Page 86 of Penalty Shot

Oh, god, that’s hot. And so exactly what I needed to hear to focus on the moment.

“I love you,” I blurt out.

I hadn’t planned on saying the words out loud. He knows I care about him, but am I going too far? How long do people officially date before they say the L word? Surely more than six days.

“Randall, I, um, you don’t have to say it back. I just thought you should know how I feel.” I don’t want to pressure him, but no way am I taking the words back.

I love this man so much, it would be dishonest to both of us if I pretended otherwise.

He doesn’t say anything but eases the car to a stop on a nondescript street.

“I’m gonna park because if I don’t hold you right now I might crash the car.”

With that surprising statement, Randall wraps his arm around my back and pulls me close. We kiss tenderly. His caress speaks volumes before he even says anything.

“Not say it back? Are you kidding me? I’m crazy about you. I love you so much, Elise Chen,” he confirms after we come up for air. “I’ve wanted to tell you for a while, but nothing was more important than the play.”

“How you feel about me is important. You should have said something.”

“I’ll make up for it.”

“How?”

“By saying it every day from now on.”

Swoon virus alert. I am mortally infected.

He kisses me with more urgency. Of its own accord, my body seeks to climb over his lap. The pressure between my legs builds. However, Randall gently squeezes my knee to stop me from straddling him.

“Not yet, baby. We’re going to celebrate your success first and then you’ll get your reward.”

“And what’s that?”

“It’s a surprise,” he says with a stare so hot, I’ll need an icy celebration drink after all.

I’ll never tire of watching her.

Elise works the room with hugs and smiles and laughter, graciously taking praise. At every opportunity, she gives the credit to her cast and crew. I’ve only had a glimpse of how hard this woman works and yet it is everyone else she wants to celebrate.

There is no one like her.

“Close your mouth before your drool reaches your chin,” Gordon says beside me.

“Shut up,” I bark and take a gulp of beer to push everything down.

“Not gonna lie, man, I feel like I’m in over my head half the time,” he mutters before taking his own hearty gulp. “How’d two jocks like us end up with hot smart girls, I’ll never know.”

My thoughts exactly.

“Don’t jinx it, man.”

He makes a gesture of pulling a zipper over his mouth.

“When did this happen with Lily, by the way?”

“She DM’d me after the loss.”

“Ah, so you played the pity card.”