He straightens his back, standing slowly. “I’ve been lying low, keeping off the grid. I haven’t had any visitors besides family. And now you.”
My lips tighten with a smile, and I stand, going to him. I place my hand on his forearm. “Your secret is safe with me.”
Our eyes hold for several blinks. Our gazes mingle, and that chemistry between us surges to life. Up until now, we’ve been competitive, rivals, me daring him to show me his best. Him showing me… on and off the field.
Now the fury has dulled. The gloves are lowered and something different filters in around us, something new but just as potent.
“I need to get her ready for bed.” He breaks the spell, shifting the baby in his arms in one fluid movement that doesn’t seem to rouse her.
“You do handle a football well,” I tease gently.
“I handle other things equally well.” His suggestive tone heats my stomach.
I follow him into his large bedroom. My senses are very aware of being in his space. I want to pull his arms around me, reach up and put my hands on his scruffy cheeks, kiss him.
His bed is a massive California king with a cream and navy-striped duvet cover and matching, decorative pillows. It’s cozy, but it doesn’t feel entirely his. It’s missing pictures, things that show his personality.
“Are you happy here?” I ask. “Is it someplace you want to stay?”
He looks around briefly then shrugs. “Sure, I guess.”
“What do you mean, you guess?”
“I don’t think this place will feel like home until I have someone I care about to share it with me.” He puts a knee on the bed and lays Cricket in the center of a rectangular pad with raised soft edges all the way around, creating a plush enclosure. “Maybe it’s her?”
“Maybe…” I watch his broad shoulders, muscled arms as he secures her in the nest.
He’s so careful with her, so sexy.
“I could take you shopping,” I offer quietly.
He turns to face me, and heat washes from my neck to my toes, by way of my tingling pussy. “What for?”
“For starters, you need a crib.”
“The portable one Dove said I should get was on backorder,and I guess… I didn’t know how much furniture I wanted to buy.” He rubs the back of his neck again, making his bicep flex.
I sigh, walking around, inspecting the crown molding and arched doorways. “My mom has an antiques store, and I learned a little basic interior design from her. I’d love to decorate a big ole place like this. Help you make it your own.”
“With somebody else’s old stuff?” A teasing light is in his eyes, and I feel my cheeks trying to heat.
“Somebody’sniceold stuff. It would be from estate sales. You know, expensive things, things people cherished, that are warm and homey.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know… whatever speaks to you. Works of art or even frames for your pictures.”
“All my pictures are on my phone.”
“We’ll make prints of your favorites.”
“Is this your funny way of asking me out on a date?”
“I’m offering to help make your place more of a home. It’s a mutually beneficial outing.”
“How does it benefit you?”
“It’s one of my hobbies.” I lift my chin, and our eyes hold. “I like helping people find things they like.”
