Page 50 of The Playmaker
She pulls me to my feet and crushes her mouth against mine as the crowd goes wild.
"Yes!" she says between kisses. "A million times yes!"
Somehow I manage to slide the ring on her finger and lift her in my arms, spinning her around. As I place her feet on the ground, Riley appears with her bodyguard—the very one I had threatened to hire for her—and Mrs. Mathews. Hugs are long and warm. This feels right, my family around me, no more secrets. As Hawk and Pen continue to fight over the mic and who is going to wrap up Avery's live segment on the field, and Riley oohs and ahhs over the trophy, I cup Avery's face with my hand, holding her close.
"This is forever, baby." And I mean every word.
"Forever," she agrees.
She takes my hand and places it on her stomach. "Forever, for the three of us."
Her eyes shine up at me as I process what she just said.
"You mean…?" I gasp and almost shout it out to the world that she's going to have a baby, but she silences me with a kiss.
"I thought you once told me 'no more secrets'?" I tease her, my fingers splayed out on her midsection.
"Our secret, for now," she murmurs against my lips as she leans in for another kiss.
This is one secret worth keeping.
I can't believe I'm going to be a dad! My whole life was turned upside down the moment Avery waltzed into it. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I hold my soon to be wife in my arms while confetti rains down on us and cheering still fills the air.
Tonight, I won more than the Super Bowl. I won at life, at love, and as long as my beautiful Avery is by my side, every day will feel like a better victory than the day before.
EPILOGUE 2 - AVERY
The wind blows through the open window of our rented beachside condo. Outside, little JoAnna toddles along the sand with three chaperones watching her—Pen, Mrs. M, and of course, Riley. It's been two years. Two years and two Super Bowl wins for the Phantoms.
Riley is living part time in London, pursuing ballet as a career. She's so happy.
Riley lifts JoAnna up in her arms, smiling at her. The name was fitting, after Jax and Riley's mom.
I feel his presence behind me before I see him. Jaxon Carter. My husband.
His strong arms wrap around me, holding me with the same protectiveness he gives to everything he cares about…the feeling of safety, the sureness of him, takes my breath away.
His face nestles in my hair, one hand moving up to cup my breast. "I love you," he murmurs.
It sends a thrill through me, excitement building in my body as I feel him growing hard against me.
I laugh, turning to face him. "Feels like you love me with every inch…" I tease, squeezing his length over his pants.
We share a look, a smile that speaks of our history together, of all we've overcome to get here.
His eyes grow darker green with intensity and I surrender when his lips meet mine in a familiar dance that feels new each time.
He lifts me into his arms and carries me to our room where the sound of the waves on the shore and the laughter feel distant.
"I want to feel you," he rasps out, the hunger still strong, still insistent as he looks at me.
He places me gently on my feet and slowly takes off each piece of my clothing, sliding the straps of my sundress down my shoulders, then peeling the thong from my hips. I moan as his lips kiss their way to my breasts, sucking my nipples and nipping at the soft skin there.
He guides me to sit on the edge of the bed, kneeling between my legs. His hand finds its way to my core, already wet for him, eager for what comes next. I feel his tongue land on my sensitive spot in a dance he's mastered just for me.
I can't hold back my cries as the pleasure intensifies, building in me when he slides two fingers in and hooks them just so.
