Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Passionate.
Driven.
Caring.
I’m so damn lucky that she’s mine.
Her love isn’t something I’ll ever take for granted. It doesn’t escape me just how close I came to losing her. To missing out on the incredible life we’re living.
For just a second or two, I stop and stare as bright sunlight pours over her blonde head. She’s so fucking beautiful.
We’ve been together for two years. It’s almost impossible to remember what life was like without her filling it. Kind of like I was living in black and white. With her, it’s all bright Technicolor.
We currently live in the dorms, but junior year, we’re taking that next step and getting an apartment together. It’s come to the point where we need our own space. Delilah’s roommate is tired of me bunking with her every night, but I refuse to spend it alone. I like the feel of her wrapped up in my arms. And there’s no way in hell she’s sleeping in my suite with another dude there.
Just as I’m about to take a step in her direction, she glances up and meets my gaze. A quick smile springs to her lips and my heart spasms in my chest.
It’s like this every damn time.
As soon as she lifts her hand in a wave, I snap out of the daze that’s fallen over me and eat up the distance between us with a dozen long-legged strides. When I’m close enough, I snatch the computer from her hands and set it carefully on the bench before hauling her into my arms and smacking my lips against hers. It doesn’t take long for the kiss to deepen.
I’m so damn greedy for her.
“Get a room, Hawthorne,” one of my teammates hollers.
My mouth stays fused to hers as I lift a hand and give him a one-fingered salute.
Asshole.
There’s a lot of snickering as the group strolls past.
These teammates are so different from the ones I had in Hawthorne. These guys are turning out to be more like brothers. It’s a kinship I missed. Unlike the Hawks, we really are one big family who looks out for and takes care of each other. It’s not just lip service before they knock you to the ground and kick you in the nuts.
There’s not much I wouldn’t do for these guys.
When Delilah and I finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard. I might have spent all my energy on the field, but the only thing I can focus on is getting this girl home and making her mine again.
Just like I did this morning.
There’s no better feeling in the world than sinking into the warmth of her body.
For me, she’s home.
She always will be.
“Missed you, sweet girl,” I whisper.
“Missed you, too.”
“Ready to get out of here?”
She nods before nipping at my lower lip. A growl rumbles up from deep within my chest. It takes every ounce of willpower not to take her mouth all over again.
But that would only delay us.
And I’m not about to do that.
Here’s hoping her roommate pulls a vanishing act for the next few hours.
“Better knock that shit off right now, or you’ll find yourself flat on your back with an audience while I take you.”
She snorts, used to my comments by now. “Like you’d allow anyone to watch me come.”
I narrow my eyes.
She’s right about that.
“Getting kind of sassy, aren’t you?”
A grin curves her lips. “Maybe.”
Without breaking eye contact, I rest my forehead against hers. “Sounds like someone needs to have her ass spanked.”
“Don’t make promises you have no intention of keeping,” she whispers.
That comment shoves me right over the edge. My chest vibrates with another growl as I crouch and scoop her up into my arms.
I get two steps before she blurts with a laugh, “I need my books!”
An exasperated huff escapes from me as I set her down. On wobbly legs, she scrambles to pack up her belongings before rejoining me. As soon as she’s within striking distance, I toss her backpack over one shoulder and lift her into my arms. One of her hands drifts to my face before cupping my shadowed cheek.
“Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
I press into her delicate palm as I continue walking. People turn and stare before smiling. A few girls giggle, their eyes going dreamy. As far as I’m concerned, every woman should be swept up into her man’s arms and carried off to the bedroom.
“It can’t be as much as I love you,” I shoot back, hoping she never doubts my feelings.
Her lips lift into a soft smile. “You’re wrong about that. I’m pretty sure I fell head over heels in love the first time I caught sight of you in the office. And I never stopped. Not even when I needed distance to clear my head. You were always there, tangled up in my thoughts and lurking in my dreams as if you were already a part of me. Our love story was never going to end any other way than this.”