Page 96 of The Check Down
“I love you.”
“Good girl. Feel free to say it every time I make you smile. Now let’s go to bed.”
I slip my hands under her ass, the silkiness of her panties warm against my palms, and when I stand, she wraps her arms and legs around me like a koala, smashing Barnaby between our chests. In our bedroom, I lower her to the bed and shed my clothes, then climb into the cool, crisp sheets. She waits until I get comfortable, and when she snuggles into my side, my shoulder becomes her pillow.
We whisper our newfound oath to each other, and when her breathing evens out, I follow her into oblivion.
Chapter twenty-one
Brynn
“Fifteen minutes!” Griffin calls from the living room, where he’s waiting for me. I rest a hand on my stomach in an effort to calm the sea of nerves that churn beneath my skin and stare at my reflection in the mirror.
The one in the bathroom I share with my NFL superstar boyfriend.
The girl looking back at me can’t believe this is our life.
Somehow, this boring plain-Jane college instructor has bagged an absolute stud.
He’s become my everything: friend, defender, and lover. He loves me so well, in the little ways and the big ones. Soft and out loud. Gentle and tough when I need him to be. He’s affectionate and sweet, but also hot and naughty.
And he’s even converted me into a football fan.
With a long breath out, I shake my head. Then I swipe on a layer of lip gloss and step back and smooth my hands over my dress. The dress I picked up when Paige and I shopped for outfits for the Blues’ holiday party. I knew this was the one the second I saw it,and I’ve been dying to wear it since.
The asymmetrical neckline that exposes one shoulder. The fitted top that hugs my breasts just right. The long, flowy skirt with a slit up to my thigh. The color looks amazing with my fair skin and dark hair. This dress is a showstopper, and I can’t wait to see Griffin’s reaction.
I’m buckling my strappy gold heels when he shouts a five-minute warning. God, it feels amazing to wear heels for special occasions without worrying about my boyfriend’s ego.
When I step into the living room, Griffin is standing by the couch, holding my wool peacoat. As he takes me in, from the braids and twists of my half updo down to the heels on my feet in one slow pass, I hold my breath. When his eyes lock with mine, a single word escapes his lips: “Goddamn.”
I jut a hip so the slit exposes my leg. “Boyfriend seal of approval?”
His voice is pure grit. “Boyfriend gives it a million I-can’t-wait-to-peel-it-off-you-later stars.”
A flush of heat rushes to my face, but I can’t hold back my grin. “You clean up nice, Mr. Lacey.” I caught a glimpse while I was getting ready, but now I can fully admire him. The charcoal tweed blazer is a perfect complement to his black pants and dress shirt. The white lights twinkling on the Christmas tree we decorated together a few weeks ago highlight his sparkling blue eyes and bright smile.
He’s so handsome, and he’s all mine.
Another round of nerves flutters in my tummy. “It’s okay that it’s red?” I swipe my palm along the garnet fabric.
He gives me a quizzical look as I slip my arms in the coat he’s holding open. “Baby,” he says as he gently pulls my hair from under my collar, “you can wear whatever color you want. Let’s head down. Beau and Paige should be here soon.”
Paige squeals through her open window as we make our way to Beau’s idling SUV. “Hottest couple alert.”
“Why aren’twethe hottest couple?” Beau pouts behind thewheel.
She tosses her blond waves. “No, babe, we’re thecutestBlues couple.”
“Facts.” He holds up a hand, and they high-five.
My friend is dressed in a belted hunter-green jumper with sheer sleeves, and with Beau’s matching dark-green sport coat, there’s no doubt they’re the cutest.
After we park and trek up the loading dock, we join the crowd of Blues players and personnel already on the riverboat. The three-story boat is decked out in festive garland and red ribbons. Long tables, parallel to the wall of windows on either side, are decorated with elegant place settings and centerpieces in red, white, and silver. Under the windows, the food is set up in steaming chafing dishes and huge serving bowls. There’s a small stage at the back of the space where a quartet plays jazzy renditions of holiday tunes, and at the opposite end, there’s a bar.
While the guys get drinks for the four of us, Paige and I mingle with the players and their partners. Once the boat launches from the dock, we all pile our plates with delicious Memphis barbecue and all the fixings. We find seats at the end of one of the tables and are joined by Devon, the other tight end, and Tyrell, the wide receiver, as well as D’Angelo Sweeney and Charmaine.
I love witnessing these tough players interact off the field. Their strong friendships play a big role in their ability to play so well together. They tease each other relentlessly, but always with affection. Surely there’s a toxic male personality or two on the team, but this group is full of the kind of guys who encourage and support and build one another up, no matter what.