Page 69 of Beautiful Crazy
“Hey, listen to me.” Squatting down until I’m eye level with him, a hand resting on his shoulder, I say, “Sometimes, it’s not always about winning. You played one hell of a game today, you gave it your all, and that’s still worth celebrating. You won’t take home every win, and that’s okay. I’m so proud of you, you hear me?”
He nods, chewing on the inside of his cheek.
Gemma wraps an arm around him. “Everett is right, babe. You kicked major ass out there today, and I couldn’tbe prouder. And you should be proud of yourself too. You guys fought a good game.”
A small smile brightens his face as he looks between his mom and me, and it hits me right in the chest. How much I care for him. How much I care for Gemma.
“Now, come on.” I stand up. “Let’s go get some pizza with everyone and celebrate that badass home run you hit!”
Sutton chuckles as we walk over to the rest of his family, and while I’m sure he’s still bummed, I can tell he’s feeling better than he was when the game ended.
I meet Gemma’s gaze over the top of the kids’ heads, and she smiles, mouthing, “Thank you,” before we head to the cars.
Pride swells in my chest.
I’m so fucking gone for this woman.
I’m halfway through eating my late-night sweet treat—a scoop of peanut butter mixed with a handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips—when there’s a knock at the door. Tapping the screen on my phone, I glance at the time, noting it’s after nine. Padding through the house, I unlock and open the door, a smile curling my lips as I take in the sight of Gemma standing on my porch in nothing more than her robe and a fuzzy pair of purple slippers.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” I murmur as I lean down and press my lips to hers. Her sweet, fresh scent surroundsme, making me dizzy as my tongue dips into her mouth, savoring the minty flavor I’m met with.
Pulling apart, Gemma grins as she takes me in. “Why do you taste like peanut butter?”
Chuckling, I say, “You caught me mid sweet tooth.” Wrapping an arm around her waist, I pull her into me as I add, “You know, it’s actually perfect timing that you’re here. You’re exactly what I need to satiate that craving.”
Gemma lets her head fall back as she laughs, and I take the opportunity to pepper her exposed throat with kisses, relishing the way goosebumps bloom as I go. She’s so responsive to me.
“Do you want to come in?” I ask, pulling back to meet her gaze.
“I do, but I’m trying to get a good chunk of work done tonight before I go to bed.” Holding up my hat, she says, “I was going out to my car to grab my charger, and I saw this in there.”
“And knew I needed the hat right this moment?” My lips curl into a grin as I watch her cheeks pinken.
“Well, that, and maybe I wanted to kiss you really quick before I got back to work. I haven’t gotten to all day.” She shrugs nonchalantly, but the admission makes my stomach dip.
“Did you miss kissing me?” I cock a brow, trying to hide how much that affects me.
Shoving me playfully, Gemma giggles. “Maybe I did.”
The thoughts I’ve been having for weeks now come back to hit me square in the chest.I could tell her how I feel right now. I could ask for more.
Why does that idea make my palms sweat, though?
Gemma’s brows pinch. “What’s the matter?”
Tilting my head, I ask, “What do you mean?”
“You got all serious-faced.” She breathes out a dry laugh. “Did me saying I missed kissing you freak you out?”
This is my chance.
“Not at all.” I shake my head, dragging in a deep breath. “As a matter of fact, I was thinking quite the opposite.”
Lips curling up, Gemma places her hands on her hips. “Really?” she asks, head tilting playfully. “Do tell, Mr. Windward.”
“Okay, well, I’ve been thinking about how much I’ve been enjoying spending time with you lately.” My heart is beating so damn fast, I’m sure she can hear it from where she’s standing. “I care a great deal for you, and for Sutton, and I’d really like to make this… more, if you’d be open to it.”
A beat passes where she doesn’t say anything. “You want to change what we have?”