Page 117 of Payoff Pitch

He slides his fingers between my legs. “Let me get you ready.”

I slap it away. “Trust me, I’m ready.”

Frantically, I grab his dick, lift my body, bring him to my entrance, and sink down onto him. We both let out moans as I do so.

I have to take a few long breaths as I get used to his sizeand the euphoric feeling of having him inside me coupled with the rush of what we just did.

He rubs his hands over my body and runs his nose along my cheek. “Nothing feels better than being inside you, sweet girl. I never want this feeling to go away.”

If I didn’t know it before, I know now. He loves me like I love him. This has turned into something very real. It’s my sign to finally talk to him about it.

I begin my up-and-down movements on him. He’s almost always the one in control of the sex we have, but he’s letting me have the reins right now as I take what I need from his body.

I’m so desperate for him. Our eyes meet as I move my body over his. Despite the frantic way this started, we’re making love now. The intensity of our connection is special. I know he must feel it too.

I’m completely in love with him and I’m confident he feels the same. That thought alone causes my body to ripple around his as I find my release, followed shortly thereafter by his.

Two hours later,we’re pulling into his driveway. Once we’re in the garage, he cuts the engine. Before he can get out of the car, I stop him. “Can we talk for a minute?”

His jaw tics just a drop. “Of course.”

I swallow as I try to form the words I need to say. “Tanner, I know what we were supposed to be, but, honestly, I’ve completely fallen for you. Everything you say and do makes me think you’re feeling the same. I’m not looking to get married tomorrow, but can we have a talk where we actually consider having a real future together? I can’t imagine mine without you and Harper anymore.”

His face falls as he takes my hand in his. “Bailey, I won’t lieand tell you that my feelings for you aren’t strong, stronger than I ever imagined they could be, but—”

“But what?”

“But there is no future for you and me. I’ve always been clear on this.”

“Yes, you said that, but you’ve said and done a lot of things contrary to that.”

“Because you’re so damn perfect and so damn hard not to fall for.”

“So youhavefallen for me?”

“It’s complicated.”

“It’s not.”

He runs his fingers through his hair. “I…I can’t give you what you want.”

“All I want is you.”

“That’s not true. You want a big family, and I could never take that away from you. A woman like you should have a dozen kids.”

“We can have kids one day. You and me.”

His mouth opens and closes a few times. He attempts to steel himself, but I know better. With pain written all over his face, he says, “As I’ve said before in very clear terms, we have no future. I will never get married again. I will never have any more kids.”

“I don’t understand. You’re an amazing father. You have so much to offer. Why wouldn’t you want more—”

“I had a vasectomy.”

The air is sucked out of my lungs. My head starts spinning. “What!? You had a vasectomy?”

He nods. “Yes.”

“When?”