over my eyes.

  “Positive,” I assure him. His lips press to mine in a deep kiss as he lines himself up with my center and slowly pushes in. He holds himself there so I can adjust to his size. My god, he is huge, but he feels so good.

  He slowly pulls out before moving back in. I groan as he slides back in and moves his mouth over mine again. I wrap my arms around his neck and begin shifting my hips along with him.

  He kisses down my neck, never losing the force of his thrusts. Each one causes my eyes to roll back, and when he moves his hand down and presses a thumb against my clit, I lose control.

  “Come for me, baby.” His voice is deep and breathless. It sends me over the edge, and he follows suit. I come for what seems like forever. After Landon collapses on me, he pulls out and just lays his head against my chest. Our breathing is in perfect sync and I draw lazy circles across the skin of his back.

  Eventually, he moves off of me and walks to the bathroom, where he disposes of the condom and brings a warm rag back. He gently wipes between my legs before tossing the rag in the corner of the room. He slips his boxers back on and hands me my underwear and his T-shirt. I quickly slip both on and move up toward the headboard.

  Landon raises the blanket for me to slide under and then wraps me in his arms.

  Having him here makes me happy. I feel content with how my life is in this moment. I’m trying to go with the flow and not panic at the changes that have been taking place. I rub my hand across his stomach and the beat of his heart eventually lulls me to sleep.

  I wake to the smell of bacon floating throughout the house. I wipe the sleep from the corners of my eyes and glance around the room. Landon’s side of the bed is empty and his jeans are missing. Waking up throughout the night to check on Carson wore me out, add that to the stress I had yesterday and I was dead to the world when I passed out.

  I throw the cover off of me before stretching slowly.

  “Damn, a man could get used to that sight.” I jump at his deep voice.

  “Oh my gosh, you scared the crap out of me.” I giggle as he walks up.

  “I made you breakfast. Carson’s still asleep, I peaked in on him about 20 minutes ago.”

  “Thank you. I must have been completely out of it.” I look to the nightstand where my phone normally is.

  My heart swells with his thoughtfulness. I’ve longed for this for so long; it was all I ever wanted when I was pregnant with Carson and I never saw myself in the situation I ended up in.

  Granted, when I think back to that time now I realize that Carson and I are both better off without Kyle in our lives.

  “Thank you,” I say again, shyly.

  “I love it when you look like this.” He leans against the doorframe, still shirtless since I slept in his shirt. His arms are crossed across his broad, tan chest.

  “Like what?” I ask as I stand and make my way over to him.

  “Sleep deprived and in my clothes.” He smirks down at me, not moving from his spot at the door.

  “Actually, I’m well rested. Thanks to someone.” I jab him in the side and squeeze past him into the hall. He swats my butt as I pass, causing me to giggle.

  I walk down the hall to check on Carson. He’s still covered to his neck with his blanket and is snoring sweetly. I close his door behind me and duck back into my room to slip some comfy pants on. I grab my phone and notice a text from my mom.

  Mom: Good morning, sweetheart.

  She always sends the same text message every morning and has since I moved out.

  Me: Morning.

  Mom: How was your night?

  Me: It was good.

  Mom: I noticed a strange vehicle in your driveway this morning.

  Me: Mom….

  Mom: What? I’m just curious. It must be somewhat serious considering Carson is there.

  Me: Carson is sick. Landon took us to urgent care last night.

  Mom: What’s wrong with him?

  Me: Bronchitis.

  I wait a little longer but never hear a response. I toss my phone back on the nightstand and move toward the kitchen. My doorbell rings just as I step into the living room.

  That’s why she didn’t text me back.

  I open the door and say, “Hi, Mom,” before I even see who is on the other side.

  “Where is Carson?” She rushes through the door, tossing her purse onto the loveseat and moving down the hallway to Carson’s bedroom. I glance to Landon and give an apologetic shrug and mouth sorry.

  My dad steps through after Mom is nowhere to be seen.

