Page 15 of Goal Line Love

As we lie there, panting and covered in sweat, I can't help but feel a sense of regret for not telling her how I’m feeling about her before we did this. This was never meant to be more than a one-night stand, and yet here we are, tangled together in the aftermath of our passion, neither willing to let go.

And as I look at Bergan, her eyes closed and a contented smile on her lips, it’s clear that I've changed.

But has she?

The walls I’ve built around my heart have crumbled, leaving me vulnerable in a way I never thought possible. Bergan has shown me a side of myself I didn't know existed, and now I can't imagine going back to the way things were before.

She stirs next to me, her eyes opening slowly to meet mine. There's something in her gaze that I can't quite place— a mix of satisfaction, confusion, and maybe even a hint of fear.

“What are we going to do now?” she whispers, breaking the silence between us.

I don't know how to answer that yet, but whatever comes next will be different. This connection between us has shattered the boundaries she’s kept in place, and I can't help but wonder what that means for us both.

And if I’ll be able to keep that promise of a one-night stand when now all I want is the goal line of forever.

12

HARRISON

Bergan and I get up early and go hiking in the mountains. I’d much rather stay in bed all morning with her, but she won’t have it. She wants to show me her beloved Colorado and so I make sure I follow behind her on the trails so I can really take in the view. However, her excitement shows me a different view of Colorado and it is beautiful.

It’s not so bad. Would it be so hard to stay here? Colorado has family close by in Storm Canyon. It has hockey. It has the freshest air to fill my lungs and a lot of other activities that I enjoy like snowboarding—a lot like surfing on tiny bits of ice.

More importantly, it has Bergan.

Whoa. When did I start considering staying?

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Bergan asks as she opens her arms wide at the top of the trail like she’s trying to wrap her arms around the scenery if she could.

I smirk and eye her up and down, but keep my mouth shut as she lifts her eyebrow. I grin and take in the scenery.

“It really is beautiful.” I take a deep inhale and soak in all the crisp mountain air, almost lighter— and probably is with less oxygen, but it’s invigorating.

We sit and snack on protein bars and sip our waters as we enjoy the silence. It’s the most relaxed I’ve been in a long time and love how I can just be with Bergan. Not talking, not needing to play some part like with other women. Hell, I can’t imagine any of my last dates coming into the mountain. Unless there was a spa, a Gucci store, or a Cartier. Not once has Bergan asked me to buy her or shower her with anything but my attention is wholly hers.

She stands and wipes the dirt off her delectable round and perky ass. “I’ll race you to the bottom.” She begins running and I jump up to chase her. Being the most carefree I’ve been since I can remember.

It reminds me of my sister, Millie. The life she has and how she bounced back from cancer. How her laugh can make me feel like life is going to be okay. A piece of my heart belongs to Millie, and I hope Bergan can understand that. She is the only reason I would leave Colorado. If Millie asked me to do anything, I’d do it.

She and Bergan are a lot alike.

The hike is a great way to start the morning and when we arrive back at Cole’s place, we jump in the shower, separately and to my irritation, and get ready for the bar-b-que lunch my family put together. Bergan blends into my family with ease and I can tell everybody adores her like I do and today can’t be any more perfect.

“Harrison, what are you doing?” Bergan wiggles her luscious body against mine and it makes my constant semi ache.

“Stealing a kiss.” I push her up against the hallway wall and kiss the living daylights out of her. I pull back quickly and wink before heading into the bathroom, letting her get back to my family.

I contemplate dragging her in there with me, but I don’t want to compromise anything with her because I’m aiming to get her for keeps now and I can tell this woman is a flight risk. I’m not sure what’s happened to her in the past, but I’m going to find out.

The day flies by and it’s late afternoon, time to load up my car and head back to reality has come far too soon.

Bergan sighs as she rests her head on the seat. “I had a great time. Thank you for bringing me.”

“Anytime.” And I mean it. I want her to always come away with me. I pull into the gas station to fill up.

“Want anything?” she asks as I open my door.

“Get me a drink, whatever you’re having will be great,” I say.

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