Page 23 of The Only Shot that Mattered

“I can grab my bag, Damien. You have your hands full,” Kenna offered as her short legs struggled to keep up with his long strides.

He slowed his stroll and smiled down at her. “You good, Ken Ken. Just get your pretty ass on the jet.”

She tilted her head down to hide her smile, but he still saw it. If complimenting her was what it took to see those cute ass dimples of hers, then she better get ready to hear his praises often.

Cam walked up the steps first, snapping pics and popping his hips as he walked. Kenna shook her head and laughed at him as she timidly walked up the steps. Damien didn’t even try to pry his eyes from her ass. She was little, but damn, she was so sexy. The thoughts he had about her were unholy, but he prayed he got the chance to act them out. He knew he needed to practice patience, though, and he was cool with that.

The attendant on the plane helped him store the bags before he made his way toward Kenna. Damien smirked when he noticed Cam took the seat across the aisle from Kenna, leaving the spot next to her open. Discreetly, he held his fist out for Cam, who dapped him up with a big grin and winked.

Damien sat down and asked, “You didn’t want to sit next to the window?”

“No.” Kenna shook her head. “I’m not the biggest fan of flying.”

Damien nodded in understanding. Skylar hated to fly, too, even though she’d been doing it since she was a baby. He’d learned long ago that the best way to help someone out who didn’t like to fly was distraction, which worked out great in his favor.

He flagged down a flight attendant. “Can we get a throw blanket?” He turned to Kenna. “Do you want anything to drink?”

“Just water,” she responded sheepishly.

“You sure? Some wine or vodka might take the edge off,” he joked.

She giggled. “I’m not much of a drinker, so water is fine.”

“I’ll have a water too. Cam, you good?”

Cam batted his long lashes at the female flight attendant. “We gon’ be besties by the end of this flight. You can bring me tequila sunrises and keep ’em comin’, baby.”

The flight attendant grinned, but Kenna cut in. “Don’t keep ’em comin’.”

Cam waved her off. “Don’t listen to her. Keep ’em comin’.”

Damien cut in, careful not to take sides, and addressed the flight attendant. “That’ll be all for now.”

“I’ll grab those now. The pilot is gearing up for takeoff, but I’ll be sure to come back and check on you as soon as we’re at cruising altitude.”

“’Preciate it,” Damien replied.

“How did you know I was going to try to sleep during the flight?” Kenna asked, referring to the throw blanket as soon as the attendant walked away.

“I didn’t. I just wanted you to be comfortable.” Damien was disappointed that she was going to catch a nap. He hoped they could talk and get to know each other more, but he told himself there would be time for that.

“Thank you,” she muttered, and then she repeated the sentiment to the attendant as she dropped off a fluffy throw blanket before rushing away to grab their drinks.

Damien watched as she tried to get comfortable, and when it was clear she couldn’t, he lifted his arm and pulled her into him, hoping he wasn’t being too forward. She had, after all, sat in his lap a few days ago, so this was light work.

“Better?”

“Better,” she muttered as she relaxed into him.

Cam leaned over and whispered loudly. “She’ll be snoring before we take off. She falls asleep so quick and is a hard ass sleeper. Watch.”

Kenna kicked her foot out and connected with Cam’s ankle. He yelped and cursed her out under his breath, but she ignored him as she settled back into Damien, who breathed the jasmine scent of her in as he listened to her breathing even out. This was exactly what he needed before practice to get his mind right. Kenna in his arms was a newfound form of peace for him, and he hoped this wouldn’t be the last time he experienced it.

The last thing Damien wanted to do right now was practice. Admittedly, this entire season, his head had been in the clouds filled with thoughts of retirement. That hadn’t always been how he conducted himself when it came to his career, but it was fair to say he was burned out.

Since meeting Kenna, his focus had gotten even worse, but even his coaches had to admit that as distracted as he was, he’d been playing better than ever, and his team was looking really good for the playoffs.

While he ran drills with his team, his thoughts wandered back to Kenna. She’d slept the entire flight right in his arms, which was probably why they were a little stiff now as he passed the ball to Lenny, one of his teammates, and then turned to catch the ball Dax passed him. He shot it at the net, still sinking it, though his muscles were tight.

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