Page 64 of Marring an Athlete

“You know, it wouldn’t be the first time.”

He shrugged. “Hey, some of the guys deserved it.”

She couldn’t help herself. She laughed at the memories that they’d shared together. What had happened between them? “When did things get so complicated?” she asked, turning to study the ocean. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t wanted to go back to a time when things were easier.

Michael appeared next to her. His gaze was toward the ocean as well. “Anna, I remember our kiss.” His voice was low, and she had to lean over to hear him.

“I would hope so. It’s only been twenty-four hours.”

He shook his head. “No. The one from McKenna’s wedding. I remember that kiss. I pretended I didn’t and that I was too drunk to know that it was with you, but I remember. It was probably the first real thing I’d ever experienced, and that scared me.” He turned to look at her.

“So, all this time, you had me believing that I was the only one who remembered?” Her stomach twisted. Why hadn’t he told her the truth? She felt like such an idiot.

“I was stupid, and then I didn’t know how to tell you that I realized I’d loved you since we were kids and that kiss meant everything to me. I wasn’t sure you even liked me. So, I ran.”

Anna turned to study him. “What?”

He studied her. “I ran.”

“No, not that. What did you say before that?”

He turned, causing him to be inches from her. “That I’ve loved you since we were kids?”

Warmth started in her toes and ran across every nerve in her body. She raised her gaze to meet his. “You love me?”

He stepped closer to her. “Anna Short, I’ve loved you for so long. You’re a part of me. Even though I ran, I couldn’t hide the fact that you’re the one for me. You are the sweetest, kindest”—he lowered his voice—“sexiest girl I’ve ever met.”

She let out a laugh as she studied him. Was he really saying these things to her?

“And only an idiot would let you go.”

He reached out and tucked an escaped curl behind her ear, leaving his fingers to linger on her cheek. “Do you forgive me?”

Anna turned her face toward his hand, kissing his palm. “I’ll do you one even better.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Yeah?”

“How about I say I love you as well?”

She giggled as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

“Then you’d make me the happiest guy in the entire world.” He leaned down to brush his lips against hers.

When he pulled back, he glanced down at her. “Do you really mean it?”

Anna ran her hands up his arms, to his shoulders and then wrapped her fingers up in his hair. She reveled in the feeling of him next to her. The familiarity of being with Michael.

“I love you, Michael Jones. I always have. Ever since I was a dorky teenager with braces, I knew you were the one for me.”

He shot her a half-smile as he dipped down and pressed his lips to hers. Fireworks exploded throughout her body as she allowed his lips to move against her own. He pressed her so close to him that she could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

He pulled back again, and a groan escaped her lips. Why did he keep doing that? When he glanced down at her, he smiled.

“Say it again.”

She rolled her eyes. “What?”

“That you love me.”

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