Page 81 of Trapped and Tackled

Dropping forward, I roll us until we’re lying side by side. She nuzzles me sweetly and I kiss the tip of her nose.

“I’m falling hard for you, Talon,” she admits. “Make sure you catch me.”

Again, I’m rendered speechless by her ability to make herself vulnerable. To share her truths honestly.

Noting the trust shimmering in her eyes, I decide to do the same. This woman has given me everything, the least I can do is be honest with her. I tuck a strand of her silky hair behind her ear and look right at her when I say, “I already fell, Leni. I’m waiting for you, baby. And I’ll wait as long as you need.”

She exhales slowly, her eyes filled with wonder. Then, she brushes her lips against mine. I kiss her back. Her palm drags up my side, and I begin to stiffen again, my cock already inside her.

She deepens our kiss and rocks her hips forward.

I groan and hold her face as I meet her, thrust for thrust.

We have sex again. Slow, deep, intense sex.

And somewhere between her release and mine, I comprehend that this is love.

I love Leni Strauss.

Things change after that. I’m so wrapped up in Leni, I don’t protest the vigorous workouts Coach outlines for me. Or retort when he threatens to bench me before our season opener in front of the team. Or act hard when my teammates cast guarded, skeptical glances my way.

I ignore their taunts and ribbing. Bow out of drinks at Corks.

And try not to react when Coach Strauss openly ignores me, allowing Stevens to give me feedback instead of telling me things himself.

I continue to show up for practices and give one-hundred percent of myself to every workout, each training session. I hit the city pool, often with Leni in the next lane, to get those extra conditioning sessions in.

But each night, I come home to my girl. I get lost in her touch, her kiss, her.

And it feels like free-falling. Every day of my life feels like an unattainable high I never want to lose sight of.

“Miller!” Avery calls out.

I turn to glance over my shoulder. He jogs after me in the parking lot, catching me about two SUVs from mine.

“What’s up?” I ask.

Avery sputters. “I should be asking you that.”

I shrug.

“You’re with Leni now, aren’t you?”

“Yeah.” My tone comes out harder than I intend.

“Take it easy.” Avery laughs, holding up an open palm. “Look, for you to risk it all to be with her, I get that it’s serious. The guys…” He tips his head toward the stadium. “They’re just fucking with you.”

“It’s fine.” I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks anyway.

Avery shakes his head. “It’s not. We miss you, man. Stop skipping out of practice as soon as you can. Come hang with us. Bring Leni along. If y’all are really making a go of this, you know we all have your back, right?”

I stall, shifting my weight from one foot to the next.

The truth is, I didn’t know.

For the past few weeks, Coach has acted like I don’t exist, and I assumed my teammates would take their lead from him.

“How serious is it?” Avery asks, his gaze curious.

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