Page 16

I place my arm around her and lead her and Athena out of the box and then through the tunnels of the stadium to the player garage. Quite a few cars are still parked, but we quickly leave them behind as I drive to the outskirts of the city to a neighborhood on the banks of a fifty-acre lake.

“You live here?” Raeann gasps when we drive up to a locked gate, the sun just starting to set.

Nodding, I input the code, and the black metal swings open so I can pull easily inside. The great thing about this development is that the houses aren’t all on top of each other. The only houses I can see from my property are the others with docks marching out into the water.

Raeann sits up in her seat to take everything in. “I don’t know why, but I figured you lived in some penthouse downtown.”

“I did for a while, and it was fun, but I wanted something more permanent. Somewhere to set down roots.”

When the drive curves around, there’s the perfect view of the lake backdropped by the orange and pink hues permeating the dimming sky.

Twilight makes it all seem more magical, the exquisite rainbow colors reflecting in the ripples.

Geese plodding along in the bright green grass. “You’re on the water?”

“It’s beautiful, huh?”

“Do you own a boat?”

“I do.”

“Kayaks?”

“Yes.”

This is about as excited as I’ve ever seen her. I park just outside the garage, and when Raeann opens her door, Athena is on high alert, getting to her feet in the back of the car and watching Raeann with renewed interest.

When Raeann opens the door for Athena, she shoots out of the car, running down toward the lake, barking her head off until the geese are a honking chaos of wings and legs.

Raeann takes off after her. “No, Athena!”

I use what little strength I have left from the game and follow.

Athena has a one-track mind. She follows the geese into the water until her legs are covered, but then she peers back like she’s smiling when she’s rid the whole yard of them.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Raeann says.

“Don’t be. She likes it here.”

Athena hops out of the water, shakes, and then takes a big dump a few feet away from the shore.

Raeann holds her head in her hands. “Oh my God.”

“I’ve got towels in the garage and poop bags.”

“At least let me pick up her poop.”

“You dry her off. I’ll pick up the poop.”

This time, Athena goes willingly to Raeann, and she dries her off. I pick up her business and toss it in the outside garbage can, and then we head in the back door, passing the pool on the way. Athena eyes it up, but Raeann gives her a curt no that has her trotting happily next to her again.

“Wow, this is nice,” Raeann says, peering around.

We walk into the family room that leads to the kitchen and a more formal dining room.

There are two suites downstairs and a few more bedrooms upstairs.

My sisters and mother came in and decorated the place when I first bought it, and it’s been the same ever since.

“I think you could fit about fifty of my apartments in here.”

“I know it’s a lot for just me, but I’ve always wanted to live on the water, and believe it or not, this is the smallest house here.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope.”

Athena takes off, sniffing around the house. I turn the lights on as we come in, illuminating the different rooms and even turning on the outside lights to show off the exterior. It’s one of my favorite parts of the property.

“What do you usually do after a game?”

“Eat. Sometimes I go out with some of my teammates, but mostly I come back here, get comfortable, and do absolutely nothing until the next day.” Raeann stays close to the big exterior doors, staring out at the water wistfully. “Do you want to sit out there?”

I point to the seating area in front of a fireplace, which happens to have the best view of the lake. She follows my direction and nods.

“Go ahead. I’ll bring out some food.”

Raeann whistles for Athena, and they both head out toward the massive couch. Backdropped by the setting sun, I’m not sure I’ve seen anything so gorgeous. So right.

Quickly, I take out my cell phone and snap a picture of the two of them.

In the fridge, I find some cheese, crackers, fruits, and veggies, and make a sort of eclectic charcuterie board that’s not anywhere near fancy but gets the job done.

I’d hoped Raeann would end up here after the game, so I should have thought ahead, but my brain was focused on her.

Here. Mine. Now. Almost like I’m a Neanderthal.

I take out the tray and set it on the tile that rims the fireplace, then turn on the gas to light it.

Athena sits up in a spot she’s claimed in my outdoor furniture, stares at the fire for a few seconds, then lies down again.

“You’ve done so well for yourself,” Raeann muses.

“It was a lot of hard work, but well worth it. There’s nothing I’d rather be doing than playing ball.”

I sit next to her. She immediately moves closer, and I lift my arm. She snuggles into my chest. God damn . My heart races. This feels too perfect.

I turn toward her, and she peers into my eyes. The fire reflected in her green eyes sizzles, and the way the glitter on the Wildcats shirt twinkles in the light of the flames has me cupping her face. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

Her gaze drops to my lips. My heart skips a beat, and I lower my mouth to hers.

She lifts her lips at the last second, and I seal mine to hers, a brush of lips, of body parts, of lives.

Two people who were nowhere near each other on this Earth until fate brought them together in one of the oddest ways imaginable.

I comb my hands through the hair at the nape of her neck before gripping her strands and deepening the kiss. A small whimper escapes her throat, and my mind wars between wanting to claim her and leaving room for her to breathe—to exist outside of me.

I can’t get enough. The feel of her tongue. The way she presses her body against mine. The fervent way I crush her against me until she gasps for breath. “Micah.”

It’s that moment, hearing her breathless cry, that makes me pull back. I wasn’t sure I could stop if I wanted to, but just that one word. That one plea.

I’m used to having all the power, but it’s then that I realize that it’s not me who holds the reins in this relationship. It’s Raeann. She could break me right now and I’d let her. Nothing can keep me away from her.

“I can’t breathe,” she says, and my instant panic is doused when she smiles lazily, like she’s in a haze.

“Good, because I can’t think.”

“I can’t do that either,” she admits.

“Want to make bad decisions together?”

She quirks her head at me. “What kind were you thinking?”

“You, me, hot tub.”

“Clothes?”

“Optional.”

“You’re trouble, Micah Freeman.”

Good God, what I wouldn’t give to have her look at me like that for the rest of my life.

Now that I know what it’s like to kiss Raeann, to consume her, a renewed possessiveness grows into a steel embrace.

She’s mine, and I’ll make sure that she is until the day I die.