Page 66 of Asher

I rubbed a hand through her curls making her giggle.

“What about me? Don’t I get a hug too?” Coach called from the sideline where he was watching the guys warm up. Well, some of them. Some of them were watching me and Haley with curious expressions.

“Daddy! Lift me.” She held her arms up waiting for me to help her over the cable. Once her feet hit the ground, she took off running in the team’s direction, giving everyone a high-five before bumping fists with Coach. He pulled an extra whistle out of his pocket and handed it to her, telling her to get the team in shape.

“Do I get to wish the Coach good luck?” Haley bit her lip, looking a little unsure as she carefully stepped over the cable.

I hooked an arm around her waist pulling her into me. My clipboard hanging down by my side. She wrapped her arms around my neck, body pressed against mine. Her full lips grazed my skin as she whispered good luck. My cock jerked when her warm breath ghosted over the base of my throat.

I wanted to drag her under the fucking bleachers like a teenager.

“Meet me by the locker room after the game?” I asked pulling back, cupping the back of her neck so she couldn’t back away from me. “Phoenix is going to pick up the pizza with my parents.” It was a tradition. After every game, my parents would go grab pizza from Joe’s and meet me at home.

“Are you sure? I can pick it up,” she offered.

“I want to see you before we go home to the crazy.” I wanted to make sure I got the chance to kiss the hell out of her before we went home. Remind her that she was mine. That I loved her. It was what I should’ve done this afternoon instead of letting Stella scare her away.

She smirked; brow raised. Her hair flowed down her back, making her look like a damn angel with the sun setting behind her. I suppressed the urge to wrap it around my fist and tug. Her beautiful body was fully covered by one of my Sweet Springs Football hoodies that was way too big for her small frame, but the jeans that hugged her legs like a dream, didn’t let anyone miss the fantastic curves she was trying to hide. “You know I’m staying in your bed, right? You’ll get to see me after the crazy, too.”

A growl threatened to tear from the back of my throat at the thought of her in my bed. “I don’t know if I can wait that long.”

“That long for what?” She cocked her head to the side.

I licked my lip, dropping my voice. “To give you a proper greeting.”

“Hm. What would a proper greeting entail?” Her blue eye brightened ever so slightly.

I brought my lips to her ear. “My tongue down your throat and my hand on your ass.”

“Okay. You convinced me,” she said quickly making me shake with laughter. “Have a good game, Coach.”

“I always have a good game when you’re here. I love you, Haley.” She gasped as I pressed my lips to hers. I don’t know if it was my words that surprised her or that I claimed her in front over everyone.

Probably both.

I didn’t want to hide us. I wanted to show the world she belonged to me. Our family and friends already knew, so why not let the rest of town have something to gossip about? I hadn’t told Haley I loved her since the first day on the plane, but I couldn’t help it. After today? After the way her eyes dimmed when she saw Stella in my classroom, I wanted to make sure she knew how I felt.

Even if she couldn’t say it back yet.

She would.

Eventually.

Until then, I’d keep reminding her every way I could think of.

“You know this is a family event, right?” Mason stepped onto the field, his hand resting the on the butt of his holstered gun.

“Shut up.”

“Hot Cop.” Haley turned and stood next to me, smiling sweetly at my brother. “I thought you were off duty tonight.”

“Hales.” He bent down to kiss her cheek making me growl.

“Sucks when the shoe is on the other foot, huh, brother?” He smirked, and I scowled at him.

“Where’s Rylie?” Haley asked, ignoring us.

“Sitting at the fifty-yard line with Mom and Dad.” Mason’s whole demeanor softened at the mention of his wife.