Page 124 of Quarterback Sneak
“Like I got run over by a truck?”
He grimaces, and I feel bad for my words. Before I can say anything, he tugs on my hand and leads me over to his truck. Once he’s behind the wheel, he starts the truck and pulls out of the spot and heads towards the exit. “Uh, Zane, we have class.”
He looks over at me. “Say the word, and I'll take you back. But would you rather go back to the house and lie down for a little bit? I’ll get you excused from classes today.”
I want to argue, but I feel a headache coming on. And I’m more exhausted than I have been in a long time. “Okay.” I lean my head back against the seat. “You talked me into it.” It’s a quiet drive back, but my head is pounding by the time we park.
Zane turns to me and frowns. “Headache?” I nod and instantly regret it. “Come on. Let's get you inside.” He helps me out of the truck and wraps an arm around my waist, keeping me close to his side. A few minutes later, I find myself tucked into his bed after taking painkillers. “Sleep, Evie. I’ll be here when you wake up.” His words send me right to sleep. When I wake up, my headache is gone. I glance at my phone and do a double take. It’s almost three in the afternoon. I climb out of Zane’s bed, snag my phone, and head out to the living room. Reid’s sitting on the couch with his laptop on his legs.
“Hey, Evie,” he says in his quiet, low voice. “You feeling better?”
“I am.” I look around the house. “Is Zane at practice?”
“No. He’s out for a run, but I let him know you’re up. He should be here soon.”
I frown. “Doesn’t he have football practice?”
Reid shrugs and doesn’t answer. When the door opens a few minutes later, I turn to see Zane. He’s not wearing a shirt or shoes. His chest drips with sweat, and I have to force my eyes up to his eyes. He strides towards me but then stops a few feet away. I hate that he feels like he can’t get close to me after what happened today. I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around his sweaty torso.
“I’m all sweaty,” he grumbles against my hair, but I notice he doesn’t loosen his hold on me.
“I can deal with a little sweat.” I pull back, so I can look up at him. “Speaking of sweat, aren’t you supposed to be at practice?”
He scowls. “I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
“Zane, you can’t miss practice. What if they don’t let you play in the game?” He shrugs. “What if they bench you a few games?” He shrugs again. “Zane, this is serious. They could take your position away from you and let somebody else play.”
“Fine.”
My eyes widen. “Not fine. That would be bad. Really, really bad. You should be at practice.”
He shakes his head. “No, Baby. I'm right where I should be.” My eyes tear up at what he’s saying. He’s putting me first over the sport he loves so much. A tear drips down my face, and his eyes lock in on it. His eyes deepen with concern. “What is it, Love?” I shake my head, unsure how to tell him that that’s all I ever wanted—to be a priority to my dad and my mom to be important to him. I never had that, but I know I could drown in Zane’s feelings for me. I nearly did earlier. I’ll nevernotbe a priority to him. Another tear drips down my cheek. “Baby, please. What is it? Just tell me.”
I smile at him, but it’s wobbly. “I’m just happy,” I manage to whisper. He looks skeptical and rightly so. He doesn’t have to understand it all right now; I barely do. But there is one thing I need him to understand. “I love you.”
His eyes intensify, and he stares down at me. “I love you, Evie.So much.”His hand cups the side of my face, and he lowers his head gently towards mine. “Can I kiss you?”
I stare into his eyes. “You don’t ever have to ask. The answer will always be yes.”
His lips find mine, and we both groan at the contact. I didn’t realize how much I was craving this...craving him. He deepens the kiss. Somehow, he navigates us and gets us back to his room. He sits on the bed and holds me on his lap as if I’m the most precious person in the world. I pull back and frame his face with my hands. “What do you have to do to complete the bond with me?” He freezes. “Tell me,” I urge softly.
It takes him a minute. “I would bite you right here.” He fingers the area between my neck and my shoulder. “The bite is permanent and will leave my mark on you. When others see it, they’ll know you’re mine. It will also connect us forever. You will always be mine, and I will always be yours.”
“Forever?” I ask softly.
His eyes soften. “Wolves live twice as long as humans.”
I take all this in. “And you want to mark me?”
His eyes meet mine. “More than anything in this world, but I will wait for you, Love.”
It doesn’t take any more thought on my part. “Mark me, Zane. Claim me as yours.”
He goes still under me, even as his eyes start to brighten. “Are you sure?” His voice is gruff.
I nod. I’ve never felt more certain about anything. “I want to be yours, and I want you to be mine.” He growls low in his chest, but he doesn’t waste any time. He pulls me close and kisses me deeply. Then he bites the top of my shoulder. I stiffen in pain for a moment, but his tongue soothes it a moment later and all pain fades away.
“That was nice,” I say and am surprised to hear my words slur.
