Page 35 of Make Your Play

I want to be a part of Riley’s life more than I’ve ever wanted anything. Maybe even more than I wanted hockey.

“That would be nice,” she says softly, a hopefulness consuming her expression. “Nova came to some of my early appointments, but other than that, it’s just been me.”

Moving away from the doorway, I step into the hall, entering her space as I lift my hand to cup the side of her face. “It doesn’t have to be just you anymore. I’m here, Riley. I want to come with you, but only if you want me there.”

She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, biting down as emotion passes through her irises. “I want you there, Nash.”

“That’s my girl,” I murmur, the pad of my thumb stroking her cheek. Riley inhales sharply, her eyes wide as they flash to mine. I watch hues of pink dancing across the tops of her cheeks and she bites back a grin and moves to walk past me.

I resist the urge to push her up against the wall and instead, I let her pass.

“I’ll meet you downstairs,” she calls over her shoulder as she makes a quick dash—or more like a waddle—to the stairs. I watch her until she disappears, a little confused by her quickly getting away, but also satisfied that I have that effect on her.

I head into the bathroom to get on with my morning routine and after brushing my teeth, I make my way down into the kitchen where I find her sitting at the island. She’s reading a novel I’ve been seeing her carry around for the past week.

“Whatcha reading?”

Riley looks up at me, a blush drifting across her high cheekbones once more as she slides her bookmark between the pages and carefully closes it. “Just some silly little romance book.”

I plant my hands on the counter and lean on them. “Is it spicy?”

“What do you know about spicy books?” she questions me, her eyes narrowing slightly.

I push away from the counter, shrugging as I walk over to the fridge and pull out a bottle of water. “I’ve heard they’ve been helping people figure out different things they like.” I pause, giving her a look of indifference. “You know, different kinks and stuff.”

Her eyes grow wide. “Who told you that?”

A chuckle escapes me as I twist off the cap and take a swig. “It’s not a secret, Ry. A lot of people talk about it. Especially the guys on the team whose girls are into reading.” I pause, my gaze roaming across her face before resting on her eyes once more. “Have they helped you figure out anything you might be into?”

She cocks her head, her eyebrows drawing inward. “I’m not answering that,” she says in a rush as she gets up from her seat and pushes in the chair.

“Because you don’t want me to know or because you’re afraid what might happen if I know?”

She steps directly in front of me, challenging me head-on, and goddamn my cock twitches. “Maybe it’s neither or maybe it’s both.” She winks, biting back a grin before she turns away and starts to walk toward the living room. She glances over hershoulder at me, waving for me to follow. “Let’s go before we’re late.”

***

Standing to the side of the bed, I stare down at Riley, watching the doctor squirt lube onto Riley’s stomach. She lets out a soft laugh, glancing up at me with her smile reaching her eyes. Instinctively, I take another step closer, moving until the fronts of my thighs touch the table.

“Who did you bring along today?” the doctor asks Riley as she presses the receiver attached to a small device and begins to move it through the lube.

“This is Nash,” she tells the doctor, looking at the middle-aged woman with her smile still wide. “He’s been keeping me company and making sure I’m not overdoing things.”

“And feeding her all the enchiladas money can buy,” I add, winking at her as she glances at me.

Riley laughs again. “Yes, can’t forget that.”

“Well, you sound like quite the keeper,” the doctor says as she glances at me and back at Riley’s stomach. She moves the wand around until a loud whooshing sound begins to come through the speaker attached to the device. “There’s the little guy. He was trying to hide from me.”

My eyes widen, amazement and wonderment flooding me as I stare down at Riley’s stomach. My gaze quickly flashes to hers. “Is that him?”

She nods, rolling her lips between her teeth before her tongue darts out to wet them. “That’s him.”

“Holy shit,” I breathe, my hand instinctively finding hers. “This is wild.”

“It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?” The doctor looks up at me, a smile on her face as she moves the wand around. “He sounds perfect, Riley.”

I watch as she pulls the wand away and wipes the goo from Riley’s stomach. The sound of his heartbeat is stamped in my mind, stored away in my brain for safekeeping. I can’t believe it—I can’t believe I got to hear him. Something about this moment makes things that much more real. In a few short months, he’ll be gracing us all with his presence.

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