Page 61 of Lemon Cake

He chuckled and carried her to the bathroom, setting her on the counter and dampening a cloth. “Want me to run you a shower or bath?”

“A bath, but only if you join me.”

“Always.”

After disappearing from the room, Rider returned and set some snacks on the stool he now kept next to the tub.

When he slipped in behind her, she let her head roll back and her lips found his jaw. “Is this a custom build?”

“Yeah. Most traditional bathtubs were too small for me, so my first investment was to find someone who made them big enough for me to fit.”

Rider’s fingers traced shapes over her stomach, and her hands dropped to find his as she continued to pepper kisses over his jaw. “You can talk to me about it if you like. I know you might not want to, but I need you to know I can listen.”

Rider hesitated, but then it seemed like the fight left his body. His shoulders slumped, and he let out a heavy sigh. “I’m frustrated—disappointed. And the worst thing about it is that I affected you. Deep down I know you understand, but it bothers me.Fourlosses—technically three, but we both know what a tie means. It fucks with my mind, and I can’t shut it off long enough to be around you.”

She kissed him, gently teasing her way to his ear.

Rider groaned in response. “I’m really trying not to get hard, but you’re making it impossible.”

“Sorry,” she lied.

“You don’t sound sorry at all.”

She giggled, kissing his cheek. “Maybe not, but I enjoy yousomuch.”

“Me too, but I also want to enjoy having you in my arms without worrying about my dick’s opinion on the matter.”

She laughed and relented. “Okay, if you say so.”

“I told you, you listen so well, my beautiful Gemma.”

Rider

Finally, after weeks of feeling like a fucking failure, he walked off the field with a win in his pocket. The only thing that made it sting was the fact that they were in Jacksonville, and it would be hours before he could celebrate with Gemma. He didn’t know how he deserved that woman. She’d been so sweet and loving over the past few weeks, consistently checking on him while making sure he didn’t feel smothered.

With a new pep in his step, he showered, changed, and stuffed himself full of the provided dinner. Once on the bus he pulled out his phone, seeing congratulations messages from her and his mom. He made sure to answer his mom before he called Gemma.

“Hi there, handsome.”

“Hi, gorgeous.”

Jake sat next to him and leaned closer to his phone. “Hi, Rider’s wifey!”

“Shut up, Jake.”

“Oh, shit—you haven’t shown her the ring yet? My bad.”

“There’s no fucking ring,” Rider hissed.

Gemma giggled as Jake continued. “Such a jerk! I thought you’d drop to your knee the second she agreed to date your ugly self.”

“Don’t listen to him, Rider. You and I both know you’re sexy as sin.”

“Fuck, what did she tell you? You’re blushing like a little schoolgirl.”

“Can you just fuck off?” Rider mumbled.

“Nah, you’re far too cute.”