I laugh against her skin, kissing her softly as I look up into her wild, blue-tinted eyes. We shift onto our sides, embraced in each other’s arms, and we lie still while I gently run my fingertips along her curve for God knows how long.
I lie back and she instantly fits into the crook of my arm, setting her head on my chest and I breathe in the warm scent of her hair.
“This is nice,” she whispers, looking out the open door to the shining world outside.
“Yeah.” I kiss her head. “It’s not too bad.”
Chapter 18
Rose
I wake up and, for a second, I’m not sure where I am but I know beyond doubt that I’m safe.
The morning sun barely bleeds through the tinted windows, an autumn wind hustles the trees outside the closed van, and John Kirby lies behind me with a strong arm wrapped around me, clinging to me in his sleep.
I hesitate, not wanting to wake him, but I crane my neck to look back anyway. A rush of warmth overwhelms me as I gaze at him and I can’t help but roll around to get a better look at him.
His eyes flutter open and he shows a weak smile, exhausted but content, as he stirs beneath our blanket. “Hey…”
“Hey,” I say. “So, we fell asleep.”
“Yes, we did.”
I furrow my brow. “When?”
He shifts onto his back and yawns. “Oh… sometime after the third time, I think.”
“Third or fourth?”
“Definitely third.”
“Are you sure?”
“Nope.”
We laugh and I sit up, scanning the van for my clothes.
“What are you doing?” he asks me.
“Looking for my phone—”
“No.” He grabs my arm and pulls me back to him. “Not yet. Please.”
“Why not?” I laugh.
“Because if you check your phone, then the outside world takes over.”
I smile. “You make an excellent point.” I settle back down on the mattress and he hugs me against him again. “I can spare a few more minutes.”
John kisses me as he caresses my cheek. “So…” he says, clearing his throat, “Junior Morgan is getting married next month.”
I nod. “Congratulations to Junior Morgan.”
“I want you to go with me to the wedding.”
“Um…” I blink. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Because obvious. Private dates in modified vans are one thing but I can’t be your date to a wedding.”
“There’s no rule against you being my plus one,” he argues. “Friends go with friends to weddings all the time.”
“It will look like a date, no matter what. It’s too risky.”
His fingers spider up my bare arm. “But I like risky.”
“No,” I say, shaking the tickle off.
His lip curls to one side. “Cary Pierce will be there.”
I frown at his sinister eyes. “That’s cheating.”
“Five hundred and fifty-seven touchdowns…”
“John…”
“Eighty-one thousand passing yards…”
“Stop.”
He laughs. “I know you can’t resist a good statistical rundown.”
I hum sarcastically. “Oh, take me now.”
“Come to the wedding with me,” he says, kissing my neck. “Nothing bad will happen, I promise. We’ll just hang out, drink a little champagne, find a vacant room to fool around in…”
“Nope.”
“Maybe not that last part… unless you change your mind.”
“I won’t.”
His lips hover above mine. “We’ll see.” He kisses me slowly and I quiver lightly as he pulls my bottom lip between his teeth — a move that always turns my bones to jelly.
“Okay…” I sigh. “I’ll go to the wedding with you.”
He kisses me even harder. “Thank you. Be sure to wear something…”
“Elegant and professional?”
“I was going to say naughty and revealing, but yeah, we’ll go with those.”
I laugh. “I can be all of the above.”
“I know you can.” He smiles, leaning in for another kiss. “Wait…” He pulls away. “You’ve never slept with Junior Morgan, have you?”
I pause. “No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure.”
“Good.”
I blink with confusion but quickly forget all about it once his lips attack my neck again.
My chest jolts. “Shit.”
He pauses. “What?”
“It’s Monday.”
“So?”
I stare at him, waiting until he catches up to me.
Finally, he nods. “It’s Monday,” he says. “We have classes.”
I point toward my jeans lying by his ankles. “Pants, please.”
John reluctantly bends forward to grab them, but he holds them back without giving them to me. “Just one more kiss first.”
I lean into him and he cups my cheek, holding me there as his lips take over mine. “Thank you, John,” I whisper. “This was…”
“Nice?”
“Perfect.”
He kisses me again and I kiss him back, letting the moment last for a little while longer.
* * *
I could not be more exhausted. My abs burn and my legs twinge when I walk from being stretched just a bit too far but…
Yeah, it was worth it.
I stand by the coffee cart, patiently waiting for my chance at a shot of caffeine before heading toward Prism Hall, and I can’t stop the smile from stretching across my face.
John Kirby.
“You’re shining a bit too bright for a Monday morning, sweetheart.”
I cringe and glance over my shoulder to find Douglas standing behind me. “Hey, Douglas,” I mutter, my smile finally falling.
He nudges me with his elbow. “What’s got you so happy?”
I look forward. “Nothing.”
