“A lot on my mind.” I pause, debating whether I can do this. I open my mouth before I change my mind. “Can I ask a favor? It’s a big one.”
She sets her empty plate on the coffee table. “Of course. What’s up?”
My heart hammers. Because no one from Charming knows much about my life before college. But this is Gabby. For some reason, I think she’ll understand.
“I need to talk to my father this week. I wanted to take Poppy to meet him, but I could use some backup.”
Her eyes widen. “You want me to come with you?”
“Would you mind? A warning first. He’s an ass, not to mention an alcoholic, so don’t expect a warm welcome. For either of us.”
She nods. “I remember you telling me he was difficult. Just tell me what you need.”
“It’s, uh…” I don’t know how to say the rest. It’s embarrassing as hell. “We’ve got a run-down double-wide and a yard full of weeds. I’m pretty sure there’s a hole in the ceiling too in the back room. But if he’s gonna lose his shit, I don’t want Poppy around that. Like you’ve taught me, stress isn’t good for a baby. So if you could help me with her while I talk to him, that would be great. Just prepare for him to be a dick.”
She reaches over and grabs my hand. “Don’t worry about me. However awkward it might be, it’s not going to bother me. I was in foster care, remember? The fact that you still have a father is a mark in the win column.”
Fuck, sometimes I forget how much she’s been through. I tangle my hand in her hair and bring her close to kiss her.
“I’m not joking when I say you’re amazing.” She is. Nothing gets her down. Nothing fazes her. I rub my nose against hers. “You know that, right?”
I hope we can work out all of our logistical issues after we graduate because the more I get to know her, the more I want her with me for the long haul.
She glances down, her face turning pink. Even her modesty is attractive.
I push my textbook off my lap and replace it with my gorgeous girlfriend. Surprised, she gasps and then lets out a strangled laugh as I get her to straddle me.
“Shh. Don’t wake the baby.” Wanting to make the most of this position, I squeeze her round ass.
That gets me a smirk. “Oh, so now you’re the authoritarian?”
“Damn, you turn me on with those big words.”
She laughs, and it’s a beautiful sight. The sparkle in her bright eyes. Her wide smile. The joy in her voice. I want to bottle up this moment and carry it with me to every away game.
And because I can’t get enough of it, I tickle her. She shrieks and bats me away, and attempts to tickle me, but come on. I have a foot of height on her. Two seconds later, she’s underneath me, panting and looking so fucking sexy, I’m instantly hard as a goal post.
I whisper, “Let’s see how much you can take.”
“Wha… what?” The heat in her eyes nearly undoes me.
I’m sure she’s thinking about what I have pressed between her thighs, but nope. I have more game than that.
“Just trust me.” With a smirk I lift both of her arms over her head and drag a finger slowly, so slowly, down her palm, over her wrist and elbow, but as I get lower, she giggles and tries to yank her arms down. “Nope. See what you did?” I give her my most stern expression. “Now we have to start all over again.”
“Okay. I can do this.” She cracks up, and the delight in her eyes is a thing to behold. “Go ahead.”
This time, even though she giggles and wiggles beneath me, I get all the way down to her perky breasts that are beckoning me with beautiful tight nipples. I drag my thumb over one, then the other, while we both watch, and I swear the heat of her sears me through our jeans.
Replacing my finger with my mouth, I suck her through her white t-shirt. By the time I’m done with the second one, she’s moaning in my arms. I’m about to snake my hand into her panties when she presses a palm to my chest.
“Sienna will probably be home soon.”
Hmm. “Let’s go to your room.”
“What about Poppy?”
Shit. She’s right. But then I get the best idea. “How about we make use of the floor on the other side of your bed?”