  “Hi, peanut.” He gives me a quick squeeze and kiss to my forehead before his attention zeros in on Landon in the kitchen. Thankfully, he has somehow managed to slip his shirt on that I slept in last night. “And you are?” My dad lets go and moves to greet him in the kitchen.

  “Landon Prince, sir.” Landon steps toward my dad, lifting his hand between the two of them. My dad takes it immediately and I can tell he is already impressed with Landon’s greeting. When he met Kyle, Dad attempted to shake his hand and Kyle just stood there, staring at his hand. Respect goes a long way with this man.

  “No sir. Just Bob.” My dad pats Landon on the upper arm. “Sure smells good in here.”

  “Bacon. Would you like some? I think I made too much.” Landon gestures to the spread currently sitting on the dining room table. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruit, yogurt, and orange juice.

  “Well, sure. That woman will probably stay with Carson until he’s better. A man has to eat. And this man,” Dad pats his round belly, “doesn’t miss a meal.” His deep laugh causes me to giggle.

  My mom chooses that moment to grace us with her presence again.

  “Honey, he looks pitiful. What did the doctor say?”

  “Bronchitis and strep. He’s on an oral med plus breathing treatments every six hours. He’s been pretty out of it most of the time so far.”

  “Bless his little heart. I hate that for him.” She looks at my dad. “Oh, Bob. He just looks so pitiful.”

  “He’ll be okay, honey. Kids get sick. Ours did. They survived.” Dad rubs his hand up her shoulder, comforting her. I watch their exchange and realize this is how Landon acts with me. I glance up at him to find him watching me with a small smile on his lips.

  “Mom, this is Landon Prince,” I introduce Landon to my mom. She immediately jumps at the opportunity.

  “Well, hello. I’m Kelsi’s mother, Carrie.” She reaches her hand out and Landon takes it immediately.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” He turns to the table. “Are you all hungry? We have plenty.”

  “This looks wonderful. Handsome and a cook.” My mom winks at me before taking her seat at the table.

  Breakfast is a great time. My parents and Landon have really hit it off and the food was amazing. I ended up eating three pancakes and half my weight in bacon, I’m sure.

  Once my parents leave, I go in to check on Carson. He’s still covered from head to toe. His skin is red and he’s coughing horribly.

  “Landon,” I say and I hear Landon set the dishes he was putting away down.

  I reach over and feel my son’s forehead and he’s nearly too hot to even touch. I quickly uncover him and begin stripping his clothes to sit him in a cool bath to help bring the temperature down. Landon walks in behind me. Carson is completely out of it and can barely stand on his own.

  “Landon, he’s never been this hot before.” Panic is starting to set in and I hate feeling helpless with my child.

  I put Carson in a cool bath, and we sit for a while hoping the cool water will drop his temperature some. After fifteen minutes, I pull him out and dress him in a fresh set of pajamas. I grab the thermometer from the nightstand again to check his temperature. 104.5.

  “I think we need to go to the hospital.” I look to Landon and can see the worry on his face as he looks between my son and me.

  “Okay, I’ll get the car ready.” He tur
ns on his heel and heads out the front door while I get Carson and pick him up. His body is slumped over mine. He’s nearly too big to carry now. Landon walks back in and takes him from me. I grab my purse and phone as he buckles Landon into the backseat of his jeep.

  On the way to the hospital I call my mom to let them know what’s going on and that Landon is driving us to the hospital. No doubt my parents will show up within fifteen minutes of hanging up the phone.

  Landon parks the jeep under the emergency entrance and lets me out. I carry Carson into the waiting area, stopping at the reception desk.

  “Hello, how may I help you?” the older lady asks without looking up from her desk.

  “My son needs to be seen; he had a 104.5 temp before we left the house.” She glances up and notices Carson’s head falling off my shoulder.

  “Okay, honey. Let me get you some paperwork and I will go ahead and get him submitted if you can give me some of his info on the first page. That way you won’t have to wait very long.”

