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She shoots me a guilty look, but if Bex puts the dots together, she doesn’t say anything. Since we’ve talked about it, it’s not a surprise that I’ll be proposing soon, but it’s fun for there to be at least some anticipation.
I just hope Bex doesn’t surprise me with her answer.
Chapter 9
Bex
I set my empty wineglass on the coffee table, tucking my feet up underneath me as I nestle against James’s side. He puts his arm around me, pressing a kiss to my forehead before going back to his conversation with his father. I tuned it out a while ago, but last I heard, they were discussing the upcoming training camp, James’s first real time practicing with his new team ahead of the season opener in September. On my other side, I hear Izzy teasing Seb about the girl at the ice cream shop who flirted with him shamelessly while we waited for our sundaes. It sounds like the hot streak he’s been on is continuing, much to the chagrin of Cooper.
I look up. We’re outside on the patio, sitting in a circle around the low light of the fire pit. The sky is so clear out here, dotted with tiny stars, and the moon, nearly full, hangs like a perfect pendant. In the background, an Allman Brothers record plays. The wine is making me warm in a pleasant way. This is the furthest south I’ve ever been, and I like it; the salty ocean air feels fresh, even in the humidity.
“Bex.”
I lift my head up at the sound of Richard’s voice. “Yeah?”
“I’ve been meaning to mention that I was talking to an old friend the other day, and his husband works for Temple University. He’s going to pass along your information.”
“Oh.” I glance at James, who shrugs. “Um, cool? What does he do?”
“He works for their football team. Which plays home games at Lincoln Financial.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. He said his husband might be able to put in a good word with their media department.” He settles back in his chair, swirling around his glass of whiskey. “Of course, it might not interest you, but if it works out, you could work as a photographer for Temple.”
James’s face breaks into a smile. “Wow, Dad.”
“Yeah, thank you.” I sit up properly, James’s arm still around me, and smile at his father. Working at another university would be awesome, and I know I have the portfolio to back it up if they do end up taking a look. Maybe it’s a better bet than trying to get into the fine arts scene through a gallery, or news photography with a magazine. “But Temple would play on Saturdays mostly, right?”
“We’d both be spending a lot of time at the stadium,” James agrees.
“I’ll give you his contact information tomorrow,” Richard says. “It could be a possibility.”
“Definitely, thank you.” If it does work out, it would feel weird to get my first job thanks to Richard Callahan’s connections, but at least I know I have the talent to handle it. “I’ve been applying mostly to galleries and magazines, but I like the idea of staying in the sports world. I’ve also been floating around the idea of freelance photography, rather than a staff job.”
“The senior portrait you took of Izzy is just lovely,” Sandra cuts in. “You’d be excellent at that kind of work.”
“You’ll be wonderful at whatever you do,” James says, squeezing my shoulder.
“Thanks.” The praise on top of the lingering warmth from my glass of wine is making me blush. I reach for James’s hand, squeezing lightly. “I’m feeling pretty tired, I think I’m going to head upstairs.”
“I’ll go with you,” James says as I stand.
I can tell why the moment we’re inside the house. He pushes me against the kitchen counter and kisses me, his hands finding the fabric of my dress and bunching it up. I kiss back, moaning quietly when he nips at my bottom lip. I nearly take it a step further by cupping his crotch so I can massage him over his pants, but I remember his whole family is right outside. Upstairs, in the bedroom we’re sharing, we’ll have a greater chance at privacy. It’s not foolproof, but at least we won’t be giving his parents a show on purpose.
I whisper in his ear, “Come up in a few minutes.” Then I kiss his cheek and saunter out of the room—but not before letting the straps of my dress fall down my shoulders. I look at him, pleased to see the heat in his gaze, and bite my lip.
He takes a step forward, but stops when I shake my head. “Wait. I’ll make it worth your while.”
I head upstairs slowly, knowing he’s listening for each of my footsteps. At the door to our room, I slip out of my dress entirely, letting it pool on the floor like it’s made of liquid. I leave it there for him to find and do the same with my bra once I’m in the room, and then my panties, leaving a trail to the ensuite bathroom.
I turn on the shower and let the spray warm up, rooting around in the cabinet for the aromatics I bought at an outdoor market this afternoon. Soon the bathroom is filled with steam and smells like rosewater, and I’m soaking wet—both from the shower and from the way I’m touching myself, imagining the expression on James’s face when he finds me.
I’m starting to get antsy with anticipation when the door opens. James walks in, my panties in hand. When he spots me through the swirl of steam, he stops.
I drag slick hands up to my breasts, playing with my hard nipples. If there’s one thing he’s never been able to resist, it’s my tits. He licks his upper lip, shaking his head in disbelief... and brings my panties to his nose, breathing in deeply, before dropping them to the floor. I squeeze my legs together as a white-hot pulse of heat shoots through me. He takes a step closer, undoing the buttons on his shirt. He takes off each layer slowly, keeping his gaze on me. I’m aching to scratch my nails against his taut stomach, kiss the sensitive place underneath his ear, and play with his gorgeous, thick cock that’s currently getting harder by the moment from the teasing, but I wait for him to come to me. Slowly. Carefully. Like a predator about to catch prey that he’s been hunting for miles.
He finally gets close enough to touch, but I wait, letting the water fall over us both as he looks at me. When he reaches out, it’s my chin he grasps firmly. He tilts my head up, almost as if he’s examining me, and finally leans in, brushing his lips against mine.
