Page 53 of The Sacrifice
I smile, wrap my arms around her waist with the key still in my fingers and pull her closer until we’re connected from chest to knee. “Well, you’re in luck because I’m more than semi-hard and would love to skip the hours until I can get you alone in bed.”
“I love the sound of that.” The mixture of adoration and love in her eyes brings me to my knees. I’ve done many stupid things in this bar, most of which occurred over a three-week period of self-destruction. But making love to Mia here won’t be one of them. I’ll never regret a single moment of our time together.
I press my lips to hers, slowly taking more and relishing the plump softness of her mouth, the sharp intake of her breath, and the low whimper in her throat. God, I love the lazy twirl of her tongue against mine. Her hand fists the front of my shirt, and I growl into her mouth.
What is taking so long? I need the DNA test results back today. I’m ready to move forward. To permanently establish that Hadley is my daughter. To rid me of Roxanne once and for all. And to ask Mia to marry me and make every dream she’s ever had come true.
I want more children with her. I want a happily ever like those written in the story books. She rolls back on her heels. Her eyes are dark as she shakes her head. The regret on her face makes my heart ache. “I can’t believe I was such a bitch to you. I feel horrible that I thought you were reckless and irresponsible.”
“Sweetheart.” I place my index finger over her lips. “Stop. At one point, I was all those things. I did put Andrew’s and my future at risk. More than once. And even though I graduated from high school and college, I still took advantage of being born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I knew I was good and pushed the limits. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I got my head out of my ass. I’ve made many mistakes, but I promise to always put you and Hadley first.”
Tears fill her eyes, and then her eyelids lower into a glare. “You need to stop with all the gushy stuff. You’re going to turn me into a blubbering mess, and I don’t cry.” Her nose wrinkles. “So, stop it.”
“Nope.” I swing her off her feet. “Not going to happen. I’m going to woo you with sweet nothings, endless compliments, and drive you crazy with orgasms.”
“You’re too much.” She laughs at my antics. Life is perfect. “I like your friends. They’re a lot of fun.”
“Yes, they are. And they’re great guys. They pulled me out of it when I was down, smacked me around, and went to Coach Slater to get me back onto the first string. I can never thank them enough for all they did.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“Don’t get any ideas. You’re mine.” I’ve never been jealous, but even an inkling of interest from her with another guy is going to send me off the deep end.
“Stop.” She playfully swats at me as the song on the speakers changes to a romantic ballad. The words fit the moment perfectly and describe how I feel about her.
I step back, lift her hand to my lips and place a kiss on the back of it. “Would you dance with me?”
Her eyelids flutter shut. “You’re–”
“Well, hello, handsome.” A blonde woman who seems vaguely familiar pushes against my chest, causing me to step back to keep my balance and blocking my vision of Mia. “It’s been a long time since I saw you around.” She’s barely old enough to drink. If she even has a valid ID.
Fuck.“How old are you?” Bile rises in my throat.
“Twenty-one.”
This means she was twenty when I was drunkenly going through the willing females at the bar.Thank fuck.But still ridiculous. She wasn’t old enough to be drinking at the time, and I was too old to be acting like an idiot.
Her bottom lip pokes out. “You don’t remember me?”
The muscles in my back stiffen as I study her. Blonde hair. Brown eyes. Short skirt. Lowcut top. She reeks of cleat chaser, but I don’t remember her. “No. I don’t.”
She licks her red-painted lips. “Everyone was hammered, and you hammered me outside of the bar. Ring any bells? It was fucking cold outside. I about froze my ass off. But your–”
“Enough.” I raise my hand. “I don’t need the details. If you say we had sex, I believe you, but I don’t remember it. That was a messed-up time in my life.”
Mia stands with her arms crossed while tapping the toe of her shoe on the wooden floor.Shit. This sucks.It’s one thing for her to wonder what other stupid things I did, but to have it shoved in her face are quite another.
“Oh, I can remind you.” She steps closer and whispers in my ear. “I can suck a–”
“That’s enough.” I grasp her shoulders and step away from her. “I’m sure there’s a willing guy here who would enjoy spending time with you.”
“But you won’t?” She trails her index finger down my chest.
When she gets close to my abs, I grab her hand. “I’m not going to repeat it. Hands off.” I should have never come here. The past mistakes have a way of smacking you in the face when everything is going well. Sweat beads on my forehead. I don’t want to lose Mia. Especially over a woman, I don’t even remember.
“Fine.” She steps back and looks at Mia with a curled lip. “Have fun with your mom.”
Mia’s eyes flash with anger. “Oh, you did not.”