  “Thank you.”

  Landon walks through the sliding doors of the hospital then. He sees me struggling with Carson and attempting to fill out paperwork. “Here, baby. I got him.” I hand Carson over and watch his retreating back as he moves to the sitting area that is mostly vacant this morning. Only a few individuals are in the waiting room.

  I finish filling out the paperwork and hand it back to the woman.

  “Everything will be fine, sweetheart.” I smile politely and move to the waiting room. I am exhausted, even though I got a full night’s rest last night. It’s been so long since Carson has been sick, and I dread it every year when “sick season” moves in.

  We are seated no more than five minutes when an older nurse walks through the double doors leading into the ER. She’s probably in her mid-forties and I’m already much more at ease than I was at Urgent Care last night.

  “Carson.” Her tone of voice is extremely caring, and I can immediately tell that she loves her job and her patients. My momma heart eases more. Landon and I stand at the same time. Carson has been asleep against his chest since he took him from me. His cheek is smooched against Landon’s broad shoulder, while his legs dangle freely. If I held Carson like this, his feet would nearly touch the floor, but Landon makes him look so small in his arms. Small and safe.

  Once we are situated in an exam room, the nurse takes his temperature again. 104.1. Thankfully, it’s slightly lower than back at the house but that is still a high temp for a kid. Anyone, really.

  “His temp is still high. When was the last time you gave him any Tylenol or Motrin?” she asks and looks at her file as she writes down his temperature.

  “I gave him a dose right after a cool bath.” I look to Landon. “Probably about thirty minutes ago or so.” Landon nods in agreement.

  She removes her stethoscope and presses the end to his chest. He’s lying flat on the bed and doesn’t even flinch when the cool metal touches his bare chest. We wait, and I watch my son’s chest rise and fall as he takes deep, labored breaths.

  “How long has this been going on?” Her eyes connect with mine and my ease is long gone now. The look in her eyes puts me on edge.

  “A couple of days. We took him to Urgent Care last night. They sent us home with medicine and a nebulizer. He’s only had a few treatments so far.”

  “Hm.” She removes the stethoscope and wraps it around the back of her neck, so it hangs freely on each side. “The doctor will be with you shortly.” She quickly exits the room.

  I look to Landon. He’s propped up against the wall nearest Carson. His arms are crossed and one foot rests on top of the other. He looks exhausted, which I’m sure he is if he woke up to give Carson a treatment last night then early again to fix breakfast. He mentioned he had practice this afternoon.

  “Landon, you can go. I’ve got it from here; you look exhausted. My parents can give me a ride home.”

  His head snaps up from the wall. “Absolutely not. I’m not leaving either of you.” He steps toward me. His hands reach out to grip the sides of my shoulder. “You don’t have to do everything on your own, baby. I’d like to stay.”

  “But you have a practice to go to this afternoon and you need to get some rest before then.” I glance down at my feet. “I don’t want to be the reason you aren’t playing at the top of your game.” He laughs a deep laugh and that causes me to smile. “What?”

  “Baby, I already text my coach and let them know I’d either be late or wouldn’t make it to practice at all.” My eyes go wide.

  “Do what?” His hand raises to my chin and he gently presses it shut before kissing the tip of my nose.

  “I told you, I want to be here. Let me be here.” I rise up on my toes and place my lips against his gently.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It’s been a week and a half since Carson was released from the hospital. His bronchitis had turned into pneumonia quickly and they ended up keeping him a few days. Landon only left us for clothes, food, and practices. He insisted on staying but I had to shove him out the door for practice every day.

  It's still extremely difficult for me to rely on help from others that aren’t my parents or my sister. For so long, it’s always been me and Carson. I was the one who woke up during the night with him, I kissed his skinned-up knees when he was learning to walk. That’s why whatever this is that’s happening with Landon scares the shit out of me. Kyle did a number on my self-esteem and my trust in anyone of the male species besides my daddy.

