Page 20

CHAPTER 20

GRIFFIN

I jog over to the sideline, Thor beside me. He grabs my water bottle from the bench and hands it to me.

“Thanks.” I squirt a stream of cool water into my mouth.

“Don’t mention it.” He picks up his bottle and does the same.

I blow out a loud sigh as the fatigue hits me. “Coach is on a tear today. At this point, I can barely feel my legs.”

“Yeah, he is, and I’m in the same boat. This is our final full day of practice, so we knew it would be ball busting.”

“All I want right now is to go home, shower, eat ungodly amounts of food, and spend the night with Christine,” I say, watching Thor for his reaction.

He grins and taps my arm. “I guess things are going well?”

My lips part in a wide smile as I nod. “Things are going great. We’re taking our time and building a solid foundation.”

“Is that code for no sex?” he asks, smirking.

“No, but we haven’t reached that point yet.”

“You can’t feel your legs because all your blood is pooling in your dick.” He laughs, giving my shoulder a shove.

I shake my head but can’t help grinning. “Shut up, man.”

“All jokes aside, I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you. That means a lot.”

“I’m glad you found someone you want more than a hookup with.”

“Me too. I wasn’t sure I’d ever reach this point.”

“I guess it just takes the right person coming along.”

“Yeah, everything feels different with her. I find myself thinking about the future more than ever.”

“Damn. You’re in love with her.”

Am I? I’ve been trying not to label my feelings or have any expectations, but I’ve never felt this way before.

“I think I might be.”

“Don’t lose your head. We have the most important game of our season in two days.”

“Not to put any pressure on me,” I droll.

Thor laughs. “Right?”

“My dad and stepmom are coming tomorrow.”

“Are they staying at your house?”

“Yep.”

“Oh Jesus. Are you and Christine going to fill them in on your new relationship status?”

“Nope. We don’t want them to hit us with any negativity.”

“Maybe they’d be happy about your relationship?”

“I doubt it, but I guess it’s possible. Regardless, we’re not willing to take the risk. Right now, it’s our secret.”

“I think you mean our secret,” he corrects with a wink.

I let loose a quick laugh. “Yep. You’re in the circle of trust.”

“So, I’m the only one on the team who knows?”

“Yeah, for now at least.”

“Then it’s a triangle of trust, which is much catchier,” he says.

Coach’s whistle pierces the air. “Break’s over! Get your asses back out here.”

Thor and I groan simultaneously as we set our bottles down.

As Thor and I jog back onto the field, my thoughts drift to Christine, and I wonder how her day is going.

“Silverbacks, line up!” Coach bellows. “We’re going to do the two-minute drill again. And we’re not leaving here until it’s right.”

I adjust my helmet and lower into my position. It’s time to get my mind back on the task at hand. With the championship on the line this weekend, I can’t afford distractions—not even ones with sparkling green eyes and a smile that makes my heart race.

For the next hour, I suppress thoughts of Christine and focus on performing each play as well as I can.

When practice finally wraps up, my entire body is sore. The coach has been particularly harsh with his critiques this week. He warned us that by week’s end, we might dislike him, but we’d be ready for the game. I believe he was spot on. Me and my sore muscles aren’t particularly fond of him right now.

Pulling off my helmet, I remove my cleats and strip down to my moisture wicking t-shirt and compression shorts. The equipment staff collect everyone’s gear as I grab my sneakers from my duffel bag and put them on.

“See you later, guys,” I call out.

“What are you in such a rush for?” Rogan asks.

“My parents are coming into town tomorrow and I need to prepare,” I say, using the first excuse that comes to mind.

He nods. “I get it. My family is coming too. As if we don’t have enough to do, right?”

“Yeah.” I trudge across the field toward the parking lot. It seems like it takes an eternity to reach my truck. Once I’m behind the wheel, I pull my cell phone from my backpack and find a text.

Christine: I hope you’re having a great day.

Her message has me smiling. I wish I’d seen this during practice. It would’ve been a welcome pick-me-up. I type out and send a reply.

Me: It’s been rough. Every inch of me hurts. I’m leaving now. Can’t wait to see you.

Christine: Drive safe. xo

The drive is uneventful, and I arrive home a few minutes faster than usual. I’ve barely kicked off my sneakers when Christine comes to greet me.

