Page 37

Rad

I had sex with Tealey Bell.

Made love.

Did the deed.

Hit a home run.

Whatever I want to call it, it happened, and I haven’t stopped grinning since. Except when we slept, though I’m pretty sure I smiled all night since my cheeks hurt when I woke up.

“You must have been having sweet dreams last night,” she says, her eyes still trained on the paperback resting on her lap.

“Why do you say that?” I ask, not because I don’t know the answer already but because I want her to know.

I lower the newspaper and look at the beauty on the other end of the couch. We woke up early since we went to bed around nine after wearing each other out. The sun hasn’t even come up, but I’m already wishing it was a weekend so we could spend all day like this.

She looks right at home here, and that brings me more pleasure than it probably should, considering she’ll be living in her own space again one day.

My grin is gone.

Long brown lashes tap above her eyes when she looks up at me, free of makeup but more stunning than ever. I give in and start smiling because whether I get her for a month or a year, I’ll take her and appreciate the time instead of wasting it.

She says, “Because you grinned all night like you just scored your favorite candy.”

“I did.”

There it is—the sweet blush that covers her cheeks, eyes that can’t hide how a simple compliment makes her feel, and the twitch of her lips as she tries to hide that pretty smile. She can’t. Just like I can’t.

“I don’t know anyone who still reads a newspaper. You know they have the news on your phone, TV, and pretty much everywhere you can get Wi-Fi these days.”

I chuckle. “I like holding something in my hands. I stare at a screen most of the day and then again most nights. It’s nice to take a break and read the old-fashioned way.

” Leaning forward, I tap the top of her book.

“What about you? There are e-books and audiobooks, but you’re always reading paperbacks. ”

“I guess, like you, I like the feel of it in my hands, and I bought this book used to give it another life.” She holds it to her nose.

“I love the smell of the paper, the dust from the old shelves, and the life this book has lived before it became a part of mine.” She rests her head sideways on the back cushion, and her smile is so right.

Wriggling her feet over to me, she tucks them under my legs. “Can you play hooky today?”

“There’s nothing I’d rather do than spend the day with you.” The newspaper crinkles in protest when I lean over to kiss her. She meets me halfway, and our lips press together. “But I have court this afternoon.”

Flopping back to opposite sides of the couch, she says, “I’d take this morning.”

“Is that something you can do?”

“I have so much stockpiled time off and nothing scheduled that someone else can’t handle.”

“Then, why’d you have to use your lunch hour for the move?”

“They only count full days and I didn’t want to use a day when I only need an hour. I’ll take the day, but what do you say to skipping out for a few hours?”

“How can I say no? “I’ll text Ashleigh.” I reach for my phone, but she covers my hand.

“Maybe wait until six or seven.”

It’s incredible that the world already feels like it revolves around our plans. “Six. She’s used to it.”

“She shouldn’t be.”

“Good point, Miss Bell.” Technically, I shouldn’t be playing hooky with the possibility of partnership on the line, but Ashleigh will vouch for hours spent working from home.

I set my phone back on the coffee table and pick up my ‘I’m not feeling worky today’ mug.

“Something tells me you had this planned all along.”

She asks, “What should we do with the next six or seven hours?”

“Movies? Walk in Central Park? Shopping? Baseball Playoffs? Coffee? Go out for lunch? Whatever you want to do, I want, too.”

Closing her book, she tosses it to the coffee table and gets to her knees, crawling over to me. I toss the paper behind me, welcoming her onto my lap. “I want to stay in. However long I can have you.” She kisses me, and then dips to my ear to whisper, “Tell me something you’ve never told anyone.”

That is not where I saw this headed. Caught by surprise, I tick through a list of contenders.

I could tell her I own the building or about how I found out I’m the frontrunner for partnership, but that’s bragging stuff.

I know that’s not what she means or wants.

Leaning my head back, I want the honor of seeing her face every night and every day.

I don’t say that in fear of scaring her off, though. I need to find something in between.

I go with, “The shirt I was wearing the day we met has never been dry-cleaned.” Okay, that leans more toward creeper than a neutral admission, but it’s out in the open now.

“You tossed it?” I detect a note of disappointment as her eyes fixate on mine.

Shaking my head, I reply, “I still have it in a bag at the top of my closet.”

