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Reading the Defense

By: ILmonamour



Samantha Morrison was running late. Which explained the loose strands that had fallen out of the clip at the base of her neck. All morning she had been trying to organize her classroom and get through training the teacher aid that would be helping her out through the upcoming school year.

Unfortunately the assistant seemed much more interested on text messaging and snapping her gum than educating third graders, causing Samantha to dart around the classroom stapling and taping posters to the walls, forgetting about taking a break for lunch let alone paying any attention to the state of her unruly wavy tresses. An angry ring blared from her purse as she started crossing the street to a trendy sports bar on the north side of the river.

Without needing to look at who the caller was, Samantha answered the phone without a greeting. "Where the hell are you, and why the hell is it taking you so damn long?" 

She laughed at the mock anger on the other end of the phone. "Hello to you too Liz, I'm just outside."

"Thank Christ, Jenna is already buzzed and thinking about calling Kevin. Who does that after two drinks? It's busy in here so what do you want? We'll order up for you."

"Hmm, I don't really know. Maybe just some wine?" She really didn't feel like drinking much since she had an early morning meeting with the principal and the dean of students to go over the first quarter of assignments. Somehow showing up with a hangover didn't seem like the best thing.

"Okay, see you in a few."

Tossing the phone back in her bag, Samantha walked up to the entrance of the bar and tugged on the heavy door. The immediate smell of cologne was almost intoxicating, if not overbearing at first. She forgot that the bar Liz had gotten everyone to meet up at was a stomping ground for many to watch sports games. It was still earlier on a Tuesday evening, but the crowd was thick. The highlights from the city's beloved football team streaming on the many flat screens scattered throughout the masculine interior. It never ceased to amaze her how the fans could be so fanatical over a sports team. Making her way through the sea of business suits and a full assortment of people wearing jerseys voicing their opinions of the latest draft pick to how the team had better make it to the Super Bowl, someone bumped into her from the side causing her to lose balance.

In the blink of an eye, her ankle turned and her body started to fall. Two quick hands from next to her reached around and grabbed her before she completely made an ass of herself by falling to the floor. One strong arm wrapped itself around and rested comfortably if not tightly onto the small of her back while the other hand gripped her side. 

"Oh!" All Samantha could do was laugh before looking up to say thanks to the owner of the hands that seemed to be man shackling her body. As the focus started to return to her eyes, she raised them high enough to look into the darkest pair of brown eyes she'd ever seen. 

"Thanks, I have no idea how that happened." Her eyes blue eyes twinkled as she realized how that must have sounded like a joke.

The man looked down at her then smiled, a small dimple popped out high on his cheekbone. Samantha's eyes riveted on it for a quick second before focusing on what he was saying.

"It's crowded in here and someone wasn't paying attention to where they were going." He straightened them both, releasing his arm from her back but keeping his grip on her side. 

She glanced around as if to confirm what he'd said. "I guess, who knew for a weeknight."

Nodding toward the television screens that were flooded with commercials, "It's a perfect night for a game."

She rolled her eyes, "Every night is perfect for a game in a sports bar." The man chuckled, a deep rumble that hit her belly to the quick.

The temperature of the bar seemed to have gone up at least twenty degrees since she'd walked in, nervously she shook her head giving off a breathless laugh. Glancing back up, her eyes got locked into his curious gaze. After what felt like several minutes of going mute, her tongue decided it could work.

Just above a whisper she leaned forward and said, "You can let go of my jigs now." Her fingers lightly grazing his hand as each word fell from her lips.

His brow furrowed, as if he'd heard her wrong. "Your what?"

Smiling she confessed. "My jigs, the handles that you're hanging onto above my hips."

The man barked out a laugh, "Are you serious? Why do you call it that?"

"Please, as if men don't have names for their body pa-"Heat flooded her cheeks, Samantha stopped herself but it was all too late. This man who seemed almost larger than life lifted an eyebrow and grinned looking sexy as hell doing it and putting all GQ models to shame. 

Leaning forward, he spoke close to her ear, his breath brushing across her skin lightly. "Well now, that's not something I'd expect a sweet lady like yourself to know anything about." He released his hand from her and cocked his head to the side.

This time it was she who laughed outright, after calming herself and taking a deep breath she knew she had to make her way to the group waiting for her. Or get to the nearest washroom and splash cold water on her face and all over her body.

"I really should get to my group before they call a search party." She started to step around the man.

Nodding, he paused before speaking. "They must be waiting." Samantha started to step around him, his brooding eyes following her every move. Only a few steps ahead she turned back and gave him a wicked grin.

"Thanks for the save short stop," with that she turned and weaved her way towards the back of the bar.

****

Gabe watched Samantha disappear into the crowd and turned back to sit with Ernie Devlin, the Offensive Line Coach. The two had come to Bandios to kick back a few and go over their game plan for the next day's practice.

After spending most of the day reviewing game film and talking with the other coaches, Ernie had suggested that they get out of the Cougars' compound and talk strategy over a few beers. A couple of the younger players Gabe had been working with during the off-season were showing improvement but were still arrogant on the field and forgetting their train of focus. He needed to figure a way of getting into those guys' heads to get the plays to stick. It was when he'd chewed through an entire package of gum and snapped at the two front office secretaries did Ernie tell him they were heading out.

As he seated himself back down on the stool, all thoughts were directed to the brunette beauty that just swept passed him. A smile crossed over his lips as he recalled her nicknaming her body. 

"So what was that all about?" the bulky man from spending a few too many hours at the gym said as he turned toward Gabe. Ernie Devlin, a once great running back for the Jets back in the prime of his playing career, retired ten years earlier and had decided coaching was better than playing. With coaching there were no injuries.

Gabe shrugged at the question, "Nothing, some lady almost fell. I just helped her out" He helped her out but got caught up in the bright glitter in her eyes forgetting to ask what her name was let alone see if she wanted to get a drink. Gesturing to the television screens Gabe's attention turned from Samantha back to the team as the coverage onscreen was showcasing that morning's practice from the Cougars' practice field outside of the city.

"He's quick but he doesn't listen, look at his feet. Even from here you can see he's dragging. Why doesn't he tap?" 

"Maybe you should take him dancing?" Gabe scoffed. "Jesus Russ, it's still the pre-season, keep working on him. He'll get it sooner or later."

Gabe picked at the label on his beer bottle and spoke under his breath. "Let's just hope it's not later." 

For as long as he could remember, teammates and coaches had always called him Russ. Gabe could never figure it out because his name wasn't long, but he figured he'd rather have everyone call him his name rather than a nickname. A nickname. Gabe ran a hand through his thick brown hair as he thought about the woman who he just met. He had never been someone to forget his words but the minute he'd looked into her light blue eyes speech eluded him.

He noticed her while walking back to his seat after talking to a few of the fans in the bar, answering their questions and casually taking their ribbing about Dillon Velesques not knowing how to spell the word team. She struggled with the door as it closed behind her, but once she got passed the entrance and made her way through the crowd he saw how her pale yellow summer dress swayed above her knees with every step. Strands of her dark hair framed her face and itched to have fingers run through them. She seemed to be looking for someone and looked around the bar with wide eyes.

When she fell into him he grabbed onto her and was able to get a better look into her face. Whatever make up she must have applied earlier in the day had seemed to have worn off which probably was an alright thing considering the fairness of her skin and the brightness of her eyes which had given her an look that was no doubt sexy and very appealing.

"You coming out for Camille's dinner thing on Sunday? She'll be real hurt if you don't?' Camille Devlin loved a good cookout, especially before the season started and she became a football widow for a good seven months.

"Yeah I think so. I was going to head up to the cabin and lock it up for the summer but I should be back in time." Gabe glanced around Ernie toward the back of the bar in search of the pretty woman in the yellow dress. Her jasmine soft perfume stuck to his nose, a thought ran passed him and he soon found himself calling out to the bartender.

****

"Welcome to detention Ms Morrison!" All of the ladies shouted out to her, led by her closest friend since university Liz who hugged her as she sauntered to the group. They all scooted together in the booth giving space for Samantha to sit down, lifting their half filled glasses in the air in a loud toast.

"To work and all that other bullshit!" A few other people around their booth raised their glasses to join in the toast.

The table was littered with empty glasses, tossing her bag under the table she beamed to her friends. "Oh you ladies have been so bad. I guess aspirin is going to be my best friend tomorrow if I have to catch up to you." 

Samantha still felt flushed after having an encounter with the man at the front of the bar, his thick dark hair seemed to fall in the middle of short to a little over grown. Perfect for giving her a second to see the slight curl that hit the ends. His cream knit polo didn't hide his muscular chest nor did the jeans that seemed permanently worn out lose the definition of his legs. 

One of the ladies spoke loudly over the scattered cheering throughout the bar. "So what took you so long anyways? Erica was getting tired of waiting and took a few sips of your wine." Erica giggled from the corner of the booth and shrugged her shoulders slightly. Samantha took a few minutes to explain how she walked in and almost fell, finding herself being manhandled by some random man at the front, not glossing over the fact that she put her foot in her mouth. Something that happened all of the time with her. All of the ladies gasped and encouraged her to go back up to the front and take up residence at the bar. Getting to know that mysterious man a little better.

"Yeah right, he was just being nice. It's not like he suggested anything anyways."

A very unconvinced Liz was the first to respond. "Sam, give us a break. You are gorgeous, maybe he was flirting with you." Samantha's eyes dropped down. "I'm serious, you're always telling me I need to look up every once in awhile. You tell me to step up whenever I think Dave is seeing something and he never is. Maybe you need to look up too."

Samantha's eyes flicked back up and for a minute she was at loss of word. Liz's words distracted her and her eyes nonchalantly darted out towards the front in search of the man. "I don't know, it was probably nothing."

"Sam, you're twenty eight and in need of sex." She gasped at Liz's choice of words. "Come on, how long since you and Brian broke up? Five months?"

"A year." Erica piped up as she placed her empty glass on the table, her eyes looking out for the server.

"That's right. A year. A vibrator and romance novels are poor substitutes for an entire year. You need a man." The table dissolved into giggles, Samantha knew Liz was right. When the man had caught her she immediately wanted to blow off her friends and stay close to him. His hands felt so incredibly warm against her body, causing her to almost whimper aloud as he tightened his grip on her side. Something inside of her exploded and she wanted to explore it.

Forgetting about the man at the front, the women fell into easy conversations about their lives. Erica feeling the stress of all the wedding planning for her dream winter nuptials. Jenna's failed attempts at calling her latest conquest, a college senior she met at the local coffee house. And of course Liz's escaped night out where she can pretend she's single for a few hours before returning home to her husband and nine month old son. Two drinks into the night, Samantha glanced down at her cell for the time. Knowing she was going to have to drive back home only added that much more time, she reluctantly grabbed her bag and gave hugs to all of the women before she left. 

The server had taken her credit card to open a tab earlier and so she made her way back up to the bar to cash out. 

"What the name luv?" A gorilla with no neck shouted out to her from behind the well.

Leaning her palms on the deeply varnished wood, she called back out to him. "Morrison."

The man came back and gave her the credit card. "Tab's been paid out, it's no charge."

Samantha stared at him. "What do you mean it's been paid, I haven't signed anything?"

"It's no biggie, really."

Getting annoyed she decided the gorilla needed to cough up some answers. "I'm the kind of woman who likes to know who's floating the bill." Instead, he looked behind her and nodded his head. Samantha didn't have to turn around. She felt the heat of his hand as it settled into the small of her back. Twisting, she turned her head to give him a sideways glance only to be greeted by that sexy dimple.

"Looks like I'm bumping into you this time." His voice was deep but somewhat quiet. Without thinking, she tossed the credit card into her bag, subconsciously knowing that in the morning while getting coffee she would be ripping through the purse on a desperate search for that card.

She turned to face him head on, drawing in a ragged breath mentally telling herself not to undress him with her eyes. "I can pay for my own drinks you know." 

"I'm sure you can, this just gave me an excuse to talk to you before you left. Are you really leaving for the night?"

" Yes, I have a meeting first thing in the morning." 

"Oh yeah, what do you do?" Gabe hoped she would keep talking to him for at least a couple of minutes. He had spotted her when a few of the players had stumbled into the bar. Bandios was one of the few bars where players and coaches could go without being hassled too bad from the fans. She had been sitting with her friends, at some point during the evening she'd taken the clip out of her hair and let the long locks fall around her shoulders. He had wanted to approach her then but knew he could get her by holding her tab hostage.

"I teach third grade out near Hinsdale." When she announced her profession, Gabe picked up on her pride instantly. "You must love your job."

"I do, it's funny. When I was younger if anyone ever asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always say a teacher. Now I'm grown up and I can't picture being anything else. It's very rewarding, and being around kids all day keeps me on my toes." 

He chuckled softly, Samantha found herself warming to the sound. "I'm sorry I'm being so rude. I'm Samantha, but I'm sure you already knew that since you somehow figured out which tab was mine in this crazy place."

"It wasn't that hard to find out. I know a few of the people who work here. I'm Gabe. Gabe Russell."

Samantha leaned toward him and he could have sworn he heard her sigh. "Can I tell you something?"

He regarded her closely. "I was trying to figure out your name while I was with my friends. So now it's my turn. What do you do?" Samantha leaned her hip against the bar and noticed a man sitting next to Gabe who seemed to be half listening to their conversation and adding bits to an ongoing conversation with a younger man on the other side of him.

Despite the genuine question he always tensed up when people asked about his career. He'd lived in the public eye professionally for so long, it had made him cautious when he met new people. "I'm a football coach."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Really? I wasn't expecting that."

"What were you expecting?"

"I'm not sure, something active for sure but. Wow, really? Do you like what you do?"

"I do." His voiced dropped a little lower. "I've been with the Cougars since I retired as a player a couple of years ago and coach the wide receivers. "

It was no secret he was trying to keep his voice down to avoid other people in the bar from listening to their conversation. For a moment she was glad that she decided to stick around for a few extra minutes. The man sitting next to Gabe twisted in his stool and turned toward Gabe.

"My lady's calling, I'd better go. Don't forget its back to back tomorrow." 

"Samantha this is Ernie Devlin. Ernie this is Samantha Morrison." He rose from the seat and nodded at Samantha. "Nice to meet you Miz Morrison."

He shook her hand before leaving. Gabe saw the wonder in her eyes and answered her question before the words escaped her mouth.

"He's another coach for the team. The players have two practices tomorrow to get ready for the game against New Orleans on Saturday." 

"Oh, right. That makes sense." Samantha stifled a yawn as it tried to force its way out but failed to hide the moisture that fell into her eyes from the act. "It's getting late, I really should be going."

"I guess it is getting kind of late, I should be heading out too. You don't mind if I walk out with you do you?" Samantha's gaze dropped to his mouth before she smiled sweetly to him.

"That would be nice." Gabe followed her outside and asked where she was parked. For some reason he couldn't explain, he felt uneasy at the thought of her walking several blocks so late in the evening alone. After telling her his overly exaggerated concerns of her being mauled by bears and racing cars she burst out into laughter only to give in and let him walk her to her car. They walked along the sidewalk toward amidst the constant clatter of oncoming traffic. The August night breeze keeping the air comfortably humid. While waiting for a few cars to pass through the second street, Gabe reached down and entwined his fingers with Samantha's. The breath caught in her throat, he squeezed her hand and they both fell quiet until reaching her car. He was impressed with the newer model that seemed a little out of range for a teacher. 

"Thank you for walking me to my car Gabe, I had fun talking with you." Nervousness crept up her neck because this was exactly what Liz was talking about earlier. She needed to be more aware and go with the flow. 

He released her hand and reached up to push a sole strand of hair away from her face. "Me too. Can I call you tomorrow?"

For a moment she said nothing but stood there looking deeply into his eyes trying to read into them. Where had he come from? Why was he walking her back to her car? After living in the city for years very few things including walking a few blocks scared her. And yet when he asked to walk her, she never would have considered saying no to him. Something about the way he was standing next to her, about the way he had been looking at her so intensely was beginning to have an effect on her insides. It took all of her strength in holding back and not throwing herself against his strong body, rubbing up and down like a cat in heat. Giving into the pressure in her belly she gave him her telephone number and then moved to get into her car.


Reading the Defense Ch. 02



It wasn't quite seven o'clock the next morning as Gabe made his way back to the practice field for the second time, only this time he held a clipboard. A day he would like to forget three years ago in Indianapolis took the breath from his lungs and pulled him from the game forever. In the second quarter against the Colts he was taken down by a bone crushing hit damaging his knee. As one surgery turned into three, for the sake of his body the hit caused an early retirement at the age of thirty three. Despite being told that he would never put on his cleats again, San Francisco hired Gabe without hesitation and he started his career coaching the first season as a non player. The uproar with their management brought him to Rockford where he finally found a groove that was manageable, and a budding team itching to claim a spot in history. The club was new but that didn't change anything. Gabe made a vow when he started coaching, he would never push a player to do something he couldn't do himself, even if that meant getting up at the crack of dawn running lines to the comfort levels of his knee and lifting weights until exhaustion. He understood the strength and determination it took to get the job done; he also knew when to listen to his body. If the players complained it was too much, he could fight them on it or tell them to take a break. In his second season with the Cougars, Gabe was finally finding a good place as a coach.

Up ahead near the thirty yard line, Tony Soliano was already setting up so the players could start their drills after warming up. The coach was a tall and thick man in his mid-fifties. For the practice, he donned a knit polo embroidered with the Cougars' logo on the right breast. Soliano retired before Gabe entered the league and he could remember how the ex-quarterback played even if they weren't working together. He had been in a freshman in high school when Soliano played his last season for New England. Gabe had been sitting in the front room of his parents' house, shouting at the small screen with his father as he broke Len Bowman's passing record by twelve yards.

"Mornin' Russ, you stop by your desk yet?" Tony tossed a roll of tape to the turf as he spoke to Gabe.

"I dropped off the folder on Jennings this morning before working out but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Should I be looking out for something?"

The man shifted slightly and folded his arms across his chest, looking beyond Gabe he shrugged his shoulders and waited. On the side of the field, Gabe saw Deitrichs running sprints and remembered the post it note Tony had left on his phone."He's fast I'll give you that, but I don't know if he's ready yet to take it from the bench..."

Tony interrupted whatever else Gabe was going to say. "Put him in and see if he can take it, you've been pushing him hard this week. I think he could fill in the gap."

Gabe's eyebrows shot up, he stared incredulously at the man next to him before his mouth twitched at the corner. A rusty smile denied for the rough playing fields showed itself for the shortest of moments. The man was no fool and completely agreed with Soliano, he saw Deitrichs' potential and was glad he wasn't the only one.

"Was there something else I should be looking for?"

"Game film came in. I was watching it pretty late last night and think there's a break in the defense that we can work with."

Gabe rubbed the back of his head, his watch rattling as it moved along his wrist. Several players made their way out onto the field to stretch but Gabe didn't see any of it. In his head he was running plays and figuring positions, clipboards be damned. "I'll take a look after we're done and see what we're looking at."

Soliano rolled his eyes and blew out a gruff laugh. "You already knew didn't you? Damn it, sometimes I think you eat and sleep football."

Gabe grinned broadly. "It's my life."

Tony smacked his shoulder before throwing his head back and laughed. "Yeah it is, if Maggie didn't have her set of rules I'd prob'ly eat and sleep football too but seeing as my wife is the ruler of the household, it's not allowed in the bedroom."   

Gabe had to laugh at that, a few of the players turned in their direction surprised to hear the sound rumbling from his chest and he quickly sobered. He remembered when he was married to Bree, something that was an afterthought of a misguided view of growing up. She would always complain about his shuffling papers while in bed studying up on plays, or how the flickering of the television bothered her. He should have known that the day she bought a mask to wear at night, the honeymoon had ended.

They married young at the start of his career. He was in love or so he thought, she wanted the lifestyle she thought would be automatic. Only to realize two years into their marriage that Gabe was a quiet man, he didn't need the bright lights. Looking back, he married her because then he would have had it all. A career, a wife and a home. When she didn't fight him over the cottage they'd shared, he knew he'd made the right decision in moving on. The last he'd heard was that she had attached herself to a defenseman in Indianapolis, wherever the ball landed he supposed.

Just then the rest of the players flooded the field and the athletic trainers started running the first thirty minutes of practice. Gabe tugged the hat low on his head and gripped the clipboard tightly to his side. As much as he should be focusing on the guys on the field, he started to get flashes of Samantha from the night before.

"Someone had a good night." Ernie smacked Gabe's back as he stood with the rest of the coaches.

Gabe nodded his head. He did have a good night, probably one of the better ones as of late but he was not in the mood to discuss that with Ernie considering where they were. Chalking off his time with Samantha, he focused on his break from the meetings. "Thanks for getting me out yesterday, I needed a break."

Ernie shook his head in disapproval. "That's not what I meant and you know it. Who's the lady?" The two men started to walk around the players as they were listening to the instructions from the trainers.

"Just someone who was meeting up with her friends." Ernie tossed a sideways glance at Gabe before hunching down next to Jamal Wallace, putting a hand on his back and pressing the player forward a little further to really stretch his muscles.

"That's interesting." As Ernie stood back up and walked on with Gabe. "I've never seen you pay the tab for 'just someone'."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothin' just seemed a lot like she wasn't just some lady you met in the bar."

"I told you, she fell and I helped her out. There's nothing more than that. " Gabe started to feel flushed in his cheeks and hoped that the change in his tone only made it look like they colored in frustration.

Ernie saw right through him but decided to play him and push a little further. "So what does she do?"

Gabe answered casually as his eyes were trained on Jennings and Phillips who were making their way to the lanes. "She's a teacher out in Hinsdale. Third grade. She said that her students last year made her throw a party for when the Cougars made it to the playoffs as long as they passed one of their tests." He smiled, remembering how her face had been filled with embarrassment when she told him how she'd rather them celebrate for the sake of them passing their tests not for some football team winning a game.

Ernie's mouth twitched before turning and heading out to the other side of the field. "Just someone."

****



What do you mean he walked you to your car? Oh my god, please tell me you had sex!

Only Liz could be this obnoxiously fun. Samantha stifled a laugh as she stared into the screen of her cell. Their messages had been going back and forth for the past fifteen minutes. The first messages had been filled with simple morning banter, saying thanks for the invite and complaints of a grueling hangover. As her assistant asked a question about yarn, Samantha thought she had said yard and started thinking about the man she stumbled into the night before. With her thoughts drifting to the memory of his warm and strong hands as they enfolded around hers, her own fingers glided over the pad of her phone. Not realizing what she was typing, the last message had included Gabe's name. Naturally her phone started to vibrate with an incoming call from Liz. She ignored it and placed a hand in front of her lips, catching her breath. Work was her life; she prided herself for being dedicated to her students and their work. The man with a sexy dimple had shaken her to the core; she was enjoying the feeling, but wanted to be smart about it. Before pushing through the back door to call Liz, she glanced up to make sure the aide was occupied and wouldn't need help.

"I want details, like right now!" Liz lived for the stories of other people's lives. She was a stay at home mother to a nine month old little boy, so getting out took a lot. Gossip did not. "Hold on, Trent needs his bottle." The sounds quieted almost immediately, Liz cleared her throat before charging back into the phone. "Okay, I want it all."

Her voice held a 'do not make me count to three' tone to it, even if it was exaggerated. Giving in to her need of sharing, she started to tell Liz about how she started to leave. The skin on her chest warmed as she mentioned Gabe, reaching down she tugged at collar of her dress to get cooler air to the skin. She glazed over how he held her hand as he walked her to the car, but could not hide the sound of her breath as it faltered.

"I wonder if paying someone's bill is the newest way of picking them up? I mean it beats having someone say, 'Do you come here often?'"

"Yeah, but he did say something about him bumping into me when I grabbed the card. That fits the cheesy pick up line Liz."

"He said that? That's actually kind of cute. You know what makes this even better?"

"If it involves future plans to trip in a bar for free drinks, you need to pick another girl."

"No, we picked the bar at the last minute. That place over on State was packed; I mean the drinks were pricy as hell, but worth it. Don't you think?"

"I guess so."

Liz laughed at the nonchalant way she felt about things sometimes. "You know so. You're the only one who walked out without losing anything last night."Except my sanity, Samantha thought to herself.

She blushed furiously, thankful that Liz could not see her. "I don't know Liz, he was probably just being nice. "

"Being nice or being male. I would die if Dave had done something like that when we dated. I was lucky if he would walk me back to the dorms, he practically lived in the library. And forget about him buying my drinks. I'm still buying his!"

Both women laughed together at the thought of Liz's husband. Dave Travers was tall and lanky, a man's man in the world of environmental services. To Liz he was her very own Captain America with a green heart. Until he found a way to build communities on eco efficient properties, she would be firm to their budget. In order to graduate, Samantha had been forced to take a class on the fundamentals of tears in the layers of the atmosphere. Science was not her forte; luckily she had been teamed up with Dave, who helped tutor her way through the course. One day, Liz had been rushing into the library in search of Samantha and found her studying with Dave. When she first heard the passion behind his words as he helped her friend, she knew he was someone she was interested in. After her third visit to the library, Samantha took the hint and told Dave she had somewhere to go leaving him alone with Liz. The next day they became a couple.

Caving to her obsessive control over her classroom, she peered through the window to see how the assistant was doing. She need not have bothered; she too, was attached to a phone. "He was really sweet." Talking about men should not be difficult, she had every right to. "And sexy as hell there's no denying that. I don't know it just threw me off. I mean where did he come from?"

On the other end, Liz shifted her son and sounded slightly breathless. "Well that's easy, we called a service."

Samantha couldn't hold the bubble of laughter as it left her mouth. "You're terrible Liz."

"That is true, but I'm telling you right now you're not going to see my credit card statement next month. I'm really proud of you Sam, you've been guarded lately and talking to you now, I don't know. You seem different."

"Different, bad?"

As Liz smiled on the other end, Samantha could almost hear it and she relaxed a little. "Absolutely not, you seem happy, and excited. I haven't heard you talk like this in a long time."

She was happy. Last night something sparked inside of her that she didn't understand. When she was falling into bed, her body felt light with anticipation. She hoped that Gabe would call her; but if he didn't, his presence alone stirred a desire within her that was in need to be unleashed.

"Look Liz, I've got to go. I've got a meeting in a few minutes."

"Okay, don't forget Sunday. Dave has been talking non-stop for the last week about how excited he is you're bringing that D-A-M-N salad. Mama doesn't swear Trent, promise."

They both fell into giggles before disconnecting. Samantha walked back into her classroom and tossed her phone into her purse. She wasn't going to be one of those women that stared at the phone waiting for a man to call on her. She'd wait until three thirty to check her phone next to see if Gabe had called. If he hadn't, well then she would find something to occupy her time.

****

A grumble rippling through his stomach broke the heavy concentration that stole Gabe's attention. Rubbing his stomach, he looked away from the previous day's practice as it played on a small screen next to the bookshelf in his office. Punching the button on the remote, the screen of the television turned to darkness. He hadn't had much more than coffee and peanuts all day. Glancing down at his watch he noticed the dials read six forty five.

Shit

He was going to call Samantha and completely forgot. One of the people from the front office had brought him reels of game film, and for the past six hours he'd holed himself up in the screening room taking in each reel. Play for play. His contacts were starting to dry out, each time his eyes closed the lids felt like sandpaper.

Rubbing his thumb and forefinger across the bridge of his nose, he stepped out into the hallway of the Cougar compound. The majority of the staff had left a couple of hours before; because it was the pre-season, evening meetings weren't in order yet so only a few of the coaches stuck around. His office was relatively small from an aesthetic view, but suited him perfectly. He'd rather be out on the field where he was at home, rather than boxed in an office attached to a telephone.

Tossing the notes in his hands aside, he grabbed the cell phone and decided enough time had been wasted. He enjoyed talking with Samantha more than he would like to admit and was looking forward in hearing the sweet sound of her voice shortly.

Gabe dialed up to her and waited.

"Hello?"

"Hey short stop." He was greeted with a soft laugh that was as warm as that August evening. His body started to stir at the sound.

"Hello Mr. Russell. You obviously didn't get marred by bears last night."

Trying to keep his body temperature under control he thought about release techniques and body control, which was not helping. "No I didn't, and I think I can sleep better tonight knowing you made it too. How did your meeting go this morning?"

Surprised that he remembered what she said the night before, it took her a second to respond. "Good. I don't think the principal takes me seriously because of my age. I don't want to be bothered but I hate to say it, it bugs me." She laughed at her own statement.

On the other end, Gabe ate up her words. He wished he was there to see her face as she spoke. Last night he had asked if she had a favorite moment of teaching yet, she thought about it before responding but beamed at him with her pick. Not knowing he was going to hear a story that made him laugh harder than he had in years, she told in great detail how hard it can be to hold your tongue around young children. One of her students had written a dirty word on the whiteboards while she had stepped away from her desk. When she came back in the ugly word made her laugh, causing her students to laugh. Ultimately she had to explain, really mean roosters that bite should not be called 'cockheads.' When he asked her what the rooster should be called, she blushed furiously.

I told them that they should call it, Mr. Rooster. So when they speak in a harsh tone, the rooster would know who the boss was in that house. God, that's awful. But so true!

"I'm sure they respect you more than you think Samantha. From what I saw last night, you seem pretty dedicated."

Dedicated didn't even describe it. She was married to her job and had no qualms about it. For as long as she could remember, she had wanted to be a teacher. There was something about educating others, getting them to see that a bigger and brighter future was out there and she could help seemed like the perfect gift.

Gabe pictured her rolling her eyes at him. "Dedication doesn't get you the golden ticket now does it?"

"Hard work and determination Samantha. Hard work."

"Yeah, yeah. Oh, I'm rambling, you must be completely exhausted with two practices in one day."

Gabe scoffed at her playfully. "It's not so bad, you get used to it after awhile. I'm sorry I'm calling so late, one of the other guys gave me some film to look over and I lost track of time."

Secretly, Samantha loved that he'd even thought of her during his hectic schedule. "It's late?" He laughed at her mock question.

"Gabe, you're job is demanding. Just you wait; as soon as my students start their book reports and dissecting plants, their projects will take reign over failed interceptions any day."

Gabe couldn't hold back his laugh at that. As they talked last night to just now, Samantha seemed to understand how easily something could sweep you away from all of the plans and hours of the day.

"Ouch, I think I spot a scorned woman on the other side."

Samantha tried her hardest to sound stern but Gabe could hear the break in her tone. "You sir are a tyrant if I've to see one."

Absentmindedly, Gabe pushed the same set of papers on his desk a little further in the corner until some fell over. He was curious about her and decided to dive in. "So, are you from around here?"

"No, I'm from Seattle. I went to college here and kind of fell in love with it all and haven't left."

"Seattle's a nice city, they've got a great football field that I've played in a few times. It's pretty in the northwest. Do you miss it?"

"You would know about that field! I do miss it, all of my family still lives in Washington so the distance gets to me sometimes. I go back whenever I can to see them, especially now that my sister has kids but I love being here and can't really picture myself living anywhere else."

Samantha settled deeper into the couch and sighed at the thought of her family. "What about you, where do you live in the offseason?"

"I have a cabin up in Michigan, it was the first big thing w-"He quickly stopped himself before mentioning his ex-wife. "I bought it when I turned pro. Its only a few hours away in either direction to all of my family that live in the area. I was actually going to go up there this weekend to lock it up for the season."

"You know, I've only been to Glen Arbor and it was gorgeous up there. "

Gabe laughed and filed that away, his cabin wasn't too far from there. "You are a Northwesterner. I know football stadiums and you know evergreens." On the other end, Samantha smiled. She had thought the same thing.




Reading the Defense Ch. 02



One of the other coaches walked past the door to his office and peered in. Gabe threw up a hand and casually waived off the man, everyone else was heading out for a dinner break but Gabe forgot about the grumble in his stomach and would rather stay on the telephone with Samantha.

"Can I ask you a personal question Samantha?"

Her belly began to tie itself in knots as she listened to Gabe. "Of course."

"Are you seeing anyone?"

Silence fell between the two of them, Gabe was the first to break it. "I'm sorry. I just thought I'd ask, before I have some guy coming out on a search and kick ass mission to find me after talking to you."

He was greeted with a hearty laugh and a deep inhale. In whispered tone she answered. "You're outrageous. No. No I'm not seeing anyone." She hesitated. "Are you?"

A huge grin split across Gabe's face, oh he was really glad she answered her phone that night.

" No, but I'd like to see you again."

"Me too."

****

"Wrap a belt around the dress." Liz shouted out from her perch on the bed with Trent, who was sitting in her lap.

Samantha dashed out of her closet past them to grab a belt from the dresser. She and Gabe had talked for a little over an hour the night before and she'd felt a little sad when they hung up. Sad for all of two seconds. Before she tossed her phone on the floor and fanned her body, she had given him her address and they agreed on a time that he would pick her up at tonight.

Tying a thick leather belt with black beads encrusted in an elegant floral design, she turned to Liz. "Better?"

Liz nodded and Trent squealed with delight. Samantha walked over and gave the baby a kiss on the top of his head and then leaned against the wall.

