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“Hey, sweetheart. How are you?”
“Hey, Mom. I’m good. What’s going on?”
“Nothing much. Just the usual.”
“The usual” meant something was up with Bryan.
“Okay.” He drew the words out to a couple different syllables. “Now you want to tell me what’s really going on?”
His mom huffed out a quiet laugh. “Actually, everything’s pretty good here. We’re thinking about coming down for the games next weekend. If that’s okay with you.”
The tension that’d been strangling him seconds ago left him in a long exhale. “That’d be great. I’d love to see you guys.”
“Bryan’s been missing you pretty hard these past few weeks so we wanted to make the trip. If you’re sure we’re not going to get in the way.”
Since he hadn’t said anything to his parents about Vivi, he was pretty sure his mom just wanted to make sure they weren’t coming at an awkward time during the season.
“Of course you wouldn’t get in the way. And I guess you know we’re playing Ottawa so that’s why you picked this weekend.
His mom laughed. “You know your dad. Old habits are hard to break.”
His dad was a die-hard Ottawa fan, always would be. He’d hoped Justin would play for them one day but so far, that hadn’t happened. And he was happy here. At least, he had been until Vivi had told him to leave.
“He knows I expect him to wear his Reading sweater to the games, right?”
“You know he wouldn’t wear anything else. Oh, hey, your brother just walked in. You want to say hi?”
“Of course.”
A few seconds passed silently as his mom gave the phone to his brother.
“Hey, Jussy, how’s it going?”
There was only one person in the world Justin allowed to call him by that nickname, but it didn’t mean he let his little brother off the hook completely.
“Hello, Baby-Bry. What’s new?”
“Not much. Hanging in.”
Only a few words but Justin could hear the strain in his brother’s voice. And he realized that this trip was more about Bryan than Justin.
Since that’s just how life had always been, Justin didn’t let it get to him.
Growing up, if Bryan was having a bad day, everyone had a bad day. If he had a good day, everyone smiled.
Their parents had tried not to let Bryan’s issues affect Justin’s pursuit of hockey, but those issues had overshadowed everything in their lives, including hockey.
Bryan didn’t play but he loved watching Justin play. And since it’d been a couple months since he’d seen Bryan, Justin wanted to see for himself how his brother was doing. He was pretty sure his parents would’ve told him if Bryan had slipped back into his drug habit. And if Justin had to pretend everything was okay with him for a weekend so his family didn’t worry, that’s what he’d do.
Even though he missed Vivi like he’d carved out part of his chest with a dull spoon.
“Got any new designs for me to look at?”
“Actually yeah, I do.”
Now his brother sounded more like his stable self, the guy who didn’t do drugs or drink to dig himself out of a depression so deep that he dragged everyone in his family down into the pit with him.
As Bryan talked about the most recent sleeve he’d designed for one of his regulars, some of the aching loss weighing on Justin’s chest lifted.
“And I’ve got some ideas I want to run by you for a back piece. I’ve got this amazing idea for another 3-D piece across your shoulders.”
“Sounds great. Can’t wait to hear more.”
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
Justin throttled back a sigh. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit. I know you. What happened?”
Knowing his mom was probably hanging about within hearing distance, he said, “Easier if we talk about it this weekend.”
“Hey, Mom, can you give us a few minutes?”
A second later his mom came back on the line. “Love you, sweetheart. We’ll see you this weekend. I’ll text you the details.”
“Love you, too, Mom. See you then.”
A few seconds passed.
“Okay,” Bryan said. “What’s up?”
It took him a few seconds but finally he said, “I met a girl but I screwed it up and now she doesn’t want to talk to me.”
“Whoa. That’s not what I was expecting. I didn’t think you’d ever get over Ashley. Kinda thought you might actually cave and kiss up to her to take you back. Glad you sacked up and moved on. How’d you screw up?”
“I lied to her.”
“Who doesn’t lie? I mean seriously? What’d you lie about?”
Trust Bryan to see things like that. “Helping her get a job with the team. But I don’t think it’s about the job. It’s more about the way her ex treated her.”
“So he was an asshole and you’re getting painted with the same brush?”
“Yeah.”
He heard his brother’s snort through the phone. “Then she doesn’t know you at all.”
He shrugged that off, although Bryan may have hit a little too close to home with that one.
“I thought... I don’t know what I thought. Anyway, I don’t know what to do to fix it.”
