Page 94 of The Secret Play

“But you love it here.”

I shrugged. “It’s like I told him. You and Winnie are all that matters.”

Her expression softened, “Casey…”

I kissed her again, slow and deep, trying to convey everything I couldn’t put into words. Out of the two of us, she was the one who was good with words, so I had to show her how I felt. Unfortunately, this time, it couldn’t lead to anything more than a cuddle. Tiredness was starting to sink in as the night's adrenaline wore away.

Eventually, we straightened up and began to dress. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of lightness I hadn’t felt in months. Matthew was headed to his ranch in Texas, my job was safe, and most importantly, the woman I loved was by my side. Truly, she was the woman of my dreams. I hoped I could be the man who made her dreams come true.

I asked, “Can we go to my place for the night?”

“Yes, please.” On our way out the door, she asked, “Do you want more kids?”

I laughed. The abruptness of her question had caught me in the middle of a fantasy of what I wanted to do to her at my place. Shifting gears, I asked, “Do you?”

“I asked you first.”

“Fine.” I hoped this went well. “I do. If you’re up for it. If you’re not, that’s okay, too. Winnie’s plenty for us. But I don’t want you to feel pressured?—”

She spun on her heel, facing me. “I want more, too. Maybe not right away—I want to spend time with it being just the three of us for a little while. But, on the off chance, we could make another Winnie, I want to try.”

My heart swelled. I stroked her cheek, and she leaned into it, smiling. She was perfect. I knew that before, but now, I had all the confirmation I needed on that point. “Then let’s do that. One day.”

Chapter 38

Gemma

The morning sunlight hadn’t begun to peek in yet as I stretched lazily under the sheets. My man had good taste in linens, from his flannel sheets to his super soft towels, and I luxuriated in them, while just thinking in the early morning hours. I never slept well after a crazy night or even a night out. It was a curse that had led to many long mornings replaying the events of the night before.

It had been the best night of my life after one of the worst days. Replaying every detail, I should have seen each surprise coming a mile away. But hindsight was twenty-twenty. How could I have known Nico’s sudden appearance was part of Casey’s proposal plan? Or that when Megan had been texting before she vanished with Winnie, it was with Casey, not Nico? Or, for that matter, that a proposal could save his career?

Strange how much could change on a dime and how unrelated things could add up to something wonderful.

I had thought my article would be the best approach possible, but I was wrong. Casey’s incredibly public proposal had flipped the entire arena’s energy. I went from a pariah, targeted for her actions, to the arena’s sweetheart in a matter of minutes. Even the woman who had come down to attack me had flashed me a smile after his proposal. Others sent us food and beer, and a particularly nice old woman bought Winnie a jersey.

People loved to have a villain to hate, but, as it turned out, they loved love even more.

I stretched again, trying to wake up. I knew Nico and Megan would take care of Winnie, but I also knew she could be a handful. She wasn’t a morning person, but I could picture her powering through, thanks to their presence. Still, I didn’t want to move. I was so cozy, and Casey’s arm was draped between us, his hand splayed possessively on my hip.

He was so handsome that it made my chest ache. That chiseled jaw, those perfect lips. Staring at him in the faint darkness of his room, listening to his shallow breaths…I would get to wake up to this face every day now. I could hardly believe my luck.

“Morning,” he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

My heart did that fluttery thing it always did when he smiled at me like I was the only thing that mattered. I’d never take that privilege for granted. “Morning.”

He leaned in, brushing his lips over mine in a kiss that started sweet but quickly deepened, his hand sliding up my hip to my back to pull me closer. He was already hard, his cock pinned between our bodies as we kissed.

I sighed against his mouth, threading my fingers through his hair. Whatever plans I’d had for the morning were forgotten the moment he rolled us over, his weight pressing me into the mattress in the most delicious way.

He reached between my thighs, rubbing, coaxing, playing. Nothing too fast, nothing hurried. I loved that about him. He played my body like he’d known me for years, but he had been able to do that since our first night together. The man knew all my spots, all the ways to light me up. His thumb circled my clit, fingertips toying at my entrance and setting me alight. They didn’t enter me—he was still taking his time. When I opened my eyes, pale purple light had snuck in through the curtains. I bit my lip as everything in me went tight.

He whispered in my ear, “I love when you make that face.”

I could hardly speak. Instead, I cocked my hips so his fingers slipped inside of me.

“Greedy girl.”

I nodded coquettishly, and he fingered me until I trembled.

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