Brayden and Tilly watched him go. When the glass door circled around, Brayden turned on Tilly, who was slipping her heels off right there in the lobby. Even in a posh hotel, she was still a desert gypsy. “What do you mean, you’ll see him tomorrow?”
“At the game. He’s pitching.” She headed for the elevator doors. Her air of unconcern was concerning.
“Are you going out tomorrow night too?”
She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know.” She pressed the up button and the doors slid open immediately. They stepped inside. “Are you going to wait in the lobby?”
“I might. Someone needs to watch out for you.” He sighed with relief at being alone with her. He stood close, his arm brushing hers, needing the contact.
“Brayden.” Her voice held a note of warning.
“Don’t get like that. I’m allowed to care about your welfare.”
Tilly stood in front of him, blocking his way out of the elevator should the doors open. “Do you care?” she asked quietly. The raw question packed a punch.
Brayden’s head got light. The full force of Tilly’s mint-green eyes boring into his, probing right into his innermost thoughts, his soul, was too much to keep out. He couldn’t keep her away from her. His hands journeyed to her sides, his fingers sliding around her back. “You know I do.” His voice was gravely, real. The walls of the elevator disappeared, time slowed, and his brain hit the pause button.
Tilly lifted up on her tiptoes, her mouth almost brushing his. She held herself there, as if she was allowing him the opportunity to pull away from her. But he knew that if he did, this would be the last time. The warm brush of her breath on his lips made his body jelly.
Tilly closed the distance, her shoes dropping to the floor and her arms winding around his neck as their lips came together.
Brayden walked her backward until her back pressed against the wall. He pressed his body against hers, his lips drinking her in. His fingers worked their way into her hair, and he was undone with the feel of it sliding against his skin.
Tilly let out a soft moan, and it was as if he could suddenlyfeel—really feel—again. Her sunshine broke through the clouds that had built up inside of him, his mind. The emotions swirling between the two of them were too strong to fight against. His arms wrapped around her tighter, pulling her closer.
She gasped his name, her breaths coming heavy and fast. He moved his hand to the back of her head and tipped her chin so he could trail kisses along her jaw. She sagged against him, and he felt strong in being able to hold her up—stronger than he had felt in weeks. She bracketed his face with her hands and brought their lips together once more, drinking him in.
The elevator doors opened with a loud ding that caused them both to jump.
Brayden gasped for breath, wondering if he’d truly breathed at all since he’d lost Tilly. He looked into her eyes, blazing with love, and he saw his future—though not any future he’d ever pictured before. This one was harder but beautiful still.
She stumbled out of his embrace and out of the elevator. “I have to go.”
“Tilly.” He reached for her, but she slipped through his fingers and the doors shut tight. He pressed his head against the cool metal. “What have I done?”
He pressed the button for the 6thfloor and wandered down the hall, banging on Blake’s door. He needed clarity. He needed someone who could and would help him see things in their true light.
Blake finally opened it, wearing only a pair of pajama bottoms. His hair was a fuzz ball on his head, and he had pillow lines down his cheek. “You look like crap,” he said to Brayden.
“I made a mistake. A huge mistake.” Brayden fell into the room and landed on Blake’s couch. Tilly’s kisses had taken the strength out of him.
Blake slowly shut the door. “You’re lucky I’m not in the lineup tomorrow.” He threw on a shirt and sat on the end of the bed, across from Brayden. “This had better be about Tilly, or I’m going back to sleep.”
Brayden grinned. “It’s most definitely about Tilly.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Tilly
Tilly managed to avoid being alone with Brayden for the rest of the road trip. It wasn’t easy; he was there when she turned around to find a pen, when she finished checking everyone out of the hotel, and when she put in an order for dinner because the bus hadn’t made it to the clubhouse in time for the manager to provide a meal.
Tuesday was a travel day, which meant the team didn’t have a practice scheduled. Colorado was flying in today and they’d play tomorrow. What all the logistics added up to was an empty PT room and a much-needed massage from her best friend.
“You look healed.” Elise worked over Tilly’s back. “The bruising is gone and you’re not tender anymore.”
If she could see my heart… She was more tender than ever when it came to Brayden. That kiss … THAT KISS!
“How was your date with Rowdy?” She said it like Rowdy was a piece of forbidden fruit.
