Page 85 of Score on You

A beaming grin replaces the scowl on Joy’s face. “Love is grand. Good for you, Crusher.”

I bob my head in gratitude while trying to traverse the emotional whiplash. That leads me straight to Callie. Her head is tipped skyward, allowing the sun to bathe her silhouette. A gentle breeze billows the flowing fabric at her waist, a fantasy taking shape underneath. My mind is quick to wander along a path to where she’s pregnant. Her stomach is swollen where our child grows and thrives. I stretch my fingers as if I can reach out to feel the life we’re building. The vision is vivid, blurring the line between fact and fiction.

Motion in front of me steals the picturesque view. “What’s got you grinning like you won the Stanley Cup?”

I scowl at Drake’s waving arm. “Nothing.”

“Isn’t it obvious? He’s tapping that hot ass over there.” Joy lewdly thrusts her hips, but immediately pauses to fan herself. “Damn, I’m getting myself hot and bothered.”

“She’s a total banger.” Grace sidles up beside Garrett to join our sidebar.

Garrett’s mouth pops open. “Like you would bang her?”

I thump the back of his head. “Quit admiring my future wife.”

“Can you blame us?” Joy blinks innocently.

“Solid choice. I’d put a ring on that.” Grace flashes the diamond on her finger for emphasis.

I turn my gaze to the source of my obsessions. Callie is on her feet taking pictures. She spins and aims the camera at me. Before I can blink, the film is spit out from the top of the Instax.

The sneaky photographer winks at me. “I caught you looking.”

My smirk is entirely for her benefit. “I’m looking at you.”

“Luckily I’m behind the lens, huh?”

“C’mere, sweetness.” I crook my finger.

Callie’s hips sway to an exaggerated degree. I’m instantly hypnotized by the effortless flow of her stride. A slight curlquirks her lips as she approaches. It reveals this sultry strut isn’t an accident.

Her sandal bumps my boot. “Hey, boyfriend.”

Lust stabs me in the gut. “Missed you.”

“I was right over there.”

“Distance doesn’t matter. Need a seat?” I pat my thigh.

A blush colors her cheeks but she inches forward to comply. I pull Callie onto my lap and tuck her flush against me. Vanilla swirls in the air to provide me with an instant sense of peace. In the next moment, my face is buried in the dip of her shoulder for another hit. But it’s not enough. My hat gets flipped backward to grant me unrestricted access. Then I’m diving in for more.

A shudder rolls through my body. Callie gasps as if she can feel the desire swirling off me. The park fades into a colorful blob. Idle chatter goes mute. Nobody else exists but us.

“Um, wow. You’re very… affectionate. Didn’t know you had it in you, boss.” Harper must’ve abandoned her spot on the blanket as well.

I couldn’t care less about who’s witnessing my unconditional attachment to this woman. Callie isn’t as immune and squirms in my hold. The extra attention probably makes her uncomfortable. I slouch onto the bench and tip my legs upward. The change in position rests her head on my chest. Her face is aimed at the clouds, away from prying eyes.

“Just ignore them,” I whisper in her ear.

Her exhale is choppy. “You’re a cozy chair.”

“Best seat in the house.”

“Welp, that’s our cue.” Harper signals to Jake and Sydney. “We gotta get home and do the dishes.”

The little girl pouts. “But I don’t wanna clean.”

“You actually have a playdate with Polly. Daddy and Mommy will handle the dishes while you’re gone.”

---