Page 72 of Fumbled Into Love

“Kissing you was my first thought,” he says before I can ask. “Truthfully, it’s pretty much my only thought.”

His skin flushes a soft pink, and I swipe my thumb against his cheek, his heat melting into my skin. Deon steps closer, standing between my thighs.

“You can kiss me whenever you like,” I say, pointedly ignoring the way the rest of the room is eerily quiet. I drop my voice to a whisper. “All you have to do is say the code word.”

I should be grateful he hasn’t because it’s keeping a leash on my crush, but a sliver of hurt creeps into the statement. I want him to say the code word. I want the butterflies I had when he kissed me. I want to bewanted.

That’s what I’ve been looking for.

And even if it’s only physical, I want to experience those butterflies, at least for a little while, before I have to re-enter the black hole that is today’s dating pool.

Deon gaze darkens, and a zap of heat hits my lower stomach.

“If I say the code word, I won’t be able to keep my hands off of you.”

His hands slide against my outer thigh.

I’m vaguely aware every member of my family is lingering in the kitchen, but Deon is consuming my focus. This is doing wonders to convince my family we are madly in love, but the problem is this doesn’t feel like we’re faking it.

This feels incredibly fucking real.

“Dinner is ready.” My mom’s voice clears the lustful haze, and when Deon clasps my hand to lead us to dinner, I clutch on for dear life, afraid if I let go, I’ll tumble into a freefall.

CHAPTER 17

“Did you realize the power you had over me when you love like that?”

Anything – Griff

Deon

Chaos erupts as the ball is snapped, landing in my awaiting hands. Bodies collide along the line of scrimmage as the offensive line secures the pocket. I bounce on my toes, scanning the field, waiting for Henry to cut toward the center. Cocking my arm back, I let the ball fly from my fingers, the football spiraling through the warm Nevada air.

If we were in Seattle, my hands would be frozen.

The crowd waits with bated breath as the football barrels toward Henry’s awaiting grip. The ball softly lands in his outstretched palm, directly in the end zone. For a split second, theworld is silent before Nevada fans groan in disappointment. Jack lifts Henry in the air, spinning him around in celebration.

Declan pats the back of my helmet as we jog off the field. The kick is good, and the offensive coordinator signals he’s putting in Tommy, the rookie quarterback.

We’re up by twenty-one in the fourth quarter. I don’t need to play anymore, and Tommy has been working hard in practice, he deserves the minutes.

He fiddles with his helmet as I call him over. Henry eyes me with confusion.

“Take a breath.” Tommy’s inhale is shaky. “Just have fun.”

He nods, running out on the field, and Henry pokes my leg with his helmet. “Mentoring looks good on you.” I roll my eyes, but the compliment settles in my chest. “I’m being serious. Your advice and encouragement helped a lot during my rookie season.”

“It did?”

“It was why I invited you to the diner when I needed help with Sawyer. I knew you would have my back and give good advice.”

I stare at him, the corner of his blue eyes crinkling the longer I stare. I never realized I had that large of an impact on them.

“I thought you had a stick up your ass,” Declan says with a shrug of his shoulder, and I double over in laughter.

Of course, he did.

The clock runs down, and as the game ends, I walk out onto the field, chatting with other veteran players and congratulating Tommy.

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