Page 214 of Red Zone
Maybe longer.
I draw in a shaky breath, forcing myself to look up at him again.
His expression hasn’t changed. He’s still watching me, quiet and steady, letting me process.
Because that’s what he does.
He waits for me.
And somehow, that’s what makes my chest ache the most.
I open my mouth, finally finding my voice.
“Did you…” I swallow hard, my lips trembling despite myself. “Did you mean that?”
He doesn’t even hesitate.
“Every word,” he says, his voice low and certain.
I’m still staring at him, my breath caught somewhere between my lungs and my lips, when he reaches out.
His warm, calloused hand finds mine, and before I can stop him, he gently tugs me out of my chair.
And then, in one smooth motion, he pulls me down into his lap.
I gasp softly, my hands instinctively finding his shoulders for balance as I settle against him, my knees bracketing his thighs.
“Carter,” I whisper, glancing toward the house, my heart hammering.
But he doesn’t even flinch.
His hands settle on my hips, steady and sure, his dark eyes never leaving mine.
“Say it,” he murmurs, his voice quiet but full of that same certainty that undid me minutes ago.
I swallow hard, my fingers curling in the fabric of his jacket.
“I…” My voice shakes, but I force it out anyway. “I love you too.”
His jaw tightens just slightly, but his lips curve into the faintest, most breathtaking smile I’ve ever seen.
“That’s all I needed to hear,” he says, leaning his forehead to mine.
For a moment, it feels like the rest of the world falls away. Like it’s just him and me and this perfect little bubble where nothing else matters.
But then reality creeps back in, sharp and cold.
I glance over my shoulder again toward the house, the faint sound of laughter and clinking glasses floating through the slightly open door.
I start to shift back, my voice dropping.
“Carter…we can’t?—”
He stops me with a faint shake of his head, his hands tightening just enough to keep me where I am.
“I know what you’re gonna say,” he murmurs. “You’re gonna say we can’t. Because of what Megan said. Because I’m still an athlete at PCU.”
I swallow hard, my cheeks burning as I nod.
