Page 94 of Playing for Possession
He crushed me to his hard chest and cut me off with a kiss. My senses reeled at the firm press of his mouth. I froze with shock for a moment before I kissed him back. Applause and whistling went up around us. I was kissing a man in front of an entire room of people, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was the feel of his lips on mine.
He broke away breathlessly and pressed his forehead to mine. His voice was thick with emotion. “You could never embarrass me. I love you, too. I don’t care who knows. I’ll hire a fucking plane and write it in the sky. You’re mine.” He whispered low in my ear. “I don’t just want to be all the firsts on your list. I want to be the only.”
My heart swelled. “I want that, too.”
Claire coughed, and raised an unimpressed eyebrow. “I assumed you’d comment on your return to the game, or have someencouragement for the team, but fine, whatever that was, it was very... sweet.”
Kieran’s full lips curved upward in a devastating grin. He threw his head back and laughed. It was an irresistible sound, rich and full-hearted.
I kept my voice teasing. “You laughed. What’s happening? Are you feeling OK? Do you need a doctor to check you over?”
His grin widened. He pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. “You and your lists are the only medicine I need.”
Epilogue
Kieran
“Everyone be quiet. I’m going to press play.” I pointed the remote at the huge screen in Mortimer’s home cinema.
On the couch next to me, Jack threw a handful of popcorn into his mouth. “I cannot tell you how much I have been dying to see this.”
Ollie put a hand over Jack’s mouth. His voice was teasing. “Listen to the man. Shut up. I need to hear this.”
“Wait,” Mortimer shouted. “Make it dimmer. It’s too bright. We need the full cinematic experience.”
Joanie jumped up and twisted the dimmer. The room darkened. She resumed her seat next to me on the couch. I leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Get cozy. It’s our star turn.”
I slung my arm around her shoulder. She wrapped her arms around my middle and snuggled tight. “I’m already cringing. I’m experiencing anticipatory cringe.”
“Think about us,” Ollie said. “We’re going to get vicarious cringe on your behalf. In some ways that’s worse. We didn’t even get the free holiday.”
Mortimer flapped his hand. His voice took on a chastising edge. “Stop. It’s going to be wonderful. Showbiz runs in our blood, remember. I’m sure Joanie will be fantastic. Star quality is genetic.” He wrinkled his nose and glanced at me. “I’m sure you’ll be OK as well.”
“I’ll take that.” I pointed the remote at the screen, and pressed play.
A lively song filled the air. Jack and Ollie cheered when Joanie and I appeared on the screen. Joanie smothered her face against my chest. “I can’t watch this.”
I smoothed her soft hair back. “It’s fine. Don’t forget. We had that one good take.”
We walked along the beach together. I whispered low in her ear. “I have deep regrets about fighting them on the swimwear. I could be looking at you in a bikini right now.”
Her lips were hot against my ear. “Maybe I’ll put it on later.”
Heat shot through me. “I’ll hold you to that.”
“Stop whispering,” Mortimer cried. “You’re missing it.”
The screen cut to a can of revolving Fizzz and then back to us at the beach.
We both spoke at the same time, holding the can out. “Explore the Fizzz.”
Jack’s great howl of laughter made Joanie jump. Ollie was laughing so hard, tears ran down his cheeks.
I whacked Jack with a cushion. “Oh, fuck off.”
The screen turned to black, and the silence was punctuated by Jack and Ollie gasping for breath through their laughter.
Mortimer clapped his hands. “Bravo.” He stood, still clapping his hands enthusiastically. “Such artistry. You really embodied the part, Joanie. I’m so proud of you.”