"Just breathe Sam, J-E-S-U-S." Liz's eyes looked down at her son, the boy completely oblivious and perfectly content with the ends of a blanket. "You'd think you were going out on your first date or something. Oh wait..." Liz chuckled.

Blowing out the air in her lungs Samantha just smiled at her friend. "This is completely ridiculous. It's dinner. Food!" Samantha started to blush and Liz started laughing at the nervousness that was creeping up in her friend.

"Exactly."

"There is no way I am going to eat anything!"

"Oh, you can eat something." Liz snickered.

"Oh my god Liz, that is the last thing I should be thinking about."

The two women had been friends for years and Liz wasn't going to take her answers for anything. "Stop thinking and just go with it."

Samantha knew she was right, knew she was acting silly. "You're right."

"I know I'm right. God I love this, and I am so glad I'm married!"

Trent decided he'd had enough of everything and started to get fussy. Taking her cue, Liz gathered everything up and started to make her way home. Samantha stopped her before they headed out the front door of her townhouse.

"Thanks for everything Liz." Before they could leave, Samantha reached over, grabbed one of the tulips that was in a bunch by the front door and placed it inside of Trent's diaper bag.

Putting the carrier down on the ground for a moment, Liz pulled Samantha into a tight hug. "Have fun and just be you. He called you and wants to go out with you. Remember that." Pulling away she picked up her son and walked outside.

****

True to his word, at seven o'clock Gabe rung her doorbell. Taking one last look at herself, she went and opened the door.

"Hi."

With the first sight of her, all he could do was smile at her beauty. Samantha was dressed in a sleeveless black dress that had a flattering collar and flared out above her knees. It was flirty and fun, accenting her hair which was much wavier than he'd remembered from meeting her at the bar. Gabe held the glass door open, stepping forward he slipped his hand around the small of her back. Leaning close he kissed her cheek then leaned back to take her in more closely. "You look beautiful."

Her cheeks warmed at his compliment. "Come in for a minute, I have got to grab my bag."

Gabe walked inside and looked around at where she lived. The spacious townhome was nestled in a smaller neighborhood close to the downtown part of town. The walls were painted in creamy pastels and filled with framed artwork and metal sconces. As he walked up to see one of the pieces of art, he noticed the fresh scent of flowers and saw that there were bunches scattered all throughout her home. The house was utterly feminine, the further he got inside the more relaxed he felt. Everything inside was soft and big, the couches were overstuffed and he could almost picture Samantha curled up on it grading papers.

"One of my students made that for me last year, I just got it framed." She said from behind him, Gabe hadn't heard her come up to him as she spoke to his back. Looking closer, he saw a note at the bottom of the paper.

I love Miss Morrison because she laughs



Turning to face her he raised his eyebrows. As if on cue, she burst into laughter. "There's no denying it."

He gave in and joined her laughter. "Are you ready to go?"

"Hmm, let me think about that one." Looking around her flat, she turned back to him and beamed. "Yes."

Gabe took her to a restaurant along the river, with the warmth of the night surrounding them they were able to sit outside and enjoy the scenic views and privacy. Just after they were seated, Gabe asked what she would like to drink that evening and then ordered a bottle of wine to share. Samantha wasn't used to the gesture, her last boyfriend would always drink beer. Regardless of where they went, he had a beer and would ask for it in the bottle. The glasses had always been forgotten.

Gabe was looking at Samantha intently after the waiter left them behind, his gaze was beginning to make her nervous. Giving in to the stare she laughed and spoke breathlessly.

"What?"

"I was just thinking."

"That's a good thing." She smirked at him.

He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head toward her. "Not all of the time." His voice held a definite diabolical tone; he noticed her eyes widen slightly before darkening. All of the sudden he no longer felt hungry for food, the state of his arousal made him glad they were both sitting. What in the hell was wrong with him? He needed to get control and calm the hell down.

"No really, I was thinking about your place."

"Oh, what about it?" Samantha couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"I noticed the flowers that were kind of all over the place."

She smiled, thinking about the flowers and was surprised he noticed them at all. He really was observant.

"I can't help myself especially when out at farmers markets. It's terrible, at least my bank account will tell you its terrible but I can't resist. I don't know what it is but it could be the dead of winter and I'll still have a bouquet on the kitchen table or cups filled with whatever flower is in season in the washrooms and my bedroom."

Gabe gazed at her and enjoyed hearing the wistful way she felt about the simplest things. "Don't you have something you can't help yourself with?"

He cocked his head and she laughed at his shrug of feigned innocence. Samantha was really beginning to like his amiable confidence. "Football doesn't count."

"Well, then I guess that's for you to find out."

She licked her lips, Gabe's eyes following the motion and had to fight the urge of pulling her from her seat and sealing his lips with hers. Just as she was about to say something the waiter came over and took their orders, breaking the mood. He asked her about her friends and found out that she was planning a birthday party for a friend's husband; she found out that one of his hobbies was wood work.

The meal was over before both of them were ready and Gabe asked if she'd like to take a walk with him along the river.

Clasping Samantha's hand, they fell into comfortable silence as they walked on the pale stone. The sound of the rolling waves and wind rustling through the branches of the trees surrounding the path brought a sigh from Samantha's mouth.

Leaning her side against him, she brought her eyes up to look at him. "Thank you for tonight Gabe."

His fingers tightened around hers, stopping for a moment he bent his head and brought his lips to hers. Samantha's lips remained closed and Gabe ran the tip of his tongue across her lower lip, then to the crease where it had fallen open slightly. Tightening her grip on his hand, she made a small moan and opened to him.

Taking his time, his tongue moved gently against hers. Gabe ached to run his fingers through her hair, releasing their hands he reached up. The hair felt soft in his hands and he could swear it smelled of fresh roses. His other hand rested in the small of her back, silently begging her closeness. Samantha tasted the powerful flavor of him and lost herself in their kiss. Her hands clutched his sport coat tightly, she tilted her head to take his tongue deeper and realized she needed to feel him. Dimly she heard a sound in his throat as one of her hands moved from his jacket and slipped to rub his side.

Heat shot straight to his groin, he knew if he didn't step back he was going to pull her dress up around her waist and take her against one of the trees lining the path. With great reluctance he released his mouth from hers. She pouted, while Gabe ran a hand through his coarse hair and gave a nervous laugh.

Eyes locked on her swollen lip, he tried to regain some form of control. It was Samantha who spoke first.

"I think I found something you can't help yourself with." She smiled coyly at him and then walked ahead to catch her breath.

Shaking his head ruefully he caught up to her and once again reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together. They started walking back to his truck.

"What are your plans for this weekend?"

Samantha could hardly remember how to spell her name let alone what her plans were, but somehow her brain started functioning.

"My friend Liz is having a barbecue on Sunday so I'll be going over there. Do you have a game?"

"Yeah, Saturday." She looked over at him, her eyes encouraging him to talk about his work. "We're playing New Orleans, they're a good team. There's one kid I've been working with that has the sweetest gift. I've been trying to figure the best way to play him and I think after watching their defense, this kid could be our surprise in taking them."

Gabe continued to talk about his coaching methods and managed to bring up a few of the people he tried to coach like to his players as they got to the truck. Samantha lived practically in the center of the town and they arrived at her driveway in minutes. He shut off the engine and glanced over at her; she was digging in her bag for the keys but stopped to look back at him. Smiling, he just shook his head and got out to walk over and open her door.

As Samantha stepped out she held on to Gabe's hand. "I had a really good time tonight, thank you again."

"You don't ever have to thank me." He reached up and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Sweet breath escaped her lips, Gabe's mind short circuited from keeping cool to wanting her. Pulling her close he crushed her lips with his in a devouring kiss. She responded with fervor and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Her breasts were pressed against the front of his jacket and he could feel the softness against his chest. His tongue was aggressive and she matched his passion with her own. Gabe's large hands reached down grabbing her bottom urging her closer. Samantha groaned into his mouth as she felt his hot and thick arousal pressing into her. She wanted to push her hands into his pants and feel him, feel the weight of what she'd done to him.   

Gabe broke the kiss when he felt Samantha rub up his body. It took him a minute for the focus to return to his eyes. Her lips were swollen from his bruising kisses; he couldn't resist taking a little nip on the bottom lip that glistened from the light of a nearby streetlamp.

Samantha brought her arms down and placed her palms on his chest. "Oh, I really want to do this. " The heat from her palms was driving him crazy.

"Me too, but I think I need to go back to my truck." He stepped back a little and tried to adjust himself as casually as possible.

Her eyes snapped up to his. "What?"

Gabe saw her confusion and laughed. "It's a school night ma'am." He leaned down and kissed her nose. "And now you owe me."

A breathless laugh swooped over her. God this man was impossible Samantha thought to herself. "How do you figure that?"

"Well see, I've gone out of my way twice for you. Now you have to take me out." The corner of his mouth kicked up and he gave her a wicked grin. Something that did not help the burning in her belly.

Samantha nodded and turned toward the path leading to her front door. Before she got to the curve of the path, she turned to face Gabe.

"I owe you more than a drink coach."

Turning back, she disappeared to go inside. Gabe stood back for a minute, standing like an idiot in her driveway staring at the space she just left afraid he heard her wrong. He shook his head until he slipped into the driver seat, looking at the garage door he threw his head back and laughed.



Reading the Defense Ch. 03



I must first apologize for the errors that troubled the first two chapters and hope some could get past them. At some point I will go back and revise them. I am happy to report that this chapter will hopefully meet expectations and not wound anyone's eyes.

Many thanks are in order to a one and only Estragon, who has stepped up and really helped this girl out in clearing more than a few nasty things and provided amazing amounts of insight to better this story. Thank you times a million for taking this bad boy on and for all of your cuts/edits--you have no idea! Well, you totally do  

It has been a slow build, but...fingers crossed...this one hits the spot. 

As always, thoughts/suggestions/feedback is always welcomed!

****

Pendicon Field was already beginning to fill up with fans an hour before kickoff. The open stadium had been cause for a major debate when the NFL had introduced another team to Illinois. Fans were devoted to the Bears and the idea of having an additional team seemed unbearable. That was until, as the radio announcers called them, 'the dream team' had moved in and recruited enough winning power to start the Super Bowl hype. In the nearby parking lots, people from as far as Cincinnati had started to come out and start the festivities. With a beer and lawn chair in tow, the fans were in heaven even if heaven began in a Ford. Game days were usually hectic for everyone who worked for the club. From the front office staff to the players, there was always something going on. Like many of the players and other coaches, Gabe had specific routines for game days. When he was a player, he always laced up his cleats from the left side and tapped the toes of them four times before leaving the locker room. Ask any of his old teammates, and they'd say he was someone they chose to avoid before game time. As a coach he ate gummy worms on the field and still remained quiet for the most part until he was barking out orders to the players. He was a hard ass with them only because they had to stay focused otherwise the opposing team could read through their plays. It was a sign of weakness that he refused to allow.

In recent interviews with a local news reporter, several of the staff had been questioned on their intentions for the season. He hated giving interviews, hated having to face the media. Gabe knew it was part of the job, but always felt like he was walking the gauntlet every time he saw a microphone in front of him. The reporter had asked him what his game day routines were, and without thinking he answered automatically, forgetting that he ate the candy of a twelve year old. People around laughed and he merely shrugged them off, telling them he'd rather chew the gummies than grind his teeth. After he left the interview he was glad he was impulsive and could answer on the fly; inside his answer was completely different. 

When he had been in the hospital after the first surgery on his knee, his sister had come to visit with her youngest son. Gabe's nephew had been five then. Just as his sister had left his bedside in search of coffee, his nephew Aiden jumped on the bed. In his hands was a large bag of gummy worms. Gabe could remember his words as if they were said yesterday and thinking of them just then, made him wish he were alone. Aiden had taken a single worm and offered it to Gabe, and with eyes as earnest as the sun he looked up and told Gabe words that would stick with him to the grave.

I can wrap this thing around my finger and it still doesn't break. It's like you Uncle Gabe, you wrapped around a ball and you're not broken. 

The words were simple and meaningless to anyone else. Maybe he heard something else entirely in them. He had given his life to the game and he was still alive, still had the same passion since the first time he held a ball. He wasn't broken, he never would be.

Standing outside of the tunnel leading onto the field, Gabe held onto the clipboard with his notes and sheets of plays to run through and strangely found himself thinking about Samantha. For the first time in over twelve years in the league he'd never thought of anything except football on a game day, not even about his ex-wife when they were married. But as he stood against the cement post he found himself thinking about a woman who had turned him on. Everything about her made his pulse race, from the sexy curves of her hips to the wicked tilt of her eyes that dared him to make a move. And did he ever want to make a move on her, but he wanted to go slow. He knew she wasn't like the rest of the women he had dated before, but he was still cautious. They had talked the night before, and he would have loved nothing more than to have stopped by to see her, in between sessions with a few of the players, but time was limited right before a game. 

On his drive home after their date a smile had been permanently fixed on his face, and his arousal hummed the entire distance. They had gotten along so well and fallen into comfortable conversations throughout the night, that he had an urge to follow Samantha inside her home and stay with her for the night. Just to be close to her. 

Gabe leaned his head back against the cool cement, took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He needed to get his head back into the game, needed to get focused. He needed to, but it was getting increasingly difficult as flashing images of Samantha appeared in his head. Images of her half lidded eyes after they broke apart from a kiss and the scent of her hair seemed to be all around him just then. All of the noise from the stadium disappeared and all he could hear was the soft infectious sound of Samantha's laugh. As he thought about the sound of her laughter, his bundled nerves started to calm. One minute turned to two and soon enough the players were shuffling out of the locker room getting ready to take the field.

"You got your sugar gums Russ?" Ernie called out from down the tunnel. Gabe kept his eyes closed but nodded at the man, remaining silent.

"What's up man? You okay?"

"Fine." Gabe shook his head and followed Ernie as they made their way out onto the field after the players. "We got this."

As he stood behind the benches, he jammed the headset tightly on his head and twisted his neck. The bag of gummy worms that had been on his clipboard was tossed onto the bench at the very end where it was empty. Gabe grabbed a string of the sugar gums and shoved them into his mouth, chewing slowly as he narrowed his eyes and got back into the zone.

****

If anyone would have asked Samantha what she would be doing on a Saturday afternoon, she never would have said watching a football game. But that was exactly what she was doing, and found herself uncomfortably perched on Liz and Dave's couch with a glass of water and a piece of gum in her mouth.

She had gone to her classroom earlier in the morning and finished the final touches to the walls. With her students starting school the following week she would be ready for them. A few of the other teachers had been at the school trying to tidy up their own rooms. As Samantha dashed out by two without a word of goodbye, she knew she wasn't quite herself. And she liked it.

If she was going to be losing her mind over a man, she at least wanted someone around to toss some cold water on her face if she got out of hand. The people who would toss the water could only be Liz and Dave. On her way home she had called Liz to see if they wanted to watch the football game, knowing they would be home. Liz had told her to come straight over and they could make something for a late lunch and then watch the game together.

"So which one is he, Sam?" Dave asked from his chair near the sliding glass door of their toy cluttered front room.

"They haven't shown him yet." Samantha had her eyes glued to the television screen trying to spot Gabe but turned the second Liz and Dave started laughing at her.

"It's a game Sam, they'll show him more than once as soon as it starts." Liz was bouncing Trent on the floor in front of the couch. The baby squealed with delight as she dipped him backward.

"This is so weird; I'm looking at a television trying to spot a man I went out with." She shuddered at the way that sounded.

"It's not weird, it's crazy." Liz laughed at her husband who immediately corrected himself. "Crazy good, Sam."

"It's weird Dave, don't deny it."

"It's a little weird, but exciting as H-E-L-L." Liz couldn't help herself and chimed in; she was more than excited for Sam and knew she deserved a little crazy in her life."Did you call him before the game to wish him luck or anything?"

"No." 

Samantha had thought about it but didn't want to bother him. They had talked Friday night and he seemed strapped for time but was hesitant to hang up with her. He told her that today he would be all over the place from the pre-game prep to probably having a late night meeting with the coaching staff to go over plays that worked and those that didn't. She got the impression that he was the type of person that didn't want to be bothered when he got focused on something by the way he talked about going from one meeting to the next practice session.

"Oh! There he is!" Samantha's eyes were riveted to the screen for the seconds it showed Gabe, he looked fierce with his headset and was already red in the neck from yelling. Samantha wondered if something had gotten lost in translation, from football to time off. Standing on the sidelines, he was a completely different person than the man she had dined with the other night. Looking at him just then she wondered where his on and off switch was, but even through his fierceness she found him more attractive than ever.

"Whoa. That's really him?" Liz was speechless for a minute.

"That's really him."

"When you said he was sexy I didn't think anything of it. He's kind of..." Liz trailed off.

"Hot."

Both women fell into hysterics at Dave's declaration. They eventually started to watch the game as best as they could in between Samantha's in drawn breaths every time Gabe appeared on the screen and playtime with Trent.

"You said he used to play right?"

"Yes." Her response delayed by the action on the screen. Action she could not even follow. "He was a wide receiver. I guess it makes sense he coaches them right?"

"Definitely, I wonder what he used to play like," Dave asked, genuinely interested.

"My guess is that he played the same way as he is now, he's pretty involved." Samantha wanted to know too, she had wanted to know more about him. From his playing days to yesterday, she didn't care. Anything that got her closer to understanding the man he was and being near him was making her happy. When she started to ask him questions about his careers, she felt like she had been quizzing him. He answered earnestly and in turn interrogated her about the life of a third grader. The man saw through her but seemed to enjoy what he saw; she just hoped he enjoyed it for a long time. 

Liz had left Dave and Samantha to finish watching the game, which ended near seven while she bathed and put her son to bed. The Cougars defeated The Saints in a grueling match. Samantha didn't understand what was going on with the other team but from the looks of the Cougars, they put the pressure on and threw enough passes to score a winning touchdown. During the post-game press conference, Liz made her way back to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee before slumping into the couch next to her husband. Deciding they all had their fix of football, Liz switched the channel so music could fill the room. For a few minutes, all three sat in the room winding down from the play of events that had filled Pendicon Field.

"I still can't get over you Sam--Gabe Russell. Who knew?" Dave was the first to break the silence. Samantha smiled at him and shook her head completely agreeing with him.

"Okay, can I be honest here?" Liz looked over at her closest friend who was nodding back at her.

"He was really intense out there. I mean I guess you kind of have to be, and I really would never have thought about this but being a coach has got to be hard."

Samantha had been thinking the same thing throughout the game as she caught glimpses of Gabe on the screen. The cords of tension were unmistakable on his neck as he shouted at players, he looked down right pissed off and didn't crack a smile once. Not even when the team had won and made their way off the field.

"Last night he barely talked about the game, not that I blame him. I didn't want to press him so I just listened to what he would throw out. He said that he wouldn't sleep that night because he had to think about every possible scenario and play he could give the players in the final minutes."

"Are you going to call him tonight?" Curiosity was killing Liz and Dave squeezed her tightly.

"What are you, the gatekeeper?" Dave laughed at his wife. Samantha was holding back her own laugh.

"Oh hell." They all started in with each other. "I think this is great Sam, cheap entertainment is so much fun."

"I know what you mean. I'll let you know tomorrow. What time do you want me to come over?"

Liz glanced over toward the kitchen and tilted her head from side to side, as if the motion was telling her what to do. "How about one?"

"Don't forget the salad!" Dave said quickly before they started talking about anything else.

Samantha grabbed her bag and started to head toward the front door, leaving her friends on the couch.

"I won't, Dave! See you tomorrow guys."

On the drive back to her house she decided to call Gabe. Knowing he would be busy this evening, she wasn't surprised when the call went straight to voicemail.

Hi Coach, I just wanted to congratulate you on the win today. Looks like hard work pays off. Anyways, I know you've got lots going on so I'll go but before I do...you looked good out there Gabe. And I'm not just saying this because you look...really...good...but well, jesus I can't even say this. I'm hanging up. Have a good night.

Samantha tossed her phone into her purse and didn't want to ever look at the thing again. Had she really just said he looked good out there? Blowing out a disgruntled breath, she headed off and made her way home. Smart Sam, real smart.

****

The next morning Gabe sat at his kitchen table attempting to read the newspaper but failing to comprehend any of the articles. Yesterday the game had gone right as planned and just when New Orleans' defense started to get strong he threw in Jennings and the kid took off. Ernie had clapped him on the back as the kid caught his first pass on the twenty nine yard line and took off like a bat out of hell to take the ball in for a touchdown. Gabe almost cheered his own excitement but merely nodded at the kid as he made his way back to the bench.

As the players washed up and made their way out of the stadium and the coaching and training staff took the night off from meetings, Gabe grabbed a tape from the camera operator as he always did after each game and settled up in the screening room. By the time midnight had rolled around his body felt drained and he made his way home. Pulling his cell from the back pocket before sitting he saw the number of missed calls and voicemails.

A number of calls were from agents with congratulations on the game as part of their customary post game follow-ups, other calls were from his brother and Camille Devlin. And Samantha.

He listened to her message and didn't deny the huge burst of laughter that fell from his lips, the sound rusty from little use throughout the day. Gabe re-played the message just to hear the self mockery in her voice and felt his groin go from soft to hard in a matter of seconds. 

It was too late to call her then and as he remembered that she was heading out to her friend's today he figured he wouldn't get a chance to call her until later. 

One o'clock rolled around faster than he realized and Gabe found himself sat out in the backyard of the Devlin's nursing a bottle of beer and playing twenty questions with the lady of the house.

The Devlins lived on the north side of Chicago. He found it funny that most of the coaching staff and even the players tended to live closer to the city rather than the city of their team's namesake. The house, in a quiet subdivision, had a driveway wide enough drive to support four sports cars, something Ernie would never have if his wife had been asked a question regarding automobiles.

Camille Devlin, a gorgeous woman in her own right, dressed in bargain clothes with a real fashion sense. She wore a cream linen dress which accented her darker skin to perfection. Shocking the poor clerk at the local grocer who always carded her, come February she would be turning thirty four. The only expensive item on her body was the wide wedding band on her left hand that told the world she was strictly 'hands off.'

"So Ernie says you were off of your game yesterday," Camille Devlin said from her chair, gazing at Gabe over the rim of her wine glass.

"I wasn't off anything, Camille, we won didn't we." He shook his head and smiled at her question.

Camille wasn't playing the fool he wanted her to be. "You did and that's wonderful. He said you left a full pack of gummy worms on the bench."

"I ate some of them."

When she didn't answer him, he, for some strange reason felt the need to defend himself. "I guess I didn't want them."

"Didn't want them, or completely forgot about them?" 

"Didn't want them? The Saints were up by three. How am I supposed to think about candy then?"

"Sounds to me like you were a little preoccupied."

Gabe knew exactly where she was going with this, he had two brothers but he also had been raised around women. "Damn Camille, you're worse than my sisters!" Gabe gave a low laugh at her probing.

"Well then spill it boy, something is going on. You keep checking your phone and you've had this stupid grin on your face that tells me you've either got a lady or you've got a lady."

Ernie ambled over taking a seat next to his wife. "When you're the only man around and the ladies bring up Mother Nature, you know it's time to go." He looked over at Gabe as his brow furrowed. "What?"

"You're wife is nosy."

"I'm not nosy, I'm curious. Come on Gabe, this can be your therapy session."

Gabe scoffed. "You're not a shrink."

"No but I watch a lot of Dr. Phil. And I'm a woman, that automatically qualifies me. Stop stalling."

"It's about a woman."

Ernie spoke before his wife could say a word. "Your bar lady?"

Gabe laughed at his description of her and had to explain how he'd met Samantha to Camille so she could understand. He went over their date and brought them up to speed.

"That explains it then." Camille nodded her head sharply and took another sip of her wine.

Both Gabe and Ernie looked over at her with curious eyes. "I for one have to say that this woman must be something else because I have never in the last four years I've known you, seen you like this."

"Like what? We just met and have only been out once Camille." Gabe tried to avoid the truth by his casual words because he didn't want either of them to see him twisted up over a new woman.

"Oh no, don't even go there. Gabe, look..." Ernie stopped his wife and shook his head at her. 

Gabe leaned forward in the wicker chair. "Don't worry Ernie, I wouldn't miss this for the world, keep going Camille."

Nodding, she continued. "Gabe, how are you feeling? Right this very second what does your body feel like?"

He shrugged his shoulders slightly. "I don't know, pretty relaxed I guess."

Camille clucked her tongue, her eyes widening as a smile spread across her face. "Exactly, when you sat down you looked kind of tense but just now as you started to talk about...what was her name again, sorry I forgot."




Reading the Defense Ch. 03



"Samantha."

"Right, when you started to talk about Samantha your body loosened up almost like whatever tension that was there sort of melted off."

Gabe and Ernie started laughing at Camille and she just batted her husband's arm.

As she stood up she looked over at Gabe with earnest eyes. "I'm telling you Gabe, she's good for you."

Even though Gabe and Ernie fell into the old routine, talking about the game, Gabe was thinking about what Camille had said. Samantha was good for him; this was something he was starting to believe too.

****

In the middle of the yard, Samantha sat with her legs extended on each side and played with Trent in the grass. He was dancing along to the music that was blaring from small speakers near the back doors. Liz and Dave had invited a number of friends and neighbors over and Samantha lost herself to the wild activities happening all around her.

Dave and some of his work buddies had tossed lighter fluid on the grill and a flame about ten feet high had shot up to the sky causing Trent to cry uncontrollably and Liz to scream at the three men. Some of Liz's friends showed up and were giving advice to her on some new hairstyles that would look great with her frame. 

Liz came over to pick up her son and gestured Samantha over to the table. "It smells like Tiki Dan's over on 58th Street, god only knows where all that food is going."

Nodding, Samantha laughed at the mound of food. "If I was one of your neighbors I would totally crash your party."

"God, I would too. Poor Trent doesn't even have a chance. Did I already say thanks for that salad?"

"No, but Dave gave me a big hug the second he saw it. What does he see in it? It's just food."

"Sam, what he sees in things is beyond me." They both laughed at that and Liz moved out back into the yard to clean up some of the paper plates.

Samantha stepped into the house, searching for some lip gloss when she heard a sound coming from her phone. Reaching for it, she looked down at the display and saw Gabe's name. Excitement flooded her and she had to force a calming breath before answering.

"Hello Gabe."

"That's all I get, a hello Gabe. Hmm." She giggled at his tone and smacked a hand across her lips.

"Samantha, are you there?"

Squeezing her eyes shut for a second, she opened them and moved herself toward the back of the house to get some privacy.

"Yes I'm here, how are you?"

"I'm good."

"Oh you jerk, that's not funny. I meant what I said but it just...well I meant...it sort of came out all wrong but didn't and..."

"Hey Samantha..." Gabe wanted to lick the stutter from her mouth.

She blew out the word 'yes' without thinking.

"I'm glad you watched the game, I was hoping you would."

Samantha sank her body onto the steps leading to the second floor. She didn't expect him to say that. "I think it's safe to say that watching football is officially now fun. By the way I have become a laughing stock with my friends though."

She heard his deep laugh and could imagine him running a hand through his hair when he spoke. He asked her what she meant, and with heat filling her cheeks she explained how exciting it was to see him onscreen and actually doing his job.

"How's your barbecue going so far?"

Looking over her shoulder she glanced out the glass doors leading to the backyard and saw everyone sitting around and eating burgers, playing Frisbee and drinking beers.

"It's great, I probably shouldn't be gone for too long though." She winced at her own words and hoped that he didn't think she was rejecting his call.

"Right." The disappointment in his tone was unmistakable and made her smile. The knowledge that this man wanted to talk to her was really growing on her. 

"Gabe." 

"Yeah."

"I don't have to stay here." He fell silent on the other end. Samantha made up her mind and was going all out for whatever this thing between them was becoming.

"What are you doing right now, Gabe?"

"Talking to you." He smiled as she laughed at him. "I'm over at Ernie's, he's having a cookout. Why?"

"Oh I don't know, I was thinking about leaving here but don't really know what to do for the rest of the day. Do you have any suggestions?"

Gabe was no fool and clamped his jaw down trying to keep cool. "How quickly can you leave?"

"I've got my keys in hand, where do you want to go?"

****

An hour later Gabe heard a tentative knock on his front door. Grinning, he walked to the door and opened it to be greeted by a one Samantha Morrison.

Without hesitating he reached for her hand and pulled her into a big hug. Samantha's arms wrapped themselves around his back and she rested her face in the crook of his neck. They stayed that way for several minutes in the entranceway before releasing each other. Gabe moved back and tipped Samantha's chin with a finger, dropping a light kiss on her lips.

"Hi."

She opened her eyes and gave him a warm smile. "That wasn't fair."

Gabe threw his head back and laughed, then ushered her through the house. His hand rested in the small of her back and when she looked up at him, he just smiled again. 

They went on a tour of the house he rented, while living in the area during the season. The house was a spacious two story stone croft model, with a small yard but still private from his neighbors. Each room had a masculine feel, from the dark furniture to the framed photographs on the walls. Samantha was impressed with how he decorated a rental and told him so.

"I figured if I was living in a place for longer than two months I'd want to feel like I was actually coming to a home, so I bought a few things that made it feel that way." What he didn't tell her was that he never truly felt at home in the house. In the two years he had been living in it, it felt like he was living among someone else's belongings. 

"Would you like something to drink?" He released his hand from her back and made his way to the refrigerator. 

She shrugged her shoulders at his question as her eyes took in the massive kitchen. "What do you have?"

"Wine, iced tea, coffee. Whatever you want, just name it." He uncapped a beer for himself and placed the bottle on the granite countertop. 

"Wine would be nice, thank you."

As Gabe started to pour the wine, Samantha walked around the island that took up a large portion of the kitchen. Her fingers traced the long countertop and she looked over at the papers that were neatly placed in one of the corners.

She took the glass as Gabe passed it to her and gestured to the island. "You should really put something on that to make it stand out in here."

"What do you mean?"

"This kitchen is amazing, I mean it's a kitchen that is meant to be used and broken in, you know what I mean?"

"Kind of, I don't really get to use it all that much when I'm here."

"True, but it just seems like such a shame to have it so bare."

Gabe looked at her with open interest as Samantha contemplated the design of his kitchen. "What would you do to make it look different?" He was genuinely interested in what she had to say.

Her eyes followed the movement as her fingers once again grazed the countertops. "I'd probably put a few large glass vases on here. Fill the bottoms with stones and then throw in branches or something from outside. That or different fruits for a splash of color."

She finally looked up at him and was shocked to see the compassion in his eyes. Out of instinct, one of her hands crept up and stroked his arm that was resting against the counter. "You know what I mean?"

He nodded and placed his beer on the counter, the touch on his arm from her feather light fingers was clouding his mind. Gazing deeply into her eyes, he moved her glass to the counter as well and shifted to stand in front of her. All the while her hand continued to stroke his arm.

Gabe leaned his head down and nuzzled Samantha's neck. "All day, all I could think about was getting to you. I wanted to call last night but figured it was too late." 

"It was late." She inhaled sharply when his lips brushed themselves along her skin.

Groaning, he pulled back only to drop his head and capture her lips with his own. He explored her mouth with his tongue and lifted her body so that she was sitting on top of the counter; Gabe stepped in between her legs. Samantha was feeling lightheaded from his kisses, one minute they were slow and tender the next hard and ruthless. Without thinking her fingers began a mission of their own in search to feel the heat of his body as she pulled his shirt from his pants. A sound erupted from deep in his throat as Gabe felt her hands exploring the taut skin and muscles of his chest. Gabe put his hands on the back of her head and neck and angled his head to take their kiss deeper. He was rewarded with a sweet moan from her own mouth and swallowed it as quickly as he could.

Her lungs were starting to burn and Samantha pulled away to grab fresh air. With her head leaning back Gabe buried his face in her neck and nibbled her neck, his hands continuing their seductive mission on her thighs as they hugged his hips. 

Barely able to see through her excitement, she gasped out to him as he nipped a particularly sensitive spot. "Gabe!"

His voice was husky and his breathing a little labored. "Yes, sweetheart?"

"Nothing, just checking on you."

Gabe pulled back and looked at her. She gave him a wicked grin and leaned forward to kiss his dimple. Wanting a little more space and definitely a more comfortable setting he picked Samantha up and set her back down on the ground. Looking down into her lust filled eyes he dropped a kiss to her lips and grabbed her hand.

She laughed as he half guided her, half dragged her up the stairwell toward his room. Samantha had barely gotten through the door before Gabe started pulling at her clothes, stripping her. A small voice in the back of her head was screaming at her to cover her body, but the other part of her started to help him.

Tugging her dress down her body, Gabe groaned at the sight of her bra and panty set. Her skin was fair and silky smooth, the sparkled pink matching set made every single curve of her that much more tempting. He trailed his fingers along the tops of her panties as he guided her down onto the bed. Propping a knee in between her legs, he leaned forward to kiss her. Her tongue skimmed his lips before he took it into his mouth, a moan slipped through her mouth and he tore himself away from her. With a steady gaze he pulled his shirt over his head. Samantha's eyes were all over his chest and her hands started to roam his body with open appreciation. Pressing on her shoulders until she fell back against the comforter, he started kissing her all over again.

