Mere weeks ago, I was certain my response would have been a resounding no. But now, hearing my kid’s laughter behind me and feeling the weight of Atlas’s stare at my front, I wasn’t so sure. I was beginning to love this town.
Not to mention on my way to the same with a certain someone in it.
Before I could seek Atlas out, Alicia strolled up and took Addison’s vacated seat. Her locs were tied back with blue and gold ribbons, and shimmering gold eyeshadow highlighted her eyes. “You ready for this? They take their superstitions very seriously.”
I glanced toward the field as our players lined up along the sideline, several ribbing Atlas, who stood still as a statue, his focus solely on me. “As much as I’ll ever be.”
“Good, because we’re up.”
“Try to keep it PG this time,” Quinn offered as I strode away with a laugh.
Alicia and I made our way down to the field as people cheered in the stands, many students following us as they headed toward their partners.
I strolled up to Atlas, feeling the weight of a thousand stares on my back, and raised a brow at him. “When you told me about this, you conveniently left out that the entire town would be here to watch.”
He stared down at me, his gaze straying to my lips before lifting back to my eyes. “Thinking of backing out, trouble?”
“No. Just wondering if you’re going to grope my ass like you have during every other public kiss we’ve shared.”
“Figured I’d save that for home.”
His casual use of the word home in reference to me made my belly swoop, and that only intensified as he stepped closer until our bodies were flush. Instead of gripping my ass, he cupped my face and leaned down, pressing a soft, gentle kiss against my lips, his eyes open and locked on mine the entire time. And somehow, that felt like more of a claim than anything else could have.
As the catcalls grew louder around us, Atlas started to pull away. But before he could get far, I pressed up on my tiptoes, wrapped a hand around the back of his neck, and tugged him down toward me.
“Good luck, Coach,” I said against his lips. “How about I promise we can celebrate tonight if you win?”
He gave me another kiss as he squeezed my hip, the tips of his fingers brushing my ass. “With that on the line, there’s noifabout it.”
That was exactly what I was hoping for.
By the time I made it back to my seat, Alicia was down at the concession stand grabbing us drinks, and Quinn wasn’t even trying to hide a grin.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing. That was just tame compared to the other public kisses you’ve shared.”
“I know. He didn’t even slip me any tongue.” Even I could hear the pout in my tone.
She laughed. “I’d make him pay for that if I were you.”
I turned to her with a raised brow. “I’m taking suggestions.”
She shot me a smirk. “If Ford leaves me hanging—like he did this morning—I text him something naughty while he’s at work and can’t do anything about it.”
I bit my lower lip, knowing her suggestion would absolutely be playing with fire. But as I watched Atlas in his element, standing there all competent and confident while he barked orders and did whatever it was football coaches did, I decided it was worth the burn.
Sutton:
Laurel’s staying at Cami’s tonight, which means we have the house to ourselves. Was thinking about taking out my new toy for a little fun. Wanna play with me?
Almost immediately after I sent the text, he pulled his phone from his pocket. I knew the moment he’d finished reading my message, because he snapped his head up, his gaze immediately seeking mine, that furrow in his brow more defined than usual.
Probably because he was shifting on his feet, no doubt feeling therestrictionof being on the field. I pressed my lips together to hide a smile, realizing belatedly what a bad idea that had been. Not just teasing him, but doing so while he was standing in front of hundreds of people with a veritable spotlight on him. And considering what he was packing, that would make hiding his…substantial enthusiasm a bit difficult.
Atlas:
You’re going to pay for that when we get home.
