Page 120 of Fielder's Choice

He gives me a sheepish look. “Yeah… that was a slip of the tongue… but it is still something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”

“Is that so?” I look up at him in reverence. This man oozes confidence, but I can see how nervous he is to have this conversation. It’s endearing.

“Yeah,” he sighs. “I don’t want to pressure you, but… I don’t want to do this no-label thing anymore. I want to be with you. Really be with you.”

I press my forehead against his and capture his eyes. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you, too.”

“You have?”

I nod. “I just didn’t find the right time to do it.”

Lane pulls me closer, my body flush against his chest. “Are you saying you want a label, Ballerina?”

“Yes, Hotshot,” I smile. “We’re already together—why not make it official?”

“I haven’t had a girlfriend in close to a decade,” he admits nervously. “I can’t promise I’ll always get it right.”

“Just be you. That’s all I need.”

In an instant, Lane’s lips are on mine in a fierce and passionate kiss. He lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he walks us to his bedroom.

We break our kiss when he gently places me down on the mattress.

“Bedroom, huh?” I tease.

“This is where I plan to spend the rest of the night, baby,” he smirks. “Be it for fun or sleep, I don’t care. I just want to be here with my girlfriend.”

I can’t help but smile. “I’ve never been somebody’s girlfriend before.”

“Happy to have you first then, Liv,” Lane smiles, stroking his thumb over my cheek.

Have me last, too,I think to myself, and those simple words tell me how hard I’m falling for him. He’s my first boyfriend, and I’m already hoping he’ll be my last.

I love the thought of it.

“So,” I say, trailing my finger slowly up his crisp, white shirt. “You said you don’t care if we’re in here for fun or for sleep, but do you have a preference?”

His smirk is devilish. “Well, I can’t say I’m all that tired, but you make the calls here, baby.” Lane leans closer to me, brushing his lips over mine. “So what do you want, Liv?”

I look right into his eyes as I reply, “I want to have fun.”

He pulls my bottom lip between his teeth. “Good girl. I’ll make sure you have plenty of fun tonight.”

Lane takes a step back and unbuttons his shirt, letting it fall off his shoulders and onto the floor. He saunters back over to me, and I don’t take my eyes off him. “A little eye candy for you.”

“Not too bad for an old man,” I tease, and he gently pushes me back on the bed, lowering his body on top of mine.

“I’m starting to think you’re a brat, baby.”

“I thought I was a good girl,” I breathe.

“You’re a goddamn tease is what you are. You’ve been teasing me in this dress all damn night.”

I place my hand on the back of his head and bring his face closer. “But you like it when I tease you, baby.”

Lane’s smile is devious, and I have to clench my thighs together at the sight. “Yes, I fucking do,” he growls before his mouth is on mine, and his hand slips under the hem of my dress. He spreads his palm out over my thigh and lets his thumb graze closer to my core. “Maybe I should tease you, too.”

I look at him aghast. “You wouldn’t.”