“You going to tell me about it?”
“I finish my season’s contract with Vegas, you visit me once a month to help keep us sane, I’ll fly back if my schedule ever allows it. Then I’m done. I’ll retire and come back to Australia. Make myself cozy in this house of yours and call your bed ours.”
The hitch of Nate’s breath grabbed my attention. Unsure what to expect—surprise, perhaps—my brows shot high at the fierce expression forming.
“What?”
“That’s a hard fucking hell no.”
So startled, I huffed out a short laugh. No lie, I was confused as fuck. “Ahardno? What sort of agreement do you think we’re hashing out here?” Bewildered humor seemed like my only possible response.
“Giving up basketball isn’t okay. At least if you’re doing it just for me. We’ve already discussed this.”
Tilting my head, I managed a soft smile, despite us still being at an impasse. “I know this isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned to you about coming home,” I reminded him. “I mean before yesterday.”
With his gaze darting around my face, uncertainty registered.
“Even before I came back, before you made me fall head over heels in love with you”—that one earned me a sweet, pink-cheeked smile—“already I was considering my options.” I shook my head, feeling exhausted despite it only being midmorning. “I love basketball, love my job. I’m also not a spring chicken anymore in the League. But I also love you.” I shook my head when he opened his mouth as if to speak. “I also love and miss my family. Miss the peace of the Sunny Coast.” I rubbed my thumb over his hand, enjoying the sensation. It was a touch I didn’t think I’d ever tire of.
“Hell,” I chuckled, “I love the anonymity.” When I stopped talking, Nate remained staring at me, lips pursed. “I’ve finished. Your turn.”
At my smirk, he rolled his eyes. That simple gesture made me giddy. We’d figure this out. I knew it as surely as I knew Nate was a grower. I’d marveled, almost swallowing my tongue when I’d stared in awe atthattransformation.
“I know you’ve mentioned it before,” he admitted, “but do you think you’ll be satisfied not playing professionally? Especially when you’re still doing so well? I’m not yanking your chain just because you give great head. On the court, you’re spectacular.”
Happiness broke free, and I tugged him toward me, capturing his lips and going to town on his mouth. I swallowed every groan and committed his taste to memory. When I pulled away, Nate’s eyes were closed, and he panted.
“I like to think I’m spectacular off the court too.”
Nate’s lids popped open so fast, my giddiness burst free with a loud, snorting laugh. Despite the narrowing of his eyes, his lips twitched.
“You want me to start adding not so complimentary descriptors to that list, wisearse?”
With a quick shake of my head, I sat back and took him in. “I don’t feel like I ever started really living again until we reconnected.” The heat of embarrassment rushed to my skin, but I hadn’t been lying to myself about sharing all of me with him.
“Fuck, Broadwater. You can’t say shit like that and not expect me to give you whatever you want.”
Hope, all light and floaty, sparked into existence, and this time it caught fire, refusing to extinguish.
As a kookaburra laughed its noisy ass off from its perch on the fence, I quirked my brow at Nate. “In that case, I’m calling it.” I leaned in and paused a hairsbreadth away from capturing his mouth. “No take backs.”
CHAPTER21
NATE
EARLY AUGUST
Once again,nerves thrummed through me as I disembarked the plane. This time a very different level of excitement rode my heels. Under the bright lighting of baggage collection, and accompanied by the heavy rumble of voices while I passed through border control, I could barely contain myself.
Seven long weeks had passed without Ryan’s arms being wrapped around me. Forty-nine days since I’d seen in the flesh his smile or heard his voice. Over a thousand hours since I’d woken with him at my side. It was worth it, though.
Once I was out in the bustling crowd of LAX arrivals, the sound of squeals, laughter, and happy reunions greeted me. There was no time to smile or take any of it in, though, not when I searched frantically for the man I was desperate for.
I frowned, wondering why there were so many tall people around. While I was far from short, Ryan, who had several inches on me, was usually easy to spot. Not so much in this freakishly tall crowd.
Changing tack, I focused on the walls. I was more than aware that Ryan was a known face here, especially with last month’s press surrounding his trade deal. I expected he’d be staying under the radar.
As if my final thought summoned him, my gaze caught on the face I’d missed so much. Hidden under the shadow of his cap, he blended in well. But he couldn’t hide from me. For four weeks I’d explored every dip, sharp line, and curve of his body. I’d recognize him anywhere.
