He shook with laughter. “Might wanna table that for a little while, studmuffin.” With a twinkle in his eye, he stepped aside. “Surprise.”
“Momma, what’re you doin’ here?” I picked her up and swung her in a circle. “How…when…?” I hugged her tighter.
“Dev flew me in and picked me up this morning. We drove straight from the airport.” She threw him a fond look. “Your husband is a speed demon.”
I glared at him. “You’re not supposed to drive recklessly with my mother in the car.”
He put up his hands. “I was never reckless. Just fast. Ms. Faith and I spent a lovely day stocking the fridge, then enjoyed a little picnic by the lake.”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
Momma let go of me. “I’ll bet it’s beautiful by moonlight. Why don’t you go show Brody? I think I’m gonna take a hot bath and get ready for dinner.”
Amusement danced in Dev’s eyes. “I always listen to your mother.”
I slid my arm over Dev’s shoulders. “Me too. Let’s go.”
Hand in hand, we walked outside and down the flat rock steps leading to the lake. The fiery rays of the setting sun reflected off the glittering surface of the water.
“Wow,” I breathed. “This is gorgeous. What a view.”
Dev kissed my cheek, his gaze as heated as the orange sky. “It sure is.” He tugged my hand. “This way.” We walked halfway around the lake to where another cabin sat concealed in the trees. He opened the door.
“What’s goin’ on?” I peered into the space, which was completely furnished. “Who owns this place, and why are you just walking inside?”
He flicked on a light. “Come in.”
It was a beautiful cabin, not as grand as the one we were staying in, but comfortable and homey, with a huge fireplace, a large open kitchen, and beams crisscrossing the soaring ceiling.
Dev leaned against the fireplace while I tried to figure out what was going on. “Why are we here?”
“Do you like it?”
“Well, yeah. What’s not to like?”
He pulled me near. “I rented it for us this weekend. After we have dinner with your mother, I have security coming to watch over that cabin, but we’re going to spend the night here.”
“Why?”
He nuzzled into my neck and I shivered, a groan slipping past my lips. “That’s why. I need to hear you scream my name, and much as I love your mother, I can’t have sex with her in the house.”
Laughter bubbled up from my chest. “Fair enough. And yeah, this place is really nice.”
“You’re really nice.” He kissed me, deep and searching. “And really beautiful. It’s gotten so crazy with the buildup to the playoffs that we haven’t been alone in weeks.”
Aside from his gorgeous face and ripped body, what initially attracted me to Dev was his fierceness, on and off the field. That total dedication allowed him to rise to the top. And as intense as he was about football, he was even more committed to showing his love for me in so many ways. This was one of them, and I loved him so much, it was almost painful.
“How do you always know the right thing to do?” I slid my fingers through his hair to anchor him close. My cheek rasped against his ever-present stubble. “I’ve missed you too, but I never would’ve thought to do this.” I kissed the side of his smiling mouth. “And thank you for bringing up Momma. I haven’t seen her since the wedding.”
“I know you. And I know what and who you love. It’s not a contest.” His lips were soft and warm as they moved over mine. “We’re both winners.”
Seven years later, and his kisses still excited me as much as that first time he’d surprised me by the firepit after our national championship. “Once the season ends, we should go down to the house and lock ourselves away from everyone.” He didn’t answer me, and I took a step away. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t you ever get tired of hiding?”
“Of course. But what can we do? Are you willin’ to come out?”
He chewed his lip. “N-no. Not right before the playoffs. It would be too much of a distraction. But I gotta admit, it’s something that has been on my mind.”
