Page 45 of Playing for Keeps

“Youdolove me, right?” I ask as my hips stop rolling and I stare into his eyes. “This isn’t a game.”

“I’d never play with your heart or mine.”

Val stares into my eyes and dares me to doubt him. His power of persuasion is unparalleled. If he said he wanted a dozen kids, I’d smile and nod. Nothing is out of bounds while Val’s in charge.

My hips begin to move again. I hold his gaze, feeling carefree as long as we remain here together.

As he comes hard, Val wraps his arms around my body and pins me to his chest.

“How was I ever able to come before knowing your pussy?” he moans as his body finds relief.

“You were practicing for the big show. Now it’s your time to shine.”

Val presses his face in my hair and chuckles. He feels vulnerable in my arms. I hug him to me and let Val recenter himself.

His gaze finds mine and lingers for a long time. I feel silly just staring at him, but he’s a gorgeous man and I can almost hear what he’s thinking.

“I love you,” he says. “That part is scary.”

“I’m terrified, too. I’m used to feeling strong. But I’ll never be able to let you close if I don’t lower my guard.”

Val’s arms tighten around me. “Loving you up close is different than from afar. Better, of course, but also more calorie-burning. I’ll need to eat soon.”

Nuzzling Val’s throat, I smile at how his stomach already rumbles. I realize I’ll need to stock up on food at the apartment if he’ll often be over. Everything in my life is about to change.

“Rather than cook, I know a great sandwich shop,” I say as I kiss down his throat. “We could stock up on carbs to keep you going through the night.”

Val offers me a seductive grin as he asks, “Can we ride there? I’d love to feel you on the back of my hog.”

“It’s within walking distance, but we could take the scenic route.”

Val and I remain glued together for another five minutes. My body feels cold and empty when I finally climb off his lap. Val seems too naked without me attached to him.

Sighing wistfully, I feel myself starting to worry again. How long will our happiness last? Will Val’s heart grow cold toward me in a flash or over time? People fall out of love all the time, even without family curses.

“Don’t worry about tomorrow,” Val says and leans over to kiss me. “Or next week or next year. Just turn it all off and feel what’s happening right now.”

“I’m trying, but I can’t help wondering about next week or next year.”

“Don’t you think I’m overwhelmed?” he asks while searching for his pants. “I hadn’t planned to be your dad’s VP. I just wanted you. My only goals were winning your heart and building our house. Nothing existed beyond those two goals. Now I have plenty of pressure on me.”

I stare at him as he tugs on his shirt and smiles at me. “But I don’t let myself worry about riding with your pa or getting ready for the wedding. I’m right here with you in every way. You’re better than my fantasies, and I don’t want to miss anything.”

“It’s a choice,” I reply, understanding his point. “I can be present or I can hide in my head.”

“Life will always be stressful. We’re starting all the hard stuff right now,” Val says and hands me my bra. “We’re in charge of each other’s happiness. We’re tying together two families and clubs. We’re building a house and having kids. We can either focus on everything coming or we can enjoy each moment as it happens. I’m not a guy who over-plans. That’s why my stalking attempts were so poorly executed. I just wanted to see you, so I drove to Basin Rock to find you. Everything else was me winging it.”

I laugh at how crazy I’ve behaved with Val since we met. I was never really afraid before that night when I saw a chance with someone great and then immediately shot down the dream.

Val refused to be denied, though. That’s why I trust he can break the family curse. He doesn’t need a plan to protect our future. He only needs to believe in us. If I believe too, nothing can stop us.

Soon, I slide on behind Val as his motorcycle roars to life. The engine rumbles between my legs while my arms wrap around Val’s waist.

As we take the scenic route to Jonny’s Sub Shop, I guide him around town. We stop by my old schools. I show him where I took karate classes as a kid. We pass by the road leading to my dad’s house. Basin Rock feels small as I reveal its secrets to Val.

By the time we reach the sub shop, I’m feeling nostalgic about my childhood. Our little downtown spans only a few blocks, but I know every inch of the space. People aren’t strangers here. There’s no avoiding your enemies or dodging gossip.

As Val takes my hand and we walk inside Jonny’s Sub Shop, I imagine how Tumbling Rock feels to him. I bet every woman in town is a fan of his movie star good looks. He likely had plenty of enemies, too. Average men are often hostile toward those who inherited as many qualities as Val.

---