Page 100 of A Whole New Play

He lifts a brow when he looks up. “Yeah?”

“It’s just an interview,” I repeat my words from earlier. “I haven’t gotten a job yet.” Not officially, anyway.

His smile is sad. “But you will.”

“You don’t know that.”

His hand cups the side of my face. “Yes, I do.”

I don’t know what to say. Carter looks so… sad. Almost as sad as I feel at the thought of moving away for a job and causing the inevitable end of our relationship.

I wait for Carter to say more—to tell me he doesn’t want me to do the interview. But he doesn’t. I should’ve known better than to think he would. He isn’t that selfish.

“We should go to bed,” I murmur. The quiet around us feels delicate. And tenuous. “You have practice in the morning.”

His thumb brushes my cheek. “I’m not tired.” He leans forward and captures my lips in a kiss I’m more than eager to return.

My hands dive into his hair, and our tongues dance. Our bodies respond to the spontaneous kiss without restraint. I scoot forward on the counter so my center is pressed against his torso. The pressure spikes my desire.

“Come to bed with me,” I pant against his mouth, immediately biting my bottom lip in anticipation of his response.

We haven’t slept together since my birthday. We didn’t want to risk the twins catching us.

But Lord knows I want that to change.

And after tonight’s realizations, I’m eager for that connection.

Who knows? It may be the last.

I shut down the depressing thought and wait for Carter to speak.

His eyes search mine. They flare with heat and an emotion I’m not sure I want to name. Finally, he says, “Hell yes.” He seals his lips with mine once more.

Carter lifts me by my ass. I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me down the hall to the guest bedroom I’ve claimed as my own. Our lips don’t separate until he gently lowers me to the bed.

I stare up into his warm brown eyes as he hovers above me on his elbows. His gaze travels over my face with reverence.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he murmurs.

I crack a smile and give a small shake of my head. “I’m sweaty.”

“Doesn’t matter.” He brushes a strand of hair off my cheek. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, Valerie Palmer.”

My heart squeezes.

“And you’re mine.”

I press my lips together to try and hide how happy his words make me, but I can’t fight off my giddy smile. “Yes, I am.” I grab the front of his shirt and pull him down so he has no choice but to kiss me once more. “And you’re mine.”

For however long we have together… Carter Jones is mine.

31

CARTER

“You played like you had a stick up your ass today.”

I scowl at Deon from where I’m half-crouched in the ice bath in the training room. Deon sits in the ice bath next to me, looking far too comfortable in the torturously cold water. The lineman smiles when he sees my reaction.

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