Page 28 of Hot Stuff
Sure, he took care of me in bed—and out—but that’s not what this is.
This is outside of sex.
I know my friends take care of me, but the warmth I get from them isn’t the same and to receive it from Walker hours after meeting him has me realizing this thing between us is far more important than anything else.
I’d pull the offer of head coach off the table if it was a choice between it or our connection.
“You’re doing it again.”
His words have me focusing externally—on him. “Yes. Thank you.”
“For what? Worrying about you being naked in front of New York City?”
I laugh. “It’s hardly the whole city but yes. For worrying about me.”
He cocks his head and studies me for long seconds before he straightens and moves back to me. Cradling my face, something he seems to do a lot, he gazes into my eyes and says something no one has ever said to me before.
“I will always worry about you even when you don’t need me to.”
Blinking several times to alleviate the sting of tears, I can only nod.
He must see I’m struggling because he drops a kiss on my lips then changes the subject. “Is there anything you don’t eat?”
“Um.” I try to shift my thoughts toward food but it’s hard. I’m not used to being this vulnerable—this open—with someone.
Not even my three best friends get this level of vulnerability.
And I’m giving it to Walker within hours of meeting him.
“Oak?”
“No. I don’t have any allergies or dislikes.”
“Okay. Go reschedule, grab us some robes, and I’ll get breakfast sorted.”
He’s giving me a reprieve, I know he is. And as much as it pains me to admit, because I’m an independent, confident woman, I’m taking the break.
I know I’ll have to think about us—what we’re doing—soon enough. But for now, I want to enjoy breakfast with a man who intrigues me, gets me, in a way no other has.
Except before I do that, I need to call Nat and Blake. Or message.
If I message, I won’t get stuck, and they won’t see my face because I’m sure it’s written all over my skin that I had the best sex of my life last night.
Pulling up our group chat, the one Cami insists she doesn’t need to be a part of, I tap out a quick update.
Sorry. Missed our call. Grabbing some breakfast before I give you all the rundown of yesterday.
After sending the message I switch my phone to silent mode. Then thinking better of it, I send a second text.
Phone just about dead. Turning off while it charges.
It’s a small lie. My battery is at sixty percent. More than enough for now but I don’t want my time with Walker to end just yet and I know it will as soon as I speak to the girls.
Besides, I gave them the bare bones of the contract signing and my talk with Walker yesterday afternoon.
In that update I did mention I would be having dinner with him to discuss our offer further so they may get an inkling of why I missed this morning’s call.
If not, I won’t hide this thing between me and Walker from them. They need to know as much as for the sake of the franchise as for our lifelong friendship.
