She burrows into my forearm planted next to her head on the mattress, gently biting, me with a beautiful droll smile on her lips.
“Answer me,” I grit out.
“Yes,” she gasps.
“You can be angry at me whenever you want,” I begin as I pick up the pace. “Just remember that I’ve always been waiting for you, you’re my end game.” Her toes dig into the cheeks of my ass as she tightens around me, trying to bring me deeper. “Don’t you see, beautiful girl…”
Her moans and the way her body vibrates beneath me tells me that she’s close, which is good because for this round we have to come together. I grab her one arm and pin it above her head then bring the other between us, and she knows exactly what to do as she begins to touch herself.
“Don’t I see what?” Her voice strains as she tries to balance breathing and the moan that rips through her.
My body tightens and fire spreads through me. A satisfied smirk appears on my lips. “It may have felt like a game all this time, but I’ve been purposely waiting,” I manage to grunt out, as my own release is impending.
We kiss once more, a messy kiss.
“You’re the only game that I’ve been waiting to win,” I whisper into her ear.
And it sends us down the spiral of ecstasy as I come so hard until I collapse on top of her with my heart about to burst.
I do my best to roll us to our sides and stay inside of her so we don’t lose our connection.
We lie there, in silence, staring at one another, letting our fingers roam.
Then it’s there. Her lips twitch and her eyes flick up to meet mine while her arm snakes around my neck.
She fails miserably at trying to hide her smile, especially when I kiss the tip of her nose.
Her mouth cracks open with a sound, but the words don’t follow until a beat later. “You’re something special, Connor Spears.”
I grin with smugness. “I know I am.” Being cocky makes her smile, and right now she doesn’t want to return my declaration, which I don’t mind. You need a clear mind when you say it.
“I think we’ll be more than okay,” she whispers a promise.
I brush a few strands of hair away from her eyes. “Only when you make peace witheveryone,” I remind her.
Because otherwise, she may break, and if I can’t fix that, then it feels like I didn’t protect her at all.
22
HADLEY
Staring aimlessly into my coffee mug, I dive my spoon into the drink in search of my jellybean. That’s why people come here, after all—for the jellybean in their coffee. I hope it’s purple, they normally bring luck.
“Hey, girl,” Isla’s voice causes me to look up and see she is standing over me with a to-go cup in hand. I wasn’t expecting her, and I haven’t been the greatest friend lately.
“Hey.” I softly smile back. “Want to join me?”
“For a little bit. I need to get back to the sports complex, as we are getting ready for our pre-season marketing strategy.” She slides into the booth across from me. “I’m happy to see that you’re still alive. I was getting worried.”
I tilt my head slightly to the side and my smile feels strained. “Sorry about that. Had some family stuff.”
“Everything okay?” Isla inquires before her lips purse on the rim of her cup.
I thought about reaching out to her many times. The support of a friend is key to a friendship. But the secret that put me in my current state is one that I don’t exactly want to share. The fewer people who know the truth the better, because if I’m honest to myself, I understand my dad’s logic. I wouldn’t want any reason for anyone to think he is anything less than the dream dad he is. Not to mention, I have someone to share this all with… Connor.
A soft smile toys on the corners of my lips at the thought of him. I was taken aback when he told me he loved me. It was a beautiful moment and stirred a lot inside of me. While I didn’t say it back, he was at peace with that, and it didn’t alter our mood. It’s not that I don’t feel strongly for him, I do. More than anyone. Just in that very moment, I felt being lost in his embrace was the only answer.
My smile stretches, though, because wow, he said it first. Not only that, but it also lightens the gray that’s been looming over me lately.
