We’re both quiet for several minutes. He begins to rub his hand up and down my back, and my body relaxes further into him. I should fight it, but I don’t have the power. For tonight, I’ll let him win. We’re just two friends hanging out and watching a movie. There will never be anymore than that, not between us.
“Not bad for date number three,” he says softly, bending down so I can hear him better.
I peer up at him, and his blue eyes are soft as they take me in. “This wasn’t a date.”
“Oh, Em, it was a date. I brought you flowers, we had dinner, and now I’m holding you. It’s a pretty damn good one if I do say so myself.”
“Landon—” I start, but he places his index finger up to my lips to stop me. “Just pretend with me. For tonight, let’s just pretend that this is our normal.”
It’s a bad idea. A very freaking bad idea, and I know this, but I nod anyway. It’s like I can’t seem to control my reaction when I’m this close to him. He runs his thumb under my cheek and for a brief moment, I think he’s going to lean even closer and kiss me. He doesn’t. He smiles softly, drops his hand, and turns his attention back to the TV. All the while, he never stops tracing the length of my back.
I’m in trouble.
I’m in so much trouble.
Chapter 8
Landon
I know the exact minute that she falls asleep. Her body fully relaxes into mine, and her breathing evens out. Slowly, I exhale as I try to decipher what’s going on. As I try to wrap my head around what the fuck I’m doing. I’m surprising myself with this girl. I’m not acting like me at all, yet at the same time, it all feels… right.
The more I’m around her, the more I want to be. Is it the chase? No, surely not. Yeah, I want her to agree to go out with me without me having to trick her, but the funny thing is, it’s not really about that now. Suddenly, it’s just about spending time with her. Hearing her laugh, getting one of those beautiful smiles directed my way. It’s watching her green eyes sparkle when she pretends to be irritated, or the way she trusts me to hold her here on her couch while she sleeps peacefully.
Life comes easy to me. Football was something I picked up on at a young age and my skill has just grown from there. I’ve never really had to struggle or want for anything. Even my professional football career, the scouts were coming to watch me play as a freshman. Yes, I worked hard, I give it all I’ve got, but it doesn’t feel like work when it’s something that you love.
Even women. I was the hot new QB on campus, and the girls flocked to me. Same way in high school. I’ve never had to find female companions, never had to pursue someone. Turns out, I like it. I like it a lot. In fact, I love that she doesn’t seem to care that I’m a professional athlete. Hell, she’s not even a fan of my team. I can’t hide my smile when I think about her wearing the Mavericks T-shirt to training camp. She’s her own person, knows her mind, and I really like that. More than I ever knew or thought I would.
My phone vibrates from its spot on the end table and I wince, hoping like hell it doesn’t wake Em up. Reaching behind me, careful not to move her, I grab it, and the vibration against the wood silences. Glancing at the screen, I see Case’s name. Letting the call go to voice mail, I fire off a text.
Me: What’s up?
Case: Harvey’s?
Me: Can’t.
Case: Dude, what’s with you?
Me: I’m on a date.
Case: With who?
Case: Wait. You don’t date.
I do now.
Me: I do now.
I can see the little bubbles bouncing, telling me he’s writing back. I’m sure I’ve shocked him. I know I’ve shocked him. I don’t date as it’s hard to decipher the real from the fake. Who wants you for your fame and fortune and who wants you for you. I can say with 100 percent certainty that the woman in my arms couldn’t care less about my career or my bank account. No way is this fake—the way she watches me or blushes when I call her freckles. The way she continues to shoot me down even when I can see it in her eyes, that telling me no is the last thing she wants to do.
Case: Prove it.
I hesitate before snapping a picture of her in my arms. My smile is wide and genuine as I hold her while she sleeps. I have to admit this being my new normal sounds pretty fucking good. I could get on board with hanging out with her like this. Shaking out of my thoughts, I send him the picture.