“Mmm. There’s a lot more I’m lucky for, too.” The feeling of his core against my fingertips is nothing short of delicious, and I take a quick glance at the road to make sure nobody can see me getting frisky and boned-up. “I’ve been slacking with workouts lately. Wanna help me burn some more calories upstairs?”
He plants a firm hand on my ass. “Always, but your work phone’s been ringing nonstop. You might want to check that first.”
Ugh.“It isn’t like it’s my day off,” I grumble. “I’ll deal withwork, and then I’ll take the fastest shower of my life. Be ready and very naked.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” He dashes back inside, and I follow him, picking up my phone and admiring the way his butt stretches against his basketball shorts as he darts up the stairs, hanging my hat on a hook.
And when he pauses at the top and strips his shirt off, showing off his killer back muscles, I put my phone back down on the table. Maybe work can hold on for a bit. Half an hour won’t kill them, right? Besides, they’ve been waiting for?—
I grab my phone again to check how long it’s been, and my eyes widen as soon as I see the five missed calls from the team manager.
He picks up on the first ring when I call him back.
“Hi, Jake. Sorry, I was on a run.”
He laughs once, putting me at ease. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll get to the point. Detroit’s moving you up…”
What he says afterward blurs into nothing. My breathing slows, and it takes everything in me tonotdrop my phone to the floor.
I’m…going to the major league.
Holy motherfucking shit, I’m being promoted.
“...agent will handle the contract and related procedures. How does that sound?”
“Th-thank you. Holy sh—yeah. My god, that’s amazing!”
“It is. We’ll miss you, Russell, but you’re gonna kick ass in Detroit. I’m sure of it.”
“Right. Definitely. Thank you so much again.”
We sign off, and the line clicks. I stay standing in the mudroom, hose water dripping onto the tiled floor, just processing everything.
In a totally cliché move, I pinch myself hard to see if this is all a dream, and when the sharp pain makes my arm throb, my fingers leaving a red mark behind, I get all the confirmation Ineed. Years and years of pushing forward and working hard, and I’m reaching the peak.
With Dean by my side. This is real life, but it’s a fucking dream. The metaphorical kind.
Slowly, I drag my feet upstairs, winded from the run and diverting most of my energy up to my brain. Everything is still spinning around and happening so quickly, and it takes Dean shaking my shoulder to snap me back to lucidity. There’s an unmistakable glint in his eyes, and when I instinctively pull away to avoid getting him wet again, he huffs and closes the distance between us to give me a kiss.
It’s slow and gentle, his soft lips molding to mine and sending a wave of fuzzy warmth throughout my body. I savor the way he runs his tongue along my teeth, the way he knows I like it, and I return the favor by upping the intensity. We explore the familiar comfort of each other’s mouths, basking in our heavy breathing and little moans that pipe up every so often.
This is beyond comfortable. It’s bliss, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I let out a sharp grunt when Dean’s hand lands on my bulge. After two years, I’m better at resisting?—
Okay, who am I kidding? My boyfriend is still very hot and very disarming, but the difference now is that it isn’turgentfor me. We have all the time in the world, my attraction to him isn’t going anywhere, and I can stand to have a serious conversation before the rest of my clothes come off.
And I still need to shower. Jesus, doesn’t he care I’m sweating up a storm?
“Hey, babe, maybe hold back for a sec,” I say, pulling away. “I wanted to talk about something with you first.”
He blinks at me, pursing his kiss-bruised lips into a gentle smile. “Oh. Okay. Is it about the call?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry. It’s good news.” I decide to be concise. “They’re moving me up to majors. In Detroit.”
His lips part, and his mouth stretches into the widest, mostendearing smile I’ve seen on him yet. “Oh my god. This is—” He extends his arms and wraps them around me, grabbing on so tightly my back pops. “That’s amazing! I amsofucking proud of you.”
Through the vise-like grip around my ribcage, I manage to return the hug and plant a few strained pats on my boyfriend’s back, slipping my hands under his arms so I can breathe. “And that means a few things are gonna change.” The two of us pull back, and I meet his reverent gaze. “First off, should I ask the team lawyer to get started on a spousal immigration petition?”
