Oh God.
Heat spreads through my entire body. I press my thighs together, which doesn’t help… at all.
‘I wasn’t shaking.’
‘Really? Guess I’ll have to try harder next time.’
‘Who says there’s going to be a next time?’
‘You. When you told me to win the quarterfinal.’
I giggle. Damn it. He’s got me.
‘That wasn’t a promise.’
‘Sure sounded like one.’
I bite my lip, trying to hold back my smile. This is ridiculous. I’m flirting via text message like I’m twelve.
‘You’re very confident, Coach Hendricks.’
‘I know what I want.’
‘And what’s that?’
Three dots appear. Disappear. Appear again.
‘You.’
Simple, efficient, fucking devastating….
‘Levi…’
‘I’m not playing games, Lina. I want you. I’ve wanted you for years. And after last night, I know we work.’
‘It’s more complicated than that…’
‘I know.’
‘My job…’
‘I’m aware.’
‘There are protocols. Security concerns. My entire life is public, Levi.’
‘I know all of that, Lina. And I don’t care.’
I stare at the message. He doesn’t care. This man doesn’t care that I’m the most scrutinized person on the planet. That I can’t go anywhere without Secret Service. That every decision I make is analyzed and dissected by millions of people. He just wantsme. Fuck, when was the last time anyone just wantedme?
‘I’m not saying we need to figure it all out tonight. I’m just asking you to give this a chance. Give US a chance.’
I think for a beat.
‘And if it doesn’t work?’
‘Then at least we tried. At least we won’t spend the rest of our lives wondering what if.’
I close my eyes. He’s right. I’ve spent my whole life being careful. Strategic. Making the smart choice, the safe one. And it’s gotten me here, the most powerful office in the world, a legacy I’m proud of. But I’m also alone. I’ve been alone for so damn long. And now there’s this man, this beautiful, crazy, silver fox who looks at me like I hung the moon and kisses me like he’s drowning and I’m air.
