Page 6 of Sweet Temptation (Love & Legacy #1)
LUCKY
M y hamstring burns by the end of practice, but I left it all out there today.
Whatever happens now, there’s no turning back.
I have no regrets as I look at Coach standing on the center of the field as practice comes to an end.
A clipboard in his hands and a Kings hat that looks like he may have gotten it back during his days as our QB shielding his eyes from the mid-afternoon sun.
The team surrounding him in a semicircle all waiting for one of his classic Declan Sinclair speeches.
Some are pep talks. Some are inspirational.
Some are absolutely meant to kick our asses and keep us in line.
Today is different.
We all know it. You can feel it in the air.
When preseason started, there were ninety players filling this field.
Three days from now, fifty-three will be dressed.
“Listen, some of you men have been playing this game since you were boys. Five-year-old kids. Unfortunately, the reality of it is for some of you, tomorrow will be the last time you ever step foot on a football field. So consider the gauntlet thrown. You want to play for me? You want to play for the Kings? You want a chance at someone else picking you up if we don’t?
Leave it all on the field. For those of you playing, tomorrow’s your Super Bowl, gentlemen. Make it count.”
Coach looks at the team gathered around him solemnly before he heads inside.
Nothing else needs to be said.
He’s right. Tomorrow’s it.
If you’re playing, you’re playing for a chance to be on this team. You’re playing for your life.
“Beneventi,” Coach calls out from the sidelines as we all walk off the field, and my stomach drops.
“Yeah, Coach?” Off the field, Declan Sinclair is a family friend. On the field, he’s my boss.
“You’re not dressing tomorrow. Rest up. I need you in top shape for the first game of the season.” He claps my back and smiles. “You can breathe now, Lucky. You’ve earned your spot. You keep playing like this, and you’ve got a long career ahead of you.”
Fuck... I think I was holding my breath.
“Thanks, Coach.” I look over his shoulder at the field I’ve wanted to claim as my own for half my life and smile. “I appreciate the chance.”
“You earned it all on your own. Now keep it. Make us all proud.”
I earned it.
Not my name.
Not my family.
Not my connections.
Fuck, that feels good.
Lochlan
Hey, Lexicon. Are you staying in my room?
Lexie
Nope. All moved into my room and I made sure to avoid your nightstand drawers at all cost. I do not want to know what you have stashed in there. Why? What’s up?
Lochlan
They’re empty, smart-ass. I was going to ask if there’s any chance my room is open Labor Day weekend. I really don’t want to spend it at Mom and Dad’s.
Linc
Shit, man. You coming home?
Lucky
You know another way he’s sleeping at your parents’ house if he doesn’t come home?
Lexie
Really? OMG. You’re not sleeping at Mom and Dad’s. I’m not in your room. You’re sleeping here.
Lucky
Pretty sure we’re not going to be in Kroydon Hills that weekend.
Linc
We’re using Mom and Dad’s place at the beach that weekend, man. Come down. Let’s party.
Lexie
Thanks for inviting me, assholes.
Linc
Of course you’re invited.
Lucky
How else is Linc hooking up with Brea if you’re not there, Lex?
Lochlan
Again? I thought you guys broke up.
Lexie
She’s back home and breathing. That’s enough for Lincoln.
Linc
No judging, remember?
Lexie
It’s not judging if it’s the truth.
Linc
We’ll be the only ones at the house that weekend. There’s plenty of room, Lex.
Lochlan
Party?
Linc
Party.
Lucky
Party.
Lexie
Ummm . . . I guess we’re partying.
Lochlan
Sounds good. I’ll see you guys next week.
Lexie
Make sure Mom and Dad know you’ll be home. They’ll want to see you.
Linc
How long you home for?
Lochlan
I should be able to meet you at the beach by noon-ish. I’ve got to be back in Virginia Beach by 0800 Monday morning.
Lucky
Leaving at midnight?
Lochlan
Fuck yes, brother.
Lexie
Love you, Loch. Be safe.
Lochlan
Always. See you soon.
M y mouth waters with the delicious smell coming from the kitchen as I make my way down the stairs.
Something sweet... and I swear to God... bacon. Not like bacon and eggs. Like bacon and sugar. Strange as hell, but also probably pretty good, based on the way my stomach rumbles.
I know before I set foot in the kitchen who I’m going to find.
Of course I do. It’s not like Linc cooks, so that just leaves her.
She’s invaded my space, my texts, my every fucking thought since she moved in, but none as much as she’s invaded the fucking kitchen.
Most guys don’t cook, but most guys didn’t grow up in my house.
Nonna had wooden spoons in our hands as soon as we were tall enough to stand on stools and stir whatever was in her mixing bowls on the counter.
