“I’d love to, but…” She hesitated, and I took that as my opening to persuade her.
“The game is on a Saturday. You could fly up that morning. After the game, I’ll sneak you into my room.” I waggled my brows.
She laughed, and I could tell she was considering it. But then she said, “As much as I love that idea, it doesn’t solve the issue of all the other away games. I won’t always be able to attend.”
I knew that, but I also hoped this might help ease us into the transition of my being away.
“Bryn.” I cupped her cheek. “I know that, but I’d do anything to spend time with you. And I’d do anything to take away your fears, even if only temporarily.”
She kissed me. It was slow and tender, but it quickly turned passionate. Possessive. Hands and teeth and tongues. A claiming.
“Is that a yes?” I asked when we eventually broke apart.
“It’s a maybe,” she said, shifting so she was straddling me. “Can I think about it?” She swept my hair away from my face.
“Of course.” I kissed her temple. “Just know that I’d love having you there.”
She gnawed on her lip, and I could see the hesitation written across her features. I wanted to understand the reasons behind it, but more than anything, I wanted to assuage her fears.
“Are you worried someone will recognize you?” I asked.
“Actually—” She laughed, wiggling tantalizingly on my rapidly hardening cock. “I was thinking it might be time to launch our relationship.”
“Mm.” I grasped her chin, trying not to get my hopes up. All these months, I’d been letting her take the lead. I’d been trying not to push, but I was ready. I’d been ready. And her suggestion was making me even harder. “Is that so?”
She nodded, smiling as she ground against me. Bryn had been subtly posting pictures on her social media for months now. But this was the first time she’d given any indication that she was ready to go public with our relationship.
“What’s responsible for this change of heart?” I asked.
Bryn lifted her shoulder, a sort of nervous-playful energy coursing through her. “It’s time.”
Before I could delve into that, Bacon whined, pawing at the back door.
Damn.
Bryn groaned and moved to stand, but I said, “I’ll go.”
“I should start dinner.” She slid off me, but not before giving me one more kiss.
I stood, adjusting myself before removing my button-down shirt. When I glanced over at her, she was watching me with a dazed expression.
“Right. Dinner.” She nearly tripped over the rug on the way to the kitchen, and I tried not to laugh. “I’m going to work on dinner.”
I took the dogs out to the backyard, marveling at the lush space Bryn had created. It was welcoming and vibrant—full of life. I threw a ball to the dogs a few times and then gave them a cuddle before we headed back inside. Bryn was standing at the counter chopping vegetables, and I stood there a moment just watching her.
The sun drifted through the window, dust motes floating in the air. She hummed softly to herself as she prepared the items for dinner. I smiled, feeling more at home and at peace than I had maybe ever.
She glanced up and caught me looking at her. She flashed me a lopsided grin, knife still in hand. “What?”
I stepped closer, and it felt as if my heart was going to burst out of my rib cage to get to her. “I love you.”
It wasn’t elaborate or planned, but it was genuine and heartfelt. And saying it felt more natural than holding it in any longer.
“I know.” Bryn set down the knife and wiped her hands on the towel.
I chuckled, some of the tension easing out of me. “Okay, Han Solo.”
She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling as she came over to me. “I didn’t mean for it to sound cocky. I meant…” She draped her arms around my neck. “I meant that I feel your love. Every day. Because you’re always there, quietly supporting me. Loving me.”