He began at her lips but broke away to trail bites down her throat and along her side, moving his way back up to lightly press moisture to the skin just above her bra. Licking the skin, he chuckled lightly as her body jerked up and her hand reached out to stroke his shoulder. Making his way back up to her lips, they met deeply before he leaned back. 

"You're beautiful Samantha, so beautiful." His voice was barely above a whisper. She brushed her hands down his cheek and lifted herself to press little kisses to his chest. Gabe groaned at the sensation of her lips and tongue grazing his skin, it was warm and felt like it was searing across every spot it hit. Samantha slipped her fingers into the waistband of his jeans and started tugging at his belt. Gabe stopped her before she could go further and reached to unhook the clasp of her bra.

As the flimsy nylon fell from her body, he tossed it not caring where it landed. Samantha laughed and then cried out as his lips found her breast, moaning loudly as he ran his tongue over her nipple and began a torment on her that left her weak and needy. Waves of heat traveled down her body with each sweep, reaching down she tangled her fingers in his hair hoping to hold him in place. As one of his hands raked down her body and lightly stroked her stomach, she twisted and arched, feeling that sweet tug in her belly. He was bringing her so close yet leaving her so far, she thought she was going to die right there in his bed from pleasure. 

Gabe lifted his head and saw that Samantha had closed her eyes, the rising tension from his body so close caused them to flutter open. She felt his eyes stroking her very core. The twist of his wrist where she was most vulnerable made her tremble. Stroking his shoulders, she thought he looked like he was going to say something but was struggling for the words.

"You feel so good." She brought a knee up and rubbed it against his hip to prove to him. Gabe's head fell back slightly at the sensation before he brought himself back. His fingers that had gripped her thigh trailed in front and stroked the skin lightly. Samantha gasped as his thumb stroked her most sensitive part, opening the swollen folds as he sank a finger deep inside. She began moaning as his finger moved in and out of her, sliding, pumping. Her hips following the rhythm he was creating. "Oh God, Gabe."

"So sweet." Gabe gazed down at her, biting his lip to hold back as long as he could.

"Please...oh please...I can't."

"It's okay, sweetheart." His voice strained as he started to feel her body shaking from inside, his fingers slick as they pushed in and out of her a little faster. She could barely breathe as the shocks started up her body, rocking her pelvis against his fingers, taking them deeper. The feel of his fingers and the closeness of his body was drawing her closer to the edge. Her muscles started to clench as his finger curled deep inside. He rocked his thumb, moved it in tight circles and latched his mouth below her ear. Samantha arched her back and gave in to the overwhelming orgasm as it consumed her. 

With her body still shaking, Gabe moved back and ripped off his clothes. Vaguely she saw him moving to the table by the bed to grab a condom, and it was when he lay next to her did she reach out to feel him. Gabe groaned deeply at her touch. He tossed his head back as her deft fingers trailed along his length as it pulsed, memorizing him. Taking shallow breaths, he wanted to give her as much time as she wanted but knew he wouldn't last very long. He pulled her hands away and rolled on top of her. Samantha moved her legs to accommodate his body and nearly cried aloud as he guided himself inside her. 

He moved slowly with each thrust, getting one inch closer to filling her completely. Samantha knew that he was going slow for her, giving her time to adjust. She wanted him like he was on the field, she wanted to feel his fierceness. To see him lose control. She wanted him raw. She lifted up and trailed kissed along his jaw to his ear. He kept his thrusting at an even pace, just then she licked his earlobe and whispered before biting down, "Let go coach."

At the sound of her voice, her wicked request, something snapped inside of him. Gabe reached down to her hips and shifted her, getting them to a position that had both gasping for air. Samantha's hands were all over his back and as he pumped harder and faster into her, his hips no longer following a plan of action. She began thrashing her head from side to side. Gabe groaned as her muscles started to tighten around his thickness, he brought his head down seeking her lips. She moved her hands from his back and clasped them on his neck as his pace started to get frantic, holding their lips together. Feeling the pressure building she ripped her mouth from his and threw her head back against the pillows gasping for air, a heated flush burning her skin. Gabe felt her body tensing and she let out a deep wail as the passion washed over her. As her body tightened around him and pulsed, he squeezed his eyes and gave into her sweet sex. With a growl, he thrust hard for a few final strokes and then cried out as he spilled himself into the condom. 

Samantha cradled Gabe with her legs and kissed his shoulder until he lifted his head to look at her. He couldn't speak if he wanted to, instead he traced her lips with his thumb. Moving off of her, he stepped into the bathroom only to return to her and to the place that was calling him in that moment. Curling his body around hers, she rubbed her hands along his arms that were draped over her. Gabe dropped a kiss to her shoulder before falling back into the pillows. 

"Where did you come from Sam?" 

Samantha barely heard him as she was hypnotized by the warmth of his body, but she did hear him and as she fell into a peaceful sleep all she could do was smile and think how lucky she was to have met him.

****

Sometime during the night, thirst woke Samantha. Still half asleep, she looked around the room trying to figure where she was until she felt the bed move. Next to her Gabe had shifted in his sleep, something she thought he may do often in the night. Carefully, she crawled out of the bed and felt the floor for any piece of clothing she could get. Grabbing the first piece that wasn't pants, she walked out into the hall closing the door behind her. 

In their haste to get to the bedroom, Gabe had left several lights on and she followed them down the stairs and to the kitchen. The skin on the backs of her thighs tickled as his shirt fell against it. The soft light provided an open gateway into the beauty of his home, it seemed to highlight the simplest pieces that pieced it all together. Framed black and white pictures of his playing days and his family were scattered all over the walls. There was a picture of a little boy being tackled by several people, a large muscular man leaned across the pileup of bodies and was beaming into the camera. The picture looked older, she traced her fingers along the frame and smiled when she looked closer at the photograph. The little boy at the very bottom of the pit was also smiling; a little dimple high on his cheekbone peeking out for its claim to fame identified a younger Gabe. 

Even though he walked her through his house, she felt that for all of his belongings it was in his pictures where his home was. The framed pictures held a timeline of his life; they also showed a side of him that was making her fall for him even harder. 

Taking a seat on the banquette near the back window of the kitchen, she saw from the clock on the stove that it was just after midnight. Pulling her legs into her chest, she curled into Gabe's shirt and sighed as his scent surrounded her. When he called her at the picnic, she had been excited and nervous. He was so far out of her element and yet, still within hand's reach. She loved that he considered her in the rarest of times and she, of course, considered him. When they had fallen asleep all of the nervousness left her; the way his body curled around hers made her remember that he was just a man. A sexy man that she finally saw all sides of, a smile broke across her face as she thought of the look on his face when she nipped his ear. 

Resting her cheek against her knees, she turned to face the window. Her feelings for Gabe were so strong they scared her. She wasn't used to feeling this close to a man she barely knew. Everything about him was larger than life, his body, the lifestyle that came with him and even his personality. He may seem larger than life but lying curled up next to him, he was perfect.

****

Gabe rolled over in his bed to find the space next to him cold. Reaching out, he fanned his hand across the sheets in search of Samantha. Unease started to fill him and he quickly turned on the light. The clock read a few minutes past midnight, her dress lay in a heap on the floor so he knew she was somewhere around. Relief flooded him and his body started to relax, smiling at the mess on his floor he grabbed his boxers and thrust his legs into them. 




Reading the Defense Ch. 03



On and off throughout the night, the air conditioning unit had been pushing cool air through the vents. As he walked through the halls, the hardwood floor was cool against his bare feet. Checking the front room and seeing nothing on the couch, he noticed the track lighting in the kitchen was dimmed and so he followed it. That was when he saw her. For a second he forgot to breathe, she was curled up near the window wearing his shirt. The shirt was big on her but he could clearly make out her bottom as her legs were pulled to her chest, her skin the color of vanilla ice cream. His heart was pounding so hard he wouldn't be surprised if she could hear it, but she gave no sign of knowing he was there. Sinking to the magnetic pull of her body, he walked out to her, then rubbed his hand lightly on her back as he reached her. Samantha turned to look up at him and in that moment nothing could have torn him away from dropping his lips to hers and sealing them together. It was a brief kiss of comfort, a kiss that he had been craving for his entire life.

The banquette stretched as far as the bay window. Gabe placed his hand on her shoulder pushing her forward a little. He lifted his leg and brought himself to sit directly behind her, each of his legs on either side of hers, keeping them in place. Samantha leaned back against his chest, molding her body to him.

"My bed was cold." Gabe said as he nuzzled her ear.

As the warmth of his body consumed her, Samantha's eyes drifted shut. "I got thirsty."

"How long have you been down here?" Noticing that she was shivering, Gabe wrapped his arms around Samantha and rubbed her chilled legs. As one hand lingered, she brought her own fingers to it and stroked his hand. 

"Not that long, I was going to head back up but wanted to sit here for a few more minutes." She felt his breath on her back as he let out sigh before resting his chin on her shoulder. 

"Why?" She simply shrugged her shoulders, jarring his chin slightly. "Samantha." When he said her name, it wasn't a question but more of a request.

"I was comfortable." He kissed her neck and lowered his cheek to her shoulder.

"You weren't comfortable up there?" She laughed, but the sound was tired.

Turning her head she looked over at him. "You're impossible," she kissed his lips lightly. "When I came down here for some water I got caught up with all of the pictures on the walls. It was nice. I don't know why, but I didn't want to leave here just yet."

Gabe didn't know how to answer her, when people came to his house they glanced around but never really considered them. Samantha was looking over at a card on his refrigerator, something that his brother had sent. The card was simple but said one thing. Golfing is better than football. Gabe followed her eyes and smiled, understanding why she was comfortable.

"How can a man who made a living by getting tackled be such a big softy?" 

"I wasn't gentle a little bit ago." He squeezed her side making her squirm a little.

"No, you weren't." Her voice softened, "and I liked it."

"I did too."

"Gabe." She was patient knowing it was late, but he was here and curiosity killed the cat.

"Hmm?" Her hair was soft as he pressed his lips to the top of her head.

"How do you do it?"

"I have sisters." She twisted in his lap and rested so she was leaning against his chest. Bringing her hands up, she lightly stirred the light dusting of hair with her fingers.

Her soft touch was making him feel so relaxed that his guard dropped and he opened up to her. "I was arrogant when I started playing. I loved the game but there was a helluva lot being thrown at me and it started to get to me. Halfway through my first season, one of the coaches worked with me and got my head back into the game for the right reasons." Samantha just listened. "That's what I try to do with the guys. I'm hard as hell on them but come December, everything will be second nature. They'll feel connected in every way."

Her soft stroking continued, making him feel all the more comfortable opening up to her. "My family still gets on me because I'm serious on the field." He laughed. "Last year, my sister Tara brought my niece to a game. She cried every time she saw me."

Encouraged by his laughter, Samantha giggled next to him. "Why would she cry? I mean, it's loud but-"

"Tara said it was because I looked upset and so it upset her." He shook his head ruefully; it had been a ridiculous game. The Rams were up by seven points and had possession of the ball. The defensive coaches were spitting out plays for an interception and Gabe had been shouting at his players until he was red in the face. Everyone gave him wide berth as the Cougars walked off of the field without taking the victory. 

"Ah, the man with a golden heart. You must be very close to your family then."

"Yeah. When Tony flew out to San Francisco and asked if I'd be willing to join a new club near Chicago, I couldn't say no. It's only a few hours to all of them, and they will get to come down for some games."

"That's nice Gabe." A laugh erupted from him as Samantha awkwardly shifted in his lap until she draped her legs around his waist, one of his hands holding her tightly against him the other stroking her thigh. Running her hands up and down his chest she coked her head and smiled sweetly up at him. 

"What are you doing?"

"Calling you out. Softy."

The pulsing of his growing arousal between them told her otherwise, leaning forward he took her mouth with his own. He stroked her with his tongue as her nails ran through the mat of hair on his chest, running circles around his nipples. Soft moans of need escaped Samantha's mouth making Gabe forget about being comfortable and feeling peaceful. He moved his hand from her thigh and searched under the shirt for her warm skin. His hand settled onto her breasts, her nipples had hardened from the chill of the cool air but warmed as they filled his hands. Sweat started to bead on his forehead as he caressed her, leaning back he broke the kiss. Her gaze up at him was hungry, and though he didn't want to break the mood, he had to.

Whispering to her, "we should go upstairs. I don't have anything," she shifted closer to him, his erection straining in the boxers. Brushing her lips across his, she spoke against his open mouth. "I'm on the pill, I want you here Gabe."

Pulling his hand from her shirt, he gripped her head and thrust his tongue into her mouth at her demanding tone. In the matter of a week this woman had undone him and he was enjoying the ride. Samantha pushed Gabe back and started to pull the shirt over her head. He took the chance to move her legs and stand. When they had been in his bedroom, everything had moved so quickly. She hadn't had the chance to see him, when his fingers reached to the waistband she stopped them with her own. Looking intently at him, "Uh-uh, I owe you remember?"

Her delicate fingers managed to get the shorts down before he thrust out in front of her. Licking her lips she reached for him with trembling hands. The pulsing stilled as she stroked his length, taking her time feeling the thick strength of him. The rasp of Gabe's breath only intensified her strokes, and she tightened her grip. In the back of her mind she couldn't figure why she wasn't repulsed. Here they were standing in front of an open window fully exposed, at that moment she thanked god he didn't have neighbors in the back. Dropping her lips, she kissed the head of him. Gabe's eyes shot open, his strained voice called out to her. "Sam, I think we're even."

He manacled both of her wrists in one of his hands as he sat down on the banquette, his back against the wall. Tugging lightly, Samantha followed his direction and crawled on top of him. As she knelt above him, he took nips at her lower lip, licking the outside and then gripping it with his teeth. She moaned at his little game and decided he needed to be punished for it. She lowered her body down so that his arousal traced her glistening folds, dropping her hands to his waist she lifted herself back up. After a couple of times, Gabe couldn't take any more of her teasing and he grabbed her waist.

"No more, I need to feel you." Samantha needed him too and dropped her body to accept him fully. There was no tender strokes this time, Gabe gripped her hips and thrust up possessing her in a way he couldn't understand. Samantha started moaning uncontrollably, speaking in an unknown tongue as her pleasure heightened. Gabe answered in the same language as she started to grind down on his hips, rocking her pelvis and whimpering with each drive. An overwhelming wave rushed through her, she arched her back and threw her head back as her hips rocked faster. Gabe latched his mouth onto her breast and swiveled his tongue around her nipple, her body began to quiver and he knew she was close. Pumping harder into her, he brought his teeth down on the sensitive skin. The sensation threw her over, Samantha's eyes flickered open and she gave a loud cry while gazing into Gabe's face. Feeling her muscles grip him tight and seeing her so vulnerable, Gabe let his own passion take him. He gave a hoarse cry and dropped teeth to her collarbone, spilling himself within her.

They sat there for several minutes cooling down. Despite the air conditioning unit, they were burning up. Samantha ran a hand up and down Gabe's back before he pulled away to look at her.

"I take that back, we're not even." She laughed with him before dropping her lips to his. Eventually they made it back up to his bed and fell into a peaceful sleep. 

****

Three weeks later Samantha followed a staff member at Pendicon Field to one of the many reserved viewing boxes. It was the home opener and the game had been sold out for nearly two weeks. Gabe had arranged it for her to meet up with Ernie Devlin's wife Camille, and as she opened the door to the room she spotted her immediately.

The petite woman was sitting in one of the chairs closest to the window looking out over the field. She had been talking to the room's server, her hands flying all over the place as she explained a story. Samantha straightened her hands down her dress and started to walk over to Camille.

"Dana, have you ever failed a book report?" Samantha smiled, knowing Gabe must have explained her story of her students to Ernie and his wife. Just then Camille turned and flashed a warm smile over to Samantha.

"And here I didn't think anyone dressed up for games anymore!" Camille laughed while Samantha blushed at the comment. Reaching out her hand, she went to shake Camille's.

"Honey, you don't even know it yet but we're already friends. Just wait though, you'll see it." Camille handed her a beer bottle, Samantha looked quizzically and shook the empty bottle. Smiling she looked back up to the woman.

"I'm thinking tequila might get me caught up, but then maybe if I chug a few it will be okay." Camille laughed.

"A girl after my own heart, the server is bringing wine in plastic cups. Maybe if we try real hard, it'll feel like tailgating."

Samantha liked her on the spot and as the game started, they fell into easy conversation. She found out that Camille had met Ernie about seven years ago while she was working for a local charity for urban teens. Ernie was still playing at the time and as part of his requirements with the team, he had to make appearances. Camille had been checking the guest roster when Ernie came into the building. She told Samantha she didn't want anything to do with him at first.

"He wouldn't leave me alone all night. I mean the man was pushing me in more ways than one, all of them were not getting anywhere near me. He was only supposed to spend an hour or so at the event and ended up staying to help out after the last guest left." 

Samantha smiled at the tenderness evident in Camille's voice. "I went to thank him for probably the fiftieth time when he told me that he had stayed for me."

"Did you give him your number?"

"Girl, that was it. Right there I lost myself to that man. I gave him my number and I'll tell you this. I was on the train not one hour later when he called me." Samantha giggled at how cute a big and burly guy like Ernie must be like behind closed doors.

"So, do you have children?"

Camille faltered for a moment making Samantha worried she had asked something she shouldn't have. "No, we've been trying for about a year but haven't been lucky yet."

Samantha reached over out of instinct and patted her hand, "don't worry Camille, when the time is right it'll happen." Camille looked over at her, trying to smile but not getting the job done. "Besides, the practice has got to be fun, right!" Laughing together, they continued to talk as the game got underway.

As the first quarter wound down and the second began, both women decided that sitting high and mighty wasn't working for either one of them and were able to move down to a seating area reserved for the team's spouses and significant others to get a closer look. When play resumed, Samantha could not remove her eyes from Gabe. In the back of her mind she heard Camille and talked with her but kept finding her gaze falling back to him. He looked powerful and magnificent, his time on the field he transformed into a creature that was like nothing she'd ever seen when being around him. His actions were sharp, movements stiff. 

When the final whistle blew, the Cougars ended up taking the Giants to bed. Camille asked what her plans for that evening were and wanted to know if she and Gabe would like to join her and Ernie for dinner. It had become one of their own post game rituals and Samantha was touched by the gesture. Ernie entered the reserved seating area the women had returned to, looking for his wife. Samantha told Camille she would have to ask Gabe and would call her once they figured what the plan was. After the Devlins left, Samantha waited for thirty minutes and still had not seen Gabe come through the door. She pulled her phone out and the screen was blank with no missed calls. Giving in she called him, he picked up immediately.

"Congratulations Coach."

"Thanks." She faltered at the low tone of his voice.

"Camille and Ernie asked if we wanted to join them for dinner, what do you think?"

"I've got to review game film tonight. You're not still here are you?"

"Yes Gabe. I'm still here, but I'm thinking I should have just left after talking to you now." 

"I'm sorry Samantha, I didn't realize. I thought you left. I'm going to be stuck for hours."

Feeling hurt by his withdrawal she tried to sound strong. "It's fine Gabe."

Gabe heard the frustration in her voice and knew he needed to fix this. "It's not fine sweetheart, I'm a jackass on game days and you don't deserve what happened. Listen, since I've already screwed up tonight why don't you go to dinner with them and I'll call you tomorrow."

She didn't want to be angry with him, but knew he had a point. She also didn't want to go to dinner with him now anyways; she needed the time to clear her mind. "I don't know, maybe I'll call Camille. I'd better go."

Before she hung up, Gabe apologized one more time and said something to her that melted all of her anger away. "Thanks for coming to the game tonight, I know it turned ugly but it felt good knowing you were here. I'm glad you could see it."

She sighed deeply, "How am I supposed to be mad at you now!" He laughed over the line, she threw a hand over her mouth to cover her rising giggles. 

"Please go to dinner, you'll have fun. I'll call you tomorrow sweetheart."

"Okay, goodnight coach." 

Almost immediately, she got on the phone and dialed up to Camille to find out where they had decided to go. Twenty minutes later she found herself seated across from the Devlins in a restaurant she would have thought twice about.

"I love finds like these, you have no idea what hit you until that first bite."

"Food poisoning." Ernie merely grumbled while Samantha laughed.

"Don't judge, we've been here after every game and who's the one who praises it the most?" Camille looked around in her seat eyeing the restaurant and then turning back to her husband with an expectant look on her face.

"They do have some good steak." The waiter approached and all three decided that water would be fine for their meals. With a simple menu, Samantha settled on grilled chicken and roasted vegetables. Camille stuck to a salad, claiming she needed to look out for her figure. Ernie of course disagreed and settled on his predictable steak. As soon as the dinner got served, both Ernie and Camille dove in to ask the questions that had been burning them up. 

Ernie spoke first, which surprised Samantha. "You know, in all the years I've known Russ, he's never trusted anyone to take his lady out after a game without him. You must be really important to him."

Camille put her fork down and nodded. "And leave them in the fiery pits of hell." Ernie laughed and explained that several of the other wives and significant others were not as approachable as his own wife. Looking back, Samantha had to agree. There were several other glamorous women in the viewing box and none of them so much as glanced in her direction or said hello as she had done.

"So how's come you found yourself alone, not that I don't--"Camille nudged Ernie in the side.

"It's okay Camille, I was actually going to ask you both anyways." Pushing her barely eaten chicken aside, Samantha took a deep breath and glanced up. "I'm curious, I know his job... sorry, I know your jobs are demanding but I just don't get it. We talk all of the time, and then today it was like a switch turned on and he was this completely different person."

"What do you mean?" Camille also pushed her plate aside.

"When I called him to ask about dinner, it was strange. He forgot that I was at the stadium, it was the most awkward conversation we've ever had."

"It's a game day." Ernie reached for his glass of water and took a large gulp. Samantha looked over at him with blank eyes waiting for him to explain. "Like I said, I've known Russ for a long time. Now don't get me wrong because I know you're seein' him. He's a bastard on the field, but the guys respect him. Hell, I respect him. But that is the way he is. He's trained himself so that he stays focused. At least, until recently."

Samantha felt a tightness in her chest, afraid of what Ernie was going to say. "Why do you say until recently?" She knew she sounded naïve but she needed someone who understood this lifestyle to explain it, even if it was layman's terms.

Camille patted her hand. "When Ernie and I were just dating, he was the same way Samantha. It was like he had two faces. He has his game face and his home face. The game face is brutal but temporary, the home face lasts forever. For the next six months, Gabe's going to have a bit of both but will probably be more game face. It's his job, it's what they do."

"How do you get through it?"

"I don't take offense, I know Ernie is working hard." She turned to her husband and smiled. "I'm here to support him as best as I can, but also keep doing what I have to do every day. I love him but I also know that his time is split up right now, it's the way it is."

Samantha didn't know what to say so she remained silent. "Gabe is not deliberately trying to hurt you Samantha, he's trying to include you in. Something he hasn't done in a long time."

"Well now I feel bad for being a brat on the phone."

Ernie stopped her before she could say anything else. "Don't. He needs you to keep him in check." Camille slapped his shoulder and laughed. Samantha shook her head before responding.

"Why can't dating a man be easy?"

"Honey, why can't men in general be easy?"

Ernie couldn't resist himself, "I'll be easy with you later, baby." All three laughed and got ready to leave the restaurant. Samantha went home that night with a new perspective on things. Gabe had introduced her to a brand new lifestyle that was bound to create sticky situations but she could be part of it. She had to focus on the fact that he wanted to be with her enough to even try to let her in. What she didn't think about, and something that Ernie had to point out to her was that she also had a life. A life that Gabe was very much interested in and hated that he missed so much of.




Reading the Defense Ch. 03



****

An away game against the Cowboys kept Gabe and Samantha apart for the majority of the following week, but that didn't stop them from their daily phone calls. It was something they both looked forward to.

"How was class today?"

"Brutal. All of the students turned in their story quilts this morning." It was going to take at least a week before she got them graded. "I've been grading them since I got home, I didn't expect them to get so excited over the project. Not only that but Deborah, I think I told you about her--"

Gabe interrupted Samantha. "She's going through a divorce, right?"

"Right, well she came into my room while the kids were at recess. God, I didn't think that woman was going to leave me alone. I feel bad for her, but she's the one divorcing her husband! Why is she crying to me?"

"Divorce is tough Sam, some people have a good poker face."

"Oh god Gabe, I didn't even think. I'm sorry. I don't even know what you went through." When Gabe had told her he'd been married before, she couldn't deny it cast a red flag out. After talking with him, she felt better about it and understood how it started and how it had broken apart. Their relationship was nothing like theirs and she was in no way going to compare the two.

He laughed as she thought she had offended him. "It's fine, it's a thing in the past and that's where it should be. Maybe she's turning to you because she looks up to you." 

Samantha could only laugh at his casual response. "She's taller than me, Gabe."

"Smartass." She giggled, missing him the longer they talked.

"What are we doing on Monday?" Her heart swelled as he asked her, already combining their schedules. Mondays were his rare off days for nightly meetings; it was the one day that gave them several hours to be together. He would normally drop by the school to see her and visit her class, when class dismissed he would take her to detention. Not quite ready to succumb to his sweetness, she replied tartly.

"Well, I know I'm not doing anything spectacular apart from a hot shower. How about you coach?" On the other end, Gabe smiled. Damn her, she knew he was going to be with her.

"Tony's wife is putting together a dinner somewhere in the city. It's going to be a private dinner with the coaches and their significant others. I was thinking--"


"Gabe, are you asking me out?" He scoffed at her question.

"Hell no." He paused. "Okay, yeah I was." Samantha laughed and Gabe soon joined in. He told her that as soon as he found out the specifics he would let her know. When they hung up she felt warmth spread through every ounce of her body. Gabe was etching a spot inside of her heart that was going to be hard to fill if they ever broke up.

When Monday rolled around, Samantha found herself a little nervous. She had talked to Camille several times throughout the week about meeting with the other men and their wives or girlfriends and wasn't sure what to expect.

Expect nothing. Go in, be yourself and that's all you can do. Be friendly, but do what you have to do. I've made friends with some of the other women but that's it. I'm there to support Ernie. Plain and simple.

So Samantha knew what she had to do. She was going in, supporting Gabe. For the dinner, she had decided to straighten her typically wavy hair and swoop her bangs over to one side. Dressing herself in a purple chiffon sheer dress with a pink slip underneath, she was ready to take anything on. Anything started with Gabe, whose mouth dropped when she opened her door to him.

He took one look at her before pulling her into his arms and growling into her neck. Licking the skin before dropping little kisses, he spoke hoarsely to her. "You look incredible."

"Thank you." Cocking her head, the corner of her glossy mouth curled. "What, no cuff links?"

Gabe barked out a laugh. "This is going to be the longest night. There's no way we're staying longer than two hours."

Samantha giggled and gasped as he nipped her collarbone. She turned her head, seeking his lips that she had missed for almost an entire week. Their kiss was desperate and deep. They clung to each other before separating to catch their breath. Some of her lip gloss had smeared on Gabe's lips, and, with her eyes locked on his for a moment she smiled then dropped them as her thumb rubbed over his lip, brushing the gloss off.

Gabe was dressed in a grey business suit with a crisp dress shirt underneath. She had come to learn from dating him that he was a simple man; he didn't like a tuxedo unless he was going to a formal. Not to say he wouldn't look good in one, because she could imagine he wore one well. She also learned that he forgot to shave some days before and after a game, something she began looking forward to. Unfortunately for her, this evening he was cleanly shaven. Looking him up and down, she gave him a wink of approval. 

"We should go now, so we can start the clock." Laughing, Gabe grabbed her hand and hauled her out to his truck. When he seated himself, he reached over and held onto her hand for the rest of the drive.

Chapeau was a newer restaurant downtown that rested high above the city skyline that Maggie Soliano had settled on for the event. It was a new wave French bistro with an American touch. The back seating area had been reserved for their dinner, as well as the access to the balcony. As Gabe and Samantha walked into the restaurant, he laced their fingers together. He knew from talking to her earlier that she was nervous, he wanted her to know that he was there for her. 

They were barely inside the dining room for five minutes before she was whisked away from him. Camille had spotted her as Gabe was making the introductions and pulled her away. She knew what his intentions were, but he also didn't know she needed to meet with the women behind the scenes. To let them know that she wasn't just 'Gabe Russell's current fling' because she wasn't.

Samantha was beginning to feel drunk from all of the directions she was being pulled in, and short talk she was forcing herself to do. Meeting with all of the other women and coaching staff, she thought about parent teacher conferences. How the teachers don't really know the parents, don't really want to know them unless there is a reason. Focusing on that to keep a clean game face on in order to get through the night that was indeed, a little overwhelming. When Camille started to tell a story she had already heard, she excused herself and slipped away from the gaggle of women only to step out on the balcony for fresh air. 

The breeze was warm, providing the city with an enjoyable Indian summer. Along the river she saw a few nightly tour busses travel down beside the murky waters, as the wail of a siren traveled up the length of the high rise and could be heard if not seen, reflected by the flashing lights below. Behind her the wood paned glass door opened.

"Miss Morrison, I'd say you were ditching class."

She turned to see Gabe walking toward her. The sight of him caused her heart to flutter, he was so handsome in his suit. He was her very own handsome man. Grabbing her hand he pulled her into his arms, a place that felt was created just for her. Rubbing her back with his warm palms, he lightly kissed her lips.

"Are you having a good time?"

"Yes, this is lovely Gabe. Really."

"Those women are vultures. I didn't think I was going to see you all night."She laughed at his wounded expression. "It hasn't been all that long."

"Long enough." He looked her up and down, and then nodded. "You seem normal."

Pinching his side, she rested her cheek against his chest. "They're nice."

He was no fool. "Samantha, they'll eat their children for breakfast."

She threw her head back and laughed, then slapped a hand across her lips trying to stop the sound. Gabe smiled, only to drop his head and place a kiss to the back of her hand. "All right, I didn't want to say anything but...Yeah, they kind of scare me." He knew they didn't scare her from the playful sound of her voice.

"Ah sweetheart, they're eating you up."

"I don't want them to eat me up, coach." Reaching up she kissed his chin. There was a movement behind them and Samantha looked over Gabe's shoulder to see what it was. Camille and Ernie stood pretending to be looking at the skyline; Samantha shook her head and waved to them. 

"Samantha, you've just made my entire night." Clasping their hands together Gabe led her back into the dining room to the rest of the group. Through the dinner service, the only time he wasn't holding her hand and tracing her skin with his own fingers was when they were preoccupied with a fork.

Three and a half hours later, Gabe was pulling into Samantha's driveway. She would have loved to stay over at his house that night, but she had an early morning meeting and couldn't gauge the unpredictable morning commute. Yawning, she covered her mouth as he put the car in park.

"Thank you for tonight Gabe, I had a really great time. Everyone is so nice."

"You don't ever have to thank me Sam. I'm glad you had a good night, I was hoping for it."

She smiled at him, "I'd invite you in but knowing where that goes, you'll be doing the walk of shame tomorrow morning."

He couldn't hold his laugh in, twisting his wrist he turned off the ignition. "Oh, I'm coming in all right." She laughed with him and together they walked up to her front door.

Gabe pushed her hair aside and was kissing the skin of her neck that was exposed. He ran his hands down her hips and started to knead her bottom but froze. Heat shot straight to his groin and his fingers started to twitch.

"You don't have any underwear on?" The door opened and she hauled him inside, giggling the entire way through the entranceway.

"No, is that a problem?"

Gabe ran a hand through his hair and looked at her with exasperation. "Why didn't you say something sooner? Jesus, Sam we could have left earlier."

She just laughed at him, pulling on his jacket so he followed her toward the bedroom. "I was having fun. And I knew this would be just as fun. I don't ever wear underwear with these kinds of dresses."

"Jesus." His voice was gruff, speaking more as an entreaty than a curse. In the bedroom she started to reach for his shirt, but Gabe stilled her hands. Putting a hand at the back of her neck and the other around her waist, he held her in place while his mouth closed in on hers. The kiss was sweet with a hint of danger as his tongue ran along hers. He guided her to lie on the bed, and then stood at the base just looking at her for a moment.

Breathless and filled with anticipation, she smiled up at him. "What are you doing?"

Gabe threw his jacket off to the floor and started to unbutton his shirt, she lifted her hand to help out but he smiled and pushed it back again. "I'm making it up to you."

With her lying on the bed, he lightly ran his fingers up her thighs lifting the dress until it was around her stomach. Dropping feather light kisses around her belly button, she gasped out to him. "For what?"

Kneeling down, he spread her legs and moved his kisses to the inner part of her thighs. "For anytime I may be a jerk on a game day to you for the rest of the season." She moaned as his tongue left a moist trail leading to her velvety core. His thick hair tickling the tender skin, she arched under his touch until his lips brought a kiss to where she was most sensitive. Closing his mouth down on her, he flicked his tongue causing her hips to jerk. 

