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“I am. I feel good. I feel strong. Mitch's visit didn't hurt either. But I'm talking about the kids.”
My eyes widen in surprise at his admission, and my heart swells as I think of what we've accomplished here.
“It's amazing,” I whisper against his chest. “You're made for this, Drew. You're getting these kids to open up to you. A few who kept to the sidelines are now joining the circle. They're engaged. They're having fun. And that's because of you. You're doing such incredible work. I really think you were made for this.”
He kisses my forehead softly before extracting himself from our embrace. “Let's go celebrate.” His eyes twinkle mischievously as he grabs my hand and leads us back to his car.
“Where are we going?” We settle inside and the engine roars to life.
“It's a surprise.”
“But I'm not dressed for anything more than a drive thru.”
He leans over the console. “You look beautiful.” He gives me a peck on the mouth, lingering for a long moment, teasing me with the tip of his tongue before putting the car in gear.
We drive in a relaxing silence, until he pulls up outside an older building tucked away down a side street. “This is going to be our place,” he tells me, shutting off the engine and coming around to open my door.
My mouth hangs open as I step into the small restaurant. Soft music plays in the background, a piano melody with a complicated rhythm. The candles around us flicker, creating a dreamy ambiance and lighting the faces of the other diners. I am speechless at this unexpected scene. It's like something out of a movie—romantic and intimate in a way I never would have expected from him.
And I'm feeling very under-prepared for this outing. But Drew tells me not to worry. At least I'm not in sweats and my normal concert tee.
He looks pleased with himself as we take our seats at the best table in the house, overlooking a beautiful backyard garden filled with decorative trees and fall flowers. We order food and wine, the meal is mouth-watering, and Drew requests my favorite dessert to finish it off—chocolate mousse. We have a fantastic time talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company.
It's all so… Normal. A normal couple out on a date.
Not a football star. Not a photojournalist. Even with his reputation, he has this quality about him that allows him to almost hide in a crowd. People recognize him, I see it on their faces, but they respect his privacy. It baffles me, but I’m not about to question it because I like these times. It’s like we’re alone in public.
We eventually return to my place, both of us in a slightly more heated state than before. As I turn to unlock my apartment door, Drew spins me around, pushes me up against the door, and fuses his mouth with mine. His lips feel as soft and inviting as they did the night before. I can taste notes of wine and chocolate. The sense of urgency is palpable as he kisses me with a newfound intensity.
My heart flutters, and butterflies swarm my stomach as I melt into his embrace. His strong hands explore my body while his tongue dances with mine. Our breath comes in shallow gasps as we become lost in each other, the moment suspended in time until finally, he pulls away and looks down at me with a dazed expression.
“Wow,” I whisper, feeling lightheaded.
He grins sheepishly before pressing a final kiss to my forehead and stepping back so I can unlock the door.
I stumble inside, and he follows, closing the door before scooping me into his arms and carrying me down the hallway toward my bedroom. He doesn't stop until he reaches my bed, where he gently lowers me in front of him. As he presses his body against mine, grinding his hardness against my soft belly, our tongues moving together in perfect harmony, I'm engulfed by more than just desire.
Wanting to do something special for him tonight, I quickly set out some blankets and pillows on the floor and light candles, creating a cozy spot. We strip out of our clothes, and then I sink to my knees on the blanket and reach for his hand. I pull him down when I've got my fingers wrapped around his.
I'm amazed by how connected I feel to this man, even though we've only known each other for a short amount of time.
“Thank you,” I whisper into his ear as I wrap my arms around him tightly.
“For what?” he responds with a raspy chuckle.
“For everything—for being here.”
He pulls me close, his hands smoothing up my spine and kisses me softly. “There is nowhere I would rather be, Roni. Not even on a football field.”
I can't help but feel that everything is perfect right now.
Chapter8
Drew
Istep into the huddle, feeling confident and energized. I look around at my teammates, scrutinizing each one. And then I do something I've never done before. I raise my head, scanning the bleachers until my eyes meet and lock with Roni's. She gives me an encouraging smile. I nod slightly, letting her know I'm ready.
The whistle blows, signaling the start of the play, and I'm already running. The ball is snapped, and I lunge forward, a little slower than I'm used to, but I manage an impressive burst of speed.