“Doesn’t sound like this is something you have to fix. Sounds like it’s her problem, not yours.”
True. “Yeah, maybe.”
“If you really want her, you’re gonna need to get in her face and show her you’re not going away. Otherwise, she’ll just figure you’re saying fuck it and giving up.”
Oh hell. He hadn’t thought of it like that.
“When did you get smarter than me?”
Bryan laughed. “When I was born. Nah, I’m not smarter than you, dude. I’m just not as...nice.”
“You make that sound like a curse.”
“You’re not cursed. You’re a decent guy, Jussy. There aren’t many of you around. She just doesn’t know how to respond, especially if her last boyfriend was a real asshole. So show her how much you like her.”
“I think that might make it worse. And I don’t know that I want to be chasing another woman who doesn’t trust me.”
“Then I got nothing for you, dude. Maybe you’re better off without her.”
*****
“So you think I fucked up?”
“I didn’t say that.” Aly held up her hands in front of her. “And I’m not saying he was right to lie to you. I’m just saying, maybe you overreacted. Just a tad.”
“Ugh. I know I did.” Vivi covered her eyes with her hands as she shook her head. “But I can’t help thinking that if he lied about this and I didn’t pick up on it, what happens the next time? And the time after that?”
“If you’re already expecting there to be a next time, maybe you’re just not ready for this relationship. Or maybe you’re just not ready for a relationship with this guy. I mean, if you can’t trust him...”
Vivi immediately wanted to come to Justin’s defense but she stopped herself just before she did. It was something she’d done for Jamie, too. She’d apologized when Jamie had said or done something insensitive, apologized when he didn’t show up for a party or a dinner, covered for his lies.
She’d told herself when he left that she wouldn’t ever put herself in that position again of making excuses for a man.
But Justin isn’t Jamie.
Vivi sighed, picking up her coffee mug and taking a healthy gulp. “I don’t know what to think.”
Aly’s commiserating smile made Vivi feel even worse. “Then maybe it’s good for you two to take a break. You got hot and heavy really fast.” Aly looked down at her phone. “Besides, he wasn’t really your type anyway. Okay, gotta go. Have an early morning meeting. Have a great day. And don’t let this stuff get to you. I mean, it wasn’t like you were in love with the guy, right? See ya.”
Aly hustled out of the kitchen with a little wave over her shoulder, leaving Vivi staring at her with her mouth hanging open and a stew of disappointment, confusion, and anger churning in her stomach.
Not her type?
Those three little words continued to churn inside her head as she walked into the arena around nine a.m. It was almost eerily quiet in the offices as she got to work on a whatever Jess sent her way. She still wasn’t working full-time, but Jess said it was just a matter of getting the ownership to sign the paperwork and that should happen this week sometime.
Around ten-thirty, she heard the distinctive sounds of skates on ice and the guys’ voices echoing through the halls.
This week, she worked Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The team had a three-game homestand and Jess needed her help with the groups on Saturday. There were more than usual and Jess usually ran herself ragged trying to touch base with all of them on a regular night.
Vivi was still working for Sophie’s dad but she’d told him if this full-time position came through, she’d have to cut back her hours. She didn’t want to give up the job completely, mainly because she couldn’t quite imagine being able to live on only one job. Or how she’d fill her time if she wasn’t working.
And maybe you use work to fill the holes in your social life.
“Oh, shut up, you bitch,” she grumpily told herself.
Maybe a little break would help her clear her head.
Luckily, there was no one in the halls to hear her as she headed for the closest entrance to the arena from her office. She’d done this same thing on Monday and Wednesday. Snuck over to see the guys on the ice.
Well, it wasn’t exactly sneaking because she was on her lunch break, but she didn’t want Justin to know she was there.
Didn’t want him to think she was pining away for him.
Even if you are.
“Hello, Vivian. How are you enjoying the new position?”
Straightening away from the wall where she’d been leaning, searching the ice for Justin’s familiar figure, she turned with a smile for the general manager.
She’d only met Mark Ahrens once and only then in passing. Jess had introduced her the second day on the job but he’d been on his way to a meeting and had promised to check in with her again.
“I’m enjoying it very much, Mr. Ahrens.” She took his outstretched hand and shook, hating the nervous little flutter in her stomach. “Jess is great to work for and I love what I’m doing.”
