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“I’m sorry, Dallas. She knows you’re going to call first thing in the morning.”
“It’s not your fault. The time zone change always throws me off, and I thought I had an extra hour to spare.”
“I bet if you asked Shawn, he’d let you have your phone at practice so you could see her before she goes to bed.”
“I’m sure he would, but I don’t want him making exceptions just for me. Lots of guys have kids, and they miss saying goodnight to them too. I’m not special.”
“No, you’re not, but I’m sure your teammates would like that opportunity.”
“We’ll see. How was your night? What are you doing?”
“It was good. I just got in bed, and I’m going to do some reading.”
“Which book? The one with all the red tabs you left by the couch?”
I stare at him, and my mouth pops open. “How do you know about the tabs?”
“Confession. I’ve been reading your books,” Dallas says with a sheepish smile.
“Which books?”
“All of them. The one you forgot on the kitchen counter the other day. The ones you have next to your bed. I can’t put them down.”
“Stop.” I laugh and sit up. I bring my legs to my chest and rest my chin on my knees. “You’re fucking with me. There’s no way you read my romance novels.”
“Why? Because I’m an illiterate football player?”
“Because they’re love stories with all these grand gestures and sweeping declarations. There isn’t any blood or guts or anything you would find interesting.”
“Blood and guts are overrated,” he says.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I have a whole bookshelf you can look at if you want.”
“Sneaking them from you is way more fun.”
“This makes so much more sense. My bookmark was in the wrong spot the other night, and I thought I was imagining things when I picked it up yesterday.”
“Sorry. Next time I’ll make sure it’s on the right page. What do the tabs mean?”
“It’s a way of keeping track of things I like in the book. They’re color-coded. Blue represents something sad. Orange is for the things that make me happy. Pink is for the quotes I love.”
“And red?” he asks, and I swallow. “The one I shoved in my suitcase has a lot of red tabs in it.”
“Um. Those are things I find hot. Scenes I’d like to try or think I’d enjoy,” I say shakily.
“Oh.” He leans forward in his chair and stares at me through the phone. “The toy scene? When they were out at a restaurant?”
“Yeah.” I nod, and I think the room might burst into flames. “It’s my favorite part.”
“I liked it too.”
“I didn’t know you were into toys.”
“Why wouldn’t I be into toys?”
“I don’t know. Doesn’t it take away some of the power from the guy?”
“Full disclosure: I’ve never been with a woman while she used one,” Dallas says, and his cheeks are red. “But I imagine it would be sexy. I’d get to watch her get off on her terms. I could see the things she likes and learn from her. I mean, yeah, she’s the one in control, but think about when she asks to be fucked with it. Who gives a shit about power?”
