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“That sounds a lot like following to me.” I glare at him. “When were you going to tell me I had a stalker?”
“Hey.” Shawn touches my cheek and tips my chin back. “If you want me to get rid of them, I will.”
“That would be nice,” I say. “Are they peeping in my windows, too?”
He glances at the screen and gives his family a sheepish smile. “We better go. I’ll call you next week, Mom, to make sure everything is finalized.”
“Sounds good. Love you, honey. It was great to meet you, Lacey,” Kelly says, and I plaster on a smile.
“It was nice to meet you all too,” I say, and I wave goodbye. “See you soon.”
Shawn closes the laptop, and he sighs. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
I stand up and pace around his living room. “Why is someone keeping an eye on me? Are you expecting something bad to happen?”
“No.” He stands up and tugs me toward him.“I care about you, okay? A whole fucking lot. And I know I’m not the most popular guy in the world, but I get letters from fans every week. Weird shit, like notes from women that say they want me to be their baby’s daddy.”
“I know I give you shit about your fraternity boy calendar shoot, but you know I’m not great with football. How famous are you in the sports world?”
“I won five Super Bowls. I have the league record for most touchdowns in a season. I’m fairly famous,” he admits. “I can’t really control it, and now that you’re associated with me, it’s my responsibility to keep you safe. I amgoingto keep you safe, Lacey. I’m sorry for not telling you. That was shitty of me.”
I suck in a breath. My eyes prick with tears, and I dip my chin. “You care about me?” I ask. My voice wobbles, and I sniff. “A whole fucking lot?”
“Yeah, Lacey girl,” he says softly, and he tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. His thumb traces down my jaw, and my skin feels hot under his touch. “I do. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes.” I nod. “That’s okay with me. I care about you, too.”
“Good. I promise this guy isn’t looking in your windows or going through your underwear drawer. He just makes sure you get to and from work safely. He goes home at seven on the dot, and he’ll stop the minute I ask him to. Some of the players on the team have security for their other halves, too.”
Before I know what I’m doing, my hands are holding his shirt and I’m tugging him toward me. “I’ve never had someone take care of me before. Not really,” I say. “Not like this.”
“It’s an honor to be the first,” Shawn says.
“I’m sorry for getting worked up and jumping down your throat.”
“And I’m sorry for not telling you.”
I look up at him. He’s watching me intently, and he smiles when our eyes meet. It’s a different smile from what I’ve seen from him before. This one is secretive, almost. Soft. Special, too. It makes my heart skip a beat and my throat go dry.
“Will you let me know when you get to California?” I ask.
His touch dances down my throat and his hand settles around the back of my neck. “Worried about me, Lacey girl?”
“Yes,” I whisper, and I don’t miss the way he doesn’t use my last name like our usual sparring matches. “I am.”
Shawn hums, and I feel hot everywhere. I think lava courses through my blood at the sound. “I’ll miss you,” he says. “Life’s more fun with a fake girlfriend by my side.”
“I’ll miss you too,” I say back. “But only because you can cook your ass off.”
He laughs and frees me from his hold. He heads back toward the kitchen, and I watch him go. “Speaking of, want dessert?” he asks over his shoulder. “I have ice cream in the freezer.”
“Sure.” I touch my neck where his hand rested, and I take a deep breath. “Sounds perfect.”
Perfect,I think.Just like him.
Oh,shit.
SIXTEEN
