When I indicated I wanted to get up, he backed away, giving me room. The moment he figured out my predicament was obvious. The asshole’s shoulders shook, lips twitching, but at least he reached out to help me up. We maneuvered out of the room, and without discussion, headed to Pearce’s bedroom. The second the door shut, I grunted. “Holy shit.”
“She got you good, huh?”
At my nod, he winced. “You need me to check them over? Maybe kiss them better?”
I huffed out a laugh and cringed. “Stop, you fucker. I can’t handle a stiffy or laughter while I’m cross-eyed and still debating throwing up.”
He snorted and ushered me to his bed. “You need ice or something?”
“Nuh-uh.” I shook my head. “Just need to curl up and feel sorry for myself for five minutes.”
Needing the comfort of his soft mattress, and maybe the scent of his sheets that had wisps of our combined lovemaking from last night, I scooted up to rest my head on the pillow.
“Room for me there?”
My gaze snapped to his, kinda surprised he asked and didn’t just join me. While he smiled, an unfamiliar hesitation was evident in the slight frown between his brows. But what I didn’t see a lick of was regret. It was enough to have me reaching out for him.
Taking my hand, he curled around me before I could take a new breath. When my back connected with his front, I relaxed in his hold.
From the moment we’d landed in Minneapolis, my life had spiraled. Everything had flipped upside down, barely giving me the chance to take stock and breathe. Hell, less than a week ago I’d been in a failing relationship, or at least a version of one. Then there was Lottie, and now this.
“You seem to be thinking really hard.” Pearce gave a light squeeze. “I would offer to blow you so you’ll stop, but I’m not sure your dick could handle it right now.”
I huffed out a laugh and hoisted my elbow back a little to nudge him. “Shut up.” Rather than voicing the thoughts flying about my brain, I focused on Pearce’s steady breaths, on the heat radiating from his body as he spooned me. Just the thought of being a little spoon to Pearce pulled a giggle out of me, which I was sure startled us both.
“The fuck was that?”
“Fuck off,” I said with a laugh. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Now shh. I need my five minutes.”
I closed my eyes, trying to calm my weird reaction. A legit giggle. When the hell had I turned into a pubescent kid? The desire to roll my eyes at myself was strong, but I could also be remarkably stubborn, so my eyes remained shut.
Five minutes to stop my nuts from throbbing and to let my brain settle. It was all I needed.
“You’re thinking, aren’t you?”
I lowered my head, chin to chest, and sighed in defeat. “Yeah,” I admitted. “When did you get to know me so well?”
A soft kiss pressed against my neck, and I thought I felt his smile as he did so. Pearce shifted, easing up, and peered down at me. “You want the honest answer to that?”
The way my heart bounced around in my chest, you’d think I’d never been looked at the way Pearce was doing now. But I supposed that was the thing. Pearce’s intent, his emotion had never been as open as it was right this second. Vulnerability I rarely saw from him pierced his gaze.
“Always.” And I meant it. Pearce was the most important man in my life. The only way we’d be sure to navigate our way through what was happening was to communicate. Fuck, I hated this adulting shit at times, but since being a dad, it was my life.
“Since the day we met, I like to think I could read you pretty damn well.” He raked his gaze over my face as he continued, “Most of the time I get it right, understand where your head or heart’s at. Just the once I got it wrong.”
Not willing to have this conversation without seeing him fully, I turned over. When I did, Pearce settled his head back on the pillow so we lay face-to-face.
“When you asked me out.”
“On a date. Yeah.”
I brushed my fingertips over his forehead. “I didn’t want to say no.”
“You’re fucking with me?” Indignation, quite possibly surprise, and a little self-satisfied amusement flooded his features. Then he frowned. “Why’d you say no? Turn me down?”
Jesus, even thinking about how to respond made me feel like a prize prick. Pretty sure my hesitation and reluctance were clear to read on my face, too, so I wasn’t surprised when he arched his brow at me. “Honesty, right?”
I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah, I know. I’m going to sound like a dickhead.” At least my words had him grinning. “You were twenty-six, just a few years in the League. Plus, I already valued your friendship.” I tried to hold back my grimace, but I still winced. “My old ass came with a kid and a stable home. We didn’t even live in the same state.”
