Page 40 of Rounding Third

“Who’s my new boyfriend?” I shriek as he tickles me harder.

“I'm your boyfriend, baby. The only man you’re ever going to kiss again.”

“Ok! You’re my boyfriend!” I squeal, trying to get away from him.

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, he stops and leans down for a kiss. I could get lost in his kisses, but I want to make something clear first. I push gently on his chest and when he breaks our kiss, he looks down at me in confusion.

“I don’t want you to call me baby. We’ve talked about this.”

“Can I tell you a secret?” He murmurs as he presses a soft kiss to my neck.

“Hmm?” I hum, unable to find my voice.

“I never called anyone babe or baby.”

“But you-”

“I slipped up and called you baby one time in college. You got spooked and I didn’t want to lose you, so I’ve called every woman babe or baby since. I only did it to make you think I wasn’t in love with you. I wanted you to think you were like every other woman in my life. Looking back, I was an idiot. I should’ve owned it and begged you to give me a shot then.”

“Travis,” I whisper as tears fill my eyes.

I think back to that first time he called me baby. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t think he was serious, so I asked him what he said. I was hoping he wanted more than friendship with me, but I wasn’t going to make the first move. Not when our relationship meant that much to me.

I think back to how he used to almost go out of his way to call other girls babe or baby. It always seemed weird, but I didn’t question it at all.

“No, don’t cry, baby… Do you want me to call you something else?”

“No. I just wish I had known back then…” I let my words trail off. He knows what I mean. I wish I had known how he felt when we were in college. Things would’ve been so different.

“So many times I’ve kicked myself for not asking you out, but I have to believe there was a reason we didn’t figure things out until now. Maybe we wouldn’t have worked out then.” He shrugs.

“And we will now?”

“I’ll stop at nothing to make you my wife, baby.” He slips his hands under the hem of my dress and slowly drags it up my body. “I’ve been waiting forever for this. I’ll never jeopardize our relationship. I promise that.”

Chapter 17

Smithy

I tug Liliana’s body closer to mine and nuzzle my face into her neck. There’s nothing better than having her bare skin touching every inch of mine.

“I love you, Sweets,” I whisper as I kiss the sensitive skin behind her ear.

“Travis! You just asked me to be your girlfriend like two hours ago.”

“So? They’ve been the most pleasurable two hours of my entire life.” I grin.

“You can't tell me you love me just because we slept together,” she groans.

“Fine, can I tell you I love you because it’s true and I’ve been in love with you for years?”

She taps her chin and thinks for a few seconds. A lopsided grin spreads across my lips as I watch her. She’s so damn adorable.

“Can you prove it?”

“That I’ve loved you for years?” I arch a brow.

“Yes.”

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