Page 22 of The Stunt
I look over at Tanner, who stands alone as he watches us. “I had a little help sneaking out,” I say with a wink in his direction. He gives me a quick nod and turns away as I bring my focus back to my girl. “Bella, I have to tell you something. I lov?—”
“Here she comes!” Dalton yells, smacking me on the shoulder. I look to where he’s pointing as the NFL commissioner makes his way through the crowd with the Lombardi trophy. Players wait their turn to kiss it as it passes by. Unsanitary? Probably. But it’s tradition and we’re all too hyped up to care.
Bella drops her legs and slides down my body before giving me one quick peck on the lips. “Go. We’ll talk later.”
I nod my head because this definitely isn’t the time to confess my feelings. I’ll get her alone and tell her that I’m a man obsessed before making love to her for the first time as my real girlfriend. Am I cocky? No. I just know we’re inevitable. I can feel it in my soul.
“Where’s Carlo?” I ask, lifting my head to look for him. As if he heard me, his head pops up from the crowd. I lead Bella by the hand over to him, only turning toward my team when his arm goes protectively around her shoulders as he leads her to safety.
I make my way to the trophy, touching it with my hand as it passes by. I want Bella’s lips to be the last thing on mine, not some piece of metal. She’s the real prize. This whole season, all I cared about was winning this game. I never expected the win to come in second place to the feeling of falling in love with Bella Simon. She’s my whole world. All the other stuff is just the cherry on top of an amazing year.
I watch proudly as my teammates take the stage, making speeches to thank their families, friends, and the fans. Tanneraccepts his Most Valuable Player award, which he rightfully earned today. After the trophies are given and we’ve all done our on-field interviews, I head toward the locker room and jump in the shower. The excitement is still thick in the air as I wrap a towel around my waist, hurrying to my locker. I just want to get dressed and get back to Bella so we can congratulate each other properly.
“Hey, Mr. Defensive Player of the Year,” Dalton says, causing me to whip around with my brows furrowed in confusion. “Get your girl. We’re going to Vegas!”
“I’m going to need you to repeat that,” I say.
He winks. “Plane’s all ready for us at the airport. Let’s get fucked up!” he yells, earning a collective cheer from around the room.
“Repeat the first part, dickhead,” I say. “It sounded like you called me DPOY.”
“Yep,” he says. “Maybe if you hadn’t rushed off to the showers, you’d have heard the announcement. Congrats, bro.” He slaps me on the shoulder.
Holy shit.
I got the ring, the highest honor for a defensive player, and I’m about to get the girl. It’s good to be Maverick Moran.
“So,” he says. “Put your dick away, grab Bella, and let’s jet, baby. The night is young!”
I get dressed and text her.
MAVERICK: Hey baby, let’s go to Vegas.
BELLA: And kiss the single life good-bye? LOL
MAVERICK: Actually…
BELLA: Mav, don’t tease me.
MAVERICK: *wink emoji* Some of the guys are taking a private plane to Vegas. Wanna go?
BELLA: I mean, technically I’m a free woman. I can do whatever I want.
BELLA: Let’s do it!
MAVERICK: That’s my girl! Meet me by the car in fifteen. Tell Carlo to put the divider up and crank the tunes so I can eat you out on the way to the airport.
BELLA: *melting emoji*
BELLA
We board the plane and Maverick pulls me into his lap on the plush leather seat before burying his face in my neck. I giggle at the contact, but a small moan leaves my lips as his tongue traces my throat. He looks up before kissing me deeply. I should care, considering there are about ten other people on the plane with us, but I just can’t get enough of him.
“You taste like me,” I whisper, memories of how quickly he made me come on his tongue in the car resurfacing, making my clit throb with need.
“You like how your cunt tastes, baby?” he asks quietly.
I exhale a shaky breath as I nod my head.
