Page 85 of The Break Down

My heart lurches. “Koa.”

“That’s right,” he groans, grinding into me. “It’s me who makes you feel good. Only me. And I got you, Red. I’ll always take care of you.”

His hand slips around me, between my thighs, fingers circling my swollen clit.

“Now,” he growls, “give me what I want.”

And just like that, I shatter again.

My body obeys him without hesitation.

My pleasure peaks, loud and messy and utterly mindless, every nerve ending on fire.

And as I clench around him, Koa grunts behind me, hips jerking as he follows me over the edge.

His release is hot and thick, filling me up and dripping down my thighs as he buries himself as deep as he can, grinding his hips like he wants to live inside me.

And maybe he already does.

We rinse off quickly, and he’s so gentle with me afterward.

Scoops me up like I’m something precious, lays me down on the bed, and fetches a fluffy towel.

Pats me dry with care and quiet reverence, then joins me under the covers, pulling me into his chest.

His big hand cradles the back of my head. The other strokes along my bare thigh.

I shift to look up at him, my fingers tracing the curve of his jaw.

“I love you,” I whisper.

His lips twitch into one of those rare, real smiles—the kind that makes my stomach flip and my soul melt.

He leans in, kisses my temple, and whispers against my skin.

“Aroha ahau ki a koe, Red.”

“Is that?”

“The language of my father’s people,” he whispers.

Somehow, I know what he said.

I love you.

And I’ve never heard anything more beautiful.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR-KOA

Game Day, Consequence, NC

The field’s packed.

Stands full.

Noise pulsing like a heartbeat through the turf. This isn’t a friendly. This is it.

The first official match for the Carolina Rovers.

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