Page 24 of Game Day

"Yes."

My attention scans the room until I see her phone on the coffee table.

"Don't even think about it," she warns.

I lunge for the phone. She's on my heels, but she's no match for a pro athlete.I snatch up the device and rise, swiping the bar to open it.

"You don't know my password!" she says as she grabs at my arms, one arm looping halfway around my waist.

"It's my birthday." The digits get typed in, the screen flashing red.

She replies, "Maybe I changed it."

"To what?"

Nova folds her arms, tipping her little chin up at me.“My other fiancé’s birthday?”

I groan. “Careful, Pink. I’ll have to show you exactly how much you’re mine.”

I want to see this dress, and I'm used to getting my way. But every battle requires different tactics.Mostly I play ones on the court, but now I need to try something new.

My voice lowers."Tell me what it's like."

Nova's lips press together, but there's a sparkle in her eyes I haven't seen all night. "What it's like…”

I step closer, the phone forgotten as I reach for her waist."Is it white? Long? Puffy? Shiny?" I bend my lips to her ear, and she arches toward me.

She's wearing jeans and a soft sweater that, since my parents left, is now falling temptingly off one shoulder. Her hair skims her creamy skin, and I want to drag a finger along her collarbone until she makes that breathy little hiccup that says she can't resist me.

"No," she whispers stubbornly.

"No, it's not any of those? You’re going to walk to the altar naked.”

A little laugh.“No, I’m not telling you.”

Fuck, she's cute.

"I’ll get it out of you."

"You can try,” she replies pleasantly.

"Pink, I'm the best offensive player in the league."

Her nose wrinkles. "You’re top three."

The words hit like an elbow to the chest, knocking the wind from me. I recover enough to draw a ragged breath. "Sweetheart, you don't mean that."

She flips her palms. "I'm only saying what the stats guys say…"

Oh, it’s on.

"The stats guys aren't here to save you," I growl as I back her against the wall and hitch her legs up around me.Her ankles hook around my waist, my fingers digging into the soft flesh of her ass.

Nova laughs, but her eyes widen with apprehension. "What are you going to do?"

"Make you wish you'd told me the first time."

My fingers skim down her ribcage…

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