“You’re just a little troublemaker, aren’t you?” Hendrix pokes her in the side, causing her to squeak.
“Don’t pretend like you don’t want to sit back and watch her get Dom and Dean all twisted up again like she did last time she came to visit,” she says, trying to shift away to avoid any more fingers to the ribs.
Hendrix’s eyes are narrowed at Poppy when he says, “The only thing I’m interested in on this vacation is you strutting around in a hot little bikini and then crawling into my bed.”
“Yo! There’s an audience here, buddy,” I remind him before they get too carried away.
He raises his eyebrow at me as if to ask, really you aren’t thinking the same thing about Delilah?
“So, we have the four of us, Dean, Dom, Indie, and Mia. What about the other guys?” Delilah takes control of the conversation, steering us clear of any further discussions about how we want to spend our private time on the trip.
“Xavier always goes home to visit his parents, and the other guys are either playing or already have plans,” I explain.
“That’s it then, the eight of us?” Hendrix asks, looking at his girlfriend before glancing back at us.
“I like it,” Poppy declares, putting her stamp of approval on the plan. “Does that work for you, Lilah?”
“Yes, and I’m so excited.” When she tilts her head up to me and her lips find my jaw, I’m not even a little annoyed that the trip has turned out this way. Making her smile like this is my favorite pastime.
The captain slows the boat and turns in his seat so he’s facing the four of us. “This is the best spot to anchor and watch the sunset. If you want to sit at the bow, I’ll hang out back here to give you some space.”
The boat is only twenty-five feet long, but I appreciate his attempts to make it feel like it’s just the four of us out here.
I thread my fingers through Delilah’s as we move to the front of the boat where the girls stashed the food earlier. The sunset has painted the sky a breathtaking mix of pink and orange hues.
“Wow. It’s so beautiful,” Delilah murmurs in awe as she ducks under my arm to stand next to me, looking out over the water.
The view in front of us is straight out of a painting with the mountains and sunset mingling over the calm surface of the blue water, but that’s not what has me captivated. It’s the woman at my side, and the way her blonde hair shimmers with the late day sun, or the way she tilts her chin up to the sky, taking it all in. Delilah is more beautiful than any sunset or mountain range. “The most stunning thing I have ever seen.” My lips brush the crown of her hair as I pull her closer. Her answering smile ignites a light inside me brighter than any star in the sky. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to see her this happy every day.
“Babe, take a picture! Look how cute they are,” Poppy whisper-shouts, bursting our bubble.
Delilah buries her face into my chest and turns in my arms so she’s facing the two of them, dragging me with her.
“Yeah, Hen. Take a picture.” My girl eggs him on and I do what any good boyfriend would do. I snake my arms around her waist and smile for the photo.
“Make sure you send me that,” I tell him over my shoulder as Delilah leads me to the table hand in hand. I finally have the girl I’ve wanted for years and you’re damn right I am going to print that picture. It might even have to travel with me while on the road, but not this upcoming road trip because I’ve got something better.
The real life version is coming along for the trip.
Chapter 30
The one where I almost got him benched
The elevator dings as the door slides open. Checking my room key for the third time, I step out onto the twelfth floor. My suitcase trails behind me as I follow the signs to the room Cruz and I have for this part of the road trip. The team plane flew in earlier and Cruz has to leave for the stadium soon, so this is a quick stop to drop off my bags before Poppy and I grab food ahead of the game with Hen’s sister—Mia—and his nana—Janet.
There’s a rush of air when the door opens before I swipe my key. Cruz’s hands grip my hips, hauling me forward. My hands flatten, bracing against his hard chest as a high-pitched squeal leaves me.
“What were you doing? Looking out the peephole to watch for me?” His stubble scrapes the sensitive skin of my neck as his lips pepper me with kisses. He drags my discarded suitcase into the room, letting it tip over before the door clicks shut and his lips find my neck again.
My head tilts back, allowing him more access. “I heard you coming down the hallway and wanted to get as much of this in before I had to leave for the stadium.” His lips hover against my skin as his hands slide down my back and over my ass. Without warning he lifts me, walking me through the hotel room towards the bed.
When we fall to the bed, he bounces beside me. “You’re nuts. You know that, right?”
“You love it.” His lips seal over mine, stealing the response from my mouth. He kisses me like it’s been weeks since he’s seen me, not less than twenty-four hours. “I missed you, Hermosa.” Then he’s on top of me, pinning my arms to the mattress, as his lips drop blistering kisses down my neck.
“Do you have time to show me how much?” The smile he gives me makes me melt into the mattress. Has my best friend always been this hot?
“Coach can bench me tonight for being late and I wouldn’t care if it meant being inside you right now.” My hands slide down the back of his joggers and right into his boxer briefs, and he doesn’t resist when I pull his hips towards my center.
