Page 70 of Worth the Risk

“It’s a busy time, and I wish I could stop the clock,” I admit.

“Me too. I hate city life now, and I hate sleeping alone or at least not knowing the pillow next to me smells of you.”

I kiss her forehead. “You can always stay in Lake Spark, even if I’m not there.”

“I know. Maybe I will head there sometime in the coming weeks. I can focus on work, hang with the knitting ladies since April is still MIA from my life, and survive on coffee with jellybeans.”

“Could be a solid plan.”

Piper stares at me and her eyes flutter, and I know her soft playful voice is about to come on. “You should be in trouble for this move.”

I pull her flush against my body and wrap my arms around her. “Sometimes you need a little push, and I wanted to be a little traditional.”

“Should have done this before you spanked me in the bedroom then.” That fucking sexy voice.

My brows raise from her boldness, and I pull her tighter against my body. “I’m a little late on that, but I can spank you harder next time.”

She purrs into my neck and loops her arms around my neck, then she tilts her body against my dick. This woman is being a little vixen.

“Stay for dinner then we can leave together?” she offers.

“I wish, but I have a dinner with sponsors and won’t finish until late. Football season isn’t going to be on our side.”

She sighs and nods in understanding. “I get it.”

I crook my finger under her chin to tip her face up. “There are 168 hours in the week, of which about 115 of those hours are coaching and 35 for sleeping. I hope every sleeping hour you are next to me, and any hours left in the week are for you, but even so, it depends on where a game might be. But it doesn’t matter, as you are always on my mind.”

“I know. I’m getting used to it.”

Piper’s grandmother interrupts us. “You know if you marry, the coaches’ wives have an association.”

We both look at her, and she shrugs her shoulders.

“How much have you heard?” Piper wonders.

“Enough.”

I scoff a laugh again. “You’re something special, Ruth.”

“I know.” She doesn’t hold in any modesty.

Looking back at Piper, I’m happy that we can strike another milestone off the list.

* * *

Holdingmy phone to my ear, I wait for my sister to pick up. My driver is getting me to my next location for the day, so I have some time to kill.

“Oh dear, what have you done now?” Catherine greets me on the other end.

“Love you too. Can’t a guy call his sister?”

“You can, but you’ve been occupied lately. Speaking of which, I hear April is still giving you and Piper the silent treatment.”

I look out the window where we are stuck at a traffic light during rush-hour traffic on the north side of Chicago.

“She is, but I’m hoping to rectify that, as Piper and I are not going to fade away. I was hoping they could sort it all out, but that doesn’t seem to be happening, so I’m tapping in. I need your help.”

Catherine hums. “You understand where April is coming from, right?”

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