He chuckled sending a ripple of pure pleasure travelling up through her body. Samantha could barely hold herself together as she felt Gabe's hot mouth all over her. He parted her with his thumbs and thrust his tongue deep into her core. Crying out, her hips bucked but Gabe pressed down on them caressing her with his mouth and tongue. He reached up under her dress for her breasts and groaned when he found only skin. Everything around her disappeared as she fell into the hands of the sensations he was creating. As his tongue thrust, she rocked her hips at an alarming rate to take him deeper. Her body began to quiver as her panting got louder. Gabe kept his same pace until she could no longer hold back. Giving into the crashing waves, she cried out and shook under his mouth.

In her aftershocks, Gabe kissed up along her body, pulling the dress until he reached her face. Her eyes were closed but her skin was sweaty and flushed, looking his fill he dropped his head and kissed her lips. Her excitement fueled the kiss and she arched her body into him, wanting him more than she ever had before. They both reached for his pants at the same time, tangling their hands together to get the material off of his body. When he was finally naked, Gabe lay next to Samantha and simply stroked her side. She raked her leg over his hip and ran her tongue along his jaw. He was everything to her in that moment and she would do anything for him. Pressing on her shoulders he turned, rolling over her and guided his strong length into her warm and welcoming body. She accepted him without question and they began moving together in frenetic thrusts. 

Pushing and pulling, gripping and grabbing at each other. Gabe searched for her mouth and brought his tongue to hers in a devouring kiss that split her mind. With his hips jarring her, she ripped her mouth away from his. Arching her back, she pressed her chest into him as his pace quickened. Closing her eyes, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his hips trying to get as close to him as possible. While Gabe slammed deep into Samantha, he felt her legs shake from her building tension. Her fingers trembled as she raked them down his backside. Gabe arched his back and drove into her with an all encompassing force. Moaning loudly, Samantha's eyes fluttered closed before Gabe reached for her face with a free hand and held her head in place. Creeping open, she locked gazes with Gabe and brought her mouth to his. His hips drove madly into her and when he pulled at her bottom and thrust into her just right, she climaxed. A great cry escaped her throat without her being aware, as her orgasm clinched her body and Gabe pummeled into her. Samantha clung to his shoulders, whimpering as each thrust brought a new wave of passion through her. When she looked at him deeply with the love in her eyes he lost himself to her. He gave a final thrust before throwing his head back and growling into the evening air. Dropping his head to her shoulder, he tried to catch his breath.

Pulling out of her, Gabe lay on his back and Samantha curled up against his side, her hand gently stroking his side. "Did you really have a good night?"

Yawning quietly, she turned slightly and kissed his chest. "Yes, it was perfect."

He smiled into the darkness, feeling peaceful all the way down to his toes as he kissed the top of her head. Gabe shifted and tugged for the sheets they were laying on. Samantha twisted until the fabric came undone and he pulled it over their bodies. On the verge of sleep he spoke quietly. "Next time, lets have a sleepover at my house."



Reading the Defense Ch. 04



Round four. Are you ready for some football? 

Red is my favorite color--I kid. Another huge round of thanks is in order to Estragon for looking over this chapter. Going two full pages without any edits, is cause for champagne! In all seriousness, you have been helping tremendously and I am very thankful.

Enough jabbering. 

As always, comments/feedback/suggestions are always welcomed.

****

The alarm intruded on his sleep on a Sunday morning in November. Barely moving, Gabe reached over to turn it off and attempted to stretch but was having a hard time with the body curled up next to his side. Tilting his head on the pillow, he peered down to see a slumbering Samantha, who had her cheek resting against his chest. It was five in the morning and Gabe had to get ready for the game at Pendicon Field later in the day. He rubbed a free hand over his eyes and was hesitant to get out of bed. Feeling his movement, Samantha scrunched her nose and moved her head against his chest, her eyes blinking open before turning up to his face.

With a sleepy smile and a gravelly voice, she whispered to him, "Good morning."

Gabe sighed, this was his favorite part of the day. Every day that started with her waking up with him in bed. Which lately, had not been often enough. "It's early, you don't have to get up yet."

A yawn broke past her lips. As she nodded-through her fatigue, her mouth opened, releasing the yawn without her thinking of it. 

"Will you wake me before you go?"

"Of course." Gabe melted at the sight of her but knew he needed to get out of bed before his body started to stir. Quickly shifting, he slid out and covered her with the sheets. Standing at the base of the bed, he watched as she turned into the spot he just vacated, curling her body into the sheets. Running a hand through his rumpled hair that stood out in tufts on one side, he made his way to the kitchen. The early morning routine always had to start with freshly brewed coffee. 

Gabe and Samantha had gotten into the habit of being together before or after many of his evening meetings; spending a full night had become something of a luxury. From her early morning starts to his all night strategy sessions he liked to think that they were surviving the season better than expected. He also liked to believe something that Ernie had been saying for weeks, he was loosening up. As a coach the guys were opening up to him on and off of the field; on game days he wasn't the typical bastard he had normally been labeled. Jokes started to pass from him, he patted the players on their backs as they completed successful passes and he even started to smile when points got up on the boards. Gabe knew he was becoming a better man because of the woman who was currently sleeping in his bed.

By six o'clock he walked over to the bed and sat down next to Samantha. The sheet was pulled up high to her shoulders and her dark hair spilled out all over the pillow. Somewhere in the night the sheets had been pulled from the bed and one of her feet was extended. Gabe ran a finger lightly up her leg until she disappeared back into the sheets. He leaned next to her and pushed the strands of hair away from her face. Falling out of her sleep, Samantha stretched out in the bed and looked up at Gabe who was smiling down at her.

"I look like a mess."

He leaned down and kissed her soft lips, she reached with a hand and held it against the side of his face. "You look beautiful to me."

Smiling at him, she nodded toward the door of the bedroom. "I have some gummy worms in my bag for you. I think you forgot about them when we went to the store last night."

Gabe nodded; he had forgotten about the candy and warmed inside knowing she had been thinking about him, even before coming over for the night. "Thank you, I'll grab them on my way out."

Samantha smiled sweetly at him as she nodded back.

"It's going to be a cold one out there. I think they said in the single digits. Did you and Camille decide on where you two are sitting?"

"Oh god, I completely forgot to ask her yesterday." Sitting up, she pulled the sheets up to her chest. "I think she wants to sit outside, so I figured I'd stop at home first to grab a coat and see if she can pick me up there."

"Okay." Gabe leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. "I've got to go. I'll see you out on the field."

Samantha nodded and rose up to her knees to kiss him one last time before he turned to leave. As she watched him go, she waited for a minute before climbing slowly out of his bed. Since that night back in September, sometime during the evening and in between sessions of them making love, something had shifted between them. Both Gabe and Samantha had silently found a balance in their relationship. They both understood that there was something building with them, something that they both craved, and they weren't going to give up without fighting for it.

They began spending as much time together as they could, but with her school schedule and his practices or meetings, it wasn't easy. Up until the season had officially kicked off, the Cougars' schedule was wild but manageable. Late night meetings had not begun until the first game in September. Gabe started to bring game film home with him to review there instead of the screening room whenever he could. They took advantage of the month by going out or staying in, getting to know each other better. Samantha and Liz even arranged a double date with Dave and Gabe right before Halloween. On the way to the restaurant, she had been comforted by the fact that Gabe was anxious in meeting her closest friend. She had always looked at him as a man who never failed to be anything but confident, and impressing Liz, who was basically her family in the area, had made the man sweat bullets. 

In the months since they'd met, she could no longer think about what her life would be like without him. During their time together he started to fill her every need, while she also became the person he turned to. Gabe challenged her with his intelligence and made her laugh and smile at everything. But more importantly, he made her feel sexy and vibrant, as if she'd only half existed until they'd met. His voice turned her body to liquid and she had to bite her lip and think about other things, trying to avoid naming the feeling of what she knew deep down was brewing.

Samantha was still cautious with game days and had to keep reminding herself that Gabe had a certain way about how things got done. She respected his rigid routines, and even thought that they had come a good way since the first home game. Even so, she was still glad she had someone to sit with during the minutes of playtime and thanked god for Camille. The woman had been questioned to death as their relationship had gone from casual to serious in a record breaking two seconds.

As she grabbed her belongings and began making her way to the front door, she paused near the kitchen. The evening before, Gabe and Samantha had cooked together in the kitchen and she had noticed the addition to the island but had gotten caught up in conversation and Gabe's intoxicating kisses that she forgot to say anything about it. A reflection from the morning light off of a vase caught her attention; Samantha wandered over to the island in the center of the kitchen to see what it was. A giant smile cut across her face as she saw a bundle of hydrangeas on the granite counter top, a handwritten note rest perfectly under the squared glass vase.

Have fun with Camille. Wait for me after the game. 

With the pad of her fingers, she touched the petals of the flowers. Fighting back the tightness in her chest and the forming moisture behind her eyes, Samantha gave a deep sigh of pleasure. With the note in hand, she nodded her head and walked to the front door to grab her purse. The first couple of games were definitely tough pills to swallow, but Gabe seemed to be adding her to his pre-game rituals. If the Cougars won, they would go to dinner with the Devlins. Had the team found themselves beaten, she would go home leaving him to his late night power sessions, knowing she would see him for a few minutes before his night really began. Snatching her keys from her purse that lay by the front door, she noticed that the gummy worms that had been packed for him in case of an emergency, or loss of memory, or anything else, were gone.

****

"Velesques got the go ahead from Dr. Simmonds. They're giving him a shot of cortisone and then going to tape him up. You want to play him or what?"

"I want to bench him for the first quarter to make sure he's okay, then we can see how it goes from there," Gabe said to Tony Soliano as the men made their way out of the locker room. The two men talked for a few minutes before Tony jetted off in the direction the equipment room. Zipping up the heavy red and grey coat, he stood inside of the tunnel savoring every second of the warmth but knew the minute he was out on the field, the rush of the adrenaline would keep his body heated.

Gabe twisted his neck and tapped the clipboard against his hip, the movement jarring the bag of gummy worms that were being held by the board's clip. A broad grin filled his face remembering Samantha earlier, reminding him to grab them before he left. Over the past couple of months, he had forgotten to buy a bag of the candies before heading out onto the field which seemed out of place from his rigid routine. The first time he forgot the candy, the Cougars had lost by nearly ten points. Ernie had turned to him and shook his head, a knowing expression in his face. Samantha was the only person he had ever told the story about his nephew to apart from his family, and after the first loss she knew his routine was off. That was when she had started to carry an extra bag in her overstuffed purse. Today was not the first time he had reached into her bag for that bag of candy either.

He loved spending as much time with her as he could, but with the season rapidly approaching the playoffs their time together was getting lessened every week. While they still talked on the phone every day, they weren't able to see each other quite as often as either would like.

Disruptive students and conferences with parents had been the major dent in her rather predictable schedule. Gabe laughed when she called him one night and left a voicemail, she sounded stressed out and so cute over an incident involving a couple of her students. He would have given anything to have been there for her but was stuck in a screening room with Tony locking in a few plays to test out on key players. He couldn't imagine her not laughing, and to hear her voice sounding almost vulnerable filled him with emotion. Something he had been trying to keep at bay now popped out at the most inopportune times.

A few of the players started to punch the air and were shouting encouragement to each other, Gabe grinned at them and patted a few of their backs as he made his way on the field. Walking to his customary spot behind the benches, he grabbed a gummy worm and thought about that first game he'd invited Samantha to come to. God, he'd been such an ass to her but he didn't know how to deal with it all. Gabe had wanted her here at the stadium, wanted her to see him doing the work he loved almost more than anything, but having her so close distracted him and broke his concentration. When Samantha and Camille had moved down to the seats near the benches, he didn't have to look up to know she was there. He felt her presence, and forced himself to focus on the game. Later, after the game ended and he was grabbing the footage, he was so caught up in figuring how he could get the film home to wondering if he could spend a few hours coaxing her into his bed, she called. The way he'd left her brought him shame and he told her to leave only because, for the first time in years, he was embarrassed to face someone. Face someone that he had let down. And she wasn't just someone.

As she attended and watched more games, he had started preparing himself to loosen up. Gabe remembered what Camille had said back at her cookout in August. Samantha calmed him, and he needed to use that for when she came to the games. 

The players were jumping up and down, getting ready for the anthem to start. Gabe glanced down at his watch and then quickly over to the section where Samantha would be sitting, if she and Camille decided to be outside. The seats were filled, but not with Samantha or Camille. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed the gummy worms from the clipboard and shoved a couple of strings into his mouth. Chewing with determination his eyes moved to the field and set as the game was about to begin. 

Whispering to himself he closed his eyes. "We got this."

****

Samantha leaned against the glass of the viewing box overlooking the field. With the temperature dropping and the winds drifting in from the lake, Camille suggested they stay inside. For the game, she had layered a couple of loose sweaters together and belted them to add a little shape. With the wind chill, she knew leggings were a safe bet and counted on a black pair that fell into her faithful leather boots. As she had started to attend more of the Cougars' games, she realized that some of the women dressed up as if they were in a Nieman's catalogue and were out to impress. This was something that her credit card would not allow, nor could she be bothered. At first she had been intimidated by some of the group and had gone out of her way to make small friendships with a few. Some of the others, she could do without. As one glass of wine turned into four bottles between some of the spouses and girlfriends, Samantha tuned out the exaggerated conversations and flashy competition between them and focused on what was important. She enjoyed coming out to the games to watch Gabe do what he did best, and didn't care if she came out in sweats or decked out in a new outfit. At the end of the day, it was about football and the excitement. For a few hours she got to be part of something he loved, and she found herself starting to open up to it more. It was also about being herself.

"I am so glad we're sitting inside, with the holiday coming up I would rather call in sick for an extra day off instead of being stuck in bed with a stuffy nose."

"I know what you mean. I think it's even supposed to rain a little today. Do you see this—" Camille pointed to her straightened hair, "surviving any kind of rain?"

Samantha laughed at her, "I like your hair when it's curly. At least your curls don't make you look like a beach bum." 

As the room's server came over and left their cups of wine, Camille couldn't hold back her laughter. "Beach bum--only you would say that. For the record, you do not look like a beach bum. Maybe a street straggler or a coach stalker, but, no, not a bum."

Nodding at the plastic cups both women insisted on while watching the games in the viewing boxes, Samantha raised her eyebrows and scoffed playfully. "Seriously?"

Camille raised her cup and nodded, "Please. Of course, seriously!"

Samantha grabbed her cup and raised it to tap Camille's. "To tailgating—with class." 

Over the past few months, the two women had formed a tight friendship with each other and had even formed their own superstitions. They sat together during home games and talked with some of the other women, but also got together when the Cougars had away games. Camille kept things in perspective for Samantha and as her relationship with Gabe had started to get more intense, having someone to turn to who understood the ups and downs was comforting. 

Knowing immediately that Liz would get along with the woman next to her, she had put together a night out for all of her friends and asked Camille to come along. By the end of the night, everyone had been swapping stories, laughing hysterically about absolutely nothing and eagerly waiting for their next outing. 

Camille tossed a piece of popcorn at Samantha. "So, is it me or are you going to say what's going on?" 

Samantha turned and blushed as Camille laughed at her innocent response. "What's going on?" She moved back from the glass and sat next to Camille in one of the chairs facing the field. 

Camille crossed her legs in the chair and waited impatiently. "Spit it out girl."

Giving in to her rising excitement, she had to share. "Gabe surprises me every single day, I don't know what it is but he'll do something that comes out of left field."

"You mean the sidelines?" Camille joked.

"You're terrible."

Camille took a sip of her wine and set her cup down on the table. "Well, they must be good surprises by the look of you."

Samantha smiled over her shoulder at Camille as she watched a few friends of the other coaches enter the room, she smiled at them. "I hadn't seen him for a week until last night, when I went over to his house he had flowers in the kitchen." She remembered the hydrangeas on the island and couldn't suppress her joy in seeing them. "I don't know why, but I think he got them before I even thought about coming over for the night." 

"What do you mean? He bought you flowers and kept them out?"

"No, I think he bought flowers for himself, for his kitchen. Don't you dare say anything to Ernie. I meant to say something to him but...got a little distracted." Both women started laughing before she continued.

"Anyways, he left a note for me this morning right under the vase knowing I'd see them. It was cute, I don't know, it wasn't something I ever expected of him."

"Why would he get flowers?"

"I can't figure it out. I mean, he knows I love them. A few times when I've stayed over, we stopped at the store to get groceries for dinner, I've picked up bundles and placed them someplace in his house. But still."

"Marking your territory?" A bubble of laughter burst through Camille's lips.

"Oh my god, no way. I don't leave anything at his house, ever. Except I'd pick up some flowers here and there....god I am such a girl." Samantha did take note that Gabe left little bits of his things around her house all of the time. A shirt here, pair of boxers there, and even shaving gel in one of the bathroom drawers.

"A cute girl. What type of flowers were they?"

Sighing deeply, Samantha looked out toward the fields with dreamy eyes speaking in a quiet voice as the game started. "Hydrangeas, they're my favorite." 

Camille couldn't hold her own smile and looked out toward the glass, her thoughts drifting to the changes in Gabe Russell over the past couple of months. True, she had known him for four years and he had always been a happy guy, but come game days he was a force to be reckoned with and she, like many, avoided him. Since he had started dating Samantha he seemed more comfortable in his own skin, he laughed more but something she never thought she would see was that he laughed and talked more on game days. It was like Samantha was breaking through his carefully guarded wall that surrounded his football life and his body was telling him that was okay.

"You are lucky you got a note, Ernie shouts out from the bathroom for coffee and just as he leaves I have to kiss him twice on his cheek." Camille let out a breathless laugh. 

"It's because I put out." Both Camille and Samantha laughed until tears filled their eyes.

"These men. I guess we can say it out loud right..." Camille trailed off as the game started.

Samantha's focus shifted to the field as well, but answered her before losing her attention altogether. "They're worth it."

****

The Cougars fell behind in the third and ended up losing by three points. The stadium fell silent as the fans exited. Because of the loss, Samantha thought that Gabe would meet up with her briefly before locking himself up to review what went wrong with the team's game plan. A sense of surprise hit her as he made his way out to find her, the cloud of frustration that loomed over him disappeared the minute he got close to her side. 




Reading the Defense Ch. 04



A little over an hour later, Gabe was driving her home after they had dinner with Ernie and Camille. Throughout the dinner both couples exchanged stories from the game, each of the men grumbling when the topic of a post-game meeting that had been called off, was mentioned. Ernie was quiet while Gabe blamed the management for putting pressure in areas they should leave up to the coaches. The mood of the dinner had shifted several times and Samantha couldn't help but feel some of Gabe's aggravation in her own bones. He'd held Samantha's hand for the majority of the dinner and even leaned in close for a kiss a few times when the conversations lapsed, something both Ernie and his wife had caught seen and smiled from across the table.

As the truck weaved through the evening traffic leading out to the western suburbs, Samantha reached down to run her fingers along Gabe's hand as it rested on her thigh. "I'm sorry about the loss Gabe. You worked so hard this week."

"You have to lose some games." His jaw clenched as he remembered a particular play that he would have to study up and work with Jennings on, the kid never listened. "We should have had them."

Nodding her head she leaned over and kissed his cheek, Gabe turned to give her a sideways glance and tried to smile as best as he could. "About tomorrow night...."

"I'm looking forward to you meeting some of the other teachers."

He turned his palm up and held onto her hand. "With the loss, we're going to be buried with game film and one on ones."

Samantha looked confused, "but it's Monday. You never have evening meetings on Mondays."

He squeezed her hand and looked back over at her wounded eyes. "I know. It's different with this loss sweetheart. It was one of the reasons why tonight was optional. I'll make it up to you I swear."

She blew out a breath and Gabe felt her hand squeeze his back. All of her own preparations couldn't hide the hurt that crept its way into her heart. Looking over at him she gave a weak smile.

"It's your job Gabe, you don't have to make it up to me." Glancing away from him, she turned her attention back to the widow. "I knew this would happen at some point, I just wasn't ready I guess."

He pulled up to her house and turned off the engine. Twisting in his seat he pulled her close and kissed her lips, sweet with the mint she had been sucking. "I will make it up to you. Can I come in with you?"

She scoffed at his question and was greeted with the deep rumble of his laughter. Opening her door she scooted out and dashed to her front door with Gabe right behind her. As she started to unlock the door, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and started to rub them along her body. He pressed his front to her back and she felt the strength of his thick arousal straining against his pants and fighting its way to press against her.

"I have neighbors Mr. Russell, very nosy neighbors." Gabe nibbled her neck adding a few extra seconds to her failing attempt at opening the door.

"Well I guess that's a penalty against me, are you putting me into a timeout?" The lock gave way and she ushered him inside with a giggle, he'd decided was extremely sexy.

Tossing her purse on the floor she threw her arms around his neck and clamped her mouth up to his. His response was immediate and he lowered his large hands to her bottom, scooping her up. Her arms tightened and her legs wrapped themselves around him.

Gabe cursed softly as he moved them in her front room, as if reading his mind she wrenched her mouth from his and spoke breathlessly against his lips. "The stairs are too far...couch." The silk of her tongue teased him in the worst way, as it brushed his outer lips with its movement.

He growled at her request and thrust his tongue deeper into her mouth, all while walking them over to her couch. Trying to be gentle, he really did try to sit gracefully but as Samantha rocked her hips against his erection and her tongue darted in his mouth, he lost his footing and fell on the couch with her straddling him.

They broke apart and both started laughing at the ridiculousness of what had just happened. She looked behind her but seeing nothing through her blurred vision, she spoke first. "I knew I got this couch for a reason."

Gabe laughed at her but lost his train of thought as her pupils expanded, the light cast off from the moon pooled through the windows falling on her body delicately. He started to pull at her sweaters, aching to feel her burning skin.

"There's too many clothes." He spoke raggedly against her open mouth and stroked her giggle with his tongue. She lifted her arms as he pulled the garment over, keeping their mouths joined, her fingers gripping his shirt and pulling it up hard. Gabe noticed the vigor in her attempt to strip him, which only quickened his breathing and fueled his excitement. 

Samantha removed her tongue from his mouth and rested her lips against his, Gabe tried to coax her tongue back into his mouth but she resisted. He opened his eyes to see hers still closed. Just then her teeth sunk into his bottom lip causing his hips to jerk up. She opened her eyes and ran the tip of her tongue over his injured flesh.

"Playing rough?" Gabe's hands stroked the soft skin of her back, with nimble fingers he unhooked her bra letting it fall to the side of the couch.

Leaning forward, Samantha pressed her mouth to his ear and purred, "Just playing."

He groaned at her words and made an indecipherable sound as she rocked her pelvis against him, he wanted to play with her but wouldn't last long with her taunting. His head fell back against the couch at her movements and then suddenly he was alone. Gabe's eyes snapped open to look at Samantha as she stood in front of him. Slowly, she pulled the boots off and slid the leggings down her legs, kicking them to the side. His breath caught at her beauty, there she was standing in front of him with her breasts exposed and wearing very skimpy panties that did nothing but add a little color to her pale skin. She watched in satisfaction as Gabe's eyes darted all across her body. Placing her hands lightly on his splayed thighs, she started to kneel down in front of him. On the floor, she looked up at him then reached for the snap of his slacks.

Nothing could tear his eyes away from her as her clever fingers started tugging at the pants trying to get the opening undone. When she stopped and tapped his straining erection still fully tucked inside of his pants, letting her finger linger along the length of him, his eyes rolled back. She laughed seductively and reached up to pull his shirt over his head, her nails scraping him as the shirt inched further up his body. Gabe had started to break out into a sweat and once she got the shirt over his head, he stole her lips for a bruising kiss. Tearing away first, she tsk'd him with her index finger like the school teacher she was.



"You've hurt my feelings real bad coach, and I've thought it over. I think I need to make it up to you." Gabe laughed at how she had turned the tables, but that laughter turned into a loud groan as she dropped the zipper of his pants and pulled the heavy weight of him out with her hands. Looking up into his eyes, she smiled, and then lowered her lashes and her mouth on him, dropping light kisses on the shining head. Gabe's hips jerked up at the contact of her moist lips, one of her hands pressed him back down to the couch. Wrapping her kiss-swollen lips around the head, she swirled her tongue, starting at the top and trailing down his rigid length. One of her fingers directed a path of its own on the opposite side she was stroking with her tongue. He moaned at the contact of her mouth and hands on him as she took her time. His eyes rolled back, as his head fell back against the cushions. Her free hand moved and stroked his thigh before she brought it up and ran the palm along his burning chest, trailing her nails through the mat of hair. Sweet humming sounds of pleasure escaped her throat, pulling Gabe from his feeling of ecstasy. His eyes flickered open as she released him. She trailed moist kisses from his groin up to his neck until she settled herself back in his lap. 

Forgetting about keeping things gentle, he pulled her tightly and kissed her hard, moving his hands between them to push her panties to the side. Samantha broke from the kiss with a cry at the touch of his fingers. Gabe buried his face in her neck and guided her body up.

"I need you Sam. God, I need to feel you." The words were tight as they fell from his lips. Samantha looked down at him, to see such raw tenderness in his eyes; she welcomed the sight and knew he was seeing the same in hers. Through the haze of her lust, she needed him inside of her, filling her with his sex and heavy thrusts. She sank down onto him, his hands shaking as they gripped her hips, he began to guide them into a rhythm that lost its lust and became sacred.

Intensifying the rhythm, she moved rapidly on top of him grinding her pelvis, trying to feel him as deep as possible, her breasts rubbing against his chest. She was thankful he was wearing dress pants instead of jeans as her inner thighs were rubbing against them, bound to leave red burn marks but she didn't care. Gabe's large hands were holding her bottom keeping him inside her as she moved frantically on him. As her breathing quickened he dropped his hands and rubbed her where they were joined together. Samantha arched her back, squirming to get away and feel more of his cruel touch. Her body started to shake uncontrollably. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she moved faster until she felt the burst from deep within. Throwing her head back, her muscles tightened around him, clutching his sex as she cried out while her sensations exploded within her. 

While she was still vibrating from the orgasm, her muscles milking him, Gabe growled into her neck pulling her down while his hips pushed high up into her. As Gabe furiously took her body away from her, Samantha started to whimper as her body was quivering and close to another orgasm. Not willing to send her alone, Gabe gripped her breast and sought her lips. Thrusting deeply, she held onto his shoulders and tried to savor his tongue but couldn't fight the building sensation and tore her lips away. His chest heaved as she pushed her pelvis hard against him, wailing as her most sensitive part rubbed against him pushing her over. Feeling her fluttering around him, his body tightened and he answered her soft cry in a loud bellow before flooding her. Samantha stayed on top, holding him through his aftershocks until his body finally calmed. They stayed that way for some time, Gabe still buried deep within her while Samantha cradled his body with hers. His hands rubbed along the bumps of her spine, and he brought his face back up to hers.

Smoothing the hair from her eyes, he kissed her lightly before speaking. "That was fun."

Nodding, she smiled back at him before kissing his dimple. "I love that."

He looked at her quizzically, which caused her to laugh outright at him. "Your dimple goof. Every time I see it I want to kiss it." To prove her point, as the corner of his mouth kicked up and the dimple appeared she dropped her warm lips and fanned them across it.

Gabe was the first to yawn. As they disengaged their bodies and made their way to her bedroom Gabe reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together. Falling into the sheets she curled up against him before speaking.

"What time do you want me to set the alarm for you?" She rubbed her hands over the skin of his chest before dropping her lips to kiss the area next to her face.

Sighing with contentment he shut his eyes. "I'll get up with you and leave then." He squeezed her tightly and slipped his knee in between her thighs, bringing them closer together. 

Gabe was at the point of falling asleep when he felt Samantha's warm breath over his chest. In a light whisper she spoke quietly. "Okay, I forgive you."

Smiling, he turned and dropped a kiss to her head. Within minutes both of them had fallen asleep.

****

Samantha finally managed to escape her classroom the following day and change for the party, before meeting Liz in the parking lot. Of course she waited the typical 'on time' of fifteen minutes later than expected, which gave her ample time to touch up her own makeup. As Liz zipped into a parking stall and got out of the car, all Samantha could do was lift her eyebrows and laugh at the woman. When she told her it was a low-key evening of drinks, food and not a word about school; she figured to wear jeans or leggings. She should have known better. For a woman who did not get out very often apart from their monthly dinners and play dates, she had decided to really spruce herself up.

The chill of the early evening had her bundled in a light cream jacket, which wrapped nicely over what should have been a simple black cocktail dress. Flecks of light sparkled off her as she moved toward Samantha; several chunky necklaces had been layered along her neck catching the light in every move. The necklaces were filled with charms, beads and pearls making it stand out and the dress look runway worthy. The minute she got to the car, she realized her lip gloss was in the cup holder and quickly turned around.

"What could you possibly be forgetting?" Samantha's laugh trailed with the cool breeze.

"Lip gloss, you cannot go anywhere without having your lips done. Didn't your Mom ever tell you that?" Laughing, Liz slammed the car door and rushed to take a seat in the passenger side of Samantha's smaller vehicle.

"I seriously cannot believe I'm getting a lecture about lips when you have something smudged on your jacket." Samantha laughed as she pointed to the fresh food stain on Liz's left arm.

Laughing Liz retorted, "Sometimes I'd like to put up ultimatums on Dave. I swear that man. Right as I'm heading out--rushing to get here I might add--that is when he asks something he could have asked hours earlier." Liz dropped her voice in an attempt to imitate her husband. "Honey...." She gave a long suffering sigh. 

Samantha rolled her eyes and giggled, knowing exactly what she was talking about. Dave was a great husband, an incredible father, but he had his quirks. Just a week before when she had gone to their house for dinner, Dave had been practically out of his mind trying to find a proposal and when he did, he wished he hadn't. How the proposal had gotten into the hands of their son, still remained a mystery but it had and unfortunately for Dave, the papers had gotten covered with mashed butternut squash.

"Thanks for keeping me as your back up, this is going to be fun!"

"Anytime, and by the way you're not a back up, Liz. Well, okay maybe tonight you are but--, you know what I mean."

"So where's Mr. Fifty Yard Line tonight? In your message you said, it was a ladies night." Liz said as she pulled down the visor and applied the gloss to her lips.

Laughing at the nickname her sister had given Gabe, Samantha focused on driving. She had called Liz first thing in the morning to see if she wanted to go to the party that evening, since Gabe would be stuck at the Cougars' complex. "I should have never told you what Kelly calls him. He has meetings or something, I don't even know. Before he left this morning he said that he was probably going to be stuck at the complex all night. I honestly don't know how he does it; working for seventeen hours is crazy."

"Adrenaline. That and great sex-- I'm assuming." Liz tossed a sideways glance over at her friend.

"Jesus, Liz." Laughing, they both sobered as the car slowed at a stop light. Even from the passenger side Liz could feel a dip in Samantha's demeanor. After a silence fell between them while driving through the early evening traffic, Liz decided to break the ice.

"What's going on over there lady? The wheels are turning but you seem distracted," Liz asked with genuine concern.

"Nothing really, it's fine. I'm just being a girl." Samantha tried to camouflage her discomfort with laughter.

"Sam, what's up?"

"I was hoping that Gabe would have come out tonight. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited you're here because we'll have fun, but I also really wanted him to meet the people I work with. I don't know, to try and do something that wasn't all about football. The team has been on a losing streak, he takes it on himself and pushes that much harder. Between the away games and his meetings, we've barely seen each other lately." Heat flushed her neck, and Samantha immediately felt guilty for thinking so selfishly. 

"I'm sure he was hoping to go too. You guys don't do all things football though; you've gone out to dinners and a lot of other things that I do not want to know about. I'll leave that up to really trashy romance novels."

"I know, it's just that this is a lot harder than I thought." 

"Look Sam, you can't change the man. You've said it yourself that the season has its demands. What you can do, is do what you're already doing. Be there for him and keep giving him all you can, he seems to be giving you all he can right now. I mean, if the guy is working seventeen hours and then coming over to your house for a little late night playtime--he wins in my books."

A streetlight caught the smile that washed over Samantha's face as she turned to Liz. "Thanks Liz, you always know what to say."

"I know you don't like taking things one day at a time, but right now that's what you've got. And you've got it pretty good, so go with it. And stop your bitching!" She laughed and looked out of the windows as Samantha turned into a neighborhood.

At the sight of so many cars that filled the narrow streets, Liz and Samantha knew they were close. They ended up parking around the corner from where the party was, in a cul-de-sac where a basketball court stood abandoned. Reaching beyond the steering wheel, Samantha grabbed the post-it note with the house number and they started walking. Throughout the year, several of the teachers threw parties and faculty gatherings to keep some of them from going insane and feeling overstressed. They figured if they were surrounded by kids that weren't their own for more than four hours a day, they deserved a party.

Carolyn Bricklan, a petite woman with a voice of a world class debater, had been a teacher for seventeen years and was a vital staff member at the school. Samantha was thankful that their classrooms were two doors from each other. If she ever had questions, she could dart across the hall. Lately, there had been some troubles with disruptive students, giving her more than a few chances to do so. Carolyn lived in a quaint two story Victorian home that was in desperate need of a paint job. Something she complained about constantly, including the many other projects she wished her husband would do in his spare time. She was also a woman who enjoyed the simpler things in life. Like garden gnomes, dressed like cowboys.