The handsome older man gave a surprisingly genuine laugh as he smiled at her. “Ah, another convert. Always good to hear. I stopped by the office to talk to you but Jess said you’d wandered this way. I just wanted to tell you that I want to make your position permanent and hope you’ll be signing the contract I left on your desk.”
Giddiness bubbled through her, a joy she’d never experienced before. She hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted this job until he’d told her she had it.
She knew it was the right move for her and her grin actually hurt, it was so wide.
“Thank you so much. I’m really anxious to start full-time. I really have come to love the game.”
“There’s a lot to love about it. And we’ve got a great group of guys this year. Well, I’ve got to get to another meeting. Welcome to the Redtails. We’re happy to have you.”
Still grinning as he walked away, she turned back to the ice and immediately found Justin.
He was skating backward, doing drills with the other defensemen.
God, the way he skated. It was like ballet on ice. She could watch him for hours. If she wasn’t careful, she’d lose all track of time and stay here until he left.
You’re an idiot.
Yes, she was. She’d let her insecurities get the better of her and had pushed away the nicest, most decent, most amazingly hot guy she’d ever dated.
But he’d lied to her. And she couldn’t figure out how to get past that.
Sure, she could grovel and beg him to take her back. But she’d still have the same insecurities. Like...would he lie to her again?
That grinding ache in her belly was back and she searched the ice for him again, finding him leaning against the boards with the goalies. Staring up at her.
Their gazes met and held for several long seconds, long enough to make her heart stutter and her lungs tighten.
Then Coach blew the whistle and she expected him to skate away. But he didn’t. He held her gaze for another few seconds before he took off up the ice.
Shit.
So, how did she fix this? Because she had to fix this. Fix her insecurities.
How did she show him how much she cared about him?
She was still chewing that over when she returned to her desk and the contract.
Jess came out of her office, smiling when Vivi picked up the contract.
“Mr. Ahrens said he spoke to you before he left. If you have any questions, just ask,” Jess said. “If I can’t answer it, I’ll find someone who can. I really hope you’ll sign on. You bring a fresh eye to the things that I’ve done the same way for years and I appreciate that. We’re a good team.”
“Thanks, Jess. I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity.”
“Don’t thank me, it was all you.” Then she grimaced. “Look...I know you and Justin are kind of on the outs because of this, but I am really, really happy he pointed me in your direction. I mean, I might have heard about the pictures you took of him somewhere down the line but maybe the position wouldn’t have been open then so...I’ve got to thank him.”
It took her a second but finally she nodded. “I know. He’s a really great guy.”
She just hoped she could work out her own issues before she lost him because of them.
*****
“Dude, these are amazing. Consider yourself hired to do some work for me over the summer.”
Derek flipped through the designs Bryan had brought to show Justin what he was working on for his back.
“Do you have a shop or do I just have to visit Justin so you can do my ink?”
Justin sat at the small dining table in his apartment with his parents while Bryan showed Derek, Will, and Jake his sketchbook in the living area. His brother had a smile on his face, which made their mom smile and their dad literally breathe a sigh of relief.
Justin had almost forgotten what it was like to live with low-level anxiety eating away at his guts all the time and had so much more respect for his parents now than he ever had before.
“How’s he been?” Justin kept his voice low so Bryan wouldn’t hear him. “He seems...good.”
His mom smiled, her gaze never leaving his. “He’s been on an upswing lately, which has been nice. Actually, he’s been worried about you, so that’s why we made the trip.”
Justin frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“He said he’s been worried about you since you broke up with Ashley. He also said you were seeing someone else but that you had a fight? If she can’t see how amazing you are, then she’s definitely not the right girl for you.”
Shaking his head, he sighed. “It’s not all her fault. I lied to her about something stupid and tripped a trigger left by an old boyfriend.”
His mom’s eyebrows arched. “What did you lie about?”
He explained the situation, which took all of about a minute. It seemed like such a small thing to get past. Like she should just accept his apology and they could move on.
Which was exactly what his dad said, but his mom’s expression made it clear she viewed it differently.
“That’s a tough one, sweetheart. Trust is a tricky thing. But obviously, she doesn’t know you well enough if she believes you’re anything like her ex. I know you don’t want to hear this but maybe she just needs a little more time to get to know you. You’re so much like your father—”
From the other side of the table, his father groaned and rolled his eyes.
“—it took me forever to be able to read him. You can both be a little...reserved with your feelings.”
