Page 18 of Scoring Position

I pull back, resting my forehead on his as we both gasp for breath. As much as I want to keep going, we need to think before we act. The hormones raging through our bodies right now have us acting on instinct, and with everything he just told me, I don’t want to make any reckless decisions.

He sighs in defeat, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me into a hug. I return the embrace because I still want the connection. I just want to be sure we both know what’s at stake if this thing gets out of hand.

Leaning my head on his firm shoulder, I feel his heart pounding against me. I stay there, holding him until I feel it return to its normal rate, only speaking when I’m sure we’re both cooled off. “I didn’twantto stop,” I say, sitting up to look him in the eyes. “I just think we need to slow down. You just told me something very heavy and personal. I’m glad you trusted me with it, but I don’t want you to regret anything we said or did tonight in the morning. Plus, I literallyjustgot legally divorced. We were separated over a year ago, but the ink isn’t even dry on the official papers. You’re the first person I’ve kissed since him, and I don’t want to rush into anything without us both being sure that we can handle the consequences.”

His brows pull in. “What consequences?” It’s not his fault that the reality of this whole situation isn’t clicking in his head. He’s a young guy with the world in the palm of his hand. He’s been through stuff, but not in a way that would make him aware of what could happen if we took this too far.

“Ace, I’m ten years older than you, divorced, unemployed, and I have no idea if I’m even going to be able to go back to school to finish my degree. I’m sure I’m nothing like those women who throw themselves at you. I don’t dress up or wear a ton of makeup. I havegoing-outyoga pants that I wear when I go to the fancy grocery store, and ratty ones for when I’m just going to the one on the corner by my house. I’m in bed everynight by nine, and I can’t remember the last time I went out and got drunk. You literally had to bribe me to have fun. What do you think I could really offer you that you couldn’t get from some nice girl your own age who you have more in common with?”

His eyes harden as he looks at me, and suddenly, I feel like I’m in trouble. “First of all,” he says firmly, “don’t you dare act like you’re not fucking incredible. You’re smart, caring, beautiful and strong. You may feel like your future is up in the air, but it’s not. You’re about to be the best sex therapist there is, and I’ll be proud to tell the world I got to make out with you.” I roll my eyes, and he gives me a boyish grin. “And this ass?” he says, lowering his hands and squeezing. “I bet it looks just as good in your old, ratty yoga pants as it does in the fancy ones. You don’t need to get all dressed up or wear layers of makeup to look like the sexiest girl I’ve ever seen. You’re a ten, no matter what you have on. Trust me when I tell you that. I wasseconds awayfrom actually coming in my pants just now. That’s what you do to me.” He pulls me forward, and the proof slides along my center, making me stifle the moan that wants to escape from my lips.

I nod my head, leaning down and giving him one more quick kiss before climbing away and finding the floor with my feet. He adjusts his still-hard length, and I can’t hide the way my lips tip up at the corners.

“What?” he says, sitting up straight as though he isn’t embarrassed in the least.

He shouldn’t be. That thing is massive.

“Nothing,” I say, shaking my head. “You just got really hard, and all we did was kiss.” I giggle, watching as his jaw drops in fake shock.

“Wow,” he says sarcastically. “I poured my heart out to you, Sweets. I told you I don’t have much experience, and now you’re making fun of me? That’s cold.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” I say. “It’s just been a really long time since I’ve gotten that reaction. Actually…”—I pause to think—“I’m not sure I ever have. I feel…sexy.”

He darts his hand out, curling it around my wrist and pulling me down on top of him as we fall back onto the mattress. He rolls us over so he’s on top of me, dropping his mouth to mine once more. “That’s because youaresexy, Lark,” he says. “Tell me the name of every guy who’s ever made you feel like anything less. I just wanna talk.”

I bark a laugh, rolling my eyes. “Oh my God, no.” He goes to argue, but we’re interrupted by the quiet vibration of his phone on the nightstand, indicating that he has a new notification.

He scrambles off me, climbing up and unplugging it from the charger before swiping to the home screen like his ass is on fire. Seconds later, his eyes light up, and a bright smile stretches across his face.

“You owe me another night of wholesome fun,” he announces proudly. “I got a B on the last assignment.” Turning the phone, he shows me his grade, and I can’t stop my heart from squeezing in my chest at how happy he is.

“Nice work!” I reply excitedly before narrowing my eyes. “Is it going to beactualwholesome fun? Because I still think you had ulterior motives last time.”

He shrugs. “Thought maybe you’d want a rematch. I told you I’d be easier to beat if we weren’t wearing clothes.”

I scoff. “That monster in your shorts could probably spin for us, so we don’t have to use the app I’m positive you rigged again.”

He barks a laugh. “Look at you, making jokes. What a great way to kick things off.”

“Okay, fine,” I say, rolling my eyes in resignation. “What are we doing this time?”

“Stay with me tonight,” he replies. My brows pull in, and I go to argue, but he interrupts. “Nothing has to happen. I just want to watch a movie and cuddle. I promise I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”

I shake my head slowly, trying to think of an excuse. When I stayed last time, that was completely accidental. I was so tired while he was writing his essay that I passed out sitting up. If I stay tonight? That would be a conscious decision.

“Ace,” I say hesitantly. “It’s not a good idea. I like you, but we haven’t even known each other for two weeks. Do you really think we should be purposely sleeping in bed together? Plus, won’t you get in trouble with the team?” Hopefully, those reasons are enough to make him second-guess his request.

He reaches forward, taking my hand. “Who cares how long we’ve known each other?” he replies quietly. “I’m happy when you’re around, and I think you like being with me too. I just want to hold you, Lark. I swear I have no ulterior motives. I like the way you feel in my arms…that’s all. And no, I won’t get in trouble. They know who you are and what we’re doing. You have permission to be in my room.” His bright blue eyes connect with mine. “Please?” he pleads.

How can I say no to that? Not only is he adorable, but he’s right—I do like being with him. I can’t explain it, but I just feel different with Ace than I do with other people. Like I don’t have to have my guard up so high. It’s possible I could be reading him wrong since I don’t really know him very well, but my gut is telling me that I’m not. It’s just a movie and some cuddling. That never hurt anyone, right?

“Alright, I’ll stay,” I say, and his face lights up with excitement. I point an accusing finger his way. “But seriously. No funny business.”

He lays a dramatic hand over his heart as though I’ve wounded him. “Sweets, I’m practicallyvirginal. What could agood boy like me possibly do with a knockout like you that would be consideredfunny business?”

I raise a brow, crawling up toward the pillow. “You may not have on-field experience, but I have a feeling you’re a lot less innocent than you’re letting on right now.” I smirk at him as he reaches for the nightstand, tossing a bag of mixed candy my way before sidling up beside me and throwing an arm over my shoulder. I stifle a smile as he takes the remote and flips through the streaming app on the TV.

“What are we watching?” I ask, snuggling into him as I pop a sour rainbow bite into my mouth. I forgot how much I loved them until he fed me one the other day. Now they’re all I’ve been craving.

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