“Hey.” Her smile is soft and understanding, while mine is tired.

“Hi.”

“I’m sorry you had such a tough practice.”

“Can’t be helped.” I shrug.

She catches hold of my hand. “Come with me. I have a surprise for you.” She leads me up the stairs, taking her time and making it easier on me. “Right this way,” she says, leading me into my bedroom.

What is going on here?

She keeps walking, escorting me into my en suite bathroom, where numerous candles are lit and a bubble bath has been run.

She turns to me, and I notice the uncertainty flickering across her face before she hides it with a smile. “I thought you could use some pampering after such a difficult practice.”

“This is for me?”

“Yeah. Who’d you think it was for? E.Z.?”

“Obviously not. Cats hate water.”

She rolls her eyes. “Ha. Ha.”

“Actually, I thought you were going to bathe while I nap.”

She titters. “Nope. Get yourself in that water, and you’ll feel better in no time.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say, gripping the back of my t-shirt. Only, it’s so tight and damp, it’s sticking to my torso.

Christine steps forward, grabbing the hem. “Let me help.” With a series of tugs, she moves the damp material upward, drawing it over my head.

“Thank you. For a second, I thought we’d need to cut it off.”

She smiles, shaking her head. “Although, from the looks, it might not be much of a loss.”

“Hey, that’s my lucky practice shirt you’re talking about. It takes a beating underneath my pads.”

“It is? I didn’t know you were superstitious.”

I chuckle. “I’m not. I was joking.”

She shoves my chest, and though her hand is no longer touching me, her eyes linger before drifting lower to study my tattoo. She bites her lip as her gaze moves down to the ridges of my abs, and I feel a surge of heat despite my exhaustion.

“I’ll let you finish undressing,” she says, turning to leave.

“Wait.” I catch her wrist gently. “Stay with me? Just to talk.”

She hesitates for a moment before nodding. “All right. I’ll turn away while you get in.”

True to her promise, she faces the wall as I shed my last bit of clothing and ease into the hot water. The moment I’m submerged, a groan of pleasure escapes me. The water is the perfect temperature, and I feel my muscles starting to unwind.

“You can look now,” I tell her.

Christine perches on the tub’s edge, her gaze fixed on my face. “Better?” she asks.

“So much better.” I sigh, resting my head against the tub’s back. “How did you guess this was exactly what I needed?”

“You texted me about your grueling practice, so I figured this might help.”

“You know, I’ve never been a bath-taking guy, but that might need to change.”

She smiles, reaching for a washcloth and dipping it into the water. “Your coach worked you extra hard today, huh?”

“Yeah, but it wasn’t a surprise since he’s preparing us for Sunday. While it was rough, it was necessary.” I close my eyes as she gently presses the warm, wet cloth to my shoulder, moving it in soothing circles.

“It’s only natural you’d be sore,” she says, continuing her gentle ministrations. “You push yourself so hard.”

The warmth of the steaming water, combined with Christine’s tender touch, eases away the day’s stress. When I open my eyes, she’s gazing at me with an unreadable expression, as if she’s seeing me in a new light.

“I put some Epsom salt in the water. Magnesium is supposed to help with muscle soreness.”

“You’re too good to me,” I murmur as she continues running the cloth along my skin.

“I just want to care for you like you care for me.”

Her words make something tighten in my chest. When was the last time someone did something thoughtful for me, expecting nothing in return?

“You’re amazing,” I say, reaching up to clasp her hand. Our eyes meet, and suddenly the bathroom feels charged with an energy that wasn’t there before.

Christine swallows visibly. “I just wanted to help. You looked so exhausted when you walked in.”

“It’s more than that. You notice things. You pay close attention.” I gently tug her hand, urging her closer. “Come here.”

She hesitates before kneeling beside the tub, her face now level with mine. Water droplets cling to my skin, and I watch her eyes follow one rolling down my chest.

“Griffin…” she whispers, her tone questioning.

“I know we agreed we’d take things slow, and we will. But there’s something important I need to share with you.”

Her eyes are wide as she asks, “What is it?”

I stroke her cheek with my thumb. “I’m falling in love with you, Christine.”

Her breath hitches, and for a moment I worry she’s not ready for these words. But then she throws her arms around me, pressing her clothed chest to my wet one, and I draw her closer.

