She considers me, fighting back a smile. “Endearing.” She stares at me while twiddling with her phone case.
“You alright?” I ask. While I like this fun, playful side of Lu, I can tell she’s got something on her mind.
She bites her lip, and I have to hold back a groan. This woman has no idea how tantalizing that sight is. It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to lean in and kiss her senseless.
When she meets my gaze again and I see the flecks of worry in her hazel eyes, all of my desires are replaced by one—to dowhatever she needs me to do to take care of her and get rid of whatever is making her sad.
“It’s no big deal.” Lucy holds up her phone. “I … there’s an article online, and one of the commenters is speculating that it was me at your game, in the box with Rose.” She clicks the screen a couple times before angling her phone toward me.
I take it and scroll, guilt stacking up in my chest like cement bricks. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have invited you. I shouldn’t have made such a show of pointing at you and waving. This is all my fault.”
“TJ.” She puts her hand on my forearm and squeezes. “No, it’s not.”
I shake her off. “I was being selfish. I wanted you there. I drew attention to you. I … I should have thought more about what you wanted. You’ve told me you don’t want the attention, and I shone a light on you. I’m a fool.”
“TJ.” She takes her phone back and pockets it, returning her hands to my upper arms. I flex involuntarily. She smirks. “Are you showing off?”
“What?” I barely process her comment, but then I really look at her and she’s smiling. Her eyes are twinkling. I take a deep breath.
“These muscles? You trying to make a girl swoon?”
“I … no.” I sniff out a laugh. “But good to know that’s what does it for you.”
She grins before squeezing my arms again and turning serious. “Listen, you asked me what was wrong, and I wanted to tell you because I like that you care. I didn’t tell you so you’d feel sorry. There’s nothing to forgive. I chose to come to the game. I knew the risk of being out in public, and I opened myself up to being discovered. Because I wanted to be there. For you.”
Her words coil around my heart like warm steam wafting from a mug of hot coffee on a cold morning.
She gives me a soft shake. “I promise I’m good.”
“Okay.” I nod. I want to trust her, and I need to take her at her word. But while she’s talking a big game, I can see by the way she’s chewing the inside of her cheek and the pallor of her skin that she’s not unaffected by this. “What can I do? Do you want to leave?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I really don’t.” She stands up straighter. “I want to be here with you. To celebrate your win and to celebrate Christmas.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. Now …” She pins me with a look, her eyes sparkling. “I believe we left off with you fishing for compliments.”
“I would never.”
She laughs, and it makes my heart beat faster. “Either way, I want to tell you that what you do out there on the field is wickedly impressive. And very attractive.”
It’s adorable how that last statement makes her face flush. What’s even more enticing is the way she’s holding my gaze. She’s self-conscious, but still putting herself out there for me, and I am here for it.
“I was showing off for you. I wanted to make it into the endzone in your honor,” I admit, and then I lean in. “But football’s just a game. Trust me, I’m even more determined when there’s something important on the line.”
She inhales. Her face is flaming, but she still holds my gaze. “What type of thing is important to you, TJ?”
“Right now? Time with you,” I say without hesitation. “Poe has a great hot tub set up.” I try to keep my tone casual, but I very much want to have her all to myself.
Lucy rolls her lips into her mouth again, considering this, and I can’t stop the audible growl that escapes from the back of my throat. Lucy’s eyes widen.
“Only if you’re comfortable with that,” I hurry to add. I’m not trying to force myself on this woman. “The hot tub would give us some privacy, and I’d really like to spend time with you.”
Lucy searches my gaze, her eyes flitting across my face. “I’d like that too. But,” she says, “we should mingle with your friends a little bit. I want to meet them, and I don’t want anyone to think I’m ignoring them.”
I smile down at her and grab her hand, placing a quick kiss on her knuckles. “Thank you for that. I’m really glad you’re here.”
“I am, too.”
