Page 148 of Wait For It

“You’re kinda creepy,” Ari said, her voice scratchy with sleep.

I smirked and watched her stretch, the blankets falling away from her body and baring one of her perfect breasts. “Just admiring the view, girl.”

With a yawn, she patted the empty spot beside her. “The view’s better over here, superstar. Come snuggle me.”

As I stood, I was struck with a sudden need to propose. There was this fear that if I didn’t, I’d lose her forever. But I refused to pledge the rest of my life to a woman in panic. This was about what was best for her, not me.

Maybe if I repeated it enough, I’d believe it.

I slipped under the sheets and wrapped my body around hers until the noise in my head died away.

She exhaled a soft laugh and ground her hips lightly against mine. “Were you naked the entire time you were watching me sleep?”

“Just got out of the shower,” I lied, before pressing my lips to her shoulder blade. Technically, I’d been out of the shower for hours, but found myself too wired to relax. So, I’d kept vigil over her.

Ari craned her neck to peer up at me. “What’s wrong?”

I swallowed, resisting the urge to lie and say nothing—fighting against my selfish need to hold on. “I’m worried about you.”

She laced her fingers through mine with a frown. “Why? Because of today? Look at me, I’m fine. I mean, clearly, I’m not losing any sleep over it.”

“You know, I initially thought I was going to have to move across the country to find a team that would take me. But, as much as I wanted to, I knew I couldn’t ask you to uproot your entire life to be with me.”

Her gaze softened as she stroked the back of my hand with her thumb. “Hey, I would have gone with you in a heartbeat.”

“I know,” I admitted. “And that’s why I’m getting you out of here—just until the trial’s over.”

She released my hand and rolled to face me. “What do you mean? Where are we going?”

I brushed the hair away from her forehead with my fingertips, praying for a divine intervention like never before. “Do you remember Georgia’s trip around the world? Well, we thought—”

“Who is ‘we?’”

“Uh—” I managed weakly.Shit. “Tsega and Dean.”

She glared up at me, saying nothing.

“Slugger, I was just trying to do the right thing. They were talking about stoning you, and I’m not allowing you to stay here so they can make good on that promise,” I hissed, instantly regretting my choice of words.

“You’re not going to allow me?” Ari challenged, the sheet sliding down both our bodies as she moved into a sitting position. “And what if I refuse to leave? What will you do then?”

I’ll force you.

I shifted my jaw back and forth and swallowed my pride until I felt in control again.

“Ultimately, it’s your decision,” I responded carefully. “I was just trying to do what I thought was best, but you’re right. I should have come to you first with this. I’m sorry.”

She leaned down to press a kiss against the corner of my mouth, before sighing, “No, I’m sorry. I thought you were telling me what I could and couldn’t do. It annoyed me.”

“Jesus, baby,” I laughed. “If that’s you annoyed, remind me to never piss you off. Look, you don’t have to decide tonight, just promise me you’ll at least think about it.”

“What about you? Are you coming too?”

“Yes,” I blurted, before catching myself with a wince. “I mean, no. Fuck!” I massaged my temples and lifted my eyes to the ceiling. “With spring training and my PT appointments, I don’t know if I can right away.”

“I didn’t think about that,” she confessed, tucking her body to my side. “But when the season ends?”

“I’m with you, wherever that may be,” I whispered gruffly, my throat clogged with emotion. “I know it’s not ideal, but I’m afraid if you stay here, this will start to feel like a cage. And I couldn’t live with myself if I did that to you.”

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