Page 41 of The Coach

I finish up my workout and pick up some food at the store to cook for us once I’m home. That way she can keep working even if I was there. I eye a plant before checking out, wondering how much upkeep a plant can be, and shrug, grabbing it before I can think much about it.

A plant wasn’t that big of a commitment.

Seeing her get along with my two best friends was a step in the right direction. Seeing her reaction to the screaming kids made me want to laugh, and I have a feeling she was going to bring that up at some point. It wasn’t a secret that I was older, that I, unlike most of the guys her age, would be ready for a family sooner rather than later.

But it wasn’t my priority, not yet.

I never dreamed of finding someone who fit me as perfectly as Mick does. I wasn’t about to screw it up by pushing too hard, too fast.

Walking in the door, I hear the sounds of Twenty One Pilots piping through my speakers and smile. Mick is bopping her head to the music, her eyes moving over her books and her laptop stationed in front of her. I smirk at the glasses perched on her nose.

“Having fun?”

Her head jerks up, and she lets out a little squeak, her hand flying to her chest. “I didn’t even hear you come in.”

“My little student,” I tease, setting my gym bag on the floor and carrying the rest of the groceries to the counter. I grab the plant and set it on the island that’s near the table she’s studying at. Her eyes catch sight of it, and her brows draw together.

“What’s that?”

I take a step back and put my hands on my hips, biting my upper lip. “It’s, ya know, a plant.”

She smirks a little and nods her head. “Yeah, it is. Are you a plant guy?”

I sigh and gesture toward it. “No, I just, I thought women like plants.” I scratch the back of my head, suddenly feeling dumb. “I figured you might feel more at home if there was…” I blow out a breath. “I was trying to do something nice.”

Mick ducks her head, her long brown hair falling forward, covering half of her face, and then she tips it back up, giving me a sweet smile.

I fucking melt at that smile.

She stands and makes her way over to me, fingering one of the leaves before turning to face me. “You were trying to make me feel welcome?”

Grasping her hips, I pull her into me and reach under her, lifting until her butt rests on the island. Mick continues to smile at me. “I always want you to feel welcome here.”

She shakes her head, her eyes tracking back to the plant. “So, you got us a plant.”

“I guess so,” I reply, leaning forward, my destination: her lips. But she pulls back.

“This is a serious step, Coach.” Her hands slide up my shoulders where she digs them into my sore muscles. I groan at the contact, my hands winding around her waist.

“It’s…” I lose my words as her hands travel up into my hair, nails scratching at my scalp. “It’s not that bad. We can handle a plant.”

“You think so?” she teases, wrapping her feet around the back of my thighs and pulling me in until there isn’t even room for a slip of paper between us.

“I know,” I reply, finally losing my patience and pulling her head to mine gently. I kiss her lips. She pushes for more, but I don’t give it to her, just glide my lips against hers in a soft tease. My tongue slides against her lips, and her mouth opens for mine, but I pull back, “Ah, ah,” I scold, finally opening my eyes. “You told me you need to study.”

She pouts and shifts against me where I’m hard as a rock. “I need a break.”

“Oh, you do, do you?”

seventeen

MICK

I adjust my wrists slightly, my arms pull taut, and my heart rate ticks up a notch in anticipation.

“Are you comfortable?” Tanner asks, his voice hoarse and a light sheen of sweat shines on his abs as he stands before me, securing my left foot to the metal post at the end of the bed.

I was currently spread eagle on his bed, my hands bound by silk ties, my feet as well, and my mouth was completely dry.

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