“Among other things.” He hated that the pain made him focus, reminded him of all the times his dad had pushed him to be better. The game was a turning point for him. He vowed never to need pain to play his best; to prove he was better without his father than he’d ever been withhim.
“Oh?” Her tone was flirtatious. “What otherthings?”
“I guess I can berelentless.”
She laughed lightly. “You guess? Why don’t we call and ask Mrs. Beiste what shethinks?”
“She gave me a C- because I missed a quiz for an away game. Teachers are supposed to work with student athletes when they are excused for schoolactivities.”
“You laid on the floor in front of her desk and refused to move until she let you take thequiz.”
“It worked and I got aB+.”
She chuckled. “Relentless.”
He grinned. “You’re as bad as I am. The only difference between you and me is that you convinced the world to call youprincess.”
“Oooo, don’t call me princess! It sounds like ball gowns and seven golden forks atdinner.”
“I seem to remember a certainprincesswore a certain gown to the premiere that almost ateme.”
“Some warrior—couldn’t even defend himself against mydress.”
“That dress was a dragon,” he murmured just loud enough for her to hear. Maia’s peal of laughter was well worth the false irritation. “Where are you, Maia? I’ll be there before the clock strikesmidnight.”
“Why, are you afraid I’ll turn into apumpkin?”
He tucked the phone between his cheek and shoulder. “I’m afraid it’s all a dream and the magic will disappear. I want to holdyou.”
She gasped. “It is such a good thing we are miles apart rightnow.”
“How do youfigure?”
“Because you are awfully hard toresist.”
“It’s my general air of ruggedhandsomeness.”
“Among other things.” Her words hummed in his ear as if she’d whispered them, her lips brushing his skin. He shivered withpleasure.
Maia continued, “We need to take thisslow.”
“Sayswho?”
“Saysme.”
“I don’t like where this isgoing.”
“You will—listen.”
He let out a lowgrowl.
Maia giggled. “Stop it. You sound like a beast. Hey, that could be your newnickname.”
“Already taken.” Knox Sherman, the Titans’s running back, was nicknamed The Beast, and London had no desire to get on the guy’s bad side by charging into his territory. Everyone on the team, and half of Texas, knew not to step into Knox’s space without his permission—and he didn’t givepermission.
“Oh, that’s right.” Her fingers snapped. “Too bad.” She took a deep breath. “This is going to get really real for a second, so hang with me. I may have been thinking about you for the last ten years—on and off. You know, here andthere.”
London leaned against the table, enjoying every moment of Maiagetting real.Short of admitting her undying love for him, admitting she’d thought about him while they were apart was the best news he’d heard in a long time. “Go on,” heencouraged.
