Craving The Player (Amateurs In Love Book 1)(75)

There has to be a thousand questions running through my mom’s head right now, considering that there’s only ever been two past girlfriends in my life, and I would never have taken either of them to such a family-filled event. Not willingly, at least.

“I’m sorry, Sierra. I have loose lips.” Mom laughs with a slight roll of her eyes. “I’ll leave you two for now. But I’ll be back. Don’t disappear before I have a chance to chat with you some more.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Tia,” Sierra replies, flashing her a genuine smile that has my heart thumping a bit too heavily.

“Well, alright.” My shoulder is squeezed once more as breath tickles my ear. “I like her,” Mom whispers and walks away, leaving my chest filled with pride.

Me too, Mom. I really fucking like her.





Sierra


“Did I tell you how beautiful you look yet?" Braden asks, the words kissing the skin of my shoulder seconds before his lips do. I tighten my arms around his neck and hide my growing smile in his shirt, welcoming the familiar smell of his cologne. The music playing around us has been slow for the past few minutes now, seeing as we're one of the only pairs left on the dancefloor. Most guests left when Braden’s dad and new bride did, but some hung around, reveling in the classy music and free bar.

I didn’t mind staying and surprisingly, neither did Braden. We've just been hidden in our own little world, swaying slowly to the music, clutching each other like we fear the other might vanish in thin air if we let go.

"You did. A few times.” Heat warms my cheeks as I pull away just enough to stare up at him. There's an unmissable playfulness in his eyes, one that always sparks when he's happy. Really happy. The thought alone of him feeling so lighthearted and giddy while in my presence makes me feel prouder than I probably should.

"Well, I'm going to tell you again," he murmurs, kissing my hair tenderly. "You look stunning."

"You're feeling generous tonight." I toy with the hairs at the base of his neck and grin when he shivers.

"You have no idea.”

"Is that so?"

Much to my surprise, Braden has kept to his word all night, never touching me in anything but a gentlemanly way. But as nice as it’s been, there have been a few times that I’ve wanted nothing more than for him to reach under the table and slide a hand up my dress. I’m pretty sure that that’s just my hormones talking, though.

"Give me one more dance. Then I can show you what I mean."

"I already know what you mean," I poke, loving the way his lips tug to the ceiling when I tease him. “But I’ll give you the pleasure of one more dance.”

He doesn't reply right away. He pulls me closer instead, close enough that my chest moves with his with every sharp inhale. “Did you have a good time? I know that Gracie can get a bit nosey.”

“It was great.” I press my palm to his chest, directly over where his heart beats. “And you really love to rile her up. Poor girl.”

“Poor girl? Did you forget what she did to me tonight?” Braden looks traumatized as he gags. The repulsion in his eyes makes me laugh, choking on air mid-laugh.

The pissed look on Gracie’s face when Braden gave her a noogie will be forever in my memory. I was genuinely surprised when she didn’t try and attack his balls as payback. That’s usually my go to revenge move. However, Gracie preferred a much subtler form of revenge. She had the chef swap their plates before they were brought out, making Braden choke down whatever vegan meat she ordered while she pretended to dig into his steak. How he didn’t notice the difference in texture or smell is beyond me. But the way he struggled with the silent retching while gulping down mouthfuls of water straight from the pitcher was hilarious.

“I don’t think I could ever forget.” My forehead falls to his chest as my body shakes with silent laughter. There’s no point in holding it in, Braden can pretend that he’s still annoyed but I know that he loved the whole thing. His playful nature is too strong to be wounded by some fake veggie steak.

Braden’s hands move from my hips to my sides before his finger’s are digging into them. I shove away from him, squealing and swatting at him. “You think it’s funny that I nearly threw up all over the table? Wait until I get you home, little fighter. You won’t be laughing then.”

“Stop! Stop!”

His head falls back with a loud laugh, his eyes twinkling beneath the party lights. Tears blur my vision as my abdomen begins to ache. Our eyes meet and my belly fills with warmth.

A portrait of pure joy is staring right at me in the form of a truly beautiful man. One with bushy, scarred eyebrows, eyes the same shade as expensive whiskey, and a smile that could turn even the most ruthless of people into a puddle of goo at his feet. Braden is protective in the best ways and also playful enough that in those few moments where you find yourself stuck in the realities of being a grown-up, he can make you feel like a kid again. He’s everything that I’ve been needing and begging for.

“You’re really beautiful,” I choke out before my eyes bulge and then shut. Our laughter slowly dies, and the air begins to fill with an emotion so thick and heavy that I gasp, suddenly overwhelmed with the feeling to clutch my chest.

His mouth falls, and he lets out a wavering exhale. “I will never hold a flame to your beauty, my little fighter. I promise you that.”