Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
She glances around, as if able to feel the heat of my gaze singeing her skin. When our eyes collide, the air gets knocked from my lungs, making full breaths impossible.
I’ve never experienced anything like it before.
It takes effort to force my feet into movement as I cut a path straight to her. Hands reach out, patting me on the shoulder as people compliment my game.
Even though I say thanks, I don’t bother making eye contact with any of them.
I can’t rip my attention away from her.
Once she’s within striking distance, my hands slide over her cheeks and I pull her close enough for my mouth to crash into hers.
I don’t give a shit who’s watching.
All I care about is her.
My tongue sweeps over the seam of her lips before she opens, giving herself over to me. Only then does the beast raging inside calm enough for me to think clearly.
After I’ve had my fill, I pull away just enough to rest my forehead against hers before staring into her bright blue eyes.
They’ve turned hazy.
Just the way I like them.
I love that my touch—my kisses—does that to her.
Truth be told, it does the same damn thing to me.
I’m so tightly wrapped up in this girl that I can’t see straight.
“Have I mentioned how good you look in my jersey?”
Her lips lift into a smile. “You might have said something about it earlier.”
“Good enough to eat,” I growl.
The thought of stripping her naked and pushing her thighs apart so I can lick up all her cream has my cock turning to stone.
A groan works its way free from my lips.
It’s only when someone clears their throat that I break eye contact and find my parents standing a few feet away. Both of their eyebrows are buried in their hairlines.
I certainly can’t blame them for their bewilderment.
The last time they saw me take interest in a girl was with Sabrina back in high school. That was more than three years ago.
I force myself to back away enough to slip my arm around Willow’s waist and tug her close.
Not only are my parents staring at us, but so are Ryder and Juliette. A big smile lights up my sister’s face, which I take as confirmation that she approves of Willow. Ryder’s expression looks eerily similar to my folks’.
When spontaneous applause breaks out from my teammates, I can’t help the grin that stretches across my face as Willow’s eyes widen. She buries her face against my arm as a tortured groan escapes from her.
“What’s wrong, sunshine? You got a problem with everyone knowing that you belong to me?”
“I… We still need to talk,” she murmurs.
When fear bubbles up inside me, I stomp it out. I refuse to let anything dampen this moment. “We will. But not before I introduce you to my parents.”
31
Willow
Excitement crackles in the air as we step inside Slap Shotz. With the Wildcats riding high from their win this evening, there’s a heightened exuberance to the atmosphere that feels infectious. I’ve been pinned to Maverick’s side ever since he walked out of the locker room, kissed me in front of everyone, then introduced me to his family.
They were all so warm and welcoming. Even though I only spent a short period of time around them, it’s easy to see that he, his parents, and Juliette are tight knit. They offered to take us out to eat, but Maverick declined, wanting to celebrate their win tonight with his teammates.
Britt and Fallyn can’t stop beaming at me. The rest of the girls I’ve gotten to know this evening are just as warm and friendly. After the game, I tried cajoling Holland into sticking around, but she declined the offer.
She refuses to come within a fifty-foot radius of Bridger. I wish those two would just bury the hatchet and move on with their lives. But it’s doubtful that will happen anytime soon.
Once we settle at a table with all the other players and their girlfriends, he says, “I’m going to grab something at the bar. What can I get you?”
“Just a water.”
With a tilt of his head, he studies me carefully. “Do you mind if I have something? If you do, I won’t. It’s not a big deal.”
“I don’t mind at all.”
“Okay.” He rises to his feet before slipping his fingers beneath my chin and pressing his lips to mine for a quick kiss. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”
And then he’s gone, navigating his way through the thick crowd. People reach out to pat his shoulder as he saunters past. A few girls jump in his path and attempt to flirt. Giddiness explodes inside me when he doesn’t give them the time of day.
“I’m going to be completely honest here—I’ve never seen my brother like this before.”
My gaze slices to Juliette. I was so intent on Maverick that I didn’t realize she’d dropped down beside me.