Grand Final

By Lorraine Loveit

Brendon is an AFL footballer who advertises on the internet for a submissive. Suzie, a secretary at Homicide Squad, is curious and answers his ad.

Now that Suzie has made her choice will she live happily ever after, or will her nemesis Leon Graham have other ideas? The answers will be revealed in this final installment of the Playing the Game Series.

GRAND FINAL EXCERPT: Copyright 2015 Lorraine Loveit

He kissed my shoulder and worked his way along my neck to plant a delicious one at the sweet spot that made me melt. It seemed he had always known which buttons to push and this occasion was no different, eliciting a soft moan from my now parted lips.

“Oh, Brendon.”

“Does that feel good, baby?”

“You know it does.”

He had continued to kiss me anywhere he could reach. “I’ve missed you, Suzanna.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lorraine Loveit
• Release date: Mar 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310023897

Lorraine Loveit

Lorraine Loveit lives in Perth, Western Australia with her family, pet dog and birds.She began writing stories in high school and has never tired of putting pen to paper. These days she has fun creating interesting characters for her sexy novels.Apart from watching rom/coms, her favourite pastime is reading, especially bodice-rippers. In fact, she has a Victorian novel on the back-burner, just waiting for her to continue with the story.When on holidays Lorraine enjoys camping with her family.

Book preview

Chapter 1

September 2015

I love you, baby.

I smiled as I recalled the very public moment when Brendon uttered the words I never thought I would hear. He had just played in the AFL grand final, with his team winning the 2015 Premiership.

Until the moment of his declaration I had not thought we would ever get back together, having broken up twice because of his jealousy and the subsequent unwarranted discipline he had subjected me to.

Despite all the positive changes he had made, he still hadn’t said he loved me. But yesterday all my dreams came true when he declared his love for me to the world and to top that, he followed up by finding me amongst the crowd and getting down on one knee to propose. With tears of elation in my eyes I had climbed over the fence and leapt into his arms.

Looking down at the huge solitaire diamond ring on my finger reminded me we were now engaged and that one day in the future I would be Mrs Brendon MacIver. I sighed contentedly and then rolling over, came face to face with a pair of the most striking blue eyes I had ever encountered.

Good morning, beautiful.

Smiling, I replied in kind, Good morning, Brendon.

He reached out his right hand to stroke my hair and I could not help notice his grimace.

Are you in pain? Worried, I studied his distressed facial features.

I love you so much it hurts. I grinned at his ridiculous but endearing explanation.

Are you sure it’s not your shoulder? I glanced at it and saw the bruising had worsened.

Thanks to bandaging and a pain injection, he had been able to play out the remainder of the match. Post-game he had an ice pack strapped to it as well as taking some anti-inflammatory medication.

I injured my right shoulder. The pain is coming from here. He grabbed my wrist and placed my hand on the left side of his chest.

I smiled as I felt the beating of his heart beneath my fingers. I had often concluded that he did not have one and now he had declared his love for me.

Hmm, I think I have a remedy for that. I leaned in and kissed him. It began as a sweet one but by mutual-unspoken consent it turned into a long passion-filled embrace that had him reaching between us to fondle my breasts through the thin layer of my red satin nightie.

But when his fingers took hold of one shoe-string strap to ease it off my shoulder I put a stalling hand on his. No Brendon, I need to have a shower.

Last night I told Brendon I had my periods and although we had previously had sex during this time, I had informed him on this occasion I would prefer not to. While this morning I was fairly certain my periods would have finished but I still needed to freshen up with a shower; I hoped he understood that without me having to explain further.

His eyes captured mine and it was a moment before he said, Okay but first I need to see them, to touch them.

Are you sure you can restrain yourself from… going further?

Trust me.

I eyed him sceptically before acceding with a nod, which had him pushing the straps down and off my arms until the nightie sat on my hips. He then bent to kiss my breasts, taking first one nipple and then the other into his mouth to suck them tenderly and then followed up with his tongue eagerly circling each one.

After heaving a heavy sigh he raised his head and peered up at me. Go now before I ravish you.

He placed his hands on my hips and took hold of each strap as if to pull them back up, but then he stopped and instead pushed the material lower exposing my hips. What’s this?

I looked down and saw him touch my gold chain, the one I never took off, the one Jason had given me when I had committed to being his submissive.

It’s a chain. I took in his impassive expression and wondered if he had indeed conquered his jealousy.

I can see that, but what’s with the lock? His voice matched his cool exterior, not heated as he had been in the past.

Um, it’s….

From Atwell. His voice had deepened.

At my confirming nod he directed, Take it off. He sounded calm and I hoped his composure remained after he heard my response.

I can’t, I don’t have the key.

