Scored(56)

“There aren’t any snake pits around here for you to fall in. I googled to make sure so when we have a picnic at Falls Lake, you won’t be worried… shit. That was supposed to be a surprise.”

My heart flutters. “You did? It is?”

“Anything for my girlfriend’s peace of mind, and yeah, I thought a picnic would be nice when we got back from Miami. Hopefully, it won’t be too cold for you.”

I spin around and grab his shirt, pulling him to me. “That’s so romantic.”

“I’m getting moderately better at it,” he says with that cocky grin I’ve come to adore. “Catherine gave me the idea.”

“You should listen to your sister-in-law more often.” I lift on the balls of my feet and kiss him.

“About Catherine… and the rest of my family, they really liked you.”

I take a step back, my hand loosening on his shirt. “They did?”

“Mom and Dad couldn’t stop singing your praises. Mikey said you were okay in his book, which is the best compliment you’ll get from that pain in the ass. Catherine wants to quit her job at the coffee shop and become a librarian.” For once, his forest-green eyes aren’t smiling. He looks… afraid? Nervous?

“I’m not sure how to respond. Normally, I’d be pleased and relieved, but you don’t seem like you’re either of those things.” My stomach churns and my throat gets a little dry. It seems silly to feel like this. Yes, we’re exclusive and not casual, but he’s not my fiancé or—

“My parents wanted me to ask you to spend Christmas with us. They wanted Thanksgiving, but I have to play and I don’t know what you’re doing with your family.”

My skin gets all itchy and I have the urge to bolt, but I stay where I am with a smile fixed firmly on my face. “Let me think about it and get back to you.”

He cants his head from side to side. “Better answer than I thought I’d get.”

“You thought I’d say no?”

“Nope. I knew you’d no. Hell, I bet your polite reply is just a way for you to stall for time so you can come up with a reasonable explanation as to why you can’t be with me—us.”

Taken aback, I fist my hands on my hips. “I do have a family, Dallas.”

“You could’ve fooled me seeing as how I’ve only met your sister and she doesn’t even know about us.”

“Do you want Finley to know?”

His jaw works, turning granite hard. “Not if she’s going to react to it like you are.”

I throw my hands into the air. “Where is this coming from?”

“Nowhere. It’s just how I feel.” He shifts his stance. “We don’t ever go out in public, Paige. You don’t come to my games. When you thought I was asking you to, you were shutting me down before I had the chance to explain anything.”

“I told you that you could say you were seeing someone, and I’m going with you to Miami, not only as your guest, but also as your girlfriend. Your teammates will be there.”

“Big fucking deal. They can’t say shit about us.” He walks past me, moving into the kitchen. “I made sure of that to protect your precious privacy.”

I follow him, my heels clicking angrily on the floor. “Don’t act like this is something new. I was upfront about how I felt about dating someone like you.”

“Yeah, thanks for the ego boost, babe.” He opens the fridge, gets out a water, and rips off the top. “Appreciate it.”

“Like you need an ego boost from anyone. Don’t be that guy, Dallas.” As soon as I lob those words at him like a grenade, I want to take them back.

“What guy is that? The one who fucks you, eats your pussy, and makes you scream my name, or the one whose dick you love to suck?”

Outraged, I grab an apple from the bowl of fruit that he keeps on the island and throw it at him. He catches it easily and takes a bite.

“You’re such a pig.”

He stalks to me. “Oink. Oink. And don’t act like you don’t love getting dirty with me.”

“I never said I didn’t like it.”

His eyes widen in surprise, then grow hooded. “Show me.”

“How?” I lick my lips and become acutely aware of how the nearness of him, the scent of his cologne, and the fullness of his mouth turn me on.

“Get down on your knees, bright eyes. You know what to do next.” He leans back against the island and resumes eating the apple. “I’m waiting for your apology.”

“My apology?” I sputter, even as I’m kneeling before him. He’s right. I should apologize, but so should he. “I think we both need to apologize.”

“You first, baby.” He thrusts his pelvis in my face, the ridge of his erection nearly obscene in his sweatpants. “I’m ready when you are.”





CHAPTER 22




Dallas


Paige stares up at me with eyes so big and blue that I forget for a second what she’s about to do.

My consciences barges in, reminding me I’m about to get a blow job as a form of an apology from her. And what is she apologizing for exactly?

Calling me out?

Reminding me of the truth?