“Well, I know just the thing that’ll turn that frown around…” he says, lowering his voice to a sexy growl. Or, to a growl that he thinks is sexy. When I don’t say a word, he leans in closer like a damn child. “Don’t you want to know what it is?”
“Not really.”
“You’ll change your mind tonight,” he says. “Eight o’clock. I’ll swing by your place—”
“Douglas.” I turn around and inhale a quick breath. “No.”
“Okay. We’ll make it my place, then.”
“No,” I repeat. “I’ve said no before, I’m saying no now, and I will continue to say no until you get the hint in that thick fucking skull of yours. No. It’s not going to happen.”
He laughs and takes a step back. “If you say so…”
“I do.” I step out of line, suddenly not needing that caffeine boost after all. “Never speak to me again.”
I leave him behind, feeling the edges of my lips twitch with each step I take. By the time I reach the lecture hall, my smile is back. It grows just a little wider when I see John sitting in his seat in the front row.
Just perfect.
Chapter 19
John
November
Damn, I look good.
I don’t get to break out the suit very often but I sure as hell jump when the chance comes up. Windsor knotted tie. Shiny, black shoes. I’m like a damn secret agent on an undercover mission.
I just need a badass lady to hang on my arm and this outfit is officially complete.
Junior Morgan is getting married today and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. We dominated the game last night. Just one more game left in the season, just one more chance to nab that championship. School is great. Life is great. And Rose…
To say that I’m on cloud nine doesn’t quite cover it.
I can’t exactly scream it from the rooftops but there’s plenty of words and feelings I’d happily express if I could — things I’ve never said or felt before in my life abou
t anyone.
Rose is my rock. My pulse. She’s the reason I get up in the morning.
And today, she’s my date for this wedding.
I knock on her door, quickly taking a last look at myself to make sure I still look damn good — I do — before I hear her sliding the lock free from the inside.
The door opens and my heart stops.
“Hey, John.” She turns away, perfectly unaware of the fact that I’m standing dead in her hallway. “I’m running a little late. Just need a few minutes…”
Rose wears a navy-blue dress with short sleeves. The skirt ends at her knees and, unlike those tight pencil skirts I’m so fond of, this one has a bit of flair that sways with her hips. Strappy, black heels. Blonde hair up without even a single loose lock dangling down.
My lungs lurch. I should probably start breathing again.
“John, you okay?” She chuckles as she slides an earring into her lobe.
“Rose, I love…” I bite my tongue, “that dress.”
“Yeah?” She gives me a quick twirl. “I changed like three times.”
“It’s perfect.”
She looks at me and smiles. “And you… you clean up very nicely.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know, Rose. I think I’m just going to make you look bad.”
She laughs. “I guess we’ll see. Are you going to come in or stand out there?”
I look down, realizing I’m still standing in her hallway. “I am going to come in,” I say, walking forward and kicking the door closed behind me, “and do this.”
I grab her hand and pull her closer to me.
“Wait, wait—” she says.
I crush my lips on hers. She relaxes in my arms and kisses me back, softly chuckling as her hand slides over my neck.
“That’s the only one you get,” she says, backing up. “I don’t want to have to keep redoing my lipstick.”
“Well, in that case—”
I tug her back in for another kiss. Our lips blend and caress together, matching like perfect puzzle pieces and my heart thumps like crazy.
Rose lays a hand on my chest and guides me back. “Later,” she teases. “We’re just friends today, remember?”
“Just friends.” I nod. “Got it.”
“I’m going to grab my purse and then I think we’re ready.” She points at my face and winks. “You may want to fix your lipstick, too.”
I touch my lips and that bright color rubs off on my fingers. “I don’t know. This shade totally brings out my eyes, doesn’t it?”
She laughs and the world makes sense.
* * *
“Holy crap.”
I smile. Rose has said it about fourteen times since we got here but it never gets any less cute. Her wide eyes peek out through her glasses, touching any and everything they can throughout each room we pass through. The foyer, the kitchen, especially the back garden.
I’ll admit, I’m a bit impressed with the garden myself. The last time I saw it, it was set up for a press event for Cary Pierce to show off the young and talented team he was going to coach to victory last year; landscaped with tall bushes and bright lights set up so the photographers could get our best sides and all that crap.
Now, it looks even better. Dozens of chairs are set up with a wide aisle between them; rows of them pointed toward a white altar standing on the far side. The pool on the opposite side is covered with rose petals. A string quartet plays softly nearby. Most of the team has already arrived, sitting in chairs scattered around both sides with their dates.
“This is adorable,” Rose says, glancing around.
I admire her grin. “Yes, it is.”
We walk down the aisle together to find our seats and I catch multiple eyes staring us down — including Douglas. I knew Junior invited the whole team, but I honestly didn’t expect many of the defensive linemen to show up, especially not him. He sits near the back with Stephanie Gomez, of all people. I guess he didn’t get the memo about a classy plus one, or he flat out ignored it.
