Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Lilly’s hand tightens on mine, the fingers of her other hand digging into my shoulder. A tiny moan flutters from her mouth and lewd images of me dragging her down to the deck slam through my brain.
Jesus fuck.
I break the kiss, staring down at her. Her eyes are hazy and she licks her bottom lip. My heart beats so hard it echoes in my ears. I don’t know what she sees in my expression, but if it’s any reflection of how my body is feeling, she knows exactly what’s going through my mind right now.
Lilly smiles at me… understanding.
She presses in close and lays her head on my chest. It’s such a sweet, vulnerable move, I’m able to compartmentalize my desire. I take a deep breath and press my lips to the top of her head. This is enough for now but I know damn well it’s not going to be enough for long.
“Will you come to my game tomorrow?” I ask as our bodies sway.
Lilly tips her head back and I can see the conflict in her beautiful eyes. “I’d love to, but that would be two nights away from Aiden.”
“You’re not supposed to be spending nights up at the hospital with Aiden,” I remind her. “You freed up your days so you could spend that time with him.”
“And my evenings were meant for rest,” she says with a pointed look.
“Fair enough. But you can chill out and relax in the owner’s box. Brienne asked me to invite you. A lot of the women you met last week will be there. And I’ll bring you home right after so you’ll get a good sleep.”
Lilly averts her gaze. “I feel guilty.”
I don’t need her to elucidate. “Because Aiden’s in the hospital and you don’t think you should have any fun.”
She nods. “It’s not right.”
“He’d disagree with you. You know that.”
“I know.” She sighs with resignation. “We had a long talk today after you left. He’s far more mature than someone about to turn twelve should be. And he has this romantic notion about you and me—”
“It’s not a notion,” I interject, dipping my head closer to hers. “That’s already established.”
And to prove that point, I kiss her again and I don’t let up. I keep her sunk into it with me, my hands eventually moving to cup her cheeks and her hands gripping my waist.
When I let her up for air, I ask, “Please come to the game tomorrow. After that, I’m going to be gone the next four days to Buffalo for games three and four of the series.”
“Okay,” she drawls as if it’s a tough decision, but her smile gives it away. She’s happy to be asked and the reminder that Aiden wants this as much as I do—and hopefully as much as she does—assuages her guilt.
“Now, tell me about this brother of yours almost turning twelve,” I demand because I had no clue there was an imminent birthday.
“It’s next Tuesday.”
My head does the calculations. “If this series goes the distance, that’s the day we’d play game six in Buffalo. Of course, if we sweep the Wolves in four games, we’ll be off that entire week, outside of practices.”
I lead Lilly back to the bench and get us situated again with the blankets around us. We’re just past the Liberty Bridge and the city is magnificent from this vantage point. I wrap her in my arms and we stare at the multitude of twinkling lights from the buildings but more spectacularly as they reflect off the dark river water.
“Do you have plans for a big birthday celebration?” I ask.
“We’ll do something with the other kids on his floor and I’ve invited a few of his school friends. I’ve ordered a cake and I’ll decorate his room.”
“Assuming I’m invited?”
“Of course. Assuming you’re here.”
“And assuming I’m here, can I bring some buddies?”
Lilly tips her head. “Like who?”
“I think Aiden would get a kick out of Coen swinging by on his birthday.”
Her eyes dance with mischief. “Especially since Coen is his favorite player.”
Sadly true, and I can’t compete with that. Coen’s been with the Titans since the time Aiden became a fan. I wag my finger at her. “Ahh… but next to you and your dad, I’m his favorite person.”
“That would be true,” she agrees. Sighing, Lilly burrows in closer. “I still say this is just all so bizarre. Me and you.”
“So weird,” I agree. “Okay… more deep questions. My turn again. Is there a book, movie or piece of art that has significantly affected your life in some way?”
As we cruise the Monongahela and watch the city lights, Lilly ponders her answer and I snuggle in closer, eager to learn more about the beautiful woman who has me captivated.
CHAPTER 13
Boone
I hunch in against the wind, which is making the thirty-eight-degree temperature cut through my sweatshirt. I knew I should’ve worn my coat to walk the half block from the team hotel to grab dinner, but I figured it wouldn’t be so bad. That wind cutting through downtown Buffalo says otherwise.