Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Holden nods his head. “Uh, yeah, you were. I don’t want her.”
He doesn’t have to say it because I know exactly what he’s thinking by the intense look in his eye. He wants me.
Cole gives me a fist bump. “Good save, Mom.”
I just smile and point in the direction we were moving. “So how about it, we getting to our seats? The game is about to start.”
The boys run up ahead, and Holden calls out, “It’s VIP Suite 6. We should be above home plate.”
The boys both cheer and are speed-walking to the right door. As we walk side by side, I elbow him in the side. “You okay? Is it hard being here?”
He stops walking and turns to me. “Did you do that back there to help me?”
I start to nod, and he shakes his head. “I mean, I know you did. But is that the only reason?”
I look him in the eye and see the vulnerability there. He’s been open with me from the beginning, and it’s not right for me to not do the same. My voice is soft, and I tug at the hem of my shirt anxiously. “I did it to help you… but also because I was jealous.”
His eyes light up, and I swear his voice drops an octave. “You were jealous?”
I swat my hand at him, and he catches it between his. He threads our fingers together, and I know I should pull away, but I want to enjoy this feeling for just a few minutes. “Yeah, she was all over you… I didn’t like it.”
His lips turn up, and I suck in a breath at the way his face transforms. He pulls my hand so I’m leaning into him and whispers in my ear, “That’s good because the only woman I want is you.”
We’re so close I can feel his breath on my cheek. All I have to do is turn my head and we could kiss. I want that more than anything, especially now after seeing the way Kendall practically mauled him. There’s a rage of possession coursing through my veins, and it’s making me feel impulsive and irrational. Someone walks past us, and Holden moves closer to me to let them by. My word, this man invokes things in me I thought were shriveled up and dead.
His hands go to my waist, and he dips his head to look at me. “I want to kiss you so badly right now—”
I put my hand to his chest, and it kills me to do it, but I push him away, putting some distance between us. It’s a good thing I do because Cole comes out of the VIP suite. “You guys, come on, you have to see this!”
I force a smile to my face. “We’re coming.”
As soon as Cole disappears around the corner, I lean into Holden. “I want to kiss you too. Raincheck?”
He groans as if he’s in literal pain. “Yeah, later when we’re alone, all bets are off. You’re going to be mine, Cat.”
He walks to the open door of the suite and gestures for me to go inside. My heart is racing in my chest, and I try to forget about everything but just being here in this moment. But no matter how hard I try, I keep thinking about later, after we drop off Cole and Brad and we get to Holden’s house. And I can’t help but feel that tonight is going to change my life forever.
21
HOLDEN
“Are you sure you don’t want to watch from the dugout with your team? I mean, we’re good here.”
It’s the third time Cat has asked, and it’s clear she’s worried about me. The boys have stuffed themselves full of chili dogs, popcorn, and pretzels with cheese, and they’re now engrossed in the game. Cat has been looking between the field and me the whole time. “I like being here with you guys.”
She gives me a doubtful look but turns back to the game. The truth is, it’s freaked me out a bit on how much I’ve enjoyed being on this side of things. You get a different perspective from up here, and spending time with Cole and Cat has been awesome. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled as much as I do when I’m with them.
I bring my attention back to the game and continue watching. The team has really pulled together for this one, and I take notice when I see Foreman giving instruction from his spot at shortstop. The score is seven to one, and it’s the bottom of the ninth. When Carter clinches the third out, the stadium erupts with excitement. We’re getting that much closer to the playoffs, and every Bears fan knows it. Cole and Brad are going crazy, and Cat is cheering at my side. I’m just smiling, arms crossed over my chest, watching my team celebrate.