Page 34 of Fumble Into the End Zone

“Name it,” he said.

Fuck, I wanted the alone time with him.“I get a girl’s day with Harley without her daddy,” I said.

“Deal,” he said and planted a quick kiss on my neck.

Harley twirled in our direction as he stepped away, celebrating the four pins she knocked over.

“All right,” I said and positioned my hand for a high five.

We smacked hands before she ran to Marcus. I removed the ramp and secured my ball. With my purple beast in hand, I approached the foul line and curved the ball. The pins laid down as they were supposed to. I turned to find Harley clapping and her daddy smiling. He placed Harley in a seat, and she motioned for a high five from me. Marcus selected the black ball and walked to the foul line. He positioned his body into perfect form and released the ball. It curved, knocking down the pins.

“It’s your turn,” I said to Harley, and she walked to the bowling balls.

Marcus sat next to me and said, “I can’t wait to spend time with you tonight.”

“You first have to win,” I reminded.

“Ms. Mia, I’m ready,” Harley interrupted.

Going into the fifth frame, Marcus and I were tied, and he enjoyed it. When Harley turned her back, he found some way to initiate touch between us. With each encounter, my heart raced with a heated arousal, and we both sensed it. I knew I needed to win if I planned to keep my legs out of the air. Hell, but losing didn’t sound bad.

“For the tie breaker, the head pin has to drop last,” Marcus whispered in my ear as we stood behind Harley.

With our combined scores, Harley and I technically won. Marcus and I had a private game going, and we were tied on the tenth frame. I slapped hands with Harley as she ran back to me. She knocked down five pins. I lifted my purple ball and stood at the foul line, trying to adjust my angle. Releasing the ball, I curved my body with the ball and slammed my eyes closed. The first pin hit the ground first.

I turned to find Marcus smiling and Harley clapping. They were celebrating for two different reasons. Walking back to the seats, I slapped hands with Harley.

“Let me show you how it’s done,” Marcus whispered as he passed me.

Harley and I stood back and watched him approach the foul line. He released the ball with ease, and it curved to perfection. It missed the first pin, knocking down a few around it. A domino effect caused the first pin to drop last. Marcus walked back, licking his lips at me.

“Did we win, Ms. Mia?” Harley asked as she snuggled in my lap and peered up at me for an answer.

“Yes, we won,” I said, and we slapped hands as we celebrated.

And so did your daddy.

“Can we play another game?” Harley asked Marcus with hopeful eyes.

I sat back to observe how he was going to answer her question. He kneeled and took her hands. “Maybe another time. You have school tomorrow. It’s getting dark and Granny made us dinner,” he said.

“Can Ms. Mia come over?” Harley asked and smiled at me.

“If it’s okay with your dad. I would love to come over. Do you know what’s for dinner?” I questioned.

Harley’s smile stretched beyond her face. “Greens and cornbread,” Harley said with bouncing brows.

At her age, she should have been this excited about fast food, but her soul was old being raised by a southern grandmother.

“Excuse me. Are you Marcus Allen?” two young boys asked.

The young man holding the football’s hands trembled as he awaited for an answer. Marcus peered over to me and back to the boys.

“I’ll take care of Harley. Sign their balls,” I offered and encouraged Marcus to greet the two young boys.

The ride over to Marcus’s house mirrored our drive to the bowling alley. We hadn’t made it to the first stoplight before he reached for a connection. He seized my hand quicker than I could remove it from my thigh. The texture of our skin brushing against each other fed the fire within me. Floating, I didn’t notice or pay attention to how we arrived at his house.

We pulled into the driveway, and I examined the outer exterior of his home. The white brick and dark roof gave it a modern appeal. Marcus caressed my hand with his thumb beforehe released it. I squirmed as he walked in front of the car to the passenger side.I wonder why he didn’t push the seat up and let Harley out?

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