Page 89 of In The Game

“I’ve been on a few dates.”

Not a fan of that answer, but I’m curious.

“And?”

“And…”

“Did you fuck any of them?”

Her mouth drops open in shock. “Excuse me? Rude. Haveyoufucked anyone?”

I shrug. “Yes. Have you?”

She flinches at my answer. That’s a good sign, it means she cares.

“Yes, I have.” She straightens her shoulders.

I smile at her pride, but take no time to picture her with anyone else. I’m not envious, those other guys will never have the connection we do. They’llneverhave what we have.

“Did any of them make you feel as good as I do?”

She’s silent and looks down at the wine she’s swirling in her glass.That’s a no.

“Because nobody has ever come close to how good it was with you.” I hope that gives her some reassurance. The smile that creeps onto her face is exactly the response I was hoping for.

“You might have to remind me.”

That’s all I need to hear to take her hand and lead her through the house and up the stairs. At the top step, I look down, remembering her crumpled dress sitting right in that spot so many years ago. No games this time, she walks into my bedroom on her own, rather than tossed over my shoulder like a caveman.

Exiting the french doors off my bedroom, we step out onto the expansive deck that overlooks the lake below. The fresh, early summer air isn’t too hot yet. The spring peepers can be heard croaking near the lilies on the east side of the peninsula. Raleigh walks toward the railing and I kick back on the U-shaped sofa, enjoying the view. She makes herself comfortable, sipping her wine and running her hand through her hair. Not the way she does when she’s nervous, it’s relaxed and content. She looks like a dream. Aiming the remote at the natural gas fire table in front of me, a small whoosh of flames rise from the center.

The sky is filled with radiant pinks and oranges. This is one of the things I miss most when I’m traveling. Evenings in my own backyard. But the brightest sunset couldn’t pull my gaze from her. Goddamn, she’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.

“Wow.” Her voice is breathy as she looks across the water. “No wonder you like it here.”

I set my wine glass on the wide stone ledge that wraps around the firepit and recline, stretching my arms across the back of the sofa on each side, marveling her, taking in every detail. Being here with Raleigh is so surreal. I’ve envisioned it so many times and it’s finally happening. She turns and pads across the deck barefoot, cozying next to me and tucking up both her legs.

Shoulder to shoulder, we watch the sun melt below the horizon as we snuggle and sip wine.Yeah, this is our ‘normal.’Having my arm around Raleigh feels so natural, like I’ve done it a thousand times before. Never have I felt so at peace in my own home. I release a deep content sigh.

“Comfortable?” she asks, giggling.

“Very.” My thumb brushes her arm, and goose bumps rise from her soft skin. I grab a blanket from behind us and shake it open. Between the fire, the blanket, and our body heat, we’re quite warm despite the air cooling as the sun disappears and the evening sky grows darker.

She pulls her phone out and checks her messages, her face lights up and then she holds it out to show me. It’s a photo of Arthur fast asleep with an open book of koalas on his chest.

I smile and take the phone to get a better look. “I had a very similar night last Saturday.”

“Is that where he gets his partying from?”

“I’m serious!” I chuckle. “I’ve been reading up on koalas so I can keep up in conversation with him. He’s so damn smart.”

She smiles and nods. “Are you intimidated by a four-year-old?”

I nod. “I want him to like me. If he doesn’t, then I’ll never be able to sleep with his mom.”

Her easy laugh is sexy… but it’s nothing compared to when she sits up and straddles me.

Fuck.

---