Page 16 of Kick Out of It

Time stopped when I saw her. Doesn’t she feel this? I knew I was in trouble the moment she told me she was coming to Ireland. Now that she’s here, I’m worse than Lucas.Fuck falling hard and fast, I’m in a free fall.

She doesn’t push for me to admit she’s the reason I missed it, but I sense the truth settling between us. We sit in silence for a beat until I finally divulge, “I should have told you about my, well, you know… Not with a room full of reporters. In fact, I should also tell you I am in group therapy.”

“I know about the therapy; everyone on the team has to do it. It’s brilliant, really. But the reason I wish I had known about your diagnosis is Leo also has SPD. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“What?” My eyes widen at her admission.

“That’s why I came tonight. I understand why you might not want to share that piece of you with someone. Leo told me I could tell you; it’s his diagnosis to share. So, here I am.”

“Shit! Leo! He saw me miss today!” I stand and begin pacing. “Is he disappointed in me? Did he hear about the arsehole who mentioned we had dinner?Fuck!I hope he’s not upset about any of this.” Nora gets up and without a word wraps her arms around my neck, holding me close and burying her face in the crookof my neck. “Sorry if I fucked things up.” My heart rate slows, breathing her in.

“You didn’t mess anything up! You scored twice today. Why would you think that?” Nora tries to pull back, but I don’t let her. She lets out an adorable laugh at my petulance. “Leo looks up to you, which is why I avoided talking to you about him before. It’s also why I didn’t tell him about us talking this past year.” Lifting her head, she sighs. “I was serious before, I don’t date footballers, but I don’t know if I can be your friend, either.”

I cup her neck and lean back enough that I can get a good look at her. “I want you, Nora. With your job, you shouldn’t date me, and I understand why you have to worry about Leo.” Swiping my thumb along her soft cheek, I dare to ask, “What if we keep it a secret? In my home and yours, we spend time together? When I’m on the pitch, it’s all business. Here, you let me show you how much you mean to me. Fuck, I want to kiss you right now, but I’m scared you’ll?—”

Nora’s mouth crashes into mine, sighing a hum against my lips. I’ve imagined this moment no less than a thousand times, and none of it holds a candle to the real thing. It took me by surprise, but I waste no time, swiping my tongue along the seam of her lips, begging for entry to taste her. She opens for me without an ounce of hesitation, letting me explore her mouth as I deepen our kiss.

“This is a terrible idea,” she mutters against me, but doesn’t break away.

“The worst,” I tease, unable to hide my smile. “Stay with me tonight?” Unfortunately, it breaks the spell we’re under.

Nora steps back, brushing her fingers to her swollen lips. “I’m sorry. I don’t like secrets. We shouldn’t do this.”

“I would never keep you a secret from my family, and you don’t have to lie to Leo.” I take a cautious step towards her, closing the distance and cupping her face. She grips my wrists, sighing against my touch. “I also would never want your integrity as a journalist to be compromised.” The wheels are turning as she searches my eyes. She hasn’t said no, and I know if I could convince her to stay the night, she’d never want to leave. “All I’m asking for is a chance to date you. We can have movie nights, order takeaway, whatever you want... Will you stay tonight? You can decide in the morning, just… stay.”

“Okay,” she whispers. “If I stay, will you behave?” A small devilish smirk tugs at her lips.

I answer honestly, “If you want me to. Otherwise, absolutely fucking not.”

Nora laughs and lifts onto her toes to close the last few inches between us, kissing me. She’s been here for a day—one fucking day—and has turned my life upside down. Just as I knew she would. There’s something intriguing about a woman who doesn’t need you, because at the end of the day, she’schoosingyou.

I pepper kisses to her cheek, nipping at her jaw as I reach into her back pocket for her phone. “Call your sister. Lettie, was it? Let her know you’re mine for the night.”

As I place it in her hand, she cocks an eyebrow. “Yours?”

“You have one minute to text her. If you take a second longer, I’m strapping you to my bed and bringing you right to the edgeover and over, but I’ll never let you come. You’ve tortured me for the last year, it’s my turn.”

“Who the hell are you, Ronan O’Leary?” she laughs, typing a message.

“Fifty-nine, fifty-eight…”

“Ronan,” she groans with no fire behind it. I toss her onto my bed, making her squeal as she continues with her texting.

Slipping off her shoes, I fling them aside, and climb onto the bed until my cock is pressed against her centre. There’s entirely too much fabric between us but I’ve never felt closer to someone. She moans as I kiss her neck, and I fight back the urge to leave a pretty, crimson bruise with my mouth.

Nora tosses her phone onto the other side of the bed and tangles her fingers in my hair. She tugs once and I relish the mild sting, but she pulls away just as quickly. “I’m sorry, Ronan.” I press my forehead to her shoulder, willing the disappointment away. We’re moving too fast, and I have to respect that. “I should’ve asked first.”

I lift my head to find her stunning blue eyes full of worry. “Asked me what?”

“I don’t know if something will overstimulate you.”

Fuck, she’s adorable. “Thank you.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “But I’ll tell you if something is too much. When it comes to what I want to do with you, it’s more sensory seeking, than aversion. Besides, I wasn’t overstimulated at the match. When the reporter mentioned we had dinner together, I was on high alert. I would never want someone to put it together that I was distracted during the game because I saw the beautiful womanI had dinner with the night before. It was too much of a risk. I have no problem with anyone knowing I was with you last night, but I would never want to drag Leo into it without your consent and his.”

“Oh,” she breathes. “Shit, you really missed because of me?”

“Yeah, I did,” I admit a little too eagerly. “Do you trust me?” Nora nods and I reach between us to unbutton her jeans. “I don’t give a fuck about a hat trick.” I slip off her jeans and her hands fly to her face in embarrassment. I hate that she’s hiding from me. Peeling them away, I kiss her wrists, and assure her, “I’ve been dying to taste you for months, but nothing has to happen, if you don’t want it to.”

“It’s been years since I’veyou know.”

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