"Please, tell me I'm awake right now." Liz said as they walked up the driveway.

"Oh, you are so awake."

"Oh my god, the woman has lawn accessories. I am loving this!" Liz's eyes were darting in every direction trying to see as much of the cluttered yard as she could.

"I knew she liked unusual things, but...wow."

Pointing to the Bigger and Badder—especially in Texas plaque near the front door, Liz couldn't hold her laughter any longer. "She better be from Texas."

Samantha giggled and had to admit the truth. "I asked her the same thing. You should see her classroom. She has knickknacks all over the place. Oh, and she has a cowboy thing."

"A what?"

"A cowboy thing, personally I'd say it's more of an infatuation with John Wayne but who's being specific. She hasn't even been to Texas ever." Looking over to the side of the house, Samantha whispered to Liz. "There is a copper horse over there."




Reading the Defense Ch. 04



Staring in disbelief over the massive welded creation Liz exclaimed, "Oh-my-GOD! I don't even know this woman and I already love her! This is going to be an absolute riot."

As soon as they walked through the front door, warm greetings from several of the other teachers and assistants from Samantha's wing were shouted out to them. Despite Carolyn's love of God's Country, the interior of the house was classic and both warm and welcoming. The aroma of very familiar comfort foods drifted through the hallway. As Samantha and Liz made their way into the kitchen to grab a drink, they both looked at the walls, filled with framed landscapes and figurines, and then back at each other before bursting into laughter.

"Who knew."

A tall, wiry man in his early forties came up behind Liz and Samantha stepped around her to give a warm greeting.

"Allan, this is my friend Liz. Liz, Allan teaches fifth grade." Allan extended his hand out and shook Liz's, squeezing it tightly.

"It's very nice to meet you Liz, I've heard a lot about you." Turning back to Samantha, he spoke over the music. "I see you made it out okay." Liz looked with open curiosity at Samantha with Allan's question.

"Yes, but you're breaking rules Allan. We're not supposed to talk shop here." He shook his head and laughed a little.

"I can't help it, you needed help and I'm glad I was there to be that person."

Taking a sip of wine much larger than necessary, Liz had enough of the small talk and wanted to know what they were talking about. "Can I be the Nazi of the party and smack everyone when work gets brought up?"

All three laughed before Samantha chimed in, glancing back and forth between Liz and Allan. "This morning one of my students got out of hand. It was awful, Liz if you could have been there. He started to throw his papers and then he smacked one of the other students. I didn't want to get rough but I had to get some help while he calmed down. Allan sat in with my students while all of this was going on."

"And you did fine, but enough school talk." Samantha saw someone waiving to Allan before he could continue. "My wife is signaling food, that's my cue." Samantha took a sip out of her own glass and nodded to him. Liz's eyes followed Allan and then turned to her friend.

"You know who he reminds me of? Rob. That guy who works with Dave, he has the comb-over."

Samantha tapped Liz's arm and laughed. "Slow down with the wine, Liz." She shook her head trying to compose herself. "You are so bad; he's a really nice guy."

"I don't doubt that, I was just saying. He really does remind me of him. Slight build, brown hair. Now if he drove a Prius, I think we found Rob's doppelganger." Liz laughed at the thought.

Soon enough, both women found themselves perched in the heated sunroom chatting with several of the other faculty members. Liz was deep in conversation with one of the assistants who also had a young child, while Samantha was talking with Carolyn and her husband. Naturally their conversation started with each of their classes and funny stories but turned to the more personal.

"Carolyn tells me you've been seeing someone new." Samantha blushed. Normally she kept her relationship status quiet, especially at work, but it was kind of hard to do that with some of Gabe's surprise visits.

"Yes, I'm sorry he couldn't be here to have met you." Samantha's smile dropped slightly, she had been distracted for most of the night and hadn't thought about Gabe until then.

"Is he out of town?" Carolyn had met Gabe briefly a couple of times and was curious about the man who seemed to be adding to Samantha's recent happiness.

"No, he had last minute meetings tonight so he couldn't make it."

"So what does he do again?" Carolyn nudged her husband in the shoulder.

"Smooth Kevin, very smooth." Samantha laughed with them before answering.

"It's okay really, even I can't believe it sometimes. He's a Receivers Coach for the Cougars."

"There has got to be some good perks out of dating someone like him." Kevin asked out of curiosity.

Smiling, Samantha said, "You have no idea. I had never been to one of their games before, the fans can get out of hand. It's all in good fun though."

"Sorry Samantha, but I'm a diehard Bears fan. As much as Rockford needed a boost, or the fact that having two clubs in the area is exciting as hell, I'm still angling to get a lifetime season pass at Soldier Field." Kevin spoke solemnly but all three laughed at his mock statement.

"My brother has been trying to talk me into having Gabe get him tickets to the rest of the home games this season. The man doesn't even live in state. It's tragic."

"Does he get a break for the holidays?" Kevin took a sip of his beer.

"The team is off for a few days right around Thanksgiving." That nervous feeling dug into Samantha, the same question had been a constant thought in the back of her mind as the holidays were approaching.

"Well, that will be nice for you then. Giving you both a couple of extra days to spend together."

She simply shrugged her shoulders, trying to figure a way of changing the subject. "Not really, I'm flying out to spend it with my family in Seattle. It's easier to travel during November than in December, before the weather shifts."

When she was at his house the last time, the holidays got brought up briefly while they sat together on his couch. Casually, she told him that she would be flying back to Seattle for a few days but would be staying in Chicago for Christmas. He had told her that his family met up at his parents' house in Michigan, but wasn't sure if he would make it up to see them or not. Taking a large sip of wine, she then licked her lips, wanting to change the subject. "What about you guys, isn't your son coming home from school?"

Carolyn answered as her husband got up to replenish one of the many food dishes. "Oh yes, Brandon has an entire week off. This reminds me, I'm having a substitute fill in for me. Will you keep an eye out on my class?"

Tilting her head slightly, she laughed at the request. "Of course Carolyn, but seeing as my track record with crazy students is kind of low right now I'm not sure if I'll pass the test."

Patting her hand, Carolyn spoke. "Samantha, you're better than you think you are."

By nine o'clock Liz turned a wild eye to Samantha, glancing at her friend to see what was wrong she saw the phone in her hand. Somewhere in the evening, Dave had called his wife at least eight times. It was in the car when Liz laughed through all of the messages. Even turning the volume up on her phone so Samantha could hear the frenzied state he had been in, when he couldn't figure out how to work the nebulizer. She dropped Liz off at the school to retrieve her car and ended up at home in no time.

Crashing on the couch in pajama shorts and a tank top, Samantha had scattered a few papers around her floor attempting to get a couple of hours work done. With Gabe's away games or night meetings he tended to call her late, she had fallen into the habit of either staying awake and using that time to work or take warm baths. Tonight, she decided to work and was having a hard time focusing.

She couldn't deny that she and Liz had a blast at the party, as shots of god only knows what were circulating and dancing started in the front room, it became an undeniably successful night. When Liz had called back letting her know she would be free to come out, she had gotten overly excited. Being out and feeling free to talk about anything and everything with another group of people was fun. Not that she didn't love her time with some of the women from the team, let alone her time with Gabe, but this felt good. She had not realized how much football had begun to be part of her life. Samantha knew Gabe's schedule better than she knew her own; on more occasions than one she had rearranged her schedule just to spend an hour with him, even if all he talked about was football.

It felt good, but it also felt wrong. When several of the people had asked where Gabe was, she felt like she had been missing something. Knowing Liz was there was one thing, but she didn't feel like she was fully enjoying herself because she knew he would have enjoyed the night off and had a good time too. He had been so tired the night before and when they were in her bed, he curled himself tightly around her as if he'd never let her go and slept soundly. Samantha had gotten used to feeling his warm body, having it close even if it only lasted for a couple of hours. Sipping her tea, she toyed with the edge of a piece of paper as the telephone rang. She looked at the display and saw Gabe's name. In that moment she was torn between her feelings.

Samantha wanted to answer the telephone, wanted to talk to him and describe the house and the party. She craved to hear the rumble of his laughter, that undoubtedly would sound tired. But she also didn't want to talk to him, and that surprised her more than anything. As the phone continued to ring, she looked at it and let the call go to voicemail. She was missing him deeply but didn't want to upset him or make him feel guilty for something he had no control of. In that moment, she didn't have control of her emotions and knew it was best that she wait until the next day before she could speak with him. When the phone signaled a new message, she immediately listened to it.

Hey Sam, I was hoping to catch you before you fell asleep to see how the party was. I'm sure you and Liz had a great time. Dave, I'm guessing not. Now all I can think about is you in bed, curled up in the covers and feeling warm. I wish I was with you right now. I'll call you tomorrow sweetheart, sleep well. I miss you.

Damn that man, she needed to let go of her own insecurities. If he could, he would have been there. She could hear it in his voice. Taking another sip of tea, Samantha smiled as her heart swelled. Pushing the papers back together, she would call him first thing in the morning before he went to work out. Feeling good at the thought, Samantha took a deep breath and knew tomorrow would be a better day.

****

By Thursday, they were finally able to get together. Between a last minute meeting after one of the players pulled a muscle and her emergency parent conference for a troubled student, Gabe and Samantha had not had a chance to see each other all week. Gabe would be flying with the team the following morning for the game before the holiday, and wanted to be with Samantha before he left. When he called her the night before, she seemed more upset than he'd ever heard her. Half way through their conversation she asked him if she could call him back, he agreed but couldn't let go of the nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach. Forty minutes later, he was still sitting in the screening room, not paying attention to the action overhead when she called back. 

Having to punish a child was hard enough but adding in angry parents, it had really taken a toll on her. Not only had the child been hurtful and violent against another student, but the parents had treated her as if she were a child and were out of line with her. She told him that the principal had to be called in to assist her which made her feel less of a teacher. When she finished telling him everything, he was shaking with anger. Anger over how someone would treat her like that, but really he was angrier that he could do nothing to help her except be supportive. Of course she laughed him off, and when he asked to come over she said no, needing that time to collect herself. 

As they snuggled up on her couch, practice footage filled the small screen in front of them. Gabe sat with his legs on the coffee table while he took notes; Samantha got comfortable surrounding herself in his masculine scent as she lay next to him with her cheek resting on his lap. The season was getting closer to ending for her, but for Gabe things were just starting to heat up. The Cougars had been having a horrible season and were tied at fourth place in their conference, most of his time had to be devoted to strategizing. Which meant less time to play after school. She was more than excited when he said he'd bring film over with him; she could almost hear the need in his voice to be with her. Spending hours watching game film was something she could do without but it was giving her the chance to be with him, so she took it. 

In her comfortable perch, a yawn broke from her mouth. Before running his fingers through her hair, Gabe tucked a pen behind his ear. "Someone's tired."

"Mmm, I'm fine." She stroked his thigh softly, trying to adjust her eyes to the brightness of the television screen.

"...Sam."

She was hesitant to say anything, but the words left her mouth before she could think twice. "I'm not ready to leave you yet."

He laughed, "You're not leaving me. I'll be in there soon."

Sighing, "It's not the same, I'm fine. Really." Samantha sat up defiantly and took a sip of water, as if to prove that would help keep her eyelids open. Gabe laughed and turned his attention back to study the screen.

With her eyes following his, she nodded at a player, "How's your guy doing?"

Gabe was completely engrossed in his notes and didn't hear her, despite being next to her. Pulling her knees to her chest, she tucked her toes under his thigh jarring his attention. Samantha asked, again but kept her eyes on the screen. "Marcus is so fast, he cut just right."

He smiled at her, "Since when are you interested in Jennings?"

She turned to face him, "Since you hijacked my television." Gabe draped an arm around her, and then kissed her nose. He knew it wasn't the best of nights, but at this point in their relationship they didn't care how or when they got together. So long as they did get together. Both were making huge efforts, but he knew it was getting increasingly difficult for her and was doing his best to be with her every chance he got. While they were sitting, he reached over for the remote to rewind for a footing check when a thought popped into his head.

Pointing at the television, he punched a button and the screen darkened. "We need to go out."

"What? Gabe, it's past midnight."

He laughed, "No, not right now. You need sleep first."

Samantha squeezed his side, "So do you."

"I'll sleep in February." She scoffed at him. "This is crazy, and definitely not how I'd imagine a night with you."

She laughed, "Gabe, I'll take you any way I can right now. You know this. If that means a Thursday night nitro and an intermediate class on football, well I'm obviously signed up."

"Yeah, well I'm not. The day my girlfriend notices how a player arches for a ball is the day we fix that sh-" Samantha covered his mouth with her fingers, quieting the sound immediately.

"Save it for the field, coach." One of the many things she had gotten used to was that Gabe had a filthy mouth. He yelled, screamed and cursed up a storm. While on the field. In the bedroom, she paid no never mind to it and loved when he growled something deliciously graphic in her ear. In the nights that they talked while he was still watching film or just wrapping a meeting, he would forget and curse without thinking. Gabe knew she was being playful with him despite the hour. His eyes widened as she placed a little kiss over her fingers as they rested over his lips. 

That night he followed her into her bedroom and sank into her body, making love to her in a timeless rhythm. They moved together as one, each deep thrust remained gentle and took their passion to another level. Afterward, Gabe lay awake facing Samantha. He watched as her brow furrowed in her sleep. His own body begging for a rest, he knew that while he was awake he should slip out of bed and spend another hour getting notes ready for the morning practice. He didn't want to think about running out routes or connecting the run game with the pass game. Gabe only wanted to curl up with Samantha and fall into sleep, dreaming of her. His eyes started to droop, just as he was reaching to pull the covers higher over their bodies he figured out the perfect place to take her on their date as soon as he got back into town.

**** 

"Oh my god, you're alive!" Liz shouted out to Samantha as she walked into the house, fully decorated with bright streamers and helium filled balloons. 

With her hands full, Samantha shouted greetings out to Dave's mother Marian and a few others that were already sitting in the front room. Making her way to the kitchen, she retorted. "That's not funny."

"Yeah it is, and you know it. Do you know seeing you lately is kind of like making an appointment with the dentist?"

Putting one of the platters down, she looked over at Liz mockingly. "The dentist? Really Liz?"

"The dentist, or sex therapist." Her voice, definitely above a whisper.

"Shh Liz, my god!"

"Oh don't shh me. I think it's pretty great, but I miss my friend...and part time babysitter." Liz pulled the cellophane off of the tray of roasted vegetables Samantha had brought in with her.

Leaning her hip against the counter, Samantha let out a sigh. "I can still babysit, whenever you want Liz. There's a string of away games next month, you and Dave could use a date night."

Waiving her hands, Liz started to laugh. "Listen to you!"

"I'm offering my services and you're laughing at me. Seriously Liz, I think you should get therapy – maybe with this sex therapist you're having a hard time making an appointment with." Samantha couldn't hold her own laugh back."

"Smarty pants. Do you even realize some of the things you say sometimes?"

"What are you talking about?"

Liz laughed as she rearranged the food on the tray. "You don't, that's too funny. You talk about football."

"I do not."

"Yes, you do. Not all of the time, but you'll say something that you've obviously connected in your mind and say it. Like just now, you're thinking about the football schedule and your schedule. "Liz looked up and smiled at her friend.

"Oh my god, I do! That's awful." Samantha was genuinely surprised, but knew Liz was right. How many times had she found herself talking to someone about how other teams had fallen in their conferences? Or even looked forward in getting an update on an injured player she had met briefly at a dinner function with Gabe.

Liz nudged her with a free shoulder, "it's not awful. I think it's wonderful. All of your talk about how you don't see Gabe or he cancels on your dates, this shows how involved you are. Nope. It's not awful."

Shrugging off what Liz was saying, Samantha started putting together a plate with silverware and napkins. "Sorry I'm so late, I forgot to dust the crumb cake and remembered as I started to drive off."

"Don't worry about it. Dave isn't even on his way yet."

For the party, she made the provencal potato salad that Dave always begged for whenever there were gatherings. Knowing that Liz was putting together oven roasted chicken and a pot roast, she roasted vegetables. Out of all of the dishes, she was most excited over the blueberry cake and had a feeling it would be devoured the minute the first slab was cut. As she put the finishing touches to the salad, the doorbell started to ring and the guests began to arrive. Dave's birthday wasn't until the following week; Liz had wanted to throw a party before the holiday, while everyone was still in town to help him turn thirty. Marian came into the kitchen with Trent in her arms, turning to Liz she spoke.

"Bill just called, they're on their way back now."

Liz walked over and kissed her son on the top of his head, "Thanks Marian." As the older woman shuffled out of the room, Liz turned to Samantha. "Marian literally got here a few minutes after Dave left this morning. It's a wonder he didn't know something was going on."




Reading the Defense Ch. 04



Samantha's laugh was curious. "Do you think he knows?"

"No way, he's completely oblivious. I dyed my hair this week and do you think he noticed that?" Samantha shrugged her shoulders, smiling at her friend as she removed the foil from a dish with the chicken breasts. 

"Have you figured out next week?"

"I think so." Liz arched an eyebrow at her. "He'll probably stay and work, a few of the other coaches are staying close because there's a game next Sunday." Samantha's voice was casual as a sense of acceptance finally appeared. Liz just stared at her. "What?"

"Nothing. Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah, I guess I have to be. This is what he has to do, but I wish he could take a day or something and just let go."

"Sam, what's going on? I thought you were getting better with things?" Liz gave a pointed look while pulling another tray of food from the refrigerator.

"I am, I swear. It feels different with a holiday tossed into the mix. It would have been nice to have spent some extra time with him but this is okay. I can't be selfish with him. At least, this is what I am telling myself. Gabe needs the time to do what he has to do. That, and my tickets were non-refundable, I can't afford to just throw them away to stay here."

Liz could hear the uncertainty in her friend's voice and knew she was trying her best to understand her boyfriend's lifestyle. Wiping down the counter, she jokingly said over her shoulder, "When does the season end again?"

"Tomorrow?" Both women laughed, but quietly Samantha hoped that the time would pass quickly until the season ended. Soon enough, the guests started arriving filling the small house to capacity. Just as Trent had gone for a nap, Dave walked in through the front door. As if he could have planned a better time to wake his son. Everyone in the house shouted birthday greetings, tossed streamers at him and filled the room with booming laughter. While Dave and Liz hugged each other and walked throughout talking to each group, Samantha excused herself to the kitchen to catch a breath. She took a second to remind herself that she was there to celebrate Dave, not to dwell. The nagging feeling of resentment for being alone tried to inch its way on her face but she wouldn't allow it. 

She couldn't resent something he loved, it wasn't fair and was undeserved. Gabe would have been there if he could; she believed this. Holding onto that feeling, she took a sip of water and worked her way back into the room to celebrate. 

****

A couple of weeks back, Samantha had been telling Gabe about a project she was trying to encourage her students with. She had always been interested with astronomy and the alignment of planets; since graduating university she knew at some point she would work the solar system into her curriculum. He remembered when he was in Philadelphia how she explained a constellation project using the lid of an oatmeal container. Samantha's voice had been so animated it caused him to laugh. She smirked back at him, reminding him of a certain phone call he had called her almost screaming with excitement after a major feat against San Francisco. After talking to a few of the front office secretaries the morning the Cougars were back from Landover, he found out that the planetarium hosted events certain weeknights. The only trouble was that the holidays were around the corner and the event had been postponed until after the new year. Even so, he broke away from the evening meetings on Tuesday to be with her.

Their time had been sparse over the past week and a half with an away game and Dave's party. Because she would be flying out the next afternoon, he figured the night was perfect. Gabe wanted to take advantage of the evening and knew as Samantha walked into his house with an extra bag filled with clothes, she did too.

"Are you cold?" Gabe clutched Samantha's hand in his own and squeezed lightly.

She reveled in how strong his hand felt whenever he held hers, and gave a hum of pleasure. "No. It's a gorgeous night. The sky is perfect."

Sighing deeply, he spoke "What I really wanted to do for you was to take you inside, let you see the stars exactly how you wanted, but the schedule was closed until January."

Samantha looked over at Gabe as they walked along Lakeshore Drive. "I'm seeing them exactly how I want to." She smiled coyly at him. "Plus, I can't really see much because I'm too happy you took a few hours off and haven't mentioned a player's name once." She covered her mouth, causing her smile to drop as if she meant to keep that silent.

Gabe stopped walking; turning to her he held her face in his palms. "You are amazing, do you know that?"

Samantha tried to shake her head, but with his hands holding it in place, it made the task difficult. Instead, she dropped her lashes and looked back up at him while biting her lip. "I didn't mean to say that."

He smiled at her, "Yes, you did. And that's okay." Gabe pulled her close and kissed her, gently rolling his tongue against hers. Pulling away, he rested his forehead against hers before speaking barely above a whisper. "I'm happy too."

They continued to walk along the path, the cool November breeze keeping them company. For several long minutes they walked in comfortable silence, enjoying the evening together. As they approached a bench she asked if he wanted to sit down for a little while, when he agreed and sat, she curled her body next to him molding the two of them together.

The night sky was clear and bright as the stars twinkled above. For all of the years that she had been in the area, she had never walked along the lake taking in the sky like this before and was soaking up the incredible view. When Gabe had left a message for her earlier in the day, his voice was so eager it sounded just as it had the first time they spoke. Having him move a few things around, in order for them to spend time together before she flew out of town was adding more reasons to the invisible list she had created. A silly list that reminded her of all the great things they had together, a list that she needed to remember for all of the times she got upset over extended meetings, his foul temper after a loss and away games.

As a few boats cruised slowly in front of them, Gabe turned his head to kiss Samantha on the top of her head. She snuggled deeper into his side, and knew that now was the best time to talk about the one conversation both had avoided for weeks.

"Gabe, have you figured out what you're going to do over Thanksgiving?" 

"I'm still not too sure. I might just take advantage of the time and get caught up on sleep instead of getting away to work on improving plays."

Samantha stayed silent for a moment, trying to build up enough courage to ask him a question that had been burning deep within her for weeks. A question her family had been probing her on, in all hopes of meeting the infamous Gabe Russell.

"Won't your family miss you if you don't go up to see them?"

"They know how it is, and don't really expect to see me until maybe the game after New Years Day." He rested his chin on the top of her head, the wind blowing strands of her soft hair across his lips.

"You know...I mean...I leave tomorrow—"

"And come back on Saturday."

Smiling, she lifted her face to kiss his neck. "Yes, three long days. But that's not what I was saying. Um, if you wanted to...you could..."Taking hold of the dwindling confidence in her body she dove in. "If you wanted to, you could come to Seattle with me. I mean, if you weren't going to go anywhere and if flights are still available." She paused trying to regain the strength in her tongue. "The offer still stands Gabe, you're more than welcome to come."

Gabe craned his neck to look down into her big blue eyes, "Are you asking me out?" She nodded her head before burying it in his neck, laughing at the same time. He barely heard a muffled 'yes' somewhere in between her giggles. "How long did you practice saying that?"

"Longer than you need to know." She answered honestly, knowing this man saw through her as no one else had before.

"I'd love to come out with you sweetheart." Hope raced through her at his words.

"You would?" Gabe ran a finger down her cheek and leaned close to kiss her softly on the lips.

In a husky whisper, "Yes I would, but I can't go far right now. I know you want me there, and I want to be there, but I just can't."

Samantha couldn't hide the disappointment rising, clear as the ocean waters in her widening eyes. "What would you be risking Gabe?"

As he smoothed strands of hair behind her ear he answered her, trying to get her to understand the technicalities. "It's not really risking, I've never gone away during this short of a break. With Christmas, I think there's at least five days for a break but still." 

"So that makes a difference, two days?" Her tone stayed muted, but Gabe knew she was hurt by his rejection that wasn't really a rejection.

"Sweetheart, I want to be with you—"

Her hurt was finally being voiced, "So why don't you? I know you don't want to fly, I can cancel my flight and stay here with you."

"No, your family would hate that." He looked sheepishly at her, "And I would feel guilty for you not being with them as you planned." 

"Why does this have to be so hard sometimes?"

"It's only for a little bit longer, you'll have me for all of the time you want just as soon as the season is over. I promise."

She didn't want to sulk but she wasn't excited at their separation, Samantha kept on with Gabe. "I know, but it seems like the perfect opportunity to sneak away. Just the two of us, you know what I mean?"

Just then, a chilled breeze cut through them and Gabe shivered down to his bones. He wanted to believe the wind made him shiver but knew Samantha was also part of it. "Sam, it's an opportunity. Not the perfect opportunity."

Wrapping her arms around his waist, trying to curl into his warmth she spoke. "You know that drives me crazy." She laughed lightly while he raised his eyebrow at her. "How you answer like that."

"Like what?"

"Like I should know when the perfect opportunity is with you, and start planning. That's what." She couldn't help but laugh at him; he was trying to make the mood light and still fun because he knew how much this bothered her. Samantha was comforted by knowing that, so she was willing to let it go. She would go back to Seattle and he would—well--do what he had to do.

Probably watch game film on the couch in his boxers.

The thought made her smile, Gabe felt her face tighten against his shoulder and tipped her chin up to him. "Who knows, maybe I'm planning something for this perfect opportunity."

A bubble of laughter erupted from her, Gabe couldn't help but laugh with her. They both knew he was too busy to be planning anything apart from setting his alarm every morning. Or maybe not. 

Samantha wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him; Gabe cradled her close to his chest and held her like that for several long moments. He had wanted tonight to be something far from the typical but also didn't want to be anywhere near other people except to be surrounded by her. With the previous weekend he had been in Washington facing another grueling match that didn't bode well for the Cougars, making him miss Dave's party. They'd talked on the phone afterwards and Gabe could hear the laughter in Samantha's voice and wished he could have celebrated with them. Deep down, Gabe knew he needed to stay close and maybe go up to Michigan for the day. His mind told him so, while his heart and something else told him to get on a plane and follow Samantha out to be with her family. 

Gabe had never gone anywhere over the short holiday since he had been coaching. The timing was never right, traveling long distances was never a chance he wanted to take, should anything happen in that short period. Not only that, but he traveled enough as it was and to spend that time on a plane wasn't ideal. Despite it all he told himself to wait, knowing that for the Christmas holiday Samantha would be in Chicago. What she didn't know, was that he had been talking with his family and been planning on asking her to come up and stay with him then. They would have more time together and it would give her a chance to meet his family. But of course Gabe had wanted to meet her family, and knew that visit would have to wait until the off-season.

They started walking back toward the section where his truck was parked. Something had been on Gabe's mind and he couldn't wait any longer to ask Samantha a question.

"Seems I'm going to have to come out and just ask you."

"Ask me what?"

Squeezing her hand, "The last few times you've been over, was there anything that was different?"

Her heart started to race, she wanted to speak but speech had deserted her. Looking up into his face, she noticed the soft glitter in his dark brown eyes. Slowly she shook her head, hoping she knew the answer, wishing she knew what he was going to say.

His voice dropped low, "The flowers."

Samantha's heart stopped. She knew it, knew he had gotten them for a reason. A huge smile spread across her face, her eyes widening with excitement. "Yes, I did!"

Gabe frowned, when he spoke his voice faltered sounding completely unlike himself. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Samantha couldn't hold back the bubble of laughter, she squeezed his hand tightly in between both of hers and stopped walking. "You are a very distracting man."

"Distracting or persuasive?" A smile tugged at his face.

"A little bit of both. When I saw the hydrangeas in your kitchen, it threw me off guard. I couldn't believe you had gotten them. And then I saw some more flowers near the front door tonight and knew something was up. Why did you get them?"

Gabe took a deep breath. "They make my house feel like you're there."

Touching his face, she kissed his lips lightly. "See, you are a big softy."

He barked out a laugh at her. "Not really."

Nodding her head she kept smiling at him. "Yes, really. Was it hard for you to go into a florist's shop to pick up flowers? I mean don't guys just pick up whatever is at the store even if there's a tacky balloon attached to the arrangement?"

He laughed at her, "It wasn't too bad. A couple of weeks ago you were stuck doing something with the board of education all week and couldn't come over, I can't remember-" Samantha tried to remember too, lately she had been pushed and pulled in every direction from the school district. It was a good thing, but the meetings took time away from her evenings. "I was on the plane reading a magazine when I saw an ad that had flowers in it. I remembered you telling me they were your favorite. As soon as I got home, I picked up the flowers. Tonight's were a whole other story."

"There was still plastic wrapping on the bouquet by the door."

"Yeah, I know. I was trying to get them out before you walked in but, you drive fast."

Laughing, she spoke. "I'll fix them up when we're back at home." Absentmindedly, she spoke of his house as theirs together. Gabe heard it and smiled to himself, enjoying the way it sounded. When she spoke again, her voice was tart. "Hey Softy, you know with me being gone for a few days you're going to have to fill the house up with flowers all over the place."

Gabe shook his head and knew she would give him a hard time about this for a while. "That or you could just leave a pair of panties. I think that would be fine."

****

Feeling exceptionally kinky, Samantha took her time sauntering over to Gabe as he was spread out on the bed. Knowing they were going to be separated, she wanted to go out of town with a bang, a thought that came to her late. Not having enough time to go shopping, she had called Liz with a desperate plea during her class' first recess and begged for her friend's help.

You do realize that I will be waltzing into a lingerie shop, stroller in tow, to get you hooker garb. All because I love you, and you saved my ass with Dave's party. I'm doing this favor for you and all I'm going to say is that you better be flying out tomorrow wearing sunglasses to cover the rings under your eyes.

Samantha thanked god that Liz lived on the way to Gabe's house and was able to look at the selections before getting back on her way. The woman had done well. She wore a black net and lace two piece set that was frilly and fantastically sinful. The black bra ruffled on the straps, the cups hardly hid her breasts, while her naked bottom was barely covered by a mini mesh skirt trimmed with lace and ribbons. Gabe groaned at the sight of her and had to put pressure on his growing arousal. 

Not fully naked, Gabe sat wearing his jeans. His mind had completely shut off at the sight of Samantha, he loved how uninhibited she was with him. She was the sexiest woman he had ever known and as she started to crawl up along his body, kissing his chest, he thought he was going to die. Leaving little love bites along the taut skin, she raked her nails up his sides until she straddled him. 

"Merry Christmas." He barked out a laugh, only encouraging her eyes to dance. "Happy Thanksgiving." She lowered her face to kiss the corner of his mouth. "Happy Tuesday." Gabe held her head in place and took her mouth from her, kissing her ruthlessly. His hands were all over her body, tracing the flimsy material of the lingerie. As his fingers trailed a sensitive spot leading to her inner thighs, she broke her mouth from his and let her head fall back. Gabe turned their bodies, rolling away from her spread legs and loomed over her. Batting her lashes to clear her vision, Samantha reached up to touch any part of him she could get. 

Gabe stilled her hands and brought them to his lips. "No, tonight is all about you." He started to run his strong hands all over her body, stalling when his fingers brushed across the lingerie, he dallied with the material before moving on. He would kiss her long and hard then pull back and trail kisses down her throat, sucking on the skin until she would start to pant. Feeling her body writhe with need, he would kiss her again but then travel down a different route and start licking her belly button trailing down but stopping just above the mesh skirt. Samantha didn't lay idle, and started to stroke his shoulder while moving her hips as her excitement grew. 

Taking his time, Gabe skimmed his fingers along the waist of the skirt, Samantha lifted her knee just a little, giving better access to where she was hottest for him. A small moan broke his concentration and he stopped to look up at Samantha. Gabe smiled when he saw that her lids were closed and her mouth slightly open; she moved one of her hands down from the pillow and was playing with the transparent mesh covering her breast. Dropping his head he kissed the inside of her knee and removed his finger from the skirt. Scooting further down on the bed, he splayed her thighs with his shoulders and started to kiss her where she was most wet. Her hips buckled as his hot lips caressed the sensitive skin, he chuckled sending a ripple of pleasure through her. Samantha was gasping for air as Gabe kissed and teased everywhere except where she needed it most. His tousled hair tickled her inner thigh and the scruff from his stubble scratched the skin as his head moved back and forth. Needing to feel more contact, she lifted one of her legs and draped it over his body. With her movement, his tongue stroked her core ripping a deep sob from her. 

As Gabe's tongue lapped at her, one of his hands reached up to cover hers as she toyed with her breast. She squeezed his fingers as the pressure started to build. Samantha's hips started to move in motion with Gabe's mouth and before she knew what was happening, a great cry broke through her as she shattered. She lay whimpering for long seconds as her body was still shaking; about to reach for the clasp of the bra Gabe stopped her fingers.




Reading the Defense Ch. 04



"Leave it on." His voice was ragged, the words struggled to flee his mouth. 

She whispered back to him, "You've still got your jeans on." The soft tone of her voice broke through the heady cloud of lust that he was floating on. He broke away from her to undo the zipper and strip himself of all unnecessary clothes. Samantha was still stroking her own skin, damp from perspiration. Gabe slid behind her and when she tried twisting to face him, he placed a hand on her hip and latched his mouth on her neck. His hand moved the material of the skirt and he lifted her leg so that it hooked behind his leg, her back to his chest. The uneven sound of Samantha's breathing was threatening to push him over; he needed to feel her and was ready to bury himself in her. Turning her head to the side, she whimpered while seeking his lips. The sound killed all of his sense of control, leaning forward he kissed her as he thrust into her from behind. Samantha nearly screamed aloud at the overwhelming pleasure that was filling her.

