Page 53 of Make the Play

“You hung up on me.” I pretend to be offended when we both know that I’m not.

“Come on.” He offers me his hand. Quickly, I grab my purse, phone, and keys before placing my hand in his and allowing him to help me out of my SUV. He makes sure my door is locked before leading me to his truck. He opens the door and motions for me to climb inside. I do, and he immediately shuts the door before running around the front of the truck and sliding behind the wheel. He starts the engine and then turns to face me.

“Everything okay?” I ask. He’s acting off.

“It is now.” Sliding one hand behind my neck, he uses the other to cradle my cheek as his lips connect with mine.

His kiss speaks a language all on its own. If it had a voice, it would say, I missed you, and I’m happy to see you. There is no hesitation in the way his lips take mine or the way he commands my body, angling my head just the way he wants me. With the first touch, I surrender all control to him.

When we both need air, he pulls back, resting his back against the seat, but his eyes remain on me. “Tinted windows,” he rasps. “Best invention ever.”

I can’t help it. I sputter with laughter. “Is that what all the urgency was about?” I ask.

“Corie girl, it had been way too long since I’d kissed you. Yes, it was urgent.”

I shake my head at him, smiling like a fool. “You’re too much.”

He leans toward me again, and this time, I’m ready, meeting him halfway. “And all yours,” he says, pressing his lips to mine, this time in a short peck.

“Where are we headed?”

“Buckle up, baby. You’re about to find out.” He waits for me to fasten my seat belt before he does the same, pulling out onto the road. “What sounds good for dinner?”

“Honestly, anything. I don’t have anything specific in mind if you do.”

“How about we do tacos?”

“Sure,” I agree. “How was your day?”

“Brutal. Coach kicked our asses.”

“Landry said the same. He was actually planning on going to bed early.”

He laughs. “A few months ago, that would have been me, too.”

“We don’t have to go anywhere. I can go home, too, if you need to rest. What am I saying? Of course, you need to rest. I’ve been taking up all your time. I’m sorry.”

Reaching over, he places his hand on my knee. “There is nothing for you to be sorry for. You’re taking all my spare time because I’m giving it to you freely. I want this time with you, Corie. If I were in dire need of rest, I’d just haul you to my bed, and we would sleep, but tonight, the weather is nice, still warm, and I want to do this with you before that changes.”

“Can I have a hint?”

“Nah, but I will tell you it’s only thirty minutes outside Nashville.”

I run through all the possibilities of where he could be taking me, and I still come up empty. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.

We hit the drive-thru for tacos, and we’re on the road. “Do you want to eat now or when we get there?”

“When we get there. You can eat if you want.”

“I’ll wait for you. Besides, I’m a little nervous about what you’re up to.”

“Don’t be.” He reaches over and entwines his fingers with mine. “If you hate it, we’ll leave.”

“I’m sure I won’t hate it.”

“Yeah, but if you do, tell me, and we’ll return home.”

“It’s fine,” I tell him.

---