Page 59 of Game Over

“Pricks they are, and no, not all of it. I glanced over and saw you, and I knew nothing good would happen. I only caught the tail end of it.”

“Good, you didn’t need to hear it.”

“Spencer, I’m a big girl and can handle things. You also don’t get to tell me what I did and didn’t need to hear, even if it comes from a place of caring.” She patted my hand and gave a weak smile, “I can take care of myself, I promise.”

Closing the small gap between us, I ran my hand along her cheek, feeling her soft skin, and then moved it to wrap around the back of her neck, pulling her flush against me. “I’m fully aware at this point that you can do anything and everything on your own, sweetheart, and that you don’t need me to help with a damn thing. But I want to because you’re important to me and you deserve someone who wants to be there and support you through all of it.” Her lips popped open in a little gasp, and her eyes went wide.

“It isn’t easy for me to let people help me.” She looked into my eyes, into my very soul, and whatever she landed on settled something in her eyes, “but for you I would try… I want to try my best, Spencer.”

The string quartet started playing their version of “Yellow” by Coldplay. I took Allie’s hand and brought it to my lips, placing a gentle kiss. “May I have this dance?” The song was beautiful, and I wanted to take this as a chance to move on with our night and have fun.

“I’d be honored.” She gave a dramatic curtsey and laughed as I pulled her behind me and led her to the dance floor, where others had already gathered. Everyone was doing their own version of a slow dance to the song, some swaying, some actually doing a ballroom dance. I took her hand in mine, wrapped the other around her waist, and began to move us in a gentle circle. She was stunning under the lights that hung above us, making her eyes shine a brighter green and the flecks of gold glimmer.

“I’m really glad I met you, and we got to be here together, Spencer.”

“I’m glad I met you, too, Allie. You healed a jagged part of my heart that I didn’t know still needed healing.” I twirled her out and then back into my chest, cradling both arms around her, keeping her back flush to me. I leaned down and whispered against the shell of her ear, “You’ve made me feel more than anyone ever has. You make me feel alive.” I could feel the goosebumps break out against her shoulders as she tilted her head back slightly.

“Spence.” My name was barely above a whisper. I turned her back around to face me, cupping her face. I leaned in and placed a whisper of a kiss against her lips as the music started to change into another song rendition.

“I know, pretty girl, I know. Come on, let's have a good rest of the night.” I swept her into another twirl as we continued to dance. Every part of me wanted to tell her I loved her, but I didn’t want the first time I told her those three special words to be at a work function. I’d bide my time till tonight when we were alone at her house.

The rest of the evening had been uneventful but fun. Allie introduced me to her friend Rachel, who asked if I had any single brothers. How about fuck no. She also introduced me to a few other coworkers and some of the people on her team as well. They all seemed very nice and spoke so highly of her. It made my heart swell with pride, and all the work she did to get to where she was was paying off. She was determined, and I hoped that fire never died.

After a while, the DJ came back on and played lots of throwbacks and more upbeat songs for everyone to dance to. We jumped around like we were back in high school, singing at the top of our lungs with the group that formed, and had a blast. It was a little after ten when we decided to call it a night and head back home. Allie was practically dead on her feet, and I wasn’t far behind. Since it was so late and there was no traffic on the interstate, we got back to her place pretty quickly. We headed to her bedroom, turning on the small lamps she had on her bedside tables.

“God, after so long heels just hurt. How do people wear these all the time?” she huffed out as she tried to balance on one foot against the bed, but kept falling over. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Sit down before you hurt yourself and let me help.”

She plopped down onto the bed, leaned back on her elbows, and lifted her foot to my chest. Unbuckling the first heel, I slowly slid it off, dropping it to the floor next to me. I gently pushed into the arch of her foot as a small moan escaped through her lips.

“Oh, that feels amazing.” She let her head fall back, her curls cascading down her back as I massaged the sore spots. I gently let her leg down and grabbed the other to repeat the process. Her dress had slid up toward her stomach, the slit in it exposing more of her thigh and tattoo. I don’t think I would ever get over how beautiful she was, and how incredibly lucky I was to have her. I grabbed both of her hands and helped her stand. I knew if she didn’t get undressed and take at least her makeup off, she would regret it tomorrow morning. “Spin around, sweetheart.”

CHAPTER 25

Thanks for the Memories

I was so tired, but I let Spencer stand me up to help me out of my dress.

“Spin around, sweetheart.”

God, I loved when he called me that. I turned so he could get the back of my dress, facing my mirror across from us. I watched him behind me, with that hungry look in his eyes as he took me in. He slowly undid the tie at the base of the dress, those deft fingers loosening the strings as he went. Once it was all the way undone, he slid it down and helped me step out of it, making sure to be careful so he didn’t hurt the material of the dress. Seeing his eyes flare with want made me so glad I decided to put on the matching black lace set at the last minute under the dress.

He stepped around me so he could lay it across the back of the chair next to the dresser, and then walked back over, stopping in front of me. He ran his fingers along my jaw, down my neck, and continued down my body, causing me to shiver and my skin to erupt in goosebumps at this touch.

“So fucking perfect,” he said into the dim, quiet room. He kept a hand on my hip and walked back behind me and brushed my hair to the side. “Look at yourself, Allie.” He whispered in my ear as he lifted his other hand to my chin, forcing me to meet my own gaze in the mirror. “You. Are. Beautiful. Every part of you.” I tried to turn my head away, to break eye contact, so I didn’t overanalyze what I saw. “No. You don’t run from me. Ever. You’re going to stop running from yourself. Look.” The command in his voice sent a thrill through me. “You are a goddess, Allie, and I’m here to worship at your altar.” Oh, well, fuck me. My eyes snapped to his as he still continued to stroke his hand up and down my body in slow, agonizing strokes. The way he constantly wanted to touch me, every lingering gaze, every honey-coated word, made me feel more and more beautiful.

I know I don’t ever need another person's approval of my own self, but damn, if the way his look alone didn’t make me want to hear him praise me all the time. To crave that adoration from him. My skin heated as he finally moved his hand to unclasp my bra at the back, letting it fall to the floor in front of me, and my breasts broke free. A low moan of approval slipped from his lips. He reached around and gently palmed each of them, letting them fill his hands completely and then slightly over.

“These are perfect.” He said as he continued to gently massage them in each hand, before pinching each nipple. He moved to stand in front of me and then dropped to his knees. He hooked his fingers into the sides of my lace panties, gently tugging them down and helping me step out of them.

“This,” he said as his fingers grazed up my knee and toward the aching spot between my thighs. “Oh, this is also perfect. You taste so good, Allie. So sweet.” He all but whimpered as he slowly and teasingly dragged his finger up and down. Over and over again. If he didn’t do more, I was going to combust on the spot, I swear to god. He lifted my left leg to rest on the bed and scooted closer to me. I gripped her hair and tilted his head back.

“Do you like the look of me on my knees for you, baby girl?” I fisted his hair tighter and whimpered at his words. Because the sight of him below me completely caused my mind to cease all function. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. Arousal was already slick between my thighs, and he had hardly touched me. My body was so attuned to him that it only needed a few words or touches.

“You’re going to watch yourself. Understand, sweetheart?” All I could do was nod. Words seemed beyond comprehension at this moment.

After what seemed like an eternity, he finally gave me what I wanted and dove in like a man depraved. God, was he good too. I ran my fingers through his curls, pulling on them to get him closer, throwing my head back as I did. Then I felt nothing except the loss of him. I jerked my head back and was met with his scowl.