Her cheek pressed to mine, she says hoarsely, “I’m falling in love with you too. I have been since you turned tree decorating into a game.”

“For me, it began when I pulled the pine needle from your hair,” I tell her, running my hand down the back of her head.

“I kept that needle,” she confesses.

“You did?”

She pulls back just enough for me to see her green eyes reflecting the candlelight around us. They’re stunning, just like the rest of her.

“Why?” I ask.

“I don’t know what compelled me to do so. We’d only met that day. Maybe something inside me recognized the connection that would develop between us.”

I nod. “Maybe.”

“I should let you finish your bath before the water cools. Besides, I’m soaked now,” she says, looking down at the large damp patch on the front of her t-shirt.

“Why not join me? You can keep your bra and underwear on.”

Her eyebrows shoot upward at my suggestion. As she stands, I expect her to refuse, but she remains silent and pulls her shirt up over her head. Seeing her breasts in the white, lacy bra makes me suck in a quick breath. When she removes her pants and stands in front of me in her underwear, I nearly choke.

“You’re perfect,” I say, reaching out to help over the tub’s high side. “Sit right here, beautiful.” I guide her down between my legs and she reclines against my chest. “I apologize in advance if you feel anything poking you. I’m trying to behave, but it has a mind of its own.”

She laughs. “I’ve grown used to it poking me both nights we’ve slept together.”

“Hey, it was just saying hi.”

She snorts. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s it.”

Grabbing the face cloth, I swipe it across the top of her chest and over her collarbones.

“Mmm. That feels nice.” She tilts her head back, and I move the cloth up to her neck.

“It sure does,” I reply, overcome by a fierce desire for her, which is evident by the rock-hard state of my dick. She’s feeling it too, no doubt. I move the cloth gently over her breasts in circular motions, and her breath hitches as I trail it down her stomach. “Is this okay?”

“Yes,” she breathes.

Continuing my gentle ministrations, I notice how she relaxes into me with each pass of my hand. The bathroom is silent except for the occasional splash of water and our mingled breathing.

“Touch me,” she instructs.

Lowering the cloth further, I move it between her legs.

“No. Use your hands.”

Discarding the washcloth, I slip my hands back under the water. My fingers play along the edge of her underwear before dipping beneath. I groan as my hand slides down, cupping her warm pussy.

“You feel incredible.” My fingers glide backward to trace circles around her clit.

“Yes.” She lifts her hips in response as I continue my gentle exploration. Her breathing accelerates as I increase the pressure, finding a rhythm that makes her press against me and rock her hips.

“Griffin,” she gasps, her head falling back onto my shoulder.

Pressing my lips to her neck, I taste the mixture of bath water and her sweet skin. “I’ve got you,” I husk, increasing the pace of my stroking fingers. Her thighs start to shake, and I know she’s close.

She reaches back, gripping the nape of my neck, and rocks her hips faster. Water sloshes around us, nearly spilling over the edge of the tub.

“Let go for me, beautiful. I want to watch you come.”

Her body tenses against mine, and her mouth falls open as she shatters, trembling through her release. I stay with her, slowing the pace of my fingers and softening the pressure until I’ve drawn out every bit of her orgasm.

She turns her head, and I close my mouth over hers in a tender kiss. As we pull apart, Christine’s eyes slowly open, revealing a mix of contentment and wonder. She turns fully toward me in the water, causing small ripples to splash against the tub’s sides.

“That was…” she murmurs, a content smile on her lips.

“Just the start.” I complete her thought, gently tucking a wet strand of hair behind her ear.

“But what about you?” she asks.

I softly kiss her temple. “Tonight was all about you. I wanted to make you feel amazing.”

“Congratulations, you succeeded.” She rests her hand on my chest. “Your heart is pounding.”

“You have that effect on me.” I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer, relishing the sensation of her bare skin against mine and the intertwining of our limbs. I could stay like this forever. Or at least until the game on Sunday.

“The water’s getting chilly,” Christine whispers against my chest. “We should probably get out before we turn into prunes.”

I know she's right, though I hesitate to end this moment.

“Yeah, we probably should.”

She kneels, stands, and steps over the tub’s edge, offering me a view of her heart-shaped rear. At this rate, my hard-on isn’t going anywhere.