Page 130 of Let You Love Me

A moment later, I register the sound of his footsteps behind me, feel the heat of him at my back and close my eyes. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Sorry about that. I guess some of the team is getting together.”

I slowly spin around to face him, not wanting to assume. “Do you need to go?”

An almost imperceptible shake of his head. “No.”

I swallow over the heartbeat in my throat, almost afraid to believe my ears. Missing today’s strategy session would put even more of a target on his back as Chance has made it very clear to me he has a problem with him already.

But Teagan doesn’t seem to care; he seems completely at ease with his decision as he hovers above me, a smile curving the corners of his mouth.

He chose me.

Over football.

Over his obligation to the game.

My conversation with Chance threatens to surface once more, and I mentally give it the middle finger because Teagan chose me despite the fact that I have a child and no degree and am still figuring things out.

He chose me despite my father being his coach, messy life and all.

All of the things Chance said about no one wanting me completely evaporate. I told him I wanted someone who looked at me and Sophie like a gift and not baggage.

And I got him.

He’s standing right in front of me, and he’s . . .immaculate,so much more than I ever could have asked for.

Whatever remains of my walls crumbles around my feet, carried away by the tide that is Teagan.

I close the gap between us and my gaze falls to his mouth.

I should tell him Chance was at brunch today, mention my conversation with him. Even if I can’t share the paternity of Sophie’s father, I should at least give Teagan a heads up that Chance considers me his backup plan. In his warped mind, he thinks we have a future. After all, you can’t build a house on a rocky foundation, so he should know the truth if I’m going to take this next step. If I’m going to push friendship in the rearview mirror for good.

But the last thing I want to do is talk about Chance, let alone think about him. Not right now when we’re here alone, together. Not when he’s looking down at me with so much adoration in his eyes, I could drown in it.

“Ready to paint?” Teagan gently takes my hand, threading his fingers through mine, and his lips quirk.

“Not yet.” I shake my head, and mustering every ounce of courage I possess, I step closer and fist his shirt in my hands. “I have something else in mind,” I whisper.

His sapphire eyes flare, flecks of green and midnight sparking to life inside the blue as he licks his lips, eyes on my mouth. “What did you have in mind?”

I stretch, my mouth inches from his as I breathe him in. “This.”

Our lips meet, and it’s like sparks to kindling.

We ignite.

Chapter 32

TEAGAN

The moment she pressesher lips to mine, I claim her. She’s mine. There’s no going back to friends after this, and even if I had any hesitation or doubt about where her heart lies, I’d claim her, anyway.

“Fucking finally,” I growl.

I show no hesitation as I kiss Lane back.

She and I were on this path from the moment I met her. From the moment I saved Sophie in the park, we were inevitable. It was just a matter of time until we got here.