Page 50 of Lucky Baller
I’m trying really hard not to drag her off to my room to ravish her. Instead, I stand here, stock still, staring into her big green eyes.
“How about a movie?”
“Movie?” She nods. “That, I can do.” Snaking my arms around her, I whisper, “Hold on tight,” as I lift her into my arms and carry her into the living room.
“My feet work. The ankle healed weeks ago,” she teases.
I sit down on the couch with her straddling my lap. “I like you close,” I admit.
“How close?”
Her words are barely a whisper as she leans in and kisses my neck. “That works,” I say, gripping her hips to keep her close. I like her right here where she is.
“You know, we’ve never tried the cuddling thing here at your place. Maybe you won’t like it on your home turf.”
“Did I not tell you? I’m a professional cuddler now.”
“Really? Giving up the starting QB spot for cuddling. I didn’t see that one coming.” She grins down at me, and my lips ache to kiss her. So I do. Just a quick peck to her lips.
“Nah, but there’s this girl, she’s pretty much knocked me on my ass.”
“Aw, poor baby.” She juts out her bottom lip, so I nip at it with my teeth, soothing the ache with my tongue.
“She’s got this long, dark curly hair, and her eyes… they’re this green I’ve never seen before. She’s open and honest and not afraid to call me out on my shit. She’s pretty much my dream girl.”
“Have you told her?” Her eyes soften because we both know the answer.
“Yeah.” My hands slide behind her neck, bringing her closer. “I’ve told her, but maybe I should remind her, you know? In case she’s forgotten, or maybe she thought I wasn’t being serious?” I raise my brows at her, daring her to challenge me.
“Oh, I’m sure she believed you, but maybe she might like to hear it again, you know, just to seal the deal.”
I nod. “Tessa Deaton, you’re everything.”
She bites down on her bottom lip, stealing my attention. “I’m worried about a broken heart, but Autumn helped me see the light. I don’t want to wonder what-if.”
“What-if what?”
“What if I let this pass me by? Would I always regret it?”
“I don’t give up that easily, Tessa.”
“I’m glad.”
One hand still behind her neck, the other wrapping around her waist, I pull her into a hug. “I don’t know what all this means. The things you make me feel. The breathless, fluttering, romantic sap that I’ve never been, but I want to know more. When it comes to you, I find I want it all.”
“It?”
“You. Us. The future. Cuddles on the couch, kisses, laughs, meals, dates, you coming to my games. You name it, I want it. As long as it’s with you.”
“Well, I say we start with that movie.” She slides off my lap, and I let her. When she bends over to grab the remote from the coffee table, I don’t even hide the fact that I’m ogling her ass. After tonight’s declaration, I have that right.
She takes a seat next to me, and I put my arm around her, pulling her close while she starts to surf the channels. Her phone rings, and she hands me the remote while she pulls it out of her back pocket. “I’m sure it’s Autumn checking on me.” She glances at the screen, then nervously back to me. “Unknown number. I’m always worried it’s going to be about my mom or something, and it’s always a telemarketer, but I still answer.” She sits up and slides her finger across the screen. “Hello.” She pauses and glances nervously at me over her shoulder. “Hey, Corey.”
Motherfucker.
She’s here with me, so I have no right to be pissed off, but damn it, can he not see that she’s all mine? She left with me. Shechose to let me take her home, well, my home, but it’s the same thing. We’re together. I give up on finding anything to watch and unashamedly listen to her conversation.
“Oh, about that. Listen, I was a little distracted tonight, and I didn’t realize what I had agreed to. I’m seeing someone. It’s new, but I’m excited to see where it goes.” She pauses. “Landon.” Again, she’s quiet, and I want to beat on my chest that she’s just told him she’s my girl. Well, close enough anyway. “Thanks, Corey. Sure, I’ll see you around.” She ends the call and places her phone on the table before taking her spot and curling back into my chest.
