I chew on my bottom lip. “He sounded disappointed. Am I a bad daughter if I can’t stay away from you?”
His facial expression relaxes at once. He rests his forehead on mine. “What I do know is it makes you the best girlfriend and future everything.”
I giggle and palm his chest. “You’re going to live under constant pressure. We don’t need press and others on top of that.”
His brows furrow, readying himself to go on the offensive. “What do you suggest?”
“You’re going to make a public statement that we’re friends.”
“Lilly…” I feel his displeasure in every syllable of my name.
I tilt my head, aware of what I am asking and hoping he can understand. “We’ll still be together, but…”
“In secret,” he groans. “Everything we didn’t want.”
Lifting on my toes, I lock my arms around his neck, playing with the ends of his hair. “It doesn’t matter because we know the truth.”
He sighs, but nods.
It’s not like I like it any better, but we must keep the fire in check. Ian has to deal with benching and get back in everyone’s good graces.
He pins me with an intent look. “I’m not hiding in the house. That would be my deal breaker.”
I have been constantly falling for him, but I wonder if maybe my feelings for him resemble an abyss—groundless.
“We’ll just have to watch out for PDA,” I offer, sweetening the deal.
“Until the end of the season. And when I win the Super Bowl, you better get your ass down on the field so I can reveal to the world that you’re my woman.”
I nod. “From friends to lovers, it sounds like a solid plan.”
Smiling at each other, we move to the table to eat. We have this.
“What are you going to do today?” I ask, finishing my omelet.
“Practice, even though I’m not playing. Something motivates me to always give my best,” he says, voice dripping with innuendo.
He won’t stop kissing me, and I forget everything when I am wrapped up in him, so it’s no wonder that I am late.
When I reach the store, my best friend drags me toward the office. “Oh my god, you’re on every gossip site. And if I ever see that fucking asshole again, I’m beating him up myself.”
“Get in line,” I say, but can’t hide my grin.
She has a knowing grin on her face. “You fucked.”
I shush her even though the office door is locked. I slump against the door, sighing dreamily.
She joins her palms in a grateful prayer. “Finally.”
My smile falters. “Don’t get too excited. We’re together, but in secret.”
I tell her about our plan, and she hugs me. “It’s a step in the right direction. Maybe the press will get bored when they find nothing else. And he’s benched, so we don’t want fans to hate you.”
No, I don’t want that. All I want is to be with the man I love.
Hopeful for the future, I go on with my day.
Inside the loft, I find him doing pushups. The titillating view transfixes me. Muscles ripple down his back, his muscular forearms corded with thick veins.