Samantha's head thrashed to the other side, breaking the kiss as Gabe kept pushing his hips harder into her. His fingers pressing so deeply into her skin, he was afraid she would bruise but as he felt her quivering every time he pulled nearly all of the way out, he didn't care. Samantha was crying out to him, begging for more. Wanting to get deeper, to please her shameless requests, he shifted his hand to lift her leg higher and hold it in place. Sweat was beading at his temples, and he was grunting loudly as he used her body so brazenly. She grabbed his hand near her knee and moved it so that together their fingers played where they were joined. Gabe was about to blow over, but somehow managed to hold back. 

He couldn't get enough of her and knew three days apart was going to feel like an eternity. Samantha nearly lost herself as he pulled out and rolled on top of her, immediately she wrapped her legs around his waist and lifted up trying to get him back inside of her. Looking down at her, he could see her chest heaving and drove into her in a single move. His thrusting grew erratic but she moved with him without any trouble, his breathing was rough with each plunge. With her eyes locked on his, she wailed out in ecstasy. Following right behind her, he pushed a couple of more times before he felt the tremors creep up his body before spilling out of him in a low growl.

Seconds, minutes or even hours later; he didn't know and didn't care how much time had passed until he rolled off of her. Sitting up, Samantha reached for the clasp of the bra and managed to get the garment off. 

Gabe looked over at her through half-lidded yet still very curious eyes. "I think this can be left for you-- but I'm keeping the skirt." 



Reading the Defense Ch. 05



Many thanks need to go out for this one.

Estragon --Thank you doesn't even do complete justice, however, for now-- you know where you are thanked. You've taken yet another chapter on, and given insight—and good pointers!

PennLady -- Thank you for being so incredibly nice, and listening—er reading my fear of writing conflicts between characters. And opening the doors to a certain football team!

EastCoastChickPA- There is not enough hours in a day for you! Gracias for your awesomeness.

As always, comments/thoughts/suggestions are always welcomed.

****

Curled up in an old sweater, Samantha sat on the couch waiting for Gabe to pick her up. Thanks to the holiday, she only had to work a half day and was surprised when Gabe had offered take her to the airport. She was even more surprised when he mentioned driving up to Michigan in the morning to spend the day with his family. She hadn't expected him to take any time for himself and was pleased that he finally was. The rain had been falling since the early hours. Knowing the way the airport ran, she had a feeling the flight might get delayed and could only be thankful that she was gaining a couple of hours.

Not long after she had finished a cup of coffee, she heard Gabe opening the front door. As he came into the entranceway she couldn't help but laugh at his disheveled appearance. He was soaked; from the time he left the truck to the time he go to the front door rain had dumped on him. His hair lay flat on top of his head, while tracks of moisture fell down his parka.

"Don't move--let me get you a towel!" While he was standing, the water started dripping off him. Samantha didn't even want to think about the rug he was standing on, as she dashed off to grab a towel for Gabe. When she came back, he took it and rubbed his head vigorously.

"It's ugly as hell out there, so if we're going to get anywhere near the airport we should go. Are you ready?" Gabe opened the door to the laundry room and placed the towel on top of the washer, in the front room Samantha had started to do a final walk through of the house.

"Yes, I think so." Gabe watched her quietly, as she put on her jacket and shut off the lights. He had to leave before she woke that morning and wanted to savor every minute with her until she flew out. As soon as she got everything in order, they both rushed out to the truck, hollering as the rain continued to pour down. Reaching over, Gabe took Samantha's hand and brought it to his lips. She turned her focus from out of the window to his gesture.

"How was class this morning?" He spoke quietly, the hum of the radio barely audible in the background.

Returning the squeeze to his hand, "Unproductive." She laughed lightly at the thought of her students in the morning. The clouds had turned dark as night, once the thunder and lightning struck, the children lost all of their attention spans. "We shut off the main lights and left the lamp on, the one that sits in the corner. The kids had an idea about telling everyone what they were most excited for. So for an hour we all sat in the front of the room and went one by one doing that."

Samantha glanced back out the window, knowing she would miss her students over the short break. "What about you?"

She turned back to him with a confused look on her face. "What about me?"

Facing the road, he quickly looked over at her to ask, "What are you most excited for?"

Samantha laughed. "I'm dying to see one of my girlfriends. It's been too long since we've had a night of wine and gossip."

Gabe laughed at her, "you get that all of the time."

"I know, but this is different. It will be like a reunion of sorts. Someone out of New York has picked up a few pieces from her gallery collection, and I am dying to find out what's going on with it all."

For the rest of the drive to the airport, Samantha asked Gabe about his morning. In between the truck's constant breaking from the gridlock traffic, he told her that several of the players had been disruptive during the morning practice. It turned out that Marcus Jennings had decided to create a little tension with the already close group of men. Without knowing, he had started to date a woman who had previously been with one of the linebackers. Dirty comments were shouted back and forth, followed by dangerous tackles. During that practice, a connection was lost and the team was nowhere near playing to their potential. Gabe didn't say outright that the dispute worried him; what he did say was that there was a slip in their confidence. He worried that, if the men allowed something personal to break their concentration, their ability to stay stable and focused through the game on Sunday would dwindle.

The lineup near the departures at the airport was long but moved steadily enough so that Gabe could maneuver the truck near one of the many airline entranceways, without having to wait very long. They both got out quietly, Samantha bit her lip and waited for Gabe to get her bag from the back of his truck. Placing the bag next to her, she looked into his eyes and was surprised to see how sad they looked. Even though they'd been together for several months, everything about him still took her breath away. Reaching for her hands he pulled her into a warm embrace, Samantha rested her cheek in the crook of his neck feeling more at home there.

Gabe's face dropped to her neck and kissed her softly where the skin was so warm. The air was chilled and she shivered from both his touch and the gusts of wind blowing past them. He pulled away and traced her lips with his finger, Samantha's eyes dropped and when she lifted her face back up, he was amazed to see fresh tears.

"Oh, sweetheart." He leaned forward and kissed the moisture with his lips.

"Don't feel bad, it's the wind," she scoffed back at him, which only caused him to laugh. With a sigh, she looked deeply at him. "I wish you could come with me."

Gabe rubbed her back as best as he could through the thick wool of her pea coat. "Me too."

She didn't want to dwell in the last few minutes she had with him, and would wait until she got on the plane to do that. Gazing into his dark brown eyes, she couldn't help but try and convince herself this trip was no different than the Cougars' away games, let alone the many weeks that passed where they would only see each other a few times in between meetings. Rubbing her hands up and down the front of his jacket, Samantha stood up on her toes to kiss his cheek. Gabe wrapped his arms around her and turned to capture her mouth. Their tongues met for a soft stroking before she dropped back down to her feet.

In a stern voice, Samantha tried to sound confident. "Three days. It's only three days."

Gabe nodded and rubbed her back again. "Call me when you get there." He dropped his lips to hers one final time before she grabbed her bag and headed inside.

Gabe watched Samantha as she walked into the airport, feeling as if he had done something wrong by letting her go alone. For the past week he had been pushing himself, trying not to think too much about her leaving. Anything like that would help him avoid the sleep, which would be filled with dreams of her. He didn't want to fall into bed by himself, and when he did, it was a fitful rest. He relished the night before and would call on it when the house began to feel empty. He had become used to feeling Samantha's warm body curled up next to his even if it lasted just for an hour before he had to leave. How she covered her face in the night with a hand and how she draped herself on him for warmth after he'd taken all of the covers. Sleep wasn't a good idea.

Driving back to the Cougars' complex to envelop himself in notes, Gabe wondered how in the hell he was going to get through the next three days. Here he was worrying about the players trying to get through a game without murdering each other, and yet he didn't know if he could survive the next seventy two hours without turning into a raging ass. Before he could even think about it, his phone started to ring. Glancing down at the display, he nearly hit the brakes.

"Is everything okay?" Gabe dimly heard a soft intake of breath on the other line of the telephone.

"Oh! I didn't think you'd answer." Samantha was greeted by Gabe's warm chuckle. "Yes, it's okay, though I am beginning to question Homeland Security. Gabe--was that just weird?"

Gabe laughed, "Sweetheart, you're killing me. What's wrong?"

She sighed deeply, before rapidly spitting out her words. "I don't know. I'm just being sensitive and feel like we didn't really say goodbye."

"Sam, it's no different than us being apart any other time." The words were less than enthusiastic, but out before he could think about them.

"I know, I'm being silly. Why did I even call you?"

"I don't know, but I'm glad you did. You'll be home before you know it and we'll talk in between. Sweetheart, you're going to have a great time, you need it."

"Why are you such a good guy Gabe? Shouldn't I be the one saying that to you?"

"It doesn't matter; you will have a good time because if you don't, you'll get punished for it."

"Hmm, that sounds tempting. Oh, Gabe there's something flashing on the board about my flight. I should go."

"Okay, call me when you can. I miss you already." Even to his own ears, Gabe thought he sounded like a puppy on a leash.

Samantha breathed deeply, "I miss you too. Take it easy with Marcus please, I like him. I'll call you soon."

After they hung up, Gabe checked the rearview mirror and couldn't wipe the smile from his face. He had wanted to tell her he loved her just then, but couldn't muster the words. His feelings for her were so apparent he couldn't understand why the reality of them took so long for him to figure out. Samantha was everything he could have asked for, she understood him better than anyone else ever had. That night when he caught her at the bar had been the luckiest night of his life. Now he just needed to get through the next three days and the rest of the season so they could actually be together.

****

Feeling like she had gone into a time machine by being back where she had been raised, Samantha sank into the couch at her mother's house with a glass of wine in hand while she waited for her friend to come over. The sight of her mom at Sea-Tac Airport made Samantha laugh out loud. She had just exited through the automatic glass doors and walked in the direction of a shrieking woman. It had been months since they had an opportunity to see each other and so the greeting was more than warming.

"Your sister is going to need a vacation after this weekend. Honestly Samantha, you are doing the cooking right?" Samantha smiled, only her mother would be so formal with her. The woman spoke as she came into the kitchen and placed the house telephone back on the charger. For a woman who turned fifty four, a few months back, she could have easily come across as someone in her mid forties. Her shorter blonde hair was disheveled but defined, the light tones of the brown eye shadow magnifying her blue eyes and her dress stamped with department store approval.

"Yes, I talked Pete into preparing the turkey tonight and starting it in the morning, but apart from that I'll start things once I get up. You did remember to get the Grand Marnier, right?"

"Oh dear, I knew I forgot something. Look in the cupboards and see if there isn't already a bottle in there. There has got to be something similar. Stan always threw some sweet thing in his coffee at night, I'll never know why."

Pamela Morrison-Dobson was a wonder on her own. When Samantha's father had passed away due to a heart condition when she was a child, her mother had taken her time with moving on. Only that time had taken three walks down different types of aisles. Unfortunately the last, with Stan, may have been the last one and she was in the final process of being divorced. "What do you need the liqueur for anyways? There will be plenty of wine."

Laughing, Samantha got off of the couch and walked over to the kitchen in search of the liqueur. "It's for the crème brule. Somehow I didn't think Kelly would be too keen on only that dessert so I'm making miniature pumpkin pies for the boys."

Sure enough, in the cupboards there was a smaller bottle almost full, which would work for her recipe perfectly. Placing the bottle on the countertop, Samantha gazed at the cluttered refrigerator door. Cards from the people at her mother's work, a calendar, pictures of her nephews. And a picture of her and Gabe. For a moment she was taken aback by the photograph, but began smiling at the memory. In the picture, Samantha was draped over Gabe's back, both of them laughing into the camera.

Sometime just after the season had started, Camille and Samantha had worked together to find a time where they could surprise the men by taking them out to play a round of golf. Neither Camille nor Samantha could play, so they ended up sitting in the club drinking tea, talking, while the men got through their round. By the sixteenth hole, the women had gotten bored and decided to find Gabe and Ernie. Samantha didn't know how to play golf, let alone understand the rules, but when Gabe leaned down and got set up to putt she wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped on his back. Gabe had dropped the club and straightened as best as he could with her clutching him tightly. Somehow, Camille got her phone out at just the right time to get the picture of the two of them laughing.

"I love that picture." Pamela had taken a seat at the table while Samantha had been searching for the liqueur.

Touching the picture with her fingers, Samantha could only nod. She loved it too. The sound of the doorbell tore away all thoughts, and Samantha could hardly hide her excitement. Rushing to the front, door she opened it to one of her dearest of friends.

"We don't buy Avon in this house. You may want to try next door."

A very un-ladylike snort followed Samantha's comment. "But you're my number one buyer. Oh my god look at you!"

The women started hugging each other, hooting with laughter as they both tugged at their clothes at the same time. Hadley Wilkerson, a few years younger than Samantha was styled in knee high boots and cut off shorts. In November. She was layered up in sweaters and scarves, her hair peeking out of a knitted hat. Her sense of style apparent in her every move, it was nothing short of a surprise when she turned to canvas in creating urban designs. Less than a year ago a man visiting from New York had seen Hadley while she was working at the coffee shop. Because she had worked at the shop during her college days, the manager agreed to put up some of her pieces on the walls. Hadley had been lucky in selling a few, but the promotion was minimal. The man inquired about a particular painting that had been a collection of black and gold with a foil finish. She told the man it was her creation and they immediately started to talk. Months later, she was getting requests for individual canvases; friends of the visiting man had also been interested and began spreading the word of her work.

Samantha pulled Hadley into the house, and soon enough, they were on the couch exchanging stories of how things had been lately with each of them.

"So when do I get the pleasure of having my very Hadley creation?"

"When do you want one by? It's been hectic, but I think I have enough time to get one out to you by February."

"I was joking, but if you can do it. I would definitely take one."

"I'm glad you asked, because I wanted to ask you a few questions about Chicago. That would give me an excuse to deliver the goods. Do you like it there?"

Knowing Seattle was a small city, and Hadley was in search for greater distances to spread her artwork, she answered honestly. "I love it, there is a small town feel to it even though it's a major city. Are you thinking about moving there?"

"I'm not sure yet. The galleries here are independent and aren't really doing anything to allow me to grow as an artist. I'm actually getting requests from a few places in Manhattan but I'm not too sure I want to go that far."

"Hadley, you would have fun. You should come out for a week and I'll take you around. There is actually a neighborhood that you could fit into easily with your style of work. I don't know what rent for your own studio would be like, but it's worth checking out."

"Definitely. I just might have to take you up on that, but enough of my issues. How are things with you?"

The year had been crazier than she even knew how to explain. From her class being filled with a few troubled students to her relationship with Gabe, her life was definitely never dull.

"Really good, I'm kind of relieved to have a break from it all."

"What do you mean? I thought everything was going well."

"Oh no, they are. School has been challenging lately and I've been working with the district on how to improve with certain differences."

Hadley could only know that Samantha was struggling with conflict. She had always looked up to her with admiration. Out of all of her friends she had never once seen Samantha upset or angry over anything. She had always remained calm and collected, something she wished could be bottled up and sold for others to use in times of crises.

"Now that we know work is always work, no matter what profession you're in. How's life in the land of the gridiron?"

Samantha shook her head, "God, everyone says that! It's okay--better than okay."

"But...."

Samantha stalled for a few breaths before she could respond. "I've been having a hard time lately, I know it will pass and I need to get over myself, but it's tough sometimes."

"What do you mean?"

"I try to make Gabe's job like anyone else's. What would a man think to date an artist like you? You're always out either promoting, working a second job or at a studio painting. When do you have time? That's what I think about with Gabe, how does he have time?"

"Sam, you're thinking way too much about it. First of all, I would never date me. Second of all, I'd tell all the men around to never date me. I'm shit with relationships, but that's because I'm me. Only me. Gabe does not even sound one bit close to anything like me. Don't you think he might look funny wearing a mini and cowboy boots?"

Samantha giggled before taking a sip of wine.

"He seems to be making a serious effort and you can't judge him for that. What do the other women go through with their husbands?"

"They all say the same thing; that living that lifestyle is a sacrifice they chose to take. Some of them don't even talk to their husbands unless they're at home. How crazy is that."

"It sounds like stepford on crack. Relationships take work, Sam. Reverse the roles and look at it from his perspective."

"I do, and that's why I keep quiet about it. I know he's battling everything with the team and then throwing me in somewhere—"

"Sam, you're not being thrown in. You're just as important to him, just as he is to you. The next time he cancels or whatever, you should tell him what's going on upstairs."

"But I don't want to make him feel like he's doing something wrong, because he can't help it."

"It doesn't matter. You need to let him know how you feel. It'd be like lying to him no to. And I hate to say it, but you'd be no different than your fellow stepford women."

As the women continued to talk, Samantha was thinking about everything Hadley had said. She was more than the third person who had tried to get her to push her uncertainties aside. Samantha knew Gabe was an incredible man, that their relationship was the best it could possibly be considering the circumstances. Yet like any other woman in the world, she had doubts. Those doubts, even with all of her efforts, were taking their time in disappearing.




Reading the Defense Ch. 05



For the sake of their relationship, she would be honest with him the next time something came up.

****

The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the hallways early Thanksgiving morning in the Russell family home. After spending the night re-working a few cross patterns and barely sleeping, Gabe had enough and finally got in his truck to make the drive to Michigan. Somewhere in between his phone call with Samantha and spotting breaks in the line of scrimmage -- he didn't want to be alone. Laurie Russell strolled into the kitchen wearing a flannel robe and stopped short when she saw her son leaning against the counter, overlooking the window. She was a pleasant woman, comfortable in her jaw length maple hair; everything about her was as welcoming as the sun that morning. She had worked as a nurse until retiring early a few years back, and Gabe had joked with her that they retired together. When he turned pro and signed a major contract, he offered to buy a new house for his parents but they refused. Their reasoning was that this home had roots that were bone deep, and they couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Thinking back, Gabe smiled, remembering Samantha saying the same thing when she moved out east.

"You always were an early riser." Walking over, she embraced her son tightly. "I didn't think you were going to make it. When did you get in?"

Gabe smiled at her as she slipped out of his arms and started to pour herself a cup of coffee. "About an hour ago. I was hoping to get here before everyone started to get ready."

"They will all be excited to see you, especially now that they will have an extra player for the game."

The Russell family had several traditions, one including a football game between the family members the morning of every holiday that they got together. What started as something for the children to do to keep busy, while Laurie was in the kitchen cooking, turned into something each had looked forward to every year. The backyard became a neutral ground where the four siblings could go after each other after fights over who got the car on a Saturday night, spending too much time in the bathroom or even who kissed one of the neighborhood girls first. The backyard became a free for all, even if that included a tackle.

"You look tired Gabe. Have you eaten anything yet?"

Gabe shook his head before taking a sip of coffee. One of the things he enjoyed about being the first one up in the house, was making the first pot of coffee. Over the years his mother had either put too few or too many grounds in the filter and he could never finish a cup without grimacing. "I didn't want to stop until I got here."

"Sit down, let me fix you some breakfast."

"I'm fine, Mom. Really, I'm not very hungry." Laurie gave her son a pointed glare, only making him laugh because the woman was far from serious at times.

"Gabriel Matthew, you need to eat." As Gabe laughed at his mother's exclamation, his younger sister Tara came into the kitchen. She hadn't seen Gabe standing near the window and automatically said greetings as she reached for her own cup of coffee.

Laurie laughed at her daughter, clearly overlooking her eldest son. "Mom, the kids are all up and getting ready. You'd think it was Christmas, but they're itching to get outside." Finally turning in search of an answer from her mother, Tara gave a 'whoop' of surprise at the sight of her older brother. "Oh my god! You said you weren't coming."

All three laughed. "I wasn't going to, but needed a break. My eyes were killing me."

"My kids are going to kill you the second they see you. I hope you slept a little because the monsters are up and running." Tara had two boys and a girl, while the boys always found themselves rough housing, Tara and her husband found that they needed to keep a closer eye on their rather quiet daughter who seemed to keep a permanent sparkle of mischief in her eyes.

The only Russell missing from the festivities was Gabe's youngest brother Nate, who was off visiting his girlfriend's family in Boston. His sister Tara and brother Tim, along with their families, were all crammed into the rooms, couches and even camped out in sleeping bags on the carpeted floors. All of them refused to stay anywhere but the family home.

Before long they were scooping up the breakfast casserole for everyone as each family member descended into the kitchen. One serving turned into three, and when the kitchen started to overflow, Laurie stepped in and ushered everyone out to play their traditional football game. Without needing to be told twice, everyone including Gabe made their way outside and started to split up into two teams. His sister Tara and his brother's oldest son Zachary were the captains, picking everyone and leaving Gabe the last man standing. Giving the excuse that he would cheat, they made him a referee, and he was forced to watch from the sidelines of the yard. The porch.

As eventful as it could be, Zachary's team ended up winning after an ugly block and Gabe just barely held off calling it a clipping near an old hickory tree opened up a pocket and allowed his brother to squeeze past everyone and run to the goal line. Afterward, Gabe found himself back in the kitchen with everyone except his father. While Laurie was basting the turkey, she had assigned each a task. Tara was peeling the potatoes, Tim had been preparing the dressing and Gabe got stuck washing the dishes that only came out for special events.

"Have you heard from Samantha yet?" Tara chirped from the kitchen table where she was peeling potatoes, getting them ready for a side dish. With all of the commotion and catching up with everyone, Gabe couldn't believe the topic of his girlfriend had not been brought up.

"She called late last night, one of her friends stopped by her Mom's house and they all had a night together."

One of the munchkins dashed into the kitchen and Tara stopped him with her foot. "This is a no running zone kiddo, take it outside."

Several of his nieces and nephews were running around from one end to the other, all calling out to him as they passed him in the hallway leading to the kitchen."Did I miss something this morning?" Gabe laughed as he turned to his brother and Mom as she handed him a cup of coffee.

Laurie looked beyond her son at the children as they played with swords made out of cardboard boxes. The girls were gluing leaves on construction paper for placemats. "Last night, your father beat Marie at Rummy and she has been demanding a faceoff since. She says it's unconstitutional that he wouldn't say his moves out loud." Tara looked over at him and raised her eyebrow.

Gabe grinned, and laughed at his sister. "She's nine!"

"Doesn't make her any more playing the fool, something you know very well Gabe."

Turning back to her potatoes she started peeling again as small feet treaded to the backyard. Finished with the dishes, Gabe sat down next to his sister, grabbing the second peeler that was on the table. Pulling the garbage bin between them he started to peel with her. Laurie looked over at the two of them and smiled.

With all of the kids out of the kitchen, Tara turned the subject back over about Samantha. "Where was she going to be today?"

"She's going up to her sister's house north of the city. When we were talking, she was working in the kitchen getting things ready. I could hear her banging pots and pans all over the place. She seemed excited to be putting everything together."

Tara picked up on the longing in his tone and nudged her brother. Both Gabe and Laurie looked over at the younger woman who sat shaking her head at the table. "Because I'm your sister, I have to be honest with you right?" Laurie nodded at her daughter and turned to the pantry for a bottle of spices.

"I think you found a keeper, especially if she can handle your double life."

He laughed at his sister, "More like overtime. She's hung in so far, I should hope she's a keeper."

"Don't be an idiot. It has to be interesting dating you during the season. No offense, because I love you, but still. You're hardly around."

"I'm around." Tara scoffed at his answer and kept peeling the potatoes. "I like her. A lot, and I'm trying hard to make this work but can't help if I can't get together every day. The season's been a sonovabitch with the losses and then adding in injuries and whatever else is slowing us down. I'd like to think I'm doing a damn good job with getting to see her as much as I do."

"Calm down Gabe, we can all see that. How is she with everything?"

Gabe stalled, remembering how Samantha had been in the car just after the game against Washington. "I know it bothers her but she doesn't say anything, even when I ask her. All she will say is that she realizes that it is part of the job, so I don't press her on it."

"I wonder if she's intimidated."

"What could she be intimidated by?"

Laurie shook her head at her son's indignant tone, while Tim added churlishly. "The fact that she is basically dating the NFL doesn't seem intimidating to you? It'd scare the hell out of me."

Tim had seen his brother date other women. None of them had actually made it through an entire season without breaking up with him and then getting back together during the off-season, or just breaking up. He knew Samantha had seen more of his brother than what he let on, and was willing to see their relationship through. "Why didn't you just go out there to be with her?"

"There wasn't enough time. I had meetings and it was important to be here for all of you. She understands."

"Are you sure about that?"

Gabe's tone was clipped. "We talked about it and she knows how I felt about flying out. I didn't leave the complex until two this morning; how would I have flown out?"

Blowing over his question, Tara added, "Talking is one thing. You don't get a lot of time off. This girl is making you the happiest I've seen you in a long time. An extra day with her, might have been nice."

Seeing the frustration on her son's face, Laurie knew Gabe was trying to make the best of his relationship with the young woman. After seeing him go through so many seasons, she had to agree with her children that the lifestyle itself was overwhelming. Overwhelming, but was an entrance to another world that provided enormous opportunities. "Gabe, we're not attacking you or Samantha. As long as you are both happy, and talk and work your way through, then that's all we can hope for."

Laurie had seen the change in her son and continued to voice her opinion. "You do seem happy, though."

"And I say it's about damn time." George Russell beamed as he came around the corner with Marie attached to his side, the little girl holding a deck of cards in her hands.

"Grandpa, you shouldn't swear," Marie piped up as she made her way to see how many potatoes her mother had gotten peeled.

"Since when did my relationship become a topic for family discussion?" He gave a rueful laugh.

George clapped a hand on his son's back. "It's okay, son, you should hear the conversations we have when you're not here."

Everyone in the kitchen chuckled together. It was Laurie who broke the noise as she gave her husband a cup of coffee and wrapped her arm around his waist. "Do what makes you happiest Gabe, and if Samantha makes you happy, then that's where you should be."

He laughed at her, "Mom, somehow I don't think I can fly across the country on Thanksgiving Day knowing she's flying back to Chicago on Saturday."

With knowing eyes, Laurie looked over at her son. He could never fool her.

"I'm not saying fly anywhere, Gabe." Kissing her husband's cheek, she turned from everyone and made her way outside to see her grandchildren's fort.

****

"Happy Thanksgiving!" Samantha shouted out as she walked through the front door.

After spending some time the night before with Hadley and her mother, Samantha took the majority of the late night and early morning hours to prepare the food for the celebration. For the day they would all gather at Kelly's house, a few miles away from where their mother lived. Kelly's house was small for her growing family but large enough so they were comfortable. With three bedrooms and three people, Samantha was thankful her Mom had a spare room where she could sleep. She and her mother had gone up to the house at around noon to celebrate. Two little boys of five and three came running through the front room, launching themselves at her.

"Auntie Sammy!" Samantha laughed at the nickname; somehow they took Sam and turned into something else that seemed to stick. Something she figured that was stuck for life. Leaning down she kissed the tops of both boys' heads and started making her way to the kitchen with the first load of food.

"Mmmm, it smells like turkey in here!"

"Hey you!" Samantha's sister, Kelly turned around and gave her a tight hug. The women looked nothing alike. While Samantha wasn't a blonde amazon, she wasn't short either. Kelly was petite and wore her short blonde hair cut just below her ears. Their mother who also had blonde hair, had always joked that Samantha had been dropped off at the front door by strangers.

"Where's Mom?" Kelly looked around the kitchen that was cramped with baking pans and mixing bowls.

"The boys got her and took her out to the jungle gym." Samantha laughed, knowing her mother was eating every minute up with her grandbabies.

Pointing to all of the baking pans, Samantha laughed, "Kelly, I got everything. All you had to do was get the bird in the oven!"

"Oh no, the boys wanted fresh pancakes this morning. Pete was having none of that box mix, and decided to be Martha Stewart for the morning. Pancakes from scratch, thank god he loves the morning antics of those crazy boys."

"Speaking of Pete, where is he?"

"He had to drop off some papers at the station and then he'll be here. Do you have a bunch of stuff in the car still?"

"Yeah, but don't worry, stay inside. I'll go back out and get it."

Samantha left her sister to head back to the car. Just as she stepped off of the porch, a truck pulled into the driveway. She burst into laughter as her brother rolled down his window, pumping his fist jokingly to the loud music. Coming to an abrupt stop, Pete parked the truck, got out and threw his jacket at her.

"It figures you show up with a car full of crap needing to be carried inside right as I show up. By the way if you tell your sister that I basted the turkey with vodka, I will kill you. We're supposed to go on a date next week." Pete broke out in laughter as Samantha made her way over to give him a big hug.

"Whatever Pete, it wasn't vodka. And she'd put out either way."

"We've got two kids to prove that one." He snickered. "It was alcohol, and if the boys get drunk, I'm blaming you!"

Both of them grabbed armfuls of plates and walked back into the house so that Samantha could get to work and piece the meal together. Kelly brought a glass of wine over to Samantha before sitting down at the table with her own to watch her sister at work. She unwrapped all of the plates of salad, roasted vegetables and their aunt's treasured scalloped potatoes.

"So, when are you going to sneak away and call Gabe?"

"Oh my god Kelly! I'm barely in here for a minute!" Despite her words they both laughed. "I'll call him in a little bit, his family is probably just getting into dinner now and I don't want to interrupt them."

"I highly doubt that he'd mind the interruption, but he's your boyfriend. How was last night? Mom said Hadley, looked...interesting."

"She would. It was a lot of fun. When did you talk to Mom?"

"This morning. I called her, I think you were in the shower or something. I needed to know what temperature to start the oven at for the turkey."

Samantha darted over to the oven to double check the temperature was correct for the recipe she was using. "I swear Kelly, I don't know how you've got grown healthy kids!"

"McDonalds has come a long ways. Okay, on with it."

"Hadley is thinking about moving to Chicago. Some of her artwork has been picked up by a few galleries so she has some money in the bank. She said she wants to 'branch out' of Seattle."

"Yeah, but didn't she say she was branching out when she went to Portland?"

"Portland is not branching out. Anyways, she sounded good about maybe making a move. She seems like she's in a good place right now."

"That's good." Kelly sipped her wine and looked out the window at their mother who was still playing with her children. "What was Gabe up to today?"

"He was heading up to spend the day with his family; it'll be nice for him to get a break."

"I'm sure it is; I can't imagine he gets very much time for breaks."

"Not many, but what do you do?" Samantha walked over to the stove and started placing pots over the burners, warming the food she had pre-cooked.

"Watch him on television, god bless it!" Both women laughed, in time for Pete to stroll into the kitchen in search of a beer.

Samantha rested her hip against the counter and took a deep breath, in between the short strokes of her stirring the gravy. Families never changed, and she was enjoying the time given to her to be near the people she loved. The boys in the backyard showing off for their grandmother on the jungle gym, her brother pulling his wife up out of her seat in the kitchen to dance to a pop song on the radio and the Thanksgiving Day football game playing on the television set in the front room.

****

Hours later after the turkey was ripped to shreds and the remnants of all the dishes were wrapped up for leftovers; Samantha stepped away from the house and onto the porch. Sitting down on the bottom step she dialed Gabe.

"Are you stuffed and feeling like hell or is that just me?" He was greeted by a low giggle followed almost immediately by her sigh. Gabe was driving back down to his home. Before Samantha's call, he had been contemplating spending a couple of hours working on his passing board, but hearing her laugh he couldn't remember what a pass was. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's nice to hear you." Gabe smiled on the other end and wished he could tuck her into his side.

"How is your family?"

"Crazy, my mom started pouring shots at nine this morning. Nine! Who does that?"

"Apparently your mother," Gabe said jokingly, knowing Samantha was on a roll and had a lot to say.

"Funny, but I'm telling you that there's no way you would have escaped a chocolate cake shot over coffee when on vacation. Anyways, just a little bit ago my brother was dancing to some heavy metal song and the boys were jumping around next to him. I think everyone is crazy here."

"What about you?"

"What do you mean, what about me?"

"How are you?"

"Exhausted, it's been a long day. I think I finally crashed around four this morning which is technically six--I want my own bed." She laughed, but the sound was tired. "Was your family as fun as they sounded?"

Gabe laughed, they had shared stories about each of their families and Samantha would always look in shock at him when he said they all got along. All of the time. With three boys and a girl in a single house, getting into arguments had typically been over who was in a bathroom and if it was over anything else, their parents quickly shushed them.

They fell into easy conversation as they both went through the day's events. Samantha laughed as she tried to explain how the boys started to pull the turkey bones apart when they were wrapping everything up and started sparring with each other. For a second, he lost his chain of thought and envisioned little boys of their own, and both he and Samantha trying to break up a scrap. He quickly collected himself and told her how he'd been forced to play as the referee in the traditional football game they played on every major holiday. He groaned at the thought, while she simply chirped back at him.




Reading the Defense Ch. 05



"It's because you'd cheat."

He scoffed at her. "How do you figure? I'm as fair as the next guy."

