Page 4 of The Long Game

"Are you staying at our hotel this evening? We’re booked full, but we always have a few suites held on reserve for just an occasion." He clicks away on his computer, searching for a vacancy.

"No, thank you. I’m looking for my friend’s room," I say in a low voice, double-checking my screen to make sure I put the phone back on mute. I don’t want to tip her off. "Lexi Benson."

"Oh, sir…we’re not supposed to give out guest’s room numbers." He matches my whisper.

I give him the bestI'm-not-a-stalkersmile that I can muster and try again.

"Damn, her phone died before she could give it to me. Any chance you could make an exception?"

I try flashing my brand-new Super Bowl ring as if all pro ballers should be trusted…not.But it works.

He clicks away again at his computer and reads off room number 8206 – the eighth floor. I hightail it to the elevator just in case he changes his mind and calls security.

As I get on the elevator, Lexi yawns. "I’ve been talking your ear off for the last thirty minutes. Why didn’t you tell me to shut up? I’m sure you have better things to do."

"No Lexi… I really don’t," I say as I near her door. I take a deep breath, praying I get the happy reception I’m hoping for and not a slammed door in my face. Or worse, it’s some other guests’ room by mistake. Knocking on a stranger’s door at almost two in the morning won’t fair well for me, Superbowl ring and all.

I knock quietly as it’s too damn early to be waking the neighbors.

"Oh my gosh, there’s someone at the door," she gasps. "No one knows I’m here."

"Don’t open the door then. Look through the peephole first. If it’s a crazed lunatic, call security on his ass," I say as I hear her footsteps coming closer and closer to the door.

"Tucker! You’re freaking me out. It’s probably just the front desk dropping off pillows or something. I’ll let you get back to your adoring fans but thanks for answering. I’m so unbelievably proud of you, Tucker."

I smile, the nerves in my chest calming just a little. I end the call, and the door creaks open—Lexi’s still holding her phone to her ear, her face confused for just a second before her eyes meet mine.

"Thanks, baby. That means a lot," I say, stepping inside.

Before she can respond, I cradle the back of her neck with one hand, pulling her close as the door shuts behind me with a soft thud.

Then she murmurs the words I need to hear. "I was hoping it was you."

I plant my lips against hers—pulling her body up against mine.

I move us backwards slowly, until we hit the wall on the other side of the room that leads to the bedroom of the suite.

Her body responds to me instantly, loosening up and melding against mine. Her hands find my shoulders, her heartbeat racing almost as fast as mine.

She’s wearing nothing but tiny boy shorts and a camisole—definitely not what I’d approve of her wearing when she opens the door to a stranger. But lucky for me, it’s exactly what I was hoping she’d be wearing for me.

Chapter Two

Lexi

I didn’t come to LA with the intention of hooking up with Tucker Evans; football god and now Super Bowl champ. Then again, when I booked my plane ticket, the possibility had crossed my mind.

I never thought he’d answer my call, or that he’d leave his team to come find me.

I couldn’t physically go to the game. You can’t just buy last minute tickets to a Super Bowl – I checked and then tried to bribe everyone I could find. Nothing panned out.

Instead, I watched it in the hotel’s lobby bar. With a packed house of other fans. Even without being in the stadium, I wanted to be in the same town as him when it happened. I knew he would win. Hehadto win.

His lips descend on me with force. God, I remember these lips. I remember everything about Tucker and his ability to turn you into a whimpering mess with every touch.

I remember the first time with him. It had been my first time ever. I had given him my virginity on our last day together at the lake house on my eighteenth birthday. Or more like, tricked him into taking it. He had been upset at first for not giving him the heads up beforehand. It was a big decision to not have let him know, but there was no one else I trusted like I trusted Tucker. I wanted it to be him. And he delivered like I knew he would.

I’m dreading the moment he breaks this connection because for the first time in six years, my body is thrumming back to life.

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