He dips his chin and captures my gaze. His pupils are fully dilated and fully focused on me. His heart pounds wildly beneath my hands, and the only reason I’m still standing upright is that I’m grounded in him.
“—then I’d lean away like this and tell you I think you look beautiful in the morning.”
A flicker of a smile twitches at the corner of his mouth, and I duck my head. I’m a mess, and I know it. In an instant, his fingers are under my chin, lifting it gently until I meet his gaze again.
“When you’d deny it, I’d tell you that, yes, you are beautiful, and I’d go on to tell you that I think your hair looks incredible up like that.” He runs his finger from my chin, up my cheekbone, and over my nose. The callouses on his hands strike a match against my skin, and I’m bursting into fiery flames. “I like that I can see your full face, and these freckles, which drive me wild. I’d tell you that not only are you more beautiful than you think, but you’re braver than you realize.”
I bite my lip, and I didn’t think it was possible, but his eyes darken further, and a low growl sounds from the back of his mouth. He brings his hands to my shoulders and massages them gently. “Even though I think you’d know it, I’d tell you that you’re driving me out of my mind with want. All I can think about right now is kissing you, and I know once I do—” he clears his throat with a swallow “—once Idid, one kiss would never be enough.”
I pull in a deep breath, unable to speak.
TJ moves his hands from my shoulders to cradle my cheeks. “Then, I’d cup your face like this, and I’d lean in part of the way, taking it slowly and giving you a chance to stop me. Because thiskiss has everything to do with you and what you want and how it’s making you feel. You feeling cherished and beautiful and taken care of would be my entire goal. So …” He stops, pausing with about an inch of space left between our mouths. My lips part in a gasp. “When I got to about here, I’d wait for you to close the rest of the gap, and—”
I am a millisecond away from doing just that when a squeal sounds from what feels like directly behind me.
“Dad! I’m starving! Hurry up!”
I jump away from TJ, and we spin to see a family of four come into view.
I quickly pull the hood up on my sweatshirt, and then I turn back to TJ.
He’s got a dazed expression on his face, but then he blinks and smiles down at me. “How’d I do?”
“Um.” I gulp. “Really well,” I squeak out. “For an amateur, anyway.”
His eyes flicker with heat and humor. “I’m happy to keep practicing.”
“Deal,” I say on an exhale. TJ can explain-kiss me any day of the week, and it would probably be better than any real kiss I’d get from anyone else.
“Hey, is that TJ Wilson?”
My eyes bounce up and over to the family congregated by the coffee bar.
TJ holds up his hand in a wave. “Hey, guys, give me one second.” He grabs the box and tosses my new jersey into it before taking me by the elbow and pulling me toward the staircase that leads up to my room. He uses his body as a partition between me and the family of fans. My heart swells.
“I’ll see you at the game … and maybe after?” he asks.
I nod, making up my mind then and there that I want to spend time with TJ. He’ll take care of me and shield me from the public eye as much as possible. “I’ll be there.”
His shoulders relax, and he shoots me a grin. “I’ll show off for you.”
My cheeks flame. “I’ll be watching closely.”
He leans in. “Admit it. You really like how my perfect peach-shaped emoji butt looks in football pants, huh?”
I smack him in the chest. “TJ!” I hiss. “I can’t believe I ever said that. I can’t believe yourememberthat.”
His eyes twinkle. “I remember everything, Lu.”
Oh boy. Does that mean he remembers telling me he wants to kiss me? Does the sentiment still stand? Can I cash in on that ASAP?
He points to the box. “Wear that today.”
“I will.” I pull the box to my chest. “Good luck—and be safe.”
He nods and stares at me for a moment longer, his gaze scanning my face and pausing on my lips for a second longer than the rest of my features. “See you later, Lu.”
TJ turns and widens his arms to greet the anxious family. I use the opportunity to scamper back upstairs.
