Page 66 of At First Smile
He pulls away.
“Don’t stop,” I breathe.
His chuckle is low. “I told you”—he trails his fingers down my neck and traces the outline of my pendant— “you never need to beg with me, luv. I’ll give you what you want.” He leans in…
But GB jumps up from the backseat and wedges his wiggly body through the front seat gap. His tongue rasps against my cheek with enthusiastic kisses.
“Seriously, dog,” Rowan grumbles.
I laugh. “Guess he’s not giving up that easy.”
Rowan may be certain he’ll win the war for my heart, but GB is a fierce competitor. We lounge on the gray blanket dotted with crossed hockey sticks, a gift Rowan tells me he received from Finn after being picked up by his first NHL Team. GB snuggles between us. With his head nestled on my lap, I stroke his smooth coat while he snores gently.
The sun dips low in the sky, firing a burnt orange as it sinks below the horizon. Quiet murmurs from the couples and families settled on blankets and in lawn chairs underscore the melodic voice of a singer who Rowan cheekily calls “Long Beach Ed Sheeran.”
“You know Harley is following me on social media.” I sip from a bottle of sparkling water that Rowan included in the small picnic he brought.
“Fucking Michigan Ed Sheeran.”
My eyebrow lifts. “Rowan Iverson, are youjealous?”
“Of the fuckboy with the guitar?” he scoffs, not answering the question.
With a wry grin in place, I kick his denim clad calf with my bare foot. “You know that fuckboy was on your side the entire time. He was hitting on me to make you jealous, so you’d make your move. Guess his aunt recruited him because she thought you needed some motivation.”
“Really?”
“Yeah… In fact”—I tilt my head— “he even knew about your secret hockey identity. When I got off the stage, I told him I don’t like men that play games and he said, ‘Unless it’s hockey.’ I thought it was just a stupid joke, but now I realize he knew the entire time.”
“I like the way you say my secret hockey identity. It makes me sound like Batman.”
“I always found Batmanverysexy.” My mouth curls into a seductive smile.
“Yeah,” Rowan purrs and leans towards me. His hot breath ghosts over my lips.
GB lets out a low growl.
Rowan flops back, laughter vibrating in his chest. “Seriously, dog, I’m your human. Aren’t you supposed to help me get the girl, not steal her for yourself?”
“You’re gonna have to up your game, Iverson.” I skate my fingers down GB’s neck, who nuzzles in tighter.
“Oh, I have game.” He sits up and moves closer, positioning himself behind me. Legs alongside me and GB, he urges my shoulders back until I’m leaning against his chest. Those strong arms of his settle around my middle.
“You’re an excellent backrest.” Eyes shut, I lean into his embrace.
“It’s just one of my many skills.”
“Can’t wait to experience the others.” My voice drips with a breathy huskiness.
“Take that, GB.”
A giggle bursts from me.
“Tell me a fun secret.” His murmur caresses the spot below my ear.
I grin, thinking of me asking him that very same question on the plane. “I hate carrots but love carrot cake.”
“Why do you hate carrots?”
