Page 104 of Passed Ball

And goddamn, what a sight. Vivienne's wearing a pair of ripped shorts that mold to her lush hips. She's leaning against the cement wall, one of her Nikes scuffing lazily at the shiny floor, her arms crossed like she has nowhere to be but here. I've had girls wait for me before, but this is different, and it might not seem so significant if I hadn't claimed her for the world to see before the game.

Her eyes lift and catch on mine. It's there too, in her steady gaze.

That kiss wasn't nothing.

I changed the rules of our arrangement without asking her and she's scared. But there's something in the way her lips twitch, giving me a hint of a dimple, as if to say,You started this, now what?

We have an audience for the second time tonight, but I don't care. Caging her in, I bring my lips to her ear. "There are a lot of places I like seeing you, but this might be one of my favorites." There's something about her being here on her own, for me.

"Why don't you take me back to your place and show me the other places you like having me . . . your bed, for starters?"

"Have something you want to cross off tonight?" I ask.

"No, I want you, nothing else."

Well fuck. That's more vulnerability than I expected from her.

Taking her hand, I lead her out of the stadium and to my car.

When we get to the house, warm light spills from the kitchen where Tenley's busy making freezer smoothies. She glances up as we walk in, her eyes darting between us. Even if she didn't know about her aunt and me, there's no chance she'd miss the heavy tension.

After a quick hello, I drop Vivienne's hand and continue through the kitchen to the nursery. I take the stairs two at a time. Checking on Holland when I get home is my favorite part of the day, but tonight I don't linger. She's safe and sound in her crib and I'm going to make the most of my night with Vivienne.

When I step back into the kitchen, Vivienne's barefoot and helping herself to a glass of wine while she and Tenley talk. The quiet conversation that was happening halts. Pretending to be oblivious to the fact that they were most certainly talking about me--orus--I grab a glass of water.

"I think I'll finish this tomorrow." Tenley grins, already putting the blender in the dishwasher and tucking the bag of frozen strawberries back into the freezer. "Leave you to your night. Holland's been asleep since seven--had a five-ounce bottle. It's all in there." She points to her trusty notebook.

"Thanks," I say.

Vivienne's cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink when her niece throws a wink her way. "Have fun and be safe, kids," Tenley adds, grabbing her bag and disappearing out the door to the garage with a bounce in her step.

"That was truly mortifying. She's never going to let me live it down," Vivienne mutters, her hands flying to her flushed cheeks as she leans into the island.

"Having regrets about coming home with me?" I lean casually against the opposite cabinet, arms crossed.

She looks up at me, her lips curving into a slow smile. "Absolutely not."

"Good." I push off and make my way to her, not willing to stay away now that we are alone. "Did you eat at the game?"

"I had a hot dog."

I raise a brow, fighting back a grin. "A hot dog?"

"Don't start," she warns, her tone laced with mock seriousness.

I chuckle, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear as I settle beside her. "I'll take that as a no. You need some real food."

"I thought you were taking me to bed."

"I've got a better plan." I grab the strawberries from the freezer and take the biggest, juiciest looking one from the bag. It's already half-thawed from sitting out earlier.

"You're going to feed me half-frozen strawberries?" Disbelief lifts her dark brow. "I think I prefer the original plan."

Her laugh is soft and warm, curling around the space between us.

"Patience," I counter, stepping closer. "Give me a minute and I'll change your mind. This isn't on our list but I think you'll like it."

I hold the strawberry between us, the cold fruit brushing her pouty lips--lips I'm dying to taste again. Her laughter fades into a stuttered breath as the icy fruit melts against her heated skin and her eyes lock on mine.

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