Running the tip of her finger down the bridge of my nose, she says, “I’m intrigued by the fact that you’d tell me that. That would totally creep out some women.” I have no doubt. She taps the tip of my nose. “I’m not one of them. Why’d you keep it?”

“Because some things are worth holding on to.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Wellington.” I love that I can see every emotion trailing across her face. “I have a confession. It’s going to make you really mad.” Despite the fact she knows it will upset me, a smile still wiggles the corners of her mouth.

We’re talking about Tealey Bell. How bad can it be? “I doubt it, but I’m ready. Confess away.”

“Senior year . . .” she starts but pauses, biting her lip. “Don’t hate me, okay?”

“I couldn’t.” If I were wearing a shirt, I might be tugging at my collar, though. She has a knack for amping up the suspense. I have no idea what she’s about to tell me, but I might need to brace myself, after all.

“Senior year at NYU, I ran into your date to the bowl game in the bathroom at that bar down from the stadium. We’d gone there to watch since we didn’t all get tickets.”

“I remember.” I nod. “We sold the three we had so we could all watch together.”

“Yep.” She smiles so sweetly that I’m wondering how this could possibly lead to something bad. “So, we were at that bar, and I needed to use the restroom. She was in there.”

“Okay.”

Her gaze pivots, and then she takes a deep breath and exhales. “I told her that we had just broken up, and she was a rebound.”

Not what I expected. “Kayla.”

“Yep.” She snaps her fingers. “Kayla. That’s right. I’d forgotten her name. She was very nice. Well, before I said that . . .”

Staring at her in disbelief, I try to remember how that worked out with Kayla. Ah. “She dumped me during halftime.”

Her arms tighten around my neck, and she kisses my face. Probably to hide the guilt. “I know.” She giggles. Guess there’s no guilt felt. “I’m a terrible person. I’m sorry yet . . . not at all sorry.”

Still surprised by how devious that was, I never saw Tealey doing something like that. “You sabotaged my relationship.” And why didn’t I think to do this to Steve? Fucker.

“I did.” This time, she doesn’t even try to hide her smile. I rub her thigh, finding her devious side a turn-on.

“I’m impressed, Bell. You play dirty.”

Tilting my head to face her, she kisses the corners of my mouth. “Only when I want something. How does that make you feel, Counselor?”

Counselor. Hearing that name elicits a possessive growl in my throat. I know Tealey never would have told me about doing that to Kayla if we weren’t where we are today. She was possessive back then. I like that even more .

Running a hand into the back of her hair, I move her closer, and then whisper, “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Standing, I lift her into my arms and start for the bedroom. “I know what I want to do today.”

“And that is?”

I toss her on my bed and plop down next to her. “I want to be inside you.”

Running her hands over my comforter, she laughs. “That’s all you want to do today?”

“Yep.” I roll to the side and tuck her hair behind her ears. “That’s all I need.”

Our clothes come off as our lips find each other.

My mind spins as I watch her wriggle. She’s desperate for my hands on her—my rough touch and my gaze drifting over her body. I want to give her what she wants.

Freckles on her thighs draw me in, and I move to cover her softness with the heat of my hand. Her body moves, her eyes wild with the same desire I feel inside. We made love last night several times over. As great as that felt, seeing her lying in my bed brings out a different craving.

Yearning.

Voracity.

Uncontrollable hunger.

I can’t change the power of the hurricane I’m becoming with her, but I’ll do my best to control the speed for her enjoyment.

Taking the sheet, I push the fabric away from Tealey’s body.

This amazing woman trusts me not just with her body but also with her mind, her joy, and every inch of skin and emotion like I deserve her.

Covering the hills of her hips, I settle her small frame on top of me.

She rolls a condom over my dick before rising, only to sink down again.

Seated with me inside her, she rests her palms on my chest, and whispers, “You say you waited years but know that you weren’t waiting alone.

” Leaning down, she kisses me as I devour her words, her kiss, her mouth, and everything she’ll give me. I’m greedy when it comes to her.

She takes every thrust, coming back down with her own intensity. As she rocks on top, her breasts summon me. I knead and pinch, watching her react and learning what she likes and needs.

The warmth of her body consuming mine has me falling deeper under her spell.

As she climbs toward her orgasm, I’m spellbound by her beauty. No other woman has ever done this to me. Her eyes dip closed, and her head tilts back with her mouth open. She’s stunning in her glory, owning every part of me without even trying. If she only knew . . .