Page 100 of Unexpectedly Falling
She narrows her eyes at me. “I’m from the northeast; this is practically flip-flop weather.”
I laugh as I unzip the backpack and pull out a camping mat and a blanket and spread both out on the ground facing the waterfall. Handing her the thermos, I settle myself on the mat and hold the blanket out so she can sit between my legs. Her body melts into mine the second she snuggles back into my chest.
Not quite the man-eater anymore.
I roll my lips in to hide my smile. Because I’m not sure she’ll appreciate that yet.
“I worked my schedule out with George and then I’ll have about six months of leave.” Swallowing, I take the leap. “Remi and I will join you in Nashville and travel to as many games as we can. We’ll have to figure things out after that logistically, but I know my parents will be willing to help.”
“I’m retiring after this season,” she says casually before taking a sip from the thermos.
“What?” I all but shout, a couple of birds taking flight at my outburst. But Nessa just chuckles as she turns a little to meet my gaze.
“I’m going to retire. Coach Turner had alluded that he’d give me a coaching job and so I’m gonna ask for it.”
“I don’t know what to say. I mean, it’s amazing but I don’t want you to give up your dream. We’ll make it work.”
“Wewillmake it work,”—her smile is bright as it stretches across her face—“but not because I’m in Nashville.” She chuckles. “At least not after this season.”
“What changed your mind?”
“I let myself fall for something other than soccer. I fell for Remi and you and I fell in love withmeagain. And coaching, even for that short time, felt like a piece of my soul waking up after being dormant for so long. It’s being in Blackstone Falls and feeling at home and making actual friends who don’t like my celebrity face and only want the recipe for the breakfast casserole I made.”
My Adam’s apple bobs in my throat, the passion in her voice awakening a part of me too. A much more southern part.
“I love every part of that.”
Her lips press against mine for one beat and then another. “And it’s your mama tellin’ me about you baking Indie a cake and that it’s okay to redefine what success means. It’s all of it and wanting to make a life with someone because they finally know all of you and you have nothing left to hide.”
“You’ll never have to hide again because all I want is for you to be mine. Ours. Today and every day after.”
“It still sounds crazy.” She chuckles, her smile never wavering.
“I like unexpected.”
“You’re right, there’s nothing that compares to unexpectedly falling for the hot-as-sin sheriff of a small town when you start out as his daughter’s guardian.”
“I think that’s too much to get embroidered on one of those hand towels you seem to like so much in the bathroom.”
“I’m always up for a challenge.”
“You’ve always been trouble.”
“And still you can’t get enough.”
“As God as my witness,” I agree, pulling her into my lap so she can feel how hard I am for her.
“Speaking of witnesses, how alone are we out here?”
“See?” I taunt as I let her push me back onto the mat. “Nothing but trouble.”
46
JENSEN
There’s something freeing about telling a woman you’re in love with her.
But there’s also something absolutely maddening about watching that same woman devour your cock, gagging as she takes you deeper and not letting up until you’re cursing and muttering incoherently as you spill down her throat.
