Page 39 of Rounding Third

“Why were you stalking me and crashing my date?”

“Sweets,” he groans.

“That’s not an answer, Trav.” I place my hands on his shoulders and scoot closer to him. I can feel how hard he is under me and I try my hardest to ignore it. I need him to answer this question, then we can move forward… or I’ll go home. I guess it depends on how he answers.

“I didn’t want you going on a date with him,” he confesses as his hands land on my waist.

“What’s wrong with Kevin?”

“He’s not me.”

“What do you mean?” I ask slowly. I know what he’s saying, but I want to hear him say it. When he doesn’t respond, I push. “I need the words, Travis.”

“I don’t want you going on a date with anyone except me, Sweets. I want you. I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember, but I'm too chickenshit to do anything about it. I know you’re too good for me. I know you could do a million times better than me, but every time I think about you with someone else, I end up punching things.”

“That probably isn't smart.” I frown at him.

“Are you fucking kidding me? That’s what you focused on out of everything I said?” He lets his head fall back until he’s staring up at the ceiling and lets out a growl of frustration.

“Hey,” I whisper, working the buttons on his shirt, I begin unbuttoning one at a time.

“Hmmm?” He makes a noise, refusing to look at me.

“I'm not mad at you.”

“You’re not?” He only drops his chin enough to meet my gaze.

“Nah, I’ve liked you for as long as I can remember. I'm chickenshit too.”

“Oh, thank fuck!” Smithy tightens his grip on my waist and tugs my chest flush against his. I let out a little yelp of surprise, but it doesn’t stop him.

His lips are crashing into mine before I can even process what’s going on. He wraps an arm around my waist and places his other hand on my thigh. He tilts his head to the side and deepens the kiss. When I give him the opportunity, he slips his tongue past my lips and plays with mine.

I don’t hesitate to run my hands over his chest and shoulders. I’ve touched him countless times, but never like this. Never while his lips were on mine.

“Holy crap,” I whisper as he pulls away. Both of our chests are heaving and our lips are swollen. But that was the best kiss of my life.

“You’re mine now, you realize that, right?”

“I’ve always been yours, you just didn’t realize it.”

“This dress though… Was Winnie trying to kill me?” He toys with the hem, letting his fingers brush over my upper thighs.

“She was convinced you’d stop my date or crash it.” I grin when he scowls at me.

“She wouldn’t tell me where you were going with Kevin. That’s why I had to sit outside of your apartment like a stalker.”

“If it were anyone else, I might be creeped out.”

“What were you thinking when I didn’t stop you from going?” He asks after a few moments of silence.

“I assumed you didn’t want me. It hurt. I was so sure something had changed recently.” I lift my shoulder in a shrug. What else am I supposed to say?

“I was so close to confessing how I felt so many times. I’d stop myself at the last second, then kick myself for stopping. I just didn’t know how to go from friends to more.”

“Stalking is always a good option.” I smirk.

“That’s it!” He flips us so my back is on the mattress and he’s hovering over me. “You shouldn’t tease your new boyfriend.” He tickles me, his own chuckle filling the air.

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