Page 45 of Shot Taker

“I believe in you the same way I believe the sun’s gonna rise and the basketball season’s gonna start in October. You’re legit. Your talent, your heart, all of it. You’re the real deal, Pink.”

My ribs are already so stretched it’s impossible to take another breath.

God, these feelings are confusing while I’m straddling him in his apartment.

“So then why did you tell me we were over?” I ask quietly.

“I fucked up.” Clay frowns, looking uncomfortable. “Things were going so well that I freaked out.”

“That makes no sense.”

He sighs. “The last time I cared about someone, it went south fast. I looked like a fool, but more than that, it messed me up on the inside. When I get messed up, there’s nowhere to hide.”

The hope is back, the sneaky spark of possibility deep in my chest.

There’s music in the background, but the sound of my pulse pounding is louder. I feel his eyes on me, intent.

“I blocked every mention of you in my search engine so I didn’t have to see stories or pictures of you,” I blurt.

His touch skims up my ribs. “Seems fair.”

“I burned your jersey.”

“You…” He shakes his head, eyes closing for a moment. “Fuck it, I’ll get you another.”

“I still have the letter you dumped me with.”

“You’re a pyro, it seems, so put it to good use.”

I bite my cheek as laughter rises up. “The other night at the pub didn’t change anything, you know. Your monster dick didn’t rock my world.”

“Only because you haven’t felt it inside you yet.”

The tingling between my thighs intensifies.

“I’m not sure it would even fit.”

“You can take me. It’ll feel good when you do.”

I cock my head. “For you or me?”

“For both of us.” Clay twists a piece of my hair around his finger, and his gaze drops to my lips. “Promise I’ll go slow.”

I’m aware of how close we are, the places we’re touching.

I want him so badly I ache.

“I can’t jump back into this with you. I need time to listen to my heart. And it’s hard to hear it with you right here between my legs, making everything seem like a good idea. Okay?”

He nods slowly, his eyes dancing.

Even if we did start over, it would have to be something new.

Different.

The idea lights up the back of my brain.

I start to shift off him and my phone slips. I grab for it and look at the contract again.

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