“Do you think you could?” Derek leans over, tugging my earlobe between his teeth.
“You’re not playing fair.”
“Nah, just changing the play on you.”
His warm breath sends a shudder through my body. It’s because of that I miss the water coming toward us.
Until it crashes over both of us.
“Oh my God!” I shriek.
“Holy shit!” Derek yells next to me.
I try to scramble out of the water, but the long fabric of my maxi dress clings to my legs, tying me up as I fall into Derek’s lap.
Laughter lights up his dark eyes, the sun casting him in a warm, golden halo. God, this man is perfect.
Another wave crashes on the shore, sending the icy water cascading over us. “Let me up!” I shout between laughs.
Derek shakes his head, closing me in with his elbows on either side of my head. He sinks farther into me as the sand washes out to sea. “Not until I get a kiss from you.”
“Are you really holding me to that right now?”
“Yes. Because there’s no way I can breathe knowing I won’t have another kiss from you, Sutton.”
All thoughts of the cold flee my head as I lean up to take Derek’s lips in a warm kiss. Something about this one feels different from all the ones before it.
Like it’s cementing what we have together. The promise ofa future. Of everything I’ve always wanted for my family but never thought I could have.
Derek.
If this man is my forever, I will give him every single one of my kisses.
Forever.
Chapter Fourteen
DEREK
To say the last few months have been nothing short of busy is an understatement. Ever since meeting Sutton, life has been a whirlwind.
While we try to spend every spare moment we can together, some weeks our schedules don’t line up. But with my team playing in the state championship this weekend, Sutton was able to get a few days off. Add in the fact that she didn’t have to work on the day of our fundraiser for Team Rainbow, and I’m fucking ecstatic.
Part fundraiser and part pep rally for the team, hordes of supporters have made their way to our field for a fun day of games and prizes with our guys helping out in the different booths.
Balloon arches stand at both ends of the field to welcome guests inside the event area. The smells of popcorn and nachos linger in the air. Bells are ringing out as people win various prizes all over the field.
This event is always one of my favorites during the year. The team loves it and so do all of our fans. I’m really proud of what we’ve put together.
“You really organized this whole thing?” Sutton asks, eyeslooking around in awe. One of my older Tigers sweatshirts hangs on her small frame. The early November night has a cold bite to it.
Perfect for one last football game.
“I mean, I had a lot of help.”
“This is incredible. Especially since you have the championship this weekend.”
I shrug a shoulder and lead Sutton over to a cotton candy stand and order one for us to share. Getting praise for something I’m doing still doesn’t come easy for me. Considering what a douchebag I was on the field, it’s the least I can do.
