AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Breathless,Kimpulled back slightly. “Spence, canItell you something?”
“Ofcourse, babe.”
“Noneed to go slow.”
Spence’scrooked smile warmed her heart, and she saw the look of joy—desire?—spread across his face. “Kim,Idon’t expectbenefits…Idon’t wantcasualwith you.I’mcommitted to taking our relationship forward.You’rethe only womanIwant to be with, butIexpect nothing until you’re confident thatIwon’t gaslight you, leave you hanging, or disrespect you.You’reworth the wait.”
“Spence,Ido trust you.I’velonged to be with you, even thoughIdidn’t want another relationship.I…Inever dreamed you’d feel the same way.”Shelay her palm against his cheek. “Idon’t want to wait.”
“Areyou sure?Imeant whatIsaid.”
Kimsaw the sincerity in his deep blue eyes.AmItoo eager?Thinkingclearly?
Spencesensed the momentary hesitation. “You’vehad a long day, babe.Ididn’t get up this morning thinking about taking our relationship to the next level.Iwant to take you out, go on dates, and show you my favorite places inTampa.Wehave time.I’mnot going anywhere.And…”Shesaw his sheepish expression. “I’m… not prepared.”
“Youdon’t carry a condom in your wallet?”Kimtried to suppress a giggle.
“Notalways, no.Youshould also know athletes get tested regularly.I’mclean—andIhaven’t been with anyone in months.Ihaven’tlookedat another woman since the nightImet you.”Helightly ran his knuckles against her chin.
“WhenIbroke up withFinn,Igot tested.Healways used protection, but he also cheated on me.I’mclean—andI’malso taking the pill.”Shefelt her face flush. “Youdon’t need to come prepared.Itrust you,Spence.”
Sheslipped her hand behind his head and pulled his face toward hers.Hermouth sought his, the kiss telegraphing her desire.Afterdenying her feelings for so long, she wanted to showSpencehow much he meant to her.WithSpence, she felt cherished, valued, and safe.Shedidn't need to hide her emotions or pretend not to care.Shebrushed his thick hair back from his forehead. “Cometo my bedroom… much more comfortable.”
Sheheard his chuckle as he stood, drawing her with him.Sheraised her eyebrows in question when she caught his eyes.
“Umm,Ijust flashed to the dayIhelped deliver your mattress.”
“No, you’re not allowed to bring my brother into the room with us!”Kimtried to suppress the laughter that bubbled in her chest.
“Definitebuzz kill,”Spencesaid as he joined the laughter.
Spencesat on the bed and patted the mattress beside him.Kimlooked more beautiful than ever, her skin flushed and hair disheveled.Heslipped his arms around her and met her lips tenderly, exploring his deepening feelings.Hepulled away to look at her.
“Kim,Ididn’t realize the time—practice is in ninety minutes.Notenough time to show you howIfeel, andIdon’t want to rush off afterward.Howabout a raincheck and a short nap?”
“Willyou come back after practice?”
“Ifyou ask me to… or we can go to dinner.”
HewatchedKimbite her lip. “Maybeboth?”
Hepulled her with him as he lay back against the pillow. “Don’tanswer now.Justclose your eyes and relax.”Hekissed her forehead asKimcuddled against him.Heset an alarm to vibrate on his watch, then closed his arms around her, happy to hold her.
Spenceenjoyed the feeling of contentment.Afterweeks of acting as her fake boyfriend, he no longer needed to hide his feelings forKim.Takethis slow withKim...Don’trush her into anything serious.Showher thatI’mnot interested in a superficial fling.Myfeelings for her are anything but “casual.”Hendricksmessed with her self-esteem…I’llshow her thatIwon't let her down, leave her hanging, or make her feel like she's not my top priority.
Spencevowed to make every day memorable forKim, even during the craziness of this baseball season.Althoughhe had a lot to figure out, he was willing to do everything he could to make it happen.Kimdeserved his very best effort.
Whenhis watch vibrated,Spencereluctantly released the beautiful woman asleep in his arms.Theirtender expression of a new commitment filled him with emotions he was unprepared to name.Kim’sthe girlI’vedreamed of meeting.Whenhe released her and stood, she stirred and opened her eyes.
“Timeto leave?”
"Don'tget up, babe.Ihave to head to practice, butI'llreturn as soon as possible.I’llbring you dinner."Heleaned in to kissKim’scheek.
Kimsmiled at him. “Youdon’t need to do that—I’lltake care of dinner.”
“Don’toverdo it.Justorder someThaifood or wraps.I’drather you catch up on your sleep.”Spenceleaned down and kissed her softly. “Thankyou for trusting me.”
“Morethan you know,ChathamSpencer.You’remy dream come true.”
