Page 12 of Bradford (Boston Bay Vikings #18)

FLORENCE

I feel lethargic but happy after being intimate with Bradford. After dinner, I slept like a log. It was the best sleep I've had in a long while.

This morning I'm watching Bradford with his friends: Dario, Madden, Rhodes, and Lake.

They stand together beside the ice while I sit with their wives.

Juniper, Lake's wife, is pregnant and has a small bump.

She looks so happy as she rests a hand over her belly.

Rhodes's wife, Rosie, whispers to Dodge, who sits beside her.

He's been my and Bradford's shadow since he showed up in Vegas.

I'm relieved to have him watching over us.

Madden and Dario's wives, Tessa and Gemma, sit on either side of me.

They're happy to tell me anything they know about Bradford.

Everyone has made me feel welcome, and I know I'll miss it when I return home.

Just as sadness presses against my chest, Bradford turns and locks eyes with me.

I can't look away from the man who has leapt into my heart.

I can't say "crept" because we haven't known each other long enough.

He appeared and captured me in one fell swoop.

I don't want him to let me go, but our situation is hopeless.

I have a job that I love. I've worked toward a promotion for the past two years.

It's within my reach, but so is Bradford.

I force a smile for him, then quickly turn away and blink away the prickle of tears.

Tessa leans close. "He wants you badly," she whispers. "These guys have female fans throwing panties at them. But when they fall, they fall hard and fast. It's real, Florence. Don't tell yourself otherwise."

"I hear you, but I'm still stuck on the panties thing."

Gemma and Tessa both snicker when she adds, "Don't believe everything you read about them, either. The fans and the press like to exaggerate. It can mess with your head if you let it." Sighing, Tessa continues, "I know from experience."

"I remember seeing something in the paper not long before Bradford ended up in the ER."

"Yeah, a crazy fan," Gemma adds. "However, the majority are amazing and supportive. We just wanted to warn you about what can happen. Bradford only has eyes for you, so everything else is just?—"

"Horseshit!" Juniper adds with a grin in our direction.

"Lake and I grew up together. People didn't like us being together.

They thought it was wrong. We both knew what we wanted, which was each other.

" She shrugs. "Now we have a little one growing in here.

" She pats her baby bump. "I never thought I could be this happy. "

Gemma laughs. "If you keep looking at Lake that way, he's going to want to take you home." She waggles her brows. "Although, I wouldn't complain if Dario decided he was finished for the day."

I chuckle. These women have accepted me into their circle without hesitation, and I'm very grateful.

I know they're doing it for Bradford, but they're genuine and down-to-earth.

In Vegas, I only have a few colleagues from work that I call friends.

They would be there to help me in a pinch, but we don't hang out. Not like I am now with these women.

Bradford's shoulders droop slightly as his friends get on the ice.

"I'll see you later," I mutter to the girls as I make my way to the front.

He hears me approach and turns. I cup his cheek, lean into him, and brush my lips against his before wrapping my arms around his waist and holding him close.

"It won't be forever. You know that, right? "

"I know. It just sucks." He sighs. "What were you and the girls talking about?"

"You." I grin. "They were warning me to ignore anything I see online about you. Apparently, there's a 'possessive' fan out there who thinks you belong to them. At least, that's what I gathered from what they said."

"Yeah, that happened to Madden when he got together with Tessa. It wasn't pleasant, but Tessa trusted Madden, and they stood together." He smiles. "Want to get out of here?

"Sure."

"You don't know where I'm taking you." He teased.

"In the short time I've known you, I've realized that I'd follow you anywhere."

Surprise flashes in his eyes, soon changing to delight. "Is that so?" He nuzzles my neck, nipping and licking his way up to my ear. "Want to follow me to bed?"

Moaning, I press closer. "As much as I want to, I think we should do something else, so you don't end up back in the hospital."

"I hate that I can't love you the way I want to."

"You did a good job of that last night."

He snorts. "Having my face buried in your little wet pussy was fucking hot." He clears his throat. "Maybe we shouldn't be talking about that here."

I feel his erection pressing against me. It's long and solid and just the thought makes my panties wet. I lean in and whisper, "I could practice my sucking technique if you'd like."

"Fuck me!" he hisses. "Let's sit for a minute."

We sit in the seats beside us, and I can't keep my eyes off his straining penis. The mushroom head is outlined more clearly in his gray sweatpants. I can't help but lick my lips.

"You're not helping," he growls.

I look up at him and shrug. "I can't help it. It's hot seeing your arousal like that."

"Still not helping." He breathes heavily.

I slip my hand into his and sit back in the seat.

It's not the most comfortable, but it will do for now.

We won't be here long. I give Bradford a sidelong glance, making sure to check out his lap.

I snicker to myself when I notice he's still hard.

"You know," I say, "I could get on my knees and help with that. "

"Florence," he moans.

Smiling, I turn to face the ice and admit, "I've never been this flirty before. You know, in a sexual way. Then again, I haven't felt so relaxed with anyone either."

"It's safe to look at me now." When I look at him, he continues, "What's happening between us is serious to me, Florence. I want you to know that I'm not just playing around. I care about you."

Before I can respond, someone clears their throat. "We need to talk," Dodge says with a grim look on his face.

I get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.