Page 48 of Cross Check Daddies
“Okay.”
The building is quiet this time of night. Lights dimmed, elevator hum low and steady. We don’t say much at first, just a slow, companionable silence. Until we’re halfway down the hall.
“What if I tell you a secret?” he says suddenly, voice rougher now. “Will you tell me what had you crying in that booth tonight?”
My steps falter. I glance at him. His face is unreadable.
“I’m retiring,” he says.
I blink. “You’re what?”
“This is my last season. Been thinking about it a long time. Didn’t want to say it until I was sure.”
“But you love the game.”
“I do,” he says. “I always will. But it’s been years of bruises, bus rides, and media bullshit. I’m tired. I want to sleep in. Maybe get a house by the beach.”
I picture it instantly. Ace Carter in linen shirts, barefoot, ocean outside his window. The visual almost knocks the breath out of me.
“I didn’t see that coming,” I say softly.
He looks over. “Your turn.”
My mouth dries. How do I explain that I’m trying not to collapse under the weight of my own desire for two men who just happen to be brothers? I can’t say that. So, I go with something safe.
“I guess I’ve just been stressed. The game. The pitch. Trying to be everything for everyone.”
He hums, not pushing. “You’re doing better than you think.”
He follows me down to my floor until we reach my door. I pause, hand on the key. “Thanks. For tonight. You didn’t have to?—”
He pulls me into a hug before I finish the sentence. My arms wrap around him instinctively. He’s solid. Warm. Smells like cedar and sweat. His hand is firm on my back, his other curled lightly against my waist. I melt into him without thinking. My body just gives.
When we pull apart, his hand lingers on my hip. He leans in slightly, his voice low, unhurried.
“Goodnight, PixelVixen.”
My lips twitch. “Goodnight.”
I turn toward the door, still flushed, trying to string together another thank you, but then?—
“Ace…”
He whirls. No hesitation. Just walks right back to me and kisses me like it’s already been decided. Like the minute I said his name, he knew I wasn’t finished. His mouth claims mine, hot and confident. I gasp, then melt again as he presses me into the door, his body firm against mine.
My knees almost buckle. My arms loop around his shoulders, one hand sliding into the back of his hair. His hands find my waist, grip tight, pulling me up against him like he doesn’t want space between us ever again.
“Whoa,” I gasp when we finally part, breath knocked out of me.
Then the words fall out before I can stop them. “I’m kind of... in the middle of something.”
His eyes stay locked on mine. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
His voice is low, commanding, edged with something primal that shoots straight through me. My thighs press together. I could pull my panties off right now if he asked. My body’s already there.
“No,” I whisper. Truth.
He kisses me again, rougher this time. His hand curves around my jaw as he holds me in place, devouring my mouth likehe’s been waiting all night for the excuse. I moan softly into him, hips angling forward without permission.
