Page 18 of Lemon Cake

“What?”

“The treadmill in your home.”

“Wait till you see the jacuzzi tub.”

“Well, that sounds like something I would enjoy muchmore than a treadmill,” she laughed.

“And that’s somethingI’denjoy seeing.”

“Me in your bathtub?”

“Too early to say those things?”

“I didn’t use our safe word, did I?”

“No, you didn’t.” Gemma could hear the smile in his voice.

When she found herself parked at Dan’s school, her heart sank a little. She enjoyed her talks with Rider. “I just parked at Dan’s school.”

“I’ll talk to you later then?”

“Of course.”

“Say hi to him from me.”

“Will do.”

Rider ended the call, and as soon as Dan had his arms around her, she couldn’t be upset anymore.

Rider

After what felt like eternity, it was finally Thursday. Of course, camp kept him busy but as soon as he was alone, the only thing on his mind was Gemma. They’d talked in some form every day, but he couldn’t help but feel the ghost of her lips across his and her hand in his palm.

The morning was spent grocery shopping for their lasagna-making date. Then Rider spent the afternoon in his home gym trying to keep his mind on anything else but Gemma.

After their talk in the car, he had the feeling they’d bonded quite a bit and hoped she would be more open towards him. She hadn’t exactly been closed off, but he hoped he could make her more comfortable. It still upset him to know that she’d thought that she had to hide herself for him. She was fucking gorgeous, and he hoped that he hadn’t played a part in that insecurity.

Rider only slowed and stopped his bench presses when his phone rang. It was Braiden. “Hi.”

“You sound out of breath. Thought she wouldn’t be over until later.”

“An hour and forty-three minutes, but who’s counting?”

“Clearly you,” Braiden laughed. “Just thought I’d call and make sure you weren’t losing your mind.”

“I don’t know why I’m so fucking nervous.”

“Because you fell for that girl faster than Jack and Jill down the hill. It’s fucking adorable to watch.”

“I just wish I would’ve met her sooner. Season starts soon.”

“She seems like someone who understands how important that is to you. Just keep your head straight on the field. What you do outside of that, is up to you.”

“Up until now I only had my football mindset and now…”

“She’s messing with your mojo.”

“Yes, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I guess I just have to figure this out.”