Unexpected Rush (Play-By-Play #11)(94)

Harmony’s breath held, her pulse raced and she wasn’t sure if she was breathing or not. As a declaration of love, it was one she’d spent her entire adult life dreaming about.

“You love me.”

“One hundred percent. Though I’ve done a shitty job showing it. I promise I’ll do better in the future if you’ll give me the chance. I’ve had a talk with Drake, apologized to him for not being straight with him from the start. He and I are good now. I apologized to your mother as well, because I should have talked to her, too. You were the last person I came to because you’re the most important person in my life, Harmony. You’re the woman I love, the one I want to spend my life with. You’re my future.”

Tears pricked her eyes. “Dammit, Barrett. I’m painting my wall.”

His lips curved. “I can see that. Do you need to finish it?”

“You don’t understand. It’s my way of getting over you.”

He looked over at the wall, then back at her, giving her a look of utter sympathy. “It’s a pretty awful color.”

“I know.” She let out a sob and fell against him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, and God she needed that.

When she pulled back she lifted her gaze to his. “I love you, Barrett.”

He brushed her tears away with his fingers. “Forgive me?”

“Yes.”

He kissed her, and her world spun right on its axis again. Having his lips on hers had always made everything right.

He swept her into his arms and carried her upstairs to her bedroom.

“I need to make love to you,” he said, lifting her tank top and bra off and flicking his tongue over her nipples.

She threaded her fingers into his hair. “Yes.”

He pushed her down on the bed and pulled off her shorts and underwear. “And I need to tell you that you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”

He always made her feel beautiful, and when he touched her body with his hands and his mouth, cupping her sex and making her ready for him, she felt worshipped.

He stripped, spread her legs and entered her, his amazing body rising above hers. She snaked her hands down the corded muscle of his arms, reveling in this man who was hers, who would always be hers, as he lifted and drove into her, taking her into a spiraling orgasm that made her cry out his name. And when he went with her, she wrapped her legs tightly around him and claimed him as he shuddered within her.

After, they lay together, entwined together. She rested her head against his chest and let her fingers travel over his expansive chest.

“What now?” she asked.

“Before I royally f*cked everything up, I was going to ask if you’d be interested in moving into my house.”

She splayed her hand over his chest. “I don’t know. I really like my town house, especially with the new purple wall in the living room.”

He raised his head. “Really?”

She laughed. “No. Are you kidding? I’d love to move into your house. I love that house. I might have even subconsciously designed it with the thought of someday living there.”

“It’s the steam shower, isn’t it?” he asked.

She grinned. “Of course.”

He laughed, then rolled her over onto her back, kissing her so thoroughly her body ached for him again.

“It’s yours. I’m yours, Harmony. Forever.”

An unexpected rush of love and tenderness filled her. “And I’m yours, Barrett. Always.”





Thirty-Nine





Dinner at mama’s house was chaotic as usual. The guys had an away game this weekend, which meant it was a full house tonight. Everyone wanted home cooking before they headed out on the road.

Mama and the aunts had made meatloaf and mashed potatoes, along with salad and green beans. Aunt Paula had baked homemade biscuits.

Harmony was starving. She’d put in a full day of work, and though she’d snacked all day, she hadn’t had a full lunch, so she was more than ready to dig in.

Plus, tonight was the first night Barrett was going to be here as her man, out in the open, no skulking around. She intended to enjoy every minute of that.

She laid her purse on the table by the door and made a beeline for the iced tea in the kitchen. Alyssa was already there and, as soon as she saw her, she poured her a glass.

“You’re my savior,” she said, hugging her friend.

“You look worn-out,” Alyssa said.

“Long day.”

“Hey, baby sis,” Drake said, coming up next to her and giving her a short hug.

“Hey yourself. How did practice go today?”

“Good.”

“Where’s Barrett?”

“He texted me a little while ago and said he had to make a stop on the way, but he should be here soon.”

“Okay. And did you bring the entire team with you tonight?”

Drake laughed as he looked around the living room. “Seems like it, huh?”

She went into the dining room and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek. “Hi, Mama.”

Her mother gave her a sweet smile. “Hello, baby girl. How was your day?”

“Intense. And I’m hungry.”

“Go get yourself a snack. Dinner will be ready in a little while.”