Page 18 of Sideline Sweetheart
When I open my eyes, I’m pleased to see Bryce focused on his meal. His gaze meets mine and a smile tugs at his lips. “Mackenzie, this is delicious. Thank you for inviting me.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.” I load my fork with some of the roasted vegetables. “So, were you able to work out your plan for the weekend?”
He looks up at me and grins. “Are you fishing for information?”
I smile as I look up at him from under my lashes. “Maybe.”
He takes a bite of his salad before answering. “I’m waiting on a call back to confirm, but I should know by tomorrow.”
Our conversation continues and when we finish our meal, Bryce helps me clear the table and load the dishwasher. When everything is put away, before we leave the kitchen, Bryce grasps my hand in his. As our eyes meet, his hand cups my cheek. “I’m not sure how I’ve waited so long to kiss you, but I don’t think I can wait a second longer.”
My breath catches in my chest as I take a step closer eliminating some of the distance between us. My voice is barely above a whisper as I say, “Then maybe you shouldn’t.”
His eyes dance over my face, as his thumb caresses my cheek before landing on my lips. The hand holding mine slipped around my waist as he draws me closer and when his lips touch mine, my eyes flutter closed. His lips are firm yet soft, gentle yet demanding. As his hand moves to the back of my head, his tongue licks across the seam of mine requesting entrance. I can’t help but melt into him as I grant his request. Our tongues danceagainst each other and as the kiss begins to slow, Bryce’s hand returns to my cheek. Resting his forehead against mine, I slowly open my eyes.
His smile is slow to develop as his thumb traces along my swollen bottom lip. “You know, I’m going to need to kiss you again.”
I reward him with a smile of my own before draping my arms around his neck. “God, I hope so.”
Chapter Eleven
Bryce
Once our team meeting concludes,I head down to Mackenzie’s office. I knock on her open office door so not to startle her. Her gaze immediately pivots from her computer screen to me standing in the doorway. “Hey, you,” she says as a smile pulls at her lips.
“Busy?” I ask, still standing in the doorway.
Mackenzie shakes her head. “Not unless you consider reading the latest medical journal, busy,” she says as she motions to a chair in front of her desk. I walk into her office and take a seat, her eyes tracking my movements. “I thought you would have already been headed home by now.”
“We had to go over travel details, so the team meeting took a little longer.”
“Oh, right. Sylvia dropped off my packet on her way to meet with you all.”
The season kicks off next week and we’re taking it on the road for week one. “Have you ever been to Colorado Springs?”
“No, I’ve only been west of the Mississippi once.”
“Seriously?”
Mackenzie laughs. “Don’t sound so surprised. In case you’ve forgotten, college teams don’t usually travel outside their conference. My first year at Clemson, we traveled to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl.”
“Well, we’ll plan a trip during the offseason. Do you ski?”
“I do. My dad’s family has a place in West Virginia. We used to spend Christmas break there when we were in school. To ward off cabin fever, my dad and uncles would take all the kids skiing.”
“Sounds like a lot of fun. My cousins were older than me, so we weren’t close growing up.”
I see a flash of sadness in her eyes as she tilts her head to study me. “I bet they are regretting it now.”
I shrug. “Maybe, but my parents have supported me both on and off the field. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Mackenzie grins shyly. “I wouldn’t say they’re the only ones supporting you.”
I chuckle as I rise from my seat and make my way around her desk. I turn her chair caging her in with my hands on the armrest. I dip my head and brush my lips lightly against hers. “You’re right, sweetheart, now I’m lucky enough to have you one the sidelines cheering me on too.”
“Mmm,” she hums as I run my nose along hers. “I could use a few more of those.”
I grin as I give her another kiss. “Later. How about I pick you up for dinner; does six sound okay?”
