Page 39 of Embers in the Outfield

“I’m clean too. I just got tested last year,” I say, hoping he doesn’t press me on how long ago last year.

“Okay, so we’re good?” he asks, but it’s like a lightbulb goes off. “Hold up, when last year did you get tested?” He pushes the hair off my face where the sweat kept it stuck to my skin.

“Um, like fifteen months ago?” I say, slightly embarrassed of my dry spell.

“Fuck, Kennedy. I didn’t realize I was your first after that prick you dated. What was his name? Dennis?”

“Not a big deal, okay? I swore off men for a bit,” I say as I climb off him. “We better, um, stick to condoms next time though.” I make sure he knows this is a one-time thing without a condom, although I can’t complain about how it felt just now.

“Yeah, of course. Also, that was fucking fantastic.” He sits there, cock out and now starting to soften, as he moves his hands down his face.

“Yeah, no complaints from me either.” I pull my dress down and move myself back to the passenger side. Not sure what I’ll do when his cum drips down as we go up the elevator.

“I might have a sweatshirt back here,” he says after pulling up his pants and zipping them up. The muscles along his chest and abdomen are just there for me to ogle, and I can’t help the sweep my eyes do in appreciation of his physique.

He finds a BFD hoodie and hands it to me. I throw it over my head, allowing it to swallow me up in size. It will give at least an extra inch or so over my ass compared to this skimpy dress.

“By the way, that dress was sinful, Kennedy. Although, next time a warning would be nice. I was walking around with a stiffie most of the night.” He pulls my lips to his one more time before pushing away and opening the door of the truck.

I sit there, looking out the door he just left through, unable to pull myself out of there. I can’t help whatever it is that’s starting to bubble inside me. It feels a lot like butterflies taking over my stomach.

River makes his way to my door and opens it for me. I’m expecting him to walk away, but he puts his hand out for me to take as I make my way out of the lifted cab.

He grabs my face and plants a soft kiss on my lips the moment I step out of the truck, and I do everything I can to keep my mind from taking off and overanalyzing the gesture for more than it is.

We make our way to the elevator and the moment we are inside, he presses me up against the wall.

“You’re insatiable, Skipper. You know that? I literally can’t get you out of my mind,” he whispers into the shell of my ear.

Fuck, my mind has taken off, and I find myself wondering what it all means. Something that began as just a fling is slowly starting to blur those lines, and I’m having a hard time keeping myself from moving across territory that is going to get me into trouble.

But that’s the thing with River—he’s been trouble from the start. However, I allowed this to happen, and I know I’m not strong enough to walk away just yet. I haven’t gotten my fill of him.

The moment the elevator doors open and he flashes me that dimpled smile, my heart does a little flip. Yep, I’m royally screwed.

CHAPTER 16

Kennedy

“So,what movie do you want to watch?” I ask Sam while I’m at the microwave popping popcorn.

Ashton had to go on a trip, and Samara called and asked me to spend the night and keep her company. She has always hated when Ash travels for work, but now that she’s pregnant, Ashton was more insistent that she not be alone while he’s gone for the night.

“Let’s watchSerendipity. I love that whole storyline.” She sighs and points the remote toward the television to find where it’s streaming.

The moment the snacks are ready, I’m carrying a tray full of food to tackle all her cravings. She asked for an interesting assortment: gummy worms, popcorn, pickles, crackers, mayo, and jam. I feel like throwing up thinking about what she’s going to pair the mayo with, but I’m going to grab my bowl of popcorn and focus on that.

She finds the movie and is about to press play but then hesitates.

“Kenny, what’s going on with you?” Her question completely throws me, and I can’t help the quizzical look I give her in return.

“Come on, are you seeing someone or something?” she continues.

“What do you mean?” I stuff popcorn in my mouth in hopes it masks the heat I feel overcoming my cheeks right now.

“I barely see you anymore,” she whines, and I want to laugh. She knows I work crazy hours, and I try to see her whenever I can.

“Sam, I work like a lunatic, remember? I mean, look how late I made it over here tonight when I was supposed to be done at a decent hour.”

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