His eyes widened on hearing this and then he glanced back down at the offending piece of jewellery which he still held. It was then that I realised what he was contemplating and I urged, Don’t break the chain, please!

Lifting his eyes he asked, Why not? His voice was even and had not risen in volume and his tone just indicated that he was surprised by my answer.

Because I don’t want you to.

Placing my hand on his, I gently removed it from the chain and then, still holding hands I said, Look, I expected to go back to him not… be here with you. I need to see him and let him know about… about us. Then he can take the chain back.

My voice cracked a few times as thoughts of Jason filled my head. He had told me he loved me and I had not been able to repeat those words back to him. As much as I wanted to love him I just couldn’t, my heart had never stopped loving Brendon.

Dragging my gaze away from him I got out of bed and grabbing my clothes, walked the few steps to the en-suite. We were on the eighth floor of The Palmhurst, the hotel of choice for the team when playing in Melbourne. I had been staying two floors below with my best friend Jeanette; with JB in a connecting room.

I stepped under the stream of hot water and pondered whether Brendon would join me. In a way I was hoping he would not, simply because at this early stage I still felt committed to Jason. And until I had spoken with him I did not want to be intimate with Brendon. I would be able to see Jason later in the evening as we were flying back to Perth in a few hours.

When I stepped out of the en-suite fully clothed I saw that Brendon too had dressed. I ordered us some breakfast.

Oh, ah I’m sorry but I’ve got to get back to my room. I sneaked out last night without telling JB, he’ll be worried.

Pulling me towards him he murmured, I’m sure he knows where you are.

Probably, it’s just Graham’s in Melbourne and….

Is he still hassling you? I thought you had a restraining order out on him. This time his voice was louder and he did sound angry, but I knew it was directed at Graham and not myself.

Yes, but like I said before, it’s just a piece of paper.

Okay, well if you have to go I’m going with you.

No, you don’t have to…. I was shaking my head, thinking it was not a good idea if JB saw me coming back with Brendon.

Yes, I do. Don’t worry I won’t come in, I just want to see you safely to your door.

Ten minutes later I was back in my room and saw that Jeanette was still asleep but when I took a few steps towards my bed I detected movement out the corner of my eye. Panicked, I turned around and then released the breath I had been holding. Instead of Graham being there it was only JB, standing in the doorway connecting our rooms.

My relief immediately turned to one of embarrassment and I felt my face heating. I gave him a tentative smile but his only response was to shake his head slightly before saying, Don’t leave this room again, got it?

JB I can explain….

There’s no need, I already found out where you’ve been. He shot a quick glance towards Jeanette’s bed, before turning and shutting the door behind him.

I flopped onto the bed and as I laid there, thought again how complicated my life was. As if the pressure of having two dominant men wanting me was not enough, there was crazy Graham and then add to the mix Damon who still liked me. My life was at a cross-road and as I stared down at the ring on my finger I just hoped I had made the right choice.

My phone vibrated on the table next to the bed, which I had forgotten to take with me when I went to see Brendon. I had put it on silent after the game because I had not wanted to take any calls about my very public proposal.

Picking it up, I saw it was Jason calling. I hated doing it but I didn’t answer it, I just couldn’t. I needed to see him face to face, not have some messy phone conversation.

After he had hung up I scrolled through the other missed calls and messages. Mum and dad had been one of the first to phone, followed by my brother Aiden and some friends including Diane and Mandy. Also as I had feared, I saw an earlier missed call from Jason not long after the game but I noticed he did not leave a corresponding message.

A little over four hours later I was again standing on Jason’s doorstep, but this time with a heavy heart. Even though I had a key I knocked on the door. Brendon had wanted to go with me but I insisted this was something I needed to do alone. But because I never went anywhere unescorted JB had agreed to drive me and wait in the car.

The door swung open and there he was. I saw him glance over my head in the direction of JB’s dual-cab utility and then he stood back and waved his arm indicating for me to enter. I was surprised he did not talk to me, even when he followed me in and shut the door, still he had not spoken.

He stayed near the entrance, leaning his 6’4" frame against the wooden panel with his arms folded. He appeared to be completely at ease but for his eyes, they were an icy blue-grey and I felt a pang of regret at being the cause of that cold look.

As I thought back to the last time we were together I recalled he had been worried about Brendon contacting me and I had tried to reassure him that I was coming back to my man. His reply was now chillingly accurate, "To your man or with your man?"

Since it looked like he was anchored to the door I took a step towards him. Jason I’m….

He put up a hand. Don’t say another word.

I shut my mouth and waited for him to continue.

I just want to know one thing – how could you accept his proposal knowing he was engaged to someone else?

