Maybe we’ll live happily ever after?
Not that I believe in fairy tales. I grew up without a father, and with a mother who was still in love with a man she knew for a week. That’s not very fairy tale-ish. It’s real, and in a way, I’m glad. I didn’t grow up with some unrealistic expectations of love and relationships. Life is hard, relationships just as difficult, and it takes work. I’m willing to put in the work.
“I gotta take care of this.” He drops a kiss to my forehead and slowly disentangles his body from mine.
I immediately miss the connection. Grabbing for the blanket, I pull it up over my naked body to ward off the cold. It’s a poor excuse for a replacement but will have to do. Closing my eyes, I replay what we just shared, trying to catalog every movement to my memory.
“Hey.” Landon’s soft voice has me opening my eyes. “Let’s shower.” He pulls the covers back, stands, and lifts me into his arms.
“What is it with you carrying me around all the time?”
“I like you in my arms, freckles.”
When he says it like that, I can’t be annoyed he’s packing me around like a caveman would, and the nickname, well that’s growing on me too. When we enter the bathroom, it’s already steamed up from the hot water. Landon steps inside, taking full advantage of the open walk-in space with me still in his arms.
“How are you going to shower holding me?”
He chuckles, a deep sound that vibrates through his chest. “You think I can play football holding you?” he asks, kissing the tip of my nose.
“Nope. I think the team and your coach might have something to say about that.”
“But everything is better, life is better when you’re in my arms.”
Who needs hot water? I melt from his words. “Sweet talker.” I pinch his side and he wiggles, finally relenting and setting me on my feet.
“Not fair.” He pouts, and I have to admit it’s adorable. He reaches for me, but I step back before he can make contact.
“Shower,” I remind him. “We’re never getting out of here if you don’t keep your hands to yourself.”
“Is that such a bad thing?”
“Yes.” I laugh, dodging his advances again. “I have to work tomorrow and you have practice.”
“Let’s call in sick.”
“Are you even allowed to do that?” I ask, reaching for the body wash.
“Sure it happens, but not very often. Most of us play through it.”
“We’re not calling in sick. We’re going to shower, and then go to bed.”
“So bossy,” he taunts. I turn to rinse and he smacks my ass.
“Hey.” I whip around to stare at him over my shoulder. He doesn’t look the least bit apologetic. “You better watch your back, Barker,” I tease.
“Bring it, baby.” He quirks his brow at me in challenge.
Turning back to face the wall, I finish rinsing off before stepping out of the shower. I managed to not get my hair wet. Not that it really matters as it’s still mostly wet from my earlier shower. After quickly drying off, I make my way back to the bedroom and find his T-shirt on the floor. Sliding it over my head, I slip under the covers. It’s hard to believe tonight was our first time together. He feels so familiar, like we’ve been intimate with one another for years.
“You good?” he asks from the doorway of the bathroom.
“Yes.”
He turns off the lights and, in a few long strides, is standing on what is now his side of the bed. He reaches for the lamp, clicking the knob, bathing the room in darkness. The covers rustle, the bed dips, and I’m being pulled into his embrace. His arms wrap around me and I let my body relax into his. “Night, baby,” he says softly.
“Night.” As soon as I close my eyes, I feel sleep start to take over. I’ve never felt more content than I do when I’m in his arms.
* * *
This week has been magical and exciting and too damn fast. My days have been filled with fielding phone calls, taking care of the animals, and making sure we have everything we need for Saturday’s adoption event. My nights, they’ve been with Landon. We’ve stayed at my place twice, and at his the rest of the week. Our lives are so different, yet we’ve still managed to intertwine them. At least for now. It’s only been a week.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” he asks me.
We’re at his place. I’m perched on the island watching him put toppings on our homemade pizza he just whipped up. He’s gorgeous, kind, loving, sexy, has a good career, and he cooks. I hit the boyfriend jackpot.
“Yeah, I think so. We’re hoping it’s a huge success.”
“What happens if all the animals are adopted?”
“That gives us room for more. We get calls daily that we have to turn away because we’re out of room.”
“I don’t know why that surprises me. I guess out of sight, out of mind. I never really gave much thought to so many animals needing homes.”
“Few people do. But, Landon, with one simple Tweet, you’ve brought the awareness to an entirely different level. Then Chance tweeted, and your teammates. I’m a little worried we’re not going to be able to handle the crowds.”
“Nah, it’s going to be great. There’s something I want to talk to you about though.”
“Uh-oh, that doesn’t sound good. We’ve barely started this boyfriend-girlfriend thing.”
“No.” He reaches for a dish towel and wipes off his hands, then places them on my thighs. “It’s nothing like that.
