“For the champion.” Levi looks at me with so much pride and affection.
I drag him to my side. “You’re always there, you know. Every win is for you too.”
“I know, man. I’ll always have your back.”
The atmosphere thickens with potent emotions, and I notice the women dabbing at their eyes.
When dinner is served, I eat with my hand on Lilly’s thigh, enjoying the time with my family.
Afterward, my parents excuse themselves.
We leave, getting in the car. Lilly rests her cheek on my shoulder, and I hold her hand, promising never to let go.
When we reach the apartment building, the second the elevator doors close behind us, I am on her, backing her against the wall.
Every bit of control decimates. Interlacing our fingers above her head, I take her lips in a long kiss that continues even after the elevator’s doors open.
Lips locked, we stumble out and I try to open the damn door already. It gives, and after shutting it closed with the back of my foot, we rip each other’s clothes off.
I am down to my boxers and she’s just in a flimsy thong.
Our chests heave, the desire crackling between us—it’s electrifying.
Jumping into my arms, her arms and legs loop around my neck and back. I cup her ass, holding her as I carry her to bed. We tumble onto it, and my teeth close around her thong. Pulling it down, I discard it on the floor, just like my patience.
From the foot of the bed, I watch the wonder of my life. This sexy as fuck woman who I love more than I thought possible—more than football, more than anyone else.
I shove my boxers down and climb into bed, settling myself between her open legs.
Inhaling deeply, to compose myself, I inch inside of her, wanting to prolong the inevitable. But I lose the battle, fucking myself so deep inside of her, I shape that pussy to my cock and no one else’s.
And all night long, I drive in and out of her, chasing one goal—to become one.
Only when the sun peeks through the curtains do we fall asleep.
The big night rolls in.This is it. I can almost feel the weight of my fourth ring on my finger. In my hotel room, I wear the other three to motivate me.
I have to leave shortly for the stadium but I take the time to FaceTime with Lilly. It’s been so hard being away from her in the week leading up to the Super Bowl. I can’t wait to hold her in my arms tonight after the game—regardless of the outcome.
“You’re going to have a hand full of rings,” she says through the screen.
Strangely, all I stare at is my bare ring finger. No ring will measure up to my wedding band.
“Yes, and then I plan to retire.”
“And do what?” she asks, with a note of surprise in her voice.
I shrug. “I don’t know. Don’t care either. Be with you, taking care of our family.”
A radiant smile stretches on her face. “That sounds like a lovely plan.”
A beat of silence follows, and I see my entire future playing in her eyes.
“You still haven’t said where we’re going on vacation,” she says, fishing for information.
“It’s a surprise.”
I watch as she closes her eyes for a moment, and when she opens them, they glisten with pure emotion. “Never stop.”
