Page 35 of Silent Count
He nods. “Yep, even if we weren’t at a hotel, we would still be required to be there a few hours before.”
We talk a little more about the game-time process, which I find fascinating. The way they have to mentally prepare is something I guess I never really considered.
He yawns, which makes me look at the time.
“You should probably get to bed, huh?” I ask him.
He shakes his head. “Not yet. I want to talk to you, unless you want to go.”
I smile. “I’m good. I just don’t want to be blamed if you’re tired tomorrow.”
“Nah, I’ll be fine. What are you doing tomorrow? Do you know yet?” He moves his arm behind his head, laying on it.
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “Yes, we’re going on an airboat ride with my sister and her friends.”
“No way! That’s cool. I’ve never been on one.” He laughs. “You don’t look excited.”
I sit up, leaning against the headboard, making my loose T-shirt slide off my shoulder, and prop my phone on my legs. “I mean, it’s fun, but not something I ever wanted to do again.”
“Why not?” He has an adorable, crooked smile on his face.
I glance toward the window, watching the palm trees blur together for a moment before I answer, “Mostly because I can’t hear well for days after, even though they give you headphones. And my hair …” I point to the two braids.
“You look really cute with the braids. I was going to say something when we got on actually.” He bites his lip.
Why is that so hot?
“I like the shirt too, by the way.” He grins.
“You do, huh?” I pull the shirt up my shoulder a little.
“Oh, don’t do that. I want to picture you just like that as I fall asleep,” he says in a gravelly voice.
“Are you flirting with me?” I tilt my head, smiling.
“Yes.” His smirk is slow, deliberate.
“Good.” I shift again and lie back down on my pillows, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach.
His eyes are dark, intent, even on the screen. His lips part slightly, and his gaze lingers like he’s memorizing me. There’s a heat there that makes my pulse race—something intimate, something that feels like it’s only for me. My chest tightens, and I know whatever he’s about to say will make me forget everything else.
“Chelsea, I’m just gonna put it all out there. I want you.”
I suck in a breath, not expecting him to say that.
“I mean …” He runs a hand over his jaw, the crooked smile on his face softening into something real. “I want to date you.”
“So, you don’t want me? You just want to date me?” I tease.
His eyes widen, and he shakes his head. “No! I mean, yes. I want to date you, but, yes, I most definitely want you too.” He has a serious look on his face. “I really like you. I’m crazy attracted to you, but I really like you as a person too. And I’m hoping you feel the same.”
“I feel the same.” I can’t lie.
His confidence in himself, him telling me all of this, is turning me on. Big time.
“Really?” A slow, sexy smile spreads on his face.
I smile and nod. “Yes, really.”
