Page 78 of Biggest Player
Can’t he?
As far as professional athletes are concerned—especially really hot, handsome ones—women must be tripping over themselves to bang him. I know I would be if it was just me.
But it’s not.
I have Wyatt, and we are a package deal.
“You actually need me to tell you why I think you’re amazing?”
No. But it’s always nice to hear.
“Yes, please.”
Sue me for wanting compliments and flattering words about myself.
Dex takes a deep breath, his eyes locking on to mine with an intensity that makes my heart skip a beat. I asked him to take this conversation seriously but didn’t really think he could be this intense—but here he is, bringing the heat.
“Where do I start?” He exhales, hands still on my hips. “You’re strong. You’ve been through so much but haven’t given up looking for love. Still smiling, even though you frown at me a lot and yell. You’re an amazing mother to Wyatt. I can hear it when you talk about her. She’s incredible because you are incredible.”
His words start to melt me like buttuh—and I didn’t think I was the kind of woman who could be so easily swayed.
Dammit!
“And you’re smart,” he goes on. “You’re funny. You make me want to be a better person just by being around you.”Ah, shucks.“I’ve dated plenty of women, sure, but none of them have made me feel the way you do. None of them have made me want to settle down, to build something real.”
I blink, trying to process his words. “And you just realized thistoday?”
He shakes his head. “No, it’s been on my mind a few times and today, well. Today, I just ... couldn’t ignore it anymore. I couldn’t keep pretending that what we have is casual when it’s anything but, and I honestly don’t want to be friends.”
He doesn’t want to be friends.
He wants . . .
I take in a gulp of air, images of us in bed passing through my brain—the part of me who hasn’t had sex in months making some of these decisions for me. If I were a man, this would be the part where I’m thinking with my dick.
My heart is pounding.
I can feel the tears starting to prick at the corners of my eyes. Ugh, not in the parking lot of a movie theater! How inconvenient.
See, the thing is ... I want to believe Dex, I really do. But it’s hard. It’s so hard to trust when you’ve been let down before. Wyatt’s dad let me down, and sure, he’s there for his child, but I will never, ever, forget how he left me when I was pregnant rather than standing beside me and supporting me.
Dex is not your ex.
Dex is not a boy the way Colton was.
“Dex, I have to protect Wyatt. I know she’s already met you, but I cannot bring someone into her life who’s not going to stick around.” I pull back so I can look him dead in the eyes. “She might be bubbly and outgoing, but trust me, she gets attached quickly.”
“I get that,” he says. “No matter what, we’re friends. What’s the harm in dating and doing things together? Just don’t fall in love with me,” he jokes.
I roll my eyes. “You’re the one who’s going to fall in love with me.”
His eyes darken. His lips press together with an unspoken ... something.
I swallow hard, my throat tight with emotions. “This isn’t about me. Wyatt comes first, always.”
“What does that mean? You’re going to cancel on me if she has her period?”
“She doesn’t get her period because she is ten, but yes, if she’s sick and we have plans, I would cancel on you. That’s what moms do.”
