“Definitely.”
I start to bend down to grab my bag, but Winnie gets it and tosses it over her shoulder like it’s nothing.She threads the fingers of her free hand with mine and squeezes.
“You were incredible tonight.I’ve never seen someone catch so many balls that should’ve been home runs.”
I chuckle as I unlock my car and carefully place Tali in her seat.Winnie goes on and on about the game while I buckle Tali’s snaps on her car seat.
“Hey, Win?”I shut the door and pin her against the side of the car, she lets out a small gasp and stares up at me with desire flooding her gaze.
“Yeah?”She whispers breathlessly.
“I love seeing my name on your back.I love knowing you’re mine.And I absolutely love when you call me your boyfriend.”
I crash my lips into hers and take my time exploring her mouth.Her hands move inside my suit jacket and desperately tug at the fabric until my shirt is untucked and she can slip her hands under it.She loves having her hands on my bare skin.
I swear I’ve never wanted anyone more… Not even Ellie.
Though I’ll never stop loving Ellie, I love her in a different way than I love Winnie.Ellie was a young love.We were untouched by the bad things in life.We were innocent and thought everything would be perfect.We thought we’d be able to overcome whatever was thrown in our direction.
Winnie’s so different.I’ve seen her struggle with things and yet she’s still fighting.I’ve seen how strongly she desires a family, but she won't allow herself to have one because she wants so badly to make sure she has someone who will stand by her side.I know her parents’ split really wrecked her view on love, but I'm going to show her how amazing love can be.
“I love you, Winnie,” I whisper as I pepper kisses up and down her neck.
“What?”She pulls back, putting her hands on my chest she pushes me a step back and stares up at me with a furrowed brow.
Crap.Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.Maybe she isn't ready.What was I thinking?
“Never mind.We should probably get home.”I run a hand through my hair, wishing I had never opened my mouth.The pain radiating from my chest is overwhelming and not something I want to deal with in the middle of the players’ parking lot at the stadium.
“No!What did you say?I want to make sure I heard you right.”Winnie grabs onto my shirt and stops me from going to the other side of the car and getting in.“Please, Jamie.Say it again,” she pleads with me.
“I love you, Winnie,” I whisper, feeling like I'm presenting my heart on a silver platter and waiting for her to toss it on the ground and stomp on it.
“I love you too, Jamie!”She jumps into my arms and wraps herself around me.I hug her back just as hard and squeeze my eyes shut.
“You scared the crap out of me.I thought you were upset.”I chuckle.
“I… I didn’t think I heard you right.I didn’t think we were on the same page.”
“Definitely on the same page.”I kiss her again before opening her door and placing her on the passenger’s seat.
“When we get home, can we have some nanny-daddy time?”She wiggles her eyebrows as a slow smirk spreads across her face.
“Can we stop referring to you as the nanny?It sounds weird.Like this is a forbidden romance.”
“Oh, but forbidden romances are so much fun!”She sticks her bottom lip out in a pout.
“I thought you liked baseball romances,” I murmur.
“I think I like any romance as long as you’re the main character.”
Chapter 24
Winnie
“Let’sgethomesowe can see Daddy!”I place Tali on my hip and head out the door of the store.
I'm more than happy with the surprise we got him and I can't wait to see his face when he opens it.I think he’s going to love it.
