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“One.”

She shuddered around me, her eyes crinkling in pain, in pleasure, her luscious lips echoing out a cry that matched my hot grunts as I came harder than I ever had, her pussy clenching and milking me for seconds that turned into minutes.

As the last of the waves faded, her head rolled back into the pillow. I slowly slid out of her and rolled to the side, removing my condom.

Once I cleaned myself up, I went to the bathroom and got her a warm washcloth and another dry one. I brought them both back to her, and she smiled up at me. “I’m never going to get over how sweet it is that you do that.”

I grinned, adjusting the sheets and blankets to lie down. “All for you, Maggie Ray.”

She tossed the rags to the hamper, along with her underwear, and then curled in next to me. I was such a fucking horndog for how hyperaware I was of her lack of panties. But my cock was beyond dead. Give me twenty minutes and that could be a different story.

Mags curled in my arms and aimed her blue eyes up at me. “Can I ask you something?”

I nodded.

“Why do you always wear a condom? Most men are so eager to take it off.”

The thought of other men inside her almost had me going fucking feral. But I took a few deep breaths to cool down. “I’m not most men.”

She lifted a corner of her lips. “I know that.” But then she waited, quiet.

I knew she deserved this explanation too. “To me, having kids, bringing a life into the world, is a really big deal. It’s not something I’m ever going to risk, even if the pill’s ninety-nine percent accurate. I’m going to put the condom on and wear it every time until I know that person is the one I’m ready to have a family with.”

Her eyes fluttered down and back up at me. “I know it’s too soon.” She nestled deeper into my arms, her eyes closing sleepily. “But I think this feels perfect.”

I kissed her forehead and told her goodnight, because I couldn’t completely agree.

55

MAGNOLIA

“Go, Esther!”I yelled from the dugout. It was our last inning, and all the bases were loaded. We were down by three, with two outs, and if she could hit a triple, we had a chance at tying or even winning the game.

Her little shoulders moved with her breaths as she stepped up to the plate with her bright yellow bat.

Beside me, Rhett said, “I’m so damn proud of that girl.”

I looked up at him for just a second. “Tell me about it.”

The pitch went over the plate, and the umpire yelled, “Strike one.”

Rhett swore under his breath. “You can do this, Esther!”

I watched her square up to the plate again as I waited for his answer.

“At the beginning of the season, that little girl was in tears before the game even started. Now, she’s up to bat, all these girls on the bench are cheering for her, depending on her for the win or loss of the game. And that fucking tiger is taking deep breaths and staring down that pitcher, making her her bitch.”

I let out a laugh. “That is pretty amazing.”

Another pitch sailed toward Esther, and she swung with all her might, barely tipping it.

“Strike two,” the umpire called.

I pressed my hand to my chest. “Gosh, I can’t take the suspense. GO, ESTHER!”

Behind me, the girls joined me in cheering, “GO, ESTHER! GO, ESTHER! GO, ESTHER!” The entire crowd joined us, her name echoing around the field.

The ball sailed toward the plate, and Esther swung... and missed.