Page 109 of The Golden Goalie

“Wait, which side do you sleep on?”

He looks back at the bed. “I usually sleep in the middle, so you can take whichever side you want.”

“In the middle? That’s weird.”

He laughs. “Okay, well you can change me. I’ll sleep on whatever side you don’t want to sleep on then.”

“I’ll let you sleep on the side by the door. That way if there are any intruders, you can deal with them.”

He grins. “I’ll protect you, Baby, from all the intruders.”

He disappears into the bathroom, and I come up with anything and everything I can to keep myself busy and not have to climb into bed. The door to the bathroom opens, and Rico comes out dressed in a pair of sweats.Only sweats. And just like that, my mouth dries up.

Chapter 42

Amber

I turn away and focus on anything but on how good he looks. How I want to jump the man. How all that bronzed, tattooed skin is on display as well as his defined muscles.Not helping.

“Amber?” I squeeze my eyes shut. Even his voice is delicious.Stupid hormones. “What are you doing?” I can hear the humor in his voice.

“I’m not looking at you,” I say with my eyes still closed.

“Yeah, I got that. The question is...why?”

“Because if I look at you, something very bad is going to happen.”

“Like what?” he asks. I’m pretty sure he’s trying not to laugh.

“Like jumping you,” I say, and he goes quiet. I peek an eye open and meet his eyes, immediately wishing I hadn’t. He’s no longer laughing. I close my eyes quickly, but it’s too late. I feel him step close, feel his hands run up my arms and to my shoulders.

“And what happens if you jump me?” he asks in a low voice that is pure seduction.

“I can’t do that,” I whisper, still closing my eyes.

“Why not, Baby? Do I look fragile to you?” There’s an edge of one hundred percent masculine pride in his voice.

“Nope. Pretty sure there is nothing fragile about you, Rico.” I almost don’t recognize my voice.

He steps closer and puts his hands on my hips and pulls me forward gently, until my belly bumps into him. “Then jump me, Love,” he whispers right before his lips meet mine in akiss that’s as hungry for me as I am for him. I open my mouth immediately and let him in, and he takes full advantage, plundering my mouth. Before I realize what’s happening, he’s walking us backwards to the bed. In a smooth move, he turns us and pulls me down into his lap, somehow managing not to break our kiss. He drives me further and further towards temptation. When I feel him start to pull my shirt up, I reach out and snag his hands. He instantly stops and pulls back. His eyes are heated as they meet mine. I can see the question there and the longing.

“You said you didn’t want to do anything until the baby came,” I remind him.

He looks pained. “Yeah. That’s what you want right?”

“Me? No way! I thought that’s what you wanted. I thought because I was pregnant you wanted to wait. I’m not exactly desirable material in my condition. I’m just trying to give you full disclosure,” I tell him, grinning slowly.

“I’ll take my chances,” he whispers. That’s the last talking we do for quite a while.

_____________

Our weekend is absolutely magical. We spend so much time connecting, eating good food, and just celebrating our relationship. When Monday morning comes, I can barely stand the thought of him leaving, which is a tell of how much I’ve fallen for this man. I’ve never been a clingy person—never needed people. But I need Rico like I need my next breath.

“Man, I wish I didn’t have to leave you,” he says after kissing me senseless.

I dig deep. “It’s okay. You need to go. I’ll be here when you get back.”

“You still have over two weeks until you’re due, right?”

---