Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 58992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
She kisses me back tenderly, as if she’s delighting in this kiss too. Like she’s savoring every second of us coming back together.
But I’m also getting turned on, so I end it. “I should go, or I might try to hike up your skirt here in the stairwell.”
She wiggles a brow. Such a naughty woman. “I probably wouldn’t stop you.”
I groan, wanting that badly. “All the more reason for me to take off. So I can get you off later. When do you finish work?”
“In a couple of hours.”
It feels like an eternity. “Can I bury my face between your legs then?”
She smiles. “Only if you have a soundtrack for me.”
That evening, I’m in my favorite place. On Brooke’s bed, my hands sliding along her soft thighs as I devour her, making her lose her mind to pleasure.
She arches and writhes against me, swearing like a dirty woman who loves sex.
I am having the time of my life.
I grip her ass as I go down on her, determined to take her over the edge.
Seconds later, she’s gripping my skull and coming undone with a loud cry.
I slow my pace, kiss her once more, than wipe a hand across my mouth. When she blinks open her eyes, she looks dazed and blissed out. She takes out her ear buds. Smiles. Sighs. Flops her head back on the pillow. “Wow.”
“Wow to you,” I say, then press a kiss to her belly.
She laughs again, then pushes up on her elbows, wicked deeds in her eyes.
“My turn,” she says, so eager and hungry.
She is my woman. My perfect match.
“I like the sound of that.” But first I bring her close, kiss her cheek, then say, “You’re the streak I don’t want to break.”
EPILOGUE
ANY TIPS FOR ME?
Drew
Brooke comes to my game that weekend.
That’s not surprising. She’s been to all my home games. But this time, she sits on the fifty-yard line with Patrick and Cara. When I run out to the field, I wave to her.
She waves back then points to her jersey. Number Eight.
I love it, I mouth, then add, I love you.
Then, I play ball. In between possessions, Gabe and I kick the hacky sack, keeping up his ritual.
And by the end of the game, we’ve returned to our ritual—winning.
As victory flashes on the scoreboard, I high-five the guys. Last weekend is behind me. I don’t have to be perfect all the time. I just have to try my best.
These guys know I do that. I play hard for them, for the fans, and for the whole city.
But also for the woman I love.
After I chat with a sideline reporter, I run over to Brooke, kiss her, then pull her into my arms on the field.
“I told you so,” I say with a smile.
Rolling her eyes, she laughs. “Yes, Drew. You sure did.”
I pepper her with more kisses, so damn glad she’s here and that I can kiss her freely at last in front of anyone and everyone.
But there’s someone I want her to meet.
My family heads into the café first, and I let the door close behind them. I reach for Brooke’s hand, squeeze it. “I’m pretty excited for you to meet my mom,” I say.
“News flash—me too.”
We walk in together. When I find my mom at a table, I smile and Mom waves back, then stands up.
“Mom, I want to introduce you to my girlfriend,” I say.
“The one you were wrong about when you didn’t think you could have love and football?” she asks innocently.
That sounds awfully familiar.
“Mom! Are you reading the gossip about us?” I ask. That’s exactly what I said to Brooke before the stadium tour.
She rolls her eyes. “Sweetheart, everyone knows.” She extends a hand to Brooke. “Thank you for putting up with him.”
My girlfriend laughs. “It’s truly my pleasure.”
When Mom looks away to check on my sisters, Brooke winks at me and whispers, “It is my pleasure.”
Then, before we sit, I tug her back and whisper, “I’m spanking you later for that.”
“I should hope so,” she says.
Over dinner, I ask my mom if she has any game tips for me.
“Yes.” Mom looks to Brooke, smiles sagely. “Don’t let her go.”
I don’t plan to.
ANOTHER EPILOGUE
ALL OF THE ABOVE
Brooke
Springtime
The sun warms my shoulders as I turn the pages in my new book.
It’s a perfect day to bask on the beach and enjoy the ocean breeze. When I finish a chapter in the new Rhys Locke spy novel, I set down the book and gaze out at the water as boarders ride the waves.
“Your paddle boarding days are well and truly over,” I say to Drew, a little sad for him.
But it’s hard to stay sad when life is so good.
Including days like this. He’s by my side, reading too, and he sets down his book. “Oh, well. At least I was able to hit the waves when it mattered.”