"Yes you are, but you're also very competitive. Was there any tripping?"

On the other end, the corner of Gabe's mouth kicked up at the thought of the game. "No, but Tara's husband tipped the ball and I called him out so my niece could get her hands on it." Samantha dissolved into giggles; Gabe just sat back and listened until she sobered.

Breathing into the phone, he got serious. "I miss you."

"I miss you too, coach."

Gabe shifted into the next lane on the expressway; he let out a large breath before speaking again. "I wish I was with you right now, I should be with you."

It was exactly what she wanted to hear, but she felt the need to ask him. Of all the times, this was it for her. "I know, but you're not and it's only for another day."

"Yeah, still. It was stupid."

"Gabe, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"You've already said why you stayed, but...was that really it?"

On the other end, Gabe ran a hand through his hair and spoke gruffly. "Yes and no. I did need to come out here for my family, but the minute I got here, I wasn't here and they all knew it."

On the other end Samantha hugged the sweater tighter around her body, waiting to hear what Gabe had say, he spoke hesitantly. "Looking back when you first asked me, I should have just gotten the tickets then...."

His voice started to sound gargled as the signal began to fade from Samantha's phone. She quickly moved to a clearing in the yard, not wanting to miss whatever he was going to say—but failing miserably. "Dammit! This phone, I swear!"

"Sam?" He laughed as her curse came clearly on the line, something she never did.

"Gabe? Can you hear me?"

"Yeah, why are you shouting?"

"Oh, sorry! I lost you for a second. What were you saying?"

"Nothing."

"Gabe, please. The service here is garbage, and the phone cut you off. You were saying something important."

Gabe sighed, god he really missed her just then but had a nagging feeling about something he couldn't put a finger on. "I wanted to come with you, but I owe this club. Part of the team is my responsibility, and with that responsibility comes forfeiting my wants. For the sake of the guys, my time has to stay focused on getting them as far as they can go."

"You're taking everything on your shoulders, Gabe. You only have control of so much, and that's okay. What are you forfeiting?"

For a second she didn't think he would respond, she was more surprised by her brute honesty in asking. "Us. You. Time with you."

"Gabe, I already told you. Your job has its demands, and as much I don't want to—I understand them."

The conversation with his family earlier crept up and acted as a reminder. "That's what you say, but how do you really feel? You don't get mad, you don't get upset."

Samantha could hear the frustration rising in his voice and wondered where the turn in their conversation had occurred. "Gabe, I am going to support you regardless of how many hours we see each other. As long as we are together, that's what counts, right?"

"That doesn't answer anything." His tone was nowhere near hiding its indignant force.

"What just happened here? Why are you so upset?"

"I'm not upset. I'm just trying to figure things out."

Calming herself, Samantha tried to speak evenly. "What's to figure out, Gabe? I'm not mad that you stayed. You're doing what you have to do, I'm even happy if anything--because you stepped away today to see your family. Clearly something has set you off, because of this temper you're in."

He scoffed at her response. "I need to know something."

Samantha answered warily, "Okay, what is it?"

"When I couldn't make it out to the dinner party last week, how much did that bug you?"

Samantha closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "At first it really upset me—" Gabe let out a large breath into the phone, causing Samantha to speak quickly. "But I got over it; it's not my place to get mad at you. I'm not going to be that crazy girlfriend chasing you, because I don't get things my way all of the time."

Several long seconds went by before he spoke. "Why don't you ever tell me? I know the timing is shit, but I should at least know you're upset."

Gabe was right, Samantha felt that deep down. He did deserve to know, why hadn't she listened to her gut, let alone everyone else she had talked with before? Speaking quietly, "Because I didn't want to burden you with something stupid that would eventually pass."

"Is that what you think you are to me? A burden?"

"What? No, Gabe. That's not what I meant."

"It sure as hell sounded like it. So let me get this straight, you didn't want to bother me with the things you are upset with because you were afraid it would burden me? Like I don't care about you. Does that sound about right?"

Heat flushed her up her neck as the anger started to pass through Samantha. "Bother you? This phone call is bothering me, how do you like that for an answer?"

"At least you're telling me it fucking bothers you now."

Samantha stopped her pacing in the yard and dropped her voice dangerously low. "When would you like me to fill you in? The day before a game--and have you step out onto the field angry and frustrated? I wouldn't ever want to do that to you."

"I can handle a bitch fest better than you think, Sam."

"I'm not a player, coach so stop talking to me like one."

Gabe remained silent on the other end of the phone; Samantha could hear the wind blowing from an open window so she knew they were still connected. When he didn't respond, Samantha couldn't take anymore. She didn't have it in her to simply hang up so she voiced her anger at him. "You're tired, I'm tired—but quite honestly Gabe I don't appreciate you attacking me out of the blue. I think I need to hang up."

"...Sweetheart."

"I don't think so. Now I'm your sweetheart? A minute ago I'm your burden, maybe you'd better get your titles right." She fought back the tears that ached to fall, wishing she could get through this conversation before releasing them.

"I don't want to hang up with you like this, Sam." Gabe's voice was strained but the anger wasn't quite as audible.

"Does it really matter how we hang up right now, Gabe? Because I have nothing more to say to you, and really don't feel like being screamed at."

"Yes, it matters."

"Why?" When he didn't answer, Samantha rolled her eyes and tried to sound confident. "It's late."

"I'm sorry." Even to her ears, the words sounded nothing like an apology.

"I'll believe that, when you actually mean it."

"What the hell else do you want from me, Sam?"

Frustration seethed at her soul, "nothing more than what you're already giving me. " An uncomfortable silence fell between them, Samantha blew out long breath. "Look, why don't we talk when I get back to Chicago."

"...Sam." She waited for him to say something more, but he didn't.

"Yeah, that's what I thought. Don't worry about picking me up at the airport, I'll call Liz. Goodnight Gabe." Before she could give him any time to talk, Samantha hung up. That was it. No--see you soon. No--sleep well. No--nothing. Her body was shaking as she stood there, in the middle of the yard, absorbing what had just happened. All of this time, she thought she had been doing the best thing, but hearing the hurt and anger in his voice, she had badly misjudged. As the weekend was fast approaching, her biggest fear overcame her. Samantha didn't want Gabe going into his meetings, practices--anything at all--troubled over their fight. It was the last thing she had ever wanted, but knew because of the man he was, it was bound to happen. She needed to breathe, needed take a day to think about finding a resolution. She needed to be by herself to sort out everything that was racing through her.

****

Saturday could not have come fast enough for Samantha. After barely shedding a tear at the airport saying her goodbyes with her family, she boarded the plane back to Chicago and used the hours to really think about what was going on around her.

She realized while being around her nephews just how much she loved her job and missed her kids more than expected. They brightened her days and made them challenging at the same time. The time she had to herself, though little, she used it to brainstorm, develop ideas as well as put final touches on some of her curriculum items that were set for December. On top of her students, she was eager for the dinner dates with all of the ladies, after getting a message from Liz from the day before. Liz had called in a fit about her mother controlling the food her son should be eating, and whispered into the phone in between her taking drinks from a glass that Samantha could only assume held a lot of wine.

Mostly, she was anxious and more than nervous to see Gabe. She'd missed the warmth of his body as he wrapped his large frame around her at night. The way he held her hand whenever they were together. She missed the way he mumbled to himself when he watched game film. Mostly, she just missed him. She was still furious over the turn of events from their ugly conversation. Samantha knew she had done a terrible wrong against him by keeping quiet, however good her intentions.

Those intentions didn't hide the reality. If she was going to keep their relationship, she needed to be all in and forego any cowardice. He was trying his hardest to keep her involved, so she needed to do the same. Even if the truth hurt at times. Finally understanding the root of her insecurity, she felt confident about seeing him but knew that it would take a few more days before seeing him to fully calm her nerves. The past few days had been lonely without him, and she didn't want to have something wonderful crack under pressure.

The weight of the weekend caught up as she sat in the cramped plane seat, and sleep eluded her. Before she knew what was happening, her body jolted from the precious sleep she managed to catch as the plane landed and she was being ushered out to Liz's car near the arrivals at the airport.

"You look like hell." Liz could hardly hold her tongue as she saw her friend slump into the passenger seat.

"I feel it. Thanks for picking me up, Liz."

Liz shrugged her shoulders, and steered the car out to the lane leading toward the expressways. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Samantha didn't want to talk about anything; she was tired and emotionally drained. Even in her fitful rest on the plane, she had dreamt of Gabe. In her dreams she heard his laugh, and found herself trying to curl her body into that sound, only to bump into the passenger next to her. "Not tonight." She twisted her head on the headrest to look over at Liz. "I just can't Liz, I'm sorry."

Liz patted her friend's knee before turning her attention back to the road. "Take your time Sam, I'm here for you whenever you want to talk."

All she could do was nod her head, before closing her eyes. She didn't want to get another lecture, even if it was from Liz. Samantha knew what her friend would say, and for this night, 'I told you so' would only bring tears to her eyes.

****

The following night Gabe was pissed off, frustrated and nursing the third loss in a row for the Cougars. The only place that welcomed his foul mood was a creaky stool in front of the bar at Bandidos. With his body hunched over the bar, he tapped his fourth whiskey and soda with his index finger. He didn't give a shit that the Cougars were falling to damn near the last place in their conference. No, he didn't. Why should he? He was pushing himself--pushing the men as far as all of them could go, and look where that had gotten them! Fucking nowhere.

His head was fuzzy from the alcohol, but he didn't care. It wasn't the loss that was bothering him, not even the whiskey could numb his thoughts over her. He hadn't talked to Samantha since Thanksgiving; she hadn't even called him after she landed back in town. Even in his hazy state, Gabe couldn't blame her for not calling the night before. After their fight erupted and she hung up, Gabe immediately back-tracked, regardless of what had been said and figured he would pick her up at the airport. All season Fabian Velesques had been battling one injury after the next, and when Dr. Simmonds pulled the coaches aside to say he was placing the Linebacker on reserve, he found himself stuck at the Cougars' complex. He felt like an ass for not being able to get her, even felt both of their words snap back at him, but still couldn't get away from the demands of his job.

Later that night, he'd driven like a demon to get to her house only to find the lights all turned off. Cursing himself for forgetting the security code on her garage door, he left wondering how he was going to make it up to her. When he tried calling her earlier in the morning, he was greeted by only her voicemail. During half-time he'd tried calling her again, only to find the same response.

Frustration cut through him; god he didn't want to lose her. He was giving her everything he'd ever given another woman in his life before. Every single spare minute was given to her; Gabe wanted that time and more with her but could only offer so much during the months of a season. After he'd talked to his family, he'd started to doubt some of Samantha's reactions and began to get worried; which only led to him blowing up at her on the phone. Before he could analyze himself further, a figure loomed next to him. Turning his head took too much effort, so he just ignored the visitor.

"You have a driver tonight, Coach? Because I don't think any cabbie is going to drive you around." A deep voice issued the casual question. It was a voice that told Gabe, 'we're on the same playing field tonight,' and all authority and seniorities, meant nothing.

"Why the fuck not?"

"If you don't mind me saying, Chicago's Dream Team—is slipping."

"It's your damn feet that's slipping." Marcus Jennings scoffed and took a seat next to Gabe. He signaled for the bartender and ordered a beer.

After a few long moments of harsh silence, Gabe gave into the kid. "Why the hell don't you walk right out the front door? I don't need you looking after me."

"You sure about that?"

Gabe mumbled something before taking a sip of his drink. While holding the short glass in his hand, he turned to face Jennings. "I'm not going to sit here and talk to you like some pansy."

"Did I ask you to say anything? I just sat down in a free seat." Marcus quieted and turned his attention to the television screens behind the bar. The two men sat there, without talking for some time. With the team's loss, the bar was quiet. The few people left watching sports center, had felt the angry cloud of testosterone coming off of Gabe and decided to leave him alone. Even in his drunken stupor, Gabe couldn't take the quiet and decided to talk to the younger man next to him.

"You got something to say kid, then fucking say it."

Jennings looked over at Gabe and raised an eyebrow at his slurred words. He nodded his head towards the older man. "What'd you do to her?"

The ice in the glass clinked as Gabe tipped it back to take a swig. "What makes you think it was me?" He didn't like being blamed, but felt the numbing of the alcohol and was willing to listen to the kid out.

"You rage, coach. It had to be you."

Gabe looked over at Marcus, "You know what your problem is? You don't squeeze your toes. On the snap, you gotta stop walking backwards and squeeze." Jennings looked over at Gabe without saying anything and listened. Even drunk, the man was making perfect sense. "Tomorrow, pull your inside arm back and throw out the outside. You've got to think out there, shit doesn't come to you. You have to make it come to you."

Marcus nodded at him, knowing that he would show up at the practice field earlier than the other players and would work on improving his launch out of the line of scrimmage. Sipping his beer, he tread lightly with Gabe. "You cheating on your woman?"

Gabe nearly choked on the whiskey. "Hell no, why would you say that?"

Marcus shrugged his shoulders. "Dunno. Get you to talk, I guess."

God help him, Gabe took another sip of his drink and began to feel comfortable with the kid. Before he could pull the sentimental bullshit card, Jennings spoke first. "You know what I think—I think you got issues at home."

Gabe scoffed, "and what makes you think I'm going to spill my guts to you?"

"I'll tip you with another round."

With a deep breath, Gabe turned his attention to the television screens behind the bar. Giving in, he spoke quietly. "We had a fight." He caught a quick glance at Jennings before he kept talking. "I don't even know what happened. One minute we were talking and laughing, the next minute I was yelling at her over stupid shit." Marcus took a swig of beer and waited patiently for Gabe to continue. "It's because your other coaches didn't give a shit if you could start right, they only cared you were fast." Gabe looked at Marcus and nodded at his feet.

Marcus had been trying to break his patterns, but was finding it difficult. Gabe was right; his other coaches had overlooked his potential and only seen speed. He needed Gabe's help, and absorbed every slurred word about rip releases to how much weight to keep on his front foot. "So, what the hell are you doing here and not groveling at her place?"

"I don't grovel for anyone." Gabe dropped his head slightly and lowered his eyes. "She won't take my calls. We've been together for months, and she won't even take my calls now."

"She might not take your calls, but she might open the front door for you."

"This coming from a man who had eight guys attacking him last week on the field, for his own woman issues."

"I had that coming, but don't tell yourself you know all of your teammates' ex-girlfriends, groupies or whatever the hell else you want to call them, just so you can sleep at night."

Gabe turned his head and raised both of his brows. "Don't look at me like that. How was I supposed to know? She came up to me, and it was easy."

For the first time in days, Gabe started to laugh. The sound burned in his chest, but felt good. "You mean she was easy."

Marcus shook his head. "I thought we were talking about your woman?"

"Your issues are easier to deal with." Gabe pushed his glass aside and rested his elbows on the bar.

"They're dealt with. I broke up with Cameron, the guys still think I'm an ass because she was with Baxter first. They'll get over it. What else is there?"

Gabe shrugged his shoulders and the two men fell into casual talk, revealing nothing and exposing everything. For some reason, there was a lot more to the younger man than what Gabe had known, and as he talked—Gabe found himself listening.

Failure curled deep within him, Samantha not showing up at the game was one thing, but having Camille also not show up was something else entirely. He knew that they were together. When he asked Ernie during the third quarter about his wife's absence, the man wouldn't say a word. Feeling so much at a loss, that was when he came out to the bar. A place where he could lose himself and not have to think about how he lost the one thing that had become more important, more valuable than anything else. And yet, as he sat talking with Marcus, he sulked.

****

"You can't just avoid him, Sam." Camille was the first one to stop Samantha in her words.

"It's only been a few days, I'm working my way up to it."

"A few days too many, if you ask me."

It was a Tuesday evening; Samantha had not spoken to Gabe in almost a week. When she had flown home, she didn't want to think about what went wrong so she had submerged herself in work. Missing the game was one of the hardest things she had done, and she could only be thankful that Camille was willing to sit with her in her classroom taking down decorations and listening to the awful blow-up that happened on Thanksgiving.




Reading the Defense Ch. 05



Together, in between sobs and laughs they had arranged a dinner night at Samantha's house this evening with Liz and all three of them sat in the front room sipping wine. With Liz and Camille on the couch, Samantha sat on the floor watching the flames in the fireplace dance with each ripple. Both women were dying to get their friend back on track with the only man that matched her perfectly, Liz understood but remained silent as Camille kept on with Samantha.

"When are you going to call Gabe?"

Samantha turned her attention from the flames, and brought it to her friends. "Why do I have to be the one to call him?"

"Sam, as much as you don't want to hear this, you need to call him. In his mind, he's probably thinking the same thing and that's why he's stalling."

Samantha diverted her eyes from both women. She couldn't lie to them and because of their support they needed to know the truth. "He has called. He called late Saturday and then again on Sunday." Raising her eyes slowly, Camille looked the most worried but Liz saw through Samantha and spoke.

"Listen to me, please listen Sam. You did what you thought was right. You have to explain, exactly how you felt, how you feel in order for him to understand. When you avoid him, time is passing by. You are losing him; do you want that to happen?"   A tear slipped out of the corner of Samantha's eyes, and she spoke so quietly it was hard to hear over the sound of the fireplace. "What if he starts yelling, putting words in my mouth about what he thinks I'm doing?"

It took Liz a moment to respond, but when she did it stopped Samantha from reaching for her glass on the coffee table. "Right up until you left, you talked about how much some of the things he does bothers you, how he cancels. How he isn't around." Samantha's brow furrowed and Liz could see her anger was flaring. "I'm not making a list—I'm just repeating what you said. I'm not telling you what you should have done or shouldn't have. But if you want him, want to make your relationship work with him—it's up to you."

Samantha glanced over at Camille, hope and wonder in her eyes. "Look honey, I can tell you first hand it's not easy. But you have to keep honest with yourself and your man. Otherwise, you get this."

"Did you and Ernie ever go through this?"

"Oh my god yes! The first couple of years we were together were hard, it took time to adjust. I'm not going to lie, it was awful during the season, but we are a team and we work through it. If you love him, you will do what you have to do. But girl, he's got to know."

More tears started to drop down Samantha's cheeks. "I just don't get it. I tried so hard to keep a straight face to protect us and it completely backfired. How does that even happen?"

Camille sipped the wine before responding, giving time to Samantha to release her tears. "It just does. But I will also tell you what Ernie said last night." Samantha wiped her eyes with a delicate finger and glanced over at Camille. "Gabe is not taking this well either."

A short while later, after both Liz and Camille had left for the evening, Samantha found herself alone in the front room. The telephone rested on the coffee table taunting her from its perch. She knew what she had to do, what was the right thing to do. Her body ached for him, while her soul missed his company. Taking a deep breath, she reached for the telephone and pulled up Gabe's number. For a moment she sat there staring at the display; trying to decide on whether or not she had the courage to go through with the call. Her heart told her to press the buttons. She loved him and didn't want to lose him.

Without thinking, she pressed the button and the phone began calling Gabe. Her breath grew shaky and she realized just how nervous she was to speak with him. The call rang several times but went unanswered. At the sound of his voice, indicating to leave a message Sam hung up. Feeling lost, tired and alone, she stumbled through the house leaving the lights on until she fell into bed. The sheets were nothing like having Gabe's body wrapped around hers, but it allowed her to lose herself in a battle with her tears.



Reading the Defense Ch. 06



At the complex, Gabe paced quietly across the narrow hallways, waiting for Dr. Simmonds to update several of the coaches on the status of Fabian Velesquez. During the second practice of the day, he had been sprinting along the sideline and been tackled within seconds of catching the ball. All of the players, and especially the three coaches who stood near, heard the crunch as his body collided with a defenseman. Breath swept out of each of their mouths and drifted with the wind, their hearts stopped at the sight of a star player falling to the ground in agony.

Gabe scratched the scruff on his face, a noise broke through down the hall and his eyes followed to see Dr. Simmonds walking toward him and Tony. His pace was slow, but determined. The look in his eyes, told Gabe everything he needed to know.

"His hip is bruised. Nothing's broken but he's going to need to rest." The voice of the younger man was calm, but still shaky.

"Nothing's broken?" Tony blurted the words with brutal force.

"It's hard to tell. We'll need to pull him for an MRI to really see what happened. The tech couldn't see anything obtrusive on the x-rays but I want to run more tomorrow. Off-hand, I'd say if you play him it risks a fracture if it's not already there, and for his own safety you're going to bench him." Dr. Simmonds dropped his voice as the three stood in a section of the coaching unit so nobody else could hear. 

"How long do you think, Doc?"

The man was hesitant in answering, seeing the distress on the coaches' faces. "Your guess is as good as mine, only time will tell. We'll start a full evaluation, but forget about playing him anytime within the next four weeks." Dr. Simmonds nodded toward the men. "That's all I've got for now, he's at home resting now. He's coming out and meeting me at the hospital tomorrow by eight. I'll know more then. Look, I'm heading out, he's fine for now." He turned from the men, and began walking down the corridor toward the exit.

Gabe turned to Tony, his frustration boiling over. "Shit. What about Phillips? Do you think he can fill in the gap?"

"We'll have to try him out, I don't know." Tony immediately pulled his phone out and started to make calls out to a few of the other coaches. As he was scrolling through the number listings, he turned to Gabe. "I'm leaving after this." Without waiting for a response, he turned from Gabe and started talking to someone on the telephone as he walked down the hall. 

Glancing at his watch, he saw that it was just after eleven, taking a deep breath he closed his eyes, only to get hit with the overwhelming news floating inside of his head. For the past several weeks, more injuries seemed to be plaguing the team than wins. Having Velesquez out for at least four weeks was going to put the team at a major deficit, which would add more time for studying plays and working with the players. Running a hand through his tousled hair, Gabe rolled his neck and once again looked down at his watch.

The weight of it was getting heavier as each second passed by. Gabe still hadn't heard from Samantha, and he was beginning to feel angry with himself for not talking with her for that long. He'd gotten drunk after the game on Sunday so, Jennings had to drive him back to his house, something he didn't expect, but didn't fight, as he found himself in the passenger seat. Through the car ride, the kid kept telling him to call Samantha in order to snap out of his funk. To make matters worse, he was going to call her just after the afternoon practice, but once the team's physician made an appearance, hours passed filled with a full assessment of the player's injury.

Gabe rubbed his eyes as he walked down the narrow hall at the back toward his own office. He didn't want to go home but he sure as hell didn't want to be near the field. The coach's office he had been stuck in for the past several hours was bare, except for a filing cabinet and an old television screen. The cramped quarters made his thoughts undeniably clear. He was losing the one thing that was most important in his life. For nothing. Grabbing his jacket from the coat rack behind his door, he thrust his arms through and reached into the pocket for his phone. It was an automatic move, something he had done dozens of times. The phone was cold in his large hands, as he pushed through the double doors exiting the complex that was when he looked at the display. Several messages and missed calls were indicated. Gabe started to scroll through the listing and nearly dropped the phone when he saw Samantha's name. 

For a second, he almost couldn't breathe. Without hesitating, he quickly listened through the voicemails to hear her voice, but none were left from her. When Gabe got to his truck, he placed the phone on the hood and stared up at the cold November sky. Samantha was calling him, but she wouldn't leave a message. His mind couldn't piece it together, but seeing her name caused hope to surge through him. Hope followed by guilt.

For a confident man, he had lost every ounce of it since their fight over the holiday. He knew that he should have gone to her once she arrived back at home. He should have done something. Gabe begun to miss her in more ways than he could count and knew after he had made the drive back over from Michigan what went wrong with that terrible conversation. Over the course of his relationships, he had always been busy with memorizing plays, training, studying other teams. He had put football first and never put much into the relationships before Samantha, because the other women just gave up. He gave up. The thought made him feel ashamed for his attitude.

Samantha was different; she was putting everything she knew into their relationship without holding anything back. For the past few days, Gabe had thought about what she said over the telephone and could now understand her intentions. He was tired and frustrated at the time, causing him to overreact and completely miss the point. He knew she wasn't trying to burden him, because of his job. But he still wanted to know her thoughts. He wanted to know the good and the bad. Time spent apart from her was just as hard for him. What she was feeling was no different than what he was, they just needed for each other to know and understand that. Since she got back, he didn't know anything that was going on with her.

The only information he had been able to weasel out of Ernie was that Camille was having dinner with Samantha that evening. Deciding to himself that he needed to see her, needed to work on fixing this break between them, he thrust the keys into the ignition and shot onto the expressway in the direction of her house.

Keeping his phone within sight while making the drive, Gabe's eyes kept darting to the dark screen yearning for her call, to hear her voice. Unsure why, but some force told him she just might call. The drive was fast with the evening traffic, and as he pulled up to the townhouse, he hoped, seeing the porch light on, that Samantha might be awake. He took several deep breaths before gaining enough courage to head up to her front door. Never in his life had ever been this nervous, but enough was enough. Cursing himself for not having a key to the house, he peered through the glass windows near the front door. He saw that the light in the hallway was lit but the rest of the house remained dark. She never left lights on, so he knew she was home. 

Gabe thought about ringing the doorbell, but glanced down at his watch again and figuring the time, didn't think that was appropriate. All of the windows were closed, and as he walked toward the back of the house, he saw that her bedroom light was on. Looking around for something to throw at the window, a light came on at the side of the house. He straightened as Samantha's neighbor came outside and hollered out at him.

"You don't leave from the back of that house, I'm going to call the police." An elderly woman with a cackling voice shouted out to Gabe.

Gabe squeezed his eyes shut, and wished he remembered the woman's name. Straightening, he walked toward her. "Sorry ma'am, my girlfriend lives here."

"I don't care if your mother lives there," the woman clearly didn't remember meeting Gabe and kept an angry tone to her voice. "It's a little late for breaking in tonight."

"I wasn't breaking in. I just don't have a key to get in." Gabe groaned at the lack of conviction in his statement. It would be a wonder if the woman believed him, since she clearly didn't recognize him.

The woman sucked on her teeth. "Well, I'd say a man snooping around these parts right now isn't any good. A doorbell won't do you any harm."

"Yes, ma'am." The woman walked back into her house and shut the porch light off, leaving Gabe in the darkness. His body shaking with defeat, he never quit something. Never walked away, but this time it was out of his hands and he had to. Slowly walking back to the truck, he shook his head knowing there had to be another way. Just as he unlocked the door, it came to him. A few weeks ago he had come over to her house in between meetings. Samantha was having parent teacher conferences and she had told him that her garage door had a keypad on the side of the wall. Racking his brain he tried to remember the code and tapped the pad of his index finger on the rubber numbers. 

"What is the code?" He whispered to himself, hoping that his question would make him remember. After standing in the dark for several minutes he couldn't figure it out and got in the car and pulled out of her drive as failure twisted in him. Nearing the end of the court, the code exploded into his memory. Pulling the truck to a screeching stop, he shifted the gears to reverse and drove the entire length of the street until parking back in her driveway. With a speed he couldn't explain, he jumped out of the truck and rushed over to the keypad punching in the code. After a light clicking sound, the door began to rise.

Relief washed through him and fell deep into his bones as he made his way around her car inside of the garage. Thankfully she never locked the inside door and he hit the button closing the garage door before entering the house. Trying to be as quiet as possible, he stepped inside and felt even more relief as he saw her purse on the floor by the front door. At a quick glance, he noticed a pair of wine glasses on the coffee table and felt even more shame for his boorish behavior. He should not have waited several days to see her. He loved her and she deserved better than that. Following the light in the hallway, he gently walked up the stairs and saw that her bedroom door was slightly open with the lights on. His heart was pounding in his chest, his hands clammy—even so, he took a shaky breath and pushed through the door and walked into the room. The walls were accented by the dim light near the bed, the entire room held the scent of her that he had missed for nearly a week. A scent that had filled his own home and made every night difficult to sleep through entirely without feeling her body curled next to his. Glancing at the bed he saw her sleeping form and almost lost it right there. Emotions tugged at the back of his eyes, muscles he hadn't realized were tense—loosened; Samantha was there. She slept on top of the sheets, her face red and puffy from tears that Gabe knew had fallen earlier. Reaching out, he pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes only to have Samantha stiffen from fear.

Her eyes opened from her slumber, only to widen at the sight of a very disheveled Gabe. Over the past several days, he had given up on shaving let alone caring about eating a meal or remembering a workout. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked tired. A part of her wanted to beat the hell out of him for getting inside, another part wanted to comfort him for the same pain he seemed to be suffering. She wanted to curse herself for the shift in her emotions. 

"Gabe—what?" She couldn't finish speaking as all words eluded her.

At the sight of her, Gabe forgot everything and was just as speechless. He forgot why he had originally been mad, forgot how long they had been apart. As he looked down into her face, he had forgotten just how beautiful she was.

"What time is it?"

"Late. I didn't mean to wake you."

Blowing out a frustrated breath, "You didn't mean...How did you get inside?" Her eyes were sad as she gazed at him.

Gabe's voice softened to a near quiet tone. "Through the garage." 

Samantha raised an eyebrow and sat up in the bed, even in the darkness he could see her hurt and wanted to blurt out everything but his memory deserted him. "What are you doing here, Gabe?" Her nervous tone made him realize the mistake he'd made by not being there for her on Saturday and then showing up in her room wasn't doing anything but add more to the grievance. 

"I wanted to talk to you."

Samantha's brow furrowed, "Now?"

Gabe could see the frustration building in her, hear it in her voice. "Sam, please...." Samantha dropped her eyes, struggling to stay strong, her head shook slowly. Gabe knew she was uncomfortable and started to stand up from the edge of the bed. "This isn't right. I should go."

He heard a sad sigh, and saw her eyes moving back and forth trying to read his. Gabe drank in the sight of her; she seemed tired and sad and could only blame himself for the play of emotions on her face. He wouldn't be surprised if she kicked his ass out, but the tremor in his voice stilled her. Samantha scooted closer to Gabe who was looking down at her from the side of the bed, reaching out she touched his arm lightly. "I don't want you to go." 

Encouraged by her invitation and caving to her magnetic pull, he sat back down on the bed. Without thinking, his mouth started to move. "I don't even know how to start this."

She stopped him with the feather light touch of her fingers on his lips, her voice as quiet as a midnight breeze. "I'm sorry, Gabe." Gabe's mouth fell slightly open, his breath coming out in shallow gulps. "I should have been honest with you from the beginning, but you have to understand that this is all so new to me. I'm still learning how to deal with a different lifestyle. But I never, never, wanted you to think that I blamed you."

"So why didn't you come to me?" Samantha could see the pain in Gabe's eyes, she hadn't realized that she had been clutching his arm and started to stroke it lightly.

"I was scared to bring it up." Gabe pushed himself away ever so slightly, Samantha stilled her stroking, and tightened her grip around his bicep. "I know that you are busy, and for the most part, my frustrations are personal, Gabe. I'm dealing with sharing my time with you, and would never forgive myself for putting a strain on your career." 

Gabe kept an intent gaze at her as she spoke quietly. "When we were talking on the phone—" Samantha paused, taking a deep breath. "When you thought I was bothering you—you're only half right."

"Sam, I don't ever want you to think that you are bothering me."

"Gabe, it's nothing any other person wouldn't go through. I didn't feel like I could just come to you because I didn't know how to deal with you all of the time. With all of this, but I kept dealing and didn't want to pressure you with my feelings that would eventually pass."

"Samantha, your feelings are not nothing. I don't want to lose you over nothing."

"You're not going to lose me. I just needed to figure out how to respond."

Gabe looked at her as though she hadn't spoken, but heard every word. "Without telling me." Frustration beginning to build in his voice. "When did you feel like you couldn't come to me?"

Her voice was quiet, "From the beginning." Gabe's eyes dropped and a dejected expression crossed his face. Samantha immediately picked up on his reaction and tried to explain. Reaching out, she touched his scruff, with a finger she tugged his face back up to look at her. "Not in the way you are thinking."

"Well, then tell me what this is all about."

"When we started dating, I got swept up by you and didn't think about your schedules, the way you might not be able to be around all of the time. But then you started to get swamped with certain players, studying and your meetings. We'd only see each other once a week or something like that, it started to creep up."

Gabe interrupted her before she could finish. "But that doesn't explain why you didn't just tell me." 

A wary twitch tinged her soft lips, but died almost instantly. "The reason I have not been telling you how I felt was mainly because I know that football is a major priority in your life. After knowing you for five minutes, anyone could tell how important it is to you. Your life revolves around it. I think that's wonderful." Samantha shot Gabe a meaningful look. "But I can't lie to you and say that every day I am happy when I can't see you. It's difficult."

Gabe continued to look at her, with that same dejected gaze. Reading her face, trying to understand her words. "Please, Gabe. This is hard for me to be telling you this." Never one to voice her concerns, she was sitting next to the man she loved and needed to be honest.

"I don't understand."

"I know you don't. It's not that I feel I'm a burden to you. I don't want to stand in the way or weigh you down with my reactions. Which I realize now, were ridiculous and normal but still-I never wanted to hurt you."

