Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
I shake my head. “I’m a little scared.”
“We’re going on a slow, easy ride. I’ve mapped out a route that will take us a little southwest into West Virginia. We’ll stop at a park and have lunch before heading back. Just keep your feet where I tell you and your arms around me tight, and you’ll be fine.”
♦
The ride is glorious, I have to admit. The bike rumbles between my legs, and pressed up against Drake’s back with my hands tucked into his jacket pockets for extra warmth, I have the oddest sense of peace, even with it being quite chilly from the wind.
We stick to two-lane roads that wind through beautiful, rolling hills of farmland and forest. I’ve never driven through here, despite it being less than an hour away, and I realize that even though I’ve traveled the world, there’s so much, so close, I haven’t seen.
After an hour, Drake pulls off into a small public park that’s nothing more than two baseball fields, a decrepit basketball court, and a few picnic tables.
It’s a bright, sunny day and warm on its own in the mid-sixties, but riding in the wind has chilled me. I’m shivering as he helps me off the bike. After removing my helmet, he runs his hands up and down my arms and then pulls me into him for a warm embrace. I snuggle in because we are an entire world away from Pittsburgh, the Titans, my seat at the head of the organization, and his workspace down in the goalie net.
“Hungry?” he asks as he releases me.
“I am.”
To my surprise, Drake opens one of the bike’s saddlebags and pulls out an insulated soft cooler. From the other bag, a wool blanket.
I follow him past the picnic table to a sunny spot in the middle of a grassy area that’s lost all its summer green. The ground cover crunches under our boots.
It’s fascinating to watch this big, powerful man who not so long ago had quite the chip on his shoulder set out a picnic lunch.
And it’s a thoughtful one at that. Club sandwiches, a container of carrots and hummus, and cold, bottled water.
We settle onto the blanket, him stretched casually on his side and managing to look way too good eating his sandwich one-handed. I sit cross-legged and nibble on a carrot first.
“What did you do this morning?” I ask.
“Gave Kiera the morning off. She went to get her hair done, and I handled breakfast for the boys and took them to school. Then I cleaned up the house a bit.”
I wave a carrot at him. “It’s weird… I think a lot of women would have a hard time imagining you so domesticated, but I don’t think I could see you any other way. You’re one of those men who will do what it takes to get something done, even if that’s just cleaning up the house.”
Drake smiles as he sets down his sandwich, picks up a carrot, and dips it in the hummus. “I’ve always been a neat freak. It’s a bit harder to maintain with three boys, but I don’t mind. What did you do?”
I unwrap my sandwich and tuck in a stray piece of lettuce. “Well, I spent hours struggling with whether to accept your offer.”
Drake laughs. “It’s hard for you to step away from work, isn’t it?”
I’m poised to take a bite of the club. “I have responsibilities.”
“Which you more than meet,” he says pointedly. “You need to learn self-care.”
I chew and swallow a delicious blend of rye bread, turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Drake leans forward and wipes mayo from the corner of my mouth, and my breath catches. I don’t know that he’s ever looked more handsome or down-to-earth.
“You’re part of my self-care,” I admit softly.
“Orgasms do have their health benefits,” he replies, his eyes twinkling.
“So do long bike rides in the country and out-of-the-way picnic lunches during the middle of a workday.”
He holds my eyes before inclining his head. “You’re welcome.”
I look away and take another bite of my sandwich.
“You ever do something like this with your boy toy?” Drake asks.
My head pops up, mouth full. I shake my head as I chew. When I swallow, I sip my water as I work up the courage to ask. “You ever do this with other women?”
A laugh gusts out. “Never.”
“Not even your ex-wife?” I might be a glutton for punishment, but I’m curious.
Glancing off to the side, Drake seems to search his memory. When he turns those beautiful eyes back to me, he says, “I guess there was never a need for it.”
“You mean, you saw I had a need for it?”
“Maybe I had a need for it too,” he murmurs and then lifts a shoulder as if to say he’s not really sure.
I put my sandwich down and wipe my fingers on a napkin. “What have we become?” His eyes seem to laser onto mine. “Things have changed, but I’m not sure into what.”