AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is rated M.

Teaming Up

Chapter 8

LIMITS

"How many rounds are we going?" Addison asked, her eyes sparkling in a way that took his breath away.

"As many as you want, sweetheart."

A cloud crossed her face.

"Did I say something wrong?" Zed asked.

Addison propped herself on her elbows. "I'm not your sweetheart."

"I know," he said, keeping his voice light, hating that she pointed out the obvious. "Slip of the tongue."

"I can't be your sweetheart…" she pressed.

"I know. And don't worry, our little tryst will remain a secret forever if that's what you want."

"I want," she whispered, hating that it had to be like this.

Zed hated the wave of disappointment that made his stomach sink like a stone. But she was right. They had to put the health of the boat above all else. He crawled up the bed, and settled next to her, propping his head on his hand. "What else do you want?" He waggled his eyebrows, setting off a cascade of giggles.

"Hmmm…" she pretended to contemplate. "How many condoms do you have?"

"Enough for us to go all night long if you like."

"I shouldn't spend the night. We've got training first thing."

"And Bonz and I want to pay Wyatt a visit before that."

Her face turned to concern. "Do you think he'll accept?"

"We're not going to take no for an answer."

She cupped his cheek, her eyes softening as she gazed up at him. "You're a good man, Zed."

He warmed at the way his name rolled off her tongue, liking it more than he should have. "And you, Addison, are damned near irresistible."

She blushed the sweetest shade of rose.

Sweeter still was the way she tilted her chin to receive his kiss. A tremor pulsed through him. He didn't deserve that kind of trust. Not from her. He hadn't earned it. Not in this way, at least. She trusted him because of the boat. The way they all trusted each other. But this was different territory, scarier territory. At her request, this was supposed to be platonic. Nothing more than a wild night between two consenting adults. But it wasn't. This was so so much more than that. Feelings he didn't want to acknowledge ballooned in his chest. He pushed them aside and deepened their kiss, letting his mind run wild with the myriad of dirty activities before them.

"So tell me," he said with gravel in his throat when they finally pulled apart for air. "What are your limits?"

Her eyes widened. "For reals?"

He nodded.

"Wow… no one's ever asked me that before."

Zed growled in disgust. "They should have."

She tilted her head, studying him. "Noted."

"Well?"

Her eyes lit up at the possibilities he was offering. She tapped her finger against her lower lip. "Hmm… Okay… anal play okay, anal sex, not."

"Spanking?"

"Light, but I reserve the right to tell you if I want more."

His cock strained against his slacks, desperately wanting to be set free. "Noted… what else?"

"I'd let you tie me up… with your tie. But only my hands."

"Positions?"

She shot him a naughty grin. "We can get as bendy as you like."

He grinned back. But then she surprised the hell out of him.

"What are your limits?"

He blinked. No woman had ever asked him what his limits were. Not once. He kind of liked it. His mind quickly going to very dirty places. "I don't have any."

"You must have some."

"Nope."

"Toys up the ass?"

"Bring it."

Addison giggled uncontrollably. "Tying up?"

"Yep."

"Spanking?" her eyes were wide and sparkling with laughter.

"Come to daddy."

She snorted in disbelief. "Are you kidding me?"

He shook his head.

"You've done all that stuff before?"

"Nope. But I would with you." The weight of his confession only hit him after the words left his mouth. The balloon in his chest returned and expanded when she cupped his cheek again.

"Why?" she asked quietly.

"Because I trust you. And I really like you, Addie. And I feel like we have this connection, and…"

"I feel it too."

"And even though this can't go anywhere. We can just be in the moment and enjoy it… And each other."

She nodded. "I know what you mean."

He swallowed, words stuck in the back of his throat. "Do you ever…"

She stopped his mouth with a finger, knowing her heart couldn't handle what he was about to say. "Shhh… More kissing, less talking."

He agreed, but at the same time, he wanted her to know if it was any other time or place… He'd want it to be different. Something… more.

Addison pulled on his neck, bringing his mouth to hers, and while they kissed, her hands were everywhere… pushing off his shirt, tugging at his belt, cupping his balls. "I meant it when I said your junk is perfect," she murmured between kisses as she drew her hand along his rigid shaft, squeezing just right.

It had been so fucking long since he'd been touched, that he nearly forgot how good it felt. And her fingernails… his eyes rolled back… it was going to take all of his self-control to hold out.

