Page 73 of The Way We Win

I nod at Craig, who’s behind the small bar ready to put on the music, and I slowly make my way around the crowd to where the brothers are standing.

The kids have come in from the pool table area, which is separate from the rest of the dining area. I’m not paying attention to them as I quickly grab three Coronas out of the cooler and pop the caps.

Dylan is at the serving table smiling like everything is normal, and Logan walks over to put his arms around her waist and kiss the side of her neck.

The first strains of the song begin as I approach Zane and Jack holding the beers, as the girls hop onto the small bar and start popping their hips. Our eyes lock, and his gaze darkens.

Heat flows down my arms like syrup, and I hand a beer to Zane.

“Hey, thanks, Allie.” He smiles, but my eyes are on his brother’s.

I don’t even care if I’m being so obvious. Holding out the bottle, he looks down at me, blue eyes moving around my face, down my neck, before returning to mine.

He remembers the last time we played this song. He remembers what I look like in only my black lace bra and thong. On my knees.

He knows what I’ll do for him.

Everything…

Lifting his hand, he takes the bottle, and our fingers slide together. My breath burns in my chest, and I almost shudder from the contact.

Turning, I walk away from him, in the direction of the screen door against the back wall. The crowd closes in behind me, and non-pepper eaters are grinding and dancing. Kids are jumping up and down with their hands over their heads.

I step outside into the cooling air, but nothing can cool the fire raging beneath my skin. The song continues, and I wait, my mind counting down the seconds. I don’t even know if he’ll come to me. I came out here on impulse.

Seconds slip past, and the song is past the midpoint. He hasn’t touched me or spoken to me or appeared outside my house since that night. I’m not the one in charge here, he is. What makes me think I have any control over him or this situation or even how he feels?

My heart sinks in my chest, and I’m so stupid. I have no reason to cry.

Reaching for the door, I gasp when it opens in my hand. His tall frame passes quickly through the space, and he takes me by the wrist, pulling me away from the building.

A laugh whispers from my throat, and I quickly push the silly tears away. He pulls up quickly, turning me so my back is against the big live oak tree at the edge of the play area.

He steps closer, surrounding me in his distinctive scent of rich leather, warm woods. Before I can speak, he cups my cheeks in his hands, covering my mouth with his.

I moan on a breath, opening my mouth to meet his. His tongue invades, taking mine and curling it with his. He turns my head like he always does, devouring me, kissing every part of me, pulling my lips with his, raking his teeth across my jaw.

“You came,” I gasp, doing my best to hold his arms, his waist, as he kisses me like a starving man finding food.

“I couldn’t stay away.” He groans, moving his mouth to mine again in another consuming kiss. “It hurts.” Another kiss. “Physical pain…” Another pull of my lips, another swipe of his tongue. “My sexy little secret.”

My eyes roll back, and I gasp at the heat pooling between my thighs. “Why are we a secret again?”

“For Austin.”

“Oh, right.” I’m trying to remember why Austin would care. I’m sure he wouldn’t. “For how long?”

Warm lips trace the top of my cheek, and he lifts his face to meet my eyes. His are so full of affection. “Eight more weeks.”

“Fuck.”

He smiles. Lifting his chin, he looks out at the water, and he actually exhales a chuckle.

I hiccup a breath, ordering myself not to weep with joy.

His gaze returns to me, and I grip his wrists to keep from melting into a puddle on the spot. “It’ll get better. He’ll be back in the game next week, and everyone will see how good he is. Maybe we won’t have to wait that long.”

“I’m ready when you are.”

---