Page 33 of Playmaker

Tugging on her elbow, I pull her down so her head is in my lap and lean over to grab the remote. I flip to a random movie, my heart faltering when she snuggles deeper into my lap and curls onto her side. I find myself playing with her hair, wrapping the flyaway ringlets from her bun around my finger.

I could get used to this. Normally, I hate being home alone, but with Maddie here I feel comfortable. I feel closer to her than I have to anyone. I can’t explain what the increase in the speed of my pulse means, but I’m enjoying it. Enjoyingher.

“Would you stop?” She rolls onto her back and looks up at me. “You’re very distracting.”

“Am I?” I run the back of my finger down the column of her neck and circle her collarbone. I trace her soft, perfect skin, utterly infatuated with how it feels on my fingertips. “You know, I used to think you being agood girlwas an inconvenience, but now . . .” Her breath hitches when I dip my hand beneath her sweatshirt, tracing the lace of her bra. “Now I’m beginning to think it’ll work out in both of our favors.”

“Why’s that?” she whispers.

“Let’s think about it. You always follow the rules and you never disobey instructions, always doing as you’re told. . . . If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you enjoy being praised, Maddie, and luckily for you”—I brush a fingertip over her nipple, smirking when she squirms—“I lovegivingpraise.”

She gulps hard. “Oh?”

“Yes,oh. I think being a good girl is going to become one of my favorite traits of yours.”

Before I can continue, loud knocks sound against the door.

Our pizza.

Dammit.

When she scrambles off my lap with a playful grin, I expel a heavy sigh and rise to my feet. “You areverylucky for interruptions.”

Thirteen

Maddie

I’mhot.

Toohot.

The sweltering heat creates a trail of sweat running down my back, and when I attempt to move, a set of arms tightens around me, holding me captive.

Did I fall asleep?

Sure enough, when I blink my eyes open, sunlight is streaming into Cameron’s living room. The last thing I remember last night is me being flabbergasted that Cameron hadn’t watched all theLord of the Ringsmovies, so we proceeded to binge them. We were on the last one when he fell asleep, and that should have been my excuse to leave, but instead I found myself distracted by his snoring. He looked so peaceful. So much like the boy I used to know before he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Back when his mom was still around and cancer wasn’t even a disease he understood yet.

I guess his snoring lulled me to sleep, and now . . .

Well, I need to get out of here and back home before people start questioning where I am. Not that I’m expected to give anyone an answer given I’m a grown adult, but my family and I are close. It would seem odd if I didn’t at least notify them about my whereabouts.

Shit. Where did I put my phone?

I attempt to roll onto my side, but Cameron releases a moan that’s much hotter than it should be, one of his hands sliding down my back until it finds my ass.

And that’s when I feel it.

His hardness prodding against my lower stomach.

“Cam.” I nudge him gently but he doesn’t budge. He’s still sleeping, and even in a dream state he’s beautiful. Where I would have an open mouth with drool pooling at the sides, Cameron could be a model with his chiseled jawline and lips so full and perfect it almost isn’t fair. I feel the heat rise to my cheeks when I remember those lips all over me yesterday.

He gave me the best orgasm I’ve ever had, and I never want him to stop.

“Cam.”I shake him again, and this time one eye pops open, a smile falling onto his face that makes my heart completely stop.

He doesn’t regret it.

“Another first.” Both of his eyes are open now, but I’m not sure what he means by that. Am I the first girl he’s ever woken up with after hooking up? The first girl who stayed over? The questions are pushed to the back of my mind when he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. He captures my chin and brings me close to kiss my lips. It’s supposed to be quick, but once we start we can’t seem to stop.

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