Page 31 of Personal Foul (The San Diego Storm #3)
Carson
W e had Monday off after a long flight late last night. The house sitter I always used for away games had gone home as soon as I texted that we’d landed. And when we finally got home, it hadn’t taken long for us to fall into bed and pass out.
Now wide awake, I had time to think while Colin slept beside me. He was on his stomach, head turned toward me, giving me a view of half of his handsome face. The sheet had drifted to his lower back and sat right above his bare ass.
It was a personal challenge not to touch him.
Five months ago, when I walked into baggage claim, I wanted the agonizing experiment Coach was taking us through to be over. I’d allowed someone else to shape my view of him without giving him a chance to show us who he was.
And I was wrong.
Now, when I looked at him, the irritating rugby star wasn’t so aggravating.
He was just the person I’d fallen in love with.
The one who saw what I needed before I did.
The guy who pushed me out of my ordered life with his wit while being unapologetically himself.
The one who made my heart beat faster when the look on his face warned me he was about to shake things up.
I loved that look now. That look made me feel like the luckiest man in the world when it was focused on me.
And now that he was staying, we could give this thing between us a real try.
I wanted to break down his walls and show him how much I loved him.
And I couldn’t wait a moment longer to tell him how I felt.
Turning onto my side, I looked at his handsome face only inches away. His warm breath touched my lips, making me smile. We were breathing the same air, and I never wanted to be away from him.
“I love you,” I whispered against his lips, trying the words out loud.
Colin’s eyes fluttered open and found me watching him. He smiled as he brought his hand to my face, his long, dark lashes and warm brown eyes caressing my face.
“I’m sorry. Did ya say something? I think I might have been dreamin’.”
I covered his hand with mine, then brought his palm to my lips. Placing a kiss in the center of it, I bathed him with all the love I felt. Lacing our fingers, I repeated what I said. “I love you. I’ve known it for a while. I want it all with you.”
His eyes became glassy as he looked back at me. I recognized that sad child in him now. He was the man who made jokes to cover up scars. The one who still thought he was incapable of being loved. All I wanted was to heal every crack and fissure that remained.
“I love you, too. But what if I don’t know how to love you the way you deserve? You might get tired of me.”
My heart hurt for him. “You’re wrong. You do every day. I might be the one who doesn’t know how to show it.”
He shook his head. “Never.”
“Then what makes you think I’ll ever tire of someone who makes me smile like an idiot? Or who pushes me out of my comfort zone?”
Colin shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re daft.”
I grinned. “I am. Definitely daft about you. For the first time in my life, I’m excited about what the future could hold with someone.
We could be the first married couple playing in the NFL.
The places we can travel and the life we can have together.
Just say you’ll give me a chance to show you how much I love you. That’s all I’m asking.”
His eyes widened. “Married? You want that?”
I kissed his nose. “Yes, someday. We’ll play until we’re ready for a change. We’ll fill this house with kids and teach them how to play rugby and football. We’ll bring them up with more love than they can stand, and show them what true love looks like.”
“It’s a beautiful dream.”
I nodded and pushed the hair out of his eyes. “It is. I want what my parents have. But that scenario only works with you by my side. Just give us ten or twenty years to get it right.”
Colin’s expression changed from apprehensive to hopeful. “Just ten or twenty? I can do that. Just please don’t break my heart. I don’t think I’ll survive it.”
I placed my hand over his heart. “I’ll guard it with my life,” I whispered against his lips.
I leaned in and kissed him, slow and tender, reassuring him with my touch. When we broke apart, I nuzzled my face against his, loving the feel of his soft beard against my stubble.
Moving closer, our bodies aligned perfectly, fitting together like the pieces of a puzzle. We sank into a blissful kiss that meant more than any vow we could take.
Even though my body ached from the game yesterday, I pleasured the love of my life with my mouth before sinking into him. We drank each other in as we found a rhythm that worked for us. And when we hit our crescendo, we did it together.
“I love you,” he breathed into my mouth.
“And I you,” I whispered back. “Don’t be afraid. I’ve got you, babe.”