Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I close my eyes and nod slowly.
“It wasn’t the first. No, if it had been the first, I might have been able to stretch out the career some, but it was the fifth. And it was the worst. I was dizzy for a year. I still get headaches. I was convinced that I could go back to it, but that was wishful thinking. Every doctor—and I saw many, looking for the opinion that I wanted, trust me—said the same thing. No more football. If I got hit like that again, it could kill me. Or worse.”
He takes a deep breath and drinks his wine. He’s looking out the dark windows, as if he’s watching a movie of that time run through his mind.
I shouldn’t have asked. This is obviously a painful subject, and I hate seeing that look on his impossibly handsome face.
“Drew, it’s okay. You don’t have to tell me any more.”
“It’s fine.” He sets his glass aside and wipes his hands down his face. “It’s okay. I don’t mind talking about it.”
“Liar.”
His lips twitch into a small smile. “Okay, it’s not my favorite subject, but I’ll talk about anything at all with you, babe. I decided, after quite a long stretch of sulking, to go into coaching. And it’s done well for me.”
“You’re healthy now?”
“I’m as good as I’m going to get, and I’m lucky. Aside from the headaches, there don’t seem to be any long-term effects, and I’m checked once a year to be sure.”
“But if you got another concussion, it could be catastrophic.”
“That’s true.”
Fear shoots through me as I think about the way he hurled himself down that mountain today.
“For fuck’s sake, Drew, you could have killed yourself today.”
“I didn’t fall.”
“But you could have. Oh, my God.”
“Wait a second.” He holds up a hand, stopping my tirade. “London, I can’t stop living my life altogether. I refuse to do that. I wore a helmet today, and I’m not reckless.”
“You obviously didn’t see yourself flying down that run,” I insist.
“I’m good at physical things,” he insists. “I didn’t fall at all today. I love being active, and with the proper equipment, I’ll continue to do that. I won’t stop. But I’m not an idiot. I’m careful.”
“If something hap—” I swallow hard, unable to complete the thought. “I couldn’t—”
“Hey.” His voice is gentle now as he moves over to me quickly and tugs me into his arms. “Nothing’s going to happen. I’m not accident-prone, you know.”
“Now I’m going to freak out every time you do something stupid like hurl yourself down a mountain.”
“Don’t.” He tips my chin up and kisses me long and slow. “You won’t get rid of me that easily.”
Chapter 15
Drew
I didn’t mean to scare her. I can see by the look in those beautiful eyes that she’s worried, and that’s the last thing I want.
“Seriously, I’m fine.”
“Okay. I know you’re an adult, and you’re going to live your life, but, Drew, please, please be careful.”
“I’m always careful,” I reply and tug her to her feet so I can hug her close. I love it when she wraps her arms around me and rests her cheek on my chest, cuddled in. “Trust me, head injuries are my least favorite thing in the world. I won’t do anything stupid.”
She shivers, and I know it’s not from the cold. “I just found you.” Her words are soft against my chest.
“Come on. It’s time for a diversion.” I reach behind me and take her hands in mine, walking backward toward our bedroom. “I’m going to run you a hot bath and bring in some goodies for you to munch on while you soak and relax.”
“You’re not going to soak with me?”
“Nope, this is all for you.” I kiss her nose and lead her to the bathroom, where just hours earlier I fucked her out of her mind in the shower. Immediately, I start the water in the tub.
“I’ll be right back,” London promises, turning to walk into the closet.
While she’s gone, I light a candle and set it on the tray that spans the width of the soaking tub. I sprinkle oil into the water to make it fragrant and relaxing, and when I turn around, I see that London has returned.
Naked.
Seeing her like this never fails to knock me on my ass.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.”
Her lips curve as she steps closer to me. “I’m glad you think so. Where do you want me?”
On my cock. Riding me hard and fast.
I clear my throat. “In the water.”
She steps into the tub and sinks down into the water, leans back, and sighs deeply. “Oh, this is nice.”
“You soak. I’ll be back.”
“I have no issue with that.”
I can’t help but pause for just a moment, taking her in before I pad out to the kitchen and load a plate with some of the peanut butter cups, cashews, grapes, and cheese. After refilling her wineglass, I return to the bathroom and see that she’s pushing her hand in and out of the water, watching it run between her fingers.