Page 37 of Romancing My Grumpy Goalie

We sit on the couch together, and my heart is pounding. I haven’t done this in a while. I haven’t dated anyone since my injury. And before that, it was nothing serious for years.

Her breathing picks up, and she fidgets with her hands. “Should we watch a movie?”

“Sure.” I grab the remote. “Any recommendations?”

“That depends. What are you in the mood for? Action? Drama? Romance? Comedy?”

“You just listed the categories on every streaming service.”

She laughs. “I guess I did.”

“You’re so cute when you’re nervous,” I say.

“I’m not nervous! You’re the one tapping your foot over there.”

I stop tapping my foot. I hadn’t even noticed I’d been doing it. “What are you so nervous about, Anabelle?” I scoot closer to her. “Do I make you nervous?” Our gazes lock, and she inhales a sharp breath. This close, her warm vanilla scent surrounds me. Her lips part, and I lean in, brushing my nose against hers, bringing a hand up to her hair and pulling the elastic holding it back loose, allowing her hair to fall gently around her shoulders.Yep, just as satisfying as I’d pictured. I bury my hands in her hair, my fingers cradling the back of her head, all the while keeping my mouth inches from hers.

She waits, allowing me complete control over the situation, which is enough to drive me wild. When the tension becomes unbearable, I take her mouth in mine, finally tasting the sweetness of her lips, the sharp mint of her breath intertwining with mine.

She melts against me, reaching up to the back of my neck and pulling me toward her. I bite back a growl and kiss her more passionately, until we pull apart, both out of breath.

The kiss was pure perfection except for one thing. My heart wants to be involved, and I don’t plan on sticking around this town.

ELEVEN

ANABELLE

Lucas’s shoulders stiffen,and he pulls away from me.

Something is wrong. Am I a bad kisser? Was it my breath? No, I’d had a mint in the car. It couldn’t be my breath. There’s no way I’m a bad kisser because Lucas was into it at first.

“You okay?” I ask.

“I’m fine. But it’s late. I should probably drive you back so you can get some rest.”

“We haven’t even eaten dinner yet. You said the food will be here soon. What’s going on with you?” I push. I’m not letting this go.

Lucas sighs. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

I cross my arms. “Not until you open up to me.”

“We’re moving too fast.” He avoids my gaze.

“All we did was kiss. That’s too fast? You’re a famous soccer player. I took you for the type to jump from woman to woman without a problem.”

“Iwasa famous soccer player,” he corrects me. “I haven’t been like that for a long time. And I’m not proud of those years.”

That’s fair. I’m not one to judge a person for something they did long ago.

He’s sitting with his arms crossed, his signature scowl back on his face.

“Was I bad at it?” I ask in a small voice.

“What?” His eyes go wide. “No!”

This is a man in full-blown panic mode. He takes my hands. “You were perfect. But that’s the problem.”

It’s unlike him to be so open with me, and I’m not sure if I like it or not. But at least he’s not letting me think I’m a bad kisser. Unless I really am, and he’s trying to spare my feelings. But that doesn’t seem to be Lucas’s style. He’s never been gentle with me. Why stop now?

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