“You mean cold and unemotional?”
Both Justin and his dad looked at Bryan, who’d come to stand by the table, and said, “Hey,” in the exact same tone of voice while their mom laughed.
It was an old joke but Justin knew it held a grain of truth.
He and his dad were a lot alike. They didn’t say much and they weren’t much for PDA, while Bryan and his mom were much more emotional. Bryan’s mood swings were legendary and he let you know exactly what he was thinking and feeling. And their mom was a hugger, everyone and anyone. Enough said.
“So you’re telling me I need to be someone different.”
His mom rolled her eyes. “No, that’s not what I’m saying. I just think, maybe, she doesn’t know how you really feel about her. Maybe you actually need to say the words.”
“And if I don’t know the right words?”
“Then maybe she’s not the right girl for you.”
*****
“Hi. You must be Bryan. I’m Vivi Martin. I...know your brother.”
There was no mistaking the guy who turned to face her in the hall outside the locker room was Justin’s brother. The family resemblance was impossible to miss. They weren’t identical but they had the same nose and mouth and there was no mistaking the skill in the artwork on the guy’s arms. She could only see a piece of the sleeve on his left arm but that’d been enough to identify him.
While Justin’s eyes were light brown and warm, this guy’s eyes were more hazel and they took her measure in seconds. But unlike her ability to read Justin, she had no idea what his brother was thinking.
He stood down the hall, far enough away from the rest of the family and friends waiting for the guys to come out of the locker room after the game that no one could hear them.
She had no idea what he was doing down here all by himself. And she had no idea why she’d approached him.
Stupidity. Curiosity. Torture.
“And you’re the girl he’s tying himself in knots over.”
Okay, now she knew exactly what his brother was thinking. And it wasn’t good.
The urge to tell him off nearly choked her, but she bit it back and held her smile.
Which made Bryan smirk.
Her eyebrows rose and her grin became more natural.
A smart-ass. She could deal with this.
“Your brother’s the nicest guy I ever dated.”
Bryan’s eyes rolled as his arms crossed over his chest. This guy was skinnier than Justin, more wiry, but he still managed to look more bad-ass than Justin ever would.
“Yeah, no shit. He’s a great guy.”
The implication being he was too good for her. Point taken.
“He is.”
Okay, this had been a stupid idea. She had no idea why she’d approached Bryan. She’d seen him in the concourse between periods and immediately had wanted to talk to him.
Her curiosity had gotten her in trouble way more times than it was worth.
“Yeah, well, guess I won’t be seeing you around.” Bryan shrugged, ready to brush her off. “Good luck with the new job.”
Her eyes narrowed and before she could bite her tongue, the words spilled out of her.
“If you have something to say to me, please get it off your chest.”
Bryan’s brows rose as he continued to stare at her. “Why should I have anything to say to you? You’re out of his life. If you’re going to treat him like this, he doesn’t need you. He’ll get over you soon enough.”
Every word out of his mouth hit her like a bullet, causing her to flinch. But she forced herself to answer him with the only response she had.
“He lied.”
To his credit, Bryan nodded and seemed to give his next words some thought.
“Yeah, he made a stupid mistake and he regrets the hell out of it. But all you see is yourself and how everything affects you. Justin knows what he did was wrong. But you tossed him away like he was nothing. If that’s how you think of him—”
“That’s not how I think about him. Not at all. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Bryan smirked. “Really? You think I don’t know my brother?”
Now her back had started to straighten. “I know how much he worries about you. Does that ever affect the way you act?”
Bryan’s gaze narrowed and she thought she saw a glint in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. “Yeah, I do know how much my mistakes have affected him. I know how much it hurts him every time I fuck up. And I do it a lot. But I don’t run away. I’m still here. You took off at the first the sign of trouble.”
He stole her breath with the absolute truth in his statement.
She’d done to Justin exactly what Jamie had done to her. She’d pushed him away at the first hint of trouble.
Her lips parted but she had no comeback.
Bryan’s lips twisted into a true grin. Mocking her, yes, but still...
“Yeah, see, that’s what I thought,” he continued. “So you wanna dump my brother because he made a mistake, sure, but don’t pretend it’s because you’re the only one being screwed. If you knew my brother at all, you’d know he’s nothing like the assholes you dated before. Justin’s a goddamn amazing guy. Probably the most amazing guy you’ll ever meet. Too bad you gave him up.”
