Her eyes soften at the crack in my voice, and she gently curls her fingers around my jaw, her confidence grounding me. “Alek, listen to me. I promise I would not be here with you if I didn’t trust your sincerity. You’re changing. You’re trying to make amends. Trust me to know what I want. ‘Kay?” she says, her tone steady with reassurance, dissolving my anxiety.
Taking another chance, I lean my forehead against hers and close my eyes. “Okay. I’ll trust you to know what you want.”
“Good.” She pecks her mouth against mine. “Now, what do you say you take me bowling so I can kick your ass?”
Fuck. I love this woman.
“I don’t know, baby girl. I’m known for my strikes,” I tease.
Something works through her eyes as she nibbles her lip. “Want to make a wager? If I win, you have to get up on stage again.”
“Deal. If I win, you spend the night with me. Just sleep,” I stress.
“Deal.” Hayvin kisses me again. “There. Now it’s sealed.”
Three kisses?
I’m a lucky fucking man.
A Game to Lose
Hayvin
Ishimmyatriumphantlittle dance as the bowling ball smashes into the pins, scattering them in a flawless strike.
“Woo hoo! Strike, baby. Take that, sucker,” I taunt, sticking my tongue out at Alek.
His gaze sears so hot it sends a shiver of desire racing up my spine. He rises, prowling toward me with unmistakable intent, stopping close enough that his breath brushes my ear.
“Stick that tongue out at me again and I’ll show you what you can do with it,” he whispers wickedly.
The raw promise in his voice leaves me aching with want. A moan escapes before I can stop it, and Alek’s wicked chuckle sends a delicious shiver through me.
“You’re playing dirty,” I grumble, giving him a gentle shove.
“All’s fair in love and war, baby girl.”
“Oh, we’re at war now, are we?”
He lifts one hand, palm up. “Getting back up on stage.” He lifts his other hand in the same manner. “Getting to fall asleep withyou in my arms. Love and war, baby, because I know which I’d rather do.”
I flash him a smug grin and glance at the scoreboard overhead. “Better bring your A-game, Casanova.”
He has no idea I fully intend to let him win tonight. That secret is mine to keep.
Alek slides his middle and ring fingers through the holes in the ball and cradles it in his palm. “Watch and learn, Hayvin Marie. Watch and learn.”
“Definitely not a hardship,” I mumble, my eyes dropping to his ass as he steps up the lane.
No one fills out a pair of jeans quite like he does.
Alek nails a strike and does his signature fist pump, complete with the hip thrust he claims for every strike.
I laugh and reach for my drink, but something in the corner of my eye snags my attention. My gaze snaps up, and I freeze.
Standing at the shoe rental desk are David, Jerica, and another man.
For a split second, I wonder if Alek called them or told them where we were, but I quickly remind myself that he didn't even know where we'd be until I picked. He hasn’t touched his phone since he arrived at my house. He’s focused entirely on our time together. I try to reassure myself as doubt passes through me, but it fades just as quickly.
