Page 73 of Sack

“By the skin of our teeth, but yeah.”

“A win is a win regardless of the score.”

He grunted in acknowledgment and stood, pulling off his shirt. She admired the ripple of muscles as they danced under his tanned skin.

Hey, she was sick, not dead.

He walked to the side of the bed and shucked his jeans before climbing in. She rolled to her side, and he put his arm around her, fitting her snuggly to his chest. She’d like to say she made more tantalizing conversation, but that wasn’t the case. She was asleep within seconds.

When she opened her eyes, sunlight was streaming in through her window, and Colt was gone. But he left a note on his pillow along with her cell.

Had to go in for a meeting. Text me when you wake up.

Yawning and stretching her sore muscles, Ivy took stock. She felt surprisingly good considering how crappy she’d felt yesterday. Her stomach also grumbled, but the thought of food still made her queasy. Yeah, she wouldn’t chance it. In fact, she may never eat again. Okay, that was a lie, but baby steps were definitely in order.

She picked up her phone and saw all the missed calls and texts from Colt the night before. He’d even left a voice message before getting on the plane and she hated the worry she heard in his voice. She pulled up their text thread and messaged.

Awake and feeling loads better. Thank you for taking care of me last night.

She got a reply right away.

I’ll come by after I’m done here. What can I bring you to eat?

The thought of food still makes me ill.

There’s a box of crackers in the bag on the bathroom counter. Try those and finish the Gatorade. I’ll text before I leave to see if you’ve changed your mind about food.

Okay.

She’d do as he suggested, but the only thing she wanted right then was a shower. And it wasn’t until she was in the shower that it hit home just how much she had missed Colt the past couple of weeks. Knowing he’d been there for her even if she’d been mostly comatose felt good. She decided then and there she’d choke down any amount of food so long as he brought it to her.

Chapter Fifteen

Colt

Sweats around his thighs, Colt gave one last thrust and felt his balls tighten right before his orgasm hit. Panting, he collapsed on top of Ivy who was draped face first over the back of the sofa.

“I’ve decided, I like when you play on Thursday.”

He moved the hair from over Ivy’s neck and nuzzled behind her ear. “It is nice having a few days off.”

“I’m just glad you decided to spend them with me.”

His body stilled, and he slowly stood to full height. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He hiked his sweats over his hips with a snap of the waistband.

Ivy’s eyes popped open, and she used the back of the couch to push herself up. “Nothing other than I haven’t seen you in over a week, so I’m happy to be spending some time with you.”

“I spend all my free time with you.”

She bent over, snagged her panties off the floor, and slipped them on. “I didn’t say you didn’t.” She tugged at the hem of her t-shirt, planted her ass against the back of the couch, and crossed her arms. “But it is hard to believe in a seven-day stretch you can’t find some time other than your one day off to slip me into your schedule. And even then, I only see you for a few hours. I know there are days you get done with practice early.”

“Yes, and on those days I’m too tired and sore for any moreexercise.”

Ivy threw her arms out. “Who said anything about sex? Is that all I am to you, some kind of booty call?”

“No, of course not.”

“Good answer. Because while I do realize that’s what our relationship is based on, I thought we were friends, too. You know, thefriendspart of the friends with benefits. Friends hang out. Order pizza. Watch TV. Are you trying to tell me you don’t do any of that when you come home?”

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