Page 86 of Lucky Baller
He throws his head back and laughs, causing me to lift mine. His baby blues are bright, and whatever was plaguing him is gone. At least for now.
“Now I need a shower.”
“Me, too.” Without putting me down, he moves to the walk-in shower and turns on the water. “You’re beautiful like this,” he says, staring into my eyes. “I love that I’m the only one who gets to see you this way. Sweaty and sated, eyes glazed over from my cock.”
“Modest much?” I tease.
“Bringing you pleasure makes me feel ten feet tall.”
“You’re on a roll tonight with all the sweetness.”
“Just making sure you know what you mean to me. Leaving you messes with my head,” he admits. “I hate not being here with you, and I don’t ever want you to question how far my love runs. It’s deep, baby. Deep in my soul, and it’s all for you.”
“I love you, too.” I kiss his cheek, and he moves us into the shower and under the hot spray. He carefully sets me on my feet and disappears to get rid of the condom. He’s back in no time, taking the shampoo out of my hands and washing my hair for me. His hands roam my body, and mine his, as we wash away the day and our lovemaking. That’s what it was. No matter how hard or fast, no matter how soft or slow, it’s nothing but love between us. I can feel it. Just like he said, it’s soul-deep, as if he’s a part of me. I don’t ever see that changing.
After our shower, we climb into bed. Cuddled close to his chest, I drift off into a peaceful sleep.
The next morning, I wake to an empty bed. There’s a note with nothing butI love you, Lwritten on it, next to me on his pillow, where his head should be. I miss him already and wish he had woken me up to tell me he was leaving. Climbing out of bed, I make my way to the bathroom. My hair looks like I was ridden hard and put up wet, and in a way, I was. I giggle to myself just as my phone rings. I run back into the bedroom to answer it, hoping it’s Landon, and I’m in luck.
“Hey, I miss you already,” I greet him.
“Damn, Tess, that’s one hell of a greeting. I miss you, too, baby. We’re getting ready for wheels up. I just wanted to tell you to have a good day.”
“You should have woken me up.”
“Nah, you looked like an angel sleeping in my bed. I didn’t have the heart to wake you. I don’t know when I’ll be able to touch base again. I’ll text you when we land. Keep me posted on Buckwheat.”
“Will do. Safe flight.”
“Love you,” he replies and ends the call.
I finish getting ready, pop a bagel into the toaster, and pull out the container of spaghetti that Landon made for my lunch today. Fifteen minutes later, I’m in my car and headed to work.
“Morning,” Autumn greets me when I arrive at the shelter.
“Buckwheat?” I ask. “I see the vet’s truck outside.”
“Yeah, he’s with him now,” she says, taking a huge gulp of coffee.
“Rough night?”
“Something like that.” She smirks. “I hate when they’re out of town, and JJ was already asking for Daddy first thing this morning. Maybe we would be okay with just the sales from his ass photographs?” she muses.
I just smile and shake my head. “I hear ya. Although I don’t have a little boy missing his daddy.”
“Not yet.”
I smile. “Maybe one day. Things are going great with us.”
“That’s easy to see. That man is crazy about you, Tessa.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“You watching the game on Sunday?” she asks.
“Yep. You?”
“We are. Why don’t you come to the house and watch it with me and JJ? He’d love to see you.”