His gaze shifted over her shoulder while she stood there silently. She didn’t even have to bite her tongue because she literally couldn’t think of a thing to say.
He was right. About everything.
And she fucking hated being wrong.
“Gotta go. You have a good one.”
Bryan walked away and she turned to watch him as he reunited with his parents. Where Justin was hugging his mom and dad.
Justin hadn’t seen her and she turned and walked away before he did. She didn’t want to intrude on his time with his family.
Leaving again. Coward.
That voice in her head stopped her cold.
Damn it.
If she had any spine at all, she’d turn around and tell Justin she was sorry. She’d been an idiot and to please take her back.
And if he didn’t?
She’d ruin his time with his family. Or at least make an awkward scene.
Damn, damn, damn.
She kept walking.
*****
“You want some breakfast or are you gonna sleep all morning? I got a game tonight.”
“Yeah, yeah, and you got an eating schedule. I know how this works.”
Bryan walked into the tiny kitchen in Justin’s apartment, dressed only in sweatpants, scratching his bare stomach and running a hand through his shaggy hair.
His parents had a hotel room close to the arena but Bryan was sleeping on Justin’s couch. He always did when he visited.
His brother stopped next to him and grabbed a piece of bacon off the rack he’d just removed from the oven. An entire pound and it’d be gone in under a minute between the two of them.
“Then you should know to get your hands off the food and get plates. Pancakes are ready.”
“Fuck you.” Bryan yawned and grabbed another piece of bacon before he grabbed plates. “This is why I never wake up early. Because when I do, you have breakfast ready.”
“Yeah, yeah. Go sit down already.”
Justin shook his head as he huffed out a laugh at his brother. He hadn’t laughed much in the past week but having Bryan here was helping Justin not focus on missing Vivi. He’d already made up his mind that tomorrow after practice, he was going to ask her to go to lunch.
Start slow, work his way back into her trust. He’d decided he wasn’t going to give up on her. He was going to go after the woman he wanted. He just needed to get through this game.
The knock on the door didn’t surprise him. He figured Derek and Robbie had psychically smelled the bacon he was cooking and would show up at his door. It’d happened before. Which was why he always made extra. If they didn’t devour everything this morning, it’d reheat tomorrow.
“Bry, can you—”
“On it.”
Seconds later, he heard the front door open then silence.
Curious, he turned to see who was there—
And came face-to-face with Vivi.
He blinked for a second, not sure what to say. And from the look on her face, she wasn’t exactly sure what to say either, especially with his brother standing to the side of the door, staring at him with a smirk.
“Uh, hey. You want some breakfast?”
Her eyes widened and he had time to tell himself he was an idiot before her lips curved in the sweetest smile he’d ever seen on her face before. She looked...relieved.
“I’d love some, thank you.”
She stepped over the threshold, turning to Bryan and exchanging a look that clearly said something Justin didn’t understand. As his gaze narrowed, he looked between Bryan and Vivi.
“So, I think I’m gonna take a shower before I eat,” Bryan said. “Just save me some bacon, okay?”
Not a problem. Justin wouldn’t be able to eat until Vivi said what she came here to say. And she obviously had something on her mind.
He hoped like hell it had something to do with him and her and a possible future.
When he was sure Bryan was out of hearing range, he said, “Did something happen between you and Bryan?”
She shook her head and her smile turned wry. “Your brother and I met last night. I realized he and I are a lot alike. And...I’m sorry.”
“That you’re a lot like my brother?”
“That I left you.”
His eyebrows crashed hard in a frown. “What?”
“I’m sorry I left when things got hard. I know you’re nothing like my ex. I’m sorry I wasn’t smart enough to realize you would never expect me to be something I wasn’t. To act a certain way. I know you—”
He closed the few feet between them, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her. Cut off whatever she was going to say and let his lips suck the sweetness from hers.
When her arms wrapped around his shoulders and she lifted up onto her toes so she could press herself even more tightly against him, he opened their lips and deepened the kiss. His breath left his lungs on a rush but he’d suffer a little suffocation if it meant he could continue to taste her.
He didn’t know how long they kissed but when the last batch of pancakes on the griddle began to burn, he finally thought maybe he should pull back.
But even then he didn’t stop. It wasn’t until Bryan yelled from the bathroom, “Hey, don’t burn my damn breakfast,” that he released her so they could catch their breath.
