“It’s fenced in, so no leash needed.”
He runs around to the grassy part of the back, while Rawley and I stand on the deck, looking over Landon’s pool.
“This must be great for parties.”
Rawley nods. “Definitely. Landon has the team over a lot once preseason gets going for real.”
“So wait, you had your final day of the OTA today? And this is your last OTA, period?”
“Yeah, we’re done with those now.” He grins. “Look at you, learning football stuff.”
“Just doing my duty as your fake girlfriend.”
“Right.” He nods. “Today went great, actually. Been working my ass off to get the plays down.”
“You’re not exhausted?” Between the practice and the concert, that’s a long day.
He waves my question off. “No, I’m good. Football and you—that’s fun stuff.”
Rawley doesn’t seem to realize that what he said is kind of sweet. But I feel a little melty inside, touched by his words.
Even if nothing can come of this long-term, I’m so thankful he’s such a great guy.
In the meantime, Grover seems to be done, so Rawley ushers him into the house, and I follow.
“You want anything?” He gestures toward the fridge in the kitchen.
“Just you, Battle.” I overload my voice with innuendo, so I get a laugh out of him.
He comes in front of me. “That can be arranged. Tell mewhereyou want me.”
“So many choices, and I do love being in charge.”
“Yup, you get to decide.” He grins before repeating the phrase that’s become our mantra at this point. “A bet is a bet.”
“Are your brothers around?” I’m pretty sure thewhereneeds to be his room, for privacy’s sake.
“If they aren’t, they’ll be home soon.” It’s eleven-ish, and I think Rawley mentioned them going to see a movie tonight.
“Okay, let’s go to your room then.”
As soon as we walk in his space, he takes me in his arms, kissing me deeply. I enjoy the press of his tongue inside my mouth for a few moments, and then I match his intensity.
It’s interesting—kissing Rawley is different from with anyone in my past. With my early boyfriends, I was so self-conscious. And then with Jack, there was an ease, but kissing simply felt like a step to getting each other off, not really anything more.
However, kissing Rawley holds a passion, a richness, that’s new for me. Like it’s connecting us in a way that’s distinct on its own. Like we’re savoring the chance to experience the other.
I wonder why? Maybe just our physical chemistry?
After a few minutes, Rawley pulls his mouth away, both of us panting to catch our breaths. He doesn’t let go of me though, our bodies still aligned from the waist down.
“So what are my marching orders?” His voice is husky, but his tone teasing.
I can’t hold in my laugh. “You’re such a good soldier.”
He kisses my forehead, his blue eyes flickering when he backs off again. “More like hard as a rock and needing direction before I embarrass myself.”
I can feel proof of that against me. “Tonight, I…”
