In its place is peace and focus.
In its place is a woman who loves me and believed in me even when I was at my worst and couldn’t believe in myself.
I refuse to do anything but prove her right.
The tunnel leading to the locker room has all manner of crew roaming around. A couple other teammates are ahead of me, janitorial staff pops in and out, and just as I’m about to walk into the locker room, Ballard stops me with a hand to my chest.
“McKallen wants to see you in her office.”
I try not to let the excitement show on my face at the prospect of seeing my girl. Never mind the fact that Isawher this morning in my bed…several times, and then once more in the kitchen over breakfast.
It will never be enough—being with her, listening to her tell me about her day, having her ask me about mine, cooking dinner together, waking up with her spooning Pebble and me spooning her. I want it every day for the rest of time, and then I want to be greedy and demand to have her in whatever comes after death.
“Sure thing, Coach. I’ll be back soon.” He nods, clapping me on the arm. He looks as if he wants to say something but decides to withhold whatever it is.
Jade’s office is only a short walk down the corridor, and before I know it, I'm standing at her door about to knock as Harry, our equipment manager, walks by.
“Hey, Harry. You alright, mate?” He looks a little skittish as I address him, but he’s always been a little socially awkward.
“All good, sir.”
“We’re friends, no need for formalities. Is everyone being good to you?” Namely Connor, who has a penchant for bullying the poor lad.
“Yes, sir—” I raise my eyebrow and smile slightly. “Yes, Tieran, everything’s good.”
I knock on Jade’s door and hear her call out, “Come in.”
“Good. Let me know if you need anything.” There’s a weird look in his eyes as I open Jade's office door, and he looks beyond at Jade sitting at her desk, then back to me, nodding before he scampers away.
Odd.
I push the interaction out of my mind and step into Jade’s sun-drenched office. She’s sitting at her desk, worrying a pen in between her lips as she bites on the end, looking sexy as sin. A billion fantasies rush to the forefront of my mind, the first being me bending her over her desk, pushing up her skirt, and making her writhe atop all her paperwork.
“Stop looking at me like that, Mr. Stone.”
“If you want me to stop looking at you like this, then you shouldn’t look likethat.” She rolls her eyes, but there’s no heat behind it, a tiny smile curving the corners of her mouth.
The small smiles are my second favourite. It’s the one she typically reserves for when she’s trying to act unaffected by my charm, but it cracks through anyway. My favourite smile is the one I know is specifically reserved for me, the uncontainable one that lights up her face and makes her eyes glow like a flame. The smile I've never seen on her face around anyone but me. It was unguarded and real, and it never fails to strike me speechless. I feel like the luckiest bastard in the world to be on the receiving end of that level of magnificence—feel unworthy of it, but I’m too selfish to not beg for more.
“How are you feeling?” Jade’s question forces me out of my daydreaming about…well, her.
I take a seat opposite to her desk, leaning forward and resting my forearms on top of my thighs. “Good. Great, actually. I'm excited more than anything.”
“Maybe the match will help you shake off some of that incessant energy you always have,” she snipes playfully.
“I can think of a much more enjoyable way for that, love.” I sit back, legs spreading wide as I spear her with the heat of my gaze. “It involves you on your bed with your nails raking down my back.”
Her eyes go molten before solidifying in challenge. “Win the match, and you can have me any way you want.”
My dick hardens in my soft knit joggers. “Careful with your promises. You don’t know what you’re asking for.”
“Is that supposed to scare me?” The fire in her eyes ignites as she scans me head to toe, her gaze searing over every inch of my body.
“Nah, baby. I just want you to be thinking about it when I score the try that’s going to win this match. That way, you’ll remember what’s coming for you after.”
Jade stares me down like a lioness stalking its prey, and I have the distinct feeling that even though I’m the one making the bold claims, she’s the one calling the shots. “Get on the pitch and put your money where your mouth is, Captain.”
I smile a devil’s grin, making her sit up straighter in her chair. “Yes, boss.”