Pretty sure there’s a picture of me making meatballs in a diaper on the island.
But have I cooked since Lexie moved in?
Nope. Because she’s been in the kitchen every time I’ve considered it.
You know the best way to avoid temptation?
Fucking avoid that shit like the plague.
But there’s no avoiding this woman. Not when she’s in tiny gray cutoff shorts and a loose black and pink cropped Philly Kings shirt that’s falling off her shoulder. Her bare shoulder, because why would Lexie wear a bra when she can torture me without one...
I’m not a guy who likes to deny himself.
Not of the things I want in life.
Money isn’t an issue. Never has been.
Women aren’t an issue. I’ve had my share and then some.
Even my career isn’t the issue. I wasn’t like my cousin Ryker, who was throwing a football before he could run without falling on his long-ass legs.
I didn’t pick up a ball until I was ten and Linc threw a ball at me at a party.
I knew Loch and him. I was a grade above them.
But we weren’t close. Not until that day.
Not until that ball. That fucking ball changed everything.
By the end of that day, I knew I wanted to play football forever.
I also knew I wanted to marry Lexie Sinclair.
She’s the only thing I’ve ever denied myself.
And I did it for her, whether she knows it or not.
“That smells fucking fantastic.” I step up behind an oblivious Lexie, who’s singing along to whatever she’s got playing in her AirPods until she catches sight of me and screams as she spins around, dropping the piping bag in her hands.
Her chest heaves with each deep breath as she points her finger at me with creamy icing clinging to it. “Shit, Lucky. Warn a girl.”
Not an ounce of makeup on.
Not a hint of pretense.
Not flirting with me at all... Not like every other girl since I was old enough to care, and she’s the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen.
Spectacularly fucked.
The conversation I had with Cooper Sinclair from a fucking lifetime ago still rings true in my head, but right now, with her here in front of me, I don’t fucking care what’s good for her or good for me.
“What’cha whipping up, little Sinclair?” I wrap my fingers around her wrist and lift her hand to my mouth, my eyes locked on hers as I suck the icing off her pointer finger.
Lexie’s mouth forms the prettiest O as her eyes fly open in shock, but she doesn’t pull her hand away. Not until after I’ve dragged my tongue over the pad of her finger and sucked it clean. Not until I release her wrist and smile. “That’s really good, Lex.”
Her green eyes practically glow as they triple in size, and she tries to clear her throat, but it turns into a cough instead.
Shit.
I grab a bottle of water from the fridge, crack the lid, and hand it to her. “Drink, Lex.”
Embarrassment floods her face as she takes the bottle from me and sips. “Thanks.”
“So... what flavor is that?” I ask, ignoring the coughing. Years of knowing this woman means I know how much she hates for people to fuss over her.
Those green eyes water as she catches her breath and turns away to wash her hands. “Maple Bacon.” She takes a minute before she turns back and faces me. “I’ve got book club tonight at Dillan’s and thought I’d bring them with me. Do you like it?”
I hold her eyes but don’t move closer.
I need a fucking drink.
“Yeah, Lex.” My hungry eyes drink her in. “Fucking delicious.”
“You know, there are other words in the English language,” she scolds as she picks up the piping bag she’d dropped. “You don’t always have to use that one.”
I wait until she’s done the first cupcake before I steal it and peel away the wrapper.
“Wait—” she stops me, and sprinkles crumbled-up bacon on top, then drizzles maple syrup over it. “Now eat it.”
The flavor explodes on my tongue like a bomb, and I moan around a mouth full of cake. “This is so good.”
She beams. “See? And you didn’t even have to use the f-word to describe it.”
“You ever said fuck, little Sinclair?” Lexie turns away as I tongue the icing. “You haven’t, have you?”
Her shoulders rise as she ices the remaining cupcakes. “There’s plenty of other words, Lucky. I don’t like that one.”
With a shake of my head, I grab my keys from the bowl on the counter and grin. “One day, I’m going to get you to say it, Lex.”
“I could just tell you you’re an f-ing jerk right now, Lucky. Would that do it for you?”
Thoughts of exactly what would do it for me... or more specifically of what she would do for me fly across my mind, and like a predator, I move back into her space. Careful not to touch her this time. “Nah, baby. But I know what’ll do it.”
“And what would that be?” she asks, snippy.
I think about telling her, but where’s the fun in that?
Nothing can happen between Lexie Sinclair and me.
“Have fun at book club, Lex.” I hear her huff before she coughs again as I walk out of the house.
Lexie
“ S o... any luck finding a job?” Dillan asks Brea as she devours the focaccia bread Brea brought with her tonight. Rosemary, asiago, and shallots. It’s so good.