  Chrissy walks through the door of my classroom and pulls one of my student’s seats up next to my desk in the back of the room. The students are at recess, so I have a free period to catch up on some grading. Which obviously won’t get accomplished since she just walked through the door.

  “So, I haven’t seen you much lately. Been busy with your new friend?” She winks at me, which causes me to roll my eyes at her. She has pushed me and pushed me for years to jump back into the dating pool, but truthfully, until I met Landon, I really didn’t have much of a desire. “Mom said he stayed at your house when Carson was sick.” Of course, my mother has given her the rundown of my private love life. Nothing is truly private in this family; I know far too much information about my sister and my mother and father.

  “He did. He’s the one that drove us to the hospital when his temp got extremely high.” I move through grading papers, trying to avoid this topic altogether.

  “Why are you being so short?” Her leg lifts to rest on the top of my desk, sitting right on the stack of papers I’ve been working on. I quickly shove her foot off and it lands with a loud thud.

  “Why are you here?” I drop my pen to my desk and turn to face her. “What do you want to know?” Crossing my arms across my chest, I give my sister my full attention. She won’t stop until she gets all the details anyways, so if I just give her everything now maybe she will go away.

  “Did you sleep with him again? How is he with Carson? Dad really seems to like him.” She shoots off a million questions and it makes me laugh. Regardless of how much she drives me insane, I really do love her and her nosy ass.

  “Yes, I did. It was unplanned really but he offered to stay with us that night because that big storm was moving in and you know how terrified I am of thunder and lightning.” My phone dings. I reach into my bag that’s shoved under my desk and shuffle through the contents to find it at the bottom.

  Landon: Hi, beautiful. I have a question to ask you.

  “Is that him? You’re smiling like a damn fool right now.” She pauses, causing me to look up at her. “Oh my gosh, you really like him, don’t you?” Her finger points at me as she leans forward in her seat, inching closer to me. Her eyes are bright, and I swear I can see every tooth in her damn mouth.

  “I really do, Chrissy. And to be honest, it’s freaking me the fuck out. It’s so hard to let go of all the shit Kyle put me through and I really cannot figure out why that douchebag is still controlling all of my thoughts, years la
ter.”

  “Hey, you have to live. You’ve wrapped yourself up in Carson and your job for so long that you have forgotten to live for yourself. You’re an amazing mom to Carson, but you’ve got to take care of you still, babe.”

  She’s right, I know she is. I see other moms still making time for themselves and still being great moms and I know I can do that too, but letting go is just too difficult. “Just promise me you’ll try. Landon seems like a great guy, not many would have gone through what he did for you and Carson at the hospital and never leaving your side.”

  “You’re right, but why?” I raise my arms to her and gesture for her to look at me. “What about me would be attractive to a basketball superstar like the Landon Prince?”

  “You don’t see it, do you?” She stares at me thoughtfully. I just stare back without answering. “You have such a great personality. It draws people in, and you don’t even realize it. You’re such a real person and that is probably what attracted him to you in the first place. You’re beautiful on multiple levels, not just your appearance. You’re caring and considerate. You’re one badass mom. What more is there not to love? I’ve told you this a million times, when will it finally sink in?” I take in my sister’s words and repeat them to myself in my head. The afternoon bell rings, signaling the children will be coming in shortly from their recess break, cranky, exhausted, and sweaty from playing with their friends. “Just promise me you’ll try to let loose and let him in a little.” She stands and pushes the chair she was sitting in back to the correct table and turns to look at me, waiting for my reply.

  “I promise.” She smiles a smile that reaches her eyes before winking and heading toward the door. I grab my phone to text Landon back. I’ve decided to give this a real shot and not hold back so much, though I still need to be somewhat guarded for Carson’s sake.

  Me: Hi there. What’s your question?

  Landon: I have a red-carpet event tomorrow that I just found out about and I have to attend. It’s for charity and I really would like to take you.