She looked so damn beautiful, he couldn’t believe he was the lucky bastard who she trusted with her body. And hopefully her heart.
“I love who you are, Vivi. Not who I think I want you to be.”
Her eyes widened and he wondered if he’d overplayed his hand. But he was through playing it safe with this woman. He needed to tell her what he was thinking, let her know how he felt about her. He didn’t want her wondering and possibly getting it wrong.
Of course, he could be pushing her away—Her smile broke out and she leaned in to kiss him again, a hard, teeth-grinding, tongue-tangling, passionate kiss that left him panting.
And wanting so much more that he couldn’t have with his brother in the apartment.
“The first words out of my mouth should’ve been thank you when Jess offered me this job,” she said. “I love what I’m doing and I’m not sure it ever would’ve happened without your help.”
“No, Viv, you’re the one with all the skill.”
“I had one hell of a model.”
“And he has one hell of a tattoo artist,” Bryan yelled from the bathroom, where he was obviously not showering.
As they laughed, Justin leaned down and rubbed his nose against hers before pressing his lips against hers again.
“I wasn’t going to let you get away, Viv. I was just figuring out how to chase you down.”
“I didn’t want you to have to chase me. I know I can be exhausting. And you have a game tonight.”
“I’ll never be too tired to chase you.”
“Then be prepared to spend all night letting me make it up to you.”
His smile cracked his lips “I’ll give Bryan earplugs.”
Then he kissed her again and let the pancakes burn.
*****
“I really like your parents. They’re very sweet.”
Collapsed on top of her, Justin turned his head to kiss her temple as he laughed.
She’d met his parents earlier tonight after the game. His dad had grinned while his mom politely grilled her. Vivi had treated them like she did everyone. She smiled and made them feel like instant friends. Even Bry was falling under spell.
“Do you really want to talk about my parents right now?”
His voice rumbled through her body, her core contracting around his softening cock.
Naked and still panting from the orgasm they’d shared a minute ago, Vivi rubbed her nose against Justin’s neck, her arms and legs wrapped around his strong body.
“I have no idea why I said that. You kinda scrambled my brains.”
“If you’re trying to stroke my ego, you’re doing a great job.”
She giggled, wondering when the last time was that she’d giggled. The man did strange and wonderful things to her.
“I’d rather stroke something else.”
His lips curved in a smile against her skin. “I think you already did that and that’s what landed us here.”
“Is that a problem?”
Justin huffed a laugh into her hair. “No. Nothing about this is a problem.”
“Good, because this is where I want to be.”
Shifting to her side, Justin wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, plastering her against his chest. She snuggled close, pressing her cheek against his chest, listening to his heart beat.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
She took a deep breath, loving the scent of him. She wanted to lick him and realized she could do anything she wanted because he was hers.
“I’m sorry.”
He knew what she was talking about without having to say anything more but she wanted him to know, to hear the words.
Pulling away only as far as she needed to be able to see into his eyes, she made sure she looked straight into them.
“I’m sorry I let my insecurities get between us. I’m sorry I didn’t trust in you.”
“Viv—”
She put her fingers over his lips and shivered when he flicked out his tongue to lick at them.
“I know you’re nothing like my ex. I promise to never compare you to him again.”
His smile was slow as she felt it form beneath her fingers and his eyes crinkled at the corners.
“Good to know. And I’m sorry I lied to you. But I’m not sorry I told Jess about you. You deserve that job, Viv. You’re so damn talented.”
“Thank you. You don’t know what it means to have you believe in me. And I want you to know that I’m always going to be your biggest cheerleader.”
His grin kicked up. “Are you going to wear a little skirt and sweater and shake some pompoms at my next game?”
She rolled her eyes but told him the absolute truth. “If that’s what you want, I’ll do it with a smile.”
Running his fingers through her hair, he cupped the back of her head and pulled her forward for another one of his soul-deep kisses that she wasn’t sure she’d ever get enough of.
“I don’t need anything other than you.” He grinned. “Next to me.”
“I think I can manage that.”
His eyebrows rose. “How about on top of me?”
“I think we can arrange that.”
He rolled her on top of him. “How about surrounding me?”
Her smile softened as she leaned down to kiss him. “If that’s what you want.”
“You’re all I want, Viv.”
Her heart melted. “And you’re exactly what I need.”
His smile turned wicked. “Let me show you what I need...”