For several moments they sat there, Samantha's words registering in Gabe's mind. Thinking of what his family had been saying, and remembering his talk with Marcus, Gabe needed to be straight with Samantha. "I have always put football first. Anyone else came second. When we met I couldn't get over how lucky I was, you are perfect for me in every way. My mind wanted to fight the urges to see you but I couldn't get enough of being with you, making me try that much harder to be with you when I could, but still keep to my old ways."

Samantha stared at Gabe not knowing what to say.

"I guess I was afraid to do both and be able to make them both work. I wanted to be the best I could be for you and still be effective on the field." He fell silent, finally letting himself go with her.

"This is what I've been saying Gabe. I don't ever want to be someone that comes between you and your career."

"Sweetheart, it's a job. It's not what makes me laugh, makes me happy or turns me on. No offense, but I really don't want to wake up next to Jamal Wallace every single morning for the rest of my life."

Samantha couldn't hold back and laughed at that, she couldn't imagine waking up next to Jamal either. "He's way too big! I think you'd fight over who got the covers."

This time Gabe joined her in their laughter but sobered as Samantha traced his jaw with her fingers. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead before pulling back. "I'm sorry for yelling at you on the phone, sweetheart. God, I'm sorry. All I heard was burden and lost it. This is just as hard for me."

"Is it?"

"Being with me is not easy. I'm not used to wanting to get away every chance I can get. Rushing out to you with game film and notes, knowing I won't get any sleep, let alone any work done the minute I am with you." 

Samantha's brow furrowed, her voice dropped low. "You always get work done though."

"I know, but it's different." 

Her hands trailed from his jaw, and stilled on his chest, "I know your job is demanding but I want you to know that I'm more than just a phone call. That I'm--" She broke off unsure how to word her thoughts.

"That I am as important as football." She looked up warily at him. The corner of his mouth turned up causing the dimple high in his cheek to pop out.

"Sam, the minute I leave the complex I have to go somewhere. I have always stumbled home and watched more game film, studied up until I slept thinking about the next day filled with practices. When we met, my priorities changed. You are more important than football sweetheart, more than you will ever know. I can't escape the demands of my job, but I can't turn my back on the way I feel about you. I don't ever want to lose you." Her body froze on the bed as his eyes bore down into hers. Taking a deep breath, he spoke the words he'd known from the minute he caught her at the bar. The words that cushioned his dreams as he slept thinking about her. Words that made him whole.




Reading the Defense Ch. 06



"I love you." Tears poured earnestly down her cheeks as she clutched his arms. He pulled her close and kissed her deeply, their tongues joining together, finding the place within the warmth of their mouths that was only theirs.

Releasing his lips from hers, he dropped his to the moisture along her face which only caused her to cry openly. "I've loved you from the beginning, but I was so stupid. So damned stupid." He continued kissing her cheeks, brushing his lips lightly across the soft skin, covering one side to the other. Samantha's fingers traced the stubble on Gabe's face.

Speaking through the tears that finally seemed to stop, "I like this." She dropped her lips to kiss his jaw line. Her fingers dropped from his face and she reached for the hem of his shirt, Gabe pulled away only to kiss Samantha's lips lightly as he got up to stand next to her. She watched in open appreciation as he stripped himself of all of his clothing. He crawled back onto the bed and straddled her legs, looking intently into her eyes, Gabe could see the tenderness that always warmed his soul with their gaze. Her black silky nightgown had bunched up at her hips and he slowly raised the fabric over her body, knowing she was fully naked underneath the garment. Samantha raised her arms as he lifted it off and shucked the material to the floor. Her arms rested on his shoulders, for a moment neither of them moved. Her fingers squeezed his shoulders, and as he felt her nails dig into the skin the pressure pooled into his arousal broke his concentration.

Gabe moved his body, allowing Samantha to fall back into the pillows. She widened her legs and allowed his larger frame in between. As they meshed their bodies together, Gabe reached out and cupped her face within his hands. He held her face lightly and couldn't hold himself back from the undercurrent of emotions that were consuming him. With all of the love spilling from his body, he found his voice.

"I love you." It was a quiet whisper that was filled with promises of putting Samantha first. Promises of waking next to her for the rest of their lives, enjoying the sounds of their children running through the halls of their home. It was a vow of honesty and tenderness. Lust and affection.

A tear escaped her eyes and trailed onto the pillows. Lifting up as best as she could, she captured his lips and kissed him gently. "I know." Leaning back against the pillows, Gabe pulled back and peered down at her. "You do?"

Lifting a knee, she ran her hand along his rib as her leg warmed his side. In a soft whisper, her big blue eyes held his darker ones in their gaze. "I love you too."

Gabe wanted to laugh, but more than anything he wanted to thank God for not losing this woman. He could see the meaning behind the words, see the truth in their bright depths. She was giving herself to him in every way she knew how. With her body cradling his, he carried the same gaze to her. Samantha knew he was giving everything back to her. The pain in his groin was killing him and he ached to bury himself inside of her. With their bodies so close, he could feel her warmth, feel the dampness between them, in the one place he fully belonged, but even so, he moved slowly.

Samantha bit her lower lip and kept looking at him, waiting. Gabe lowered his head and coaxed her lips with his. He tasted toothpaste and that always present taste of home as their kiss deepened. Her hands stroked his back, reveling in the strength that she missed dearly over the past several days. Samantha moaned as Gabe's hand stroked her thigh, her lips broke from their kiss as his hands rested on her sides and squeezed.

Samantha's body was quivering with need. She mumbled affectionate words as he inched closer but pulled away without making contact. When she nipped his lower lip and held onto the flesh with her own lips and scraped her nails on his gruff stubble, only then did he finally position himself into her slick opening. Samantha accepted him fully, Gabe filled her but moved with an ease that astonished him. His thrusts were controlled, but almost to the point of breaking.

Below him, Samantha encouraged and begged him for more. She provoked his urges to move faster and let go, making him love her all the more. Gabe thrust his hips skillfully, pulling himself almost all of the way out. Samantha dug her nails into his shoulders, crying out at him. When her muscles quivered, he thrust hard, jolting her body and sending her over the edge. She clung to him, vibrating as he continued to thrust into her. With her body tightly milking him, Gabe groaned urging himself to hold back. As her body loosened, he pulled out completely.

Samantha tugged at his waist and growled into his neck when she got her breath back. Reaching for any part of him, she trailed her fingers all over any patch of skin she could reach, massaging lightly as her fingers travelled. 

He groaned at her touch and spoke quietly, his voice rough but still wicked. "Do you believe me Sam?"

She couldn't answer in word, instead she brought the tip of her tongue to his skin and allowed the pulse of his arousal to answer for her. Not wanting anything but having him inside her she placed a hand behind his neck and brought his lips down to hers. Gabe nudged her legs wider and sank into her in a single thrust ripping a groan from both of them when they made contact. 

Moving slowly together in a timeless rhythm; climbing closer to the point of ecstasy but not quite trembling over. Their skin dampened from the resistance of completely losing all control. Gabe massaged her hips as he thrust deeply into her. He would pull almost all of the way out before slowly dipping back into her quivering center, taking little nibbles from her bottom lip as she started panting.

Placing her hands on his chest she felt his body trembling, stroking him lightly she brought her gaze up to his in time to see his head fall back for a minute. A groan escaped his lips before his head rolled back to look down at her. As he continued to move within her, with painfully slow strokes Samantha lifted up and lightly kissed his lips. Keeping her eyes locked on his she raked her tongue across his lower lip, before taking a nip with her teeth breaking every ounce of his control.

He started thrusting frantically as Samantha raised her knees up to take him closer to her very core. As their mouths fused together she ran her nails along his backside making him jerk madly. Knowing he was close he dropped his mouth to her neck and licked a trail along her collarbone. Samantha arched below him and gripped his shoulders, his tongue swirled again in the same spot with a little more pressure and she caved to the explosion inside of her body. Gabe kept thrusting, as her nails dug into his shoulders and as her body tightened around him he growled before biting down her neck and releasing within her.

Afterward Gabe pulled her close to him as if he would never let her go, Samantha ran the pads of her fingers across his chest enjoying the mat of hair she had missed desperately. Lifting herself she scooted up and leaned over him, his half eyes half closed saw her movement and opened to take her in.

"I love you, Gabe."

Smiling up at her, he reached around her and brought her lips down to meet his. She hummed a sweet sound and then crawled back to lie next to him, wrapping herself around him making it difficult to know where their bodies separated.

"You know, just because I put out doesn't mean you're forgiven though." Gabe squeezed her side, looking down at her again he raised an eyebrow. 

"You owe me more than just a few really good seats to a game and free access to manhandling my jigs."

He barked a laugh at that. "Just what do I owe you then?" Shifting his body so that they were facing each other, he nuzzled her neck. Samantha's breath caught as Gabe nipped her collarbone for what seemed like the hundredth time.

Reaching around she ran her hands along his side. "Hmm, I'm not sure yet but I think it'll be fun for you to find out."

With Samantha lying on top of him, he turned and kissed the crown of her head. All of the pieces were finally together. He was right where he wanted to be. With the only woman who matched his soul. Knowing he was in the best place, he curled closer to Samantha and closed his eyes.

****

Through the month of December, Samantha found herself buried with activities and projects she needed her students to complete for the requirements of the school district. Gabe had spent more time on the field and with one on ones with a few players, working on snapping the cuff or sprinting technique than nights laying in bed with Samantha. They had spent the Christmas holiday together visiting his family in Michigan. At first, Samantha had been terrified and mostly intimidated to meet such a close family. Her feelings disintegrated and followed the chilly breeze as the truck pulled up to the house to an expectant family.

Almost immediately, she felt comfortable with each of the Russell family members. Laurie immediately whisked her away from Gabe and soon enough, she found herself holstered in the kitchen helping out with meal. Gabe took great pleasure in seeing her on the snow covered grass in the backyard when the family played their customary football game. He took even more pleasure when someone shouted out to him from the house and Samantha took advantage of his lapse of attention to tackle him.

As January came to an end, so did the season for the Cougars. Samantha sat next to Camille during the last home game of the season, the temperature had dropped and with the wind chill it hit well below zero. Both women didn't give it a second thought to sit anywhere but outside for this game, and chose to bundle up in thick down jackets. The Cougars were on fire and were hopefully going to wrap up the season 9-7 depending how the game went. The team was below the other playoff contenders and wouldn't make it this season, but the players were giving everything regardless of the outcome. Despite everything Gabe and Samantha worked very hard to have some time each day together, she was spending more time at his house ignoring the additional forty minutes it added to her commute in the mornings. Gabe took evening breaks and met her at the house for dinner or somewhere near her school, and every night he found his way to his bed or hers regardless of the time. 

"So, what did Ernie say when you told him you were pregnant?" Camille smiled and looked out at the field in the direction of her husband.

"He cried, said he had been waiting for this moment since we'd been together."

Samantha saw right through her and nudged her with her knee. "He did not say that!"

"No, he threw me on the bed and well. Yeah. He was excited."

"You guys are so bad."

"What did Gabe say when you told him you were pregnant?"

"What? Oh my god no! That is not happening anytime soon. The man hasn't even met my family yet."

Camille nudged Samantha with her knee and smiled at her friend's shocked expression. "Are you and Gabe coming to dinner after the game tonight? If they win it's going to be pandemonium, but Ernie lives for that stuff."

"I don't think so. Gabe said something about driving up to his cabin right away. Why he wants to leave tonight, I have no idea."

"Really? That's strange; I didn't think he ever went up there unless it was the summer."

"I know, he was acting funny this morning before he headed out. He started saying something before stopping himself, and then left without his gummy worms." Samantha thought back to earlier that morning when she had laughed at Gabe as he shuffled out of the house, mumbling something low enough so she couldn't hear. "I mean he's forgetful in buying them but not about taking them with him."

"How did you get them to him?" Camille was curious because she'd never had luck with getting through some of the security guards. 

"I just told the guards Gabe left something behind and I had to get it to him." Camille looked over at Samantha and raised her eyebrows, causing Samantha to laugh. "Of course they didn't let me get through, so I called Tony and he came out."

Camille laughed, "Why didn't you just call Gabe?"

"He never answers his phone on a game day." They both laughed and looked out onto the field as the players and coaches made their way to the benches.

"Well, he has something planned for the both of you."

If Liz were there she would have agreed with Camille. For weeks she had been saying the same thing that she had a feeling he was going to propose to her. When he didn't around Christmas, she extended it out to New Years. As she mentioned how she'd taken a week off to spend at the cabin at the end of the season, Liz squealed with excitement. Samantha didn't care what Gabe had up his sleeve, she only wanted him. Today, tomorrow, always, and would take him any way that she could. 

The anthem had just finished and the announcers were awarding a local charity when Samantha's gaze turned to the corner where Gabe always stood. As if he knew she was looking for him, Gabe looked up from where he was and looked over at Samantha. A big smile broke out on his face as his eyes were riveted on her, in those dark eyes she saw his love beaming toward her. Reaching down she touched her chest above her heart and returned the gaze. He nodded his head at her and then turned his focus back to the game as it was about to start.

Samantha sat down in her seat with her hands still resting lightly above her breast, despite the winter chill she was warmed to her inner core. As the first quarter went underway, her eyes drifted to the action on the field as she watched one pass to the next, all falling into the Cougars' benefit a touchdown during the first twelve minutes of play. A slightly distracted Camille kept sneaking glances off to the side of the section they sat in. Samantha had not paid attention until she had asked Camille a question about an idea for a meal to cook, in a cabin that was sure to be cold. When she turned with an expectant look, Camille had been silently staring at a series of seats fifty yards from their own seats.

"Do you know someone over there?" Samantha nodded her head in the direction of the thirty five yard line.

Camille slowly nodded her head before acknowledging. "Yes, I do."

Laughing, Samantha nudged Camille with her shoulder. "You should go over there and say hello."

Camille turned and the smile faded from her face. "Sam, I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but...Gabe's ex-wife is sitting over there."

Almost immediately, Samantha's eyes darted over Camille's shoulder in the direction she had been staring at. She knew Gabe's past, but never wanted to see pictures of the woman he had once been married to. It was a time in his life when they did not know each other, and it wasn't that she had anything against the other woman but she still didn't want to know. "Where is she?" The curiosity in getting a glimpse of the woman confounded her. 

"Are you sure you want to know?"

With a deep breath she spoke confidently. "Well, yes." Samantha's gaze followed Camille's as they both turned into the direction as to where Bree Cheniak was sitting. "Why would she be here?"

"Because Gabe's winning."

"But they have been divorced for years, he said he doesn't even talk to her."

"The last I heard she had been dating one of the coaches in Cincinnati. She gets around from players to coaches, Sam."

"There are too many people. Which section, Camille?" For the first time, Samantha's tone shifted and was filled with a sort of defensive conviction.

"She's wearing a shimmery down with fur on the hood. Her sunglasses—"

Samantha couldn't hear the description that Camille was giving. Bree could easily be found, her gold jacket was more suitable for an evening out, rather than a football game. Her crystal encrusted sunglasses dared anyone to avoid her. Her body screamed attention. Samantha breathed out and spoke quietly to herself, "She's beautiful."

Camille immediately turned back to Samantha to reassure her friend. "It doesn't matter how beautiful she is, honey. Who is your man with every night?" 

Samantha gave another deep breath, and in that moment Bree turned toward the two women. The air stopped moving in the stadium, at least it felt that way for Samantha. For a brief moment, the two women's eyes met. Samantha knew that Bree had figured out who she was just then. She could feel it in the pit of her stomach, an uncomfortable tug at her belly that passed almost immediately as she began to feel protective of herself and of Gabe and their relationship. She sat up straighter in her seat. As awkward as the situation should have been, Samantha remained confident and looked away from the other woman.

"Me."

****

By the end of the fourth Samantha had stopped thinking about Bree Cheniak, or the fact that she was sitting so close, as all of her thoughts were stuck on the actions on the field. The Cougars managed to beat Jacksonville by seven points. It was an incredible feat and an even better way of ending a brutal season plagued with injuries. Samantha left the stadium after Ernie met up with Camille inside. She had barely gotten to the parking lot, before Gabe caught up with her. He laughed at her rosy cheeks and bright nose. Once next to her, he lifted her off of the ground as they hugged. Samantha squeaked at his gesture and sighed as the scent of fresh soap waved off of him. After the game, he had undoubtedly congratulated the players and other coaches before showering. Everyone would be out celebrating together, but all he had wanted to do was get to Samantha. 

Samantha clung to Gabe and tightened her grip around his neck. Turning to face him, she kissed his lips. Pulling away, she smacked her lips together before smiling. "I'm so glad you enjoy my chapstick."

Gabe barked out a laugh and set her back on ground, before stealing another kiss. "Are you ready to go?"

Nodding her head enthusiastically, she was more than ready. She had been waiting for this break for as long as they had been together. For an entire week, they would be secluded up at his cabin in Michigan. Just the two of them. There would be no rushing to get away, no late nights where they would be watching game film together. They could simply just be together. Finally.

Once inside of the truck, Gabe reached over for Samantha's hand and held onto it tightly as they headed out onto the freeway. Samantha spoke first, "How do you feel right now?"

He smiled at her simple question. "Pretty great, the guys really pulled it together in the last few minutes." Samantha turned her body and moved their joined hands so they rested on her lap. She sat listening as Gabe went over the successful plays, not mentioning one bad one. He seemed to be on a high from the game and was only focusing on the positive; they might be out of the playoffs, but it was only by one game. It wasn't long before Samantha's eyes began to droop and she fell asleep as Gabe weaved in and out of the late night traffic. 

It wasn't until he pulled off of the interstate, did she let go of his hand and wake up. Yawning, she turned to look out of the darkened windows. "Where are we?"

"Close to the cabin, we have to go through town for a few miles until we reach the lake."

Samantha kept gazing out into the darkness, unable to see anything beyond the wooded margin of the road. As they drove along Morenci Avenue, they approached streetlights at the edge of town that lined the street. The town was a local fixture where some businesses had fallen in the recession, but for the most part survived thanks to loyal patrons. As the truck crept through town, Samantha saw twinkle lights outlining the second levels of the buildings where small apartments were perched. The street was short but was home to a small grocer, a floral shop, a dance studio with open blinds in the front window and a walk up coffee stop. 




Reading the Defense Ch. 06



Samantha moved in the seat, sitting on the edge as she got familiar with the local fixtures. Gabe turned to Samantha and saw her smile as she took it all in. He pointed over to the coffee stand, "There's a cute woman who runs that coffee shop. She doesn't let anyone drive up, you have to walk up. Even if it's fifteen below, with the wind chill."

Samantha turned to Gabe and raised an eyebrow, but he knew she was being playful. "Cute woman?" Gabe laughed and dropped his hand to her thigh, where he squeezed it lightly before resting it on top. "She's got to be in her sixties—cute."

The way he spoke while he laughed made her all warm. But at the same time, made her remember seeing his ex-wife at the stadium during the game. She had forgotten about it, mainly because the game had turned into a wild circus during the first two minutes of the fourth quarter when Marcus Jennings caught a pass and rushed fifty four yards to complete a touchdown. Samantha lowered a hand down to Gabe's and laced their fingers together, he squeezed hers loosely as she turned her body in the seat to face him.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded and then cleared her throat. "Gabe, today at the game—I'm not really sure how to say this." Gabe tightened his grip on her hand and looked at her with a worried expression on his face. "Say, what?"

"Okay, I know you've been married. This isn't news or anything, and I swear I have never looked up your ex-wife or anything like that—but...." She took a deep breath. "Gabe, your ex-wife was at the game today."

For a minute, he didn't know how to respond. Gabe straightened in the seat, his foot slipped off of the gas pedal slowing the truck's speed. "How did you know who she was?"

"Camille pointed her out, she was sitting kind of close to us?"

Gabe resumed the speed and loosened his grip on her hand, but held it comfortably within his own. "I didn't know she would be there. Did she come up to you?"

"No. Have you ever seen her—I know you're preoccupied with the players, but..." Samantha couldn't finish the statement as her voice stammered. Gabe rubbed her hand with his thumb and sneaked a quick glance at her as the truck passed the town's limit nearing the lakeside properties.

"Sam, I haven't seen her in years. I don't see anyone in the stadiums." He brought their hands up to his lips, and turned to her. "Except you." Gabe kissed the top of her hand and held their hands close to his lips for a short moment. Samantha shivered at the gesture, then smiled over at him.

"Okay."

Gabe dropped their hands and laughed at her casual response. "Okay? As in, you really are okay with seeing her? I can't think of why she'd be there, and don't really care."

Samantha nodded her head and kept looking over at Gabe. "I really am. It was definitely a weird coincidence, I hope that I don't see her again—but I'd like to think I handled it well."

Gabe slammed on the brakes and started to pull over to the side of the road. "Gabe!"

As the truck slowed to an almost stop, his eyes raked over her entire body stopping at her blue eyes that were glittering from the streetlight the truck was nearing. "I don't see any war wounds, but you have sharp teeth that can cut through skin." Samantha pulled her hand away and slapped his shoulder as he laughed and pressed on the gas. She gaped at him as he teased, "They really are sweetheart, I have marks all over my body."

"You are impossible sometimes, you know that?"

"Yes I do, but you love me for it." Gabe turned to her and winked. 

"You are an idiot. But—yeah I do, so I guess you are a loved idiot." Gabe guided the truck down a gravel path and over a small wooden bridge before pulling it to a stop. Samantha didn't wait for him to get out, as she thrust the door open and quickly got out to take in his cabin.

The small wooden house was exactly as she had imagined. The front of the brown cabin had more windows than she could count. Even in the dark of the night, she could tell that the house was trimmed in white. Perched in between so many overgrown trees dusted with snow, it looked like a snowy getaway. Samantha's eyes were wide and moved from one side of the yard to the next. She turned to Gabe who was standing next to her side. "The porch lights are on."

He laced their fingers together and walked with her as she moved slowly on the snow covered ground. "One of the neighbors stopped by during the week to turn the heat on and turn the timers for the lights on." Samantha stopped next to a wooden bench on the side of the house and looked up at Gabe. "What?"

"What all do you have planned here?"

Gabe leaned down and kissed her glossy lips, only to pull away and purse his lips together. Because of the gloss, his lips were sticky so he brushed a finger across them clearing the gloss off. "Nothing, I wanted to make sure there was heat."

Samantha tore her hands from his and dashed across the yard toward the back and wished it were light so she could see the view. The night sky was brightly filled with glowing stars, the water still from the wintery winds. "I'm not hot enough to keep this place warm?" She called out to him only to stop near the back doors. 

Gabe slowly walked over to where she was, checking the windows to make sure they were secured and the insulation boards were in place over the outdoor vents. Samantha's eyes were roaming the wood deck covered in snow, the wooden platform leading out to the lake, the wooden chairs on the porch. Samantha's breath caught and tears fought to break free at the back of her eyes. She walked over to Gabe who was crouched near one of the sideboards checking for rust and crouched down next to him. Surprised by her action, he looked into her face.

"You made everything, didn't you?"

Blinking slowly, he let his fingers fall from the screws and placed a hand under her chin. "Yes, it's what I do in the summer. I didn't build this place, but built pretty much everything outside and in." He gave her a mischievous smirk, "Wait 'til you see inside." Samantha took a deep breath, leaned forward and kissed him deeply. Her legs were beginning to fall asleep, both of their jackets made them look like giant marshmallows but she didn't care. She had known his house would be impressive, but this was above and beyond.

Whispering to Gabe when she pulled away, "I want to see inside, now." All he could do was nod at her, this woman who had the ability to break all of his self control. They walked back to the truck and picked up the bags; naturally he reached for Samantha's. Being the type of woman she was, packing light—did not exist. She laughed at him and grabbed her own bag and together they made their way to the front door. As Gabe got the door unlocked, Samantha's breath hovered on the enclosed porch. 

After a couple of jabs, the frozen lock finally gave way and they walked in only to have Samantha once again stop dead in her tracks as she walked straight into a side table. She gave a 'whoop' of surprise and started to fall to the ground. With the light from the porch shining through the open door, Gabe moved quick and grabbed her before she fell to the hard wood floors. Helping her up, Samantha looked up into his face with wide eyes. Gabe was the first one to laugh. Only she would be the one to fall like that, and he would be the one to catch her.

Dropping her bags, she started to walk through the small cabin. The rich smells of oak were ever present from the house's foundation. Much like his house back in Rockford, the walls were filled with candid pictures of playing days and family and friends. There was plush overstuffed couches in one room and overstuffed chairs in another. Where in his rented home, the furniture filled the place, here in the cabin it felt lived in. Comfortable. Just right.

In the front room, she noted that there wasn't a television screen and as Gabe came up to her she asked him why not. "Because I watch so much of it with game film during the season, I leave it to the smaller room in the back for catching a show or something. Why do I think we're going to be spending a lot of time back there watching your reality TV series'?"

Samantha smacked his chest and kept walking around. The cabin itself was only one level but was long. On the outside it looked rather small, but as she walked through the halls and saw each room she knew better. Gabe let her wander around, making herself comfortable with the house while he unpacked a few things and started the fire. She couldn't get enough of the house, it was everything that could make Gabe a living house. When she made her way to the kitchen, she laughed outright before walking to the table. Perched in the center of the table, that had been crafted by his hands, was a large bouquet of hydrangeas. Shaking her head, she turned to Gabe who was leaning against one of the counters with a beer in hand.

Samantha sauntered over to him and snagged a belt loop of his jeans with a finger. Looking deeply into his eyes she raised on her toes and kissed the corner of his mouth. Gabe leaned back to look down at her as she dropped back down to the ground.

"What was that for?"

"Everything. You had your neighbor bring the flowers too, didn't you?"

"A smart woman wouldn't even have to ask that."

She raised an eyebrow at him, "I'm a smart woman, and I still say the same thing."

A few strands of her wavy hair had fallen into her face, Gabe let his fingers brush the strands behind her ears. "I couldn't have you come home, and not have flowers." His eyes bore deep into hers, he was giving her this place just as he had everything else that was a part of him. Samantha nodded her head, a tear escaping the corner of her eyes. It was Gabe who led her toward the back of the house where their bedroom beckoned.

Before he could turn the lights on, she threw herself at him pushing him against the wall closest to the door and started to tug and pull at his clothes. With each inch that she brought the shirt up and closer to pulling it over his head, she would give him a brutal kiss. Thrusting her tongue inside only to remove it quick enough that he would be leaning forward for more. With his jeans, he wore a buckle and as his arousal grew harder she took her time removing the clasp and sliding the zipper down. Gabe groaned in agony and pleasure as Samantha moved with infinite patience in getting the jeans to slide down his sturdy thighs. With a strong hand, she placed it on his chest and pushed him back so that he was leaning flat against the wall. Looking deeply into his face, she lowered herself to her knees and began to love him exactly the way she knew he needed. Gabe's eyes rolled back and a moan escaped his mouth as Samantha's warm lips took him. Her sugar sweet tongue circled around his pulsing erection while her hands roamed his torso. With her mouth, she took his body away from him and made it hers. 

Gabe's body started to tremble, his hands had found her hair and helped in guiding her in her own rhythm of pleasure. Just when he thought he was going to die, she broke away from him and leaned back on her heels. Reaching down, he didn't know where he found the strength, but he flipped the switch to the lights in the room and half pulled Samantha to the bed. She fell onto the soft fleece comforter with a giggle, only to moan immediately once Gabe started to trace her innermost secret places with his fingers. With her still fully clothed, her senses were on overload. Within seconds, her clothes were shed and Gabe was pushing her back onto the pillows giving her enough space to be comfortable so he could give back to her what she had just done to him.

Starting at her collarbone, Gabe trailed kissed down her entire body. When he reached her inner thigh, Samantha lifted her hips only to have Gabe draw back and laugh sinfully at her. "Hurts, doesn't it?"

Samantha whimpered at him in protest, but gave up with her pout as his hot lips found sensitive skin just above her softest spot. Her head fell back into the pillows as a moan escaped her lips, her hands reached down and toyed with his thick dark hair. His light kisses were driving her mad, he would use his tongue only to draw back and blow on the wet skin. She arched again with her hips only to have his hands press down on her, and his head to fully drop and kiss her where she craved him most. Samantha cried out as she felt his mouth on her. Her fingers tightened on his hair as he brought a finger next to her trembling skin by his lips. On the brink of an orgasm, Gabe took immense pleasure in feeling her muscle contract and as he suckled hard she fell over the edge in aloud wail. With her body still shaking, he rose up and brought himself in between her thighs.

Her body was still trembling with need; Gabe knew she wasn't done but also knew her skin was sensitive and could be set off easily. He kneaded her sides while licking her neck, Samantha's head thrashed to the side and she lifted her knee to rub against him. His arousal pulsing adamantly against her stomach, she reached down and grabbed him. She needed to feel him, touch his hot skin, know what he was feeling. 

At the touch of her hands on his erection, stroking him, Gabe growled into Samantha's neck. He couldn't take it anymore, he needed to bury himself deep within her. Pulling away from her neck, and placing a hand over hers as they together held his arousal in their hands he nodded at her in a silent request and she let go. Widening her legs, she wrapped them around him as he lowered himself and entered her in a smooth single thrust. She cried out as he began to thrust into her. Instead of his slow and controlled lovemaking, he moved fast and hard. Samantha squeezed his shoulder and raked her nails along his back. Gabe groaned at the pain that only increased his thrusting. 

Gabe's breath was deep and heavy as he thrust into Samantha's welcoming body. Her cries out to him encouraging him to take her to higher levels, but as her body quivered for a third time, he knew he couldn't send her alone. Just as she dug her nails into his shoulder and threw her head back in a giant cry, he gripped her thigh, thrusted his hips and groaned, spilling himself within her.

****

With Gabe still in bed half dozing, Samantha got up to go and make some tea. Their clothes lay in a giant rubble on the ground near the door and as she crouched low, she grabbed Gabe's shirt from the pile that was under his pants. After shuffling the material, a small and shiny piece of something fell out of the pockets onto the floor. For a minute she sat on her knees, staring at the piece without comprehending its importance.

She must have made a loud indrawn noise, because Gabe sat upright before bolting out of the bed.

"...Gabe?"

He stood over her, while she was still on her knees holding a ring up to him. She grabbed for his boxers and threw them at him while she threw his shirt over her head. Her big doe eyes were swimming with wonder.

"You weren't supposed to see that." 

Samantha clutched the ring close with her fingers. Words couldn't have escaped her lips if she wanted them to. Gabe dropped to his knees next to her and held her hands in between his own.

"How long have you had this?"

"A while." His voice was just as quiet as hers. "I got it right after we fought—"

"And you've been holding onto it ever since?"

"Yes. For good luck. At every game, I have had the ring in my pocket and we've won."

Samantha sat back on her heels and stared at him. When she finally found her voice, it was breathless. "For luck?"

Gabe nodded. "It felt like you were right there with me, with every call, every play."

He knew what she wanted to hear and immediately placed his palm on her cheek. Samantha clutched his wrist and they stared at each other for a long sweet moment.

"Samantha, I love you. I know being with me is difficult during the season. But I don't want to be without you. Ever. I want to propose to you, but have to do this right."

Samantha couldn't blink, she croaked out, "do...it...." She trailed, losing herself in the words. Gabe leaned forward and kissed her lips softly, before laughing.

"I should meet your family first."

Samantha's shoulders relaxed and she smiled up into his dark eyes that were as warm as his soul. "Gabe, my family already knows you." Gabe raised his eyebrow at her, while she only laughed. "Through me, goof."

"...Sam."

"Gabe, I love you. Only you. Whenever you feel it's right, then it's right." Gabe heard something else entirely in her words. Staring into the depths of her eyes, he knew he had found his match in life. He dropped his lips and caught her mouth with his own. Their tongues danced together and he could feel the tightness in his chest he associated with her love. Pulling back, he spoke.

"I love you. Will you marry me?"

Tears streamed earnestly down her cheeks as she looked back at the man she loved more than anything. "Yes! Yes, I will." He kissed the moist corners of her eyes, only to drop his lips to the corner of her mouth before Samantha turned to capture his lips with her own.

They sat on the floor hugging, kissing each other until Gabe had enough presence to pick her up and carry Samantha back to the bed where he could make love to her. He would continue making love to her for as long as they would have each other.

****

Author's Note: What began as a telephone conversation over boredom and pregnancy, turned into a love affair. Thank you for sticking this one out, I hope that Gabe and Samantha's story is enjoyable to read as much as it was to write. They've formed a special warm spot in my own heart and I loved every second of writing them together. 

As always, I must give thanks to Estragon for reading over this section and the previous four chapters, for really tightening up my writing. Thank you is never enough.

*for Erica 



Reading the Defense



Before she could slip away from him, Gabe reached out and ran a finger lightly down her cheek. "I'm glad we bumped into each other tonight Samantha." God help her, all she could do was nod at the man. All she wanted to do was raise up on her toes and kiss that tempting dimple that seemed to appear at just the right moments.

The streetlight caught the glitter in her eyes as she turned back to Gabe after tossing her bag into the passenger seat. "I'll talk to you tomorrow coach."

With that, Gabe closed her door and watched her speed off in the direction to the expressways. Yes, she would talk to him tomorrow.