Page 30 of Quarterback Keeper

“Right.” Liam cleared his throat. “The offer stands, Gia. Just say the word, and we’ll pound Kylian into the turf.” A flash of humor chased some of the worry from his green eyes. “Or we’ll make sure the O-line lets through the opposing team’s defensive tackle—every play.”

A subdued laugh left my lips, and I sagged into Kylian, letting him take my weight. I appreciated them even more. “Thanks, guys. But I promise I’m okay. It was just a freakishly real nightmare. I have to stop watching horror movies because they clearly affect me.”

Liam snorted, rapped his knuckles on the doorframe, and pivoted. “I’m out. Glad you’re okay, G.”

Ares stood there another moment, locked in a stare with Kylian. Whatever silent conversation took place between the twomust’ve finally reassured him because he nodded, grabbed the doorknob, and shut the door quietly behind him.

A few seconds passed, and the nightmare lost its grip on me, but I didn’t move from Kylian’s arms. He made me feel safe, a phenomenon I didn’t take for granted.

“Want to talk about it?” His words were soft and soothing.

“I-I…” My throat locked, and I shivered. I wanted to tell him so badly. “No.” I couldn’t. Not then. I didn’t want to relive it or see pity in his beautiful eyes. “It’s… nothing. I’m just embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. There’s no reason for that. Ares had some wicked nightmares a few years ago, and Liam sleepwalks. I should have told you about it in case you ever got up during the night and thought he was a zombie with the weird, vacant look on his face.”

I laughed. “That’s good to know. I’ll avoid waking him if I run into him in that state.”

“You know you’re safe here, right? I won’t let anything… or anyone hurt you.”

“Yeah, I do. Thank you.” I swiped a tear from my cheek with the tip of my finger, my heart cracking enough for him to slip all the way in.

CHAPTER TWENTY

GIA

Three Weeks Later

It was criminally early, the sun barely cresting the horizon to stream through the small porthole. Heat blanketed my back from Kylian’s large body spooning mine. I eased from beneath his heavy arm. Once free, I stretched then got out of bed. It was a new day, and I braced myself against my conflicting emotions. I already feared I was falling for him too hard and too fast. Just the hint of my out-of-control feelings was enough to douse the flame pooling low in my stomach with the need for round three.

I’d slipped into a pair of panties last night, but that was it. My fingers hooked the white dress shirt he’d tossed on the floor after he’d worn it on the flight to his away game the previous day. I pushed my arms into it, working a few buttons through their holes to keep it mostly closed.

It would have been nice to go to the game, but I’d attended all his home games since my first, several weeks ago. It’d become a habit to sit with Ares’s mom and nephew, which was fun. Ienjoyed their company. When Kylian and I were alone hours later, we would talk about the plays. Getting that part of my life back was a gift I would always be grateful to him for.

After we’d gotten ready for bed, he’d set his alarm for nine to make his ten-o’clock class. I didn’t want to wake him, since he had about an hour before he had to get up. I made coffee to drink on the deck in the morning sun. I headed up the stairs to unlock the door to the cabin. It opened easily.

It wasn’t until I was on the deck that the sound of hushed voices too close to where I stood registered. My head whipped up, and my gaze jumped around until it landed on a man and woman a few feet from where I stood. I froze when I took in the man in the business suit. He was an older version of Kylian. A woman not too much older than me stood by his side. Heat rushed to my face as I realized what I was, and wasn’t, wearing in front of Kylian’s father as he studied me. He did not look amused.

“Ahh, one second.” A quick pivot, and I rushed down the stairs.

I deposited the mug of coffee on the counter, splashing hot liquid over the rim in my haste to get to the primary bedroom. I yanked the pillow from beneath Kylian’s head, and he came instantly awake.

“You’ve got to stop doing that,” he growled then reached for me.

I’d already moved back in anticipation. “Your father is on the deck.”

“Fuck.” He launched himself from the bed and shoved his legs into his dress pants. He zipped and buttoned them, not bothering with a shirt.

Well, I’m wearing it, so what could he do?

He was through the galley and on the stairs before I could find yesterday’s shirt—mine, not his. When I managed to getdressed, I headed for the deck but stopped near the stairs when I heard Kylian’s and his father’s heated voices volleying back and forth. Unsure what to do, I stayed rooted to the spot and eavesdropped shamelessly.

“Impossible. I’m already engaged to Gia,” Kylian growled.

“Absolutely not,” his father snapped. “I already promised Honeycutt that you’ll marry his daughter. He says she has her sights set on an NFL quarterback, and you’re the one she wants.”

“I don’t care if her daddy thinks he can get her anything she wants, including me. I’ve already chosen my path, and Melanie Honeycutt isn’t on it.”

“You’re making a big mistake, son. She would be the perfect wife. A true chameleon and able to fit into any social event you’re required to attend. But if you want to pass up the best thing that could happen to you… If you don’t want to marry the Honeycutt girl and live in the lap of luxury”—his father’s deep voice was resolute and threatening—“you can marry the little slut listening in the cabin and risk whatever dirt that I find in her past tarnishing your life. And let’s not forget about what your mother needs, hmm?”

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