Page 95 of Second-Rate Superstar

Honestly, any day spent with Braxton was a great day. Each one better than the last.

There was only one thing that would make this day more perfect. I was beyond ready to give Braxton the piece of myself I hadn’t known I was saving for him.

Head on his chest, I threw one leg over his, sighing at the physical closeness we shared and how easy it was to simply exist together.

“Good Christmas?” Braxton’s chest vibrated beneath me at those words.

Sighing, I smiled, eyes trained on the glow of the Christmas tree in the darkened room. “The best.”

His large palm ran up the length of my back and then back down, settling on the bare patch of skin exposed by my crop top. “Would you believe me if I said I felt the same?”

Turning in his arms, I peered up at him. The firelight danced off his features, giving his eyes a golden glow. He was a gorgeous man—we were talking cover model-worthy—but it wasn’t his good looks that stole my breath away. No, it was the way he looked atme. The expression of pure love on his face made me feel cherished. I knew without a doubt that he believed I was his future, and I was done pretending I didn’t want it to be true. Together, we could create the family I’d always wished I had.

Braxton’s free hand brushed an errant curl from my face, and I leaned into his touch. This was home, being held in his arms. I didn’t need anything more. He was enough.

It was scary to think I had fallen so helplessly for a man I’d only known a few months, but here I was. I couldn’t deny it any longer. I was in love with Braxton Slate. The stubborn, charming man had gotten under my skin, taking his time working his way into my life, never giving up on me no matter how hard I’d pushed him away. His adorable three-year-old wingman certainly hadn’t hurt his case, either. How could you not love aman as patient and kind as Braxton? It simply didn’t seem possible. And I was done fighting it.

“You’ve given me no reason not to believe you.” I gave him a small smile.

Dipping his head, he brushed his lips against mine, sparking electricity along my skin. It was tender and slow, but it was the first kiss of our forever—of that, I was sure.

Needing more, I climbed onto his lap, deepening the kiss, sliding my tongue against his, and swallowing his groans as his cock swelled to life beneath me. Unable to help myself, I rocked against him, chasing the pleasure the friction provided.

Tearing his mouth away, Braxton dropped his head to my chest, his harsh breathing filling the silent room. “Baby, you gotta slow down.”

I was done playing it slow, playing it safe. I wanted this. No, Ineededthis.

Running my fingers through his dark hair, I mused, “You know, there’s one more piece of research I need for my book, and only you can help me.”

Lifting his head, Braxton’s brows were furrowed. “You’re thinking about your book right now?”

When I chewed on my lower lip, his eyes fixated on my mouth. Tugging his hair so that he would see that I meant the following words, I waited until his eyes locked on mine before replying, “I don’t know what it’s like to fuck a hockey player.”

Whiskey eyes flared a moment before his lids lowered to half mast, lust filling his gaze. Wrapping both arms around me, he squeezed me tight to his chest.

“You’re worth the wait. I refuse to rush you.” His voice was husky, bordering on pained.

“You’re not.” I shoved at his chest until he loosened his hold enough for me to capture his face in my hands. “I get it. You’re being careful with mebecause I’ve given you every reason to be afraid that I’ll spook and run. But I won’t. I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. Waiting for you.”

His eyes closed, and my name was said like a prayer, “Dakota.”

“You’re it, Braxton. I finally see it. I’m just sorry it took me so long.”

A shaky breath flew past his lips, and his eyelids raised. The tenderness staring back at me was like a sledgehammer to the chest. Warmth spread from my head to my toes. He was everything I never knew I needed.

“I would have waited forever for you, Firefly,” he breathed.

“I know.” I caressed his cheeks with my thumbs. “But I’m done waiting. Forever starts today.” Sheepishly, I dropped my eyes. “If that’s okay with you.”

“Fuck,” Braxton cursed. “Of course, it’s okay with me.” The words were said softly, but the punishing kiss that followed was anything but.

Moaning into his mouth, I slid my hands to his shoulders, anchoring myself against the onslaught of emotions that swirled within me. Forget emotions; my body was on fire, needing to get closer. Hands gripped my ass, and before I knew what was happening, we were moving across the room.

Braxton carried me into my bedroom, kicking the door shut behind us. We didn’t make it to the bed. My ass met with the hard wood of the dresser right inside the door as Braxton stood between my open thighs, devouring my mouth as his pelvis ground against mine. My head fell back against the wall, my breathing changing to pants as he kissed a path down my neck, licking the hollow at the base of my throat.

Murmuring against my skin, his words were breathy. “Do you have any idea how many times I’ve pictured this? That small taste in your living room only made me crave you more.”

A whimper escaped my parted lips. Hearing the desperation in Braxton’s voice only spurred me on, and my fingers grasped the hem of my top, wrenching it over my head.

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