She’d hardly been able to keep her composure as she’d fled back into the house, exchanging quick goodbyes with Kenna and Kellan, a thank you and goodnight for Meredith.
And now Kieran was just down the hall, presumably getting ready for bed himself, and Sammie was sitting on the floor, basking in the horrors of the last five minutes.
There were those footsteps again, leaving the restroom, heading her way. Sammie couldn’t breathe, couldn’t talk herself into getting up and moving away from the door. So she was right there, so close, when those footsteps stopped on just the other side.
Sammie couldn’t tell what she wanted more, for Kieran to keep walking toward his own room next to hers, or for him to knock on the door that was currently the only thing holding her up.
A shaky breath whooshed out of Sammie as Kieran continued past. She heard the faint sound of his bedroom door clicking shut.
Sammie sat there a while longer, willing her heartbeat to slow, waiting for the tingling in her limbs to lessen. There was still that low heat in her core, a fire she’d started outside that she’d so far failed to put out. It simmered as she got up and crept out to the bathroom, readying herself for bed as quickly and quietly as possible.
Sammie sank onto her mattress, its small, brass frame creaking softly. She leaned back against the wall, knees pulled to her chest, clicking through the notifications she’d missed on her phone during dinner and the aftermath.
A text from Luz about what time they’d be starting work on Monday. Another text from Ivy asking for more updates on the house. Sammie had half a mind to tell her friend what she’d just done, commiserate over the fool she’d made of herself.
Do you want me to tell you that I’ve always been so good?
Had she fucking good-girled herself? Ivy would love that, would probably never let Sammie hear the end of it.
But then Kai’s suspicions crept back to the fore of Sammie’s mind. The idea that Ivy wanted more than simple friendship from Sammie, its shape a wedge of fear driven into her chest. A fear that Ivy might not want to hear about any of this, thatSammie would only be hurting her—losing her—by bringing it up. Still, she had Ivy’s text chain pulled up. Their last exchange had been a video of the New York women’s team paired with a string of heart-eyed emojis from Ivy. And that gave Sammie an idea.
Sammie: So that player you mentioned, the one whose DMs you’re gonna slide into
Sammie: I met her. She’s a little scary, in a ‘step on me pls’ sort of way
Ivy: see, you get it!
The reply from her friend was immediate, nudging that spike of guilt further into Sammie’s chest. Maybe it had been a mistake to bring Kenna up. Ivy would want to know how Sammie had met the Louisville player, which would inevitably lead their conversation back around to Sammie and Kieran and whatever the fuck was going on there.
Sammie tossed her phone away gently, running her hands through her hair as she leaned back against the wall. She was still so keyed up. Embers under her skin that radiated through her in waves.
It was the way Kieran had watched her as she’d leaned in, the way his eyes never left her face. He hadn’t shied away from her, even as she had caged him in. She could see it, his body’s response to her. His eyes had widened, every breath sharp. He’d met her stare with something close to a challenge.
Had Sammie made a mistake? Had she let too much of what she really felt seep through? She knew she needed to keep her emotions in check. But fuck, Kieran’s hair had still been barely damp from the quick shower he’d taken before dinner, his curls darker at the ends. He’d smelled like citrus, bright and crisp.He’d held her hand under the table, something Sammie was getting a little too used to.
And he’d met her stare as she’d pushed, as she’d toed the line of how far they should take things. There had been surprise in his gaze, sure, but there had also been a trust there, a confidence that Sammie had always admired in him.
Sexual attraction didn’t equal romance. Kieran was clear evidence of that. And it was painfully obvious that Sammie hadalwaysfound him attractive.
What harm was there in letting that part of what she felt show?
Sammie pictured the look on his face as he’d watched her, his blown pupils and his flushed skin. Her breath hitched. Every inch of her felt too sensitive, a live wire ready to spark, when her phone buzzed with another message.
Kieran had made quick work of saying goodnight to the rest of the household. He’d had to, considering his dick was currently betraying him, pressing hard against the inside of his jeans.
Twice. He’d had to hide an erection from his familytwicein one day.
His emotions were swirling fast, a mixture of lust, confusion, surprise. Maybe even a little admiration. He’d never seen that side of Sammie before this week, the confident, take-charge woman who’d pinned him the way she had.
And sure, the fact that he’d found thatveryattractive still didn’t mean he was feeling more for her romantically. A small voice whispered a warning in the back of his mind, a creeping worry that he and Sammie might not be on the same page. That he might only end up hurting her in the end.
His traitorous dick didn’t care.
Kieran had stopped outside of her room, just for a moment. But he’d known that if he had knocked, if Sammie had openedthe door and let him in, they would take things further than he wanted with his parents just a few rooms away.
However, that didn’t mean they had to be on their best behavior…
Safe in his childhood bedroom, with its too-small bed and shelf full of old comic books, Kieran slipped out of his clothes. He felt hot, too hot, his skin still burning from the things Sammie had said to him. In nothing but his boxer briefs, Kieran sank onto his bed, scooting backward until his back hit the wall.
