55: Now.
“Oh my god,” I whimper, my hand trembling as I hold my phone.
I look around my office, but despite the explosion of excitement inside me, no one even looks my way.
It’s like they don’t know the world just shifted from beneath my swivel chair.
I shouldn’t go. I have a job to do, and I’m almost at the end of a series of designs that need to be complete and with Bianca by the end of the day.
But…Kodie…
“Fuck it,” I mutter to myself before tucking my cell into my jacket pocket and rushing from the office.
If anyone asks, I had some dodgy fish tacos for lunch. I ate alone in a little place down the street, so no one will know.
I don’t think anyone so much as glances up as I flee the room as if the hounds of hell are snapping at my ankles.
My heart thunders at a million beats per second as I slip into the elevator and jab my finger against the button that will allow me to descend to where Kodie is waiting for me.
My legs tremble as I move down the hallway to the dressing room. Thankfully, after disappearing inside the elevator car, I haven’t seen a single person. I guess that’s what happens whenthe entire team and every member of staff they need have just traveled back from two road games. They’ve all gone home to their homes and families.
But Kodie came for you…
Despite being in this building every day, it’s been years since I’ve been this close to the players. When I was a kid, I’d often walk into the dressing room with Dad. Hell, I remember celebrating a couple of wins with the team when my sitter had to leave. I also remember Dad ripping them all a new one about their behavior while I was in the room. Not that they needed reminding; they were a great group of guys, many of whom were fathers themselves, and they were always respectful to me. Just like I know our team would be now if Sutton were there.
But this time, when I press my palms against the door to slip inside, there is no noise, no boisterous players, no loud music. It’s silent. It still smells like sweaty boys, but after a lifetime of being surrounded by that scent, it doesn’t really bother me. I step inside, my eyes scanning the stalls for my man.
My breath catches when I find him sitting in his stall, resting forward with his elbows on his knees and his dark eyes locked on me.
“Y-you’re early,” I stutter, my voice barely audible as my temperature rises.
Fuck, I missed him. It might have only been a few days, but it’s been like losing a limb. There’s a part of me that hopes it’ll get easier, but at the same time, there’s another part that wishes it won’t. I always want to feel this incredible high when he returns. It’s addictive, just like the man before me.
“Surprise,” he rasps, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips.
“But…” I blink, watching as he stands to his full height and begins stalking closer.
“I can go, if you want,” he offers, his eyes darting toward the door for the briefest moment.
“Hell no,” I state. The second he’s in touching distance, I reach out, twist my fingers in his shirt, and drag him closer. Or at least, I try. I don’t stand a chance at moving his giant frame.
Thankfully, he takes pity on me and takes the finalstep, closing the space between us. His hand wraps around the back of my neck and he tugs. I stumble forward until I’m pressed up against the hard length of his body.
“Missed you so fucking much, Trouble.”
And then his mouth is on mine, our hands are everywhere, and getting closer to him is the only thing I can think about.
He lifts me off my feet, carrying me somewhere. I’m too focused on getting more to care about where we’re going. To care about anything.
My back presses against a wall, and the next thing I know, my panties are being dragged to the side and his fingers are pushing inside me.
“Fuck,” he groans, finding me wet and ready. “Thank fuck you didn’t wear pants today.”
“Please,” I whimper, my head falling back against the wall as I stare at him with hooded eyes.
“Fuck,” he repeats as he holds me up with one hand while tearing at his pants with the other.
He hasn’t even gotten changed; he came straight here from the airplane.