“Rider. Babe. I want you in me.” He helps me sit up. I’m sex-drunk and woozy from coming so hard and getting right up to the edge again. When I sink into the water and into his lap, I groan from the contact. “I need you.”
“I’m here. I’ll always be here.” His whispered words are the promises I’ve yearned to hear from him. He gently strokes my cheek. Kisses my temple. “Let me grab a condom.” He reaches over me toward his clothes, but I stop him.
“I’m on the pill if you want to… go bare.” I’ve been on it since I decided to start dating again this fall, but I wasn’t ready to forego other protection until I was sure he was committed. “If you’re worried about accidents, we don’t have to. I’ve actually never gone without.”
He turns back to me and wraps me in his arms. “You’re the most responsible person I know, so no, I’m not worried. And when we’re both ready for more kids, we’ll definitely revisit this topic.”
I smile from the depths of my soul, loving that he’s talking about our future like this. Of course I want to have Rider’s babies. Lots of them. Someday. A brood of brothers and sisters for our beautiful little Poppy.
“I’ve never gone without a condom before either,” he admits, “but I like having this first with you. I want the rest of your firsts too.”
“They’re yours,” I whisper against his lips.
Hands tight on my hips, he stares into my eyes as he works his way into me. It’s intense. Sublime as he stretches me. Just on the brink of pain, but on this side of bliss as he fills me and our bodies rub against one another in the water.
“I love you, Gabby. I never want to be apart from you again.”
“Never again. It’s a promise.”
“Let’s always work it out.” He grits out the words.
“Always,” I pant.
Dipping one hand into the water, he rubs tight circles on my swollen clit, and I can’t hang on any longer. “Rider!” I bury my face in his shoulder as I come. He pulls me down harder and erupts inside of me.
We hold each other, shivering from the aftershocks, overheated from the water and steam and intensity.
I smile against his skin. “I’m going to make you so happy.”
He kisses the top of my head. “You already do, baby. More than you know.”
76
RIDER
ONE MONTH LATER
A hand presses against mine,which are thrumming anxiously on the steering wheel. I turn to look at Gabby, who gives me a reassuring smile.
She points to a billboard with a photo from our championship game, and I shake my head with a laugh. “The parade wasn’t enough? The town needed a giant sign?”
“The townies love you guys, and everyone’s proud. Plus, there might be two more signs.”
“Are you serious?”
She nods and chuckles at my expression. “Get used to it, champ.”
“It’s weird to look up and see a giant photo of my face.”
She grabs my chin and gives me a smooch. “Good thing this is a pretty mug.”
I snort and thread my fingers through hers. Only Gabby could get me to laugh today. I was a nervous wreck this morning. “Thanks for coming with me. Adele swore Cricket wanted to meet us, but this still feels awkward as hell.”
Cricket has been in rehab since she returned last month, but she couldn’t see visitors until now. She got wrapped up in some heavier drugs when she went out west, but Adele got her to agree to get some help if she came home.
“Not even a Heisman or national championship can prepare a man for this kind of thing,” I mutter as I stare at the facility, which looks like a fancy hotel. But just like all the other crazy moments this year, Gabby is right by my side. “What if seeing us makes her relapse?”
“She’s in a place where professionals can help her if she struggles. That’s why Adele agreed it was a good idea to do it now, but if things don’t go well, Poppy and I can wait here.”