To her credit, Stephanie seems to be taking the occasion seriously with a tasteful, black cocktail dress but she’s got her face so immersed in her phone that she hasn’t quite noticed how hard Douglas is staring at Rose instead of her.
I sit us down on the opposite side near the front.
Rose glances around, her eyes still wide and sparkling with glee. She looks over her shoulder and pauses, her face falling slightly before she spins forward again.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Yep,” she answers. “So, that’s Junior Morgan.”
I look at him by the altar. He seems oddly calm for a guy about to get married; chatting and chuckling away with Ty standing beside him. “That’s Junior.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen him this close before…”
I laugh. “One of your finest qualities, Rose.”
“Oh, yeah…” She chuckles. “I hear he has quite the reputation.”
“Not anymore. He’s a one-woman man now. Well, two, if you count his daughter.”
She glances around. “I keep hearing about this perfect baby girl. Where is she?”
“I’m sure she’ll make an appearance…” I say, scanning the rows.
After a few minutes, the string quartet swells into the familiar wedding march. Heads spin around, eager to catch their first glimpses of the blushing bride.
But first, it’s just Grant.
Rose gasps, along with every other lady sitting around.
Grant holds Junior and Eliza’s daughter in one arm with a basket full of flower petals in the other. He reaches in and tosses a few on the grass, prompting little Courtney to do the same as he walks slowly toward the altar.
“Oh, my god…” Rose coos.
“Yep,” I nod.
“Okay, yeah. That baby couldn’t be cuter.”
“I know, right?” I glance over at her and shrug. “You could probably do better, though.”
She pauses, her eyes flicking in my direction as her cheeks turn bright red. “Who’s the guy?” she whispers, changing the subject.
I lean in closer. “That’s Grant.”
“He looks familiar.”
“Do you go to school plays?”
“Yep,” she nods with recognition, “that’s where I know him from. He was the lead with Eliza last year.”
“Uh-huh.” Grant winks at me as he passes us by. “He lives with Ty Fisher.”
“Like… lives with Ty Fisher?”
Grant stops at the altar and passes the baby into Junior’s loving arms. Before he takes his spot on the bride’s side, he plants a kiss on Ty’s cheek.
“Yep,” I answer.
“Aww.” She sighs.
Everyone looks back again as the first few notes of “Here Comes the Bride” strike our ears.
Another round of ahhs break through the crowd, everyone staring at Eliza as she takes her first steps down the long aisle in her white dress.
Rose’s jaw drops, her eyes locked on the man giving her away. “Holy crap.”
I chuckle. “Calm down, Rose.”
“It’s Cary Pierce,” she squeals softly.
“Yes, I know.”
“Holy crap.”
I grab her hand to soothe the growing fangirl fit as they march by us.
While everyone else stares at the happy couple, standing together with their baby barely holding herself up between them, I can’t break my gaze on Rose. I used to think the kind of relationship Junior and Eliza have was unattainable but now, I’m not so sure.
Rose peeks over at me, suddenly realizing that I’m still holding her hand on my lap. I see that look of unease behind her glasses, but she doesn’t try to pull away.
Instead, she just looks back at me and smiles.
And then, it hits me.
I’m going to spend the rest of my life with Rose Hawthorne.
Chapter 20
Rose
After the ceremony, we’re led back into the house and I re
lish in the opportunity to take another look around Cary Pierce’s house.
The ballroom in the east wing is set up for the reception with nearly twenty tables scattered around and a dance floor stationed in the middle. A DJ has already taken his place near the front table, just waiting for the signal to kick the beat up a notch.
Junior and Eliza stand by the doorway, greeting guests as they walk in. Most of us rush to Eliza first since she’s holding the baby while the football players mostly just shake Junior’s hand.
“Congratulations, Eliza,” I tell her. “It was a beautiful ceremony.”
“Thank you…” she says, shaking my hand while expertly balancing her daughter in the other arm.
“Rose,” I say, noticing her head tilt.
“Ahh, yes! You’re one of the team’s plus ones. It’s nice to meet you.” She glances around. “Which one are you with?”
I point toward him and Junior. “John.”
She blinks and looks me up and down. “John?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
“John Kirby?”
“Is that bad?”
She laughs. “No, no. You just…” Her eyes flick between me and him. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you seem so normal and he’s…”
“Eccentric?”
“That’s a nice way of putting it, yes.”
“What can I say?” I shrug. “He has his finer qualities.”
“It’s not that I don’t believe you, Rose,” she grins, “but I’m just going to take your word for it.”
“I don’t blame you.”
We laugh and I manage a quick poke of the baby’s cheeks before walking in with John. He leads me toward our table. I smile as he pulls out my chair for me.
“So, she has a really high opinion of you,” I tell him as I sit down.
“Who? Eliza?”
“Yeah.”
He sits down beside me. “She just knows what Junior tells her.”
“And what does Junior tell her?”
He clears his throat and smiles. “Lies and heresy, I’d imagine.”
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