"God, you're amazing," he moaned from somewhere deep in his throat.

She responded with a giggle and bit down on his collarbone.

Somehow their clothes ended up on the floor, and they were stretched out on the bed, skin to skin. The sweet smell of her filled the air, and for an awful moment his heart squeezed so hard it hurt to breathe. He didn't want the night to end. He didn't want it to be what he's always said he wanted… one night only. God help him, he wanted more.

He reached for a condom, and her hand covered his.

"Let me…"

She tore it open, but before she rolled it on, she dropped her head, running her tongue along the flared edge, before taking the head into her mouth. His body went hot and cold, every cell firing to life.

"Jeezus, Addie," he grunted, unable to say anything more. Words left his brain. He was functioning on a purely primal level.

His hand dropped to her head, caressing her silky locks as she licked and sucked with abandon. It was heaven, it was torture, it was the most fucking incredible sensation… having Addie's mouth on him. And then she teased him, pulling off right as he was winding up. He squeezed her scalp, breath coming in harsh rasps as dots colored his vision. They hadn't even gotten to the main show and she'd already ruined him for anyone else. She grinned up, knowing exactly the kind of torture she was dealing out.

"Next time," she whispered as she rolled the condom down his shaft, ending her ministrations with a gentle tug on his balls.

With a caveman-like growl, he flipped her onto her back, and pressed her knees apart, settling his hips between her legs, cock notched at the entrance of her slick pussy. He took her hands and pulled them above her head, capturing them both in one of his. He teased at her opening, sliding through her folds until she expressed her impatience with another string of curses. He slid into her, slowly. Inch by inch until he was fully seated, surrounded by her tight heat. Her pussy gripped him like a vice. He paused, memorizing the feeling. He didn't want to forget this moment, the sensation of being completely enveloped by Addie. He was aware enough to understand that this was a gift. That every second of this one night with her was precious and perfect, and for the rest of his life, she'll always be the one that got away.

Addison started to move first, slow little rocks as she searched for the angle she liked. He held still, thrusting only when she started to take on a rhythm. She let out a guttural moan that spurred him on. "Yes, deep like that. And slow."

He held his pace, even as electricity raced up his legs and drew his balls tight. He was a fucking rower, he could take this pace all night and let her come all over him as many times as she wanted. He was barely winded, but his own orgasm coiled and hovered at the edge of his awareness, ready to launch when he let go. He gave her exactly what she wanted, driving deep and hard, keeping up the slow pace that set her body on fire. And when her back arched off the bed in an earth-shattering orgasm, he was right there too, tumbling over the edge with her into the great abyss.

By four a.m. they'd gone through an entire strip of condoms. He was spent and wanted nothing more than to spoon for a few hours before Addie made him haul his ass to New Year's Day training.

"You should be grateful I'm giving you an extra hour," she chided, gently punching his shoulder.

"Just a few more minutes?"

Addison let out a soft laugh. "I never took you for a cuddler, Necrodopolus."

He wasn't. Ever. But this was different. And he wasn't ready for it to end. But… she was making it clear that their time was up. He pushed up to sitting and reached for his pants. He handed over her dress. "I'm keeping your panties."

"Perv."

"Maybe."

"Totally."

"I'll wash them and keep them in a drawer. Yo know… in case you come by my place one night."

A look of pure regret washed over her face. "You know there won't be a next time, "she whispered gently. "There can't be."

Zed gave her a lopsided smile. "A guy can hope, can't he."

"Even if there were a… next time… Do you really think your frat house would be the best place."

"Point well made," he said with a laugh.

He insisted on giving her a ride home. The ride back to her place was quiet. "Can I walk you to the door?" he asked when the car came to a stop outside of her building. He shouldn't be worried about her safety, Addie could fend for herself. But he couldn't help it.

She turned in her seat. "That's very sweet of you, but I'll be okay." She sucked in a breath. "Zed?"

A swarm of butterflies took flight in his stomach. She wasn't calling him Necrodopolus. "Yeah?"

"Thank you for this. I'll never forget it." She leaned across the console and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth.

The most exquisite pain bloomed across his chest, and for a second, he couldn't speak. "Me either," he finally managed to croak.

"Are we good? Back to business as usual?"

He nodded. "We're good. Hands off from here on out." He hated it, but it was what she wanted… what the team needed.

She flashed him a smile. "Good. See you at seven-thirty. Don't be late."