Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Fuck. She still doesn’t get it. She isn’t my latest hookup. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, and I don’t know how to make her understand that without completely freaking her out. I want to tell her there isn’t going to be another woman after her, but she’s not ready to hear that - not yet, anyway. Instead, I grip the steering wheel and nod. “I get it.”
I don’t, but I get why she’s scared. We are quiet the rest of the way into Jasper. When we reach the Regency, I park and reach for my door, but Nicole stops me. “No, it’s okay. I’m fine from here.”
I grit my teeth. “Nicole, I’m not the kind of man who does what I did with you last night and then doesn’t walk you to your door the next morning.”
She puts her hand on my forearm. “I know that, but I also know if you walk me through that hotel, it’ll probably be online by this afternoon.” She blows out a breath. “You have a game to concentrate on.”
My eyebrows lift. “Are you coming?” I shake my head before she can answer. “Of course you are. Your dad is pitching tonight.”
She bites her lip and nods. I can practically see all the thoughts running through her head. I reach for her and brush my thumb over her bottom lip. “So I’ll see you later?”
I hate how much I need the reassurance. She nods and looks at my mouth. Before she can reach for the door, I lean toward her. “What about kissing? Am I allowed to kiss you right now?”
She lets out a slow breath before nodding. That’s all I need. I cup her cheek and press my lips to hers. The kiss is explosive from the first touch. I tilt her head and deepen it, pouring everything I can’t say into it. If she won’t let me tell the world she’s mine, then I’m damn sure going to make sure she knows how I feel. When I finally pull back, we’re both breathing hard.
Her eyes stay closed for a second before she opens them. “Guy…”
I brush my thumb across her swollen bottom lip. “I’ll keep this between us for now.”
Relief flashes across her face. “But don’t confuse a secret with something casual, Nicole.”
Her eyes widen. I hold her gaze. “You can call this whatever you need to call it while you figure things out, but I know what it is to me.”
“What is it?”
I lean forward and kiss her forehead. “More.”
She stares at me, and for once she doesn’t argue.
I open my door and walk around the truck before she can stop me. When I pull open her door, she gives me a look. “I thought we agreed you weren’t walking me inside.”
“I’m not.”
I take her hand and help her down, then pull her into my arms right there beside the truck. Her arms wrap around my waist. “I’ll see you tonight,” I tell her.
She nods against my chest. “Tonight.”
I kiss the top of her head and force myself to let her go.
She walks toward the hotel, and I stay exactly where I am until she disappears through the doors.
Then I look down at her white hair tie still wrapped around my wrist. She wants this to be a secret. Fine. But casual? Not a fucking chance.
CHAPTER 14
NICOLE
I can’t stop smiling. My dad threw a no hitter, and Guy hit three home runs. The whole stadium is going crazy as the Jasper Bears celebrate another win on the field. I’m watching both of them when Guy looks up into the stands straight at me. I can’t stop myself from waving excitedly.
He winks and waves back.
My stomach flips. He disappears toward the dugout, and I turn my attention back to Dad as everyone on the team congratulates him. He may be a veteran, but tonight he pitched better than ever. I’m about to head down toward the tunnel when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and instantly smile when I see Guy’s name. You coming over?
God, I want to. Last night was amazing, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it all day. But I’ve also spent the entire day reminding myself that I need to take this slowly and protect myself. I will not become another woman on Guy Brody’s list of conquests. I can’t.
I type my response into my phone. Congratulations on your three home runs. I can’t come over. I’m eating pancakes with my dad.
I send the message and stare at my phone waiting for a response, but nothing comes. Disappointment hits me harder than it should. I shove my phone back into my pocket and head toward the tunnel to wait for Dad. I know him well enough to know he’ll refuse to spend much time in the interview room. I get there just in time to see Guy signing a couple of shirts for fans before Coach grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him toward the media area. I’d hoped to congratulate him in person, but I don’t have time to dwell on it because Dad is walking toward me.