Page 47 of The Game Plan

“Because I’m going to want so-fucking-fantastic-my-knees-are-still-weak every day.”

At this, his lips quirk, a gleam lighting his eyes, and I fight a smile. “I’m kind of selfish like that.”

Another step and he’s almost within touching distance, but he comes no farther. “Still not seeing the problem, Cherry.” His voice goes dark. “I’ll give it to you every day. Several times a day, if I have a say in the matter.”

He’s slowly coming closer, as if he’s afraid I’ll bolt. I want to. As it is, I press a hand to his solid chest. The instantI touch him, all my happy parts clench tight and hot. But I hold his gaze, don’t let him duck down to kiss me. “That’s theproblem, Big Guy. You can’t. You won’t be where I am. And I...”

Dex’s soft lips brush against mine, stealing the breath from me.

“And I...” I try again. “I’ll miss it too much.”

Again, he kisses me, a slow, melting nuzzle of lips. Soothing, tempting. Despite myself, I cup his cheek, stroke along hisbeard. His big, warm hand holds the back of my neck, keeping me steady as he gives me another kiss. No tongue, just mouthto mouth, an exchange of air. Just enough to let me feel.

“I’m kissing you,” he whispers against my lips, “and already I miss you.”

A ragged breath leaves me, and I break away from him. Not that he lets me go far. He holds my cheeks and presses his foreheadto mine. With his great height, the action makes it seem as though he’s sheltering me, his broad shoulders hunched, his thickarms surrounding me.

With another man it might be intimidating. I simply feel protected with Dex. Which makes all of this so much harder.

“That’s the point. I hate being left behind, Ethan. I hated it when my dad did it. I hated it when my mom decided to livein another country. I hate the idea of it now. I tried to tell you this before. But you’re...you, all sexy and sweet and strong and beautiful... God, I’m babbling. You make me babble, Ethan. No guy has ever made medo that. How am I supposed to resist you?”

“You don’t.” The corners of his eyes crinkle, but it doesn’tlook like amusement; it looks like pain. Perhaps the same pain I’m feeling.

“Last night,” I tell him, “was... I’ve never felt that before. Not just the sex, although... Hell, Ethan Dexter, yourock my world.” My fingers tighten on his jaw. “I know I said I’d try but... Shit... now I know it will slowly killme not to have all of you.”

“You have me,” he rasps as though I’m killing him now. “You fucking have all of me.”

His declaration rips through my heart. We’ve only had a few days together.

Already he knows as well as I do that the connection we made altered us. But I’m afraid I can only bend so far before I break.My throat swells tight.

“That’s the thing. I don’t have you. I will never have you with me all of the time.”

His body jerks, and I’m the one holding tight, afraid he’ll pull away.

“Ethan, I wouldn’t change you for the world. Football is part of who you are. Take that away, and I take away an essentialcomponent of you. But it doesn’t change the fact that if I don’t pull back now, I’ll regret it.”

He steps away, shoving his fisted hands deep in his pockets. Massive muscles bunch along his shoulders and down his arms.His expression is like stone, but Dex was never very good with hiding emotion in his eyes. Maybe he doesn’t want to. So muchpain there. Anger too.

“I never want to be a regret to you, Fiona.” His throat works on a swallow, and he glances away, giving me his strong profile.“I don’t want to let you go. But if that’s what you want, I’ll respect your decision.”

So fucking grown-up. I don’t feel like one. I’m the stupid kid who makes all the wrong choices. Is this one of them? I’m trying to do the right thing, and I know my usual selfwould toss caution to the wind and screw the consequences. But that’s led me down too many bad roads.

This is the smart choice. End it now before I turn into a whining, nagging leech girlfriend.

An unsteady breath leaves me. “I—”

He holds up a hand, his eyes still not meeting mine. “I can’t. Whatever it is you want to say just...” He moves then, fasterthan I’d have ever imagined.

Before I can even blink, he has me, his hands fisting my hair, his mouth on mine. It’s hard—his grip, his touch. He takesme, parting my lips with his, plunging his tongue in deep.

My knees do that weak thing again as he kisses the ever-loving fuck out of me. I can’t even hold on, I’m too dizzy with thefeel of him just taking what he wants.

When my air runs out, his lips leave mine on a soft gasp. Dex rests his forehead against my heated cheek. The tips of histhumbs run along my skin. And when he talks, his voice is so rough, I almost don’t recognize it.

“Goodbye, Fiona Mackenzie. You rock my world too.”

And then he’s gone, walking out of the room and not turning back to see me fall.

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