Page 52 of QB Keeper
I realize then that Tanner Lake really has always been mine. As much as I say he’s kept my heart all these years, I unknowingly had his, too.
The rest of the night is a blur. We laugh, dance, eat and drink while we watch our guys dominate the field, winning with a score of twenty-four to seven. And when they enter the suite after the game, all looking and smelling like snacks from their post-game showers, I fly in his direction, jumping into his open arms. I press my lips to his, making him freeze for amoment because it was unexpected, but he eventually melts into it, bringing a hand to the back of my head to hold me in place while we kiss. But I’m not going anywhere. I’m right where I belong.
“The foot thing,” I mumble against his lips. “Was it for me?”
He chuckles. “You saw that? Clever girl.” He lowers me to the ground, resting his hands on my hips as he smiles down at me.
“I never saw it. I couldn’t bring myself to watch you play after—” I don’t finish, because we both know.
“Doesn’t matter, baby,” he says. “What’s important is that you’re here now and I can tell you I love you whenever I want.”
He leans down, kissing me again. “Thank you for coming. I can’t explain how good it felt knowing my whole heart was right here in this stadium. And this?” he says, plucking the hem of his jersey that I’m wearing. I didn’t customize it because I worked until the last second on Bella’s, so I just grabbed one from his closet and accessorized it as best as I could. “I’m fucking you in this when we get home.”
Just like that, heat begins to gather in my core. I’ll never know how such simple words can make me so damn horny, but it’s certainly a superpower that’s exclusive to Tanner.
“Can’t wait,sir.” I whisper so only he can hear me. I turn to make sure no one is watching before sneaking my hand down between us, but he grabs my wrist, halting me.
He raises a brow. “Careful, Bunny,” he chides. “I distinctly remember the last time you made me hard in public. So, unless you want to wet the bed again, I’d rethink your next move.”
“Oh my God!” I say, slapping his chest before I cover my face with my hands. That is still hands down, one of my most embarrassing moments to date. But of course, he’ll never let me live it down.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
THIRTY-EIGHT
TANNER
“Baby,we’re going to be late,” I say, fastening my cufflinks as I walk in the door to the bedroom Grace has been using to sew. “You better be—” I’m cut off when I see that she hasn’t even started getting ready for the evening. She sits on the floor in a pair of denim overalls, a pink pincushion on her wrist, and a pencil sticking out of her messy bun.
The grand opening for her dad’s company’s housing project is tonight and she has a whole big scheme planned to let everyone know just what Cash has been up to, how he used his relationship with her to get to the top, and how he plans to start a business of his own with the connections he’s made. When she told me the whole story, I was livid. I wanted to get in my car and beat the shit out of him myself, but my girl deserves her retribution. She won’t tell me what she’s got up her sleeve, but I honestly can’t wait to see the fireworks.
She looks up at me sheepishly. “Sorry. Inspiration struck and I promised Dalton I’d have his wife dressed like the queen of the WAGs this Sunday.”
I laugh. “Dia could be in a burlap sack and every woman in the place would be terrified of her, while simultaneouslywanting to be her best friend.” She giggles as she continues cutting the fabric laid out in front of her. I reach out, swiping the scissors from her hand, making her scowl up at me.
“Tan!” she whines. “I need ten more minutes, then I’ll get ready. I promise.”
I shake my head. “Nope. You can finish this later. Get that fine ass up and ready, or I’ll use these,” I pause, waving her fabric scissors in the air, “to cut paper.”
She sucks in a gasp, her jaw dropping in disgust. “You wouldn’tdare.”
I raise a brow. “Shower. Now. Or I’ll spend the night making a paper doll chain a mile long.”
She scoffs. “Okay,Daddy Tanner,” she mumbles, making me chuckle before she hops up and saunters out of the room, swinging her heart shaped ass as she goes.
I pull up to the valet at the event center, tossing the keys to the attendant and rounding the front of the car to open Grace’s door. Her parents know she’s been staying with me while repairs are being made to the lighthouse, so arriving together won’t raise any suspicions, but I’m making it a point not to be outwardly affectionate until she’s told them about Cash. When I touch her and kiss her in front of her family, it’ll be with their approval. I just hope they don’t make me beg for it. I will if I have to, but I have a feeling her parents won’t object. Her brother, on the other hand?
Let’s just say I’m happy the Fury made it to the postseason, so I have a little more time to figure out how I’m going to break the news to him that I’m fucking his sister.
I’ll work on my delivery before then.
I offer my hand, helping her out of the car before putting itgently on her lower back while she walks up the stairs. Since this was such a special project for Bill’s company, he chose to make the grand opening into a charity event that’ll benefit the families moving in. His goal is to furnish every unit and start college funds for the children. I made an anonymous donation of one million dollars already, but I plan on making another one in the name of the future Mr. and Mrs. Tanner Lake later tonight. We aren’t engaged yet, but I don’t plan on waiting much longer. I was born to be Grace Valentine’s husband.
“I love you,” I whisper, quiet enough so only she can hear me as I drop my hand and put a few inches of space between us. I instantly miss her warmth, but I’ll make up for it when I have her alone later.
“I love you, too,” she whispers back, raising her hand in a wave. I look away from her just in time to see both of our mothers making their way toward us. I swallow thickly, hoping I don’t somehow blow our cover. I’ve never been particularly good at lying, and sweat beads at the back of my neck as I go through the million scenarios where I open my mouth and fuck this all up before my girl has a chance to get the revenge she deserves.
“Look at the two of you,” Libby says, giving us each a hug. “Don’t you make an adorable couple!”
