Page 51 of Marring an Athlete

“Anna Short, don’t you ever say that about yourself again.” He moved closer to her, reaching out his two fingers and pressing them against the bottom of her chin, forcing her to look up at him.

She hesitated, before meeting his gaze.

“You are incredibly beautiful,” he said. His voice was low and his stare intense. As if he wanted her to see just how he felt about what she had said.

“Michael, I—”

“You don’t believe me, do you?” he asked.

She dropped her gaze and shook her head.

He inched closer to her. He was a breath away from her. She could smell his cologne and feel his heat. She wanted to run her hands up his chest and entwine them in his hair. She wanted to drink in every aspect of Michael Jones.

“Of all the women I have ever seen, you are the only one who has stuck in my brain. I can’t forget the gold flecks in your eyes or the way you tuck your hair behind your ear when you’re nervous.” He stooped down to meet her gaze. Unable to fight it, she met it head on.

“And your lips.” He moved to cradle her cheek with his hand and then reached out his thumb to caress her lips. “They bring this grown man to his knees.”

Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she watched his gaze fall to her lips and then make its way back up. He inched closer to her as if he were waiting for permission.

Not sure what to do, she let instinct take over and leaned closer to him. Her mind was screaming at her to back away, but her heart and body were aching to stay. She wanted him to wrap her up in his arms and never let go.

She’d be lying if she said this wasn’t exactly where she wanted to be. And Michael was exactly who she wanted to be with. He knew everything about her and yet stayed. She didn’t have to worry about putting on an act. He cared about her, no matter what.

With their lips inches apart, she hesitated.

“Are you just trying to get me to forget what I’ll win if you lose?” she asked.

Michael let out a soft chuckle as he leaned closer. “Is it working?”

She shook her head. “Never. I have the memory of an elephant.”

“Elephant?” He raised his eyebrows.

Of course, he would fixate on that. She moved back to swat his shoulder, but he caught her hand and using the momentum, pulled her toward him. She crashed into his chest, bracing herself with her hands. His muscles felt tight against her palms.

But nothing could take her mind off the feeling of his arms around her waist. Her skin tingled at every point. And all she wanted to do was lean in. To press her body against his and take him in.

“Anna,” he said. His voice was so low that she wasn’t sure she heard him. But when she glanced up to meet his gaze she knew he had spoken.

“Michael,” she whispered.

“Can I kiss you? For real?” He looked unsure, and that made her heart swell. He wanted to do the right thing.

She nodded and in a matter of seconds, he stooped down and pressed his lips to hers. He was gentle at first, as if he was testing the waters. But when she slid her hands up his chest to the back of his neck and entwined her fingers in his hair, he pulled her closer to him, taking her breath away. It was as if he worried she’d slip away.

Her heart pounded, and she was sure he could feel it hammering against his chest. All she could think about was how right this felt. As if finally, the broken parts of her life were coming together and making her whole again.

Michael made her whole.

Right before she thought she’d melt into a puddle on the ground, Michael pulled back and looked down at her.

“Are you okay? I’m not hurting you, am I?”

Anna glanced up at him through her heavy eyes. Her lips felt puffy. But hurt? No. She shook her head, and a relieved look crossed his face. He pulled her close and placed a kiss on each of her cheeks, her nose, and then gently on her lips.

“Michael?” she asked, finally finding her voice. There was a question tugging at the back of her mind and she couldn’t quite get rid of it.

“Mhmm,” he murmured as he made a trail of kisses down her jawline and lingering in the hollows of her neck.

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