“Why?” She didn’t pull her hand away, a good sign. “Why would you say that? The extent of us was on a scripted reality television show.”
“Yes, we were on a show but I told you things I’ve never told another person before.” He’d dated countless women and had a good time with almost every one of them. He’d never run out of conversation but he’d never shared the deepest parts of himself. “Was everything you told me a lie or the truth?”’
“The truth. We had some pretty deep conversations. I…” she hissed air from between her teeth, and twisted in her seat to meet his gaze head on. “I don’t think I’ve ever been that open about my past or foster care with anyone outside my family. The truth is, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.”
His chest swelled with hope and he leaned in close until he could brush his mouth across her parted one. The kiss was light and full of meaning. “Me either. I ran those 271 yards trying to get away from my thoughts. But you were always in them, no matter what I tried to do.”
“If you keep kissing me like that, you’ll never get rid of me.” She wrapped her arm around his neck and drew him in until their lips were a breath apart.
“Then we’ll be here for the next fifty years or more.” Before she could respond, he swept her lips in a gentle kiss that gradually increased in pressure and intensity. This woman was finally his. He’d asked her out for over two years and she’d turned him down.
He’d made some mistakes along the way but from this day on, he’d never let her go. Playing the field was nice for a while but having a woman who loved you, stupid jokes and all, was priceless. He’d continue on with football and move into acting. No matter where he went, he wanted it to be with Belle.
Chapter Forty-Seven
“Welcome back to My Future Fiancé wedding spectacular.” Erik walked out of the bedroom at their new house with nothing on but boxers and socks.
Belle shook her head and closed the lid to her laptop. If she lived to be a hundred, she’d never get tired of the view. All six-foot-five inches of hard-bodied hotness. “No, no wedding spectacular. No future Fiancé, no fake Fiancé. Just my sexy fiancé and he better get his ass dressed and out to the grill. We have people coming in about five minutes.”
Erik ignored her warning and approached—well, more like stalked—her. He glided his arms around her shoulders and began to nuzzle her neck. “I say we pretend we’re not home and go back to bed until the new year.”
It was tempting. Very tempting. “We’ve been in bed for a week.” Despite Erik’s record year, the season for the Pioneers was over. After he’d flown home from Texas, they hadn’t left their house. If they hadn’t had a prior obligation, she would have agreed to his request.
“And your point is?” he tongued her earlobe, the sensations starting to course through her body.
“My point is it’s New Year’s Eve and we’re hosting your parents and sister for a week. You could at least put some pants on.” The last was said on a gasp as his fingers found her nipple through the thin sweater she wore.
“Pants are overrated.” He massaged her breasts, his breath hot on her skin. “And I’ve missed you.”
Being on the road half the year was difficult on a relationship but they’d persevered. She’d been busy at the agency, having over a hundred clients on her roster. None of her clients were as important or held the same special place in her heart as Erik. “You’re starting something you can’t finish.”
“Oh, I can finish.” He spun her around in the chair and pushed her legs apart. The skirt she wore rode up on her thighs. “Do you have those panties with the ties on?”
“No, I don’t and we don’t have time, Erik.” Yet she didn’t pull away from his caress.
“You said we have five minutes,” he said with a seductive chuckle that curled her toes.
“That was five minutes ago. Do you really think five minutes is a convincing argument?” she said on a laugh, her body fired up and ready for him regardless of the words.
He tweaked her nipple one last time and stood. “It is for me. But probably not for you. Fine, I’ll go get dressed but you owe me.”
“No, I think you owe me. Several times over.” They’d been playing a seductive game of count the orgasms, one Kendra would be most interested in if Belle was of a mind to share that bit of intimate knowledge with her. So far, she was way ahead.
Grinning, she startled at the ringing of the doorbell. She stood on nervous legs and rubbed her palms down the side of her skirt. “Hurry up, they’re here.”
The house had four bedrooms and overlooked the sound. The living room alone was bigger than the entire house where she’d grown up. She’d told Erik it was too much but he’d insisted that it was an investment in their future. He shot out of the bedroom, dressed in shorts and a hoodie. In December. Good thing the patio was enclosed and heated.
She opened the door to his mother and sister, his much taller step-father towering over the diminutive women. “Welcome Karen, Bob, and Steph.” She hugged Karen, a feminine version of her son with blond hair and startling blue eyes. Belle and Karen spoke regularly on the phone and at the occasional game. Steph was a fixture at every Pioneer game and she and Belle and had gotten close.
“Come on in,” Erik said, kissing his mother and sister, before shaking his step-father’s hand.
“We left the suitcases in the car,” Karen said.
Belle smiled. “Sounds good, we’ll get them later.” Erik shut the door and slipped his arm around her. The doorbell rang again. “You take them out to the patio and I’ll get the door.”
He kissed her cheek. “Yes, babe.”
She pinched his ass, a mean feat since it was tight and incredibly toned. The door opened before she could grab the knob again. Kendra came in carrying a veggie tray. Belle took the tray, her gaze moving to her friend’s latest boyfriend, some indie musician. “I brought food and a date.”
