I wipe my beard with the back of my hand. She’s all over that now. ‘Told you I had an appetite.’
She groans, hiding her face in her hands, but she’s laughing, panting and trembling and so damn beautiful it hurts.
Yeah. I’ll thank that woman on my knees all damn day.
I kiss my way up her body, over every inch of skin I can reach. When I finally get to her mouth, she pulls me down, kissing me hard and hungry, tasting herself on my tongue. I don’t think I’ve ever been this fucking happy.
Chapter18
Charlie
It’s been two weeks since I’ve stayed at my flat in Edinburgh. Two weeks of acting like it’s convenient, practical, easier to sleep at Brodie’s place. But that’s bollocks. Truth is: I sleep better with his arm around me, and nothing makes sense anymore unless I’m curled up against him.
He’s made me spaghetti with meatballs four times. I’ve obliterated him in Mario Kart every single night, and the smug look on my face has nearly got me kissed to death. We’ve made it through every Rocky film, arguing over which one’s best. He likes his popcorn sweet. I like mine salty. We compromise by dumping both into the same bowl, and I act like it doesn’t make my teeth ache.
He’s fucked me on every surface in his house, and I fucked him right back.
I never thought I’d be happy like this. Nobody meddling or interfering, no expectations or photo ops. Just us, getting to know each other, figuring out how to exist together without the world pressing in.
Except for Theo, obviously.
She’s the only one who knows, and that’s mostly because I couldn’t stop myself from telling her. One look at me after I sealed the sponsorship, and she sensed something was up. Plus, there was the little incident with the phone. After that, there wasn’t much point in lying.
Theo’s been her usual no-nonsense self about it. She doesn’t push. Right now, she sweeps into my office, a coffee in each hand, and nudges the door shut with her hip. ‘Ready for South Africa?’
The coffee smells like salvation. I take it with a grateful hum. ‘As ready as I’ll ever be. You’d think two weeks of prep would make this easier.’
Theo flips through her folder. ‘Media schedule’s locked, but we might have to squeeze in an extra interview with MacRae if the last game goes well. Sponsor’s pushing for more face time.’
‘He’ll love that,’ I say. ‘Thrives under pressure.’
‘He thrives underyou.’
I choke on my coffee. ‘Theo!’
She doesn’t even look up. ‘Please. You’re glowing from all the sex. I’ve seen less obvious neon signs.’
I press the cup to my lips and hope it hides how my cheeks have caught fire. ‘You know we’re keeping it quiet. At least for now. If anyone catches wind, it’ll—’
‘Yeah, yeah. The professional fallout, the media shitstorm, yada yada.’ She waves a hand like she’s heard it all before. ‘But you’re happy, correct?’
I open my mouth to answer, but the truth sticks in the back of my throat. Happy doesn’t quite cover it. It’s terrifying and huge and makes me feel like I’ve been set on fire from the inside. I don’t know how to put it into words without sounding like I’ve lost my mind. So, I just nod, and Theo narrows her eyes at me like she knows exactly what I’m not saying.
‘Good,’ she mutters, shoving the folder into her bag. ‘Don’t let him muck it up. Or I’ll gut him like a fish.’
‘I’ll tell him you said that.’
‘Do that. Maybe it’ll keep him in line.’
And for a minute, I forget about the stress and the travel and the endless juggling act that is my life.
I’m so grateful for her friendship.
‘Okay, I’ll wrangle Brodie’s training clips into something postable and schedule your client check-ins for next week. Someone needs to keep the show running while you’re away,’ she says and turns around.
Seven minutes later, Brodie saunters through the door. Suitcase in one hand and a tiny plant in the other. Two months since the first time he set foot in here. Instead of a suit, he’s wearing joggers and a hoodie, cap pulled low, and I have to suppress an actual fan-girl squeal at how effortlessly, insanely hot he looks.
He holds a tiny succulent out to me. It has pink-tinged leaves, potted in a blue ceramic cup.
