Page 53 of Game On

I pulled away and loved how she looked out of breath. Her lips were bruised from too many of my kisses like I had branded her with my mouth.

“Logan, we’re two friends enjoying each other’s company, nothing more.”

I cupped her jaw and rubbed the pad of my thumb against her cheek. “Then you’ll have no problem letting me take you out again.”

She sighed. “Okay, you win, but only because you’re cute and you have good taste in dinner.”

“I have a game in Jersey tomorrow, but when I get back, I’m taking you out again.”

“Okay.”

“And then I’m going to fuck you all over the place. Multiple times,” I growled.

She gulped, and her cheeks went pink at my horny admittance. “Is that a promise?”

“Promise, princess.”

She put a hand on my chest. “Wait, when?”

“Let me check my schedule and get back to you, okay? We’ll figure it out. If you have Rosie, I’ll take care of everything so we have a night to ourselves.”

She nodded.

“You want a ride home?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m good. Call me later?”

“You bet your sweet ass, I will.”

Her eyes twinkled when she looked at me, and it hit me right in the chest. I reminded myself going out with her was to scratch that itch again and nothing more. We just needed each other for comfort in our loneliness.

The real reason I wanted to take her out? I felt like a creep if all I was doing was calling her up for a booty call. Plus, I enjoyed her company. So going out on dates together and having adult time afterward would be exactly what we needed.

I waited for her to finish her wine and walked her to her car. I wanted to kiss her goodbye — my dick kicking against the zipper of my jeans wanted to do even more, but I held myself back. I watched her drive off, making sure she was safe.

I didn’t bother saying goodbye to my teammates. If I did, TJ would’ve pressured me into another drink or a round of shots, and I didn’t have time for that. I walked to my car and drove home.

When I walked through the door, Mari was sitting on the couch where she always was, watching a trashy reality TV show I teased her about. I slumped on the couch next to her.

“Sorry, I’m late,” I told her.

She waved me off. “You’re fine.”

“How was he?”

“Good,” she said. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Why don’t you have him in preschool yet? I’ve been working with him on sight words and stuff, so I know he’s ready, but…” she trailed off and clamped her mouth shut. “Sorry, that was rude of me. You don’t have to explain your parenting choices. Some kids skip preschool altogether or start late.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “He was in daycare, but he acted out a lot after he came to live with me. He missed his mom, and I didn’t know how to handle it. You’re so good with him. I’m afraid of that happening again.”

She put a hand on my arm. “Logan, you’re doing fine. I can help you look for preschools or a tutor to help prepare him for kindergarten.”

I leaned back on the couch and undid my tie. “Mari, that would be amazing.”

She beamed. “It’s my job. I’ll get on it tomorrow.”