Page 73 of Second Down Darling

Of course, I saw him at the stadium where he had the game of his life. I’m so stinking proud of him, and I’m dying to show him some of the pics Itook.

He gave me a quick hug before the media person dashed him off to the press conference, but not before he whispered, “Can’t wait to see youtonight.”

Thatvoice.

Ishiver.

My toes curl in my shoes when I remember how it felt to wake up to a very naked and very hard Jake this morning. He said he has a strict ‘no sex’ policy on game days, which I completely respect, but I couldn’t help but tug down the sheet and give him a little peek of what he wasmissing.

Totally out of character for me, I know, but there’s something about being with him that makes me confident in a way I never have been before. For the first time, I feel really good in my skin. I’m not Dakota’s little sister or a wallflower afraid of my shadow. It’s crazy because we didn’t even go all the way last night, but it felt like some kind of weird personal milestone. I got naked with a man, had two freaking orgasms, and slept wrapped in hisembrace.

You know that scene inTitanicwhere Jack jumps up on the bow of the ship and screams he’s king of the world? Totally in touch with that rightnow.

Speaking of heartthrobs, the ballroom door opens, and there heis.

Everything around us fades away. I only seeJake.

He’s wearing a sleek black suit and looks so handsome, my insidesflutter.

He spots me right away and gives me that devilish smile as he stalks toward me. Leaning down, he kisses me on the cheek and whispers, “You look fuckinggorgeous.”

“Thanks. You’re pretty sexyyourself.”

His eyebrow lifts. “You think I’msexy?”

“Shut up. You know you’re astudmuffin.”

He grins in that playful way that makes my heart beat faster and hands me a box. When I open the lid, Igasp.

“You got me a corsage. It’s beautiful!” They’re pink roses with baby’s breath. “And it matches myoutfit.”

I bring them to my nose and smell the delicate fragrance. “Thank you. I loveit.”

He grins. “Full confession, Roxy told me what color you werewearing.”

After he takes the corsage out of the box and slides it on my wrist, his smilewidens.

Next thing I know, I’m in his arms and his lips are onmine.

I hang on for dear life and revel in thismoment.

When we come up for air, I look around. Yeah, several people are watching us, and Billy, that idiot, starts slow-clapping. His teammates join in, and I burrow my face into Jake’s chest as helaughs.

But then he grabs my chin and tilts my face to meet his. “Nohiding.”

I swallow and nod. He’s right. I’m done hiding. “Great game today.Congrats.”

His thumb grazes my lower lip. “Before I get distracted, we’re supposed to take official homecomingphotos.”

Groaning, I shake my head. “You know I alwaysblink.”

“You didn’t at thebonfire.”

“How do you know that? You haven’t even seen those photos yet.” I mean, he’s right, but that had to be afluke.

“I had a good feeling about it.” He winks. “Come on. My mom made me promise, so you can’t chickenout.”

He drags me to a giant archway of balloons where a photographer is taking formal portraits and taps the guy on the shoulder. I don’t hear what Jake murmurs to him, but he has a mischievous look in his eyes when he’sdone.

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