Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
I whip around and there he is.
His hair is damp from the shower, curling at the ends. He’s wearing a button-up shirt and low-slung jeans. My gaze eats him up, missing him.
“What…were you there the whole time?”
He nods. “Coach let me skip out early and miss the celebratory talk. I showered fast and waited for you to leave and followed you.” Uncertainty crosses his features. “I was nervous to say anything in person, and I thought maybe if I texted you…”
I nod, getting it. We tend to say more in texts.
I think back to the game where I watched him the entire time, unable to shift my gaze away. And here’s what I realized. The Ryker of my heart would never participate in a bet that involved me. And I didn’t need Margo to tell me that. Or Charisma to explain about how sometimes we say things we don’t mean.
I know him.
I think maybe I’ve known him for a long time, or my soul has. Since the moment I researched and wrote the article about him, he carved out a place in my brain, and now he owns my heart.
He comes in closer, a hesitant look on his face. “Did you see what I wrote?”
I hold my phone up. “Well, my phone died…so no.”
He’s reached me now and we’re close, just a few inches between us. He smells like sandalwood and spices, and I want to lay my hand on his chest and feel his heart beat.
I do it. My hand trembles as I press it against his body. I gaze up at him and emotion swirls in his eyes. “Your heart is racing.”
“I love you,” he says quietly. He closes his eyes then opens them. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me—even better than football. If I had to pick between the two, it would be you every single time.”
My legs feel like jelly.
“The truth is, I wanted you that day at Sugar’s and it had zilch to do with a bet. I wanted you in my bed and it had shit to do with a bet. You are all I want, and if you’ll just forgive me for my big mouth…” He pauses and rakes a hand through his hair. “I can’t go on knowing you hate me, Red.”
“I could never hate you.” Tears prick at my eyes.
“Yeah?”
I nod, need for him rising, the need to fix this growing gulf between us.
So many things are a mystery. The origin of the universe, if vampires are real—okay, probably not—but one thing is certain. I love him.
It’s a connection I’ve felt since the beginning.
“I love you too, Ryker. So much. I’ve never felt this way…” My voice cracks.
His eyes gleam as he trails a hand through my hair. “Penelope, I don’t deserve you, but fuck if life isn’t better with you. I’m more of who I should be with you, and I promise you, I will never let you down like that again.” He cups my face, his gaze intense. “You…are…everything.”
I chew on my lip. “Is that what you were saying on the field? That you love me?”
He nods. “I was close to getting on the jumbotron and announcing it. Hell, the team already knows.”
I arch my brows. “They do?”
He takes my hand and leads me over to his truck, which I parked right next to. On purpose? Maybe.
He continues. “Before the game, Coach let me speak to everyone. He pretty much gave me free rein—seems he has a soft spot for you.”
Ah. “I barely know him, but he is friends with my dad. What happened with the team?”
“I took down the bet trophy and chucked it in the trash. I ripped the betting board apart. No more bets. It’s a tradition that’s over and done. My decision.”
I’ve never been in the locker room, but I picture him in his football gear, ripping it off the wall and throwing it in the garbage.
“Was the team upset?”
He shakes his head. “Red, those guys were so fucking relieved to be rid of that thing. Even the defense and Archer’s posse. It’s caused so much shit.”
“And Archer?”
“Quiet as a church mouse. Maverick’s back next week anyway.”
I suck in a breath. “So how does the team know you love me?”
He smiles softly. “I told them, Red. I made a big, touchy-feely announcement. I said you were the girl of my dreams and if any of them fucked it up and talked shit about us, I’d kick their ass.” He gets a faraway look in his eyes. “Can you ever trust me…us…again?”
Not trusting has held me back long enough.
I nod, a tremulous smile on my face.
His hand curls around my midriff and lingers on my backside, cupping my ass. His gaze is smoldering as he looks down at my non-shirt. “Now, care to tell me where the rest of your clothes are?”