Page 10 of Rounding Third

My mind drifts to the times we’re out in public. I do flirt with her, but I also flirt with other women. Is that making her think I'm not seriously interested in her?

I feel like such a dick. I honestly flirt because it’s the best way to make fans happy and I don’t have a girlfriend so I didn’t think I was hurting anyone. Apparently, I was hurting the only person who really matters to me.

We’re quiet as we finish eating and Liliana grabs her laptop again. Before she can open it or get started, I take the spot on the lounge and pat my lap.

“What?” She glances at me as she ties her blonde hair into a messy bun on the top of her head. I love when she wears her hair like that. I crave peppering her with kisses and nipping at herskin, but I know that can't happen. Not unless I can convince her to date me.

“Come sit with me.”

“I have to work.”

“I'm not going to stop you from working, I just… I don’t know, Sweets. I just need you close.”

She stares at me for a solid ten seconds, which feels like a lifetime when you’re waiting to see if you’ll be turned down, then she slowly moves over to me and settles between my legs.

I don’t waste a second, I wrap my arms around her waist and hold her tightly against my chest. I don’t know why I'm so touchy with her tonight, but I am. I need to know nothing has changed for the negative and that means she has to let me hold her.

I smile as I rest my head back on the cushion and close my eyes. She’s leaning against me, her head resting in the center of my chest. She doesn’t complain about where my arms are and I'm not moving unless she makes me.

Soon the silent room fills with the sound of her fingers dancing over the keys and her brilliance coming out in the document she has open.

I don’t know how long we lay like that, but at some point, Liliana lets out a long breath. She does it every time she finishes writing an article, especially a difficult one. She closes her computer and sets it on the couch next to us.

She twists and adjusts her head. I know she’s staring up at me, even with my eyes closed. Her fingers softly brush over the thick scruff on my jaw. I fight to keep a smile from spreading across my face. I don’t want her to know I'm awake, then she might make me leave.

Where I take every opportunity to touch Liliana, she rarely initiates any touching. I wonder what would happen if I begged her to sleep in my arms? If I made sure I was shirtless, would sherun her hands up and down my chest and abs? Would she kiss me or would she lay stiffly in my arms?

“What’s going on with you, Trav?” She runs her fingers through my curly hair and lets out a soft sigh. “I wish I could set your mind at ease. You’re the most important person in my life. There’s nothing I would do to jeopardize our relationship. I need you so much more than you need me and that scares me.”

Her fingers disappear and it takes everything in me to keep from opening my eyes and beg her to keep touching me. Beg her to keep telling me how she really feels.

Liliana twists in my arms so she’s lying on her side. She wraps one arm around my waist and tucks the other one under her cheek.

I scoot down a little further, taking her with me. I don’t plan on moving from this spot tonight, not unless she asks me to leave. Hell, even if she does ask me, I’ll try to talk her into letting me stay. Anything to keep this amazing woman in my arms.

“Ten more minutes,” I murmur as the alarm goes off, waking me from my amazing dream.

A dream so wonderful I don’t want to wake up from it. One where Liliana is my wife and we have the perfect life together.

“I need to get up, Trav. I have to be at work in an hour,” Lil’s sweet voice has me peeking my eyes open and a slow smile spreading across my face.

“Morning, Sweets.”

“Morning.”

“You didn’t kick me out?”

“Nah, you needed to be here… Plus, your man boobs make a comfy pillow.” She pokes at my hard pecs and grins, knowing exactly what she’s doing.

“I don’t have man boobs!” I protest as I flip us so I'm hovering over her and she’s staring up at me with wide eyes. “I’ll give you one chance to take it back, Sweets,” I murmur in a low, gravelly voice.

“And if I don’t?” She arches a brow, a smile tugging on the corner of her lips.

“Then I'm going to make you pay.” I give her a few seconds to make her decision and when her smile widens, I slip my fingers under the hem of her shirt and start tickling her.

“Travis!” She shrieks with laughter and wiggles around, but she can't get far with my body on top of hers.

“Take it back and I’ll stop, beautiful.”

---