Chapter 2

What? Brendon was already engaged – to Natasha?

My face must have mirrored my thoughts with Jason asking, I thought you knew, didn’t his sister tell you about her?

Not that they were engaged… is that what he said in that recording?

He pushed away from the door and advanced towards me so that he was towering over me; the difference in our height emphasised with my 5’3"s only coming up to his chest.

With his head bent and cocked to one side, he studied me. So you honestly didn’t listen to it? It sat in your in-box for a few days and I know you opened the email.

I pushed down my anger regarding his knowledge of the message from Dr Ian Radcliffe. I told you I didn’t want to hear it.

I was shocked to the core at this news and wished I had been bold enough to listen to it. ‘Stop this, Suzie!’ I admonished myself. He was obviously not still engaged to her which I was certain he would confirm when I asked him.

But right now it was Jason I should have been thinking about, not Brendon. In the silence that followed I tried to come up with a logical explanation. Well I suppose it was a while ago so….

They got engaged a few month before you met up with him. Oh no, it just got worse.

I must have paled at his words because in the next instant he was grabbing my arm with his touch feeling all-too-familiar. You don’t look so good.

Then he was guiding me to the dining table where he pulled out a chair and eased me onto it. He left me for a moment and returned with a tall glass of water. Drink it.

I was about to say I was fine but as I picked up the tumbler my hand shook and I knew that I was not fine. It felt like my chance at happiness was shattering before my eyes. As I took a few gulps I noticed his gaze seemed to be transfixed on my hand holding the glass and then I realised he was looking at my engagement ring. I should have taken it off but it was too late now and to Jason it must have appeared as though I was flaunting it in his face.

When I went to stand his outstretched hand stilled me, then he was pulling out his own chair to face mine and when he sat our knees were almost touching. I half expected him to take my hands in his but he did not, no doubt steadying me with his gentle grip had been enough personal contact for him.

As I peered up at him I felt worse than I did last night when JB informed me about Jason calling him. As Jason was not a fan of AFL I assumed he would not have been watching the grand final but his friends were quick to let him know of my betrayal.

It was just rotten luck that the cameras had been rolling when Brendon proposed. If I had not been so compulsive leaping over the fence like I did then I would have been able to soften the blow; at least he would not have been humiliated so publicly.

I’m s….

Don’t say that word. You’ve said it so many times that it’s lost all meaning. His tone was the sharpest he had spoken since I arrived but it was still way below his Dom voice, which had me recalling he had hardly ever shouted at me, not while I was his girlfriend or more recently when I had been his sub.

You know this is it, don’t you? This is the last time you leave me Suzie. Three times is enough for any guy.

I wish I could love you, I tried; I really did. But it’s Brendon, it’s always been Brendon. He’s changed, Jason.

After a short harsh laugh, he replied, Yeah right, until the next time he takes his anger out on you.

Please don’t, can’t you just be happy for me?

I want you to be happy and I won’t accept that MacIver’s the one to make you happy, not until he proves himself – by taking care of you… and loving you.

It’ll be different this time, he’s giving up the lifestyle; he said he’s not cut out for it and neither am I.

He frowned at my declaration and then he slowly nodded. That’s probably the one thing we both agree on. He had no idea what he was doing and as for you…. He leant forward and grasped my chin in a Brendon-like fashion so I could not look away. You are definitely not submissive material. Any true sub would be on their knees begging for forgiveness, not asking me to be happy for them.

He released his hold on me as if he had been burnt and in a way he had, but emotionally not physically. I opened my mouth to say I was sorry but then quickly shut it again before the word he did not want to hear could escape.

I shouldn’t have come here, it’s just that I wanted to see you….

Why didn’t you answer my calls?

He sounded hurt and I could not blame him so I attempted to explain. I needed to see you in person, not tell you over the phone.

What’s to tell? He held out his hands palm upwards. I already know what happened!

He stood and shoved his chair back in obvious frustration and I took that opportunity to also get to my feet. It was a mistake to seek him out so soon when his feelings were still so raw. I’ll um… I’ll just take my car and come back another time to collect my things.

He took a couple of deep breaths and I could tell he was trying to remain calm and for that I was grateful. You can get them tomorrow, during the day when I’m not here.

Being a Monday he would be at work but then so would I. I have to work too so….

Take the day off, I’m sure no-one will expect you to go in.

His statement indicated that the whole squad would know what had transpired and in all likelihood, he was correct.

Take everything except the key to the door. I don’t want anything left here reminding me you were once mine.

I nodded my head in acknowledgement, not trusting myself to speak. So this is what it had come down to, the final arrangements of our failed Dom/sub relationship. I reflected sadly that even if I had not returned to Brendon I did not think we would have lasted. As